Malazan vs Wheel of Time or...?

Crusader · 12-07-2010, 12:30 PM

After a recent binge of science fiction purchases I'm thinking of getting some good fantasy series to add to my library.

The problem is I don't know which to choose. I think I narrowed it down to either the Malazan series or Wheel of Time.

I haven't read anything by Steven Erikson so I have no idea if I'd enjoy his work. I vaguely remember reading and enjoying some of the WoT novels, although no particulars come to mind.

Any suggestions on which one to choose? Of course recommendations for another series also welcome.

DiapDealer · 12-07-2010, 12:36 PM

Neither of those are my cup of tea. I would recommend Paul Kearney's The Monarchies of God -- available in two omnibi(?) for way cheaper than it would cost to buy the 5 volumes independently.

Plus, of course, the series is all done and ready to read.

jbcohen · 12-07-2010, 01:31 PM

I haven't read much of the Malazan books but I ahev read a bit of the Wheel of Time boosk and let me tell you they are a bit on the slow moving side and sometimes you need to keep a pad of paper and pen with you to keep notes on whose who in the books. I think this site can help clear away a lot of the confusion so that you do not need to keep notes as you read. http://wot.wikia.com/wiki/A_beginning

Crusader · 12-08-2010, 04:42 AM

I couldn't decide which way to go with the fantasy genre so I went with sci-fi.

I ordered the 7 books in the Saga of Seven Suns by Kevin J Anderson. It seems to have had mixed reviews but I kinda like the concept, the saga is complete and best of all the books will look darn cool on my bookshelf!

darknessangel · 12-08-2010, 08:08 AM

I haven't read Malazan but I really like the wheel of time. However if you don't like long series better drop it as it is looooong... =D

As for the "who is who" in the WoT, ironically some years ago someone got extra copies of an "encyclopedia" of the WoT and gave me one... so I'm happy ^_^

natasha_fawn · 12-08-2010, 12:19 PM

I love the Malazan books, but I've never read WoT. I think the series as a whole is great, complex world(s), interesting characters, and a refreshing lack of black and white morality. Unfortunately some of the later books have suffered, probably a combination of haste to get them published, complexity, and difficulty editing anything out. If you don't like really long books (and series) they probably isn't for you, the first book is the shortest, with some of the later ones getting up to 1200 pages in mass market paperback. The series is 10 books, with the last to be published next year.

I don't have any good comparisons for it. Wikipedia says it has been compared to Glen Cook's The Black Company (I started the first book but never really got into it) and George R. R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire (which I have read, but I don't think the comparison does the Malazan books justice). I do think it's one of the best fantasy series written recently.

Krystian Galaj · 12-08-2010, 04:29 PM

The trouble with Wheel of Time is, in later books there are so many characters that:
1) you forget which are which, and
2) time starts flowing really slowly, because author describes what happens to nearly every character.

Marc Johnson · 12-08-2010, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crusader

I couldn't decide which way to go with the fantasy genre so I went with sci-fi.

I ordered the 7 books in the Saga of Seven Suns by Kevin J Anderson. It seems to have had mixed reviews but I kinda like the concept, the saga is complete and best of all the books will look darn cool on my bookshelf!

Good choice. I loved this series. I always think of it as the sci-fi version of GRRM's A Song of Fire and Ice. The first book starts off a bit slow but towards the end, things get going. Hope you enjoy!

Crusader · 12-09-2010, 01:26 AM

Thanks. I'm sure I will enjoy it. It's good to know it gets better after the first one.

Now I just hope the store can fulfill the order. After I placed my order the books all went to 'Out of stock'. Hopefully I got some of the last ones.

dengar · 12-10-2010, 05:29 PM

Go for David Eddings Belgariad series. Its a great first fantasy series to read. It was my first and it originally got me into fantasy.

Kiwimick · 12-10-2010, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dengar

Go for David Eddings Belgariad series. Its a great first fantasy series to read. It was my first and it originally got me into fantasy.

+2

my daughter and I both got into Fantasy with these books and his Mallorean series both of which we have read a number of times.

