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It's not a very well known novel. I found my copy when I was browsing a used bookshop. I don't recommend the second one (The Return of Nightfall), but I highly recommend Legend of Nightfall. It involves swordfighting, a sorcerer, and gypsies, and midevial and fantasy elements.
Well first off let me apologize as i am about to singe some feathers. I don't consider myself a guru of the genre but i have read my fair share of high fantasy novel. So then here are my views.
Authors and Books i recommend:
- Robert Jordan - Wheel of Time Series / 1. The Eye of the World 2. The Great Hunt 3. The Dragon Reborn 4. The Shadow Rising 5. The Fires of Heaven 6. Lord of Chaos 7. A Crown of Swords 8. The Path of Daggers 9. Winter's Heart 10. Crossroads of Twilight 11. Knife of Dreams 12. The Gathering Storm 13. Towers of Midnight 14. A Memory of Light
(A- to C-) Sadly Jordan has passed away now and left us with his uncompleted epic fantasy saga. Another Author will be finishing up his work but i understand he will not be trying to mimic Jordan's writing style so it will be a whole different flavor. Despite the series low points in later books i still wholeheartedly recommend it.- Raymond E. Feist - The Riftwar Saga/ 1. Magician: Apprentice 2. Magician: Master 3. Silverthorn 4. A Darkness at Sethanon
(B?) I really was to young when i read these to give an accurate review but i remember them fondly.- Terry Brooks - Shannara Trilogy/ 1. The Sword of Shannara 2. The Elfstones of Shannara 3. The Wishsong of Shannara
(C) These were really not the best but still i enjoyed them.- Robin Hobb - The Farseer Trilogy/ 1. Assassin's Apprentice 2. Royal Assassin 3. Assassin's Quest
(A- For the first two books and the first half of the third book, D for the last half) These books were light but terrific until you come to the last part of the last book, !!!Spoiler!!! Which is the equivalent of your father taking your girlfriend for his wife... And that is basically why i have not read anymore from Hobb.- Roger Zelazny - The Chronicles of Amber/ 1. Nine Princes in Amber 2. The Guns of Avalon 3. Sign of the Unicorn 4. The Hand of Oberon 5. The Courts of Chaos
(B+) These were pretty neat, and if you don't like the writing style that Zelazny uses at first don't worry as he doesn't keep it up for long. It is all in first person though, as i remember from the viewpoint of a single protagonist.- Roger Zelazny - The Merlin Cycle/ 1. Trumps of Doom 2. Blood of Amber 3. Sign of Chaos 4. Knight of Shadows 5. Prince of Chaos
(C+) The books about Merlin don't live up to the original Amber books but were still pretty good.- Anne McCaffrey - Dragonriders of Pern/ 1. Dragonflight 2. Dragonquest 3. The White Dragon ?. The many other Pern books
(B- ) Not the biggest fan of Pern but they were good.- Tad Williams - Memory, Sorrow & Thorn/ 1. The Dragonbone Chair 2. Stone of Farewell 3. To Green Angel Tower (2 parts of paperback)
(A) One of my all time favorites :>- Tad Williams - Otherland/ 1. City of Golden Shadow 2. River of Blue Fire 3. Mountain of Black Glass 4. Sea of Silver Light
(B) The first book was outstanding but after that they went downhill until the last book was just meh with a meh ending.- Piers Anthony - Dragon's Gold/ 1. Dragon's Gold 2. Serpent's Silver 3. Chimaera's Copper 4. Orc's Opal 5. Mouvar's Magic
(B+) Don't know if many people know about this series from Piers but i think its the best Ive read from him, xanth does little for me.- Piers Anthony - Incarnations of Immortality/ 1. On a Pale Horse 4. Wielding a Red Sword
(B?) I was but a teen when i read these but i liked them then. There are a total of 7 of these incarnation books i think but they can be read as stand alone. The two listed were the only ones my old man had and i guess i haven't had a burning desire to read the rest...- Louise Cooper - Time Master trilogy/ 1. The Initiate 2. The Outcast 3. The Master
(A?) I remember liking these more than average.- Celia S. Friedman - Coldfire Trilogy/ 1. Black Sun Rising 2. When True Night Falls 3. Crown of Shadows
(C) These were alright. Somewhat dark but only alrihgt...- J. V. Jones - Book of Words 1. The Baker's Boy 2. A Man Betrayed 3. Master and Fool
