I think I've asked this before but I'm looking for a good fantasy franchise to read. I've already read the George R.R. Martin stuff, the Robert Jordan stuff, the Shannara stuff, and the Sword of Truth books. What am I missing?

Thanks!

Well, there are a few small novels by Tolkein somethingorother...

Ha. Sorry, should've mentioned those, too. Read those. Love 'em.

Depends on what you liked or disliked about the series you just mentioned.

Steven Erikson's Malazan Book of the Fallen series is getting fantastic word of mouth from those who like Martin's (superb) series. It's only just coming to North America now, but I understand it's been out in the UK for some time.

But really, the question is - what did you like and dislike about each of those series?

I'm looking for something that's traditional in scope (i.e. swords, magic, monsters, etc) but provides a new "take" on the usual fare.

I have a few friends who keep raving about the 'Forgotten Realms' books - not much help, as there are several series going on there.

The original 'Dragonlance' series was supposed to be pretty good as well. I don't know if any of these could be termed literature (being based on the D&D game settings), but they have a lot of followers.

As to whether they have a profoundly new 'take', though, I dunno.

Back in the late eighties, I was a pretty big fan of Piers Anthony's 'Xanth' novels. It wore off after a couple of years (and about fourteen books), but you might want to give the original trilogy a try.

Well, I’ve always tended to lean towards a few of the classic series, and almost always quickly suggest Ursula le Guin’s Earthsea trilogy (disregard later books). They’re brief, brilliant, and really paint a picture of a rich, dynamic, unique world. Favorites I revisit every few years.

If you haven’t read Moorock’s Elric stories, do so now. You can get some fine omnibus editions that collect the key works. The first two volumes of any Elric omnibus series – say, the series offered by the Science Fiction Book Club – should give you the essentials. Epic in scope, grim, interesting characters, fantastic action, dire creatures, major wars. Just wonderful. (Not sure if his expanded multiverse stories are any good.)

For really great street level high fantasy, you can’t go wrong with Fritz Lieber’s Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser tales. Keep in mind, these are not epic novels, but rather collections of stories of various length (some just pages, others topping 100). They interconnect to a degree, but not in a dense way. That said, they’re really inventive, the characters and situations are great. Just excellent.

If you want to get really far out there, to see things you’ve never seen before (or things you have seen before mashed together in strange new ways), check out China Mieville’s Perdido Street Station, The Scar, and Iron Council (in that order). Rich language (though he gets a bit pretentious at times), an astonishingly well-realized world, and sights and sounds you’ve likely never experienced before. It’s not traditional fantasy, though – it leans towards steampunk, but not quite – so it may not be your cup.

I just had something else in mind ... but forgot. D'oh!

(Keep in mind, I think Martin’s series has been brilliant, think Jordan was a good deal of fun for five or six books but have since dropped it, think brooks’ work is capable but totally cookie-cutter, and think Goodkind is crap. So, that’s where my opinions are coming from.)

I'm currently reading "The Legacy of the Drow" by R.A. Salvatore which collects four books into one large one. Of course I'm of the opinion that most of the fantasy work by Salvatore is pretty good(Forgotten Realms & other books included).

Robert K. Live from Austin

NO.

(Actually, the initial RA Salvatore trilogy is a lot of fun. Totally puff and highly derivative, but lots of fun. They go crap after that.)

In both series, you can practically hear the dice rolling. They're taken from Dungeons & Dragons, and you can tell. I mean, it's OBVIOUS in oh so many ways. Like, character classes, man.

In all fairness, both have a few solid books here and there, but you're talking about having to sort through dozens to find them -- and they all adhere pretty closely to D&D traditions. If that's the itch you want to scratch, they work, but if you want something newish in fantasy, steer clear.

Same here. Xanth is fun when you have zits. It's pretty dire once they go away. I was a big fan, then one day couldn't remember why I liked them.

That said, the initial book or three hold up okay.

Classic series that holds up: The Prydain Chronicles, the five-book Lloyd Alexander series. Recently read it to my son. He LOVED them. That was my third or fourth reading, and I loved it again, too.

Those are the four black volumes, right? Set after the Icewind Dale trilogy? I think after wrapping that up, I went on to the next book but stopped just pages in. I felt it really went downhill throughout that series. I'd have to check my shelves to see where I left off. It was a while back.

I tried to read one of his non-FR series -- Demon Awakens or something - but quit 150 pages into it.

Salvatore writes some of the best fight scenes you'll find. He can choreograph action like no other. When he sticks to relentless action and constant movement, he can be a fun read. It wore thin on me, though, and when he slows down I just don't feel his characters.

Stephen Donaldson's Thomas Covenant books ruled.
David Eddings' books are light, but fun.
Raymont Feist's stuff kicks butt.

But Robin Hobb's stuff is the best of the bunch.

I like the Xanth books (hrmmm... I wonder if I can get rid of that zit there...), but I do agree, they are very light fare.

On the other hand, his Blue Adept trilogy is good, and so is the Incarnations of Immortality.

The Blue Sword and The Hero and the Crown are good by Robin McKinley.

If you like a little lighter stuff, the MYTH stories by Robert Asprin are fun. They are about an apprentice magician and his teacher with no powers.

There's always Conan

Especially now as so much original REH work is available in collections - without the de Camp influence.

Don't miss Naomi Novik's Temeraire series, Hornblower-y adventure novels set during the Napoleonic wars, with fighter-crewed dragons making for a sort of aerial navy. I'm reading them now, and it's like I've been waiting for them my whole life.

The books (so far, I think) are His Majesty's Dragon, Throne of Jade and Black Powder War.

D.

LeGuin's Earthsea books are great -- Eric's right: read 'em every couple years. Moorcock's Elric stuff is fun. Donaldson's Covenant books were good, too.

My favorite fantasy novel of all time is John Crowley's "Little, Big." Not at all in the Tolkien or S&S or D&D vein, though, if that's what you're looking for.

The only problem with the Covenant books is how thoroughly unpleasant the lead character is.

Must. Resist. Joke.

I think that makes the series.

Fred Saberhagen's Swords books were pretty fun, about god forged swords that make their way into the world of mortals.
Joel Rosenberg's Guardians of the Flame series was another one I liked. It's about a group of RPGers who wind up becoming their characters.
I enjoyed the Thomas Covenant books, but definitely agree with Ian's take on the lead. He was a thoroughly unpleasant character.
For humor, I can't recommend Terry Pratchett's Discworld books strongly enough.

Good call. I never did finish all of them - think I read all of the Swords and two of the Lost Swords - but enjoyed them. They mixed mythology in with straight fantasy pretty well.

I also agree....fun books....I think I will reread them this weekend....