[DarthZemus]

I've read most of the Star Wars novels throughout the years, but right after Revenge of the Sith, and a Star Wars reading marathon leading up to the movie, I got burnt out. That was right about the time when I started Vector Prime (book 1 of the New Jedi Order). I vowed I wouldn't read it...

Since then I have read the Hyperion series (I know this is sci-fi, but I think my point crosses the boundary, so bear with me), and have recently decided to try Star Wars again, since all the hub-bub over this Legacy of the Force series.

Yikes!! What a chore!! It's mind numbing madness!! I'm trying to stick with it, because the central elements of Star Wars, along with the old fashioned sense of nostalgia keeps it near and dear to my heart, but the writing is unbearably pedestrian.

Has anyone else ever gone through this?

And a secondary question, aimed especially at those of you who have read Dan Simmons: Is there anything out there in the realm of fantasy that is considered "intelligent" fantasy? I mean, most of the writing I have seen in fantasy is heavy on great characters, stories, and concepts, but the writing quality itself can be repetitive and limited.

I'm not talking about "mature" themes either. It doesn't need to be R rated to be classified adult. I'm talking someone whose every page seems to be a work of art, where you are just not captured by the story itself, but by the way it is presented...Tolkien, I find, was pretty artistic in his presentation, although it seems to be in high fashion to say otherwise these days.

[Radone]

Gene Wolfe, Michael Moorcock, and Stephen Donaldson are great writers. Period. I would also add Patricia McKillip in that list. They all have very different styles, but they are all masters of the craft.

[Rob B]

Fantasy that makes you think. (http://www.sffworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=8216)
What books made you think? REALLY think? (http://www.sffworld.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=4357)

In general, you may find some interesting things here:
Fantasy Epics (Ones to Read, one's to steer clear of) (http://www.sffworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7324)
Is it safe to read fantasy again? (http://www.sffworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=11772)

(Four out of five of these threads were brought to you by your friendly, sticky THE RECOMMENDATION THREAD (http://www.sffworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=8580).)

[JonLaidlow]

I posted about GW in the SF version of your thread - but its now locked.

I think you will enjoy the Book of the New Sun. Later books are different, not neccessarily worse, but different.

I like Dan Simmons, although I found the Endymion duo slightly below Hyperion/Fall of Hyperion in terms of quality. I've read Ilium and have the sequel in my "must read pile". I didn't think the use of the Greek gods and Homer as good a fit as Hyperion's use of Keats.

J

[kged]

Bakker's Prince of Nothing series is damn well written. The characterisation is superb, and despite a fiendishly layered and complex story, it remains absolutely clear and comprehensible, which is a useful trick for any writer.

John Crowley is a quality author, regardless of genre considerations.

[JonLaidlow]

I'd second the nomination of Scott Bakker - but be warned - the curse of fantasy contuinance affects him too (its a trilogy, but the story doesn't conclude at the end of the trilogy. More books are threatened...)

[DarthZemus]

This is helpful, but why did they lock it out in the other forum? I had some questions for Laidlow. I guess I will PM you. Jeez, I almost can't help but get my threads locked, you people are tough...

[JonLaidlow]

This is helpful, but why did they lock it out in the other forum? I had some questions for Laidlow. I guess I will PM you. Jeez, I almost can't help but get my threads locked, you people are tough...

Call me Jonathan (its my name!) and ask them here - not a problem, and a friendly mod may merge the thread if we ask nicely.

J

[Werthead]

I'd second the nomination of Scott Bakker - but be warned - the curse of fantasy contuinance affects him too (its a trilogy, but the story doesn't conclude at the end of the trilogy. More books are threatened...)

There will be four more books, as Scott was clear about from the start (the next one is called The Aspect-Emperor and is out in the UK in May 2008). However, the term 'trilogy' for the first three books does imply more resolution than we really get in the third book.

[JonLaidlow]

There will be four more books, as Scott was clear about from the start (the next one is called The Aspect-Emperor and is out in the UK in May 2008). However, the term 'trilogy' for the first three books does imply more resolution than we really get in the third book.

Great - I'd heard of the Aspect Emperor diptych/duology/duet, but not 4 more books.

J