please recomend a good fantasy series

[Devin]

Ive read the Wheel of time series to 7 then got a little bored. I have read brent weeks way of the shadows trilogy. and terry goodkind. I have read the game of thrones but dont want to contiue untill the series is done. The same goes for name of the wind.

[Jean]

How about Robin Hobb, starting with the Farseer trilogy? Assassin's Apprentice

[Kevin]

How about Steven Erikson's Malazan Book of the Fallen. The series was completed earlier this year with ten books in all.

[Jim]

Crap. I just lost a longish message with links recommending the following series:
Steven Brust's Vlad Taltos series
Roger Zelazny's Amber series
L.E. Modesitt Jr.'s Recluse series or his Corean Chronicles
Jim Butcher's Codex Alera series.

[Shannon]

How about Tad Williams' Memory, Sorrow and Thorn series? It's a completed 3 book series with the last book broken into two parts.

[Laurel]

A great fantasy series with an amazing overall scope but fun and highly readable books, I would recommend the Dresden Files by Jim Butcher. The first book in the series is Storm Front.

If you would like to try a space opera, I love the Miles Vorkosigan Adventures. Most people start with the third book in the series, which is the first to include Miles, The Warrior's Apprentice.

If you were becoming bored with Wheel of Time, I really think you'll enjoy these. Every book is unputdownable!

[Sandra]

I'm moving this to 'Series Discussions' since we have a whole folder that discusses various series.

[Richard]

Jim wrote: "Crap. I just lost a longish message with links recommending the following series:
Steven Brust's Vlad Taltos series
Roger Zelazny's Amber series
[author:L.E. Modesitt ..."

The first two series, definitely. Haven't read the other two, although I have enjoyed both authors in the past.

[Lianne]

Shannon wrote: "How about Tad Williams' Memory, Sorrow and Thorn series? It's a completed 3 book series with the last book broken into two parts."

I second this suggestion, MST trilogy was great, one of my favourite fantasy trilogies/series out there =)

Greg Keyes's Kingdoms of Thorn and Bone was a fascinating quartet, a bit different than other series and trilogies I've read.

Carol Berg's Lighthouse duology was also very good (and not too long!)

And anything by Terry Pratchett is always fun =)

[Handoko]

I recommend Jennifer Fallon's Hytrun Trilogy (Demon Child), all of Trudi Canavan's books (age of five, black magician), Warbreaker, Ursula K. Le Guin's Earthsea series.
I tend to like trilogy books, but warbreaker is exceptional.

[Joseph]

Thomas Harlan's Oath of Empire series. Shadow of Ararat is the first. Four-volume series; military alternate history fantasy involving a war between the Roman Empire (which never fell) and the Persians. Some really amazing set-piece battles, and it's over in four books.

[Cecile]

I definitely second the Farseer series and the Hythrun Chronicles, Robin Hobb and Jennifer Fallon are both great authors.

Don't miss the Second Sons trilogy by Jennifer Fallon, it's a great work of political intrigues and long-term scheme.

Warbraker is a standalone (great story), but for a series there's the Mistborn trilogy by the same author, Brandon Sanderson really has a knack of creating original magical systems.

All of these works are great stories with well-drawn characters, some must-read in my opinion.

[Handoko]

@cecile: thanks for the info. Definitely will read those books.

[Charles]

dokie wrote: "@cecile: thanks for the info. Definitely will read those books."

Don't know for sure if longer series are a no-no for you, but if not, I find that the very best-written and deepest series going is Janny Wurts' The Wars of Light and Shadow.

[Marilyn]

I was looking at this author and it looks interesting.
Should one read the The Stormwarden or are these series not related at all?

[Sandra]

Marilyn wrote: "I was looking at this author and it looks interesting.
Should one read the The Stormwarden or are these series not related at all?"

No they aren't. Start with Curse of the Mistwraith.

[Elizabeth]

Kevin wrote: "How about Steven Erikson's Malazan Book of the Fallen. The series was completed earlier this year with ten books in all."

Yep, I'd definitely recommend the Malazan series. Awesome. I haven't read book 10 yet - I'm gonna go back and read the first nine all over again. This is my Autumn treat to myself!

[Shannon]

I agree, the Malazan series is amazing.

[Brandon]

The Malazan series is excellent but they are not easy reads and be prepared for multiple story arcs and lots and lots of characters. There is not a single main character or even 3 or 4 main characters. Instead many of the books alternate between groups of characters. Also some story arcs alternate between books. Characters you enjoyed in one book you may not see more of their story until 2 books later.

[Joseph]

Brandon wrote: "The Malazan series is excellent but they are not easy reads and be prepared for multiple story arcs and lots and lots of characters. There is not a single main character or even 3 or 4 main charac..."

