What's a good fiction series?

[gorb]

I didn't read through the whole thread, but I agree with the Brandon Sanderson and Jim Butcher recommendations (particularly Sanderson).

Yes, the Song of Ice and Fire series (of which Game of Thrones is the first novel) is worth reading, although I need to start over and get caught up again.

I've also heard great things about the Malazan series by Steven Erikson, but I've not gotten around to reading them yet.

The Saga of Reculce by L.E. Modesitt Jr. is enjoyable.

If you haven't checked out Patrick Rothfuss, you should. The Name of the Wind and The Wise Man's Fear are great. I can't wait for the third book.

 

[Kadarin]

I've read the Night's Dawn trilogy. It's good, but the ending is weak. I haven't checked out Hamilton's other stuff yet.

I agree, it's got a Deus Ex Machina ending that disappoints slightly. The Commonwealth Saga is a later effort that's significantly better, IMO.

 

[zebano]

I've found my tastes changed as I've aged. When I was younger I was all about epic fantasy (Death Gate Cycle, Wheel of Time, Gunslinger, LotR etc). Lately I've been enjoying books like The Name of the Wind, Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell, The Book of the New Sun, Red Sea Under Red Skies (sequel to The Lies of Locke Lamora), The Prince of Nothing and The Malazan Book of the Fallen. Despite this I still enjoy fun reads like The Dresden Files and Michael J. Sullivan's Ryria Chronicles.

Do not read the Sword of Truth series, almost all books are basically Dues Ex Machina and by about book 5 he's just preaching Objectivism though I did like the first book.

 

[zebano]

Looking for something like The Lord of the Rings or Harry Potter to read. I think A Game of Thrones is popular right now because of the show. I might try that. Any suggestions? Thanks all.

A Game of Thrones is nothing like Harry Potter or Lord of the Rings. While it is medieval fantasy, it's is mostly about character interactions, politics and scheming rather than adventure or defeating a great evil.

 

[NuroMancer]

For anyone who hasn't had a chance yet, I can't recommend enough Brent Weeks's night angel and lightbringer series.

 

[SphinxnihpS]

The Border Trilogy: All the Pretty Horses, The Crossing, Cities of the Plain

The Rosy Crucifixion: Sexus, Plexus, Nexus

Sprawl: Neuromancer, Count Zero, Mona Lisa Overdrive

 

[Sho'Nuff]

Wheel of Time by Robert Jordan. Best series I've ever read by far.

+1. The first 6 books are awesome. Books 7-9 are tedious (Robert Jordan got sick and had trouble getting through those before he died). Books 10+ are good again (written by ghost writer based on Jordan's notes.

 

[zebano]

+1. The first 6 books are awesome. Books 7-9 are tedious (Robert Jordan got sick and had trouble getting through those before he died). Books 10+ are good again (written by ghost writer based on Jordan's notes.

Not really a ghostwriter as Brandon Sanderson's name is on the cover along with Jordan's (which btw is a pen name).

 

[bigrash]

I recommend Game of Thrones. Slow read at times, but it's awesome.

 

[JamesV]

If you haven't checked out Patrick Rothfuss, you should. The Name of the Wind and The Wise Man's Fear are great. I can't wait for the third book.

Just requested it from my library online. Looks good.

 

[Kadarin]

Sprawl: Neuromancer, Count Zero, Mona Lisa Overdrive

Neuromancer was astonishing when it came out in '84 or so, but I never could get into the others.

 

[Pheran]

The Dark Tower by stephen king is pretty good. Books 1-4 were very good, 5 was ok, 6-7 were meh.

I agree with this assessment, The Dark Tower went sadly downhill at the end. If you want to read the best King, get The Stand, It, and his novella collections.

 

[SphinxnihpS]

Neuromancer was astonishing when it came out in '84 or so, but I never could get into the others.

I just threw that out there so my post contained some sci-fi trash.

 

[Andy22]

The Dark Tower by stephen king is pretty good. Books 1-4 were very good, 5 was ok, 6-7 were meh.

Seconded..book 4, The Wizard and the Glass, is probably my favorite book of all time.

 

[tynopik]

A Game of Thrones is nothing like Harry Potter or Lord of the Rings. While it is medieval fantasy, it's is mostly about character interactions, politics and scheming rather than adventure or defeating a great evil.

If you want adventure and/or defeating a great evil, David Weber's Honor Harrington and Safehold series

 

[Dwarf]

The Death Gate Cycle
by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman

(props to Chronicles of Narnia too)

The Death Gate Cycle is good for young adult reading, I read the whole thing during my junior high years about 15+ years ago.