(B) These books seemed to get some criticism but they were quite enjoyable i found.- Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman - The Death Gate Cycle/ 1. Dragon Wing 2. Elven Star 3. Fire Sea 4. Serpent Mage 5. The Hand of Chaos 6. Into the Labyrinth 7. The Seventh Gate
(B+) Weis and Hickman are a good team.- Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman - Rose of the Prophet/ 1. The Will of the Wanderer 2. Paladin of the Night 3. The Prophet of Akhran
(A?) Very young but remember them as being great.- Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman - Darksword/ 1. Forging the Darksword 2. Doom of the Darksword 3. Triumph of the Darksword
(A-) One of the characters in these books was hilarious.- Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman - Chronicles - Dragonlance/ 1. Dragons of Autumn Twilight 2. Dragons of Winter Night 3. Dragons of Spring Dawning
(A?) Was young when read but I'm pretty sure the consensus is if your going to read Dragonlance books, definitely start here.- Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman - Legends - Dragonlance/ 1. Time of the Twins 2. War of the Twins 3. Test of the Twins
(A?) If you enjoyed the fist trilogy i assure you Legends is a must.- R A Salvatore - Dark Elf books - Forgotten Realms/ The Dark Elf Trilogy 1. Homeland 2. Exile 3. Sojourn The Icewind Dale Trilogy 1. The Crystal Shard 2. Streams of Silver 3. The Halfling's Gem Legacy of the Drow 1. The Legacy 2. Starless Night 3. Siege of Darkness 4. Passage to Dawn Paths of Darkness 1. The Silent Blade 2. The Spine of the World 3. Servant of the Shard (note that this book is also the first book of the sellswords trilogy) 4. Sea of Swords The Sellswords 1. Servant of the Shard 2. The Promise of the Witch King
3. Road of the Patriarch The Hunter's Blades Trilogy 1. The Thousand Orcs 2. The Lone Drow 3. The Two Swords Transitions 1. The Orc King 2. The Pirate King 3. The Ghost King
(C) I have read about half of these listed here, they are light action, not great but entertaining.- Simon Hawke - Tribe of One - Dark Sun/ 1. The Outcast 2. The Seeker 3. The Nomad
(B?) To young when i read but remember liking them.
Series i am looking forward to reading:
- George R R Martin - A Song of Ice & Fire/ 1. A Game of Thrones 2. A Clash of Kings 3. A Storm of Swords 4. A Feast for Crows 5. A Dance with Dragons
Series i am leery of but will give a chance:
- The Malazan Book of the Fallen Series/ 1. Gardens of the Moon 2. Deadhouse Gates 3. Memories of Ice 4. House of Chains 5. Midnight Tides 6. The Bonehunters 7. Reaper's Gale 8. Toll the Hounds 9. Dust of Dreams 10. The Crippled God
- Terry Goodkind - The Sword of Truth series/ 1. Wizard's First Rule 2. Stone of Tears 3. Blood of the Fold 4. Temple of the Winds 5. Soul of the Fire
6. Faith of the Fallen 7. The Pillars of Creation 8. Naked Empire 9. Chainfire 10. Phantom 11. Confessor
Series i recommend against reading:
- David Eddings - The Belgariad series/ 1. Pawn of Prophecy 2. Queen of Sorcery 3. Magician's Gambit 4. Castle of Wizardry 5. Enchanters' End Game
I read every one of the books in the belgariad series and i can confidently say that if you have a fantasy novel prowess around a level to my own there is nothing here for you.- Stephen Donaldson - The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant, the Unbeliever/ 1. Lord Foul's Bane 2. The Illearth War 3. The Power That Preserves
Overrated fantasy novels, or the most overrated fantasy novels?- Guy Gavriel Kay - The Fionavar Tapestry/ 1. The Summer Tree 2. The Wandering Fire 3. The Darkest Road
Only read the first of these but that was more than enough.- Michael Moorcock - Elric of Melnibone Series/ 1. Elric of Melniboné 2. The Sailor on the Seas of Fate 3. The Weird of the White Wolf 4. The Sleeping Sorceress 5. The Bane of the Black Sword 6. Stormbringer
The best thing about these books is the atmosphere they create but they make for rather archaic reading.- Melanie rawn - Dragon Prince trilogy/ 1. Dragon Prince 2. The Star Scroll 3. Sunrunner's Fire
While certainly not the bottom of the barrel i must admit these don't make my personal cut.
