OT: Any reccomendations for good fanatasy books

WraithLord · #1 October 9th, 2009, 06:02 AM

Hello friends,

I'm currently working my way through the last books of the Malazan series. Reading reaper's gale and expecting the next books in the series to get published (toll the hounds, dust of dreams and the crippled god). BTW, has any of the last books been published already?

Anyway, the thing is I'd really like to hear your recommendation where to go from here?- What books or series are worth picking up?
I'm esp. interested in such books that are readily available at the book stores bookshelves.

BTW, I picked up the malazan series at the time after reading a recommendation in this very forum so I know ppl here have good, or should I say similar to mine own, taste in books

Thanks in advanced!

djo · #2 October 9th, 2009, 06:10 AM

"Toll the Hounds" is in paperback in the US. "Dust of Dreams" might be in hardcover in the UK, but I'm not sure (UK gets them first).

There was another massive thread about a year ago on this topic that is well worth searching for. I'm also looking forward to hearing people's current opinions.

Here it is (wow...make that 2.5 years ago):

http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/showthread.php?t=34325

Zeldor · #3 October 9th, 2009, 07:00 AM

Fantasy is so vast and you want single recommendations? Huh, tough one.

My favourite fantasy is "The Amber Chronicles" by Roger Zelazny, try that one.

Terry Pratchett is also great, surely different.

From Glen Cook I liked Chronicles of Dread Empire more than Black Company.

Quitti · #4 October 9th, 2009, 08:09 AM

Well, I prefer sci-fi but the few fantasy books I read regularily (from one author that is, not the same books over and over) is Terry Pratchett. I'd suggest you try them out if you want something with a, well, sounds like a cliché, deeper meaning that you have to think of. Though they are fine as mindless entertainment too.

lch · #5 October 9th, 2009, 08:25 AM

I can only reinforce to read Terry Pratchett if you never did that before. The only bad thing about his books is that you grow accustomed to his style after a while.

Agema · #6 October 9th, 2009, 08:31 AM

Dust Of Dreams is indeed out in hardback UK, I've read it.

If you like Erikson, his work is probably heavily influenced by Glenn Cook, so look that up. Similarly gritty stuff, try R Scott Bakker (Prince of Nothing series), Tom Lloyd (The Twilight Reign series).

WraithLord · #7 October 9th, 2009, 08:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zeldor

Fantasy is so vast and you want single recommendations? Huh, tough one.

My favourite fantasy is "The Amber Chronicles" by Roger Zelazny, try that one.

Terry Pratchett is also great, surely different.

From Glen Cook I liked Chronicles of Dread Empire more than Black Company.

Yes. Tough indeed.
I absolutely loved "The Amber Chronicles" -read it like 15 years ago and recently bought the paper back full compilation for a re-read some time soon.

Could never relate to Terry Pratchett.

I heard so much about Glen Cook and his Chronicles of Dread Empire. I would love to read the series but have never seen it in actual book stores. Not in Israel and neither in the states. Is it only available for online buy?

Zeldor · #8 October 9th, 2009, 08:45 AM

WraithLord:

I am buying my books from Amazon, if I want them in English. Well, didn't have to order internationally yet, but pricing did not seem to be huge [sure, you can probably find them cheaper in your language at some local store or on ebay etc].

"A Cruel Wind" is a tome of 3 books from Dread Empire, they are supposed to be the best. I have to buy remaining ones.

I also have that 1,2k pages one-tome edition of Amber Chronicles

Waiting for some global internet shortage :P

Terry Pratchett should be easy to get everywhere [but I'd suggest again reading it in English], he is really popular. Start with the first 2 tomes. And after it anythign with Rincewind is great

But yeah, they get a bit similar in style.

chrispedersen · #9 October 9th, 2009, 08:48 AM

The Black Company - Cook. Simply amazing. Best since Donaldson/Tolkien
The Knight - Wolf.
Bone Doll Twin - Disturbing.
Stephen Weeks Assassin series.

Raiel · #10 October 9th, 2009, 10:22 AM

I'll second the Prince of Nothing series by Bakker. A very interesting read, if a bit wordy.

Brandon Sanderson is suprisingly good... his plot-, character- and world-developement have exceeded my expectations repeatedly. I found the Mistborn series to be particularly enjoyable.

My STRONGEST recommendation, however, is for Patrick Rothfuss' Name of the Wind. Absolute top-notch character developement and writing/storytelling. I have not enjoyed reading this much in more than a decade. In fact, it's the only book I've intentionally reread since Terry Goodkind's Stone of Tears.

Speaking of unintentional re-reads... C.S. Friedman is doing a new series that was worth re-reading, even if I thought I was buying a new book at the time.