Favorite Sci-Fi/Fantasy books/series.

Pun · Post by **Pun** » Tue Sep 06, 2005 8:43 am

Rather than mucking up the other thread, I thought I'd start this new one.

What are your all time favorite books/series in the scifi/fantasy genre? Please dont list more than three.

My personal faves are (not necessarily in order of preference):

The Elric Saga (series) by Michael Moorcock
The Chronicles of Amber (series) by Roger Zelazny
Lord of Light by Roger Zelazny.

These books had huge impact on me as a kid and I ocassionally revisit them.

WarAdvocat · Post by **WarAdvocat** » Tue Sep 06, 2005 9:41 am

Wow... tough question! I've read SO many books...And some of them so many times... I think that favorite series & favorite books deserve their own categories!

Known Space series by Larry Niven
Honor Harrington series by David Weber
Matador series by Steve Perry

Those are all-time, favorite series, & I've re-read each book at least 5 times.

And Pun, everything you posted belongs on my list of all time favorites. Lord of Light would make the top 3 if I had to choose individual books. I've even used Mahasamatman, Kalkin, & Rakash as gaming handles on occasion

Now, if I was you, I'd go check out these two books by L.E. Modesitt, Jr.: The Hammer of Darkness & The Timegod. They're not related to each other except for sharing the same author.

Pun · Post by **Pun** » Tue Sep 06, 2005 10:14 am

Right on, bun, I'll put em in my next Amazon order.

[edit] Bun, Amazon tells me that The Timegod is the second book in a duology, following Timediver's Dawn. Worth reading Timediver's Dawn first?[/edit]

Pandora · Post by **Pandora** » Tue Sep 06, 2005 10:15 am

- the "Culture" series by Iain M. Banks
- the "Neuromancer"-Trilogy by William Gibson
- Lord of the Rings by you know who (no, not Voldemort)

Sligar · Post by **Sligar** » Tue Sep 06, 2005 12:26 pm

The Book of the New Sun, by Gene Wolfe.

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/bookse ... 0176&itm=3

The Golden Age series, but John Wright.

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/bookse ... 844&itm=10

Both of these are great series. The book of the new sun is a bit more literary.

WarAdvocat · Post by **WarAdvocat** » Tue Sep 06, 2005 12:46 pm

Pun: The Timegod, then Timediver's Dawn. See your PM for more.

snoopy · Post by **snoopy** » Tue Sep 06, 2005 1:50 pm

punisher wrote:The Chronicles of Amber (series) by Roger Zelazny

I'll put in another vote for Amber. That's what conned me into reading that recent crap... they referred to Amber on the book cover.

Top Gun · Post by **Top Gun** » Tue Sep 06, 2005 2:47 pm

#1 is Lord of the Rings, easily. After all the books I've read, I consider it my favorite, and I don't expect it will change. Tolkien was a true master; he created an entire world and two entire languages, the roots of which trace back to his time in the trenches during World War I. In my opinion, no work of fantasy will ever live up to the standard he set. He is the first and the greatest writer of epic fantasy.

#2 is The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis. I first read them in second grade, and they've had a huge impact on me. They're a truly wonderful story, even if you don't realize the deeper symbolism. I can't wait for the movie coming out this December; from what I've seen, it's as true to the book as you could wish. Don't let anyone tell you you're too old for this series; they have just as much meaning at age seventy as at age seven.

#3 is probably a tie between the Sabriel trilogy by Garth Nix (Sabriel, Lirael, and Abhorsen), and His Dark Materials trilogy by Philip Pullman (The Golden Compass, The Subtle Knife, and The Amber Spyglass). Nix's books treat magic and necromancy in a way I've never seen before, and there are parts to the story that literally have you on the edge of your seat. Pullman's stories have wonderfully real characters and an involving storyline, including the external embodiment of people's souls as talking animal companions. It's a hard story to describe, but I found it to be very well done and very moving at times, especially the ending. They're intended for young adults, but I've always considered children's fiction to be mostly far superior to the adult variety. Let's face it: while you would probably never read such "classics" as Ulysses or Pride and Prejudice for fun, who wouldn't pass up children's classics like Roald Dahl's books?

P.S. Looks like I managed to slip four in there.

If you'll allow me one more plug, I'd also recommend C.S. Lewis's Space Trilogy (Out of the Silent Planet, Perelandra, and That Hideous Strength). Good Christian allegory, if that's your thing; even if it isn't, they're worth a try.

