Recent Fantasy Novels

[Symmetry]

I've been on a bit of Fantasy binge over the last week, and I'm looking for recommendations.

If anyone is interested, I picked up:

The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss- easily one of the best fantasy novels I've ever read
The Lies of Locke Lamorra by Scott Lynch- a great read, and pretty tight as a one off.
The Painted Man by Peter Brett- great concept, but got a bit repetitive in places
The First Law trilogy by Joe Abercrombie- I really liked the characters- almost everyone in the series is a complete bastard, but the plot was a bit thin.

Anybody have some suggestions about what's good out there at the moment?

Oh- and I'd also reccomend Ekaterina Sedia's The Alchemy of Stone- more steampunk, but it's really good.

[jay_a2j]

Fantasy? Is that like Harry Potter? The Hobbit?

[thegreekdog]

George RR Martin

[Symmetry]

George RR Martin

I read the first book and thought it was great, does it stay good as the series goes on? Also- I heard there's a TV adaptation coming.

[thegreekdog]

George RR Martin

I read the first book and thought it was great, does it stay good as the series goes on? Also- I heard there's a TV adaptation coming.

The series stays good... gets a little bogged down sometimes, but still excellent. He's also slow on the latest novel, so you have to bear with that nonsense.

The TV adaptation is for HBO and they have a pilot. Not sure what that will be like.

I'm a complete GRRM fanboy. Easily the best fantasy I've ever read.

[Symmetry]

George RR Martin

I read the first book and thought it was great, does it stay good as the series goes on? Also- I heard there's a TV adaptation coming.

The series stays good... gets a little bogged down sometimes, but still excellent. He's also slow on the latest novel, so you have to bear with that nonsense.

The TV adaptation is for HBO and they have a pilot. Not sure what that will be like.

I'm a complete GRRM fanboy. Easily the best fantasy I've ever read.

I thought the first one was excellent, especially his willingness to kill off major characters. One of my big grudges against crap fantasy is the predictability. I was surprised that I didn't have any idea who would make it through the book alive.

I'll definitely take a look at the rest of the series then.

[thegreekdog]

Yes, definitely. It's the best. I haven't read the others on your list (though I own them).

I'm currently reading the Black Company series (and the various books therein). It's good; more like an action movie than a sweeping fantasy epic.

[Anarkistsdream]

Joe Abercrombie "The Blade Itself"

Stan Nicholls "Orcs"

Andrzej Sapkowski "Blood of Elves"

Markus Heitz "Dwarves"

[Symmetry]

Stan Nicholls "Orcs"

Andrzej Sapkowski "Blood of Elves"

Markus Heitz "Dwarves"

Cheers- I actually picked up the Abercrombie (in the OP), but I'll take a look at the others. If it's ok to ask- what made you pick those?

[nesterdude]

Elric of Melenbone
And the rest of the series.

[Symmetry]

Elric of Melenbone
And the rest of the series.

Cheers- I looked on amazon and it looks pretty good. I was looking for recent stuff, and it looks like the original was from the 70's. Is it still ongoing? If it is, how's it holding up?

[Woodruff]

I've been on a bit of Fantasy binge over the last week, and I'm looking for recommendations.

I'm currently reading "To Your Scattered Bodies Go" by Philip Jose Farmer...quite good, though I'm not too deep into it yet.
Next in my queue is "An Alien Heart" by Michael Moorcock.

If you like Harry Potter-ish stuff, I just finished The Magickers trilogy by...someone I can't recall the name of...and it was quite good.

[Baron Von PWN]

K.J Parker's fencer series is pretty fun "Colours in the Steel" is the name of the first book.

Steven Brust's "Book of Jhereg" is allot of fun too, not a very recent book but good.

Not sure if this one qualifies as fantasy but ill toss it in. S.M stirling's "Dies the fire" is the first in the "Change " series.

Plot intro "Dies the Fire chronicles the struggle of two groups who try to survive "The Change," a sudden worldwide event that alters physical laws so that electricity, gunpowder, and most other forms of high-energy-density technology no longer work. As a result, modern civilization comes crashing down. "

Basicaly the modern day world ceases to exist and evrything goese medeival.

[Incandenza]

I've been working thru the Merchant Princes series by Charles Stross, cracking good read.

[Symmetry]

K.J Parker's fencer series is pretty fun "Colours in the Steel" is the name of the first book.

Steven Brust's "Book of Jhereg" is allot of fun too, not a very recent book but good.

Not sure if this one qualifies as fantasy but ill toss it in. S.M stirling's "Dies the fire" is the first in the "Change " series.

Plot intro "Dies the Fire chronicles the struggle of two groups who try to survive "The Change," a sudden worldwide event that alters physical laws so that electricity, gunpowder, and most other forms of high-energy-density technology no longer work. As a result, modern civilization comes crashing down. "

Basicaly the modern day world ceases to exist and evrything goese medeival.

Awesome- I'm always looking for something that does things a bit different.

