Series recommendation for a new reader.

I ws just about to mention the Riftwar Saga. I'd go with that other the others. It's more traditional than the First Law trilogy and imo heaps better than the Shannara Trilogy and Barclay's stuff.

Plus once you finish those you can dive right into his Empire trilogy that he did with Wurts. The best completed trilogy out there imo.
 
If you've already made your trip to the store, it may be too late for my thoughts and suggestions, but here goes anyway. A lot of good fantasy has been mentioned here, but since you seem to have things narrowed down, I will only comment on your short list and the last few posts.

First, my recommendation: Memory, Sorrow & Thorn by Tad Williams.

It's traditional, yet not cliche. It's finished. It's only three book (or four depending on the binding you choose). The one criticism I hear a lot is that the story starts very slowly. I didn't think that was the case, but it seems to be the majority opinion.

Compared to your short list, MS&T is better than Brooks's Shannara or Barclay's Raven books. I haven't read Abercrombie yet, though interestingly enough I am starting his first book tonight, so I can't offer a comparison.

I also haven't read the Zelazny or Vance books Bastard mentioned, but I have read The Riftwar Saga mentioned by both he and ChrisW. It was nearly as good as MS&T, but not quite, in my estimation. I haven't read the related Empire trilogy that ChrisW mentioned, but I can highly recommend the co-author, Wurts. If you do decide to go with Riftwar, I imagine the Empire trilogy would be good follow up.

Moving on to book buying in general...

If you are in the market for used books, Half.com is a great resource. Low prices, affordable shipping (especially when you purchase multiple books at one time from the same seller) and the books are in the condition reported by the seller. To give you an idea of the kinds of deals to be had. I recently purchased 11 paperbacks for $31 and change.

Another used book resource (depending on your location), of the brick and mortar variety, is Half Price Books.
 
Thanks again for the continued suggestions.

I ended up going with Feist's Magician: Apprentice. This was mainly due to the lack of selection of the Borders Express in our local mall. It seemed all of the first books in the series that were recommended were gone. Magician became the best choice of what was available.

I really appreciate all the help this community has offered and the other suggestions will keep me busy and entertained for awhile.
 
After you finish the book, you like it, and you are really old school and poor graphics don't bother you, you can try playing the game Betrayal at Krondor. Alternatively you can look for an old Bioware game Planescape: Torment. Those were two of the best story driven computer fantasy games before Star Wars: KotOR and the recent Dragon Age came out.
 
Ok, let's see . . . .

For my starter series I think I want to stick with a story that is close to the standard fantasy formula (ie. good vs. evil with magic, swords, intrigue, and romance). I am not against stories that break the mold, but I figured that I should stay with the familiar as I get my feet wet. I will definitely be checking out some of the other series as I grow as a reader.

I would like to think of myself as a pretty intelligent person, but as I have mentioned previously, I have next to zero experience with reading literature outside what I read for school and college. I have spent most of my adult life reading textbooks, technical documents, and manuals. Even though I enjoy the fantasy genre, it's going to be a new experience for me to sit down and read a book, so I want to ease into it. Ideally, I would be looking for a traditional fantasy that flows well, but is not juvenile, and captures my attention.
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I don't know that there is any special merit in "the standard fantasy formula", because there is a world of excellent fantasy that is not "epic/heroic" (aka swords and sorcery or thud-and-blunder).

There are, as you might have guessed, entire web sites devoted to helping guide readers to presumably good works of fantasy and/or science fiction; I run one myself (and occasionally catch pit here for mentioning it in response to a query like this). Here are what I consider good starting points for high-quality fantasy (and I do include my own site):

  • The Scriptorium, "featuring writers who have pushed the edges of their medium, combining literary talent with a sense of experimentation to produce some remarkable works of modern literature." This is a subdivision of the wonderful Modern Word literature site.
  • The Complete Review, "A Literary Saloon and Site of Review", which has a Science Fiction and Fantasy sub-list. Their chief defect is that they are rather too generous in their ratings; for example: a novel of which they write "the writing is amateurish and formulaic, and the characterization often ridiculous" receives a B- grade. But their reviews are revealing, and they include an excellent cross-section of other critical opinions.
  • The lists maintained by Jeff VanderMeer. The lists vary somewhat from time to time, but here is his comprehensive list ("ze Big-Ass Fantasy List") as of 16 May 2006--once at the linked page, scroll down to the blog entry for Tuesday, May 16, 2006. As VanderMeer himself says, "There's stuff on this list that stinks up the place" (note carefully that the choices are by no means all his), but it's a valuable starting point for further research.
  • A diverse list from M. John Harrison, plus ensuing reader suggestions from (remarkably knowledgeable readers); of immense value in suggesting little-known possibilities. See also the additive follow-up.
  • The Curiosities series at The SF Site.
  • Another fine literary resource, not specific to speculative fiction but including many speculative-fiction authors, is the so-called "Authors' Calendar", a set of well-done short essays and select bibliographies for most of the notable figures of literature.
  • And my own effort is Great Science-Fiction & Fantasy Works. (Don't overlook the page there on "Other Candidates", which is a testimony to the brevity of life.)
 
