Be Excellent To Each Other

And, you know, party on. Dude.

All times are UTC [ DST ]




Reply to topic  [ 30 posts ] 
Author Message
 Post subject: Let me be your fantasy!
PostPosted: Tue Apr 19, 2011 11:21 
User avatar
ugvm'er at heart...

Joined: 4th Mar, 2010
Posts: 22407
We've talked about this sort of thing a fair bit across a billion different threads, and the recent Game of Thrones series has got me thinking.
Do you like a bit of magic, swords, coming of age, bodices, grime and tales of mystery and wonder? Do you read fantasy novels and wish they had a better name than "fantasy" as that seems a bit cringey...

I do.

Here are my favourite Fantasy books/novels/series, and you should all read them.

A Song of Ice and Fire: George R R Martin.
As mentioned already, epic fantasy that lifts the game and isn't afraid to do things out of the ordinary. Has very little magic in it, good guys don't always win (hardly ever in fact!) It's a more realistic take on the fantasy genre, if that makes sense, and it is excellent for it. George takes his time writing though, about one every 5 years I think, so the series is never going to end :D

The Wheel of Time: Robert Jordan
Speaking of series that never ends, I think we are up to book 13, and even Robert Jordan dying hasn't made a dent in the progress! The first few books are incredible, the middle ones are a good story padded out to the millionth degree, the last couple (written by Brandon Sanderson using Robert Jordans notes) are back to the quality of the first few books. Highly recommended if you have some time to kill, I think the saga is well over 10000 pages by now.

Magician: Raymond E Feist
A good book on it's own, but made all the better by the second trilogy (The Empire trilogy) which interweaves the story from the other side of the rift and is less about magic and more about politics. Has spawned dozens of other books in the series that i'm yet to read.

The First Law series: Joe Abercrombie
Starts with "The Blade Itself" A less well known trilogy, but very well written, basically a black comedy based on Conan the Barbarian...

The Name of The Wind: Patrick Rothfuss
Second book has just been released, and the first is simply brilliant. If you read one new fantasy series, then you have to read this one.

The Lord of the Rings: J R R Tolkien
The books that started it all, Flowery, boring, poorly written tripe. ;)

What am I missing?


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Let me be your fantasy!
PostPosted: Tue Apr 19, 2011 11:34 
User avatar
Hibernating Druid

Joined: 27th Mar, 2008
Posts: 49455
Location: Standing on your mother's Porsche
Not read much Fantasy tbh, I really enjoyed The Hobbit but found The Lord of The Rings a chore to read, so I gave up.

Another 'Fantasy' book I remember enjoying is Ignorant Armies. It's a Warhammer book with short stories concerning the different Chaos factions.

_________________
SD&DG Illustrated! Behance Bleep Bloop

'Not without talent but dragged down by bass turgidity'


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Let me be your fantasy!
PostPosted: Tue Apr 19, 2011 11:34 
User avatar
Bouncing Hedgehog

Joined: 27th Mar, 2008
Posts: 26313
I don't know if it fits the categorisation, but I quite enjoyed the Gormenghast trilogy. I'm not sure if that qualifies as 'fantasy' or not, though.

_________________
Image


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Let me be your fantasy!
PostPosted: Tue Apr 19, 2011 11:38 
User avatar
Bouncing Hedgehog

Joined: 27th Mar, 2008
Posts: 26313
My favourite books are Alice in Wonderland/through the Looking Glass, some of the Narnia books (despite the Christian subtext that if I don't mention someone else will) and One Hundred Years of Solitude.

They are not quite like the books you are speaking of though. I'm not quite sure what qualifies as 'fantasy', perhaps.

_________________
Image


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Let me be your fantasy!
PostPosted: Tue Apr 19, 2011 11:42 
User avatar
ugvm'er at heart...

Joined: 4th Mar, 2010
Posts: 22407
Mimi wrote:
My favourite books are Alice in Wonderland/through the Looking Glass, some of the Narnia books (despite the Christian subtext that if I don't mention someone else will) and One Hundred Years of Solitude.

They are not quite like the books you are speaking of though. I'm not quite sure what qualifies as 'fantasy', perhaps.


