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Read any good books lately? I'm in a reading slump.

#1 User is offline   Max_Power 

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Posted 25 August 2004 - 08:45 AM

I am in a reading slump. I lenjoy a good cozy murder mystery, but I really love fantasy. But of a certain kind. I adore Lord of the Rings and anything ever written by David Eddings. I like the Wheel of Time series, but I got tired of waitng for the next to come out. I like Harry Potter, and read a bunch of Piers Anthony until they all started to look alike. What else is out there that is similar? I have come to respect the opinions of this group so just thought I'd ask..... :hehe:

#2 User is offline   gaius claudius 

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Posted 25 August 2004 - 08:50 AM

In the fantasy vein...the oly thing I curently ercommend to people is George R.R. Martin's A Song of Fire ad Ice...the 4th book, A Feast for Crows should hopefully be out by Christmas...


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#3 User is offline   KRAD 

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Posted 25 August 2004 - 09:51 AM

Not to toot my own horn, but if you like both high fantasy and a good mystery, I have to recommend my new novel Dragon Precinct, which combines both genres. :cool:
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#4 User is offline   sierraleone 

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Posted 25 August 2004 - 11:35 AM

Currently I'm reading the Neanderthal Paralax, a Triology, of which the first is titled "Hominids" by Robert Sawyer. I'd highly recommend it for those who like good science fiction. At least its good in my opinion :)
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#5 User is offline   Niko 

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Posted 25 August 2004 - 12:00 PM

gaius claudius, on Aug 25 2004, 08:48 AM, said:

In the fantasy vein...the oly thing I curently ercommend to people is George R.R. Martin's    A Song of Fire ad Ice...

<Richard Dawson>Survey says.... *ding*ding*ding* ....NUMBER ONE ANSWER!</Richard Dawson>> :D

ASOFAI is probably the most widely-liked and consistently quality fantasy series in recent memory. If you're looking for a single new series to try, that's definitely the one to go with. (I think GC is overly optimistic on the release date of the next volume, though. GRRM's website says he's still writing it, so... )

Some others that I think fit your tastes:
  • Greg Keyes - Start with The Briar King for the beginning of a trilogy whose second book came out recently. Fairly traditional fantasy a la Eddings, but with more depth to the cultures and characters he's created. His earlier fantasy titles, The Waterborn and its sequel, are pretty good, too.
  • Steve Erickson - He's got five books out in the UK, but the first, Gardens of the Moon was just released in the US this year. A bit of a tough read at first, with lots of characters and about a million layers of political and military intrigue to keep track of, but very rewarding.
  • Jack Vance - The Llyonesse books are fantasy classics. I don't see them mentioned much anymore, which is a real shame.
  • Robin Hobb - Reliably entertaining over the long haul...she's put out nine books so far (in three interconnected series), and they've all been worthwhile. Start with Assassin's Apprentice.
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#6 User is offline   Robert Hewitt Wolfe 

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Posted 25 August 2004 - 12:32 PM

I'm currently reading "The Coyote Kings of the Space-Age Bachelor Pad" by Minister Faust, which is pretty damn cool even if it is set in Edmonton. I mean "E-town." =P

Oh, and Minister, if you're reading this, I forgive you for dissing DS9 on Page 40. After all, it's the idiot bad guys doing it, so I know you didn't mean it.

This post has been edited by Robert Hewitt Wolfe: 25 August 2004 - 12:33 PM

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#7 User is offline   Robert Hewitt Wolfe 

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Posted 25 August 2004 - 12:35 PM

gaius claudius, on Aug 25 2004, 01:48 PM, said:

In the fantasy vein...the oly thing I curently ercommend to people is George R.R. Martin's A Song of Fire ad Ice...the 4th book, A Feast for Crows should hopefully be out by Christmas...

Yeah, right. I'll believe that when I see it.

