Fantasy book suggestions

[Jorghnassen]

OK, I love the concept of fantasy, but I hate 99% of what's been produced in the genre. Yet I am still willing to give it a try so I need some suggestions, but with a few constraints.

-No Tolkien. I love the guy but I read pretty much everything he's written.
-No Moorcock. His only redeeming quality is that he did not imitate Tolkien. Aside from that, he just sucks (I should mention at this point I hate the introspective, whiny and depressed type of protagonist).
-Nothing long or strongly epic, which are the bad side effects of Tolkien's influence. I want something that's over in one book (that could be an anthology of short stories BTW), and no let's-prevent-the-end-of-this-fantasy-world story, because it's been overdone.
-I do want medieval fantasy, in the technological sense (so something set in an "hyperborean" age is fine). I don't like it to be mixed with modern era or futuristic sci-fi elements. Mind you, I do like Harry Potter, but that's not what I'm looking for.
-No big, obvious, religious undertones, especially not the "enlightened pagan vs obscurantist christian" ones. Those really irk me. Now I don't mind non-confrontational, subtle philosophy, but no proselytizing. No offense to C.S. Lewis (which I am reading, but it's really for kids).

I think that covers everything. Oh yeah, don't mention D&D novels...

 

[TragicMonkey]

Er, it violates the "nothing long or epic" requirement, but George RR Martin's series is really, really good. Four tombstone-thick books so far, but it's quality and totally worth it. Honestly. Read the first few chapters of Game of Thrones and you'll see.

 

[LW]

Check Del Rey's R. E. Howard anthologies.

 

[Vagabond]

Your requirement that it be only one book, leaves out most of the really good stuff. The only one I can think of is Tigana by Guy Gavriel Kay. It is long at 600+ pages, but other than that it fulfills all your other requirements. Including being excellent and original which is what I think you are really shooting for.

 

[Vagabond]

After purveying my bookshelves you might also like Frank Frazetta's Death Dealer by James Silke. They are based on the famous Frazetta painting of a man with glowing eyes sitting on the back of a horse from a famous painting of his. I think it was also an album cover by Molly Hatchett or somebody.

It's similar to Conan but I think better. But, in that vein. There are 4 books, that I know of, but they aren't a single story but rather a series of adventures like Conan was.

 

[Jorghnassen]

Well, I am willing to relax the "one book" condition to a short series of small(ish) books (say up to 1500-1600 pages total). I mean, when you think about it, that is about the length of The Hobbit (a self-contained story) plus The Lord of the Rings (an unintended sequel that's actually meant as one book). Why fantasy authors just can't write stories that fit in one book, I have no idea.

 

[Vagabond]

Well, I am willing to relax the "one book" condition to a short series of small(ish) books (say up to 1500-1600 pages total). I mean, when you think about it, that is about the length of The Hobbit (a self-contained story) plus The Lord of the Rings (an unintended sequel that's actually meant as one book). Why fantasy authors just can't write stories that fit in one book, I have no idea.

Now your talking

Misplaced Legion Quadrology by Harry Turtledove
4 books but under 300 pages each. Turtledove is a history professor and writes his fantasy with heavy historical overtones. This is about a Roman Legion that is transported to another world The Legion fights, is commanded and functions like a historical one does. The world and characters are great.

The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever by Stephen Donaldson
3 books, probably the most "Tolkien" of these choices. But, I think it is superior. A very adult read. The Series I would most like to see brought to screen.

Vlad Taltos series by Steven Brust
7 books but only about 200 pages each. The books are about an assassin in a world in which resurrection is commonplace. If that doesn't grab you nothing will. Awesome deep world, and characters.

John Carter of Mars series by Edgar Rice Burroughs
7 books, but less than 200 each. The first the Princess of Mars is only 159. It's also being made into a movie.

Fionavar Tapestry Trilogy by Guy Gavriel Kay
I already mentioned his single volume Tigana. These are just as good. Although Tigana is more "orginal".

Wellworld series by Jack Chalker
5 books about 300 each. There are 3 more he wrote many years after the first ones that I have but have yet to read. I was waiting to read the older ones over again first. The Wellworld is the world on which the intelligence behind the universe designed all the races and animal and plant species. There are small zones on the planet with totally different ecosystem and lifeforms in each one. They have no idea what they are going to run into and in 2 days travel time they can go from a jungle to a arctic zone. Some of the zones are at war with each other.

I typed all this in and then some and I hit post and the site hiccuped and I lost it all. Thus I wasn't as detailed as I would like to have been. I will answer questions about any of them you might have.

 

[Kevin_Lowe]

Jack Vance has written some excellent stand-alone fantasy.

ETA: The Covenant books are defintely an epic fantasy series, they are hefty books, the protagonist is completely unlikeable and annoying, and the plotting is atrociously lazy and contrived.

There is some interesting world-building, and some people like it because it subverts a number of fantasy cliches which are overdone. It's still clearly in the bad, pulp, doorstop fantasy category though.

If you want to read tolerable fantasy from Donaldson the Mordant's Need books are much better plotted, tighter, and have a protagonist who actually grows up a bit in the second of the two books.

 

[Orangutango]

The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever by Stephen Donaldson
3 books, probably the most "Tolkien" of these choices. But, I think it is superior. A very adult read. The Series I would most like to see brought to screen.

