In case anyone is interested, Verge came up with this list - https://www.theverge.com/2018/8/1/17613652/sci-fi-fantasy-books-recommendations-august-2018
Books Fantasy Reads
- Thread starter Alock1
- Start date
It's decent. Fun. Pretty light for the most part, and it's got ninja wizards
Around 60% on the first book, and I have to agree. It is decent and fun, a bit like first Mistborn (though not as good), but hardly a great book. Was in need for a book like this though, considering that for most part I've been reading more complicated (and darker) books.
Consider Phlebas - Iain M Banks
My first Culture book. The setting was impressive and overarching plot intriguing. Culture itself is a very interesting proposition and the thought behind it is refreshing. The book in itself is mildly disappointing as it kinda leaves you without a sense of achievement. Kinda starts and ends nowhere, with no plotlines that may continue down to other books. Writing is clear and simple though the actions by characters don't really seem to fit the character persona. Character building is sub optimal and you don't really feel for any particular character.
Not sure if I want to continue to other books in the series.
6/10
My first Culture book. The setting was impressive and overarching plot intriguing. Culture itself is a very interesting proposition and the thought behind it is refreshing. The book in itself is mildly disappointing as it kinda leaves you without a sense of achievement. Kinda starts and ends nowhere, with no plotlines that may continue down to other books. Writing is clear and simple though the actions by characters don't really seem to fit the character persona. Character building is sub optimal and you don't really feel for any particular character.
Not sure if I want to continue to other books in the series.
6/10
Started Hyperion...
Lucky bastard. Would love to forget everything about it and start reading it from the scratch.
Finished Riyria Revelations this weekend, I loved it from start to finish. Unpretentious fantasy with a great central mystery and brilliant characters. I immediately bought all 3 prequel books released so far, I'm not ready to say goodbye to these characters.
This. So much. The very best.
Burned through Martha Wells' murder bot series. Tis fun, a bit different.
I am about a third of the way through Percepliquis, the sixth and final book in the Riyria Revelations. Like you, I have enjoyed the story so far and would recommend the series to all fantasy fans. I have not yet decided to read the Riyria Chronicles, mainly because those books are supposed to be standalone prequels to the events described in the Revelations, and also because I haven't yet come across any reviews of whether the prequels are worth reading. If you do read the Chronicles I would greatly appreciate your thoughts on each individual book as to whether it is worth spending the money on.
Before starting the Riyria Revelations I completed the Rivers of London (also known as the Peter Grant) series. I loved it, and would strongly recommend it to all fantasy lovers.
Just stared Bands of Mourning - 3rd book in the Wax and Wayne series and 6th in the Mistborn series. Very good so far, Brandon Sanderson is a genius.
I read Tigana and absolutely loved the book but I disappointed with other GGK works
Didn't I spoil the entire storyline to you on Whatsapp chat? @Harsha
Some newb trying to steal my thundermind blown, who is the other guy
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I was talking only about Tigana. Though, I think that Lions of Al-Rassan is very good too.
Havent read Lions but Tigana is fecking awesome read.
I'm already close to finishing The Crown Tower (book 1 in Chronicles) and I can easily recommend it to fans of Riyria Revelations. You get more Hadrian and Royce and you get to read about a lot of the stuff that was mentioned in Revelations, such as their crown tower exploits or how they met Gwen etc. It obviously doesn't have the same scale and weight as Revelations but it explores their back story. I'm enjoying it.
Half a book in, Hyperion is turning into an all time favorite. How did I miss this till now?
Have you got to Sol Weintraub's story yet? That was my favourite, masterfully told.
I can't remember any fictional story affecting me as hard as that did. As you said, masterfully told.
Read it. It’s not quite on the level of Tigana but it’s not far off.
Just finished it. Holy feck. Thank God, I had a beer in hand. This is something to take in.
Check out the movie 'The Curious Case of Benjamin Button'. It is a story that parallels Sol Weintraub's, but you get to see the effect visually.
Finished the last book in the Riyria Revelations, which brought the overall series to a very satisfying conclusion. I liked the story and the characters and the way the hidden mysteries all came together at the end. Highly recommended.
My only beef is the author's substitution of invented(?) unpronounceable names for creatures that are common in almost all fantasy tropes: the goblins in his world are called Ba Ran Ghazel, and the dragons are called Gilabrywyn, which tended to throw me out of the story and force me to make mental associations any time the Ghazel, for example, were mentioned. But that is a minor criticism.
My only beef is the author's substitution of invented(?) unpronounceable names for creatures that are common in almost all fantasy tropes: the goblins in his world are called Ba Ran Ghazel, and the dragons are called Gilabrywyn, which tended to throw me out of the story and force me to make mental associations any time the Ghazel, for example, were mentioned. But that is a minor criticism.
You'll really want to read The Fall of Hyperion after this, it's the direct successor and features the same characters. Not sure about the next two books.
That is the best story on the book. Pretty surreal.
What's more fascinating is that the writing style changes with narrators and fits it perfectly.
It really is one of the best sci-fi book. Fall of Hyperion is also good. I tried reading the 3rd book but switched to other books midway
3rd book is boring but the fourth book is amazing. My second favourite book in the saga.
I have read some absolute shite after leaving the 3rd book but never had the inclination to go back to 3rd book again
Recently read Sharp Ends by Joe Abercrombie. I've only got Best Served Cold left to read now. Sharp Ends was a great little set of short stories that added a bit more character depth to his phenomenal characters.
Really enjoyed the last story in particular. We've been hearing about how insane Ninefingers used to be but it was something else to see if from the eyes of Bethod. Exceptional.
Any suggestions of authors similar to Abercrombie? I feel I need to get into something new.
Really enjoyed the last story in particular. We've been hearing about how insane Ninefingers used to be but it was something else to see if from the eyes of Bethod. Exceptional.
Any suggestions of authors similar to Abercrombie? I feel I need to get into something new.
Mark Lawrence gave me a similar feeling when reading the books, but he often writes coming-of-age stories. And they might be borderline YA.
Then you always have Malazan if you have not read the series yet.
Demon Cycle by P. Brett would also fit.
If you are going for a new series with a character similar to Ninefingers, then the series the acts of Caine would suit you.
I've read the first 5 books of Malazan so that's on my list somewhat. Thanks for the other suggestions, I'll check them out and see if they catch my fancy.
I reckon Glokta is my favourite character, but Ninefingers is also fun of course. I love quite a few of his characters really. He's probably my favourite author at the moment.
You could try The Shattered Sea trilogy which is also by Abercrombie.
Stick with Malazan. You're about to be introduced to the bonehunters
Also, more Tehol and Bugg
Yeah, I read that trilogy. I think those were aimed at younger audiences but they were still a fun read.
Interesting concept but guns are a bit weird in a fantasy setting.
Stick with Malazan. You're about to be introduced to the bonehunters
Also, more Tehol and Bugg
Tehol is probably the most entertaining character ever! Need to pick up where I left off there. I binge read the first 5 and then stopped because I was missing the next book in the series.
Best Served Cold is great, I'd just straight into it and not waste time.
It's not quite Abercrombie, but you could try Gentlemen Bastards. The first book is excellent and isn't hugely different.
Cheers. Will check out Best Served Cold and Gentlemen Bastards.
That's his best book.
Mark Lawrence is the closest author to Abercrombie, though he probably lacks the humor Abercrombie books have.