Best Books to Read: Fantasy

[Wiggum]

Hey all,
I'm fairly new to this forum, but it seems like most of you have got your heads screwed on somewhat straight, so I was hoping that I might tap some of your knowledge. I need a recommendation on a new fantasy series.
Now before you all go screaming Shanara, LoTR, Sword of Truth, Wheel of Time, Song of Ice and Fire, Wayfarer Redemption, Death Gate Cycle, Belgariad, Pendragon Cycle, Chronicles of the Cheysuli, Dragonlance, Coldfire trilogy, etc. I've read these and many others (whose names aren't worth remebering, with the exception of the books written by Kathleen (?) Kerr, those where some damn fine books just can't remeber the name of the series).
I'm looking for a series that:
A) the protagonist isn't always a good person
B) the concept of magic is somewhat original
C) the author isn't against letting characters die
D) it isn't in someway melded with our MODERN world
E) isn't afraid of depicting the reality of violence
F) everything doesn't work out perfectly all the time
I know this is a tall order, but if someone has some hidden gem out there, something special that not a lot of people know about, please pass it on. I'll be forever in your debt.:D

[MartyRotten]

Hmm tough one. I don't know how well it fits your criteria but I would like to recommend Michael Moorcock's DANCERS AT THE END OF TIME Trilogy (Alien Heat, Hollow Lands, End of All Songs plus Tales from the End of Time and A Messiah at the End of Time) A real mind blowing psychelic time travel trip that I've always enjoyed immensely. (A lot of Moorcock's stuff is really good, I also recommend the Elric series, even though I haven't read all of them, and THE CORNELUIS CHRONICLES which deals with his interdimensional English assassin Jerry Cornelius. The Cornelius books are a bit unconventionaly and really strange but I'm sure you'll find them quite different from anything you've ever read.) Many of these books can be found at second hand book stores and have also been republished in single volume formats as well. (or if you don't want to risk money on them, try finding them at your local public library. :) )

[Arctic]

try Robin Hobb, Steven Brust, Roger Zelazny, Mervyn Peake, or Glen Cook. Michael Moorcock's not a bad recommendation either. they're all a good start, but i don't think any one of them strictly fits your criteria.

[Wiggum]

I've read all the Elric of Melnibone series and other Eternal Champion (?) books, but have long since forgotten about his writing, not a bad idea to check out. Artic, I'll check out the authors you recommended. Appreciate the input. Anyone with other suggestions, please let me know.
Thanks all.:dance

[Bladicus]

Some of my favorite series beisdes the ones you have listed are as follows:

David Farland (The Rune Lord series)
Magic is elemental based with a different twist then usual. Lords take endowments from their subjects to make them immensly powerful the more they take at time you not sure which side is really the side that is for the best of all.

David Feintuch (The Still) incomplete series
Very hard to describe really, but it did make me think in several points along the story.

Simon R. Green (Hawk and Fisher series)
Loved these books due to the fact that the heros are willing to cross the line to get justice done. Yet still hold to a moral code.
the first 2 books are a compilation of 3 stories and the other 2 are a prequel and sequel.

David Fiest You have probably already read them but a good example of epic fantasy.

David Gemmel Has several books and mini series that really enjoyable more for they're action then for indepth or detailed stories. Still a great author for those in between series moments.

David Drake Similar writing styles to most of todays epic fantasy writers Goodkind Jordan Etc..Etc... but has some good dark moments.

There is also one more that I am having trouble remembering the authors name but one of the primary characters name is Tarant and is a great mix of evil and neutrality forced to do good to survive. I am sure one of hte other posters remembers the authors name. The magic is definetly diff from your typicla fantasy settings

[Ranthium]

I would recomend Steven Brust's Dragereon (sp?) series, also known as the Vlad Taltos series.

a) The main character is an Assassin.
b) There are 3 types of magic, each different in it's own way.
c) It's not George R.R. Martin's Songs of Fire and Ice by any means, but not much is.
d) It's its own place.
e) Well, the main character is an assassin...
f) Stuff generally comes out alright, but no fairy tale endings.

Another recommendation is Robin Hobb's Farseer Trilogy.

a) The main character is the bastard son of the former heir apparent.
b) The magic is presented as a blood born gift. How people of the land accept the different types of magic varies.
c) People that you can forsee being important do end up dieing.
d) the closest thing about it is that the map of the six duchies (place where the story takes place) looks alot like Alaska turned upside down.
e) The story is shown through the point of view of only one character. The violence that occurs while he is around was written decently in my opinion.
f) Many ups and downs. I enjoyed it immensely.


I think that you will enjoy either of the series if you give them a chance.

[Ranthium]

Heh, I feel like I'm stealing all of Arctic's recomendations but...

Glen Cooks Black Company series also fits your Criteria, which deals with a mercenary company that is trying to find it's way home (first 3 books are exellent, the rest of the series varies from excellent to fair).

If you change your mind and want a light hearted amuzing read, you could try Glen Cooks fantasy/detective stories or Robert Asprin's Myth series. The first utilitizes alot of sarcasism, and the second one uses puns cleverly (as opposed to books like Xanth).

[Arctic]

:D steal away, ranthium...they're good books, and i'm sure wiggum appreciates your more in-depth descriptions and specific series recommendations.

for Robin Hobb, in addition to the farseer series, i'd recommend her liveship trader series. i think the magic in this series is one of the most unique out there.

Bladacius' Fiest, Farland, and Drake recommendations are decent as well.

[7therror]

Well, right now I'm just starting Dragons of Summer Flame by Margaret Weis & Tracy Hickman. This is the fifth book I have picked up by them. I know you said not to mention these, but they are good. I have laughed, cried, and gotten pissed off. Not many books have done this to me.

