[Novels] Fantasy/Sci-Fi Book List

[Anime Kidd]

I've always wanted to expand more into fantasy and sci-fi books, but I don't know what are the good ones. What I currently read is pretty much all Dragonlance, which I like, but I want more. But one thing, I don't want any hairy pots or time wheels.

What are some of the more entertaining ones out there? Give me a list folks! Please? I need help!

PS. Is it bad that I have NEVER read the Hobbit and the Lords of the Rings trilogy?

 

[EricNoah]

I'm going to take you on a magical trip to the Fantasy/Sci-Fi Books & Movies Forum....

 

[Epametheus]

Yes, it is. Go read them already

David Eddings: pretty much anything; Pawn of Prophecy and The Diamond Throne are the starts of two different series of books. The Redemption of Althalas is a stand-alone work, if you don't want to dive into any series.

Alan Dean Foster: The Flinx series introduces the Humanx Commonwealth, the setting for most of his work. The Ice Rigger Trilogy, The Damned trilogy, and I'm sure the Spellsinger series are all good (I haven't read Spellsinger yet -- can't find it -- but I'm confident in its quality). The I Inside, Mad Amos, and Kingdoms of Light are good standalones.

If ya want something harder, tackle Gene Wolfe's Book of the New Sun.

Edit: Wow. Judging by the lack of responses to this, you'd think Eric had just banished this post to Limbo. Anyways...

Issac Asimov certianly should be mentioned; some of his works may feel a bit dated at this point, but in general he's worth reading. The Foundation Series is generally good (I didn't care for Foundation's Edge and Prelude to Foundation).

Larry Niven's Ringworld series is worth a look.

Robert Silverberg's is also worth a look; most of his books are stand-alones.

I don't care much for Terry Brooks, but I liked the Scions of Shannara books.

Oh, yeah -- Roger Zelazny. The Amber series is gold.

Check out the local library; you may find a surprisingly large selection of sci-fi and fantasy there (heck, the local library near where I live actually outshines some of the bookstores in this area).

I hope that helps.

 

[Dagger75]

The Song of Fire and Ice books by George RR Martin.

Starting with A Game of Thrones.

The good people on these boards recomended them and I have been hooked since.

 

[CCamfield]

David Eddings? *insert massive flamewar here*


Ok, positive suggestions:

Gardens of the Moon, by Steven Erikson. First book in the awesome Malazan Empire series.

The Deed of Paksennarion, by Elizabeth Moon. This is very much like D&D worlds - there are paladins, clerics, druids, etc - but it's well written and gives a great portrayal of a paladin.



For some things which are a bit different...

Bridge of Birds, by Barry Hughart. This is a GREAT book, fantasy but quite different from what you'd be used to with Dragonlance. Ancient Chinese fantasy/fairy tale mystery with a lot of humour.

The Death of the Necromancer, by Martha Wells. "Victorian" era in a fictional fantasy city... a gentleman thief pursuing a private vendetta stumbles across the undead and a whole lot more.

The "Garrett P.I." series by Glen Cook. Take some of your typical fantasy elements and cross them with the hardboiled detective genre. Garrett is a private eye in the fantasy city of TunFaire, his partner is a Loghyr who's been dead for several hundred years, and... well, he gets into a lot of trouble. Attractive women (as usual for these detective stories), the fantasy equivalent of the mafia, elven hitmen and ogre thugs, etc.

 

[Jarval]

Another vote for David Eddings

Take a look at Robin Hobbs books. I've only read the Farseer Trilogy (which starts with Assassin's Apprentice), which is just fantastic, but she's written at least two other trilogies.

EDIT: You must read some Terry Pratchett as well. Doesn't really matter what book you read to start, but I'd suggest either The Colour of Magic or The Light Fantastic.

 

[Sulimo]

Lets see..here's a few authors:

J.R.R. Tolkien...'nuff said.
R.E. Howard...the Conan stories.
Fritz Leiber...the Fafhrd & Grey Mouser Stories.

Terry Pratchett...anything.
Douglas Adams...anything.

R.E. Feist. I am real big fan of the Midkemia & Kelewan tales.

Lawrence Watt-Evans...the series that included the Miscenchanted Sword...I really quite liked.

I'll even recommend the game fiction by Elaine Cunningham, who I think is excellent.

 

[Enforcer]

PS. Is it bad that I have NEVER read the Hobbit and the Lords of the Rings trilogy?

Nope. This may make me unpopular, but I think Lord of the Rings is BORING.

I'll second Song of Ice and Fire by Martin, it's amazing. It's also the only rated 'R' fantasy I've ever read, so if that's not your scene, stay away.

And I also must say that it's interesting that you dig Dragonlance but aren't into Wheel of Time. Personally I like both, but vastly prefer Jordan's books. Oh well, just a difference in opinion.

 

[Dagger75]

Re: Re: [Novels] Fantasy/Sci-Fi Book List

Nope. This may make me unpopular, but I think Lord of the Rings is BORING.

Psst.. I have a little secret for you, I found the Lord of the Rings kind of boring as well but don't tell anyone.

 

[jdavis]

You know I found LOTR to be extremely interesting, I try to reread it once a year, but I found the Hobbit to be childish a little boring. But yes it makes you a horrible person for never reading the works of Tolkien, you should just be ashamed of yourself (ok no not really, just because it created the fantasy genre doesn't necessarily make it the best books in the genre).

I'd suggest L.E. Modesitt jr and his Saga of Recluse novels.

I'll also go along with Jordon and Martin

There are thousands of books out there and the majority of them are at least passably good, if you read something you don't like just go try something else.