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Kzintee
Caldari
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Posted - 2010.03.18 19:09:00 -
[1]
I'm currently in the process of looking for some new books to read and would like to ask your opinions.
I'm particularly fond of scifi/fantasy BUT not of the one-book "he was a great hero with a troubled past, he slashed his enemies with his mighty sword/spaceship/mech" variety.
Little background: Books I loved: Peter Hamilton: Night's dawn trilogy, Commonwealth books, Void. All of them Alastair Reynolds, all of them. Ian M Banks: Culture series, other books. Niven: Ringworld, Drako's Tavern, etc. Pratchett (who hasn't?) Tad Williams: War of Flowers Neil Gaiman Stephenson: Cryptonomicon, Snow Crash, Diamond Age Glen Cook: Black Company
Ones I didn't like: David Weber. The author strikes me as a military history buff (which he is) who figured out he couldn't make any $$ in it so he decided to write "naval battles...IN SPACE!!!" books. Too much attention to ships positions, not enough attention to characters, too much cliche. Tad Williams: Otherworld was boring, couldn't finish 3rd book, was hoping for it to get better. Scalzi: Old Man's War is way too much like Heinlein. Ghost Brigades wasn't much better style-wise. Stephenson: Interface. God almighty, how could he co-write that steaming pile of !@#@#. Niven co-wrote better fantasy novels than this political POS. McDevitt: Just picked it up recently...Odyssey is pretty horrible. Warhammer 40K: Grey Knights was fun at first, but by the end it really got to be too much "rinse and repeat". "Oh look! Another demon! Pray and slay!"
Considering to read: Tad Williams: Shadowrise Jack Vance: Start with tales of dying earth. Jon Williams: Dread Empire
I'm trying to avoid the average "We have a problem, let's make plans for one big battle with some political bull!@#! in the middle, then fight it, then we won!" book that the shelves are filled with these days. So what other suggestions might folks have? |
Magnus Nordir
Caldari Nordir Industries
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Posted - 2010.03.18 19:33:00 -
[2]
Edited by: Magnus Nordir on 18/03/2010 19:35:06 James L. Helperin: The first immortal Kim Stanley Robinson: Mars trilogy (Red Mars, Green Mars, Blue Mars) Neil Stephenson: Anathem Stephen Baxter: The Manifold trilogy (Time, Space, Origin) Raymond Kurzweil: The Singularity is near (non-fiction) Charles Stross: Accelerando Arthur C. Clarke: The Rama series (Randezvous with Rama, Rama revisited, The Garden of Rama, Rama revealed)
EDIT: Arthur C. Clarke & Stephen Baxter: Time Odyssey trilogy (Time's eye, Sunstorm, Firstborn) |
Omg Corn
Gallente Zorp Corp
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Posted - 2010.03.18 19:42:00 -
[3]
Fantasy: Terry Pratchett - Diskworld series. Scifi: Douglas Adams - Hitchhikers guide.
/thread
If you are looking for more serious books, Brave New World by Aldous Huxley is in my opinion one of the best books out there, and getting more and more relevant by the day.
Sphere by Michael Crichton is the only book that I started reading and literally could not put down until I finished it. |
Kzintee
Caldari
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Posted - 2010.03.18 19:55:00 -
[4]
Thanks all.
Quote:
Neil Stephenson: Anathem
I guess I've stayed away from Stephenson other books b/c of the Baroque Cycle. I'll give this a shot.
Quote:
Raymond Kurzweil: The Singularity is near (non-fiction)
I'll have to reread it again, I couldn't make it past the first half.
Quote:
Arthur C. Clarke: The Rama series (Randezvous with Rama, Rama revisited, The Garden of Rama, Rama revealed)
I've read the first Rama book and unfortunately found it a little too cheesy (being Russian and all). I'll give it another try.
