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LOL, yeah, I can see why you would make that particular judgement call...
My personal favourites are:
'Dune' by Frank Herbert, vastly superior to the new books by Brian Herbert and Anderson (Battle of Corrin being just another disappointment). Still my favourite science-fiction book all times.
'Ilium' by Dan Simmons, almost as good as 'Dune'. Second part 'Olympos' being released this month and I just cannot wait!
(Hyperion being good too ofcourse, just that this 'Ilium' is even better)
'The Deathgate cycle' and the Dragonlance books by Weis&Hickman, I did not care for 'Rose of the Prophet' and definitely not for 'The Darksword' series. 'The Sovereign stone' however is pretty good but seems to suffer from a problem that Weis&Hickman have: they can create a perfect setting and story, but they seem to lack the ability of creating a good ending to that story. (even The Deathgate cycle has an ending that just feels like they couldn't find anything better, IMO)
'The chronicles of Cadwal' and 'Lyonesse' are two very good reasons for reading Jack Vance, for some reason Vance is just rarely mentioned in lists and that I find a pity. These two trilogies are excellent reading, with Vance's special style (especially his characters can be a bit weird at times) but very enjoyable.
'The world of Tiers' by Philip José Farmer. Another classic, IMO again ofcourse, but the final two parts of the series are not good at all, it is mainly the first three parts that are very good. (which leaves two parts that I found agreeable, not great but not that bad either)
'The many-coloured land' and the prequels to it by Julian May.
As for other writers, too many to name really, especially when I start to think of fantasy and science-fiction. Asimov, Heinlein, Philip K.D.ck (lol, can't write his name), Pratchett, Haldeman,...
'Dune' by Frank Herbert, vastly superior to the new books by Brian Herbert and Anderson (Battle of Corrin being just another disappointment). Still my favourite science-fiction book all times.
'Ilium' by Dan Simmons, almost as good as 'Dune'. Second part 'Olympos' being released this month and I just cannot wait!
(Hyperion being good too ofcourse, just that this 'Ilium' is even better)
'The Deathgate cycle' and the Dragonlance books by Weis&Hickman, I did not care for 'Rose of the Prophet' and definitely not for 'The Darksword' series. 'The Sovereign stone' however is pretty good but seems to suffer from a problem that Weis&Hickman have: they can create a perfect setting and story, but they seem to lack the ability of creating a good ending to that story. (even The Deathgate cycle has an ending that just feels like they couldn't find anything better, IMO)
'The chronicles of Cadwal' and 'Lyonesse' are two very good reasons for reading Jack Vance, for some reason Vance is just rarely mentioned in lists and that I find a pity. These two trilogies are excellent reading, with Vance's special style (especially his characters can be a bit weird at times) but very enjoyable.
'The world of Tiers' by Philip José Farmer. Another classic, IMO again ofcourse, but the final two parts of the series are not good at all, it is mainly the first three parts that are very good. (which leaves two parts that I found agreeable, not great but not that bad either)
'The many-coloured land' and the prequels to it by Julian May.
As for other writers, too many to name really, especially when I start to think of fantasy and science-fiction. Asimov, Heinlein, Philip K.D.ck (lol, can't write his name), Pratchett, Haldeman,...
Doh, how could I forget?
All time favorite novel, fantasy or otherwise, ever:
The Mists of Avalon, by Marion Zimmer Bradley
All time favorite novel, fantasy or otherwise, ever:
The Mists of Avalon, by Marion Zimmer Bradley
I find that most of Philip Jose Farmer's series start out really good and then suck more and more as they go. Prime example is the Riverworld series, where it seems halfway through he chucks the main idea/concept behind the series and starts making sh[b][/b]it up randomly...
Do what now?
True, 'Riverworld' and 'World of Tiers' series both suffered of this.
But I'ld say that most sci-fi or fantasy series suffer from this actually.
I've heard the same thing about Jordan or Tad Williams, but never read those two myself so I couldn't say myself.
But series by Weis&Hickman definitely have the same problem. 'The Deathgate cycle' being the best example: the first four books are great, but it goes downhill starting with book 5, IMO that is. 'The Sovereign stone' trilogy, the first two books are great, but the third one seems rushed and disappointing.
Asimov's 'The Foundation' series, 'Harry Potter' with a rather bad book 5, Frank Herbert's 'Dune' series: even if I personally consider 'Dune' the best book I've read so far, the last two parts of the series are not the same standard as the first four. (not even considering the new books by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson, the 'House' books were reasonable, but the 'Legends' trilogy is bad), 'The chronicles of Thomas Covenant' by Donaldson (never really cared for the series but the first serie is the best one IMO), Anne Rice's 'The Vampire Chronicles' but that goes without saying perhaps... all series that I just feel that the start is very good but the last parts are not good anymore and in certain cases even terribly bad.
In fact, lol, I'ld have to think deep to find a series that I actually completely like, 'Amber' is one of them, but I believe that Zelazny was not finished with it. 'Lyonesse', 'The chronicles of Cadwal' and 'The Demon Princes' by Vance are IMO series that remain great all the way, but that's Vance perhaps.
