Fantasy Series

[Raistlin]

I use to make DragonLance threads here semi-regularly, but I haven't read the books myself in many years, so I figured I'd do this instead.

Like many here, I enjoy reading fantasy novels. So what fantasy series are your favorites and why?

I am obviously a big fan of the DragonLance series by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman. The characters, plot, and writing are all extremely well done, especially in the second trilogy (Legends). Raistlin Majere remains one of my favorite fictional characters.

Also by Weis/Hickman (and arguably better than DL) is the Death Gate Cycle series, which is phenomenal, and probably the best writing I've seen in any fantasy series. It also includes endearing characters, with Haplo, Alfred, and the ever-lovable dog. Weis/Hickman are also experts at injecting almost ridiculous humor into a serious story (see: Zifnab, a blatant and intentional ripoff of DL's Fizban).

A series Bunny recommended to me that I really liked is The First Law series by Joe Abercrombie. It emphasizes stark realism, and is strikingly different from any other books I've read. None of the characters are good. Some of the characters are sympathetic and yet go on to do terrible things; some of the characters die ignobly; some of the bad guys seem to win. It is a very mature series that I found refreshing.

Discuss your favorite fantasy series.

[Bunny]

A series Bunny recommended to me that I really liked is The First Law series by Joe Abercrombie. It emphasizes stark realism, and is strikingly different from any other books I've read. None of the characters are good. Some of the characters are sympathetic and yet go on to do terrible things; some of the characters die ignobly; some of the bad guys seem to win. It is a very mature series that I found refreshing.

Success. I have recommend this series to several people and all of them enjoyed it thoroughly. I've yet to hear of a case where someone absolutely hated it.

My favorite all-time series is The Runelords by David Farland. He introduces some interesting systems and ideas into the standard fantasy setting and does a good job balancing the new and the old together. From the moment I started the first book, I was pretty much in awe with it.

Although not yet a series, The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss is probably the only book to come close to knocking Runelords from my top spot. The character of Kvothe is entertaining, intelligent, and different from most heroes (or anti-heroes) in the books that I have read. The second book is still in the editorial process and won't be released for a little bit, but when it does I will be picking it up immediately.

I enjoy R.A. Salvatore's writing a lot too, even though it doesn't really bring anything new to the forefront of modern fantasy. His books surrounding Drizzt and friends are entertaining, fast-paced and easy to read, which are all pluses in my book. I also enjoy his Sellswords trilogy, because the characters of Artemis Entreri and Jarlaxle amuse me.

There are several more series I could mention but then I have to write more.

[Freya]

The Obsidian Chronicles by Lawrence Watt-Evans. They are a bit more realistic to that whole fantasy thing. The main character just gets screwed over so much. I love the books and often re-read them. Watt-Evans is a good writer.

I heard that weis and hickman have some new books under something else like dragon ship or something. What's with that?

[Raistlin]

My favorite all-time series is The Runelords by David Farland. He introduces some interesting systems and ideas into the standard fantasy setting and does a good job balancing the new and the old together. From the moment I started the first book, I was pretty much in awe with it.

I'm going to have to check that out this summer.

I heard that weis and hickman have some new books under something else like dragon ship or something. What's with that?

I think they started a new series together (not related to DL). I don't pay much attention to their side projects.

[Ouch!]

A Song of Ice and Fire. Quite easily the best fantasy series I've ever read.

[Bastian]

Also by Weis/Hickman (and arguably better than DL) is the Death Gate Cycle series, which is phenomenal, and probably the best writing I've seen in any fantasy series.

! I'm rereading it right now. I read it back in middle school (which was a WHILE ago) and they've been staring at me on my shelf for a long time now. I loved them so much. I think I've been worried about rereading them and not liking them as much, but that's not the case at all. Some of the writing is a little heavy handed (the obvious Elf/Human = White/Black slavery on Pryan, for instance) but I LOVE the books so much. The developing relationship between Haplo and Alfred is amazingly well done. And Zifnab still makes me laugh out loud.

My other favorite fantasy series are the Valdemar Saga by Mercedes Lackey. Her characters are so extremely real. Good natured, but flawed. Her plots aren't the most amazing, but it's really all about her characters.

