About Santa Lucia Expertise I am a lover of fantasy turned on to the genre by my older sister and have read series by Mercedes Lackey, MZBradley, Melanie Rawn, Jennifer Roberson, Kate Elliott, Ursula LeGuin, Andre Norton, Robin Hobb, Elizabeth Lynn, Piers Anthony, Robert Jordan, Terry Goodkind, Elizabeth Moon, and many others. I love talking about books and getting suggestions on what to take on next!
Experience I have read and written a multitude of stories and when I was fourteen bought over 300 fantasy novels in one year. I have read almost all of them by now and am constantly acquiring more.
Expert: Santa Lucia Date: 6/3/2007 Subject: Picky, need reccomendations
Question I'm looking for some good fantasy books. I kind of would like to read an old-
school fantasy story (like David Eddings, but less repetitive), but anything
goes. I read quick-- so I'd love a whole list!
I love (and have read all of):
-Neil Gaiman
-Terry Pratchett
-Diana Wynne Jones
-Philip Pullman
-David Eddings
-JK Rowling
--I'm also reading "A Song of Ice and Fire" right now
I dislike:
-Mercedes Lackey
-Tamora Pierce
-The Wheel of Time
-"Eragorn"
I've read most classics (Tolkien, etc.) so something newer would be best.
Thanks!
Answer Hi Kathleen!
What a great question! I hope to find something that you
like.
The authors you listed liking are certainly good ones, although ones that seem to me to be lighter reading (nothing wrong with that!). Given that, you might like the Death Gate Cycle, by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman. It isn't as violent as it sounds, which originally turned me off of the series. This series of seven books begins with four set on completely different planets with only one character in common, and all get tied together in the end. Interesting, reasonably light, but lots of fun.
When I called up Phillip Pullman on Amazon, they recommended JK Rowling (whom you like) and the Eragorn series (which you didn't). On top of that, they suggested The Bartimaeus Trilogy, by Jonathon Shroud. While I don't know anything about this, you might find it to be a pleasant read.
You might enjoy another trilogy by Elizabeth Kerner, with a first book called Song in the Silence. Again, dragons, but still lots of fun. The story is a bit romantic, but has strong character development and moves smoothly. It follows the guidelines that it sets for itself fairly well. The unfortunate thing is you might find it to be more like Mercedes Lackey, although I think it has a bit more going on than her stories do. There is also less that one might find offensive, such as homosexuality, if that bothers you at all.
While I haven't read them in a while, you might also try Katherine Kerr's Deverry or Westland series'. Likewise, there is always Piers Anthony. Terry Pratchett reminds me of Anthony, but Anthony does get a bit old after a while.
I hope that this helps. Best of luck!
If you want, feel free to write back, being a bit more specific about what you like and I will try to help more.
Enjoy!
Lucia