Going off my own topic a bit- Hillary Mantel's Wolf Hall might appeal to peeps who like fantasy novels. It's historical fiction, not fantasy, about Thomas Cromwell. I loved it, but some peeps find it heavy going. I think it's one of the best books I've ever read, but I can see where it would annoy.

[Symmetry]

I've been working thru the Merchant Princes series by Charles Stross, cracking good read.

Sounds good- wiki says it's more sci-fi than fantasy, but I'm not fussy if it's a good book.

[Woodruff]

Another one I read AGES ago and REALLY enjoyed was "Battle Circle" series by Piers Anthony. A tremendous idea, and realize that this is NOT typical Piers Anthony fare. A post-apocalyptic world where hand-to-hand combat decides everything.

[Baron Von PWN]

K.J Parker's fencer series is pretty fun "Colours in the Steel" is the name of the first book.

Steven Brust's "Book of Jhereg" is allot of fun too, not a very recent book but good.

Not sure if this one qualifies as fantasy but ill toss it in. S.M stirling's "Dies the fire" is the first in the "Change " series.

Plot intro "Dies the Fire chronicles the struggle of two groups who try to survive "The Change," a sudden worldwide event that alters physical laws so that electricity, gunpowder, and most other forms of high-energy-density technology no longer work. As a result, modern civilization comes crashing down. "

Basicaly the modern day world ceases to exist and evrything goese medeival.

Awesome- I'm always looking for something that does things a bit different.

Going off my own topic a bit- Hillary Mantel's Wolf Hall might appeal to peeps who like fantasy novels. It's historical fiction, not fantasy, about Thomas Cromwell. I loved it, but some peeps find it heavy going. I think it's one of the best books I've ever read, but I can see where it would annoy.

I work in a book store and I've been hearing allot of good things about that one. We also sell a whole lot of them too, which is usualy a good sign though there are exceptions (twilight)

[Symmetry]

K.J Parker's fencer series is pretty fun "Colours in the Steel" is the name of the first book.

Steven Brust's "Book of Jhereg" is allot of fun too, not a very recent book but good.

Not sure if this one qualifies as fantasy but ill toss it in. S.M stirling's "Dies the fire" is the first in the "Change " series.

Plot intro "Dies the Fire chronicles the struggle of two groups who try to survive "The Change," a sudden worldwide event that alters physical laws so that electricity, gunpowder, and most other forms of high-energy-density technology no longer work. As a result, modern civilization comes crashing down. "

Basicaly the modern day world ceases to exist and evrything goese medeival.

Awesome- I'm always looking for something that does things a bit different.

Going off my own topic a bit- Hillary Mantel's Wolf Hall might appeal to peeps who like fantasy novels. It's historical fiction, not fantasy, about Thomas Cromwell. I loved it, but some peeps find it heavy going. I think it's one of the best books I've ever read, but I can see where it would annoy.

I work in a book store and I've been hearing allot of good things about that one. We also sell a whole lot of them too, which is usualy a good sign though there are exceptions (twilight)

I guess I'd say read a chapter if you get the chance. The style isn't easy, but it's really good. She writes almost entirely in the present tense. There are times when that trips you up, but mostly you feel like you're right there sitting in on the scenes.

There's an extract here:

From the New York Review of Books

Pretty much sums up the difficult bits, but also the good stuff.

[Baron Von PWN]

I guess I'd say read a chapter if you get the chance. The style isn't easy, but it's really good. She writes almost entirely in the present tense. There are times when that trips you up, but mostly you feel like you're right there sitting in on the scenes.

There's an extract here:

From the New York Review of Books

Pretty much sums up the difficult bits, but also the good stuff.

That was quite good, I may have to get myself a copy of that.

[Symmetry]

Awesome, my favourite bit about Thomas Cromwell:

"Thomas Cromwell is now a little over forty years old. He is a man of strong build, not especially tall. Various expressions are available to his face, and one is readable: an expression of stifled amusement. His hair is dark, heavy, and waving, and his small eyes, which are of very strong sight, light up in conversation: so the Spanish ambassador will tell us, quite soon. It is said he knows by heart the entire New Testament in Latin, and so as a servant of the Cardinal is apt—ready with a text if abbots flounder. His speech is low and rapid, his manner assured. He can draft a statute, train a falcon, draw a map, stop a street fight, furnish a house, and fix a jury. He will quote you a nice point in the old authors, from Plato to Plautus and back again. He knows new poetry, and can say it in Italian. He works all hours, first up and last to bed. He will take a bet on anything.

He rises to leave, says: "If you did have a word with your Master, and the sun came out, then the King could ride out with his gentlemen, and if he were not so fretted and confined then his spirits would rise, and he might not be thinking about Leviticus, and your life would be easier."

"You only partly understand him. He enjoys theology, almost as much as he enjoys riding out."

He is at the door. Wolsey says, "By the way, the talk at court...His Grace the Duke of Norfolk is complaining that I have raised an evil spirit, and directed it to follow him about. If anyone mentions it to you...just deny it."

