Fantasy Book Club discussion
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Introductions - tell us a little about yourself
Yes I've read the first 2 and planning to get to the third...soon, LOL.
Haven't even heard of them. Going to amazon right now. Thanks so much for the recommendation!!
The first series was very well written and the story quite engaging. Well worth the read.
As with Mike, I highly recommend it.
Enjoy.
sincerely,
Conrad
By the way...("he said knowing he was beginning to sound like a know it all", sorry) If you get the trilogy: The Deed of Paksenarrion, sometimes the cover says "Volumes 3,4 and 5 of the Paksenarrion Saga". That's misleading. The books considered volume 1 and 2 are prequels that take place long, long before the trilogy, don't bear directly on it and aren't really as good. Just thought I'd mention it as others have asked about that.The trilogy consists of :Sheepfarmer's Daughter, Divided Allegiance and Oath of Gold...
Okay so I love the books...I'll go away now.
Hello, everyone! I grew up reading the Oz books, and collected just about every fantasy book that came out for years. I was active in SF&F fandom back in the old days, especially the Atlanta scene, and still have many friends there. In my day, I've owned a used bookstore, gotten a library degree, and gotten to know and admire many good authors. I also got a Popular Culture degree somewhere along the way, specializing in Popular Literature and Media Studies.I drifted away from fantasy for many years, reading mostly mysteries and thrillers, until my son insisted I try Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time series. Like many others, I had time getting into Jordan's writing style, but at about the fourth book, I was hooked and have read the entire series about three times. It also got me interested in checking out other contemporary fantasy writers...and here I am :o]
I consider Jim Butcher to be the best urban fantasy writer working today, and Brandon Sanderson to be the best new fantasy writer working today. There are so many books out there I haven't read, there is no telling if this will change, but I'm off to a good start!
Hi Symmetry, welcome. I cut my fantasy teeth on The Wizard of Oz to (I lived on a small farm about halfway between Johnson City and Kingsport and had few books. I read this one till it fall apart. I also read the encyclopedia.) I look forward to hearing what you have to say and looking over your book list for suggestions.
Hi, Im Candace, biblioholic in all areas of fiction; however, since discovering Narnia in the Second Grade I have been happiest with a fantasy book in my hand. Some of my favorites are Swordspoint (I don't know why I don't hear more about this book, the second book in the trilogy is awesome also-Privilege of the Sword), Susanna Clarke (Strange and Norrell), and Carlos Zafon (Shadow of the Wind). I'm looking forward to everyone's comments and this group!..."Welcome Candace and BTW I love Swordspoint!! More Ellen Kushner loving! I met her once at a ALA (American Library Association) event...back when I was trying to break into publishing, and she was very helpful.
Welcome Jeni...are the Vampire for Hire novels the ones by J.R. Rain? I can't keep track of them all but I know J.R. Rain is on my radar often as he shows up in a lot of the "bestseller" lists.If you like free kindle shorts checkout Fantasy Freebies.
I am Jennifer, a stay-at-home/work at home mom from Florida. I have always been a book worm but not much into Fantasy. I always thought I wouldn't enjoy it. Then last year a friend said I had to read the Game of Thrones series. Well I loved them and have been hooked on fantasy ever since. I love getting recommendations on what to read next since I new to this genre.
Hi Jennifer, welcome. Glad you've discovered you love fantasy...you just opened up thousands of new titles for yourself.
Hi all,My name is James, and I spent most of my childhood trying to climb through the back of my closet into Narnia ;) I had plenty of time to do that, since I grew up in Sitka, Alaska where it rains... a lot. I've also lived in Oregon, California, North Carolina (where I met and married my high school sweetheart), and Hawaii (when I was in the US Army). Now we live in Montana with our "child", a Mini-Schnauzer named Jonesy :)
I've loved fantasy, and books in general, as long as I can remember. Some of my favorite authors are George R.R. Martin, Stephen King, Terry Goodkind, and Vince Flynn. There are lots more, but I thought I would keep it short and sweet!
I'm looking forward to making lots of friends in this group :)
Best wishes,
James
James, I used to do the same thing with my closet!!!! I read those books till they fell apart. Literally.Terry & Vince are two of my all-time fav's too.
So glad you joined us!
Hi James welcome...by the way, are you sure you didn't actually get through that closet wall and just never got back??????
