I'm "between books" and looking for a decent SF or Fantasy novel. I'm tired of series and epic volumes. Books I've recently enjoyed included: "The Etched City" by K.J. Bishop, "Perdido Street Station" by China Mieville, "Old Twentieth" by Joe Haldeman and "The White Wolf's Son" by my favorite author, Michael Moorcock. Any recommendations? I tend to enjoy "high fantasy" and sf that's not too heavily weighed down with technical jargon. Every third book these days has a dragon on the cover or is just another boring "World War II in Outer Space" story. I want something orginal and innovative---here's a challenge---something Harlan Ellison would like (I've met him, so don't try and fool me!). :-). Thanks in advance for recommendations.
2007-01-14 02:03:08 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Arts & Humanities ➔ Books & Authors
I would suggest "The Prince of Nothing" series by Scott Bakker. It is a very sophisticated fantasy. You wont be disappointed. I guess your not looking for a series but the "Sword of Truth" by Terry Goodkind is great adult fantasy as well. I am a big fan of Michael Moorcock also. I love the "Eternal Champion" novels. Especially Elric of Melnibone and Stormbringer.
"Blood and Souls for Arioch!"
2007-01-14 02:35:11 · answer #1 · answered by bribri75 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Boy, fantasy that's not a series or 'epic'? Tough one, these days. lol Maybe try some Darkover books by Marion Zimmer Bradley. There are several books that are set in the same world, but most of them can be read without having to read any of the others. In fact "MZB always insisted that the Darkover novels are not a series and can be read in any order, since none of the books assumes that you are familiar with any other of the books." (That's straight from her website)
Tailchaser's Song by Tad Williams might be something a little different, if you like cats.
Lord Valentine's Castle by Robert Silverberg is very good, and is a 'complete' book, no need to read either of the other books.
Magic Kingdom for Sale: Sold! by Terry Brooks is the first of the Magic Kingdom of Landover books, but is a 'stand-alone' book. (Although I'm not sure you'd want to read the other books in the series without reading the first one as I think they do tend to build on previous knowledge.)
I used to read sci fi all the time, until I found fantasy. (I think, like you, most SF was a little too technical for my taste). So I don't have many ideas for you there. Maybe Castle Perilous by John DeChancie (again there are more of these books, but you could read just the one).
I only have 2 other SF books on my bookshelves. One is Steel Beach by John Varley and the other is The Ragged Astronauts by Bob Shaw. Unfortunately, I can't really remember what they were about, but they must have been ok, becasue they are still on my bookshelf!
2007-01-14 08:49:41 · answer #2 · answered by awanderingelf 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you liked China Mieville, check out Steph Swainston's "The Year of Our War". It is the start of a series. But it is original.
If you have not read the Lyonesse Trilogy by Jack Vance (one of the best high fantasy series ever), you should check it you. 1st book is called Lyonesse: Suldrun's Garden.
If you are dead set against a series. How about "King of Elfland's Daughter", by Lord Dunsany. The granddaddy of all high fantasy, written in 1924.
2007-01-14 03:20:00 · answer #3 · answered by H_A_V_0_C 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
For fantasy books, I'd suggest books by David Eddings namely the Belgariad and Mallorean series.. Raymond Feist is also good and you can start with the Riftwar Series and it's sister series The Empire consisting of 3 books.. the books by Eddings is a deviation from normal fantasy books in that there are basically no elves and dwarves.. as for Feist, I think the plot is good..
2007-01-14 02:50:47 · answer #4 · answered by sjlacaden 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
If you haven't read "Enders Game" by Orson Scott Card, do yourself a tremendous favor and find it. Today.
It is perhaps the best book I ever read.
2007-01-14 02:07:15 · answer #5 · answered by Batty 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The Infernal gadgets sequence and The Mortal gadgets sequence by Cassandra Clare. I promise you will adore them :D I tell actually every physique finding for books to study them, they are stunning.
2016-10-19 23:19:48 · answer #6 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm not quite sure what you are looking for but for Sci-Fi I would suggest the Andrometer Strain or Ender's game.
2007-01-14 02:10:32 · answer #7 · answered by darkflower366 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
any Philp K. Dick novel
2007-01-14 02:06:59 · answer #8 · answered by someone 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