Want to recommend a book, or a series of books?

[Aus_Snow]

I'm looking for a novel (or possibly some short stories) to read, but I'm not sure where to look. Good fantasy (inc. urban), sci-fi, supernatural, historical, cyberpunk or related fiction would probably be a good bet, though (surprise, surprise for a roleplayer, eh).


In the fairly recent past, I've read American Gods, Perdido Street Station and GRRM up-to-date.

Sounds like I've gone partway through the RPGnet 'required reading list'. . . or something like that. Er, I haven't, at least not intentionally - and I don't think there even is one, either...

Oh, plus some of the Dune books, and a few other things.

...

Does anything leap to mind as the perfect recommendation?


One last thing: I'll give almost anything a try. Something bizarre (or even mainstream ) to suggest? Go ahead!

 

[Kanegrundar]

I can't recommend the Shadow War series enough (Shadow Moon, Shadow Dawn, and Shadow Star) by Chris Claremont with ideas from George Lucas. It's a continuation of Willow, but Claremont fleshes out the world, Elora's part in the post-Bavmorda climate, and Willow becoming the world's foremost sorcerer. The characters are great, the way that Claremont writes magic is great (it does take a little getting used to), and the story is top-notch. I love this series and actually wish they'd continue it, when I prefer most series to end after a time.

After that, I like Stephen King's Dark Tower series. It's weird, wild, and excellent. There are some things that only longtime King readers will pick up on, but it doesn't affect the story for those coming into the series without having read any of his older material.

Kane

 

[Melkor Lord Of ALL!]

Necroscope by Brian Luley. Thriller/Fantasy/Horror mix.

It is saga, but first books are kind of stand alones(there are difrent villains)

Main hero can speak with the death, his enemy in first book is Necromancer that works for Soviet's Union secret service and tortures death for their secrets.

And those books feature Vamphires that would eat Dracula or Angel for breakfast.

 

[Psychic Warrior]

I can't recommend the Shadow War series (Shadow Moon, Shadow Dawn, and Shadow Star) by Chris Claremont with ideas from George Lucas...The characters are great, the way that Claremont writes magic is great (it does take a little getting used to), and the story is top-notch. I love this series and actually wish they'd continue it, when I prefer most series to end after a time.

Kane

If you like this book so much why can't you recommend it?

Snow Crash by Neal Stephenson is required reason for cyberpunk enthusiasts.

For pure fantasy with excellent portrayal of paladin/clerical powers I would recomment Curse of Chalion and Paladin of Souls by Lois McMaster Bujold.

 

[Renton]

An author who writes both sci-fi and mainstream stuff is Iain Banks. Try The Wasp Factory, or Complicity. Tends to be darker stuff. Banks writes his sci-fi under the name Iain M. Banks, and the "mainstream" stuff under plain Iain Banks, to give you a point of reference.

 

[Kanegrundar]

If you like this book so much why can't you recommend it?

Snow Crash by Neal Stephenson is required reason for cyberpunk enthusiasts.

For pure fantasy with excellent portrayal of paladin/clerical powers I would recomment Curse of Chalion and Paladin of Souls by Lois McMaster Bujold.

Doh! It should say "enough" after series. I guess I needed another cup of coffee this morning!

Kane

 

[ShadowDenizen]

Some of these are "No-Brainers" others are a bit more obscure. Of course, there's tons more that I can't even think of off the top of my head!! Most of these are fantasy/sci-fi, needles to say.

Series:
"Lensman" series- EE Smith
"Chronicles of Amber"- Roger Zelazny
"Book of the New Sun"- Gene Wolfe
"Song of Fire and Ice"- George RR Martin
"Wheel of Time"- Robert Jordan
"Wars of Light and Shadow"- Janny Wurts
"Otherland"- Tad Willimas
"Memory, Sorrow & Thorn"- Tad Willams
"ShadowMarch"- Tad Williams
The "Wraethu" trilogy- Storm Constantine
"Crown of Shadows"- Kate Elliott
"Runelords"- David Farland
"Medalon" series- Jennifer Fallon
"The Obisidian Trilogy"- Mercedes Lackey

Stand-alones:
The "Ring" trilogy (Ring, Spiral, Loop)- Koji Suzuki (The first book was the basis for the movie.) This is a trilogy, but each is also stand-alone.
"A Rumor of Gems"- Ellen Steiber (One of my current favorite novels!!)
"Elantris"- Brad Sanderson
"Battle Royale"- Also a movie, but you need to read the book: quite violent, but very thought-provoking.
"The Demolished Man"- Alfred Bester
"The Screwtape Letters"- CS Lewis

 

[Aus_Snow]

Cool, recommendations already. Thanks!

This is how each of them relates to my experience/thoughts.

I haven't heard of these books at all (so I'll look into them further):the Shadow War series by Chris Claremont; Curse of Chalion and Paladin of Souls by Lois McMaster Bujold; The Wasp Factory, or Complicity by Iain Banks (though I've heard of this author's name); "Crown of Shadows"- Kate Elliott; "Runelords"- David Farland; "Medalon" series- Jennifer Fallon; "A Rumor of Gems"- Ellen Steiber; "Elantris"- Brad Sanderson; "Battle Royale"- Koushun Takami (?); "The Demolished Man"- Alfred Bester.

These have appealed and/or been recommended to me before, and I'd forgotten or just not got around to them yet: Stephen King's Dark Tower series; Necroscope by Brian Lumley; Snow Crash by Neal Stephenson; "Lensman" series- EE Smith; "Book of the New Sun"- Gene Wolfe; "Wheel of Time"- Robert Jordan; "ShadowMarch"- Tad Williams; "The Obisidian Trilogy"- Mercedes Lackey; The "Ring" trilogy (Ring, Spiral, Loop)- Koji Suzuki; "The Screwtape Letters"- CS Lewis.

