MobileRead Forums - View Single Post - Which Fantasy series should I read first?

dickloraine · 01-04-2015, 05:20 AM

I have read each of the series. First let me say that they are all excellent. In time you want to read each or at least try each one. That said, here are some thoughts about them. Maybe this helps you to decide which to read first ;-)

The black company is in my opinion not quite as good as the others, but that is personal preference. It is about a mercenary army, fighting for the bad guys (this is a little bit simplified) and later searching for its origins. It is very gritty and dark. The perspective is from the common soldiers mostly. And it is interesting in a fantasy historical viw, as Glen Cook has written it, long before that type of fantasy was en vogue. Last thing: The tone and the view from the soldiers is also in the malazan books. No wonder, cause Erikson said that cook was a major influence to him.

The Malazan series. Difficult to say something objective about it, if you love it as much as I do. It seems that this series is one of this love it or hate it things. The scope and the world building is the best I ever read in fantasy. The concepts and philosophy in it are quite sophisticated but are largely from the more cynical side. Of course there are positive thoughts in it, but they are on the personal level. The style could need some time to get used to. Specifically in the first few books, there is a little bit much spitting and grunting etc. Not every scene is necessary and it is not so good composed and thought out in every scene as A Song of Ice and Fire. His style is nonetheless brilliant in his way.
I think this is overall the best fantasy I have read and recommend it very much.

Ice and Fire is wonderful too. Martins prose is very good. It just flows. Every chapter is out of the perspective of one person. Often this chapters are even like little short stories. Each character has his own personality and tone. It deserves every praise it gets. It is the most accessible of the three series too. The first three books are just pure brilliance. And this books should be attractive to not fantasy readers also. It is just overall a very good book. Caveat: It is not finished.

So I would say start with Ice and Fire or Malazan. Both are excellent.

01-04-2015, 05:20 AM	#11
dickloraine Guru Posts: 631 Karma: 7544528 Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Berlin Device: PRS 350, Kobo Aura	I have read each of the series. First let me say that they are all excellent. In time you want to read each or at least try each one. That said, here are some thoughts about them. Maybe this helps you to decide which to read first ;-) The black company is in my opinion not quite as good as the others, but that is personal preference. It is about a mercenary army, fighting for the bad guys (this is a little bit simplified) and later searching for its origins. It is very gritty and dark. The perspective is from the common soldiers mostly. And it is interesting in a fantasy historical viw, as Glen Cook has written it, long before that type of fantasy was en vogue. Last thing: The tone and the view from the soldiers is also in the malazan books. No wonder, cause Erikson said that cook was a major influence to him. The Malazan series. Difficult to say something objective about it, if you love it as much as I do. It seems that this series is one of this love it or hate it things. The scope and the world building is the best I ever read in fantasy. The concepts and philosophy in it are quite sophisticated but are largely from the more cynical side. Of course there are positive thoughts in it, but they are on the personal level. The style could need some time to get used to. Specifically in the first few books, there is a little bit much spitting and grunting etc. Not every scene is necessary and it is not so good composed and thought out in every scene as A Song of Ice and Fire. His style is nonetheless brilliant in his way. I think this is overall the best fantasy I have read and recommend it very much. Ice and Fire is wonderful too. Martins prose is very good. It just flows. Every chapter is out of the perspective of one person. Often this chapters are even like little short stories. Each character has his own personality and tone. It deserves every praise it gets. It is the most accessible of the three series too. The first three books are just pure brilliance. And this books should be attractive to not fantasy readers also. It is just overall a very good book. Caveat: It is not finished. So I would say start with Ice and Fire or Malazan. Both are excellent.