Other Fantacy Series

[SirTownsend]

Ok before you say anything, i did look up other topics on this and they only helped little.  See I'm very picky when it come to fantacy books or series.  So I was wondering if you could help me find a book that fits what i like and don't like....I'm gonna list them:

 

I don't like a lot of "creatures" WoT has them and WoT has the right amount, some books have so many it's ridiculous, I like creatures but not an overload.

 

I also don't like a lot of magic, again I like magic and stuff but if the book centers around it then I don't like it, WoT does good with this (except its not magic it's the True Source)LoR does good with this too, uses it wisely.  Again I'm not saying I don't want any, I just want it used wisely. 

 

Mainly that's all, there are other smaller things, but i can figure those on my own, i know I'm picky, sorry, but if you could help me out that'd be great. Thanks. 

[Werthead]

Sounds like A SONG OF ICE AND FIRE by George RR Martin may be what you are looking for. Small amounts of magic (but still some), only a few magical creatures (but still some) and so forth.

[shinerfan]

Ice & Fire is in my opinion the best of all fantasy series (though the magic seems to be coming in the later books, we'll see). Jaqueline Carey's Kushiel series might be another good fit for you. She really turns Christianity and European history on their heads, but the magic is mostly subtle. The religions play a big role, but the gods rarely lend a direct hand; its more through human proxies. Love as thou wilt.

[Barmacral]

The first law trilogy might also be a good option. There is some magic, but not overwhelming amounts.

[Caedda_Sedai]

The "Dragon Prince" and "Dragon Star" series by Melanie Rawn are good - only "creatures" are dragons, and there is minimal/no magic per se.  There is a form of magic/communication called "sunrunning" but it's not actually magic.... ach, difficult to explain!

[Isgrimner]

Memory Sorrow and Thorn trilogy by Tad Williams.

 

I believe there are less "creatures" than WOT, but many of them play a more promenent role.

 

There is definately less magic than WOT.  In fact there is very little "magic" in the series.

 

I love the books, but the most common complaint I hear from those that do have complaints with the series is that it starts out too slowly. Personnally for me, I did not find that to be the case, but I do tend to like the longer works that do have detail. 

[Taura-Tierno]

Farseer trilogy by Robin Hobb might interest you as well. As well Hobb's 2 other trilogies in the same world, if you enjoy Farseer.

 

The Coldfire trilogy by C.S. Friedman is on about the same level as WoT when it comes to creatures and magic, I think. Fanstatic series, too.

[DPT24]

  The Shannara series has less magic, although lots of creatures. 

[DPT24]

Expanding on that, Terry Brooks first three books, the Sword of Shannara, Elfstone's of Shannara, and Wishsong of Shannara are longer lengnth books, similar to Wheel of Time.  Sword is basicly Lord of the Rings, but the others are distinct.  Heritage of Shannara is a good series, as is the Voyage of the Jerle Shannara series, and High Druid.  And if you want something really crazy, the Genesis of Shannara series mixes Post Apocoliptic America with traditional fantasy

[redarm]

   I'll second the Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn nomination.  Virtually no creatures and little magic.  Good read.  Plenty of detail without getting bogged down in it and solid world building.  

   And I enjoyd the all of the David Eddings series, although they are a bit simple and do rely a little more heavily on magic.  The Ellenium series is probably the one with the least magic and is probably a little more mature that the Belgariad and the others associated with that line of characters.

   Shannara was good, not great, but I did enjoy the Genisis of Shannara books as well as the Word and the Void which precedes that.  Both are based in a time very close to our own.  Actually, the later takes place during our time in modern day America prior to the apocoliptic future of the Genesis books.

   Eragon(Michael Palini) was a good read but probably has too much of what you don't want.  Same goes for the Elric Saga(Michael Moorcock) which I would recommend.  

   Melanie Rawns stuff was good too.  Not much in the way of magic and no creatures beside the aforementioned dragons, who don't really play a huge role.  

   

[Graendals favourite]

I'll add the fortress series of C. J. Cheryh. I long time ago enjoyed the first book much. However, on my "to do list", alike J. V. Jones, I have not yet read further. Have had other things to occupy me, but for me her books are interesting, and as I understand, not overly magical. (Have the Fortess of Eagles to start the same as Baker's Boy.)

[redarm]

Another you might try is The Winter of the World trilogy by Michael Scott Rohan.  Very interesting.  A lot of links to popular legends and myths.  In fact I believe the series is supposed to take place in a far distant past.  A little magic but not any of the waving of the hands type.  Kind of subtle.  No creatures really.  Everyone is human, more or less.  Quite original other than the obvious play on many of the earths legends and myths including possibly the origin of the Atlantis myth, the story of Ichirus(sp), and a few others that might give too much away.  A good read though.  The books are titled The Anvil of Ice, The Forge in the Forest, and The Hammer of the Sun.  Decent length but not too much either.  I think each is only around 300-400 pages.  Wouldn't take too long.