My Awesome List of books that i want you to Read

[Samtully]

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The Bartimaeus Trilogy

This series is hilarious from start to finish.With just the right amount of feels.
The plot involves a Government run by Magicians, who use Demons(Djinni) to fight in wars.They also make the djinni do menial tasks like driving cars or assassinating enemies.The main characters are; Bartimaeus,a Djinni,and Nathaniel,the kid who summoned him. The three books involve them; stealing a powerful artifact,fighting a Golem and finally fighting an army of Djinni that have possessed the Government.So basically,a bunch of completely insane plots.It also has a rebel faction that tries to destroy the government and an Afrit(stronger being) that possesses a dead body and runs around causing havoc.
The books are set in Britain and told from Bartimaeus' perspective,which gets pretty funny because Bartimaeus has a snide comment on everything and everyone.

[Samtully]

Technomancer (Unspeakable Things: Book One)

Basically,this book has a shady organization with crazy powers, a bunch of alien beings and a bit of amnesia thrown in for fun,whats not to like?
Quentin Drake wakes up in a strange hospital with no memory of who he is and why he has a bunch of injuries(kinda like Jason Bourne).However,where this book differs from the Bourne series is that here we have a bunch of people called The Community,who have access to artifacts that endow the user with strange powers(like mind control or turning metal into rubber).Quentin has to try and get his memory back, and try to figure out why his friend died with sand stuffed inside his guts.All while the Community and a bunch of mysterious killer beings are trying to stop him.

[issybird]

I thought the Bartimaeus books were better than Harry Potter. :ducks:

[Samtully]

As I am more Focussed On Fantasy Books here is another Recommendation from me.

The Axis Trilogy - Sara Douglass



Sara Douglass was an Australian author who sadly passed away in 2011, losing her battle with ovarian cancer. She was a lovely lady, Her books kind of are the heart of my love for fantasy, both she and her talent are missed.

[Dr. Drib]

I want to know WHY you recommend those Douglass titles. Telling me that she's a lovely lady (or a lovely man) doesn't tell me anything about the series and why you like them. I don't care if someone has the personality of an Ellison. I want to know what the books are about and why you find them so compelling.

You need to be a bit more convincing, please.

[pwalker8]

Originally Posted by issybird

I thought the Bartimaeus books were better than Harry Potter. :ducks:

I really liked both, it's just Harry Potter was a bit more popular.

[Samtully]

Originally Posted by Dr. Drib

I want to know WHY you recommend those Douglass titles. Telling me that she's a lovely lady (or a lovely man) doesn't tell me anything about the series and why you like them. I don't care if someone has the personality of an Ellison. I want to know what the books are about and why you find them so compelling.

You need to be a bit more convincing, please.

I just wanted to share about the books name, would likely share this time with the information on book.

[Samtully]

The Wayfarer Redemption

These Novel Take place in the realm of Tencendor. In this realm live the 3 main humanoid races, all descendant in legend from the sons of Urbeth, a being who now lives in the form of a great Ice Bear; the Icarii, a winged race who harness magic through music and song. Very elvish in nature, generally think of themselves as the 'higher race', at times ruled the other races, long lived and beautiful. The Acharites, who resemble the old human race both physically and in nature, farmers and soldiers. They mostly resent magic. Lastly, the Avar, (who are actually not descendant from Urbeth now that I check) are a druid like people who live in the forest, very much at one with nature, and I mean hardcore at one. When their spiritual leaders die they become trees and they put a great number of their children to test to become these leaders. The children sort of spirit walk and meet the spirit of their 'God' a great stag, and if they fail they die. All these races are under threat in the Axis Trilogy from the impending Skraeling invasion. Skraelings are creatures of the icy realms to the North, the way I thought of them was kind of like the aliens in Pitch Black but all icy and more wraith like. In The Wayfarer Redemption the races of Tencendor are faced with the arrival of a group of demons who are ravaging the land. Each demon reigns over a different time of day and spreads death and destruction in their own way at that time. There are the demons of Tempest, Pestilence, Despair, Destruction, Hunger and Terror. This series is my absolute favorite. While the Axis trilogy is packed full of fantasy and everything I could possibly want, the story of The Wayfarer Redemption is beautiful, tragic and so full of impossible possibilities, it is the best series I have ever read. The journey made by the various characters to save their world, themselves and the things they love is elaborate and awe inspiring.

