Abercrombie vs Lynch vs Rothfuss

[biodroid]

These three authors seem to feature quite a lot with the New Wave Of Fantasy (NWOF - to coin a new acronym) to hit our shelves er Kindles

I have read the first 2 Books in the First Law trilogy and put Name of the Wind on ice for now. i am really enjoying The Lies of Locke Lamora so far.

What are the comparisons between the 3 authors, besides the great writing. I know Joe Abercrombie is character driven but still focuses on the heroic fantasy aspect without detracting from the grit and story. Rothfuss I found very fluid and lyrical but was put off by some reviews that mention the story almost takes a back stage and focusses on the character. Lynch to me seems more fun with good dialogue and good pacing with a good story.

I want to carry on with Rothfuss's books but not sure what to expect. Lynch and Abercrombies books I will definitely use up battery power to get thru

What are your thoughts on these three great authors?

 

[Brian G Turner]

You need to read the third book in the First Law trilogy to really get a complete picture of Joe Abercrombie's storytelling - you haven't reached the punchline yet.

I think his Best Served Cold and Heroes are his best, though, and excellent pieces of fantasy fiction.

Scott Lynch I also personally enjoyed, and the third book is finally coming out later this year.

SPOILER FREE THREAD PLEASE! If anyone wants to discuss spoilers, please take it to the respective boards:

Joe Abercrombie
Scott Lynch

 

[alchemist]

I've only read one book by there three, Abercrombie's The Heroes. I can safely say it's one of the best books I've ever read.

 

[Jo Zebedee]

I'm reading The Blade Itself at the moment. I doubt if I'll read the rest of the trilogy after, it hasn't drawn me in enough. It's well written, but by and large there are only a very few epic books/series that I have truly enjoyed, and this one is in my enjoyed but didn't love pile.

Rothfuss, the size puts me off. I just know there are going to be so many characters in it and I struggle with that. Lynch, I quite fancy trying.

 

[Hex]

I loved Abercrombie's First Law trilogy -- the characters were wonderful, clever and unexpected and I really cared about them. I'm still kind of in love with Logen. I like the circularities Abercrombie uses on all sorts of levels. So, for example, phrases appear and reappear in different characters' sections.

For me, though, his stuff is a bit grim -- I was very impressed by the books but I found them traumatic as well, which is why I haven't dashed out to get the next ones (because, yes, I am a wuss). To put this in context -- I can't read GRRM at all.

I've tried The Lies of Locke Lamora three or four times and I haven't been able to make the switch from the prologue to the main part of the book yet. I find this really frustrating because I've heard such good things about it. I'll try again.

I loved Name of the Wind. I wasn't aware of the story being played down but then I was totally engaged by the writing and the characters. It didn't -- for me -- have the clear structure that Abercrombie's stuff did, but most books don't so that's hardly a disadvantage.

EDIT: springs -- Rothfuss isn't like that, I promise. There aren't a gazillion characters to follow. There's only one POV.

 

[Brian G Turner]

I've tried The Lies of Locke Lamora three or four times and I haven't been able to make the switch from the prologue to the main part of the book yet.

My g/f hated the beginning. She complained that there was no emotional engagement.

 

[HoopyFrood]

It does feel like Lynch may have shot himself in the foot a little with the beginning because I know a lot of people -- myself included -- who took a while to properly get into it. I think you can appreciate it a little more on the second read, once you know what comes after and you don't feel as impatient.

Once past the first few dozen pages, though, it's awesome.

 

[nixie]

I'm a fan off all three although I've only read Name of the Wind by Rothfuss it was entertaining enough to make me want more. Lynch I find funny but vicious. Abercrombie is by far my favourite, Best Served Cold and Heroes are amazing. Red Country I enjoyed but there was some little things that annoyed me slightly.

 

[Lady of Winterfell]

I've read Rothfuss (The Name of the Wind, The Wise Man's Fear) and Lynch (The Lies of Locke Lamora, Red Seas under Red Skies) and loved them both. I haven't picked up Abercrombie yet, although I plan too.

For Lynch, I just love Locke and Jean and the dialogue of the books. They are lots of fun in an Ocean's 11 kind of way. I plan to buy the next one the day it comes out in October.

For Rothfuss, I love the story. As Hex said, the size shouldn't put you off if you're worried about too many characters. The narrative follows Kvothe and his story, so you definitely won't be overwhelmed by too many characters.

I would recommend both.

 

[biodroid]

Thanks everyone!

 

[Heather Myst]

My opinion is a little different. The Rothfuss books are very good but I think Abercrombie's Best Served Cold is my favorite. The First Law trilogy was very good too but the Abercrombie books are for fans of darker fantasy. I am very excited to see how Rothfuss ends his series.

I loved The Lies of Locke Lamora but i was disappointed by the follow up Red Seas Under Red Skies. I'm hoping he gets back on track with volume three.

Bottom line is you really can't go wrong with any of these books.

 

[thaddeus6th]

I've read all Abercrombie's novels, both of Lynch's and none of Rothfuss'.

I really liked all that I've read, particularly Red Country and The Lies of Locke Lamora. I keep meaning to get around to Rothfuss... but haven't yet.

Perhaps The Lies of Locke Lamora is my favourite. Like many others, I found the start a bit slow, but the plot and characters are fantastic.

 

[Moggle]

There's no doubt all three authors can write, they're just not very good storytellers. Rothfuss actually starts off very well with his first book, and disappoints horribly with his second. There are authors out there who may not be great writers, but they know how to tell a story. I prefer the latter.

