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Original poster

I seem to have developed a taste for <<<shhhh>>>fantasy (no, not rude stuff)

99 replies

DrMarthaMcMoo · 23/04/2007 21:10

I've always been partial to a bit of Stephen King (and loved the Gunslinger books - which I guess are fantasy - though they got very silly towards the end, as is SK's wont) and on the recommendation of a friend I started reading Robin Hobb. I loved them - especially the Farseer Trilogy and The Tawny Man Trilogy (which had the same characters) though I didn't like the Madship series so much. And now...I've read them all (her earlier books, as Megan Lindholm, don't appeal so much) and I'm twiddling my thumbs.

So - as a novice to the genre - any recommendations? Trudi Canavan? Feist? Gemmell? I've been browsing amazon and The Book depository but can't make my mind up. I don't think I fancy Pratchett (reminds me of geeky ernest blokes at University...sorry).

OP posts:
MrsApron · 23/04/2007 21:34

Sword of Truth is not finished yet.

Warning Warning [robot stylee]

always check if a series is finished before commencing on it. Robert Jordan v good case in point.

Moo get Magician (Raymond Feist)you won't regret it...

(and all the David Eddings Belgariad and Mallorean and the two prequels)

fransmom · 23/04/2007 21:35

david eddings brill sorry about that drmoo !

fransmom · 23/04/2007 21:35

please insert forgot

Califrau · 23/04/2007 21:35

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Katymac · 23/04/2007 21:36

Stephen Donaldson fab,fab,fab

Which books were about timetravel and elves?? Torcs & mindcontrol - they dug the mediterreanian (apparently - well let the Atlantic in)

Swizzler · 23/04/2007 21:37

Def Mary Stewart (Crystal Cave, Hollow (?) Hills, Last Enchantment). Didn't like any of her other books, excet Touch Not the Cat

David Eddings - first series best, his latest ones are awful

Original poster
DrMarthaMcMoo · 23/04/2007 21:37

No, I think that's good advice - I've had some experience of this when Stephen King was hit by a car and was so badly hurt and my first thought on hearing the news was "nooooo! I need to know how the Dark Tower books end!"

OK, so Feist to start with maybe? Seems to be coming up as a favourite.

OP posts:
Swizzler · 23/04/2007 21:38

And loved Stephen Donaldson's Mirror of Her Dreams and A Man Rides Through - again, less heavy than the Covenant books (which are brilliant)

Katymac · 23/04/2007 21:38

Swizzler - I quite liked Althalus (sp)

Original poster
DrMarthaMcMoo · 23/04/2007 21:38

OK, Feist and Donaldson...

and maybe Weird Sisters (to get motherinferior off my back )

OP posts:
MrsApron · 23/04/2007 21:39

Kerrymum

yes we know(DH huge fan too) and I am also hoping he gets it finshed.
[or at least has copius notes and yes I feel bad about it]

Mary Stewart grail stuff- check!

have you read Marion Zimmer Bradley?

When I say grail quest i mean anything with a thing that two sides want, goodies and baddies, magic, gods thrown in wouldnot go amiss with long voyages and battles.

Luuurve Fantasy.

Original poster
DrMarthaMcMoo · 23/04/2007 21:40

Have any of you fantasy fans read Robin Hobb then? I really loved them.

OP posts:
Swizzler · 23/04/2007 21:41

Katy: that one wasn't too bad, but nowhere near as good as the Belgariad books. And the latest ones were really, truly bad.

liquidclocks · 23/04/2007 21:42

Read loads of Anne McAffery stuff as a teenager - light reading you van pick up/put down as and when you have time I'd say. Alos read weiss/hickman death gate cycle and enjoyed it though most people I know who also read it didn't like it.

Also enjoyed Clive Barker's weaveworld but like the recent Abarat ones too- especially the artwork.

Katymac · 23/04/2007 21:42

The Manycoloured Land - Julian May - I loved these - they are very epic and there are loads

littlelapin · 23/04/2007 21:45

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Lact8 · 23/04/2007 21:45

Farseer trilogy is probably my favourite set of books.

I've read them several times now

They're so sad at times though

Nighteyes

BonnieDarko · 23/04/2007 21:45

I didn't know Robert Jordan was ill. Oh no.

My favourites are;

Robert Jordan
Melanie Rawn
Raymond E Feist
Julian May
Terry Brooks
Terry Goodkind
Tad Williams
David Eddings
J V Jones

JodieG1 · 23/04/2007 21:46

Please read the dark elf books I mentioned below, they are really fantastic.

Original poster
DrMarthaMcMoo · 23/04/2007 21:47

Cracking heck (to quote ds2) - I now have a vaguely panicky feeling of "so many books, so little time!" I'm nearly 40...I'll be dead before I have time to read all these.

OP posts:
JodieG1 · 23/04/2007 21:48

link for you

Lact8 · 23/04/2007 21:49

DrM - Robin Hobb probably my favourite.

They're my benchmark whenever I read anything else I always say, well it was good but not as good as Fitz.

Original poster
DrMarthaMcMoo · 23/04/2007 21:55

OK, I now have a 3 page wishlist on amazon... (I've put your Elf books on it too, Jodie). Thanks for all coming out of the closet to offer suggestions

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MrsApron · 23/04/2007 21:55

Jodieg they are on my list

I am perusing this thread for fresh meat lol!

JodieG1 · 23/04/2007 22:01

exellent, I'm sure you'll love them.