Sci-Fi and Fantasy Books
- Thread starter AtheistPreacher
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AtheistPreacher
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For those of you who are fans of George R. R. Martin's Song of Ice and Fire series, big news -- Martin has just confirmed that he is putting the finishing touches on the fifth book, and it has now been given a hard release date of July 12, 2011:
https://grrm.livejournal.com/198122.html
The first three books came out within two years of each other, while we had to wait five years after the third book for the fourth one to come out in 2005. Now it will have been almost six years from the fourth book by the time A Dance with Dragons finally hits the shelves. About time. Here's hoping he doesn't do a Robert Jordan on us and die before the series is over.
Meanwhile, the Game of Thrones HBO series is itself about six weeks away, with the series premiere set for April 17. The newest trailer is below for those interested.
https://grrm.livejournal.com/197278.html
Good times...
https://grrm.livejournal.com/198122.html
The first three books came out within two years of each other, while we had to wait five years after the third book for the fourth one to come out in 2005. Now it will have been almost six years from the fourth book by the time A Dance with Dragons finally hits the shelves. About time. Here's hoping he doesn't do a Robert Jordan on us and die before the series is over.
Meanwhile, the Game of Thrones HBO series is itself about six weeks away, with the series premiere set for April 17. The newest trailer is below for those interested.
https://grrm.livejournal.com/197278.html
Good times...
Enders Game - I loved Enders Game, and I also enjoyed the other 3-4 books in the series, and the books that followed some of the other characters from Enders Game.
Eddings - I agree with AthiestPreacher in that I enjoy the characters and their interaction much more than the plot as a whole. I found them enjoyable.
R.A. Salvatore - I love his books about Drizzt, especially the trilogy when he is in the underworld. They are chronologically the first series, but he wrote them second. What I enjoy about his style is that the battle "scenes" are well written and you can almost see them. I like the characters, and I guess I just like the premise of a character that overcomes his birth family, and sterotypes, and makes friends that see him for who he is on the inside. Ok, it's mostly for the entertaining battles.
Hickman and Weiss - My first fantasy series was theirs, and my first favorite character was Tasselhoff Burrfoot. I enjoyed their stories, the characters, and the bits of humor mixed in. I saw the same basic elements in their Dragonlance books, Rose of the Prophet series (which was a nice and different trilogy), Deathgate cycle, and the other series they co-wrote.
I read some others that didn't really catch my interest.
Recently I have read the Fablehaven series which was entertaining, and I started the series with Eragon, Eldest, and Brisingr. I like this one so far.
Mainly I enjoy a good story, it's better if the good guy wins.
I don't really enjoy the dark, graphic, or horror books.
Eddings - I agree with AthiestPreacher in that I enjoy the characters and their interaction much more than the plot as a whole. I found them enjoyable.
R.A. Salvatore - I love his books about Drizzt, especially the trilogy when he is in the underworld. They are chronologically the first series, but he wrote them second. What I enjoy about his style is that the battle "scenes" are well written and you can almost see them. I like the characters, and I guess I just like the premise of a character that overcomes his birth family, and sterotypes, and makes friends that see him for who he is on the inside. Ok, it's mostly for the entertaining battles.
Hickman and Weiss - My first fantasy series was theirs, and my first favorite character was Tasselhoff Burrfoot. I enjoyed their stories, the characters, and the bits of humor mixed in. I saw the same basic elements in their Dragonlance books, Rose of the Prophet series (which was a nice and different trilogy), Deathgate cycle, and the other series they co-wrote.
I read some others that didn't really catch my interest.
Recently I have read the Fablehaven series which was entertaining, and I started the series with Eragon, Eldest, and Brisingr. I like this one so far.
Mainly I enjoy a good story, it's better if the good guy wins.
I don't really enjoy the dark, graphic, or horror books.
LogGrad98
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I go really old school and like Edgar Rice Burroughs a lot. The original Tarzan novels for fantasy are right up there with some of the best if you ask me. If you read them you can never look at any other interpretation of Tarzan as other than crap. Also his Princess of Mars series. He wrote for serial publications at the time of the depression so the prose and action are tight and fast-moving. Easy read, but very fun. They are all public domain now and you can get them on a kindle for free.
Another of my favorites who is not so mainstream is David Brin. The Uplift series is high-level hard sci-fi. He will also expand your vocabulary.
I also loved the Dark Tower series right up to the last book. Trout and I disagree here and have discussed it already, but I thought the ending and most of he last book was a big cop-out. Ruined the series for me although I still re-read the gunslinger from time to time.
I have read the lion's share of both lists actually and own most of them. This discussion could go on and on.
Another of my favorites who is not so mainstream is David Brin. The Uplift series is high-level hard sci-fi. He will also expand your vocabulary.
I also loved the Dark Tower series right up to the last book. Trout and I disagree here and have discussed it already, but I thought the ending and most of he last book was a big cop-out. Ruined the series for me although I still re-read the gunslinger from time to time.
I have read the lion's share of both lists actually and own most of them. This discussion could go on and on.