And these, I've already read: "Chronicles of Amber"- Roger Zelazny; "Song of Fire and Ice"- George RR Martin; "Wars of Light and Shadow"- Janny Wurts; "Otherland"- Tad Williams; "Memory, Sorrow & Thorn"- Tad Willams; The "Wraethu" trilogy- Storm Constantine.

 

[Thornir Alekeg]

A quick note: I beleive the series by Kate Elliott is actually called "Crown of Stars" not Crown of Shadows. The first book is King's Dragon. It is an excellent series. Book 6 just came out this month (it should be shipping to me right now ). The seventh and final book of this series is due out in the late winter/early spring of 2006. This last book was supposed to be the final one, but by the time she finished, it was too large for a single book, so they split it into two.

Kate Elliott's "Jaran" novels are also quite good, a mix of sci-fi and fantasy.

I'll also recommend Peter Hamilton's trilogy: The Reality Dysfunction , The Neutronium Alchemist and The Naked God

 

[Wyn A'rienh]

I'll second the Dark Tower books. Love them, love them, love them.

Another series I would recommend is the His Dark Materials books by Philip Pullman. They're technically intended for "young adults", but they're absolutely phenomenal.

And if you're looking for short stories, I'll throw out one of my all-time favorite books - A Fisherman of the Inland Sea by Ursula K. Le Guin.

 

[ShadowDenizen]

I beleive the series by Kate Elliott is actually called "Crown of Stars" not Crown of Shadows.

Oops!
You are correct: that's what I get to writing a huge list in a hurry! :\
I will say that I found the first half of the first book a tough read: but if you stick with it, it will ultimately reward you.

I'll also add the "In Legend Born" series by Laura Resnick. ("In Legend Born", "The White Dragon", and "The Destroyer Goddess.")

 

[swrushing]

Recent reads that i liked:

Altered Carbon by Richard Morgan for a good scifi read.

Frankenstein (Books 1 and 2 are out now) by Dean koontz and other. Book 1 was excellent and so far book 2 is good.

Jonathan Strange and Mr norrell by Susanna Clarke comes highly recommended but i haven't read it yet. its sitting waiting for me to finish frankenstein. its period modern fantasy.

 

[Welverin]

Does anything leap to mind as the perfect recommendation?

I don't think any such thing exists, anyway onto my suggestions.

Anything by Timothy Zahn, I can personally recommend The Conqueror's Trilogy, The Icarus Hunt, Angelmass, and Manta's Gift [those would be scifi(ish)].

Darklord of Derkholm, by Dianne Wynn Jones.

The Vlad Taltos novels, by Steven Brust.

The Princess Bride, by William Goldman.

One For the Morning Glory, by John Barnes.

Bone, by Jeff Smith, o.k. so it's a comic, but it is fantasy and you can get the whole series in one volume, you can try it out here.

 

[Chain Lightning]

Already read "Bone" by Jeff Smith.


Thanks everyone for their recommendations. Not sure which one of the many mentioned that I should start with first. I'll have to go my "feel" and randomly pick one. But thanks. Hope I enjoy as you have.

Feel free to keep the thread going if you wish and add even more suggestions.

-thank you.

 

[ShadowDenizen]

Not sure which one of the many mentioned that I should start with first. I'll have to go my "feel" and randomly pick one.

Cool.
Let us know what you decide to read "first" and why.
And, of course, what you think of it when you're done.

 

[Magonus]

Transformation, Revelation, and Restoration by Carol Berg

 

[RaceBannon42]

Well there are the new standards in epic fantasy.
The Prince of Nothing series by RS Bakker. I've read the first book, the Darkness that Comes Before. Very good, but it was a hard book to get into.

Malazan series by Steven Erickson, I've only read the first one of this series as well. I was so-so on it..very disjointed, but I have been assured that it picks up.

Neither entranced me like GRRM did or even like early Jordan did, but both have a lot of fans.

My favorite author I've picked up recently is Charles Stross. His Merchant Princes series reminds me of Zelazny's Amber in a way.

Gene Wolfe's Wizard-Knight is an very good doulogy, but its probably not for everyone.

My TBR pile is so huge right now, but based on some recs I think I'm moving The Dragon Waiting by John Ford to the top of the pile.

Bujold is also in my TBR pile, anyone who wins that many Hugos has to be pretty good.

 

[Thorin Stoutfoot]

Vernor Vinge

"A Fire Upon the Deep"
"A Deepness in the Sky"

I started AFUTD, and it's good. Really good!

 

[Angel Tarragon]

Heres two books:

Jumper by Steven Gould
Bones of the Earth by Michael Swanwick

 

[PhoenixDarkDirk]

I like Jasper Fforde's Thursday Next series. It's a crazy set of fantasy alternate history books. The title character is a detective, and she eventually gains the ability to enter the worlds of assorted pieces of fiction. The books are The Eyre Affair, Lost in a Good Book, The Well of Lost Plots, and Something Rotten. There may also be subsequent installments of the series at some point.

I also like Garth Nix's The Seventh Tower, six short books that are essentially one story. The tale is set in a world once plagued by a war agianst extraplanar creatures which exist as shadows in the physical world. After the war a magical barrier called the Veil was created in the sky to block all sunlight, because shadows require light. The titles of these books are The Fall, Castle, Aenir, Above the Veil, Into Battle, and The Violet Keystone.