[rune]

I'm trying to expand the amount of fantasy author I read in the hopes of finding some new favourites. I'm coming up against a few problems with hitting a few heavy going writers.

I am not really into epic style fantasy stories, where great detail goes into the plot about the history, the world and religion behind the main story.
Unfortunately I have picked a few authors lately that fall into this detailed group. Such as Kate Elliot, David Drake, George Martin, Jacqueline Carey, Janny Wurt, James Barclay, Jude Fisher to name a few.

They are all very good writers, and I liked their style. But I just couldnt get into their books, or was left disappointed at the end feeling their plots were too slow for me.

So I need help and pointers for lighter reading fantasy books/authors.

I like plenty of magic, unusual creatures and dark fantasy. Any tips would be greatly appreciated :)

rune

[Miriamele]

You might like the Abhorsen Trilogy by Garth Nix. It's classified as Young Adult but I loved it. There are 3 books: Sabriel, Lirael, and Abhorsen. There are lots of interesting creatures, characters and places in these books, and lots of magic, but the story moves quickly and I think it would qualify as "light."

You also might like another YA series, His Dark Materials by Phillip Pullman. Also 3 books: The Golden Compass, The Subtle Knife and The Amber Spyglass. Very interesting books, suprisingly profound for books aimed at young people.

A lot of Young Adult fiction is actually very good even from an adult point of view, and would probably fit the bill if you're looking for stories that move more quickly than the 800 page epics found in the adult section.

[rune]

Thanks for the tips :). I have read His Dark Materials, but not tried any of Garth Nix's works.

rune :)

[Hobbit]

Rune, I'd recommend Garth Nix too. He is aiming at a YA readership but I have been really impressed with what I've read so far. His latest (for the UK - we are behind most other continents :)), Mister Monday, has just been released and looks like it might be worth a go. Have a copy on the desk in the pile... got a nifty little CD ROM with it too... :)

So, try that one, as it is the first in a new series, or Sabriel (pretty easy to get at last). Very old book review I did a while ago
here (http://news.diversebooks.com/article.pl?sid=02/05/10/1350203&mode=thread) should give you an idea of Sabriel! :)

Hobbit

[ChrisW]

David Gemmell
Chris Bunch
K J Parker
Steven Brust
Stephen Lawhead(Paradise War)

All the above right fairly light Fanatasy.

[cvazi]

"lighter" fantasy?

Try:

Esther Friesner
Lawrence Watts-Evans
Eve Forward
Eric Flynt
Mary Gentle

All of them are humorous, light reads, and most poke fun at epic fantasy.

And whatever you do . . .

DON'T READ PIERS ANTHONY!

[rune]

Thanks to those that have posted some authors for me. Please do keep them coming :). I am an avid reader so can get through a few books a month.

Can I ask though, why not Piers Anthony? I had heard he was quite good!

rune

[ChrisW]

I've only read his Incarnations of Immortality series and personally I loved them.

[Corwwyn]

Originally posted by rune
Thanks to those that have posted some authors for me. Please do keep them coming :). I am an avid reader so can get through a few books a month.

Can I ask though, why not Piers Anthony? I had heard he was quite good!

rune

He is, but not his works vary. For example, his Xanth series (a non-stop punfest) is rather good for the first 3 or 4 novels, then gradually deteriorates novel by novel.


His Incarnations of Immortality is excellent imo.
I liked his Bio of a Space Tyrant.
His Split Infinity Trilogy was great fun, but he made the mistake of continuing it - The books from the 4th onwards aren't great imo.
His Manta trilogy is pretty good but SF rather than Fantasy.
His Tarot trilogy started out good, but I lost interst early in the second book.
His Cluster series I'd avoid at all costs.
His standalone fantasy novels are few - Steppe is probably my favourite.

[cvazi]

I've read a couple of Piers Anthony books, and they start off strong for the first. . . 25 pages- then degenerate into a load of cutsie, saccharine sweet drivel. Story doesnt go anywhere, characters don't do anything- I found it to be the mental equivalent of reading a Sylvester and Tweety cartoon.