Curse

Gauwyn Vorec · May 13, 2005, 04:11 AM // 04:11

Does anyone know of a good series that is fun and easy to read that sets itself in a similar realm as Guild Wars? I'm looking for at least a trilogy, that involves different races (not one character or race specific), preferably with numerous battles (to hold my attention).

After I read a bit and get back into the mood (used to be a huge Fantasy fan), I'm going to write a trilogy based upon my character in this realm. Should be interesting... I just need some motivation.

Any suggestions?!

Nlandge · May 13, 2005, 05:06 AM // 05:06

meaning books? piers anthony-xanth sieres, old but classic

Gbuslayer · May 13, 2005, 05:27 AM // 05:27

I've always loved the Shannara series by Terry Brooks, Theres like 15 books now or something, they're released in different sets of 3-4(not all at once, I mean set as in set in a different time period)

They're a mighty good read, much faster paced than LOTR and not such a bore to read(and yes I used to love LOTR too but now I find them too slow and descriptive of every useless detail)

When I first started reading the series I went through like 6 books in 2 weeks cause I couldn't put them down

Edit: BTW don;t worry too much if you can't get the first one, its nice to read them in order but most of them are great as stand alone books as well(Scions of shannara should be read in order if possible though)

Corwin_Andros · May 13, 2005, 05:55 AM // 05:55

Try Mercedes Lackey's Valdemar novels.. There are several trilogies and all are excellent. Not loads of different races, but tones of battles and magick and intrigue.

Sekkira · May 13, 2005, 06:01 AM // 06:01

Terry Pratchett

Mostly for comedy though

Hintshigen Elgin · May 13, 2005, 08:29 AM // 08:29

I'll second the Shannara series by Terry Brooks, it's what I started with oh so long ago. However if you want a truly unique fantasy novel, set in a made up medievil setting like Guild Wars by far the best series going right now is 'A Song of Ice and Fire' series by George R.R. Martin (www.georgerrmartin.com) Seriously without a doubt, hands down, the best fantasy series I've read in at least the last 10 years.

Shamblemonkee · May 13, 2005, 08:39 AM // 08:39

The Riftwar and Serpent War sagas by Raymond E. Feist are all excellent. I had them reccomended to me by someone I worked with, i picked up Magician the first in the series, and after finishing it bought the rest of the Riftwar books and the Serpentwar.

Since then my father, sister and two friends have picked up or bought them all aswell. highly reccomended.

http://www.raymondfeistbooks.com/booklist.htm

Madjik · May 13, 2005, 08:59 AM // 08:59

3rd'ed with the Shannara, Terry Brooks knows how to spin a tale for sure. I also found the Crown of Stars books to be good (starting with King's Dragon) by Kate Elliott ~At least 6 books~, Terry Goodkinds; Wizards First Rule ~More then 6 books, not sure how many exactly~ And David Eddings also puts out a good couple of books ~might look at your local library for those~

Shannara and Wizards First Rule are my top two votes of those listed.

Oooh, if you want a more comedic approach, terry brooks also has a series called Magic Kingdom for Sale: Sold. Uhh, think thats terry brooks anywho, havent read that series in a long time. Starts out present day but ends up in the realm your looking for, not much in the way of battles but its deffinatly good for a few laughs.

momo2oo2 · May 13, 2005, 09:06 AM // 09:06

My favourite some time ago was the Dragonlance series, can't remember the author/s sorry. There was (at that time, 4 years ago, now dont kno) 3 trilogies and a lot of side books, some explaining past and some telling the story of some principal chars.

It was great, the chars was very good developed, the story twisted many times in some surprising plots. I think the best of the series are the chars. Worth reading if you ask me!

Auntie I · May 13, 2005, 11:11 AM // 11:11

All the above authors write excellent fantasy stories. I personally like Mercedes Lackey, Raymond Feist and Piers Anthony(Beware the puns in the Xanth Series). I would also recommend L.E. Modesitt Jr. His Recluce series is very good.

