Fantasy Aficionados discussion
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Which Fantasy Author Did You Find Most Disappointing?
Tracey wrote: "I loved Pegasus - but I had no idea it was the first book of two (or howevermany). You're right - she ramped it up - and I was still looking at the pages I had left thinking "she can't wrap this u..."That was exactly my reaction to Pegasus too. I loved it, but was absolutely stunned that it didn't finish. I think if I had known it wasn't the full story, I wouldn't have been quite as upset.
Now when someone wants to read Pegasus I warn them that it's not a whole story. (i do like going back to the book and stare at the cover . . . so pretty.)I don't know how Robin could do that to us. I'll go back in my corner and grumble some more...
Mine is a half-in-half. I've really enjoyed Lord Dunsany's short stories but absolutely hated his novel King of Elfland's Daughter. The problem, to me, is the novel is basically a short story that is set on near-infinite repeat around a third to halfway in and only on whim did the plot find resolution. I came very very close to saying, The hell w/ it, but slushed through. I still read Dunsany's short work from time to time, but after a glowing recommendation from Lovecraft I was sorely disappointed in the novel.
I adored McKinley growing up. She taught me a lot about Fantasy and I still read The Blue Sword on a semi-yearly basis. Beauty also taught me about a lot of the gentleness fantasy could have. How day to day it could be. Love that too.As for Deerskin, I really didn't like it. I admire the attempt to write such a ghastly fairy tale. But it is incredibly ugly. She stayed true to the tale, which again, I admire. But it made for a horrific rape scene (which, if you are going to write rape, it SHOULD be horrific) and then all that time just wandering the forest--books with no dialogue really get to me after a while--and an awkward attempt to fit it in with Blue Sword. The book was a mistake, but a valient escape.
I haven't read the last couple by her, actually. She has gotten too big. She doesn't have an editor telling her to cut shit and stick to the point. I loved Sunshine for the vampire story, but if I had to read any more about baking I would have thrown the book across the room.
I loved Anne Rice when I was younger, but good lord did she go off the deep end. It made me kind of sad.
Denae wrote: "I loved Anne Rice when I was younger, but good lord did she go off the deep end. It made me kind of sad."^This. Anne Rice has issues.
I totally agree. Maybe she lost it with the passing of her husband?
Denae wrote: "I loved Anne Rice when I was younger, but good lord did she go off the deep end. It made me kind of sad."Apperently her husband was a devil worshipper or something, he wasn't an athiest he believed in God just didn't agree with him. When he died she found religion again. But now she says she can't agree with Catholics views on gays. Don't remember where I read this.
Anyway I totally agree she's nuts! Well actually she was always crazy but now she's boring too.
Jennifer! Immediately and with great haste run...RUN I say, and purchase Assassin's Apprentice by Robin Hobb :) I'll even spring for it if it'll help the conversion process ;)
Psssst, Jennifer. FYI there are some serious Hobb fans here. Watch out, or you'll be inundated with Hobbs book suggestions/ comments/ well-worn copies...(not that I'm one of the rabid ones; just forewarning you)
:)
Pshk. Why should she when we pimp her free of charge :)
I'll support Assassin's Apprentice; it was an amazing read. Something happened later in the series that started to sway my opinion somewhat lower, but it's been awhile and I need to re-read to put my finger on it. However, there's been so many great suggestions here that I haven't been doing much re-reading--nominations for monthly reads usually adds another 4 or 5 titles alone!
BUT, at all costs...avoid the Solder's Son series.Really.
Mike (the Paladin) wrote: "BUT, at all costs...avoid the Solder's Son series.Really."
Thanks for the warning. I'm just starting Assassin's Apprentice, though, and really looking forward to it.
Jennifer - I read 'Ship of Magic' and was also pretty meh about it. I'm reading 'Assassin's Apprentice' in August. If it doesn't do anything for me then I'm writing off Hobb forever.
Colleen ~blackrose~ wrote: "Jennifer - I read 'Ship of Magic' and was also pretty meh about it. I'm reading 'Assassin's Apprentice' in August. If it doesn't do anything for me then I'm writing off Hobb forever."
