Books Fantasy Reads

[Raptori]

I agree with the main point. But no-one can make Vin, Kelsier or

Spoiler

Ruin

very shallow. The problem - at least for me - are that the supporting characters (bar Sazed and Zane) were as generic as you can get.

I really loved what he did with WoT though. The characters were already developed, but he developed them further. Which was incredibly difficult considering that they weren't his characters. His writting style has significantly improven since then (Elantris/Mistborn) too.

You need to read Liveships then They're not very shallow, but they're nowhere near as deep as the characters in Liveships. They're better than most though, and yeah Sazed and Zane were pretty cool, particularly Sazed

I haven't read any WoT at all so no comment there

An interesting point I saw about the new Mistborn books...

Spoiler

Harmony/Sazed does not have equal amounts Ruin and Preservation within him. Some of Preservation's power has been given to humans, so the remaining power that Harmony has is slightly imbalanced. That could easily be a key point in the new series, I think!

 

[Nighteyes]

Do Liveships have a PoV structure?

 

[Raptori]

Do Liveships have a PoV structure?

It's unstructured third-person. It shifts viewpoint to whichever character's view shows the most important events at that moment, which helps a lot with the pacing since it's all naturally coming from the flow of the narrative itself. It's extremely well done imo. It's a bit of a shock coming from Farseer's singular first-person perspective, which is why a lot of people dislike it.

Not to mention that the different viewpoints disagree with each other - for example right near the beginning you see Althea's point of view followed by Keffria's, at a point where they've just had a massive argument. You see it from Althea's side first, so it seems like Keffria is an antagonist. Then it switches to Keffria's viewpoint and it becomes clear that she's actually trying to do the right thing, and just disagrees with Althea.

 

[Nighteyes]

It's unstructured third-person. It shifts viewpoint to whichever character's view shows the most important events at that moment, which helps a lot with the pacing since it's all naturally coming from the flow of the narrative itself. It's a bit of a shock coming from Farseer's singular first-person perspective, which is why a lot of people dislike it.

Not to mention that the different viewpoints disagree with each other, for example right near the beginning you see Althea's point of view followed by Keffrias at a point where they've just had a massive argument. You see it from Althea's side first, so it seems like Keffria is an antagonist. Then it switches to Keffria's viewpoint and it becomes clear that she's actually trying to do the right thing, and just disagrees with Althea.

That sounds awfully like ASOIAF, actually exactly like it. Christ, you should read it. I insist! There's no way you're not gonna like it!

 

[Raptori]

That sounds awfully like ASOIAF, actually exactly like it. Christ, you should read it. I insist! There's no way you're not gonna like it!

Yeah I've heard the comparison before, for example this review. Dunno about ASOIAF, some of the criticisms of it are things that would bug the hell out of me, but the sheer volume of praise is quite daunting

 

[Edgar Allan Pillow]

City of Stairs - Robert Jackson Bennett

Not a run of the good vs evil adventure story. In fact it is more like a detective adventure story that has gods, miracles and monsters. The writing is a bit flawed, it has one of the worst first 10 pages in any book I've read till date. A rambling background follows which is mildly interesting, but then the momentum picks up and moves at breakneck speed till the climax. The message in the story may not be nothing new nor the climax revolutionary, but still kept me interested till the end.

Recommended. Rating: 7/10.

 

[Edgar Allan Pillow]

Red Country - Joe Abercrombie

A tale of coming back of Logen Ninefingers as such, but at a level Below First Law. First half of the book drags and second half is pacey. Overall story is not as engrossing or as interesting as First Law and Logen is portrayed as a reformed thug rather than to his glory and faults.

Rating : 6/10

 

[sizzling sausages]

@Edgar Allan Pillow I've decided to read City of Stairs because of your recommendation. You're on my shitlist if it's no good.

 

[Edgar Allan Pillow]

@Edgar Allan Pillow I've decided to read City of Stairs because of your recommendation. You're on my shitlist if it's no good.

