Spec me a fantasy book

Loki · 7 Sep 2007 at 10:38

Some of Cliver Barkers earlier work is quite good. Weaveworld in particular is a pretty good read. Goes on a bit but as far as a modern day fantasy(albeit dark) goes it isn't the worst book ever written.

Gigi · 7 Sep 2007 at 10:51

A good fantasy book in my opinion is the Bible. It should keep you going for a wee while.

Trojan · 7 Sep 2007 at 10:59

Robert Jorden - The Wheel of Time
David Eddings - The Belgariad, & The Mallorean (in that order)
Raymond E. Feist - The Riftwar Saga, The Riftwar Legacy, Krondors Sons, & the Serpentwar Saga (in that order)
George R.R. Martin - A Song of Ice and Fire
Katherine Kerr - The original 4 books in the Deverry Series

They're about the best serious fantasy books that I can recommend off the top of my head. For fantasy humour, I'd recommend looking no further than Terry Pratchett and pretty much any of the Discworld series, though the Guards books are my favourites.

Gilly · 7 Sep 2007 at 11:11

nydryl said:
Phillip Pullmans Dark Materials Trilogy.

Consists of Northern Lights, Subtle Knife and the Amber Spyglass.

Don't be put of by them appearing to be aimed at children, Harry Potter was, and what fantastic reads they were.

No, no, no. Not a patch on HP. They're rubbish.

nydryl · 7 Sep 2007 at 11:29

Gilly said:
No, no, no. Not a patch on HP. They're rubbish.

They are not as good as Harry Potter, but they are right up there.

Gilly · 7 Sep 2007 at 11:34

No they're not. They're some of the worst books i've ever read.

The first one is distinctly average, the second is far worse and the third is nothing more than turgid nonsense.

Tefal · 7 Sep 2007 at 11:37

Gilly said:
No they're not. They're some of the worst books i've ever read.

The first one is distinctly average, the second is far worse and the third is nothing more than turgid nonsense.

Why are you reading children's books? :confused:

Supercow · 7 Sep 2007 at 11:42

Stephen King - The Dark Tower series

Gilly · 7 Sep 2007 at 11:50

Tefal said:
Why are you reading children's books?

I have two questions for you.

How many people here have recommended them?
Have you read them?

SteveOBHave · 7 Sep 2007 at 12:39

manveruppd said:
Oh God no why are you two being so cruel to this kid? Those guys are AWFUL!

I think they are both good easy reads and entertaining - Gemmel is the better of the two as Eddings gets 'VERY' repetitive and lacks imagination when it comes to holding down a decent storyline.

That's not fair really, I've read some decent stuff recently. Check Abercombie's 'The Blade Itself' (and the sequel that just came out), and Bakker's 'Prince of Nothing' trilogy (starting with 'The Darkness that Comes Before'). They're both still very much influenced by Tolkien, but at least they don't consciously try to imitate him: they're more "modern" both in writing style and in outlook, they have fun, engaging plots, and they feature realistic characters that you can actually identify with (rather than two-dimensional Forgotten Realms stereotypes or sub-Tolkienesque mythic archetypes).

The Blade Itself was great fun and I fully intend to finish the series howerver Bakker writes overwrought pap filled drivel. He might actually have some decent stories hidden somewhere in his writing if you can get past his extreme need to demonstrate his 'amazing' grasp on the English language. I wouldn't touch one of his books with a ten foot barge pole.

Another possibility is for you to read R. E. Howard's Conan stories. They're VERY dated by now, cheap sensationalist pulp, but so fresh and innocent that you can't help but enjoy yourself!

Totally agree - ripping reads along with the Count Brass series and the Runstaff series by Michael Moorcock.

The absolute best living writer in the genre though is Neil Gaiman, but I'm not sure he's what you're looking for cause most of his books are set in the present day, even though they deal with fantasy themes. I think his stuff is the most interesting and creative use of fantasy material ever.

Will have to pick one up and have a look.

Edit: Stay far far far away from the Robert Jordan books - The Wheel of Time is an unfortunate example of a great story extended to a ridiculous 12 books so that the writer/publishers could sell more paper. They start out really well but then fall below mediocre. Only whilst reading Bakker have I ever wanted a book to end sooner.

scousey · 7 Sep 2007 at 13:01

You just have to laugh at those pretentious people here that spout their OPINIONS about best selling pieces of literature as if they were FACTS.

RaohNS · 7 Sep 2007 at 13:11

Wierdstone of Bresingamen

Alf Garner?

Fab book

Gilly · 7 Sep 2007 at 13:15

scousey said:
You just have to laugh at those pretentious people here that spout their OPINIONS about best selling pieces of literature as if they were FACTS.

Let me ask you, is there any way of providing such responses regarding books without it being solely opinion?

I assume this post was aimed at me, as plenty of other people have been wrong in the same way you are. If there is a subject on which opinion is all that can be given, like music, the way a car looks, preference of dog breeds, favourite book, etc. then what is the point in everyone putting 'In my opinion...' at the start of every post?

It is obviously their opinion.

SteveOBHave · 7 Sep 2007 at 13:21

scousey said:
You just have to laugh at those pretentious people here that spout their OPINIONS about best selling pieces of literature as if they were FACTS.

Why? Do you think that they have any less of a right to express an opinion just because they don't put IMO in front of every statement?

One mans mundane is another mans technicolour - I know that, but I don't always agree with another mans definition of technicolour and I am freely entitled to comment.

As for being pretentious - re-read your statement - you don't think that your judgment is not just a little pompous?

EDIT - Haha Gilly - Snap

Gilly · 7 Sep 2007 at 13:24

The Running Man · 7 Sep 2007 at 13:32

sup3rc0w said:
Stephen King - The Dark Tower series

AHa another DT fan!!

great series of books, but how did you find the end?! i was dissapointed tbh...

as was my friend who i got into the books, he wished he'd never started once he'd read them all1

starts so well, and then ends so :/ emhg

nydryl · 7 Sep 2007 at 13:54

Gilly said:
Let me ask you, is there any way of providing such responses regarding books without it being solely opinion?

I assume this post was aimed at me, as plenty of other people have been wrong in the same way you are. If there is a subject on which opinion is all that can be given, like music, the way a car looks, preference of dog breeds, favourite book, etc. then what is the point in everyone putting 'In my opinion...' at the start of every post?

It is obviously their opinion.

Your quite right, people really shouldn't have a problem with you thinking a certain book is crap. I completely disagree with you on said book, but that's a metter of opinion!

bfar · 7 Sep 2007 at 14:23

Gilly said:
No, no, no. Not a patch on HP. They're rubbish.

Nah, sorry but they slap HP around. Very imaginative stuff.

bandit · 7 Sep 2007 at 14:29

Gilly said:
Phew.

[philip pillman]

Eurgh.

Awful.

phew here too, thought i was the onlky one that thought they were crap!

nydryl · 7 Sep 2007 at 14:50

Tefal said:
Why are you reading children's books?

I can't stand this attitude. What gives you the right to define what is and isn't a childrens book. To take the most obvious example, Harry Potter was predominantly intended to be a childrens book, but it captured the imagination of thousands of adults. Granted some books, take Gossebumps for example, clearly have a specific market, but thousands of books begin life as merely a book to be read by anyone that finds enjoyment from doing so. Any book that gets more people reading, adult or child, should be applauded.