Any fantasy books as good as this out there?

[Michael]

Kevin wrote: "Blood Song by Anthony Ryan."

This... this.. a hundred times this. Blood Song was nowhere on my radar until I randomly came across it here on Goodreads and saw how much people seemed to have loved it. I picked it up, read it in one sitting and pretty much turned right around and started reading it again.

[Ray]

Michael wrote: "Kevin wrote: "Blood Song by Anthony Ryan."

This... this.. a hundred times this. Blood Song was nowhere on my radar until I randomly came across it here on Goodreads and saw how much people seemed..."

Yeah, Blood Song is amazing. Can't wait for Tower Lord xD.

[Kelly]

I'll have to agree regarding Jim Butcher's "Codex Alera" series... equally original and fascination with romance that was not overdone.

[Ramandeep]

If you have read the spellscribed series i recommend it. very good series, its new and fresh.

[Scott]

I see a lot of recommendations that aren't exactly fantasy per se, so here are a few within the myriad genres:I
really must recommend the works of Joe Abercrombie. If you don't want to delve into a trilogy, check out his Best Served Cold

The Riftwar saga by Raymond E. Feist, in particular starting with Magician which collects the first two into a single volume.

Throne of the Crescent Moon is a refreshing take on fantasy tropes.

The Lions of al-Rassan is just incredible.

[Leslie]

The Game of Thrones series. I l love Kingkiller Chronicles, but also enjoy the panoramic scope of GoT--not a one man series. The Mists of Avalon, if you are interested at all in the Matter of Britain. Arthurian legend from a different perspective. And any book in the Earthsea series.

[KingKiller]

Can't believe so many are recommending the Codex Alera series, couldn't read past book one, so simplistic and with twists you could guess a few chapters into the book.

The Name of the Wind is the complete opposite, the kind of book where you can sit for days/months/years coming up with different theories.

[Michael]

Deshi wrote: "Can't believe so many are recommending the Codex Alera series, couldn't read past book one, so simplistic and with twists you could guess a few chapters into the book.

The Name of the Wind is the ..."

Couldn't agree more about Codex Alera. The series was conceived as a bet that Butcher couldn't write a good story based on 2 lame ideas, those being "Lost Roman Legion" and "Pokemon"; I contend that he lost that one bigtime.

[Akivac]

Ok, definitely Brent Weeks' Night Angel Trilogy. Discworld if you like humor, but if you don't, avoid. Wheel of time, obviously. This isn't exactly fantasy, but the first few Safehold books (David Weber) are also pretty good.

[Michael]

Akivac wrote: "Ok, definitely Brent Weeks' Night Angel Trilogy. Discworld if you like humor, but if you don't, avoid. Wheel of time, obviously. This isn't exactly fantasy, but the first few Safehold books (Dav..."

Yes I had forgotten about Weeks.. his Lightbringer series is great too!

[Scott]

Akivac wrote: "Ok, definitely Brent Weeks' Night Angel Trilogy. Discworld if you like humor, but if you don't, avoid. Wheel of time, obviously. This isn't exactly fantasy, but the first few Safehold books (Dav..."


It always amuses me when people recommend WoT without giving reasons why as if it's above critique. Personally I found the first book insipid, boring and the characters grotesquely absurd and cliched but YMMV

[Michael]

ᛋᚳᚩᛏᛏ wrote: "Akivac wrote: "Ok, definitely Brent Weeks' Night Angel Trilogy. Discworld if you like humor, but if you don't, avoid. Wheel of time, obviously. This isn't exactly fantasy, but the first few Safe..."

The Eye of the World purposefully had parallels to Tolkien's work in order to reassure the reader with familiar tropes, but the series then went on to depart from them into what was at the time completely new territory. If you never went any further with the series you did yourself a disservice in my opinion.. but then again I'm a WoT superfan, so your mileage may vary. :)

[Brance]

I have been looking for books similar to the Name of the Wind as well. I dont understand why many authors leave out currency or trading or the details of how the characters fund their meals or journeys. Many authors do write about currency and such but I havent found a fantasy author that does this similar to Rothfuss.

[Neil]

I found the book to be somewhere in between Joe Abercrombie and James Barclay in style. Abercrombie is more complex, Barclay is simpler (though still a lot of detail). I would also recommend Trudi Canavan, and for a bit of light relief, the 'Orcs' series by Stan Nicholls.

