Fantasy Fiction

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I've just had a marathon read of most of the Neil Gaiman's Sandman comics, and I am completely taken by all of them. They take me to some strange dark places; I can't recommend them highly enough.

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I do not read that many Fantasy books anymore, with the exception of my annual Tolkien fix, any new Gaiman or Pratchett that is. The last book by another author was K.J. Bishop's The Etched City. It's a fairly dark story taking place in a world where art and life intermingle.

Edited to gloat: I have just reserved a seat to hear Terry Pratchett read from his books next Thursday. Yippee!

[petals]

okolobaloba said:

Edited to gloat: I have just reserved a seat to hear Terry Pratchett read from his books next Thursday. Yippee!

I'm seething with jealousy right now.

indygirl said:

But my heart belongs to the lads of the Night watch. Guards! Guards!, Men at Arms, Night Watch--love 'em! Sam Vimes and Carrot make me happy.

I was disappointed when I ran out of witch stories, but then I met Sam Vimes. Love him. I also really like Cheery, the dwarf forensic scientist.

And Death. How can you dislike a guy who loves cats that much?

[Auroranorth]

Mercedes Lackey is good escapist fantasy. Marion Zimmer Bradley's Darkover series is a classic. Elizabeth Moon's The Deed of Paksenarrion trilogy is one I'm rereading now, though the middle book seemed the weakest. Lois McMaster Bujold's Chalion series I adore madly.

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Her books are technically children's or YA, but Diana Wynne Jones has written some really great fantasy books. Some are funny, some romantic, but all are actually pretty thought provoking and well crafted.

[fantasie117]

I am ashamed to admit that I've never read Pratchett. Except for Good Omens, but I read that more for Gaiman because Neil owns my soul. I walk by Pratchett's books in my store all the time, and I never pick one up to read. There are so many, and I don't know where to start.

I must agree with Malle Babbe on China Mieville. I read Perdido Street Station and The Scar. So very good. I own King Rat but haven't really sat down to read it yet. I won't have time to read for pleasure until the holidays.

[dandesun]

I walk by Pratchett's books in my store all the time, and I never pick one up to read. There are so many, and I don't know where to start.

Pick up any one of them. You don't need to start on any specific book. The first Pratchett I read was Lords and Ladies which is funny because that one actually comes with a preface that says it might be helpful to read a couple of the other Witches books first but I didn't and had no problems at all.

I enjoy Mercedes Lackey to a point. I loved By the Sword, Oathbound and Oathbreakers but, for the most part, her Valdemar books have become rather tired. There is a sameness to them that has become irritating. The main character never belongs at the beginning and the first book is all about that character not belonging and all the details therein until The Big Moment where they're Chosen (usually) and their lives are Never the Same. Then they go to the royal city and try to fit in and blah blah blah... even if the book isn't about a character who gets Chosen they Don't Belong until they find some creature or friend that is Like Home.

A friend of mine also describes her books as '300 pages of foreplay and a paragraph of orgasm.' Meaning, the climax does not live up to the build up. There does tend to be a bit of a too neat and pretty wrap up. It could just be that I'm sick of Valdemar at this point. I did think The Fairy Godmother was interesting.

Right now, though, and for the past year, it's been Pratchett for me. I love the Night Watch stories so damn much. But I'd love to see another book involving Moist von Lipwig.

[petals]

dandesun said:

But I'd love to see another book involving Moist von Lipwig.

I believe Wikipedia has a possible future Pratchett book listed, and Moist is the main character. Don't want to get your hopes up, but just wanted to let you know.

And I thought Night Watch was great. It's my favorite Watch story. Serial killer+time travel=awesome!

[Deleted]

I quite enjoy Mercedes Lackey's retellings of fairy tales (the Elemental Masters series). The Serpant's Shadow is her retelling of Snow White, set in Edwardian England. There's also one that's a retelling of Sleeping Beauty, one of Beauty and the Beast, and one of Cinderella, although I don't recall the titles, and I think there's another one I haven't read yet. They're fantasy-romance, and pretty light and fluffy, but fun nonetheless.

The Kushiel books by Jacquline Carrey (sp?) are very enjoyable if you don't mind (or enjoy!) the strong S&M theme.

[Mouse]

Let me chime in as another Pratchett fan. My favorite books are the Night Watch books. I love Vimes, Carrot, Angua, and Detritus.