I think that is my problem with Fantasy as a genre, it's usually used to mean a specific type of book, Lord of the Rings being the perfect archetype, but the confusion about the name always brings up these questions.
I don't think Alice falls under my definition of Fantasy that I was using, but by all means talk about them, as i'm happy for the definition to be expanded :)


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Let me be your fantasy!
PostPosted: Tue Apr 19, 2011 11:45 
User avatar
ugvm'er at heart...

Joined: 4th Mar, 2010
Posts: 22407
Mimi wrote:
I don't know if it fits the categorisation, but I quite enjoyed the Gormenghast trilogy. I'm not sure if that qualifies as 'fantasy' or not, though.


I think it does, I'm sure I have read them, but can't really recall much about them!


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Let me be your fantasy!
PostPosted: Tue Apr 19, 2011 11:50 
User avatar
Ticket to Ride World Champion

Joined: 18th Apr, 2008
Posts: 11917
Trooper wrote:
Mimi wrote:
My favourite books are Alice in Wonderland/through the Looking Glass, some of the Narnia books (despite the Christian subtext that if I don't mention someone else will) and One Hundred Years of Solitude.

They are not quite like the books you are speaking of though. I'm not quite sure what qualifies as 'fantasy', perhaps.


I think that is my problem with Fantasy as a genre, it's usually used to mean a specific type of book, Lord of the Rings being the perfect archetype, but the confusion about the name always brings up these questions.
I don't think Alice falls under my definition of Fantasy that I was using, but by all means talk about them, as i'm happy for the definition to be expanded :)

Is the term "high fantasy"?


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Let me be your fantasy!
PostPosted: Tue Apr 19, 2011 11:50 
User avatar
Ready for action

Joined: 9th Mar, 2009
Posts: 8551
Location: Top Secret Bunker
I would say Narnia is fantasy, it surely one of the earliest examples of a proper fantasty series that kids are introduced to.

I am pleased with this thread as I have been looking for good recommendations lately. I have to support Curio's suggestion which I'm sure he'll be along with at some point, of 'The Knife Of Never Letting Go'. It's an incredible book with a story that really grabs you. The main character is still only a child but you forget that while you are reading it. I didn't realise it was the first of a trilogy though and read it all in one sitting because I was so desperate to find out how it finished. Man was I tired at work the next day :D
I have since read the second, 'The Ask and the Answer', and really enjoyed it as well. I shall need to read the third and final one soon.

Also strongly recommend 'The Painted Man'.
This story is about a world where demons are very real and very dangerous and people there live in constant fear of them. Their whole lives and cultures are shaped by the presence of these demons. The story follows three different characters from childhood as they try to survive in this world.
Although we meet the characters around childhood, they are adults before long into the book. The story is brilliant and isn't afraid to be dark at times. It is sometimes funny and almost always exciting. It builds suspense brilliantly and the world that is created is fantastic. I can even now, a few months after reading this book, picture different towns and places visited in the story. It isn't just an action/adventure story though, it is also about the human side of this horrible place and yes, even politics. It is one of, if not the best book I've read for a very long time.
Sequel is also out now, called 'The Desert Spear' and this quality is maintained. I am desperate for the third.


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Let me be your fantasy!
PostPosted: Tue Apr 19, 2011 11:52 
User avatar
ugvm'er at heart...

Joined: 4th Mar, 2010
Posts: 22407
Gilly wrote:
Also strongly recommend 'The Painted Man'.
This story is about a world where demons are very very and very dangerous and people there live in constant fear of them. Their whole lives and cultures are shaped by the prescence of these demons. The story follows three different characters from childhood as they try to survive in this world and in true fantasy series style, play a part in changing it.
Although we meet the characters around childhood, they are adults before long into the book. The story is brilliant and isn't afraid to be dark at times. It is sometimes funny and almost always exciting. It builds suspense brilliantly and the world that is created is fantastic. I can even now, a few months after reading this book, picture different towns and places visited in the story. It isn't just an action/adventure story though, it is also about the human side of this horrible place and yes, even politics. It is one of, if not the best book I've read for a very long time.
Sequel is also out now, called 'The Desert Spear' and this quality is maintained. I am desperate for the third.


Oh yes, can't believe I forgot those! :this: very much :this:


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Let me be your fantasy!
PostPosted: Tue Apr 19, 2011 11:55 
User avatar
ugvm'er at heart...

Joined: 4th Mar, 2010
Posts: 22407
Gilly wrote:
I would say Narnia is fantasy, it surely one of the earliest examples of a proper fantasty series that kids are introduced to.


