Printable View
Mercededs LAckey, well they are good just umm avoid definetly Fairy GOdmother (its a romance with fantasty too much sex)
ummm I love the Robin Mckinly books but I have a feeling they are more girl orientated books.
Terry Pratchett is fantatstic
and Piers anthony's Xanthia books are sort of similar in a round about way and again no sex even though this is a major joke point in the books being The Adult Conspiracy :D
Robin McKinley certainly isn't 'girl-oriented'. 'Sunshine' is right there behind 'I am Legend' as the best vampire book I have read.
have you ever read Beauty??? that is girl oriented as is Spindles end and I only said I have a feeling, there are no boys in my family so I only have steryotypes to go on....:D The robin hood one cant think what its called somthing SHerwood is good.
The beasts of eld was a good book to umm Patricia A. Mckillip
Since Beauty's a rehashing of the old Grimm's fable, I doubt I'll ever be reading it.
Hasn't she done 'two' takes on that particular legend?
I wouldn't say that the Redwall series is entirely geared towards minors, a lot of them would get confused over the many dialects spoken in the books. Sometimes, I can hardly keep them straight! I'll second Piers Anthony's Xanth books, keeping in mind that there's a lot of tounge-in-cheek mention of sex but still no sex. The Arthur ledgends are great, try The Pendragon Chronicles by Mike Ashley and Roger Zelzany's Amber series.
If you're looking for a 'girl-oriented' Fantasy, try Wicked by Gregory Maguire. Not sure whether to classify it as fantasy, but I would say it's more fantasy than pop fiction for sure. I think guys would enjoy it just as much, but I know that I'm fairly new to the whole genre and I WANT to get into the more heavy fantasy series' and such, but this was a good start for me. Baby steps, people...but no, really...I'm glad this thread is going because now I can start a massive new list of stuff I want to read. Thanks, a lot folks. My bank account loves you. :)
yep Beauty and Rose daughter. both beauty and the beat but Beauty was the first one 1970's and the one the Disney film is based on.
Hero and the Crown is another good book I think Ill actually go reread that later tonight. The only book I havent read of hers yet is Blue Sword but unfortunatly thats out of print :(
The redwall books are a bit gruesome arent they, I eventually gave up on that series after reading the one about Martin the warrior.
humm satine Wicked is a rehahing of somthing else isnt it ?? Actually thats a point I LOVE rehashings of legends/fairy tales etc I love nowing the background and being able tos ee all the twists in the story so if anyone has any idea of anymore of these please id love to kow about them.
Satine if your going for baby steps start with Tamora pierce or Mercedes Lackey easy enugh slide into the genre since Im not sure all of their books fully "qualify " as such. Actually com eto think of it Tamora pierce has begumn to wear thin as Ive got older so depending on your age you may not like them at all. (they are classified as young adult books).
Time travellers wife is Fantasy if you ask me but Its not classified as such in library (ours at least) because it is more about their relationship then the slight time travelling fluke.
What defines a Fantasy/scifi any way??
hmm... i've read wicked, but it's not really the kind of fantasy i have in mind. interesting, though, albeit somewhat strange and illogical. but hey, it's based on an equally-strange book.
i was going to get some of the redwall series, but just because there are so many books in that, i was led to believe it might not be so good after all. but maybe i should give it a shot.
as for tamora pierce, i made an attempt at one of her books (the one with the twins), but i couldn't get myself through it. maybe it's too...girly? or the language is too contemporary? or maybe the picture on the cover is too "cheapy"? i don't know.
ooh, yes, i know there's a sequel to eragon, but it's probably not in the library yet, and i'm too cheap to get myself a copy. :p
currently reading peter pan. :D
underground twins???
Was one trying to be a knight or was it another one.
Because if its not the first one with alana then the book your talking aboout is somthing like the 9th book in the circle of magic series which just is as good as the tortall series and the second tortall series ( the immortals series has got to be the best , or maybe the new Trickster duo is good.
I didnt like eragon but I d know the sequel came into our libabry lat week (i had to stamp it) :D
Ok, trying to cover all the great points you made here.Quote:
Originally Posted by Nightshade
1) Yes, Wicked is a rehashing of sorts, but I found it a fascinating spin on an old story, and I think Gregory Maguire did a FANTASTIC job of it. I didn't find it cheesy at all. Very well thought out, put together, and completed. He IS coming out with the sequel to Wicked called "Son of a Witch" in October, and I can't wait to get my hands on it. Picks up after the death of Elphaba and tells the story of what became of Liir, her son...should be good reading.
