Buying second hand books (+ I love fantasy)

[TinselianAstra]

I was mooching around the charity shops today - isn't Oxfam expensive?!

I decided I might as well go onto Amazon and find books for 1p + postage.

I discovered and old thread about what fantasy authors you all liked, so I have some Tad Williams on its way. Someone come tell me I'm doing the right thing?

Lol you're like me (and oddly like my mate who has your MN name iyswim), it won't be right, but it will be goooooooooood. 9.10pm 19th December

So it's out just before Christmas, and then after Christmas I'm going away. Right, I must email all the girls right now (I dread to think what I would have to watch in return if I dragged DP to this).

Tinselian I have to say that no, I didn't think they (Tracey C) were any good. The first series was pretty good, and I enjoyed it. But the gods series? my god. I figured out the ending on about book 2 and had to wade through another 3 books before I got there.

Someone who liked them also liked Brooks and I have to say I stopped reading him years ago. His early stuff was great, but it just got so boring and repititve and desperate - always trying to find a new member of the family to write about. A bit like a romance writer who creates a family of heros and 12 books down is resorting to illigitimate children of the 18year old nanny for a connection!

Thanks for your honesty - I won't start putting in offers for them then.

I have to say I found the Twilight books a bit pish-like (sorry for the made up word, but hopefully you'll get what I mean). I had to read them all, though...typcial Fantasy reader needing to know the whole thing from start to finish.

There's just much more depth to most fantasy novels and like you Tinselian, I like my characters and questions answered. I think Oryx and Crake was a bit of a change for me. Not as good as Huxley's Brave New World, but still, quite chilling.

I think most fantasy fans like the knitting together of the tale and the overlayers of character, story and detail. That's why you're usually looking at trilogies before you start. Ooh...I wish I had a good trilogy to get my teeth into this Christmas. Hope Santa manages to bring something nice for me

Oh yes, Twilight is pure fluff, but that feeling of teenage desperately in loveness is what does it for me

Oryx And Crake interesting - but not as good as The Handmaid's tale.

I quite liked The Handmaid's Tale, but I felt I could have taken it further, done a few extra chapters!!

It was much similar to Aldous Huxley's Brave New World imo.

Which was written first?

Have you read Riddlemaster of Hed series by Patricia McKillip? One of my favorites.

Also like the Talisman by Stephen King. I will wrack brain for more....

Hated Oryx & Crake. Pile of poo

Gabriel Guy kay has a nice trilogy.

I sell my books on Amazon - I made £60 in 2 weeks! More than they go for Ebay.

I have a MASSIVE collection of fantasy, along with first editions, that I had to leave behind in the states...

Noiamnot, is that the Fionavar Tapestry? Guy Gavriel Kaye used to be one of my favourite fantasy authors, Thought those books were really beautiful. Tigana was good too.

I have toput in a recommendation for Raymond E. Feist here. Magician has remained my all time favourite fantasy novel of all time, and I've now read bushels of the stuff. Highly recommended!

yes. that's the one. on name spelling.

yes. raymond feist very good as well.

Brave new world was much before Handmaid's Tale

Another vote for Raymond E. Feist.
Aswell as Magician from the Riftwar I would also recommend the Riftwar(from the other side) series which include Daughter of the Empire, Servant of the Empire and Mistress of the Empire which Feist wrote along with Janny Wurts.
Also enjoyed Feist's books from Conclave of Shadows: Talon of the Silver Hawk, King of Foxes and Exile's Return.

All books by Janny Wurts.

Would also recommend Tad Williams -Memory,Sorrow and Thorn
To Green Angel Tower
Otherland

And while not just for adults I think The Abhorsen Trilogy by Garth Nix is a great read,too.

Yay, so lovely to have a nice long list of recommendations.

I have The Drgonbone Chair from Tad Williams and also the Chronicles of Morgaine on the way from Amazon for my holiday.

And when I get back and hopefully get a job I will be investigating lots more.

Oh yes - loved abhorsen

I read a lot of children's/teenage fiction 9especially fantasy) but I must say, Garth Nix really doesn't do it for me.

I like the "Across The Nightingale Floor" series - Japanese warrior stuff

"The Windsinger" series

The "Mortal Engines" series

Imho one of the best fantasy series for adults is King's "The Dark Tower".

How about Terry Goodkind "Sword of Truth" series. Brilliant! I am reading Wheel of Time at the mo but still love Lord of the Rings!!

I liked the Abhorsen stuff (not sure if I've read all of them), found the Windsinger books a bit young.

Embarrassingly the reason I didn't get on with Across the Nightingale Floor etc was partly because I couldn't get a grip on all the names. I think I have to avoid all Japanese-influenced fantasy because I struggle with finding a way to pronounce the names in my head.

Wheel of Time is great, I really enjoy having the girls travel around and be shocked at how Domani women dress and other silly things like that.

I think the Windersinger ones, and the Mortal Engines ones, are probably aimed more at pre-teen. I still enjoyed them though.

Ooh I know they really are kids books, but the Spooks ones (apprentice, curse etc) are great "boy with quest", and soooooooo easy to read