Just finished a great Fantasy Series

[Gypsy]

I just finished the Riyria Revelations by Michael Sullivan. The final book in the series, Percepliquis, just came out. The entire series was great and the final book was the cherry on top of it all.

I know we have a lot of fantasy readers on here so I thought I'd share.

If you liked Jim Butcher's Codex Alera, Brent Weeks Night Angel or if you enjoy the YA series of Tamora Pierce or John Flanagan you will enjoy these very much. They are billed as YA and have no sex an no gratuitous violence (but there is fighting and some romance), but the 'heros' are not kids they are adults and the series straddles the cusp of YA and adult fantasy very well.

Link the the final book (you MUST start at the beginning, the author describes it best as ONE story told in multiple volumes). The only criticism of the series I've agreed with is that it borrows heavily from Tolkein, and that is true. But I don't think that's a bad thing.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1937475018/ref=cm_cr_thx_view

 

[Amys Bling]

Oooo sounds like something I would enjoy

 

[dragonfly411]

Thanks for the recommendation Gypsy! I'll have to take a look, once I finish my never ending pile tee hee!

 

[TristanC]

Sounds good. I didn't know there were many fantasy readers on these boards...

Gypsy your cat faces keep changing on the avatar, I always need to do a double take!

 

[Gypsy]

Sounds good. I didn't know there were many fantasy readers on these boards...

Gypsy your cat faces keep changing on the avatar, I always need to do a double take!

There are quite a few of us Tristan. If you ever want recommendations OR have some recommendations to impart it's always a great idea to post them.

I have 5 cat so they cycle throughout the year. Each of them gets some face time. I know it can be hard to get used to. But it seems unfair to just leave one up when there are all so important to me.

I also have a little dragon AV I'm fond of that I use occasionally.

 

[Gypsy]

Thanks for the recommendation Gypsy! I'll have to take a look, once I finish my never ending pile tee hee!

What's in your pile hon? These are really nice reads. Fast paced but enough meat to satisfy.

I'd love recommendations.

 

[TristanC]

No current fantasy recommendations other than those on the bestseller lists for eons. Personally I'm not a huge fan of LOTR (i know, I know) as I think if he left out the lecturing, songs, poetry and tom bombadil entirely, it would have been much less tedious. But hey, that's me.

In terms of lesser known authors, I really enjoyed my read of Jack Whyte's take on historical fiction on the aurthur storyline. Not strictly fantasy, but medieval setting and fictional yet rooted in history. Starts with the skystone I think... I forget.

I also did the whole Robert Jordan wheel of time saga, but I'll wait till it is truly concluded before redoing the whole series from book one.

I need to check out those titles that you've shared, seems I haven't covered quite as much ground as I would have liked!

 

[Gypsy]

I stopped Jordan on book eight. My DH is still reading them. The last one comes out this year. At that point I'll re-read the first eight and finish the series.

If you like Fantasy, the best series I've read in the last few years is Brent Weeks "Night Angel" trilogy. The book synopsis on the back is complete crap. The series is not about assassins at all. But you have to get into it to appreciate it. It took me 2/3rds of the way through the first book until I was hooked.

I agree with Tolkien. It was a struggle for me to read it and not just skim ahead to the good parts.

I'll looks up Skystone.

 

[TristanC]

I'll check up on Brent weeks. I'm glad you didn't like LOTR as much as some people, as the pedantic fantasy fans (is there a point in being pedantic about fantasy? talk about oxymorons) get tiresome. For that reason I couldn't get into the shannara chronicles too, it just drove me crazy, and unlike Tolkien, it wasn't a necessity to cover it.

Just a heads up on Jordan. He's passed on, and the son has taken up the mantle of completing the books. I don't know if the last one last one really DOES come out this year. He split the last book into 3 books, with a caveat that the last of the 3 might need to be 2 books if it can't be completed in one (yeah, so the 11 book series becomes 14, then maybe 15)... I'll read it when it is completely done and not a moment sooner.

I did enjoy the whole drizzt do urden series by R A Salvatore too, but that's like a light hearted romp through a forgotten realms seting without much thought behind it. So I only recommend it to fans of the campier/stereotypical fantasy settings. If you love Dungeons and Dragons, you'll like it.

 

[Gypsy]

Yeah, I know about Brendon Sanderson (person completing the Robert Jordan series) and I've actually read the Mistborn Saga and the stand alone Elantris. He's pretty good. My DH says he really likes the Wheel of Time books by him actually and is very optimistic for a satisfying conclusion.

I don't do D&D, but I'll check out the Salvatore recommendations.

Have you read the Death Gate Cycle by Margaret Weiss and Tracy Hickman? Very good.

 

[aviastar]

A little older series, but one of my favorites David Eddings "Belgariad" and "Mallorean", two series of 5 books each about the same characters- absolutley lovey! Love his other work, as well, but start with Pawn of Prophecy, the first in the Belgariad.

