[Nathan Carter]

I recently finished my introduction to Fantasy with Wizards First Rule... It was handy at my local used book store, and I had heard it mentioned.
While I enjoyed some parts immensely, otheres left me a little flat. Buat at the end I found it a satisfying read, enough action to keep it interesting, and characters that I could stay with, without too much annoyance, (though I must admit, I was more fond of a lot of minor characters than the main lineup.)

My problem is this... one thing that didn't sit well with me, and I don't plan to read the rest of the series, so if I could get filled in by one of you wonderful people I would be very grateful.

Why would Richards adopted father, a simple tradesman, according to the book, go and risk his life, slay a monster, to obtain a book of magic from a land he had chosen to be free from?

That was the only thing that I couldn't tie together, it doesn't make any sense at all to me... if this is explained further on in the series, please give me the lowdown.

[Arty]

As a fantasy beginner you may be unaware of the basic formula of large fantasy series. That is: Never ever answer all the questions in the first book. This forces the reader to keep buying your dang books just to find out the answers!

If you really want to know the answers, don't buy the next books. Borrow them. Not the best series to begin your fantasy aaaadventures!
Maybe explore this site more to find out what you should really be reading!

[Nathan Carter]

That's all fine, as stated, I have no intention of continuing the series... I just want to know if there is a senseable answer that gets revealed later on in the series to the question I asked.

Everything else seemed to make at least enough sense that I didn't have to question it... but I would like to know what was up with George Cypher... am I just expected to overlook him, and accept that he did what he did because of the reasons stated? Surely there were other characters that would have been more convicted to do what he did, than he.

Won't somebody tell me?

[Cadfael]

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The man who raised Richard Rahl was not his father, nor was he a humble crafts-man. This was a ruse to throw ememies of Richard of the scent. All this is explained in the following books.

[This message has been edited by dennizm (edited March 23, 2002).]

[Nathan Carter]

Thank you very much Dennizm... I felt like I needed to get it out of my head, so it wouldn't pollute my thinking later on as I read other books... splinters in my mind tend to be a troublesome ailment...

I truly havn't made any plans to continue the series... but you seem to have read the other books... are they that worth it?

I admit I enjoyed the first overall, though I had my issues with it. But it didn't seem likely that I would somehow find pleasure in reading 7 or 8 or however many more 1000 page novels.

Can maybe somebody suggest a Fantasy novel that is a very good read, but not a series? Perhaps I ask a stupid question, but I cant see myself being so committed to one line of books, just to learn all the answers to the questions posed in the first book...

[BigBadMick]

You simply have to read "The Lord of the Rings" by J.R.R. Tolkien. You could also try "The Sword of Shannara" by Terry Brooks, which, although part of the Shannara series, can be read alone without having to read any other Shannara books.

After reading The Lord of the Rings, I enjoyed The Sword of Shannara immensely.

Good luck on your imminent journey into adventure! http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/smile.gif

[Thom]

David Gemmell has a lot of single or dual book that are worth while.

[Lani]

You could read some of David Duncan's stuff. Though most of his books are thrilogies or tetralogies, he has some interesting stand alones. You could try "The Cursed" for one.

[Rob B]

Nathan, can't say I blame you about Goodkind. First book wasn't too atrocious, but the quality slips as the series progresses.

Here are a bunch of handy links that will give a good idea of what people here like and think are good fantasy:
Recent Reads (http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/Forum1/HTML/001004.html)
i need reccomendations! (http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/Forum1/HTML/001442.html)
Readers' Choice Best SF and Fantasy Books of 2001 (http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/Forum1/HTML/001437.html)
March Readings (http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/Forum1/HTML/001405.html)
If you like ^^^^^ then you might like ##### (http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/Forum1/HTML/001286.html)
Detailed Reccomendation (http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/Forum1/HTML/000687.html)
and probably our longest running topic:Whatca ya all reading? (http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/Forum1/HTML/000094.html)

Actually, somebody posted quite a similar plea right here: Hey... (http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/Forum1/HTML/001488.html)

[Penumbra]

Dear Nathan,

Fantasy, like poetry, can often be described as the incoherent ramblings of mad poets. It doesn't have to make sense and certainly has not if the novels I have read have anything to say about modern fablists who consider themselves literary artists. If you want to try something more provocative and stimulating, I have to be crass and suggest my novels: The Chronicles of Zusalem because I am intimate with them and know what you are looking for. Having read some of your own stories, I know that you prefer literate,
compelling themes and I can promise that.

There are plenty of other writings, but like Tolkien, they belong to an ever distancing past. I haven't read anything modern that stimulates me as much as Twain or Tolkien, but I hope, like you, that someone manages to break through the barrier soon.