Fantasy recommendations - Page 6

Sinnermental · 03-11-2013, 10:54 PM

Came in to say Riftwar saga but you have it,

Terry pratcthet too maybe

artifact · 03-12-2013, 09:32 PM

I haven't spotted the War God series by David Weber and the Half-Orcs by David Dalglish. Both are 'boy from the farm' types as long as you are OK with your boy being an orc or orc-like.

I have the feeling the OP may have mentioned these two in other threads. DRM free and IIRC the first of the series in each is a freebie.

JSWolf · 03-12-2013, 09:47 PM

Another recommendation is Janny Wurtz's Wars of Light and Shadow series.

Difflugia · 03-14-2013, 07:33 PM

I second the War God series and the first three books are on Baen's Wind Rider CD.

I also recommend the Vineart War series by Laura Anne Gilman and the Joust series by Mercedes Lackey

tompe · 03-15-2013, 08:04 PM

In the more gritty dub-category I really like Glen Cook's Black Company books. Abercrombie and Steven Burst are also two of my favorites.

Freeshadow · 03-24-2013, 09:42 AM

HarryT you might like the Kyralia trilogies by Trudi Canavan. (the 1st book is currently reported heavily discounted for Kindle in the Deals subforum)

What also fits the monomyth pattern (most suitable for younger readers but in no way dumbed down) are the Chronicles of Pyrdain by Lloyd Alexander, but I assume you already know them, as they are around for quite some time.

khazaddum · 02-25-2014, 08:53 PM

let me also recommend Patrick Rothfuss (as many others have also done). His style is almost Dickensian, and lyrical, which makes the reading experience smooth and pleasant while telling an engaging story. The Name of the Wind and The Wise Man's Fear are the best fantasy I've read so far, if not as "epic" or grandiose as Tolkien... it's picaresque. It's not complete yet BUT the two published installments are quite voluminous and should keep you busy before the last one comes out this year.

Pangolin · 02-28-2014, 11:07 AM

Oh Rothfuss yes, that was one writer that left me feeling really sad about finishing his second book.... K J Parker, although s/he really isn't a fantasy writer. Not sure what genre those books fit into. And the Baroque Cycle, Neal Stephenson, is also classed as fantasy, more historical fiction with a twist I think.

Gazella · 03-01-2014, 06:05 AM

I think I should give The Name of the Wind another try. I've started it a few months ago. I loved the writing style but the story wasn't engaging for me. I don't know, I keep hearing how excellent it is so this really makes me want to try reading it again. I think I was only four chapters in when I stopped.

Pangolin · 03-03-2014, 07:02 AM

Another classified as fantasy, and perhaps a bit more logically so, but still more like skewed historical fiction is Jonathon Strange and Mr Norrell, Susanna Clarke. Gaiman said it was imposs to praise it too highly and in mho I agree. Its fat tho' and some might find it slow moving...
i'm beginning to think parallel history is my favorite genre. Be great to hear of some more...
Other great, I think, fantasy is His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman. Audible had a wonderful recording: Pullman as the narrator and full cast, unabridged. Their recording of Strange and Norrell is excellent too, as is their Baroque Cycle.

Pangolin · 03-03-2014, 07:05 AM

Gazella, do give it another go, if you have the time. I don't believe in having to press on with something that really doesn't strike a chord, but I thought this was a lovely book. Wise Man's Fear was very good too, but there was an element in it that made it a bit 'weaker' for me personally. I thought they were both really worth reading and I was so sad to see the back of the characters when I'd finished the second.

GreenMonkey · 03-04-2014, 12:35 PM

BTW: I notice this thread was bumped from 2013...

For reference, I'm a big fan of Robin Hobb with GRR Martin at the #2 slot, so I prefer more character-driven books.

But I'm a sucker for a more standard epic fantasy if it's solid, and some would be in my top 10. Feist's Magician and Serpentwar are fantastic, Dragonlance Legends (Raistlin is awesome), Terry Brooks Shannara up until the Jerle Shannara series, Edding's Belgariad/Mallorean..although I will say I didn't like their later stuff as it felt like I was reading the Belgariad again.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Another recommendation is Janny Wurtz's Wars of Light and Shadow series.

2nd'd, especially if you read Feist's Riftwar Empire books (co-authored with Wurtz). I consider them the best of the Riftwar books, hands down, and the Light & Shadow books are pretty solid (although not completely finished yet, she's moving along at a pretty decent clip).

I'll throw out one I haven't seen yet - Kate Forsyth's Witches of Eileanan series. Enjoyed that a lot. Not literary genius or anything, but like Celtic-flavored epic fantasy.

If you like shades of gray (less clearcut/"good" heroes and villains), another favorite of mine is C.S. Friedman - both the Magister trilogy and the Coldfire trilogy - I think she does this masterfully.

Kind of along the same gray heroes lines as Friedman, Glen Cook's Black Company is really interesting. I saw others mentioned it.

Andy_T · 03-10-2014, 11:55 PM

Green Monkey,

considering that you say you like fantasy books with good character development, have you already looked at Daniel Abraham's "Long Price Quartet" (completed) and "Dagger and Coin" series (ongoing)?

They are very well written and quite imaginative.

Best regards,
Andy

03-12-2013, 09:32 PM	#77
artifact Addict Posts: 276 Karma: 3569616 Join Date: Feb 2009 Device: jetBook (RIP), Kobo Touch	I haven't spotted the War God series by David Weber and the Half-Orcs by David Dalglish. Both are 'boy from the farm' types as long as you are OK with your boy being an orc or orc-like. I have the feeling the OP may have mentioned these two in other threads. DRM free and IIRC the first of the series in each is a freebie. Last edited by artifact; 03-12-2013 at 09:36 PM.

