JSC5 Posted July 31, 2015 Share Posted July 31, 2015 Hey all. I understand there are multiple reco threads, and based off them I've narrowed down my next series into the below list. Feel free to skip over if you have reco fatigue. If you feel passionately about one of the below series though, I would be appreciative of any comment you may have. I'm looking for something that is gripping, with mind blowing moments, great characters and plot, something that will keep me up at night because of its brilliance. I'm into more gritty realism than elves and dwarves. Love science fiction and fantasy overall. Also, finished series is ideal. The below series are some of my favorite books ever (I plan to re-read these at some point since my memory is starting to haze on a few, but I'd rather read something new now). *ASOIA *Prince of Nothing - Bakker *First Law - Abercrombie *Hyperion Cantos *Dark Tower *Ender's Game (I've also read Speaker) *Dune *(I've read Name of the Wind and enjoyed it, Wise Man's Fear has been on my shelf a couple years but I haven't really had the strong impulse to read it yet. I've also read Lies of Locke Lamora 5ish years ago and enjoyed it a lot but haven't read the sequels yet. I'm in the beginning of Second Foundation and I am enjoying the series thus far, but I am not entirely blown away). Here is what I'm considering for my next read: (please feel free to reco something else besides the below. *Book of the New Sun *Chronicles of Amber *Bas-Lag *Long Prince Quartet *Mistborn/Stormlight Archive *Acacia *Hitchhiker's Guide (I read the first and enjoyed, but I didn't have a strong NEED to finish the series, not sure if that is a good/bad sign). *Wool *Commenwealth/Night Dawn's Trilogy *Revelation Space *Jean le Flambeur's trilogy (Quantum Thief) *A Fire Upon the Deep (and sequel?) Malazan and Banks's Culture novels are series I definitely want to read, but I'm a bit hesitant due to their size. Would it be okay to jump into one of these, read a couple, and then take a few book break (in the same genre no less?) Thanks so much fellow readers! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scortius the charioteer Posted July 31, 2015 Share Posted July 31, 2015 from that list, I'd go with Long Price. Also maybe try The Expanse. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maithanet Posted July 31, 2015 Share Posted July 31, 2015 Of those, I've read Bas-Lag, Long Price, Hitchhikers and Wool, and I enjoyed all of them. The one I would recommend most strongly would probably be Long Price. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denvek Posted July 31, 2015 Share Posted July 31, 2015 Malazan and Banks's Culture novels are series I definitely want to read, but I'm a bit hesitant due to their size. Would it be okay to jump into one of these, read a couple, and then take a few book break (in the same genre no less?) Thanks so much fellow readers! Should be fine for the Culture novels, while there are some where knowledge of a previous story helps with understanding the current one, all of them can be read as standalones. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Errant Bard Posted July 31, 2015 Share Posted July 31, 2015 Book of the New Sun.gripping: variablemind blowing moments: subtle but theregreat characters: if you like analysing what the narrator saysgreat plot: not a plot bookbrilliant: yesgritty realism: is more like gritty onirism.Chronicles of Amber.gripping: yesmind blowing moments: somegreat characters: somegreat plot: good run-on one for the Corwin cyclebrilliant: mediumgritty realism: not really gritty, and not really realistic. No dwarves but: Cars. Reality bending. Magic. Guns. Demons. Unicorns. and stuffBas-Laggripping: yesmind blowing moments: somegreat characters: medium - less memorable than in other booksgreat plot: messy onesbrilliant: yesgritty realism: gritty weirdLong Prince Quartet:gripping: yesmind blowing moments: yesgreat characters: yes - a strength of the series actuallygreat plot: yes, if you like them slowbrilliant: yesgritty realism: Not really gritty on some aspects, hard hitting on some others. realism... there's hugely powerful magic (like, the world-destroying kind,) but it's rarely seen.Mistborn/Stormlight Archive:gripping: could not get into it past Mistbornmind blowing moments: some, I guessgreat characters: they felt pretty bland - actually most of it felt bland-ishgreat plot: A nice idea as basis for the plot. Plot itself... bland-ish, I guess.brilliant: workmanlikegritty realism: toned down to Mormont standards.Acacia:gripping: above averagemind blowing moments: yesgreat characters: they come into their own after a fashiongreat plot: not bad - setting is not the usual olde Englandbrilliant: missing a little somethinggritty realism: yes, for a given value of "realism" where death does not stick if you have the right magic.Hitchhiker's Guide: You have read the first, you already have all the information you need to make your decision.Wool:gripping: not the best but yesmind blowing moments: one or twogreat characters: did not feel like they were bad, but can't remember namesgreat plot: nicely executed but fairly standard after a fashion - weak at timesbrilliant: entertaining for a few hoursgritty realism: yes, it's post-apoc, what else could it be?Jean le Flambeur's trilogy (Quantum Thief):gripping: yesmind blowing moments: maybe - what was there felt a bit weak to megreat characters: nogreat plot: a bit haphazardbrilliant: not bad for an Arsène Lupin rehash I guess. Far from the best.gritty realism: some people have pretended that it was hard SF apparently, nevertheless it's neither gritty nor realist.A Fire Upon the Deep (and a deepness in space):gripping: yesmind blowing moments: yesgreat characters: yes, somegreat plot: great ideasbrilliant: It's goodgritty realism: yes, as long as realism includes stuff like multi-entities consciousnesses.Malazan and Banks's Culture novels are series I definitely want to read, but I'm a bit hesitant due to their size. Would it be okay to jump into one of these, read a couple, and then take a few book break (in the same genre no less?)Yes, individual books in these series can be read as standalone with little to no drawback.You say you like SF?Try Heinlein, Cordwainer Smith, David Brin, Richard Morgan, Lois McMaster Bujold, Alfred Bester, AE Van Vogt, Vernor Vinge, Donaldson, Nick Harkaway or Neal Stephenson.Actually, do pick a Neal Stephenson.In fiction, are you necessarily fixated on those categories you know? You could change a bit and get some UF from Neil Gaiman, China Mieville or Ben Aaronovich. Or some weird with Hal Duncan. Something a bit more atmospheric and contemporary like Umberto Eco or Haruki Murakami. Adventures, with Alexandre Dumas. Homer kicks some serious ass. Camus does too even if Solo does not like him for undisclosed reasons... There is a lot to pick. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Ent Posted July 31, 2015 Share Posted July 31, 2015 (Great, EB!) Here’s some stuff missing from your list, books that tick off pretty much all your desiderata, more so than many on your list. Matthew Stover’s “Caine” series, which starts with [i]Heroes Dies[/i]. (Secondary world grimdark high fantasy.) [i]The Expanse[/i] by S. A. Corey. (Space opera.) Richard Morgan’s [i]Takeshi Kovacz[/i] novels. (Grimdark SF noir.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Errant Bard Posted July 31, 2015 Share Posted July 31, 2015 The thing that's really missing is Lord of The Rings by one JRR Tolkien even if it does not tick the boxes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C.T. Phipps Posted July 31, 2015 Share Posted July 31, 2015 Hitchhiker's Guide series should be read as one of those, "You have read one of the classics of sketch comedy science fiction." BUTTTTtttt you really only need to read the first one as required reading for your Geek Snobbery Doctorate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darth Richard II Posted July 31, 2015 Share Posted July 31, 2015 Girls write books too! Now read some Robin Hobb, dammit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C.T. Phipps Posted July 31, 2015 Share Posted July 31, 2015 Girls write books too! Now read some Robin Hobb, dammit. ROBIN HOBB IS A WOMAN!? -Actual thing I've heard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HexMachina Posted July 31, 2015 Share Posted July 31, 2015 ROBIN HOBB IS A WOMAN!? -Actual thing I've heard.It's not that much of a surprising question if you are unfamiliar with her work. It's an androgynous pen-name. She also writes from a male POV, which may lead to the assumption the author is male. Edit: that's not to say women can't write first person male POV, or males write first person female POV. But when I don't know who the author is I just assume the same sex as the narrator Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darth Richard II Posted August 1, 2015 Share Posted August 1, 2015 ROBIN HOBB IS A WOMAN!? -Actual thing I've heard. Yes I've heard that as well, although less surprising than MERCEDES LACKEY IS A WOMAN? Which I have also actually heard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 1, 2015 Share Posted August 1, 2015 I like EB's response as well. Very readable and useful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frodostark Posted August 1, 2015 Share Posted August 1, 2015 Long Price...nuff said! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Marquis de Leech Posted August 1, 2015 Share Posted August 1, 2015 gritty realism: not really gritty, and not really realistic. No dwarves You forgot Dworkin. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Errant Bard Posted August 1, 2015 Share Posted August 1, 2015 You forgot Dworkin.Indeed, but still, he's only one dwarf, he's not threat even ASOIAF has more of them.[spoiler]Plus, he's really a shapeshifting primordial demon.[/spoiler] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unJon Posted August 1, 2015 Share Posted August 1, 2015 Great post EB. To the OP you should add KJ Parker to your list based on your preferences. If you want a trilogy start with Engineer Trilogy. If standalone read The Company (not the one I usually rec first but I think fits with what you are looking for). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Howdyphillip Posted August 2, 2015 Share Posted August 2, 2015 Read them all and come to your own conclusions... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Writhen Posted August 2, 2015 Share Posted August 2, 2015 Gurls rite books? First I've hurd of it... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peadar Posted August 2, 2015 Share Posted August 2, 2015 Given the OP's list of favourites above, I'd say The Long Price Quartet, while wonderful, is *not* the one he/she will enjoy the most. From the list, I would put my money on Vernor Vinge and Zelazny. But Happy Ent is right: the perfect match for this reader, I'd say, would be Matthew Stover's "Heroes Die". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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