Sirian · Post by **Sirian** » Tue Sep 06, 2005 3:14 pm

1. Starship Troopers - Robert A Heinlein

2. Ender's Game (and sequels) - Orson Scott Card

3. The Foundation (and sequels and prequels) - Isaac Asimov

Also great by Heinlein:
* Stranger in a Strange Land
* Orphans in the Sky
* The Puppet Masters
* The Moon is a Harsh Mistress
* Farnham's Freehold

- Sirian

Darktalyn1 · Post by **Darktalyn1** » Tue Sep 06, 2005 5:05 pm

Some of my favorite SciFi/Fantasy books + series

A Song of Ice and Fire (George RR Martin)
Lord of the Rings (of course)
Timothy Zahn's Star Wars Trilogy (can't really remember the name)
Starship Troopers (Heinlen)
Liege Killer (Christopher Hinz)

All I can think of off the top of my head.

I don't read near as much as I used to, just now starting to get back into it. So, I'm open to suggestions for GREAT books!

CDN_Merlin · Post by **CDN_Merlin** » Tue Sep 06, 2005 5:39 pm

Shannara Series by Terry Brooks
Death Gate Cycle by Margaret & Tracey Hickman
Lord of the Rings/Hobbit by JRR Tolkien

Pun · Post by **Pun** » Tue Sep 06, 2005 5:48 pm

Darktalyn1 wrote: So, I'm open to suggestions for GREAT books!

That's the whole point of the thread, my man.

Phoenix Red · Post by **Phoenix Red** » Tue Sep 06, 2005 6:50 pm

I know it's cliche, but <3 Wheel of Time.

Song of Ice and Fire is shaping up to be excellent as well. Any one David Eddings series (you pick) is enjoyable, but they become subsequently less so as you go on by virtue of all being exactly the same.

Dracula was also highly commendable.

TechPro · Post by **TechPro** » Tue Sep 06, 2005 11:56 pm

Hobbit and Lord of The Rings by J.R.R. Tolkein

Neutron Star by Larry Niven

and any other "Known Space" series books by Larry Niven that include the "Beowulf Shaeffer" character.

suicide eddie · Post by **suicide eddie** » Wed Sep 07, 2005 3:16 am

ooh you sod theres to many to list so heres a quicky
doc smith, benford, clark, chalker, bujold, anthony, pratchet, harrison, herbert, foster, niven, H.G, de camp, roddenbury, mccaffrey, mcdermott, adams and bova

theres my three......lines worth

Sirius · Post by **Sirius** » Wed Sep 07, 2005 4:43 am

I never really read that much. Would have, but it takes time away from *cough* other things...

Anyway, some of the better series in that genre I actually did read... erm, actually, most are well-known and quite redundant.

Although the Hyperion series was well-written and isn't here. Four books, all really large, well worth it...

whuppinboy · Post by **whuppinboy** » Wed Sep 07, 2005 4:53 am

wheel of time series - robert jordan

sword of truth series - terry goodkind

thomas covenant series - stephen r donaldson

Pun · Post by **Pun** » Wed Sep 07, 2005 7:44 am

ooh! Thomas Covenant! I had forgotten.

Grendel · Post by **Grendel** » Wed Sep 07, 2005 12:07 pm

Books:

"Kiln People" by David Brin
"Heart of the Comet" by Gregory Benford, David Brin
"Timeships" by Stephen Baxter
"The Shockwave Rider" by John Brunner
"In the Company of Others" and "Beholder's Eye" by Julie Czerneda
"A Fire Upon the Deep" by Vernor Vinge
"Proteus Unbound" by Charles Sheffield
"Cycle of Fire" by Hal Clement
"Draggon's Egg" and "Starquake" by Robert Forward
"Doomsday Book" by Connie Willis
"Cryptonomicon" by Neal Stephenson

Series:
"Steeldriver" and "Timberjack" by Don DeBrandt
"Uplift.." by David Brin
"Manifold:.." by Stepehen Baxter
"The Reality Dysfunction", "The Neutronium Alchemist", "The Naked God" by Peter Hamilton (6 books in that series)

Need more ?

Pun · Post by **Pun** » Wed Sep 07, 2005 1:35 pm

punisher wrote:Please dont list more than three.

