Recommendations, if you will...

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Interested in fantasy imagery/fiction etc. though I am, I have actually read very little fantasy literature. I was wondering if anyone could recommend some fantasy authors/series/individual books that it is worth seeking out? I prefer novels based on deep, well-developed characters to sprawling, grandiose epics and need help seperating the wheat from the chaff, so to speak. My fantasy reading up to the present has consisted of Tolkein's more seminal work (Lord of the Rings, the Hobbit) as well as some of his *ahem* less essential writings (Adventures of Tom Bombadil, anyone? ). The Silmarillion looks a bit epic for my tastes and I dont really know anything about his other work. I also read some of David Gemmel's Waylander stories which were fun, if a little vacuous and two-dimensional.
Ive heard good things about R. A. Salvatore and the exploits of Drizzt et al. Any other suggestions?

 

The R.A. Salvatore books are good (With one exception. I can't believe they let him kill off Chewbacca in Star Wars ), but his fantasy novels are good.

I also recently read the Belgariad and the Mallorean by David Eddings, and they were very good, but took a while to ge through (10 books in all). That's all I can think off just now, but it's too early to think now...

[This message has been edited by Wildfire (edited October 05, 2001).]

 

What? R.A. Salvatore writes SW novels?
Since when? What's that about Chewbacca?

 

Keep to topic.

I don't know if any of you have heard of Tamora Pierce, but she writes good fantasy novels. Like Wildfire, I suggest R.A. Salvatore too. I also think that Elaine Cunningham and Ed Greenwood have good books.

 

Well, i must say Silmarillion was the best fantasy book i ever read (that's personal opinion of course ). but yes, it doesn't get into characters too much.

My suggestion would be the dragonlance twins series (time of the twins/test of the twins etc..) which is also one of my favourites. Although to get into the series you'd probably have to read the chronicles. They're also nice.

 

I must fully agree with Invoker, Dragonlance series is a must read!! Start with the first, Dragons of Autumn Twilight.

Wow Taluntain even has a whole page dedicated to it
http://www.sorcerers.net/Books/index_dl.php

 

The Drizzt series is great! Also, there are a lot (LOTS and LOTS) of books dealing with other heroes and stories about the Forgotten Realms.

It might be a "bit epic", but the characters and stories in the Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan is great. I believe the characters are well developed.

The Dragonlance series is a no-brainer as well.

 

IMHO Will, you must read George R.R. Martin's latest series. It starts with A Game of Thrones.

The characters are well developed and the books are huge. A great read if you have some time.

 

OK, thanks for the help folks. Off to the library/book shop I go...

 

David Gemmel's stuff is also worth reading, his Drenai novels seem to be very popular. Although with his earlier stuff the story carries it more, and in later stuff there's a lot more characterisation. For example in Echoes of the Great Song.(Viruk is one of the coolest characters in a book i've read)
Druss is probably still best known character though. That's just mysuggestion for an author as others have beat me to others i would mention. Enjoy the reading.

 

I agree wholeheartedly with Satiana. I've read a lot of fantasy over the years and George RR Martin's current series along with Robert Jordan's are the only ones where I am actually wishing the authors would hurry up and get the next installments out.

Martin's "A Storm of Swords" has the most memorable fight/duel I have ever read -- absolutely incredible. You are emotionally invested in what is happening and the description of the battle itself is masterful. The entire series is worth reading for those few pages. He does a great, great job developing his characters.

Robert Jordan also does a great job developing his characters. Actually, the character development in his Wheel of Time series is deeper than any I've seen but then the thing keeps going and going so he's had plenty of space and time.

Also, Robin Hobb's Assassin series was good. I thought her first two books in the series were good and then it fizzled a bit in the third but still quite good.

Finally, in my humble opinion R.A. Salvatore is vastly overrated. I've read all of the Drizzt books and the Cleric Quintet and would really only recommend his three on the underdark -- not certain to the name but it was Homeland, Exile?, and Sojourn. They can all be entertaining but if you want something with some real meat (character development) I think you're better off looking elsewhere. He may be a good storyteller but not such a great author.

Now I've got to go read Martin again, I'd love to hear if anyone else was as impressed with the fight which I spoke about. Oh yeah, the Hobbit was the first novel I ever read, I begged my parents for a leather bound copy I received for Christmas. I was attracted by some incredible illustrations but quickly fell in love with the writing


[This message has been edited by Laches (edited October 06, 2001).]

 

Silmarillion is a must read.
I also though the Dragon Lance books were quite good.
I suggest you try the Wheel Of Time books by Robert Jordan aswell, as i thought they were quite good.

 

If you want soem "classic" fantasy, read R. E. Feist. There are deep, well developed characters in his books, and an interesting world. I think though that Robin Hobb is a better writter, and she renewed the fantasy litearature in many ways. And I must agree with Laches: Salvatarore isn't that good. He isn't a bad writer, but most of his works are conventional and boring. And of course, read Tolkien!