I've rated it only 7. You need a bit of patience to get through the first 50 odd pages though! I thought it was refreshing change from usual fantasy.

 

[celia]

It's true it wasn't really an enthusiastic review.

I quite liked it even if I thought one character seemed out of place and too convenient.

I read Equal Rites by Terry Pratchett mostly because I wanted to read another book of the serie but it began by telling me to start with this one. Ok reading, but there were better ones though it's still more easy-to-follow than the first one. Though I was surprised it dealt with the frustrations of having females being seen inferior unfairly by some.

 

[Outremangeur]

i read the first farseer trilogy and then the third one.

Really really liked those books.
I could not be arsed to read about talking ships so I skipped the liveship trilogy in between.

Now after some of the posters recommended it in here i started it and I have to say that its really fantastic!
Thanks for that tip whoever it was.

Also read the bartimaeus books. while they were an easy read and sometimes funny I think they are probably more suited for kids than the adult fantasy reader.

what should I read next?

I can not bear to start another series that is not finished yet. Can not stand the waiting at all. I want to gulp it down in one!
ASOIAF, Black Company, Malazan, First Law Trilogy, Mistborn, Demon Cycle, Kingkiller Chronicle already done.

Any suggestions?

Dont really want to start on WoT yet as i found the reviews in this thread not really encouraging.

 

[Raptori]

i read the first farseer trilogy and then the third one.

Really really liked those books.
I could not be arsed to read about talking ships so I skipped the liveship trilogy in between.

Now after some of the posters recommended it in here i started it and I have to say that its really fantastic!
Thanks for that tip whoever it was.

Also read the bartimaeus books. while they were an easy read and sometimes funny I think they are probably more suited for kids than the adult fantasy reader.

what should I read next?

I can not bear to start another series that is not finished yet. Can not stand the waiting at all. I want to gulp it down in one!
ASOIAF, Black Company, Malazan, First Law Trilogy, Mistborn, Demon Cycle, Kingkiller Chronicle already done.

Any suggestions?

Dont really want to start on WoT yet as i found the reviews in this thread not really encouraging.

That was my exact thought when I first read the name of the trilogy. Thankfully I saw that after getting the books and went ahead and read them anyway

Might be worth trying the Long Price Quartet, very good books, and very different to most fantasy - one of the few series that impressed me as much as Liveships. Something in a more traditional world but a lot of fun is the Riyria Revelations. Also maybe the Old Kingdom trilogy if you want something light and a little unusual that has a feckload of zombies and magic. (all three of those are completed series, if you go for Riyria make sure you pick up Revelations before Chronicles - Chronicles are a prequel series best read after Revelations)

Is there no sci-fi thread on here? Been reading some awesome sci-fi this week, Ready Player One was awesome, might appeal to people who usually just read fantasy as well

 

[Outremangeur]

That was my exact thought when I first read the name of the trilogy. Thankfully I saw that after getting the books and went ahead and read them anyway

Might be worth trying the Long Price Quartet, very good books, and very different to most fantasy - one of the few series that impressed me as much as Liveships. Something in a more traditional world but a lot of fun is the Riyria Revelations. Also maybe the Old Kingdom trilogy if you want something light and a little unusual that has a feckload of zombies and magic. (all three of those are completed series, if you go for Riyria make sure you pick up Revelations before Chronicles - Chronicles are a prequel series best read after Revelations)

Is there no sci-fi thread on here? Been reading some awesome sci-fi this week, Ready Player One was awesome, might appeal to people who usually just read fantasy as well

Fantastic, thanks!

Will add those on my list.

 

[Raptori]

Fantastic, thanks!

Will add those on my list.