Grendel wrote:Books:

"Kiln People" by David Brin
"Heart of the Comet" by Gregory Benford, David Brin
"Timeships" by Stephen Baxter
"The Shockwave Rider" by John Brunner
"In the Company of Others" and "Beholder's Eye" by Julie Czerneda
"A Fire Upon the Deep" by Vernor Vinge
"Proteus Unbound" by Charles Sheffield
"Cycle of Fire" by Hal Clement
"Draggon's Egg" and "Starquake" by Robert Forward
"Doomsday Book" by Connie Willis
"Cryptonomicon" by Neal Stephenson

Series:
"Steeldriver" and "Timberjack" by Don DeBrandt
"Uplift.." by David Brin
"Manifold:.." by Stepehen Baxter
"The Reality Dysfunction", "The Neutronium Alchemist", "The Naked God" by Peter Hamilton (6 books in that series)

Need more ?

Skimmer!

fliptw · Post by **fliptw** » Wed Sep 07, 2005 1:43 pm

The Riftwar sagas by Raymond E. Fiest.

Birdseye · Post by **Birdseye** » Wed Sep 07, 2005 1:47 pm

Ender's Game series

Grendel · Post by **Grendel** » Wed Sep 07, 2005 3:35 pm

punisher wrote:
punisher wrote:Please dont list more than three.
[..]

Impossible. But if you want I can cut it up in posts w/ three each

Pandora · Post by **Pandora** » Wed Sep 07, 2005 4:55 pm

Grendel, i just read "Pandoras Star" by Hamilton, and enjoyed it very much. So you recommed the other stuff of him? I'm asking because I heard that his books before Pandora's Star were not very good.

Nexus_One · Post by **Nexus_One** » Wed Sep 07, 2005 4:57 pm

Ender's Game - Orson Scott Card
The Dark Tower Series - Stephen King

Grendel · Post by **Grendel** » Wed Sep 07, 2005 6:42 pm

Pandora wrote:Grendel, i just read "Pandoras Star" by Hamilton, and enjoyed it very much. So you recommed the other stuff of him? I'm asking because I heard that his books before Pandora's Star were not very good.

The series I mentioned starts a tad slow but picks up speed and novel ideas until the end where he pulls a "deus ex machina". The way is the goal here, I thought it was a good read. From a "Pandoras Star" critic: "The author deftly juggles many characters in multiple plot lines." -- same happens in that series, IMO he pulled that off very well. I read some more from Hamilton -- ok, but nothing special. I'll put PS on my list tho

Edit: Seems it's called the "Night's Dawn" series (3000+ pages in 6 volumes

)

Vertigo 99 · Post by **Vertigo 99** » Wed Sep 07, 2005 7:15 pm

Mobius · Post by **Mobius** » Wed Sep 07, 2005 9:48 pm

Amazing no one has posted:

Larry Niven's "Known Space" series.

Which includes short stories and several novels including RINGWORLD and RINGWORLD ENGINEERS.

He also co-wrote "The Mote in Gods Eye", and the sequel, forgot what it was called.

Grendel · Post by **Grendel** » Wed Sep 07, 2005 11:41 pm

WarAdvocat wrote:Known Space series by Larry Niven.

2nd post..

Jon the Great · Post by **Jon the Great** » Thu Sep 08, 2005 2:22 am

The Foundation Series - Isaac Asimov

I just enjoyed it to pieces.

Flatlander · Post by **Flatlander** » Thu Sep 08, 2005 5:22 am

Mobius wrote:Amazing no one has posted:

Larry Niven's "Known Space" series.

Which includes short stories and several novels including RINGWORLD and RINGWORLD ENGINEERS.

He also co-wrote "The Mote in Gods Eye", and the sequel, forgot what it was called.

"The Gripping Hand," both co-written with Jerry Pournelle

...

There's no possible way I can list only three favorite SF series, so here's an incomplete list of a few of my favorite authors (with a representative title/series):

Larry Niven (Known Space)
Jerry Pournelle (anything)
Charles Sheffield (anything)
Gregory Benford (Galactic Center)
Isaac Asimov (Foundation)
Arthur C. Clarke (Rama)
Stephen Baxter (anything)
Orson Scott Card (Ender's Game)
C.S. Lewis (Narnia, Perelandra)
J.R.R. Tolkien (Lord of the Rings)
Frank Herbert (Dune)
Dan Simmons (Hyperion, Endymion)
David Drake (Hammer's Slammers)
Gordon R. Dickson (Dorsai)
Fred Saberhagen (Berserkers)
Hal Clement (anything)

WarAdvocat · Post by **WarAdvocat** » Thu Sep 08, 2005 7:47 am

LOL @ Mobius!

