Hello Brad.
I too have read George R.R. Martins "A Song of Ice and Fire" and did enjoy it immensely until it never was finished and I believe it might never been finished unless Brandon Sanderson takes over.
I just wanted to give a headsup to a few other authors I think you should try and read it, if you like George's epic story telling.
My first and foremost favorite author would be Steven Erickson's "Malazan Book of the Fallen" series. By far the most epic piece of fiction I have ever read to date. Huge story line with massive amounts of characters, magic, races, gods, and plenty of twists and turns that never seems to let up but all have very important consequences. Great read and there are enough characters that you will love some, hate others, and some who will probably not even interest you all. (In one book part of the story is from the point of view of an ox but it is still important and hilarious) I forgot to mention he has created some of the most humorous characters I have ever read.
Ian Cameron Esslemont is also a co-creator of the world of Malazan and is writing his own novellas that occur in their world.
Stephen Hunt is also another epic storyteller who writes novels in his unique world of magic and victorian sciences. He has four books out now and they involve everything from super hero like people to "Steam Men" (a race of sentient,boiler coke driven, steam robots) and everyone in between. Read "The Court of Air" and you will be hooked with all his ideas which he bases of actual scientific ideas and dreams from 18th century London.
Those authors have done something different and it works very well and I have enjoyed them greatly. After the next few months and you have some free time give them a go.
If anyone else here has read any of their works let Brad know either for good or worse what you thought of it and why you would recommend it or not. I think it would be awesome to have a game similar to Stephen Hunts world or the "Malazan World".
I picked up "The Scar" by China Mieville but realized I need to get a few before I start reading it. I am excited for it.
I think "King Rat" is the first or are they all separate novels?
GRRM is pretty much the only fantasy author who has the ability to write both badass scenes, and relatable, interesting characters. Many people revel in the "epicness" of his books (these are the same people who love WoT and Erikson), but that's really missing the point. He's given fantasy enthusiasts a way out of the same cruddy Tolkien derivitives its been stuck in for the last 40 years, and allows some literary quality to be put back into the genre.
You should give a try to Joe Abercrombie (his first trilogy). Glokta is truly awesome character. And scenes are very GRRMish, just far more 'dark'.
Actually he isn't the only fantasy author to do this but perhaps one of the more famous. Robert E. Howard did this type of fantasy back in 1932 and he did it well. I love the stories of Conan and his comics (most of these are based on Robert E. Howard's Conan not written by him). Nice dark fantasy that was well written.
I really do enjoy Martin alot but I am gradually finding more and more authors that can and do push him down the author list. There are so many new authors with a fresh out look on fantasy and there are many that are willing to leave Tolkien behind. GRRM has started a great epic story but until it is finished that is all it will be, a start.
Joe Abercrombie is a great author and as he keeps writing about his world he will keep fleshing it out and there are many many stories he can write. I love his barbarian characters, some of the best I have ever read about. Glotka is an awesome character who is at times both sad and very scary.
I think I started this thread trying to point out some awesome authors who write like GRRM. There is a lot who do it as well as he does and there are more and more as time goes by who is and will be surpassing GRRM in every way. The longer he takes to write the more and more authors who are coming up to fill in the gaps.
Can't wait until HBO does his story.
I just finished "The Night Angle Trilogy" by Brent Weeks. It wasn't to bad. The first book is definitely the best one with the second book being pretty good. He had a story that was good but he forced it to be done in three books when it could have used at least two more.
I think if he wants he could do a whole series of books in his world. There is enough background history, politics, and interesting characters/magic that he could write for quite a while just based around this trilogy.
That being said I am disappointed in the third book though while it was good it could have been great.
3 recommendations:
Scott Bakker - The Prince of Nothing trilogy - The first book is a little hard to get into but it really takes off in the 2nd and 3rd books. This is the best fantasy series I've read since I gave up (until he finishes it!) on GRRM's ASOIAF. Adults only! The villains in this series will turn your stomach...
Joe Abercrombie - The First Law trilogy - Excellent series as previously mentioned by many posters.
Paul Kearney - The Monarchies of God vol 1 and 2 - Missed this 5 book series the first time around but has recently been re-released in two volumes. Fast paced and exciting. The best battle sequences I've read in a long time (gave me goosebumps!). Kearney is a great author who's been let down by some of his previous publishers. Nearly gave up writing as a result but thankfully has staged a bit of a renaissance. Highly recommended.
Wheel of time always deserves a look. Froggy if elemental doesn't get a spell called balefire (that wipes your enemy from existence and then nulifys any actions they had done in the previous two turns) then the world will be an empty place.
People, check out this awesome 10 minute Behind the Scenes video for the upcoming HBO Game of Thrones tv series: http://www.makinggameofthrones.com/
HBO making Game of Thrones:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xVytEgSO0wQ&feature=channel
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FAZzCFPcLoo&feature=related
http://www.makinggameofthrones.com/production-diary/2010/11/28/clip-preview.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-EVKp5nYxyI&feature=player_embedded
Lol. I always thought Robert Jordan was a bad writer with a bad ass imagination. His story was very good. The magic system was interesting. The writing could at times make you want to jump off a bridge. It was worth it though because the story was amazing.
Hello Everyone and Happy New Year.
I just finished "The Scar" by China Melville and while it was alright I just didn't find it great. I like the world and characters but I found the actual story telling to be just off somehow. Might try some of his other books but I was let down to say the least.
As far as the setting goes with sci-fi/fantasy world set during the age of sail/steampower I find Stephen Hunt does a much better job in the same type of setting. Myself I would recommend Stephen Hunt before Chine Melville but that is just my own opinion.
I am now out of books and will be needing to get to a store one of these days to fill my need to read.
The new Wheel of Time books are good but not the same. Yes R.Jordan let the middle books of the series develop "a new character is introduced on every second page" syndrome, but there was something to the rambling that was nice. With the latest book its like the new author of the series (because R.Jordan passed away) is drinking too much coffee in comparison. Nothing against the new authors style, its just for the Wheel of Time I like the rambling style.
I can see that the story needs to be wrapped up and without the increased pacing there would need to be an extra book or two.
I stopped reading Robert Jordan at book eight I think. Story was going no where for me and there were so many past ideas that he put in the story than promptly never mentioned again.
Yeah Brandon Sanderson's writing style is different than alot of other guys and by different I mean if he is going to finish something it will be finished. He has written some very good books "Elantris" and "Warbreaker" and though they could have easily been a triology he finished it in one book and you are left feeling kind of disappointed and wishing he would flesh it out more.
That said he is one of the best and brightest writers out there today. I highly recommend "The Mistborn Trilogy" and "Warbreaker". Great books and also his new 10 book series "Stormlight" starting with book one "The Way of Kings".
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