One hit wonders

C

cgw

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Jun 23, 2002
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Not what you think.
Series/authors where I read the first book which was OK to good (if it was no good I would not have finished the first book) but was not interested in reading sequels:

Katherine Kerr: Deverry series (likely to read more)

Elvenbane Norton/Lackey (actually read the second book but now I don't really want to read the third)

Curt Benjamin: The Prince of Shadows (I may pick up the second book)

Drake: Lord of the Isles

Robert Jordan: The Wheel of Time (I can't remmember if I actually finished the book, I may try again, all the Jordanphilles are wearing me down)

Terry Goodkind: The Sword of Truth

L.E. Modesitt, Jr: The Recluce series (read two before I lost interest)

Steven Brust: The Vlad Taltos series (looking for the second book now)

Terry Brooks: Shannara series
Barbara Hambly: Dragonsbane
Christopher Stasheff: Warlock
Weis/Hickman
 
If You enjoyed the first book In The series, why didn't you read the next ones?............(I am Curious):confused:
 
Almost a different reason for each book.

Generally though because while the book was OK it did not really capture the imagination (but that is really generallizing).
 
OK no problem, and I tend to read the next one anyway to see if it is and improvement on the first .............and then I read the 3rd one to see...............and so on.:)
 
A one hit for me was Dune. I loved Dune, and read the second book and part of the third before giving up. They just didn't come close to the magic of the first one. Someday I will re-read Dune again.

I'm halfway through Eye of the World, and I may finished it, but I doubt seriously that I'll bother with the rest.

Susan
 
I liked Dune enough that I have read all the sequels and one of the prequels (which where I am stopping). I agree that the quality drops (which is typical with sequels but not neccessarily series).
The reason I may go back to some of the above is lack of any thing new I want to read.
 
cgw, saw your post on the top ten thread. Since you do like Martin and Feist's Riftwar I am of the opinion you could come to enjoy Jordan and Weis and Hickman. Which Weis and Hickman book did you read? Some of their series are just plain dreadful but a couple are unputdownable at times.

As for WoT, I feel The Great Hunt shows as much an improvement on the second half of The Eye on the World as the second half of The Eye of the World shows an improvement on the first half, which struck me as a tediously slow bore.
 
I actually really enjoyed the third Dune book, but I think I'm a minority. I must admit that it wasn't as good as the first though.
 
Dune is my perfect example. I loved that book, yet it's neve occured to me to read the others. Almost like the first one was 'too' complete in itself - i didn't want to spoil it!
 
Herbert is a good writer but you are not missing a real lot if you don't read the sequels.
I also would say the third (Children of Dune) is the best of the sequels.

I may be weakening on reading more Jordan. No one (in any of the threads) has given my a reason to read more Goodkind.
 
Eye of the World by Rob Jordan. Not that bad, but certainly not an encouragement to read on.

American Gods by Gaiman. Not part of a series but since many claim this to be his best work and I thought was enormously underwhelming, I'm staying away from him. I did read one of his highly acclaimed Sandman comics and I thought they were very plain.

Black Sun rising, by Friedman. Average Fantasy, didn't inspire me to pick up numero dos, even though I may do so after all.

First King of Shannara, by Terry Brooks. One book was enough.
 
--------------------------One Hit Wonders-----------------------------------
Melanie Rawn--Exiles: The Ruins of Ambrai--I am not sure why I could never bring myself to continue this

Kate Elliot--Jaran--I enjoyed this book a little, but found the society very superficial. I enjoyed the characters, but this story revolved around the jaran society which seemed fake and unnatural. I am looking for second opinions on this author and wondering weather to continue.
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Explainations of authors :)
For Jordan: I would recomend reading at least the first 4 or 5 books. He was my first fantasy author so he can do no wrong, but I must admit, the story does drag a little as if jordan just wants to meet his contract number of books and is long past being ready to stop.

For Goodkind: I enjoyed this series even though you could say the plot of the book without ever seeing it after the first one or two. I liked his wizards laws and the vivid descriptions although they very little from book to book. There's no need to read more, but if you enjoyed the first one, you might want to try the second.

For Modesitt: I guess you just don't like his style. I loved this author and have read everything in the Recluse series and everything but the last in the spellsong cycle. The books are unconected and don't go in order, but it is a good world and great characters. I don't see how someone could dislike this.
 
