Best Books Ever!

[Umbran]

- Stephen Donaldson's "Chronicles of Thomas Covenant."
[...snip...]
It's just that Tolkien's good guys are Heroes that are outmatched by Evil. Covenant is a normal person catapulted into a fantasy world and imbued with power beyond ...

A warning to some readers - the Covenant books are good, but they are renowned for making you HATE the main character. I must disagree with Doc_Subtlety's statement that Covenant is a normal person. Psychologically, his life has forced him to the border of sanity even before he's taken to the fantasy world, and it isnt' wacky-funny insanity, either.

Lastly - Covenant does some reprehensible stuff, right out. Many readers are very, very put off by the first meaningful thing he does in this fantasy world. You have been warned.

If you want even better Donaldson, without all the baggage Covenant brings, read the two Mordant's Need books - titled "The Mirror of Her Dreams" and "A Man Rides Through". Again, a normal person is catapulted into a fantasy world. But she isn't a creep...

 

[Jeremy]

Melanie Rawn has 2 complete trilogies and 1 that is 2/3's done.

If you like Game of Thrones et al, give these a shot. Genius. Shere genius.

 

[Shadowdancer]

I just finished "A Game of Thrones" last night. It's an amazing book. Had some real surprises, especially toward the end. I can't wait to start reading the next book in the series.

 

[Sir Osis of Liver]

I have to agrre that Song of fire and ice is great, although i yet to find time to read a storm of swords. No should forget to include Wheel of time of course.

I would like to recommend some books that are a little off the beaten path, but are a very worth while read. The Cold fire trilogy by C.S. Friedman was good, The Renshai books and the Legend of Nightfall by Mickey Zucker Reichert were good.

If you can find them, and you like vampires or even if you don't, i highly recommend Christopher Goldens vampire trilogy(Of saints and shadows, Angel souls and Devil hearts, and Of Masques and Martyrs). This series has the coolest take on vampires EVER.

 

[Flinx]

I'd just like to make a quick recommendation for Eddings' Belgariad and Malloread series. A great cast of characters in a very detailed and well-thought out world. The basic plot lines are a bit formulaic but Eddings tells the story very well in each series and the development of the characters throughout made me want to re-read these books.

 

[Doc_Subtlety]

I must disagree with Doc_Subtlety's statement that Covenant is a normal person. Psychologically, his life has forced him to the border of sanity even before he's taken to the fantasy world, and it isnt' wacky-funny insanity, either.

*ponders how to explain*

Of course Covenant's normal. In these books, he's standing in for you and me - Man in general.

It's just that he's starring in The Book of Job: God and Satan have put him to the test. He's been given the plague, lost his family, and been forced to confront demons. But the man underneath isn't a criminal or anything - he's just some guy.

That's why a lot of people hate him, I think. He's not better than us, but he's put in situations where you'd have to be to do well. And so he s up a lot, and the consequences are very, very serious.

Most people wanna read about heroes. Virtuous types. Not people you'd ever meet on the street.

*shrugs*

This is actually why I like him. I don't think I'd face the things he did with any greater resolve or skill - I think I'd it all up, too (just in my own way). That's why I devoured those books - quite a unique experience.

Lastly - Covenant does some reprehensible stuff, right out. Many readers are very, very put off by the first meaningful thing he does in this fantasy world. You have been warned.

This is a fair point.

I don't see why it's such a big deal, (plenty of atrocities in the other books mentioned here, and people just eat them up), but a lot of people do put the books down after that.

 

[Shadowdancer]

I'd have to say Covenant is the best example of the anti-hero in fantasy literature.

Many people read fantasy for the heroic quality, and are not prepared and/or ready to accept an anti-hero.

But as a change of pace, I find I sometimes like to read fantasy of a darker nature. That's why I love the series that started this thread, the Black Company books. It's not traditional, heroic fantasy, but it's still a damn good read.

 

[Umbran]

Of course Covenant's normal. In these books, he's standing in for you and me - Man in general.

It's just that he's starring in The Book of Job: God and Satan have put him to the test.

Yes, and by the time we see him, the tests have broken him. He is no longer really sane. He may be physically normal, but he's no more psychologically normal than the purest, most virtuous hero. I don't think a normal Joe is supposed to identify with Covenant any more than with said hero.

I don't see why it's such a big deal, (plenty of atrocities in the other books mentioned here, and people just eat them up), but a lot of people do put the books down after that.

*sigh* This is hard to do properly without including spoilers...

You don't see why it's a big deal? Where have you ever gotten the idea that it shouldn't be a big deal? You think the author put it in casually?

Yes, there are atrocities in the other books. Rarely are they committed by the main character. One would have to argue hard in order to call him a protagonist.

You have a choice - 1) Covenant is insane, and therefore his action is excusable. But, this means he's not a normal Joe, as he's insane. 2) Covenant is sane, but is a criminal, despite your protestations. Other than insanity, there is no defense for his actions.

Most folks really cannot accept that he is insane enough for it to be a defense. From my own reading, I'm pretty sure the author doesn't believe it either. Covenant justifies it in his own mind, but I don't think the reader is supposed to buy the excuse. Covenant is supposed to be soiled.

It is made worse by the fact that he never convincingly feels remorse or atones for his crime. That makes it really slimy, to most folks eyes.

 

[Limper]

Thanks for all the info...

I have read all six of the Chronicals Of Thomas Covenant.... I liked evey character BUT him most of the time.... but the books were good enogh to read through a second time.

The Cold Fire Trilogy is VERY good as well Tarrant is one of my favorite characters ever.... I understand his motives and would commit simmilar sins in the same situtation..... Did you read This Alien Shore... lots of cool concepts and a good story to boot.

Game of Thrones sits upon my shelf awaiting a little time..... other recomendations?

 

[Dave Blewer]

Nights Dawn Trilogy

I would like to second the recomendation for Nights Dawn Trilogy. Very well written, great characters and a really excellent blending of the Hard Sci-Fi, horror and fantasy genres...

You have read Dreampark by Larry Niven and Stephen Barnes haven't you? Every role player should read this book!