My all-time favorite fantasy series of all time. I have read both the 1st Chronicles and the Second Chronicles a total of 6 times each. (But do not read "The Runes of the Earth"... it reads like someone under a contractual obligation to crank out another novel)

I would strongly recommend sticking to the 1st 3 books (Lord Foul's Bane, The Illearth War and The Power That Preserves). If you like the idea of an anti-hero, you won't find a bigger bastard than Thomas Covenant.

Jen

 

[Bikewer]

I love Jack Vance, there are several collections of his short fantasy fiction.
Mazirian the Magician, Cudgel the Clever...Great fun and unmatched prose.

Fritz Lieber's Fafherd and Grey Mouser stories are unsurpassed. Clever, witty, exciting, and usually a bit kinky as well.

Though solidly based in science, C.J.Cherryh's Morgaine novels are excellent as well.

 

[Orangutango]

On second thought, after re-reading your criteria, it might not be the series for you. There is an underlying theme of an "absent creator" (god) who has to use a mortal champion (savior) in order to battle the "desecrator" (anti-god).

Wow... now I wonder why I loved the series so much....

 

[TimmyBerry]

While this stuff isn't over in one book.. Try Robin Hobb's "Assassin's apprentice" series. Very relaxing-bath-and-cup-of-tea-esque.

P.S.
"Song of Ice and Fire" series is awesome!! =D

 

[Vagabond]

My all-time favorite fantasy series of all time. I have read both the 1st Chronicles and the Second Chronicles a total of 6 times each. (But do not read "The Runes of the Earth"... it reads like someone under a contractual obligation to crank out another novel)

I would strongly recommend sticking to the 1st 3 books (Lord Foul's Bane, The Illearth War and The Power That Preserves). If you like the idea of an anti-hero, you won't find a bigger bastard than Thomas Covenant.

Jen

As Orangutango said there is a second trilogy which I mentioned but lost it in the hiccup. They are only average not up to the first's excellence. Although if you really liked them they are worth reading. Also Kevin wouldn't know something good unless it was a sheep he had just sodomized. Do the opposite of whatever he says and you can't go wrong.

 

[Kevin_Lowe]

As Orangutango said there is a second trilogy which I mentioned but lost it in the hiccup. They are only average not up to the first's excellence. Although if you really liked them they are worth reading. Also Kevin wouldn't know something good unless it was a sheep he had just sodomized. Do the opposite of whatever he says and you can't go wrong.

Vagabond is our local Walter Mitty. He pretends to be knowledgeable about all sorts of things and keeps getting smacked down by posters who actually know their stuff. The only things he actually has an informed opinion about are computer games and fantasy books. I think you can join the dots here.

He's right in recommending Guy Gavriel Kay, for instance.

 

[Jorghnassen]

On second thought, after re-reading your criteria, it might not be the series for you. There is an underlying theme of an "absent creator" (god) who has to use a mortal champion (savior) in order to battle the "desecrator" (anti-god).

Wow... now I wonder why I loved the series so much....

Well, I am not opposed to a certain amount of religious themes, just no obvious religious proselytizing (or persecution complex). Tolkien wrote a very catholic novel, but it's not in your face or blunt like C.S. Lewis's Narnia stories.

 

[Orangutango]

Well, I am not opposed to a certain amount of religious themes, just no obvious religious proselytizing (or persecution complex). Tolkien wrote a very catholic novel, but it's not in your face or blunt like C.S. Lewis's Narnia stories.

As an agnostic, I was trying to be tongue-in-cheek with my comment, but failed miserably.

The Chronicles are still my all-time favorite fantasy series (next to Terry Pratchett's Diskworld).

Donaldson's "Mordant's Need" 2 book series was also a particularly good read.

 

[Vagabond]

Well, I am not opposed to a certain amount of religious themes, just no obvious religious proselytizing (or persecution complex). Tolkien wrote a very catholic novel, but it's not in your face or blunt like C.S. Lewis's Narnia stories.

There is no religious theme in Covenant at all. Even the characters he mentioned play a very minor role in the story.

 

[Vagabond]

Vagabond is our local Walter Mitty. He pretends to be knowledgeable about all sorts of things and keeps getting smacked down by posters who actually know their stuff. The only things he actually has an informed opinion about are computer games and fantasy books. I think you can join the dots here.

He's right in recommending Guy Gavriel Kay, for instance.

Yeah and you are the resident hypocrite who goes around accusing others of things that much more aptly apply to himself. Just shut up troll, before you ruin another thread. You are the one causing trouble here not me.

 

[merentha]

I would strongly recommend C.S. Friedman's Coldfire Trilogy as a good series for sceptical readers. The explanation for "magic" makes the most sense I've seen in fantasy, which will also allow the books to work as science-fiction (Friedman is primarily a SF writer). The story also addresses religion (as an institution created by man), the nature of good and evil, and the desire for immortality. Finally, it has one of the most interesting heroes in fantasy fiction: a highly intelligent, evil Dark Lord.

 

[Orangutango]

I would strongly recommend C.S. Friedman's Coldfire Trilogy as a good series for sceptical readers. The explanation for "magic" makes the most sense I've seen in fantasy, which will also allow the books to work as science-fiction (Friedman is primarily a SF writer). The story also addresses religion (as an institution created by man), the nature of good and evil, and the desire for immortality. Finally, it has one of the most interesting heroes in fantasy fiction: a highly intelligent, evil Dark Lord.

I bought the 1st book in the series a little while ago, but never found the time to read it. I'll see if I can find it in the organized chaos that is my bookshelf and start reading it tonight.