i need reccomendations!

[Boiler]

...I know that i enjoy books that plunge into the tolkien-ish sort of world with elves and other magical races and the whole package...I also like books that deal with the whole magician-in-training type deal (cliche', I know, but its still fun to read!)

Anyways any recommendations would be greatly appreciated!

In that case i'd recommend the 'Riftwar-Saga' by Rayomd Feist, starting with 'Magician'.
it has a young magician, a tolkien word full of elves and dwarfs, is a light read, and considered to be one of the classics.

[srk827]

Ya, Ive heard a lot of good things about the Magician books by Fiest and plan to read them at some point (probably next if nothing better comes to my attention). Thanks for the recommendation!

Anyone else have recommendations?

[hobscrk777]

Hello all. Long time lurker coming out of the woodwork here. I'm looking for some new fantasy, but I have somewhat stringent guidelines in mind.

First, let me tell you what I'm not looking for.
I've read the first three works of ASoIaF, and while I really found it pretty gripping, there are a couple reasons I have to lay it down. The main reason I'm not going to continue on with A Feast for Crows is the nearly complete and utter lack of magic in the series. Also, aside from the Others, there is almost a complete lack of non-human creatures. Heck, Tryion is the closest we get to a Dwarf! I prefer read fantasy for magic and mystical creatures. This sort of segues into another subgenre I'm not into - historical fiction. The final subgenre I'm leery of is the sci-fi/fantasy hybrid.

Now, what I enjoyed (bear with me if some of this is trite or not to your liking).
I really enjoyed the Lord of the Rings, some Forgotten Realms - namely Paul S. Kemp's Erevis Cale books, R.A. Salvatore's books, Elaine Cunningham's novels, the Last Mythal Series, and some others. I've read a lot of the series at this point so I started to pick up some of the less-acclaimed books, but I'm realizing that there's a reason they got less attention. I also really liked all of Weis and Hickman's Dragonlance novels. I've also enjoyed the Wheel of Time. I read Terry Brooks' Shannara series back in the day, and I think the first books were substantially better than the latter books.

To those that have made it this far, thanks for sticking with me. What are your thoughts?

[Rob B]

Based on what you do like, I would recommend the following:

Stephen Erikson's Malazan novels. The scope of the books is as big as it gets and there is a great deal of magic involved. Since you mentioned Salvatore and Kemp (who I both enjoy), you might be interested to know Erkson's Malazan world is based on the world he created for his Role Playing Games.

James Barclay's Chronicles of the Raven - Lots of magic, in fact, some of the more concise and better handled magic systems I've come across. These books; however, are from a UK publisher and might be a bit challenging to procure if you are a US reader.

Greg Keyes The Kingdoms of Thorn and Bone Everybody says Martin-lite, but I really hate that label. Keyes saga has a grand scope like Martin's, but there is much more magic involved.

[Tickle]

I have been reading this forum for a couple weeks now, and quite enjoying it. As an "on again, off again" reader of fantasy, I have arrived once again at a place in my life where I would like to discover a new world that I can escape to. So the following information relates to my taste so far, and then I would really welcome some recommendations.

Martin (Game of Thrones, etc.);
MS&T;
Sword of Shannara:
I read one book each of the three above and just could not get into the series' so gave up.


I know that people on this website have a lot to say, so I would appreciate your input/recommendations on starting one of these 5 series (or something else).

Thanks.

It looks like you've had a good start. I would recommend trying the MS&T by Tad Williams again. The first book starts off slow, and you have to push yourself through it, but it is worth it. The other books only get better. He also has The Otherland Series, which I liked also.

G R.R.Martin (A Song of Fire and Ice Series) - You might want to leave that for later.
I would suggest you try some of these:

Anne Bishop - The Black Jewels Trilogy
Michelle West - The Sun Sword Series
Melanie Rawn - The Dragon Prince & The Dragon Star Series
Jacqueline Carey - Kushiel Series (Kushiel's Dart - 1st one)

These should get you off to a nice start.

[Tickle]

I have The Assasin's Aprentice and Daughter of the Blood on my shelf, both which I read somewhere were good (especially The Farseer Trilogy) neither of which I have read.

Please can I have some advice on where to go next. I like a bit of romance, and a good battle - and definately intriguing characters who are beleivable and whome you are prepared to invest hours of reading time to! Not to much to ask then!!!

OHHHHHH! I think you have a great start sitting on your shelf right now. For romance, good battles, and definately intriguing characters, pick up Daughter of the Blood (author Anne Bishop) and start reading (the trilogy). You won't regret it. Great story. Then start The Farseer Trilogy. Also a great series.

[Tickle]

Hi Everyone!

I'm looking for some completed fantasy series recommendations. I do not have the patience to wait 1-2yrs for a book to come out even though I must admit I am waiting for the final WOT book. If you can please give me a few books you would recommend that has similarity to WOT or The Prince of Nothing series i would greatly appreciate it. I prefer sorcery, mystical animals & creatures with a hero in it. Thanks for your time!

Yes, I would recommend both of the following:

Gayle Greeno - A Ghatti's Tale (Trilogy)
Anne Bishop - The Black Jewels Trilogy

Both have most if not all of your preferences. You might also like Sara Douglass - StarMan Series, as well or Mickey Zucker Riechert - Renshai Chronicles (2 seperate series).

[hobscrk777]

After reading this post I wanted to check back in with everyone. I read the first book of Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn, but there wasn't enough magic and swashbuckling for me. I then read Gardens of the Moon, but it was a little too convoluted for me and just didn't pique my curiosity. The next book I subsequently read (and absolutely loved, loved, loved) was The Lies of Locke Lamora. I devoured the sequel, too. Then I read the Jackal of Nar series, which I also really liked (although I think it went slightly downhill towards the end). Currently, I'm reading The Blade Itself.

[Siberian]

After reading this post I wanted to check back in with everyone. I read the first book of Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn, but there wasn't enough magic and swashbuckling for me. I then read Gardens of the Moon, but it was a little too convoluted for me and just didn't pique my curiosity. The next book I subsequently read (and absolutely loved, loved, loved) was The Lies of Locke Lamora. I devoured the sequel, too. Then I read the Jackal of Nar series, which I also really liked (although I think it went slightly downhill towards the end). Currently, I'm reading The Blade Itself.

Did you read the classics aside from LOTR? Chronicles of Amber by Zelazny has good old-fashioned fencing, intriguing plot and characters who can literally build worlds. Earthsea trilogy by Ursula Le Guin is more introspective but has an interesting magical system.

Of the more recent books, Codex Alera has plenty of swashbucking (from big battles to official duels) and magic.

[Rob B]

thanks hobscrk777! Glad the recommendations worked out for you!