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The Best "Entry Level" Fantasy
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Felina
(last edited Feb 06, 2014 09:46PM)
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Feb 06, 2014 09:46PM
My first fantasy was the Dragonlance series, Dragons of Autumn Twilight more pointedly. On which I started my brother, two cousins and five friends on fantasy.
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Felina wrote: "My first fantasy was the Dragonlance series, Dragons of Autumn Twilight more pointedly. On which I started my brother, two cousins and five friends on fantasy."That was such a damn fun series to read.....I loved Raistlin.
Errr... Tried to read Dragons last year. Made it through half of it and gave up. I think it's one of those books that you have to read when you are younger.
That's a good point, Dawn. And I was younger. I might not like it as much since I've been Malazed...
Raistlin was my first book crush. Still one of my favorite characters. And always will be.
Dawn wrote: "Errr... Tried to read Dragons last year. Made it through half of it and gave up. I think it's one of those books that you have to read when you are younger."There are a lot of these.
I would recommend some Mercedes Lackey, too.
I read the first Dragon Lance trilogy. I'd been trying to get my son interested in reading and it was one of the first he read, so I read it. Not bad. It is probably more attuned to younger readers, but it's good. I keep meaning to read the other Dragon Lance books but never get to them.I'd also given him the Amber books (shameless plug for the books I recommended) and he liked them, also Conan the Barbarian helped get him interested in reading.
The first book I ever read that wasn´t a 50-page children´s book full of pictures was The Neverending Story, and I´ve been hooked on fantasy and reading ever since.
The book that really got me into fantasy was Wizard's First Rule. I wouldn't recommend it for a younger reader, maybe 14 and up because it has some brutal scenes but I do think it is good for first time fantasy readers. It's not as dense as a lot of other stuff out there that sometimes turns newbies off.
Being new to fantasy i've only read a few books. I've read the hobbit, the lord of the rings, the night angel trilogy, the first law trilogy and am currently reading the second instalment of the king killer chronicles. I've thoroughly enjoyed them all but am reserving judgement on the king killer chronicles until i complete it, although i liked the name of the wind. What other books does everyone recommend? I'm gonna read Brandon Sanderson next. I've been advised to start with Mistborn then i'll try the way of kings.
All my friends here know what's coming...have you found The Deed of Paksenarrion
? It's a trilogy in one volume and the fantasy I rate as my favorite after Lord of the Rings.
Thanks Mike. I'll check it out and add to my reading list.
Mike (the Paladin) wrote: "All my friends here know what's coming...have you found The Deed of Paksenarrion ? It's a trilogy in one volume and the fantasy I rate as my f..."lol!
Hey...at least I'm predictable! :)
Yes that is another excellent book, but the 2nd isn't out till May, (curses).Also Blood Song is fantastic...but the second in that series isn't out till July.
Ugh Blood Song is so good and my heart broke into a hundred pieces when I realized the second one wasn't out yet.
When i start reading a series i usually prefer to read it in its entirety. Patience isnt a virtue for me
Emily wrote: "Ugh Blood Song is so good and my heart broke into a hundred pieces when I realized the second one wasn't out yet."O_O
Mike (the Paladin) wrote: "Yes that is another excellent book, but the 2nd isn't out till May, (curses).Also Blood Song is fantastic...but the second in that series isn't out till July.
[bookcover:Blood So..."
And buying that one...
It's one of the best this year...well, sorry, last year. It's 2014. Still great book. I read it twice already.
....well, a matter of taste. I'm glad you like them.
Chris wrote: "We have to mention A Game of Thrones and series at this point, if we're recommending."IDK if I'd call GRRM "Entry Level."
It's more like an Advanced Course.
And then Erikson would be Collegiate Level... O_o
*my brain*
Oh yes, agreed. I was responding mostly to Gerard after he'd read all that stuff he listed...
Chris wrote: "Oh yes, agreed. I was responding mostly to Gerard after he'd read all that stuff he listed..."Oh, yeah!
I would second others who have suggested The Hobbit. It's a classic, with great storytelling.I think some of my early fantasy reads were books by Neil Gaiman. American Gods is one of my favorites.
Another author I would suggest is Chris Wooding, who does both YA and adult fiction. The Haunting of Alaizabel Cray, Storm Thief, and The Tales of the Ketty Jay series are all fun books.
I am suggesting Gaiman and Wooding because they're both strong writers, and their stories are usually very interesting.
Mike (the Paladin) wrote: "It's one of the best this year...well, sorry, last year. It's 2014. Still great book. I read it twice already."Curses! It will take 1 - 3 months to get here?! I know I could use Kindle, but I really don't like using a device unless I have to. Damn being an adult and using patience!
*stomps off to pout*
I got it from audible, now I can listen to it to. Pretty good reader so it's not a bad idea. Still worth waiting for I guess, 1 to 3 months? Why so long?