2) Never thought of Time Traveler's Wife as a fantasy, at least not in the traditional sense. Always saw fantasy's as sword-fighting, battle between good and evil, lots of crazy characters and back-stories going on, some of them finished and some of them hanging when the story is done...that type of thing. TTW seems more like a sci-fi novel to me...takes place in modern day Chicago and basically reads like a traditional fiction novel with the twist of time travel.
3) What classifies Fantasy/Sci-Fi? Well, many say that Fantasy/Sci-Fi shouldn't even be classified together, which is a valid argument and probably very true. I think anymore, with writing styles evolving so much and the bar being set not only higher, but in different directions all-together, it's hard to put a lot of the newer books into categories at ALL. I mean, the bookstores have to do it, so they put a lot of books in places I don't think they should BE, but they don't have much choice.
Both Wicked and Time Traveler's Wife are classified as "Fiction" but they are more fantasy than anything else. I also think that readers that shy away from the Fantasy/Sci Fi section would probably never pick up either book if they had been classified as such, and so they are put into "Fiction" to get more exposure. That's my my two cents, although I realize that I wrote a whole lot more than that in this post!!
The first Redwall books are good, but the more recent ones are...not. But the thing is, I think it's a series you have to get hooked on in about the third grade to really appreciate. Yes, I got hooked. But if you do want to give them a shot, go for it. They're great sick day reads.
*winces at Tamora Pierce critique* I agree, the writing in 'Alanna' is very weak, but there's something endearing about the plot and characters, and it was Ms. Pierce's first novel. You can really see the improvement--by the time you get to 'Lioness Rampant,' the fourth one in that quartet, it makes some great reading. Like Nightshade, though, I'm especially fond of the Immortals quartet. On the other hand, I didn't like the Circle books nearly as much, but 'The Will of the Empress' is definately heading in an upward direction. Oh--and yeah, whose idea were those covers, anyway??
I'm not sure if these have been reccomended yet--I'd read all four pages, honest, but it's just all this homework... ;) Anyway, Underground, have you read Jane Yolen and Diana Wynne Jones? Sounds like you'd like 'em. They're both quite prolific, just go to the library and you're sure to find something. Patricia C. Wrede, as well--her Enchanted Forest Chronicles are best known, but I highly, highly reccomend 'Mairelon the Magician.' It's a perfect mix of magic, adventure, history and humour.
I second your recco of Robin McKinley, Nightshade. You know, I really enjoyed 'The Hero and the Crown,' but I was never able to get into 'The Blue Sword.' But good luck finding it!
I'd really reccomend Garth Nix's trilogy that starts with 'Sabriel'. I can't remember whether it has a name though.
Dunno if you count this as fantasy, but I think the Artemis Fowl books by Eoin Colfer are really good. Much funnier than terry pratchett if you ask me. I absolutely love the character holly short
Some must-reads for the Martin fans:
Malazan books, by Steven Erikson
and
Prince of Nothing books, by R. Scott Bakker
Both fairly new, and of the more gritty and intelligent type.
Orions Masterworks releases are also excellent, both sci-fi and fantasy.
Check it out here
If you truly want a great fantasy series.... one that has all the fantasy elements, is unbelievably addictive, and extremely funny.... try David Eddings' "The Belgarid" and "Malloreon"
I'd like to jump in and recommend any of the 'Lankhmar" books written by Fritz Leiber. He invented the term 'Sword and Sorcery', but reading his work you would never guess that he actually predated the largely generic fantasy writing which dominates the market nowadays. He writes in a grand, eloquent style (his parents were members of a Shakespearean troupe...) but simply and beautifully paced. There is enough action to keep even the most bloodthirsty satisfied, but shot through with touches of philosophy and knowing humour. His creativity is startling (particularly considering the time at which he was writing) and the characterisation of his two main leads (Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser) is convincing and deftly handled. I must stop now because I'm slavering onto my keyboard, which I only bought yesterday...
Also, as a fan of fantasy who started out reading Tolkien, TH White, Robert E Howard, Lord Dunsany et al, I would recommend turning to some of the sources of these great authors. Books like 'The Mabinogion' and the various Norse sagas can be just as gripping, with the added advantage that the author generally believed and lived in the world he is describing.
If you like your fantasy with a little more depth, I can recommend "Little Big" by John Crowley and the Viriconium books by M. John Harrison.
These show just how good 'genre' fiction can be. But if you're just looking for another Tolkein clone, forget them.
Btw. Who said Pratchett isn't serious in an earlier post? He is hilarious, yes, but there are serious issues discussed in all of his books underneath the jokes.
