Science Fiction & Fantasy novels

Count Duckula

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I know there's a stickied "Books" thread, but it's hard to judge in there, and I'd rather just get people's opinions straight off.

I'm going to Ireland for a fortnight in a month or so, and there'll be no internet access for that time as I won't be near my PC. As such, I'm stocking up on books to read, as I've done far too little reading recently and it seems a good time to catch up.

I'm looking to take two or three fantasy novels and two or three science fiction novels. I know they often get lumped together, but they are distinctly separate genres. I like them both equally, however, and am looking to indulge that. If possible, I much prefer more "epic" novels to those with a smaller scope ("high fantasy" rather than "swords & sorcery", for example) and so if people could suggest those it'd be great.

I also don't mind if people recommend stand-alone books, or books that start a series, as if I enjoy it then I'll probably read the rest of the series anyway. I've already got one fantasy book, which was bought for me a while back, that I intend to read that holiday, and it's the start of a long series -- "Gardens of the Moon" by Steven Erikson. Looks really good.

Thanks for the help guys. I know there must be some fantasy and science fiction readers out there (even if they're not the same people!).

Just to say what I've read -- it's not much, but I have already read the more famous authors like Asimov, Clarke, Tolkien and Jordan (well, I read one Wheel of Time novel but I thought it was crap so I stopped). I'm looking for more modern authors (perhaps like Feist, but he has so many series on the go!). Thanks again :D
 
Didn't like Steven Erikson, a lot of people like his stuff but I couldn't get past the way he plonked you into his world with little explanation as to how it works and the characters were a bit of a mess, it's too hard to work out what the fecks going on.

If you're going to start reading a fantasy series make it George R R Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire, the fantasy starts low key but is slowly building with each book, the better part of the first 3 books concentrates on the aftermath of a civil war which saw the old rulers exiled and trying to raise armies to return and the new king and those that surround him

Science Finction wise I like a local author to me called Peter Hamilton, he writes huge science fiction books, great big 800 page affairs. I'd start with a book called Pandora's Star, two books in the series though he is currently writing another set of books in the same universe set 1500 years further into the future, it starts of slow with many characters and dozens of stories that don't seem linked then it explodes and all comes together.
 
only started with Sci-fi but currently reading Stephen Baxter which so far is quite good.

theres a trilogy i've just finished which i really enjoyed by Nick Sagan.....there his only 3 books as far as i know called idlewild, edenborn and everfree and read them in that order
 
Dune by Brian herbert is an immense book although it became a bad film. An amazing level of detail going into the world created by the author, so many unique ideas and concepts are explained. Very dramatic by the end too.
 
Count Duckula said:
I've already got one fantasy book, which was bought for me a while back, that I intend to read that holiday, and it's the start of a long series -- "Gardens of the Moon" by Steven Erikson. Looks really good.
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I really like Erikson but like Mozza said some are put off by his style. It's a very complex series so far but I love it.
If you haven't read Song of Fire & Ice by George R.R. Martin then that is an essential read for fantasy, it's the best out there right now.

Just to say what I've read -- it's not much, but I have already read the more famous authors like Asimov, Clarke, Tolkien and Jordan (well, I read one Wheel of Time novel but I thought it was crap so I stopped). I'm looking for more modern authors (perhaps like Feist, but he has so many series on the go!). Thanks again :D
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Wheel of Time is actually quite good for the first 5 books or so, books 6-10 should have been 1 book though.

MehdiMahdavikia said:
Dune by Brian herbert is an immense book although it became a bad film. An amazing level of detail going into the world created by the author, so many unique ideas and concepts are explained. Very dramatic by the end too.
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Surely you mean Frank Herbert, Brian Herbert is his son who wrote the not so good follow up books.
But yeah the original Dune books are excellent if you want heavy sci-fi
 
Kristjan said:
I really like Erikson but like Mozza said some are put off by his style. It's a very complex series so far but I love it.
If you haven't read Song of Fire & Ice by George R.R. Martin then that is an essential read for fantasy, it's the best out there right now.
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Song of Fire & Ice is definitely going on my reading list now, thanks guys :D I'll buy the first one and read it together with the Erikson book (which I've already started, and am enjoying).

Kristjan said:
Wheel of Time is actually quite good for the first 5 books or so, books 6-10 should have been 1 book though.
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I don't know, I just couldn't get into it. Got the first two books, read the first and didn't like it and then never read the second. Not even sure where it is now.

Kristjan said:
Surely you mean Frank Herbert, Brian Herbert is his son who wrote the not so good follow up books.
But yeah the original Dune books are excellent if you want heavy sci-fi
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Actually I should have mentioned I've already read Dune. I thought it was feckin' brilliant, though I didn't read any of the followups because I was told they're really shite. But, yeh, Dune was ace.

Keep 'em coming guys, it's really useful :D
 
Dan Simmons' Hyperion trilogy is excellent sci-fi

Altered Carbon by Richard K. Morgan is a great sci-fi noir book

I love Perdido Street Station by China Mieville, sort of gothic steam punk sci-fi
 
Count Duckula said:
Actually I should have mentioned I've already read Dune. I thought it was feckin' brilliant, though I didn't read any of the followups because I was told they're really shite. But, yeh, Dune was ace.
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The Dune books by Frank Herbert are classics of the genre. The prequels co-written (never understood how you can co-write a book) by his son Brian and Kevin J Anderson are complete shite and a real stain on the "Dune" series.

Magician I found to be pretty poor. Too many characters who I did not care about and a bit of a Lord of the Rings rip-off (there is a part where a few of them need to get somewhere and get led through a long abandond mine by a dwarf and one of them gets left behind and returns having been made more powerful :eek:).

Try some of Iain M Banks "culture" novels. Sci-fi set in the far future. Very well thought out and funnny.
 
Count Duckula said:
Song of Fire & Ice is definitely going on my reading list now, thanks guys :D I'll buy the first one and read it together with the Erikson book (which I've already started, and am enjoying).
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A bit of a warning. This series is roughly half done. It will take a good few years before the remaining 3 (or more) books will be out. Still, I would warmly recommend reading it. It is a really good read.
 
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