For all you book-readers out there

[coolrunner989]

I know this might be a little to academic for the rowdy, thrill seeking, playful OT of TB, but I figured somebody out there has to have some brains

If you guys haven't read Brandon Sanderson's Mistborn trilogy, I highly recommend it. I just finished the last book, started the first one on Tuesday.

The best books are the ones that keep you turning pages, excited because of what just happened and anxious to see what is next. They take real life and re-present it with clarity, beauty, and poise.
I feel like I have a better grasp on the problems and situations in my life after reading these novels, with a deeper understanding of myself and the world, and that is something that is preciously rare in fiction IMO, even though that is the true calling of any creative work (literature, art, music, etc).

I'll be re-reading these again next week, then letting my brother borrow them.

I originally picked up Sanderson's work because he is finishing Robert Jordan's The Wheel of Time series, which is still one of my favorite works (a little long and dragging at some points, but the first 3 or 4 books are just awesome).

Has anyone else read these books? Or have any other inspiring books to share?

[Sartori]

*gives OP high five*

Good to see another fan. Mistborn has some of the most badass characters and awesome scenes ever. I, too, was curious as to what his writing was like after hearing that he's finishing the late, great Robert Jordan's epic series and was very pleased.

As for what else I'd recommend?

Kushiel's Legacy by Jacqueline Carey. Very interesting, it has elements of both fantasy and alternate history. I don't want to say too much for fear of spoiling it. Also, unusual for a fantasy series, it's narrated in the first person. This is actually my second favorite fantasy series, next to The Wheel of Time. Though she's now written seven books in it, there are two complete character arc trilogies in it, as the second trilogy takes place several years after the first and is from the viewpoint of a different character. The 7th book is presumably the first book of a third trilogy. I haven't read it yet but will probably pick it up next week.

The Malazan Book of the Fallen by Steven Erikson is more in the high fantasy vein. Epic doesn't even begin to describe it. Filled with incredibly badass characters and really fun prose (there's actually a character in this series whose lines are so fun that when I can I read them aloud, because they're just that awesome and hilarious) and crazy plotlines. And that's just in the first three books.

Maybe we should start a club?

[john turner]

Originally Posted by coolrunner989

I know this might be a little to academic for the rowdy, thrill seeking, playful OT of TB, but I figured somebody out there has to have some brains

If you guys haven't read Brandon Sanderson's Mistborn trilogy, I highly recommend it. I just finished the last book, started the first one on Tuesday.

The best books are the ones that keep you turning pages, excited because of what just happened and anxious to see what is next. They take real life and re-present it with clarity, beauty, and poise.
I feel like I have a better grasp on the problems and situations in my life after reading these novels, with a deeper understanding of myself and the world, and that is something that is preciously rare in fiction IMO, even though that is the true calling of any creative work (literature, art, music, etc).

I'll be re-reading these again next week, then letting my brother borrow them.

I originally picked up Sanderson's work because he is finishing Robert Jordan's The Wheel of Time series, which is still one of my favorite works (a little long and dragging at some points, but the first 3 or 4 books are just awesome).

Has anyone else read these books? Or have any other inspiring books to share?

eh. the first one was ok, but halfway through the second one, when we meet zane and learn he's a "cutter", i lost interest and got stuck there. i just never was into the whole joss whedon "90210/melrose in fantasy" approach. i wonder if that's why the cover art used Shannen Doherty as the basis for vin.

michael moorcock said it best a while ago - fantasy genre work is like a cup of hot chocolate. totally unthreatening, unchallenging, comfortable and exactly what is expected. even those folks considered among the best fantasy authors these days have a hard time avoiding formulaic/2-dimensional stories.

that being said, i do think, however, that brandon sanderson's going to do a good job on AMOL. within the genre he's a great author, and if someone keeps the whole . i'm just getting tired of the genre itself i guess, at least as it is now.

[katibass]

i am a huge stephen king fan! i love the dark quality of his stories, and his prose is amazing. he seems to me to really capture the way the human mind works, and his descriptions are awesome!

anyway, one book of his that i will read over and over and over again is the stand. it's my favorite! in this book, he uses the plot as a metaphor, and through the characters and an america that has become a wasteland he plays out the struggle of good vs. evil that takes place inside all of us. he uses it to make other points as well.

it's a lengthy read though, over 1000 pages.

and i'll check out the mistborn trilogy when i get the chance, it sounds interesting.

i love threads like this!!!