Amazon is crazy? I'm helping a friend out with babysitting for the next few days. If I get a chance, I'll stop by the local book store and see if they have a copy. I'm not overly hopeful...I can't read mass market (my double vision goes wonky with the newsprint paper) and I just prefer a real book to an e-reader. But, if I have to break down and use digital, I guess I'll embrace the new age!
Laurel wrote: "Amazon is crazy? I'm helping a friend out with babysitting for the next few days. If I get a chance, I'll stop by the local book store and see if they have a copy. I'm not overly hopeful...I c..."
The right eReader/device may even help your double vision as you can adjust the font, its size, the brightness, etc. all to create the most comfortable reading environment for you.
I'm sure it could, I guess I'm just a purist. I love the feel of a book, the weight of it, the smell of it, the texture of good paper. I'm sure a non-reader would think I sound like an idiot for saying so, but there is just something magical about a real book to me. An e-reader may be more functional, I know it saves my Dad with his arthritis, but I long for the real thing. Maybe I'm a romantic ;)If I can't find a copy, I'll break down. I promise!
No, I love paper books, hard covers, print. But I also like audios and I'll read e-books especially if a book is only available in that form.
I love love love my e-readers. Self-contained little worlds of reading bliss. No additional lights needed, no additional dictionary needed if I don't know a word, no pencil or paper if I want to jot down a note, no wrist strain from holding a book open, no back aches from lugging around whatever I happen to be reading. I love books, but you'll have to pry my e-readers out of my cold dead fingers to get me to give them up. And I may just haunt you if you did.
Becky wrote: "I love love love my e-readers. Self-contained little worlds of reading bliss. No additional lights needed, no additional dictionary needed if I don't know a word, no pencil or paper if I want to jo..."^ This! All of ^This!
I still appreciate paper books, but I love my ereader!
I love my ereader just for the convenience. If i take a notion to read a book its just at the touch of a button. Lazy, i know lol but I'm reading much more now. I understand what laurel is saying about the feel of a real book as i was initially like that but i bought a case for my kindle and leave it in when reading. It compensates a little bit.
It's funny - I've been only reading ebooks for a little over a year now. For a combo of reasons but I also have very bad eyes. Always have. And I found ereaders to be easier on my sight. But lately the backlight on the tablet models have been bothering me. Giving me headaches. So - to change things up a little I've been reading a few books (real books) between my ebooks. That was the plan anyway. Now I'm reading more books than ebooks. They have to be large paperbacks or hard covers though, I can't do small paperbacks anymore. And I've been mostly using my simple touch nook for ereading.
I find reading on a tablet device like kindle fire or ipad gives me a headache just like a laptop. I use Kindle, 6" E Ink Display for reading and i have no headache
Nienna wrote: "It's funny - I've been only reading ebooks for a little over a year now. For a combo of reasons but I also have very bad eyes. Always have. And I found ereaders to be easier on my sight. But lately..."Is the Nook Touch also backlit?
Thats one of the advantages I've found using a dedicated ereader vs a tablet. The Paperwhite lets you control the amount of light by degrees, or turn it off altogether.
My daughter has the Nook HD and has complained about the light bothering her during long reading sessions...then again, we just had to buy her her first pair of glasses this past weekend, so I don't know if it will still be a problem.
I use the main light in the room im in when reading. I find a well lit room is better than the backlight on the device
Between you all and my Dad, you're making the Kindle E Ink sound intriguing...But I still love my books! Our sunroom doubles as my library. It's my favorite place in the house. The dogs practically live in there. It has good vibes!
I read the books only released on mass markets on my iPad. Perhaps a dedicated ereader would be beneficial.
Dedicated ereaders is the future. Come over to the dark side lol
Nienna wrote: "But lately the backlight on the tablet models have been bothering me. Giving me headaches."I have the same problem with my Nook HD, so I can't read for long periods on that without a break. I don't have that problem with my Nook with Glowlight. It's e-ink and top-lit, not backlit, and it really does make a difference.
Gerard wrote: "I love my ereader just for the convenience."Same here! I travel with my Nook HD practically everywhere. I love that I can read my smut or books with ugly fantasy covers out in public without worrying about anyone judging me. :)
I use mine on the night setting all the time. It reduces eye strain and I find that I can read for long periods without any problems even when I'm on the computer all day for work.
Gerard, are you arguing both sides?!I do have an entry level fantasy question as well. I've never sat down to read any Brent weeks. I've read just about everyone else. Am I missing out?
I can't do the night setting. White text on black background gives me migraines. :(
My wife has a kindle, but I just can't get into it. I like seeing the pages so I know how far I've gotten and how much is left, and even though there's a counter on the bottom of e-readers, it's just not the same as holding the book in your hand.
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Ursula K. Le Guin (other topics)Larry Correia (other topics)
