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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36793 Posts |
 Posted - 15 Mar 2013 : 13:07:25
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quote:
Originally posted by ElaineCunningham
quote:
Originally posted by Dalor Darden
I most likely will never read any of the Golarion novels; not because I don't think they are good...but because I've too little money to invest in another damnable cool world of fantasy. 
You may want to make an exception for Dave Gross's novels. Queen of Thorns was one of the most entertaining fantasy adventures I've read in the last ten years. There are two previous novels about the main characters (Varian Jeggare, a half-elf arisocrat, and Radovan, his tiefling bodyguard): Prince of Wolves and Master of Demons. If you want to learn a bit about these characters for free, check out the Webfiction page on the Paizo site. There are 2 or 3 serial novella featuring The Boys. :)
Queen of Thorns was quite enjoyable, but I think I enjoyed Master of Demons more -- Dave Gross's love for kung fu flicks is obvious in that tale. 
Both books are quite enjoyable, though. They rank pretty highly on the list of the best new fantasy novels I've read for the last few years. |
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Richard Lee Byers
Forgotten Realms Author
USA
1814 Posts |
Posted - 15 Mar 2013 : 13:43:07
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| Enteri: Don't let me put you off giving The Worm Ouroboros a try. Taste is an individual thing, and the book is generally considered a classic, so you may well like it just like Jorkens does. |
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Dennis
Great Reader
9933 Posts |
Posted - 15 Mar 2013 : 15:18:42
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Stephen Donaldson and Guy Gavriel Kay. While they may be good at world-building, their characters, plots, and everything else are just so boring. I miraculously managed to read 3/4 of the first Thomas Covenant book and The Summer Tree. (Just don't ask me where those books are now because they're certainly not in my library anymore.) |
Every beginning has an end. |
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DragonReader
Senior Scribe
USA
371 Posts |
Posted - 15 Mar 2013 : 16:44:01
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| There are alot of authors I will never read, mainly because the topics/setting holds no interest for me. They might be phenominal writers, but if the topic is not something I'd be interested in chances are I won't read it. |
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Aulduron
Learned Scribe
USA
343 Posts |
Posted - 15 Mar 2013 : 17:00:54
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quote:
Originally posted by Marc
Wheel of Time and Dance of Dragons - I hear it's not worth the time.
Personally, I loved the Wheel of Time. The only thing I don't like about it is that there will be no more. |
"Those with talent become wizards, Those without talent spend their lives praying for it"
-Procopio Septus |
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Ayrik
Great Reader
Canada
7989 Posts |
Posted - 15 Mar 2013 : 17:35:18
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quote:
Erik Scott de Bie
@Ayrik: While I understand the assessment of GRRM, I'm not sure I agree. I'm not claiming all of his work is necessarily original/ground-breaking, but rather that that's ok. It is a simple fact of all writing that good writers borrow, great writers steal. And I consider it a gold start for Martin that he experiments, pushes boundaries, and brings more things to the genre rather than relying on rote tropes.
Although I do agree with you, Erik - and incidentally also commend your ambivalent/supportive professionalism - I wonder if you would remain so sanguine in response to a well-known author so closely duplicating your own written works and styles.
Having said all that, I still consider GRRM a fine author, even while disliking or being hypercritical of some of his titles. The man did ignite the first inspiration and conceptions of the much-beloved Gith races, after all. |
[/Ayrik] |
Edited by - Ayrik on 15 Mar 2013 17:38:08 |
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Artemas Entreri
Great Reader
USA
3131 Posts |
Posted - 15 Mar 2013 : 22:25:37
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quote:
Originally posted by Marc
Wheel of Time and Dance of Dragons - I hear it's not worth the time.
Did you read the first 4 books of Martin's series? |
Some people have a way with words, and other people...oh, uh, not have way. -Steve Martin
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Artemas Entreri
Great Reader
USA
3131 Posts |
Posted - 15 Mar 2013 : 22:28:43
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quote:
Originally posted by Richard Lee Byers
Enteri: Don't let me put you off giving The Worm Ouroboros a try. Taste is an individual thing, and the book is generally considered a classic, so you may well like it just like Jorkens does.