I tried Ship of Magic.
I could not get into it at all. It was just full of 'meh'.
Assassin's Apprentice, and the rest of that trilogy(also Tawny Man) are pretty good though.
I tried Ship of Magic.
I could not get into it at all. It was just full of 'meh'.
Assassin's Apprentice, and the rest of that trilogy(also Tawny Man) are pretty good though.
Jennifer wrote: "Somewhere I read a comment that "Ship of Magic" gets good later in the book...but if I have to work really hard at a book, I'm less likely to read it unless I have nothing better to do. I only hav..."I read the whole thing. I did think it got better towards the end of the book, but I'm not sure I'd say it got good. ;)
*hides from Grant and Dawn*
Ala - We'll see. I'm trying to keep an open mind about it going into AA. Considering I've not had much luck with Hobb (aside from SoM I've read a few short stories), and considering it's epiccy, which isn't really my thing in the first place, I don't have high hopes... but I'm not going into it expecting to hate it, and will be more than happy to be pleasantly surprised by ending up liking it.
I enjoyed reading Robin Hobbs' Rain Wilds Chronicles, so I think I'm going to like The Farseer Trilogy, which I've heard is even better. But, if a reader is really into fast-paced action and lots of magic as his or her fantasy preferences, Robin might not appeal to some of those fans. She seems to concentrate more on character development and slowly building a story to its conclusion.I hope you enjoy the Assassin's Apprentice, Colleen.
I'm not saying they're great or anything. That's Grant and Tracey's stance.
I just liked them, is all. Worthwhile reads, and short enough that you could do the trilogy in a weekend if you wanted.
It's got some issues that I'm sure you'll see, but overall it's still good stuffs.
I just liked them, is all. Worthwhile reads, and short enough that you could do the trilogy in a weekend if you wanted.
It's got some issues that I'm sure you'll see, but overall it's still good stuffs.
Ala - A weekend? I think you must read faster than I do!Cheryl - I can do character based as long as I like the characters, and they're well-written. Thanks for the well wishes. :)
I loved Soldier's Son trilogy, at least the first two books, but I know that I am one in a million. I did not like it when I first got the books, not until I read it a year ago.
Colleen ~blackrose~ wrote: "Ala - A weekend? I think you must read faster than I do!"
Maybe a three-day weekend?
At least it's not in one afternoon like Grant would.
Maybe a three-day weekend?
At least it's not in one afternoon like Grant would.
Lol..actually, contrary to popular belief, I'm not madly in love with the Liveship Traders series either. I do think it definitely adds to Fools story but besides that I could actually do completely without Liveship Traders and Rain Wild Chronicles.
It's the Farseer Trilogy and the Tawny Man series that I'm madly, deeply in love with :)
It's the Farseer Trilogy and the Tawny Man series that I'm madly, deeply in love with :)
Hmm...if the Farseer Trilogy averages roughly 500,000 words then that would take me roughly 15 hours at an average reading pace so it would have to be a Long ass day, Ala :P
15 hours he says.
like that's normal
he's an alien
like that's normal
he's an alien
Glad you're enjoying it so far Jennifer!
I, too, am loving Assassin's Apprentice so far. Fitz is really growing on me as a likeable character. There was one part, though, that made me very sad since I'm such a dog lover. :(
Cheryl wrote: "I, too, am loving Assassin's Apprentice so far. Fitz is really growing on me as a likeable character. There was one part, though, that made me very sad since I'm such a dog lover. :("I can tell, since your profile picture is a dog.
Kevin wrote: "I can tell, since your profile picture is a dog."It is a little obvious, isn't it? LOL!
I've been reading Assassin's Apprentice all day long. I just can't seem to put it down! This is definitely one of Robin Hobbs' best books I've read so far. Except, I've come across another sad part that almost made me cry!