[Dr. Drib]

Originally Posted by Samtully

I just wanted to share about the books name, would likely share this time with the information on book.

But your sharing of a name or of an author doesn't tell me anything ABOUT the book. Why not tell us a bit about it? --- This would make your thread infinitely more useful, not only as a guide, but as a resource into what might possibly be interesting books that one might wish to read.

Thank you.

ADDED: I now see you've done that on the post above mine. Do you see now how much more interesting your thread can be?

[Samtully]

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The Inheritance Cyle (AKA The Eragon Series) - Christopher Paolini

If you take the time to slip into this story, it has a very deep story and is written very well. It is about a peasant boy who becomes one of the first dragon riders in something like 100 years (maybe more, cbf checking), that alone is badass. But it is about his deep relationship forming with this dragon, and then the choices he has to make to lead an army against evil. On the back of a dragon. You know you want to.

[Dr. Drib]

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[Samtully]

Gardens of the Moon (The Malazan Book of the Fallen) (Steven Erikson)



Since Tolkien, Fantasy has rarely been revolutionary, instead becoming more of an evolution and reinterpretation of Tolkien's original work. Well, I can honestly say Erickson's saga is revolutionary.

No Fantasy book series is more epic in scope than The Malazan Book of the Fallen. His saga combines both military and epic fantasy into a delightful mix. Brilliant prose, epic storylines, gritty realism, fascinating mix of gray characters, Erickson combines the best of George R. Martin with the epic scope of the Greek Classics such as the Iliad and the Odyssey. One word when reading it: epiphany. A refreshing change from the usual Robert Jordan-esque fantasy clones that pop up like weeds these days.

The series is now completed for the most part, but the strength of the series has maintained itself throughout the many books. So you can start this series from the beginning knowing that you WON'T have to wait years for sequel books to come out. From start to finish, Malazan Book of the Fallen is one hell of a ride and is a MUST read for any fantasy fan. It can take a few books to get into the series, but if you are patient and bear with the world-building in the first couple of books, the series gets damn good.

[Dr. Drib]

We actually have a couple of Malazan [Erikson] threads here that you may wish to investigate.

[Samtully]

Foundation (Foundation Series) (Issac Asimov)



A pinnacle of Science Fiction literature, Foundation stands at the top. Many will argue Foundation is the greatest work in the genre while just as many wonder why others love it. It's roundly regarded as a classic in the genre by one of the grandmasters science fiction writers.

The series has garned a slew of awards included a one-time Hugo award for "Best All Time Series" in 1966.

Grand concepts and epic storylines abound in this novel. This is not so much a story of personal characters but of grand ideas. If you like to “think” when you read science fiction, Foundation will deliver.

[Dr. Drib]

That special Hugo Award was in 1966. The other top 4 finalists included this list:

Barsoom - Edgar Rice Burroughs
Future History series - Robert A Heinlein
Lensman series - Edward E. "Doc" Smith
Lord of the Rings - J.R.R. Tolkien


I find Asimov's 'Foundation' to be a wooden work of art - it doesn't quite come alive for me. It makes for quite a disjointed read.

I have fond memories of devouring Burroughs' works when I was a child. Today, they seem childish. Discovered at the right age, they can be fun reads.

Still interesting (for me) are Heinlein's writings - when he's not preaching.

Edward E. 'Doc' Smith's writings are childish melodramas and great fun - if one is brain-dead and tone-deaf to the nuances of language.

Tolkien's "Lord of the Rings" is the top winner for me: It still stands up as a great fantasy and as a great work of literature.