Quote:
EDIT: Arthur C. Clarke & Stephen Baxter: Time Odyssey trilogy (Time's eye, Sunstorm, Firstborn)
I found Baxter to be too focused on the hard science (Titan, Moonseed). I'll check out the Time Odyssey, thanks.
Quote:
Fantasy: Terry Pratchett - Diskworld series. Scifi: Douglas Adams - Hitchhikers guide.
Read them all
Quote:
If you are looking for more serious books, Brave New World by Aldous Huxley is in my opinion one of the best books out there, and getting more and more relevant by the day.
Thanks, will look at it
Quote:
Sphere by Michael Crichton is the only book that I started reading and literally could not put down until I finished it.
I've actually read all of Crichton books. |
Omg Corn
Gallente Zorp Corp
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Posted - 2010.03.18 20:04:00 -
[5]
Originally by: Kzintee
Read them all ... I've actually read all of Crichton books.
Omg are you a real woman because I think I'm in love. People do not read enough [or at all] nowadays.
Also
Originally by: Kzintee Thanks all. I've read the first Rama book and unfortunately found it a little too cheesy (being Russian and all). I'll give it another try.
What?
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Merin Ryskin
Peregrine Industries
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Posted - 2010.03.18 20:15:00 -
[6]
Originally by: Magnus Nordir Raymond Kurzweil: The Singularity is near (fiction)
Fixed your post. |
Kzintee
Caldari
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Posted - 2010.03.18 20:20:00 -
[7]
Originally by: Omg Corn
Originally by: Kzintee Thanks all. I've read the first Rama book and unfortunately found it a little too cheesy (being Russian and all). I'll give it another try.
What?
I'm Russian. The Rama books were written during the Cold War and as such reflect the feelings of that day which I find very stereotypical, untrue and overall cheesy. |
Magnus Nordir
Caldari Nordir Industries
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Posted - 2010.03.18 20:31:00 -
[8]
Edited by: Magnus Nordir on 18/03/2010 20:35:55
Originally by: Merin Ryskin
Originally by: Magnus Nordir Raymond Kurzweil: The Singularity is near (fiction)
Fixed your post.
Not much of a fix. You could have at least linked to one of the many rational reviews that try to rebuke Kurzweil with actual arguments, and we could have a debate from there.
In any case, most of everything he predicted in that book (both the 1999 and 2005 editions) has come true so far, as have many of Kurzweil's earlier predictions. His healthcare plan has retarded his biological ageing by a decade. On what basis are you "fixing" my post, again?
Quote: I found Baxter to be too focused on the hard science (Titan, Moonseed).
That's what I like about him. His books usually strike a good balance between explaining (or at least rationalising) the scientific detail and telling the story. I don't like authors that either overdo of leave out the former.
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Omg Corn
Gallente Zorp Corp
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Posted - 2010.03.18 20:35:00 -
[9]
Edited by: Omg Corn on 18/03/2010 20:36:39
Originally by: Kzintee
I'm Russian. The Rama books were written during the Cold War and as such reflect the feelings of that day which I find very stereotypical, untrue and overall cheesy.
Oh that makes sense. In my delirium-from-being-up-too-long I thought you were saying that the Rama books were Russian
I read one of those a long time ago when I was young, but don't remember anything about it, I'll have to read them again. I find the whole 60's-80's period and the attitudes both the East and West had towards the other fascinating.
Funny thing is I'm Ukrainian and it was actually my dad who gave me the book
Edit: bah too tired to type.
Thread hijack: we will now talk about the awesome Soviet movies we watched during out youth :D |
Malaclypse Muscaria
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Posted - 2010.03.18 20:47:00 -
[10]
Going by your stated tastes and comments, I'd suggest checking out some Phillip K. Dick, such as "The Three Stigmata Of Palmer Eldritch", or "Ubik", or one of the many other interesting little jewels among his prolific output. And if you like his work, then perhaps "The Illiminatus Trilogy" by Robert Anton Wilson and Robert Shea, which goes all the way into mindf*ck territory.
