What other fantasy books do YOU read? - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Oddwen · 03-21-2004, 08:09 PM

Well, besides Tolkien, I have read...

Terry Brooks, all of his "original" works. But I've found repeated readings get very annoying. The endless endless descriptions!

His Dark Materials: I was thinking of Discworld when I picked this up. I hated it. I felt it was blasphemous, and I didn't really understand it.

Discworld-I've only read the first one, but it's great! Can't wait until the other books come in.

Narnia-They were good, but I got less and less impressed as I went along.

ALL of the Redwall books...boy do they get monotonous. And those stupid hares!!

My Dad's very big on sci-fi, so I've read some Heinlein.

George MacDonald, The Princess and the Goblin, and The Princess and Curdie, and also a book of short tales. Very nice.

Ursula LeGuin, read "Wizard of Earthsea" and own the third volume but am waiting for the second to come along.

There's other stuff too...I just can't remember...

Finwe · 03-22-2004, 03:41 PM

Lhundulinwen, the Anita Blake books are a tad bit more than "light romance." They talk about things in there that even most adults would find scary.

Sirithheruwen · 03-22-2004, 04:44 PM

Eek!

Just as I was getting used to the old layout!
I've grown up with fantasy as a part of me. When asked (in 2nd grade) if trees could talk, without hesitation I said "yes," even before I read about the ents in LOTR. Needless to say, I would probably give you the exact same answer!

Anyways, here are some of my fantasy faves:

1) The Chronicles of Narnia: I read these when I was younger, and I liked them a lot. I havn't read them recently though...hmmm...*scribbles something on already large "To Do" list*

2) His Dark Materials: Yes, it seemed a bit blasphemous to me to (or at least to my religion). It was very good writing/plot. However, to my consternation, i recently picked up these books and found them mindnumbingly boring. I don't know what happened, but I didn't get past the middle of chapter two.

3) The Magic Circle and The Circle Opens Series: I found these books wonderful and facinating! I have yet to read Pierce's other books, but I can't wait to do so! A very highly recommended read!

4) The Edge Chronicles: Home to my most favorite book character ever: Twig! (I know, not LOTR, but he's so cool!) THese books are amazing! Plus, they have illustrations here and there, spattered across the pages, making it an easy and enjoyable read.

5) The Enchanted Forest Chronicles: For younger readers, but I take every chance to read them to my sisters. A twist on your average fairy tale!

And lastly,

6) Faerie Wars: Very enchanting book. Newly published (I think). Wonderful!

Well, I think that's quite enough for the moment! Bye Bye!

HerenIstarion · 03-23-2004, 01:55 AM

Currently I'm stuck on Terry Pratchett. I'm swallowing his books every night, can not lay those down until my eyes water, to be honest (that's why poor me is always so sleepy in the office every morning)

But they definitely have good read on them

, Highly recommended

Lhundulinwen · 03-23-2004, 06:31 PM

You are right Finwe! I was only on the 2 or third book when I wrote the post. Later on in the series, it gets really gory and rather dirty. But I still like them. I'm on "Bloody Bones" right now, and it is one of the stranger books. It has some really gross scenes, but there is a really great scene where some of the characters are explained a little better. Definitely an R rated series, I think. Great dialogue, and the characters are really believable. Wouldn't read if scare easily!!!

The Mushroom · 03-25-2004, 04:39 PM

Oddwen- Ah, nice to see another person who actually knows who George MacDonald is.

No one I talk to seems to have heard of him. And I know what you mean about the Redwall series! Brian Jaques needs some new material. How many times can he write the same plot over and over? The first few were pretty good though. Heh, hares... (I think I'll sing about food now, wot wot!)

Tigerlily Gamgee · 03-28-2004, 09:14 PM

I am currently reading The Mists of Avalon, and I recently finished The Once and Future King.
I am very much enjoying Avalon. This is the first book I've read in a while that I hold up high with LOTR. The way that it is written just allows the imagery to flow, unforced, into my mind. I've finished part 1 of the book, and I'm on my way through the rest of the story. I just love the perspective that the book gives... not your typical view of Arthurian Legend.
King, on the other hand, I really disliked. Well, I liked the first part, but after that I think it went down hill. My complaint about this book is that I don't like the style in which it was written, and I don't like how most of the characters were written. Too many of them seem like spoiled brats in this book, and they are very two dimensional. I don't mean to be rude to those who like this book, this is just my opinion.

03-21-2004, 08:09 PM	#1
Oddwen Drummer in the Deep Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Next Sunday A.D. Posts: 2,145	Well, besides Tolkien, I have read... Terry Brooks, all of his "original" works. But I've found repeated readings get very annoying. The endless endless descriptions! His Dark Materials: I was thinking of Discworld when I picked this up. I hated it. I felt it was blasphemous, and I didn't really understand it. Discworld-I've only read the first one, but it's great! Can't wait until the other books come in. Narnia-They were good, but I got less and less impressed as I went along. ALL of the Redwall books...boy do they get monotonous. And those stupid hares!! My Dad's very big on sci-fi, so I've read some Heinlein. George MacDonald, The Princess and the Goblin, and The Princess and Curdie, and also a book of short tales. Very nice. Ursula LeGuin, read "Wizard of Earthsea" and own the third volume but am waiting for the second to come along. There's other stuff too...I just can't remember... __________________ But all the while I sit and think of times there were before I listen for returning feet and voices at the door

03-22-2004, 03:41 PM	#2
Finwe Deathless Sun Join Date: May 2003 Location: The Royal Suite in the Halls of Mandos Posts: 2,609	Lhundulinwen, the Anita Blake books are a tad bit more than "light romance." They talk about things in there that even most adults would find scary. __________________ But Melkor also was there, and he came to the house of Fëanor, and there he slew Finwë King of the Noldor before his doors, and spilled the first blood in the Blessed Realm; for Finwë alone had not fled from the horror of the Dark.

