SciFi and Fantasy Book Club discussion
Recommendations and Lost Books
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Fantasy books that have mixed elements in them
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Check out Lois McMaster Bujold's Chalion series: The Curse of Chalion, Paladin of Souls, and The Hallowed Hunt. Excellently written fantasy, and no elves, promise!
Maybe try The Sharing Knife Series by Lois McMaster BujoldIt starts with
Troubled young Fawn Bluefield seeks a life beyond her family's farm. Enroute to the city, she encounters a patrol of Lakewalkers. The necromancers armed with human bone knives fight "malices", immortal entities that draw out life, enslaving humans and animals. Dag saves Fawn from a malice - at a devastating cost. Their fates are now bound in a remarkable journey.
Margaret wrote: "Check out Lois McMaster Bujold's Chalion series: The Curse of Chalion, Paladin of Souls, and The Hallowed Hunt. Excellently written fantasy, and no elves, promise!"Too funny that we both picked the same author but different books/series.
Margaret wrote: "Check out Lois McMaster Bujold's Chalion series: The Curse of Chalion, Paladin of Souls, and The Hallowed Hunt. Excellently written fantasy, and no elves, promise!"You won me at "no elves"! :) Thanks. I'll check it out.
Tasha wrote: "Margaret wrote: "Check out Lois McMaster Bujold's Chalion series: The Curse of Chalion, Paladin of Souls, and The Hallowed Hunt. Excellently written fantasy, and no elves, promise!"Too funny th..."
I'm thinking I'm going to like this author if that's the case. This writer must be very diverse. Cool. I have something to look forward to after Game of Thrones.
Tony wrote: "The Talisman Fantasy elements like The Dark Tower series of books (they are connected) but also set in urban America. Worth a read. It's old but I remember enjoying it :)"Cool. I've heard of that one. I've been meaning to read that.
Let us know what you think. She is a diverse science fiction and fantasy writer.
I'm somewhat unsure from your question just what you are looking for. Urban fantasy contains fantastic elements in a contemporary environment. Have you tried the Harry Dresden series by Jim Butcher, or The Bordertown series (magic returns to the ruins of San Francisco)? Dresden series features non-humans, but is a real mythmash - at one point Dresden manages to survive a battle with people possessed by demons who live in the 30 pieces of silver Judas received with aid from faeries, magicians, mafiosi, and Norse warriors. (I may be mixing a few scenes together but that gives you the flavor) Are you trying to avoid high fantasy with kings and noble quests? Is military fantasy possibly of interest? Glen Cook's The Black Company (which is this months Fantasy reader's pick, I think) deals with an elite mercenary company (with two low powered magicians on staff) who wind up taking a contract with an extremely powerful wizard and have to fight both her enemies as well as her allies. Moderately dark, and featuring some reluctant, decidedly shades of gray heroes. Everybody is human, or at least started out that way.
Is it non-humans you don't like, or the tree hugging elves and the darling faeries who sip the nectar from flowers sorts of things? Jim Butcher's Codex Alera series has non-humans - the Vord - insectile hive mind creatures interested only in conquest and the Canin - cananoid sentients who are organized in packs and whose lives are a series of dominance battles. The hero of the series must rise to power through the complex maze of human politics while also coming to understand the psychology of the non-human races with whom he shares his world/.
Richard wrote: "I really, really, REALLY love The Dark Tower series, and it's mostly because it has so many MIXED elements of fantasy in it. it's not just straight up fantasy, which usually really bores me (I hate flowery writing, and elves, and nymphs, and tree spirits). The problem is, I find that fantasy is hard to find that doesn't contain a lot of "fantasy" elements. Does anybody know of any other "fantasy" series that focus more on characters and the lot, rather than mythical creatures? I'm currently reading the Game of Thrones series now, but I want something a bit more obscure. Any help would be appreciated. "
Sounds like you've only read Epic Fantasy like Lord of the Rings. The Fantasy genre is so much more than that.
The Apocalypse Door has the Knights Templar still in existence, protecting the world against evil with talismans and fully locked and loaded Glocks. Also, there's an assassin nun.
Bone Dance is a Fantasy-Cyberpunk post-apocalypse tale.
Ex-Heroes is about superheroes dealing with the zombie apocalypse.
Retribution Falls is about a ragtag group of criminals who pilot an airship in a steampunk world with demons, monsters and heaps of double-crosses amidst the action.
Charles de Lint does a lot with real world people finding themselves in magical situations...The Little Country is one of my faves by him. I just read Among Others by Walton Jo, sort of coming of age; the main character does a lot of reading.
I write fantasy that is impossible to categorize. If you have a Venn diagram, with fantasy, mystery and horror? My latest, SPEAK TO OUR DESIRES, is in the intersection.
Brenda wrote: "I write fantasy that is impossible to categorize. If you have a Venn diagram, with fantasy, mystery and horror? My latest, SPEAK TO OUR DESIRES, is in the intersection."I really need to read more of your work. :D
For something really far removed from typical fantasy, try China Mieville. I loved Kraken.