Also, while Ian M. Banks is more well known for his sci-fi books, I also liked a lot most of the non-scifi ones he published (as "Ian Banks"), such as "The Bridge", "Walking on Glass", and others. |
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Ann Freya
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Posted - 2010.03.18 21:26:00 -
[11]
How bout
George Orwell: 1984
or
George Orwell: Animal Farm
two of my favorite books
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Kzintee
Caldari
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Posted - 2010.03.18 22:20:00 -
[12]
Originally by: Ann Freya How bout
George Orwell: 1984
or
George Orwell: Animal Farm
two of my favorite books
Good books indeed. |
Vogue
Mercurialis Inc. RAZOR Alliance
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Posted - 2010.03.18 22:29:00 -
[13]
Marcus Aurelius Meditations - Good philosophical book by a Roman Emperor. He is more with it than the vast majority if not all political leaders today. |
Danton Marcellus
Nebula Rasa Holdings
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Posted - 2010.03.19 00:55:00 -
[14]
Max Brooks - World War Z |
Sanguis Sanies
Amarr
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Posted - 2010.03.19 14:55:00 -
[15]
Raymond Feist - Magician (my all time favourite book, it's a 700-800 page epic and I've read it at least 4 times) if you like that he has about 20 other books that all follow chronologically; Magician is the start.
Warhammer 40k: is Grey Knights the only one you've read, if not then I recommend any of the Dan Abnett books, but particularly the Eisenhorn triology/omnibus or the Gaunt's Ghosts books |
Simvastatin Montelukast
Qui dormit non peccat Arkai Confederation
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Posted - 2010.03.19 17:08:00 -
[16]
For Sci-Fi: I would recommend Isaac Asimov, the foundation series. I read them ferociously in the early 80's and recently started to reread them.
Others I enjoy, Dean Koontz (although after about book 5-6 the plots all become very familiar). "I, Sniper" by Stephen Hunter. He has become my new favorite author and have started two series by him. Austin Camacho. He is a little hard to read at first as he is consumed with details, but after the first quarter of the book, you get used to it. Tom Clancy, good standby. John Grisham, great author and "The Painted House" and "Playing for Pizza" are great books outside of his usual genre. |
Kzintee
Caldari
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Posted - 2010.03.19 20:32:00 -
[17]
Quote:
Raymond Feist - Magician (my all time favourite book, it's a 700-800 page epic and I've read it at least 4 times) if you like that he has about 20 other books that all follow chronologically; Magician is the start.
Thanks for a suggestion. Very good reviews, I'll look into it.
Quote:
Warhammer 40k: is Grey Knights the only one you've read, if not then I recommend any of the Dan Abnett books, but particularly the Eisenhorn triology/omnibus or the Gaunt's Ghosts books
Eisenhorn trilogy is currently sitting on the shelf. I've read the first book of it, but the story seems to be such a re-wash (at least it seems to me...demon, kill, demon, almost get killed, demon, kill) that I've sort of given up.
Quote:
Tom Clancy, good standby.
I have quite a few Clancy books, more or less all of them following Ryan's career. I've stopped reading when he went into Net stuff.
Thanks all for suggestions. |
Enoch Tarr
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Posted - 2010.03.19 21:16:00 -
[18]
The Magician is o-kay, nothing mindblowing or too original, but it is a well written fantasy with all the clichTs. Feist has been going downhill ever since though. To some darker and craftier fantasy prose, try Martin's The Book of Ice and Fire or even the Erikson's gargantuan Malazan saga, both are worth it. If you are more into standalone books, try something from G.G. Kay (maybe with the sole exception of The Fionavar Tapestry), the guy is seriously good. |
Slade Trillgon
Endless Possibilities Inc. Ushra'Khan
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Posted - 2010.03.19 21:32:00 -
[19]
Edited by: Slade Trillgon on 19/03/2010 21:33:28
Stephen Brust is a phenomenal writer of fantasy.