03-22-2004, 04:44 PM	#3
Sirithheruwen Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: May 2003 Location: Wind's Road Posts: 467	Fantasy is Your Friend! Eek! Just as I was getting used to the old layout! I've grown up with fantasy as a part of me. When asked (in 2nd grade) if trees could talk, without hesitation I said "yes," even before I read about the ents in LOTR. Needless to say, I would probably give you the exact same answer! Anyways, here are some of my fantasy faves: 1) The Chronicles of Narnia: I read these when I was younger, and I liked them a lot. I havn't read them recently though...hmmm...scribbles something on already large "To Do" list 2) His Dark Materials: Yes, it seemed a bit blasphemous to me to (or at least to my religion). It was very good writing/plot. However, to my consternation, i recently picked up these books and found them mindnumbingly boring. I don't know what happened, but I didn't get past the middle of chapter two. 3) The Magic Circle and The Circle Opens Series: I found these books wonderful and facinating! I have yet to read Pierce's other books, but I can't wait to do so! A very highly recommended read! 4) The Edge Chronicles: Home to my most favorite book character ever: Twig! (I know, not LOTR, but he's so cool!) THese books are amazing! Plus, they have illustrations here and there, spattered across the pages, making it an easy and enjoyable read. 5) The Enchanted Forest Chronicles: For younger readers, but I take every chance to read them to my sisters. A twist on your average fairy tale! And lastly, 6) Faerie Wars: Very enchanting book. Newly published (I think). Wonderful! Well, I think that's quite enough for the moment! Bye Bye! __________________ "My name is Mallard, but you can call me Duck." ~Random Saying, compliments of Sirith and her best friend, concerning a book.

03-23-2004, 01:55 AM	#4
HerenIstarion Deadnight Chanter Join Date: Sep 2000 Posts: 4,244	Currently I'm stuck on Terry Pratchett. I'm swallowing his books every night, can not lay those down until my eyes water, to be honest (that's why poor me is always so sleepy in the office every morning) But they definitely have good read on them , Highly recommended __________________ Egroeg Ihkhsal - Would you believe in the love at first sight? - Yes I'm certain that it happens all the time!

03-23-2004, 06:31 PM	#5
Lhundulinwen Wight Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Wishin' and hopin' in the Shire Posts: 139	You are right Finwe! I was only on the 2 or third book when I wrote the post. Later on in the series, it gets really gory and rather dirty. But I still like them. I'm on "Bloody Bones" right now, and it is one of the stranger books. It has some really gross scenes, but there is a really great scene where some of the characters are explained a little better. Definitely an R rated series, I think. Great dialogue, and the characters are really believable. Wouldn't read if scare easily!!! __________________ ~Just call on me, and I'm there. I'll always be your Sam~ Last edited by Lhundulinwen; 03-25-2004 at 05:58 PM.

03-25-2004, 04:39 PM	#6
The Mushroom Animated Skeleton Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Hobbit hole in Western WA Posts: 31	Oddwen- Ah, nice to see another person who actually knows who George MacDonald is. No one I talk to seems to have heard of him. And I know what you mean about the Redwall series! Brian Jaques needs some new material. How many times can he write the same plot over and over? The first few were pretty good though. Heh, hares... (I think I'll sing about food now, wot wot!) __________________ "Don't jest, please your majesty." "Not jest! And with you? Why, you do nothing but jest. What are you?" "The Shadows, sire. And when we do jest, sire, we always jest in earnest." Last edited by The Mushroom; 04-03-2004 at 08:48 PM.

03-28-2004, 09:14 PM	#7
Tigerlily Gamgee Hostess of Spirits Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Meduseld Posts: 1,055	I am currently reading The Mists of Avalon, and I recently finished The Once and Future King. I am very much enjoying Avalon. This is the first book I've read in a while that I hold up high with LOTR. The way that it is written just allows the imagery to flow, unforced, into my mind. I've finished part 1 of the book, and I'm on my way through the rest of the story. I just love the perspective that the book gives... not your typical view of Arthurian Legend. King, on the other hand, I really disliked. Well, I liked the first part, but after that I think it went down hill. My complaint about this book is that I don't like the style in which it was written, and I don't like how most of the characters were written. Too many of them seem like spoiled brats in this book, and they are very two dimensional. I don't mean to be rude to those who like this book, this is just my opinion. __________________ ~ ExerciseJunky.com (Hobbits fitness of choice!)~ ~Lady of Rohan: An Eowyn Fansite ~ ~The NEW/OLD Barrow Downs Photo Page~