fantasy/dark fiction series recommendations, please!

basschick · 09-20-2009, 04:12 AM

i'm looking for new fantasy and/or dark fiction recommendations. i like plots, interesting characters and/or action. something to sink my teeth into, as it were. not into books that are primarily romance or military based, and absolutely hate vampires who live in pods.

have already read and loved the sun sword series by michelle west, also love song of fire and ice, like all the eddings books, love the lloyd alexanders, enjoyed the charlaine harrises, anita blakes, the oz books, tanya huff's blood books, the various mercedes lackey series, and all the edward eagers. ah, and let's not forget neil gaiman, although his series' are 2 books long each - not enough!

i was enjoying an early terry goodkind but alas - his graphic and quite long description of torture was just too much for me, the only time violence in a book ever overwhelmed me, so i guess it was very well written.

jayne80 · 09-20-2009, 05:52 AM

Have you tried Elizabeth Haydons Symphony of ages?

That has intresting characters and plot twists

basschick · 09-20-2009, 06:59 AM

i haven't. which is the first book? it doesn't seem that they are listed by number.

poohbear_nc · 09-20-2009, 12:13 PM

How about Simon Green's Nightside series? or Rob Thurman's Cal Leandros series?

rhadin · 09-20-2009, 05:17 PM

I have enjoyed the various series written by Richard Tuttle, which are available at Fictionwise. I've read every one of his books except the newest which was just released (I've purchased it, but haven't gotten to it yet). They aren't "dark" fantasy, but they are fantasy. They are very-well written and engrossing.

I'm currently enjoying Lawrence Watt-Evans' Ethshar series of books. Each book is really standalone, the only real connection being that the storeis take place in Ethshar. Again, these aren't "dark" fantasy in the true sense but they are well written and very enjoyable. I've read 6 of the 7 books and will be beginning the seventh tonight.

A third good option is Alastair Archibald's Chronicles of Grimm Dragonblaster series. I've read all of the books and waiting for the final book to be released in November. Again, they are not "dark" fantasy but they are well written and engrossing.

wayspooled · 09-20-2009, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by basschick

i haven't. which is the first book? it doesn't seem that they are listed by number.

That's the main reason I use that Fantastic Fiction site, to figure out which order series books come in

They list them in published order. Elizabeth Haydon

Recommendation wise, I point you toward this thread. Seems to have lots in it being recommended just like your preferences.

lilac_jive · 09-20-2009, 10:00 PM

Elizabeth Haydon is OK, but I felt the series kinda degraded towards the end. There's a duology by Alma Alexander you would probably like (Changer of Days/The Hidden Queen). Also, Trudi Canavan's Magician's Guild trilogy (ooh, and I just checked Goodreads to see if I got that right, and the next book is up on there, due out in May. Yippee!)

Treven · 09-23-2009, 12:46 AM

Have you looked into the Terry Brooks' Sword of Shannara series? There are, I believe, 6 or 7 books in the series.

BlackVoid · 09-23-2009, 11:24 AM

Joe Abercrombie

It is dark, gritty, plenty of action, plenty of surprises...
There are quite a few battles, but they are not the 20 page type....

Look it up here, there is a long extract.
http://www.joeabercrombie.com/the_blade_itself.htm

Shiren · 09-23-2009, 12:13 PM

I've been recommended a couple of times "The Name of the Wind" by Patrick Rothfuss. I haven't read it but it's going to be my next ebook purchase. Note that it's the first in a new series so you'll have wait for the rest.

owlrigh · 09-23-2009, 12:18 PM

Fantasy series:

George R. R. Martin's Song of Ice and Fire series (ebooks available)
Lynn Flewelling, Nightrunner series (dtb only)
Ian Irvine, The View from the Mirror series (books two and four on ebooks.com)
Janny Wurts & Raymond E. Feist Empire trilogy (dtb only)
Stephen King, Dark Tower series (ebooks)
Steph Swainston, The Year of Our War series (first two as ebooks)
Scott Lynch, Gentlemen Bastards (ebooks)
Louise Cooper, Time Master trilogy (dtb only)

If you want to read stuff outside of series, I strongly suggest you go hunt down all the books ever nominated for the World Fantasy Award. I did this many years ago, and keep up with it, and I have been richly rewarded.