Madallaw · May 13, 2005, 11:16 AM // 11:16

Gosh, everyone beat to LOTR, Fiest and Brooks. Since you are only looking for a trilogy, don't get Robert Jordan's Wheel of time series. 10 books and the series isn't even over, AND the books are near 800 pages... Sheesh. I will also highly suggest Brooks. I have read all except his last book, they are indeed awesome.

It is interesting, I too am writing a series of stories based on a fantasy setting. Good deal.

adam.skinner · May 13, 2005, 11:41 AM // 11:41

I'll recommend Fiest, and Hickman & Wies (Dragonlance). Both of those are easy reads.

If you're going to find a work for inspiration (and not light bubblegum reading), I would highly recommend reading George R.R. Martin's "A Song of Ice and Fire" series. While not a "high magic" book, it's a great example of what a good series can be.

Greentongue · May 13, 2005, 12:23 PM // 12:23

If you are more orientated to combat driven stories with few if any "non-humans", like Guild Wars, then I suggest looking at books by David Gemmell.
http://www.davidgemmell.com/

These are the first books in a series:
Sword in the Storm (Rigante)
Legend (Drenai - First in Written Sequence)
Waylander (Drenai - Earliest in Timeline)

Morningstar is a standalone book if you don't wish to start a series.

Enjoy

Bruenor · May 13, 2005, 12:24 PM // 12:24

Two of the best are:

Raymond E. Feist - Riftwar Saga

R. A. Salvatore - The Icewind Dale Trilogy

Other great series' are the L. E. Modesit and Robert Jordan series' - I can't think of the series name but one of the books in it is titles Luther's Gamble... another excellent series it's been awhile since reading them.

Fantasy is a genre where it can be hard to slog through all the poor books to find the one or two gems that are really worth your time. Especially when you are going to get into a series that is long and involved. You'll see Raymond Feist in almost everyones replies and yes it is because they are that good.

ThundrGod · May 13, 2005, 12:32 PM // 12:32

Chronicles of Thomas Covenant is something a little different from the standard fantasy themes and a great read by Stephen R. Donaldson i believe.

Schizo · May 13, 2005, 01:00 PM // 13:00

Thank you BRUENOR. R.A. Salvatore is one of the best fantasy novel writers there are, but you don't have to read only Icewind Dale trilogy. He has several novels about Drizzt and his friends and he also has other novels he has released. One being about Cadderly, a high priest of Deneir. All of his books keep your interest, but the Dark elf series has gotten up there in number count. I think it is at 14 books to date.

Mudshark70 · May 13, 2005, 01:00 PM // 13:00

Yea what Bruenor said. Icewind Dale Trilogy is just awesome. Great characters, action, humor all wrapped up in a really interesting story.

Pretty much everything I have read by Salvatore has been wonderful.

Gbuslayer · May 13, 2005, 01:09 PM // 13:09

Quote:

Oooh, if you want a more comedic approach, terry brooks also has a series called Magic Kingdom for Sale: Sold. Uhh, think thats terry brooks anywho, havent read that series in a long time

Affirmative

Tery Brooks at Chapters

omg omg omg!

Sept 2005 release date(at last) for his next book, mind you I'm still waiting for his last one to go soft cover(or has it, haven't been paying attention lately)
And at the bottom theres a star wars book :X
My friends gonna sh*t his pants lol

BuFu · May 13, 2005, 02:45 PM // 14:45

OMG OMG OMG
how come no one has even mentioned robin hob's farseers?! ahhhhhhhh
the first trilogy is amazing - and pretty similar to GW. it is followed up by the liveship traders trilogy that while is no like the first farseers trilogy and not really like GW, is an OMG WTF OWNAGE trilogy.
and then comes the second farseers trilogy (also known as the tawny man grilogy), in which im still in the second book that seems to be the best of her up to now (the trilogy, not the book).
go get the first book of this 9-parts-genius-work.
here

ps
i read the whole farseers trilogy and the first two books of the liveship traders in hebrew but half a year ago i had a trip to NY and i bought all the remaining books there, and its much better in the origin language

Ramus · May 13, 2005, 03:10 PM // 15:10

The Wheel of Time, by Robert Jordan
Best book series ever other than LOTR.