[john turner]

a few reading suggestions, if you like robert jordan, definitely check out terry goodkind's sword of truth series and l.e. modesitt's "recluce" saga. both are great multi-story sagas, although modesitt's is very unconventional, sometimes jumping great spans of time between novels. something that is discussed as a legend, or even a myth in one novel is the subject of another one. very clever and fun to read.

also, check out harry turtledove, specifically the "Darkness" series. he's a "what if" alternate history type writer, and although his character development isn't quite as extensive, usually, as some of the other more character-driven novelists, his stories are always brilliant. the darkness series is a retelling of world war 2, only in a world of dragons and magic, where instead of jews being the target of the fascist's ire, it's mages. it's a great series.

[Pilgrim]

Originally Posted by coolrunner989

I originally picked up Sanderson's work because he is finishing Robert Jordan's The Wheel of Time series, which is still one of my favorite works (a little long and dragging at some points, but the first 3 or 4 books are just awesome).

Interesting. I gave up on the Jordan series probably two-three years ago because it stalled, and then Jordan died. I doubt whether I'll pick it up again unless it is completed...and maybe not then I don't know that I would invest the time to re-read and refresh myself in the series up to book 8 or 9 or whatevertheheck book I reached.

[Smurf-o-Deth]

I fully recommend The Name of the Wind, by Patrick Rothfuss. It has been acclaimed heavily, and for good reason. The only downside is waiting for the next book, heh.

[coolrunner989]

Originally Posted by john turner

eh. the first one was ok, but halfway through the second one, when we meet zane and learn he's a "cutter", i lost interest and got stuck there. i just never was into the whole joss whedon "90210/melrose in fantasy" approach. i wonder if that's why the cover art used Shannen Doherty as the basis for vin.

michael moorcock said it best a while ago - fantasy genre work is like a cup of hot chocolate. totally unthreatening, unchallenging, comfortable and exactly what is expected. even those folks considered among the best fantasy authors these days have a hard time avoiding formulaic/2-dimensional stories.

that being said, i do think, however, that brandon sanderson's going to do a good job on AMOL. within the genre he's a great author, and if someone keeps the whole . i'm just getting tired of the genre itself i guess, at least as it is now.

I think Sanderson avoids being formulaic, at least to me. Sure, we all know the world will be saved eventually in these kinds of stories, but the how and the why are what makes them worth reading, if not just for the cool fight scenes . The character development he brings is also rather stunning I think, with all of the major characters going through significant periods of doubt and development, nobody being completely one-sided/two dimensional, not to mention likeable. IMO, etc. Maybe I just don't read enough fantasy.

I think he successfully created a whole new interesting system of magic, a whole new world that was still effective in reflecting back real life while being nothing like it. That's enough of a feature for me to like the books.

Anyways, thanks for all the suggestions guys, plenty of new stuff has been mentioned! I've read some of the Shanarra series by Terry Brooks and I couldn't make up my mind if I loved it or just thought it was ok. I do like how he is expanding his world by taking it back and forward in time so much, creating a whole universe so to speak.

[Pilgrim]

Originally Posted by Smurf-o-Deth

I fully recommend The Name of the Wind, by Patrick Rothfuss. It has been acclaimed heavily, and for good reason. The only downside is waiting for the next book, heh.

ABSOLUTELY agree! Excellent reading!

And here's another - the Joe Abercrombie 3-book First Law series. A nice piece of work.

And one more - Scot Lynch's "The Lies of Locke Lamora" and its sequel, "Red Seas Under Red Skies". Great stories, well written.

[aikakone]

I think Sanderson is the same guy who wrote Alcatraz and the Evil Librarians, a juvenile fiction. I read it though and got a nice giggle out of it. From that one book, I found his reputation is quite good.

[Sartori]

Originally Posted by Pilgrim

Interesting. I gave up on the Jordan series probably two-three years ago because it stalled, and then Jordan died. I doubt whether I'll pick it up again unless it is completed...and maybe not then I don't know that I would invest the time to re-read and refresh myself in the series up to book 8 or 9 or whatevertheheck book I reached.

