Help! I'm suffering from Eddings withdrawel symptoms and need another good series!

[Ignis]

Hi,

I just finished re-re-reading the Mallorean by Eddings, and need another good fantasy series to stop me from reading it again! Can anyone recommend an enjoyable series of fantasy books with:

1) An interesting world/idea
2) Developed characters and with engaging character interactions.

I have my fingers crossed at arthritic angles, in hope that I find something soon!

Thanks very much,
Ignis.

 

[Brys]

That opens up a huge array of books - have you checked the stickied recommendations thread? There are lots of good books in there. Strangely enough though, I don't think Eddings has either of those two characteristics you want (interesting world/developed characters).

The best three epic fantasy authors at the moment IMO are Steven Erikson, R Scott Bakker and George RR Martin.

 

[murphy]

How about Robin Hobb? Start with Assassin's Apprentice, then Royal Assassin, followed by Assassin's Quest. There are two more trilogies in this series that are also very good, but this should get you started.

 

[Thunderchild]

Try Greg bears 'songs of earth and power' - its back ground weaves through current and old religions and tells a story of an ancient war between the Humans, Caldar(avians) and Sidhe(fairys).

its not well know but I always get stuck on it.

 

[elvet]

I second Robin Hobb. I read Liveships Trilogy first, then Farseer and Tawny Man. If you like her writing, there are 9 books in total . I suffered withdrawal when I was done. I have Eddings The Belgariad yet to read, so I'm looking forward to it.

 

[Rane Longfox]

Withdrawal from Eddings? God help you...

 

[Adasunshine]

Pay no notice... I loved The Belgariad and The Mallorean!

I would also recommend Hobb's but I read them in order which is Farseer, Liveships then Tawny Man! I couldn't imagine reading them in any other order than that but that's just me so take no notice!

Other than that a good trilogy I would recommend is Magician, Silverthorn & Darkness At Sethanon by Raymond E. Feist. Excellent set of books, Magician especially so!

xx

 

[Jason_Taverner]

just read Steven Erikson you'll be sorted become a convert

 

[Rane Longfox]

Selected highlights of fantasy authors better than Eddings:

"The Big Three": Steven Erikson, George RR Martin, R Scott Bakker
Others: JV Jones, Jeff Vandermeer, China Mieville, Tad Williams, Kate Elliott, Guy Gavirel Kay, Paul Kearney, Tim Powers, Hal Duncan, Steph Swainston, Jack Vance, Neil Gaiman...

Well, the list goes on and on, and thats just fantasy, not sci-fi

 

[Brys]

Going straight from Eddings to Mieville would be quite a change.

The Big Three are epic fantasy, so they're probably the best place to start, but those I've read in Rane's list are all excellent.

 

[Chimeco]

If you want EDDINGS all over again, try Raymond Feists Riftwar saga. Feist paints similar archetypes as eddings canvas "crack cocaine of heroic fantasy" work, to quote. I really enjoyed the Riftwar saga and thought it a little more grainier than the "holier than thou" of eddings when i read them. You could also try Terry Brooks, for a more comedial approach of similar tone.

happless, unintended, reflective rant:

I myself was once an Eddings'ite. He introduced to me Belgarion and Polgara and elevated my Xanth besotted awareness of fantasy to new and epic levels. My tastes have since outgrown his altruistic archetypes but they left with me some defining qualities, and morals that had actually ingrained themselves into me as a kid and have since stayed to adulthood. Funny where you find character and role model these days. Although I'm much more of a Stover'ite today (another shameless plug for Matthew Stover!).

 

[Jay]

Re: Help! I'm suffering from Eddings withdrawel symptoms and need another good series

Although I'm much more of a Stover'ite today (another shameless plug for Matthew Stover!).

Certainly nothing wrong with having quality taste.

 

[The Ace]

Why not try the fantasy bible ? "Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkein, or the Chronicles of Narnia ? Or Susan Cooper's Dark is Rising series. The last two are supposedly for children, but read them with an open mind. Even Conan THe Barbarian has his moments.

 

[GOLLUM]

Why not try the fantasy bible ? "Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkein, or the Chronicles of Narnia ? Or Susan Cooper's Dark is Rising series. The last two are supposedly for children, but read them with an open mind. Even Conan THe Barbarian has his moments.

Which Conan are you referring to? I'm a big Conan fan but then I'm referring to the originals by Robert E. Howard of pulp fiction fame 1930s style a.k.a. Father of Modern S&S.

 

[Dianora]

If you haven't read The Fionavar Tapestry by Guy Gavriel Kay, you'd better git yer butt out and get it... series of 3. While you're at it, just pick up all of his stuff. Talk about addicted... Kay is the best kept secret in fantasy literature.

 

[GOLLUM]

If you haven't read The Fionavar Tapestry by Guy Gavriel Kay, you'd better git yer butt out and get it... series of 3. While you're at it, just pick up all of his stuff. Talk about addicted... Kay is the best kept secret in fantasy literature.

Actually I'd have to say Ricardo Pinto and Paul Kearney (until more recently) are even more underrated to name 2 wonderful authors of the Genre.

Kay is actually reasonably well known I'd have to say but you're right he's a very fine author!....

 

[hedgeknight]

Re: Help! I'm suffering from Eddings withdrawel symptoms and need another good series

I too recommend Feist's Riftwar Saga (Magician, Silverthorn, & Darkness at Sethanon), but also the following:

• Dragonlance - Margaret Weis & Tracy Hickman

1. Dragons of Autumn Twilight
2. Dragons of Winter Night
3. Dragons of Spring Dawning

• Tryants and Kings - John Marco

1. The Jackyl of Nar
2. The Grand Design
3. The Saints of the Sword

• Mordant's Need - Stephen R. Donaldson

1. The Mirror of Her Dreams
2. A Man Rides Through

• The Shannara Trilogy - Terry Brooks

1. The Sword of Shannara
2. The Elfstones of Shannara
3. The Wishsong of Shannara

• The Bartimaeus Trilogy - Jonathan Stroud

1. The Amulet of Samarkand
2. The Golem's Eye
3. Ptolemy's Gate

And some good stand alone novels:

• The Far Kingdoms - Allan Cole & Chris Bunch
• Santiago - Mike Resnick
• Thief Lord - Cornelia Funke
• The Dress Lodger - Sheri Holman (my favorite book!)

Well, that's enough to keep you busy for a few weeks.
Enjoy!
-g-