Happy to help, make sure you let me(/us) know what you think of them

 

[Waldner]

Finished reading the Mistborn trilogy

Spoiler

This has been one of the rare series of books that I've read where I actually regret that they're actually finished, that I can't go back and read them as a newbie again (the others being Harry Potter, Inheritance Cycle, Bartimaeus Trilogy and Artimus Fowl series). I really, really enjoyed the series and thought that although the parts containing Sazed contemplating his religious beliefs were a bit boring, the rest was brilliant. Really entertaining, fantastically paced (the second and third books maybe a little long) and really imaginative. I'm not a fan of bittersweet endings myself, so I dislike the fact that none of Kelsier, Elend or Vin survive the trilogy, but I do think it fits in with their purpose in the books and the general theme.

I also like the idea of the Lord Ruler being this huge tyranical, God-like villain in the first book to him being seen in a far better light by the third. It was small, subtle changes that brought this change about and by the end of the third book you almost find yourself sympathising with him, forgetting all the messed up shit he done to maintain his power.

Overall: Really impressed. Almost a bit reluctant to move onto Alloy of War as I think it won't match up to these three books. Do wish one or two of Vin/Elend/Kelsier or even Sazed survived to see this new world (even though Sazed is still there, he's not a person anympore).

 

[Alock1]

Reading through Blood Song again.

It's really good. In literary terms it's far from the best book but the story itself is great and moves quickly. I prefer the first person narration of Name of the Wind, being in third person takes away from it being the POV of the protagonist unfortunately but it's still told well. And I really do like the frame work of the protagonist recounting his story to a scribe, particularly one who has a load of pre-conceived judgement and skewed knowledge of the affairs.

Any Name of the Wind fans need to read it. It's not as good, but it's definitely a very worthwhile read.

 

[Revan]

Finished reading the Mistborn trilogy

Spoiler

This has been one of the rare series of books that I've read where I actually regret that they're actually finished, that I can't go back and read them as a newbie again (the others being Harry Potter, Inheritance Cycle, Bartimaeus Trilogy and Artimus Fowl series). I really, really enjoyed the series and thought that although the parts containing Sazed contemplating his religious beliefs were a bit boring, the rest was brilliant. Really entertaining, fantastically paced (the second and third books maybe a little long) and really imaginative. I'm not a fan of bittersweet endings myself, so I dislike the fact that none of Kelsier, Elend or Vin survive the trilogy, but I do think it fits in with their purpose in the books and the general theme.

I also like the idea of the Lord Ruler being this huge tyranical, God-like villain in the first book to him being seen in a far better light by the third. It was small, subtle changes that brought this change about and by the end of the third book you almost find yourself sympathising with him, forgetting all the messed up shit he done to maintain his power.

Overall: Really impressed. Almost a bit reluctant to move onto Alloy of War as I think it won't match up to these three books. Do wish one or two of Vin/Elend/Kelsier or even Sazed survived to see this new world (even though Sazed is still there, he's not a person anympore).

The Alloy of Law isn't even supposed to be that good and wasn't part of the plan. It is just that Sanderson got bored writting so he decided to write more.

The second book will get released on September while the third early next year. I am waiting for them to be completed before I read. Sanderson's books are by far the most addictive books I've read (which is also the reason why I haven't started Stormlight yet), so it would be hard for me to read it now and then wait until the others are released.

 

[Revan]

Reading through Blood Song again.

It's really good. In literary terms it's far from the best book but the story itself is great and moves quickly. I prefer the first person narration of Name of the Wind, being in third person takes away from it being the POV of the protagonist unfortunately but it's still told well. And I really do like the frame work of the protagonist recounting his story to a scribe, particularly one who has a load of pre-conceived judgement and skewed knowledge of the affairs.

Any Name of the Wind fans need to read it. It's not as good, but it's definitely a very worthwhile read.

The third book will be relased in the summer, right? Arguably the most anticipated book for me (after ASOIAF 6 and Kingkiller 3).

 

[Alock1]

The third book will be relased in the summer, right? Arguably the most anticipated book for me (after ASOIAF 6 and Kingkiller 3).