I also love the Wayfarer Redemption books which I think supplanted the Death Gate books as my favorite series ever.

I can't forget Xanth by Piers Anthony, just for the silly silly puns. Nor can I ignore the EarthSea books by Ursula K. LeGuin which are truly works of art.

[doeboyfresh14]

i am a huge fan of the Drizzt series by R.A. Salvatore. It was the first fantasy books i ever read and i was hooked. I met him once at a book signing. Really cool and down to earth guy. And he grew up a couple of towns over for me.

Anyone read any of these books?

[Madonna]

One author I picked up in the couple of years is K. J. Parker, and this person wrote a few trilogies, one of which is The Engineer Trilogy! There are no dragons here, rather most of civilization is in a Dark Age and those who have technologically progressed are oppressing those without! I am not good at drumming up interest, but the characters are human and the story is one of epic revenge; a good series to be sure!

The First Law Series by Joe Abercrombie is definitely one series I took to heart from GHF! It is suitably twisted and cruel in comparison to other fantasy series, wherein there is no clear delineation between who is good, who is evil, and how you receive it depends entirely upon how you view the protagonists' actions! Did I personally thank Bunny yet?! Thank you, Bunny, for the recommendation!

I am not a big fan of reading too much of the same author who uses the same characters again and again, so R. A. Salvatore and Raymond E. Feist can go bite themselves, despite initially winning me over! But I do like reading things set in the same universe with different authors, so I will recommend Forgotten Realms' War of the Spider Queen series! Six different authors tackle one huge story, helping flesh out the realm of the Underdark and Drow society, and it was fantastic!

I will probably shut up before I talk about any more series!

[Freya]

I'm not a big fan of R.A. Salvatore. I tried the Drizzt series and couldn't get into it :/

[Shlup]

I am obviously a big fan of the DragonLance series by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman. The characters, plot, and writing are all extremely well done, especially in the second trilogy (Legends). Raistlin Majere remains one of my favorite fictional characters.

I think after I finish the Sword of Truth series (which I recommend mostly for the lulz), if I even finish it, I'll probably read... I forget the name of the latest Dragonlance trilogy. I haven't read it yet though and I ought to. I downloaded it for my Nook already. After that I'll be digging through this thread for new suggestions. So I hope I can find it in like three years. xD

[Raistlin]

I'll probably read... I forget the name of the latest Dragonlance trilogy. I haven't read it yet though and I ought to.

Are you talking about the Lost Chronicles (I think it's called), the trilogy that's set during some gaps in the original Chronicles? The first two have been out for years, so shame on you. But they were decent, as far as I can remember. The third one was very disappointing for being all about Raistlin. It seemed very haphazardly done and lame, which is plausible considering the contract dispute Weis/Hickman had with the publisher which stalled its release for a good year.

[Shlup]

Yes, that one.

I've been putting it off for fear of sullying my love for Dragonlance.

[Raistlin]

The first one (which recounts the journey to Thorbardin and the recovery of the Hammer of Kharas right after Dragons of Autumn Twilight) is actually decent. I thought some of it was a bit forced, but overall interesting. The second book, if I remember correctly, is largely about Kitiara meeting up with Lord Soth, who is badass. It's somewhat forgettable, but worthwhile to read.

The haphazard way in which the third book treats Raistlin is unforgivable, though. I won't spoil anything for you, but my biggest complaint is that it's like Raistlin was nothing but an above-average blackrobe for the majority of the book -- respectable, but nothing amazing. They pseudo-justify it at some point, but it's still crap.The book also takes obnoxiously forced detours in order to fit in some of the small scenes from Dragons of Spring Dawning (and another from Legends when Tas was all time-travelly), which actually don't fit at all with how the book portrays Raistlin. It's worthwhile for us Raistlin lovers to read because it's more Raistlin, but you won't read it again, ever.

[Shlup]

<s>I will take what I can to get more Raistlin.</s>

ETA: OH GOD!

[Raistlin]

I know you will, Amanda, but I told you: the swimsuit pictures were all the skin you get for now.