I need a new series to read

[The Imp]

I'm at the very end of AFFC, maybe 20/24 CDs into the book. This is my second reading of the series. I had wanted to start another series rather than do a second reading of ASOIAF but I thought that refreshing my memory on details, events, characters, plot lines, etc. before ADWD came out would be a good idea. SIgn.

So I need something new to read, and I have a few criteria.

The author must be world class. I don't have time to read garbage. My definition of world class is someone who is both a great writer AND a great story/ The only only author that I've read that compares to Martin is King. I like long, verbose, descriptive books that have complicated, or at least unpredictable plots.

The potential series must be complete, or as close to complete as you can get. I refuse to start another series in the middle, it's too damn frustrating.

The genre should be fantasy, sci fi or a combination, with fantasy preferred.

One of the reasons I like GRRM's stuff is because of the "adult" themes. Not sex necessarily, but stuff you wouldn't want kids to read. I like characters and what happens to them to be real, and bad things happen to good characters, at least at times.

Whatever I read must be available in some audio format. I perfectly willing to buy books or whatever.

One thing I have in mind is The Wheel of TIme.

SO have at it. Turn this into a 'favorite" series thread if you like I eagerly await your recommendations.

 

[Charming Serpent]

Hmmm .....
WoT was good up until the middle of the series.

Enders Game was a good as a stand alone book. They eventually made a series out of it, but Orson Scott Card said that though the later series books is what he originally envisioned , that Enders Game should be viewed as a lone book.

Been over ten years since I read Dragonlance novels, Terry Goodkind, or the Shannara books. U could try any of those, but I can't vouch for them since its been too long.

Oh, u can read the "prequel" to ASoIaF by reading the novellas The Hedge Knight and the Sworn Sword. Maester Aemon is younger than me in those books.

 

[The Imp]

Hmmm .....
WoT was good up until the middle of the series.

Enders Game was a good as a stand alone book. They eventually made a series out of it, but Orson Scott Card said that though the later series books is what he originally envisioned , that Enders Game should be viewed as a lone book.

Been over ten years since I read Dragonlance novels, Terry Goodkind, or the Shannara books. U could try any of those, but I can't vouch for them since its been too long.

Oh, u can read the "prequel" to ASoIaF by reading the novellas The Hedge Knight and the Sworn Sword. Maester Aemon is younger than me in those books.

I actually just got the GRRM short story collection that contains The Hedge Knight (Dreamsongs Vol 3) and will listen to that after I finish AFFC.

 

[Boaz]

Let me get this straight... you need a series that is complete and features a great writer, great story, unpredictable plots, sci-fi and fantasy elements, is very descriptive, and is adult in nature. Well, that's not much to ask is it?

Of course, I have just the answer. Ilium and Olympos by Dan Simmons. This tale is the most ambitious endeavor I've ever read. Simmons mines the depths of the Trojan War, the love sonnets of Shakespeare, the philosophy of Proust, the possibilities of quantum theory, the future of humanity, the geography of Mars, the rights and responsibilities of societies, and what it means to be a man... against a backdrop of the genocide of Israel, alien gods, Odysseus six thousand years in the future, and little green men. This story will keep you guessing as to what's going on, will keep you cheering on Odysseus, will keep you hating Zeus, will keep you researching Marcel Proust, and keep you raging against oppression. I thought it was brilliant.

One last thing... the inside cover of my mass paperback has this quote...

"I am in awe of Dan Simmons." - Stephen King

Now I must give an obligatory shout out to Shogun by James Clavell. When Aegon the Unworthy was in here all the time, it became a running joke how I'd suggest this to everyone who asked for something similar to ASOIAF. Anyway, it's not a series, just one book. But if the political machinations of ASOIAF get you fired up, then Shogun should be up your alley. It's historical fiction (emphasis on fiction).

I first read it when I was sixteen, I loved it. Aegon was not as nearly impressed when he read it last year. Shogun ended too quickly for me... ASOIAF is what I always wanted Shogun to be.

 

[Clansman]

Imp, if you want fantasy, that has writing that is great, huge verbose books, complicated plots and twists that turn you inside out: Janny Wurts' Wars of Light and Shadow. You have eight massive volumes to plow through, and the ninth will be out in 2010 for sure, and perhaps earlier. The plots are complex and very surprising, there are lots of POVs, but the story does not bog down (a la Jordan's WoT). The critics of Wurts complain of her verbosity, but that is precisely what I like. She also does not waste a single scene. They all have a purpose, which you find out as you go along.

The likes of Dragonlance, Shannara etc. do not stand up to Martin. Wurts does. You could also try Steven Erikson (who is even darker than Martin, imo). Martin, Wurts and Erikson, imo, are in their own league when it comes to complex, well written epic fantasy. Wurts provides a bit more balance between dark and light (just look at the title) than does Martin and Erikson. But they all have big, fat complex series that are a joy to read if you love the written word, and love fantasy.

You also might give Guy Gavriel Kay's books a go, but most of them tend to be stand alone novels, though set in the same general universe (an alternate earth).