Tristan- I agree with you about Tolkien, which I why I actually enjoy the movies quite a bit, except that one of my favorite parts of the book was the Ent storyline and it was seriously abbreviated in the movie.

Thanks for the recommendation, Gypsy, always great to hear about new fantasy reads!

 

[Gypsy]

Welcome!

I adore the movies! They were great. I was so impressed they managed to translate it so well to the screen.

My husband has read David Eddings, but he doesn't remember which series. But he liked him, so I will check out Pawn of Prophecy. Thank you!

I mostly read urban fantasy, paranormal romance, fantasy, and paranormal mystery.

 

[TristanC]

Ok - I've finished the Night Angel Trilogy. I must say Gypsy... it IS about assasins. Just different than assasins as a genre that you would have thought.

I really liked books one and two, but honestly I think book 3 was just too rushed. Everything climaxed in a jumble and not a particularly satisfying one. Too many things that the author in his usual pace would have taken 1 more novel to cover, was covered in a few brief chapters.

Of course, I'm only complaining because I like the characters and the series and I would have liked more meat to the ending. But at least it is an ending. Fantasy usually has a problem with endings anyway - part of the genre's challenges.

Now I'm off to find that series you recommended at the start of this thread.

 

[Gypsy]

Yes, it is about assassins... because assassins have a lot of the skills heroes need. Very batman like superhero (only with real powers). I really thought the covers were misleading though.

I agree that the pacing is very different from book one compared to book three. But it worked for me.

His new series is interesting too. But only the first book has been released.

I am glad you enjoyed the trilogy-- I totally understand wanting more time with the characters. I am happier generally with series that end sooner than later and end believably and satisfactorily, though. I often feel like fantasy drags things out way too long.

Can't wait to see what you think of the Michael Sullivan series. It's much more geared toward teens than adults, not as dark. I really loved the characters of Hadrian and Royce though.

 

[chakeroinoon]

Thanks for the recommendation Gypsy!

 

[TristanC]

Yeah, I do like endings. Fantasy has always had issues in that department, just like Anime. Fantastic world setting, character development etc... then no end in sight. So they just truncate it. Like falling down an elevator shaft a la Dr Drake Ramore of Friends/Joey fame.

I expected more from the concluding chapter, too neat. So much edited and cut down material. Without giving away the plot, I expected more from certain factions that joined late. Or the factions that finally met the flow of the novel, and were never mentioned again. Even some plot lines were forgotten in the frenzy towards the end. Definitely too big a climax in too few words and just too neat an end. Cetain major characters suddenly developed skills not used or shown through 3 novels... things like that. Just way too rushed.

But all in all, definitely one of my most satisfying reads in a long while, and I would have breezed by it countless times on the bookstore shelves if not for your recommendation. Thanks!

Tolkein might live forever because he painted one of the best endings I have ever read. (Or maybe I'm just glad the end came).

Eh. Wheel of time is only done next year? Arrgh. Let book 14 be the end...

 

[SweetAsscher]

Has anyone read the Chronicles of Amber?

 

[Gypsy]

Has anyone read the Chronicles of Amber?

Do... but do tell. I'm off to look at the reviews on Amazon (I have a Nook but much prefer Amazon reviews). http://www.amazon.com/The-Great-Book-Amber-Chronicles/dp/0380809060/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1332396636&sr=8-1 Might get it for my husband and see what he thinks of it. He's my guinea pig.


You are welcome Chakeroinoon!


Tristan, yeah it's really hard because you get so invested in these characters you spend so much time with and then the ending is bittersweet-- and sometimes just bitter if the author doesn't get it right.

 

[SweetAsscher]

I read that book (the great book of amber) it's basically all the chronicles in one book.
I actually enjoyed it although the ending was unsatisfying bcuz it wasn't a true ending but more of a 'to be continued'. Throughout the books there were loose endings and clues that I expected to be resolved eventually. I think I heard that the author got sick and died before he could write more in the series.
Over all it was interesting and entertaining and I would recommend it if you like fantasy.
I'm glad I saw this thread, I needed some more reading recommendations. My problem is that I spend sooo much money buying books it ridiculous! When I get into a book or series I read like crazy and finish it in one or two days. iPad is an enabler too! So easy to buy books immediately. $10-15 each really adds up!

 

[SB621]

hey Gypsy!

Thanks for the book rec- I just added to my amazon checkout . I read a lot of YA and adult fantasy. I just finished King Rolen's Kin series (she is coming out with the 2nd triology hopefully this year) and they were amazing. A bit more graphic with violence (think The Green Rider series) but excellent for YA too. I highly recommend if you are looking for something new to read. It starts a bit slow so just get through the first 80 or so pages and then you are just hooked.

