What other fantasy books do YOU read? - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Encaitare · 07-24-2006, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lal

I loved Wanda too! There's some interesting stuff about the character in the Sandman Companion that's worth reading (if you've not already got a copy that is!).

I don't actually. I'll have to keep an eye out for it. An "official fanfiction" book I highly recommend is the Sandman: Book of Dreams (I believe it is called). It has some lovely stories about all the characters of the Sandman, including a really good one about Cain and Abel (ahhh, nothing like twisted brotherly love).

07-26-2006, 10:24 AM

Oh... this thread is so huge I've had distinct trouble wading through it all and have given up prior to the end!
I thought I'd mention some of the stuff I've appreciated from my collection, apologies if they've been discussed before.

I think one of the great things about Tolkien is that once you've read the books, in my case at around the age of 8 or 9 I believe... They set you on a path of appreciating really creative, well thought out writing, in no matter what genre you prefer to wade. The downside to this (if you see it as a downside that is) is that it can make you a lot more picky about what you spend your money on... which sometimes can be somewhat frustrating when you've run out of current favourite authors and have to go looking for new ones! Here's some of mine, and I hope it might help anyone that is perhaps in that situation

William Gibson is a must for anyone interested in the more cyberpunk end of things.... he in fact pretty much created cyberpunk all on his own.

Neil Gaiman has been mentioned a lot here I note, but I thought I'd bring him up anyway, simply because he is probably the only author whom I can quite honestly say I find myself checking regularly on, to see whether there's been a new release... he is creating some incredibly unusual and enthralling stuff, not least of which were the Sandman series.
For those of you who are graphic novel fans by the way, I've recently started purchasing the Sandman spin off series Lucifer, which though not written by Gaiman is very much in his vein of thinking (think gods, devils, unseen universes, social commentary, dark humour). Well worth a read!
Oh and if you really want to find out where the origin of the wave of these sorts of adult graphic novels is, see if you can find yourself a copy of Watchmen... it was I believe the first of this kind, with a very unusual twist on the usual superhero scenario.

Orson Scott Cards "Ender" series is also well worth a read, another one with plenty of social commentary, set in a future galaxy where we're about to be destroyed by an alien race (or are we?) Sounds like a cliché I know, but very well written!
Shame the man himself is something of an outspoken character really…

I've not heard anyone mention the Dan Simmons Hyperion cantos which I'm quite surprised at?

And last but by no means least what about Peter F Hamilton? His night's dawn trilogy is stunning.... and you can't really fault any of the Minstar stuff (I forget the name of the series

) either.

Oh there's so many more!!!!!! I just love reading

Lalwendë · 07-26-2006, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smaug reborn

Oh... this thread is so huge I've had distinct trouble wading through it all and have given up prior to the end!

Beware of the Canonicity thread then. Or arm yourself with some nurofen and a stiff drink before attempting.

I've been tempted by Watchmen too, mainly as Alan Moore was a major source of inspiration for Neil Gaiman (hark at me, I'm turning into some sort of fan-gurl). But another good one is The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen which I got cheaply a while back - it's way, way better than the film!

I watched the film of Sin City a few weeks back and I really enjoyed it. Has anyone read the books? I know they're not fantasy, but...

davem · 07-28-2006, 02:13 PM

David Gemmell dies at 57. here

I have to admit I've never read any of his work, but for others who have this is tragic news. Let me know his best novel.

Encaitare · 07-28-2006, 04:10 PM

Quote:

But another good one is The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen which I got cheaply a while back - it's way, way better than the film!

Maybe that'll be my next comic endeavor, then, because I liked the movie a lot... and if the comic is even better, that makes Enca a happy girl.

Bêthberry · 07-28-2006, 07:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davem

David Gemmell dies at 57. here

I have to admit I've never read any of his work, but for others who have this is tragic news. Let me know his best novel.

That is indeed tragic news, for 57 is yet still in the prime of years. I'm sure Gemmell has stalwart fans among people here at the Barrow Downs and I'm sure that in particular Squatter ahd his friend Palando of the Blue Robe will be saddened to hear of Gemmell's passing. They can probably speak best to his finest work.

I have read but two of his books, Midnight Falcon of the Rigante series and White Wolf. He had a way with history and fantasy; his fans are legion; that I have not read others speaks more to time's intemperate chariot than to any disinterest on my part.

Barrow Downs has a tie-in with the fantasy of Gemmell, for a Rohan game tried once to see if Gemmell's style could be merged with Tolkien's. If any are interested you can take a look at the game Betrayal of Trust.

07-26-2006, 10:24 AM	#2
Smaug reborn Guest Posts: n/a	Books, books and more books! Oh... this thread is so huge I've had distinct trouble wading through it all and have given up prior to the end! I thought I'd mention some of the stuff I've appreciated from my collection, apologies if they've been discussed before. I think one of the great things about Tolkien is that once you've read the books, in my case at around the age of 8 or 9 I believe... They set you on a path of appreciating really creative, well thought out writing, in no matter what genre you prefer to wade. The downside to this (if you see it as a downside that is) is that it can make you a lot more picky about what you spend your money on... which sometimes can be somewhat frustrating when you've run out of current favourite authors and have to go looking for new ones! Here's some of mine, and I hope it might help anyone that is perhaps in that situation William Gibson is a must for anyone interested in the more cyberpunk end of things.... he in fact pretty much created cyberpunk all on his own. Neil Gaiman has been mentioned a lot here I note, but I thought I'd bring him up anyway, simply because he is probably the only author whom I can quite honestly say I find myself checking regularly on, to see whether there's been a new release... he is creating some incredibly unusual and enthralling stuff, not least of which were the Sandman series. For those of you who are graphic novel fans by the way, I've recently started purchasing the Sandman spin off series Lucifer, which though not written by Gaiman is very much in his vein of thinking (think gods, devils, unseen universes, social commentary, dark humour). Well worth a read! Oh and if you really want to find out where the origin of the wave of these sorts of adult graphic novels is, see if you can find yourself a copy of Watchmen... it was I believe the first of this kind, with a very unusual twist on the usual superhero scenario. Orson Scott Cards "Ender" series is also well worth a read, another one with plenty of social commentary, set in a future galaxy where we're about to be destroyed by an alien race (or are we?) Sounds like a cliché I know, but very well written! Shame the man himself is something of an outspoken character really… I've not heard anyone mention the Dan Simmons Hyperion cantos which I'm quite surprised at? And last but by no means least what about Peter F Hamilton? His night's dawn trilogy is stunning.... and you can't really fault any of the Minstar stuff (I forget the name of the series ) either. Oh there's so many more!!!!!! I just love reading

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Switch to Linear Mode Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

07-28-2006, 02:13 PM	#4
davem Illustrious Ulair Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: In the home of lost causes, and forsaken beliefs, and unpopular names,and impossible loyalties Posts: 4,240	David Gemmell dies at 57. here I have to admit I've never read any of his work, but for others who have this is tragic news. Let me know his best novel.