posted
Thanks to Tom Davidson, I discovered "Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn." I have even forgiven him, mostly, for not liking Sean Russell.
Thank you!
I am almost finished, and it is the first completion of a novel in almost two years of a reading rut. (I have a pile of at least ten half finished novels.)
I am armed with a 50 dollar gift certificate to Barnes and Noble, and I want to have the next series in hand before I finish this tale.
If someone could just provide me with the link to the old "great fantasy novel" threads, that would be great, but I need something similar to this series. My life is not fun right now, and I need to lose myself in someone else's story.
posted
Marion Zimmer Bradley's Mists of Avalon books, yes there IS more than just one. Linkie And yeah, they aren't exactly happy books, lots of death, dispair and "lets fall upon our sword now" attitudes. But why the need for depressing books?
posted
Have you tried anything else by Tad Williams? I quite enjoyed Tailchaser's Song (a fantasy novel about cats), and Otherland (a sci-fi quartet set in the near future, though it has very strong fantasy overtones).
Posts: 45 | Registered: Mar 2003
| IP: Logged |
posted
Have you tried Robin Hobb, the Magic Ship trilogy ? I finished the first book and am going to buy the two others. It's really great.
Posts: 3526 | Registered: Oct 2001
| IP: Logged |
posted
Thanks! Valentine, I have read the Avalon series, though, looking at the list, there might be one I haven't read yet.(The Lady of Avalon)(I am so pathetic, I have to look at my reading journal to see what I have read. I used to remember steel-trapwise.) And I'm sorry, I didn't mean I need depressing books, I just need books I can get lost in. My position at work was cut(I teach) and I have to either wait until June 1 when they TELL me where I will be, or I have to get the old resume going again, and I hate the whole process. Well, I hate both processes: waiting AND acting)
I read Tailchaser's Song many moons ago, and LOVED it. I wanted to wait a bit before reading Otherland, just because I will be all sentimental about finishing this series.
Is the Robin Hobb series a definite trilogy? I was so ticked off when the Jordan series just kept going and going and going.
Thanks, all! I am ACTUALLY going to make a file for these this time, like I said I would when the last thread was going.
Posts: 10890 | Registered: May 2003
| IP: Logged |
posted
As I told you, I haven't read the all serie, so I can't tell. I would say it is finished, but it's just my opinion.
Posts: 3526 | Registered: Oct 2001
| IP: Logged |
posted
Ah, thank you, Corwin! I haven't been around, and I missed that thread. It is my favorite part of Hatrack, the part where you get to talk about reading fantasy and not be looked at like you are five years old, weird, or worse. (Well, I know I am weird, but I don't like the looks.)
Posts: 10890 | Registered: May 2003
| IP: Logged |
posted
In the other thread there was a question about the Discworld series. So, what order should they be read in?
Posts: 4569 | Registered: Dec 2003
| IP: Logged |
posted
Wow, that's a question ! I can't answer right now cause I read it in French, but I think that can be found. Just wait a minute.
Posts: 3526 | Registered: Oct 2001
| IP: Logged |
posted
I can be mistaken, but I think that here they are in the good order (at last it's true for the first ten).
Posts: 3526 | Registered: Oct 2001
| IP: Logged |
posted
No problem. But I really have to go to bed now ! Good night everybody ! (I can't believe it's just 6 PM in America )
Posts: 3526 | Registered: Oct 2001
| IP: Logged |
posted
I once wrote a really, really long and elaborate Discworld introduction, including reviews and suggestions for starting. It might still be somewhere on this site.
Posts: 37449 | Registered: May 1999
| IP: Logged |
posted
I would *highly* recommend George R. R. Martin's Song of Fire and Ice series. It's really phenomenal. The only problem is that he's not yet finished writing it. So far there are three books: A Game of Thrones, A Clash of Kings, and A Storm of Swords. The fourth book, A Feast for Crows, is scheduled to come out soon. I think there's at least one more book in addition to that before the series finishes up. In any case, you should absolutely give this one a try if you have not already.