It is currently being finished. A Memory of Light (which the publisher has split into three parts because apparently bookstores don't like having massively thick books taking up space on the shelves... *is irritated*) is the last book of the series.

I quite liked books 9 and 11, also.

Originally Posted by coolrunner989

I think Sanderson avoids being formulaic, at least to me. Sure, we all know the world will be saved eventually in these kinds of stories, but the how and the why are what makes them worth reading, if not just for the cool fight scenes . The character development he brings is also rather stunning I think, with all of the major characters going through significant periods of doubt and development, nobody being completely one-sided/two dimensional, not to mention likeable. IMO, etc. Maybe I just don't read enough fantasy.

Not in all fantasy stories does a happy ending take place. Not going to name books specifically, cause that's a bit of an ending spoiler. Personally I found the ending of the Mistborn trilogy quite bittersweet. Sanderson's work is kinda like that of George R.R. Martin in a way. Well liked characters die. A lot. One thing I've thought about is that Mistborn is just about the right length to make a movie out of, or a trilogy. A thought.

I think he successfully created a whole new interesting system of magic, a whole new world that was still effective in reflecting back real life while being nothing like it. That's enough of a feature for me to like the books.

I loved the magic system in Mistborn. Very strange and not something I've really encountered before. Allomancy is really cool, and in some ways leaves its users more vulnerable than some other magic systems, and so when the main characters are in peril, it's very believable. Hemalurgy is just perfectly horrifying.

Anyways, thanks for all the suggestions guys, plenty of new stuff has been mentioned! I've read some of the Shanarra series by Terry Brooks and I couldn't make up my mind if I loved it or just thought it was ok. I do like how he is expanding his world by taking it back and forward in time so much, creating a whole universe so to speak.

Shannara... I dunno, I'm similar I guess. I like it, but in some ways a lot of it is a bit too formulaic for me. At least the first three. The Voyage of the Jerle Shannara I think is a big step up in quality for that series, as is Armageddon's Children. Good, but I don't think it's on the same level as Wheel of Time, Kushiel's Legacy and The Malazan Book of the Fallen.

[M@ddest_H@tter!]

I think this could turn into a book discussion thread/club deal thing.
I just finished the Sword of Truth series....excellent read if I do say so myself. I am waiting for the final book of the Wheel of Time to come out....it was sad when Robert Jordan passed away.

Also I recommend a book called "A Snipers Journey" a very excellent read on how the ravages of war can completely destroy an other wise normal human.

[M@ddest_H@tter!]

Originally Posted by Sartori

It is currently being finished. A Memory of Light (which the publisher has split into three parts because apparently bookstores don't like having massively thick books taking up space on the shelves... *is irritated*) is the last book of the series.

I quite liked books 9 and 11, also.

I can't believe they are splitting it up into 3 parts ! Stupid book stores....I don't think they realize that some people have spent years reading and waiting for Jordans books. *sigh*.....any word on when they are supposed to be released?

[Sartori]

Originally Posted by john turner

a few reading suggestions, if you like robert jordan, definitely check out terry goodkind's sword of truth series and l.e. modesitt's "recluce" saga. both are great multi-story sagas, although modesitt's is very unconventional, sometimes jumping great spans of time between novels. something that is discussed as a legend, or even a myth in one novel is the subject of another one. very clever and fun to read.

also, check out harry turtledove, specifically the "Darkness" series. he's a "what if" alternate history type writer, and although his character development isn't quite as extensive, usually, as some of the other more character-driven novelists, his stories are always brilliant. the darkness series is a retelling of world war 2, only in a world of dragons and magic, where instead of jews being the target of the fascist's ire, it's mages. it's a great series.

I've read Sword of Truth and like it a lot, though it gets a bit preachy at times, which can be irritating especially if you disagree with the ideology being preached. However, it's a very good story and the characters are pretty cool. Ironically, my favorite book in it is one of the preachiest, Faith of the Fallen, but mostly for the amount of Kahlan badassitude, and also some badass moments by Richard as well.

[Sartori]

Originally Posted by M@ddest_H@tter!