Anything else to recommend...I blow through books so I love getting recommendations.

http://www.amazon.com/Kings-Bastard-King-Rolens-Book/dp/1907519017/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1332512034&sr=1-1

 

[Gypsy]

hey Gypsy!

Thanks for the book rec- I just added to my amazon checkout . I read a lot of YA and adult fantasy. I just finished King Rolen's Kin series (she is coming out with the 2nd triology hopefully this year) and they were amazing. A bit more graphic with violence (think The Green Rider series) but excellent for YA too. I highly recommend if you are looking for something new to read. It starts a bit slow so just get through the first 80 or so pages and then you are just hooked.

Anything else to recommend...I blow through books so I love getting recommendations.

http://www.amazon.com/Kings-Bastard-King-Rolens-Book/dp/1907519017/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1332512034&sr=1-1

Sarah, nice recommendation! I will put that on my list. Thank you. I hope you'll post what you think of the series when you finish it. I'm afraid Tristan will probably think the ending on these was a bit abrupt as well. It was just right for me, though. I read the first few books of the Green Rider series but haven't read any recently, that was a good reminder as I recall liking them.

I've been in the mood for humor recently, so I've been more in the urban fantasy and paranormal mystery genres, with a few paranormal romances thrown in occasionally, but I'm feeling the need for something pure fantasy to sink my teeth into. I would kill for a good Pratchett, but unfortunately, since the poor man now has Alzheimer's, those days are gone. If you read any of those genres, Sarah, I'd be happy to recommend a few series/books. There are quite a few nice ones out there.

And if you've never read Pratchett, let me know cause those are NOT to be missed!

Sweetasscher I'm so glad you posted that information. It's probably not the right series for me then as it would drive me batty. Open TBC endings are a pet peeve of mine. But I will recommend it to a friend of mine who doesn't mind them.

 

[SweetAsscher]

hey Gypsy!

Thanks for the book rec- I just added to my amazon checkout . I read a lot of YA and adult fantasy. I just finished King Rolen's Kin series (she is coming out with the 2nd triology hopefully this year) and they were amazing. A bit more graphic with violence (think The Green Rider series) but excellent for YA too. I highly recommend if you are looking for something new to read. It starts a bit slow so just get through the first 80 or so pages and then you are just hooked.

Anything else to recommend...I blow through books so I love getting recommendations.

http://www.amazon.com/Kings-Bastard-King-Rolens-Book/dp/1907519017/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1332512034&sr=1-1

Sarah, nice recommendation! I will put that on my list. Thank you. I hope you'll post what you think of the series when you finish it. I'm afraid Tristan will probably think the ending on these was a bit abrupt as well. It was just right for me, though. I read the first few books of the Green Rider series but haven't read any recently, that was a good reminder as I recall liking them.

I've been in the mood for humor recently, so I've been more in the urban fantasy and paranormal mystery genres, with a few paranormal romances thrown in occasionally, but I'm feeling the need for something pure fantasy to sink my teeth into. I would kill for a good Pratchett, but unfortunately, since the poor man now has Alzheimer's, those days are gone. If you read any of those genres, Sarah, I'd be happy to recommend a few series/books. There are quite a few nice ones out there.

And if you've never read Pratchett, let me know cause those are NOT to be missed!

Sweetasscher I'm so glad you posted that information. It's probably not the right series for me then as it would drive me batty. Open TBC endings are a pet peeve of mine. But I will recommend it to a friend of mine who doesn't mind them.

yup I didn't realize the ending wasn't a 'real' ending until I finished the book lol. But I think I'm going to start reading it again bcuz I did enjoy it and it is a very long book. I get sad when I see I'm already halfway through a book that I'm enjoying.

 

[distracts]

I have found that Brandon Sanderson's books always have satisfactory endings. Not always the ending you thought was coming, but good endings. I read his book Elantris last year and in the past year have devoured all his other books. The Mistborn trilogy is exceptionally good, definitely my favorite of his so far, and in my personal top 100. I recommend it highly - it's plotty and complex and has amazing characters. His novel Warbreaker is available in PDF form on his website, I believe. It's the one I'm currently reading and so far I like it.

His YA series is good too, though if you don't like dangling endings, don't read that one! That series plays with your expectations of a book, and does batty things like try to destroy your trust in the reliability of the protagonist, set things up that never happen, mis-number chapters, and end the entire series right after setting up a new adventure to happen. I thought it was hilarious, and it is directly tied to the plot of the book, but I think other people might find it annoying. It's entirely, totally different than his regular fantasy novels.

 

[Gypsy]

I read Elantris, which I thought was very good and I've read Mistborn as well and thought the ending was fine, but by book 3 I wasn't on the edge of my seat so my lingering impression of the series isn't as positive as the one I have of Elantris. And while I can remember Elantris very well, and the first Mistborn book, the other two have drifted away largely in my memory. And since how memorable something is for me is directly linked to how high I rate it... well, it is what it is. Different strokes.