I second the recommendation of anything written by Robin Hobb. Is her series complete? Well, sort of. Her first series is called the Farseer Trilogy (and includes Assassin's Apprentice, Royal Assassin and Assassin's Quest). It's very good, but the ending may leave you unsatisfied. Fortunately, she picks things up with another series about the same character, called The Tawny Man, which so far includes Fool's Errand and Golden Fool. Book 3 comes out this spring. Her chronologically second series may be the one you want to start with. It's called the Liveship Traders Trilogy, and is set in the same universe as her other two series, but features almost entirely different characters. You can read the Liveship Traders series by itself with no problem, although you'll probably be delighted that there are more books in the same setting given the quality of Hobb's writing. The books in the Liveship Trader Trilogy are Ship of Magic, Mad Ship, and Ship of Destiny.
My absolute favorite series of all time is Stephen R. Lawhead's Pendragon Cycle (Consisting of Taliesin, Merlin, Arthur, Pendragon, and Grail). The series is technically more historical fiction than it is fantasy (and unlike most interpretations of the Arthurian legends you can describe this series as "historical" with a straight face), but either way it's absolutely compelling. These are some of my favorite books of all time. If you want something closer to pure fantasy, also check out Lawhead's The Song of Albion, which is another excellent Celtic-themed series. That trilogy includes The Paradise War, The Silver Hand, and The Endless Knot.
Posts: 224 | Registered: Aug 2002
| IP: Logged |
posted
I'll second the plug for Stephen R. Lawhead. I love his books. I read them as a kid and they had a HUGE effect on me.
Also, to begin with Discworld, you could start with either "Mort", "Wyrd Sisters", "Guards! Guards!" or "The Colour of Magic", but I'd recommend not starting with that last one, as it's kind of boring.
I'd also recommend Susan Cooper's "The Dark is Rising" sequence, or Garth Nix's "Sabriel." Both are superbly written, and very good reads.
Posts: 2849 | Registered: Feb 2002
| IP: Logged |
And, at four books, the series is complete, so you don't have to worry that you'll be reading 1200 page books for the next twenty years . . .
Posts: 1894 | Registered: Aug 2000
| IP: Logged |
quote: My absolute favorite series of all time is Stephen R. Lawhead's Pendragon Cycle (Consisting of Taliesin, Merlin, Arthur, Pendragon, and Grail). The series is technically more historical fiction than it is fantasy (and unlike most interpretations of the Arthurian legends you can describe this series as "historical" with a straight face), but either way it's absolutely compelling. These are some of my favorite books of all time. If you want something closer to pure fantasy, also check out Lawhead's The Song of Albion, which is another excellent Celtic-themed series. That trilogy includes The Paradise War, The Silver Hand, and The Endless Knot.
Aw, man! You beat me to it! They are great books, aren't they! Love 'em! (BTW, I've taken to calling them "historical fantasy" ) try: www.stephenlawhead.com
posted
You might also want to try A Wrinkle in Time and it's sequels by Madeline L'Engle. They're sort of Young Adult/Children's books, but very good.
Posts: 4174 | Registered: Sep 2003
| IP: Logged |
posted
If you don't mind the fact that it's incomplete, I would definitely second the recommendation for A Song of Ice and Fire, by George R.R. Martin. So far it's a trilogy, all in paperback, at a great value.
If you want something complete, Robin Hobb has three fantastic trilogies, all complete. I would recommend that you start with the Assassin Trilogy: Book1: Assassin's Apprentice Book2: Royal Assassin Book3: Assassin's Quest
After that she wrote the Liveship Trilogy: Book1: Ship of Magic Book2: Mad Ship Book3: Ship of Destiny
Then, of course, there's the Tawny Man Trilogy, which continues 15 or so years after the Assassin Trilogy: Book1: Fool's Errand Book2: Golden Fool Book3: Fool's Fate
OSC's review of Hobb and one of her books.
Posts: 1855 | Registered: Mar 2003
| IP: Logged |
posted
I've got to admit that I can't stand Robin Hobb, but will heartily agree that you HAVE to read George Martin. One series I found kind of fun was David Duncan's "A Man of His Word;" it's light reading, but has some very interesting plotting.
