Recommend me some good fantasy.

justifier · Nov 26th 2009, 10:06pm

I'm trying get presents for a ton of people. One guy reads all sorts of fantasy books. Fantasy is not really my interest (I like robots and explosions).

So recommend me some good, but obscure (he has read a lot of fantasy books) fantasy. Something that is sold as a trilogy or in hardcover or whatnot would be great.

I really don't need plot descriptions, because the books aren't for me.

Aranfan · Nov 26th 2009, 10:08pm

Anything by Brandon Sanderson is great.

Raskolnikov · Nov 26th 2009, 10:16pm

I don't know about obscurity, but I thoroughly recommend China Mieville, C. J. Cherryh and Greg Keyes.

Megaguiras · Nov 26th 2009, 11:32pm

The Codex Alera books can still be found in Hardcover, and for an extra bonus the last book in the series came out recently so if he likes them he won't be stuck waiting for the next one.

Satori · Nov 26th 2009, 11:38pm

Something Wicked This Way Comes. Ray Bradbury.

Ford Prefect · Nov 27th 2009, 1:17am

Though not exactly fantasy, Karl Schroeder's Virga books are excellent. Just get him Sun of the Suns and let him decide from there if he wants to continue with the series.

CnB · Nov 27th 2009, 1:38am

Guin Saga might have some potentional.

Hiver · Nov 27th 2009, 1:51am

The Dresden Files.

Its a awesome book series.

Damar · Nov 27th 2009, 2:11am

His Majesty's Dragon by Noami Novik to start with the Temeraire series, featuring aerial combat involving dragons during the Napoleonic wars.

Kensai · Nov 27th 2009, 2:39am

George R.R. Martin, Guy Gavriel Kay, Gene Wolfe all have a bunch of stuff worth checking out.

Also, The Worm Ourobouros by E.R. Eddison if you're looking for something pre-Tolkien.

For something heady and unconventional, Charles Williams - his stuff is mostly out of print, but if you can find The Place of the Lion, The Greater Trumps, Descent into Hell or All Hallows' Eve, they're really brilliant and quite different, although admittedly the writing style is decidedly... archaic. I think it's great, but I did my MA thesis on Williams so obviously I'm biased....

magic9mushroom · Nov 27th 2009, 2:45am

If he hasn't read any David Eddings, those will work.

Avernus · Nov 27th 2009, 4:23am

If you can find the Kencyr books by P.C. Hodgell they are good and fairly obscure. God Stalk, Dark of the Moon, Seeker's Mask. The first two are also collected in Dark of the Gods.

Doc Sidhe and Sidhe Devil by Aaron Allston.

Felidae · Nov 27th 2009, 7:17am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Damar

His Majesty's Dragon by Noami Novik to start with the Temeraire series, featuring aerial combat involving dragons during the Napoleonic wars.

This.

Also, Pamela C. Dean, the "The Secret Country" series. (Note, I've only read the first one, I've got to find the others yet, but I really liked it.)

Robin McKinley, very highly recommended, but may not be for everyone due to the style of writing. Try The Blue Sword and The Hero and the Crown, they should be available in most major libraries. (Note to self, there a few books to catch up on.)

Sarah Hoyt, Draw One in the Dark, for some modern fantasy.

Older author, Andre Norton, with anything ranging from scifi to fantasy to scifi-fantasy.

That's all I can think of without having my library at hand; I can look through my moderately extensive collection if more suggestions are desired.

I just noticed, all the authors I recommended were women...

Valunthar · Nov 27th 2009, 8:24am

Quote:

Originally Posted by magic9mushroom

If he hasn't read any David Eddings, those will work.

I'd qualify that statement by saying that while the older David eddings works are quite good. Works such as the Belgariad and the Mallorian et al. His more recent novels aren't very good at all. Specifically i was very disappointed in his dreamers storyline.

Skyllian Blitz · Nov 27th 2009, 9:14am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Felidae

Robin McKinley, very highly recommended, but may not be for everyone due to the style of writing. Try The Blue Sword and The Hero and the Crown, they should be available in most major libraries. (Note to self, there a few books to catch up on.)

McKinley was the first fantasy author I ever read. I managed to save both those two books from being thrown out by my old library.

Anyway, early Raymond E. Feist is very good as is his Serpent War Saga, with his other works being somewhat derivative and lacking but still of good quality.

David Gemmell is excellent but is more towards character driven fantasy. He writes violent characters very well, showing just how easy it is for men to do evil and the consequences of it. Does kickass fight scenes as well. Main problem is he sticks to the same or similar character types but he writes well enough that this isn't too much of a problem.

**Douglas Nicol** · Nov 27th 2009, 10:33am

Trudi Canavans "Magician" trilogy.

Alamo · Nov 27th 2009, 11:39am

Try the The Dragon and the George by Gordon Dickson. Its a rather funny story written in that 60-70s style where it seems part parody, part comedy, part played straight.

Another good one is the Lost Regiment series by William Forstchen. Only the first couple of books are any good though.