He stands in the doorway, smiling slowly. The Cardinal smiles too, as if to say, I have saved the good wine till last. Don't I know how to make you happy? Then the Cardinal drops his head over his papers. He will not go to bed for an hour yet, not until the clocks and the city's bells have begun the new day, another wet, smoky, lightless April day. "Good night," he says. "God bless you, Tom."

[nesterdude]

Elric of Melenbone
And the rest of the series.

Cheers- I looked on amazon and it looks pretty good. I was looking for recent stuff, and it looks like the original was from the 70's. Is it still ongoing? If it is, how's it holding up?

NO these are done, and there are a few other sets of books that expand the story past elric.
Very good, very dark.

[Symmetry]

Elric of Melenbone
And the rest of the series.

Cheers- I looked on amazon and it looks pretty good. I was looking for recent stuff, and it looks like the original was from the 70's. Is it still ongoing? If it is, how's it holding up?

NO these are done, and there are a few other sets of books that expand the story past elric.
Very good, very dark.

Cool- I'll definitely take a look. I had a look at some of the reviews and it looks pretty good.

[Gypsys Kiss]

Awesome, my favourite bit about Thomas Cromwell:

"Thomas Cromwell is now a little over forty years old. He is a man of strong build, not especially tall. Various expressions are available to his face, and one is readable: an expression of stifled amusement. His hair is dark, heavy, and waving, and his small eyes, which are of very strong sight, light up in conversation: so the Spanish ambassador will tell us, quite soon. It is said he knows by heart the entire New Testament in Latin, and so as a servant of the Cardinal is apt—ready with a text if abbots flounder. His speech is low and rapid, his manner assured. He can draft a statute, train a falcon, draw a map, stop a street fight, furnish a house, and fix a jury. He will quote you a nice point in the old authors, from Plato to Plautus and back again. He knows new poetry, and can say it in Italian. He works all hours, first up and last to bed. He will take a bet on anything.

He rises to leave, says: "If you did have a word with your Master, and the sun came out, then the King could ride out with his gentlemen, and if he were not so fretted and confined then his spirits would rise, and he might not be thinking about Leviticus, and your life would be easier."

"You only partly understand him. He enjoys theology, almost as much as he enjoys riding out."

He is at the door. Wolsey says, "By the way, the talk at court...His Grace the Duke of Norfolk is complaining that I have raised an evil spirit, and directed it to follow him about. If anyone mentions it to you...just deny it."

He stands in the doorway, smiling slowly. The Cardinal smiles too, as if to say, I have saved the good wine till last. Don't I know how to make you happy? Then the Cardinal drops his head over his papers. He will not go to bed for an hour yet, not until the clocks and the city's bells have begun the new day, another wet, smoky, lightless April day. "Good night," he says. "God bless you, Tom."

Is this an extract from the book? If so, I quite like the way it is written. Not really my time frame as far as historical literature goes(I'm more of a Plantagenet man), but I think I'll give it a whirl.

[Symmetry]

Awesome, my favourite bit about Thomas Cromwell:

"Thomas Cromwell is now a little over forty years old. He is a man of strong build, not especially tall. Various expressions are available to his face, and one is readable: an expression of stifled amusement. His hair is dark, heavy, and waving, and his small eyes, which are of very strong sight, light up in conversation: so the Spanish ambassador will tell us, quite soon. It is said he knows by heart the entire New Testament in Latin, and so as a servant of the Cardinal is apt—ready with a text if abbots flounder. His speech is low and rapid, his manner assured. He can draft a statute, train a falcon, draw a map, stop a street fight, furnish a house, and fix a jury. He will quote you a nice point in the old authors, from Plato to Plautus and back again. He knows new poetry, and can say it in Italian. He works all hours, first up and last to bed. He will take a bet on anything.

He rises to leave, says: "If you did have a word with your Master, and the sun came out, then the King could ride out with his gentlemen, and if he were not so fretted and confined then his spirits would rise, and he might not be thinking about Leviticus, and your life would be easier."

"You only partly understand him. He enjoys theology, almost as much as he enjoys riding out."

He is at the door. Wolsey says, "By the way, the talk at court...His Grace the Duke of Norfolk is complaining that I have raised an evil spirit, and directed it to follow him about. If anyone mentions it to you...just deny it."

He stands in the doorway, smiling slowly. The Cardinal smiles too, as if to say, I have saved the good wine till last. Don't I know how to make you happy? Then the Cardinal drops his head over his papers. He will not go to bed for an hour yet, not until the clocks and the city's bells have begun the new day, another wet, smoky, lightless April day. "Good night," he says. "God bless you, Tom."

Is this an extract from the book? If so, I quite like the way it is written. Not really my time frame as far as historical literature goes(I'm more of a Plantagenet man), but I think I'll give it a whirl.

Yeah- it's an extract. Slightly longer extract here:
New York Review of Books