-edit-- Stephen King - The Dark Tower Series/ 1. The Gunslinger 2. The Drawing of the Three 3. The Waste Lands 4. Wizard and Glass 5. Wolves of the Calla 6. Song of Susannah 7. The Dark Tower
Man what a let down, was actually looking forward to this one. Got about half way through before i had to call it quits. I kinda liked the world he painted but the dialog is just absurd. Also let me warn you that this series has serious(and ridiculous) cross-overs to irl earth.- Cecilia Dart-Thornton - The Bitterbynde Trilogy/ 1. The Ill-Made Mute 2. The Lady of the Sorrows 3. The Battle of Evernight
Read the first book, the only thing i enjoyed somewhat were the stories within the story.- Kate Elliott - Crown of Stars Series/ 1. King's Dragon 2. Prince of Dogs 3. The Burning Stone 4. Child of Flame 5. The Gathering Storm 6. In the Ruins 7. Crown of Stars
Read half of the first book. Simply found it uninteresting.
Well thats it. You may have noticed that these lists did not include anything like Harry Potter or The Chronicles of Narnia. I'm sure they are fine books but for me they are what i like to call 'shoe-outs', lulz. Again i apologize for my harsh judgments but i must say how i felt.
-edit-
Hey you reading my post! 0.0 Hi how ya doing, if you agreed with my tastes by all means sign up real quick and make some recommendations for us.
I haven't read much fantasy since high school, but I would recommend avoiding Goodkind. Even in high school I found him preachy, he's pretty much the Ayn Rand of fantasy.
Authors I've liked and would read again on a rainy day:
Robbin Hobb, Gene Wolfe, China Mieville, George R.R. Martin.
I find those four authors do a good job of avoiding most of the tedious tropes that plague fantasy literature. Although, Hobb is clearly the least experimental of them. I remember liking Tad Williams Outland quite a lot, I didn't find that it went down hill, The Wheel of Time does definitely go down hill until Knife of Dreams (book 11) where he starts to pick up pace again.
I'll probably finish the Wheel of Time when it's all published since I've spent like 10 years of my life on it already, it would seem like a waste not to finish it up.
Hello
My apologies for the long post, but I've read a lot of fantasy books in the last 20 years and the following is my impression of some of them:
LLoyd Alexander - Prydain Chronicles
Enjoyed these, much better then the Narnia Chronicles. More substance.
Steven Brust - Vlad Taltos Series
These are some of my favourite books, hilarious for the most part. The Jhereg (little dragon type creature) just makes these books special. The main character in the series is an assassin.
Terry Brooks
- Kingdom of Landover Novels
The first few books in the series were good. The idea was original and these were fun reads.
-Word & Void Trilogy
I enjoyed this set immensely - much better than the Shannara stuff.
-Shannara
The Sword of Shannara is a rip-off of The Lord of the Rings, The Elfstones was the best book out of the whole series. Most of the series starts to become repetitive and tedious after a while.
Allan Cole & Chris Bunch - The Far Kingdoms, The Warrior's Tale and Kingdom's of the Night.
Mostly stand-alone novels but in the same world and dealing with the same family. The first book was the best of the set, but they are all pretty good. These are adventure tales with some original ideas.
C.J. Cherryh
- The Chronicles of Morgain
Absolutely beautifully written, with a combination of SF and Fantasy. This is one of my favourite authors and the Chronicles of Morgain stand out as one of her best works.
-Rider at the Gate & Clouds Rider
Stand alone novels set on the same world. Different and original idea and superb writing.
-Faery in Shadow
Somewhat dark, but still beautifully written.
-Galasien Series
Fortress in the Eye of Time and Fortress of Eagles etc (5 books). Some people find these books slow, I enjoyed them... Some interesting characters.
----This author has written a whole lot of other books, mostly in the Science-Fiction genre.
Carole Nelson Douglas
-Sword and Circlet Series, specifically Six of Swords. I believe they are out of print and hard to get? Light fantasy, interesting world, and not as loooong as most of the newer fantasy books (about 200 pages I think?). One of my favourite sets.