GEORGE! TYPE FASTER!
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#8 User is offline   Robert Hewitt Wolfe 

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Posted 25 August 2004 - 12:36 PM

KRAD, on Aug 25 2004, 02:49 PM, said:

Not to toot my own horn, but if you like both high fantasy and a good mystery, I have to recommend my new novel Dragon Precinct, which combines both genres. :cool:

I really, really want to read this, but I'm scared it's going to be too close to my Silver Shields series pitch. Hey, Keith, can I get you to sign a release so I can read your book. :eh:
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#9 User is offline   Jid 

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Posted 25 August 2004 - 12:41 PM

KRAD, on Aug 25 2004, 08:49 AM, said:

Not to toot my own horn, but if you like both high fantasy and a good mystery, I have to recommend my new novel Dragon Precinct, which combines both genres. :cool:

I second KRAD's recommendation.

It's an excellent read. (And I'll leave it for that until I have time to write a proper review ;) )

#10 User is offline   gaius claudius 

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Posted 25 August 2004 - 12:44 PM

Robert Hewitt Wolfe, on Aug 25 2004, 01:33 PM, said:

gaius claudius, on Aug 25 2004, 01:48 PM, said:

In the fantasy vein...the oly thing I curently ercommend to people is George R.R. Martin's    A Song of Fire ad Ice...the 4th book, A Feast for Crows should hopefully be out by Christmas...

Yeah, right. I'll believe that when I see it.

GEORGE! TYPE FASTER!

Don't jinx it....I don't think I can go another year without knowing what happens to Jaimie Lancaster and Jon Snow :(


KRAD wrote:

Quote

Not to toot my own horn, but if you like both high fantasy and a good mystery, I have to recommend my new novel Dragon Precinct, which combines both genres


I just ordered it a few days ago...I cannot wait :devil:


gc :devil:
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#11 User is offline   bobdylanite 

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Posted 25 August 2004 - 12:53 PM

KRAD, on Aug 25 2004, 10:49 AM, said:

Not to toot my own horn, but if you like both high fantasy and a good mystery, I have to recommend my new novel Dragon Precinct, which combines both genres. :cool:

I just read it, it was a really fun read! Wouldn't mind seeing more with these characters... :whistle: :D The whole concept is great. :)

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#12 User is offline   Cardie 

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Posted 25 August 2004 - 01:30 PM

Robert Hewitt Wolfe, on Aug 25 2004, 01:34 PM, said:

I really, really want to read this, but I'm scared it's going to be too close to my Silver Shields series pitch

The secretive RHW actually lets slip the title of one of his many potential projects?

:o :eek: :eek4:

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#13 User is offline   Kimmer 

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Posted 25 August 2004 - 01:37 PM

Max_Power, on Aug 25 2004, 06:43 AM, said:

I am in a reading slump. I lenjoy a good cozy murder mystery, but I really love fantasy. But of a certain kind. I adore Lord of the Rings and anything ever written by David Eddings. I like the Wheel of Time series, but I got tired of waitng for the next to come out. I like Harry Potter, and read a bunch of Piers Anthony until they all started to look alike. What else is out there that is similar? I have come to respect the opinions of this group so just thought I'd ask..... :hehe:

First, I'll point you to the Calling all book addicts! thread. You'll find tons of good recomendations in there.

My current read is HP 4. Not sure what my next read will be.
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#14 User is offline   KRAD 

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Posted 25 August 2004 - 02:29 PM

Robert Hewitt Wolfe, on Aug 25 2004, 12:34 PM, said:

I really, really want to read this, but I'm scared it's going to be too close to my Silver Shields series pitch. Hey, Keith, can I get you to sign a release so I can read your book. :eh:

Robert, drop me an e-mail at keith@decandido.net, if you'd be so kind......
Keith R.A. DeCandido
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#15 User is offline   Kevin Street 

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Posted 25 August 2004 - 02:52 PM

Robert Hewitt Wolfe, on Aug 25 2004, 10:30 AM, said:

I'm currently reading "The Coyote Kings of the Space-Age Bachelor Pad" by Minister Faust, which is pretty damn cool even if it is set in Edmonton. I mean "E-town." =P

Hey... What the? Was that a diss of the old hometown? Actually, we call it River City. :p~

If you're looking for innovative new fantasy novels (that don't happen to be set in River City) check out The Curse of Chalion by Lois McMaster Bujold. It's the first title in a loosely connected series, and Bujold is (imo) one of the most entertaining writers out there at the moment. She really knows how to have fun with a story.

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