Re: OT: good fantasy books
 

And Vampire: The Masquerade! (and presumably the new version Vampire: The Requiem as well). I really love reading those books, I have about ten of them even though I have no intention of ever playing it (seems to me it would be a bit emo for my tastes). Actually I never play RPGs at all, but I do enjoy reading the books.

Edit: I mean the RPG rule/sourcebooks, not the novels - I read half a V:tM novel once and wasn't impressed. Seems to me the guys who write the RPGs are absolutely top of the line in their writing skill (after all, it's often considered one of the best RPGs around), whereas the kind of author who would accept that kind of franchise for a novel would, I suspect, not be the best. I don't know how fair that is though.

Re: OT: good fantasy books
 

If we're taking Vampire, try checking out Vampire: The Middle Ages - it's a subset of the original Masquerade series.

It's got more of the mainstream "fantasy" feel, being actually set in the Middle Ages.

As for RPG writers and Fantasy writers, I honestly don't see why there has to be a distinction. It's not as if writers make all that much to be so specialized. At the very least, it might prove a useful springboard for aspiring writers, much like the phonebook mangas are for manga writers in Japan, or console games are becoming for musicians.

And it allows a greater body of potential writers to find a medium that plays to their particular tastes.

Re: OT: good fantasy books
 

Read it! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

Edit: That's "read" in the past tense rather than imperative sense! And yes, it's quite excellent.

Re: OT: good fantasy books
 

Robin Hobb.. The trilogy about a young royal assassin.. Man, ive read tons and tons of books and thats the best it gets..

Re: OT: good fantasy books
 

Many, many good recommandations in here.

David Gemmel does wonders. I recently saw parts of the movie Sparta. His books are like "SPARTAAA!", except more hardcore. The Legend, especially, the book showing Druss the Axeman fighting his last battle, an impossible fight against unbeatable enemy, just an old man whose axe is no longer demon-possessed. And we see how the legends still pale before the man behind them. Awesome!

Naomi Novik - ah, dragonriders! "Captain Laurence of His Majesty's Navy, on Temeraire; I am at present unassigned." But not for long, as 20-ton dragons, especially ones as maneuverable or intelligent as Temeraire, can hardly be left unused while Napoleon's army marches undefeated through Europe and threatens Britain itself. Fantastic series.

Gene Wolfe, and his Wizard Knight duology. It is. I can't really describe it, but you should read it - it's a strange mix of excellent writing, weirdness and familiar stories.

Scott Lynch wrote an interesting low-fantasy story, Lies of Locke Lamora. A strange city and strange world, a league of tricksters, and a deal of bad luck. Nice, but not extraordinary.

Diana Wynne Jones writes for young adults, but that doesn't mean the books aren't good. I've especially enjoyed Dark Lord of Derkholm, even though the sequel isn't quite at the same level.

Re: OT: good fantasy books
 

Gene Wolfe is the pre-eminent fantasy/sci-fi author of our day, and the Wizard Knight duology is an excellent example of his craft. I would recommend it heartily.

I don't know if he has been mentioned here, but the old grand master of fantasy is Jack Vance. His Tales of the Dying Earth is a classic (especially Cujel's Saga). It's the basis of much of the AD&D magic system. And his Lyonesse trilogy is pure greatness. His books are mostly out of print and a bit hard to find, but you can usually find used copies on Amazon.

Re: OT: good fantasy books
 

This thread has added many a book to my wish list ..

Song of ice and fire .. Easily one of my favorites .

Start reading Robert Jordans series now you'd prolly finish all those books just in time for the last one..

Malazan is another good one..

Tho id call all 3 of those "heavy reading"

Tolkien is a given

Robert E Howards original Conan stories have been released unedited in a 3 book series .. Id say a must read for any fantasy fans ..



Now for some easier reading.. The Drizzt Saga in Forgotten Realms is enjoyable ..

Books set in the Warhammer world to esp the Gotrek And Felix series and the Dark Blade Series for the Pov from a "bad guy"

These are full of action but wont make you do any deep thinking ..

Re: OT: good fantasy books
 

It is unlikely Jordan ever completes his series. And to be honest its quality goes down rapidly after book 4.

"On March 23, 2006, Jordan disclosed in a statement[2] in a firm and optimistic tone that he has been diagnosed with primary amyloidosis with cardiomyopathy (cardiac amyloidosis), and that, with treatment, his median life expectancy is four years, though he says he intends to beat the statistics. He later posted on his Dragonmount blog to encourage his fans not to worry about him and that he intends to have a long and fully creative life, working for another 30 years.

He began chemotherapy treatment at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota in early April 2006.[3] Jordan is currently enrolled in a study using the drug Revlimid just approved for multiple myeloma but not yet tested on primary amyloidosis."

Re: OT: good fantasy books
 

I would agree that the quality of Robert Jordan's books goes donw appreciably after book 4. I only hope that he can finish the final book, and that it is a resurgance of his earlier books in the series.

Re: OT: good fantasy books
 

A very good *writer* but not really a "storyteller". I liken his books to fantasy version of the later Melville. Symbolism out the wazoo. I haven't read the Wizard Knight though, just the Torturer and Latero books.

Vance is one of my top three favorite writers. Amazing stories/charactors. Hard to find his books though (which is a shame). George RR Martin has stated that Vance is HIS favorite fantasy/sci-fi author.