Help me decide on a fantasy novel to read

[flipreads]

Never heard of The Rook.

As for the other two, they turn around your expectations of the epic fantasy genre, although Rothfuss is arguably more overt at it. Had difficulties reading The Knight because it was written in an archaic style (that's Wolfe's intent for this novel... his other fiction isn't written like that).

[tecweston]

Originally Posted by flipreads

Never heard of The Rook.

As for the other two, they turn around your expectations of the epic fantasy genre, although Rothfuss is arguably more overt at it. Had difficulties reading The Knight because it was written in an archaic style (that's Wolfe's intent for this novel... his other fiction isn't written like that).

The Rook is pretty new, it came out in January and it's a debut novel. It's not epic fantasy, but I included it because it's a sci-fi/fantasy/paranormal type of thing and it looked interesting. It's about a woman who wakes up with amnesia, surrounded by bodies wearing latex gloves, and there's a letter to her written by herself in the past telling her there are people trying to kill her, and what steps she needs to take to survive. It's like The Bourne Identity meets Memento (she keeps encountering notes written to herself from the past), and soon she discovers she has superpowers and is a high-ranking official in a secret British paranormal government agency.

So yeah, that grabbed me right from the start and I can't stop reading.

[xg4bx]

The Name of the Wind is very well written but the protagonist is far too perfect for my tastes. everyone likes him, he's immediately good at everything he tries, etc. he goes from being a great character to a grade-a smartass. the 1st half is fantastic but the 2nd half was a real eye-roller.

i'd recommend The Way of Shadows by Brent Weeks-

"For Durzo Blint, assassination is an art-and he is the city's most accomplished artist.

For Azoth, survival is precarious. Something you never take for granted. As a guild rat, he's grown up in the slums, and learned to judge people quickly - and to take risks. Risks like apprenticing himself to Durzo Blint.

But to be accepted, Azoth must turn his back on his old life and embrace a new identity and name. As Kylar Stern, he must learn to navigate the assassins' world of dangerous politics and strange magics - and cultivate a flair for death."

[DiapDealer]

The Name of the Wind is very well written but the protagonist is far too perfect for my tastes. everyone likes him, he's immediately good at everything he tries, etc. he goes from being a great character to a grade-a smartass.

Keep an eye on the unreliable narrator thread. I fully expect you'll see Kvothe's name there in years to come. His first-person narratives are clearly presenting the reader with exaggerated interpretations (or even downright lies) of the events of his past.

[DrNefario]

I found the start of Name of the Wind pretty weak - the stuff in the inn before it goes into the first-person history - so it might not come over well from a free sample.

[Shack70]

I just started Name of the Wind and I'm up to chapter 9. so far it's kind of boring, but I can see it picking up soon. I hope this isn't one of those books you get 500 pages into and then something happens...

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by tecweston

Oh I also read the first couple pages of Legend, but there were so many alien-looking words and names that it kinda turned me off and I couldn't concentrate on the story. I might need to be in a different mood to read it.

You really cannot judge a book based a few pages. Besides, a lot of fantasy books have strange character/place names. Trust me, Legend is worth reading. Just try it up to chapter 2 and see what you think.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by tecweston

The Rook is pretty new, it came out in January and it's a debut novel. It's not epic fantasy, but I included it because it's a sci-fi/fantasy/paranormal type of thing and it looked interesting. It's about a woman who wakes up with amnesia, surrounded by bodies wearing latex gloves, and there's a letter to her written by herself in the past telling her there are people trying to kill her, and what steps she needs to take to survive. It's like The Bourne Identity meets Memento (she keeps encountering notes written to herself from the past), and soon she discovers she has superpowers and is a high-ranking official in a secret British paranormal government agency.

So yeah, that grabbed me right from the start and I can't stop reading.

Sound like part of Men in Black II and Total Recall. Basically that "I can't remember who I am, but I've left enough clues lying around to help me figure out who I am" plot has been done to death.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by DrNefario

I found the start of Name of the Wind pretty weak - the stuff in the inn before it goes into the first-person history - so it might not come over well from a free sample.

I've read it. It doesn't go over well from the entire book.

[tecweston]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

You really cannot judge a book based a few pages. Besides, a lot of fantasy books have strange character/place names. Trust me, Legend is worth reading. Just try it up to chapter 2 and see what you think.

Oh I'm sure it's good, I just wasn't in the right mood to read it. When I tried to read the first few paragraphs everything became a jumble of odd words and I couldn't concentrate because of it.

[tecweston]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Sound like part of Men in Black II and Total Recall. Basically that "I can't remember who I am, but I've left enough clues lying around to help me figure out who I am" plot has been done to death.

Well, having seen both those movies, it doesn't feel like either one of them. My "Bourne Identity" meets "Memento" comparison was based on the first few chapters, but after she starts actually going to work in the paranormal government agency without any idea what her job is, and trying to fake it, it takes on a different feel. I've read some reviews that say it has much more in common with "X-Men," "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," "Harry Potter," and "Ghostbusters," and that feels about right.

[Teknikal]

I really enjoyed the name of the wind I also liked the sequel as well and the third is probably my most anticipated book. I'm pretty limited with that kind of genre the only ones I've read are probably inheritance, Codex Alera and I had a go at a song of ice and fire but just couldn't get into clash of kings.

[Spock96]

I just finished The Lamb among the Stars Series (Christian Science Fiction). I very much enjoyed it.

Now, I'm moving onto EON and the squeal EONA by Allison Goodman.

[BlackVoid]

Originally Posted by Belfaborac

I second that suggestion and also recommend every other book by Gemmell. Straightforward, no-nonsense heroic fantasy. Easy reads, memorable characters, good stories and good story telling.

I've read most or all his books twice, Legend three times.

I was falling asleep constantly while reading it. Yes, its fantasy, yes its heroic. I just could not care. So predictable.

[artifact]

Is it too late to post? . Another consideration not on your list is Lois McMaster Bujold's Chalion series. Curse of the Chalion and its sequel, Paladin of Souls, are both excellent. Paladin won the Hugo, Locus, and Nebula best Novel awards and Curse was nominated for the Hugo and Locus. They aren't realy dark like Martin's series but there is a good pantheon and interesting world depth and characters.

If you want quirky non-standard for the genre, check out Sheri S. Tepper. Though she may technically be SF... her books are more about worlds and characters and humanity itself than technology, which appeals to my inner anthropologist.