Ok, apparently I stopped buying "entirely new to me" books about the same time as music. (Somewhere around 1999-2001)
I've picked up new books since then, but only by authors I was already a fan of (Gaiman, LeGuin, GRRM, etc), or books in a series as they came out (Harry Potter, Artemis Fowl).
So, I'm currently trying to get a better idea of the current SF&Fantasy market by doing some research on what came out while I was being old and boring. Emphasis is on Fantasy, specifically epic (alternate world) fantasy, but anything you've enjoyed by a not previously established author would be welcome.
Terry Pratchett's Discworld series has something like 40 books in it, they're all hilarious and focus on pretty much every topic known to man.
They do have some kind of continuity within the sub-series (The Night Watch, The Witches, Unseen University, and Misc.) but they each book can be read regardless of your knowledge of the Discworld.
"Tattoos are the mullets of the aughts." - Mike Naimark
Not exactly new, but have you ever read Terry Brook's Landover books? Quality varies a little from book to book, but for the most part they're pretty enjoyable. There's even a new one that just came out, but I haven't read that one yet and I couldn't tell you anything about it. First book in the series is "Magic Kingdom for Sale - SOLD!"
Oh yeah, I read the Magic Kingdom books when I was in high school. I think I read the first three.
You've probably already made a decision on The Wheel of Time books. I'm in the process of reading the 12th book (that came out maybe two months ago), and I'm having fun with it. It sounds callous, but I think Jordan's unfortunate death has really allowed the new author to breath some new life into it, and avoid some of Jordan's flaws (i.e. 300 pages where nothing happens). And there's an end game now, with the final book coming out in 2011.
I've been through a similar hiatus, although possibly longer (mid-90s, maybe?). I recently took a flyer on two series: Joe Abercrombie's "First Law" trilogy and Brent Weeks' "Night Angel" trilogy. Both claim to be heavily influenced by GRRM, specifically the notion that people are generally nasty to each other and stories very rarely have happy endings (one is more committed to that than the other). Abercrombie is a Brit and Weeks a Yank, and there are some definite cultural bents to both styles. Abercrombie seems to delight in taking the piss out of classic fantasy tropes and Weeks is big on complex plots. Abercrombie has also written a standalone novel in the same world entitled "Best Served Cold".
I ended up enjoying them both thoroughly and have received a very positive reaction from all the other fantasy readers to whom I've recommended them.
Also worth consideration, but not really what I'd consider fauntasy in the classic sense, is Jasper Fforde. He's got two series on the go, the Thursday Next books and the Nursery Crime books. Thursday Next is a character who travels in and out of The Bookworld, specifically in and out of classic literature (first book is "The Eyre Affair"). The Nursery Crime books are more like whodunits set in a world where nursery rhymes cross over with reality. Fforde is another Brit and boy does he love a serious groaner of a pun. I've enjoyed all the books, but the most recent Thursday Next one, "First Among Sequels," was a bit of a letdown. Worth a cursory checking out next time you're in the bookstore, though.
Being lucky enough to have a very good public library while not having enough cash to buy everything I wanted, I've got a long list that I'll try and shorten.
- I've really enjoyed Kage Baker's "The Company" series although it's probably a bit more towards the sf/alternate history side of things.
- If you like alternate history stories, I can't recommend Eric Flint's "Ring of Fire" series highly enough. You might also want to check out his "The Philosophical Strangler" and "Forward the Mage" as slightly off kilter, and ridiculously fun, epic fantasy that may or may not be the beginnings of a larger series.
- If you like alternate history with a side of military sf/fantasy, David Drake and Eric Flint's Belisarius novels are amazingly good.
- On the very dark side, David Drake's "Lord of the Isles" series is quite good and very thought-provoking.
- John Scalzi's "The Androids Dream" is a good sf farce and his "Old Man's War" tetralogy is a very good and intersting series.
- Finally, I'd also recommend David Weber's Bahzell books for a bit more traditional swords and sorcery take on epic fantasy. If you like his writing style, you might also like the ever-expanding Honorverse and the Honor Harrington novels.
Tim
Vocatus atque non vocatus, Deus aderit. -- Erasmus
All others things being equal, the simplest solution is usually stupidity. -- Darwin Minor
Strongly second the Dark Tower recommendation. Said this many times here, I believe the last was only a day or two ago, but this is among the best fiction there is.
I've been reading more sci-fi than fantasy lately, but here are the two best things I've read recently anyway:
Robert Sawyer's Neanderthal Parallax series
Richard Morgan's Altered Carbon (and the two sequels)
Lloyd: When I met Mary, I got that old fashioned romantic feeling, where I'd do anything to bone her. Harry: That's a special feeling.
I'm familiar with most of the authors and series that had one or more books published in 2001 or before.
I'm moving into phase two of a manuscript and I'm looking to familiarize myself with what's been published in the last few years, as I refine and edit things to a point where I can start submitting it.
Considering that I'd like to keep my rejections under 500, I need to have a better understanding of the market and how it has changed in the last 10 years or so. I need to know what publishers are publishing what, and look into what agents are representing work in a similar vein. The best way to do this, is by reading a lot. I only have so much time (though I do read very fast) so I'm trying to focus on things that will be most useful.
My story is set in a fantasy world with a pre-industrial technology level (around 1700) with almost no magic, and no elves/dwarves etc. Some of the alternative history stuff may be the most pertinent.
Well, if you're looking for alternate history fantasy, you might want to take a look at Naomi Novik's Temeraire books, which are set in an alternate-world version of the Napoleonic era, with dragons and such added.
Oh, and if you have not yet read Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell, do so. Now. Go. You'll thank me.
Me, my favorite fantasy works these days are Steven Erikson's Malazan Books of the Fallen, although it sounds as if they're quite different from what you're doing. They're still a good read if you like massive multibook series, and if you can deal with Erikson's quirks (man seems to be positively allergic to exposition sometimes).
"The object of persecution is persecution. The object of torture is torture. The object of power is power. Now do you begin to understand me?"
Originally posted by LiseI'm familiar with most of the authors and series that had one or more books published in 2001 or before.
I'm moving into phase two of a manuscript and I'm looking to familiarize myself with what's been published in the last few years, as I refine and edit things to a point where I can start submitting it.
Considering that I'd like to keep my rejections under 500, I need to have a better understanding of the market and how it has changed in the last 10 years or so. I need to know what publishers are publishing what, and look into what agents are representing work in a similar vein. The best way to do this, is by reading a lot. I only have so much time (though I do read very fast) so I'm trying to focus on things that will be most useful.
My story is set in a fantasy world with a pre-industrial technology level (around 1700) with almost no magic, and no elves/dwarves etc. Some of the alternative history stuff may be the most pertinent.
If you take out magic and elves/dwarves/etc, what fantasy tropes are left?
If you take out magic and elves/dwarves/etc, what fantasy tropes are left?
dragons/mythical beasts? singing swords?
There are mythical beasts and divine influences. Consciously or not, I seem to have avoided most fantasy tropes. I'm still refining it, but here's the summary: --------- Generation of Ruin is the epic fantasy story of three cousins as they unwittingly work to destroy an empire. The events unfold over fifteen years from all three characters’ perspectives as they become a revolutionary, a pirate, and an emperor. Each follows their own unique thread intersecting in a web of intrigue and destruction. ----------
Nope, not getting out of it. That's what I want. You're usually right with your helpful suggestions. It just makes me grumble cause I should have caught it.
See, you've just proven that not only can you offer suggestions, you can also proofread. Muahahahaha!