Cheryl wrote: "I've been reading Assassin's Apprentice all day long. I just can't seem to put it down! This is definitely one of Robin Hobbs' best books I've read so far. Except, I've come across ..."Last week I read her Tawny Man series. Loved! But I "almost" cried throughout the last book. The most emotional I've felt reading.
Jennifer wrote: "Cheryl wrote: "I've been reading Assassin's Apprentice all day long. I just can't seem to put it down! This is definitely one of Robin Hobbs' best books I've read so far. Except, I'..."LOL, I know this thread is supposed to be about authors we've found most disappointing but instead we're raving about Robin Hobbs! Grant will be so proud of us. :)
My first foray into Robin Hobbs's books were the Rain Wilds Chronicles, which I enjoyed for the most part because they involved dragons. But, I did find them quite slow-paced and very much character-driven, which is okay if you like that sort of story. I haven't read any of the Liveship series yet and I'm not sure if I will. I'm finding the Farseer Trilogy a much better read so far and the Tawny Man series sounds good, too.
Your right, Cheryl! I'm very proud and really happy y'all are enjoying the series!
I read ship of magic, but haven't been able to get into the rest. Even Ship became a chore near the end.Ann Rice was always freaking crazed. Her little girl died shortly before she started writing vamp novels. I think when her husband croaked she did a one eighty and went back to her religious roots. Tho I am glad to hear she's standing against the Catholic stance on gays. That always confused me.
Recently, I've become disappointed in Robin McKinley. And I adore her early stuff!
I think Robin Hobb is overrated now just because how much its brought up on FA. Fitz first of all is ever more overrated as being a character that needs guidance and his hand held by the Fool or someone else all the way though, including the wolf.
Oh snap.
*gets popcorn, sits in a nice comfy chair, awaits fireworks*
*gets popcorn, sits in a nice comfy chair, awaits fireworks*
*grabs seat next to Ala, offers Milk Duds*
Oh, oh.*sits down beside Ala and Carol and hands out hardhats to ward off flying shrapnel*
Kevin wrote: "I think Robin Hobb is overrated now just because how much its brought up on FA. Fitz first of all is ever more overrated as being a character that needs guidance and his hand held by the Fool or so..."I think one of the reasons that her books keep getting mentioned on FA is because there's a group of us that are reading her for the first time. Do you think she's overrated or too popular? I for one am glad she gets mentioned so often. It made me read an author I normally wouldn't have. And I would've missed out on finding a new favorite.
I don't think she's over-rated at all. She has well developed characters, a complex storyline filled with suspense, intrigue, romance, action and politics. Her language is beautiful, her magic system is imaginative, and above all else, she has great readability. You just can't put them down!Plus, I think a trilogy of trilogies is wise - you don't have to commit to the entire series at once, but avid fans have a lot of material to access. All in all, I think she's one of the greatest writers in the genre!
I don't know if everyone would think that after reading the Soldier and Son Trilogy.
Well, I haven't gotten to them yet. But, I would argue that one bad work cannot make people forget what is one of the best written fantasy series of the day. I've never spoken to someone who disliked her Fitz series. In fact, any I have talked to flat out loved them, and usually want to re-read them. That's a powerful indicator of quality!
You add to your hypocritical repertoire, Kevin. I'm sure no one that knows you is even remotely surprised. You've lauded Robin Hobb yourself more than once but as usual thrive on creating controversy. I'm sure Robin is just crushed that her works being brought up so much in FA has singlehandedly made her over-rated. Shame on us. Shame, I say *rolls eyes*
Lol...your point of view changes with the wind, Kev. I could go back through some of these threads and find more than one comment you made about how Awesome Robin Hobb is. If you didn't delete them first that is. I don't care what your opinion was, if it was Genuine but your changes too often and too drastically to be taken seriously.
At least this time I gave my reason, I mostly don't like Fitz more than anything. On the other hand I loved the first two Soldier and Son books, they were amazing in everyone especially how great the world building is, the covers did help.
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Gwynna, I found Forgotten Beasts of Eld slow going also. no h..."
I just bought Spindle's End by her. I heard she's a great fairytale/mythic fiction author. Think I will be staying away from Deerskin.