Posts: 37449 | Registered: May 1999
| IP: Logged |
Jennifer Roberson has the Cheysuli Series. Katherine Kurtz and the Deryni series. Mary Stewart and her Merlin/Arthur series. Patricia Kenneally and the Keltiad series . . .
so many books, so little time . . .
Posts: 5609 | Registered: Jan 2003
| IP: Logged |
I think I might start with George Martin, because I have heard of him here before, and it seems the closest to what I think of as "straight fantasy," which is not, necessarily, high fantasy.
I loved the Lawhead series! And I will definitely read the fantasy of his.
Oh, heck, I will read them all, or try! It is so great to be back in the reading saddle again, even though I still haven't been able to write a word.
I love any Arthur interpretation. It is sort of a hobby, so if you know of any other Arthur-based stories, please let me know. (There seem to be a ton lately)
I also like reading young adult and middle reader novels.
I am reading the last section of "Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn" at the speed of a snail. I do not want it to end, yet the characters are stuck in such a bad mess, I want it to end for them.
posted
If you're a fan of the Arthurian legends, I imagine you've already read Mary Stewart's Merlin Trilogy. If you haven't, you would probably enjoy it.
Jack Whyte has, I believe, written six books not only about Arthur, but also about Merlin, and also about Merlin's Father and Uncle. I've only read the first four, and I thought they were excellent.
Bernard Cornwell also has a pretty decent trilogy about Arthur.
Posts: 1855 | Registered: Mar 2003
| IP: Logged |
posted
I have read Mary Stewart(I also loved all the mysteries), but I did not know of the others. Thanks.
Posts: 10890 | Registered: May 2003
| IP: Logged |
posted
I really liked Pamela Stewart's "Winter of Magic's Return" when I was in elementary school. I still like it, although it's definately young adult. Quick read, it should only take an hour or two.
Posts: 4655 | Registered: Jan 2002
| IP: Logged |
posted
Oooh. I haven't read any of this Arthurian stuff. Thanks everyone, I'll be picking it up very soon.
Posts: 6415 | Registered: Jul 2000
| IP: Logged |
posted
Matthew Stover's Heroes Die duology. If you like cerebral-yet-heavily-violent fantasy/sci-fi, that is.
Posts: 38 | Registered: Nov 2003
| IP: Logged |
Start with Patricia Kenneally (Morrison). Either the "Hawk's Gray Feather" ot "The Copper Crown". Each is first in a different series.
Posts: 5609 | Registered: Jan 2003
| IP: Logged |
posted
Theca you have wonderful taste. I just finished another set of GGK books and must say that he never fails to impress and amaze. Actually GGK is one of the few authors to ever make me cry. And is definately the only one who's made me do so in public. And Paladin of souls is wonderful.
Of course George R.R Martin is wonderful as is Hobb and Bujold. I found them all very addictive.
I'd also recommend Juliet Marillier's series starting with the Daughter of the Forest.
Brust also has a wonderful series I'd recommend buying the The Book of Jhereg which contains the three introductory books to the world.
Posts: 872 | Registered: Mar 2002
| IP: Logged |
posted
I really AM going to make a list this time.
I just finished "Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn," and I loved it, but am now in mourning. I will have to wait a few days, then off to Barnes and Noble I will go with my list.
posted
Wow, people recommending Lawhead. And here I thought I was the only one who'd ever read him. I'm assuming you know that he's a christian author. He's the only living christian who's writing I can stand.
Posts: 4753 | Registered: May 2002
| IP: Logged |
posted
I highly recommend Octavia Butler. Lillith's Brood (also sold as The Xenogenesis Trilogy. It comprises three books - Dawn, Adulthood Rites and Imago.
An Australian ( ) fantasy series I'd highly recommend is Sean William's The Stone Mage and the Sea, The Sky Warden and the Sun and The Storm Weaver and The Sand (which for some reason, I can't find on amazon).
They are great books. And our (increasingly sucessful) friend did the cover art for them.
David Eddings is always fun - though I consider it my 'comfort reading'.
