Not sure if I can count him as a favorite yet, but Brandon Sanderson has caught my eye as of late. 

However, it's not -- as one might surmise -- for his finishing out Robert Jordan's "Wheel of Time" series (in fact, I've not yet even read any of the novels since Jordan died).  Instead, it's due to the books making up his "Mistborn" trilogy that he has leapt onto my radar. 

The entire trilogy is a deconstruction of many fantasy tropes, yet ultimately manages to play the fantasy story straight as well.  The pacing is uneven, and the characters feel curiously flat at times; but the overal storyline is solid, and the grand conclusion at the end of the third book is both epic and absolutely brilliant.  I so very much want to say more about the Mistborn novels, but it's very difficult to do so without dropping massive spoilers! 

Originally Posted By stophro (26 JAN 2012 6:55pm)

DCosta, I love Tolkien for the same reasons as you and was led to others (as well as D&D) by Tolkien and LOTR.  One of the writers I discovered and liked, for different reasons, was Moorcock.  Suffice it to say, when I found out that Moorcock wrote an essay bashing Tolkien, I was appalled!  I read the essay, found here http://www.revolutionsf.com/article.php?id=953 , and see where he was coming from.  I don't agree with him, but, I understand what he was trying to say.

I haven't read the articke as it will probably annoy me. Moorcock expands fantasty beyond the Tolkien world which happens very rarely, most fantasy books are grounded in Tolkien. Ones that try and break free for me rarely work, all except Moorcock. I need to read more of his actaully. I fanyc getting Count Brass. Again Hawkmoon (Hawkwind the band had Moorcock as a writer hence Master of the Universe was hawkmoon) and Von Bek are excellent and I struggle to think which is the ebst out ofthose two.

Can you recommend a favourite Moorcock title?

Originally Posted By cicerno (13 DEC 2010 3:03pm)
I think I mentioned it a while back but I don't feel like going back to look, The Blade Itself trilogy by Jeff Abercrombie is excellent.

I took a chance and ordered the first book, then ordered the second and third before I finished the first, then read all three books in a space of maybe two weeks, then picked up the stand-alone paperback and have another on order..........Simply outstanding!

Since I first read "Game of Thrones", I have counted it to be my favorite fantasy series, but I have to rate "The Blade Itself" and the two books following as a virtual tie, and in terms of sheer enjoyment, Abercrombie wins running away. Thanks for the recommendation.

I know. I'm hoping more people check him out. He is a delight to read.

Is The Heroes the one you ordered? If so, you are in for a treat. It is a tightly written masterpiece. 

Originally Posted By Steelgrave (20 MAY 2012 8:22pm)

Originally Posted By cicerno (13 DEC 2010 3:03pm)
I think I mentioned it a while back but I don't feel like going back to look, The Blade Itself trilogy by Jeff Abercrombie is excellent.

 

I took a chance and ordered the first book, then ordered the second and third before I finished the first, then read all three books in a space of maybe two weeks, then picked up the stand-alone paperback and have another on order..........Simply outstanding!

 

Since I first read "Game of Thrones", I have counted it to be my favorite fantasy series, but I have to rate "The Blade Itself" and the two books following as a virtual tie, and in terms of sheer enjoyment, Abercrombie wins running away. Thanks for the recommendation.

 

 

I'm into the fourth book of Martin's Song of Ice and Fire...I found the first three books a fantastic read, but halfway through book 4 I'm finding it a bit tedious as it seems that the series is hitting a wall as it shifts the major players around (I cannot stand the Samwell character or his story)....I hope this does not turn into a Jordan type snorefest and that I will get the same pleasure in the last half of book 4 as I did with the first three books....

EDIT: Well I just finished this book and to quote Jay Sherman, "It Stinks!"..............

Originally Posted By cicerno (24 MAY 2012 3:12pm)

I know. I'm hoping more people check him out. He is a delight to read.

 

Is The Heroes the one you ordered? If so, you are in for a treat. It is a tightly written masterpiece. 

 

Originally Posted By Steelgrave (20 MAY 2012 8:22pm)

Originally Posted By cicerno (13 DEC 2010 3:03pm)
I think I mentioned it a while back but I don't feel like going back to look, The Blade Itself trilogy by Jeff Abercrombie is excellent.

 

I took a chance and ordered the first book, then ordered the second and third before I finished the first, then read all three books in a space of maybe two weeks, then picked up the stand-alone paperback and have another on order..........Simply outstanding!

 

Since I first read "Game of Thrones", I have counted it to be my favorite fantasy series, but I have to rate "The Blade Itself" and the two books following as a virtual tie, and in terms of sheer enjoyment, Abercrombie wins running away. Thanks for the recommendation.

 

 

 

 

I need to get addicted to another author like Deus Ex: HR needs a "rockin' the casbah" mission, but hot damn this is some serious recommendations here. I'm going to hunt down The Blade Itself or The Heroes. 

Here's a humorous video concerning Martin's Song of Ice and Fire...It's much more entertaining than the last two books of this now insipid series.....

Dan Simmons

Well the last book in the Robert Jordan's  WHEEL OF TIME series will finally be released this week. I'm going to first reread the last two Jordan/Sanderson books before hand in order to  refresh my memory. It has at times been a very frustrating experience maintaining interest in this series, so let us hope for a worthwhile conclusion.

Originally Posted By JPFalcon (8 JAN 2013 8:26pm)

Well the last book in the Robert Jordan's  WHEEL OF TIME series will finally be released this week. I'm going to first reread the last two Jordan/Sanderson books before hand in order to  refresh my memory. It has at times been a very frustrating experience maintaining interest in this series, so let us hope for a worthwhile conclusion.

Worthwhile or not, I'll be reading it.  I've been waiting 15 years for this series to finally be concluded; gotta see it to the end now. 

Originally Posted By JPFalcon (12 JUL 2012 8:33pm)

I'm into the fourth book of Martin's Song of Ice and Fire...I found the first three books a fantastic read, but halfway through book 4 I'm finding it a bit tedious as it seems that the series is hitting a wall as it shifts the major players around (I cannot stand the Samwell character or his story)....I hope this does not turn into a Jordan type snorefest and that I will get the same pleasure in the last half of book 4 as I did with the first three books....

 

 

EDIT: Well I just finished this book and to quote Jay Sherman, "It Stinks!"..............

Feast For Crows I thought was good.  Dance With Dragons was just miserable in my opinion.  I thought the original count for the series was seven books.  Not sure if that still holds, but, if so, then the last one is coming.  Kind of like winter...