Stephen Donaldson -Thomas Covenant
-The first book started out quite well, but Thomas Covenant started to irritate me after a while. Rather dark and depressing books with a whining main character.... very irritating.
Diane Duane
-anything by this author is usually good. The Young Wizards Series is specifically for younger readers, but can be enjoyed by adults as well.
Charles deLint
-Harp of the Grey Rose - typical fantasy book, quite short and rather enjoyable.
---Most of his other stuff in Urban Fantasy, I would recommend Spirits in the Wire, Moonheart, Memory and Dream. Lovely and clear writing style.
David Eddings
I found the Belgariad somewhat similar to the Mallorean (different characters same story line - the author even provides a reason for this in the Mallorean!), but the Elenium (The Diamond Thorone, The Ruby Knight & The Sapphire Rose) and the Tamuli (3 books) are the best of the lot. Sparhawk makes a wonderfully colourful main character, and the thieves government is amusing.
Kate Elliot - The Crown of Stars
Not bad - started off very good, got a bit confusing in the middle and ended off ok.
Esther Friesner - Elf-Defense
Lawyers and elves - a hilarious mix!
Raymond E Feist - Riftwar Saga
I loved Magician and Silverthorn. The rest started to become much of the sameness - the author seems to have found a formula and churned out books on demand.
Terry Goodkind - The Sword of Truth
Wizard's First Rule - Good book, the rest of the series you can skip. He just goes on and on and on without any resolutions and becomes more inclined to preach and insert random graphic torture scenes.
Ed Greenwood - Elminster Series (eg Elminster; The Making of a Mage etc)
I love the Elminster books - rather light, action adventurish with some humour and a lot of strange characters.
Mary Gentle - Golden Witchbreed
Totally different to anything else I have read. Breathtaking original world and descriptions.
F.J. Hale - Ogre Castel and In the Sea Nymph's Lair
Fun, enjoyable, clean, light fantasy. A quick read.
Gary Kilworth - The Navigator Kings Trilogy
Fun reading. The books are set in Polynesia when the Gods took an interest (and sides) in human affairs.
Gail Carson Levine - Ella Enchanted
Enjoyable - mainly for the younger reader though.
Madeleine L'engle - Time Quartet (A Wrinkle in Time, A Wind in the Door etc).
Also written for younger readers but also enjoyable for adults.
Ursula Le Guin - Earthsea Set - enough has been said about this, but wait until you are 25 to read Tehanu (apparently most people like it if they are 25 or older when they read it??)
Mercedes Lackey
-Mage Wars Trilogy - Delightful gryphons! :-)
- Any of the Valdemar Books - some action, a lot of emotions (most of the main characters start off as adolescents), but you can immerse yourself in this world for days on end.
-The Other World and Chrome Borne - elves in contemporary time and they drive race cars! Amusing, beautifully written and books I've re-read many times.
-Bedlam's Bard Series - I've also re-read these many time. Some interesting ideas here.
-Bardic Voices e.g. The Lark & the Wren, Four & Twenty Blackbirds etc
Very enjoyable and you can read them as stand alone novels.
-Firebird - One of my favourites - a stand-alone novel set in Fairytale Russia. A different take on the old Ivan and the Wolf fairytale.
Michael Moorcock
Too many books to mention. I especially like the Elric of Melnibone series. Interesting character.
Thomas K Martin - A Two Edged Sword
There are 3 books in the set, but the first can be read alone. Rather nice fantasy book with new ideas and quite short.
Peter Moorwood - Tales from Old Russia (Prince Ivan, Firebird and The Golden Horde)
Prince Ivan is my favourite out of the set and each can be read alone. A new take on Russian Fairy Tales and "history". Beautifully written.
Robin McKinley - The Hero & the Crown and the Blue Sword
Lovely books.
Patricia McKillip - anything and everything!
My favourite is the Riddlemasters trilogy. It's nice and rich.
I also recommend The tower at Stony Wood, The Forgotten Beasts of Eld and for some short stories, Harrowing the Dragon.
Some of her books are written for younger readers but I know many adult who read them anyway.
