Book Recommendation (fantasy)

[azazyel]

I have just recently gotten into the Fantasy genre and I have read some really good books but I want to post about one series that is relatively new. To give you some background here are some of the fantasy series that I have read so far and enjoyed:

"A Song of Ice and Fire" by George RR Martin (loved these ones and I can't wait for new one)
"The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever" by Stephen R. Donaldson
"Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn Memory, Sorrow and Thorn" By Tad Williams
"Otherland" by Tad Williams

Now the series I want to recommend is, "A Tale of the Malazan Book of the Fallen." This series has been around for a few years but it has only been sold in Europe until recently. While there are 6 books out only 2 are really available in the States (but you can get them online). There are a lot of wonderful aspects to these books but what I find startling is the scope of the books. Currently I am on the third book and what I really love is that it is on the same timeline as the second book (there is that much going on). So, basically after the first book the story split into two different aspects. The stories have to do with Gods, Mages, Ascendants, Elder Races, soldiers, thieves, assassins and much more. Unfortunately it is really hard to compare this book with any others I have read. It is a little bit like George RR Martin's series in that the fighting and campaigns are quite realistic. But, as I said the scope of this book is huge. In this series there are really no minor characters.

I would recommend taking a look at some real reviews for more info

Amazon reviews

So, if you are looking for a series that will suck you in try these. I admit that the first book is really hard to get into because you start in the middle of chaos but after about 200 pages things start to click. I mean how can you go wrong with a book that has a posses marionette?

 

[Feneant2]

"A Song of Ice and Fire" by George RR Martin (loved these ones and I can't wait for new one) - One of the best fantasy series in the last few years

"The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever" by Stephen R. Donaldson - I read this book until he raped the young girl.... I don't know, I didn't find anything good about his writing and that disgusted me.

"Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn Memory, Sorrow and Thorn" By Tad Williams - retarded heroes are no good, you expect your hero to be strong, powerful and brave, now a whiny mentally challenged loser.

Check out Raymond E. Feist, Robert Jordan (the first 7 books of the Wheel of Time, the others are useless) and Terry Goodkind (the first 6 books of Sword of Truth, he is turning into Robert Jordan after 6), those are probably the most recommended series you will find.

 

[Zee]

Raymond e fiest books. it's in the atotftp server.

 

[Banana]

Memory of Earth series by Orson Scott Card was very good.


And thanks for the recommendation. Not too much discussion about books on ATOT. We should add a forum for primitive media!

 

[Looney]

Originally posted by: Feneant2
"The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever" by Stephen R. Donaldson - I read this book until he raped the young girl.... I don't know, I didn't find anything good about his writing and that disgusted me.

Same here! I actually kept reading to see if there would be any consequences or if he would repent or something... but gave up when it didn't seem like that was the direction the author was taking, so i gave up on it as well.

 

[azazyel]

Originally posted by: Looney

Originally posted by: Feneant2
"The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever" by Stephen R. Donaldson - I read this book until he raped the young girl.... I don't know, I didn't find anything good about his writing and that disgusted me.

Same here! I actually kept reading to see if there would be any consequences or if he would repent or something... but gave up when it didn't seem like that was the direction the author was taking, so i gave up on it as well.

The Covnenant books are VERY dark but are very good. You have to remember that he thinks it's just a dream. Not only that but he had to think it was a dream or else he thought he would go crazy.

 

[DaveSimmons]

Steven Brust - Book of Jhereg (trade paper trilogy)
Elizabeth Moon - Deed of Paksenarrion (another trilogy)
L.E. Modesitt, Jr - Magic of Recluce, Towers of the Sunset, Magic Engineer (and rest of series)
C.J. Cherryh - The Morgaine Saga (trade paper trilogy, 3 books in 1 for $8), The Dreaming Tree (2 books in 1 volume)

 

[azazyel]

Thanks for the other recommendations. I have quite a few books on my plate right now but I have a list going so feel free to post more.

So, am I the only one here that's read it?