And don't some books, or some sections, have flashbacks to events thousands of years ago without making it easy to tell how they fit in the chronology? I read the first five books, but it was several years ago; really need to reread them and then wrap things up, because what I did read was brilliant.
Doees anyone have any reaction to the Ian C. Esslemont volumes?

[Brandon]

I thought Esslemont's volumes were excellent. He has a slightly different writing style than Erickson but everything he writes fits perfectly in the universe and there is no sense of discontinuity or a feeling of a different tone.

Yes Erickson does have flash backs to events that are thousands of years in the past without clearly spelling out how it connects to the current story arc. None of the "In the second age man the great house of blah rose to power but now you find it fallen" histories. It is more akin to giving you a glimpse into the past of some object or place or being that will have significance to the story. That said he does not spell it out for the reader.

That is one thing I love about the series, there is no hand holding. History is not a neatly compiled fact sheet to people who are busy fighting for their lives or on a mission, there is not always a convenient scholar of local history to explain everything. It feels much more real for the characters to only have bits and pieces of information based on their experiences.

[Kevin]

Another series I think is great is The Black Company by Glen Cook, great military fantasy.

[Maggie]

Brandon-thats what I love about Erikson too, he just gives us the puzzle pieces, and lets us put it together

[Solipsist]

A couple months ago I was looking for a new series and two series came up the most as being excellent, The Kingkiller Chronicle and Malazan. I really enjoyed The Name of the Wind and will definitely be reading the second in the series. Gardens of the Moon,however, has been collecting dust after I read the first few chapters. I've heard a few complaints about the scope of the series and I'll cross that bridge when I get to it (if I get to it), but what has stopped me in my tracks is the dialogue. I think it's just really bad. From the 'giggling' of the darker characters that abduct the fisher's daughter to Baruk's perception of Anomander's sword (where I stopped reading). My question is for those who understand what I'm trying to express and agree with me. (For those who don't understand or don't agree, that's fine. I respect your opinion, but it doesn't really help me with my question.) Does it get better? If I struggle through this book will it pay off later in the series as Erikson's writing matures? Or should I just look for another series? Thanks.

[Sandra]

Eddie wrote: "A couple months ago I was looking for a new series and two series came up the most as being excellent, The Kingkiller Chronicle and Malazan. I really enjoyed The Name of the Wind and will definite..."

I agree. I stuck it out through 3/4 of Deadhouse Gates. I understand why many love it but between the stupid dialogue and the gratuitous slime I decided it just isn't my thing.

[Cheryl]

The Green Rider series by Kristen Britain is pretty good, as well as The Castings Trilogy by Pamela Freeman. Or, how about The Magic Kingdom of Landover series by Terry Brooks?

[Larry]

Cecile wrote: "I definitely second the Farseer series and the Hythrun Chronicles, Robin Hobb and Jennifer Fallon are both great authors.

Don't miss the Second Sons trilogy by [auth..."

I liked the Brandon Sanderson's Misborn series and new [book:Drops from the Kingdom|12322002] series that is not as bloody

[Chris]

Just read Legend and loved it. I was wondering if the other books in the series were as good?

[Brandon]

Gemell writes some wonderful fantasy novels. I have not read all in the series since I read them in paperback and they were hard to find at the time.

One thing to note some of his series are not what most would consider a series. You do not always have the same characters or even related characters in some of his books. It is more that they are set in the same general area and major tribes/nations are the same.

Personally I really enjoyed Waylander and Legend. Some of his books about Druss in his younger days are not quite as good as Legend and feel more predictable.

[Sheriffkilla]

David Gemmell, Greg Keyes and Paul Kearney. If you want to lighten up the mood a bit try Discworld. It's not finished but the books can be read pretty much in any order and are great satire.

[Annie]

Tad William's Memory, Sorrow and Thorn is a good series.
Any Terry Pratchett.
Patrick Rothfuss The Name of the Wind.
Erikson's Malazan series is masterful.
I'm not a fan of Robin Hobb.
I find JK Rowling's writing and characters predictable, unexciting and quite tedious.
The Shadowmarch series by Tad Williams is ok.
Marion Zimmer Bradley the Mists if Avalon series...
Gotta go and take in the washing now. Back to reality.

[Razmatus]

Annie wrote: "Tad William's Memory, Sorrow and Thorn is a good series.
Any Terry Pratchett.
Patrick Rothfuss The Name of the Wind.
Erikson's Malazan series is masterful.
I'm not a fan of Robin Hobb.
I find J..."

about to check out MBotF and Kingkiller Chronicle as well :P

[Mach]

If i were you i would listen to Cecile and read Jennifer Fallon, i have only read the Second Sun trilogy but it was excellent gonna track down more of her books. Robin Hobb is always good start with the Farseer trilogy.

[Annie]

Haven't read the Darkover series yet Jaq, I'd actually forgotten about it. Thanks :-)

[Cecile]

Jaq wrote: "I love going back to visit Darkover..."