02-25-2014, 08:53 PM	#82
khazaddum Enthusiast Posts: 33 Karma: 200000 Join Date: Dec 2013 Device: Kindle Paperwhite	let me also recommend Patrick Rothfuss (as many others have also done). His style is almost Dickensian, and lyrical, which makes the reading experience smooth and pleasant while telling an engaging story. The Name of the Wind and The Wise Man's Fear are the best fantasy I've read so far, if not as "epic" or grandiose as Tolkien... it's picaresque. It's not complete yet BUT the two published installments are quite voluminous and should keep you busy before the last one comes out this year. Last edited by khazaddum; 02-25-2014 at 09:01 PM.

03-01-2014, 06:05 AM	#84
Gazella Wizard Posts: 1,694 Karma: 4601218 Join Date: Nov 2012 Device: Kindle Oasis	Fantasy recommendations I think I should give The Name of the Wind another try. I've started it a few months ago. I loved the writing style but the story wasn't engaging for me. I don't know, I keep hearing how excellent it is so this really makes me want to try reading it again. I think I was only four chapters in when I stopped.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Fantasy-sorcery recommendations	Khai	Reading Recommendations	70	11-27-2015 11:29 PM
Fantasy Novel Recommendations	Kindle Worm	Reading Recommendations	87	03-20-2011 02:16 PM
Any fantasy recommendations?	dracodoc	Reading Recommendations	49	05-30-2009 11:42 AM
A couple of fantasy recommendations for you.	Leaping Gnome	Reading Recommendations	20	03-15-2007 05:42 AM
Fantasy books Recommendations	Dave Berk	Reading Recommendations	1	05-09-2006 01:34 PM

03-11-2013, 10:54 PM	#76
Sinnermental Junior Member Posts: 6 Karma: 10 Join Date: Mar 2013 Device: nexus7	Came in to say Riftwar saga but you have it, Terry pratcthet too maybe

03-12-2013, 09:47 PM	#78
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 73,887 Karma: 128597114 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	Another recommendation is Janny Wurtz's Wars of Light and Shadow series.

03-14-2013, 07:33 PM	#79
Difflugia Testate Amoeba Posts: 3,049 Karma: 27300000 Join Date: Sep 2012 Device: Many Android devices, Kindle 2, Toshiba e755 PocketPC	I second the War God series and the first three books are on Baen's Wind Rider CD. I also recommend the Vineart War series by Laura Anne Gilman and the Joust series by Mercedes Lackey

03-15-2013, 08:04 PM	#80
tompe Grand Sorcerer Posts: 7,452 Karma: 7185064 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Linköpng, Sweden Device: Kindle Voyage, Nexus 5, Kindle PW	In the more gritty dub-category I really like Glen Cook's Black Company books. Abercrombie and Steven Burst are also two of my favorites.

03-24-2013, 09:42 AM	#81
Freeshadow temp. out of service Posts: 2,791 Karma: 24285242 Join Date: May 2010 Location: Duisburg (DE) Device: PB 623	HarryT you might like the Kyralia trilogies by Trudi Canavan. (the 1st book is currently reported heavily discounted for Kindle in the Deals subforum) What also fits the monomyth pattern (most suitable for younger readers but in no way dumbed down) are the Chronicles of Pyrdain by Lloyd Alexander, but I assume you already know them, as they are around for quite some time.

02-28-2014, 11:07 AM	#83
Pangolin Pangolin Posts: 204 Karma: 1243880 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Brussels, Belgium Device: PW 2	Oh Rothfuss yes, that was one writer that left me feeling really sad about finishing his second book.... K J Parker, although s/he really isn't a fantasy writer. Not sure what genre those books fit into. And the Baroque Cycle, Neal Stephenson, is also classed as fantasy, more historical fiction with a twist I think.

03-03-2014, 07:02 AM	#85
Pangolin Pangolin Posts: 204 Karma: 1243880 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Brussels, Belgium Device: PW 2	Another classified as fantasy, and perhaps a bit more logically so, but still more like skewed historical fiction is Jonathon Strange and Mr Norrell, Susanna Clarke. Gaiman said it was imposs to praise it too highly and in mho I agree. Its fat tho' and some might find it slow moving... i'm beginning to think parallel history is my favorite genre. Be great to hear of some more... Other great, I think, fantasy is His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman. Audible had a wonderful recording: Pullman as the narrator and full cast, unabridged. Their recording of Strange and Norrell is excellent too, as is their Baroque Cycle.

03-03-2014, 07:05 AM	#86
Pangolin Pangolin Posts: 204 Karma: 1243880 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Brussels, Belgium Device: PW 2	Gazella, do give it another go, if you have the time. I don't believe in having to press on with something that really doesn't strike a chord, but I thought this was a lovely book. Wise Man's Fear was very good too, but there was an element in it that made it a bit 'weaker' for me personally. I thought they were both really worth reading and I was so sad to see the back of the characters when I'd finished the second.

03-10-2014, 11:55 PM	#88
Andy_T Evangelist Posts: 431 Karma: 5121676 Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Hannover, Germany Device: iPod touch, iPhone, iPad, Kindle KB, NT, Fire, PW II	Green Monkey, considering that you say you like fantasy books with good character development, have you already looked at Daniel Abraham's "Long Price Quartet" (completed) and "Dagger and Coin" series (ongoing)? They are very well written and quite imaginative. Best regards, Andy

Advert

Advert