[Rob B]

I may be opening a can of worms with this one, but here it goes...

I consider myself pretty well-read** in the fantasy genre, but two authors that I have yet to read are two of the more popular (i.e.--best-selling) authors. From what I have gathered people have strong feelings about both of them--they either love them or hate them.

I am "talking" about Terry Brooks and Terry Goodkind.

I have seen both authors praised as masters of Fantasy while also drawing less favorable criticisms such as "...Brooks is just a Tolkein hack or ..he is too derivative of Tolkein.." and Gookind as anything from a sick pervert to a Jordan copy cat. Now, I am just repeating various characteristics that OTHERS (NOT ME, I HAVE NOT READ THEM YET, TERRY(s) FANS DON'T SHOOT THE MESSENGER!!!) have attributed to these authors. If for nothing else, these two authors have evoked strong feelings about their writing, so I will eventually give them both a try.

However, even those who do not care for either author feel that they should be tried in that they are both popular and so that one may form their own opinions.

I guess my point is that any kind of 'publicity' is good publicity, heck I don't know. I just wanted to start a new topic for discussion and get some feedback.

**Some of the authors that I enjoy, in no particular order (Fantasy)--Robin Hobb, George R.R. Martin, Stephen R. Donaldson, Tad Williams, G.G. Kay, C.S. Friedman, Weis & Hickman, J.K. Rowling, Stephen King (yes fantasy Dark Tower and Eyes of the Dragon), Elizabeth Haydon, Steven Brust and of course Tolkein to name a few.

[Lady Fox]

Well, I like both these authors. Goodkind has developed an interesting world for his Wizard series to take place in, full of mysticism and magic with a sprinkling of good old-fashioned romance to keep things a little spicy. Brooks's Shannara series is good too, especially the first couple of books. However, I really like his Knight of the Word trilogy. I recommend that you give both authors a try. Their books move along well enough that you will probably be able to tell if you like them within the first 30 or so pages.

[Eventine]

Ok - here's my opinion. Read Brooks. I find his books have kept a reasonably high standard, and although a little forumalaic, they are still interesting and a good read.
I have read Goodkind as well, but after reading his fifth book wouldn't recommend the series. I would recommend the first and maybe second books, but Goodkind seems to be on a downward slide lately. Hopefully he'll pick things up again in book 6.

[Lani]

I think that it is not really good idea to listen to opinion of people you don't really know 'cause their taste in books can be pretty different (that is what you already seen here). And sometimes it is not too good to listen to a person with a similar taste, as well, e.g. I had a friend who liked most of the books I did and then we had just the opposit reaction on one book. The most secure thing is to try to read yourself, forgetting anything you ever heard or read about the author. Even if you have facts of some faults in the books you probably still should try it and maybe those bad things would mean nothing to you. So what I say is don't listen to anything, try and follow your heart.

[Ravenlock]

I can't say anything about goodkind, since I havn't read anything of his, however terry brooks is one of my favorite fantasy authors. I think that one of the main reasons this is true is because the Shannara series is the first fantasy books I read besides Tolkien. I think that they are great reading. I am really excited about the new Shannara book which was released yesterday, but unfortunatley I probably won't be able to read it until after finals. One of the problems of being an English Major you have very little time for recreational reading. Oh well, I always recommend Terry Brooks to anyone who listens to me.

[Giarc]

The two terry's....sounds like a book Tolkien once wrote....
Back to the topic. Terry Brooks. I enjoy his writing. It's fluent and easy to read. The Shannara series was pacy and fun, but as others have noted it is a smidgeon furmulaic. I have yet to read the knight series so I won't comment on that. The magic kingdom series is true 'pop-corn' fantasy but heck, still amusing if you're in the right mood.
Terry Goodkind. There's a whole thread devoted to this author started up by a few villainous scoundrels (*grin* Sorry Wastra...) who don't like him. Personally, I disagree with them. He has, I believe, an underlying worldview that is slightly optimistic. His characters attempt to hold true to that view throughout some pretty dark times. People who seem to have a more cynical outlook may find that hard to relate to *shrug* Just an opinion. As for perversion, I can understand why some of the more conservative readers would be put-off by some scenes. My reply is simply that sex and violence is a part of the real world we live in (rightly or wrongly), and that a good fantasy world should contain real human traits. Note that none of the heroes in the book condone or practise such activities.

In short, I agree with Lani. Read it yourself and make up your own mind. I think both authors well-worth the time and effort.

[Rob B]

Hey all,

Thanks for the help. Probably going to give them both a try and judge for myself, which is probably what I would have done anyway.

I just read the Novella in the Legends anthology by Goodkind, and thought it was pretty good, so I guess that is a good enough starting point to go to Wizard's First Rule.

[TheEvilKing]

Hello, my name is Joe Abercrombie and I'd like to take the time to introduce myself.

I have never read not would I care to read books by anyone named Terry. I prefer books by myself, and sometimes sad poems, which I write whilst crying myself to sleep.

My first novel is called A Cat's Best Friend and is out on Kindle or in paperback at your local Paperback Store. The only way you will know the truth is by reading this novel. Read it. Now.

I CANNOT WAIT TO READ IT!!!-RB

That damn Joe Abercrombie fella and his ego - always has to turn the subject to himself!

[Radone]

King, this may be the King of all thread necrophilias.

[chris777]

Wow drudging up a thread from 2000?! AND your reply doesn't even make sense.