[Michael]

Brance wrote: "I have been looking for books similar to the Name of the Wind as well. I dont understand why many authors leave out currency or trading or the details of how the characters fund their meals or jour..."

You should check out Raymond Feist's Rise of a Merchant Prince. It has what you're talking about in spades. It's part of a much larger series (and having read those will enhance your understanding and enjoyment) but it can stand on it's own for the most part if necessary.

[Niv]

I just finished reading Blood Song for Anthony Ryan and I would recommend it, very good book.

[Brance]

Michael, I ended up getting Raymond Fiest's Flight of the Nighthawks because thats what was available for me. I am on chapter 10. Only reason I'm not reading it now is so I can Thank you for the recomend. Thank you.

[Patrick]

Kevin wrote: "Blood Song by Anthony Ryan."

Great book, but NO where close in my opinion.

[KingKiller]

20% into Promise of Blood by Brian McClellan and I have a feeling it's going to be a good one. Check it out.

I'm reading Raymond Feist after this one.

[Niv]

Patrick wrote: "Kevin wrote: "Blood Song by Anthony Ryan."

Great book, but NO where close in my opinion."

I agree :)

[Guy]

this was good ???
this ?
yes, parts are good, parts are riveting, but as a whole ?
i took from it the guy who wept (WEPT UNCONTROLLABLY) over a song !!!
this is bullshit !!!!

[Ken]

Guy, you've just not heard the right song.

[Amber]

Clearly, he doesn't know the first note of the music that moves me.




*chuckle*

[LockeJaw]

So, I might be necroing this thread, and have only one contribution.

The Black Company series by Glen Cook. Enjoy :)

[Chris]

Michael wrote: "Kevin wrote: "Blood Song by Anthony Ryan."

This... this.. a hundred times this. Blood Song was nowhere on my radar until I randomly came across it here on Goodreads and saw how much people seemed..."

Yep… was the best book I read in 2013.

I never heard of it until I randomly stumbled upon it. It's a hidden gem.. eagerly waiting the sequel…


Blood Song

[Anoop]

I have just finished reading the emperors blades it is simply awesome and I can say it stands out to me as the best book in fantasy so far for this year

[Anoop]

Nope start of a series but has its on ending... I am sure you will love it

[Felix]

Here's a few of my go to authors:
GRRM, Eddings,Jordan, Tolkien, Sanderson, Butcher, Weeks, Hickman & Weiss, Cole & Bunch, Robert E. Howard, Gemmell, John Gwynne, Michael J. Sullivan,Ambercrombie,Anthony Ryan,James Clemens, John Marco & Moorcock. Thrillers by James Rollins.

[Anoop]

@frenchie also try reading the Mage born series by Michael g manning it starts off young adult and graduates to high fantasy from the second book ...two words..."it's awesome"

[Kraig]

Just wanted to add a new book and author to the list really quick. On the recommendation of Mr. Rothfuss I just finished Malice by John Qwynne and loved it! His writing isn't on Sanderson or Rothfuss level but I see a lot of potential!

[Anoop]

Kraig wrote: "Just wanted to add a new book and author to the list really quick. On the recommendation of Mr. Rothfuss I just finished Malice by John Qwynne and loved it! His writing isn't on Sanderson or Rothfu..."

@Kraig: that definitely looks up my alley ... thanks for the recommendation

[Bruce]

Rothfuss is terrific. Many of the other great fantasy series have already been mentioned ie Brett, Weeks, Lynch, etc. I highly recommend The Red Knight by Miles Cameron, his debut novel. It took about 150 pages to get going but once it did.....outstanding!

[Michael]

Anoop wrote: "I have just finished reading the emperors blades it is simply awesome and I can say it stands out to me as the best book in fantasy so far for this year"

I can't second this enough.. this book is probably in my top 5 all time fantasy series already. Pick it up and read it asap! Brian Staveley is going to be a great talent to watch going forward.

The Emperor's Blades

[Justin]

I tried Abercrombie based on advice from this thread, & it just made me mad. Characters & story are interesting, then everything ends with...evil, screw-ups, "bad", and (to me) - a thud.
Like ^^^those things win. How cheery! Not.
I won't be reading his stuff.

