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Sci-fi/Fantasy book recommendations?

65 replies

AnaViaSalamanca · 26/11/2020 18:46

Any sci-fi and fantasy geeks out there? I am in desperate need of a new escapist page-turner.

Books that I have liked
harry potter
farseer trilogies
red rising
fablehaven

Didn't like
Hunger games
hyperion
dune
vampire stuff

OP posts:
OhDearShirley · 26/11/2020 18:47

The long way to a small angry planet, and frankly anything by Becky Chambers.
Fantasy- anything by Brandon Sanderson

7Days · 26/11/2020 18:47

Place marking.
Always on the look out for anything as good as Robin Hobb.

Have you read them all - I think there is 17 or thereabouts!

TheSandman · 26/11/2020 18:51

The Culture novels by Iain M Banks should keep you going for a while.

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UnaOfStormhold · 26/11/2020 18:52

Lois McMaster Bujold is brilliant - suggest starting with the Curse of Chalion. Rosemary Kirstein's Steerswoman books are great. And I have very much enjoyed A Natural History of Dragons and its sequels.

MsAwesomeDragon · 26/11/2020 18:53

I love anything by Brandon Sanderson
The Ascension trilogy are my favourite I think (then there's another trilogy set in the same world, just further into the future)

CaptainCallisto · 26/11/2020 18:54

The Mistborn series by Brandon Sanderson and
The Magicians Guild series by Trudi Canavan are both really good.

MsAwesomeDragon · 26/11/2020 18:55

Helen Harper writes excellent urban fantasy stuff. Nice and easy to read, most of the world is as we know it, but with added supernatural/fantasy/magic.

LastGoldenDaysOfSummer · 26/11/2020 18:56

Ursula le Guin.
John Wyndham
Robert Heinlein

beenrumbled · 26/11/2020 19:01

Terry Brooks Shannon's series. Start at the beginning and they will keep you going for a while. Raymond E Feist, again loads of books and series within themes etc. David Eddings, the Belgariad, the Mallorean and the fill in books

Ihavetochangemyusername · 26/11/2020 19:01

Magician series by Raymond Feist

beenrumbled · 26/11/2020 19:02

Terry Brooks Shannara series

scissy · 26/11/2020 19:16

The Expanse series by James S A Corey. They'll keep you going for a while (The final book is due next year). It's been dramatized for TV too.

SnowyMouse · 26/11/2020 20:08

LE Modesitt jr. is good.

BreastedBoobilyToTheStairs · 26/11/2020 20:26

Definitely agree anything by Brandon Sanderson - Mistborn is an easier introduction than the Stormlight, but Stormlight is utterly breathtaking. Basically just read them all, including the standalones like Elantris and Warbreaker!

If you can tolerate an unfinished series, then the Name of the Wind series by Patrick Rothfuss is excellent, particularly the first book. Unfortunately we've been waiting a very long time for the third book and it doesn't look like it's on the immediate horizon (sob).

If you like urban fantasy and want a long series, then the Dresden Files. The first couple of books are a bit shaky but they just get better. 17 currently out and still counting (also thoroughly recommend the audiobooks to accompany the novels).

The Gentlemen Bastards series is great - Scott Lynch has a serious way with words. His insults and jibes are simply wonderful.

Wheel of time - another long series but thoroughly worth reading.

For something a little more YA/NA then try Victoria Aveyard's Red Queen series, or Throne of Glass by Sarah J Maas.

TyroTerf · 26/11/2020 20:32

Try some Pratchett, satirical fantasy and very very good; if you like it it'll keep you going a fair while because there's about forty of them.

Also the spider book! Children of Time.

MagpiePi · 26/11/2020 20:34

Terry Pratchett's Discworld books

Also the Rivers of London series by Ben Aaronovitch

FredtheFerret · 26/11/2020 20:38

The Shannara series.

Also anything by David Gemmell - but particularly Legend.
Simon R Green is good - but you need to order online as despite being English he isn't published here. Really recommend his Nightside series.

misskatamari · 26/11/2020 20:51

I really enjoy Dennis E Taylor books. I'm re-listening to the Bobiverse books at the moment, they're fab. Also loved the extracted trilogy by R R Haywood. I've enjoyed the John Scalzi books I've read (so far - redshirt, agent to the starts and Lock in and it's sequel). Ready player one is probably classes as sci-fi/adventure and is awesome.

KilljoysDutch · 26/11/2020 20:57

A Deadly Education by Naomi Novik is a bit like Harry Potter but darker. It's really good and the ending! Actually anything by Naomi Novik is amazing.

Glamflimfloogety · 26/11/2020 21:03

The Belgariad & The Mallorean by David Weddings (5 short books in each series)

The Elenium & The Tamuli by David Weddings (3 books in each)

Throne of glass series by Sarah J Maas
A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J Mass

Another vote here for the mistborn series by Sanderson

The demon cycle series by Peter V Brett

The Rigante Novels by David Gemmell

And if you want to support an up and coming indie author, check out the world of Linaria novels by L.L McNeil

Glamflimfloogety · 26/11/2020 21:04

David Eddings... Not weddings, oops!

SaltyMagnolia · 26/11/2020 21:04

The 'Daughter of blood and stone' Trilogy or 'Strange the dreamer' trilogy both by Laini Taylor are brilliant

CatsGoPurrrr · 26/11/2020 21:11

Most of my suggestions have already been recommended, but would also mention;

A Court of Thorns and Roses trilogy by Sarah J Mass.
Caraval trilogy by Stephanie Garber
Anything by Charles de Lint

KnitsAndGiggles · 26/11/2020 21:16

Uprooted by Naomi Novik. Very refreshing fantasy take.

Do not read Name of the Wind - the first book is amazing, the second book is a massive let down and the third book is never going to be released at this rate. The author seems to be enjoying pulling a George R R Martin at the moment - just don't do it to yourself.

Frances Hardinge is also great but a bit more YA I would say. Very original, well thought out and engaging books

Glamflimfloogety · 26/11/2020 21:31

@KnitsAndGiggles

I loved both the name of the wind and the wise man's fear, but I had no idea going in that the series wasn't finished and how long the wait for the third book had been. I was fuming (at myself) when I finished! 🤦🏼‍♀️

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