[Random Invert]

Hi all,

Im new to the site and pretty new to reading in general, never been one to sit down and pick up a book. But recently I seem to have gone mad buying and reading fantasy books.

Over the past 6 months I've read

Night Angel Trilogy
Dark Magician Trilogy (Also the magicians apprentice set several hundred years before - Im waiting on the new trilogy set ten years in the future)
Farseer Trilogy
Tawny Man Trilogy
Shadows of the apt (first 3 books - 4ths on order)
The Painted / Warded Man (first book of the Demon Trilogy, 2nd books on order)

also a few other stand alone books set mainly int he medival period. Safe to say I've enjoyed every set so far.

I've just started reading the Shannara books but can't get into them, 10 chapters in and the characters seem to have no depth and Im not keen on the different races.

So Im hoping you can recommend me some good books / series of books. I guess from the above list you'll be able to tell what sort of thing Im looking for.

Thanks

RI

[Loerwyn]

You've got some Hobb in there; Have you considered the Liveship trilogy? I think there's another series but I can't remember.

[Jebus]

Yeah her Liveship Traders will bridge the two Fitz trilogies, I have yet to attempt her Soldiers Son series but ahve the first book.

If you're up to it, try out Steven Erikson's Tales of the Malazan Book of the Fallen. Also Danieal Abraham's Long Price quartet for great characterisation and I tentaively suggest George Martin's A Song of Ice & Fire for one of the greatest series' ever though it is still unfinished and may not be for a few more years. R. Scott Bakker's The Prince of Nothing is great as well.

I recommend these as they all have really strong characterisation like Hobb.

[Dyloot]

You think Hobb is similar to Erickson? I think the two are near opposites in epic fantasy.

As a huge Hobb fan myself, I would recommend Lois McMaster Bujold's Curse of Chalion, Paladin of Souls and The Hallowed Hunt. The first two are especially good- Chalion was a Hugo nominee, and Paladin won a Hugo.

But before you do, I'd recommend reading Liveship. There's nothing closer to Hobb than Hobb herself. =D Even Soldier Son is easily recognizable as her work, although many didn't enjoy it.

[Jebus]

You think Hobb is similar to Erickson? I think the two are near opposites in epic fantasy.

Actually I tend to just recommend Erikson every single time someone asks for a recommendation simply because I think he has written the greatest fantasy series EVER and everyone needs to read it. :D

[Random Invert]

Thanks for the suggestions, I've looked at the Live Ship Traders and the Soldier Son but neither caught my interest - I may take a second look after the Live Ship reviews I've read on here.

Ive noticed the recommendations you've all added in quiet a few threads and all by different members, I'll look into them as soon as Im through with Shannara (Not my cup of tea but I've got to finish it or it'll bug me!)

[TheEvilKing]

It sounds like you may enjoy Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time series. Also, if you like violence and swearing and black humour, definitely try Joe Abercrombie's books beginning with The Blade Itself.

I'll also reccomend George R. R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire series, but with the disclaimer that it's better than everything you've listed above and other series might seem crap for a while after. It is dark and complex medieval fantasy, but very readable, which is what you seem to like. I'd reccomend exploring other stuff first.

Also, Hobb's Liveship trilogy is great in my opinion, better than the Fitz books. Give it another shot. Soldier's Son sucks balls to the max, though.

I'd also de-reccomend Erikson's Malazan books as they're nothing like the stuff you've listed.

[algernoninc]

I'll second Lois McMaster Bujold nomination.
Another epic series that focuses on the development of one character, as opposed to Jordan and Martin who rely on multiple POV's, is The Deed of Paksenarrion by Elizabeth Moon. It is a well written story of a woman-paladin. I thought the first volume was decent, but the next two I thought were a noticeable improvement.

Another well written character driven epic is the Rai-Kirah by Carol Berg.

You might also try The Sevenwaters books by Juliet Marillier, or the Kushiel books by Jaqueline Carey.

[algernoninc]

Soldier's Son sucks balls to the max, though.


that's one opinion, and everyone is entitled to one. I read the whole series, and while it is less captivating than Liveships or Farsser, I think it should be judged on its own merits as it is not related in any way to the other books. Yes, it is slow going, but readable and , for me, well above what other well known authors put out [Eddings, Paolini, Goodkind]

My recommendation is to give it a try and make your own opinion.

[Seegee]

I went off Hobb after reading the 1st book of her 3rd series, but of what I read the Liveship Traders was far and away what I enjoyed the most.