[Dominus]

I really don't know how many responses I'm going to get with this, because lots of people will have to many, but..

I was wondering what your favorite scene in a book was, whether it was the funniest, saddest, grandest, most suprising, or one that just left you in stunned silence as it's depth and intensity curled your toes, gave you goosebumps, and forced you to read it over again just to see if it had really happened.

Contitui

This topic is bound to contain spoilers, so please be aware of this before you read any further

[This message has been edited by dennizm (edited November 13, 2001).]

[Arith]

I know alot of people, including myself, have been down on Jordan lately but he wrote one of my favorite scenes. It was the battle of Dumai Wells (SP?) at the end of Lord of Chaos, after Rand broke out of the chest and began to fight. When the warriors of the black tower began to do that earthquake type spell that caused so much destruction and the the Aie Sedi (cant spell) were forced to kneel before Rand. I loved that scene.

My other favorite is any time Martin mentioned the fight at that forked river when Ned was having those flaskbacks about when he and the future king Robert faced off with the Kings Guard, including the Sword of the Morning. Those scenes always get my imagination going crazy. Martin just has a way of writing that gets the imagination going.

There's plenty more but it would take up too much space. Great topic!

[This message has been edited by Arith (edited November 13, 2001).]

[Penumbra]

For me it was in Poul Anderson's "Boat of A Million Years" which qualifies as SF and F. There was a point where the protagonist realized that though he could be killed he was otherwise immortal. Then he spent several lifetimes searching for others "in his condition" and amazed himself that there were many, only to find seven that were able to withstand the test of time with himself.

[Bardos]

In the beginig of a Conan story, named "Black Colossus", a thief goes to an ancient pyramid. Pretty cool --espacialy the way Howard describes the thief and the ancient building.

SPOILERS -- Song of Ice and Fire bk 3

When Petyr throws Catelyns sister out of the Moon Door.

[Shehzad]

Favourite Scenes:

A Song of Ice and Fire, book 3

"And then I smashed her ****ing head in. Like this!"

Magician

"Enough!"

The Lord of the Rings
Minor Spoiler

Near the end, where Frodo is suffering for being the ringbearer.

Dragonlance Chronicles
MAJOR SPOILER!!!!
*
*
*
*
The death of Sturm

[matthewajg]

Yeah, Arith, the scene at Dumai Wells was a great one...epic and tragic simultaneously, always a very gripping combination. I also like Martin quite a bit. One of my favorite scenes in A GAME OF THRONES was when Bran was climbing the roof tops and spoted Cercei and her brother...well, you know, and the ensuing fall...very compelling. So was Tyrion's imprisonment in the open air cell and the honor duel he used to free himself. THAT was a great scene piting tradition and chivalry against pragmatism and cunning. One of my favorite scenes of all times is in Neil Gaiman's AMERICAN GODS when his dead wife tries to kill Loki and herself...that was BRILLIANT, and a fantastic read. Anyone who hasn't read Gaiman is missing out.

[Caliban]

I agree about the scene in Dumai's Well. It was a very thrilling battle scene.

I also really enjoyed the scenes between the Eternal Champions in Moorcock's "Sailor on the Seas of Fate." I really enjoyed his handling of all the major players. I quickliy picked up his other works after that to follow the threads.

[Dominus]

Oh yeah, I forgot to tell mine.

As I haven't read Martin (yet!), I would have to say that my favorite scene is when the Fellowship are running from the host of orcs with their big drums, and they confront each other at the bridge and Gandalf and the Balrog fight.

[Sojourn]

Now, I feel that in some way I may have 'outgrown' Terry Brooks, but the one compelling scene I've read in his Shannara series was the desperate battle of the Elves and their allies against the demon hordes in The Elfstones of Shannara. In fact, I recommended the book to my younger brother solely on the merit of that battle (oh, and the creepy Predator-like feel of the hero being relentlessly hunted by the Reaper demon *shiver*).

For battle or war scenes though, I'm of the mind that GRRM handles those sort of scenes best with great flair, excitement and a rather accurate attention to detail. It's as if he's a military history buff.

[Metosblat]

Lord of the Rings:
Shelob's Lair

ASOIAF:
"Then I smashed her ****ing head in, like this"

Final Fantasy 7(computer game):

Aeris Death
Sephiroth massacres a whole town and then disappears into the fire