Sci-fi/fantasy book recommendations
By
Asha'man,
Posted on: 2010-12-30 14:53 in Comic and Hero-Villain Culture
For totally brutal oh-my-god-I-can't-believe-he-went-there post-apocalypse goodness, I'll recommend the "Plague" books by Jeff Carlson. The guy pulls no punches and really makes armageddon seem like a genuinely horrible experience. The series is about the accidental release of a nanophage which consumes every warm-blooded biological thing below 10,000 feet, above which it self-destructs. As you can imagine, this has the nasty effect of wiping out nearly 99% of the world's human population, as well as *more than* 99% of the animals. Only people living near the top of mountains or who happen to be hiking/skiing/backpacking when the machine plague hits survive it. If you were in an airplane when it hit, you're fine... until you land. Then the miniature machines eat you alive.
Not only is it bad enough that everyone you know has been excruciatingly killed by things you can't even see, the plague starts World War 3 between the US, Russia and China because the most precious thing left in the world is the small amount of real estate that's above 10,000 feet.
I just started the 3rd book in the series and once again I can't believe how unflinching Carlson is with his story. He doesn't play favorites with his characters: they're caught in a hellish situation and have to deal with it as best they can.
The Alt Alphabet ~ OPC: Other People's Characters ~ Terrific Screenshots of Cool ~ Superhero Fiction
Pendragon by D.J. MacHale. There are 10 books in total, and I can honestly say it is my favorite series thusfar. I pretty much went down your list and went "Check, check, check.", except maybe for lovecraftian themes, but thats because I haven't read lovecraft.
I'll second The Hunger Games.
The Midnighters by Scott Westerfeld. It is a trilogy. At midnight, for a select group of people, time freezes for a hour. But as you know...evil things lurk in the dark. ...Ok I'm terrible at describing things! But don't let that stop you from reading this trilogy!
Oh oh oh! I almost forgot! The Uglies. This is also a trilogy (Technically there are four books, but I don't like the 4th. And trilogy is easier to say
) It takes place sometime in the future, and in this world you or either an Ugly (regular people like us), or a Pretty. Almost everyone is a pretty. Pretties look perfect, no blemishes, no asymetry, absolutely perfect. The main character, a young girl by the name of Tally Youngblood can't wait till the day when she can become a pretty, but things don't always turn out how you think they will.
One of my favorite series starts with this trilogy:
The Farseer Trilogy, by Robin Hobb
Warning: It ain't kittens and fluffy bunnies.
Also, it is 9 books total, and they're LONG books to boot.
But I really liked it.
Also, if you're into science fiction at all, you have to read The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy and all of its sequels. For many, many reasons. DOO EET. 
Arc #6015 - Coming Unglued
"A good n00b-sauce is based on a good n00b-roux." - The Masque
Based on your description, Mr_Squid, it sounds like you may enjoy some of China Mieville's stuff, particularly Perdido Street Station or The Scar.
I just finished Ex-Heroes (superheroes and zombies) that is a fun read.
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I'll echo this - been reading this series since it started in the 80s - Brust is one of my favorite authors, because few people can manage dialogue as well as he does. (And I do not know which of these could be called a dud?) He has several others in the same setting.
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Originally Posted by Smersh
The Jhereg series, Steven Brust. A professional assassin who takes down wizards. Many of the books are great swashbucklers, though there is at least one major dud in the series.
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City of Heroes was my first MMO, & my favorite computer game.
R.I.P.
Chyll - Bydand - Violynce - Enyrgos - Rylle - Nephryte - Solyd - Fettyr - Hyposhock - Styrling - Beryllos - Rosyc
Horryd - Myriam - Dysquiet - Ghyr
Vanysh - Eldrytch
Inflyct - Mysron - Orphyn - Dysmay - Reapyr - - Wyldeman - Hydeous
I had to look it up...
But Athyra was absolutely awful.
Comrade Smersh, KGB Special Section 8 50 Inv/Fire, Fire/Rad, BS/WP, SD/SS, AR/EM
Other 50s: Plant/Thorn, Bots/Traps, DB/SR, MA/Regen, Rad/Dark - All on Virtue.
-Don't just rebel, build a better world, comrade!
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Ah, the only one of the series not in first person... Yes, it is markedly different than than the rest. I'd agree not the strongest of the series, but I wouldn't say awful. Regardless, a fun series.
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Originally Posted by Smersh
I had to look it up...
But Athyra was absolutely awful. |
City of Heroes was my first MMO, & my favorite computer game.
R.I.P.