Richard wrote: "I really, really, REALLY love The Dark Tower series, and it's mostly because it has so many MIXED elements of fantasy in it. it's not just straight up fantasy, which usually really bores me (I hate..."I loved The Dark Tower for that reason as well. I'd say, check out The Warded Man, Elantris, Mistborn: The Final Empire and The Black Company. They are not nearly as "mixed" as The Dark Tower, but they aren't your usual Fantasy either.
I'm also going to mention Prince of Thorns. I did not enjoy this book, but other people I know loved it and it might have what you're looking for.
Charles Stross wrote a fun series (The Merchant Princes), which starts with The Family Trade. It's definitely fantasy, but also involves a Mafia-like organization and a lot of business-centred hijinks. It's a lot of fun.
Larry wrote: "I'm somewhat unsure from your question just what you are looking for. Urban fantasy contains fantastic elements in a contemporary environment. Have you tried the Harry Dresden series by Jim Butch..."Thanks so much for all of that. I'm actually most interested in real people in strange situations. I've heard a lot of things (both good and bad) about the Dresden Files. I'm skeptical about that one. As for the kind of fantasy I don't like--and please don't shun me for this--but I really don't like stuff like Lord of the Rings. The movies were good, but the books are just too much for me. Baramir, son of Faramir...I just can't get into that when everybody is the relative of somebody else and you forget whether they're talking about a dwarf or a human being. Stuff like that I don't dig.
Jen wrote: "Charles Stross wrote a fun series (The Merchant Princes), which starts with The Family Trade. It's definitely fantasy, but also involves a Mafia-like organization and a lot of business-centred hij..."Now THAT sounds interesting. Wow. I have a lot of books to look forward to now, thanks.
Johnny wrote: "Richard wrote: "I really, really, REALLY love The Dark Tower series, and it's mostly because it has so many MIXED elements of fantasy in it. it's not just straight up fantasy, which usually really ..."Sounds good. I'll give them a look. Thanks a bunch!
Steve wrote: "For something really far removed from typical fantasy, try China Mieville. I loved Kraken."Did you say KRAKEN? Does it deal with the mythical creature? Because if so, I'm so in. I LOVE sea monsters. I recently wrote a book where I have an umbilical cord sea monster. I feel like the sea is such a scary place, and not a lot of people mine that field. I'm looking forward to this one. Thanks!
Brenda wrote: "I write fantasy that is impossible to categorize. If you have a Venn diagram, with fantasy, mystery and horror? My latest, SPEAK TO OUR DESIRES, is in the intersection."I write fantasy and horror, too. My book, The Darkness of the Womb, features an umbilical cord sea monster. How bout you check out my work, and I'll check out yours and we can both spook each other out. Deal? :)
Trike wrote: "Richard wrote: "I really, really, REALLY love The Dark Tower series, and it's mostly because it has so many MIXED elements of fantasy in it. it's not just straight up fantasy, which usually really ..."Groovy. Thanks for the picks. I'll put them on my list. Which do you recommend first?
I can recommend the outstanding & amazing 'The Borribles' by Michael De Larabeiti.
Richard wrote: "Steve wrote: "For something really far removed from typical fantasy, try China Mieville. I loved Kraken."Did you say KRAKEN? Does it deal with the mythical creature? Because if so, I'm so in. I L..."
you should definitely give Peter Watts' Starfish a read. scary sea stuff
here's a description from Watts' website:
Welcome to Beebe Station.
You're three kilometers below the surface of the Pacific Ocean. You're perched on the shoulder of an active volcano. The local fauna is very large and very nasty. If it doesn't kill you, a mudslide or an erupting smoker probably will.
Your fellow employees are rapists, pedophiles, borderline psychotics, and victims of same.
You feel very lucky to be here.
This is a damn sight better than the life you left behind.
opps. i just noticed you were specifically looking for something with fantasy elements. Starfish is pure sci fi. you should read it anyway. it is soooo damn good.
Sooz wrote: "opps. i just noticed you were specifically looking for something with fantasy elements. Starfish is pure sci fi. you should read it anyway. it is soooo damn good."I dig sci-fi, too. No question. I recently finished with Asimov's Foundation series. But the hard sci-fi scares me off. Is Starfish hard sci-fi?
Stephen wrote: "I can recommend the outstanding & amazing 'The Borribles' by Michael De Larabeiti."What's that? I'll check it out. Thanks!
Richard wrote: "Sooz wrote: "opps. i just noticed you were specifically looking for something with fantasy elements. Starfish is pure sci fi. you should read it anyway. it is soooo damn good."I dig sci-f..."
i'm not going to lie ... it's a little on the 'hard' side. i don't usually read much in that category either ... just don't have the mental capacity for it. but there are a few exceptions and this is one of them. i loved this book.
Pick up a Dresden book and try it out. If you like it you will really really like it. If you don't, they do not change or differ, so you can stop in confidence that you're not missing anything.
You might also like the Darkover series by Marion Zimmer Bradley. It's quite a mix of science fiction and fantasy- mainly about the intersection between Earth-based space faring humans, and a forgotten human colony that's reverted to a feudal state with an aristocracy that has some 'fantastical' powers (no mythical animals). The books can differ a lot from each other- some of them are quest books, some are more static, but they're all pretty character driven.
http://www.goodreads.com/series/50144...