Dennis McKiernan
His first few books copy a lot from the Lord of the Rings, so if you want more LOTR give it a try. I enjoyed Dragondoom and The Eye of the Hunter more than the others, though be warned that the endings aren't all smiles and sunshine.
Anne McCaffrey - too many books to list
The Crystal Singer Trilogy is a nice original set. I recommend this to anyone who hasn't read it yet.
The first few Pern books are better than the last lot.
I also recommend the Brain and Brawn Ship (The Ship Who Searched etc) series to younger readers - another interesting idea and nice, clean writing.
Andre Norton - too many books!
I recommend Flight in Yiktor. This is the first book of hers I ever read.
Terry Pratchet - enough said already :-) All hilarious but the first several books are better than the last few. I especially liked the books involving the Night Watch (e.g. Guards! Guards! etc).
Jennifer Roberson - Tiger and Del Series (Sword Dancer etc 6 books).
Beautifully written, thoroughly enjoyable.
Sean Russel
-Asian Duology & Swans War Trilogy
This author has a nice style of writing. A nice combination of character development and action.
Andre Shettle - Flute Song Magic
This book appears to be written for younger readers. Plan quest story. Beautifully written.
Josepha Sherman - The Shining Falcon
Set in Old Russia. Lovely story making use of Russian folktales. It is mainly a love story but it isn't soppy.
Elizabeth Scarborough - Song of Sorcery
Light, funny & short fantasy. You read this type of thing after plowing through Robert Jordan's stuff.
Sherri S. Tepper - many books, but specifically Grass & The Family Tree
- Some very interesting ideas, and a lovely writing style. This author tends to make you think.
J.R.R. Tolkien
-Lord of the Rings - enough said :-)
-The Hobbit - for younger readers and different from LotR.
-The Silmarillion - very different from LotR - basically read it if you want to find out about Middle-Earth and elves - there are no hobbits in this book.
-The Children of Hurin - one of the stories from the Silmarillion, but in more detail. This may be easier to read than the Silmarillion.
-Farmer Giles of Ham - for younger readers
-Roverandom - for younger readers (adventures of a dog)
Sydney J. van Scyoc - Drowntide
Brilliant book. Highly original and short.
Evangeline Walton - The Mabinogi
Welsh (I think) legends etc.
Walter Jon Williams - Knight Moves
Thought provoking, more SF than Fantasy.
Michelle West - The Sacred Hunt (Hunter's Oath and Hunter's Death)
Lovely writing style.
Connie Willis
- Doomsday Book - Brilliant book, may be considered SF, thought provoking.
This author has a great many other books out, all of which I have enjoyed and all have a tendency to make you think. I also recommend her short stories.
Margaret Weis & Tracey Hickman
I enjoyed the following (in order of preference):
- Death Gate Cycle
- Rose of the Prophet
- Star of the Guardians (Space Epic)
- Darksword Trilogy
Tad Williams - Memory, Sorrow & Thorn
Excellent book, but rather heavy reading. Epic fantasy.
Janny Wurts - all her books are good.
-Sorcerer's Legacy - Stand alone novel
-Master of Whitestorm - Stand alone novel (brilliant)
- To Ride Hell's Chasm (Stand alone novel)
- The Cycle of Fire Trilogy (original - involves demons but with a different twist)
-The Wars of Light and Shadow - 8 books so far, but 11 are planned. I recommend reading the Curse of the Mistwraith.
Kim Wilkins
-The Autumn Castle
-Giants of the Frost (Odin makes an appearance)
both stand alone novels.
I hope this helps somewhat? :-)
Kind regards
Elentarri
Aside from more well-known fantasy books like The Lord of the Rings (which I consider the greatest fantasy books ever written), I recommend Magician, by Raymond E. Feist, The Elven Nations Trilogy, by Paul B. Thompson, Tonya C. Cook, and Douglas Niles, and The Wayfarer Redemption, by Sara Douglass.
Another recommendation for Earthsea, though I've only read the first one, and I didn't like the second. The rest of the series sounds.. moody, and too feminist for me, too unlike the first book.
I want to find other fantasy that's like Earthsea. By that, I mean mythic, beautiful, with a kind of lyrical writing. Other examples may be stuff like the Rings books and The Worm Ouroboros.
