| Pages: [1] 2 :: one page |
| Author |
Thread Statistics | Show CCP posts - 0 post(s) |
Wuff Wuff
Deep Core Mining Inc.
   |
Posted - 2009.08.11 11:24:00 -
[1]
Hello guys,
You may remember just over a month ago I posted a request for good sci-fi books with my alt Mother Clanger. Thank you for all the awesome responses, I put an order in for 25 books altogether, that should be a good year or two's worth of reading for me.
But I have another dilemma. I've gone and left it to the last minute to get my sister a birthday present and she suggested that she'd really like to get some fantasy books. She's not really into sci-fi and I'm not really into fantasy so I'm clueless. She really doesn't have any books of that type yet apart from Lord of the Rings, so I'd basically be grateful for any suggestions. A search on eve-search brought up not exactly the most exhaustive selection, Sword of Truth series was one. Bare in mind, her 'friend' has suggested she read Twilight...
...for her sanity and mine, please help me OOPE!
- MC / Wuff Wuff |
Nuala Reece
Caldari
Pilots of Damnation
Vanguard.
|
Posted - 2009.08.11 12:46:00 -
[2]
Edited by: Nuala Reece on 11/08/2009 12:46:09
If she wants to read vampire stories leave Twilight where it belongs and buy 'Fevre Dream' by George R. R. Martin instead, and while you're buying his books you could do worse than to add in his 'Song of Ice and Fire' series, starting with 'A Game of Thrones' - all knights in shining armour stuff.
After that:
Michael Moorc.ock's (stupid word filter  ) 'Elric of Melnibone', and the rest of the Elric books,
C. J. Cherryh's 'Chronicles of Morgaine'
Storm Constantine's 'Calenture' I liked, as well as 'Sign for the Sacred'
David Eddings' 'Belgariad' series was an early favourite when I was a teenager
And absolutely anything by Neil Gaiman - 'Stardust' is probably the most fantasy story, in the classic fairy tale sense, but American Gods is one of my favourites for a fantasy in a modern setting, along with Anansi Boys.
|
Amataras
Minmatar
Rule of Five
The Junta
|
Posted - 2009.08.11 13:20:00 -
[3]
In my own humble opinion, the Sword of Truth series started with some promise but descended into tedious drivel.
Not knowing your sister, it may be difficult to recommend something she'd like, but I can recommend :
1. Ian Irvine's Well of Echoes for its believable characters (if a little weak elsewhere).
2. Anything by Michael Moore**** - the man is the living deity of the fantasy genre.
3. If your sister really likes LOTR, try something else by JRRT like the Silmarillion or Unfinished Tales.
4. I also liked Robert E. Howard's Conan the Cimmerian, though its style isn't really comparable to modern fantasy.
Authors to avoid - Terry Goodkind, David Gemmell, Anne McCaffery.
--------
|
Louis deGuerre
Gallente
Azure Horizon Federate Militia
|
Posted - 2009.08.11 13:41:00 -
[4]
Edited by: Louis deGuerre on 11/08/2009 13:43:30
Legend by David Gemell - incredibly inspiring
Waylander by David Gemell - awesome tale
The Coldfire Trilogy by Celia S. Friedman - frigging amazing
More historic than fantasy, but must read :
Lion of Macedon by David Gemell - best Greek tale ever
---
Sol: A microwarp drive? In a battleship? Are you insane? They arenĘt built for this!
Clear Skies - The Movie |
Zyck
Dark-Rising
|
Posted - 2009.08.11 15:22:00 -
[5]
I'm confused on how no one has mentioned the Malazan: Book of the Fallen series. Easily one of the top few book series I've ever read, up there with ASoIaF.
|
Ryushe
Tengo Kagegetsu
|
Posted - 2009.08.11 15:22:00 -
[6]
I would suggest anything by Jack Vance, who is pretty much a master of fantasy/sci-fi crossover (more fantasy than sci-fi though). Don't know how old your sister is, but the Lyonesse series might be something, or otherwise a book called Cugel's Saga, which is part of the Tales of the Dying Earth series.
Alternatively, if you're looking for pure fantasy of the magic spells and men with battle axes and such sort, David Gemmell is also a pretty decent writer.
Greg Bear, Songs of Earth and Power, which is full on fantasy from one of the masters of sci-fi.