I actually have no idea. I'll be reading through the second one again though once I finish this. Definitely looking forward to the third book, wonder if it'd suffer for being turned over so quick. Unless he'd already done some or always knew what he was going to write from the start. That's what I find weird with Kingkiller, he's got a frame work where he's working towards the present day of narration so you'd have thought he'd know for the most part what was going to come in the third book and have some sort of draft going to build upon. I dunno..

Has anyone read Steelheart? Here's the blurb..

Ten years ago, Calamity came. It was a burst in the sky that gave ordinary men and women extraordinary powers. The awed public started calling them Epics. But Epics are no friend of man. With incredible gifts came the desire to rule. And to rule man you must crush his wills.

Nobody fights the Epics...nobody but the Reckoners. A shadowy group of ordinary humans, they spend their lives studying Epics, finding their weaknesses, and then assassinating them.

And David wants in. He wants Steelheart - the Epic who is said to be invincible. The Epic who killed David's father. For years, like the Reckoners, David's been studying, and planning - and he has something they need. Not an object, but an experience.

He's seen Steelheart bleed. And he wants revenge.

Another Sanderson series.

 

[Raptori]

Has anyone read Steelheart? Here's the blurb..

Another Sanderson series.

Steelheart is YA right? Haven't read any of his YA stuff except for Rithmatist, which was ok but not brilliant. Always wondered how good Steelheart is

 

[Alock1]

Steelheart is YA right? Haven't read any of his YA stuff except for Rithmatist, which was ok but not brilliant. Always wondered how good Steelheart is

It's Brandon Sanderson.

 

[Raptori]

It's Brandon Sanderson.

YA as in "young adult", i.e. targeted at teens? Usually means shorter books with faster plots and less character development for example.

 

[Revan]

I actually have no idea. I'll be reading through the second one again though once I finish this. Definitely looking forward to the third book, wonder if it'd suffer for being turned over so quick. Unless he'd already done some or always knew what he was going to write from the start. That's what I find weird with Kingkiller, he's got a frame work where he's working towards the present day of narration so you'd have thought he'd know for the most part what was going to come in the third book and have some sort of draft going to build upon. I dunno..

I loved the second book and apparently he spend only one year in it, so I am expecting another good book from him. Young writers are able to write a book for year

Has anyone read Steelheart? Here's the blurb..

Another Sanderson series.

Not part of Cosmere so I am gonna skip it. His 40 or so Cosmere books should be enough for me in this life.

 

[Alock1]

YA as in "young adult", i.e. targeted at teens? Usually means shorter books with faster plots and less character development for example.

Oh, my bad. I haven't read it but I'm a fan of Sanderson and found the blurb interesting so thought I'd ask. I actually think I already asked about it before in this thread when I finished Mistborn.

That good reads bio lists young adult as a genre and it won some young adult literary award so probably. Honestly I find all Sanderson stuff easy reads with fast moving plots so I would expect so yes.

 

[Alock1]

I loved the second book and apparently he spend only one year in it, so I am expecting another good book from him. Young writers are able to write a book for year


Not part of Cosmere so I am gonna skip it. His 40 or so Cosmere books should be enough for me in this life.

Cosmere?

 

[Raptori]

Oh, my bad. That good reads bio lists young adult as a genre and it won some young adult literary award so probably.

Honestly I find all Sanderson stuff easy reads with fast moving plots so I would expect so yes.

