DELETED_74993

The Riftwar Saga by Raymond E. Feist is a pretty good fantasy series, three main books, 'Magician' being the first. I must have read it through more than ten times, and the books are like breeze blocks :p
The focus is on creating a good story rather than it being heavily descriptive or complicated, it's easy reading.
 
The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant by Stephen Donaldson.

Seems to be exactly what you're describing. Full history of the Land, full account of the geography and the inhabitants of it, all woven into the story brilliantly.

The first (three boks) and second (three books) Chronicles have been written and are excellent. The last chronicles are 2 into a 4 book set.
 
I can heartily recommend Margaret Wieis and Tracy Hickman's series'. Dragons of Autumn Twilight is the first of a trilogy and a fair old brick when bought together. It is massive in scope, a good old fashioned saving the world fantasy novel. There then comes the Twins trilogy and many one off novels, and another series that continues the Dragons trilogy.

Complicated to explain - lots of books and they jump around in time. The first three are brilliant so highly recommended.

Dragons of Autumn Twilight
Dragons of Winter Night
Dragons of Spring Dawning.

The world is very rich in lore and history, sounds like exactly what you are after.
 
As a curveball i'll throw in Pratchetts Discworld series. 28 books, but as you progress through the series, the characters progress with you (for example the promotion of Sam Vines from Sergeant to Duke over several books).

You can also get accompanying books such as history of ankh morpork and maps that set the world wonderfully.
 
Would also recommend "A Song of Ice and Fire" and "Discworld"

Others I would throw in would be "The Dark Tower" series by Stephen King and ""The Farseer Trilogy" by Robin Hobb.

Another good series is "The Wheel of Time" by Robert Jordan but it does lose it's way a bit in the middle though I enjoyed the last few books. Unfortunately Jordan is now dead leaving us hanging though someone else is taking over finishing off the last book (even if he is doing it in three parts).
 
Seen this thread and had loads of suggestions then get here to find they have already been made. All of the previous suggestions will give you a great read.

Raymond E Fiest - From the Riftwar saga through to the Serpent war is a great series.

George R R Martin - More adult themed and can be positivley brutal at times

Robert Jordan - Wheel of Time just for the sheer epic scope of the series. Although as mentioned the series now will not be finished. RIP

Robin Hobb - Farseer Trilogy excellent storytelling and characters

above the ones already suggested i can recommend The Belgariad series by David Eddings. Great immersive series. Not 'action' packed, just a great slow burning story.

Also for more action orientied books the David Gemmell books are good. While more by the numbers they do make a good read.
 
Malakite said:
Robert Jordan - Wheel of Time just for the sheer epic scope of the series. Although as mentioned the series now will not be finished. RIP
Click to expand...

It will be finished by a guy called Brandon Sanderson, apparently Robert Jordan had a lot of work completed on the books and left extensive notes. Originally there was to be one last book, "A Memory of Light" but due to the massive size of the book it has been decided to split it into three with the first book "The Gathering Storm" coming out before the end of the year.

The other two, "The Shifting Winds" and "Tarmon Gaiden" (both working titles) are due sometime in 2010-2011.
 
Gilly said:
The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant by Stephen Donaldson.
Click to expand...

I hated these books. The main character was a moaning ******* for three solid books, not to mention raping someone within the first 50 pages (which I saw no justification, or repentance for).

I failed to empathise with him at all and the whole trilogy was a chore to read after I realised that.


The Dark Tower series as has already been mentioned is good, although predictably with King the ending will make you rage harder than you have ever raged before. Made me cry lots though, you really feel close to the characters by the end of the seventh book.
 
Last edited:
Wyrdo said:
Malazan series by Steven Erikson

One of, if not the best fantasy series I've read.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malazan_Book_of_the_Fallen
Click to expand...

Didn't want to quote myself but have none of you guys read this series? Seriously, rush out and buy it now, it's brilliant!

I found the Thomas Covenant stories OK at first but it became very dull for me after a while, certainly not something I'd recommend.

I'll also echo the recommendations for The Wheel of Time, a Song of Ice and Fire and all of Robin Hobbs books (She has just released a new one - start of a new trilogy based around the world of the Liveship Traders trilogy)
 
Last edited:
You could try the Otherland series by Tad Williams :)
Memory Sorrow and Thorn is also good, but very slow paced at times. Very good, just Otherland is far better!

Robin Hobb wise, the Liveship Traders is by far the best of the bunch. The Assasain & Fool trilogies are good, but the Soldier Son trilogy is IMHO rubbish.

-Leezer-
 
Wyrdo said:
Didn't want to quote myself but have none of you guys read this series? Seriously, rush out and buy it now, it's brilliant!
Click to expand...

Hmm I actually have Gardens of the Moon sitting on a bookshelf. Was a birthday present I belive. Just have never got around to reading it. Will have to give it a go now after your recommendations.
 
Last edited:
I've read all the books mentioned so far and out of them I would recommend:

The riftwar saga - easy read, first is the best by far
Malazan books - bit more complicated but very rewarding
Wheel of time - absolutely fantastic for the first 6 then it goes downhill fast but still a must read
The farseer trilogy - my favourite books, all high quality with fantastic characters, her new series is not so good though :(
Memory, Sorrow and Thorn - very solid fantasy foursome, could have been finished in three perhaps...be warned his other fantasy books are not as good although the otherland books are excellent

I wouldn't recommend the thomas covenant books because as wyrdo says it is impossible to empathise with someone who is unflinchingly miserable.

I'd also avoid works by eddings, gemmel, and brooks as I find them all too badly written to read.

Middling series to read (after the above) include:

Book of Words Trilogy
The First Law Trilogy
The Gentlemen ******* Sequence (not finished)
All other feist books (easy reads but bland characters)

That should be enough for now! :p
 
Makunouchi said:
I hated these books. The main character was a moaning ******* for three solid books, not to mention raping someone within the first 50 pages (which I saw no justification, or repentance for).

I failed to empathise with him at all and the whole trilogy was a chore to read after I realised that.
Click to expand...

I can't empathise with him either, but it doesn't put me off :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom