61 réponses à ce sujet

[Godeshus]

I'm about to run out of reading material, and am looking to get into a new fantasy series. Can anyone tell me if you think I'd like the Dragon Age novels, based on the reads I really enjoyed, and my reasons, from the following list? Also, some recommendations on other series would be great to hear.

Wheel of Time series: I enjoy these, but not my favorite
Vlad Taltos series: Steven Brust - my favorite by far
The Riftwar Saga: Raymond E. Feist - fantastic story
LOTR-obviously
A song of Ice and Fire: George R.R. Martin - enjoyed this a lot due to its balanced storytelling and lack of OP characters.
Memory, Sorrow and thorn series: Tad Williams - again, refreshing for it's lack of OP characters.

Original 6 Dragonlance: Margaret Weiss and Tracy Hickman - great story, terrible writing
The Deathgate cycle: same as above

Books I didn't like: 

Anything by David Eddings. 

[MerinTB]

I really enjoyed them.  My opinions will be shredded by someone I'm sure, but here goes:

I found that each book had a gritty feel of realism (the first one especially) that in some ways reminded me or reading The Archer's Tale or The Black Company.

Each book had at least a couple places in the story where you expected (because of tropes in fantasy stories) for X to happen, and then Y happens instead.  These story points (I refuse to call them twists, some are almost anti-twists) were extremely refreshing to me.

Each book was initially hard for me to get into and care about.  I don't have a length, but I remember that it took a bit for them to grow on me.

With apologies to the author, they are going to be far from the best fantasy you've read.

But if you liked the world of Thedas, and Ferelden especially, I think you'll appreciate the novels.
If you happened to read the Mass Effect novels, it's something of a similar experience.

Here's my feelings on a few that you listed and a few other suggestions I've read:

Wheel of Time:  Couldn't finish the first book.
Riftwars: Read the first four, they were enjoyable enough but man talk about OP main characters.
LotR: *ahem* I can't stand Tolkien's writing style.  At. All.  After seeing the films I realize the world and characters and story are good, but by the Maker does the man know how to bore me to death with his prose.
Dragonlance: I adore the original Chronicles, could barely make it through the Twins storyline, and the only other Krynn books I found worthwhile were Legend of Huma (good) and the Elven Nations trilogy (pretty good.)


Suggestions:
Shannara series by Terry Brooks: I've read the first three (Sword, Elfstones, Wishsong) and the first one is about as poor a LotR clone as Willow was - but once you are past that (who knows, liking LotR you may like it) the next two were actually decent
Black Company series by Glenn Cook: I cannot recommend these enough.  Following a mercenary company in a relatively low-magic world, dealing with gritty subjects like the protagonists "taking what they need" from nearby towns and villagers, the harshness of marches and camps and campaigns -good stuff, the tone and style very different than most fantasy
Dragonriders of Pern by Anne McCaffrey: This is almost more sci-fi than fantasy, but a classic series by a masterful writer.
Crystal Shard Trilogy and Dark Elf Trilogy by R.A. Salvatore: This'll get trashed, but it's at least the level of Dragonlance novels to most people - and I actually really like how Salvatore writes Dwarves, develops his characters, and describes battle scenes with detail you really don't see in much fantasy (especially older stuff) - yes, at times Drizz't is ridiculously skilled, but that gets toned down overtime and only really stands out a handful of times over the 6 novels I suggested (the Trollmoors are probably the worst example.)
MYTH Adventures series by Robert Asprin: A favorite series.  More comedic than serious, but very quick reads and if you get the right copies you get some nice Phil Foglio artwork.  classic road movie buddy comedy, I was reminded of this with the adventures of Zayne and Gryph in the KotOR comics.

straying a bit from high fantasy, two authors I cannot praise highly enough -
Neverwhere and American Gods by Neil Gaiman
The Dirk Gently series by Douglas Adams

[Statue]

If you're after a decent fantasy series of books that are well written and somewhat different from the norm, you might find some of Michael Moorcock's refreshing - particularly the Elric saga. Very interesting world and protagonist, Elric is unlike most swords and sorcery heroes by a long way (doomladen anti-hero, physically afflicted and reliant upon drugs, pacts with slippery demons, and a demonic sword that repeatedly brings tragedy).

Modifié par Statue, 11 décembre 2009 - 11:34 .

[Amagoi]

Personally I loved the books and ate them up and had them down within week, they're pretty light reading material which is nice as I've been going from three book omnibuses then had Dragon Age as a break before starting Wheel of Time. It's fantasy, but different enough to not be sure what to expect. The characters and writing is surprisingly good, I had low expectations for a game novel but they're actually really, really good.



Bit expensive from what I'm used to but definatly worth the money.

[DJoker35]

I think you would enjoy both DA novels. Beyond being good for books based on a game, they're just good, period. David Gaider is a fine writer, and the stories are surprising, become rather page-turning, and emotional. The characters have what I consider very "real" reactions to events, and the rationals behind decisions are very well thought out. The world is very convincing as well.

I agree that it took just a bit to get hooked, but once I was, I didn't want to put them down.

All in all, they're very enjoyable reads.

Modifié par DJoker35, 11 décembre 2009 - 11:31 .

[Havlock556]

What are the Dragon Age novels called?

[Godeshus]

 Wow thanks for the reviews guys.  Based on how many of you are describing them, I have the feeling i won't be crazy about them, though.

MerinTB wrote...

Black Company series by Glenn Cook: I cannot recommend these enough.  Following a mercenary company in a relatively low-magic world, dealing with gritty subjects like the protagonists "taking what they need" from nearby towns and villagers, the harshness of marches and camps and campaigns -good stuff, the tone and style very different than most fantasy

This series seems like something I would enjoy quite a bit.  Thanks for the suggestion, Merin.  Do the MYTH novels have anything to do with the 90's pc games MYTH and MYTH II: soulblighter? The name is the same, but you're description seems almost Terry Pratchet like, which I love, btw.

Statue wrote...

If you're after a decent fantasy series of books that are well written and somewhat different from the norm, you might find some of Michael Moorcock's refreshing - particularly the Elric saga. Very interesting world and protagonist, Elric is unlike most swords and sorcery heroes by a long way (doomladen anti-hero, physically afflicted and reliant upon drugs, pacts with slippery demons, and a demonic sword that repeatedly brings tragedy).

this also seems like something I would quite enjoy. I find I tend to like stories where the protagonist has real issues.  This is why I really like the Vlad Taltos series by Steven Brust.  They are written in the first person from the perspective of an assassin trying to make it in a world that's pretty crappy over all.  All the characters are unique and interesting. They're short reads, too, between 150 and 200 pages, but they're jam packed with action. I recommend them to anyone who enjoys artistic, clever writing. I guess the best way I could describe the humor is americanized british.

Cheers again and thanks for the suggestions.

[Adria Teksuni]

I always get a bookstore gift card for Christmas, so I thought I'd pick up the DA novels with it.



And as I simply cannot resist giving my opinion:



I agree somewhat with MerinTB on Dragonlance, although I did like the Sextets.



Michael Moorcock is, hands down, my all time favorite fantasy writer. Any of the Eternal Champion series are good; Elric, Corum, Hawkmoon, Erekose. In several books, they actually cross-series so you get to see some storylines from two or three different viewpoints in two or three different books. I'm such a geek I even checked the dialogues. Yup, they're consistent.



Factoid: Michael Moorcock was the first author to give us intelligent swords.



There is a LOT of Moorcock influence in the D&D setting. Not as much as Tolkein, but quite a bit.



Wizard's First Rule by Terry Goodkind is okay, but the series degenerated into force fed S&M so quickly I couldn't stomach the rest. Sloppy, sloppy writing.



Another vote for The Black Company by Glen Cook. If you're in a lighter mood, one of my all time rereads is Cook's Garrett Files. It's a film noir type detective in a fantasy world with incredible banter and wit to go with fun storylines and great characters.



Mercedes Lackey's The Last Herald Mage series is pretty good, as is her Arrows of the Queen. However, most of her other work has also degenerated to the "must have incredibly deviant sex to be good" genre. Lazy bint.



Anne McCaffery's Crystal Singer series, Moreta, and The Dragonriders of Pern are good reads, although only the first novel of the Crystal Singer series is really well done.



And of course Terry Pratchett and of COURSE Robert Aspirin. I still have my Myth graphic novels from ages and ages ago.

[Godeshus]

Adria Teksuni wrote...

Wizard's First Rule by Terry Goodkind is okay, but the series degenerated into force fed S&M so quickly I couldn't stomach the rest. Sloppy, sloppy writing.

First book was...well...it wasn't terrible...but not far off either I had the feeling Terry goodkind had no experience writing whatsoever. I've never been privy to such 2 dimensional characters in my life. All of them, too. There wasn't a single dynamic experience in the series (well, maybe after book 3, cuz that's where I stopped). Each book was so inconsistent with the other ones, there hardly wasn't any foreshadowing from book to book. Richard's personality was so annoying, and the romance felt like it was written by a 12 year old girl from a broken family who has deluded fantasies about what love is.

Anyway, sorry for that rant, but I read it about 12 years ago and it still brings out feelings of hate whenever I hear anything about it.

[Adria Teksuni]

LOL, np. Still can't believe they made a television show based off of it. I heard about that and was like, "Where? On Cinemax After Dark?"

[Taleroth]

Pratchett deserves better than a single line mixed with another author. Now that's a fantasy author. An author who never takes his work so seriously that it degrades into soap drama and scenery porn while forgetting the themes he set out to be working with.

Pratchett's got a point going into every book and he never loses sight in favor of servicing drama like a two-bit hooker.

Modifié par Taleroth, 11 décembre 2009 - 06:26 .

[Elder Weasel]

Havlock556 wrote...

What are the Dragon Age novels called?

Dragon Age: The Stolen Throne and Dragon Age: The Calling.

I've read The Stolen Throne and enjoyed it enough to go buy The Calling and begin reading it immediately.  I'm about 1/3 of the way in.

I'm especially enjoying the background information and expanded world lore that the books are providing.

[Godeshus]

Adria Teksuni wrote...

LOL, np. Still can't believe they made a television show based off of it. I heard about that and was like, "Where? On Cinemax After Dark?"

They did? you have got to be kidding me. they must have given it a timeslot between Hercules and Sinbad.

Elder Weasel: Well, that seems positive. Maybe I'll head over to Chapter's and see if there's an empty sofa so I can test run it. But for now, I've got some darkspawn to roll.

[Ackis]

Elder Weasel wrote...

Havlock556 wrote...

What are the Dragon Age novels called?

Dragon Age: The Stolen Throne and Dragon Age: The Calling.

I've read The Stolen Throne and enjoyed it enough to go buy The Calling and begin reading it immediately.  I'm about 1/3 of the way in.

I'm especially enjoying the background information and expanded world lore that the books are providing.

There's a third one too isn't there?

[IAGTTBleed]

I can't believe no one's suggested Stephen Donaldson yet. The Tomas Covenant books are one of my favourite stories. Fantasy without the clichés.

[LightSabres]

It's too bad the OP didn't like David Eddings. His first series (the Belgarion) was awesome. the next series in that world and other books he wrote went downhill after that.



The first 4-5 Xanth books by Piers Anthony are good too. After those they went too punny for me.



Wheel of Time I tried to read (got 6 books in) but I got annoyed with the MANY MANY different characters Robert Jordan starts following around. Started to get confusing when a new book came out and you couldn't remember everything that happened before. Tolkien's LOTR annoy me for the same reason but he's not as bad. RJ follows like 10 different character groups at once.



Crystal Shard / Icewind Dale / Drizzt books. All decent. They were much better if you played D&D and understood the history of the Forgotten Realms better.



Dragon Lance - Main series - Awesome! Twins series - Great but you need to read the first series to understand everything. Legend of Huma - Fantastic. Weasels Luck - I liked it a lot (not everyone does) but the MC appealed to me somehow.



Dragon Riders of Pern - MUST read! The whole series is fantastic. Anne McCaffrey is a very talented old lady who lives in a castle in scotland. She also wrote the "Pegasus" Sci-Fi series (to Ride Pegasus) that I quite enjoyed as well. Crystal Singer was good and the sequel, Kilishandra

[Servant of Nature]

The Stolen Throne gives you huge insight into Loghain's character, the book is part of the reason I can't hate him in the game, though that's not to say I don't think he's insane. It also has one of the best female characters I have ever read about in a fantasy book. Rowan is great. It has a lot of history and it can help you see why Loghain is a tad obsessed with the Orlesians.



The Calling is better written, I think. You get to learn about Duncan's past and his first major mission as a Warden, the book itself made me cry twice. If you're a dog person, suffice to say you will need a box of tissues nearby.