Narnia was what got me turned on to this stuff, specifically Voyage of the Dawntreader. I'm loathe to watch the film for fear of ruining childhood memories.
Follow those up with Redwall (Brian Jaques) and the David Eddings stuff and I was hooked :D "Normal" books just seem so boring now...


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Let me be your fantasy!
PostPosted: Tue Apr 19, 2011 11:57 
User avatar
ugvm'er at heart...

Joined: 4th Mar, 2010
Posts: 22407
Bobbyaro wrote:
Trooper wrote:
Mimi wrote:
My favourite books are Alice in Wonderland/through the Looking Glass, some of the Narnia books (despite the Christian subtext that if I don't mention someone else will) and One Hundred Years of Solitude.

They are not quite like the books you are speaking of though. I'm not quite sure what qualifies as 'fantasy', perhaps.


I think that is my problem with Fantasy as a genre, it's usually used to mean a specific type of book, Lord of the Rings being the perfect archetype, but the confusion about the name always brings up these questions.
I don't think Alice falls under my definition of Fantasy that I was using, but by all means talk about them, as i'm happy for the definition to be expanded :)

Is the term "high fantasy"?


Could be, I have no idea, I just read them :D


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Let me be your fantasy!
PostPosted: Tue Apr 19, 2011 11:59 
User avatar

Joined: 30th Mar, 2008
Posts: 32624
See, I thought the Painted Man was alright, but not brilliant. It's a bit juvenile, it took a very long time to get to a very obvious destination, and the characters are little more than broad stereotypes, particularly the Islamic-derived nation. I'm not sure I'm going to read the second one.


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Let me be your fantasy!
PostPosted: Tue Apr 19, 2011 11:59 
User avatar
Ready for action

Joined: 9th Mar, 2009
Posts: 8551
Location: Top Secret Bunker
Trooper wrote:
Gilly wrote:
I would say Narnia is fantasy, it surely one of the earliest examples of a proper fantasty series that kids are introduced to.


Narnia was what got me turned on to this stuff, specifically Voyage of the Dawntreader. I'm loathe to watch the film for fear of ruining childhood memories.
Follow those up with Redwall (Brian Jaques) and the David Eddings stuff and I was hooked :D "Normal" books just seem so boring now...

Voyage of the Dawntreader was my favourite by far as well. I read it so many times when I was younger, I just thought it was brilliant. I can barely remember the storylines of the other books and certainly couldn't name more than a few of the seven(?), but I still remember what happened on all the islands the dawntreader went to. Geek.
:nerd:
ZOMG Spoiler! Click here to view!
The Magicians Nephew, the Silver Chair, The Lion The Witch and the Wardrobe,the Voyage of the Dawntreader...I think that's my lot.


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Let me be your fantasy!
PostPosted: Tue Apr 19, 2011 12:01 
User avatar
ugvm'er at heart...

Joined: 4th Mar, 2010
Posts: 22407
Doctor Glyndwr wrote:
See, I thought the Painted Man was alright, but not brilliant. It's a bit juvenile, it took a very long time to get to a very obvious destination, and the characters are little more than broad stereotypes, particularly the Islamic-derived nation. I'm not sure I'm going to read the second one.


The second one is pretty much all about the islamic derived nation, so if you hated that stuff, then I wouldn't recommend it :)

Sure, I agree is it a bit juvenile, but for me that is part of the charm. It is completely unpretentious, which is extremely refreshing in the genre...


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Let me be your fantasy!
PostPosted: Tue Apr 19, 2011 12:05 
Awesome
User avatar
Yes

Joined: 6th Apr, 2008
Posts: 12359
Trooper wrote:
Mimi wrote:
I don't know if it fits the categorisation, but I quite enjoyed the Gormenghast trilogy. I'm not sure if that qualifies as 'fantasy' or not, though.


I think it does, I'm sure I have read them, but can't really recall much about them!


I think the third book was made into a kids' series which I remembered watching and as a result bought the books. I can remember portals to other worlds, and an escaped unicorn running down the street at night.