Other then that most of what I have been reading recently are books based on politics, sociology, and anthropology. I will not list the tiltes unless you are interested in that type of stuff.
Slade
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Lt Forge
Pilots From Honour Aeternus.
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Posted - 2010.03.20 00:17:00 -
[20]
H.
P.
effing
Lovecraft. |
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vulnevia
The Exploited. Black Star Alliance
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Posted - 2010.03.20 09:54:00 -
[21]
OMG, a link!!!
Could be some in that link that you haven't read
Well, I'm off, gonna make myself a "Looking for good books to read" thread since there isn't any on the forums
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Zzander Solus
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Posted - 2010.03.20 15:19:00 -
[22]
great sci-fi classics: The Moon is a Harsh Mistress -- Robert Heinlein The Stainless Steel Rat -- Harry Harrison
The first 100 or so novels of the Perry Rhodan franchise series. (The novellas have passed the 2500 mark in the series and are still being written, though mostly in German. Whew!)
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Malaclypse Muscaria
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Posted - 2010.03.20 19:53:00 -
[23]
Rudy Rucker is an author I don't see mentioned in these sort of threads, and that I believe deserves a lot more recognition. His "Ware" tetralogy ("Software", "Wetware", "Freeware", "Realware") is brilliant, and will likely appeal to those who are into cyberpunk.
But whereas William Gibson was just a writer and actually pretty ignorant of computing and the subject matter he was writing about (making up for it with huge doses of imagination as well as attitude), Rucker is a university professor of mathematics and computer science, along with a marked interest in philosophy (which he explores in non-fiction books such as "Infinity and the Mind", another book I highly recommend).
Thus, along with the base sci-fi story, he interweaves and plays with a lot of pretty interesting (and sometimes off-beat) ideas in his novels, coming across as a hybrid between "Snowcrash"-era Neal Stephenson and Robert Anton Wilson.
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GSV SleeperService
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Posted - 2010.03.20 21:05:00 -
[24]
Ian M Banks :)))))
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Irida Mershkov
Gallente Capsuleers of Doom Opticon Alliance
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Posted - 2010.03.20 21:08:00 -
[25]
Originally by: GSV SleeperService Ian M Banks :)))))
Posting name seals the deal IMO. Iain M Banks. Go!
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Atomos Darksun
The Maverick Navy IT Alliance
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Posted - 2010.03.21 03:00:00 -
[26]
Hyperion - Dan Simmmons.
Very original style. Sucks you in like a $5 hooker after ~page 50.
Originally by: Amoxin My vent is talking to me in a devil voice...
Linkification, Baby. |
Triple Entendre
Emergence Inc.
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Posted - 2010.03.21 06:58:00 -
[27]
William Gibson's Sprawl trilogy (if you haven't already)
As for 40k stuff, there are so many writers it's hard to choose, but if you want something that's a cross between good ol' scifi and Blackadder, I suggest the "Ciaphas Cain: Hero of the Imperium" books.
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Slightly Green
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Posted - 2010.03.21 10:42:00 -
[28]
Originally by: GSV SleeperService Ian M Banks :)))))
I wish he was more of a prolific sci-fi writer though. Sure, I'll take quality over quantity anytime, but someone needs to chain this guy to a desk and tell him to write another ten Culture novels immediately.
S. Carpathian
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Denarc
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Posted - 2010.05.01 23:39:00 -
[29]
Edited by: Denarc on 01/05/2010 23:41:14 Edited by: Denarc on 01/05/2010 23:40:45 Edited by: Denarc on 01/05/2010 23:40:08 Try The Gap Cycle by Stephen R. Donaldson. It's a very very dark series. It's regard as being overtly sadistic in nature, with lots of dark human psychology as well as a lot of sexual abuse and violence. However, it is beautifully crafted and follows a similar theme to the Richard Wagner epic opera, The Ring of the Nibelung. It's easily one of the best sci-fi series there is.