Must be then. YA stuff generally doesn't get in-depth enough to keep me interested, the only exception so far is Ready Player One, which is a great book. I'm with @Revan on this one in that I'll stick to Cosmere mostly, unless he writes something amazing. Too much other stuff to read

Cosmere?

http://coppermind.net/wiki/Cosmere
http://coppermind.net/wiki/Cosmere
Basically, most of Sanderson's fantasy series are in the same universe, with the same underlying magic system. That includes Mistborn, Stormlight, Elantris, Warbreaker, and a ton of other books. It'll be at least 40 or so books in total

 

[Revan]

Cosmere?

http://stormlightarchive.wikia.com/wiki/Cosmere

 

[Revan]

Must be then. YA stuff generally doesn't get in-depth enough to keep me interested, the only exception so far is Ready Player One, which is a great book. I'm with @Revan on this one in that I'll stick to Cosmere mostly, unless he writes something amazing. Too much other stuff to read

Abercrombie's the Shattered Sea trilogy (the second book will get released this month) was great IMO. Liked it even more than The First Law despite being a YA book and not as depthy as other Abercrombie's books.

 

[Raptori]

Abercrombie's the Shattered Sea trilogy (the second book will get released this month) was great IMO. Liked it even more than The First Law despite being a YA book and not as depthy as other Abercrombie's books.

Sounds interesting, will add it to my to read list, thanks! I think anyone who has ever enjoyed a videogame should read Ready Player One, so much fun and so many gaming and fantasy references

 

[Alock1]

http://coppermind.net/wiki/Cosmere
Basically, most of Sanderson's fantasy series are in the same universe, with the same underlying magic system. That includes Mistborn, Stormlight, Elantris, Warbreaker, and a ton of other books. It'll be at least 40 or so books in total

http://stormlightarchive.wikia.com/wiki/Cosmere

Shit I didn't even realize he was doing that. I still haven't read Stormlight. Just Mistborn and the ones related.

In this thread I actually remember considering between Warbreaker, Elantris, Steelheart and Stormlight but then found out immediately after about Alloys of Law which was related to Mistborn. So I read that and then didn't go back to the others.

To be honest lately I've been neglecting fantasy reads for the most part. I need to get back into them.

 

[Alock1]

Sounds interesting, will add it to my to read list, thanks! I think anyone who has ever enjoyed a videogame should read Ready Player One, so much fun and so many gaming and fantasy references

Just took a look at it. It looks cool. It's on my list.

FFS, this is why I've been neglecting fantasy. I go to read one and then have a choice of like 50 so I just end up reading something I've already read.

 

[Nighteyes]

FFS, this is why I've been neglecting fantasy. I go to read one and then have a choice of like 50 so I just end up reading something I've already read.

I know that feeling! I've been rereading Return of the King recently despite having loads of other choices. I'm appalling at starting a new series.

 

[Raptori]

Shit I didn't even realize he was doing that. I still haven't read Stormlight. Just Mistborn and the ones related.

In this thread I actually remember considering between Warbreaker, Elantris, Steelheart and Stormlight but then found out immediately after about Alloys of Law which was related to Mistborn. So I read that and then didn't go back to the others.

To be honest lately I've been neglecting fantasy reads for the most part. I need to get back into them.

Yup, it's pretty awesome. Stormlight is like a bigger and better version of Mistborn imo, didn't like Elantris much and Warbreaker was okay. Still worth reading all of them though, and a couple of his shorter stories (novellas and actual short stories I mean) are good. Alloy of Law was alright, just completely lacked the depth of the first trilogy.

I've been reading sci-fi instead, finally getting around to reading all the books in the Robots/Empire/Foundation universe by Asimov. Which is actually the thing that inspired the Cosmere I think!

Just took a look at it. It looks cool. It's on my list.

I had it on mine for years, then a couple of other people recommended it so I finally got around to it. So much fun. I ended up not sleeping, and finished it in one night.

FFS, this is why I've been neglecting fantasy. I go to read one and then have a choice of like 50 so I just end up reading something I've already read.

I know that feeling! I've been rereading Return of the King recently despite having loads of other choices. I'm appalling at starting a new series.

Same here, though for the last couple of months I've not allowed myself to pick up anything I've read before. Working pretty well, there's always something awesome that you've never heard of before

 

[Revan]

I've been reading sci-fi instead, finally getting around to reading all the books in the Robots/Empire/Foundation universe by Asimov. Which is actually the thing that inspired the Cosmere I think!

