Sci-Fi and Fantasy Books

[Jazz Traveler]

So sorry, AP. I didn't even go back and read the whole thread before I posted about Hobb. It's funny that we're both anticipating this new series so much. Hope it's better than the Rainwild series, which doesn't begin to compare to Farseer or Tawny Man.

The old sci/fi thread we had going back on the old board I genuinely regret losing. Loved that thread. I used to go back and re-read it every few months, looking to see what everyone had recommended. Nice to check out new authors and see how your tastes aligned with other posters.

I liked book 1 by Rothfuss better than I liked book 2. Hate the whole story line with Denna.

As far as Farseer, I think the writing was strong in all 3 books. Worth searching out to read. The Tawny man trilogy is even better, as in really, really good.

And I love Dresden Files, kind of a guilty addiction. Skin Games is coming out in May

One of the suckiest things about being a fan of fantasy/sci fi series is the long wait for the latest book in a series to come out. Kills me to have to wait so long.

 

[Johnnyfan12]

Heh, I just read this after my post. Different strokes, I guess.

Huh. This is interesting. I found the second one to be clearly better-written and paced. Except perhaps the Felurian (sp?) part. That part dragged. Also all the Denna stuff drags in both books.

I have to admit that I wonder how he plans to wrap the whole thing up in just one book. The whole thing "feels" like it is halfway through (at most) to me. Maybe 40%. Not 66%. I sorta hope he ends up writing 4 books instead.

 

[Jazz Traveler]

Also, AP, did you ever find anything written by Barry Hughart? I remember pimping his books pretty hard back in the day. They're so well written. I've weeded out so many books over the years as my tastes have changed but the Hughart books I've held onto now for 25 years or more.

 

[Johnnyfan12]

It's funny that we're both anticipating this new series so much. Hope it's better than the Rainwild series, which doesn't begin to compare to Farseer or Tawny Man.

Rainwild was pretty disappointing, no? It seemed like the daytime TV series of the Elderlings stories or something. The parts about the feelings/insecurities of Thymara (sp?) and her two love interests really, really dragged. And all the other relationships, too. It was okay when you got past all the pointless relationship drama, but taking out the relationship drama probably would've brought it down to two books instead of four.

Blegh. It's got me just slightly worried that maybe she's lost her touch. I don't want her to "ruin" Fitz for me, as Farseer / Tawny Man are my favorites of all time.

 

[franklin]

Get on that, bro! Book 2 was my favorite of the trilogy... though since it's a continuous story anyway, you really gotta read 'em all. You're missing out.

I'll order it on the recommendations in here. TBH, I'm surprised it's this well liked. It's going to have to wait for Kim Harrison's 12th Hollows book though. That series is incredibly addicting.

 

[AtheistPreacher]

So sorry, AP. I didn't even go back and read the whole thread before I posted about Hobb. It's funny that we're both anticipating this new series so much. Hope it's better than the Rainwild series, which doesn't begin to compare to Farseer or Tawny Man.

The old sci/fi thread we had going back on the old board I genuinely regret losing. Loved that thread. I used to go back and re-read it every few months, looking to see what everyone had recommended. Nice to check out new authors and see how your tastes aligned with other posters.

I liked book 1 by Rothfuss better than I liked book 2. Hate the whole story line with Denna.

As far as Farseer, I think the writing was strong in all 3 books. Worth searching out to read. The Tawny man trilogy is even better, as in really, really good.

And I love Dresden Files, kind of a guilty addiction. Skin Games is coming out in May

One of the suckiest things about being a fan of fantasy/sci fi series is the long wait for the latest book in a series to come out. Kills me to have to wait so long.

Haven't read Rainwild series, I was waiting for them all to come out and now I'm just too busy. I read Solider Son and it was a seriously mixed bag. Certainly didn't match up to Farseer/Tawny Man, or even Liveship, although as I recall colton preferred Liveship to her others.

Also, AP, did you ever find anything written by Barry Hughart? I remember pimping his books pretty hard back in the day. They're so well written. I've weeded out so many books over the years as my tastes have changed but the Hughart books I've held onto now for 25 years or more.

I don't even remember him being mentioned. Been too long now. I'll have to look into him.

 

[AtheistPreacher]

I'll order it on the recommendations in here. TBH, I'm surprised it's this well liked. It's going to have to wait for Kim Harrison's 12th Hollows book though. That series is incredibly addicting.

Looks like urban fantasy? I don't know it. Sell me.

 

[colton]

Huh. This is interesting. I found the second one to be clearly better-written and paced.

Honestly it's been long enough since I read it, that I don't remember WHY I liked book 2 less than book 1. Oh, well. Looks like Jazz Traveler is with me, though. (Hi JT!)

 

[Jazz Traveler]

Hey back at you, colton and a hey to trout, too. I see you both gave me a shout out some time back.

I think I actually chortled when I saw this thread. Not much can coax me out of lurking.

Now I have to go look up some of those names on the top 100 fantasy list. Looks more like a popularity contest than a best writer's list.

 

[franklin]

Looks like urban fantasy? I don't know it. Sell me.

Urban fantasy/alternate history. I haven't read enough books to sell anyone on what's good or not. All I know is I enjoyed almost every book as much or more than the last. All the characters are very likable and well put together. This makes all the difference in a book IMO.

It's kind of your typical girl meets vampire story but it's a whole lot more. The story progresses fast enough that the main character, and you by extension, are going from zero knowledge in a strange new world to more and more, and a clip that was fast enough to keep me interested while not ruining the story by putting everything out there at once. I tend to hate stories that are the meandering journey type without much progress in the way of underlying story knowledge. This one did not do that with the exception of one book (5 maybe?).

Basically, the characters are great (love Jenks the pixie) and the story keeps going further down the rabbit hole by building layer upon layer. I'm also glad it's almost finished. She could have ended it with book eleven, but that lucrative publishing contracts seem to have taken over.

 

[AtheistPreacher]

Urban fantasy/alternate history. I haven't read enough books to sell anyone on what's good or not. All I know is I enjoyed almost every book as much or more than the last. All the characters are very likable and well put together. This makes all the difference in a book IMO.

It's kind of your typical girl meets vampire story but it's a whole lot more. The story progresses fast enough that the main character, and you by extension, are going from zero knowledge in a strange new world to more and more, and a clip that was fast enough to keep me interested while not ruining the story by putting everything out there at once. I tend to hate stories that are the meandering journey type without much progress in the way of underlying story knowledge. This one did not do that with the exception of one book (5 maybe?).

Basically, the characters are great (love Jenks the pixie) and the story keeps going further down the rabbit hole by building layer upon layer. I'm also glad it's almost finished. She could have ended it with book eleven, but that lucrative publishing contracts seem to have taken over.

Fair enough. After becoming obsessed with the Dresden Files I'm plenty willing to give other urban fantasy a try.

 

[green]

I am currently halfway into the Sword of Shannara. Started way back at the beginning of the chronological order, and have enjoyed watching our society fall apart, nuclear war, the Elves rising out of the Pacific Northwest and taking over the world again.