Book reccomendation (certain style)

[Liefrich]

The books by George RR Martin " a song of ice and fire" are the best fantasy ive ever read, its much more real world orientated with all sorts of plotting, you never seem to know what the characters will do and some of the main ones even die which is a suprise.

Ive read most fantasy series', Robert Jordans, Robin Hobbs etc but none come close to these although Hobbs are quite easy and enjoyable to read they dont go into the depth of human emotion that George RR marting goes into.

 

[Pumpkinstew]

The Sword of Shannara is almost a straight rip-off of Lord of the Rings, and subsequent books seem to have the same plot recycled at 200 year intervals with a new villain.

Gemmell is a good read but a bit puerile in places.

I'd throw in Bernard Cornwell's Warlord trilogy. It's a version of Arthurian legend set in the dark ages rather than the middle ages like most versions that use the french romances for inspiration.
It comes closer to being a fantasy series than a history lesson.

If you enjoy that try Conn Iguldsens Rome epics based *loosely* on the life of Julian Caesar.

 

[Luke]

The Sword of Shannara is almost a straight rip-off of Lord of the Rings, and subsequent books seem to have the same plot recycled at 200 year intervals with a new villain.

I was utterly stunned when I read that book! I had heard it was a rip-off of LOTR, but I didn't expect it to be identical!!!

 

[Gilly]

Agreed with Donaldson and I'll add Eddings.

Did you like Pullman's HDM?

I thought it started OK with the first book and became shockingly bad by the last.

 

[Sequoia]

Thankfully I was given all 10 books about a month ago - so if you are in a similar position and starting to read them all from scratch - why not?

Because it's only all 10 (or 11) books so far. It's a personal thing, but as I said, I want to be able to read to the end, not wait an unspecified period for it.

I thnk Jordan has gone on record as saying that book 12 will finish the series and we can expect it 18-24 months after the release of book 11. .....

I hope so. It's certainly about time.

Have you read the latest one? From what I've heard he actually starts to tie up some plot strands? Surely he could wrap the whole story up in another book.....or two?

Nope. I have them all. In fact, at least two copies of them all, because I'm something of a book collector, and that includes some 1300 first editions. So when something that interests me comes out, I get first editions for the collection, and reading copies (usually paperback) for general use. But I gave up reading this series at about Vol 8 or 9. I'll read the lot again, in one go, if and when RJ actually ever finishes it.

 

[Irish_Tom]

Read the Voyage of Shannara trilogy it's nothing like the first ones. Very good read IMHO also the latest trilogy (High Druid of Shannara) is really good and follows on from the Voyage of Shannara series.

Panzer

 

[Mikharper]

) and reading the Legends trilogy (Time of the twins, War of the twins, Test of the twins) are definitely recommended.

Read the first of them, really enjoyed it.