[Stark Direwolf]

Yeah so I just finished the serpent war saga and I gotta say Ive had enough of feist for this lifetime. I wanna get into something new- perhaps along the same vein of tolkien etc where the world is mysterious and curious. Midkemia was nothing more than a political bickering ground in the end and we know the insides and outsides of every omnipotent God out there. So yeah, im all for tales and lore, adventures and follies....lol you all know what im talking about.. any recommendations?

[Barbarossa]

Well there are plenty of threads dedicated to reccomendations already, and FitzFlagg will propably scream that another one is started.

;)

But to answer your question, I would reccomend George R.R. Martins "Song of Ice and Fire" (vol 1 Game of thrones), while it has its share of political intrigues it's Tolkien-like in its sparse and really mysterious use of magic.
It also boasts some of the best characters senn in fantasy, it's full of surprises too.

Another option would be Robin Hobb's "Farseer trilogy", like SoIaF its dark and gritty.

Finally you can't do wrong with Guy Gavriel Kay's Tigana, if you want a stand alone for a change.

[Miriamele]

Try the "Memory, Sorrow and Thorn" trilogy by Tad Williams. I found these books to have many similarities to Tolkien and I really enjoyed them. The books have a race very similar to Elves and much exploring of the world is done. I think you would like them. :)

[sunback]

I think you should read the Bazil Broketail series, but I think everyone should give it a try because it is such a good series with very little fan following

[allanon]

First, I'll reccomend you the "Belgariad" by David Eddings. It is about magic, but with much fun and jokes.
"The Ellenium" by Eddings is also cool- darker than the "Belgariad", but funnier in the same time.
If you want series, similar to Tolkien, your series are the "Shannara" by Terry Brooks. The "Sword of Shannara" is book, full with adventures and mysteries.
"Memory, Sorrow and Thorn" by Tad Williams is another excellent book, similar to LotR, but original in the same way.
And finally, the "Wheel of Time" by Robert Jordan, the largest fantasy. The first books are really great and you'll love them.

[Barbarossa]

Allanon I disagree strongly, please don't take it personally, but Inactorz will find exactly what he complained about Feist in Eddings too.
Brooks is nothing like Tolkien, it's a very cheap Tolkien clone but without any of the magic that makes Tolkien special.
As to Jordan, there again you will find the "over-expanation" Inactorz complained about.

Now Tad Williams "Memory sorrow and thorn" I can second.

[Belgarion]

Hey Hey Barbarossa and Allanon.

Settle down children! ;)

I vouch for the aforementioned books, however, I wish to add the following which are MUST READ books!

Patricial McKillip 's Rikddlemaster series
Stephen Donaldson's Thomas Covenant Series
Roger Zelanzy's Amber Series
Michael Moorcock's Hawkmoon and Elric Series

and before Fitzflagg beats me...

all the books by the great Matthew Stover and also the fabulous John Marco.

That should be enough for you to read till Xmas!

PS: Ellis Peters's Cadfael series will be another rewarding treat to read.

[Rob B]

Here goes my weekly linking to the majority of the recommendation topics you can browse....

Belgarion, Miriamele and Barbarossa all provided excellent recommendations, as well.

In addition to trying Matthew Woodring Stover, John Marco, Tad Williams, Robin Hobb, James Barclay, Michael Moocock, Steven Brust, Kate Elliot, I would suggest reading through the suggestions in the following links:
June Reads (http://www.sffworld.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=2423)
What to read? (http://www.sffworld.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=2629) Forgotten Fantasy Classics (http://www.sffworld.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=243)
If you like ^^^^^ then you might like ##### (http://www.sffworld.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=285)
i need reccomendations! (http://www.sffworld.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=200)
Detailed Reccomendation (http://www.sffworld.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=176)

I would also suggest picking up the Legends Anthology which features a number of short novels from today's prominent fantasy authors.

[Stark Direwolf]

Anything good to say about R.A. Salvatore? Icewind dale? Dark elves?

Ive been busy checking out your recommendations on the book reviews section on this site and at amazon.com! cheers

[Barbarossa]

The Icewind dale trilogy were the only books I ever threw away. They are total crap. Dark elves is somewhat better, I would say If you are ever stranded on a desert island with alternative for reading, give them a chance before using them for toilet paper.