Black Company or Song of Ice and Fire, what should I read next?

[The_lurkeR]

SoIaF are the best novels I've ever read, period.
Since you plan on reading both series, I don't think it matters which you read first.

 

[Herremann the Wise]

I voted for George R.R.Martin - absolutely fantastic series and the next book is due out November.

However, one series that you might never have picked up but should is Jack Vance's Lyonesse series - my favourite fantasy series quickly followed by ASoIaF. I feel obliged to mention it.

Best Regards
Herremann the Wise

 

[barsoomcore]

If you like Robert Jordan, you'll probably enjoy Martin better than Cook.

Contrary to what many people are saying here, I think Martin is very substandard as a writer -- his prose is clunky and dull. I couldn't even get through the first book. But I nearly threw the first Wheel of Time book out the window I thought it was so awful, so obviously we disagree on what makes good writing.

I like Cook because he doesn't write like he's writing a fantasy; he writes like he's writing journal entries by tired, weary soldiers who can't afford to take much seriously except their sense of brotherhood. And I'm sucker for that.

 

[John Q. Mayhem]

I can't make a comparison, because I haven't read aSoIaF, but I like Black Company a lot.

But...Herremann's right. Read Vance's Lyonnesse series if it is at all possible. Very good.

 

[Rackhir]

Yeah, I don't think birds make good subjects for fantasy novels.

(Even though that would be spelled pheasants )

Well there was "Watership Down", but I couldn't find any on Amazon.com. However, there were a lot of books on breeding and hunting them.

 

[fett527]

Well, Song of Ice and Fire wins the poll! I'll read through Martin's books and then belt out the Black Company after I'm done. Thank you VERY much to all who gave feedback.

 

[JoeGKushner]

I say Black Company because Cook doesn't let the current state of the union distress him so much that he finds himself unable to write for many moons and that his series is actually copmlete.

 

[Dakkareth]

The Black Company books I've read so far were all great fun. ASoIaF had great parts, but that was it.

Bakker and even more so Erikson make Martin look for a hole to crawl into IMO.

 

[barsoomcore]

Bakker and even more so Erikson make Martin look for a hole to crawl into IMO.

Word. I just re-read Midnight Tides and was even more blown away than I was the first time. Man, can that guy write. Woof.