_________________
Always proof read carefully in case you any words out


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Let me be your fantasy!
PostPosted: Tue Apr 19, 2011 12:10 
User avatar
Ticket to Ride World Champion

Joined: 18th Apr, 2008
Posts: 11917
Doctor Glyndwr wrote:
See, I thought the Painted Man was alright, but not brilliant. It's a bit juvenile, it took a very long time to get to a very obvious destination, and the characters are little more than broad stereotypes, particularly the Islamic-derived nation. I'm not sure I'm going to read the second one.

:this: The Islamic stereotypes (and mocking of it) were unnecessary in the context of the book, and I found them a bit offensive.


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Let me be your fantasy!
PostPosted: Tue Apr 19, 2011 12:23 
User avatar
Ready for action

Joined: 9th Mar, 2009
Posts: 8551
Location: Top Secret Bunker
I thought that any mocking of the sterotypes was the characters reaction to it which seemed to fit with the characters as they were written. I didn't really think much more about it. To me, its a time when people are scared, selfish, and jealous. This causes them to act in ways they might bot otherwise and this is demonstrated by stupid prejudices, selfish actions, moments of greatness and the like.


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Let me be your fantasy!
PostPosted: Tue Apr 19, 2011 12:27 
User avatar
Ticket to Ride World Champion

Joined: 18th Apr, 2008
Posts: 11917
Agreed, but it was not needed in the context of the story, the land which was being described; in fact, I feel it actively removed from the imagining because it was inconsistent.
Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed reading it, but I don't think it was any better than any of David Gemmell's novels, worse than many of them.


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Let me be your fantasy!
PostPosted: Tue Apr 19, 2011 12:28 
SupaMod
User avatar
Commander-in-Cheese

Joined: 30th Mar, 2008
Posts: 49252
Trooper wrote:
What am I missing?


You're missing The Malazan Books of the Fallen by Stephen Erikson. And that's criminal.

_________________
GoddessJasmine wrote:
Drunk, pulled Craster's pork, waiting for brdyime story,reading nuts. Xz


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Let me be your fantasy!
PostPosted: Tue Apr 19, 2011 13:15 
User avatar
Peculiar, yet lovely

Joined: 30th Mar, 2008
Posts: 7046
If you haven't read Dune, you're not qualified to talk about sci-fi/fantasy (because Dune is both, so shaddap). Yes.

_________________
Lonely as a Mushroom Cloud


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Let me be your fantasy!
PostPosted: Tue Apr 19, 2011 13:20 
User avatar
Unpossible!

Joined: 27th Jun, 2008
Posts: 38722
I know they're considered hokey and a bit naff, but I very much enjoyed reading the Dragonlance series when I was a youngster. I never dipped into the expanded universe but the original Chronicles and Legends trilogies were awesome.

Another I read as a youngster was The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant. Bit harder going and some of the names need to buy a vowel, but pretty engaging stuff for Swords and Scorcery types.


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Let me be your fantasy!
PostPosted: Tue Apr 19, 2011 14:43 
User avatar
Excellent Member

Joined: 27th Sep, 2009
Posts: 876
Besides The Lord of the Rings, I also have a soft spot for The Fionavar Tapesty (three books) by Guy Gavriel Kay (the man who helped Christopher Tolkien assemble The Silmarillion for publication, therefore you'll see LotR influences in The Fionavar Tapestry).

Many years ago I also enjoyed The Sword of Shannara by Terry Brooks - not sure why as I now find it a dreadful read. :)


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Let me be your fantasy!
PostPosted: Tue Apr 19, 2011 17:26 
User avatar
Rude Belittler

Joined: 30th Mar, 2008
Posts: 5016
The Dresden Files are great books, real pulpy page turners.

Now I'm just waiting for some belmer to post 'fantasy isn't a genre, it's a setting'.


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Let me be your fantasy!
PostPosted: Tue Apr 19, 2011 17:34 
SupaMod
User avatar
Commander-in-Cheese

Joined: 30th Mar, 2008
Posts: 49252
Pundabaya wrote:
The Dresden Files are great books, real pulpy page turners.

Now I'm just waiting for some belmer to post 'fantasy isn't a genre, it's a setting'.


I know you're just poking fun, but fantasy does tend to be much more of a genre than sci-fi does. Your example of The Dresden files is a possibly exception though - much like Simon R Green's Hawk and Fisher books, they are a bit more 'mystery in a fantasy setting'.

I'll shut up now.

