Curse

Manderlock · May 14, 2005, 06:49 AM // 06:49

R.A. Slavatore, the god of all authors.

(also any book that comes from the Forgotten Realms)

Fantras · May 14, 2005, 09:35 AM // 09:35

R.A. Salvatore is the only one that has the ability to keep you toally riveted with battle writing. In short, his battles are written the best and most engrossingly. Check out the the books in order

The Crystal Shard
Streams of Silver
The Halfling's Gem

Then try

Homeland
Exile
Sojourn

Then try

Canticle
In Sylvan Shadows
Night Masks
Castle Trinity
The Chaos Curse

These are not in chronilogical order, but in the way I think you should read them. And I am always right

Madjik · May 15, 2005, 08:48 AM // 08:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by blythe

And no one has mentioned the Sword of Truth series by Terry Goodkind? 8 books now, arguably better than LOTR.

And if you can't find Goodkind's series, I'd go for the Discworld series by Terry Pratchett or the Eldest series by Christopher Paolini.

However, Sword of Truth blows all other fantasy books I've read out of the f***ing water.

I did mention the sword of truth series actually, but for the sake of it appearing lower on the list here, The first book is Wizards First Rule.

Gauwyn Vorec · May 15, 2005, 10:09 AM // 10:09

I did pick up the Icewind Dale Trilogy by R.A. Salvatore, and so far so good. I'm not too excited about following the path of a Dark Elf (Drow)... would have preferred a human... but, it seems pretty decent so far.

Anyone else under the impression that there's a better series out there?

SOT · May 15, 2005, 10:25 AM // 10:25

I am certain this post will not help in your search completely, but nonetheless...

I have read, several times, the book called Eragon. A fifteen year old wrote it. It is about a boy who is a hunter/farmer bastard who finds a baby dragon, and raises it. The book is an EPIC, and is about to enter book 2, which will be released soon.

I am a collector of books, and mostly my reading habits lean to psychological thrillers, sci-fi, photogrpahy magazines, gaming magazines, and comics. I do however, read VERY little fantasy as I have grown older, I have veered more into other things. But as far as fantasy goes, pretty much everyone can read discworld and terry pratchet and hell, even Turtledove (alternate history fantasy set in WW2 era with real dragons - its a hoot), but for something fresh, and something so remarkably well written from such a young man, you cannot go wrong.

The book has war, factions, quests, magic, miscast magic LOL, drama, suspense, horror, action, lore. It is simply a delight.

I recommend it without reservation if you are into fantasy that does not require a manual.

Also on an aside, I have always loved the Wheel of Time Series. That man, Robert Jordan, he is really an amazing writer.

Good luck in your pursuit of fine reading, and please enlighten us with any gems you find that we may have missed!

Rahl · May 15, 2005, 02:12 PM // 14:12

The Sword of Truth series by Terry Goodkind is the best (IMO) fantasy books in existance

They are for older readers though, since the characters actually act like the adults they are.

blythe · May 16, 2005, 02:56 AM // 02:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by blythe

And no one has mentioned the Sword of Truth series by Terry Goodkind? 8 books now, arguably better than LOTR.

And if you can't find Goodkind's series, I'd go for the Discworld series by Terry Pratchett or the Eldest series by Christopher Paolini.

However, Sword of Truth blows all other fantasy books I've read out of the f***ing water.

I read it and loved it. I'm 14.

Mercy · May 16, 2005, 03:33 AM // 03:33

I would definantly have to support an above poster in stating that, 'A Song of Ice and Fire', is an extremely good read.

It has everything your looking for!

Velric Shadran · May 16, 2005, 03:46 AM // 03:46

You can find no better than Wheel of Time by Robert Jordan (book 1 Eye of the World), Song of Fire and Ice by George R.R. Martin (book1 Game of Thrones), and Sword of Truth by Terry Goodkind (book 1 Wizard's First Rule).

