Hey all!

Hope everyone is having a good weekend! Long-time LFG (and LICD) reader, but never really posted before. That said, I know this community is very knowledgeable about Fantasy books, so I wanted to ask for some help:

I need a new fantasy series to read! I'd prefer it to be a "harder" read (e.g. I read, and loved, Piers Anthony, but I'm looking for something more challenging, ala Goodkind, Rothfuss, Jordan.)

As for what I've already read...
* I grew up reading about Pern, Death Gate, Xanth, and the Belgariad.
* I've dabbled in Discworld, fallen in love - then grew bored - then fell in love again with the Wheel of Time, and absolutely loved the start of Richard and Kahlan...but got bored around book 7 or 8.
* I've read some Feist (Magician) as a kid, as well as countless other series I often only remember when I'm a chapter or two in (e.g. something about a prince and dogs that know him, another about swords that sing (I think?), etc.).
* My most recent read was The Name of the Wind (Kingkiller Chronicles, Day 1), and I can't wait for book 2!
* (And of course, I've read all the hobbit books, etc. )

I'm toying with Dragonlance, but am worried it is more Anthony than Jordan...(although to be honest, I'd love Jordan with a bit quicker progression! )

Any suggestions are most welcome! Thank you!
-D

Mistborn trilogy by Brandon Sanderson, he's the one writing the final book(s) for the Wheel of Time.

My recomendations are usualy:

Jane Lindskold's Firekeeper series. It starts with Through Wolf's Eyes, I believe.

CS Friedman's Coldfire Trilogy. I'll also recomend the Magister Trilogy, but I've only read the first book so far, and while that was utterly enthralling, my ADD has prevented me from even checking to see if the second is published yet... That one's copyright is '07, so the second could be out, but I have my doubts about third yet. Dunno. Havne't checked. I probably will after I leave my list of sugestions... If I remember.

Morgan Hewell's Queen of the Orcs series had a good start as far as I'm concerned, but like the Magister Trilogy, I've only read the first book King's Property.

David Farland's Runelords series is worth a look too in my opinion. I've read that up through Sons of the Oak and it didn't annoy me with an excessive ammount of sidetracking. *coughRobertJordancough* That's the fifth book so far, but looks like six should already be out. I'm almost surprised that book five wasn't considered a seperate series in the same world, as the main character from the first four isn't even in it and it's about his kids years later.

Did I mention that I really love how Farland can write a long series without getting so incredibly sidetracked by subplots that a thousand pages go by and NOTHING HAPPENS?!! ... Sorry... I used to like Jordan's Wheel of Time series, but I got a bit fed up with it... Just a little... A teansy weency little schoach...

Try the "Twilight" series by Stephanie Meyer.

It's a really inovate look on the stereotype of the vampire.
It offers an writing experience that will be unlike any other book you've read. Love, Hatred, Sadness, Happyness and many many more very important emotions.

I really recomend it.



And while you're at it, you might as well see the movie. Which is like the book, but with more sound. It's awesome

After that you might even consider shattering a mirror, gouging out your eyes, then doing a line of coke of the sharpest edge you can feel. Maybe that would make it more enjoyable.

You forgot lots of alcohol and gnawing your own legs off.

If you haven't already, looking through some of the classics to find one you haven't read is always good.

Though I know he is overrated, I'd say pick up any of R.A. Salvatore's books. He seems to have some good talent in the Fantasy and Sci-Fi genre, and his fight sequences are... erm... in my opinion, better than what Robert Jordan could provide (though Robert Jordan is a good writer, I've not yet been able to read one battle sequence that did not involve a quick, swift death). Salvatore goes in depth, but not so much as Jordan. And if you haven't already, I suggest reading books by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman. Richard Baker is pretty good as well. And if you want OUT of the fantasy/sci-fi genre, I suggest reading "Twilight Eyes" by Dean Koontz. REALLY good book. Then you have Anne Rice, if you're one of those dark, brooding guys wanting a little bit of dark romance and gothic story-telling. There are a lot of books out there, mate, but if anything, don't JUST look for a book, look for the authors.

