OT: good fantasy books

[Endoperez]

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.

[Lingchih]

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.

[Theonlystd]

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 ..

[Xietor]

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."

[Lingchih]

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.

[Beorne]

Xietor said:
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."

Jordan has died.

[Velusion]

Lingchih said:
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.

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.

Lingchih said:
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.

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.

[Endoperez]

http://www.dragonmount.com/RobertJordan/?p=90

It seems Robert Jordan is dead.

[Xietor]

Robert Jordan Is Dead - The Wheel of Time Turns No More
News Type: Event — Seeded on Mon Sep 17, 2007 7:48 AM EDT
Read ArticleArticle Source: dragonmount.com
entertainment, literature, science-fiction, fantasy, author, novels, robert-jordan, wheel-of-time, the-dragon
Seeded by Killfile

It is with great sadness that I tell you that the Dragon is gone. RJ left us today at 2:45 PM. He fought a valiant fight against this most horrid disease. In the end, he left peacefully and in no pain. In the years he had fought this, he taught me much about living and about facing death. He never waivered in his faith, nor questioned our God’s timing. I could not possibly be more proud of anyone. I am eternally grateful for the time that I had with him on this earth and look forward to our reunion, though as I told him this afternoon, not yet. I love you bubba.

[Xietor]

Robert Jordan 1st 4 books in the wot series were extremely good. He was a great storyteller. But he will always be known for not being able to finish the series. It spun out of control on him.

Basic tenet of writing violated-outline. Outline. Outline.