Chyll - Bydand - Violynce - Enyrgos - Rylle - Nephryte - Solyd - Fettyr - Hyposhock - Styrling - Beryllos - Rosyc
Horryd - Myriam - Dysquiet - Ghyr
Vanysh - Eldrytch
Inflyct - Mysron - Orphyn - Dysmay - Reapyr - - Wyldeman - Hydeous
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I just finished "Snow Crash," and I'm kind of mixed on it.|
Originally Posted by warden_de_dios
{Stephenson} has written some awesome books
Snow Crash The Baroque Cycle (3 books) Anathem (my favorite of his) Cryptonomicon |
Things I liked -- the setting and the characters.
Things I didn't care for -- so many pages dedicated to explaining language and ideas as a Sumerian meta-virus for society. Seriously, it seemed a quarter of the book was dedicated to Stephenson belching this stuff out. It's interesting, and figured into the plot of the book, but if you need 20 pages to explain your plot, you might have issues.
Would I recommend it to others? Probably, yeah.
I've heard good things about "Cryptonomicon," though.
Arc# 92382 -- "The S.P.I.D.E.R. and the Tyrant" -- Ninjas! Robots! Praetorians! It's totally epic! Play it now!
Arc # 316340 -- "Husk" -- Azuria loses something, a young woman harbors a dark secret, and the fate of the world is in your hands.
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A couple of suggestions (if you've not yet read them):|
Originally Posted by Mr_Squid
-World Building. Characters and plot have always ended up being secondary to a really cool setting to me. I mean the characters and plot are still really important, but if you put them in an interesting and unique setting then a story goes from "hrm, neat" to "WHOA HOLY CRAP I GOTTA READ THAT NOW!"
-Things just beyond our current understanding. The real world is fascinating as it is, but I've always loved stories and speculation about what might lie right beyond the curtain of common knowledge. Ghosts, Aliens, Cryptids, Paranormal stuff, I lap that crap up. |
1) The Dark Tower series by Stephen King, starting with "The Gunslinger." The world it's set on has "moved on" in some way and the last Gunslinger is questing to find The Dark Tower at the center of the world. The first book is a mishmash of fantasy, science fiction, westerns and horror, but as the series moves along it begins to take better shape.
2) Terry Pratchett's Discworld books -- it's considered fantasy, but it's really more a satire of our modern world in a fantasy setting. I've only ready about a third of the books, but can easily recommend starting with "Guards! Guards!" (even though it's not the first of the series, it's the first of the Sam Vimes/Night Watch books). It's probably the best of the early Discworld books. A few of the books have dealings with the "Dungeon Dimensions" which are inhabited by "gibbering" Lovecraftian type nightmares that occasionally threaten to break through the walls of reality (such as those are on the Disc).
A few other recommendations:
"American Gods" by Neil Gaiman
"Good Omens" by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett (it's a comedy about the apocalypse).
"Y the Last Man" graphic novels (doubt they're available on Kindle, though.) Basically, the story involves every mammal with a Y-chromosome suddenly convulsing, vomiting blood and dying save for one guy and a pet helper monkey. (I haven't gotten too far into it yet, so I don't know if they ever explain why this happened.)
And, as someone mentioned above, Neil Gaiman wrote a short story by melding Sherlock Holmes and a world of Lovecraftian horror. Well worth hunting down.
Arc# 92382 -- "The S.P.I.D.E.R. and the Tyrant" -- Ninjas! Robots! Praetorians! It's totally epic! Play it now!
Arc # 316340 -- "Husk" -- Azuria loses something, a young woman harbors a dark secret, and the fate of the world is in your hands.
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One of my favourites. Stephenson does have the tendency to drone on and on and on and on about the technical aspects of the stuff going on in his books, like Tom Clancy on steroids. Feels like reading a damned textbook at times, which is a shame because he really is an entertaining writer the rest of the time.
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Originally Posted by Defenestrator
I've heard good things about "Cryptonomicon," though.
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They ALL float down here. When you're down here with us, you'll float too!
@Starflier
Hey Mr. Squid. I like your taste in fiction!
I would give The Dresden Files by Jim Butcher a shot. It is a modern fantasy series about a Wizard living in Chicago who supports himself as a Private Investigator. Sounds cheesy (and it kinda is at first) but it is a fantastic series. The fantasy world Butcher explores in the series is very rich. Demons, Vampires, Cops, Wizards, Necromancers, Werewolves, Faeries, Archangels, Chicago Gangsters etc. Lots and Lots of very cool magical and paranormal action (and a good dose of gunplay too.)
The 13th book in the series comes out in March. And apparently he has something like 12 more planned.
And the Seventh law of magic in the series is; "Thou shalt not seek beyond the Outer Gates." So there is a small (yet to be explored in depth) Lovecraft element.
And a personal note, I have a tattoo of Cthulu on my leg. Then I had a dream about Cthulu not long ago. I told my girlfriend why this means the end of the world and she just rolled her eyes at me. It's hard being a geek.
Edit: I second the Dark Tower series. My all time favorite series and inspiration for one of my other literary tattoos.
"You're the sun and the moon to me..."
