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I've been rather discontent with real life lately, and I'd like to start reading again. I used to love reading things like Dune, Ender's Game, Willow, A Wrinkle in Time, etc.
Could some of you suggest some good books from the genres of fantasy or science fiction? Notable pieces from other categories are acceptable as well I suppose, but anything about covert operations and the like is discouraged.
Basically I just need the type of book in which one can truly and enjoyably lose himself.
Books that are particularly shallow are also discouraged.
Advancing my thanks, Choad.
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the Xanth series by Piers Anthony was good to me. So was the Adept series, by the same author. You might also check out the Chronicles of Amber (from which my parents got my first two names :D) by Roger Zelazny.
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The Drenai Series by David Gemmel is fabulous. Start with Legend.
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His Dark Materials Trilogy by Phillip Pullman is a good choice (includes The Golden Compass, The Subtle Knife, and The Amber Spyglass)
and of course Lord of the Rings =D
can't think of any others you didn't mention right now, also what you mentioned sounds more like sci-fi than fantasy to me, the ones i mentioned were more fantasy -_-
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Snow Crash if you're into computers, and I would recommend it even if you aren't. It's backdrop it technology based, but it's plot involves language, drugs, and ancient Sumarian legends/facts.
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The books by Blizzard! They're very good. And especially interesting if you played the games.
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On October 26 2004 20:58 Locked wrote: His Dark Materials Trilogy by Phillip Pullman is a good choice (includes The Golden Compass, The Subtle Knife, and The Amber Spyglass)
and of course Lord of the Rings =D
can't think of any others you didn't mention right now, also what you mentioned sounds more like sci-fi than fantasy to me, the ones i mentioned were more fantasy -_-
Well, Wrinkle in Time and Willow were fantasy
Thanks everyone so far
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Try the Wheel of Time by Robert Jordan. They're an excellent series.
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Probably the best writer I have ever read is George R.R. Martin: The books go in this order:
A Game of Thrones A Clash of Kings A Storm of Swords A Feast for Crows (it may or may not be out yet).
Each novel ranges between 800 / 1300 pages. An astounding series that pulls you in and won't let go. I've don't think i've ever been so emotional over books before. Not crying emotion, but angry, disheartened, etc... it will make you cry, "INJUSTICE!!". These novels you really have no clue what will happen next and it is told in a unique and interesting way. (From different characters perspectives). Yet it flows smoothely and not once will you be confused. Though it may be hard for some to remember all of the names. Give it a fair chance and you will not regret it and will encourage others to buy this book.
And these books by R.A. Salvatore: (You're actually supposed to read the Ice Wind Dale trilogy first I think, but I think either way is fine imo. I've read each of these books like 20 times since like grade 4 and they are still enjoyable). Just make sure you read them in this proper order.
Dark Elf Trilogy (These were witten 2nd)
Homeland Exile Soujourn
Ice Wind Dale Trilogy (These ones were written first)
The Crystal Shard Streams of Silver The Halflings Gem
(Everything that follows is in proper order!)
The Legacy Starless Night Siege of Darkness Passage to Dawn (or Passage of Dawn, that book I leant and never got back!)
The Silent Blade The Spine of the World The Servant of the Shard Sea of Swords
And now we're in "The Hunter's Blade Trilogy", which R.A. should be finishing this year and his new one should be out.
The Thousand Orcs The Lone Drow The Two Swords
A very enjoyable read. Not as complex as George R.R. Martin but another buy (17 buys) you won't regret.
Total number of books recommended: 21. Enjoy!
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- All books by David Eddings... his Belgariad and Mallorean are awesome.
- Also Sword of Shannara series by Terry Brooks.
- Wheel of Time
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On October 26 2004 21:11 Nal_Testie wrote: Total number of books recommended: 21. Enjoy!
A lot Thanks for spending that much time responding
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I still have not read the Wheel of Time series yet many have recommended it to me. One person actually mailed it to me but it never got here. (I trust that they did actually mail it to me too).
