Looking for a new author. Cant decide which one.?

Question

I like books by Stephen King, Dean Koontz, Micheal Cricton, Anne Rice , Ray Bradbury etc...
Basically like horror, science fiction, fantasy (sensible ones not books filled with terms that only a true fan could understand).
Dont want to read romance or bios or real life stories .. Have the newspaper and readers digest for that ;)

Answer 1

On the horror/sci-fi front: Try the Lincoln Child, Douglas Preston collaborations. The movie Relic is based on one of their first books, and the book is a heckuva lot better than the movie. Ironically the most interesting character in the book was completely written out of the movie.

As it is, there are now five or so books where more and more is revealed about the character and his family's history. It's not blatant in your face horror, sci-fi, fantasy. It reads mostly like a serious mystery, but it always ends (or starts off midway) with something definitely on the gruesome, sci-fi side. Most of it has grown around the aforementioned character.

Throughout these books characters from other books crop up, so you never are quite sure if you're going to end up with the police officer from Relic in there, or an archaelogist from a seperate book, or a new character to play second fiddle altogether.

These authors have also published books seperately. They're okay, but I prefer their collaborations. Start with "The Relic" then onto "The Reliquary". You could probably skip other books where this character was more of a side note and skip on over to "The Cabinet of Curiosities". Once you've hit that, the character starts REALLY becoming the primary focus of the writers.

Fantasy-wise: David Eddings is terrific (though I haven't been inspired enough to get into his latest series) - he has a five-volume run called The Belgariad, another five volume run continuing the story of the people in The Belgariad, and a few other books involving the point of views of characters who've lived for thousands of years, protecting a certain line and so on up to where The Belgariad begins. Eddings' Sparhawk series (two sets of trilogies) is pretty good as well.

Anne McCaffery's Dragonriders of Pern series is interesting in that it seemed to be fantasy for the first six or so book, then took a curve into sci-fi land as they discover the remains of the people who colonized the planet, breeding dragons and other things from pre-existing life forms in order to protect themselves from a 50-year-long event that occurs every 200 years or so, where a planet gets close enough to their own's orbit that it spins off deadly thread that will eat through everything except metal and stone. The transition from fantasy to more sci-fi was handled painlessly and was in fact quite interesting to see how space refugees ended up on a planet that had been scouted when the obvious 'thread' was not happening, and the resultant scattering of people, loss of technology, and eventually loss of history. Then when bits of it were found resulting in a sort of renaissance where knowledge and study was reborn.

I could list a ton more of potential authors, but it's late.

Answer 2

My favorite SF authors are:

Orson Scott Card- Ender's Game series
Larry Niven- Ring World books, Known Space books
David Weber- Honor Harrington series
Kieth Laumer- anything except Retief books
Greg Bear- anything
Octavia Butler- Clay's Ark, Wild Seed, Pattern Master, Xenogenesis
Leo Frankowski - Crosstime Engineer series (1-5 only, 6 stinks)

For fantasy, my favorites are:
Robert Jordan- Wheel of Time (warning- unfinished)
George R. R. Martin- Song of Fire & Ice (warning - unfinished)
David Eddings-Belgariad and Mallorean Series, both light reading but complete

Answer 3

I know you said you've tried Reader's Digest for new authors, but have you tried their Select Editions? It's what they used to call their Condensed Books. I know it's a strange concept; take full length books and condense them into a shorter format, but it really works out fantastic. You get 4 books in 1 volume, and they have some great writers. I just read the latest volume that had "The Hard Way" by Lee Child in it. Wow! That's not your grandmother's Condensed Book.

Right now they are offering a "free" intro volume (I think you have to pay for the books S&H).

Answer 4

Neal Stephenson, William Gibson, Bruce Sterling, Ursula LeGuin

Answer 5

I read all of the authors you listed, so I will give you some of my other faves, even if they don't fit your genre criteria. I love books by Walter Mosley (the Easy Rawlins series and the Fearless Jones series --- not required to read them in order, but better to). James Patterson Alex Cross series. Michael Connolly Harry Bosch series. Patricia Cornwell's Scarpetta series (reading in order almost a must). Some of the best stories I have read have been by Wilbur Smith (especially the River God books).

Happy Reading!

Answer 6

TryPatricia Cornwall, she has a series of 'Kay Scarpetta' novels out that are extremely well written, Post Mortem, Body Farm, etc. there are several now in print, read them in order as they follow her life and the life of her friends and family. The main character is a Virginia Medical examiner whose life is as chaotic as her career and the dead she cares for and examines. This isn't a 'Chick' novelist...her books are well thought out, heavily researched and completely engrossing. Enjoy.

Answer 7

There's a new medieval fantasy series in hardcover that you might like. The title of the first episode is THE BLACKGLOOM BOUNTY. It's 445 pages of action, adventure, magic, mystery and mayhem. If you're a fan of Conan, LOTR or Wheel books, this is one you'll enjoy. A Hollywood producer said it was, "Like Braveheart meets Lord of the Rings." (See other comments & reviews below.)

Publishers Weekly said in a rare STARRED Review:

"A fast pace, sly humor, amusing dialogue and a richly researched background lift Baxley's fantasy, the first of a new series set in medieval Britain. When Merlin's long-ago apprentice Kruzurk Makshare (aka the Boozer) receives a dreamlike visitation from the legendary mage, he learns he must destroy another former apprentice, the villainous Seed of Cerberus. To do so will require a visit to the demon-guarded Blackgloom Keep. Enter young Daynin McKinnon, who discovers a curious rune-covered headstone, which may be the fabled Blackgloom Bounty, and brings it to Kruz's attention. Kruz believes it will provide entry into the fortress, while Daynin hopes the sale of the stone will restore his family's fortunes. The colorful cast of good guys and ne'er-do-wells includes the Pictish ghost of Brude McAlpin liberated from his tomb, assorted pursuing Caledonians and a bemused Prior Bede, whose monastery serves as a hiding place for the Blackgloom Bounty. Suitable for fantasy enthusiasts of all ages."

Library Journal said:
"This series opener...is a good choice for fans of epic-style sagas and Scottish history."

Harriet Klausner, Amazon's #1 Ranked Reviewer said:
"This terrific medieval fantasy...will elate readers for its fast-paced, action-thrilled story line starring a strong cast."

Nancy McCulloch, PRWEB Article:
"Two thumbs up for a colorful cast of characters, nonstop, rapid-fire action and compelling storyline!"

Fantasybookspot.com Review:
"Taking place in Medieval Scotland, this tale of magic, adventure and love really captured my attention..."

Blackgloom @ Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1594144...

Online excerpts:
http://the-blackgloom-bounty.blogspot.com/

Author's MySpace Profile: http://profile.myspace.com/jonbaxley

Answer 8

Hmmm...You could read "Shadow Man" by Cody Mcfayden. It's his first novel but it is a very good book. Kinda like a cop thriller. Seems you like Anne Rice, I would suggest reading Laurell K. Hamilton's books. They are just as good...just not was "wordy" as Anne Rice tends to be.

Answer 9

You are looking for a new writer, try then debut novel by Bob Chapman "Visitors", suitable for all ages and is a story which appeals to the fans of time travel and fantasy

Answer 10

I second all of Kev's suggestions, and I would only add Mo Hayder. She is a relatively new author- she has only written 4 books- and she is fantastic. She writes crime fiction and horror, and she will scare the pants off you.

http://www.mohayder.net/intro.html