Awesome, thank you all for the replies! I'm going to make a list and start going through it.

lol, you're welcome mate. Though I don't think I helped very much '>.>

Terry Brooks is a greatness author. The Shannara series, by him, is 20+ books long now, and counting. If you want the feeling of proper chronology, then it's best to read the series in this order:
Word and Void Series (Running With the Demon, A Knight of the Word, Angel Fire East),
Genesis of Shannara (Armageddon's Children, the Elves of Cintra, The Gypsy Morph),
First King of Shannara,
The Original Shannara Trilogy (The Sword of Shannara, The Elfstones of Shannara, The Wishsong of Shannara),
The Heritage of Shannara (The Scions of Shannara, The Druid of Shannara, The Elf Queen of Shannara, The Talismans of Shannara),
The Voyage of the Jerle Shannara (Isle Witch, Antrax, Morgawr),
High Druid of Shannara (Jarka Ruus, Tanequil, Straken).

If not, he wrote them in this order: original trilogy, heritage of sh. tetralogy, first king of sh., word and void series, voyage of the jerle sh., high druid of sh., genesis of sh.


I know it seems awful overwhelming, but that's just cause I wrote everything down. o:

I highly recommend those books. They've kept me wanting more.
I'd also recommend the Harry Dresden Files, a number of books about a Wizard in Chicago investigating about things that bump in the night.

Hmph...

Vampire/Oddity series - Necroscope series by Brain Lumley (5 book series, leads to a further Wamphri Wars series of 3 books, very good overall).

Paladin Trouncery - David Edding - Pandion Series (Elenium series and Tamuli series, involves knights trouncing around and doing fun deeds).

Sorceror Adventures - Belgariad and the Mallorean series (oddball group out to stop the chosen dark god, simple but fun series).

To me, DnD books (dragonlance, RA Salvatore, etc), are junk fantasy. I pick em up if I need a quick boredom fix, but they're flat out stories without any character depth.

Of course you seem to have grounded yourself on the 6-7th book of the Wheel of Time series, so character development isn't your forte <.< Yeah, ok, for those of you who couldn't make it past these books, you missed out on some of Jordan's best plot answers in 9 through 11. And once you get to 11, if you go back and read 6-7 again, well damn, it actually makes a hell of a lot of sense what's going on, and you get it.

Point of what Jordan did was that EVERYTHING has a purpose, and a meaning, and you might think it simplistic, but there's no point where something happens and you're like "WTF did that just come from" but rather you're like "Holy CRAP!!! It all makes sense!"

... oh wait, re-reading the initial post, you went with Richard and Kahlahn, so I'm guessing you loved Wheel of Time, and then dabbled in Sword of Truth and got bored around 6-7? That makes complete sense, though I got bored at 5 (the one with the Chimes was it?)

Also, that being said, if you read Belgariad, read the Mallorean, and read the Prequels (Belgarath the Sorceror, Polgara the Sorceress, they're a bit less detailed and jump a bit more, but they're a fun read). Also, definitely read Edding's other series I mentioned.

... I think I can come up with more too, I'll get back to you on it though...

Someone who understands branching story-lines and that series are meant to be read in a row? No way! Jordan writes like all of his books are just one continuous tome. You won't get it if you try to jump in on book three, and leaving in the middle will have you wondering what happens. Book nine deals with every plot hole in 6/7 while adding fresher questions that are dealt with later. And from what I've heard, Terry Goodkind ripped off Jordan badly, like to the point of plagiarism at some spots. Thus I refuse to read Sword of Truth for fear of my rage combusting my house.

Salvatore is very good. Drizzt is one of his best creations.

Well I would definatly recommend my favorite trilogy of all time The Bartimaeus Trilogy about magic demons and England its really my favorite book series off all time.

The Vlad Talos series by Steven Brust.

The Nightside series by Simon R. Green.

I second the nomination of the Dresden Files by Jim Butcher. Harry Dresden kicks ass!

Twilight by Stephanie Meyer

The Rhapsody Series by Elizabeth Haydon and of course the Vampire chronicles By Anne Rice.

Is it just me, or are you doing that on purpose to make this guy pour acid into his own eye sockets?





Anyway..


Anything by R.A. Salvatore, I love the Vlad Talos series... Uhhh... Oh, definitely anything you can find with Dwarves in it.

Yep, it's awesome! . . . I want a jhereg.


Ok, back on topic . . . . The Incarnations of Immortality seriesby Piers Anthony isn't bad. (Although, you can make a drinking game just from the numerous times someone says, 'twenty years hence' . . .). The basic premise involves people becoming anthropomorphic personifications of things like Death, Nature and Time.

