What should I read?

[Kaledor]

Raymond Feist

Raymond Feist's Riftwar Saga (first one is Magician: Apprentice -- you can hear the dice rolling!)
--Janta

Speaking of Raymond Feist, I only read the first two books in the series, the two Magician books. The story seemed fairly complete at that point... then I found out there were half a dozen more books in the same setting. How good are they? Do they add to the story? Am I missing something (without giving away spoilers to those that haven't read them... I really liked the first two.

 

[Kaledor]

Oh, another series that has a pretty good feel to it,
Tad Williams (sp?) Dragon Bone Chair series

 

[janta]

Speaking of Raymond Feist, I only read the first two books in the series, the two Magician books. The story seemed fairly complete at that point... then I found out there were half a dozen more books in the same setting. How good are they? Do they add to the story? Am I missing something (without giving away spoilers to those that haven't read them... I really liked the first two.

The third and fourth books are quite good, and you get an explanation of some of the "big picture" which is nice. The several series after that were less intriguing, though, IMO. If you liked the Magician books, then it's probably worth it to read Silverthorn and A Darkness at Sethanon.

And I can't believe I forgot to mention Douglas Adams in my last post! This year is (I believe) the 25th anniversary of the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy series, so now is a great time to pick up the books. They're a blast.

--Janta

 

[hubris]

The Deeds of Paksinarion by Elizabeth Moon (the birth of a paladin)
The Valdemar Books by Mercedes Lackey
The Belgariad by David and Leigh Eddings
Oath of Swords by David Weber (a completely different kind of paladin)
Villains by Necessity by Eve Forward (funny look at things from the bad guys point of view)

 

[Pants]

Gardens of the Moon by Steven Erikson has just been released in the US.
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/t...f=sr_1_1/104-2208913-7951914?v=glance&s=books

The first 4 (5?) books are available in the UK and Canada as well.

Seconded (thirded?). Great book so far.

I also recommend:
Robin Hobb's Farseer Trilogy - Awesome books.
Glen Cook's The Black Company
CS Friedman's Coldfire Trilogy
The Discworld Books by Terry Pratchett (more comical, but still something that everyone should read.

Single Books:
China Mieville's Perdido Street Station.
Tolkien's The Silmarillion

 

[Kaledor]

CS Friedman's Coldfire Trilogy

Tolkien's The Silmarillion

Ugg... I can't believe I forgot to mention those "two". Good picks! Though, I would add the warning that you have to be a real Tolkien fan to enjoy the Silmarillion. Those that I have recommended it to have had mixed feelings...

 

[CCamfield]

Oh - looking at the original poster's handle, I'm reminded of the amazing book (released in the US as a series of multiple books) Ash: A Secret History, by Mary Gentle.

It's supposedly a "secret history" - there are parts which are email exchanges between historians who have discovered a lost medieval manuscript, telling the story of a mercenary commander named Ash, and her company. The trouble is, things described in the manuscript don't make any sense.

Such as, Visigothic Carthage is mentioned in the manuscript. The Visigoths were a people back in the 5th century, but so far as I know they never conquered Carthage, and anyhow North Africa had long been controlled by the Arabs by the 14th century.

And then there's the mention of Carthaginian war golems which the professors can't understand... and a strange voice in Ash's head that advises her on battle tactics...

If you like Martin or Erikson I suspect you'll like this. It's gritty and very, very good.

 

[Hypersmurf]

Oath of Swords by David Weber (a completely different kind of paladin)

Go Bahzell!

-Hyp.

 

[ASH]

Thanks everyone. I will be looking around...

 

[Crothian]

Thieves World, read Thieves world...if you can find them.