SciFi and Fantasy Book Club discussion

Everyone, I am in the search for story tellers.

It is hard to describe what I mean by story tellers but they are different from other authors. They weave a story and make it come alive. You start feeling the story and your heart changes beats as the characters laugh, cry, and love. When the story ends you are excited to finish and sad that it's over.

I would love to find some in Sci-Fi, but Card's Ender Series is the only one I have found so far. The rest have all been in Fantasy.

I am looking for more story teller type authors.

My Favorite Story Tellers in order:
1. Rothfuss - King Killer Cronicles - Fantasy
2. Jordan - Wheel of Time - Fantasy
3. Card - Ender Series - Sci-Fi
4. Lynch - Gentleman Bastards - Fantasy
5. Weeks - Night Angel - Fantasy
6. Sanderson - Mistborn - Fantasy

Please list your favorite story tellers.

Have you tried Lois McMaster Bujold? I would call her a grand storyteller, and she writes both SF and Fantasy.

Margaret wrote: "Have you tried Lois McMaster Bujold? I would call her a grand storyteller, and she writes both SF and Fantasy."

I have read all of the Vorkosigan saga and sub books off that. I really enjoyed this series. It is one of my favorite entertainment series. It is close but I don't feel it reaches the story teller level. It was not a true continuation. Each book could be read independently and the reader would get most of it. For story tellers you have to read the books in order or you are lost. Just my opinion.

Try these:

Anne McCaffrey - Dragonriders of Pern
Roger Zelazny - Chronicles of Amber
Iain M. Banks - Culture Novels

I'd try Dan Simmons- both his Hyperion Cantos and Ilium/Olympos books. I found both of them incredibly involving, to say the least.

And if you haven't read Dune, I'd give that a try. The first book especially is very hard to put down.

Oh! I forgot C.S. Friedman, probably the finest writer I ever encountered. This Alien Shore is a masterpiece.

Sanderson's Stormlight series is even better than Mistborn. And The Prince of Nothing series by R. Scott Bakker is a bit like the Rothfuss books.

Since you like storytellers, I give you

David Mitchell - number9dream & Ghostwritten.

Gene Wolfe - just about anything. This guy is a story telling grand master. The New Sun series is his most widely acclaimed.

& I'll toss a second on Roger Zelazny.

Balkron wrote about Lois McMaster Bujold: It was not a true continuation. Each book could be read independently and the reader would get most of it. For story tellers you have to read the books in order or you are lost. Just my opinion.

I went to see LMB sign books when came out. She said then that she has written each of her books so you can pick them up in any order and still enjoy them.

Steven Erikson. I'm on book 5 of the Malazan Book of the Fallen series, Midnight Tides, and one of the things I'm loving about the series is how he weaves a lot of smaller stories among the overarching plotlines. Not just subplots, but stories. Every character has an interesting story behind them and trajectory ahead of them.

Jen wrote: "I'd try Dan Simmons- both his Hyperion Cantos and Ilium/Olympos books. I found both of them incredibly involving, to say the least.

And if you haven't read Dune, I'd give that a t..."

I just finished Dune a month or so ago. I will add the others to my list.

Paul wrote: "Oh! I forgot C.S. Friedman, probably the finest writer I ever encountered. This Alien Shore is a masterpiece."

Added to my To Read list.

Phrynne wrote: "Sanderson's Stormlight series is even better than Mistborn. And The Prince of Nothing series by R. Scott Bakker is a bit like the Rothfuss books."

I really like Sanderson so I will add Stormlight for sure.

If I could find a story teller like Rothfuss, I will jump up and down until I pass out. Well maybe only till I am tired but you get the point.

Julia wrote: "Balkron wrote about Lois McMaster Bujold: It was not a true continuation. Each book could be read independently and the reader would get most of it. For story tellers you have to rea..."

She is absolutely correct. I read them out of order. I wish I would have read them in the proper order because there are a few references that I missed because I didn't have the full back story. Even out of order I enjoyed every book.

Kenneth wrote: "Since you like storytellers, I give you

David Mitchell - number9dream & Ghostwritten.

