Re: Fantasy recommendations
Stephen King's Dark Tower series. It's not traditional fantasy, but it really is a fantastic read. The world is very interesting, there is an epic quest, it's quite dark... It's my favourite series, more so than GoT.
It's about a small band of travellers so if you would rather have something on a grander scale with lots of politics then I recommend you look at GoT. Also worth noting that the first book can be quite difficult to get "in to" but the second one will blow you mind if you commit to it. All good things require a little effort.
Re: Fantasy recommendations
Karl Schroeders Virga series is pretty good. So good I blasted through the first 3 books and hope I can find the fifth before I finish the 4th.
Re: Fantasy recommendations
Haven't read the whole thread yet but here are my Fantasy recommendations:
Brent Weeks - Nightangel Trilogy
George R.R. Martin - A song of ice & fire saga
Jim Butcher - Codex Alera series
Michael J. Sullivan - The Riyria Chronicles
Patrick Rothfuss - Kingkiller Chronicles
Robin Hobb - Farseer & Tawny man trilogy's
Scott Lynch - The Gentleman Bastard Trilogy
Tarry Pratchett - All of them! :P
Off the top of me head and checking the Kindle next to me thats what I recommend. The ones in bold are my personal faves I re-read a lot.
I'm a big fan of the child starts as nothing and 'levels up' throughout the series style of fantasy :)
Re: Fantasy recommendations
Oh, if you like straight-forward, safe & happy fantasy then David Eddings might be worth looking at. It's a bit predictable at times, but the characters are lovable and there are quite a few books where you really get to know them. I'd recommend starting with the "Belgariad", first book is "Pawn of Prophecy".
Re: Fantasy recommendations
personally I worked backwards through their works, but loved the redemption of althalus, however a lot of their books are very "samey" which can annoy.
Re: Fantasy recommendations
Quote:
Originally Posted by
big_hairy_rob
personally I worked backwards through their works, but loved the redemption of althalus, however a lot of their books are very "samey" which can annoy.
This is a bit of a problem with David Eddings. The Belgariad makes a good introduction to fantasy for a 12 year old, the Mallorean is nice for more of the same, but after that it does feel an awful lot like you've read it all before. My younger sister read the Elenium and the Tamuli and loved them, but I struggled to get into them. Same goes with my older sister and the Elder Gods, really.
The Redemption of Althalus is the essential Eddings though. It's not his best, but it is bloody readable and saves you the hassle of reading five books for him to get to the point.
I'm going to echo quite a few people in this thread with this list, but:
Lies of Locke Lamora - Scott Lynch (Red Seas Under Red Skies, the sequel, is also rather good if a different style. Republic of Thieves is out later this year. :D)
Kingkiller Chronicles - Patrick Rothfuss (Just read it, seriously.)
A Song Of Ice And Fire - George RR Martin (never will you love and hate an author more.)
Farseer, Liveship Traders, Tawny Man and Rainwilds series - Robin Hobb (skip the Soldier Son trilogy, though. Fabulous world, terrible plot. You'll reach the end and go "wait, why couldn't we have been reading about that instead?". I'm eagerly anticipating a second trilogy so I can forget the first one ever happened.)
Lord of the Rings - Tolkien (obviously.)
Prince of Thorns - Mark Lawrence (post-apocalyptic fantasy, surprisingly good)
Amongst Thieves - Douglas Hulick
Shadows of the Apt - Adrian Tchaikovsky (very... different. Give the first book 100 pages and you'll read every book in the series.)
Tales of the Ketty Jay - Chris Wooding (Steampunk Firefly, quite a bit of fun)
Left Hand of God - Paul Hoffman
Twilight Reign - Tom Lloyd (quintet, generally marvellous, but the abundance of characters and gods does require some getting used to)
Lightbringer series - Brent Weeks (his first trilogy is assassin fluff, his second effort is far better)
Anything by KJ Parker. Anything. Personal favourites are The Folding Knife and The Hammer, but the Scavenger trilogy is twisted and brilliant.
Cold Magic - Kate Elliot (it's a bit fluffy, but if you like Trudi Canavan you'll get along with it.)
Discworld - Terry Pratchett. (personally I prefer the Death and Nights Watch books, but it all has something to offer depending on your mood. Suffers significantly from becoming more awesome with time and requiring a bookshelf unto itself. L space required.)
Everything Stephen Deas has ever written. Even his supposedly young adult books are darker than most fantasy. It's YA by virtue of no swearing, as far as I can tell.
Neverwhere - Neil Gaiman (I'd add the entire Sandman comic book series in as well along with Stardust, American Gods and whatever else he's written)
That's off the top of my head, I'll post again after raiding my bookshelf. :P
Re: Fantasy recommendations
I am surprised no one has mentioned J V Jones. Her Book of Words trilogy was a very good read.
andmc
Re: Fantasy recommendations
Right, just popped back in to add a thanks for the Robin Hobb recommendation, The Farseer series has me in its grasp right now.
Tried Game of Thrones, terrible, bad characterisations, really flimsy plot, sorry, not for me.
Re: Fantasy recommendations
Glad you are enjoying them... and the nice thing is you have another 3 books to continue the story (Tawny Man trilogy) when you finish Farseer :D
Re: Fantasy recommendations
Amusingly yesterday Robin Hobb announced a new Trilogy continuing on with Fool/Fitz after Tawny Man... http://thebookseller.com/news/new-ro...ervoyager.html
Re: Fantasy recommendations
Well if you are into Hobb take a careful look at the Liveship series. Whilst its in the same world its a lot heavier going, I found it a struggle quite a few times.
Riyria series is another one I've started that is going well and I'd like to re-mention the Apt series its a brilliant WW1/2 + fantasy + insects + steampunk thing
Re: Fantasy recommendations
Yeah I've read the Liveship series once and never had the urge to re-read them but the Fitz books have been read a few times. I enjoyed the Riyria books.
I'll take a look at the Apt series, been needing something new to get stuck into :d
Re: Fantasy recommendations
The book of the new sun by Gene Wolf is one of my favourite fantasy books, even though its set in the future it has a very fantasy feel to it.
The world house by guy adams is another good non 'swords & sorcery' type fantasy novel.
Re: Fantasy recommendations
about half way through ship of destiny and can say that I am also enjoying Robin Hobbs live ship books as well. They were a little slow to get going, but the story is gripping and they are a good continuation of the Assassin stories, though using mainly different characters! Dragons saga next :D
Re: Fantasy recommendations
Right, thats Hobbs done, now onto Robert Jordans saga then Joe Abercrombie.
Keep em coming guys n gals, I have plenty of time to kill....
Loved the Farseer stuff, crossover to Liveships ? Hmmmm, not as keen tbh. Death of Beloved got me all choked up tho !!!
Re: Fantasy recommendations
I came across the Godling Chronicles recently. Written by Brian D Anderson with the original idea coming from his young son. Good story, and quite cheap on Amazon. THere's 4 books and I think you can buy the first 3 books in a bundle for Kindle.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Godling-...ing+chronicles