Looking for sci-fi/fantasy recommendations

[Dngrsone]

I like the Gap books, though it is a bit dark-- nearly all the main characters are bad people who do very bad things to one-another (rape, murder, etc.), so if you don't want to read that kind of stuff, then definitely avoid it.

Otherwise, it's well-written, the characters are complete, and the plot is far from predictable.

[OverHaze]

I'm getting stick to do death of reading variations on the "space US/Space UN vs the colonists" theme in contemporary Sci-fi. I want some cool aliens damn it! Wide vistas, unimaginable strangeness.

[kennyc]

Originally Posted by OverHaze

I'm getting stick to do death of reading variations on the "space US/Space UN vs the colonists" theme in contemporary Sci-fi. I want some cool aliens damn it! Wide vistas, unimaginable strangeness.

Go back and read Niven.

[Dazrin]

Originally Posted by OverHaze

I'm getting stick to do death of reading variations on the "space US/Space UN vs the colonists" theme in contemporary Sci-fi. I want some cool aliens damn it! Wide vistas, unimaginable strangeness.

The Three-Body Problem / Remembrance of Earth's Past trilogy by Cixin Liu is very good and has some very strange and in some cases completely mysterious aliens. These books are very different from normal military sci-fi or space opera, not particularly fast paced though if that makes a difference.

[OverHaze]

Originally Posted by Dazrin

The Three-Body Problem / Remembrance of Earth's Past trilogy by Cixin Liu is very good and has some very strange and in some cases completely mysterious aliens. These books are very different from normal military sci-fi or space opera, not particularly fast paced though if that makes a difference.

Funny you should bring that up. I was already eyeballing the first book as my Christmas read. It has to be asked, does the book have any censorship issues? From the descriptions I've read it seems to tackle subjects that could cause difficulties in China.

[Dngrsone]

Originally Posted by OverHaze

I'm getting stick to do death of reading variations on the "space US/Space UN vs the colonists" theme in contemporary Sci-fi. I want some cool aliens damn it! Wide vistas, unimaginable strangeness.

As someone mentioned, Larry Niven.

Also, C.J. Cherryh. The Chanur series are a favorite, though the Foreigner books are also excellent.

[Dazrin]

Originally Posted by OverHaze

Funny you should bring that up. I was already eyeballing the first book as my Christmas read. It has to be asked, does the book have any censorship issues? From the descriptions I've read it seems to tackle subjects that could cause difficulties in China.

I can't say one way or another on whether or not it was censored. I can say that the final product is excellent whether the original was censored or not.

[OverHaze]

Is there any Lovecraftian Space Operas out there? Ancient unknowable terrors lurking in the darkness of space type thing. Off the top of my head I can't think of any.

[Angst]

Originally Posted by OverHaze

Is there any Lovecraftian Space Operas out there? Ancient unknowable terrors lurking in the darkness of space type thing. Off the top of my head I can't think of any.

Vernor Vinge A Fire Upon the Deep is the only thing I can think of that comes close.

[kennyc]

Originally Posted by Angst

Vernor Vinge A Fire Upon the Deep is the only thing I can think of that comes close.

[OverHaze]

Thinking about it Revelation Space sort of fits the bill. Though its more 40k than Lovecraft.

[Angst]

Originally Posted by Angst

Vernor Vinge A Fire Upon the Deep is the only thing I can think of that comes close.

I just realized you mentioned it in your first post.

If you don't mind jumping genres to fantasy, I highly recommend Perdido Street Station by China Miéville. A completely different and new world without the swords and sorcery motif.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by Angst

I just realized you mentioned it in your first post.

If you don't mind jumping genres to fantasy, I highly recommend Perdido Street Station by China Miéville. A completely different and new world without the swords and sorcery motif.

I've read Perdido Street Station. It's a bit odd and not for everyone. If you find yourself not liking it buy the time you reach 1/3rd in, just stop reading. It won't get better.

[kennyc]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

I've read Perdido Street Station. It's a bit odd and not for everyone. If you find yourself not liking it buy the time you reach 1/3rd in, just stop reading. It won't get better.

I've felt that way about all of Mieville's work.

[church mouse]

Originally Posted by kennyc

I've felt that way about all of Mieville's work.

Curiously, I read his Bas-Lag series out of order. I began with The Scar (not realising it was second in a trilogy) and really enjoyed it. I then went back and read Perdido Street Station but was quite disappointed with it. Unperturbed, I moved on to The Iron Council and really disliked both it and his writing style.

Mind you, I did enjoy The City and The City - his writing seemed to be a bit more precise and less obfuscatory.

I have been wary of buying anything else by him, but am happy to consider recommendations.