Satori · Nov 27th 2009, 1:54pm

Orson Scott Card's Wyrms is scifi BLATANTLY patterned after fantasy. With a little word editing, it *is* fantasy.

OrkKaptin · Nov 27th 2009, 1:58pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by magic9mushroom

If he hasn't read any David Eddings, those will work.

I highly suggest the Sparhawk novels-the Elenium and the Tamuli.

One of the villains is pretty much Fantasy Manson, for example.

Rigil_Kent · Nov 27th 2009, 2:05pm

The Second Sons Trilogy by Jennifer Fallon (Lion of Senet, Eye of the Labyrinth, Lord of Shadows.) Very good books.

khortez · Nov 27th 2009, 2:18pm

The Malazan Book of the Fallen series by Steven Erikson.

parker · Nov 27th 2009, 3:19pm

Try the 'Sandman' comic book series by Neil Gaiman. They are a few 'Absolute' editions but they're expensive.

Thait · Nov 27th 2009, 6:11pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Valunthar

I'd qualify that statement by saying that while the older David eddings works are quite good. Works such as the Belgariad and the Mallorian et al. His more recent novels aren't very good at all. Specifically i was very disappointed in his dreamers storyline.

The Elder Gods book? I couldnt stand that thing. I made it halfway through it and just pulled the bookmark out and tossed the thing on the shelf. It was so horrible i couldnt handle it.

Kristen Britain's Green Rider series is good.

Alan Dean Foster's Spellsinger series is very good as well.

thtadthtshldntb · Nov 27th 2009, 8:11pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alamo

Try the The Dragon and the George by Gordon Dickson. Its a rather funny story written in that 60-70s style where it seems part parody, part comedy, part played straight.

Another good one is the Lost Regiment series by William Forstchen. Only the first couple of books are any good though.

Mr Dickson wrote several follow ups to the Dragon and the George, in much the same style, all of which were very entertaining.

-------------

Coldfire trilogy by CS Friedman, is pseudo fantasy, but very entertaining, and has one of the most memorable main characters ever.

Anything by Tad Williams. Repeat anything.

With David Eddings you really only need to read one out of the Belgariad, the Malloreoan, the Elenium and the Tamuli series. Plus Belgarath the Sorcerer is by far his best work.

Valunthar · Nov 27th 2009, 8:18pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thait

The Elder Gods book? I couldnt stand that thing. I made it halfway through it and just pulled the bookmark out and tossed the thing on the shelf. It was so horrible i couldnt handle it

That's the series. I read the whole thing. It started out well but by the end of it, it had plot holes that you could toss the earth through, along with blatant references to the previous novel series. In short, it was absolutely horrible

Nov 26th 2009, 10:06pm	#1
justifier 30 squirrels in a mansuit Join Date: 3 Jun 2002 Location: Inserting from orbit. Posts: 6,953	Recommend me some good fantasy. I'm trying get presents for a ton of people. One guy reads all sorts of fantasy books. Fantasy is not really my interest (I like robots and explosions). So recommend me some good, but obscure (he has read a lot of fantasy books) fantasy. Something that is sold as a trilogy or in hardcover or whatnot would be great. I really don't need plot descriptions, because the books aren't for me. __________________ 1) Give an epileptic a machine gun. 2) Give him an unlimited supply of ammunition and Jolt Cola. 3) Place him in center of enemy-held stronghold. 4) PROFIT!-Anon, 4chan "I'm conflicted about this photo. You see, I'm anti-war but pro-awesome." -Anon.

Nov 26th 2009, 10:08pm	#2
Aranfan Metroid food Join Date: 4 Jan 2008 Location: Center of the Universe (General Relativity FTW) Posts: 3,453	Anything by Brandon Sanderson is great. __________________ The Lonely Winds by BI Flight It is a good book and I recommend you buy it.

Nov 26th 2009, 10:16pm	#3
Raskolnikov Registered Join Date: 23 Mar 2005 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 8,919	I don't know about obscurity, but I thoroughly recommend China Mieville, C. J. Cherryh and Greg Keyes. __________________ "Brazil has decided you're cute" -A Miracle of Science

Nov 26th 2009, 11:32pm	#4
Megaguiras Buster Machine Fleet Captain Join Date: 22 Mar 2002 Posts: 9,652	The Codex Alera books can still be found in Hardcover, and for an extra bonus the last book in the series came out recently so if he likes them he won't be stuck waiting for the next one. __________________ "Welcome to Lost Herencia. Let me run the Welcome Wagon right over your ugly ass!" -Harken Browning "Ah ha, you didn't count on my loyal army of prostitutes did you?" -Mitch Weaver "Dirty Work".

Nov 27th 2009, 1:17am	#6
Ford Prefect Registered Join Date: 6 Aug 2005 Posts: 5,801	Though not exactly fantasy, Karl Schroeder's Virga books are excellent. Just get him Sun of the Suns and let him decide from there if he wants to continue with the series. __________________ Because, to a certain type of author, there is no war as glorious as the War on Straw. - Raskolnikov

Nov 27th 2009, 1:38am	#7
CnB Registered Join Date: 16 Oct 2009 Posts: 1,308	Guin Saga might have some potentional.

