Introductions - tell us a little about yourself Showing 451-500 of 3,618

[Janny]

Hi Caleb - you have some amazing authors on that list, for someone your age! Obviously you don't always follow the beaten track. That's tremendous.

You might also likeThe Unlikely Ones by Mary Brown, the Tiger and Del books by Jennifer Roberson, almost anything by Dennis Mckiernan, and Michael Sullivan's The Crown Conspiracy.

[Mikki]

Hello! My name is Ori and I'm from the Philippines. I've been on GoodReads for a while, but this is the first time I really put any effort into it, so first thing I did was find this group! I love fantasy more than any other genre and have just recently fallen into a pretty hardcore infatuation with steampunk, so this is just the right thing!

My favorite author of all and beyond all time is Juliet Marillier, but I also love David Eddings, Neil Gaiman, Patricia McKillip, Terry Prachett, Jacqueline Carey, Dave Duncan, Tad Williams, Robin McKinley, Greg Keyes, Mercedes Lackey, Diana Wynne Jones, and China Mieville.

However, I have yet to finish any Tolkien. Still, hope that's not too much of a deterrent, and that I'll love it here!

[Janny]

Hi Ori - you love Juliet Marillier, also try Sarah Zettel's Isavalta books, and Carol Berg.

[Charles]

I am new to the group, age 60, a retired lit. professor, though not the stuffy kind. Fantasy fan since 1965. I am also a musician by profession: folk, rock, blues, flamenco, guitar and vocals.

Favorites (in no particular order): Tokien, Janny Wurts, Donaldson, Feist, Jordan. Also enjoy and like about 50 other fantasy authors. Looking forward to Mistwraith discussion.

[Sunni]

Hi All! I remember meeting some of these authors or watching their panels at some of the Cons I attended over the years. Dave Duncan has to have one of the best humors ever.
Any recommendations on Fiest's best series? Also, any recommendations for a style similar to Sara Douglass? My absolutely favourite fantasy author to date. I hoping to find something similar....I jut adore her plot twists, surreal worlds that are never what they seem and all the good versus evil (who is often really good) etc. Too often the books I find have predictable story lines so I think that is what I appreciate about her books the most. If you haven't read Wayferer Redemption Series give it a shot. Her character development is terrific and I could hardly put them down.

[Jim]

Sunni wrote: "Any recommendations on Fiest's best series? ..."

I'd suggest reading the two Magician books; Apprentice & Master, then read the Empire series he wrote with Janny Wurts (who is here on GoodReads) & then finish up with Silverthorn & A Darkness at Sethanon. That string is the best, IMO. The additional series, like the Serpent War Saga, were OK, but built on the original Riftwar saga. The Empire trilogy that breaks it up is a must read. Lots of information & great action in it.

[Charles]

Hi, Sunni,
I concur with Jim, certainly on two points
The Magician is a MUST READ for classic fantasy
Likewise The Empire Trilogy with Janny Wurts

If you seek a series with twists and shifting perspectives, from a woman author, I highly recommend Wurts' Wars of Light and Shadow series, which begins with Curse of the Mistwraith.

[Marc]

Ori wrote: "My favorite author of all and beyond all time is Juliet Marillier"

Ori, here's a link for you:
http://writerunboxed.com/2006/10/20/i...

Since you appreciate both Patricia McKillip and Dave Duncan, I hold out some hope that you will enjoy my own two novels, The Flame in the Bowl Unbinding the Stone and A Warrior Made

[Marc]

Sunni wrote: "Any recommendations on Fiest's best series?"

I hope he has one. All the books I've read by him, mercifully few, have been the sort I would put in the guest bedroom, or treat insomnia with.

[Mikki]

Looking forward to reading those recs, Janny! I can't find the Isavalta series over here, but I think found a few Carol Berg books the other week.

Also, thanks for the link, Marc! I'd be glad to give your novels a go.

[Sunni]

Thanks Marc for the link. I am curious already. Characters at the mercy of perceived destiny and gods is right up my alley (Sara Douglass).

Dear Ori,
I am also curious about steampunk...? What is that? As I showing my grand age of 35 here???

Thank you Charles & Jim for the notes on Feist. I read a few of his books years and years ago and got a bit lost in them but all the while I got the sense that I was missing something and they weren't quite clicking for me. I suspect I was reading them out of order. We shall see.

Charles, for Wurts War of Light & Shadow series...who is the author?

THANK YOU

[Charles]

For Sunni,
Please excuse my unclear information, San Fransisco (my favorite city) Lady.

