New series to read

[Geoff]

Read the fire and ice saga (game of thrones) (well 1st 5 that are out). Is there another series out there that is similar? Thanks for any suggestions.

[[deleted user]]

I'm thinking in terms of complex fantasies with conflict and drama ...have you read Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time series?

There are also Katherine Kurtz' Deryni series ....

[Charles]

"Wheel of Time" jumped to my mind at first, too, due to its breadth and scope; but then I decided I might pick Stephen R. Donaldson's 1st "Thomas Convenant" series, starting with Lord Foul's Bane , as it has characters and themes that are somewhat more mature than "Wheel of Time" -- though some people have trouble dealing with the anti-hero nature of Covenant, so your mileage may vary.

PS: I initially loved the Wheel of Time books, but they started to drag down into petty issues that did not interest me, and I gave up on it after book 6 or 7.

[Geoff]

Exactly what my friend said. He said 1st 5 and last 2 are awesome for wheels of time. Ill give the series a try. Thanks for the help!

[Jim]

Charles wrote: "though some people have trouble dealing with the anti-hero nature of Covenant..."

I had no trouble with Covenant. Officially the most irritating hero since that little tick in 'The Catcher in the Rye' (If I'd created a character like that I'd have become a recluse as well)
Covenant was the all times winner of 'The antihero you most wanted to marry your 'ex'' competition

[Jim]

Charles wrote: "PS: I initially loved the Wheel of Time books, but they started to drag down into petty issues that did not interest me, and I gave up on it after book 6 or 7. ..."

A mate of mine who has them ALL has told me that they start to pick up again and the last ones are pretty good.
I've not read them, so cannot comment from experience

[Al "Tank"]

The newer series I've been reading are:


The Fighter King saga and
The Nick Walker, UF Marshall series.

Both by John Bowers. The first is military science fiction and the latter is a space-going cop mystery series.

I've also read the first book in the "In Her Name" series ("Empire") by Michael R. Hicks. I have trouble labeling this one. It's rather unique. It does involve combat on several levels.

And finally:
The Land Behind the Veil series by Kriss Erickson. A delightful fantasy series for people like me who love unicorn stories.

Most of the other series I've read aren't new enough to qualify for this thread. (Xanth, Sten, Blue Adept, Dorsai, Pern, etc.).

[Shaun]

The Malazan book of the fallen series by Stephen Erikson.

[Clay]

If you read last month's fantasy pick, Sheepfarmer's Daughter by Elizabeth Moon, I would continue with that series. I personally did not like Martin's Fire and Ice books (he writes too much like S. King for me and he lost me completely when he (view spoiler)[kept killing off main characters (hide spoiler)].

The comments earlier about Wheel of Time are spot on...I finally gave up around book 6 or 7.

IF you actually liked Fire and Ice, you might enjoy the Malazan books.

[Erik]

If you like the gritty style of A Song of Ice and Fire, you might also like the Night Angel Trilogy by Brent Weeks.

The Way of Shadows is #1

[Kirk]

Patrick Rothfuss' Kingkiller series, first book - The Name of the Wind

Brandon Sanderson's The Way of Kings - The Way of Kings

Joe Abercrombie's The First Law Trilogy -The Blade Itself

[Ken]

Jim wrote: "Charles wrote: "though some people have trouble dealing with the anti-hero nature of Covenant..."

I had no trouble with Covenant. Officially the most irritating hero since that little tick in 'The..."
Ha ha ha I hated Catcher in the Rye's protagonist. Loathed the guy more than any other character.

I'm going to second (or third?) Name of the Wind. It's got a writing style that is fast flowing and not dense, similar to ASoIaF. It's not quite so ribald nor does it contain multiple view points, but the setting and feel are similar.

[Gianluca]

The First Law series is the closest thing to A Song of Ice and Fire I can think of. Though, A Song of Ice and Fire is a really unique Fantasy series, so that doesn't say much.
Anyways, you should try The Blade Itself.

[Nikhil]

Kenneth wrote: "Jim wrote: "Charles wrote: "though some people have trouble dealing with the anti-hero nature of Covenant..."

I had no trouble with Covenant. Officially the most irritating hero since that little ..."

Blood Song by Anthony Ryan is as close to The Name of The Wind as it gets.

[Katey]

Yet another vote for the First Law series by Joe Abercrombie. It won't disappoint! Start with: The Blade Itself

[Katey]

Jim wrote: "Charles wrote: "though some people have trouble dealing with the anti-hero nature of Covenant..."

I had no trouble with Covenant. Officially the most irritating hero since that little tick in 'The..."

I couldn't stand that kid either! Ha! I plan to check out the Covenant books soon. On book 2 of the Robin Hobb Collection: Assassin's Apprentice, Royal Assassin, Assassin's Quest

After reading the Joe Abercrombie books about cold killing and the Brent Weeks' books about assassins killers, "young fitz" isn't quite holding a candle to wetboys or inquisitors...

Can't say I'm in love with the Hobb books, but I'll see it to the end. Then Chronicles of the Black Companyor Lord Foul's Bane

Decisions.. Decisions..!

[Nathaniel]

A really good series that doesn't get a lot of attention is Beyond Armageddon by Anthony DeCosmo.

Good, Intersting story and every book in the five part series is priced $1 to $1.99.

[Jason]

Blindmanwriter wrote: "A really good series that doesn't get a lot of attention is Beyond Armageddon by Anthony DeCosmo.

I hadn't heard of that one. Thanks for the tip!