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the david eddings books are soooo predictable. the second series is practically the first series again, the characters even admit it during one of the books. they're still very fun books to read, however
sword of truth series by terry goodkind are also not all that intellectually stimulating and the writing has gone downhill, but they're fun
same with the WOT they're great books, but robert jordan hasn't written a good entry since the 4th book IMO. the 9th book was a good, but then the 10th one brought the series down again.
after a while all the fantasy series start to sound the same, testie is right on the money with the george martin books tho. extremely good and never boring
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Valhalla18444 Posts
The Philisophical Strangler
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The Wheel of Time!!!! great series of good books
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He's so damn nice I must say his name twice.
George R.R. Martin. Period. ------- Read. Buy. Go. Now. Fast! Faster. Run! ------- This makes sense if you read it backwards too. Or maybe it doesn't make much sense at all and I just have an imagination that fills in the blanks automatically.
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FuDDx
United States4997 Posts
Testie you are so right Geroge rr martians books absoulutley rock the hishouse really i ve been waiting for way to long for the next book T_T
also since you included some of my other fav books ill go a step further and say any forgoten realms books also my favriote D&D books drangonlance chronicles and legends eatch a 3 book setr are wonderful
agian i agree with testie the martin books are so much better but the tsr/wizardsof the coast books are so nice for easy reads that are very enjoyable.
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Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman
I finished all 400 pages in three sittings over a 2 day period.
Synopsis: When Richard stops one day to help a girl he finds bleeding on a London sidewalk, his life is forever altered, for he finds himself propelled into an alternate reality that exists in a subterranean labyrinth of sewer canals and abandoned subway stations below the London. A city of monsters, saints, murderers, and angels.
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"Malazan book of the fallen" by Steven Erikson, most would argue an auther that rivals or surpasses George R.R Martin amongst the new wave of fantasy writers.
Currently set for 10 books, with 5 published so far: Gardens of the Moon Dead House Gates Memories of Ice (IMO best) House of Chains (classic roots in character development) Midnight Tides
Featuring a unique magic system, gruesome battles, interlacing humor, grand climaxes, realistic/varied characters. To sum in one word EPIC, and a unifying theme is Convergence(800-1300 pages). They are 'hard fantasy' books, each feature a glossary at end and character rosters of up to 4 pages. While stories are mostly unrelated(different protagonist) but with some familiar characters carrying over in some novels and a continuous storyline/timeline(not of the wheel of time's rinse repeat, but continuous, as in...simultaneous). Difficult but very entertaining read. Each book is more or less standalone but recommended reading with the order of publishing.
Only 2 or so published in US though, but here in Australia is pretty up to date.
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The discworld series by Terry Pratchett is great fantasy and it's hilarious. Here are some great quotes from Mort:
Mort was interested in lots of things. ... there was the puzzle of why the sun came out during the day, instead of at night when the light would come in useful.
"But you're Death," said Mort. "You go around killing people!"
I? KILL? said Death, obviously offended. CERTAINLY NOT. PEOPLE GET KILLED, BUT THAT'S THEIR BUSINESS. I JUST TAKE OVER FROM THEN ON. AFTER ALL, IT'D BE A BLOODY STUPID WORLD IF PEOPLE GOT KILLED WITHOUT DYING, WOULDN'T IT?
Mort: "What are we going to do now?" Death: BUY YOU SOME NEW CLOTHES. Mort: "These were new today -- yesterday, I mean." Death: REALLY? Mort: "Father said the shop was famous for its budget clothing." Death: IT CERTAINLY ADDS A NEW TERROR TO POVERTY.
Death: THAT'S BECAUSE TIME IS ADJUSTABLE. IT'S NOT REALLY IMPORTANT. Mort: "I always thought it was." Death: PEOPLE THINK IT'S IMPORTANT ONLY BECAUSE THEY INVENTED IT
I just read the first four books and they'reeeeeeee greaaaaaattttttt.
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