I need new books to read - help!!!

[Caline]

I guess compared to all of you guys I'm a complete newbie to the whole fantasy thing. Fantasy has been basically the only genre I ever want to read, but I'm not so good at picking new books, most likely because I'm so picky . I like a specific kind of book and thats about all I'll read. Can you guys give me recomendations on what I might like?
It really needs to be a series, one of those epic ones that have nothing to do with Earth. My favorite books are Lord of the Rings (of course), The Wheel of Time by Robert Jordon, and His Dark Materials by Phillip Pullman. I'm also about halfway through with The Sword of Truth but I have mixed feelings about it. At first I completely hated it, but I had to keep reading more books because I wanted to know what happened. I've come to like it but I still don't care for the sadistic element with the vivid descriptions of torture and rape.
I like the Xanth series, but their more filler books, I can't really handle that many puns
As mentioned above I completely adore The Wheel of Time, I honestly don't find a single thing wrong with them. I've read people reviews who said that the last couple of books are slow and just fillers, I loved every book and am eagerly awaiting the next one (a year is too long)
I don't like those female power books but I also don't like the male domination books.
I know that I am very picky but you guys seem like the type of people who could help me
Thank you sooooo much

 

[dele]

My favourite fantasy book is Tailchaser's Song by Tad Williams. A real treasure to anyone who likes cats, but please don't be discouraged if you don't.

 

[Caline]

Cats?? Whats it about?

 

[dele]

Here's Amazon's review. And here is what Tad Williams has to say about it.

 

[Bountyhunter]

Try the Dark Elf Trilogy, by R.A. Salvatore. I heard he's the king of fantasy books. And the Dark Elf Trilogy is supposed to be one of his best. Good luck

 

[VTChEwbecca]

My favourite fantasy book is Tailchaser's Song by Tad Williams. A real treasure to anyone who likes cats, but please don't be discouraged if you don't.

Well, you sparked my interest. Especially with what Tad Williams had to say about his book. Interesting premise...and I am a cat person

 

[fluffy bunny]

His Dark Materials by Phillip Pullman

Nice one, though I wouldn't say the last 2 books were as good as the 1st one.

I've come to like it but I still don't care for the sadistic element with the vivid descriptions of torture and rape.

I also don't like the male domination books.

So I guess you may not like GRRM's 'A Song of Ice and fire's' male dominated approach. Book 1's called A Game of thrones.

Have a gander at some of Hobb's work as she empahsises characterisation. Most people start with the Farseer series (starts with Assassin's Apprentice).

A number of Tolkein graduates turn to Feist's Magician.

As for Pullman fans, try Nix's Sabriel.

 

[Wabbit]

I second Magician!

 

[Cathy C]

Try the new Kevin J. Anderson series (not so much fantasy as science fiction, but VERY good). It's the "Saga of Seven Suns" series. The first is Hidden Empire, the second A Forest of Stars, and the latest one is Horizon Storms. There will be seven total. The critics are comparing it to Dune (which I also recommend for a sweeping epic) and the Illiad. Here's the link to Amazon to read about the first book, Hidden Empire. It's not heavy on characterization, but is just a fun escapist read!

Enjoy!

Cathy

 

[mr_michel]

so when do you say new, do you mean like published in the last 5 years, or do you mean new because you havent heard of them (probably because were published in the 50's or 60's for example)

 

[Caline]

Thanks so much for all your great recomendations Now I'll actually have something to read for the next couple of months with all these new series.

Nice one, though I wouldn't say the last 2 books were as good as the 1st one.

Oh I agree, I havn't read them for awhile but the middle book was kinda dry.

So I guess you may not like GRRM's 'A Song of Ice and fire's' male dominated approach. Book 1's called A Game of thrones.

Hmmm, I bought A game of thrones a week ago after reading absolutely no bad reviews of it. I still havn't read it yet though. Is it really that male dominated? I was more talking about women are just sex slaves type of male domination.

 

[BlackSpider]

Since we share a love for Tolkien and Wheel of Time, I think I could recommend a new favorite of mine: Sean Russell's Swan's War trilogy.

The One Kingdom (the first in the series) begins the tale of an ongoing feud between 2 royal houses--which closely parallels the blood-soaked history of the old kingdom. Magic, swordplay, treachery, love, ... it's got it all. Also, it's based on Celtic mythology (a refreshing change of pace!). I personally think Russell is a master storyteller; the conversations between characters seems as authentic as Tolkien or Card. And he knows how to reveal the plot bit by bit! It's really an awesome, awesome story, but I don't think many here have read it.

 

[liv]

Juliet Marillier - The Sevenwaters Trilogy
Anything by David Eddings
Jaqueline Carey - Kushiel's Legend Trilogy
Most Neil Gaiman books
Elizabeth Haydon - Symphony of the Ages Trilogy
Some Anne McCaffery books
That's all I can think of for the moment. Give me time, and I'll come up with more.

 

[GreenMonkey]

To a fantasy newbie, I would recommend these books. Most of this spring into series, but you should read one to see how you feel on it

Raymond Fiest's Magician (sometimes two books, apprentice and master, sometimes 1 combo book)

David Eddings Belgariad/Mallorean (although his writing has gone downhill/predictable lately)

R.A. Salvatore's Dark Elf books (Starting with Dark Elf Trilogy - Homeland, Sojourn, Exile)

Terry Brooks Sword of Shannarra (highly Lord of the Rings influences, but later books take off in a different direction)


Personally I love Robin Hobb's Farseer trilogy and other books - they stand in my top 10 for sure, but I hated the ending when I was younger/less well-read (high school).

 

[Prolixic]

Fairetale? by Feist is a good one. I also like Joel Rosenberg's Guardians of the Flame series--which has just come out in omnibus editions from Baen. Zelazny's Amber is good, thats one of my favorites, and Andre Norton has some pretty good Fantasy stuff too in addition to her SF works. I've finally broken down and got a subscription to Fantasy and Science Fiction Magazine for good stories, but also because they have some pretty good book review sections.

 

[LuciaB]

Since I also love Wheel of Time and Lord of the Rings, you might enjoy some of my very favourites number one fantasy authors:

Marion Zimmer Bradley, Morgan Llywelyn, Robin Hobb, Terry Brooks, Juliet Marillier, Janny Wurtz.

Also David Eddings if you haven't read him yet: starting from the Belgariad, then the Mallorean - some great and very funny characterizations.

 

[Drizzt Do'Urden]

I would STRONGLY recommend Salvatores "Homeland".

P.S.: Don't mean to sound obsessed or anything (However much I may be, I deny it) but the books in the Dark Elf Trilogy, aka the begining to the Legend of Drizzt is Homeland, Exile, Sojourn (Its awesome Salvatores making all his Drizzt works Hard Cover and putting them in Chronological order.)

 

[Will Parry]

Originally Posted by fluffy bunny
Nice one, though I wouldn't say the last 2 books were as good as the 1st one.

I've noticed a lot of people dont like the 2nd two books of the His Dark Materials trilogy. I thought they were just as good as the 1st and they kept me eager for more. I wish there was another book to His Dark Materials.