WillAdams · 09-23-2009, 12:24 PM

Michael Moorcock's Eternal Champion cycle (starting w/ Elric of Melniboné) is a classic of this genre --- not sure if available as ebooks or no, but there was a TOR blog posting on the Hawkmoon books being available thusly (w/ colour illustrations) presently.

Dunsany's writings, esp. _The Charwoman's Shadow_ should be available as ebooks.

Lindsay's _A Voyage to Arcturus_ qualifies by some standards and is also available as an ebook.

Gail van Asten's writings are interesting, esp. _The Blind Knight_

William

rhadin · 09-23-2009, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shiren

I've been recommended a couple of times "The Name of the Wind" by Patrick Rothfuss. I haven't read it but it's going to be my next ebook purchase. Note that it's the first in a new series so you'll have wait for the rest.

I read it when it came out in hardcover. It was quite good, but he has yet to deliver on the second book. It was due 2 years ago. There has been some speculation that he may never complete the next book.

Penforhire · 09-23-2009, 04:54 PM

As much as I enjoyed Moorcock's early eternal champion series (so many!) his newest-yet-related trilogy is even better, starting with "The Dreamthief's Daughter." I may be blinded by past reading but I do not feel it necessary to read any prior books to enjoy this trilogy.

tamzilla · 09-23-2009, 10:37 PM

I've just finished The Briar King by Greg Keyes, which was one of Suvudu's Free Books last month. (http://www.suvudu.com/freelibrary/) I liked it enough that I think I'll go on to the second book of the series (it's a four book series, the Kingdoms of Thorn and Bone, already completed and all are in ebook format - mobi format at Diesel ebooks are $7 each).

For those interested in reading it and aren't already familiar with the history of the Lost Colony of Roanoke Island, you might want to check it out before starting the book (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roanoke_Colony). The book doesn't have anything to do with the Lost Colony per se, but the author expects the reader to be aware of it.

09-20-2009, 04:12 AM	#1
basschick Wizard Posts: 1,096 Karma: 4695691 Join Date: May 2008 Device: Kindle Paperwhite	fantasy/dark fiction series recommendations, please! i'm looking for new fantasy and/or dark fiction recommendations. i like plots, interesting characters and/or action. something to sink my teeth into, as it were. not into books that are primarily romance or military based, and absolutely hate vampires who live in pods. have already read and loved the sun sword series by michelle west, also love song of fire and ice, like all the eddings books, love the lloyd alexanders, enjoyed the charlaine harrises, anita blakes, the oz books, tanya huff's blood books, the various mercedes lackey series, and all the edward eagers. ah, and let's not forget neil gaiman, although his series' are 2 books long each - not enough! i was enjoying an early terry goodkind but alas - his graphic and quite long description of torture was just too much for me, the only time violence in a book ever overwhelmed me, so i guess it was very well written.

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09-20-2009, 05:52 AM	#2
jayne80 Connoisseur Posts: 68 Karma: 5837 Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: UK Device: iphone 4s, ipad 3, kindle touch,kindle PW, kobo mini, kobo aura	Have you tried Elizabeth Haydons Symphony of ages? That has intresting characters and plot twists

09-20-2009, 06:59 AM	#3
basschick Wizard Posts: 1,096 Karma: 4695691 Join Date: May 2008 Device: Kindle Paperwhite	i haven't. which is the first book? it doesn't seem that they are listed by number.

09-20-2009, 12:13 PM	#4
poohbear_nc Now what? Posts: 61,021 Karma: 135181808 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Durham, NC Device: Every Kindle Ever Made & To Be Made!	How about Simon Green's Nightside series? or Rob Thurman's Cal Leandros series?

09-20-2009, 05:17 PM	#5
rhadin Literacy = Understanding Posts: 4,833 Karma: 59674358 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: The World of Books Device: Nook, Nook Tablet	I have enjoyed the various series written by Richard Tuttle, which are available at Fictionwise. I've read every one of his books except the newest which was just released (I've purchased it, but haven't gotten to it yet). They aren't "dark" fantasy, but they are fantasy. They are very-well written and engrossing. I'm currently enjoying Lawrence Watt-Evans' Ethshar series of books. Each book is really standalone, the only real connection being that the storeis take place in Ethshar. Again, these aren't "dark" fantasy in the true sense but they are well written and very enjoyable. I've read 6 of the 7 books and will be beginning the seventh tonight. A third good option is Alastair Archibald's Chronicles of Grimm Dragonblaster series. I've read all of the books and waiting for the final book to be released in November. Again, they are not "dark" fantasy but they are well written and engrossing.

