Fantasy Book Club discussion
Recommendations, etc
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HELP! Where have all the good books gone?
I'm readin the MIstborn books right now. I really Sanderson, too.There a new Indie author named Sabrina Chase you might like. The Last Mage Guardian was enjoyable and I've read one of her short stories that was pretty cool too.
If you like Steampunk at all, I recommend Cherie Priest. The woman has a fabulous imagination.
You might try browsing through the list at http://www.malachitequills.com, a fantasy niche publisher who specializes in new authors. Then you can go to Amazon and do the "look inside" feature to at least get a feel for them...
Kate wrote: "I'm readin the MIstborn books right now. I really Sanderson, too.There a new Indie author named Sabrina Chase you might like. The Last Mage Guardian was enjoyable and I've read one of her short s..."
Mistborn were so good! I avoided them for ages because of the tagline on the cover "What if the Dark Lord won?" and I usually like my fantasy happy-ish but once I started I couldn't stop.
Steampunk is decidedly not my thing, but
The Last Mage Guardian looks good, thanks! I'm also a sucker for a good dose of romance in amongst the magic. ( Juliet Marillier, Maria V Snyder )
K.A. wrote: "You might try browsing through the list at http://www.malachitequills.com, a fantasy niche publisher who specializes in new authors. Then you can go to Amazon and do the "look inside" feature to at..."I'll check it out this arvo, thanks! The only I have with less well known books is then I have to buy online, not in store so I don't get my staff discount, haha. Although, books are that expensive in Aus that it often works out to be cheaper to buy online but I do like to support bricks and mortar retailers.
Have you tried Sullivan "The Riyria revelations" ? Three books ... the first is good, the second is better and the third is really good! Also CS Lewis .... I found that I had to get used to her but in the end she is ok. And JK Nemesin .... is worth a try! Also, I love James Barclay .... Different kind of fantasy but definitely worth reading. Good luck! Let me know if you liked any of the ones I proposed.
Judith Tarr is really good - The Hound and the Falcon, Kingdom of the Grail and so-on. Guy Gavriel Kay is also really good. Lighter reading and great fun - Moira J Moore - Resenting the Hero, The Hero Strikes Back, etc
I have noticed that Steven Erikson was not on your list. Have you tried the Malazan Book of the fallen series? It might qualify as "too dark" for some, but I am really enjoying it (Though I also enjoyed the first Law Series by Abercrombie, Joe, which is pretty dark, I guess).
There's some really good stuff among indie authors, and the free promotions are better than your staff discount. ;)We're not allowed to tout our own books but I can thoroughly recommend one that I read for review,
It's going to be in hard copy sometime soon if that's your preference, and I plan to get copies for myself and my bf although I already read the e-copy.
Judging by your likes and dislikes above, I think it will appeal.
I couldn't read Gemmel myself, he puts 'and' into every sentence! It gets irritating after a while.
Erikson and Abercrombie are worth checking out for sure. The Malazan series is the greatest, I have never had so much fun reading something. While it does get a sight dark and depressing at times, the pay off is definitely worth it.
Noelle wrote: "Have you tried Sullivan "The Riyria revelations" ? Three books ... the first is good, the second is better and the third is really good! Also CS Lewis .... I found that I had to get used to her but..."I actually picked up the Riyria Revelations a while ago when I noticed them at work but then when I googled to find a review the first one I read absolutely trashed them and the second one wasn't too positive either. Jemesin and Barclay, again, are authors that I've looked at but haven't actually read.
I'm making a list right now so next time I go into work I can borrow them and have a decent preview before deciding if I want to buy them. Thanks for the suggestions!