I will definitely give it a shot, and I don't approach older fantasy books like that one the same way I do for more modern books. I realize the style was much different compared to today and it might take me a while to get used to it. Titus Groan is another classic fantasy book I would like to try. |
Some people have a way with words, and other people...oh, uh, not have way. -Steve Martin
Amazon "KindleUnlimited" Free Trial: http://amzn.to/2AJ4yD2
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Edited by - Artemas Entreri on 15 Mar 2013 23:30:25 |
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Richard Lee Byers
Forgotten Realms Author
USA
1814 Posts |
Posted - 15 Mar 2013 : 23:33:53
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| I liked Titus Groan and Gormenghast a lot. I don't think Titus Alone, the third novel, is anywhere near as good, but as I recall, Mervyn Peake was quite ill when he wrote it, so I guess we should cut him slack. |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31716 Posts |
Posted - 16 Mar 2013 : 00:42:57
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quote:
Originally posted by ElaineCunningham
quote:
Originally posted by Dalor Darden
I most likely will never read any of the Golarion novels; not because I don't think they are good...but because I've too little money to invest in another damnable cool world of fantasy.
You may want to make an exception for Dave Gross's novels. Queen of Thorns was one of the most entertaining fantasy adventures I've read in the last ten years. There are two previous novels about the main characters (Varian Jeggare, a half-elf arisocrat, and Radovan, his tiefling bodyguard): Prince of Wolves and Master of Demons. If you want to learn a bit about these characters for free, check out the Webfiction page on the Paizo site. There are 2 or 3 serial novella featuring The Boys. :)
I'm inclined to agree. Dave Gross is one of the few authors who can sell me on any book just by having his name on the cover. |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
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Zhoth'ilam Folio -- The Electronic Misadventures of a Rambling Sage |
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Entromancer
Senior Scribe
USA
388 Posts |
Posted - 16 Mar 2013 : 01:32:56
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A Song of Ice and Fire. I attempted GOT back in 05, and once again in 11, and a third time in '12. I just couldn't finish it.
The Wheel of Time. Not enough happens, and the world itself just doesn't grab me.
Dragonlance: I don't know if I like the straightforward designation of "Good" and "Evil"; "Neutrality" is good. I like Caramon, Tika, and Kitiara though.
Lord of the Rings: Cool concepts and excellent worldbuilding. The victory was too easily won for my tastes.
Wintermute's Magic books: He skipped too many juicy bits of worldbuilding in favor of A->B->C plot development. |
"...the will is everything. The will to act."--Ra's Al Ghul
"Suffering builds character."--Talia Al Ghul |
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Artemas Entreri
Great Reader
USA
3131 Posts |
Posted - 16 Mar 2013 : 04:05:27
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quote:
Originally posted by Richard Lee Byers
I liked Titus Groan and Gormenghast a lot. I don't think Titus Alone, the third novel, is anywhere near as good, but as I recall, Mervyn Peake was quite ill when he wrote it, so I guess we should cut him slack.
Good to know. Thanks Richard! |
Some people have a way with words, and other people...oh, uh, not have way. -Steve Martin
Amazon "KindleUnlimited" Free Trial: http://amzn.to/2AJ4yD2
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Artemas Entreri
Great Reader
USA
3131 Posts |
Posted - 16 Mar 2013 : 04:06:10
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quote:
Originally posted by Entromancer
Lord of the Rings: Cool concepts and excellent worldbuilding. The victory was too easily won for my tastes.