I found the Dragon Prince books by Melanie rawn to be a good read, also Harry Harrison is a fairly good Sci Fi writer, Most of the time.
I loved Sir Arthur Conan Doyles, Edward Challenger Stories, especially the Poison Belt.
the Tolkien books were bad, but the Chronicles of Narnia were better,
I tend to put books like that under fantasy, and space thrillers under Sci Fi.
Atermis Fowl, was a good book, as were the Harry Potter books, I loved Ivanhoe by Sir Walter Scott, Dr.Jekyll and Mr, Hyde was also good.
The Myth series by Robert Aspirin was also good.
Can't think of anymore at the moment though.
I prefer reading historical books, so I can't say I have a large selection of just Sci Fi Books.
Ursula Le Guin's five Earthsea novels deserve a mention in this thread. Written 1968, 1972 & 1973, and then 1990 and 2001, they do show great variety in many ways. The first three were, I think, intended for children - at least they are in the Puffin series - but the fourth, "Tehanu" is much darker and full of pain.
All of them fantasy - all, possibly, "coming of age" stories - all poetic - all demanding thought - all entertaining.
.
Terry Goodkinds Sword of Truth series is definatly a must read for anyone looking for a good fantisy series. There are currently 9 books all of witch are very addicting. They share some similarities with Wheel of time however i thought that the themes were mutch better and easier to get into
Oh my, Terry Goodkind is a very good author. Try the first three books of his series, starting with "Wizard's First Rule". I believe that's the title... : S I also highly recommend the Forgotten Realms series. That and Dragon Lance. Both amazing series, both with many, many sub-series. The sub-series I reccoment for Forgotten Realms is War of the Spider Queen and any other books you can find by R. A. Salvatore. When reading Salvatore's series, it doesn't matter which one you start with, if you like them and continue to read them all, it shouldn't matter. The books don't look back on previous events too often, and if they do, they usually explain them enough that you don't have to stop reading, pick up the other book, read it, and then continue to read the former book. Aka... the series' can be read in any order (but once you start a series, read THOSE books in order.) I recommend starting with The Legacy of the Drow, and then moving onto The Icewind Dale Trilogy, or vice versa.
I recommend books by robin hobb. She wrote three trilogies set in a world that does not rely on normal magic, but instead has two main forms of 'magic', wits and skill.
Quite an interesting read, find out more here: Robin Hobb books
Fitz can be a bit of a mutt sometimes so if you are looking for slightly more headstrong and less whingeing characters, check out Hobb's newest, Shaman's Crossing, book one of the Soldier Son trilogy.
a mutt indeed. :D
Ursula Le Guin
I recomend the BARTMAEUS TRILOGY, by johnothan stroud. realy realy goooood :nod:
I would recomend to anyone who enjoys descriptions of mazes and dark, dank places with sinister characters that come to life: Gormenghast. It's long, it's dark and shrouded, and if you can wade through it it's well worth it to discover the life of a boy who lives in a huge palace with such interweaving and confusing rooms that the house itself is a main character and influence on his life.
YES!!!!Quote:
Originally Posted by underground
I agree with you, it is so hard to come by some good fantasy fiction that doesn't contain blatant explicit scenes. It's as if the authours think that the word "fantasy" automatically means "free license" to write whatever comes to mind. Ahem*
Yes, but you were asking for reccomendations. Cynthia Voight's Jackaroo is excellent. Well written, believable, and a tale in which you easily lose yourself and live and breathe with the character, and remains with you far after you have set the book down. However, this is not a book which contains fantastic creatures, evil sorcerors, or any magic at all. I love this book, though!
Others that I would recommend are
of course, J.R.R. Tolkein's The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings Trilogy,
C.S. Lewis' Chronicles of Narnia,
The Abhorsen Trilogy by Garth Nix- Lirael, I thought, was the best book in this series.
The Princess Bride by William Goldman, *swashbuckling comedy
The Once and Future King by T.H. White,
The Sword in the Stone by T.H. White,
The Dark is Rising sequence by Susan Cooper,
Brian Jacques' Redwall books,
The Wind Singer by William Nicholson,
Dragon's Blood by Jane Yolen,
Jeremy Thatcher, Dragon Hatcher by Bruce Coville (for young kids, I still love this one, though)
The Tripods Trilogy by John Christopher *Sci-fi
If you liked Eragon and Eldest, you might like Cornelia Funke's Inkheart, and Neverending Story by Michael Ende
I can't think of anymore at the moment.
Right now I'm weeding out 2 boxes of books of sci fi and fantasy paperbacks.
