OT: good fantasy books - Page 8

HoneyBadger · #71 April 24th, 2007, 06:15 PM

Yes, I agree-I've read fantasy since I was about 4 years old, but as I've aged-I'm turning 30 (scary!) in a week-my tastes have changed. I don't put up with books that don't grab me and compel me to read them. I simply don't have patience for them and lose interest. Right now I'm reading George Alec Effinger's Audran Marid trilogy. Really excellent stuff there. It's sci-fi though, but it's the style that I appreciate. It's written for adults, about real adults, and it's interesting *to* adults-atleast to me.

A great shame that he died, especially as young as he was.
His writing is a bit like Steven Brust, when he's at his best.

Has anyone else here read Little, Big? It really is the best fantasy book I've ever read-and it's really exceptional for me to admit something like that without atleast a token reservation.

It might speak more to me than to younger or very much older readers though-I realize that I'm not ancient, but I did grow up from the 70s through the 80s to the 90s and didn't really become an "adult" until the turn of the century, and I think the book speaks to that very directly and clearly. The writing's good, and different enough that it's interesting by itself. The setting itself starts out modern, but...I won't spoil it for you.

Edi · #72 April 24th, 2007, 06:26 PM

SWORD OF SHADOWS SPOILER

Xietor, might have had something to do with Death refusing to let him die. Nothing about Old Blood in the first series the same way it is in the second.

Foodstamp · #73 April 24th, 2007, 06:32 PM

No one is going to mention Xanth novels?

djo · #74 April 24th, 2007, 07:07 PM

Quote:

HoneyBadger said:
Has anyone else here read Little, Big? It really is the best fantasy book I've ever read-and it's really exceptional for me to admit something like that without atleast a token reservation.

I think it's been mentioned twice in this thread (once by me). I'd call it one of the finest fantasy books ever written. It's very well regarded within the genre.

It as the most American fantasy book I've read. Whereas fantasy in the currently dominant Tolkein vein is (understandably) deeply rooted in especially Northern European traditions, Little, Big is as purely and independently American as America herself is. That is, almost, but not quite. The book, like America, has strong European (especially British) roots but has then made its own way in the world to something new and different.

If you're still wondering abou it...it's set in something like the second half of the 20th century, in an America much like ours, yet abstracted to the specificity of myth. A young man marries into an old family with a house in the country and becomes a part of their ongoing Story. Along the way you will find the country, the city, love, strife, a depression, progress, conspiracies, soap operas, hippies, orreries, some magic, and beauty and sadness that will make you gasp. Yes, it's literary. No orcs, no swords. Elves? Maybe...

HoneyBadger · #75 April 24th, 2007, 07:22 PM

Yeah, I mentioned it before, but I didn't know if anyone else had read it, Have you read John Crowley's "Aegypt"? If so, no spoilers, please! I've been trying to track down a copy.

djo · #76 April 24th, 2007, 07:47 PM

I haven't read it. I'd been waiting for the fourth (and final) book in the series to come out before starting. And lo, after a search prompted by your question, I see that it is out! I would think that would prompt a reprint of all of them, if they aren't in print now.

HoneyBadger · #77 April 24th, 2007, 09:44 PM

Once they come out, I'll happily buy a set-providing I can find one.

hoo · #78 April 25th, 2007, 03:27 PM

The Black Company triology is just solid. The books of the south aren't as good but better than I remembered. I just reread them and they had some interesting aspects. The Ten Taken are some of the coolest fantasy wizards ever made.

Cook's stand alone Tower of Fear is solid as well.

I enjoy Guy Gabrial Kay's work. Enjoy his characters and storytelling.

Like the tips like Bakker and J. Jones.

Xietor · #79 September 12th, 2007, 12:35 PM

I just finished Black Company White Rose Trilogy.

Very good stuff. Thanks for the suggestion!

Mr_Matt · #80 September 12th, 2007, 05:44 PM

Me and my brother just finished writing our first fantasy novel a few months ago. Been shopping it around to publishers but haven't gotten anything yet. It's not typical fantasy however, because we're not usually fantasy writers.

Out of curiosity what do you look for in a fantasy? I find it impossible to find a good original fantasy these days. Everything is Orcs, Elves and wizards(BORING). Dominions is like the only fantasy game without those and I absolutely praise it because of that. Although, it has dwarves... grr

MrMatt