I highly suggest reading them, they're WAY above the bar for your average 'game novel'.

[Adria Teksuni]

Godeshus wrote...
They did? you have got to be kidding me. they must have given it a timeslot between Hercules and Sinbad.

Elder Weasel: Well, that seems positive. Maybe I'll head over to Chapter's and see if there's an empty sofa so I can test run it. But for now, I've got some darkspawn to roll.

Yup, it's called "The Seeker" and it is too boring to even be called epically bad.

[Elder Weasel]

Ackis wrote...

Elder Weasel wrote...

Havlock556 wrote...

What are the Dragon Age novels called?

Dragon Age: The Stolen Throne and Dragon Age: The Calling.

I've read The Stolen Throne and enjoyed it enough to go buy The Calling and begin reading it immediately.  I'm about 1/3 of the way in.

I'm especially enjoying the background information and expanded world lore that the books are providing.

There's a third one too isn't there?

I don't think so.  I haven't been able to dig anything up about it.  Anyone else know anything about a third book?

[MerinTB]

Godeshus wrote...

MerinTB wrote...

Black Company series by Glenn Cook: I cannot recommend these enough.  Following a mercenary company in a relatively low-magic world, dealing with gritty subjects like the protagonists "taking what they need" from nearby towns and villagers, the harshness of marches and camps and campaigns -good stuff, the tone and style very different than most fantasy

This series seems like something I would enjoy quite a bit.  Thanks for the suggestion, Merin.  Do the MYTH novels have anything to do with the 90's pc games MYTH and MYTH II: soulblighter? The name is the same, but you're description seems almost Terry Pratchet like, which I love, btw.

Cook feels to me like what people who talk about Martin make his work sound like.  The author and series came out of nowhere for me, bought by my bro-in-law who just wanted to get me something neither of us had heard of but that had good reviews.

MYTH books use the word Myth to stand in for Mis/Miss in the titles - Another Fine Myth is the first, Little Myth Marker is another one, etc.  It's not until a few books in that MYTH actually becomes an acronym that stands for - well, I'm not going to tell you because it is actually a little too cutesy.  But I don't think any video game ever had anything to do with Apsrin's series.
"Aahz."
"Oz?"
"No relation."
"Relation to who?"
"Look, kid..."

Adria Teksuni wrote...
Mercedes Lackey's The Last Herald Mage series is pretty good, as is her
Arrows of the Queen. However, most of her other work has also
degenerated to the "must have incredibly deviant sex to be good" genre.
Lazy bint.

I've only ever read her Diana Tregarde books (pre-Buffy and Charmed, so before the crazes on these subjects) and I quite enjoyed them, though that was YEARS ago.

I also gave up on Dragonlance novels LONG ago, so I'm sure good ones have been made in the last decade or so as well.

DJoker35 wrote...
I think you would enjoy both DA novels. Beyond being good for books
based on a game, they're just good, period. David Gaider is a fine
writer, and the stories are surprising, become rather page-turning, and
emotional. The characters have what I consider very "real" reactions to
events, and the rationals behind decisions are very well thought out.
The world is very convincing as well.

I agree that it took just a bit to get hooked, but once I was, I didn't want to put them down.

All in all, they're very enjoyable reads.

Agree with this entirely.

[KethWolfheart]

I read both books and enjoyed them both a lot. It was fun as I read them while also playing the game. It was very cool having all the detailed past and lore filled in while I was learning what was happening currently.



IMO the second book was better than the first. The first book seemed like a warm up and the second really got going. I would love to see some more.

[Adria Teksuni]

Wow, forgot about the Diana Tregarde books! I enjoyed those, too, although she used the EXACT SAME PLOT DEVICE in Jinx High as she did in one of the Arrows of the Queen books. Remember what I said about sloppy writing?

[Nick the Weregoat]

I think due to these reviews I'll have to have a couple of them books shipped to me here (no borders in the middle east, as far as I can tell). Now, if you'll pardon me, I've gotta finish Elegy Beach and Harrington on No Limit Cashgames vol. 1 before I get off shift tonight. And Atlas Shrugged. Ugh.



Hey are you guys hippies?

[Adria Teksuni]

Am I hippy? Admittedly I could lose a little weight, so yeah, I suppose I am a bit hippy.

[Taleroth]

Hippies! Pfeh!



Sam Vimes wouldn't tolerate a hippy, neither would I!