Well, I thought I was supposed to be reading an epic fantasy book, which, by definition, is supposed to be set in an imaginary land in an imaginary time period where magic is a reality. Maybe the third books reveals where and when the story takes place, but nothing I've read so far makes me think the setting is real life earth, in a time period where American Pie is sang in village common rooms.
Books Fantasy Reads
- Thread starter Alock1
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Well that wasn't my intention and I do think you should read the first book as it's a good read. Just be warned that the quality of the first book isn't really mirrored in the sequels. I thought the fourth was actually quite bad whereas 2 and 3 ranged between decent and 'meh'.
I will still read it, but I started Kings of the Wylde instead. A bit of a departure from Kingkiller. I'm not that far into it but it's like every fantasy RPG I've ever played come to life.
It really is. Not usually my thing but I absolutely loved KotW. Probably one of my top reads of 2017. Can't wait for the sequel.
Started Book 3 of the Broken Empire trilogy. The first item of note is a map of the "Broken Empire" that looks identical to the European part of the Eurasian landmass, with country names like Lisboa, Andaluth, Florence, Roma, ... mixed in with made-up names like Ancrath, Scorron, etc. I still don't get it. Is it intellectual laziness or is the story intended to be some kind of allegory of real life past or future? I hope there is an answer ahead.
Man, I've drawn it for you in the last post, and it is obvious from the first book.
It is a post-apocalyptic Earth. The day of the thousand suns was the nuclear war, and Jorg used a thermonuclear bomb in the first book to destroy that castle. Then you have the names of Rome, Vienna and so on. The dead king starts his invasion from England, etc etc. There are so many things, in fact it wasn't ever meant to be a twist.
Actually, there are other fantasy sagas which are set on the future. Joe Abercrombie's The Shattered Sea is as obvious as this, while The Wheel of Time isn't obvious but has Easter Eggs to hint at that.
No, it became obvious only in the third book
(especially when he started talking about areas that are unlivable due to what can only be radioactivity, and his mention of half-lives, which allows the reader to make the connection all the way to the first book; I defy anyone to argue convincingly that as soon as Jorg levelled Gelleth with what he called a 'Builder's Sun' it became immediately obvious that the Builder's Sun was a thermonuclear device, in a fantasy series where magic is expected)
The same is not true of the Wheel of Time. Jordan made it clear from the beginning that time is a wheel that repeats, and it is reasonable to expect that one of the Ages in a complete cycle would reflect modern-day earth. Even so, the references are very well hidden Easter Eggs, as you note
(a legend about the twins Mosc and Merc who could throw lightning; a mercedez benz symbol; something that we would recognize as a jet contrail in an alternate world; etc)
I thought it was pretty obvious in the first book.
That said, I had no idea that The Shattered Sea trilogy took place in a similar setting, until it was brought to my attention after finishing it.
That said, I had no idea that The Shattered Sea trilogy took place in a similar setting, until it was brought to my attention after finishing it.
Yup, I figured it out in first book itself. The references to nukes is pretty obvious imo.
The builders sun was obvious to be a nuke.
It was obvious that there was some advanced technology from the past, and it was mentioned the Day of the thousands suns was a day when a nuclear war happened, which resulted with total destruction of the civilization.
The geography of the continent (even without looking at the map), was obvious to be Europe.
And more importantly, we had cities like Vienna and Rome, and we had the Pope and the cardinals.
Artificial Intelligence.
It was obvious that there was some advanced technology from the past, and it was mentioned the Day of the thousands suns was a day when a nuclear war happened, which resulted with total destruction of the civilization.
The geography of the continent (even without looking at the map), was obvious to be Europe.
And more importantly, we had cities like Vienna and Rome, and we had the Pope and the cardinals.
Artificial Intelligence.
I mean, it is not like Lawrence tried to make this as a twist. It was clear that it is a post-apocalyptic Earth.
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I'm glad I've already read it. 
First book it wasn't very obvious IIRC, and it looked more like something inspired from weekend, but in the second book they go to Constantinople. Actually, I don't remember when I figured that out, there is probably somewhere in this thread my comments about it.
Finished all of Cosmere books in an epic January. Elantris, Warbreaker and Unbounded in 1 month.
Warbreaker was a bit meh, but loved the Lightsong character. Brilliantly written.
Elantris also felt like an early attempt. Good plot with decent twists, but lacked depth and intelligence as certain events were a bit hard to believe and was written just to move the plot.
