Another 2 cents from Pylar
I don't look for earth shattering content, or a deep philosophical meaning to the fantasy books I read. I vew them as an escape that helps me to relax. I've read most of the stuff that has been mentioned up to this point, but like I said just my two cents..
Robert Jordon - I've read all the WOT books, kinda addicted. And I plan to read to read the rest. When I first read the books I really enjoyed the imagery, and description...now I think he is just trying to fill pages. Was VERY disappointed with CoT. But there is a little part of me that is still convinced that the climax of the story will make them all worthwhile.
GRR Martin - Great story. Lots of action, and I can honestly say there isn't a character in the story that had bored me. About the only thing I didn't like was there there were so many characters to keep track off. Almost had to draw a chart to keep all the people straight. Found myself turning to the back of the book, just so I'd be sure who was allied with what family.
L E Modisett Jr. - Recluse series -Order VS Chaos. That's how I'd sum up those books. Another good read. It's the only series I've read where the books are written in a reverse chronological order. Tending to go back a generation with each new book.
Juliet Mckenna - Her Einarinn books are fun (Thief's Gambit & The Swordsman's Oath) The characters have some great development, don't tend to feel 2 dimentional like a lot of stories out there.
Robin Hobb - Both the Farseer, and the Liveship books were wonderful. Farseer books would probably appeal more to a hack n' slash fan. They tend to have a lot more action and intrigue. Liveship books were more political, and were based a lot more on character development then action.
Terry Goodkind - The first couple of books in his Sword of Truth series is NOT for the weak hearted. VERY graphic, bloody. Not for children. After getting over the graphic nature of thos books and taking it into context I found I really enjoyed it. The following books in the series were much less graphic, and I admit that I missed that quality. Mord Sith Rule!
David Farland - His Runelord series was ok. It has a very unique magic system in this world, dealing with taking attributed from others to make nobles, and warriors stronger, faster, more attractive and so on. It's great when I can find a series that differs from the normal fireball and lightning bolt type of magic.
Sean Williams - I've read a couple of his series. Very character driven, then tend to be VERY slow starters but are worth the effort in the end.
David Eddings - Great for the novice reader. Serve as a wonderful introduction to the fantasy genre. The Belgariad was one of the first series I read. Hardcore fantasy readers might not enjoy them as much cause the stories tend to be a bit basic.
Dennis McKiernan - His books felt like reading a BAD remake of Tolkien...right down to the hobbits...excuse me the Warrows. His series have HUGE similarities to LOTR I kept wondering when Legolas was gonna pop up. Also most of the stories deal with characters Traveling everywhere. Long drawn out descriptions of people marching..BORING
David Drake - I've enjoyed his King of the Isles series. Very easy read, nice conflict. I also like the fact that the books can stand alone. Each of the books in the series deal with the conflict that appears in that book. The entire series is linked by main characters and how they hand the conflict that affects the Isles.
Raymond Fiest - I'd probably recommend this to another new fantasy reader..especially if they liked Eddings. Similar feel, especially dealing with the 'Comming of Age' aspects of the stories. I also liked the way he delt with military tactics in his books, and how mercenary bands worked together. Great background stuff for a D&D campaign.
Last but certianly not least. JRR TOLKIEN! The father of modern fantasy. THANK YOU!
Well that's about all the authors I can remember, or have in my library now. I tend to keep books by authors I at least somewhat enjoyed. The ones I couldn't stand got sold back to my local used bookstore to help feed my habit for fiction. And unfortunatly at 2 am I can't seem to remember them.