Sadly, the majority is going straight into the trash. I think I'll have to stick to faerie tales awhile yet!
Hope this helps you some,
Gringoire
p.s. Recommend me some!
I didn't care much for Eragon either.... Still, that didn't stop me from picking up Eldest.... I'm rather desperate. That is neat, though, to get a book written and published at the age of fifteen. Although S.E. Hinton was only one year, or was it two years (?) older when she wrote "The Outsiders".Quote:
Originally Posted by Nightshade
:lol: :lol:Quote:
i don't mind books for adults, but they usually contain sex and bad words, and while i'm already legal, my mental state still prefers not to read those in print.
Gringoire,
You might like Tamora Pierce's books. They are supposed to be pretty clean?
What genres have you been dabbling in?Quote:
I agree with you, it is so hard to come by some good fantasy fiction that doesn't contain blatant explicit scenes. It's as if the authours think that the word "fantasy" automatically means "free license" to write whatever comes to mind.
Kate Elliott's Crown of Stars series is very very good- this coming from someone who doesn't usually read series. Each book enhances the last, and you quickly become addicted to the series. Each book is around a thousand pages, but reads fast. The detailing is magnificent!
Quote:
Originally Posted by EAP
A whole box of fantasy novels- Argh!!! :brickwall
I am never going to trust a book again simply because it has anything referring to King Arrthur or his knights again! *sigh*
Thanks though :) for the recommendation. I have NOT yet read any of Tamor Peirce. And in return, I would recommend you Jackaroo by Cynthia Voight.
God bless you,
Gringoire
I'm sorry I haven't read through every post on this thread, but I would just like to throw out a name that may or may not - I have not seen it yet - already been mentioned.
David Eddings.
Without a doubt, my favourite fantasy writer (the Belgariad and Mallorean) - his ohter stuff is a bit weaker. But these two series of five books are so well written (for a fantasy series) are engaging and extremely funny at times.
especially in his latest books.. i dunno which i like better the more hilarious earlier ones or the darker ones like Night Watch etc..Quote:
Originally Posted by Xamonas Chegwe
why hasn't anyone recommended the Darkover series by Marion Zimmer Bradley yet? ... hehe, I admit they can be a bit cheesy now and then but most of the time their a really good read..
they're a series but you can read any of them on its own, don't need to have read the other ones...
If you haven't read The Chronicles of Amber (sometimes The Amber Chronicles, my copy says 'The Complete Amber Chronicles' on it but that's because it's 10 books in one) by Roger Zelazny...go read it now. It's a 10 book series which comprises of two 5-book series and it's the most amazing thing I've ever read. Addictive, funny, fantasy, amazing character development, very surprising, everything anyone could ever ask for in a fantasy series. Or a book in general.
They're extremely hard to find, however, and though I'm under the impression that they just reprinted them, before that they had been out of print for a long time. I don't even see the reprint very often--I think whoever told me this was wrong.
Aside from that, I'll agree with Gringoire that you should read The Princess Bride. It's very funny, and if you've seen the movie (and liked it), you'll like the book.
Oh yeah I have to agree with malkatoj, The Amber series in amazing. I've never read anything quite like it. Very original. Though to be honest the first "set" (the first five books) are probably slightly better than the second five, though I did love them all.
Amber is one headtrip I'll gladly third.
Another good series is The Old Kingdom, by Garth Nix
you can find out more at the website
http://www.garthnix.co.uk/oldkingdom/default.asp
I also included the discription from the wesite below.
Sabriel is the daughter of the Mage Abhorsen. Ever since she was a tiny child, she has lived outside the Wall of the Old Kingdom - far away from the uncontrolled power of Free Magic, and away from the Dead who won't stay dead. But now her father is missing and Sabriel is called upon to cross back into that world to find him. Leaving the safety of the school she has known as home, Sabriel embarks upon a quest fraught with supernatural dangers, with companions she is unsure of - for nothing is as it seems within the boundary of the Old Kingdom. There she confronts an evil that threatens much more than her life, and comes face to face with her hidden destiny...
SABRIEL is the first book in a breathtaking new trilogy by Garth Nix.
Now that we have six pages of ideas I'll add one more trilogy anyway because it anamours me right now. I'm currently briefly obsessed with C. S. Lewis and his space trilogy is outragiously fantastic. I adore his clever syntax and style ... but (I'm on the third) the plot just picked up and I can't let go of the book. The first one is called "Out of the Silent PLanet" second is "Pareladra" third is "That Hideous Strength"
Weeeeeeeee