Talking about sci-fi, I am planning to read int he future Asimov work and also Dune (which apprently is the WoT version of sci-fi but when the author died, the new one did a bad job while on WoT, Sanderson was excellent) and Hyperion. Just that I have on my to read enough fntasy books for another 5 years or so.

Th book you recommended seems interesting and Patrick Rothfuss recommends it too (he has commented on goodreads). On my to-read list.

 

[Raptori]

Talking about sci-fi, I am planning to read int he future Asimov work and also Dune (which apprently is the WoT version of sci-fi but when the author died, the new one did a bad job while on WoT, Sanderson was excellent) and Hyperion. Just that I have on my to read enough fntasy books for another 5 years or so.

Th book you recommended seems interesting and Patrick Rothfuss recommends it too (he has commented on goodreads). On my to-read list.

I've read all of those

Asimov's stuff is weird, it's not brilliantly written but the sheer volume of ideas is insane. Loved the Foundation trilogy when I read it years ago, but I think his short stories are actually better. Definitely worth reading his books though.

Dune is amazing, with the exception of all the sequels (including the ones written by the original author) In most ways it's more like a fantasy book than a sci-fi though.

Hyperion I didn't enjoy at all. It had some interesting ideas, but a lot of it was just weird and/or awful.

Cool, make sure you post what you think about it here if/when you get around to reading it

 

[Revan]

I've read all of those

Asimov's stuff is weird, it's not brilliantly written but the sheer volume of ideas is insane. Loved the Foundation trilogy when I read it years ago, but I think his short stories are actually better. Definitely worth reading his books though.

Dune is amazing, with the exception of all the sequels (including the ones written by the original author) In most ways it's more like a fantasy book than a sci-fi though.

Hyperion I didn't enjoy at all. It had some interesting ideas, but a lot of it was just weird and/or awful.

Cool, make sure you post what you think about it here if/when you get around to reading it

That might be a few years from now. My fantasy stuff on to-read is: Malazan, The Black Company, Stormlight, Elantris, Warhammer, Tigana, Gentlemen's bastards, The Prince of Nothing, Night Angel, Long Price Quarter, Accacca and most of the stuff from Hobb. I won't read all of them probbaly on 5 years or so. Maybe I should star mixing it with Sci-Fi instead of waiting until I finish all of them.

 

[Raptori]

That might be a few years from now. My fantasy stuff on to-read is: Malazan, The Black Company, Stormlight, Elantris, Warhammer, Tigana, Gentlemen's bastards, The Prince of Nothing, Night Angel, Long Price Quarter, Accacca and most of the stuff from Hobb. I won't read all of them probbaly on 5 years or so. Maybe I should star mixing it with Sci-Fi instead of waiting until I finish all of them.

I know how that feels, I have 65 books on my to-read shelf on Goodreads. It tends to get longer as time goes on instead of getting smaller as well, which is quite worrying

 

[Revan]

I know how that feels, I have 65 books on my to-read shelf on Goodreads. It tends to get longer as time goes on instead of getting smaller as well, which is quite worrying

Same here. I've read 40 or so fantasy novels in the last 8 months or so and my shelf on goodreads is just becoming larger. Every time I read something, it just gets increased (by books which are similar to it).

 

[Alock1]

Goodreads is a brilliant tool though in fairness.

 

[celia]

Has anyone read Steelheart? Here's the blurb..

I have read it. It's an ok book, though I didn't like it much, maybe because it is a superhero story and it isn't a genre I really like. Or maybe because it reminded me too much of Mistborn. But it's quite surprising even if I didn't care about the characters. Still wondering if I am fan enough of Sanderson to read the recently released second book or not. After all I have already decided I won't read his other Alcatraz book because I dislike having POV going on too much on random thoughts.

Nearly all of his other fantasy books are more enjoyable than Allow of Law in my opinion.