Hello everyone. Lived lots of places but currently live in Florida. I've always been interested in fantasy books, but didn't realize until later how passionate I was about them. I made lots of mistakes in life and was a fugitive for seven years. To help me escape reality, I played online games like World of Warcraft. Eventually they caught me and I did four years in federal prison. I did nothing but work out and read books. I read fantasy books to escape reality, to escape all the negativity that surrounded me there. My favorite authors were RR Martin, Goodkind, and Steven Erikson. I liked this genre so much that I even wrote one while locked up. Fantasy books are what got me through prison. It's good to be among positive people again. Thank you all.
Hi Salman. Glad you're here and welcome. We'll all be lining up to recommend our favorite books and looking to see if you've read any books we've missed, enjoy.
I just realized I've been commenting here without introducing myself. I'm J.D. Hallowell, and, like many of you here, my favorite fantasy author is J.R.R. Tolkien. I've read and enjoyed to some degree everything from the Elric saga to the Earthsea books, and from Terry Brooks to Terry Pratchett. I tend to read in spurts, because I can't read other people's stuff while I'm working getting the stories in my own head out, but in the breaks between writing and spending too much time online, there's nothing I like more than reading fantasy and SF.
I look forward to hanging out and talking books with all of you here.
Hi J.D., welcome. I read when I'm working on a book, but find I have trouble if I try to read and write "cross genre"....
Mike (the Paladin) wrote: "Hi J.D., welcome. I read when I'm working on a book, but find I have trouble if I try to read and write "cross genre"....Hi, Mike! Good to meet you.
That's a really interesting perspective.
This sounds like a great conversation to have over at "Writers and Readers". I went ahead and started a thread, if you or anyone else wants to talk about this further without hijacking the Intro thread here:
http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/9...
Lady wrote: "Welcome to Goodreads, J.D.!"Thanks!
Hey everyone, I'm Sarah and I discovered fantasy only a couple of years ago. It's been my saving grace ever since. I work as a journalist, and one can only take so much crime and politics a day.Without the likes of Kvothe and Daenerys Targaryen (to name a few) I'd probably be banging my caffeine-overdosed head on some nondescript wall.
Looking forward to unwind with you all!
S.
Hey, everyone. I'm Tori, short for Victoria (hence the V).I've always loved fantasy, and devoured books when I was younger. The Oz books were my first series, and after I finished them I usually had four or five books I would read at a time.
I stopped for awhile when I got to high school, and spent more time with friends and videogames. I've happily made my way back after getting into GRRM and Brandon Sanderson, though, and am looking forward to reading more. (:
Most of my friends IRL aren't much for books, so it's awesome to see so many fellow fantasy lovers!
Hi guys. New to the site, but am most eager to dive in and see what all a true community of readers offers. Basically a LibraryThing convert, this site was recommended for its better community, and I'm definitely enjoying it thus far. I'm mostly into Fantasy/Sci-Fi/Thriller, and will hopefully be active in all three forum-wise. I'm really excited about this book club thing (have never been a part of one before), and will probably try it out with the next month's cycle.
Um, always willing to talk - I'm kind of the lonely reader amongst my friends, so there's never really anyone to get excited over novels and series with for me - hoping I can find such here :)
See you around, I guess?
Hi all, My names Ashley im new to this site. I have recentley started reading GRRM's A song of Fire and ice after watching the first season of Game of Thrones and i have fell in love with epic fantasies. I look forward to being introduced to more amazing stories and i hope to be an active member of this community :)
Hi, Tori!Hi, Kevin!
Hi, Ashley!
Welcome to the group.
HI! My name is Sonja. I am WAY older than the vast majority of you. I am an Air Force brat that has lived all over and am currently settled in Atlanta with frequent trips to Kansas City. While I enjoy both Science Fiction and Fantasy, at this point in my life I find myself more drawn to fantasy novels. Though that is getting quite tough as I do NOT like vampires. (And I am sick to death of vampires and werewolves.)As I have started reading many, MANY of our beloved series when the writers were first published, I am now to the point of only desiring to read series that are completed. (I tired of waiting for the WoT books WAY before Mr. Jordan died. and that is just ONE example.
I also get very involved with the characters in books I read. Therefore, I tend to like books with more conversation than description (I can create my own pictures - but I crave people) (Ok so all my pictures look the same - but does that REALLY matter?)
