looking for a new series... help

[Kurt]

i'm looking for an interesting read, something with a good heaven/hell face-off, an exciting anti-hero any recommendations?

[Leighann]

I really enjoyed the Night Angel series by Brent Weeks. While it does not really have the heaven/hell face off - it is a great anti-hero story.

"For Durzo Blint, assassination is an art-and he is the city's most accomplished artist.

For Azoth, survival is precarious. Something you never take for granted. As a guild rat, he's grown up in the slums, and learned to judge people quickly - and to take risks. Risks like apprenticing himself to Durzo Blint.

But to be accepted, Azoth must turn his back on his old life and embrace a new identity and name. As Kylar Stern, he must learn to navigate the assassins' world of dangerous politics and strange magics - and cultivate a flair for death."

[Jean]

what have you read? A Song of Ice and Fire? The Malazan series? The Black Company? Codex Alera?

[Kurt]

ive read a song if fire and ice. im definitely gonna look at the others, and thats for that insightful response leighann.

[Jason]

What do you mean by heaven and hell face-off, Kurt? Do you mean a story involving a literal war between heaven and hell? Or do you mean good vs. evil?

As for anti-hero, I'd go with The First Law trilogy by Joe Abercrombie, if you haven't all ready. Every character in that one is shady. And it's tons of fun to read! The first book is The Blade Itself.

[Kurt]

thanks jason and yes i wanted to read something specific with a sort of angel / demon face-off.

[Jerrod]

Try the Deepgate Codex for that heaven/hell. It's a trilogy with a prequel (by Alan Campbell)

[Kurt]

thanks jerrod will do. im forming a list.

[Words]

I don't know what type of books you enjoy, but you might try Banewreaker and Godslayer by Jacqueline Carey. It's more a question of Good vs Evil than angel vs demon, but it has a great anti-hero considering the perspective is told from Evil's point of view. :) The storytelling style might be a bit ponderous if you're looking for something more action packed, though.

[Jason]

Although not a book, the movie series The Prophecy is a good story about a war between heaven and hell.

[Stephen]

Kurt wrote: "i'm looking for an interesting read, something with a good heaven/hell face-off, an exciting anti-hero any recommendations?"

If I may be so immodest as to bring up my own work, the Parsina Saga is set in a universe based on Zoroastrian philosophy, the ultimate dualism, and the 4-book series is all about a showdown between good and evil. Start with the first book, Shrine of the Desert Mage, and see how you like it. I think you will.

At any rate, good luck with your quest. Good vs. evil is certainly a classic theme in fantasy literature.

[Kurt]

thank you Stephen i will check it out, im currently reading the black company series... but i paused to play that new fantasy game fable 3, lol. however as soon as im done ill purchase your books. thanks for the response.

[Kurt]

i must say the deepgate codex started off fine, but i was disappointed in the lack of character development and the tempo of the books drifted so much i couldnt get attached to any particular character, aww well it was still an enlightening concept.

[Jason]

Hey Kurt. How's Fable 3? Is it better/worse than part 2?

[Stephen]

Kurt wrote: "thank you Stephen i will check it out, im currently reading the black company series... but i paused to play that new fantasy game fable 3, lol. however as soon as im done ill purchase your books. ..."

Kurt,

When the time comes, you can check out a free preview on Google.

[Kurt]

@stephen sure thing!
@Jason its awesome, lol lots of improvements over the previous installations.

[Jerrod]

Kurt wrote: "i must say the deepgate codex started off fine, but i was disappointed in the lack of character development and the tempo of the books drifted so much i couldnt get attached to any particular chara..."

Yeah, I'd agree, but I felt that the environment was so rich that it was worth overlooking a few things.

[Kurt]

oh i enjoyed it i was just looking for more, however i just finished "Towers of Midnight" Wheel of Time #13. Awesome read now i cant wait for the last two lol.

[Budo]

Hi, Kurt. I love the faceoff theme too. If you are looking for a new read, I invite you to check out Perception of Evil. If you have Kindle for your PC or have a reader, there is a 40 page free sample and I have posted several teasers on my facebook fan page. The extras are under the discussions tab, and a few other authors have left links to theirs as well. Check it out and let me know what you thought :)

ww.facebook.com/pages/Budo-von-Stahl/...

[Jerrod]

Kurt wrote: "oh i enjoyed it i was just looking for more, however i just finished "Towers of Midnight" Wheel of Time #13. Awesome read now i cant wait for the last two lol."

Glad to hear, I've got all the books to date, and I'm getting ready to start the Great Re-Read in time for the last novel.

Yeah, I think Alan Campbell has a lot of potential, he just needs to work on a few things. No to bad for a programmer turned writer though.

[Stephen]

Kurt wrote: "thank you Stephen i will check it out, im currently reading the black company series... but i paused to play that new fantasy game fable 3, lol. however as soon as im done ill purchase your books. ..."

For people who want a sample before they invest in a whole new fantasy series, I'm providing an electronic excerpt from my 4-volume Arabian Nights-style Parsina Saga free of charge. The Djinn Garden is a self-contained novelette. It's available in multiple electronic formats, including PDF for those who don't own an ereader device. The books themselves are available both as paperbacks and as ebooks. I hope you'll try it and, even more, I hope you'll enjoy it. All feedback is welcome.

[Stephen]

I'm very proud to point out that there's a nice article about my Parsina Saga this week on the Beyond Worlds blog. It includes some insights into how the series was created, as well as a small sample from the first book, Shrine of the Desert Mage.

[Chelsea]

Stephen wrote: "Kurt wrote: "i'm looking for an interesting read, something with a good heaven/hell face-off, an exciting anti-hero any recommendations?"

If I may be so immodest as to bring up my own work, the Pa..."

Hi Stephen, this sounds good, thanks for posting! I'll check out the Djinn Garden.

[Stephen]

Chelsea wrote: "Stephen wrote: "Kurt wrote: "i'm looking for an interesting read, something with a good heaven/hell face-off, an exciting anti-hero any recommendations?"

If I may be so immodest as to bring up my ..."

Thanks, Chelsea. Enjoy!

[Jon]

Have you read the Elric series by Moorcock? Or The Black Company by Glen Cook?

Both feature morally-ambiguous protagonists, and struggles between Good-Evil.

[Traci]

Try The Dark Tower Boxed Set by Stephen King for both anti heroes and good vs evil. (I think)

[Danielle The Book Huntress]

I've read one of the Elric collections put out by Del Rey. I really liked it. Moorcock wasn't afraid to show a hero that was whiny and self-pitying and a cry baby. I also like that Elric has physical weakness and limitations that he has to work around.

[Terry]

awesome anti heroPrince of Thorns