I can't get into epic fantasy beyond Erikson's Malazan, Lloyd's Twilight Reign, and King's Dark Tower series. I read 3 books into ASOIAF before I realized it wasn't for me; the characters I liked were far and few between the rest of the cast. Feist's work is a bit too much of the same thing for me to get into it, and I'm not a fan of the urban fantasy stuff from the Dresden series.
I've read Moorcock's Eternal Champion works, and the Conan stories by Robert Howard. Both series were concise and enjoyable. Recently I've picked up Dawnthief by James Barclay and am enjoying it quite a bit; the gist is a mercenary company called the Raven hired to stop the awakening of the Wytch Lords. It feels a bit epic, yet rolls along with the pace and fluidity of the sword and sorcery genre.
The Fafrhd and Grey Mouser series is a bit tough for me to come by, so I would ask that you refrain from suggesting them. I've read plenty of good things about them, and will be ordering them soon enough via Amazon.
Wish you'd asked 8 months ago, would've recommended the comic Sword OF Sorcery. The Pathfinder comic is a good one. I haven't read much of it, but people like Orc Stain. Hmm...ah yes, again, should've come here months ago: DEMON KNIGHTS!
About any "subpar" mechanics or cards: Context is king.
If I make a templating or grammar error, let me know.
The franchise MtG most resembles is Battlestar Galactica. Why? Its players exist in, at most, a dozen different models at any given point in time, with perhaps up to 3% variation, 5% if you're lucky.
-Lynn Flewelling's Nightrunner's series is good. Its underrated and maybe even a little shunned. The main characters are bisexual men and that might bother some people.
-Patrick Rothfuss' Kingkiller trilogy(book 3 isn't out yet!) is the best fantasy I've read in years. The world, called The Four Corners, is magical and the characters jump off the pages at you. Also, read them now because the series has been optioned for TV!
-L.E. Modesitt Jr.'s Imager Portfolio(I can only vouch for the 1st 3 books!). Kind of a fish out of water tale and a well done iteration of that plot device at that.
-Peter V. Brett's Demon Cycle books! A series that highlights heroes of the world great and small in a familiar yet not world.
-Barb & JC Hendee's Noble Dead universe. There are 3 story cycles and for your personal sanity you should read them in order. It will take you a few months to do so however.
Sorry you are having trouble getting Leiber. White Wolf reprinted a bunch under their reprint line. Aurora Borealis I think or something like that. Ever try thrift stores, swap meets and flea markets? Mine are full of them!
Sorry you are having trouble getting Leiber. White Wolf reprinted a bunch under their reprint line. Aurora Borealis I think or something like that. Ever try thrift stores, swap meets and flea markets? Mine are full of them!
It is funny you mention WW and Aurora Borealis. I've got Count Brass, Von Bek, Corum: The Coming of Chaos and Corum: The Prince with the Silver Hand in hardback through that publisher, thanks to Amazon. I paid an arm and a leg for Count Brass (around 200 bucks). I have the most recent Elrics from Del Rey, and have read the stories in chronological and published order. I think I prefer published order; chronologically there's fluctuations in Moorcock's prose that I find jarring.
I'll get on Rothfuss. Reading the book after seeing the show (GOT, COK, half of ASOS) can be tedious.
The Fafrhd and Grey Mouser series is a bit tough for me to come by, so I would ask that you refrain from suggesting them. I've read plenty of good things about them, and will be ordering them soon enough via Amazon.
You are in for a treat. Some of my favorite books of all time.
One of my favorite series - Kingdoms of Thorn and Bone by Greg Keyes. First book is called The Briar King, followed by The Charnel Prince, The Blood Knight and finally The Born Queen. He's a great writer, but it's the kind of fantasy world that takes itself very seriously - that's a plus for me, but if you prefer your fantasy a bit lighter, it may not be for you.
"A rich man thinks all other people are rich, and an intelligent man thinks all other people are similarly gifted. Both are always terribly shocked when they discover the truth of the world. You, my dear brother, are a pious man." - Strahd von Zarovich
They start of as clever parodies but have grown into a rich world full of interesting people and deep ideas. There's about 100 of them, all authored by Sir Terry Pratchett, but you can just about grab one at random and enjoy. Seriously, this is how modern Tolkien inspired fantasy should be written. These books are touching and hilarious and thought-provoking. Read them.