Max wrote: "I have noticed that Steven Erikson was not on your list. Have you tried the Malazan Book of the fallen series? It might qualify as "too dark" for some, but I am really enjoying it (Though I also en..."Oh man, Erikson... I have literally started Gardens of the Moon 5 times and just CANNOT get through it! I feel like they are books that I should enjoy but I really just can't get into them. I'm a very impatient reader in that, when I like one character (or don't really like another), I want to hear all about my favourite and not spend time on anyone else. I can't deal with the multiple story lines and POVs, I had the exact same problem when I tried Abercrombie. I feel like I would enjoy them, if only I had the patience to read about the characters I don't really like. Ditto for Martin, I'm absolutely crazy for Game of Thrones in TV form but can't get into the books because of the way they're written.
I actually own the first 5 Malazan books and the first 2 Abercrombie ones so I am determined to finish them at some point in my life (it's on the bucket list, haha) but I cannot see it happening any time soon.
Martha wrote: "Judith Tarr is really good - The Hound and the Falcon, Kingdom of the Grail and so-on. Guy Gavriel Kay is also really good. Lighter reading and great fun - Moira J Moore - Resenting the Hero, The..."Guy Gavriel Kay! Thanks for the reminder! I read Under Heaven a while ago now and thoroughly enjoyed it so have been meaning to go back and read some of his other stuff. Any book in particular you would recommend?
I suggest this first book of a series
It's more character driven than plot, but it does good to keep you interested. I couldn't put it or its sequel down :)
I second Kay. My favorite so far is Tigana.One of my favorite more obscure books is The Map of Time. It's very hard to describe. A little steam punk. Some science fiction. Historical mystery.
Moira wrote: Oh man, Erikson... I have literally started Gardens of the Moon 5 times and just CANNOT get through it! I feel like they are books that I should enjoy but I really just can't get into them. I'm a very impatient reader in that,...I had some problems with the first book myself, the first 400 pages or so are pretty brutal to the reader. It just keeps getting better and better, and the last 200 pages, I enjoyed very much. The same for the second book: starting out pretty confusing and getting better with time. I am currently reading the third book and by now I am having fun from page one. So, yeah, you should read the series at some point in the near future, in my Opinion ;-)
Try Kate Elliott. I've liked a similar list of authors and enjoy her novels, too. Her latest, the Spiritwalker Trilogy, is good but currently incomplete (book #3 coming Fall 2012). Her Crown of Stars series was great.
Try "The Dark Tower Series" by Stephen King .. It was originally 7 books but the author just released a new book betweeen the 4th and 5th..
Lindsay wrote: "three words for you Peter
V
Brett
okay two words and a letter. His first two books are amazing!!!!!"
Three words back at you:
OH MY GOD!
Peter V Brett, Scott Lynch, Rothfuss and Weeks are the authors whose next books I am most eagerly awaiting. I think I might have to re-read Brett though, now that you've mentioned him.
Moira wrote: "Martha wrote: "Judith Tarr is really good - The Hound and the Falcon, Kingdom of the Grail and so-on. Guy Gavriel Kay is also really good. Lighter reading and great fun - Moira J Moore - Resentin..."I really liked Tigana, The Lions of Al-Rassan and a Song for Arbonne. The Last Light of Heaven was pretty good, too.
Lindsey wrote: "Try Kate Elliott. I've liked a similar list of authors and enjoy her novels, too. Her latest, the Spiritwalker Trilogy, is good but currently incomplete (book #3 coming Fall 2012). Her Crown of ..."Read Crown of Stars a few years ago I did quite enjoy it although it got a bit too much into the religion/spirituality/philosophy side of things for my liking after the first couple of books. Spirit gate I started but then got distracted. I'll probably read the whole series once it's finished and all available in nicely matching small format books :)
Adrianna wrote: "I suggest this first book of a series It's more character driven than plot, but it does good to keep you interested. I couldn't put it or its sequel down :)"
Read it :)
The Kingmaker, Kingbreaker books were pretty good, I also liked her Rogue Agent stuff as K.E. Mills, a very different feel, much lighter and funnier. Started on the Godspeaker series but didn't get very far, I don't really like fantasy that gets too mixed up with religion. Or...that's not entirely true, I don't mind drudic/celtic stuff (but in my mind I associate that more with mythology than religion), and I really loved Trudi Canavan's Age of Five series which had a heap of religion in it. But as a rule too much religion in a book puts me off.
Moira wrote: "Noelle wrote: "Have you tried Sullivan "The Riyria revelations" ? Three books ... the first is good, the second is better and the third is really good! Also CS Lewis .... I found that I had to get ...When Sullivan wrote the first Riyria book i thought he was good. He just got better and better. His writing, the story, the humor .... just about everything. He is one of those writers you have to get into ... but once you're there ..... James Barclay is a totally different style .... His characters are different ... often harsh ... yet also softhearted ... Different!! Jemesin was one writer I had to get to know slowly. I can't say I liked her books right on. She kinda grew on me. .... I also found that reviews aren't always right. Each and every reader has his/her own taste, and whether we like it or not, this influences our reviews a lot. Good luck in your search though. Keep posting your finds!"
Try Glenda Larke. Her Stormlords trilogy is awesome. There's also Daniel Abraham; intelligent, elegantly written fantasy that's not grimdark. He also writes scifi and urban fantasy, although under different names - very prolific, a book a year in each series. For self-pub, try Andrea K. Höst for wonderful gender-neutral fantasy. Also Sue Rule's Shehaios trilogy (sorry, can't find the link).
Max wrote: "Moira wrote: Oh man, Erikson... I have literally started Gardens of the Moon 5 times and just CANNOT get through it! I feel like they are books that I should enjoy but I really just can't get into ..."Erikson does not bother to explain what is going on, you have to figure it out by reading...and I agree it can be tough. But as I have told many friends: you will be well rewareded in the end...and in the end they have all agreed...
I didn't notice Kate Forsyth on your list so you might try The Witches of Eileanan. I think you might enjoy that series since it has some interesting characters.
Luke wrote: "Erikson and Abercrombie are worth checking out for sure. The Malazan series is the greatest, I have never had so much fun reading something. While it does get a sight dark and depressing at times..."
she said not too much depressing, so I think Martin and Erikson dont qualify, since there are many depressing moments in both... but I agree, both are awesome, me myself am at House of Chains right now :P
I've noticed you asked for sci-fi booksand sinse you like the fantasy writers I like and don't like the ones I didn't even read, so I guess you might like this one
have you read the Vorkosigan Saga by Lois McMaster Bujold, it's AWESOME with capital letters, I don't read Sci-fi, but this is not too technical and the characters are wonderful, you might want to check it out
You might try Sharon Shinn and Patricia Briggs. They are both good and not too dark. For Shinn - start with Archangel, one of her best books and the #1 in the Samaria series. For Briggs - anything is good.
Kim Marie wrote: "I didn't notice Kate Forsyth on your list so you might try The Witches of Eileanan. I think you might enjoy that series since it has some interesting characters."LOVE HER! The Witches of Eileanan and the Rhiannon series were excellent! Have you read her fiction by any chance? Both Kate Forsyth and Fiona McIntosh are favourite fantasy authors of mine that have written normal fiction too. Looking at the books though and reading the blurbs I wasn't really inspired to read them but I would definitely be swayed by the opinions of other fantasy lovers that have read them.
PaulineMRoss wrote: "Try Glenda Larke. Her Stormlords trilogy is awesome. There's also Daniel Abraham; intelligent, elegantly written fantasy that's not grimdark. He also writes scifi and urban fantasy, although under ..."I actually tried The Last Stormlord not that long ago and didn't really like it. I did, however read and enjoy her Mirage Makers series. Have you read the Isles of Glory series? Maybe I'll give that a go.
Re Daniel Abraham I started reading Shadow and Betrayal and found it a bit slow to get going. From memory I read about 150 pages and then gave up. I'm not very good at persisting with things I don't enjoy. I do think The Dragon's Path looks interesting though, have you read it? If so, how does it compare?
Moira wrote: "I actually tried The Last Stormlord not that long ago and didn't really like it. I did, however read and enjoy her Mirage Makers series. Have you read the Isles of Glory series? Maybe I'll give that a go.I've not read anything else by Glenda Larke except the Stormlords; the older stuff doesn't seem to be available in ebook format, and I just don't read paper books any more :-).
Re Daniel Abraham I started reading Shadow and Betrayal and found it a bit slow to get going. From memory I read about 150 pages and then gave up. I'm not very good at persisting with things I don't enjoy. I do think The Dragon's Path looks interesting though, have you read it? If so, how does it compare? "
I've read The Dragon's Path and the second (just out) called The King's Blood. I really liked them both, but then I'm a total Abraham fangirl. They're more conventional fantasy than The Long Price, as in vaguely medieval/renaissance rather than vaguely eastern, but the style is the same - low action, slow build, all about the characters, lots of interesting ideas under the surface for those who want them. To be honest, if you couldn't get on with Shadow And Betrayal, you'd probably have the same problem with The Dragon's Path too. And it's the first of a five-book series - that's a lot to get through if it's not your style.
If you like scifi too, try Jaine Fenn; I enjoyed her Principles of Angels. It's sort of fantasy scifi, with quite a lot of action.
Moira wrote: "Noelle wrote: "Have you tried Sullivan "The Riyria revelations" ? Three books ... the first is good, the second is better and the third is really good! For those that don't know...I wrote all six books (which are now released as three) before the any in the series were released. They were designed to do exactlly that - I wanted each subsequent to be better than the last. I'm glad that you found that to be true.
MOria wrote: I actually picked up the Riyria Revelations a while ago when I noticed them at work but then when I googled to find a review the first one I read absolutely trashed them and the second one wasn't too positive either. Yeah Liz didn't like my first book, but I think you'll find she's in the minorty. Theft of Swords has 121 reviews on Amazon and is running 4.6 so overall I'm happy with the reception it is receiving. My recommendation...try out an online sample.
I think there are a lot of good books as of late. Some of my recent reads and long time favorites:The Name of the Wind
Mistborn: The Final Empire
Storm Front
Prince of Thorns
I recently read Blood Song due to the number of 5 star ratings on Amazon, but was skeptical due to the low price of $1.50 and uncharacteristically perfect 5.0 rating after 30 reviews.However, it turned out to be a very well written, enjoyable fantasy novel for which I gladly would have paid much more.
Interestingly though, despite its daily increasing in rank in amazon fantasy best-selling and best-rating lists, it seems to be a practically unknown book in goodreads (with only 3 ratings [all five star] and 1 review).
I'm going to throw in a pitch for some older fantasy books that nobody ever seems to talk about anymore. Sometimes oldies are goodies, and you can revisit them when you're waiting for the next blockbuster from your favourite modern author. I loved Anne McCaffrey's Pern books and C.S. Friedman's Coldfire Trilogy was AMAZING! I confess to a soft spot for RA Salvatore's Drizzt Do'Urden books (eg: Homeland, Sojourn and Exile, Icewind Dale trilogy etc..)and Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman's "Rose of the Prophet" Series was pretty good too.
Calvin said..."However, it turned out to be a very well written, enjoyable fantasy novel for which I gladly would have paid much more."I agree Blood Song is a very good book. I do love seeing "indies" getting recognition for a book well conceived and executed.
Henry wrote: "You might try Sharon shinns twelve houses series. Bujolds first two chalion books are also good"Sharon Shinn is my favorite fantasy writer, period. I'm surprised so few people read her. Her Samaria series about angels is one of the best fantasy series out there, although there is no magic or elves or swords there and nothing paranormal goes bump on your head.
Michael wrote: "I agree Blood Song is a very good book. I do love seeing "indies" getting recognition for a book well conceived and executed."And the author has recently followed your route, Michael, and signed a contract with a major publisher.
I'm reading Blood Song at the moment, and I'm enjoying it, but I'm a little disconcerted by the sheer number of 5* reviews on Amazon, relative to the number on Goodreads and (to date) none at all on UK Amazon. I'd be uneasy about an author who manipulated his way into the bestseller lists and thence to a contract.
The Magician's Apprentice this series I got losT in t just like Ms. Hobb wonderful books (and 4th in Hob's Rainwild Traders will be out this month).More humorous but quickly engrossing trilogy starting with
just out in omnibus..
series (not everything by author in fantasy genre but this an excellent series)
yeah, I know, in addition to dwarves and elves has some vampires but definitely fantasy genre with requisite world building, characters that live on after book put down. Really liked first book once they stopped traveling thru all the rural spots, then addicted.
trilogy
trilogyActually, I have been finding some really good TBRs by spying on the goodreads shelves of favorite fantasy authors.
PaulineMRoss wrote: "And the author has recently followed your route, Michael, and signed a contract with a major publisher."Yes, Penguin has made an offer...though he has not yet seen the contract yet. I'm trying to help him with various clauses to watch out for - there are many things to consider when moving from self to traditional.
PaulineMRoss wrote: I'm a little disconcerted by the sheer number of 5* reviews on Amazon, relative to the number on Goodreads and (to date) none at all on UK Amazon. I'd be uneasy about an author who manipulated his way into the bestseller lists and thence to a contract...
I've often heard of people "gaming" the Amazon numbers - and to be honest I don't think this happens much or would be difficult to pull off. I know that some have made the same allegations toward me, and I know that has not been the case.
I'd be interested in exactly how one would do that (not to do so but to determine if it is possible). I may be wrong but I think you have to make a purchase on Amazon to leave a review and you can't have different credit cards for different accounts so to "try" and game the system you would need a bunch of credit cards and a bunch of purchases...or do I not understand how it works?
Michael wrote: "PaulineMRoss wrote: "I'd be interested in exactly how one would do that (not to do so but to determine if it is possible). I may be wrong but I think you have to make a purchase on Amazon to leave a review and you can't have different credit cards for different accounts so to "try" and game the system you would need a bunch of credit cards and a bunch of purchases...or do I not understand how it works? ..."Authors Orson Scott Card and H.P. Mallory have some helpful to writers books on publishing contracts and howtos.
Nope, do not have to purchase (or even read) on amazon to review. And the big manipulation is not from flooding with 5-star reviews. Authors and friends flag bad reviews as inappropriate/spam/hate-group things and mark the good ones as most helpful...moves them to top and buries the bad ones pages and pages away even if review by amazon reinstates (flagging quickly removes so there is an initial flurry of all good reviews). Nearly impossible to get a review reinstated once flagged and fairly easy to get amazon to block a reviewer when asked. Two of the most heard about amazon things are searchable at http://www.dearauthor.com -- for fuller if older stories:
http://dearauthor.com/book-reviews/su...
http://dearauthor.com/features/letter...
http://dearauthor.com/features/letter...
http://dearauthor.com/features/letter...
http://dearauthor.com/features/letter...
Personally I liked the two column review (one for good and second for bad) review thing the now defunct Virtual Bookshelf at Living Social used to do. Even the eBay-like thing where they show statistics on how many 1,2...5 star reviews written. I wish Amazon would go to at least chronological versus putting "most helpfuls" first. I actually do not usually take time to rate how helpful a review is. My helpfuls are to read both the best and worst reviews paying attention more to reviewers who list both what they liked and disliked about a book–do not need the gush or the trashing comments with no details.
@moira sorry got the thread off track a bit; hope you are finding some good fantasy reads. One thing I always specify when asking for is "not the ones where a group of characters/races are just wondering endlessly around author's imaginary map (and need more worldbuilding than drawing a map inside front flap)"Read one too many of those in the still continuing D&D and Lord of The Rings wannabes.
Two series I also want to recommend with the caveat that as much as I really got into I equally disliked their dreamers series: The Belgariad which starts with Pawn of Prophecy and The Malloreon which starts with Guardians of the West. Lucky for you, you can read entire series without agonizing between books over how long it was taking to get published. Not horrible cliffhanger endings exactly but kept you on edge of seat and wanting to know what happens next. Malloreon is follow up to Belgariad so needs to be read second.
Is it just me or are the recommendations on the book sites (other than goodreads which at its worst gets better as you mark things "not interested" or "want to read" and remember to go to "my books" and make sure your ugh-could-not-even-finish shelf is not one recommendations are being based on) really getting awful?When on my kindle I go to the storefront I have no clue why the bottom recommended for me things are there. Really inexplicable unless it is really now just whatever amazon is featuring. Seems like last year started being a lot of books I already bought from amazon (which at least made sense but was still useless).
Michael wrote: "Yes, Penguin has made an offer...though he has not yet seen the contract yet. I'm trying to help him with various clauses to watch out for - there are many things to consider when moving from self to traditional.I'm glad he has someone watching out for him.
I've often heard of people "gaming" the Amazon numbers - and to be honest I don't think this happens much or would be difficult to pull off."
I wrote a long, detailed response to this but Goodreads ate my post :-( Fortunately, Debbie has filled in. The helpful/not helpful option is one way to do it, very prevalent (so I've heard) in the paranormal romance sector. But flooding with 5* reviews is still popular. Authors get friends and relations to post reviews, set up fake accounts (sock puppets), or pay for reviews (the going rate is $5, apparently).
I read a lot of reviews on Amazon and Goodreads when I'm investigating a book, and although there's no way to tell for sure which are fake, there are some clues - short, glowing reviews which say nothing substantive about the book are suspect, as are reviewers who have few other reviews. In the case of Blood Song, it's also the sheer number of 5* reviews. To date, there are 170 reviews on Amazon.com, and 160 are 5*. Interestingly there are only 18 reviews on Goodreads, and curiously none at all on the UK Amazon. Obviously, I don't know if the author has been playing games, but these are not normal numbers for an unknown author. And honestly, no book is that good.
The really disappointing thing about it is that any games are quite unnecessary. I'm about 15% into the book, really enjoying it so far and there's no doubt, the man can write - comparable with Rothfuss. It would undoubtedly rise to the top without any murky manipulation.
Fantasy Book Club
Books mentioned in this topic
The Last Mage Guardian (other topics)The Dark Lord's Handbook (other topics)
The Innocent Mage (other topics)
Tigana (other topics)
The Map of Time (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Cherie Priest (other topics)Juliet Marillier (other topics)
Maria V. Snyder (other topics)
Joe Abercrombie (other topics)
Steven Erikson (other topics)
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I've been a fantasy reader since forever and I've been working in a book store for the past 6 years and I remember when I first started working there I was amazed at the amount of awesome fantasy books there were. As soon as I finished a book/series I could pick up a new one and, while I may not have loved them all, there was always another option.
But for the past year or so I seem to have run out of good fantasy books to read and new ones from favourite authors are released SO SLOWLY that I think I've hit a wall. Any new books I pick up don't grab me, I can't get lost in them like I used to. I read a quite a bit of teen fic and a little paranormal but they are my in between books, what I read when I don't want to concentrate. So, I'm after recommendations of fantasy series/books (or maybe sci-fi as long as it's not too tech heavy) that are less well known or under appreciated because all that tends gets suggested in 'Readers also enjoyed' are books I've read already or tried and didn't like.
I loved:
Robin Hobb - Farseer, Tawny Man, Liveship
Brent Weeks
Rothfuss
Feist
Sanderson
I didn't love:
Goodkind
Jordan
Gemmel
Anything too dark or depressing
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks,
Moira