Of course, then there's C.S. Lewis, who's Space Trilogy series is more fantasy than anything else, even though people would like you to think of it as sci-fi. Don't be put off by the fact that Lewis wrote certain parts with religious undertones; I'm a die hard atheist and I enjoyed the whole series a lot.
Especially Vance is an oddball here, but well worth the time. Hell, everything linked above is well worth the time. I would list a lot more, but I'm at work so no access to my personal library for now.
Hope this helps a bit.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
ECS Thread 1
ECS Thread 2 |
Tophin Grimm
|
Posted - 2009.08.11 16:25:00 -
[7]
The Wheel of Time series.
|
Gunner Dark
|
Posted - 2009.08.11 16:58:00 -
[8]
Edited by: Gunner Dark on 11/08/2009 17:03:10
The amount of bad fantasy recommended here is disturbing.
George R R Martins : A Song of Ice and Fire which starts with A Game of Thrones
Steven Erikson : Malazan Book of the Fallen which starts with Gardens of the Moon
The Ten Thousand by Paul Kearney
Legend by David Gemmel
The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch
The First Law trilogy by Joe Abercrombie which starts with The Blade Itself
Other notable authors worth checking out include Guy Gavriel Kay , R Scott Baker , Patrick Rothfuss , Robin Hobb , China Meiville and maybe somebody new like Chris Wooding .
As for The Sword of Truth, if you hate yourself enough then sure read it, otherwise avoid it like the plague .
Edit : I second GRRM's Fevre Dream , one of the best vamp tales ever .
|
Murat Sarholt
Viper Intel Squad
Sons of Tangra
|
Posted - 2009.08.11 17:53:00 -
[9]
Well agree with a lot of the above especially Gemmell ( his best book Echoes of the great song".
George R.R.Martin's "A Game of Thrones" also classic.
Dunno how no one has mentioned Raymond E. Feist yet, start with "The Magician".
David Farland runelords series.
Terry Brooks also another very good writer.
And R.A.Salvatore demon series.
Any of the above should be a good start, hmm if i had to pick two Feist and Gemmell.
|
Deviana Sevidon
Gallente
Panta-Rhei
|
Posted - 2009.08.11 18:26:00 -
[10]
Just give her the original Fantasy Book "Lord of the Rings" as a Hardcover it should be a nice present for someone who loves Fantasy.
My personal Favorite is also the Discworld Series from Terry Pratchett.
 Quote:
Disclaimer: All mentioned above contains my opinion and is therefore an absolute truth (for me anyway, my universe, muhahaha.....ok, done
|
KingsGambit
Caldari Knights
|
Posted - 2009.08.11 19:02:00 -
[11]
If I was recommending for an avid reader I'd suggest something different, but for your sister you could do worse than the Eragon/Eldest/Brisngr series by Christopher Paolini. Others she might enjoy are the 'Demon Child' trilogy from Jennifer Fallon, anything by Fiona McIntosh ('Quickening', 'Trinity' or 'Percheron' trilogies are all brilliant). Lastly she may also enjoy Rhapsody/Destiny/Prophecy by Elizabeth Haydon.
David Eddings' Belgariad/Mallorean are great series' but probably a little daunting for now (10 books altogether!). Sword of Truth and Wheel of Time are great but pretty hardcore, not recommended for her just yet.
-------------
|
Brujo Loco
Amarr
Brujeria Teologica
|
Posted - 2009.08.11 20:00:00 -
[12]
Legend, by David Gemell , as you have seen, it's a must for any fantasy reader. Best damn book I have read lately.
The Raymond E. Feist Saga , starting with Magician:Apprentice
Michael Moorc_ock's tale of the Albino we all know and adore, Elric of Melnibone.
For Fantasy humour, nothing like Terry Pratchett's the Colour of Magic 
Also, American Gods by Neil Gaiman, tho not exactly hardcore fantasy, it's simply too good a book to not read, since it deals with Old Age gods living now in the modern age U.S.A 
The Icewind Dale trilogy by R.A. Salvatore, it's what I call mass consumer fantasy that is entertaining and opened the world to the plethora of clones of Dark elves that were good, fighting against the evil urges of their society/religion and had names like Drzzzzto or a combination thereof 
Those are mostly for starters, so she can decide on wich path to go after that, since all of these authors have several others books.
---
Viva VENEZUELA!!!