From your description, Wurts, and possibly Erikson, are exactly what you are looking for. As I note you are in Mass., The Wars of Light and Shadow is being re-released in North America next year, starting in May with the first book. Until then, you'll have to look in second hand stores for the volumes. Check out this link for a bibliography of the series: http://www.sffchronicles.co.uk/forum/44333-janny-wurts-publications-list.html

To get a taste of her style, I recommend you try the one-shot novel, To Ride Hell's Chasm, which you can find at a second hand shop, and which is being re-released in August 2009.

 

[Shacklock]

eeeerm *ponder* Not quite Martin style but anything by David Gemmel is great, very different style though.

 

[The Imp]

Keep the suggestions coming Wars of Light and Shgadow, Ilium and Olympos do not see available as audiobooks, unfortunately

 

[Eulalia]

Jaqueline Carey's Kushiel series is good, but it is definitely for those over 18.
The alternative world takes its motto "Love as Thou Wilt" very seriously.

I second Guy Gavriel Kay.

Harry Harrison has some very good books. I liked West of Eden. (premise is what if dinosaurs had evolved alongside humans, and were more advanced) There was a good book based on the idea "what if the Spanish Armada had conquered England"--forget the title.

If you haven't read some classics such as Frankenstein, The Time Machine or Gulliver's Travels, they might work for you. Depends on your tolerance for verbosity!

 

[Bazza]

Does it have to be a book? Because Lost is exactly what you described. It restored my faith in quality tv shows. It has incredible character depth and a complex plot filled with multiple layers.

 

[Charming Serpent]

Tad Williams anyone?

 

[The Imp]

Does it have to be a book? Because Lost is exactly what you described. It restored my faith in quality tv shows. It has incredible character depth and a complex plot filled with multiple layers.

I had to give up my driver's license a few years ago, and I live in a fairly rural area of Massachusetts. I take the bus a lot to get where I need to go and being able to listen to a good book while traveling really saves my sanity. I've heard good things about Lost though, and should try watching it. Thanks

 

[Eulalia]

Oh, I forgot, Gormenghast is very atmospheric!

 

[slik_rik]

Maybe you should put Lost and other TV shows on your iPod.
I would advise buy ingthe dvds for lost because there is a lot of information given in the fist two seasons with a lack of answers and it is no until season three that you really begin to feel rewarded for your viewing. It like SOIF as you have to wait so long for answers (although GRRM wipes the floor with Lindeloff and Cuse). However once you get to season 3 and 4 you realise it is one of the best TV shows ever produced

sorry that was slightly off topic

back on topic -Ian Fleming's James Bond books "...'nuff said"

 

[Shacklock]

Does it have to be a book? Because Lost is exactly what you described. It restored my faith in quality tv shows. It has incredible character depth and a complex plot filled with multiple layers.

Oh god yes. Lost is to TV everything that Martins is to Books, shocking deaths, complex plot, weird twists etc.

 

[soulsinging]

Oh god yes. Lost is to TV everything that Martins is to Books, shocking deaths, complex plot, weird twists etc.

I've always thought the Wire was to tv what Martin is to fantasy. It's very gritty and realistic. Death comes suddenly and without warning. The good guys rarely win and are up against enormous odds. People scheme and stab each other in the back for their own political gain. It is truly an amazing show.

And that helped no one.

As to book recommendations, Scott Lynch comes to mind. His books stand alone I think, which is not quite the same as a series. But they are long, descriptive, with convoluted plots and adult themes and language. Very fun, and a fascinating fantasy world. There are 2 books so far.

 

[murphy]

There's always Jim Butcher's Harry Dresden series. Each book is a stand alone, but you should start at the beginning, because they build on each other. The first book is Storm Front, but each book gets better and better. There are 11 out in the series so far and they are very addictive. And I checked, and there are compact disks of the series out.

Also, I second the recommendations for Erikson and Wurts, and you might try the Empire series written by Wurts and Feist. They are Daughter of the Empire, Servant of the Empire and Mistress of the Empire.

 

[The Imp]

Since we've gotten into TV a bit I'll recommend to you guys Fringe. Very original and very well done. The show it reminds me of most is The X Files

 

[kauldron26]

as much as i love martin, personally im of the opinion that farseer/tawny man by robin hobb and A crown of stars by kate elliott are far far far superior to asoiaf

 

[Gambit]

Interesting, I was thinking of requesting Farseer as a christmas gift, I think you've pretty much made up my mind. Thanks

 

[Bazza]

While I feel bad for hijacking your thread...

Since we've gotten into TV a bit I'll recommend to you guys Fringe. Very original and very well done. The show it reminds me of most is The X Files

I felt I should add that the creator of Fringe, JJ Abrams, also was the creator of Lost.

As for books I haven't found any equal to ASOIAF, however I would second Ender's Game, it was very good and had an unexpected ending. I have not read the sequels however.

Raymond Feist would satisfy half your criteria I would say. Not as descriptive as GRRM and more mainstream fantasy, but I really like the world it described, and fell in love with the characters.