suggestions...

den · 08-04-2003, 10:29 AM

I wound up on this site as a fan of the ME books, mostly the Hobbit. I am looking for more books by authors other than tolkien, but that are a similar style. I think I mostly like the diversity of tolkien's work, reading the hobbit, lotr, and the sil you get many different races, creatures, and environments, none which seem to be overdone. I'm mostly looking for a style similar to lotr or the hobbit. Any suggestions?

Also, I finished reading Dune, and I really enjoyed that. I like the style of sci-fi that is I guess... realistic. Something like Dune, in it's style. Again, any suggestions??

Varda Oiolosseo · 08-04-2003, 11:07 AM

Sorry.

I went into a bookshop the other day looking for something along those line of being similar to LOTR. I was reccomended 2 books which i bought Sabriel and the Forestwife.
They are fantasy/adventure. I've started Sabriel it's really good and quite creepy.

If you ask in a good bookshop they should be able to help you find something you like and set you in the right direction

Sheeana · 08-04-2003, 05:27 PM

If you liked Dune, then I'd recommend the Foundation trilogy by Asimov. Have you read all the Dune sequels? They're good as well. Fantasy is harder. I find most Tolkien rip-offs to be pretty crap. I really enjoyed Wizard of Earthsea though. You could also try Enders Game by Orson Scott Card, and Revelation Space by Alistair Reynolds (both scifi.)

den · 08-05-2003, 10:41 AM

Thanks to everyone who is (and will) reply. Every time I go to a bookstore, I get "I really don't read that genre, so I don't know". I'm not looking for a Tolkien "rip off" exactly, but I guess along the same route. I like following the dwarves and elves and men, and I'm looking for furhter stories about them , and the adventures.

I have not read the Dune sequels yet, you think they are good? I'm usually dissapointed by sequels, but if they are recommended... I just read too many "spacey" sci-fi... not that that's bad, but I'm looking for more realistic. I did read Red Mars (I think thats the title anyway... read a bunch of mars books in a row and get mixed up on the titles) about terraforming mars... that was good. Same thing, a little more based on realism.

I will check out Sabriel.

Sheeana · 08-05-2003, 05:28 PM

The "Foundation" trilogy has that realism you're looking for. It's not quite the all-encompassing world that is Dune, or Middle Earth, but it's more in line with the Red Mars type of sci-fi - hard scifi, I would guess. Yes, I would recommend the sequels, because Dune only really hints at the world that is Arrakis, and beyond, but then you could say that I'm biased!

Alistair Reynolds also writes with a degree of realism - so much so that I had a hard time actually getting into Revelation Space. But it's a damned good read once you get used to the style - much like Red Mars, etc. You could also try reading the Thomas Covenant books by Stephen Donaldson. I don't much like them myself, but the world is certainly detailed more than a lot of fantasy. I've also heard that his Gap books are supposed to be quite good (scifi.)

***anduin*** · 08-06-2003, 08:09 AM

How about Magician by Raymond Feist? It is the fist book in the Riftwar trilogy. Some similarities with Tolkien, but you'll soon forget them. Here's a brief description I stole from the net.

Magician tells the tale of two boyhood briends from the Kingdom of the Isles. Their fantasies of becoming soldiers of the castle garrison are swept away when a mysterious ship crashes on a nearby shore. As invaders from a faraway land threaten to conquer all known civilization, fate destines one boy to become one of the greatest mages ever lived, and the other to receive the evil inheritance of a civilization long since gone. When these two young men grow to their full power the war receives a whole new dimension.

This books is not as indepth as Dune or LOTR, but it is fun to read nonetheless.

galadriel · 08-06-2003, 07:27 PM

Another good series by Orson Scott Card is the <i>Alvin Maker</i> series, an fantastic alternate version of early America. I've only read the first book, but it's very good so far.

If you liked The Hobbit, and you haven't already read C.S. Lewis's Narnia series, you should definitely try them. Narnia isn't quite as complex as Middle-earth, but it's just as much fun.

Baby-K · 08-07-2003, 03:18 AM

Some good fantasy novels that I have enjoyed don't necessarily contain any elves, dwarves etc. but they were among my favourites nonetheless.

Try the Malazan Book of the Fallen series by Erikson. Also A Song of Ice and Fire series by George R R Martin.

For a different spin on the whole faeries fantasy read Fearie Tale by Raymond E Feist (this does however not take place in a make-believe world). Feist's Empire trilogy is also very good.

I'd also recommend Wheel of Time by Jordan - but it's not everyone's cup of tea.

Estel13 · 08-10-2003, 06:37 PM

Try anything by Orson Scott Card, especially the Ender Quartet, and the Death~Gate Cycle by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman. Also, try M.S & T.H.'s DragonLance books. There's like 20 of them.
Have fun adventuring with my old friends.

Arcala · 08-12-2003, 11:13 AM

Quote:

I went into a bookshop the other day looking for something along those line of being similar to LOTR. I was reccomended 2 books which i bought Sabriel and the Forestwife.

Sabriel has two sequels, Lirael and Abhorsen.

I'd recommend the Elric Saga, even though it's not anything related to Middle-Earth, just a good series of books. It's pretty old though. You might not be able to find it.

Aewionen · 08-13-2003, 04:13 PM

I recommend the Shannara Series by Terry Brooks. I love that series, it is alot like Tolkien's LotR.

08-04-2003, 10:29 AM	#1
den Sapling Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 10	suggestions... I wound up on this site as a fan of the ME books, mostly the Hobbit. I am looking for more books by authors other than tolkien, but that are a similar style. I think I mostly like the diversity of tolkien's work, reading the hobbit, lotr, and the sil you get many different races, creatures, and environments, none which seem to be overdone. I'm mostly looking for a style similar to lotr or the hobbit. Any suggestions? Also, I finished reading Dune, and I really enjoyed that. I like the style of sci-fi that is I guess... realistic. Something like Dune, in it's style. Again, any suggestions??