_________________
GoddessJasmine wrote:
Drunk, pulled Craster's pork, waiting for brdyime story,reading nuts. Xz


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Let me be your fantasy!
PostPosted: Tue Apr 19, 2011 17:42 
User avatar
Kinda Funny Lookin'

Joined: 30th Mar, 2008
Posts: 3292
Location: Sheffield or Baku
http://podcastle.org/

Provides a weekly 'fantasy' podcast and is rather splendid...as are the Horror and Sci-Fi sister sites.

_________________
If work was so rewarding the rich would have bought it all.


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Let me be your fantasy!
PostPosted: Tue Apr 19, 2011 20:58 
User avatar

Joined: 27th Jun, 2008
Posts: 6183
I keep seeing the title & thinking of Baby D :D
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f17b8m5fniU

This is about all you'll get out me in here by the way. Me & fantasy books don't usually see ee to ee and I've enough nonsense up there as it is.

_________________
"Wullie's [accent] is so thick he sounds like he's chewing on haggis stuffed with shortbread and heroin" - Dimrill
"TOO MANY FUCKING SWEARS!" - Mary Shitehouse


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Let me be your fantasy!
PostPosted: Tue Apr 19, 2011 21:12 
User avatar
ugvm'er at heart...

Joined: 4th Mar, 2010
Posts: 22407
Wullie wrote:
I keep seeing the title & thinking of Baby D :D
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f17b8m5fniU


Anybody would think that was my intention... :D


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Let me be your fantasy!
PostPosted: Tue Apr 19, 2011 21:15 
User avatar
Isn't that lovely?

Joined: 30th Mar, 2008
Posts: 11188
Location: Devon
DavPaz wrote:
Another I read as a youngster was The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant. Bit harder going and some of the names need to buy a vowel, but pretty engaging stuff for Swords and Scorcery types.


I loved those, very heavy I found, I also loved his gap stuff. Still haven't read the new(ish) one yet though.

My brother was more into fantasy than me, I prefered Sci Fi, but I read some of his stuff, and recognise some of the names. I liked Piers Anthony (not so much his Xanth stuff) but the "Incarnations of Immortality" series is good, blends fantasy with a relatively modern setting, where various natural forces (time, war, death etc) are all people doing a job.

I find I don't have the time to read as much as I used to, so I am not really up on current books. I still haven't read the last Incarnations book yet and I that's been out almost 5 years I think.

Malc

_________________
Where's the Kaboom? I was expecting an Earth shattering Kaboom!


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Let me be your fantasy!
PostPosted: Tue Apr 19, 2011 21:19 
User avatar
Isn't that lovely?

Joined: 30th Mar, 2008
Posts: 11188
Location: Devon
Wullie wrote:
I keep seeing the title & thinking of Baby D :D
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f17b8m5fniU

This is about all you'll get out me in here by the way. Me & fantasy books don't usually see ee to ee and I've enough nonsense up there as it is.

:this:

That takes me right back to when I was going through books at the rate of about 2-3 a week. I fancied the pants of her too.

Malc

_________________
Where's the Kaboom? I was expecting an Earth shattering Kaboom!


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Let me be your fantasy!
PostPosted: Tue Apr 19, 2011 21:25 
User avatar
ugvm'er at heart...

Joined: 4th Mar, 2010
Posts: 22407
[quote="Malc"]
I find I don't have the time to read as much as I used to/quote]

I read a fair amount, not as much as when I was a kid, and having a train commute really helps. I tend not to read in the evenings these days, unless I have a very good book on the go, and I also tend to read multiple books at once which is something I never used to do, I blame ebooks :D

I currently have on the go:
The new Victoria Cohen poker biog
The Wise man's fear, latest in The Name of the Wind series
Mistress of the Empire
A book written by a ugvm'er

I should probably concentrate on them one by one really :)


Top
 Profile  
 
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Reply to topic  [ 30 posts ] 

All times are UTC [ DST ]


Who is online

Users browsing this forum: Columbo, Kern and 0 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot post attachments in this forum

Search within this thread:
You are using the 'Ted' forum. Bill doesn't really exist any more. Bogus!
Want to help out with the hosting / advertising costs? That's very nice of you.
Are you on a mobile phone? Try http://beex.co.uk/m/
RIP, Owen. RIP, MrC. RIP, Dimmers.

Powered by a very Grim... version of phpBB © 2000, 2002, 2005, 2007 phpBB Group.