Nov 27th 2009, 1:51am	#8
Hiver Registered Join Date: 13 Oct 2009 Posts: 1,280	The Dresden Files. Its a awesome book series. __________________ ‘Opinion as to what?’ Karrish said, with a shade of hysteria, as the image rotated in front of them all. ‘Precisely how little sense they make? The tentacle count per square metre? An evolutionary path that has to add up to “a wizard did it, and then they ate him”? -The reaction of Karrish, medical officer on the first Imperial Star Destroyer running into the Tyranids

Nov 27th 2009, 2:11am	#9
Damar Criticism Is Futile Join Date: 3 Sep 2004 Location: Cardassia Prime Posts: 37,336	His Majesty's Dragon by Noami Novik to start with the Temeraire series, featuring aerial combat involving dragons during the Napoleonic wars. __________________ I am Damar, Schmott Guy of SB, Defender of the Cardassians "When your car hits a guy and his body goes fly, that's a dead guy." -Tom Servo Best of RiffTrax: Best of RiffTrax's Titanic

Nov 27th 2009, 2:39am	#10
Kensai Scholar-swordsman Join Date: 27 Sep 2005 Location: The Salle Posts: 3,134	George R.R. Martin, Guy Gavriel Kay, Gene Wolfe all have a bunch of stuff worth checking out. Also, The Worm Ourobouros by E.R. Eddison if you're looking for something pre-Tolkien. For something heady and unconventional, Charles Williams - his stuff is mostly out of print, but if you can find The Place of the Lion, The Greater Trumps, Descent into Hell or All Hallows' Eve, they're really brilliant and quite different, although admittedly the writing style is decidedly... archaic. I think it's great, but I did my MA thesis on Williams so obviously I'm biased.... __________________ Thought the harder, heart the keener, Spirit greater, as our strength lessens. - The Battle of Maldon Consummatum Est - John 19:30 Scholar. Soldier. Swordsman.

Nov 27th 2009, 4:23am	#12
Avernus Abomination Join Date: 14 Jun 2005 Posts: 3,910	If you can find the Kencyr books by P.C. Hodgell they are good and fairly obscure. God Stalk, Dark of the Moon, Seeker's Mask. The first two are also collected in Dark of the Gods. Doc Sidhe and Sidhe Devil by Aaron Allston.

Nov 27th 2009, 10:33am	#16
Douglas Nicol Jadefalcon Supermoderator Super-Moderati Join Date: 1 Apr 2001 Location: Clan Jade Falcon stronghold of Ayr, Scotland Posts: 26,318	Trudi Canavans "Magician" trilogy. __________________ I am Aragorn, of the line of Isildur, a founding member of the Tolkien Cult I, Dave Lister, am a founding member of the Red Dwarf group. Slavish adherence to formal ritual is a sign that one has nothing better to think about.-Natasha Kerensky I will not make any deals with you. I've resigned. I will not be pushed, filed, stamped, indexed, briefed, debriefed or numbered. My life is my own - Number 6

Nov 27th 2009, 11:39am	#17
Alamo Registered Join Date: 6 Aug 2009 Location: Northwest Jersey Posts: 696	Try the The Dragon and the George by Gordon Dickson. Its a rather funny story written in that 60-70s style where it seems part parody, part comedy, part played straight. Another good one is the Lost Regiment series by William Forstchen. Only the first couple of books are any good though. __________________ Posted by Nietzsche: Putin is Teddy Roosevelt, after the Russians dug up his body and rebuilt him from T-34 parts and designed him to run off Vodka and Kickass. Posted by BeerandGuns: The guy who wanted recipes for eating cats didn't get slammed like this. Posted by Hannibal: I'm sure by then there will be an AR upper capable of diverting the asteroid.

Nov 27th 2009, 2:05pm	#20
Rigil_Kent Wannabe Bond Villain Join Date: 19 Mar 2009 Location: OKC, OK Posts: 150	The Second Sons Trilogy by Jennifer Fallon (Lion of Senet, Eye of the Labyrinth, Lord of Shadows.) Very good books. __________________ Star Trek: Endeavour. The Earth/Romulan War my way. Set post-Terra Prime and discarding the tripe that is TATV.

Nov 27th 2009, 2:18pm	#21
khortez Henchman Join Date: 8 Oct 2007 Posts: 513	The Malazan Book of the Fallen series by Steven Erikson. __________________ When God gives you lemons, you find a new God.

Nov 27th 2009, 3:19pm	#22
parker Student of Life Join Date: 22 Feb 2009 Posts: 310	Try the 'Sandman' comic book series by Neil Gaiman. They are a few 'Absolute' editions but they're expensive. __________________ I believe that one can not truly be a member of mankind without first embracing Science, Philosophy, and Religion in equal parts. Fuck the Volksfront.

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