Did you read LoTR or are you basing this off of the movies? |
Some people have a way with words, and other people...oh, uh, not have way. -Steve Martin
Amazon "KindleUnlimited" Free Trial: http://amzn.to/2AJ4yD2
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Entromancer
Senior Scribe
USA
388 Posts |
Posted - 16 Mar 2013 : 06:24:44
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I did read the series; it just wasn't my cup of tea.  |
"...the will is everything. The will to act."--Ra's Al Ghul
"Suffering builds character."--Talia Al Ghul |
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Dennis
Great Reader
9933 Posts |
Posted - 16 Mar 2013 : 12:39:33
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quote:
Originally posted by Richard Lee Byers
I liked Titus Groan and Gormenghast a lot. I don't think Titus Alone, the third novel, is anywhere near as good, but as I recall, Mervyn Peake was quite ill when he wrote it, so I guess we should cut him slack.
Hmm. I did try the first fifty pages or so of Titus Groan, and it just failed to grab me. |
Every beginning has an end. |
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Quale
Master of Realmslore
1757 Posts |
Posted - 17 Mar 2013 : 22:25:01
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| Based on personal experience or the author's reputation, I don't read: Donaldson, Goodkind, Eddings, Brett, Jordan, Weeks, Athans, Brooks, Jemisin, Farland, Keyes, Tad Williams, Ruckley, Fultz, Brian Herbert, Card, Rosenberg, Friedman, Novik, Aaronovitch, and most of urban fantasy (except Butcher, Gaiman, Stross...). |
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Dalor Darden
Great Reader
USA
4211 Posts |
Posted - 17 Mar 2013 : 22:30:21
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quote:
Originally posted by Entreri3478
quote:
Originally posted by Entromancer
Lord of the Rings: Cool concepts and excellent worldbuilding. The victory was too easily won for my tastes.
Did you read LoTR or are you basing this off of the movies?
As much as I love Middle-Earth...I thought the victory in the novel and the movie was far too easy as well.
Throwing a ring into a mountain, fine.
Walking into a mountain and simply doing so shouldn't be so easy.
If Sauron knew the only way to destroy his ring was that mountain...well, lets just say there would be fortifications all around it with some of the most powerful soldiers I had at my disposal! |
The Old Grey Box and AD&D for me! |
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Artemas Entreri
Great Reader
USA
3131 Posts |
Posted - 18 Mar 2013 : 00:17:12
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quote:
Originally posted by Dalor Darden
quote:
Originally posted by Entreri3478
quote:
Originally posted by Entromancer
Lord of the Rings: Cool concepts and excellent worldbuilding. The victory was too easily won for my tastes.
Did you read LoTR or are you basing this off of the movies?
As much as I love Middle-Earth...I thought the victory in the novel and the movie was far too easy as well.
Throwing a ring into a mountain, fine.
Walking into a mountain and simply doing so shouldn't be so easy.
If Sauron knew the only way to destroy his ring was that mountain...well, lets just say there would be fortifications all around it with some of the most powerful soldiers I had at my disposal!
I thought it was a little to easy too but more so in the books. In the movies the battles of Helmsdeep and Minas Tirith felt a little more threatening and drawn out. |
Some people have a way with words, and other people...oh, uh, not have way. -Steve Martin
Amazon "KindleUnlimited" Free Trial: http://amzn.to/2AJ4yD2
Try Audible and Get 2 Free Audio Books! https://amzn.to/2IgBede |
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Artemas Entreri
Great Reader
USA
3131 Posts |
Posted - 18 Mar 2013 : 00:20:16
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quote:
Originally posted by Quale
Based on personal experience or the author's reputation, I don't read: Donaldson, Goodkind, Eddings, Brett, Jordan, Weeks, Athans, Brooks, Jemisin, Farland, Keyes, Tad Williams, Ruckley, Fultz, Brian Herbert, Card, Rosenberg, Friedman, Novik, Aaronovitch, and most of urban fantasy (except Butcher, Gaiman, Stross...).