Agreed! Such a lovely dangerous place to be.
I especially like the clash of cultures between Darkovans and visitors from other planets: it's magic versus science.

[Jeannette]

Marian Zimmer Bradley's Darkover series is even better than her Avalon series in my opinion."

I have to agree.

[Alexander]

Well, how about these.

The Belgariad, and the sequel, The Mallorian series.
by the late David Eddings.

The Magician, The Empire Trilogy by Raymond E.Feist.

The Videssos Cycle, by Harry Turtledove.

other authors like Mercedes Lackey, Jennifer Robinson, C. J. Cherryh, Margaret Weis, Tracy Hickman, and Marion Zimmer Bradley.

And some classics mixed with new, Conan the Barbarian by the late Robert E. Howard, and many other famous authors.

[Amber]

I enjoyed Theft of Swordsand the rest of Riyria. I also love the southern vampire series by Charlaine Harris if you like supernatural series.

[L.E.]

Start with anything from David Gemmell - there are so many series covering most interests and are very good reads.

[Ragu]

i started loving fantasy novels after reading my first david gemmell book, it was echoes of the great song. loved it tremendously. heard he passed away few years ago real shame !

[Roy]

What about the series of books by George R.R. Martin that make-up 'A Song Of Fire And Ice'

[Razmatus]

thanks for recommendation and yea I read them already LOL :)

[Joseph]

And because I'm reading it myself right now, there's Glen Cook's Dread Empire series (A Cruel Wind: A Chronicle of the Dread Empire collects the initial trilogy). It's also actually completed now.

[Marc]

I'm reading the Clockwork Prince. I believe the first was Clockwork Angel. I'm enjoying the series.

[Igor]

Mistborn trilogy by Brandon Sanderson is not to be missed and also from the same author, The Way of Kings (Stormlight Archive) first book described simply as masterpiece :)

[Snarktastic Sonja]

Devin wrote: "Ive read the Wheel of time series to 7 then got a little bored. I have read brent weeks way of the shadows trilogy. and terry goodkind. I have read the game of thrones but dont want to contiue unti..."

You sound like you have my mindset. :D Some (completed) series that I enjoyed:


Michael J. Sullivan's Riyria Chronicles (begins with Theft of Swords) This is a relative newcomer in the fantasy market and Michael is an indie success story. If you read the blurbs and interviews, he had the whole series planned out before he started writing. And it reads like it. None of the shenanigans of earlier writers where I felt, "ok, be done with it already!" As an added bonus, Michael is very active on these forums.

Raymond Feist's Magician Trilogy (begins with Magician: Apprentice) (Really enjoyed this first trilogy and the one following where he wrote with Janny Wurts. The next couple trilogies in the series were readable as well, but after that, I found them a bit repetitive.)

David Eddings's Belgariad beginning with Pawn of Prophecy as well as his Mallorean series. I really enjoyed these, but some find them a bit simplistic. An additional hindrance: they are not available in digital format.

I am waiting on the Name of the Wind as well. Goodkind, Jordan and Martin wore my patience out. I actually quit reading Martin because I was tired of him killing off my friends.

Hope this helps! Good reading.

[Noelle]

I totally agree with Sonja. The three volumes of the Riyria Revelations are an excellent read. Michael J. Sullivan's writing is fluid, witty, suspenseful and funny ... each at its own time. They really are a great read.
There is also James Barclay and his series of The Raven, The Ascendants of Estorea, and Elves. I enjoyed every one of them. Tom Lloyd's series The Twilight Reign, and of course there is always Jon Sprunk's Shadow Saga. These are only but a few of the series I have read recently............

[Henry]

The four rigante books by David gemmell; Dread empire series by Glen Cook; Dark Tower series by Stephen king. Must reads,at least for me

[Lilyan]

I see that Brandon Sanderson pops up alot, I would recommend him too. I was very impressed with what he did with the Wheel of Time Series after Jordan's passing, and I actually would urge you to continue with WOT, I know that around the middle it gets pretty boring especially books 5,6 & 7 but then it picks up again. It's a shame that you got so far and aren't going to continue.

I've just started reading Mistborn: The Final Empire and I'm reallly enjoying it, I've actually holed myself up at home and have only taken a break from reading to come on goodreads and add it on my currently-reading list :P

I would also recommend Joe Abercrombie The Blade ItselfIf you like anti-heroic gritty fantasy you'd enjoy this

[Michael]

Noelle wrote: "I totally agree with Sonja. The three volumes of the Riyria Revelations are an excellent read. Michael J. Sullivan's writing is fluid, witty, suspenseful and funny ... each at its own time. They really are a great read."

Thank you so much (Both of you). Writing/publishing is not an easy profession and it is seeing comments like this that make it all worth while.

And as a way of paying it forward I would like to mention Anthony Ryan's Blood Song as a series that holds great promise. He has only one book out at the moment, but if the others in the series turn out as well as this one does - then it will be a fine series.