I'd recommend The Prism Pentad by Troy Denning. It is a series of books for the Dark Sun world created by TSR. A total of five books: The Verdant Passage, The Crimson Legion, The Amber Enchantress, The Cerulean Storm, and The Obsidian Oracle. Haven't read them in awhile but still great.

I have also read Shadow Moon. I think that was the title. It was the first in a trilogy that tells the continuing adventure of Willow and Elora Dannon. It is written by Chris Claremont and George Lucas. I have only read the first, but will pick up the other two eventually.

I hope this is what you wanted.

[Wiggum]

Thanks for all the input guys. I'll be taking this with me on the next trip to the ol' book store.
Blad - I found the Runelord series to be pretty damn entertaining, do you know any possible date of the next book coming out.
I tried The Still but something about the overwhelming sexual overtones of the book put me off (I'm pretty sure I'm thinking of the right one.)
The series you're trying to think of with Gerald Tarrant is the Cold Fire trilogy by CS Friedman, the first two books were quite good, the third became rather tiresome.
Ranth - The Farseerer books seem to come up a lot, I think I've tried them but with all these recommendations all have to double check.
I tried a Black Company book once, didn't really float my boat.
7therror - Anyone who can invent the Kender Spoon of Turning is alright in my book. If you haven't tried Wiess and Hickman's Death Gate Cycle you might want to give it a whirl. Its a slightly more involved story, with different characters but I remember it fondly.
Anyone else who happens along with more names to drop, please do. I'll use this for future reference as other might also. And if I might drop my two cents in (I mentioned these earlier) give Katherine Kerr's "Novels of Deverry" a shot. Their unique, and anyone who can get me to read nine (I think) books twice has got to be doing something right.;)

[Bladicus]

David Farlands next book in The Runelord Series Lair of Bones is scheduled for release in the spring of 2003. So some time soon just not a definite date, as yet preorder is unavailable.

[Bebop]

dunno if you've read any of Roger Zelazny's books, but his Amber series are one of my favorites. I think you've already read all my other favorites heh.

[MartyRotten]

I"m surprised that nobody has mentioned Orson Scott Card's ALVIN MAKER series. Set in an alternate frontier America it concerns the life of a young boy named ALvin who is a "maker" that is gifted with strong magical powers. The original trilogy consists of SEVENTH SON, RED PROPHET and PRENTICE ALVIN. There were others that followed but I haven't read them yet. :-)

[Arctic]

good call Marty. just ordered those three not too long ago myself. :)

[Ranthium]

The first 3 books in the Alvin Maker series were good (the second book being incredible), but the 2 that follow are poorly written trash. They add characters abundantly that don't do much to further the story, plus not much gets accomplished. I don't think that they will ever start working on getting the crystal city built. I have about as much faith in this series ending well as I do with the Wheel of Time. Hopefully it won't drag on needlessly too.

[MartyRotten]

That's really a shame. Actually I was surprised to see it continue after PRENTICE ALVIN (and I agree, RED PROPHET was the best out of them) since I think it could have ended there and still been satisfied. But that's just me.

[idrisguitar]

im reading seventh son at the moment.

i like it and i may go on to get th rest of the series.

but if as you say the last two books are poor im not so sure i should buy them (maybe lend them out of the library)

[Wiggum]

:sirenI think this was the first thread I ever posted. :lol:siren

I've read a couple series of note since this thread, I'll have to put them in here.

[idrisguitar]

wiggum, what did you think of the deathgate cycle series?

i am past halfway and while the world they set is interesting and the history good....i think it is lacking an actual plot.

yes people go flying and travelling and deal with politics of the gegs. im not an action whore, but i have not once been enthralled or excited by what im reading.

i want to finish it, but i dont think i will stay on.

i am gonna read game of thrones (reading sreading your opinions of it, i must get it;))

and prob buy that series. and then probably after reading a few more alvin maker books follow robin hobb's work which seems to get as much praise as a song of ice and fire.

[fafhrd]

I'm suprised no one has yet mentioned the Chronicles of Thomas Covenant, the Unbeliever.

Covenant comes from our world, and gets transported to The Land, where they think he's a legendary hero reborn. In reality, he's a leperous depressed guy who has no intentions of being anyone's hero. And is a dick to everyone. But someone has to defeat Lord Foul, and he's the only one with the power to do so. Even if everyone DOES hate him. Well, not everyone, but he makes it hard for anyone to like him. Or want to.

Fafhrd

[Abscynthe]

I remember when Science Fiction Book Club had I think the most recent book as their Editor's Choice. It sounded interesting, but I didn't know if it was something I would enjoy getting into.

[Wiggum]

wiggum, what did you think of the deathgate cycle series?

i am past halfway and while the world they set is interesting and the history good....i think it is lacking an actual plot.

yes people go flying and travelling and deal with politics of the gegs. im not an action whore, but i have not once been enthralled or excited by what im reading.

i want to finish it, but i dont think i will stay on.


Are you halfway through the series or the first book?

If you're halfway through the series and it isn't doing it for you, it never will.

If you're halfway through the first book, I'd stick with it. It takes about the first book for the story to get rolling.

[idrisguitar]

Hey wiggum, am about 70 pages from the end (of the first books i m eant) and it has got a bit better. but so much as for me to go out and buy the second.

im waiting on my library to get a game of thrones in, im pretty sure from the reviews of people that i will want to be buying all those books in that series first.

then when im done reading all this i will check other options, i may give the second book a chance after i have read the books that now take priority (song of ice and fire, farseer trilogy etc.)