I can't believe they are splitting it up into 3 parts ! Stupid book stores....I don't think they realize that some people have spent years reading and waiting for Jordans books. *sigh*.....any word on when they are supposed to be released?

Yeah, Sanderson seemed pretty annoyed by that as well (especially as his contract I think is just for AMoL, doesn't mention there being 3 books of it). The first part is coming out this November, with parts two and three to be released one year apart.

[Darkstrike]

Originally Posted by john turner

a few reading suggestions, if you like robert jordan, definitely check out terry goodkind's sword of truth series and l.e. modesitt's "recluce" saga. both are great multi-story sagas, although modesitt's is very unconventional, sometimes jumping great spans of time between novels. something that is discussed as a legend, or even a myth in one novel is the subject of another one. very clever and fun to read.

also, check out harry turtledove, specifically the "Darkness" series. he's a "what if" alternate history type writer, and although his character development isn't quite as extensive, usually, as some of the other more character-driven novelists, his stories are always brilliant. the darkness series is a retelling of world war 2, only in a world of dragons and magic, where instead of jews being the target of the fascist's ire, it's mages. it's a great series.

Oooh, some of these sound like they're right up my alley, I need something to keep me busy while I wait for A Dance With Dragons.

Trudi Canavan's "The Black Magician" trilogy is a good read that I rarely hear mentioned.

[Darkstrike]

Originally Posted by Sartori

I've read Sword of Truth and like it a lot, though it gets a bit preachy at times, which can be irritating especially if you disagree with the ideology being preached. However, it's a very good story and the characters are pretty cool. Ironically, my favorite book in it is one of the preachiest, Faith of the Fallen, but mostly for the amount of Kahlan badassitude, and also some badass moments by Richard as well.

One of my very fave series of books ever, if not my very fave, but damn' he does like to preach, I didn't actually notce it until a few books in.

[Sartori]

Originally Posted by Darkstrike

One of my very fave series of books ever, if not my very fave, but damn' he does like to preach, I didn't actually notce it until a few books in.

Probably cause the first few books aren't very preachy .

Still, pretty awesome. Though I like Kahlan more as a character than Richard. I kinda wish he'd had her use her unstoppable rage more often.

[Ben Lesser]

Originally Posted by Smurf-o-Deth

I fully recommend The Name of the Wind, by Patrick Rothfuss. It has been acclaimed heavily, and for good reason. The only downside is waiting for the next book, heh.

I've got that sitting on my bookshelf, waiting to be read. I'm glad that it's going to live up to my expectations.

Originally Posted by Sartori

The Malazan Book of the Fallen by Steven Erikson is more in the high fantasy vein. Epic doesn't even begin to describe it. Filled with incredibly badass characters and really fun prose (there's actually a character in this series whose lines are so fun that when I can I read them aloud, because they're just that awesome and hilarious) and crazy plotlines. And that's just in the first three books.

Maybe we should start a club?

Oh man, Erikson is probably my favorite fantasy author. His books are just incredible, and actually wrapping up to a close (9th one drops in weeks...). I can't believe he's managed to keep pace and put out a book a year, basically. Puts a certain other fantasy author to total shame... won't name names... *cough*Martin*cough*

Originally Posted by Pilgrim

ABSOLUTELY agree! Excellent reading!

And here's another - the Joe Abercrombie 3-book First Law series. A nice piece of work.

And one more - Scot Lynch's "The Lies of Locke Lamora" and its sequel, "Red Seas Under Red Skies". Great stories, well written.

Scott Lynch's "Gentleman Bastard" series is quickly developing into what may be one of the finer modern fantasy series. The characters are so well crafted it's unreal. His dialogue is both believable and hilarious. I was less than amused when I found out that The Republic of Thieves has been pushed back until next year.

[Darkstrike]

Originally Posted by Sartori

Probably cause the first few books aren't very preachy .

Indeed, in fact, IIRC, there's pretty much none in the first two, and from there it kindof builds up and up. also, gotta agree, Faith Of The Fallen is one of the best in the series.

Originally Posted by Sartori

Still, pretty awesome. Though I like Kahlan more as a character than Richard. I kinda wish he'd had her use her unstoppable rage more often.

I dunno, I think it was well balanced, be kinda boring if every time she got in trouble, she exploded into a wild, unstopable rage.