David Brin gets two big thumbs up from me as well. Startide Rising is on my very short list for "Possible Best SF Book Ever". And The Uplift War is nearly as enjoyable. The first one in that trilogy (about the creatures in the sun, I forget the name) (and it's not really a trilogy) wasn't nearly as good. The sort-of sequels to The Uplift War (same universe, later time, but not really "sequels") were also very good, but not quite as good as Startide Rising and The Uplift War in my opinion.
Archie Moses
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If you guys get the chance, read this book. I loved it. Very dark, very entertaining, and moving.
If you read it, or plan on reading it, let me know. I would like to hear others opinions on it.
If you read it, or plan on reading it, let me know. I would like to hear others opinions on it.
fallenchicken
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A Song of Ice and Fire is my favorite book series.
fallenchicken
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I have to double post because the thought of A Dance with Dragons coming out this year makes me forget all about the Jazz!
LogGrad98
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Reaching back a ways, one of my favorite fantasy series of them all was the Riddlemaster of Hed trilogy by Patricia McKillip. Good story, characters, great magic. Covered the gamut of emotions and suspense and danger. I really wished she had gone back into that world and created other stories as there was such a rich tapestry of history and legend to draw on.
I know that, like the bulk of fantasy seems to be, it was aimed at young adults, but I re-read them recently and still found the same enjoyment. After all it is not about whether it was written for adults or children, rather whether you enjoyed and were entertained and maybe even changed a little bit by the story.
https://www.amazon.com/Riddlemaster-Hed-Patricia-McKillip/dp/0345331044
I know that, like the bulk of fantasy seems to be, it was aimed at young adults, but I re-read them recently and still found the same enjoyment. After all it is not about whether it was written for adults or children, rather whether you enjoyed and were entertained and maybe even changed a little bit by the story.
https://www.amazon.com/Riddlemaster-Hed-Patricia-McKillip/dp/0345331044
larryselbows
Banned
Did anybody mention "The Foundation"?
AtheistPreacher
Well-Known Member
I have much the same feelings about Lloyd Alexander's Prydain Chronicles. I first heard them when my Dad read them to me as a little kid, and they're largely responsible for getting me into fantasy novels in the first place. They're definitely aimed young, but I re-read them a few years ago, and they still hold up. Some of it's nostalgia, I'm sure, but he wrote good characters who actually grow throughout the books. And like your feeling with McKillip's books, I always wished Alexander would go back to Prydain... but all he ever did was one small book of short stories within that world... not really all that satisfying, unfortunately.
Gee, I don't know, lemme check...
I believe that's a "yes." Several times, in fact.
Is there a point you're trying to make?
LogGrad98
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AtheistPreacher
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Pretty sure he meant the first one.Do you mean "The Foundation"
or "Foundation"
Big difference. Or maybe not.
Who's that Asimov guy?
larryselbows
Banned
Although I love wholesome reading on American private wealth, I did indeed mean "Foundation".
I don't even know the names of the books I read. HOW EMBARRASSING!
I don't even know the names of the books I read. HOW EMBARRASSING!
AtheistPreacher
Well-Known Member
Kick-*** new Game of Thrones trailer here:
https://insidetv.ew.com/2011/03/03/game-of-thrones-new-trailer/
The page title doesn't lie, it really is the best trailer yet.
https://insidetv.ew.com/2011/03/03/game-of-thrones-new-trailer/
The page title doesn't lie, it really is the best trailer yet.
AtheistPreacher
Well-Known Member
I just found out Brian Jacques, author of the Redwall books, died about a month ago:
NY Times Obit.
Too bad... those books were really quite enjoyable. Mossflower was my favorite.
NY Times Obit.
Too bad... those books were really quite enjoyable. Mossflower was my favorite.
fallenchicken
Well-Known Member
I am not ashamed to say I bought one of the hbo game of thrones T-Shirts.
House Targaryen ftw.
AtheistPreacher
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What do people think of the HBO Game of Thrones series? Two episodes have been aired now out of ten for the first season... ratings were good enough that HBO renewed the series for a second season shortly after airing episode 1.
I like it so far. The first episode was kinda slow... I wouldn't say I was disappointed, exactly, but there was so little that happened that it was hard to judge. The second episode held my attention, though. Good stuff with Tyrion and Jon Snow, and Arya got more of a showing. I'm anxious to see the third episode, as they'll be arriving in King's Landing... we'll get to meet Varys and Littlefinger.
I like it so far. The first episode was kinda slow... I wouldn't say I was disappointed, exactly, but there was so little that happened that it was hard to judge. The second episode held my attention, though. Good stuff with Tyrion and Jon Snow, and Arya got more of a showing. I'm anxious to see the third episode, as they'll be arriving in King's Landing... we'll get to meet Varys and Littlefinger.
This series has escaped my attention. What's the plot? Hopefully it's more hard sci-fi than fantasy.
Nevermind, just looked it up. A little LOTRish for my taste, not that I have anything against LOTR.