Gene Wolfe - just about anything. This guy is a story telling grand master. T..."

I will try both. I will praise you, if I find another great story teller. :)

Balkron wrote: "If I could find a story teller like Rothfuss, I will jump up and down until I pass out. Well maybe only till I am tired but you get the point. "

Would suggest trying out Blood Song - Anthony Ryan. Ryan is an excellent story teller, and the world and characters he created are just as good. The whole book reminded me a lot of Rothfuss. Even has a similar story, of a legend telling his own story. Good, good stuff

Scott wrote: "Would suggest trying out Blood Song - Anthony Ryan. Ryan is an excellent story teller, and the world and characters he created are just as good."

I will definitely be checking it out.

Tolkien
Lovecraft
Asimov
Bradbury

Keith Laumer is one of my favorite storytellers. A more recent author who is an excellent storyteller is John Scalzi. Also, I have to second L.G.'s suggestions of Isaac Asimov and Ray Bradbury. I consider just about anything by Bradbury as imagination transportation.

Jim Butcher, Terry Goodkind and R.A. Salvatore are some of my favorites.

John wrote: "Jim Butcher, Terry Goodkind and R.A. Salvatore are some of my favorites."

I have read all of the Dresdin files and continue to enjoy them. I am planning on a re-read of the series from start to finish. I havent read his Codex Alera, and or the Cinder Spires. I will have to give them a try.

I have also read a large number of Terry Goodkind and have enjoyed them.

I will have to try R.A. Salvatore. I will put it on my list.

Thank you for your suggestions.

R. wrote: "Keith Laumer is one of my favorite storytellers. A more recent author who is an excellent storyteller is John Scalzi.[au..."

I haven't read any Laumer stories. I will have to try them.

I already have Scalzi on my to read list but haven't gotten to him.

I don't care much for Asimov. I don't care for his writing and found his books rather unimpressive.

Ray Bradbury is a classic and always will be.

Thanks for your comments.

L.G. wrote: "Tolkien
Lovecraft
Asimov
Bradbury"

I read the hobbit as a kid but don't really remember it so I don't have it on my list of read. I need to put the Hobbit and the Lord of the Ring books on it.

Asimov and Bradbury are explained above for me.

I am guessing you are referring to H.P. Lovecraft, if so he deals in short stories and I prefer epics. I like to be immersed in a story not just given a taste. I may give him a try if I find myself with only a little time to read.

Thank you for your comments.

1. George R.R. Martin
2. Roger Zelazny
3. Aldous Huxley
4. Arthur C. Clarke

Charles F. wrote: "Kyra wrote: "Steven Erikson. I'm on book 5 of the Malazan Book of the Fallen series, Midnight Tides, and one of the things I'm loving about the series is how he weaves a lot of small..."

The backstory behind that is that they created the Malazan world together, during roleplaying games, so they both built and understand the world and the characters.

Eriksons books follow the main story of the intrusion and fight with the Crippled God (although there are a LOT of sub plots and stories within it)

Esslemont's books tell various sidestories of particular battles that though part of the Malazan story, are more behind the scenes in the main series.
All that being said, I think Erikson's writing is a little stronger, although perhaps a little bit more philosophical. Esselmont's writing improves with every book though, and it's more straightforward approach is appreciated.

I'll give another mention to Gene Wolfe. His solar cycle certainly is his most popular, and it's great, but let me also mention his Latro books. There are three, currently, and while they don't pull you on to each sequel in the way you seem to be looking for, they pulled me vividly into the worlds of ancient mythic Greece and Egypt. Such great stories.

And I'll recommend Tolkien's The Children of Hurin. It's been published somewhat recently in complete form by his son Christopher, but even when I read it in its early fragmentary form in Unfinished Tales, it grabbed me and pulled me in. It's one of the best tragedies I've read.

