[FitzChivalry]

I asked this in the Gormenghast tread but it's not on topic and i don't know how many read that thread.
I seem to enjoy fantasy stories that happen in huge and/or dark and/or gothic castles, examples are the castle in The Book of Words by J.V. Jones, The Citadel in Gene Wolfe's Book of The New Sun and of course the Gormenghast Castle.
Anyone has recommendations on some more good stories that happen in such huge castles or castle like structures?

[Monty Mike]

Although I haven't read it, from what I've heard of Gloriana by Michael Moorcock it might appeal to you.... you'll have to wait for someone who has read it to either correct or expand on that.

I'm reading The Iron Dragon's Daughter just now and boy is it dark. Rather than a castle it's a huge factory - again it might appeal to you, though I'm not sure how much things change as the story progresses.

Sorry if that's not much help, I'm sure you'll get a heap more replies soon ;)

[Kanin]

Maybe this should be in the fantasy thread.

[Brys]

This probably should be in the fantasy forum.

Good recommendations monty - both are excellent fantasy novels.
Gloriana is a homage to Gormenghast and it is based around a castle. Atmosphere isn't quite as important as in Gormenghast, and Moorcock's description isn't as good as Peake's, but it's still an excellent novel.

The Iron Dragon's Daughter starts off in a factory which has a very gothic feel to it, but soon moves out into a world very similar to our own. IMO the best bit is the early part in the factory, but it's all excellent. Be warned that it is very much an anti-fantasy, in a way the others you mentioned aren't.

[Archren]

In the Sci-Fi side, "Cosmonaut Keep" by Ken MacLeod has that sort of setting, although it is a bit of a confusing book, all told. Good luck!

[Monty Mike]

In the Sci-Fi side, "Cosmonaut Keep" by Ken MacLeod has that sort of setting, although it is a bit of a confusing book, all told. Good luck!
The day has come when someone other than myself has recommended Ken Macelod! I'm speechless :eek: :D

I know what you mean, but IMO it's certainly not dark or gothic :p

Still, nice to see Macleod mention.

[FitzChivalry]

Oh yeah, this should be in the fantasy forum... i was thinking i am there when i made it... :eek: i was looking for it there for at least 3 minutes just now... :o

Anyway, i must say i didn't really like Ken Macleod' Engines of Light trilogy, i also don't think the keep had such a big part in the story, it was just umm.. there.

[Archren]

Yeah, it's not dark and gothic, but it had a castle! In your science fiction realm (which I was trying to answer since that's where the thread was), you've either got dark & gothic (Scott Westerfeld's Risen Empire duology springs to mind) OR you've got a castle. Frankly, there aren't many that have both. I imagine that you're right, and that you'll have MUCH better luck with the fantasy people. :p

BTW monty, I read Newton's Wake and loved it. I've got Cassini Division sitting on my to-read shelf. Do you happen to know if it's worth reading? I sort of picked it up blind in a used book store because Ken MacLeod is so highly recommened, generally.

[Monty Mike]

BTW monty, I read Newton's Wake and loved it. I've got Cassini Division sitting on my to-read shelf. Do you happen to know if it's worth reading? I sort of picked it up blind in a used book store because Ken MacLeod is so highly recommened, generally.
Glad to hear you enjoyed Newton's Wake - it's one I've owned since the day of it's paperback release but haven't yet read.

I'm afraid the same goes for the Cassini Division, or any in the Fall Revolution series, but I've heard many people prefered it over The Engines of Light trilogy (which I happened to love).

I also wanted to get Learning The World, but for some reason I don't think it's being published in paperback.... At least no traces of it are to be found in stores or on Amazon.co.uk

I really want to get back to reading Macleod, but there's so many fascinating obstacles getting in the way. As it happens, those obstacles are more books :D

[Hobbit]

Thread moved to Fantasy Forum.

Good to see you back, FitzChivalry!

Hobbit