[Habeed]

Ok, after having read Martin's books, I simply can't find anything to read that doesn't seem tired and boring. This forum certainly doesn't help...basically, there are people here who will tell you that even the WORST possible fantasy novels I've ever seen are good.

Here's my list of GOOD fantasy :
Jordan's first 3 books. (Wheel of Time)
Terry Goodkinds first TWO books (Sword of Truth) (everything else is utter crap)
Demon Wars trilogy by Salvatore

Hmm, let me rephrase this. I was going to make this a rant thread, listing the dozens and dozens of fantasy novels I've read or tried to read that I didn't like. But what I'm looking for are books with ACTION. LOTS of action. The action doesn't necessarily have to be a fireworks show...the psychological action of Ender's Shadow and Ender's Game was great. That's one thing Martin had LOTS of...EVERY chapter had loads of action, both of the sword swinging type and lots and lots of psychological trauma. Also, unlike other series, he holds you in suspense because main character(S) WILL die!!!! MAJOR characters, ones he spent half the previous books developing!!! (not some "red shirt" extra we don't know very well) Also, there are no fearless heroes...the characters are human, and very very vulnerable.

Now that I think of it, I'm really looking for books that get the adrenaline flowing. That's whats so great about Michael Crighton (I know, not really a fantasy author, but I digress) because he combines cool tech with life threatening situations and DOES kill off most of the characters.


Books WITHOUT action : "Chronicles of Thomas Convent" "Deathgate series". Later Robert Jordan books (once the characters all gain outrageously strong magical powers, and the reader realizes that the author does NOT plan to kill any main characters the action loses its edge) Later Terry Goodkind books. Most of David Edding's stuff (since GODS! are helping them, you know the main characters aren't going to be in any real danger..and they can always get resurrected) C.J. Cherryh. Robin Hobb. And lots of others. So I guess at the moment I'm looking for the "Terminator 2" of fantasy novels, not the "Titanic". Can anyone help me out here?

[bing]

Dragonlance: Chronicles and Legends
Homeland, Sojourn, and Exile (R.A. Salvatore's best work)

[Habeed]

One more request....if you have ideas, please explain in brief the plot idea. For instance, what's dragonlance about? Author of Dragonlance?

[This message has been edited by Habeed (edited May 29, 2001).]

[Cadfael]

David Farland's Runelords is fast, action packed and a bloody good concept in magic. There is NEVER a dull moment.

The next post will be FF, damning me for beating him to it... again http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/smile.gif ,<sucker>, so just to 'be nice' I will let him outline the plot...

[This message has been edited by dennizm (edited May 29, 2001).]

[Rob B]

Bashing this forum, FIE ON YOU!! j/k

dammit dennizm ya beat me, and predicted I would say this.

Runelords has breakneck action and great characterization. Thus far, there are 3 books in the series, the timeline is only a few days, so a lot o' stuff is happening.
READERS DIGEST VERSION: Prince Gaborn is the newly crowned Earth King and must battle Reavers, Raj Ahtan and Time to make a peaceful world. The magic system is great, each Runelord is grafted a magical endowment of Speed, Brawn, Metabolism (forgot the others) increasing thier strength. Hell, here is the link to the sffworld page for Runelords: Sffworld's Runelords page (http://www.sffworld.com/authors/f/farland_david/reviews/runelords.html)

I would also suggest Heroes Die by Matthew Woodring Stover--Hari Michaelson is the actor who portrays Caine, the conquering hero of Overworld, a world parallel to our own. As Caine, Hari lives adventures fighting goblins and other fantasy-type creatures for the entertainment of our world; people experience, like virtual reality, Caine's adventures. Great fight scenes, great characterizations. As other members here may note, I have incessantly been plugging this book since I read it a few weeks ago.

Another Series with great battles is Tyrants and Kings by John Marco. Here is SFFWORLD's John Marco pages (http://www.sffworld.com/authors/m/marco_john/sffreviews/thejackal.html)

Hope this helped.

[Cannon Fodder]

Just about any of David Gemmell's books are usually wall to wall with action, especially Legend (Bad pun there for anyone who's read the book).

I'd also agree on the Drizzt Do'Urden books by Salvatore being action packed. It's basically about a good Dark Elf, who needless to say doesn't get along too well with his fellow evil bastard Drow. Mayhem ensues.

[Shadowen]

Try JV Jones's 'A Cavern of Black Ice - I read most of it one sitting when I was off work one day. Fast paced with brilliantly realized, believable characters and plenty of action - an absolute must-read. Book 2, a Fortress of Grey Ice is due out this August.

[azaz]

If you want a book with tons of action, you can't go wrong with Steven Erikson;
1. Gardens of the Moon
2. Deadhouse Gates
3. Memories of Ice (Sept 2001)

The world he create is astonishingly detailed, the action description is the best I have read of any author, and the ideas are superb.

One good thing I like is there's no Elfs or Dwarfs or Giants. Instead he has create some cool creatures and characters, Anomander Rake, who is a Tiss Andii, there's Jaghut, etc. Full with mages, assassins, thiefs, mercenaries, funny guys etc.

There beginning of the book is abit confusing, for you a thrust straight into the middle of a battle, but as you read on, you start to understand. Theres action in every chapter, and in the last 200 pages, its just a rollercoaster ride. Even though there's so much history for his books, he only adds a bit in this book, so you don't get bored.

And Deadhouse gates, is the best battle sequence of a full army battling and the Claw assassins. The Chain of Dogs.

Highly recommend if looking for tons of action, and a complex world and story and plots like GRRM.

[Hans]

Habeed, here's a link to a full review of 'Gardens of the Moon' from the sfsite.com.
http://sfsite.com/06a/gard58.htm

I'll recommend 'Steven Eriksons' books highly.
Also I agree with David Farland's 'Runelords' series.
'A Cavern of Black Ice' was excellent, and got excellent plots to it, and some cool action. The second book should have more action in it. you may wanner check the amazon site for a synopsis.

[FitzChivalry]

Try The Cold Fire Trilogy by C.S. Friedman.
It's about a world with a force that makes your nightmares come true, instad of the usual magic, it's dark.