Unbounded was cracking. Some very good stores. Lied Emperor's Soul. Secret History was a bit slow but good read. Looking to read more if White Sand.
Warbreaker was a bit meh, but loved the Lightsong character. Brilliantly written.
Elantris also felt like an early attempt. Good plot with decent twists, but lacked depth and intelligence as certain events were a bit hard to believe and was written just to move the plot.
Unbounded was cracking. Some very good stores. Lied Emperor's Soul. Secret History was a bit slow but good read. Looking to read more if White Sand.
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I honestly never picked up on the fact that Abercrombie's books were post-apocalyptic. It doesn't really surprise me I guess, as a lot of fantasy books are for some reason. But what did I miss in the Shattered Sea world that indicates a post-apocalyptic Earth?
Check Revans spoiler couple of posts above.
The trilogy appears to be set within a typical pseudo-medieval world, albeit one with a cultural aesthetic reminiscent of the Vikings and Norse mythology. But through subtle allusions over the course of the series it becomes apparent that the narrative is neither set in an alternative world, nor a properly medieval one. It is in fact set in a post-apocalyptic future of our world where society has regressed to a medieval level of technological development and political ideology following what appears to be a global nuclear cataclysm. Judging by the map of The Shattered Sea, it appears that it is set around the Baltic Sea, particularly in Sweden. This makes the world closer to Mad Max than A Song of Ice and Fire despite appearing the share a stronger affinity towards the genre tropes of the latter.
The post-apocalyptic nature of the world is never made explicit because the historical perspective of the characters is so distorted. The ruins of our present (or near-future-equivalent) civilization are known to belong to “elves” while guns and radiation are feared as magical phenomenon rather than recognized as technological and natural in kind. And though there is mention of unrecognizable territories such as Gettland, Vansterland and Throvenland, they are simply the new names assigned to territories of a post-apocalyptic Scandinavia rather than independent nations within another world. It is only through the description of the elves, their ruins and “magic” that the reader is able to incrementally recognize that they are mundane artifacts of our future’s mythologized past rather than a fantastical world utterly divorced from our own history. Hence the quotes around my label of the trilogy as fantasy fiction. Despite talk of apparently non-human elves, their forbidden magic and a dead God, the world is thoroughly naturalistic even if the continuity between the future and our present is occluded by the ignorance of the characters.
The post-apocalyptic nature of the world is never made explicit because the historical perspective of the characters is so distorted. The ruins of our present (or near-future-equivalent) civilization are known to belong to “elves” while guns and radiation are feared as magical phenomenon rather than recognized as technological and natural in kind. And though there is mention of unrecognizable territories such as Gettland, Vansterland and Throvenland, they are simply the new names assigned to territories of a post-apocalyptic Scandinavia rather than independent nations within another world. It is only through the description of the elves, their ruins and “magic” that the reader is able to incrementally recognize that they are mundane artifacts of our future’s mythologized past rather than a fantastical world utterly divorced from our own history. Hence the quotes around my label of the trilogy as fantasy fiction. Despite talk of apparently non-human elves, their forbidden magic and a dead God, the world is thoroughly naturalistic even if the continuity between the future and our present is occluded by the ignorance of the characters.
The Empire where Yarvi and co. go is located in the city of Constantinople. The trainer of that strong girl whose name I forgot, at one stage uses a gun.
When that old trainer goes to get guns in a radioactive place. They come back and then they defeat the High King's army with the guns
Elves obviously are humans in the present stage, and the total rejection of guns and technology in the books is explained because of the fear of what guns can do and how they destroyed the elves civilization.
It also helps that unlike in The Broken Empire which is magic heavy (in reality, explained very well why that is so), in The Shattered Sea the magic is totally absent.
When that old trainer goes to get guns in a radioactive place. They come back and then they defeat the High King's army with the guns
Elves obviously are humans in the present stage, and the total rejection of guns and technology in the books is explained because of the fear of what guns can do and how they destroyed the elves civilization.
It also helps that unlike in The Broken Empire which is magic heavy (in reality, explained very well why that is so), in The Shattered Sea the magic is totally absent.
Any other fantasy saga which takes place in Earth bar these two and The Wheel of Time? The Second Apocalypse while not Earth based, has a similar geography to Earth and the religions are very Earth-ish.
Well, about the second apocalypse
i think there are strong hints in the last book that the inchoroi were originally humans, but beyond that, i don't think we're going to get a definite answer either way as it doesn't appear to be important
Done with Cosmere. Now starting Divine Cities Trilogy. Have already read City of Stairs. Now onto City of Blades....