Velric Shadran · May 16, 2005, 03:47 AM // 03:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rahl

The Sword of Truth series by Terry Goodkind is the best (IMO) fantasy books in existance

They are for older readers though, since the characters actually act like the adults they are.

Although good, they have an extreme tendency to be shallow. For true meat and greatness I recommend Song of Ice and Fire (Game of Thrones) from George R.R. Martin, but the true king is Robert Jordan with the Wheel of Time.

ArgentLupe · May 16, 2005, 03:03 PM // 15:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by BuFu

btw, zelazny's Amber was mentioned. books 1-5 are great, books 6-10 are crap.

There I disagree. While the first 5 books are my favorite, you must remember who is telling the story. Corwin is a force of nature, a veritable god among men who has had countless centuries to perfect his "art". Merlin is a punk upstart who has been in daddy's shadow since birth and has on 30 years of experience to work with. If you read the books with the storyteller in mind, the Chronicles of Merlin are much better than "crap".

ArgentLupe · May 16, 2005, 03:12 PM // 15:12

I just remembered another great series. It's called the Fionavar Tapestry by Guy Gavriel Kay. Bookd one is "The Summer Tree", book 2 is "The Wandering Fire" and book 3 is "The Darkest Road".

Alzbeta · May 16, 2005, 04:14 PM // 16:14

I can't say enough about Raymond Feist's novels. I love the characters (I'm madly in love with Prince Arutha!), the plot is always energetic and fun, and it definitely has the varied races and battles that you're looking for. Start with Riftwar, then move on to Serpentwar... someone provided a valuable link for you. I found the entire Serpentwar Saga at a secondhand bookstore, and I absolutely devoured them...

Dreamsmith · May 16, 2005, 04:33 PM // 16:33

Regarding Amber, while I agree that the original series is Zelazny's masterpiece, and the subsequent series didn't quite live up, I must say that my favorite book was actually the third of the Merlin novels, Sign of Chaos, the one that starts in the bar with Luke and ends with the battle at the Keep of the Four Winds. Alas, it went downhill from there (right about the point where the "ghosts" show up). I would say books 1-8 are great, it's 9 and 10 that aren't up to par for that series.

As for Fiest, I've only read the original four "Riftwar" books, but I did enjoy them immensely.

BuFu · May 16, 2005, 08:50 PM // 20:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by ArgentLupe

There I disagree. While the first 5 books are my favorite, you must remember who is telling the story. Corwin is a force of nature, a veritable god among men who has had countless centuries to perfect his "art". Merlin is a punk upstart who has been in daddy's shadow since birth and has on 30 years of experience to work with. If you read the books with the storyteller in mind, the Chronicles of Merlin are much better than "crap".

i take my words back. they are for sure not crap. but not so good either.
i also really liked corwin so the changing of protagonists kinda spoiled the series for me.

i may also say that i read the whole amber series 5 years ago, at the age of 14 or so, when my english wasnt so good as it is now, at the age of 19 (being a hebrew speaker doesnt really help you when books in english are to be read

i much prefer reading in english since the age of 17-18 though - simply cause books are better in their origin language, and 99% of the books i read are english-based).

Rahl · May 17, 2005, 02:32 AM // 02:32

I liked George R.R Martian's books, but they really were too short

Terry's were good in actually taking time to tell the plot, more so than Martian's IMO.

And I think it centered too much on the sexuality of the older characters so much that it got really irritating having to read about it every other chapter

ArgentLupe · May 17, 2005, 04:14 PM // 16:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rahl

I liked George R.R Martian's books, but they really were too short

Terry's were good in actually taking time to tell the plot, more so than Martian's IMO.

And I think it centered too much on the sexuality of the older characters so much that it got really irritating having to read about it every other chapter

I think the reason I like GRRM is his lack of fantasy "fluff". His characters are human, not the stylized D&D cookie cut-outs available from some other authors. I remember reading Donaldson's book for the first time and really hating Covenant. I was impressed that an author could and would evoke that emotion from me concerning a major character. GRRM is much like that to me. He is very good at evoking emotions from a reader, including "bad" ones.