My Antiquated Earth/Storm Controller Guide!
@KokopelliJoe
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I cheated on this book, I got so into the WWII story I would skip the chapters that are in the modern day. Stephenson is very like early Clancy, big chunks of information crammed into a great story. Clancy doesn't have an editor anymore, except to check spelling. I can't get through any Jack Ryan books after he became President.
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Originally Posted by Starflier
One of my favourites. Stephenson does have the tendency to drone on and on and on and on about the technical aspects of the stuff going on in his books, like Tom Clancy on steroids. Feels like reading a damned textbook at times, which is a shame because he really is an entertaining writer the rest of the time.
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The Quantum Thief. Best sci-fi book I've read in absolute ages. It's a great, great book.
Although I've heard it's not due for release Stateside for a while and I can't find it on Kindle.
In the meantime Iain M Banks books if you're looking for a highly detailed setting. Start at the beginning (although I didn't, I started with The Player of Games). His latest, Surface Detail is excellent, but you want to read the older ones first (Consider Phlebas is the first).
*Edit, ooops, just spotted that you've already started on them. I've just started reading The Wind-up girl which is available on Kindle. So far I'm enjoying it, but its early days.
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Yes, I was going to recommend Banks too, until I noticed it had been covered. Good stuff. (Incidentally, I also started him with "Player of Games".)|
Originally Posted by Carnifax_NA
In the meantime Iain M Banks books if you're looking for a highly detailed setting. Start at the beginning (although I didn't, I started with The Player of Games). His latest, Surface Detail is excellent, but you want to read the older ones first (Consider Phlebas is the first)..
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Originally Posted by Carnifax_NA
*Edit, ooops, just spotted that you've already started on them. I've just started reading The Wind-up girl which is available on Kindle. So far I'm enjoying it, but its early days.
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City of Heroes was my first MMO, & my favorite computer game.
R.I.P.
Chyll - Bydand - Violynce - Enyrgos - Rylle - Nephryte - Solyd - Fettyr - Hyposhock - Styrling - Beryllos - Rosyc
Horryd - Myriam - Dysquiet - Ghyr
Vanysh - Eldrytch
Inflyct - Mysron - Orphyn - Dysmay - Reapyr - - Wyldeman - Hydeous
I'd recommend Janny Wurts' "The Wars of Light and Shadow" series. Great fantasy/magic series involving two half-brothers born under totally different circumstances, one born rich, the other raised by pirates. It really makes you question who's the good guy/bad guy. Excellent character development, world detail, and not a written like a kiddie book. It will make you pay attention or you'll be lost. But definitely worth it. I will caution, they are long books in a long series. 8 books so far, with 3 more in the works. Last book was written in 2007.
She co-authored the Empire Trilogy with Raymond Feist, which I enjoyed tremendously.
City of Heroes was my first MMO, & my favorite computer game.
R.I.P.
Chyll - Bydand - Violynce - Enyrgos - Rylle - Nephryte - Solyd - Fettyr - Hyposhock - Styrling - Beryllos - Rosyc
Horryd - Myriam - Dysquiet - Ghyr
Vanysh - Eldrytch
Inflyct - Mysron - Orphyn - Dysmay - Reapyr - - Wyldeman - Hydeous
I have been lurking and presenting a lot of these recommendations to my wife - thanks to all for the suggestions!
Go Team Venture!
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Snow Crash does suffer from bloat. There's a lot of info porn in it. That's why I prefer his novel The Diamond Age. Not so much of the over-explaining and a very cool concept with a great denouement based on the set-up. Very much a morality tale about unintended consequences. Mousey Tongue!
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Originally Posted by Defenestrator
I just finished "Snow Crash," and I'm kind of mixed on it.
Things I liked -- the setting and the characters. Things I didn't care for -- so many pages dedicated to explaining language and ideas as a Sumerian meta-virus for society. Seriously, it seemed a quarter of the book was dedicated to Stephenson belching this stuff out. It's interesting, and figured into the plot of the book, but if you need 20 pages to explain your plot, you might have issues. Would I recommend it to others? Probably, yeah. I've heard good things about "Cryptonomicon," though. |
The Alt Alphabet ~ OPC: Other People's Characters ~ Terrific Screenshots of Cool ~ Superhero Fiction
I haven't read them yet, but i would think that the Mass Effect books are worth a read, which is why I'll be reading them soon...
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You can download the two stores he's done in the Windup Girl setting from the publisher's webpage for free. Along with a couple other nifty stores and at least one book that I know of.|
Originally Posted by Chyll
Ah, nice reminder. Bacigalupi is firmly on my reading list after I read "The Wind-Up Girl". "The Ship Breakers" was entertaining, though not nearly as good. I still need to pick up his short stories.
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The book's very weird and I think worth reading actually. It's titled Grey and it's by Jon Armstrong. It's fairly unusual (professional ironing as a sport for example) but fun.
