Fantasy Epics (Ones to read, ones to steer clear of)

[LUKEDAWG]

Hey what's up I'm pretty well read when it comes to the majority of the fantasy epics, so right now I'm kind of having some difficulty finding a real nice fantasy epic to chew on.

I've read a couple of Goodkind's SoT (thought they were pretty good though im iffy about the third, read one of Jordans books (a little too cliched and stereotypical hero stuff for my taste) read Martin (unimpressed greatly) read Feist (excellent stuff) read Kings Darktower (greatest epic in the fantasy realm) read Marcos series, both of em (great stuff, definetly like the gray area) read Hobb (not exactly my taste) and of course Tolkiens stuff (a little boring to me, but Similarion looks like something I should still read) and that's about it.

So if anyone can throw out some fantasy epics to check out it would be greatly appreciated, also just to add a little spice, tell me some that I should steer clear of. Thanks a bunch!

[LUKEDAWG]

Oh forgot to add in that I've read Donaldson's stuff..very cool characters, really enjoyed that series, and dabbles a little bit in Ursula Leguins stuff to, not really my taste.

[Eurytus]

Well given that if you basically reversed the likes and dislikes in your first post you would get my likes and dislikes then I would not want to presume to give you any recommendations. I would not want to be adding to your dislike list...

[Iskaral Pust]

You might want to try Memory, Sorrow and Thorn by Tad Williams.

[Bear]

Well, considering that the only two from your list I really enjoyed were Martin and Hobb, I may not be much help.

But I will mention the "His Dark Materials" trilogy. Not typical fantasy, but you might enjoy anyway. "Age of Unreason" by J. Gregory Keyes was a good set, even if the quality never returned to that of the first book. Also read "the Briar King" from him. It's only the first installment, but it's very promising. And lastly, "Heroes Die" and "Blade of Tyshalle" from Matthew Woodring Stover are some great kick-in-the-teeth kind of fantasy. Gritty and violent, but excellent.

[Ilnaulro]

Hmm, well I would have suggested checking out either Kate Elliott, J V Jones or Steven Erikson, however, I found Goodkind to be simplistic, uninvolving tosh, and I feel that Feist peaked with Magician... so probably no help

[ChrisW]

Kate Elliott - Crown of Stars
Steven Erikson - Malazan Book of the Fallen
J V Jones - Book of Words
Melanie Rawn - Dragon Star and Dragon Prince trilogies
Jaqueline Carey - Kushiels Legacy
David Gemmel - John Shannow books, Drenai, Waylander

Your likes and dislikes are interesting

I can't think of any series that deserves to be avoided.

[kongming]

I would add that one should read Dragon Prince before Dragon Star, if you don't it could seem boring and impossible to read. Also steer clear of the Ruins of Ambrai unless you really liked Dragon Prince. But do check out the Golden Key.


And by the way maybe someone can help me out remembering a book:
It starts with a Duke in the north cold area who travels south to become King. He has a little boy who climbs alot and at some point he is climbing and he sees something he should and is shoved off the wall. Also it has something about evil winter spirits in the form of Dire Wolves. And also it has a sub plot about a woman who's family were traitors in exile. This woman was now living with horselords and she was destined to give birth to their Khan. I only read the first book (and this was almost 10yrs ago almost) but I think there were supposed to be others. I do remember it being quite good.

Kate Elliott - Crown of Stars

Melanie Rawn - Dragon Star and Dragon Prince trilogies
.

[Priestvyrce]

And by the way maybe someone can help me out remembering a book:
It starts with a Duke in the north cold area who travels south to become King. He has a little boy who climbs alot and at some point he is climbing and he sees something he should and is shoved off the wall. Also it has something about evil winter spirits in the form of Dire Wolves. And also it has a sub plot about a woman who's family were traitors in exile. This woman was now living with horselords and she was destined to give birth to their Khan. I only read the first book (and this was almost 10yrs ago almost) but I think there were supposed to be others. I do remember it being quite good.

You are kidding right? If not George R R Martin's A Game of Thrones is what you are talking about.

[Priestvyrce]

To read and then to walk away from Piers Anthony's Xanth novels. The first three are charming and fun, but after a while they get tedious. Luckily or Unluckily, I read the first seven of the Xanth novels in my teens, but by the end of Ogre,Ogre, I had grown tired of the puns and the simplistic plotting and characters.

[juzzza]

Gary Wassner's Gemquest series is epic fantasy at its best. Three are available so far:

The Twins
The Awakening
The Shards

And I believe book 4 is about to commence editing and book 5 is well underway.

[JIF]

There are only two not yet mentioned epics I can come up with.

I'll add J.V. Jones' A Sword of Shadows trilogy. Though she doesn't seem to be publishing the third book in the series for a while the first two were phenomenal in and of themselves.

I'd also consider trying Sean Russel's The Swans' War which IMO is good if definitely not one of the best. Some really fascinating parts, but also some truly uninspired ones (I was especially disapointed by the last 12 pages or so).

[kongming]

Yeah that was it thanks....

You are kidding right? If not George R R Martin's A Game of Thrones is what you are talking about.

[Dfwrech]

Fred Saberhagen's The Book of Swords

Thieves World

Try them you will like them.

[Shanoncia]

In my opinion Robert Jordan's, Wheel of Time is the Greatest story ever told. I'm sure you've all heard me say that.

Next to that, The Silmarillion was brilliant... I've read it countless times and it never looses anything.

What I wouldn't recommend? Charles De Lint...