For more challenging stuff, I'd try Sheri S Tepper - Family Tree and The Gate to Women's Country are both excellent.
Posts: 4393 | Registered: Aug 2003
| IP: Logged |
posted
Now you're going to get it, UofU. From Tom, if I remember correctly.
I love these threads. I can write all the books down that I haven't read and have something to look forward to again.
Posts: 5957 | Registered: Oct 2001
| IP: Logged |
posted
I'm leary to suggest these because of what it may say about my tatstes, but I've always really enjoyed the Redwall books by Brain Jacques. These are intended for younger readers but are always in the adult fantasy section. These are by no means a great work of art but they sure are a lot of fun. I always enjoy reading them.
If your not familiar, they are about a bunch of animals set in a midevil type of setting. you have the peacful loving animals like mice, moles, squirels, hares and badger. They always end up being attack by the nasty critters like, rats, ferrets, stoats, weasels, foxes and snakes. They stories pretty much follow the same formula. There are about 14 of them and they all stand alone but share some commen threads.
So if you get board these are good for some light, no thought needed, reading. I'd actually be interested if anyone else enjoys these.
Posts: 1294 | Registered: Oct 2003
| IP: Logged |
posted
Beatnix: I actually am reading Martin of Redwall at the moment (It's my little sister's. She is 8 and precocious. But then, I was exactly the same. ) and I'm really enjoying it.
I often re-read books from my teenage years - some of the best speculative fiction books are classified "young adult" just because it's unusual when such a book does well in the adult market. Plus which, I think some books atcually aimed at teenagers are just fantastic. Still. Posts: 4393 | Registered: Aug 2003
| IP: Logged |
posted
As dorky as this sounds I love the character of Martin. He's the protector of the Abbey and always shows up in time of need, whether it is a vision, dream or reflection in his sword. Oh, well. everyone is aloud to enjoy simple things in life.
edit to add
I read Redwall for the first time when leading a summer reading group at Zaney Brainey Toys while I was working there in high school. Since then I have recomended it to many of my students and have just this last week seen a few of my past students carry around additional redwall novels and it makes me feel all warm inside.
I still revisit The Tillerman Saga every year or so - not fantasy, but one of my favourite child(and adult)hood series.
(Cynthia Voigt, for those not in the know).
I *love* good comfort reading - not the trash books that get you through an afternoon with the flu but are immediately forgotten. Rather the old favourites - the creamy rice pudding (with a hint of cinnamon) of reading - the books you turn to again and again, and have done so for years.
I've searched twice now for that intro and haven't been able to find it -- it must be in a thread that no longer exists. Any chance you could give me the short version? I'd settle for a suggested order of reading -- and not for the entire series. Just tell me where I should start.
posted
I love Redwall. I picked it up for the first time at about 17 and read through the entire (then) series. I've since accumulated the books that have been recently published, and I still love them.
Oh, and "comfort reading" as a desciption of Eddings is just perfect. I've been looking for the right way to describe him, and that fits just right. Thanks. Posts: 2849 | Registered: Feb 2002
| IP: Logged |
posted
"I've searched twice now for that intro and haven't been able to find it -- it must be in a thread that no longer exists. Any chance you could give me the short version?"
Sure. And, sadly, I've confirmed that the thread's no longer around. It's a shame, because I listed a whole BUNCH of great books on that thread.
In the Discworld series, you have four or five separate "threads" that each get their own plot. In general, you don't need to read the books in chronological order to get most of what's going on; you just need to read the threads in order. That said, there IS one good argument for reading the books in chronological order: Pratchett has a habit of coming up with a throwaway joke in one book that he later expands into a major plotline in a follow-up book, often in another thread. So if you read the threads out of order, you may stumble across a joke that, as far as you can tell, just restates something he said in much greater detail already. But if you can cope with this, there's no really compelling reason.
