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	Subtopic	Started By	Posts
	Archive through Mar 11, 2004 Last Post: Apr 02, 2004, 06:02 pm		20

Posted By: Aldan Mar 11, 2004 - 08:54 am

I don't know how many of you have read any of David Weber's books, but while he mostly writes science fiction, he did write two fantasy novels (a duology)... one was called "The War God's Own" and the other was... ARRRGH! I can NEVER remember the other's name! However, if you can find The War God's Own then you'll be able to find the name of the other book. They are very enjoyable, with the MC being what appears to be a superbeing that is from a culture which is looked upon as barbaric. David Weber put together a nicely detailed history for the novels, and the characters are interesting and fun, and the writing style keeps the reader involved throughout the stories. I JUST WISH I COULD REMEMBER THE NAME OF THAT NOVEL!
*Aldan goes googling and finds...*
AHA! Oath of Swords! That's it!!!
*Aldan listens to all the voices in his head cheering*

Posted By: Harbringer Mar 17, 2004 - 11:57 pm

K.J. PARKER! K. J. PARKER!! Dont forget his Fencer trilogy, as i've posted so often, his work is without a doubt one of the finest literature this genre has ever boasted.

Posted By: Windborn Mar 19, 2004 - 05:55 am

I find K.J. Parker boring after the 1st book. I almost fell asleep reading his fencer trilogy. It was only my refusal to leave any fantasy book untouched that made me finish them. I find Leguin's Earthsea boring too. So's Anne Rice. I haven't read her mayfair witches and vampire chronicles, but if they are like the rest of her books...bleah.

Hmm a few more great names (to me) that no one seems to mention:

Chris Bunch (Dragonmaster Series)
Mark Anthony (The Last Rune)
Philip Athans
Richard Lee Byers
James Clemens (The Banned & the Banished)
David B. Coe (Winds of the Forelands Trilogy)
Michael Cobley (Shadowking Trilogy)
Peter David (he doesn't only write Babylon 5 books)
Maggie Furey (Artifacts of Power Series & Shadow League Trilogy)
Ed Greenwood (have you read his elminster series?)
Richard A. Knaak
Mel Odom (try Rover)
Robert Newcomb (Chronicles of Blood & Stone)
Douglas Niles (His newest: Book 3 of Icewall Trilogy: Winterheim)

Fans of R.A. Salvatore, don't forget Demonwars Series I & II (total 6 books) and the newest Drizzt Books The Hunter's Blade Trilogy.
Raymond E. Feist: Conclave of Shadows Series
Fans of Forgotten Realms: Sembia Series and War of the Spider Queen Series (Books 4-6 haven't even been published yet, but the authors have already been chosen by Salvatore himself.)
Fans of L.E.Modesitt:his newest book: The Corean Chronicles Book 1-Legacies


For new authors, try Anselm Audley's Heresy.

Posted By: els Mar 28, 2004 - 10:20 am

>>>If you don't mind a slightly lower reading level, I think all of Garth Nix's books are quite good. I suggest starting with 'Sabriel'


I'm just curious as to why you think this trilogy is at a lower reading level? I thought his Key's to the Kingdom books might be considered lower (I think they are midgrades, and quite frankly, I found Mister Monday quite confusing), but the Abhorsen books seemed to me to be a good crossover- could have been adult, except for the age of the characters. He has a simplicity of style and clarity of vision that is just breathtaking. I wanna write like that.

Posted By: Dark Knight Apr 02, 2004 - 06:02 pm

Mister Monday wasn't confusing to me, I have not decided to rush out and get the next one....maybe I will try his trilogy, that maybe more my taste.....

Posted By: Magus Apr 03, 2004 - 04:47 pm

The Sillmarillian (J.R.R. Tolkien)

The Hobbit (J.R.R. Tolkien)

Diablo: Legacy of Blood (Richard A. Knaak)

Ella Enchanted (Gail Carson Levine)

Harry Potter series (J. K. Rowling)


Also, I'm not sure if this is fantasy, but it's my favorite book after The Lord of the Rings...

The Last Castle Rock Story: Needful Things (Stephan King)

Don't be fooled by the movie for Needful Things, it sucks! The movie for Ella Enchanted seems to be devoid of all of the merit that made the book so magical and enjoyable to read. Diablo Legacy of Blood is so good because it seoarates itself from the games it's based off of, It's between the two games and on a separate storyline. The Harry Potter movies are pretty mediocre (I can't spell worth beans) and just seem lacking of the special something that made the books good. The Sillmarilian is an in depth book about the history of Middle Earth. It's kind of a dry read due to the fact that his son published it based off of his father's notes. The Hobbit is a pretty easy read but it is very enjoyable, especially if you like LOTR.

Posted By: Sorcha Apr 05, 2004 - 12:02 pm

David Eddings, he's written lots. Worth your while, lots of humour

Posted By: Harbringer Apr 06, 2004 - 12:28 am

Boring? K.J. Parker is found boring? Extensively descriptive yes...but that in itself lends a certain air to the book. i find that as an author one should know, or have a fairly rudimentary working knowledge of what your story entails. And hats off to Parker, he actually took out time to learn how bows are crafted, how armour is fashioned, etc, etc.
Besides which, the way all three books weave intricately into a delightfuly fiendish and interconnected plot is quite exemplary.
But to each his own, one man's trash....

