Recommend me a fantasy book/series

[Boris Godunov]

Okay, I've lately had the urge to find a good fantasy book or series, but I've no clue where to turn.

I love the LoTR, but I don't have to have something that copies it.

I am not opposed to books based on RPGs, so long as they are really good.

I hated the Wheel of Time series. I think Robert Jordan is a talentless hack and that his books are full of bad writing, cardboard characters and boring, predictable plot situations. So if it's like Jordan, I won't like it.

And no Harry Potter.

I've never read any Terry Goodkind, but some have said he's like Jordan. Is that true?

[VetLegion]

G.R.R. Martin Song of Ice and Fire

There are three books so far, I have read two. They are very good. So good people are getting pissed off at Martin waiting for sequels

You can find scanned copies on IRC, read a few pages and you can buy them if you like them.

[Boris Godunov]

Okay, when I say series, I do want to avoid the endless stream of books, a la Jordan. I think one of the things that sucks most about Jordan is that he is stretching out a story that could have been told in 3 books (or less) into a 12-book saga that he may not finish before he dies. The needless padding and frustrating go-nowhereness of his books are a big part of the problem.

So maybe a trilogy is the limit!

[Richard Bruns]

Terry Pratchett

Just a suggestion

Yes, he will probably produce an infinite series of books, but they are all seperate stories, and don't rely on each other. You can just pick up any one at random and read it.

[Jon Miller]

there is only suppose to be 6 in a song of ice and fire

and a lot happens in every book

Jon Miller

[Koyaanisqatsi]

The Runelords, by David Farland.

And I wholeheartedly second Song of Ice and Fire. Really, really good books. I'm one of the ones who's impatiently waiting for the next book. I'll give you a warning though, since one was given to me before I started reading that series: If you're one of those people who gets attached to the main characters, this series isn't for you.

[VetLegion]

Boris, just check it out and thank me later

[Jon Miller]

terry pratchett is humor fantasy and Discworld is insanely long (but the books more or less can be read independently from others)

if you are looking for something like Lord of the Rings I would not recommend it (I would recommend it if you are looking for something fun to read)

I would recommend George RR Martin's series or Cherryh's series (any of them, but I consider the Fortress ones weaker) or even the series with a dragonbone chair and green angels tower (who writes this again? I have forgotten)

Donaldson also has a (couple) good fantasy series out as does Wolfe.

Jon Miller

[Proteus_MST]

Originally posted by Richard Bruns
Terry Pratchett

Just a suggestion

I second this

And, if you like some Horror with an Universe (part Fantay, part real World) which is just as deep like the World of LotR,
you should definitely try the Books of H.P. Lovecraft.

[Imran Siddiqui]

Harry Potter

[reds4ever]

the 'Swords' series by Fritz Lieber

avoid 'the chronicals of thomas covenant' like the plague

[The Andy-Man]

Would Jules Vern count?
Homers 'Odyssey'?


Or must it be dwarves and fireballs?

[Kuciwalker]

I haven't read the Wheel of Time series, so I wouldn't know if Terry Goodkind's Sword of Truth was like it, but I just recently read the first six in about 24 hours total, too and I really liked it. The sixth book, Faith of the Fallen, is extremely powerful, and has become my all-time favorite book.

[Hot Mustard]

The Tales of Alvin Maker series - Orson Scott Card
-Seventh Son
-Red Prophet
-Prentice Alvin
-Alvin Journeyman
-Heartfire

A Dream of Eagles series - Jack Whyte
-The Skystone
-The Singing Sword
-The Eagles Brood
-The Saxon Shore
-The Fort at River's Bend
-Metamorphosis
-Uthur

The Runelords series - David Farland (seconded)
-The Runelords
-Brotherhood of the Wolf
-Wizardborn

[Koyaanisqatsi]

Originally posted by dejon
A Dream of Eagles series - Jack Whyte
-The Skystone
-The Singing Sword
-The Eagles Brood
-The Saxon Shore
-The Fort at River's Bend
-Metamorphosis
-Uthur

Also good, but I liked the Pendragon Cycle better (Stephen Lawhead)