[Dystran Hart]

Can you recommend a completed series or standalone with a good ending and (in the case of a series) which does not decline in quality as it moves along.

A 'good ending' is subjective, but I suppose the resolving of most of the plot lines and to not leave the reader needing more (In opposed to wanting more, which is totally different).

Note:- This thread should remain spoiler free/blacked-out should anyone decide to debate a particular ending.

To get started:

* I loved the ending of Tigana.

* The high quality of Bakker's Prince of Nothing continued through the series, but I was tethering on wanting/needing more more at the end (more to come in the next series I understand)

[Rob B]

Have you looked into the Recommendation Thread (http://www.sffworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=8580)? There are quite a few links in there that may satisfy what you are looking to read.

[Dystran Hart]

Hello there.

I did actually, and there was certainly enough there to get going with.

However, I found that some recommendations (after looking on Amazon) seemed to contain comments from readers that the endings did not offer good closure, or that a great series actually (seemed) to decline towards its end.

I thought this thread might narrow down some recommendations to those which had good endings adn didn't decline in quality. Feel free to close the thread though if its a bit too close to the others (There are so many good threads already, I know).

Best regards

[Amaunette]

I agree, Dystran, this doesn't seem to mimic another thread on the recommendations list that I can find.

I felt that Tad Williams' "Sorrow, Memory, Thorn" trilogy only improved with quality and had a good ending that wrapped everything up. It begins with "The Dragonbone Chair."

Also consider Carol Berg's Rai-Kirah series ended well. It's a trilogy, begining with "Revelation." The quality does not decline, in my opinion, but I feel that it is not quite as superb as your mentioned "Tigana" and "Prince of Nothing" references. Still, it's a page-turner, and a fun read, which is why I am recommending it.

If you liked the end of "Tigana," all of Guy Gavriel Kay's work ends superbly. I suggest "The Lions of Al-Rassan," as it is my second-favorite, next to "Tigana."

Honestly, I can't think of many more. Most of my favorites are still uncompleted, and those that I can think of didn't necessarily end cleanly. I'll post again if I think of anything else.

[Jack]

The high quality of Bakker's Prince of Nothing continued through the series, but I was tethering on wanting/needing more more at the end (more to come in the next series I understand)

It's funny you say this, because while I agree with you that the high quality of Bakker's work continued throughout the series, I found the ending to be refreshing and satisfying:

Achamian just walking out on Kellhus, Esmi, and all the glory and splendor that would have gone along with it - him basically giving the proverbial middle finger to the whole warrior prophet scene, and doing so in the name of love and honesty. It was just so punk rock!

In fact, I found it to be so thrilling that I was a tad bit upset to hear that Bakker would be continuing the story in another series. Leaving this truly awesome trilogy on the note he did would have just tickled this reader to death.

Having said that, you know I'll be beating down the doors of my local Barnes & Noble to get the new book whenever it comes out ;).

Back to your topic, if you haven't tried out the works of Gene Wolfe yet, then the time has arrived! Check out his most famous and celebrated work, The Book of the New Sun. It's a tetraology (sp?) that has recently been republished into two books: Shadow & Claw being the first and Sword & Citadel being the second. One of the highest quality fantasy series I have ever read.

[Dystran Hart]

[QUOTE=Jack]It's funny you say this, because while I agree with you that the high quality of Bakker's work continued throughout the series, I found the ending to be refreshing and satisfying:
QUOTE]

That's very true Jack - gave me a few shivers :). I mentioned Bakker as I just didn't really know what to think - tethering. It was a good ending though - agreed - and I might just have to go back and read it again :). I think my problem was that (barring Erikson) I only read completed (or soon to complete) series, but now have to wait ages for the next one to complete *grin*


Amaunettem, okay you've sold it. Tad will be my next call as it's been on my to read for a while. Gene Wolfe i've been saving for my holiday as I only have 40 minute reading sessions on the way to/from work, but thought this series might require a bit more concentration.

[Priestvyrce]

[QUOTE=Jack]It's funny you say this, because while I agree with you that the high quality of Bakker's work continued throughout the series, I found the ending to be refreshing and satisfying:
QUOTE]

That's very true Jack - gave me a few shivers :). I mentioned Bakker as I just didn't really know what to think - tethering. It was a good ending though - agreed - and I might just have to go back and read it again :). I think my problem was that (barring Erikson) I only read completed (or soon to complete) series, but now have to wait ages for the next one to complete *grin*


Amaunettem, okay you've sold it. Tad will be my next call as it's been on my to read for a while. Gene Wolfe i've been saving for my holiday as I only have 40 minute reading sessions on the way to/from work, but thought this series might require a bit more concentration.

Well, you would be correct to assume that about Wolfe's New Sun stuff. Some real heady stuff going on in the story; things like what is reality and morality. And Severin is a complex, yet simple, hero.

I'd also like to recommend both Michael A. Stackpole's The Dragonwar Cycle trilogy and C. S. Friedman's Cold Fire trilogy. Both are intense, dark, human and the endings are bittersweet.

[Evil Agent]

The only thing about Tad Williams, and MS&T, is that quite a few people complain about the ending. Personally I thought it was pretty good, and worth reading.

[OogyBoogy]

I second (or third) Tad Williams's Memory, Sorrow and Thorn.
Other series that I found were excellent throughout are Stephen R. Donaldson's Mordant's Need and C. S. Friedman's Coldfire trilogy.

[Blackwing]

Stand alones: Lois McMaster Bujold's Curse of Chalion and Hallowed Hunt.

Her Paladin of Souls book is also very good, but I'd recommend that you read Curse of Chalion first.

Series: Robin Hobb's Liveship Traders-series, Holly Lisle's Secret Texts, Patricia Wrede's Enchanted Forest books, Barry Hughart's Chronicles of Master Li and Number Ten Ox, Jacquiline Carey's Kushiel and R. A. MacAvoy's Damiano-series.

I'm in the middle of McKillip's Riddle-Master and Gregory Keyes' Age of Unreason series but I'm going to very surprised it either of them have a significantly bad last books.