Ohh I couldn't finish NK Jemisin's first book of her trilogy. I thought it (the 150 pages I struggled through) was an awful debut fantasy novel.  |
Some people have a way with words, and other people...oh, uh, not have way. -Steve Martin
Amazon "KindleUnlimited" Free Trial: http://amzn.to/2AJ4yD2
Try Audible and Get 2 Free Audio Books! https://amzn.to/2IgBede |
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artificial_sunlight
Acolyte
Netherlands
14 Posts |
Posted - 18 Mar 2013 : 08:13:30
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Lord of the Rings, I was stuck in some forest. When the 26 root of the 6383562 tree looked realy evil I put the book away. I liked the Hobbit so Tolkien can write :)
I also liked the movies. |
Dutch FR Story Collector |
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Thauranil
Master of Realmslore
India
1591 Posts |
Posted - 18 Mar 2013 : 11:07:55
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quote:
Originally posted by Dalor Darden
quote:
Originally posted by Entreri3478
quote:
Originally posted by Entromancer
Lord of the Rings: Cool concepts and excellent worldbuilding. The victory was too easily won for my tastes.
Did you read LoTR or are you basing this off of the movies?
As much as I love Middle-Earth...I thought the victory in the novel and the movie was far too easy as well.
Throwing a ring into a mountain, fine.
Walking into a mountain and simply doing so shouldn't be so easy.
If Sauron knew the only way to destroy his ring was that mountain...well, lets just say there would be fortifications all around it with some of the most powerful soldiers I had at my disposal!
Well he kind of did that already. Mount doom was in the heart of his kingdom which was all extremely well fortified. Plus it was an Active volcano, how would even the toughest of orcs or trolls survive in that environment. Finally you have to remember that he never for once thought that anyone would actually destroy his ring and for good reason as the rings corruptive power was legendary. |
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Dennis
Great Reader
9933 Posts |
Posted - 18 Mar 2013 : 12:15:56
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quote:
Originally posted by Quale
Based on personal experience or the author's reputation, I don't read: Donaldson, Goodkind, Eddings, Brett, Jordan, Weeks, Athans, Brooks, Jemisin, Farland, Keyes, Tad Williams, Ruckley, Fultz, Brian Herbert, Card, Rosenberg, Friedman, Novik, Aaronovitch, and most of urban fantasy (except Butcher, Gaiman, Stross...).
You like Sanderson, right? Well, his style, worlds, and characters share some similarities with those of Weeks and Brett. So you can at least give their first books a try.
And Friedman as in C.S Friedman? Weren't you the one who said in the sealed “What are you reading? 2011” thread that you liked The Coldfire trilogy? Some of her characters can be annoying as hell, I grant you that, especially the females, but her world is quite interesting; and she rarely ran out of surprises in every book. |
Every beginning has an end. |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36793 Posts |
Posted - 18 Mar 2013 : 13:22:08
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quote:
Originally posted by Thauranil
quote:
Originally posted by Dalor Darden
quote:
Originally posted by Entreri3478
quote:
Originally posted by Entromancer
Lord of the Rings: Cool concepts and excellent worldbuilding. The victory was too easily won for my tastes.
Did you read LoTR or are you basing this off of the movies?
As much as I love Middle-Earth...I thought the victory in the novel and the movie was far too easy as well.
Throwing a ring into a mountain, fine.
Walking into a mountain and simply doing so shouldn't be so easy.
If Sauron knew the only way to destroy his ring was that mountain...well, lets just say there would be fortifications all around it with some of the most powerful soldiers I had at my disposal!
Well he kind of did that already. Mount doom was in the heart of his kingdom which was all extremely well fortified. Plus it was an Active volcano, how would even the toughest of orcs or trolls survive in that environment. Finally you have to remember that he never for once thought that anyone would actually destroy his ring and for good reason as the rings corruptive power was legendary.
Indeed. And if it hadn't been for the guidance of Gollum, Frodo and Samwise would have never found a way in -- every way in was well-guarded, except the way Gollum had found, and it was barely big enough to be a footpath. |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
I am the Giant Space Hamster of Ill Omen! |
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Quale
Master of Realmslore
1757 Posts |
Posted - 18 Mar 2013 : 14:17:25
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quote:
Originally posted by Dennis
You like Sanderson, right? Well, his style, worlds, and characters share some similarities with those of Weeks and Brett. So you can at least give their first books a try.