Bond said:
After you finish the book, you like it, and you are really old school and poor graphics don't bother you, you can try playing the game Betrayal at Krondor. Alternatively you can look for an old Bioware game Planescape: Torment. Those were two of the best story driven computer fantasy games before Star Wars: KotOR and the recent Dragon Age came out.
Click to expand...

Ironically, I did play Betrayal at Krondor, but that was eons ago and until I started researching, I had no idea it was based on one of Feist's books. I've also own/have played most of the Black Isle/Interplay/Bioware games (minus Jade Empire), and am currently playing Dragon Age.

owlcroft said:
I don't know that there is any special merit in "the standard fantasy formula", because there is a world of excellent fantasy that is not "epic/heroic" (aka swords and sorcery or thud-and-blunder).

There are, as you might have guessed, entire web sites devoted to helping guide readers to presumably good works of fantasy and/or science fiction; I run one myself (and occasionally catch pit here for mentioning it in response to a query like this). Here are what I consider good starting points for high-quality fantasy (and I do include my own site):

  • The Scriptorium, "featuring writers who have pushed the edges of their medium, combining literary talent with a sense of experimentation to produce some remarkable works of modern literature." This is a subdivision of the wonderful Modern Word literature site.
  • The Complete Review, "A Literary Saloon and Site of Review", which has a Science Fiction and Fantasy sub-list. Their chief defect is that they are rather too generous in their ratings; for example: a novel of which they write "the writing is amateurish and formulaic, and the characterization often ridiculous" receives a B- grade. But their reviews are revealing, and they include an excellent cross-section of other critical opinions.
  • The lists maintained by Jeff VanderMeer. The lists vary somewhat from time to time, but here is his comprehensive list ("ze Big-Ass Fantasy List") as of 16 May 2006--once at the linked page, scroll down to the blog entry for Tuesday, May 16, 2006. As VanderMeer himself says, "There's stuff on this list that stinks up the place" (note carefully that the choices are by no means all his), but it's a valuable starting point for further research.
  • A diverse list from M. John Harrison, plus ensuing reader suggestions from (remarkably knowledgeable readers); of immense value in suggesting little-known possibilities. See also the additive follow-up.
  • The Curiosities series at The SF Site.
  • Another fine literary resource, not specific to speculative fiction but including many speculative-fiction authors, is the so-called "Authors' Calendar", a set of well-done short essays and select bibliographies for most of the notable figures of literature.
  • And my own effort is Great Science-Fiction & Fantasy Works. (Don't overlook the page there on "Other Candidates", which is a testimony to the brevity of life.)
Click to expand...

I really appreciate more reference material. I really love scouring the web for information, but sometimes its hard to tell if a site is even relevant anymore. I also realize that there is ALOT of great stuff out there, and just because my initial criteria isn't a fit for some of it, doesn't mean I won't get to it. I was just looking for a starting place and will branch out from there.

I'm really glad I came upon this site, sometimes it's hard to get this kind of help. I can tell this community is really passionate about it's fantasy and I can't wait to join the club.
 
HEY JD. I wish i wouldve been here when you first posted this. Your choice of Magician by ramond E Feist is a great one. He is one of my favorite authors.

Even though some people dont like Terry Goodkinds Sword of Truth series, It is one of my favorites, I highly recommend it.

Also you should Look into Brent Weeks I read thru his series VERY FAST.

And last but not least, I just read Patrick Rothfuss The Name of the Wind. Possibly my favorite, it will not disappoint you.

I too was deciding to find a new series to read. i decided on the Codex Alera series. I envy your situation of having not read such great series as the Riftwar saga and Sword of truth.
 
Raymond E. Feist is a great start.

When you finish that i would read Patrick Rothfuss, since his series is not complete yet.

Or, Sword of truth.

Then Wheel of Time.

Sword of truth was one of the first Fantasy book series i read. I was in my late twenties when i started. So, I think you will enjoy it. Since then i have read many other authors but still hold Sword of truth as one of my favorites. That and raymond e Feist.
 
Bond said:
Those were two of the best story driven computer fantasy games before Star Wars: KotOR and the recent Dragon Age came out.
Click to expand...

You know, I was pretty dissapointed by the story line in Dragon Age. I've loved all bioware games, but that one did nothing for me :S And I really wanted to love it.
 
