Now who do i read!?

[Connavar]

I know this is from a few months ago, but I seriously am looking for some other books I can read that keep me as entertained as Gemmel as well. I have read Martin, Card, Salvatore, Eddings, Brooks and tried to read Robert Jordan.

I have read all of Gemmells books.

GRRM - Only read the songs of Ice and Fire series and am awaiting more form him, but he seems to bumble about on other stuff.

As for Card - Enders Game was awesome and I liked Enders Shadow, but anything after that does not seem that interesting to me.

Salvatores Icewind Dale and Dark Elf Trilogy were great, but any after those I got bored with.

Eddings turned to crap when he started writing with his wife.....my opinion.

I have read most of Terry Brooks and don't mind most of his stuff. I am still in the middle of Armaggedons Children.

And I just can't get into Robert Jordan books.

Any other suggestons would be great

I would recommend Tim Powers he doesnt write the same type fantasy as Gemmell but he has great characters,humor,stories.

The Drawing of The Dark i would recommend.


I recommend too

The Dying Earth Tales by Jack Vance
Conan stories by Robert E Howard
A Princess of Mars by Edgar Rice Burroughs
Dune by Frank Herbert
Knight of The Swords by Michael Moorcock
Night watch by Sergie Lynanenko
Storm Front by Jim Butcher

 

[Joel007]

Having read Salvatore, Feist, and a bit of Eddings, I've started reading David Gemmel's Legend, and I'm enjoying it immensely

 

[Connavar]

After Salvatore,Eddings you would enjoy anything good immensely

 

[Joel007]

Well I've also read Brian Lumley, Ian Irvine, Terry Pratchett, Jasper Fforde and quite a few others recently. I've always enjoyed a well written book regardless of the setting, I'm just going through a fantasy phase at the moment

 

[Connavar]

Heh im off the fantasy phase totaly now.

Even Gemmell who is my favorit in any genre i cant read right now cause im on a crime/noir phase.


I plan to get back with Gemmell's Waylander as soon im off my current phase.

 

[Fralin]

I only glanced through quickly so if this was already suggested i apologize.
The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss is spectacular. Its the only book Rothfuss has published but the second one is due out in 2009. It's well worth reading. If you want to read whats on the inside cover go to Patrick Rothfuss's oficial website (just type his name into google, its the first site. I'd have put a link but i don't have enough posts yet) I have read a plethora of books from every genre and this is the best book i've ever read

 

[sn1gle]

Thanks for all the suggestions to date - had a go at Robert Jordan and while i have found Wheel of Time a bit slow in the build up so far - it is original and am enjoying it - could be just part of setting the characters up

Conn - if you are into crime you gotta try Robert Crais - best at it at the moment in my humble opinion

 

[Joel007]

I'm reading Waylander now! After drying the coke off it first...

 

[Connavar]

Thanks for all the suggestions to date - had a go at Robert Jordan and while i have found Wheel of Time a bit slow in the build up so far - it is original and am enjoying it - could be just part of setting the characters up

Conn - if you are into crime you gotta try Robert Crais - best at it at the moment in my humble opinion

I have read him, he isnt near my favorit modern crime writer.


I prefer Michael Connelly most of modern crime writers. Dennis Lehane is my second fav.

 

[sn1gle]

Conn - Connelly is probably the better writer but i just like Crais style - did you know that in a few books Harry Bosch appears briefly as an unamed character? (Connelly does the same thing with some of Crais' characters as well)

In passing if you are ever short for a crime/thriller style book you could do worse than try Gavin Lyall - writer from mainly 60s/70s - my all time fave writer...no sorry remember where i am...my 2nd all time favourite.

Oh well back to the seemingly endless Wheel of Time...(serious number of pages in and not much happened yet - if it had been Gemmell can't help feeling several of the characters would have been deservingly butchered by now...can't shake the feeling this is going to be like David Eddings but longer)

 

[steve bolger]

absolutely agree with steven erickson.you might also try ian.c.esslemont who writes about the same world (malazan empire) as erickson. feist is also worth alook as is r scott bakker

 

[Connavar]

I'm reading Waylander now! After drying the coke off it first...