Sooz wrote: "Richard wrote: "Sooz wrote: "opps. i just noticed you were specifically looking for something with fantasy elements. Starfish is pure sci fi. you should read it anyway. it is soooo damn goo..."Okay. I'll still check it out. Thanks so much.
Brenda wrote: "Pick up a Dresden book and try it out. If you like it you will really really like it. If you don't, they do not change or differ, so you can stop in confidence that you're not missing anything."Good to know. I've heard similar things from other people about the Dresden Files.
Jen wrote: "You might also like the Darkover series by Marion Zimmer Bradley. It's quite a mix of science fiction and fantasy- mainly about the intersection between Earth-based space faring humans, and a fo..."
Character driven is where it's at. Okay. Everybody's been been really great with suggestions. Thanks so much!
If you don't mind reading something that is a little difficult, I think Steven Erikson's Malazan Book of the Fallen series would be right up your alley. It has a lot of different fantasy elements, but I don't think any of them are "high" fantasy. There are no elves, dwarves, or dark lords. The writing is amazing, and the series is as much literary fiction as it is fantasy fiction.
Richard wrote: "Groovy. Thanks for the picks. I'll put them on my list. Which do you recommend first? "Retribution Falls and Ex-Heroes. Both good, but different from each other.
Stan wrote: "If you don't mind reading something that is a little difficult, I think Steven Erikson's Malazan Book of the Fallen series would be right up your alley. It has a lot of different fantasy elements,..."I've heard a great deal about the Malazan books. My friend said it's even better than Game of Thrones. This I MUST check out. Thanks so much.
Trike wrote: "Richard wrote: "Groovy. Thanks for the picks. I'll put them on my list. Which do you recommend first? "Retribution Falls and Ex-Heroes. Both good, but different from each other."
I like the title "Ex-Heroes". I think I'll pick that one first. Thanks.
Richard wrote: "Stan wrote: "If you don't mind reading something that is a little difficult, I think Steven Erikson's Malazan Book of the Fallen series would be right up your alley. It has a lot of different fant..."As far as I'm concerned, it's the single best work of fantasy fiction I've ever read. I majored in English Lit. in college, and I've finally found a work that I can enjoy both personally and professionally. However, it takes a lot of investment on the part of the reader, and it's not "easy."
As long as it's great, I'll make the effort. Thanks so much!
If you need help, we have detailed chapter discussion for book 1-4 and the first 16 chapters of book 5, adding about 4 chapters every week over at Malazan Fallen
If you want real people in (very) strange situations, I recommend Brenda Clough's How like a God and its sequel The doors of death and life. I want to avoid spoilers, but ordinary people gain extraordinary powers and have to strive to remain connected to regular humanity.
I think next month's read has some mixed elements. From what I've read, Gaiman's new book is told through they eyes of two young children, a 7-year old and an 11-year old. I think it's also in a contemporary setting. After seeing a review of it today I'm looking forward to reading it.
by
Neil Gaiman
I have read the new Gaiman. Actually it is tightly in the POV of a single character, remembering a childhood adventure. It's nonstandard fantasy, but a fairly standard Gaiman, if you know what I mean.Larry, I am glad you enjoyed the novels. You can see what I mean, when I say I do not write usual books.
For a fun mix of science fiction and fantasy (with more than a dash of comedy), I recommend the Warlock series by Christopher Stasheff. The first novel is The Warlock in Spite of Himself.
For something set in a fantasy world, but no other races, just lots of different human nations/factions (and eventually (view spoiler)), I highly recommend the Liveship Traders series by Robin Hobb, with the follow-on series as well. There are different opinions on which one to start with, I think LT is a good place to start.
Paul wrote: "For a fun mix of science fiction and fantasy (with more than a dash of comedy), I recommend the Warlock series by Christopher Stasheff. The first novel is The Warlock in Spite of Himself."Just to second these books, they are very good (or at least I enjoyed them immensely which must surely be the same thing ;-)
Thanks, everyone! My list is stacked now. I'm really excited
Richard wrote: "Thanks, everyone! My list is stacked now. I'm really excited"Let us know what you think.
with all these recommendations I will second or third or fourth Lois McMaster Bujold and the Darkover series by Marion Zimmer Bradley...(For me--the Miles Vorgosigan series is great fun)
SciFi and Fantasy Book Club
Books mentioned in this topic
The Ocean at the End of the Lane (other topics)Starfish (other topics)
The Family Trade (other topics)
Prince of Thorns (other topics)
Elantris (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Robin Hobb (other topics)Neil Gaiman (other topics)
Lois McMaster Bujold (other topics)
Lois McMaster Bujold (other topics)
The problem is, I find that fantasy is hard to find that doesn't contain a lot of "fantasy" elements. Does anybody know of any other "fantasy" series that focus more on characters and the lot, rather than mythical creatures? I'm currently reading the Game of Thrones series now, but I want something a bit more obscure. Any help would be appreciated.