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i've just finished reading the 'chronicles of the raven' books by james barclay. very good series imo. follows a band of mercenaries called the raven which consist of warriors and mages who get tied up in a lot of mess lol. quite adult humor an very good fight scenes and story. also the deverry series by Katherine Kerr is an excellent series, quite long tho at around 15 books but worth the read
 
Gilly said:
I can't empathise with him either, but it doesn't put me off :)
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I found that it wasn't the character that put me off (actually having a fully-rounded character is rare enough in fantasy), but the awful writing style. I first read the books when i was fairly young, and liked them; but about ten years ago, and far better-read, I tried again. The writing style if massively over-florid even for a fantasy writer. It seems designed to appeal to 14-year boys. Fair enough I guess, as that's main target audience, but it leaves little for those of us who are adults. I don't say don't read them, you should - Donaldson does at least have some original ideas - but there are far better books about.


M
 
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!
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Not bad, but not brilliant either. If you're looking for something as complex as this I'd recommend Eric Van Lustbader as being better :)

-Leezer-
 
TheBrooder said:
George R R Martin - A Song of Ice and Fire

These are the best books I have ever read, and I've read LOTS!
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They are the best fantasy books written since LOTR for sure.

The author is not afraid to kill characters off and no one is simply good/evil.

Read them, now.
 
Anne McCaffrey's Dragons of Pern series was something I enjoyed. PLenty of books with lots of them linking in with each other during similar timelines, so you get the feel of the whole world history and how the society is.
 
Meridian said:
I found that it wasn't the character that put me off (actually having a fully-rounded character is rare enough in fantasy), but the awful writing style. I first read the books when i was fairly young, and liked them; but about ten years ago, and far better-read, I tried again. The writing style if massively over-florid even for a fantasy writer. It seems designed to appeal to 14-year boys. Fair enough I guess, as that's main target audience, but it leaves little for those of us who are adults. I don't say don't read them, you should - Donaldson does at least have some original ideas - but there are far better books about.


M
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Whilst I wouldn't say they're the best I thought the OP was pretty close to describing them. Especially the First Chronicles. I wouldn't say I found the language to be 'over' florid either, and it is difficult to get away from archaic, or even antideluvian, writing styles in the fantasy section anyway.

Antar Bolaeisk said:
While mentioning that can I also throw in "His Dark Materials" by Philip Pullman, brilliant trilogy in my humble opinion.
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Awful books IMO. Not a patch on Harry Potter.
 
I am currently reading through the first book in The Wheel Of Time series (Robert Jordan, called The Eye Of The World) and it is utterly fantastic. I have been gripped by the writing style and fantastic story of the first book. I had borrowed the first book from a friend, but I have now ordered the first three in the series after getting halfway through it.
 
I have always enjoyed and found myself re-reading books by Eddings, especially the Elenium trilogy, its a fantastic bit of escapism.

Also, and I know they aren't fantasy books, but if you want a funny read try the Brentford Trilogy by Robert Rankin, 5 books of pure comedy gold. I would recommend them to the cows come home.
 
Anyone read any of Terry Goodkind's stuff? I found it incredibly hard to read, there's a limit to how much detail I need in the description of the most mundane things...

Also I'll second the Shannara series by Terry Brooks, good books.
 
Terry Brook's books are awful, don't touch them.

I've read most of the fantasy series' quoted and I would like to repeat that the best by far are Song of Ice and Fire by Mr George RR Martin. Robin Hobbs books are decent although not so intense and perhaps more suited to the Op's wishes.

Oh and although not stictly fantasy have a read of Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card, set in space but it's fantastic.
 
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