Is it the first time you read Waylander ?

Im gonna read it for the first time soon as im done with Tim Powers Declare.


Im very excited about reading Gemmell and one of his most famous heroes.

 

[Joel007]

I've finished Waylander now (for the first time). I enjoyed it immensely the best Gemmel book I've read yet, excellent "hero".

 

[Connavar]

I've finished Waylander now (for the first time). I enjoyed it immensely the best Gemmel book I've read yet, excellent "hero".

I have read 91 pages so far and dig it. Its Gemmell at his best like other Drenai books,Shannow,Rigante.

About Waylander when i heard about his past life "atleast you had a happy life once"

Thought about my favorit Shannow who is similar to Waylander but life was hard to him from day 1.

 

[Jimcalagon]

Just to add a few of my fav books,
Bernard cornwell the Lords of the North/ Utred Books and the Arthur trilogy.

I haven't read the Arthur Trilogy but the Uhtred books reminded me very much of Gemmell's works.

Also try and pick up the excellent "The Hammer And The Cross" by Harry Harrison (aided by Prof.Tom Shippey under the pseudonym John Holm). A retelling of the viking invasion of England in 865/866 which rapidly departs from our history due to the actions of the central character, Shef, an ex-slave, egged on by various Norse Gods. Great stuff and also not a million miles away from Gemmell's work. There are two sequels which aren't quite as good but interesting nontheless.

 

[Rabain]

If you want to read epic fantasy try some of Janny Wurts works.

The Cycle of Fire is excellent though can be longwinded at times (though not so much as GRRM).

Her writings with Fiest are good once you get into them.

She excels in her standalone books: The Master of Whitestorm. The Sorcerors Legacy are both very good.

Avoid her Alliance of Light series unless you like long drawn out storylines.

Finally 'To Ride Hells Chasm' is possibly one of the best fantasy books I've read in the past 10 years (and i've read dozens if not hundreds). Granted the name could be better but its a gem. Its a world that just springs to life in the first 20 pages, I wish she'd do more in that world.

 

[djellibeybi]

you guys could try Robert Low's The Whale Road. It's not fantasy, well...it's historical fantasy, and his style is similar (I say similar, but no one can ever come close to DG) in that it's fast paced, action filled, chockful of fight scenes type (like DG).
Also, more historical fantasy goodness...read Bernard Cornwell's Archer, Grail and Uthred series. They're all good stuff, lots of battle scenes and great stories.
Another writer you might wanna try is mathew woodring stover's Caine series, Heroes Die and Blade of Tyshalle...it's ANTI-heroic fantasy, part sci-fi part fantasy, about a futuristic world who finds a parallel medieval world, and sends 'actors' into it to play out heroic/villainous roles to entertain ppl back on earth. The fighting is excellent, visceral and bloody, and you will love the hero, er...anti-hero, Caine.

 

[bedderbay]

read the novice trilogy, by Trudi, but what are the others like? really enjoyed the 1st 3 books. I also read the entire terry goodkind series, which I loved - but he does tend to go on in some of the books....likes to preach, and also go over a lot of past history...very good though not heroic fantasy

 

[sn1gle]

Had a go at a couple of historical 'fantasy' Conn Igguldens Emperor: The Gates of Rome about a young julius ceasar. Not too bad with plenty of action but little fantasy (a very small amount of what could be described as magic) although a very gritty surgical removal of an arm (ughh!)
Also read my first Bernard Cornwell book - Harlequin (part 1 of 3 in a grail quest trilogy). Very impressed and excellent battles although again no magic at all.

 

[GPRx3]

Definately go for Conn Iggulden. I read all his Emperor books and have started his Genghis Khan novels now... Ace!
If only he would do some heroic fantasy...