MA Arcs: Yarmouth 1509 and 58812
Sight thread jack, and if some have been presented then i appoloigize. I just skimmed the thread. I love modern urban fantasy but an i little bit over it. What i want to read is modern urban sci fi. The best example i can give is the movie "Push". Not quite superhero level and no cyberpunk dystopia. I read a series called Psi-Man by Peter David which was ok but i was hoping you guys had some suggestions.
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Just wrote that one down. Maybe when I start running low on some Pratchett stuff again I'll switch back over to Stephenson. I was frequently juxtaposing my reading between Pratchett and Palahniuk, which gets really trippy after awhile. |
Originally Posted by Ironik
Snow Crash does suffer from bloat. There's a lot of info porn in it. That's why I prefer his novel The Diamond Age. Not so much of the over-explaining and a very cool concept with a great denouement based on the set-up. Very much a morality tale about unintended consequences. Mousey Tongue!
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Arc# 92382 -- "The S.P.I.D.E.R. and the Tyrant" -- Ninjas! Robots! Praetorians! It's totally epic! Play it now!
Arc # 316340 -- "Husk" -- Azuria loses something, a young woman harbors a dark secret, and the fate of the world is in your hands.
While cover blurb comparisons with Leiber's Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser books are more wishful thinking than literary reality, The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch is an engaging, straightforward read. If it fails to completely kindle your imagination, it at least avoids insulting your intelligence.
As for SF, the best thing I've read in forever was Counting Heads by David Marusek. Probably my favorite SF novel since Gibson's Neuromancer.
The Nethergoat Archive: all my memories, all my characters, all my thoughts on CoH...eventually.
My City Was Gone
No one's recommended them yet so, I will put forward the Takeshi Kovacs trilogy by Richard Morgan
Altered Carbon
Broken Angels
Woken Furies
It's definitely an exercise in very believeable world building, a very intense and very good read, and a damaged anti-hero who is absolutely bad-***. Kovacs is most definitely not a role-model for anyone, except maybe for aspiring sociopaths.
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Without Remorse is far and away my favourite Tom Clancy book. Some people like the technical stuff, some like the political intrigue. I just like to read/watch Mr. Clark taking care of business. Rainbow Six was alright, though it's more of him running the unit and not so much with the field work.
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Originally Posted by warden_de_dios
I cheated on this book, I got so into the WWII story I would skip the chapters that are in the modern day. Stephenson is very like early Clancy, big chunks of information crammed into a great story. Clancy doesn't have an editor anymore, except to check spelling. I can't get through any Jack Ryan books after he became President.
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They ALL float down here. When you're down here with us, you'll float too!
@Starflier
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Do you mean "modern" as in "takes place today" or just something recognizably as our world, even if a bit in the future?|
Originally Posted by ObiWan
Sight thread jack, and if some have been presented then i appoloigize. I just skimmed the thread. I love modern urban fantasy but an i little bit over it. What i want to read is modern urban sci fi. The best example i can give is the movie "Push". Not quite superhero level and no cyberpunk dystopia. I read a series called Psi-Man by Peter David which was ok but i was hoping you guys had some suggestions.
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Daemon (1st book) and Freedom (sequel) by Daniel Suarez start out as our society and become changed pretty quickly. Freedom may be a little cyberpunkish for you, but it's still early days in the change, so you might like it. I loved those books, because they were smart, well-plotted, had cool ideas and were just kinetic.
Jennifer Government by Max Barry takes place further in the future when everyone has taken on jobs which become their identities and their surnames. If you work for Honda, your name is Joe Honda. If you work for Apple, you're Joe Apple. So Jennifer Government has the crappiest job of all. It's dystopian if you're not crazy about corporations ruling the world.
I just saw that one of my all-time favorite books is back in print: The Apocalypse Door by James D. Macdonald. This is about a modern day Templar Knight (but he's cool) who teams up with a killer nun (who is *extremely* cool) in order to save the world. This book is a blast. Now, I'm the genre-typing guy, able to pigeonhole any film or book into its proper genre with a glance. That was the basis for my Ph.d. dissertation, in fact. The Apocalypse Door is the only work I've stumbled across that I can not decide if it's Fantasy or Science Fiction. That's how brilliantly Macdonald walks that line, giving equal evidence for both arguments. Either way, it's a crackerjack read.
The Alt Alphabet ~ OPC: Other People's Characters ~ Terrific Screenshots of Cool ~ Superhero Fiction
I actually surprised myself by actually enjoying the Mass Effect series of novels. Well, the first one so far, anyway. Well written for a game tie-in.
So many people have mentioned a great number of excellent series so far. One series I intend to re-read someday is the Ender series. I used to read Ender's Game almost every year as a teenager, but my (paperback) copy is now so beat up I dare not use it for actual reading anymore.