I am a huge fantasy and science fiction fan, and I hated Game of Thrones. It started out good, but you could literally cut out 1/2 the book and have the same story. It reminds me of a soap opera more than a fantasy novel - huge cast of characters and their interactions, with a bit of fantasy thrown in.

Recommendations :

Raymond Feist (mentioned above) - Riftwar books. Start with Magician Apprentice and Magician Master, then read the Daughter of the Empire series (which is imo the finest fantasy series ever made).

Brandon Sanderson - Sick of elves, dwarves, and all the usual suspects? Sanderson delivers. The Mistborn series is incredibly good, as is Elantris, and my favorite, a huge book called The Way of Kings (this book is so good I've read it about 10 times now).

Anne McCaffrey - Sci fi and fantasy. Huge library of series including - the Pern books (fantastic), Unicorn Girl, Crystal Singer books, Petaybee series, and if you love sci-fi, you should definately read The Planet Pirates.

Orson Scott Card - Ender's Game and Enders Shadow are the best, but a whole series of books. Also check out the Alvin Maker books.

Jim Butcher -Known for the Dresden Files, he also put out one of the best fantasy series ever, the Codex Alera series. Start with Furies of Calderon, you will be glad you read them.

Game of Thrones is good for the first few books agreed... it has a very good narrative and unfortunately most people just watch the show and never bother with the great books.

Also, I second JamesV's recommendation of the Brandon Sanderson book:

The Way of Kings - the Kindle version is on sale for $2.99 for a 1000+ page book.

The book is part of a planned 10 part series called "The Stormlight Archive" though, with the next book scheduled for fall 2013 release.

Seer King
Demon King
Warrior King


Reality Dysfunction
Neutronium Alchemist
Naked God

Hamilton writes good Sci-Fi books... I've read the Dreaming Void and Pandora's Star.

 

[FerrelGeek]

If you want lighter reading, The Chronicles of Narnia is classic. If you like light-hearted adventure with a lot of banter between characters, read David Eddings The Belgariad and the Mallorean. Ursula K Le Guin's Earthsea trilogy is good as well; don't read the fourth book.

 

[Gibsons]

You might like Chronicles of Thomas Covenant. I alternated between liking it and wanting to kill the main character and the author...

Off of the scifi/fantasy trail, the Travis McGee books are generally a good read, a private eye sort of thing.

 

[Elbryn]

lots of good things in thread. here's what i did when i ran out of authors to read.
went to amazon and found a list
http://www.amazon.com/author-rank/Fa...text/158576011

found david daglish, m r mathias, and a few other authors out of there.

if you like jim butcher, check simon R green. he's got quite the similar set in the nightside and secrets of history series.

despite being geared towards young adults, john flanagan is pretty good and i also liked rick riordan.

fiest and salvatore were my favorites growing up along with terry brooks. also read alot of mercedes lackey growing up.

elizabeth moon's deed of paksenarrion was good fantasy, she also did sci fi space heris serrano books too.

if you like humorous fantasy/sci fi terry pratchet's got a lot of good stuff i hear.

read hugh howley's wool series recently. it was ok, nothing earth shattering for me but good enough to finish.

 

[thedarkwolf]

The Way of Kings - the Kindle version is on sale for $2.99 for a 1000+ page book.

The book is part of a planned 10 part series called "The Stormlight Archive" though, with the next book scheduled for fall 2013 release.

Thanks for $3 I'll give it a shot.

 

[ringtail]

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[ringtail]

[FONT=&quot]R. J. Archer, "Seeds of Civilization" series & "Parallel Ops" series
link

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Spoiler

(hint, the seeds of civilization are extraterrestial)

 

[IronWing]

Glen Cook's Dread Empire series is pretty good.

I could never get past the opening of the Thomas Covenant books to ever like the protagonist. Some of the other characters and ideas were good.

 

[silverpig]

Seconded..book 4, The Wizard and the Glass, is probably my favorite book of all time.

I started reading the series right when Wizard and Glass came out and read the 4 books basically back to back. I enjoyed all of them.

Of course I then had to wait several years for the next one. I just couldn't really get in to Wolves of the Calla, and haven't bothered to finish the series.

 

[Pheran]

Glen Cook's Dread Empire series is pretty good.

I could never get past the opening of the Thomas Covenant books to ever like the protagonist. Some of the other characters and ideas were good.

Donaldson is the master of anti-heroes. If you can stick with them it's some of the best fantasy you will ever read. But it might not be for everyone.