I'm in the same boat as well - I remember I started reading the first book when I was about 11 or so, what a BAD idea that was :frown2:Quote:
Originally Posted by OrphanPip
Have you read any of the books written by Brandon Sanderson - the guy whose taken over since Robert Jordan died?
It's nice to have someone who is a general antithesis of myself. Goodkind was the first author I ever read from start to finish. Goodkind (like Rand) portrays ideals, as should be the cause of anyone who seeks to take a public platform. Pandering to people's basest instincts and giving them characters who represent as little ethical and moral obligation as possible is far far far far far far far too common in modern literature (and media in general).Quote:
Originally Posted by OrphanPip
People want protagonists who smoke crack and kill prostitutes because it makes them feel better about themselves ('well if thats the good guy, then I'm fine just the way I am.')
Just as you, OrphanPip, will always be fine just the way you are, however low your standards become.
Has anyone mentioned Joe Abercombie? His First Law Trilogy is magnificent, the characters are engaging, and very real.
The Wheel of Time is incredible, but it really bogs down in the latter half. It's great if you just can't get enough description...
Le Guin's earthsea series is fantastic, full of psychological depth of fascinating characters acting out their stories against the backdrop of a beautiful and complex world. It's one of my favorites, for sure.
Shannara has continued long past the point of it doing anything new...interesting...or necessary. I'm glad I read far enough to see him tie his apocalyptic realm into his fantasy realm, but past that, eh. He's a master of suspense via random occurrences, which has never impressed me at all. Takes not talent to decide "HEY he should fall off a cliff."
If you go for Tolkien, avoid the Silmarillion and Children of Hurin, at least at first. The first is a very hard read, and the second seriously depressing (to the point that I had to quit reading before I finished). Either would be impossible to appreciate without first being acquainted with the gloriousness of their predecessors.
I understand the appeal, but of course not everyone prefers that.Quote:
Originally Posted by MrRegular
A new up and coming series. Keep an eye out for Sebastian Harper (a half immortal that is 908 years old that ages slowly and currently looks 20 as he enters college at Princeton University).
Additionally, Sebastian has been hiding from historians who are in search of the Knights Templar treasure but what they dont know is that the Templar was partly formed to keep Sebastian's secret from the world and the treasure is Sebastian himself.
A new up and coming series. Keep an eye out for Sebastian Harper (a half immortal that is 908 years old that ages slowly and currently looks 20 as he enters college at Princeton University).
Additionally, Sebastian has been hiding from historians who are in search of the Knights Templar treasure but what they dont know is that the Templar was partly formed to keep Sebastian's secret from the world and the treasure is Sebastian himself.
Hello Everyone
I apologize for the sheer amount of things in my post.
One genre/series i would recommend is Warhammer 40k, I know it is not directly fantasy; it is more of a fantasy set in the future. It is set in a world where humanity was in its golden age with all the worlds conquered and settled but corruption and a civil war leaves the Empire in a state that is basicly the middle ages with the Inquisition, witches (real this time folks :wink5: ), and even Elves and Orcs; The Empire is reduced to huge hive colonies run by the Ecclesiarchy and the Ordo Mechanus, The Mechanus is interesting because the majority of them don't understand their machines they just simply worship it. I know it was originally based on an table top game but so was Eberon and Forgotten Realms.
Also each mini series is written by a different author, With different authors come different styles. This series is not for the feint of heart so there will be character killed off, sometimes very suddenly. There will be moments that will have a real Lovecraft feel. In these books the obvious 'evil' is Chaos, Which is the personification of things evil. These Daemons tend to follow four different 'gods' One for decay, one for pleasure, one for war, and one for magic/change. But also there are many more things to fear, The Eldar (elves), Orcs, and Necrons (a long dead race that sacrificed their souls and bodies to survive).
If you are a fantasy purist who cant stand the idea of any technology avoid this, I also warn you some of these tend to be more based on modern war with Tanks and trench warfare. These are ok in their own right.
Please trust me these are good books and the world it is set in is amazing.
Of the books out i would recommend Blood Angels by James Swallow and the Grey Knights by Ben Counter.
The Wheel of Time by Robert Jordan.
The Lord of the Rings By Tolkien.
And it depends what appeals to you about fantasy for what else you want to look into. Some authors capture parts better than others so find what is right for you.