08-06-2003, 08:09 AM	#6
*anduin* Entwife Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: louisville Posts: 3,718	How about Magician by Raymond Feist? It is the fist book in the Riftwar trilogy. Some similarities with Tolkien, but you'll soon forget them. Here's a brief description I stole from the net. Magician tells the tale of two boyhood briends from the Kingdom of the Isles. Their fantasies of becoming soldiers of the castle garrison are swept away when a mysterious ship crashes on a nearby shore. As invaders from a faraway land threaten to conquer all known civilization, fate destines one boy to become one of the greatest mages ever lived, and the other to receive the evil inheritance of a civilization long since gone. When these two young men grow to their full power the war receives a whole new dimension. This books is not as indepth as Dune or LOTR, but it is fun to read nonetheless. __________________ Far away across the field The tolling of the iron bell Calls the faithful to their knees To hear the softly spoken magic spells.

08-06-2003, 07:27 PM	#7
galadriel Elven Warrior Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: a castle made of clouds Posts: 459	Another good series by Orson Scott Card is the <i>Alvin Maker</i> series, an fantastic alternate version of early America. I've only read the first book, but it's very good so far. If you liked The Hobbit, and you haven't already read C.S. Lewis's Narnia series, you should definitely try them. Narnia isn't quite as complex as Middle-earth, but it's just as much fun. __________________ Human kind cannot bear very much reality. dreamflower - for all things Lady Galadriel

08-10-2003, 06:37 PM	#9
Estel13 RPG-aholic Psycho Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Final Fantasy Posts: 733	Try anything by Orson Scott Card, especially the Ender Quartet, and the Death~Gate Cycle by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman. Also, try M.S & T.H.'s DragonLance books. There's like 20 of them. Have fun adventuring with my old friends. __________________

08-13-2003, 04:13 PM	#11
Aewionen Elf Lord Join Date: May 2003 Location: Strong Badia. I live in the tire. Posts: 791	I recommend the Shannara Series by Terry Brooks. I love that series, it is alot like Tolkien's LotR. __________________ Aewionen, Maiden of Gondor `````````````````````````````` Home is behind the world ahead And there are many paths to tread Through shadow to the edge of night Until the stars are all alight. Mist and shadow Cloud and shade All shall fade All shall fade "I feel a slight tingling feeling... I think its affecting me." -Legolas during a drinking contest (EE ROTK)

08-04-2003, 11:07 AM	#2
Varda Oiolosseo Tea Bag Queen Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mirkwood Posts: 973	Sorry. I went into a bookshop the other day looking for something along those line of being similar to LOTR. I was reccomended 2 books which i bought Sabriel and the Forestwife. They are fantasy/adventure. I've started Sabriel it's really good and quite creepy. If you ask in a good bookshop they should be able to help you find something you like and set you in the right direction

08-04-2003, 05:27 PM	#3
Sheeana Lord of the Pants Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 1,382	If you liked Dune, then I'd recommend the Foundation trilogy by Asimov. Have you read all the Dune sequels? They're good as well. Fantasy is harder. I find most Tolkien rip-offs to be pretty crap. I really enjoyed Wizard of Earthsea though. You could also try Enders Game by Orson Scott Card, and Revelation Space by Alistair Reynolds (both scifi.)

08-05-2003, 10:41 AM	#4
den Sapling Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 10	Thanks to everyone who is (and will) reply. Every time I go to a bookstore, I get "I really don't read that genre, so I don't know". I'm not looking for a Tolkien "rip off" exactly, but I guess along the same route. I like following the dwarves and elves and men, and I'm looking for furhter stories about them , and the adventures. I have not read the Dune sequels yet, you think they are good? I'm usually dissapointed by sequels, but if they are recommended... I just read too many "spacey" sci-fi... not that that's bad, but I'm looking for more realistic. I did read Red Mars (I think thats the title anyway... read a bunch of mars books in a row and get mixed up on the titles) about terraforming mars... that was good. Same thing, a little more based on realism. I will check out Sabriel.

08-05-2003, 05:28 PM	#5
Sheeana Lord of the Pants Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 1,382	The "Foundation" trilogy has that realism you're looking for. It's not quite the all-encompassing world that is Dune, or Middle Earth, but it's more in line with the Red Mars type of sci-fi - hard scifi, I would guess. Yes, I would recommend the sequels, because Dune only really hints at the world that is Arrakis, and beyond, but then you could say that I'm biased! Alistair Reynolds also writes with a degree of realism - so much so that I had a hard time actually getting into Revelation Space. But it's a damned good read once you get used to the style - much like Red Mars, etc. You could also try reading the Thomas Covenant books by Stephen Donaldson. I don't much like them myself, but the world is certainly detailed more than a lot of fantasy. I've also heard that his Gap books are supposed to be quite good (scifi.)

08-07-2003, 03:18 AM	#8
Baby-K Corruptor Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Jozi SA Posts: 1,885	Some good fantasy novels that I have enjoyed don't necessarily contain any elves, dwarves etc. but they were among my favourites nonetheless. Try the Malazan Book of the Fallen series by Erikson. Also A Song of Ice and Fire series by George R R Martin. For a different spin on the whole faeries fantasy read Fearie Tale by Raymond E Feist (this does however not take place in a make-believe world). Feist's Empire trilogy is also very good. I'd also recommend Wheel of Time by Jordan - but it's not everyone's cup of tea.

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