Based on The Night Angel, half of Dark Prism, and The Painted Man, I agree they share similarities, interesting magic systems. But unlike Sanderson, not much else to enjoy, no characters, no mystery or philosophy, or fun situations.
quote:
And Friedman as in C.S Friedman? Weren't you the one who said in the sealed “What are you reading? 2011” thread that you liked The Coldfire trilogy?
Somebody else |
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Dennis
Great Reader
9933 Posts |
Posted - 18 Mar 2013 : 15:46:06
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quote:
Originally posted by Quale
quote:
Originally posted by Dennis
You like Sanderson, right? Well, his style, worlds, and characters share some similarities with those of Weeks and Brett. So you can at least give their first books a try.
Based on The Night Angel, half of Dark Prism, and The Painted Man, I agree they share similarities, interesting magic systems. But unlike Sanderson, not much else to enjoy, no characters, no mystery or philosophy, or fun situations.
Hmm. I haven't yet read Black Prism, but The Night Angel was full of fun situations. I can say the same to The Warded Man (originally called The Painted Man). Though they slightly pale in comparison to Sanderson's Mistborn. |
Every beginning has an end. |
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Artemas Entreri
Great Reader
USA
3131 Posts |
Posted - 18 Mar 2013 : 22:14:16
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quote:
Originally posted by Dennis
quote:
Originally posted by Quale
quote:
Originally posted by Dennis
You like Sanderson, right? Well, his style, worlds, and characters share some similarities with those of Weeks and Brett. So you can at least give their first books a try.
Based on The Night Angel, half of Dark Prism, and The Painted Man, I agree they share similarities, interesting magic systems. But unlike Sanderson, not much else to enjoy, no characters, no mystery or philosophy, or fun situations.
Hmm. I haven't yet read Black Prism, but The Night Angel was full of fun situations. I can say the same to The Warded Man (originally called The Painted Man). Though they slightly pale in comparison to Sanderson's Mistborn.
Amen to the "fun situations." The whole "Hell's %$#hole" portion of the Night Angel trilogy was awesome. |
Some people have a way with words, and other people...oh, uh, not have way. -Steve Martin
Amazon "KindleUnlimited" Free Trial: http://amzn.to/2AJ4yD2
Try Audible and Get 2 Free Audio Books! https://amzn.to/2IgBede |
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Kno
Senior Scribe
452 Posts |
Posted - 20 Mar 2013 : 15:49:15
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| fantasy novels that have werewolves, there is no such thing |
z455t |
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Ayrik
Great Reader
Canada
7989 Posts |
Posted - 20 Mar 2013 : 16:39:26
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| Ack, Titus Groan was a difficult read for me, too. The flow of olde Mervyn's writing kept on pushing me backstream instead of moving the story along. Ploddingly hyperattentive overcharacterization (with basically unbelievable characters), IMHO, I'm not necessarily an "all action" keep-the-plot-moving blow-stuff-up kinda guy, but c'mon ... there are limits to how far one will endure the torture of bad entertainment. |
[/Ayrik] |
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Richard Lee Byers
Forgotten Realms Author
USA
1814 Posts |
Posted - 20 Mar 2013 : 16:48:00
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| I fully understand what you're saying, Ayrik. I've had the same reaction to many another book. But when I read Peake as a teenager (haven't reread him since), the books worked for me. The humor, inventiveness, and use of humor and the grotesque made up for the leisurely pace, I think. |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36793 Posts |
Posted - 20 Mar 2013 : 18:24:33
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quote:
Originally posted by Kno
fantasy novels that have werewolves, there is no such thing
Let me get this straight... You'll read books about things that don't exist in the real world, like elves, dragons, magic, flying cities, etc, but you draw the line at werewolves, because they also don't exist in the real world?  |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
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I am the Giant Space Hamster of Ill Omen! |
Edited by - Wooly Rupert on 20 Mar 2013 18:25:14 |
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What AREN'T You Reading?