Archipelago Theory
|
Munchees
Gallente
|
Posted - 2009.08.11 20:16:00 -
[13]
Edited by: Munchees on 11/08/2009 20:24:40
Edited by: Munchees on 11/08/2009 20:18:24
As someone said before, Discworld. However, there is about 38 books in that series, however only a few of them truly tie into each other (the first 2 books). In fact I recommend The Colour of Magic, and The Light Fantastic (the first 2 books  ). Any book with Death as the main character is always good, too.
I'm trying to derail the thread.
|
Slade Trillgon
Masuat'aa Matari
Ushra'Khan
|
Posted - 2009.08.11 22:15:00 -
[14]
The Vlad Taltos series. It is written by Stephen Brust. The series is written so you can read it in publishing order or chronological order. I read it publishing order and then chronological order and it made for two interesting reads. The series is still growing.
The Discworld series is good as far as I have made it, which is the fifth book so far.
My all time favorites from my childhood are the original 9 or so books in the Dragonlance series.
Slade
Originally by: Niccolado Starwalker
Please go sit in the corner, and dont forget to don the shame-on-you-hat!
=v= |
nahtoh
Caldari
Vanguard Frontiers
|
Posted - 2009.08.11 22:41:00 -
[15]
Originally by: Deviana Sevidon
Just give her the original Fantasy Book "Lord of the Rings" as a Hardcover it should be a nice present for someone who loves Fantasy.
My personal Favorite is also the Discworld Series from Terry Pratchett.
Not every fantasy fan likes "lord of the rings" you know...
Well now i have that out of my system 
David Gemmell (pretty much all of em).
Jim butchers furies series is pretty good (and the dresden books are also good).
Discworld for laughs
the myth books by Robert Aspin also good for laughs
Raymond E Feist.
All i can think of off the top of my head.
=========
"I am not saying there should be capital punishment for stupidity, but why can`t we just take the safety labels off everything and let the problem fix its self |
Jin Nib
|
Posted - 2009.08.11 22:47:00 -
[16]
Sword of Truth is very dissappointing to get into, because the series just fails in the last book (the first three were without peer though). I think Martin burdened himself with too much awesome and now he just doesnt want to deal with it any more, so he stopped writing. A Feast For Crows is just... disappointing and not worth reading. Keep in mind the first book was published in 1996 and there are only four so far... given his current rate the next one is going to come out in 2010 or later.
Anyways Steven Erikson is definitely my favorite fantasy author of the current crop (actualy he may just be my favorite period). But the series is rather dense and kind of heavy. For somthing lighter and funner (yes that's right I used it, so there) there is lots of that mentioned earlier.
-Jin Nib
Trading on behalf of Opera Noir since:
2009.03.02 03:53:00
|
Frank Corncob
|
Posted - 2009.08.12 04:28:00 -
[17]
Redwall series
|
Malcanis
Vanishing Point.
The Initiative.
|
Posted - 2009.08.12 06:47:00 -
[18]
Originally by: Wuff Wuff
Hello guys,
You may remember just over a month ago I posted a request for good sci-fi books with my alt Mother Clanger. Thank you for all the awesome responses, I put an order in for 25 books altogether, that should be a good year or two's worth of reading for me.
But I have another dilemma. I've gone and left it to the last minute to get my sister a birthday present and she suggested that she'd really like to get some fantasy books. She's not really into sci-fi and I'm not really into fantasy so I'm clueless. She really doesn't have any books of that type yet apart from Lord of the Rings, so I'd basically be grateful for any suggestions. A search on eve-search brought up not exactly the most exhaustive selection, Sword of Truth series was one. Bare in mind, her 'friend' has suggested she read Twilight...
...for her sanity and mine, please help me OOPE!
- MC / Wuff Wuff
You could try Gene Wolfe; The Wizard Knight. Soldier Of The Mist. The Devil In The Forest.
|
Valator Uel
Caldari
N'Th'Rack Squadron
Tau Ceti Federation
|
Posted - 2009.08.12 07:21:00 -
[19]
Timeline
Not exactly Fantasy but happens partly in our time and a bigger part in medieval times. It was a very exciting book that I could not put down till the end! What I really liked is that it went into great detail about the lives of people in those times, and could interest some fantasy readers (I enjoy fantasy myself).
The author, Michael Crichton, is the same who wrote the book Jurassic Park, the Great Train Robbery and Sphere.
