A Song of Ice and Fire

[Arryn]

Originally posted by Saber Cherry:
Does the Riftwar series stay high quality after the initial two books?

In a word: yes!

[Arryn]

By the way, a SF book by G.R.R. Martin called Tuf Voyaging, a set of short stories about the character Tuf, is memorable.

As for other fantasy works that are good, try the David Eddings single novel The Redemption of Athalus. Arguably his best work, and one of the finest pieces of fantasy lit I have ever read. It distills the best of Eddings' wit, what normally takes him 3-5 books to accomplish (such as the Belgariad, Mallorien, or Sparhawk novels), into a single most-pleasant book to read.

Of course, no list of fantasy would be complete without mention of The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant by S. Donaldson.

David Eddings left me a little cold. Especially the trivial 'boys and girls' talk along with stereotypes that he portrayed. Though I did like Athalus quite a bit, before the woman got a hold of him.

[Arryn]

Originally posted by Zen:
David Eddings left me a little cold. Especially the trivial 'boys and girls' talk along with stereotypes that he portrayed. Though I did like Athalus quite a bit, before the woman got a hold of him.

The trivial 'talk' is trademark Eddings. (I also think that's the influence of Leigh Edddings, his writing partner.) He specializes in the byplay between his characters. He does it to death in the Belgariad (Silk, Polgara, anyone?) and his other 3-5 volume sets. The Athalus novel is short enough (700+ pages), and has enough action, that you don't get sick of it as you do with his other works. However, since major characters in his works are gods, or demigods, his stories bear a slight resemblence to Dominions (if you look at it from a certain perspective).

I do highly recommend David Gemmell though. You won't be disappointed with any of his books. Deep characters, background, et cetera. And they are fast-paced.

Raymond Feist's stories are even deeper, but by the same token not 'casual reads'.

The series by David Drake that I recommend begins with the book Lord of the Isles. Good stuff. Not quite George Martin-caliber, but then only Feist comes close to that, IMHO.

Another set of books you can't go wrong with is L.E. Modesitt's "fantasy" books dealing with Recluce. I put fantasy in quotes because the deep backdrop of the story (without giving anything away) is actually science fiction. But you have to read about 5-7 books into the series, to a set of prequel novels, before you discover that the fantasy world he's set up isn't fantasy at all. But it reads and feels like fantasy, which is all that really matters. Also, unlike many other authors, the characters in his series change as the series takes you through different times and places on the world. Half the series is even from the point of view of the "enemy" (white) wizards, given that the series begins with the black (aka good) wizards. Just goes to show that perspective makes a huge difference. There's a lesson in there, somewhere. heh

My fantasy/SF library numbers over 3000 books, so I can give an opinion on most anything.

[Karacan]

Go for Wheel Of Time, by Robert Jordan, if you have a few spare months to read. Great story, brilliant writing. Very twisted story, too, though the main characters are a bit too flat for my taste (they're all governed by two or three emotions each), but he more than makes it up with the tons of supporting chars.


Anyhow, for a Song Of Fire And Ice mod, have a look at the great boardgame conVersion which came out autumn Last year. Dominions players should like it, it's all about causing your opponents' armies to retreat, and not to extinguish.

[Wendigo]

I second (or third, or...) the recomendation on G.R.R.Martin, A Song of Ice & Fire is IMO the best Epic fantasy series currently in development.
Excellent characters, plot & credible World-building.
Nº4, 'A Feast for Crows', should be out this year.
His old shorter works like 'Fevre Dream' or 'Windhaven' did not catch me so much.

I cannot stand D. Eddings same as Zen, all that teasing each other from the characters while they are saving the world gets old after a while.

Terry Goodkind is a Robert Jordan hack, and that sado-masochist fetish he has doesn't attract me much.

Robert Jordan started Wheel of Time very strong (although nº1, The Eye of the World draws from Tolkien a bit too much), but he's lost control of the story in the latter books. Books 1-5 up to 'Lord of Chaos' are very enjoyable however, if slightly soap operish.

Light reads, good to introduct your kids to Fantasy literature: Terry Brooks (Shanara) & Margaret Weiss (Dragonlance).

If you like swords & sorcery stuff you cannot go wrong with the original Conan stories, by Robert L Howard.

A writer that is gaining momentum is Steven Erikson (Malazan Empire books), he's up to nº4. His work is almost archeologic in scope, with an ancient world walked by multiple races & Gods, and the power levels are slightly out of control IMO (basically, everybody is an ascendant, powerful mage/warrior or a human capable of dealing with the previous). It's fantasy on steroids, entertaining anyway if you do not get lost following the stories.
Each book has a kind of self-contained story, which is kind of refreshing in this age of long waits until the next installment in a series.

Cheers,
Pepe

edit: typo with names

[ January 22, 2004, 15:09: Message edited by: Wendigo ]

[Arryn]

Originally posted by Karacan:
Go for Wheel Of Time, by Robert Jordan

IMO, it's highly boring. And I'm a patient reader, so that's saying a lot about just how much of a chore these books are. If anyone dislikes Eddings, then run, don't walk, away from Jordan. 10 books thus far and he's still at least 2 books away from a wrap. It's obvious he's writing these books just to make money for himself and his publsher. (Lots of money.) The story just drags on, and on, and on. Dozens of admittedly interesting and well-developed characters, like Eddings (only more so). The story is big on telling you what the characters think, but they don't do much. Just talk, debate, ponder, and drag their butts occasionally someplace else to talk some more to each other.

Fair warning.

[ January 20, 2004, 10:55: Message edited by: Arryn ]