09-20-2009, 10:00 PM	#7
lilac_jive Grand Sorcerer Posts: 5,870 Karma: 27376 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Pennsylvania Device: PRS-505	Elizabeth Haydon is OK, but I felt the series kinda degraded towards the end. There's a duology by Alma Alexander you would probably like (Changer of Days/The Hidden Queen). Also, Trudi Canavan's Magician's Guild trilogy (ooh, and I just checked Goodreads to see if I got that right, and the next book is up on there, due out in May. Yippee!)

09-23-2009, 12:46 AM	#8
Treven Addict Posts: 222 Karma: 680 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: the Left Coast Device: iPad	Have you looked into the Terry Brooks' Sword of Shannara series? There are, I believe, 6 or 7 books in the series.

09-23-2009, 11:24 AM	#9
BlackVoid Evangelist Posts: 415 Karma: 510423 Join Date: Nov 2006 Device: Sony PRS-505	Joe Abercrombie It is dark, gritty, plenty of action, plenty of surprises... There are quite a few battles, but they are not the 20 page type.... Look it up here, there is a long extract. http://www.joeabercrombie.com/the_blade_itself.htm

09-23-2009, 12:13 PM	#10
Shiren Connoisseur Posts: 70 Karma: 712 Join Date: Dec 2008 Device: Sony PRS-505/iPod Touch	I've been recommended a couple of times "The Name of the Wind" by Patrick Rothfuss. I haven't read it but it's going to be my next ebook purchase. Note that it's the first in a new series so you'll have wait for the rest.

09-23-2009, 12:18 PM	#11
owlrigh Bibliomanist Posts: 99 Karma: 26 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Australia, somewhere Device: [past:PRS-700, PRS-505, PRS-T2] Now: Kobo Glo HD, Samsung G7 Edge	Fantasy series: George R. R. Martin's Song of Ice and Fire series (ebooks available) Lynn Flewelling, Nightrunner series (dtb only) Ian Irvine, The View from the Mirror series (books two and four on ebooks.com) Janny Wurts & Raymond E. Feist Empire trilogy (dtb only) Stephen King, Dark Tower series (ebooks) Steph Swainston, The Year of Our War series (first two as ebooks) Scott Lynch, Gentlemen Bastards (ebooks) Louise Cooper, Time Master trilogy (dtb only) If you want to read stuff outside of series, I strongly suggest you go hunt down all the books ever nominated for the World Fantasy Award. I did this many years ago, and keep up with it, and I have been richly rewarded.

09-23-2009, 12:24 PM	#12
WillAdams Wizard Posts: 1,250 Karma: 3439432 Join Date: Feb 2008 Device: Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (300ppi), Samsung Galaxy Book 12	Michael Moorcock's Eternal Champion cycle (starting w/ Elric of Melniboné) is a classic of this genre --- not sure if available as ebooks or no, but there was a TOR blog posting on the Hawkmoon books being available thusly (w/ colour illustrations) presently. Dunsany's writings, esp. _The Charwoman's Shadow_ should be available as ebooks. Lindsay's _A Voyage to Arcturus_ qualifies by some standards and is also available as an ebook. Gail van Asten's writings are interesting, esp. _The Blind Knight_ William

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09-23-2009, 04:54 PM	#14
Penforhire Wizard Posts: 2,230 Karma: 7145404 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Southern California Device: Kindle Voyage & iPhone 7+	As much as I enjoyed Moorcock's early eternal champion series (so many!) his newest-yet-related trilogy is even better, starting with "The Dreamthief's Daughter." I may be blinded by past reading but I do not feel it necessary to read any prior books to enjoy this trilogy.

09-23-2009, 10:37 PM	#15
tamzilla Zealot Posts: 112 Karma: 2781 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: VA, USA Device: nook, Ipod touch	I've just finished The Briar King by Greg Keyes, which was one of Suvudu's Free Books last month. (http://www.suvudu.com/freelibrary/) I liked it enough that I think I'll go on to the second book of the series (it's a four book series, the Kingdoms of Thorn and Bone, already completed and all are in ebook format - mobi format at Diesel ebooks are $7 each). For those interested in reading it and aren't already familiar with the history of the Lost Colony of Roanoke Island, you might want to check it out before starting the book (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roanoke_Colony). The book doesn't have anything to do with the Lost Colony per se, but the author expects the reader to be aware of it.