Robert Heinlein is #1 in my list.
The rest in no particular order:
-John Bowers
-Gordon Dickson
-Al Philipson
-Harry Turtledove (very tall dude - met him at a con)
-Dr. Bruce Davis (met him while vacationing in Arizona - no, not in his ER)
-Kriss Erickson
-Harry Harrison
-Anne McCaffrey
-Christopher Stasheff

Honorable mention:
-E. E. "Doc" Smith

I agree with so many of the authors listed above, but a recent entry into "The Story-Tellers-who have managed to be published club, is Nathan Lowell. His "Solar Clipper" series starts with a "Coming of Age" trilogy of stories that are simple, yet even though I have read and/or listened to the whole series 4 or 5 times, I never fail to get sucked back into the story, and have to finish it again.

Nathan is one of those rare success stories who self-published audiobooks as a series of well-directed, self-read podcasts, and from there got an actual publishing deal with an actual publisher and is now published in hardback, paperback, and e-book.

I highly recommend his books.

Without risking anything, another story teller to look at is Martin. He can tell some very entertaining stories and he generally writes very well. Why I recommend him here is for his short stories. If you don't want to pursue individually published works then his Dreamsongs Dreamsongs 2-Book Bundle: Dreamsongs Volumes I and IIare a good investment. I did not enjoy every story, but there is some great story telling. As a writer what stands out to me the most about his story telling are the elements of the narrative and, above all, the structure. Martin has pretty impeccable structure and can slot in enough elements to manipulate the empathy strings quite nicely. These works should hopefully provide some worthy learning pieces for aspiring authors and entertainment for readers of speculative fiction.

Well, this is a tough one, and I cannot possibly find a way to put them in order. I am going to only name Scifi and Fantasy story tellers to keep the list under control:

Brandon Sanderson
Brent Weeks
Jim Butcher
Seanan McGuire
John Scalzi
Neil Gaiman
Guy Gavriel Kay
Ilona Andrews
Gail Carriger
John G Hartness
Chuck Wendig
Scott Snyder
Joss Whedon
Jeph Loeb


There are some others that are close, but I feel like jury is still out.

Terry Pratchett is my uncontested first choice.
Below him I'd put...
John Scalzi
Jack McDevitt
Philip Pullman
and possibly Andy Weir, although I've only read the Martian, but liked it enough to see potential for other good stuff.

This is a topic that means so much, but something different to each and every one of us. Having said that, I would have to say some of the sci-fi stories that have really moved me, and still do even after reading them several times, include:

Robert Heinlein's Starship Troopers. If you have only seen the movie, or the horrendous made-for-cable sequels, then for the LOVE OF GOD, do yourself a favor and read the actual book. The guys who made the movie completely stripped it of everything meaningful, and only kept the guns and aliens and fighting. I swear, I re-read this novel time and again and think that Heinlein must have had the blood of Nostradamus in his family tree, because the man was clearly a prophet about the direction the modern world was heading, both politically and socially.

Tad Willams City of Golden Shadow, the first of his four-part Otherland series. Williams has an amazing ability to spin a yarn, containing vast character pools who each sound like individuals and are realistic. He writes a lot of fantasy, but this series is heavy on the sci-fi element. As his characters move from challenge to challenge in each book, slowly uncovering the truth one fact at a time, it is almost impossible not to feel strongly for each of them.

I could go on, but there are already so many recommendations in this thread. I hope you find some enjoyable adventures.
-Damien Lake (Chronicles of the Crimson Kings)

I guess the only hard back that is an automatic is GRRM fire and ice. Though Joe Abercrombie's new stuff always gets a look, William Gibson, Peter Hamilton, Patrick Rothfuss, Stephen King likewise.

Michael Crichton
Frank Herbert
L. Ron Hubbard
Neil Gaiman
Philip K Dick

♥,
Cat at Galaxy Press

I like many of the authors mentioned already, but I have added Joel Shepherd to my list.

Lois McMaster Bujold
Charles de Lint
Neil Gaiman
Octavia E. Butler
Nalo Hopkinson
Tanya Huff
Ilona Andrews
Ray Bradbury
Libba Bray
Harlan Ellison

Are all authors who I am completists about. I usually buy their books in hardcover, sometimes I pre-order them, some of these writers I have been to book-signings. And coming up with ten more authors would be easy.

