Not So Epic Fantasy Novels? - Page 2 - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Lucifer · 03-09-2011, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fremen

There's The Kingkiller Chronicle by Patrick Rothfuss, of which the first novel, The Name of the Wind, came out in 2007.
The second volume is due out in early 2011.

While it's a pretty big book, it doesn't get too bogged down in the minutia of details, as much as The Wheel of Time series.

Thumbs up for this trilogy! I'm mid-way through book 2 now (just came out on the 1st, so that should tell you something); great fantasy and a compelling, believable character and world.

Another trilogy I just finished was The Abhorsen Trilogy (also called the Old Kingdom Trilogy); don't let the 'young adult' tag through you, it's a great read. I loved the unique way Garth Nix set up his novels. Imagine Great Britain with the Berlin Wall dividing the country at about Scotland. North of the Wall is the Old Kingdom: magic, kings, enchanted animals, walking dead, necromancers; and south of the Wall is Ancelstierre, think England circa 1914. Modern technology won't work north of the wall, or anywhere close to the wall if a north wind is blowing. The Ancelstierran soldiers who guard the wall carry guns and radios(also bows and swords, with chain mail over their camo), but because they've assimilated a fair bit of magic from their proximity to the Old Kingdom, they are mages as well. The first novel is called Sabriel, and focuses on Sabriel who is a young girl from the Old Kingdom who is at a girl's school in Ancelstierre when a ghost appears and summons her back to the old Kingdom to rescue her father, who is a famous necromancer dedicated to keeping the dead, dead!

Fremen · 03-09-2011, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lucifer

Thumbs up for this trilogy! I'm mid-way through book 2 now (just came out on the 1st, so that should tell you something); great fantasy and a compelling, believable character and world.

Another trilogy I just finished was The Abhorsen Trilogy (also called the Old Kingdom Trilogy); don't let the 'young adult' tag through you, it's a great read. I loved the unique way Garth Nix set up his novels. Imagine Great Britain with the Berlin Wall dividing the country at about Scotland. North of the Wall is the Old Kingdom: magic, kings, enchanted animals, walking dead, necromancers; and south of the Wall is Ancelstierre, think England circa 1914. Modern technology won't work north of the wall, or anywhere close to the wall if a north wind is blowing. The Ancelstierran soldiers who guard the wall carry guns and radios(also bows and swords, with chain mail over their camo), but because they've assimilated a fair bit of magic from their proximity to the Old Kingdom, they are mages as well. The first novel is called Sabriel, and focuses on Sabriel who is a young girl from the Old Kingdom who is at a girl's school in Ancelstierre when a ghost appears and summons her back to the old Kingdom to rescue her father, who is a famous necromancer dedicated to keeping the dead, dead!

Cool. Thanks for the heads-up on the 2nd Kingkiller book, Lucifer. I haven't been paying attention to new release books lately.

Your Old Kingdom Trilogy suggestion sounds intriguing.
I'll check it out. Thanks.

MeltedMetalGlob · 03-12-2011, 02:04 PM

If a dash of sci-fi mixed with fantasy doesn't bother the OP, then I recommend Edgar Rice Burrough's "Barsoom" novels (aka the John Carter of Mars books). Mostly swordplay, between men and against the occasional beast.

Burroughs' stories are quite intriguing, and although the series is following one central character, occasionally a book will revolve around another entirely separate hero/heroine.

If you like strong codes of honor and righteous protagonists, start with "A Princess of Mars", and take it from there.

WhoaitsZ · 03-16-2011, 04:47 PM

I love the Wheel of Time. my only real complaint was book 10 reeked. like... maybe 15% was interesting.

I am just a huge wot fan and I am soooooo waiting for book 14. The new guy has done an outstanding job.

Robin Hobbs is pure awesome also once the book takes off. starting her trilogies can be very slow but once they take off its absolutely terrific. these are epic fantasy, however.

Did you read His Dark Materials? They are considered teenage books but are very, very fucking good and quite dark. thanks to cyn for pointing them out to me.

Strange Famous · 03-26-2011, 02:35 PM

I would recomend that ANYONE reads "Howl's Moving Castle" Its 200 pages, targetted at ages 14-100. You can definitely enjoy it as an adult (or at least I enjoyed it a lot at age 32) And one of the most engaging, sympthetic heroes/heroines that I have ever read.

03-12-2011, 02:04 PM	#43 (permalink)
MeltedMetalGlob Crazy Location: San Huevos, USA	If a dash of sci-fi mixed with fantasy doesn't bother the OP, then I recommend Edgar Rice Burrough's "Barsoom" novels (aka the John Carter of Mars books). Mostly swordplay, between men and against the occasional beast. Burroughs' stories are quite intriguing, and although the series is following one central character, occasionally a book will revolve around another entirely separate hero/heroine. If you like strong codes of honor and righteous protagonists, start with "A Princess of Mars", and take it from there. __________________ How's your mom, Ed?

03-26-2011, 02:35 PM	#45 (permalink)
Strange Famous follower of the child's crusade?	I would recomend that ANYONE reads "Howl's Moving Castle" Its 200 pages, targetted at ages 14-100. You can definitely enjoy it as an adult (or at least I enjoyed it a lot at age 32) And one of the most engaging, sympthetic heroes/heroines that I have ever read. __________________ "Do not tell lies, and do not do what you hate, for all things are plain in the sight of Heaven. For nothing hidden will not become manifest, and nothing covered will remain without being uncovered." The Gospel of Thomas

03-16-2011, 04:47 PM	#44 (permalink)
WhoaitsZ Crazy Location: right behind you...	I love the Wheel of Time. my only real complaint was book 10 reeked. like... maybe 15% was interesting. I am just a huge wot fan and I am soooooo waiting for book 14. The new guy has done an outstanding job. Robin Hobbs is pure awesome also once the book takes off. starting her trilogies can be very slow but once they take off its absolutely terrific. these are epic fantasy, however. Did you read His Dark Materials? They are considered teenage books but are very, very fucking good and quite dark. thanks to cyn for pointing them out to me.