Book Discussion

Shi Zhi Mi · Post by **Shi Zhi Mi** » Thu Apr 20, 2006 11:45 pm

Duke Williams wrote:Hmm... I recommend the book, "Wizards First Rule" by Terry Goodkind. It was a pretty good book even though it has some adult material. Most of it blanked out with cut scenes but it leaves you with an obvious notion on what happens during the cut scene. Nonetheless I liked the book very much and the ending was somewhat of a surpriser.

I couldn't get into this book. I tried but it did nothing for me. Instead I was finding myself drawn to any other book then this one. Color me unimpressed with Mr Goodkind.

Kagen · Post by **Kagen** » Fri Apr 21, 2006 1:07 am

I found the first book hard to get into till the end, but once you did, it was good as the next two were awsome. After that the series kind of drags on.

Dro · Post by **Dro** » Fri Apr 21, 2006 1:08 am

Sorry, I watched Equillibrium (oftenly mispronounced as Equalibrium) - for like the 5th time - and every time I watch that movie, I think of 3 books, Fahrenhiet 451 by Ray Bradury, 1984 by George Orwell, and A Brave New World by Aldous Huxley ... that was pointless, but, oh, I keep passing the Shanara books in the book store, but never could pick them up, I've been disappointed by series before. So, can I look at it as recommended? Since I'm cluttering this post, I might as well say I can't wait for the twelth and final book of The Wheel of Time series. And I know I'll get lynched if I make a certain comment about a certain book, so i'll keep it to myself - I'll only say I enjoy the RTK time period because of history, not the novel.

Adranis · Post by **Adranis** » Fri Apr 21, 2006 2:28 am

I had to read Fahrenheit 451 and 1984 for my English class...

...and I don't take well to books that I'm forced to read.

Nonetheless, I guess from another perspective they were interesting books.

Post by **Kymvir Raemiz** » Fri Apr 21, 2006 10:12 am

Duke Williams wrote:Hmm... I recommend the book, "Wizards First Rule" by Terry Goodkind. It was a pretty good book even though it has some adult material. Most of it blanked out with cut scenes but it leaves you with an obvious notion on what happens during the cut scene. Nonetheless I liked the book very much and the ending was somewhat of a surpriser.

I enjoyed it - though the first book was obviously written over a really long time and had some weird disjointed sections.

As Kagen said, the series drags on horribly after the third book or so.

As far as Epic Fantasy goes, the currently writing three big authors are George R. R. Martin, Robert Jordan and Terry Goodkind.

Martin is superb - and may be my favorite author. His characters and world are so completely developed that its hard to find any flaws - as long as you can stomach long books - which I can.

Robert Jordan - His first two books were beyond great. Given the benefit of being able to show you his first six character's background in a small village, he was able to flesh out those characters very well. It is later in the series that his one great weakness - character development - begins to stand out. All of his newer characters are extremely one dimensional, and sadly, his female characters begin to fall into two categories: Evil Sadistic Bitch, or Good Know-it-all 75% Bitch. Still, I like his books. Jordan shines at creating a world in his series and constructing a complete world and history. I admit I stopped reading after book 8. When he finishes the series, I'll finish the series.

Terry Goodkind - his strength is his characters - his world is a little hard to believe, and really, really weird. The series is based largely on a romance between the main two characters, but after about the third book you begin to want the romance to disappear so the story can actually progress. Good books - he should have stopped at three.

Shi Zhi Mi · Post by **Shi Zhi Mi** » Fri Apr 21, 2006 11:53 am

If you want true, astronomical, High Fantasy then I recommend Steven Erikson A Canadian, don't hold it against him, he has penned the Malazan Empire series. His characters are varied, indepth, and very very colorful. I also enjoy his take on magic and gods. Highly recommend this one.

I used to read Jordan and like Kym really enjoyed his first couple of books. But I've gotten the impression that the series will not end until he dies. His last couple of books have been, sadly, disappointing. I mean..how can you write a book that does not involve Mat? Really. Like Kym I am waiting for the end of the series. Being younger then Jordan I have time.

Martin rocks. Nuff said.

Can't stand Goodkind. His book, Wizard's First Rule, props up my couch due to a missing leg. Best use I could have found for that trash.

Oh yea..I recommend Glen Cook's Black Company series. It is a good read.

Ishy Julu · Post by **Ishy Julu** » Fri Apr 21, 2006 11:59 am

I agree with Kymvir on Robert Jordan. But, I have all the books, I just can't bring myself to read them all over until it's all done.

I think two authors that people neglect are David Eddings (The Belgariad/etc), and Terry Pratchett, the greatest comedic fantasty/satire writer in the history of the entire universe.

While I don't mind Goodkind, I th ink his books revolve around Prostitutes way too much. His work gets terribly strange as the series drags on. The first three or so were very good to me, though.

Xiu · Post by **Xiu** » Fri Apr 21, 2006 12:00 pm

I get the new Harry Dresden novel soon... yippee!

I also liked Jennifer Fallon's books. I can't remember if I mentioned them or not. My mind is fuzzy. They are the Hyruuthin Chronicles (I think I mispelled that but I'll check later) Interesting mythos, most of the main characters have at least one flaw

Shi Zhi Mi · Post by **Shi Zhi Mi** » Fri Apr 21, 2006 12:55 pm

Ishy Julu wrote:I agree with Kymvir on Robert Jordan. But, I have all the books, I just can't bring myself to read them all over until it's all done.

I think two authors that people neglect are David Eddings (The Belgariad/etc), and Terry Pratchett, the greatest comedic fantasty/satire writer in the history of the entire universe.

While I don't mind Goodkind, I th ink his books revolve around Prostitutes way too much. His work gets terribly strange as the series drags on. The first three or so were very good to me, though.

I liked David Edding's series involving the Belgariad and Sparhawk. But after that all his books have the same typical characters. They all say "Good God!", the women act the same with minor twists, the heroes always outwit the villians, and the gods irrevocablly fall in love with one of the heroes. I gave up on Eddings after his wife jumped on board to write.

Terry Pratchett rocks. His City Watch books are the best. Captain Vimes and that troll who uses a ballista for a crossbow kills me.

Post by **Kymvir Raemiz** » Fri Apr 21, 2006 1:19 pm

Eddings really is about which series you read first. Whichever one you grab and read first will live in your memory as fantastic.

I read the Belgariad, and it still has a warm place in my heart as one of my earliest beloved fantasy series. The Sparhawk books were written afterwards, and Shi is absolutely right in saying all of his characters from series to series are the same. They have the same sense of humor, the same anti-communist storyline.

That's right, anti-commy! How many times can the heroes of the West defeat the evil gods of the East using the All Powerful Magical Stone?

Ahem, anyways.

I've never read Pratchett, and I could never read a Canadian!