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Just finished read, The left hand of god by paul hoffman after seeing ppl leave good comments about it, i must say it wasnt that good, the writing style seemed somewhat juvenille to me, something i would write when i was younger. That saying i would proberly buy the next book in the series as Thomas Cale seems like a good character and hopefully the writing style improves.
 
Last Kronin said:
the writing style seemed somewhat juvenille to me,
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Welcome to Heroic Fantasy (to give the genre being talked about its more correct name. Alice's Adventures in Wonderland is fantasy). The target audience for most of these books are teenagers, no matter how they appear to be marketed, and many writer either can't or won't rise above that. Once you get over thirty you'll realise that there are precious few HF books you can read in public and not look an idiot.


M
 
I think you're missing my point about why I should want to defend the indefensible. I don't want to feel better about my reading choices, I want the genre to get better.

M
 
It's always going to be that way though with any genre, there'll be the vast amounts of crap, followed by a minority of reasonably good books with a rarity of excellent books sitting at the top.
 
His earlier Belgariad was probably his best series, with the Mallorean (felt like too much of a retread to get clear second, but was good enough to get joint position) and Elenium in joint second, followed by the Tamuli.

RIP, he will be missed.
 
As a direct result of this thread I ordered 'A Game of Thrones' by George R.R. Martin to read. I've never read fantasy books before but am thoroughly enjoying it so far (only 50 pages in). Thanks for the recommendation :)
 
iamdjdz said:
As a direct result of this thread I ordered 'A Game of Thrones' by George R.R. Martin to read. I've never read fantasy books before but am thoroughly enjoying it so far (only 50 pages in). Thanks for the recommendation :)
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What makes Song of Ice and Fire so good is that it barely is fantasy. Martin has stated that his main influence is the Wars of the Roses (and not the film either). I actually find that the more fantastic elements of the story detract from it. Apart from the very end of A Storm of Swords (part two in paperback) anyway. The best stuff is the characters, as is true of all good fiction.

(Edited to make more sense)


M
 
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Meridian said:
What makes Song of Ice and Fire so good is that it barely is fantasy. Martin has stated that his main influence is the Wars of the Roses (and not the film either). I actually find that the more fantastic elements of the story actually detract from it. After from the very end of A Storm of Swords (part two in paperback) anyway. The best stuff is the characters, as is true of all good fiction.


M
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So true, these books should not just be defined to the fantasy section, all lovers of literature should give them a go.

I really do not care about the dragons in the books either, the people are evil enough.
 
The Saga of Seven Suns by Kevin J. Anderson is a great set of books. It's Sci-Fi but excellent, I highly recommend them, especially if you want a nice long series of quite long books to plough loads of time into. He's created a very cool world in them.
 
Meridian said:
Welcome to Heroic Fantasy (to give the genre being talked about its more correct name. Alice's Adventures in Wonderland is fantasy). The target audience for most of these books are teenagers, no matter how they appear to be marketed, and many writer either can't or won't rise above that.
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True enough

Meridian said:
Once you get over thirty you'll realise that there are precious few HF books you can read in public and not look an idiot.
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That's harsh, I don't judge someone by what they are reading on a train (for example) and would hope that I wouldn't be judged either. I will (and have) happily sit waiting for a bus, or at my desk at work reading Keys to Paradise, or War of Powers, not because they make me look smart or 'literary' but because I enjoy them, and have since I was in their target age range (War of Powers 1 and 2 are 100% aimed squarely at the mid to late teen boy).

The genre in general may create a few raised eyebrows. Until the films, people might look at you sideways for reading Lord of the Rings on the bus, but looking like an idiot is a little unfair I think :)
 
Oh and whilst I remember :

Tailchaser's Song by Tad Williams

A little different, as all the characters (almost) in the book are cats, and certainly all are non-human. It is certainly Heroic Fiction though and I very much recommend it. My signed copy is one of my prized books :)
 
Phoen1x said:
or War of Powers
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I thought I was the only person to have read those. I've still got 1, but lost 2. Sometime I must read it again because I'm not entirely convinced this is aimed at teens, and not only because it's one of a very few fantasies with sex.


M
 
Meridian said:
I thought I was the only person to have read those. I've still got 1, but lost 2. Sometime I must read it again because I'm not entirely convinced this is aimed at teens, and not only because it's one of a very few fantasies with sex.


M
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That's exactly why I thought it *was* aimed at late teen males :D
 
Just drove to the other side of the Emirate to get the only copy of A Game of Thrones in the country.

Jesus. What a mission... but FINALLY! They also had all the others too, so i guess i know where i'll be going regularly!

Read a bunch of pages whilst the missus was in AEO trying things on. It's the first time she's ever heard me say "why dont you try them all on baby?".. and why not? they have massive leather armchairs outside the fitting rooms. I was happy as larry, and it got me in her good books for not moaning!

George R R Martin has changed my life for the better already.
 
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