Have you ever tried tackling Gene Wolfe's The Book Of The New Sun? It's also one of the finest bits of literature as a whole, not sci-fi alone. It's set millions of years well into the future as the Earths sun is dying and the world has evolved into a much different place. It is not the story alone, but the writing what makes the books so amazing.
Thousand Cultures series by John Barnes is also a good read. I can't really summarize it as it follows a mans long journey throughout an interstellar culture. Indeed it's a bit more anthropological based than most sci-fi which is politically or simply conflict driven, but it's a good series.
Lastly, have you ever tried Dan Simmons? Either his Hyperion Cantos or the Ilium/Olympos series are classics.
(Digging up from the dead, sorry!)
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Dan O'Connor
Cerberus Network Dignitas.
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Posted - 2010.05.01 23:47:00 -
[30]
Illuminatus! (Trilogy) Robert Anton Wilson ________________________
Apply | Channel CBSN Lounge |
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So Sensational
GREY COUNCIL Gentlemen's Club
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Posted - 2010.05.02 00:34:00 -
[31]
The Malazan Book of the Fallen. It's a series. It's the best series ever.
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Malza koth
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Posted - 2010.05.03 20:13:00 -
[32]
The Gap Series by Donaldson is really good-just get past the first book which is super short and the story really opens up.
The Malazan Series is solid but can be a bit confusing. The author really shines when it comes to world building and being able to manage a ton of characters, races, a interesting magic system with some ****ed off gods running amuck. Be warned there are a lot of books and keeping the characters straight is a struggle at times.
The Hyperion series is excellent. Reads fast, great story. I liked the other series by Simmons as well, Illium and something else I can't remember.
Song of Fire and Ice by George R.R. Martin is is an excellent series. Strongly suggest you read. Dark, gritty fantasy.
Vernon Vinge has two great books out. A Fire upon the Deep and I can't remember the other one but its in the same universe. Read them both.
The Prince of Nothing series is really good. R. Scott Bakker. Read it. Really good and I never see it on these list but deserves to be noted.
The SunSword Series by Michelle West.
Anything by Brandon Sanderson-very unusal and well thought out magic systems.
The other Peter Hamilton books.
The Liaden Universe books by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller. Read in this order Conflict of Honors, Agent of Change, Carpe Diem, Plan B, and Local Custom or start with the omnibus Partners in Necessity.
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Jin Nib
Resplendent Knives
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Posted - 2010.05.04 02:48:00 -
[33]
Originally by: Malza koth
Song of Fire and Ice by George R.R. Martin is is an excellent series. Strongly suggest you read. Dark, gritty fantasy.
No, I think Martin really dropped the ball on that series. The first, three of four (plus that short story with Bonk or whats his name) are the beginning of the best series ever, but I wouldn't even recommend them because you can't read 'em without wanting to continue. The material after that is really, really bad (not to mention his success has him overshadowed and pressured, and he seems to barely write anything at all).
The Malazian series thus holds top place with me for now, solid all the way through. The second author (Ian something or other) who helped create the world with Erikson also shows some promise, though his first full length (Return of the Crimson Guard I think) isn't really up to par with Erikson. -Jin Nib Trading on behalf of Opera Noir since: 2009.03.02 03:53:00
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Malcanis
Vanishing Point. The Initiative.
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Posted - 2010.05.04 12:46:00 -
[34]
Charles Stross Ken Mcleod Paul J Mcauley
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FunzzeR
Death of Virtue MeatSausage EXPRESS
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Posted - 2010.05.04 17:00:00 -
[35]
I'll suggest taking another route that I have done to find new and fresh SciFi authors.
Try reading anthologies.
Looking up the author of a short story that I liked usually lead me to find other good full length books written by the author.
Here is two anthologies I highly recommend:
The Space Opera Renaissance The Hard SF Renaissance
Both are massive (900+ pages) and have a nice medley of stories. PRAISE THE SCOTTISH FOLD!!