Crusader · 12-11-2010, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dengar

Go for David Eddings Belgariad series. Its a great first fantasy series to read. It was my first and it originally got me into fantasy.

Already read those. They were quite popular when I was still at school. I got loads of my classmates into the series after recommending it to them.

DArenson · 12-11-2010, 04:44 PM

WoT was fairly entertaining for the first two or three books. Then it went downhill, in my opinion. I highly recommend Roger Zelazny's "Amber" books; perhaps the best fantasy series out there, along with "Lord of the Rings". I also highly recommend the ongoing "Song of Ice and Fire" series by George R. R. Martin, and the works of Robin Hobb.

Latinandgreek · 12-11-2010, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DArenson

WoT was fairly entertaining for the first two or three books. Then it went downhill, in my opinion. I highly recommend Roger Zelazny's "Amber" books; perhaps the best fantasy series out there, along with "Lord of the Rings". I also highly recommend the ongoing "Song of Ice and Fire" series by George R. R. Martin, and the works of Robin Hobb.

Great recommendations.

I'd like to recommend the "Mistborn" series by Brandon Sanderson.

Loss Stop · 12-11-2010, 05:21 PM

Have started reading the WOT again after taking a long break (stopped after book 10). I remember book 10 being so bad, but I've had 11 in paperback for a while decided to give it a shot. Sucked me right back in, feels good to go back to it. Almost done 12 and can't wait till TOR come to their senses and release 13 as an ebook.

I've read the first Mistborn book by Sanderson and wasn't a huge fan, was a little concerned what he would do to the WOT, but since the series has been in the crapper the last couple books, couldn't really go wrong.

Where Robert Jordan I felt sometimes over explained physical descriptions, I also felt that Sanderson in the first Mistborn book lacked much description at all, I had a very hard time imaging his world. Was worried what that would mean for the writing of the remaining WOT books, though it seems he has created a perfect balance in his WOT books.

I've picked up the first Malazan book, haven't started it yet however. Apparently the first book is hard to get into but excels afterwards. Also, another plus is that Steven Erikson writes one each year I believe, so you wont be waiting too long like you would/will be for A Song Of Fire And Ice.

12-07-2010, 12:30 PM	#1
Crusader Space Cadet Posts: 1,180 Karma: 4030536 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: South Africa Device: Sony PRS-T1, Cybook Opus, Kobo Glo	Malazan vs Wheel of Time or...? After a recent binge of science fiction purchases I'm thinking of getting some good fantasy series to add to my library. The problem is I don't know which to choose. I think I narrowed it down to either the Malazan series or Wheel of Time. I haven't read anything by Steven Erikson so I have no idea if I'd enjoy his work. I vaguely remember reading and enjoying some of the WoT novels, although no particulars come to mind. Any suggestions on which one to choose? Of course recommendations for another series also welcome.

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12-07-2010, 12:36 PM	#2
DiapDealer Grand Sorcerer Posts: 27,546 Karma: 193191846 Join Date: Jan 2010 Device: Nexus 7, Kindle Fire HD	Neither of those are my cup of tea. I would recommend Paul Kearney's The Monarchies of God -- available in two omnibi(?) for way cheaper than it would cost to buy the 5 volumes independently. Plus, of course, the series is all done and ready to read.

12-07-2010, 01:31 PM	#3
jbcohen Wizard Posts: 3,025 Karma: 11196738 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Piper College Device: Samsung A21	I haven't read much of the Malazan books but I ahev read a bit of the Wheel of Time boosk and let me tell you they are a bit on the slow moving side and sometimes you need to keep a pad of paper and pen with you to keep notes on whose who in the books. I think this site can help clear away a lot of the confusion so that you do not need to keep notes as you read. http://wot.wikia.com/wiki/A_beginning

12-08-2010, 04:42 AM	#4
Crusader Space Cadet Posts: 1,180 Karma: 4030536 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: South Africa Device: Sony PRS-T1, Cybook Opus, Kobo Glo	I couldn't decide which way to go with the fantasy genre so I went with sci-fi. I ordered the 7 books in the Saga of Seven Suns by Kevin J Anderson. It seems to have had mixed reviews but I kinda like the concept, the saga is complete and best of all the books will look darn cool on my bookshelf!