CalvinAlexander said:
You know, I was pretty dissapointed by the story line in Dragon Age. I've loved all bioware games, but that one did nothing for me :S And I really wanted to love it.
Click to expand...

I wasn't blown away by Dragon Age's story, but I felt that what it lacked in story was made up for in presentation. The cutscenes and party interaction really made me feel apart of the story.
 
Need new series help is appreciated!

Please help I have run out of books to read. My grabbing of the shelf with little care used to serve me well however not any more I haven't found anything great for such a long time.
I love fantasy, vampire, shapeshifter, fae, magic. My fave authors include Laurell K Hamilton, Jacquelin Carey, Anne Rice, Clive Barker, I did just finished Staked by J.F. Lewis which was very funny, lol funny, Lewis is one to watch but other than that I'm having a hard time and being forced to read my teen nieces and nephew's books they left around while visiting I started Ironside by Holly Black which seems a little more adult than teen. Any suggestions are appreciated. Even direction to a book club or reading group would be a help. Thank in advance!
Warmest Regards
Yes it really is the name my parents gave me, Felicity :p
 
Try this first book in a new series, Titus and Atreus by Meridi Myers. I recently finished reading this myself, and now it's my current favorite. You will not be disappointed. :)
 
I know it's been ages since I started this thread, but it took me awhile before I was able to allot time to reading. I have since read 3/4 of the Riftwar Saga (stated Darkness at Sethanon, but the beginning felt slow and was not keeping my interest), and I just completed Hobb's Farseer Trilogy. The Farseer Trilogy was great, and after I finished it I felt a bit sad that it was done.

I'm now contemplating my next read. I'm considering either finishing Darkness at Sethanon (Riftwar) or starting Abercrombie's First Law Trilogy. The part of me that already misses Fitz and company is curious about Hobb's other series. Are they based on any of the same characters or world? Any particular one I should consider next (and why?) or any order they should be read in?

I really appreciate all the suggestions this community has provided. I've only begun and it's already been very rewarding.
 
Hi JD78.

I noticed in your original post that you mentioned you played D&D in your past. With that in mind, I would highly suggest that you try out the Dragonlance Chronicles by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman. The first book in the trilogy is Dragons of Autumn Twilight, and this was the series that led me to become someone who reads a LOT for my own enjoyment. All of the other stuff others have mentioned is good as well, but since you are, by your own words, still pretty new to the reading for pleasure thing, I think that The Dragonlance Chronicles would be a good fit for you.

The world they are set in will most likely seem familiar in many ways to you since the writers are both former TSR (company that did D&D) employees. The characters are great and easy to relate to, and the story moves at a nice pace. The writing isn't the most complex (as an example, you might read that a room has a character sitting behind a large oak table whereas in some other author's book you might be given minute details about the table such as the woodworking, paint scheme, etc.,) but it is done well and is a lot of fun. Plenty of adventure, action, comedy, some romance, some moving scenes, etc. All in all, a very fun read that is easy to get into.


That being said, I myself just started the Abercrombie series and it is just starting to pick up the pace about 100 pages in or so. The writing is good though, so that helps.
 
I'd finish A Darkness at Sethanon. Might have slow start but once it gets going it's a good ride if you like seiges and battles. That's if i'm remembering it correctly;)
 
I am a huge Hobb fan myself. You should read Hobb's Liveship Traders series next, it only has one common character (not Fitz) but it is an awesome series. It is my favorite Hobb series, though I know many prefer the Farseers. It is chronologically after The Farseers but before The Tawny Man series, which returns back Fitz.

I would also recommend you try Guy Gavriel Kay, he has many stand alone books. Tigana seems to be very popular, but my first experience with his writing was Sailing to Sarantium (1st of 2 books)which I really enjoyed.

When you are willing to move on to unfinished series definitely check out George RR Martin and Robert Jordan. Martin's work is really popular and soon to be an HBO show. Jordan did a great job of writing the very traditional fantasy very well, and his first book is a page turner.

Not a big fan of Goodkind, his first few books were interesting enough, but he had this one phrase he keep repeating which drove me mad, something about his scabbard. After the first couple I think the series dragged on.
 
If you're looking for traditional fantasy stories you can't go wrong with Sword of Truth and Wheel of Time. This little series called Ranger's Apprentice is really good as well, at least the first 4 books are, and while technically not really fantasy I doubt you'll notice the lack of magic. I'm not guaranteeing you'll like every single book of the three titles I chose, but they satisfy all your criteria, especially SOT which has alot of romance. I also highly recommend the Harry Potter books.

What exactly prompted you to start reading at your age? I'm also a late comer and started approximately a year before you originally started this thread. I've been at this for nearly 2 years now.
 
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