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greatest book ever!
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Nick
(last edited Aug 25, 2016 12:21PM)
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Sep 06, 2007 11:26AM

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Weird, because I just started reading "Talon of the Silver Hawk", my first Feist book...
So, maybe?
--Kyle
So, maybe?
--Kyle

I haven't read too much by Feist, just the Riftwar Saga, Faery Tale, and Daughter of the Empire (the latter is co-written with someone else, and is my favorite of them—need to get the further books).
He is a good writer, and deserved to come to the attention of the public. However, I wouldn't call him an all time great, and the period where the main character is enslaved in the second book took the wind out of the sails for me.
Other authors of good, Tolkienesque epic fantasy include Terry Brooks (much derided by some people, but I really enjoyed his second book, Elfstones of Shannara); David Eddings (the Belgariad would be my favorite in this genre); Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman (they started with the decent Dragonlance Chronicles which was followed by the much better Dragonlance Legends and still better non-TSR projects).
Some similar series, but without the pure good vs. evil bit are Jennifer Roberson's Chronicles of the Cheysuli (the first two books are not as good as the rest), Melanie Rawn's Dragon Prince trilogy, and Lois McMaster Bujold's Curse of Chalion (I admit it, I'm behind and need to get her last couple books!).


but definitely, my favourite author would be terry brooks.. ;)
oh, and perhaps jonathan stroud could be taken into consideration? i just can't get enough of the bartimaeus' trilogy.. :D



And no, I tried Feist, he didn't grab me.
My most favorite fantasy of all (at least at this time in my life!) was Robin Hobb's Farseer trilogy, which is continued with The Tawny Man trilogy.


Wish I could remember exactly what I didn't like about the writing-- I just remember that I felt it was amateurish, maybe overwrought or maybe just breaking all the "rules" I learned at writers conferences-- though this also was shortly after I took a couple of short story writing classes, so it could be my tastes were leaning towards more succinct styles.



I do, however, remember details of Daughter of the Empire (Feist and Janny Wurts, I believe was the co-author). I read that one when I was ... well, we won't talk about how old I was then. But, yes, I also enjoyed the court intrigue.
My top fantasy would be the first 3 (or even 6) of the Dragonlance series, and the Farseer and Liveship Traders trilogies. Both Hobb and Weis/Hickman have a knack for creating memorable plotlines, entirely believable characters and worlds that are seamless.