 

[Doboji]

Look up : "The Coldfire Trilogy" by C.S. Friedman

I absofvckinglutely promise you these books will blow your mind.

-Max

 

[LeonarD26]

Check out the many series by David Eddings... The Belgaraid series is great.

 

[Looney]

Originally posted by: azazyel

Originally posted by: Looney

Originally posted by: Feneant2
"The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever" by Stephen R. Donaldson - I read this book until he raped the young girl.... I don't know, I didn't find anything good about his writing and that disgusted me.

Same here! I actually kept reading to see if there would be any consequences or if he would repent or something... but gave up when it didn't seem like that was the direction the author was taking, so i gave up on it as well.

The Covnenant books are VERY dark but are very good. You have to remember that he thinks it's just a dream. Not only that but he had to think it was a dream or else he thought he would go crazy.

Dark i can understand... but i just don't find a character who raped a little girl who went out of her way to help him as interesting... even if it was a dream. I'll give this to the author, he was able to create the characters alive enough for me to be sicken by the act.

 

[Looney]

Have you tried Robin Hobb's 3 trilogies? Starting with Farseers?

 

[azazyel]

Originally posted by: Looney

Originally posted by: azazyel

Originally posted by: Looney

Originally posted by: Feneant2
"The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever" by Stephen R. Donaldson - I read this book until he raped the young girl.... I don't know, I didn't find anything good about his writing and that disgusted me.

Same here! I actually kept reading to see if there would be any consequences or if he would repent or something... but gave up when it didn't seem like that was the direction the author was taking, so i gave up on it as well.

The Covnenant books are VERY dark but are very good. You have to remember that he thinks it's just a dream. Not only that but he had to think it was a dream or else he thought he would go crazy.

Dark i can understand... but i just don't find a character who raped a little girl who went out of her way to help him as interesting... even if it was a dream. I'll give this to the author, he was able to create the characters alive enough for me to be sicken by the act.

Yeah, it really shook me too but it haunts him for the entire series.




**SPOILER**

She ends up getting prego and the daughter ends up being very important. (time is faster in the Land than it is in "real life"

 

[sao123]

Orson Scott Carde has many excellently written fantacy books.

 

[MustPost]

I've been reading Erikson's series lately too. He builds up a very lively fantasy world, though there are some parts of his writing I'm unconfertable with. For example, he seems to change viewpoints multiple times within chapters. Sometimes he's using a true omnicient third personal narrative, but at other times the style is closer to a personal third person account. However the point of view that we're watching changes between two characters within a single chapter without any breaks in the writing.

 

[azazyel]

Originally posted by: MustPost
I've been reading Erikson's series lately too. He builds up a very lively fantasy world, though there are some parts of his writing I'm unconfertable with. For example, he seems to change viewpoints multiple times within chapters. Sometimes he's using a true omnicient third personal narrative, but at other times the style is closer to a personal third person account. However the point of view that we're watching changes between two characters within a single chapter without any breaks in the writing.

I actually really like that aspect. When switching around between characters during a somewhat focal event really adds depth IMO. It also helps with figuring out what exactly is happening. It's funny how little you really know about the characters throughout the book. I am half way through the third book and I was really happy when I got the back story on Quick Ben. It was so friggen good.

How far are you?

 

[azazyel]

Well I just finished the 5th book on Sunday and now I am depressed. I have to wait almost an entire year before the next one in published. However, it has been an incredible ride so much so I may go back and reread the first one.

I have to say that these books are truly amazing. It's been a while since I have laughed out loud so many times at a book (I love his humor). On the flip side as well, I felt sad during a few parts too.

I really suggest picking these up...

 

[MustPost]

I finished the second book a couple weeks ago, and am still trying to get the third from the library. I think character development improved in the second book, but overall, I still think it is still a weakness. The story is very vivedly painted, but I thought basically all the characters in the first book were paper thin. The second book gave more about what motivated the characters and turned them more into actual people, but Kalem is still just an assassin, with a little more backstory. Crokus is just kind of there in the background for most of the book, while Sorry actually becomes somewhat interesting, at least for me.