Quote:
Aya > Hostile tcf gang coming to h-pa
Deva Blackfire > ships?
Ralarina > Yes, in ships
|
Munchees
Gallente
|
Posted - 2009.08.12 07:24:00 -
[20]
Edited by: Munchees on 12/08/2009 07:24:13
Originally by: nahtoh
Not every fantasy fan likes "lord of the rings" you know...
Modern "High fantasy" exists mainly because of LOTR. Every fantasy book I've read seems to be in some ways a clone or extremely similar. Even at some points Harry Potter. There is however, nothing wrong with this.
I'd also recommend Harry Potter but seeing as she probably doesn't live under a rock, she's probably read that series.
I think everyone I know has read at least LOTR and Harry Potter.
I'm trying to derail the thread.
|
Jin Nib
|
Posted - 2009.08.12 07:34:00 -
[21]
Originally by: Munchees
Edited by: Munchees on 12/08/2009 07:24:13
Originally by: nahtoh
Not every fantasy fan likes "lord of the rings" you know...
Modern "High fantasy" exists mainly because of LOTR. Every fantasy book I've read seems to be in some ways a clone or extremely similar. Even at some points Harry Potter. There is however, nothing wrong with this.
I'd also recommend Harry Potter but seeing as she probably doesn't live under a rock, she's probably read that series.
I think everyone I know has read at least LOTR and Harry Potter.
LOTR certainly helped make modern fantasy the viable story telling medium that it is today. Saying that modern fantasy exists because of LOTR, is somthing else entirely and patently false. Immaculate conception much do you?
In any case the LORT is a crappy fantasy starter and a crappy read in general, if you want to give her Tolkin give her The Hobbit cause it's at least a good book.
-Jin Nib
Trading on behalf of Opera Noir since:
2009.03.02 03:53:00
|
Malcanis
Vanishing Point.
The Initiative.
|
Posted - 2009.08.12 08:33:00 -
[22]
Also if you like the steampunk aesthetic, try Ian Macdonald's The Light Ages.
|
Jin Nib
|
Posted - 2009.08.12 08:40:00 -
[23]
Edited by: Jin Nib on 12/08/2009 08:40:35
Originally by: Malcanis
Also if you like the steampunk aesthetic, try Ian Macdonald's The Light Ages.
Ooo, in that vein there's also China MiTville. His novels that I've read are very good.
-Jin Nib
Trading on behalf of Opera Noir since:
2009.03.02 03:53:00
|
nahtoh
Caldari
Vanguard Frontiers
|
Posted - 2009.08.12 12:10:00 -
[24]
Originally by: Munchees
Edited by: Munchees on 12/08/2009 07:24:13
Originally by: nahtoh
Not every fantasy fan likes "lord of the rings" you know...
Modern "High fantasy" exists mainly because of LOTR. Every fantasy book I've read seems to be in some ways a clone or extremely similar. Even at some points Harry Potter. There is however, nothing wrong with this.
I'd also recommend Harry Potter but seeing as she probably doesn't live under a rock, she's probably read that series.
I think everyone I know has read at least LOTR and Harry Potter.
I said not all fantasy fans like it, not that i wish it had not be created...infact i glad it exisits as a number of my favourte writters cite it as a insperation for writting books i actually like.
=========
"I am not saying there should be capital punishment for stupidity, but why can`t we just take the safety labels off everything and let the problem fix its self |
Amataras
Minmatar
Rule of Five
The Junta
|
Posted - 2009.08.12 15:34:00 -
[25]
Originally by: nahtoh
Originally by: Munchees
Edited by: Munchees on 12/08/2009 07:24:13
Originally by: nahtoh
Not every fantasy fan likes "lord of the rings" you know...
Modern "High fantasy" exists mainly because of LOTR. Every fantasy book I've read seems to be in some ways a clone or extremely similar. Even at some points Harry Potter. There is however, nothing wrong with this.
I'd also recommend Harry Potter but seeing as she probably doesn't live under a rock, she's probably read that series.
I think everyone I know has read at least LOTR and Harry Potter.
I said not all fantasy fans like it, not that i wish it had not be created...infact i glad it exisits as a number of my favourte writters cite it as a insperation for writting books i actually like.