 

[Boneman]

There's no doubt all three authors can write, they're just not very good storytellers. Rothfuss actually starts off very well with his first book, and disappoints horribly with his second. There are authors out there who may not be great writers, but they know how to tell a story. I prefer the latter.

Actually, I was about to post saying what great storytellers Rothfuss and Abercrombie are... (not read Lynch yet). Rothfuss' s attention to worldbuilding detail, while allowing the characters' stories to unfold, is brilliant, (if slowly done) and Abercrombie's handling of so many characters and making them all absorbing is a marvel. I guess I've just said that I'm looking at character-driven stories, rather than event-driven.

 

[Hex]

There's no doubt all three authors can write, they're just not very good storytellers. Rothfuss actually starts off very well with his first book, and disappoints horribly with his second. There are authors out there who may not be great writers, but they know how to tell a story. I prefer the latter.

I've been saving The Wise Man's Fear so I can't comment... soon I will let myself read it, soon... So, leaving Rothfuss aside (and Lynch since I still haven't read him):

I'm interested in what you mean, Moggle. I'd have said Abercrombie was a very good storyteller so we must be using different definitions. I'd love an example of an author who knows how to tell a story.

 

[Bugg]

I've only read one book by there three, Abercrombie's The Heroes. I can safely say it's one of the best books I've ever read.

Same here. Alongside Ken Grimwood's Replay, The Heroes was my favourite read of last year, and I still think about it all these months later

The Lies of Locke Lamora has been sitting on my shelf unread for 3 or 4 years, but has jumped up to the top of the TBR pile based on the news of the third book's upcoming publication, and this thread

 

[Rolynd]

There's no doubt all three authors can write, they're just not very good storytellers. Rothfuss actually starts off very well with his first book, and disappoints horribly with his second. There are authors out there who may not be great writers, but they know how to tell a story. I prefer the latter.

Don't get this...have you got an example of someone you think is a good storyteller? For me a good story is everything from how well the characters are realised to are building sense of excitement and events coming together, keeping your attention and at its most basic keeping you turning the pages. All 3 authors tick all these boxes as far as I'm concerned.

 

[williamjm]

I think they're all good authors. I've liked all of Abercrombie's books so far, I think he might be the best of the three authors, particularly since he's manage to write in a variety of different sub-genres. I really liked "The Lies of Locke Lamora", I enjoyed the sequel but thought it wasn't as good, I'm looking forward to the third book later this year and hopefully it'll be as good as Lies.

I think Rothfuss has the ability to write a great fantasy series, but I'm not yet convinced that his current series is going to be it. I think my opinion of the series might depend a lot on how the final book turns out, so far I've enjoyed reading the first two books but the story has meandered a bit too much and the slow pace of plot progression can be a bit frustrating.

I'm reading The Blade Itself at the moment. I doubt if I'll read the rest of the trilogy after, it hasn't drawn me in enough. It's well written, but by and large there are only a very few epic books/series that I have truly enjoyed, and this one is in my enjoyed but didn't love pile.

I like the First Law series a lot, but I thought the first book was a bit slow to begin with and didn't really become compelling until near the end of the book. I think the second and third books improve a lot on it, the general consensus does seem to be that the series gets better as it goes along.

Rothfuss, the size puts me off. I just know there are going to be so many characters in it and I struggle with that. Lynch, I quite fancy trying.

Aside from the framing story Rothfuss' series is told entirely from the main character's perspective and by epic fantasy standards it doesn't have a particularly large cast so I don't think the number of characters should be too much of a concern.

 

[Mr Fraaz]

I've read both of Rothfuss' books and the first and parts of the second First law book. I liked both authors, but prefer Abercrombie.

Both of Rothfuss' books left me with a feeling of being full, while First Law made me hungry for more! I took several months between Name of the Wind and Wise Man's Fear. In comparison, I started reading Before They are Hanged the day after I finished The Blade Itself.

 

[Jo Zebedee]

I think they're all good authors. I've liked all of Abercrombie's books so far, I think he might be the best of the three authors, particularly since he's manage to write in a variety of different sub-genres. I really liked "The Lies of Locke Lamora", I enjoyed the sequel but thought it wasn't as good, I'm looking forward to the third book later this year and hopefully it'll be as good as Lies.

I think Rothfuss has the ability to write a great fantasy series, but I'm not yet convinced that his current series is going to be it. I think my opinion of the series might depend a lot on how the final book turns out, so far I've enjoyed reading the first two books but the story has meandered a bit too much and the slow pace of plot progression can be a bit frustrating.



I like the First Law series a lot, but I thought the first book was a bit slow to begin with and didn't really become compelling until near the end of the book. I think the second and third books improve a lot on it, the general consensus does seem to be that the series gets better as it goes along.



Aside from the framing story Rothfuss' series is told entirely from the main character's perspective and by epic fantasy standards it doesn't have a particularly large cast so I don't think the number of characters should be too much of a concern.

William, many thanks for the info. I have just finished The Blade Itself. It was fine, and if I saw the next in the library I would pick it up. But, it didn't set my word on fire - nor did the ending - enough to seek out the next.

So, given I do struggle with epic as a genre - despite reading a lot over the years, sure I might enjoy this one more... - I still have doubts about Rothfuss. However, I will order The Name of the Wind from the library at some point, and maybe it will be the one. i hope so!