If nihilistic, pointless drek turns you on - have at it.

I gave up on Jordan, for going on and on and on - same with Malazan.
My quibble with JV Jones, well I'd suggest not starting until she's finished (2015?) - because I'll have to read it again (it's that good - the "Ice" series)...
Janny Wurts the same. It's turning into a saga. She NEEDS to finish it. It's wonderful too. *sigh*

Ryiria Chronicles was excellent, as is Moon's Paksennarion.
my 2 cents

[Franklin]

Boostamonte wrote: "the Mistborn Trilogy by Brandon Sanderson. Read them, better than Rothfuss in my opinion, although I love Rothfuss!"

Meh, no way the mistborn trilogy is better than the name of the wind.

[Mark]

I listened to the audio version of NOTW. I really liked it and will listen to book 2 soon. Song of Fire & Ice is outstanding. I used to read a lot of fantasy. Try Chronicles of Thomas Covenant by Stephen R. Donaldson is very good but a little on the dark side. The Incarnations of Immortality by Piers Anthony is a little lighter but very enjoyable series.

[Mark]

I should have mentioned, The Songs of Fire and Ice are the best stories I've read in years. I'm not suggesting that the writing style is special. I'm just saying when it comes to plot twist and original story lines, this guy is beyond gifted. Simply a wild ride. I can't wait for the next book.

[Ken]

For me, the one series that stands head shoulders chest and legs above the rest is Gene Wolfe's Solar Cycle. By far better than any other fantasy story besides Tolkien, and that's only because I don't want to claim he's "better" when "as good & different" is more what I imply.

[Ian]

Wheel of time - Robert jordan
riftwar saga - Raymond e feist
Malazan - Steven erickson
Dresden files and codex of alera - Jim butcher

[Sparrowlicious]

Click on "Recommendations", that usually works for me.
The trouble with recommending books is that everyone has a different taste. I found that so far the Goodreads Recommendations are actually not so bad.

[KingKiller]

Sparrowlicious wrote: "Click on "Recommendations", that usually works for me.
The trouble with recommending books is that everyone has a different taste. I found that so far the Goodreads Recommendations are actually not..."

I'd have to disagree, clicking on recommendations pretty much never works for more.

Whereas after some people above recommended The Emperor's Blades, I checked it out and after finishing it in a few days, I've decided it's one of the best fantasy books I've read in a while ;)

[Marc]

I'd have to add Janny Wurt's 'Mistwraith' series; Tad William's 'Dragonbone Chair' and R. Scott Bakker's 'The Prince of Nothing' series. All good reads.

[Anoop]

As @Marc has stated Tad Williams "the dragonbone chair" and the prince if nothing are excellent high fantasies, so is Tad Williams shadow march series.. I.e if u can sit thoroughly the first book that sets the stage.. It turns out to be an awesome read

[Anoop]

Arrrg typo... iPhone auto correct... Should read "through"

[Michael]

Anothony Ryan's book Blood Song is pretty fantastic, I think and as good as this for sure.

[Lane]

Everything by Joe Abercrombie... The Heroes and Best Served Cold in particualr. Dark, cynical humor.

I can also highly recommend Blood Song by Anthony Ryan and both books in the the Lightbringer series by Brent Weeks.

[Joshua]

Luke wrote: "The Lies of Locke Lamora might become your new favorite novel. Personally, I could not stand the Mistborn Series. Only read it if you want repetitive inner dialogues and very basic verse."

I know this is almost a year old post but I read it about a month ago. I ended up reading the entire gentlemen bastards series and wow loved it! I also did not like mistborn. So could you recommend anything else I've already read name of the wind and wise mans fear. Thanks

[Michael]

Joshua wrote: "Luke wrote: "The Lies of Locke Lamora might become your new favorite novel. Personally, I could not stand the Mistborn Series. Only read it if you want repetitive inner dialogues and very basic v..."

have you read Peter V. Brett's Demon Cycle? starts with The Warded Man

[Joshua]

No I'll try it out Thank you. I just read Eragon I thought It was Ok didn't love it. I just finished it today so I'll get started on The Warded Man tomorrow and let you know Thank you.

[M]

Has anyone read Traitor's Blade by Sebastein De Castell?