Fantasy Novels and D&D

[pawsplay]

I dunno. . . I've never liked D&D fiction, really. Save for the early Dizzt books, I think that it's pretty horrid.

Most of the fantasy fiction that I've read comes from a time before D&D existed (Lord Dunsany, Leiber's early Lankhmar stories, Vance's Blue World, Vernor Vinge's Grimm's World, etc). The only Fantasy author of a more recent vintage who I am truly fond of (other than Vance, who continues to thrill me) is Dennis L. McKiernan (and his novels are primarly infleunced by a game system other than D&D).

I actually spend most of my time reading hardboiled detective pulps, adventure pulps, and short horror fiction (though I've lately taken an interest in modern technothrillers, as well).

Ever read Glen Cook? Good stuff.

 

[Kishin]

Also, he writes 1 book a year, which is something other witers *cough*George RR Martin*cough* should really take as an example...

QFT. I don't think Erikson is trotted out for book tours and conventions and whatnot quite as much as GRRM is though (Which is, IMO, a ridiculous amount. Writers write books, not fly around the world signing them), and the entirety of Gardens of the Moon (and I'm willing to bet a couple of the other books) were written years before they were published. The man had to have a head start. Still, pumping out volumes the length of the Bonehunters is no mean feat...

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

Ever read Glen Cook? Good stuff.

Ditto- I love Cook's comedic fantasy take on the Nero Wolfe stories!

 

[Obryn]

Yep, I can also vouch for both Bakker's Prince of Nothing (although it is too dark, cynical, and philisophical for some). It pretty much brings out strong feelings either positive or negative... It's dark, grim, and sometimes a bit uncomfortable. The 'protagonist' is, IMHO, both deeply evil and extremely scary, but his philosophy is very inspirational for gaming. The author doesn't shy away from sexual issues, either.

I also love Erikson's Malazan series - but I need to note, many people also hate it, and for reasons I can respect. Still, it's my kind of series and it has colored my campaigns. The only book I was less enthusiastic about was his most recent, Toll the Hounds, and that might be because I'd grown unfamiliar with the characters after they'd been more or less out of the spotlight for a few thousand pages.


As for me, I've been going back and finally reading the classics, of late. I'm at last getting around to reading the various Elric novels, after they've sat on my shelf for over a decade. I recently (finally!) read Vance's Dying Earth. Although it's not fantasy, I have Romance of the Four Kingdoms on deck as my next major novel/series/epic/whatever.

There's still tons of good stuff out there... It's just sometimes a bit tough to find it.

EDIT: Also, I will mention that Butcher's Dresden Files are compellingly readable and quite excellent. Glen Cook's Black Company, likewise.

-O

 

[Kishin]

Ever read Glen Cook? Good stuff.

Glen Cook is amazing.

I would encourage anyone to read the Black Company novels, especially if they are planning on or are already reading Erikson's Malazan books. Its clear to see the influence Cook had on him.

Also, the dynamic of the Black Company's members pretty well mimics several adventuring groups I've witnessed over the years...

 

[Mercule]

I can't stand D&D fiction. That's partly because it's almost entirely based in the Realms, which I... dislike a lot. I've also never found most of the authors to be even passably talented (though I haven't read many, so no one in particular should feel maligned).

I've found that I really like "urban fantasy". Dresden is awesome and the first couple Anita Blake books are readable (by the fourth book, it moves into something like torture erotica and I just couldn't stomach it). I'd like to find more in that vein.

For actual fantasy, though, I really like Dave Duncan. He rarely revisits a setting, but usually writes multi-book stories within a setting, so you get filled, but not stale. In particular, I'd recommend "A Man of His Word" (first book is "Magic Casement") and "The King's Blades" (starting with "The Gilded Chain"). The first series is fairly teen-safe (not juvenile, just clean) and has a sequel series that I didn't enjoy as much, but that was still better than any D&D fiction I've read. The "King's Blades" is much more mature and has a second series, as well that is at least as good as the first.

Mary Stewart's "Crystal Cave" series is also a must read.

I've read only a little of Barbara Hambly's stuff, but I definitely enjoyed it.

 

[pawsplay]

Glen Cook is amazing.

I would encourage anyone to read the Black Company novels, especially if they are planning on or are already reading Erikson's Malazan books. Its clear to see the influence Cook had on him.

Also, the dynamic of the Black Company's members pretty well mimics several adventuring groups I've witnessed over the years...

I like to imagine the Taken as a seris of munchkined out wizard characters run by a problem player who the other players and the GM casually allowed to get into all the trouble they cared for.

 

[jdrakeh]

Ever read Glen Cook? Good stuff.

Yeah. I don't much care for it. The original Black Company novel I did enjoy (very much so), but most of his other novels seem (to me) to be built upon a foundation overly purple prose and incoherent plots. I think that he is in need of a much more assertive copy editor.

 

[Rackhir]

Yeah. I don't much care for it. The original Black Company novel I did enjoy (very much so), but most of his other novels seem (to me) to be built upon a foundation overly purple prose and incoherent plots. I think that he is in need of a much more assertive copy editor.

For god's sake then don't go within 20' of a Robert Jordan novel...

 

[jdrakeh]

For god's sake then don't go within 20' of a Robert Jordan novel...

I tried to read a WoT novel once, but couldn't understand the appeal. I have a few friends who are huge Robert Jordan fans, however.