But I'ld say that most sci-fi or fantasy series suffer from this actually.
I've heard the same thing about Jordan or Tad Williams, but never read those two myself so I couldn't say myself.
But series by Weis&Hickman definitely have the same problem. 'The Deathgate cycle' being the best example: the first four books are great, but it goes downhill starting with book 5, IMO that is. 'The Sovereign stone' trilogy, the first two books are great, but the third one seems rushed and disappointing.
Asimov's 'The Foundation' series, 'Harry Potter' with a rather bad book 5, Frank Herbert's 'Dune' series: even if I personally consider 'Dune' the best book I've read so far, the last two parts of the series are not the same standard as the first four. (not even considering the new books by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson, the 'House' books were reasonable, but the 'Legends' trilogy is bad), 'The chronicles of Thomas Covenant' by Donaldson (never really cared for the series but the first serie is the best one IMO), Anne Rice's 'The Vampire Chronicles' but that goes without saying perhaps... all series that I just feel that the start is very good but the last parts are not good anymore and in certain cases even terribly bad.
In fact, lol, I'ld have to think deep to find a series that I actually completely like, 'Amber' is one of them, but I believe that Zelazny was not finished with it. 'Lyonesse', 'The chronicles of Cadwal' and 'The Demon Princes' by Vance are IMO series that remain great all the way, but that's Vance perhaps.
Some of my favorites (individual books and/or series, in no particular order): Lord of the Rings by Tolkien; Song of Ice & Fire series by George R.R. Martin; Shannara series by Terry Brooks, Earthsea novels by Ursula K. Leguin, Fortress series by C.J. Cherryh, Deathgate series by Weis & Hickman, Sword of Truth series by Terry Goodkind, Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan, American Gods by Neil Gaiman, Dark Tower series by Stephen King, His Dark Materials trilogy by Philip Pullman, The Bitterbynde trilogy by Celia Dart-Thornton, anything by Ray Bradbury, 1984 by George Orwell, Dune by Frank Herbert, and many more...
I'm currently reading The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever by Stephen R. Donaldson...on book 2, The Illearth War. Very impressive so far. ^^
I'm currently reading The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever by Stephen R. Donaldson...on book 2, The Illearth War. Very impressive so far. ^^
Donaldson is writing a new series about 'Thomas Convenant', titled 'The last Chronicles of Thomas Covenant'. Part one is released in October this year, called 'The Runes of Earth'.
(btw Savidj, don't go looking for more info on the new series, several spoilers on the series you are currently reading even if you were to only read a synopsis of the new book)
(btw Savidj, don't go looking for more info on the new series, several spoilers on the series you are currently reading even if you were to only read a synopsis of the new book)
Cool, thanks for the info. :) Sounds like I have a bit of reading to do, since I know there's a second trilogy, The Second Chronicles. And I appreciate the heads up about the spoilers; definitely wouldn't want to ruin anything in a great series like this.
Whoa. How did -
The Deed of Paksenarrion - Elizabeth Moon
The Lord of the Rings - J.R.R Tolkein
Neverwhere - Neil Gaiman
Good Omens - Neil Gaiman & Terry Pratchett
The Myth series - Robert Asprin
- escape this list?
Paks is not only classic but one of my favorite all time series... although regrettably Moon did lots of junk collaberations and a very weak sequal to it. Her new Speed of Dark I hear good things about.
Neverwhere is a must for Sandman fans, and a total mindjob for people who havent experienced Gaiman before.
Good Omens is hilarious. Especially if you read it outloud in a restaurant.
The myth series is funny, dry, tedious, neverending... but short books and good when you dont have anything else to read and want to finish a story in a night.
and of course... tolkien. Dont watch the movies and think you know whats going on cause you dont. *le cry*. DARN YOU PETER JACKSON!! THE FIRST MOVIE WAS INCREDIBLE!
And i've met all these authors at cons except -regrettably- Tolkien (of course).
The Deed of Paksenarrion - Elizabeth Moon
The Lord of the Rings - J.R.R Tolkein
Neverwhere - Neil Gaiman
Good Omens - Neil Gaiman & Terry Pratchett
The Myth series - Robert Asprin
- escape this list?
Paks is not only classic but one of my favorite all time series... although regrettably Moon did lots of junk collaberations and a very weak sequal to it. Her new Speed of Dark I hear good things about.
Neverwhere is a must for Sandman fans, and a total mindjob for people who havent experienced Gaiman before.
Good Omens is hilarious. Especially if you read it outloud in a restaurant.
The myth series is funny, dry, tedious, neverending... but short books and good when you dont have anything else to read and want to finish a story in a night.
and of course... tolkien. Dont watch the movies and think you know whats going on cause you dont. *le cry*. DARN YOU PETER JACKSON!! THE FIRST MOVIE WAS INCREDIBLE!
And i've met all these authors at cons except -regrettably- Tolkien (of course).
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