The series is The Wars of Light and Shadow, which is now into 8 or 10 volumes. The author is Janny Wurts, one of our more active major league Goodreads and Fantasy Club authors.
The first book of the series, Curse of the Mistwraith, is the July discussion book for the Club.
Janny's series is deep and complex, with a very lyrical, even poetic style. Her characters evolve and you find yourself re-evaluating everything. Very good stuff.

[Jim]

Janny also paints her own cover art. Multi-talented lady. Writes well. About the middle of a book, she has a climax, lets down a little & at the end, she slams you. Fun reads.

[Jon]

Jim wrote: "Janny also paints her own cover art. Multi-talented lady. Writes well. About the middle of a book, she has a climax, lets down a little & at the end, she slams you. Fun reads."

Ack! I shouldn't have read your post. I'm only 2/3 finished with Curse. :)

[Charles]

For Jon
No problem about Curse. It is so full of crucial/essential set up for the series that there is no real let down. Janny just likes to begin a new part of the story at the end of a book, to leave you breathless for the next part. It is after all a series.
Yes, Jim, a fun read, indeed.

[Alex]

Hello geeks
Love reading anything fantasy books in particular, the best authors I have read are;
Tolkein
Robin Hobb
David Gemmel
Robert Jordon
Terry Brooks(long time ago)
also Pu Songling (1640-1715) a chinese writer who wrote alot of supernatural stories set in ancient china, they are collected in the 'Liao Zhai Zhi Yi, or Strange Stories from a Chinese Studio.' Still awsome today.

[John]

Welcome aboard Alex and everyone who missed. This list was updating and I wasn't receiving any notifications... weird.

[Sunni]

Hi Charles,

Thanks for the clarification on Janny. I have just joined the club so frankly I am still learning my way around the site etc. San Francisco is a great city, particularly if you like a multi-cultural environment and are a foodie. Not to mention the amazing used books stores. Most women shop for shoes. I get my kicks from books. Looking forward to July's read - it sounds right up my alley.

[Alex]

Yeah I know what you mean Sunni, a second hand bookstore is probably one of my favourite structures on the same level with a homely pub. I live in Australia, and there is a city called Bowral not far from Sydney, just outside Bowral there is a huge barn like buildiding that has been converted into a second hand bookstore. Wonderful place.

[Alex]

Thanks John.

Can anybody give me some recommendations about a good fantasy book. I am looking for something dark and gritty, heroic in the style or tolkein or gemmel but with a bit of savage realism in it. But not melodramatic and menstral like Jordon though(All those Aes sedai do is argue and cat fight). Something with a high standard of writing aswell.

[Chris]

welcome Kate, Ori, Sunni, Alex, Charles, and Caleb...

Alex - George R.R. Martin's Song of Ice and Fire series should fit your bill...

[Brandy *Ahviel*]

have you guys seen the book called "the blood of elves" by Andrzej Sapkowski? he wrote the last wish.
if anyone has read it can you please let me know what you thought it looks really good

[Sunni]

For Alex,

Ahhh..the joys of a homey pub. Spent two weeks in Ireland recently and have yet to find a pub to top them though London came close. Who doesn't love Australia!!!??

[Saltie22]

Hi, my name is Dylan and I'm from Ireland. I only joined goodreads recently, but the first thing I did was join this group! I love fantasy and my all time favourite book (so far) is The Magician by Raymond E. Feist . I also love authors such as: Garth Nix, Neil Gaiman, Terry Brooks, Trudi Canavan, Jonathan Stroud, Joseph Delaney,J.R.R. Tolkien, Philip Pullman and lots more...

[John]

Welcome to the group, Dylan. Hopefully we can find a lot more authors to add to your list :-).

[Kami]

I'm Kami, and I love Fantasy books! My favorite authors are Lloyd Alexander and Raymond E. Feist.

[John]

Welcome aboard, Kami. Wow, haven't read Lloyd Alexander's books in many, many years. Forgot all about him in all honesty :-). I remember really enjoying them, though.

[Heather]

I'm Heather from Fresno, CA. I am a Social Work Assistant Director and Psychology Adjunct Faculty for two local community colleges. I love to write, and have done so since childhood. However, I tend to keep myself to busy to do more than dabble.

I've known Jean for some time as Sisters in the White Ajah at tarvalon.net and on TerredAnge.net where I am a Founding Member and Adept of Balm House.