I look forward to sharing adventures with y'all.
Hi Sonja...didn't I just meet you in another group????:) Welcome.
Welcome Sarah, Tori, Kevin, Ashley (my middle name), and Sonja (who might not be WAY older than me)!
Sonja wrote: "HI! My name is Sonja. I am WAY older than the vast majority of you. I am an Air Force brat that has lived all over and am currently settled in Atlanta with frequent trips to Kansas City. While I en..."Welcome, Sonja! I bet you have some interesting stories with a parent that was in the Air Force.
Interesting preferences. I agree waiting for authors to finish series is very frustrating. I started reading Jordan's Wheel of Time series 18 years ago! I gave up because of the long wait between books. You prefer dialogue to detailed descriptions. Interesting. Don't pick up David Farland's work. LONG descriptions. Who are your favorite authors?
Kerry wrote: "I gave up because of the long wait between books."Yep. That was my problem as well. And I didn't love the characters enough to re-read them each time a new book came out. Especially when we started talking 6 or 7 (or more) 1000 page (or better) books.
Don't pick up David Farland's work. LONG descriptions. Who are your favorite authors?
Good to know about David Farland. He is on my list of "maybes."
My favorite authors seem to change up. Anne McCaffrey is she who addicted me to the genre. I still read all her (and Todd's books) as they are released, even though I find them less addicting as time goes on.
I have just finished both Lisa Shearin's Raine Benares series and Michael J. Sullivan's Riyria Chronicles. Absolutely loved both of them. I am currently in the "OMG what do I read NOW stage." Lisa's work tends to link back to urban fantasy and, well, see comment on vampires and werewolves. (Note: I dunno about Lisa, but I find this category totally ill suited for her series. The only thing, to me, that it has in common with urban fantasy is the light and fluffy aspect.)
Michael's work tends to link back to the same ole same ole Jordan, Martin, et al, that is everywhere. I cannot currently read anything that deep. And, yea, I don't want to have to wait for the next book. Sooooooo, lots of trips to the bookstore and lots of downloaded samples. (I tend to buy a new author when, after reading the sample, I am desperate to see what happens next.)
And, yea, I do have one or two stores of being an Air Force brat - but just one or two. But they are REALLY good. ;)
Sonja wrote: "Kerry wrote: "I gave up because of the long wait between books."Yep. That was my problem as well. And I didn't love the characters enough to re-read them each time a new book came out. Especially..."
LOL ;)
If I think of something fitting your bill I will pass it along. What comes to mind right now is City of Bones. Have you read Clare's work? Definitely set in urban surroundings and is lighter. I got through 2 of the books in that series and then ran out of steam. Too light for me. I think the series is completely published :).
Kerry wrote: "If I think of something fitting your bill I will pass it along. What comes to mind right now is City of Bones. Have you read Clare's work? Definitely set in urban surroundings and is lighter.I tend to shy away from young adult novels. My children get annoyed over this, but, alas, I do. I also do not really care for the urban fantasy trend. I read fantasy to get OUT of this world. :D It isn't exactly heaven at this juncture. :D
I am difficult. This I know. My husband laughs at me whenever I am on the great book hunt. (As he patiently waits for me at the book store while I read first chapter after first chapter) I've also been known to get halfway through a book and read the last chapter to see if I *really* want to finish it. Or, if the ending will need to be re-written.
Hopeless. Just, hopeless. :D
Hey everyone, I am from Wales in the UK and I love reading fantasy, Whether it is to escape,to appreciate the woven words or the hard to guess plot.I am currently reading The Wise Man's Fear by Patrick Rothfuss. my favourite authors areRobert Jordan
Patrick Rothfuss
Trudi Canavan
Joe Abercrombie
Karren Miller
I am also looking to make friends with people who enjoy those authors,add me if so.
Hello! I suppose I've been around for a few posts but haven't introduced myself yet. I'm Riley, from Iowa. I'm studying literature and linguistics at Iowa State University. Currently, I'm reading The Eye of the World and The Sirens of Titan and liking the former better than the latter. As far as favorite fantasy authors go, I'm a huge fan of Tolkien, Rothfuss and Martin right now. When I was younger, I was big into Tamora Pierce and DJ MacHale (and I'll still read them from time to time, so I suppose they count!)
