64 replies to this topic

[Scipio]

Something serious from me for a change. I may have some time on my hands for a while, depending on the outcome of some hospital tests next week. I thought that if this should happen it could be fun to start reading good fantasy for a change. I confess that Tolkien is about the only fantasy I've ever read unless you include J. K. Rowling. My life-long preference has been for science fiction or non-fiction.

So this ignoramus asks for the names of the best fantasy writers, please! I know opinions may differ but I reckon there will be some common recommendations; those could be the ones to seek first. One name that has already been mentioned to me glowingly is Piers Anthony, whom I have never read.

Thanks, folks.

[Kulyok]

Terry Pratchett.

[Kellen]

Jim Butcher has some excellent work. I've much enjoyed the Codex Alera(set in a Romanesque land called Alera, with a number of pleasing plot twists) series(while my mother enjoys his Harry Dresden(Wizard PI in Chicago) books). EDIT: Dresden has a remarkably sarcastic wit(and written in 1st person means a lot of it), that I suspect you'd enjoy.

Also Margaret Weis has long been a favorite of mine. Her Dragonlance works and Death Gate Cycle(both co-authored by Tracy Hickman) and her Dragonvarld trilogy all get flying colors from me.

Edited by Kellen, 22 February 2008 - 09:09 AM.

[Choo Choo]

I don't know quite what to count it as, but I count it as fantasy (and even if it isn't, everyone should read these books anyway).

Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, by Douglas Adams.

And I also second the Terry Pratchett recommendation.

And again, don't know if it could count as fantasy, but I don't care much: Anything and everything by Stephen King. Some of his works (such as Rage) don't contain fantasy at all, while some (like The Talisman) is very fantasy-ish.

I tend to dislike fantasy when it's on its own, with a few very notable exceptions.

[SaintZenn]

I like Laurell K. Hamilton. She does a vampire fantasy series, Anita Blake, in the later books you there's a lot of sex. The Merry Gentry series is about sidhe. (Faeries) I like them both and have all of them.

[Jarno Mikkola]

R.A.Salvatore, Ed Greenwood and of course Margaret Weis&Tracy Hickman&Don Perrin. And others...

[Choo Choo]

(and of course, if you're into HORROR, read the Baldur's Gate novels. They're so bad, they're scary. >.>)

[Scipio]

My grateful thanks to all of you, and to any more who offer advice! I am cutting-and-pasting your replies into a Word doc for easy reference.

Terry Pratchett -- hey, I have heard that name! I believe many hard SF fans also like Pratchett.

A witty and sarcastic wizard PI? Sounds like a must-read!

Hitchhiker's Guide -- I'd thought of it as comic SF, and among the fuinniest stuff I've ever read.

Stephen King -- another author I've greatly enjoyed, although I'd thought of him more in the areas of horror or SF. Having just checked his bibliography on the Net, however, I see I haven't read even half his stuff.

So now I guess it'll be a matter of juggling the budget for cat food against my next visit to Amazon!

Thanks again.

[Daulmakan]

I'll add Neil Gaiman to the list.

[quinlan]

One name that has already been mentioned to me glowingly is Piers Anthony, whom I have never read.

Under NO circumstances should you miss the chance to read his Xanth series. With your manner of writing here in the forum, i think you will enjoy the endless array of puns.

[Scipio]

... and your recommendations continue to flow so rapidly that there were three more by the time I'd responded to the first three. You're all great!

[WeeRLegion]

Ehh... Just gotta say, you never should even consider missing T. Pratchett.
So wonderfully shaken, stirred, spiced, basted and baked upside-down, his writings are. @_@

[Kaeloree]

I'd also add Isobelle Carmody. Her Obernewtyn series is just fantastic

[Tempest]

L.E. Modesitt Junior is also an outstanding writer (I particularly enjoy her Recluce series), so long as you can get past her tendency to make the good guys flawless and the bad guys irredeemable and stupid besides, there only for the good guys to beat.

[The Red Knight]

L.E. Modesitt Junior is also an outstanding writer (I particularly enjoy her Recluce series), so long as you can get past her tendency to make the good guys flawless and the bad guys irredeemable and stupid besides, there only for the good guys to beat.

Robin Hobb gets this Goddess of strategy Moving.


That is all

[Scipio]

Yet again, people, Yow! This is better than a book club.

[Shadowhawke]

I just have to add my own voice to the mix . I adore Margaret Weis' and Tracey Hickman's Death Gate Cycle; some really incredible fantasy stuff there. I also second Kae's proffering of Isobelle Carmody. Not only is her Obernewtyn series great, she also has a novel called 'The Scatterlings', and both actually have sci-fi elements to them. David Eddings is another author whom I count as a personal favourite due to the spectacular series "The Belgariad', which is pure fantasy at one of its best, in my opinion.

Happy reading, Scipio!

[Kaeloree]

The Belgariad, Mallorean, Redemption of Althalus, Elenium and Tamuli are all huge favourites of mine, too. Not to mention Belgarath the Sorcerer, Polgara the Sorceress and the Rivan Codex. If you haven't read David and Leigh Eddings before, DO. As Shadowhawke said - fantasy at its best.

[cmorgan]

Anthony (Incarnations of immortality series0 if you want some somber thinking; Jack Vance if you want some brain bending, Pratchet (start with Going Postal if you only have a single book worth of time) if you want both humor and fantasy, Ursula LeGuin's Wizard of Earthsea Trilogy if you want serious fantasy,

but for my money, the best fun read with great approachable writing is Stephen Brust's whole Vlad Taltos series ; humor, danger, wisecracking familiars, and a decidedly different kind of hero.

Vlad Taltos:

"No matter how subtle the wizard, a knife between his shoulderblades will seriously cramp his style."

"Just because they really are out to get you, doesn't mean you aren't paranoid."

and of course, after a particularly spectacular crack from his jhereg familiar (this one shows up more than a few times)

"Shut up, Loiosh." (reply) "Sure, Boss."


The assassin with panache.

Edited by cmorgan, 22 February 2008 - 08:26 PM.

[minotaur_in_maze]

May I suggest Spider Robinson? If ya like good fantasy, his novel "Mindkiller" is hard to beat, he also did a follow up but the title escapes me.. Deathkiller, or something. Also, if you want to take the chance on bursting something with laughter, his "Callahan" series is a Must. (If you can find the companion, "Lady Slings The Booze" that would do you well too.)

If you like Darker fantasy, try "Inferno" by....uhm, Niven is I think his last name. An updated retelling of Dante's Divine Comedy.

A. Lee Martinez - "Gil's all fright diner" is another great one where a jailbait witch uses her Amazon.com bought copy of The Abridged Necronomicon to cause some problems with a vampire and a werewolf in a small town. Kudos if ya like dry humor as well.

Last, I put it last because it is I think more aimed for kids and mildly embarrassing to consider it, but a good read is the Nightworld series by L.J. Smith (Who, while a great author, needs to get off her tush and Finish the F...ing series after a decade! I Started this series twenty yrs ago and am still waiting for the finale'!)

Hope it helps and hope you are well.

MiM

Edited by minotaur_in_maze, 22 February 2008 - 08:51 PM.