Which Weis and Hickman book did you read?
One of the early (Dark Sword???). What is good?

For Modesitt: I guess you just don't like his style.
Actually I like his style. I've read a few books. The second Recluse book I read though had extensive descriptions of woodworking which, even if I were interested, would have been out of place.

I liked American Gods as much for the subject matter as the writing quality. I probably will not read his other books just because I don't read many urban fantasies.

(re: Terry Brooks)The second is much better then the first. You should give it a try.
Pamela - Do you mean the second book or the second series?
I read the first book only. (many years ago) I remember it being an enjoyable read but the protagonist was too much of the reluctant hero for my taste.

Black Sun rising, by Friedman.
Ditto

I forgot Lord Valentine's Castle.

For Jordan: I would recomend reading at least the first 4 or 5 books.
Thats a lot of reading to decide if you like the series or not.
 
Jordan: no. I don't mean to decide weather you like the series, I mean to enjoy. After that the plot really drags. I don't see what's wrong with jordan otherwise. If you didn't like the first book and then at least try the secound book. For the first 3 or 4 books it improves constantly i think...

Modesitt: The secound book? You mean The Towers of Sunset or something else? I thought most of the angels books dragged in some parts, but there were a lot of good books in the series too. Maybe you would like the new Cydor mini-series (Scion of Cydor and something else, i don't remember) There are detailed accounts of woodworking and metalworking in some, (not the cydor) but I liked those because they enhanced the realism. Cerryl is fun to read about too. I think the first book with him is The White Order. He's a white magician. If it was just the woodworking that bothered you, skip that book :P
 
cgw in my estimation, Darksword stinks, at least the beginning of the book I read. I gave up on the series too.

If you want something by Weis and Hickman to sink your teeth into read their DragonLance Chronicles and Legends, the pillars of the DragonLance franchise. Mandatory light fantasy IMO. From what I understand the quality of the other DragonLance books are sketchy in comparison at best.

DL Chronicles starts out fairly slowly and it does look very much like Tolkien-lite in the beginning and struck me as feeling generic too, but it gradually grows to something worthwhile. Its derivative feel in the beginning should probably not be sniffed at that much either. Although LotR may have been the source, DL Chronicles probably codified (or in less charitable terms stereotyped) the conception of popular fantasy in its time.

DL Legends is one of my favorite fantasy series period. It strives to pull heartstrings, and for that it draws criticism, but I find that it succeeds beautifully. Simple story, simple language so that even young teenagers can read it like all DL books, but epic in feel. In truth not as much action as one would expect, another reason some rate Chronicles higher, but the characterization of the smaller cast of characters is deeper than that displayed in Chronicles. Has probably my favorite ending in fantasy--the reason I was completely disgusted with Dragons of Summer Flame which did it no justice and have dropped reading the newer books.

I can also say that I loved Weis and Hickman's Rose of the Prophet trilogy. For me a good comparison for that would be with Feist's Riftwar Saga since they are both compelling reading but seem to have perhaps too abrupt an end. I've heard good things about the Deathgate Cycle too but I haven't read it.
 
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Originally posted by Bond
cgw in my estimation, Darksword stinks, at least the beginning of the book I read. I gave up on the series too.

I can also say that I loved Weis and Hickman's Rose of the Prophet trilogy. For me a good comparison for that would be with Feist's Riftwar Saga since they are both compelling reading but seem to have perhaps too abrupt an end. I've heard good things the Deathgate Cycle too but I haven't read it.
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I'd have to say Deathgate was probably their best series as it their world had a litlle originality. The characters are basically the same as always, but they do grow, evolving throughout the series.

Don't go near Darksword as it has one of the most pathetic endings a fantasy book can have. Afficiendos of the genre, from the ones I've asked anyway, who've read the series, don't like them at all. A bit darker than the normal fare, though pointlessly so.
 
Originally posted by cgw

(re: Terry Brooks)The second is much better then the first. You should give it a try.
Pamela - Do you mean the second book or the second series?
I read the first book only. (many years ago) I remember it being an enjoyable read but the protagonist was too much of the reluctant hero for my taste.
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cgw,
I ment the second book of the Shannara series - The Elfstones of Shannara. From the sounds of things I think you would enjoy this one more then the first:)
 
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