Thanks for the smiles, fella.

As for Picking "Favorites":

I have an extensive library of Fantasy & SF. I'm actually in the process of building about 24 linear feet of 8' high book shelves for my home to accomodate my library, which is stacked 2&3 deep on 3 cheapie home-depot particle-board bookshelf units.

I chose my three favorites representing 3 very different schools of SF, which I felt would be very accessible to varying readers:

The Known Space series represents "Hard" SF. Niven is a master of Hard SF, and brings good story and characterization skills to the table as well.
David Weber's Honor Harrington books represent "Military SF" (Naval), with a strong "space opera" influence and socio-political intrigue.
Finally, Steve Perry's Matador series is an intriguing blend of genres, with many thematic elements including underworld/crime, military, martial arts, espionage & revolution. His books are short, action-packed and very tightly written, but require some thought as the books contain a lot of futuristic jargon, little of which is explicitly explained (example: "Densecris" It's obvious from context that this is a kind of bulletproof glass... Dense Crystal?)

HOWEVER, were I to post an exhaustive list... I've read a lot... a REAL lot. I'm quite sure I could fill several pages... And only scratch the surface. I'd give you a list from Lynn Abbey to Roger Zelazny.

Great SF Author/Series Resource: http://www.scifan.com/

suicide eddie · Post by **suicide eddie** » Thu Sep 08, 2005 8:38 am

nobodys mentioned Philip Teh Dick yet

Pandora · Post by **Pandora** » Thu Sep 08, 2005 9:33 am

Thanks, Grendel. Night's Dawn sounds good, then (despite the slight caveat with the ending). I'll get it when I finished the the books I am reading now (Michael Marshall Smith <-- very good, but weird).

Jon the Great · Post by **Jon the Great** » Thu Sep 08, 2005 8:04 pm

Red Dwarf - Grant Naylor

TechPro · Post by **TechPro** » Thu Sep 08, 2005 9:53 pm

Mobius wrote:Amazing no one has posted:

Larry Niven's "Known Space" series.

Hey! I did.. about four or five posts before you mentioned this. Larry Niven's writings are pretty dang good SF.

Flatlander · Post by **Flatlander** » Fri Sep 09, 2005 5:28 am

JMEaT · Post by **JMEaT** » Fri Sep 09, 2005 9:18 am

Memory, Sorrow and Thorn by Tad Williams

Linky

Foil · Post by **Foil** » Fri Sep 09, 2005 11:32 am

Yes, I'm back!

(I finally got access back at work, so I'll occassionally be popping back in.)

Sirian, Birdseye, Nexus_One, Flatlander wrote:Ender's Game (and sequels) - Orson Scott Card

Agreed! This series is absolutely top on my list, as long as you don't include the Ender's Shadow offshoot books, which just don't seem to belong (they're more like political thrillers, while the original books up through Children of the Mind were execellent Sci-Fi with some philosophical and ethical aspects).

Pandora, Top Gun, CDN_Merlin ,TechPro ,Vertigo 99, Flatlander wrote:The Lord of the Rings - J.R.R. Tolkien

On my list as well, for too many reasons to number.

Top Gun wrote:C.S. Lewis's Space Trilogy

I haven't read these in a number of years, but I'll second Top Gun's plug, if you're interested in some decent fiction with deep theological allegory, by a writer who worked with and was very close to Tolkien.

Pun · Post by **Pun** » Fri Sep 09, 2005 1:08 pm

Woo! I just ordered the following:

The Great Book of Amber - All 10 Chronicles of Amber in one 1200 page book, unabridged. To replace my badly tattered editions I bought in like 1980.

The Timegod - Brand new for $2.60! Thank you Amazon.

Lord of Light - Brand new for $3.00. Again to replace my badly tattered, stolen library copy from 1982.

Cerebus Volume 1 (Trade Paperback) - The entire first year of Dave Sim's amazing underground comic Cerebus the Aardvark.

Score!

Favorite Sci-Fi/Fantasy books/series.

Favorite Sci-Fi/Fantasy books/series.

Re: Favorite Sci-Fi/Fantasy books/series.