Posted By: Harbringer Apr 06, 2004 - 12:33 am

O...and as Sorcha mentioned, Eddings is most definately worth a read. HIs characterisation is wonderful, each with his own set of traits and eccentricities. i find that breathes life into characters and helps the reader relate.
Even though i dont perceive him to be quite as funny as he thinks he is.
But definately, his elenium and tamuli were well written and wonderrfuly phrased.

Posted By: Aldan Apr 06, 2004 - 07:41 am

Harbinger: agreed about Eddings. I really enjoyed the Elenium & Tamuli. The Belgariad was entertaining for awhile, but finally got boring.

Posted By: BRfromPA Apr 16, 2004 - 09:47 am

What about Card's "Enchantment"? Kind of straddles fantasy and present times and folk lore. I don't know where you put it.

Posted By: Aldan Apr 16, 2004 - 10:03 am

Card's "Enchantment"... is that part of his Alvin Maker series or is it not a part of any series?
It SOUNDS like an Alvin Maker book...

Posted By: BRfromPA Apr 16, 2004 - 05:37 pm

Enchantment is a stand alone. Nothing like Alvin Maker. He has one called Lost Boys that stands alone and is nothing like anything else. Lost Boys is more main stream than scifi or fantasy. It is about a Mormon family and a tragedy they experience. I felt i kind of forced myself to read parts but in the end it was WELL worth it. Which is no surprise since it is from Card.

Posted By: BRfromPA Apr 17, 2004 - 03:48 am

What about the Sword of Truth series by Terry Goodkind? I had to read them all.

Posted By: Acorn Apr 17, 2004 - 10:44 am

I though the trilogy The Deed of Paksonarrion by Elizabeth Moon was an excellent book that kept me interested the entire time. I also just read Eragon, that one was also very good. Anything by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes is good as well

Posted By: Aldan Apr 19, 2004 - 08:43 am

I really enjoyed books 2 & 3 of the Deed of Paksenarrion, but book 1 was just not as gripping for me.

Posted By: Windborn Apr 20, 2004 - 04:40 am

Too bad Eddings hasn't written anymore new books. I miss his style.

Posted By: Harbringer Apr 20, 2004 - 04:50 am

In a wierd sense im actually kind of happy he has abstained from the world of writing. After reading Redemption of Althalas, one just feels he's running extremely low on fresh ideas. And for one the book afore mentioned was fairly boring.

Posted By: Zamdrist Apr 23, 2004 - 10:04 am

Next to Tolkien I would believe Ursula Le Guin's Earthsea triligy and Mary's Stewart's Merlin series to be the next best read out there. Of course, that's just my opinion

Posted By: Magus Jun 16, 2004 - 03:48 pm

I'm sorry Windborn but did you just recommend Philip Athans? He's the reason I started writting seriously. I hate his style and the way he handled the novelization. No offense but I merely figured that if a proffesional author can take a prelaid story with all the makings of a good fantasy novel and butcher it to less then a shell of the original scope, envisionment and beauty then I could write my own original ones. I don't meen to offend you in any way but I dispise him as an author. There's a reason why I didn't pick up the novelization of Baldur's Gate 2.

I haven't read them yet but my sister has said nothing but good things about The Dark Tower series by Stephen King. I'm planning on starting it after I finish reading The DaVinchi Code.

Again Windborn I'm sorry if you took my comments personal. I don't meen them that way. It's just my opinion of dear Philip.

Posted By: Iznardi Jun 17, 2004 - 06:37 am

Roddha's Rowan of Rin and Deltona Quest series are good, although geared to a younger audience than the Lord of the Rings. Rowan of Rin is about a young kid who's treated as the village loser but turns out to be the village hero. Deltona Quest is just an adventure series. Roddha typically spins her plots with a lot of twists and puzzles that have to be figured out. Elizabeth Moon's Paksannarion trilogy is excellent, if a bit rough in the opening chapters. That's about a female knight who has to take on the forces of darkness.

Not fantasy, but great as a series is Gary Blackwoods The Shakespeare Stealer, Shakespeare's Scribe, etc.

Somewhere between fantasy and adverture, and really good, is "The Thief" and "The Queen of Atolia." Its about political and military intrigue in a mythical world loosely based on the ancient Mediterranean city states.

Yesterday I picked up "The Golden Hour," a new time travel book, and it great. I think it is a first novel. Don't even remember the author.

Posted By: Kevin Sep 08, 2004 - 02:55 pm

I would suggest Garth Nix to anyone who liked Lord of the Rings. In fact, Garth Nix says himself that Tolkien inspired a lot of his writing, and I think all of his books are spectacular, especially the Sabriel series.

Posted By: Amhran Sep 27, 2004 - 05:17 pm

I don't know if anyone has heard of it, but The Wheel of Time by Robert Jordan is extremely good. But if you start reading it: beware you will want more! I had to join an online site to "feed my WoT addiction". seriously though, the books are really good. There are 10 books right now, two more on the way. The first is called Eye of the World if your interested.