12-08-2010, 08:08 AM	#5
darknessangel Addict Posts: 297 Karma: 1018140 Join Date: Feb 2009 Device: PRS-505, iPad	I haven't read Malazan but I really like the wheel of time. However if you don't like long series better drop it as it is looooong... =D As for the "who is who" in the WoT, ironically some years ago someone got extra copies of an "encyclopedia" of the WoT and gave me one... so I'm happy ^_^

12-08-2010, 12:19 PM	#6
natasha_fawn Evangelist Posts: 414 Karma: 184633 Join Date: Nov 2010 Device: Sony PRS-950 (finally!)	I love the Malazan books, but I've never read WoT. I think the series as a whole is great, complex world(s), interesting characters, and a refreshing lack of black and white morality. Unfortunately some of the later books have suffered, probably a combination of haste to get them published, complexity, and difficulty editing anything out. If you don't like really long books (and series) they probably isn't for you, the first book is the shortest, with some of the later ones getting up to 1200 pages in mass market paperback. The series is 10 books, with the last to be published next year. I don't have any good comparisons for it. Wikipedia says it has been compared to Glen Cook's The Black Company (I started the first book but never really got into it) and George R. R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire (which I have read, but I don't think the comparison does the Malazan books justice). I do think it's one of the best fantasy series written recently.

12-08-2010, 04:29 PM	#7
Krystian Galaj Guru Posts: 820 Karma: 11012 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Warsaw, Poland Device: Bookeen Cybook	The trouble with Wheel of Time is, in later books there are so many characters that: 1) you forget which are which, and 2) time starts flowing really slowly, because author describes what happens to nearly every character.

12-09-2010, 01:26 AM	#9
Crusader Space Cadet Posts: 1,180 Karma: 4030536 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: South Africa Device: Sony PRS-T1, Cybook Opus, Kobo Glo	Thanks. I'm sure I will enjoy it. It's good to know it gets better after the first one. Now I just hope the store can fulfill the order. After I placed my order the books all went to 'Out of stock'. Hopefully I got some of the last ones.

12-10-2010, 05:29 PM	#10
dengar Connoisseur Posts: 64 Karma: 2810 Join Date: Nov 2010 Device: PW2, K3, Ipad 4, Kindle Fire	Go for David Eddings Belgariad series. Its a great first fantasy series to read. It was my first and it originally got me into fantasy.

12-11-2010, 04:44 PM	#13
DArenson ebookworm Posts: 268 Karma: 100026 Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Canada Device: Kobo, Kindle	WoT was fairly entertaining for the first two or three books. Then it went downhill, in my opinion. I highly recommend Roger Zelazny's "Amber" books; perhaps the best fantasy series out there, along with "Lord of the Rings". I also highly recommend the ongoing "Song of Ice and Fire" series by George R. R. Martin, and the works of Robin Hobb.

12-11-2010, 05:21 PM	#15
Loss Stop Enthusiast Posts: 33 Karma: 72 Join Date: Jun 2010 Device: kobo 1, prs 350	Have started reading the WOT again after taking a long break (stopped after book 10). I remember book 10 being so bad, but I've had 11 in paperback for a while decided to give it a shot. Sucked me right back in, feels good to go back to it. Almost done 12 and can't wait till TOR come to their senses and release 13 as an ebook. I've read the first Mistborn book by Sanderson and wasn't a huge fan, was a little concerned what he would do to the WOT, but since the series has been in the crapper the last couple books, couldn't really go wrong. Where Robert Jordan I felt sometimes over explained physical descriptions, I also felt that Sanderson in the first Mistborn book lacked much description at all, I had a very hard time imaging his world. Was worried what that would mean for the writing of the remaining WOT books, though it seems he has created a perfect balance in his WOT books. I've picked up the first Malazan book, haven't started it yet however. Apparently the first book is hard to get into but excels afterwards. Also, another plus is that Steven Erikson writes one each year I believe, so you wont be waiting too long like you would/will be for A Song Of Fire And Ice.