Science Fiction/Fantasy Book Forum

Welcome to the Science Fiction/Fantasy Book Forum!

This is a forum for those who enjoy reading science fiction and/or fantasy novels.

This thread was started in response to the thread devoted to the book, “The Gathering Storm” by Robert Jordan and Brian Sanderson, which is the twelfth book in Robert Jordan’s famous fantasy book series, “The Wheel of Time”.

This thread is the place in which to post recommendations, reviews, thoughts, comments, etc… about science fiction or fantasy novels.  Please try to keep the books being discussed entirely in these two genres.  Also, please try to keep to the more normal science fiction/fantasy, avoiding the horror fantasy, historical romance fantasy and such-not.   :wink:

I’m starting this thread in a very tired state of mind, so later I’ll probably edit this first post to be a little more coherent, but here are just a few off-the-top-of-my-head suggestions.

Try out Susan Dexter’s fantasy novels.  They may be a little light-hearted, but they are actually quite good.  Good writing, good adventure, pretty good story.  The best 2 are:  “The Prince of Ill Luck” and “The Wizard’s Shadow”.  I find that this author is less well known, so many people haven’t read any of her books.

Some of my favorite science fiction/fantasy authors to read (NOT a comprehensive list by any means, and in no particular order at this time)

David Eddings - fantasy
David Weber - space opera/warefare  Try his “Mutineer’s Moon” series
Steve White - space opera/warfare
Raymond Feist - fantasy
L. E. Modessit Jr. - mostly fantasy with a little science fiction
Robert Jordan - fantasy  The “Wheel of Time” series is very good

I’ll have to add to and work on this a little later, but what are some of your favorite books/authors in the science fiction/fantasy genres and why?

@cannon:

Great idea!

Simon R. Green

• Deathstalker Series “Shandrakor! Shandrakor!” “Deathstalker luck always bad.”
• Nightside Series,
• Hawk and Fisher Series,

David Gemmell (R.I.P)

• Druss the Legend
• Waylander

There are so many others but these two standout (fantasy/sci-fi), along with those mentioned by Bardoly.

cannon fodder,
Thanks for the input!

I don’t believe that I’ve ever read anything by Simon Green.  What is particularly good about his writting?

For David Gemmell, I remember that I read one of his books 10+ years ago and didn’t really care for it, but I don’t really remember anything about the book.  I believe that it was called, “Legend” or something.  If I remember correctly, it was one of his first books published.  Are his books actually good now?  Maybe I should give him another chance.

@Brain:

I think that a good place to start is Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkein.

D’uh!  (Slaps hand to forehead.)

J. R. R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings series is great!
I haven’t read it recently, but I still remember reading and re-reading the 4 books over and over again.

@Jermofoot:

C.S. Lewis’ Space Trilogy was entertaining.

I really like C. S. Lewis’s “Narnia” series, and I remember that I enjoyed his Space Trilogy also, but just not quite as much as Narnia.

@Joe:

George RR Martin’s Ice and Fire series, starting with A Game of Thrones is a must read imho, I stumbled upon him in a book store, and was thrilled by my incredible luck at just happeing to find such a great story.

He’s a great writer of sci-fi and fantasy short stories as well.

@Bardoly:

@Viracocha:

If you like those, I’d suggest George RR Martin’s books, starting with Game of Thrones.

I tried the first 3, but they’re just so dark and grimm.  It’s like, after I finish reading it, do I feel better or worse?  Also (as a side note), he’s taking WAY too long and creating a few too many rabbit trails.  He’s also just a little too free with killing off main characters.

Joe, Thanks for the suggestion.

This is an earlier post of mine in another thread about “A Song of Ice and Fire”.
I am not opposed to having some main characters die, but, in “A Song of Ice and Fire”, so many of them have died, it’s like, who’s left?  It’s not really quite that bad, but I guess that I still like to see the good guys (struggle of course), but still win in the end.

Has anyone here read any of the “Ranger” novels by the Australian author, John Flanagan?

I’ve read a few favorable reviews, so I’m thinking about giving them a try.

@Krupp:

Anyone who like militaristic sci-fi should check out the ‘Horus Heresy’ series of novels published by the Black Library.
Really enjoyable.

Krupp Steel,

Thanks for the input!  One question.  What style (as in range or scope) of militaristic sci-fi are these books?  spaceships?  ground combat?  galaxy-wide?  a few solar systems? a single planet?