I agree with Nahtoh - modern high fantasy exists almost exclusively because of LOTR. It was Tolkein that took the various myths and legends of Celtic/Germanic/Nordic Europe and put them into his books, thus creating 'modern' Elves, Dwarves etc. In the same way, modern 'low' fantasy originates from the works of C.S. Lewis.
--------
|
Rulkez
Gentlemen Bastards
|
Posted - 2009.08.12 15:54:00 -
[26]
If you think LOTR is the height of the the genre, and that most fantasy is derived from the LOTR formula, then you simply are not well enough read to be commenting on the genre.
|
Munchees
Gallente
|
Posted - 2009.08.12 16:00:00 -
[27]
Originally by: Rulkez
If you think LOTR is the height of the the genre, and that most fantasy is derived from the LOTR formula, then you simply are not well enough read to be commenting on the genre.
I don't think it's the height of the genre. I'm just saying it
supplies quite a bit of the formula.
The height of the genre is personal opinion.
@The OP: You should tell your sister you go your suggestion off an internet forum. Adding humor to things makes life so much more interesting.
I'm trying to derail the thread.
|
Horza Gelian
Dark-Rising
|
Posted - 2009.08.12 16:09:00 -
[28]
Originally by: Frank Corncob
Redwall series
I've only read Martin the Warrior years ago, but it was the first fantasy I came across and enjoyed it alot. I've been meaning to buy some more for ages. 3 book compilation.
I just recently finished reading Philip Pullmans His Dark Materials trilogy. I was a little sceptical when your thrown into the story following a bratty 12 year old girl. Once I'd gotten into it... brilliant, couldn't put them down. Very well written, you can feel the characters and locations jumping off the page. Then ending is heart wrenching because you've been drawn into the characters so much, you can feel the emotion as if you were there. Not something I've found very often.
[I've been told theres a film Golden Compass I think. I try and avoid book to film after alot of dissapointment of the film not living upto the book]
Not strictly fantasy, but these were lent to me by my sister, who seems to have similar interests to your own.
The Night Watch trilogy (Night Watch, Day Watch, Twilight Watch) plus the 4th book The Last Watch by Sergi Lukyanenko.
They're a mix of present day with a twist on the whole magic / vampires / werwolves theme. Each books split into 3 different stories covering various events within a larger picture. Most follow a single character though you do get to follow others which gives a nice perspective change, and change of pace.
They play out as a detective story, which always keeps you thinking ahead trying to unravel the plot which is very enjoyable.
[You've probably heard of the films of these books. They are set in alternate ways the book story lines could of played out. The books will help to fill in alot of the fluff that the films find hard to convey.]
Discworld. Definatly. As everyone else has suggested start from the first books as there are alot of them. Terry Pratchet has been turning them out for 25 years or so now, and his writing style has evolvoed along with the characters. Personaly I love the Vimes books (starting with Guards! Guards!), but I've never been dissapointed and always laughing uncontrolably.
The above and LotR / Hobbit is the extent of my fantasy knowledge, most has come on recomendation from friends. But I've highly enjoyed the lot of them. I've not spoken about the Red Wall books much as I've only read the one a very long time ago, but I still have fond memories of it.
- Horza
|
Whitehound
|
Posted - 2009.08.12 21:50:00 -
[29]
Edited by: Whitehound on 12/08/2009 21:50:45
Alan Dean Foster is an author I liked to read. I have not read much of his books lately.
He wrote a lot of well known stuff, i.e. Alien. He writes a lot and some books were not so good. Best is to find a book store and read the backside of each of his books, and see if the content attracts you.
He wrote several books within the same universe called the Common Wealth, which then connect to one another. So if you need some connections over several books he has something in store, too.
He has gone pretty commercial, but has the skills for it, too.
--
|
Munchees
Gallente
|
Posted - 2009.08.13 04:12:00 -
[30]
Edited by: Munchees on 13/08/2009 04:15:40
I've been hearing a lot about His Dark Materials.
What is it about, exactly?
Edit: Nvm, just looked it up and it was what The Golden Compass was made from)
OH! People are going to flame me for this but...
The Inheritance Cycle (Eragon, Eldest, Brisingr, the final book still being written). Eragon is an okay book, but the third book is the best so far. Since the writer is just a young guy, his writing has evolved in the same way JK Rowling's did.
I'm trying to derail the thread.
|
| |
|
| Pages: [1] 2 :: one page |
| First page | Previous page | Next page | Last page |