THEIR WILL SHALL BE DONE!! |
Malza koth
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Posted - 2010.05.04 17:10:00 -
[36]
Quote: No, I think Martin really dropped the ball on that series. The first, three of four (plus that short story with Bonk or whats his name) are the beginning of the best series ever, but I wouldn't even recommend them because you can't read 'em without wanting to continue. The material after that is really, really bad (not to mention his success has him overshadowed and pressured, and he seems to barely write anything at all).
He's only written 4 books so far so you didn't like the last one, big deal. The general consensus is that this series is by far the best fantasy series out there. The delays are annoying and I agree with you about the nerves thing. But its almost a matter of choosing your poison, read a series where the author drags it out unneccessarily and ends up dying before finishing (you know who i'm talking about) or read one where the author is so concerned about the product he will completely rewrite a book so that it is not substandard-lets hope he stays healthy.
Also check out Winterbirth by Brian Ruckley. Short series 3 books, I've seen complaints about the pacing but I thought those were unfounded.
And Acacia by David Anthony Durham although this is probably my weakest suggestion but I still thought it was a solid read. Typical revenge, revolt, overthrow the king with the rightufl rulers in hiding type of deal.
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Simeon Tor
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Posted - 2010.05.04 17:57:00 -
[37]
Edited by: Simeon Tor on 04/05/2010 17:57:21 CCP Big Dumb Object mentioned Last and First Men in a thread and I've started reading it as that sort of thing appeals to me, I'm enjoying it though it's a bit out there.
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Alain Kinsella
Minmatar
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Posted - 2010.05.05 19:47:00 -
[38]
Edited by: Alain Kinsella on 05/05/2010 19:57:32 Leo Frankowski: The 'Conrad Stargard' series David Feintuch: The Seafort Saga (Warning, extreme masochism inside) James P. Hogan: Various novels and anthologies The 'Bolo' novels/anthologies (various authors) Robert Doherty: Area 51 novels, Psychic Warrior novels The Cleric Quintet (Cadderly) Various (and far too many) Drizzt novels -> also any stories /w Artemis Entreri Troy Denning: Prism Pentad (Dark Sun) Simon Hawke: Tribe of One (Dark Sun) The recent Starcraft, Diablo, and Warcraft novels The recent Dune novels (I thought they were OK)
-> That was from a quick glance at my own bookshelf. There's a couple walls worth I can peruse in my friend's collection.
Apparently I've not read enough Heinlein, since I was quite happy with Scalzi.
For possible "avoid" books (if you can find them): The Cloakmaster Cycle (aka the Spelljammer books - disappointing, it had a lot of potential)
--A_K
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Jin Nib
Resplendent Knives
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Posted - 2010.05.05 20:58:00 -
[39]
Originally by: Malza koth
He's only written 4 books so far so you didn't like the last one, big deal. The general consensus is that this series is by far the best fantasy series out there. The delays are annoying and I agree with you about the nerves thing. But its almost a matter of choosing your poison, read a series where the author drags it out unneccessarily and ends up dying before finishing (you know who i'm talking about) or read one where the author is so concerned about the product he will completely rewrite a book so that it is not substandard-lets hope he stays healthy.
Jeez you're right it is only four books, it's been so long I get confused. Just consider that the first book was released in 1996, and his last one of the series was released in 2005. It's been a long time. The major contributing factor to what made the Feast of Crows bad was, I think, because of his obsessing over it. He's not getting the flow right and I believe he's trying to tackle too much rather then just writing without fetters. I Honestly don't think he's taken a break from it in that time, but I wish he would. Either write a few scripts, or something else, and come back to it with fresh eyes.
Luckily I avoided the Wheel of Time series because I saw my friends suffering from it lol.
@OP: I'm going to recommend Patrick O'Brian's Aubrey-Maturin series, it's historical fiction but is easily a masterpeice of writing. And I always recomend it because of that. :P -Jin Nib Trading on behalf of Opera Noir since: 2009.03.02 03:53:00
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