Also, the Cal Leandros series by Rob Thurman, it begins with Nightlife. Urban fantasy from the viewpoint of two brothers trying to stay one step ahead of vicious monstrosities . . . who happen to be related to one of them.

Kitty and the Midnight Hour by Carrie Vaughn. A werewolf named Kitty (yes, Kitty) slowly learns to be less of an omega, and starts her own late-night talk-radio program for the supernatural community.

Oh, another one is the World of Tiers series by Philip J. Farmer; its premise is that highly advanced aliens can create their own worlds, and populate them with unusual creatures and people they've tinkered with biologically. The first book's main character is a man who accidentally triggered a teleporation device which dumped him on one of these custom-built worlds.

This!

And how come no one has suggested George R R Martin? Is it because we dont have an age? Because i would not suggest the book too anyone under 16. It contains matures subject matter not appropriate for all viewers.

I really enjoyed steven eriksons first few books, and the latest one.

Dragon lance had a couple great books. The war of souls trilojy being my favourite. Have not read them since i was 15, and that was a long while ago.

Tad Williams has some funs books too read, although i would say his other world books are more scifi then fantasy

The Chronicles of the Black Company by Glen Cook. Great if you're tired of the "princesses and dragons" type of fantasy and want something a bit more visceral.

Adding in my two cents. . .

The Alara Codex by Jim Butcher, a fantasy novel based on roman people getting teleported to a new world. Same author as the Dresden Files. Both are highly recommended.

The Night Angel Trilogy by Brent Weeks. Time skips occur, but in a I don't want to hear him train anymore sort of way, get to the good stuff. Azoth and Vi are my favorite characters.

The Malazan Book of the Fallen Series by Steven Erikson. People will die. The Main Cast has no real Plot Armor.

Otherwise. . . most of the ones I would also say have been said, so. . .

Yeah, I realize I'm posting recommendations a good 11 days after the fact, so sue me.

I just found the first book of a brand-new series: Soulless, the first book of the Parasol Protectorate, by Gail Carriger.
It's Jane Austen meets Buffy, a steampunk mixed with supernatural creatures, plus proper Victorian manners, or 'urbane fantasy'. If you're confused, find the book and read it; you'll probably be hooked in the first 10 pages like I was.

Night Angel Trilogy by Brent Weeks. Very well written. I was sad when it was finished because I liked it so much.

The Gathering Storm <.<

You will want to check out the Discworld series... incredible, deep, very funny and well written. Dragonlance is fine early on, but youll find that some of the more recent books are very bad... You should also look at the Bartimaeus trilogy; not strictly fantasy, but youll enjoy it....

I'd recommend. . .

-The Elminster Series and Spellfire trilogy by Ed Greenwood

-Songs & Swords and Starlight and Shadows series by Elaine Cunningham

-The Black Magician and The Age of the Five Trilogies by Trudi Canavan

The discworld books - Terry Pratchet.

Jim Butcher - Dresden Files and Codex Alera (already mentioned, but Jim is my favorite author)

Glen Cook - Garrett (a lot like Dresden) as well as The Black Company

Charlie Huston - Joe Pitt Novels (angry jerk of a vampyre, in a world where a vamp in the sun dies of a massive amount of tumors (no sparkling there)

Sandman Slim can't remember author now and too pressed for time to look it up, a guy gets dragged to hell by a demon, escapes and is looking for revenge on those who sent the demon after him

Lisa Shearin - series starts with Magic Lost, Trouble Found, fun short novel swords and sorcery style

Mike Carey - Felix Castor series, another PI with magic

Scott Lynch - Lies of Locke Lamora and Red Seas Under Red Skies, kind of a Ocean's Eleven meets sword and sorcery

A few other authors of the PI with magic that are pretty good: Anton Stroudt, Mark Del Franco, Jon Levitt

While i will admit the trilogy was a good read, that is only true up until the last 100 or so pages of the last book. Im sorry but the way they ended that book was complete Disney esque bullshit. It made me want to punch a baby and then stomp repeatedly on his head before shoving it down a garbage disposal. I just cant believe after all of that, thats the best he could come up with.



Discworld was inventive, ill give you that. But it leaves a lot of question unanswered. At least up to book two which is as far as ive made it. So if you like to understand the physics of how your scifi worlds actually work, you may find it frustrating.