Mandatory honesty: Sir Pratchett occasionally climbs up on his atheism soapbox, but he doesn't hang out there and it never really detracts from the plot.
The Way of Kings was pretty good, and apparently it's part of a ten book series (which is itself apparently part of a multi-series meta-series) so you shouldn't run out of books for a while. It's also a huge book.
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“Tell me who you walk with, and I'll tell you who you are.” Esmeralda Santiago Art is life itself.
Watch your thoughts, for they become words.
Watch your words, for they become actions.
Watch your actions, for they become habits.
Watch your habits, for they become character.
Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny.
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I've read Moorcock's Eternal Champion works, and the Conan stories by Robert Howard. Both series were concise and enjoyable. Recently I've picked up Dawnthief by James Barclay and am enjoying it quite a bit; the gist is a mercenary company called the Raven hired to stop the awakening of the Wytch Lords. It feels a bit epic, yet rolls along with the pace and fluidity of the sword and sorcery genre.
The Fafrhd and Grey Mouser series is a bit tough for me to come by, so I would ask that you refrain from suggesting them. I've read plenty of good things about them, and will be ordering them soon enough via Amazon.
About any "subpar" mechanics or cards: Context is king.
If I make a templating or grammar error, let me know.
The franchise MtG most resembles is Battlestar Galactica. Why? Its players exist in, at most, a dozen different models at any given point in time, with perhaps up to 3% variation, 5% if you're lucky.
-Patrick Rothfuss' Kingkiller trilogy(book 3 isn't out yet!) is the best fantasy I've read in years. The world, called The Four Corners, is magical and the characters jump off the pages at you. Also, read them now because the series has been optioned for TV!
-L.E. Modesitt Jr.'s Imager Portfolio(I can only vouch for the 1st 3 books!). Kind of a fish out of water tale and a well done iteration of that plot device at that.
-Peter V. Brett's Demon Cycle books! A series that highlights heroes of the world great and small in a familiar yet not world.
-Barb & JC Hendee's Noble Dead universe. There are 3 story cycles and for your personal sanity you should read them in order. It will take you a few months to do so however.
Sorry you are having trouble getting Leiber. White Wolf reprinted a bunch under their reprint line. Aurora Borealis I think or something like that. Ever try thrift stores, swap meets and flea markets? Mine are full of them!
[Clan Flamingo]
It is funny you mention WW and Aurora Borealis. I've got Count Brass, Von Bek, Corum: The Coming of Chaos and Corum: The Prince with the Silver Hand in hardback through that publisher, thanks to Amazon. I paid an arm and a leg for Count Brass (around 200 bucks). I have the most recent Elrics from Del Rey, and have read the stories in chronological and published order. I think I prefer published order; chronologically there's fluctuations in Moorcock's prose that I find jarring.
I'll get on Rothfuss. Reading the book after seeing the show (GOT, COK, half of ASOS) can be tedious.
You are in for a treat. Some of my favorite books of all time.
One of my favorite series - Kingdoms of Thorn and Bone by Greg Keyes. First book is called The Briar King, followed by The Charnel Prince, The Blood Knight and finally The Born Queen. He's a great writer, but it's the kind of fantasy world that takes itself very seriously - that's a plus for me, but if you prefer your fantasy a bit lighter, it may not be for you.
I may be just a teeny bit biased, but The Companions.
Discworld.
DISCWORLD.
They start of as clever parodies but have grown into a rich world full of interesting people and deep ideas. There's about 100 of them, all authored by Sir Terry Pratchett, but you can just about grab one at random and enjoy. Seriously, this is how modern Tolkien inspired fantasy should be written. These books are touching and hilarious and thought-provoking. Read them.
Mandatory honesty: Sir Pratchett occasionally climbs up on his atheism soapbox, but he doesn't hang out there and it never really detracts from the plot.
Art is life itself.
Watch your words, for they become actions.
Watch your actions, for they become habits.
Watch your habits, for they become character.
Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny.