Top Fantasy Books
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Well, for Fantasy, I would suggest Northern Light (Known as The Golden Compass in America) by Philip Pullman.
I've almost finished it, and it is rather good.
As for Sci-Fi, most books by Robert A. Heinlein. I'd recommend The Moon Is A Harsh Mistress. That is an enjoyable book.
I've almost finished it, and it is rather good.
As for Sci-Fi, most books by Robert A. Heinlein. I'd recommend The Moon Is A Harsh Mistress. That is an enjoyable book.
If anyone mentions David Eddings then they are wrong. The man only has around 3 characters between all of his books. Seriously, try and find a character that doesn't go through the "Trust me" or the "I've always had a way with words" dialogues that the man seems to throw in there.
The Lord of the Rings, the Narnia series, Joe Abercrombie's books, the Discworld series... These are all good.
Like an earlier poster, I'm a long time fantasy fan, who has got to the age of 30 reading around two books a week, one of which is usually fantasy or sci-fi. So I can truthfully say I've read most of the books already mentioned. My big question would be to you.
How old are you?
Because I know for damn sure that your tastes change as you get older. I remember buying the Dark Elf books when I was a pre-teen, and being heartily impressed. I read them again last year, and, while still enjoyable, feel a bit "basic" after reading a lot of heavier stuff. I tried to read Tolkien around the age of thirteen, and couldn't get into it. I tried it again at twenty five and loved it.
So, OP, let me know how old you are, and the sort of book you like, and what draws you in, (Action, moral ambiguity, great ideas, dialogue, politics etc), and I'll give you my best recommendation.
How old are you?
Because I know for damn sure that your tastes change as you get older. I remember buying the Dark Elf books when I was a pre-teen, and being heartily impressed. I read them again last year, and, while still enjoyable, feel a bit "basic" after reading a lot of heavier stuff. I tried to read Tolkien around the age of thirteen, and couldn't get into it. I tried it again at twenty five and loved it.
So, OP, let me know how old you are, and the sort of book you like, and what draws you in, (Action, moral ambiguity, great ideas, dialogue, politics etc), and I'll give you my best recommendation.
Personally, I love anything by Robert E Howard, because my dad read to me the Conan series when I was very young (my mum always thought it was strange because I am a girl) and anything by H.P Lovecraft, favourites of mine being Herbert West: Reanimator, the witch on the doorstep and Rats in the walls being favourites. I also love the short stories by Edgar Allen Poe. Terry Pratchett is also a good bet as well.
I've never been a huge fantasy reader. Usually because I like my stories gritty and nasty. So I was surprised when my friend bought me this book. It's called The Blade Itself by Joe Abercrombie and it is everything I want from a story. Check it out if you like extreme violence and sinister characters.
Hmmm. It depends what you're in to exactly.
If you want epic above characterisation, then Erikson's Malazan books are what you're after.
If you want epic, realistic characters, immersive descriptions and aren't fussed by some irritating pacing, then A Song of Ice and Fire, GRRM.
If you want grittiness, The First Law, Joe Abercrombie.
If you want something more lightweight, then go for Eddings.
And if all else fails, then you may as well try Goodkind. He stinks compared to any of these other writers IMHO, but sells millions so he must be doing something right.
If you want epic above characterisation, then Erikson's Malazan books are what you're after.
If you want epic, realistic characters, immersive descriptions and aren't fussed by some irritating pacing, then A Song of Ice and Fire, GRRM.
If you want grittiness, The First Law, Joe Abercrombie.
If you want something more lightweight, then go for Eddings.
And if all else fails, then you may as well try Goodkind. He stinks compared to any of these other writers IMHO, but sells millions so he must be doing something right.
Have you ever read their Death Gate (4 book cycle, 3 book closing trilogy) series? I'd consider it not only their best work to date, but also my favorite fantasy series period.Pimppeter2 said:
Well of Darkness and the rest of the Sovereign Stone trilogy were pretty good, but the Death Gate books were phenomenal, and if you loved Well of Darkness you should absolutely adore the Death Gate books.