If you like scifi or mystery type writing as i do, you may find the Eisenhorn Trilogy enjoyable. Kinda like Sherlock Holmes in a apocalyptic future setting where to go against the church means death.

I dont know if anyone else has suggested him, but Dennis L. McKiernan is one of the greatest authors I have seen. Some books of his I would suggest are Into the Forge and Into the Fire (2 book series) Voyage of the Fox Rider, or basically anything he writes.

Another amazing author is David Gemmel. His Troy series is amazing. Echoes of the Great Song is a good book, Sword in the Storm and Midnight Falcon (kinda a 2 book series but each can stand alone) are fantastic. Ill just say I have never read anything from him I didnt like.

David Eddings did a lot of good stuff, Redemption of Althalus was a great book, and the Dreamers series was ok.

Hope that helps

TOYING WITH DRAGONLANCE? You should be up to your EYES in Dragonlance. Ahhh those books are so amazing. I recommend The Chronicles, Legends, or the Soulforge.

Song of Ice and Fire, by George R.R Martin is absolutely reccomended.

Raymond E. Feist's Riftwar saga is awesome too.

I heavily recommend the Complete Chronicles of Conan by Robert E Howard. Some of the first and still the best sword and sorcery ever written. Unless your already a devoted Conan fan skip past the history lesson to the first story.

Yes the Riftwar Saga is by far awesomeness.

The Clifford Croft Series, by Steve Gordon. They're hard to come by, but there's a website that has all the storiesas E-books. Its a sort of upbeat Sci-Fi about spies, telepaths, and strange governments. It has some cool original things like a planet with people born with super reflexes, and most of them become mercenaries.

There's also Rogue Angel to consider. They're short, action packed reads, that concentrate on globe-trotting archeologist Annja Creed, who has a magic sword. Its got several mystic elementsin it.

The Sword of Truth series by Terry Goodkind. 12 books in all. Good series. I've read four of them so far. And I have the next two sitting here waiting to be read.


Ender's Shadow and the three books after it is a great series if you liked Ender's Game series. These books by Orson Scott Card.


Anything written by Peter F. Hamilton is good as far as I'm concerned. Though you may want to start with his earlier books so you don't get lost too much in the later ones (like I did, starting with The Dreaming Void).

R. A. Salvatore's Forgotten Realms novels, as were mentioned earlier. Drizzt is his finest creation but the Cleric Quintet is enjoyable as well. R. A.'s action scenes are among the best I have ever read; it really shows that he has real-world fighting experience. (In the author's foreword to the Cleric omnibus he mentions spending several years as a bouncer, for one thing.)

WoT is great from what I have read so far, but I only just completed The Great Hunt last night, so I have a ways to go there myself. I also like Sword of Truth, and don't see it as a WoT ripoff.

If you're looking to get out of the fantasy area and towards more SF, then David Weber's Honorverse series is highly recommended. I'm shocked no one has said it yet.

The 1632 universe by Eric Flint et al (including Weber). If you go for this one, the online stories in the Grantville Gazette are worth a look.

David Gerrold's War Against The Chtorr novels. I discovered the first three during high school, and was instantly hooked.

Lastly, Harry Turtledove's Worldwar/Colonization (massive worldwide alien invasion... during WWII) and Southern Victory series. The former reads like Independence Day meets The Winds of War by Herman Wouk (or the '80s miniseries of same). Alternate histories fascinate me. While it isn't part of a series, also look for The Guns of the South. It is generally considered his masterpiece.

I would like to offer the "Elric Saga" for you to read. It's by Michael Moorcock. The story is great and is very quite absorbing. The action scenes are, sadly, fast paced, but the story is worth it. I borrowed Michael's story-telling skills to help improve my own, and I mingled this story-telling skill of his with R.A. Salvatore's description for action scenes... and, for the record, I borrowed a little of Robert Jordan's descriptive talent as to help myself out with my own writing... I borrow a lot of things '>.>

Anywho... yeah, I recommend reading any/all of Michael Moorcock's stories, ESPECIALLY the "Elric Saga" for it is the most fascinating six-book series (though, technically, it's filled with a chronological sequence of novellas that he has written over the years for magazines). Really really really good...

I can't emphasize it enough. So, pardon my enthusiasm.