In terms of post-apocalyptic Earth fantasy, Gemmell's Jon Shannow books would be an obvious one. As well as Vance's Dying Earth of course. Terry Brooks' Shannara and World & Void books. I'm sure there are more.
Tbh I never actually finished Broken Empire, I just found it super boring about midway through book 2 so I missed a lot of that post-apocalypse stuff.
EDIT: Luke Scull's Grim Company? Seems to be set in a post-apocalyptic world, though whether that world was Earth or not I don't think it ever clarifies.
Tbh I never actually finished Broken Empire, I just found it super boring about midway through book 2 so I missed a lot of that post-apocalypse stuff.
EDIT: Luke Scull's Grim Company? Seems to be set in a post-apocalyptic world, though whether that world was Earth or not I don't think it ever clarifies.
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Broken Empire is grim and dark (second to The Second Apocalypse in the entire genre) and at times difficult to enjoy because of that, but boring is one word that you cannot use for it.
After googling Prince of Thorns I think I may have been confusing the series with another trilogy. I don't think I've read Broken Empire in actuality. It's annoying me that I can't remember the name of the trilogy I was thinking of now though!
Broken Earth?
Broken Empire is pretty tasty, give it a shot.
Nope. Damn this is going to annoy me for a while.
I'll give it a shot. I'm running out of books to read atm. If it turns out Broken Empire was the trilogy I was thinking of all along though I'll be miffed...
Nightside series, Iron Druid series etc are also set on Earth.
If we are including Iron Druid, then Harry Potter and the Dresden Files are also set on Earth
The Left Hand of God is the boring book / series I was thinking about, not Prince of Thorns. They have similar covers so I have always thought of them as the same book.
I read those.
The first one I really enjoyed, the 2nd was 'meh' and the last one was pathetic with a stupid ending that just seemed thrown on without any thought.
Yeah, the whole sub-genre of modern/urban fantasy is books set in earth, historical, futuristic and contemporary.
Even the steampunk genre is mostly set in earth imo.
Just finished book 2 of the Iron Druid series. Loving it so far. Exactly the type of fantasy I enjoy, not the First Law and Broken Empire stuff, which can be a chore to read with all the grimness and darkness.
Finished the second book in Codex Alera. Awesome twist, was not expecting it at all.
Yup. Oberon is just so much fun.
Started on City of Blades, book #2 in Divine Cities trilogy.
I'm about a third of the way through The Elven, it's big and I haven't got a lot of time to read it with work. It's very, very good so far. I don't know quite how to describe it. It had an initial kind of Witcher vibe, very European. That's still there, but it goes over into Tolkien-esque elves being more ethereal and almost superhuman compared to people. Then it gets dark, bloody and a bit twisted.
It's rocking along nicely. Hoping for some more character development though, as after Abercrombie if people ain't broken then they just ain't right to me.
It's rocking along nicely. Hoping for some more character development though, as after Abercrombie if people ain't broken then they just ain't right to me.
Halfway through The Fall of Hyperion and together with Hyperion Cantos this has gotta be the best SciFi book that I have read so far.
I'd be fecking surprised if Moneta isn't Rachel Weintraub from the future. Also, I'll be fecking pissed if we don't get to know who or what created the Shrike and its purpose by the end of the book.
I'd be fecking surprised if Moneta isn't Rachel Weintraub from the future. Also, I'll be fecking pissed if we don't get to know who or what created the Shrike and its purpose by the end of the book.
The first book is called 'Hyperion'. 'Hyperion Cantos' is the name of the entire saga, containing four books.
All I can say is that each question is answered by the end of the fourth/last book.
Finally finished Words of Radiance on audiobook, all 48 hours of it. Most I've got through are around the 20 hour mark tops, but I loved every minute of it, kept me interested all the way through. It has a really good pacing to it, gradually revealing the story bit by bit and heading toward a really satisfying conclusion.
The aspect emperors conclusion really dissapointed me. I liked the idea of it, but so much of Bakkers writing is intentionally vague to a degree that leaves me frustrated.
I think the thing that really was lacking was the Kellhus PoV we didnt get for like 3 books. I think a little more of his thought processes could have opened up a lot of clarity to things that frustrated me.
Ah well, maybe his continuation of the books would answer some things.
I think the thing that really was lacking was the Kellhus PoV we didnt get for like 3 books. I think a little more of his thought processes could have opened up a lot of clarity to things that frustrated me.
Ah well, maybe his continuation of the books would answer some things.