I have to ask - which 3? If you've only read Dragon Wing, Elven Star, and Fire Sea (which was a bloody masterpiece, damn do I ever love that book), you really owe it to yourself to read Serpent Mage and the closing trilogy (The Hand of Chaos, Into the Labyrinth, and The Seventh Gate).toriver said:
Reading only the first 3 books will leave you with an impression of that universe that is missing some rather significant paradigm shifts.
Discworld series is probably the best book series I have ever read, they are awesome.Jekken6 said:
So yeah, I say Discworld
I'll have to check it out. I stopped reading their books because Dragon Lance series because I couldn't find anymore on their books at my local bookstore, but I'll venture out to find that series this weekend.Gildan Bladeborn said:
saphirekosmos said:
It's not so much that they drag, but more that they become really, really preachy. Starting with Faith of the Fallen, it starts going the Ayn Rand route, where the plot becomes secondary to preaching Objectivism.
It's still one of my favorite fantasy series though.
Edit: Second the Dresden Files recommendation. Best fantasy book series I've ever read.
For those who have recommended David Eddings:
I love his books and reread them a lot, BUT I've always acknowledged that with Eddings it's all about liking the people he writes about. He deliberately wrote a particular kind of epic fantasy to make a point, and it is not original and tends to repeat story elements. You don't read him for originality, you read him because his characters become your friends. If that doesn't appeal, then avoid the author.
For a quick dip into Eddings' works, read The Redemption of Althalus. If you like it, read the rest in the order in which they were published. If you don't like it, it's only one book, so you're safe.
I would double/triple/etc recommend Terry Pratchett, at least his Discworld series. If you haven't read him yet, I'd recommend starting with his books Guards, Guards and Witches Abroad. That will introduce you to several important characters and the world itself.
Also:
Patrick Rothfuss - In the Name of the Wind (second book due in the future)
Naomi Novik - Temeraire series (Napoleonic wars with dragons)
Tad Williams - his Memory, Sorrow, Thorn trilogy and his Otherland tetralogy are magnificent
Stephen King - Eyes of the Dragon (standalone novel, but well worth the read)
Joe Abercrombie - The First Law series
Terry Brooks - Shannara trilogy (the first one), and The Word and the Void trilogy
Patricia McKillip - If you haven't read her, then you've never read truly sublime fantasy. It is not *epic*, but reading her stories is like exploring a beautiful tapestry of words and images. Absolutely stunning author, if you truly enjoy a lush story
Peter David - Apropos of Nothing trilogy. It made me laugh.
I could keep going for a loooong time. I tend to read between 3-5 books a week, so I've been exposed to a lot of writing.
I love his books and reread them a lot, BUT I've always acknowledged that with Eddings it's all about liking the people he writes about. He deliberately wrote a particular kind of epic fantasy to make a point, and it is not original and tends to repeat story elements. You don't read him for originality, you read him because his characters become your friends. If that doesn't appeal, then avoid the author.
For a quick dip into Eddings' works, read The Redemption of Althalus. If you like it, read the rest in the order in which they were published. If you don't like it, it's only one book, so you're safe.
I would double/triple/etc recommend Terry Pratchett, at least his Discworld series. If you haven't read him yet, I'd recommend starting with his books Guards, Guards and Witches Abroad. That will introduce you to several important characters and the world itself.
Also:
Patrick Rothfuss - In the Name of the Wind (second book due in the future)
Naomi Novik - Temeraire series (Napoleonic wars with dragons)
Tad Williams - his Memory, Sorrow, Thorn trilogy and his Otherland tetralogy are magnificent
Stephen King - Eyes of the Dragon (standalone novel, but well worth the read)
Joe Abercrombie - The First Law series
Terry Brooks - Shannara trilogy (the first one), and The Word and the Void trilogy
Patricia McKillip - If you haven't read her, then you've never read truly sublime fantasy. It is not *epic*, but reading her stories is like exploring a beautiful tapestry of words and images. Absolutely stunning author, if you truly enjoy a lush story
Peter David - Apropos of Nothing trilogy. It made me laugh.
I could keep going for a loooong time. I tend to read between 3-5 books a week, so I've been exposed to a lot of writing.