The Wizard books: This is the "first" thread, and opens with The Colour of Magic (**) and The Light Fantastic, (***) in which we meet Rincewind the terrible Wizzard and Twoflower the tourist. These were the first two books in the series, and Pratchett was clearly just getting his stride here; a lot of ideas are introduced that he later expanded on or discarded outright. You can start with CoM, or with Sourcery (****) -- a far superior book to either of the previous two. Other books in this thread include Eric (***), Interesting Times (****), and The Last Continent (**). The books Equal Rites, Moving Pictures, and The Last Hero are strongly wizard-influenced, as well. Of all the threads, the wizard books are the most straight-ahead fantasy in tone.
The Death books: Widely considered the most consistent thread in terms of quality, the Death books start with Mort (*****) -- an EXCELLENT introduction to the Discworld. The follow-ups -- Reaper Man (****), Soul Music (****), and Hogfather (***) -- are all definitely readable, as well. The Death books tend to be highly philosophical in tone, and deal more with the metaphysics of the Disc.
The Witches books: A series that contains some of the best and some of the worst Discworld novels, the Witches thread is extremely strong on characterization and country charm. It KINDA starts with the novel Equal Rites, (***) in which we first meet Granny Weatherwax, but that's more of a wizardy book. The witches find their own tone with Wyrd Sisters (****) and Witches Abroad, (***) and hit a really excellent climax with Lords and Ladies. (*****) Sadly, there's a bit of a drop in quality in the next book, Masquerade, (**) which recovers a bit by Carpe Jugulum. (***)
The Guards books: A lot of people consider the Guards novels to be Pratchett's best; they're certainly the most straightforward, and where he does most of his political satire. If the witches are all about characterization, Death all about angst, and the wizards all about humor, the guards books are all about plot. The first book, Guards! Guards! (****) is a strong early effort, and a must for people in love with Pratchett's imaginary capital city of Ankh-Morpork. It's followed up with Men at Arms (****) and Feet of Clay, (****) both ALSO excellent outings. Jingo (**) is a bit of a disappointment, mainly due to some lacking characterization, and The Fifth Elephant (***) wobbles for the same reason. The Thief of Time, (****) the most recent pure Guards book, is marvelous. Two standalones -- The Truth and Monstrous Regiment -- heavily overlap with the Guards thread, as well.
The Standalone books: Many of Pratchett's best and most accessible Discworld novels are ones that are not actually part of the traditional "threads." Oddly, these benefit the most from reading the series in chronological order -- but can also be read as you find them, since they're not reliant on a larger plot. Some, though, do expect a basic knowledge of one or more other threads in order to make any sense. Pyramids, (****) a relatively early book, is an excellent one -- which sets up running jokes about the assassin's guild and mathematical beasts of burden that you'll see throughout the series. Moving Pictures (****) is great, as well, but it helps if you're familiar with the Unseen University from the Wizards thread (as well as the concept of the Dungeon Dimensions.) Small Gods (*****) is widely considered one of Pratchett's greatest books, and is the one I usually give to non-Discworld readers when I want to hook them. I can't recommend it too highly. READ IT. The Truth (***) is a clear attempt to break out of a bit of a rut late in his career, but still mostly succeeds as a story; Monstrous Regiment, (***) however, is more successful, despite a painfully predictable plot. The Last Hero (****) is an illustrated novel with strong ties to the wizards books; it's definitely worth a read if you miss Rincewind. Both The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents (****) and Wee Free Men (****) are nominally children's books, but they're among the best of his standalones; you don't need to have read any other Discworld novels to dig them, but you'll get a lot more of the jokes.
posted
Awesome! Thanks for taking the time to do this. I have copied and pasted your entire post onto my reading list.
----- Jatraqueros: Your tastes may differ, but so far I have never gone wrong with following Tom's reading recommendations. I esp. enjoyed Memory, Sorrow and Thorn, the Thomas Covenant Books, and Perdido Street Station.
[I can't give Tom credit for Song of Ice and Fire or King's The Dark Tower because I didn't hear about those from him first].
Posts: 3423 | Registered: Aug 2001
| IP: Logged |
Printer-friendly view of this topic
![[Hail]](graemlins/hail.gif)
Anna
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
)
![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
Love 'em! (BTW, I've taken to calling them "historical fantasy" ![[Wink]](wink.gif)
)![[Frown]](frown.gif)