I enjoy Fantasy, but tend more toward Sci-Fi. However, some of my favorite Fantasy authors (in no particular order) are:

Tolkein
Jacqueline Carey
Robert Jordan
Neil Gaiman
Mercedes Lackey
Greg Keyes
C.S. Lewis

I am definitely open to suggestion, being not as well-versed in Fantasy as Sci-Fi :D

[Chris]

Welcome Dylan, Kami, and Heather...

[Alex]

\Dragondoom--one of the best and coolest fantasies I've ever read. Two of the strongest characters and I loved them so much. I will never forget this book.\

Hi Paul, you just showed me the book that I have been searching for for so long. DragonDoom, I cant even remember how old I was when I read this, but it was probably the first fantasy I read after Tolkein. Until now I had forgotten the name of the book, but every now and then I would think up the plot and wonder what the book was. This book really moved me when I read it and I have had a massive series of flashbacks now that you have reminded me of the name.
Thanks alot, I know what you mean this book is unforgetable.
Cheers

[John]

Welcome to the group, Heather. Hope we can recommend some good fantasy novels for ya.

[Marc]

Heather wrote: "I am definitely open to suggestion, being not as well-versed in Fantasy as Sci-Fi :D " My suggestions would be anything by
Lois McMaster Bujold, Tanya Huff, Dave Duncan, Lawrence Watt-Evans, and of course my own books, The Flame in the Bowl Unbinding the Stone and A Warrior Made. Happy reading!

[Jaime]

Hi everybody! My name is Jaime and I am new to the group. I have always loved fantasy fiction, LOTR, The Hobbit, The Saga of Recluce, the Sword of Truth, Neil Gaiman, and so on. Gotta love the magic!

[Sara]

I'm Sara and I'm from Houston, Texas. I work full time, go to school part time and am in the process of raising a 2 year old. I love to read and will read just about anything you put in front of me (and seeing all the books listed here, my "To Be Read" list is going to expand!). I am looking forward to the next book!

[John]

Welcome Jaime and Sara. Wow, this group is just growing by leaps and bounds...

[Chris]

Welcome Sara and Jaime.....like John said.....

Those TBR lists will be growing...

[Brittany]

Hello, I'm Brittany and I'm pleased to join good reads and this group! I've always been interested in fantasy novels, starting (of course) with the infamous Robert Jordan. I'm currently reading through Brent Week's Night Angel's trilogy. I love Niel Gaiman, Brandon Sanderson and George RR Martin but I'll pick up just about anything fantasy that catches my eye.

I'm 26 and an aspiring author, with a BA in Psychology with an English/Creative writing minor.

[John]

Welcome to the group, Brittany. I hope we can point you toward a few more great fantasy authors :-).

[Chris]

Welcome, Brittany....you have some good authors there already...

[Alex]

I will look into it Chris. I read an excerpt online, it looked promising.
Thanks.

[Marc]

Hi Brittany. I was a Psych major for a while, went into Philosophy instead with a Psych Minor.

[Aleks]

I am so excited to join this group. I began reading fantasy stories with the Harry Potter series, but I have been moving back in time, with Merlin, and dragons, etc. I read Fantasy alot, and I love it! Especially Lord of The Rings, it's a page turner!
Can't wait to read more!

[John]

Welcome aboard, Aleks. There are a lot of really great fantasy novels out there. Check out the recommendations thread in this group if you want a "to read" list several hundred books long ;-).

[Willie]

Good 2 have u aboard lol

[Karyn]

Hi,
I'm Karyn, I'm from Donegal, Ireland and I'll read pretty much everything as long as it's good. Favourite authors include but is not limited to Tolkien, J R Ward, and I'm starting to really like Trudy Canavan.

[Chris]

Welcome Aleks and Karyn.....great to see so many new members

[Bobbie]

Welcome Aleks and Karyn and good morning to everyone! I'm glad to be here, and I'm glad you've joined us, Aleks and Karyn. I'm a fairly new member myself.
Bobbie

[[deleted user]]

Hi Karyn and all the other new members who have joined recently. A big welcome to our group to you all !

[Marc]

Karyn wrote: "I'm starting to really like Trudy Canavan."

I enjoyed her Black Magician trilogy, as well as the Circle of Five. I haven't heard such good things about her latest work, though.

[Bobbie]

Hi JJ! Thanks to you and all the members who have welcomed me and the others.
Bobbie

JJ wrote: "Hi Karyn and all the other new members who have joined recently. A big welcome to our group to you all !"