Question on Fantasy Series

[Azreader]

Alright since I know this community knows fantasy I figure id ask here first.

 

Since I finished KOD, ive been reading a bunch of solo novels and it just isnt doing it for me. I still have to catch up on the mistborn series, but other than that I got nothing.

 

What Im looking for is a fantasy series that has more development of creatures, monters, who knows. I like the whole magic thing(hey who doesnt) but orcs and trollocs, and gollums are more enjoyable to read about it.

 

So what do you all think?

[Barmacral]

You can try Steve Erickson's Malazan, the book of the fallen series, or GRRM's A Song of Ice and Fire.

[Azreader]

Malazan pretty good?

 

I was at borders looking at those books actually,they seemed magic oriented, but i guess not?

[Barmacral]

Malazan has plenty of magic in it, in fact, it has one of the most complex and developed magic systems out there, its one of my two favourites, after Sandersons Mistborn system. There are also plenty of other races out there aside from humans, but they don't ascribe to the traditional orc / elf / dwarf type thing, which I really like. Its actually one of the most developed worlds out there from the start of the series, as Erickson and Esslemont roleplayed the world for years developing it before they finally started writing in the world.

 

Gardens of the Moon, which is the first book isn't the strongest of his books, but it is still quite enjoyable, however, it does drop you in the middle of a war and leaving you with no idea with whats going on, so it is a bit of a tough start. If you can make it past the first 300 pages or so though, you should be good.

[Mr Ares]

While ASoIaF is a good series, and I do recommend it, I'm not sure if it's what you're after - the focus is less on the creatures and monsters and more on the people, even more so than WoT. Neither the Others nor the Dragons have played a big role in the series to date. Malazan probably has more what you're looking for. Lots of magic, yes, but lots of non-human races. Armies of undead zombie neanderthals, dragons, people who can turn into dragons, undead velociraptors with swords for arms, who were once an advanced civilisation, and so on. That the sort of thing you want? Discworld has lots of stuff with non-human races, trolls, dwarves, elves, vampires, etc. All traditional races. And the series is really funny. If you don't like it, I'll shoot you. China Mieville has lots of weird stuff in his books, including some weird monsters. Raymond Feist has some stuff like that in his books. Read Magician, that's his first.

 

Malazan has plenty of magic in it, in fact, it has one of the most complex and developed magic systems out there, its one of my two favourites, after Sandersons Mistborn system.

I wouldn't really call it developed. It just seems to be a matter of this is magic, it can do just about anything, some people are really strong. No real rules or limits, unlike WoT or Mistborn.

Its actually one of the most developed worlds out there from the start of the series, as Erickson and Esslemont roleplayed the world for years developing it before they finally started writing in the world.

Seems like the two of them just added cool stuff whenever they fancied, without really making the world com alive. Fun series, but I wouldn't say it had a well developed world. Seems a little lacking in depth at times. WoT seems much better developed, as does Bakker's Earwa. And Martin's Westeros, but that's less due to great worldbuilding and more due to great characters.

If you can make it past the first 300 pages or so though, you should be good.

If you're not sick of the damn thing by the halfway point, you might like it. Not much of a recommendation, nor is it a great indicator of quality on Erikson's part.

[Azreader]

Are we discussing which Malazan series cause im lost?

 

 

Im looking for an intriguing story, obviously im spoiled with WOT, but what can you do

 

[Barmacral]

If you're not sick of the damn thing by the halfway point, you might like it. Not much of a recommendation, nor is it a great indicator of quality on Erikson's part.

Ericksons words, not mine.

 

Discworld has lots of stuff with non-human races, trolls, dwarves, elves, vampires, etc. All traditional races. And the series is really funny. If you don't like it, I'll shoot you.

I lol'ed, and I've been meaning to read this one, but that'll have to wait til I've got more time to myself.

 

And thusfar Az, A Song of Ice and Fire, Malazan: The book of the fallen and Discworld are the books that have been recommended to you. You should see more recommendations coming through more during the week, when the most people are online.

[Azreader]

Well, thank you for the recommendations Much appreciated :)

[Mr Ares]

Im looking for an intriguing story, obviously im spoiled with WOT, but what can you do

Find another good series/book. It's not like there's a shortage. ASoIaF is brilliant, Second Sons trilogy is very good, Malazan Book of the Fallen is often excellent, Deadhouse Gates and Memories of Ice being the best in the series, Riftwar is great, Serpentwar is too, mostly, others of Feist's books not so much, Prince of Nothing is incredible, Discworld is hilarious, Neil Gaiman is superb, and most of China Mieville's books, Perdido Street Station in particular are exceptional. There's really no shortage of good fantasy out there, I've just barely scratched the surface.

 

If you're not sick of the damn thing by the halfway point, you might like it. Not much of a recommendation, nor is it a great indicator of quality on Erikson's part.

Ericksons words, not mine.

Erikson, not Erickson - that's a completely different author. Did he really say that? That's a pretty poor show - if you can stomach the crap first half, the second half is alright is not a brilliant way of convincing people to buy your book. If an author can't grip you with that much time, the author has failed. That said, I didn't find GotM that hard to get into. Just pay attention and it's not really that difficult to know what's going on. Why you should care is another matter.

 

Discworld has lots of stuff with non-human races, trolls, dwarves, elves, vampires, etc. All traditional races. And the series is really funny. If you don't like it, I'll shoot you.

I lol'ed, and I've been meaning to read this one, but that'll have to wait til I've got more time to myself.

Oh yes, it was a joke *puts gun down*

[Corki]

Why don't you just stand infront of the whole fantasy section and look for the first book of each series and choose the ones that interest you? That is what I tend to do when I want to start a new series. And so far it has picked more good ones over bad ones. It has also allowed me to read some lesser known authors, like Kristen Britain (The Green Rider Series), Trudi Canavan (The Black Magician Trilogy) and James Clemens (The Banned and the Bannished). I highly recommend all three, which have good doses of magic.

 

I've just started Erikson, and thoroughly enjoyed the first book. Sadly, I have put the second book down due to accountancy revision, but I am sure book 2 and 3 will be read over the festive period.

[Cadsuane]

I'll second the hilarity of Discworld (well, the one book in it I've read so far: Guards! Guards!). Pratchett had me giggling or full on laughing frequently and regularly throughout the tale (usually while I was on the train on the way to work, resulting in funny looks from other passengers  ;D). I plan to pick up others from that series when I finish Red Seas Under Red Skies, by Scott Lynch. It's very good, but not what you're looking for.