Hi Riley, welcome. Good luck on Eye of the World. You'll get lots of input on the series. It's great through about the first 6 books and grinds to almost a stop. The last novel is supposed to be out soon (by Brandon Sanderson as Jordan died before finishing the series)...we hope it'll be the final novel anyway.
Riley wrote: "Hello! I suppose I've been around for a few posts but haven't introduced myself yet. I'm Riley, from Iowa. I'm studying literature and linguistics at Iowa State University. Currently, I'm reading T..."Riley, welcome to the group. Might I suggest that you pop over to our sister group (Fantasy Book Club Series or FBCS for short) where we're reading the entire Wheel of Time series (one book per month). To review the Eye of the World discussion, follow this link. We are about halfway done with the third book this month. Read at your own pace and post comments when and if you feel like it.
Ciao, Jon
Lee wrote: "Hey everyone, I am from Wales in the UK and I love reading fantasy, Whether it is to escape,to appreciate the woven words or the hard to guess plot.I am currently reading The Wise Man's Fear by Pat..."I'm also reading The Wise Man's Fear right now and I'm dreading having to finish it because it's just so good.
Lee wrote: "Hey everyone, I am from Wales in the UK and I love reading fantasy, Whether it is to escape,to appreciate the woven words or the hard to guess plot.I am currently reading The Wise Man's Fear by Pat..."Welcome Lee! I agree with your taste in authors. I particularly enjoyed Rothfuss's work. Can't wait for the next in that series.
Hello!I'm Ronald, Dutchman, living in the south of France. I travel a lot for my work and thus spend more time than I care for in transport. The only way to make this enjoyable is to read, and I read a lot. I never go anywhere without my book, and recently with my Kindle. As many I started reading fantasy & science fiction quite young, and although I try other genres from time to time I always come back to fantasy and a bit of SF.
I look for distraction, and do not try to read between the lines, or find any background message in any book I read. Escape from Reality is my main goal. (Not that I do not enjoy reality ;-)
Some of my favorite authors are (not in any particular order)
J.R.R. Tolkien
Frank Herbert
Robert Jordan
George Martin
Trudy Canavan
Robin Hobb
Stephen Donaldson
William Horwood
Wim Gijssen (Dutch)
Adrian Stone (New Dutch Fantasy Writer & Old Friend)
Terry Goodkind
I expect to add some new names to the list now that I see all your comments in this group. I have just started the Michael J Sullivan book (Theft of Swords) and I do like it so far!
Au revoir,
Ronald
Ronald wrote: "I look for distraction, and do not try to read between the lines, or find any background message in any book I read. Escape from Reality is my main goal. (Not that I do not enjoy reality ;-)"Welcome, Ronald! I read for the exact same reasons and I find your list of authors intriguing. I might also add, that I do not wish to HAVE to read between the lines. (Does this make me shallow? :D) I often argue with my English Teacher mother about what makes "great literature." Why is it defined by having to get in and study it in depth to understand it? If it is great, shouldn't I be able to just be able to read and enjoy? :D
I look forward to sharing stories,
Sonja
Sonja wrote: "Ronald wrote: "I look for distraction, and do not try to read between the lines, or find any background message in any book I read. Escape from Reality is my main goal. (Not that I do not enjoy rea..."for me it is usually like - if I like it, then I may want to go more into depth, if I dont like it, I wont finish it in the first place heh :P
Hi I am Bev from England. I am a SAHM with 3 kids. I am an avid reader and in the past have read load of fantasy and sci fi.I have a huge library of fantasy as I have been collecting for years and now I have a kindle too. I enjoy lots of different authors and look forward to joining in with the group.
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Fantasy Book Club
Books mentioned in this topic
The Name of the Wind (other topics)The Fault in Our Stars (other topics)
Prince of Fools (other topics)
The Whitefire Crossing (other topics)
To Ride Hell’s Chasm (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Michael J. Sullivan (other topics)Robin Hobb (other topics)
Patrick Rothfuss (other topics)
Daniel Abraham (other topics)
George R.R. Martin (other topics)
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The titles are Oath of Fealty, Kings of the North and Echoes of Betrayal. The series name is Paladin's Legacy.
I've ordered them but they haven't arrived yet.
Thanks for reading.
Sincerely,
Conrad