Theodore Sturgeon
Philip K. Dick
Ray Bradbury
Arthur Clarke
Lester Del Rey
Honorable mention: Terry Bisson

Sorry, my absolute favorite is not a Science Fiction author. It's Elmore Leonard. Of SF authors, I always tended to favor three: Arthur C. Clarke, Harlan Ellison, and Larry Niven. I occasionally read Asimov. But since those early days in my lifetime of reading, I've read quite a few SF authors but developed no favorites. I recently started Card's Ender Series, and even saw the movie, but I lost interest after the 2nd book.

Some of my favorite storytellers are

Octavia E. Butler A still underappreciated master of the sci-fi genre
Joe Hill The apple doesn't fall far from the tree!
Tananarive Due She weaves chilling stories of the supernatural by drawing upon modern anxieties and social issues
Jim Butcher The Dresden Files is a fully realized urban fantasy world with a protagonist you truly root for
C.S. Lewis The Chronicles Of Narnia is a classic that captures the hope and imagination we often leave behind in childhood

Julia wrote: "Lois McMaster Bujold
Charles de Lint
Neil Gaiman
Octavia E. Butler
Nalo Hopkinson
Tanya Huff
[author:Ilo..."

I'm glad someone finally mentioned Charles DeLint. To my mind one of the best pure storytellers out there. His urban fantasies are wonderful but he also takes on mythic characters and takes them somewhere completely new. I can't recommend him highly enough.

I've never actually read Robert Jordan, people keep rooting for WOT, does the series hold up? like characters and plot etc or is it just fond nostalgia

Sree wrote: "I've never actually read Robert Jordan, people keep rooting for WOT, does the series hold up? like characters and plot etc or is it just fond nostalgia"

I've tried and never gotten past the fourth or fifth book. I finally gave up. It gets convoluted and boring at the same time, at least to me. I find I stop caring about his characters since they don't seem to change much.

At various times over many years I have had various authors in a mental list labelled "Buy on sight unless I already own a copy". The obvious ones are Clarke, Asimov, Niven, Zelazny, Heinlein, Pratchett and Brin. Some less well know (at least, less well known nowadays) are James White, Bob Shaw, Hal Clement . . .

If I had to rewrite that list now it would probably no longer include Heinlein, but would include John Scalzi and Ian Banks - and there ae a few others may soon achieve that elevated status - Nick Harkaway, Mary Doria Russell, Julian May, Charles Stross . .
This list is getting ridiculously long!

I read the Robert Jordan "Wheel of Time" series up to the point where the new author took over following Jordan's death. It's a good collection of valuable lessons you should pay attention to if you ever want to start writing yourself. For example:

1.) If you are planning on a six or seven book series, stick to it. Don't let your editor talk you into extending the series because it is selling so well. You end up creating books that are nothing but padding, (such as the book where everyone is journeying on the road, but no one gets to their destinations by the end of the book).

2.) You don't have to keep including every character you've ever created in the series in every subsequent novel.

3.) (view spoiler)[Leave dead characters dead (see point 2) <\spoiler>

4.) At some point, a character needs to stop wallowing in angst and start making some progress.

There were plenty of positive lessons to be learned too, but it is no surprise to me that the series tends to divide fans into Lovers and Haters. I'm still not sure which I am.

-Damien Lake (Chronicles of the Crimson Kings) (hide spoiler)]

Ken wrote: "Sorry, my absolute favorite is not a Science Fiction author..."

Same here. These kinds of suggestion lists ultimately end up in "post your favorite author" fests. Everyone's idea of a "storyteller" is vastly different than others.

For example, my favorite author of all times is Philip K. Dick, but I don't think his books qualify in the way the OP defined it. Then there are those who mention GRRM and Tad Williams, both of whom I could do a doctorate on why they fail as storytellers. They appear to work for others, but not me.

But trying to stick to the OP's definition, I immediately go outside of SF altogether and think of Stephen Fry, whose works The Liar and The Hippopotamus are extremely well crafted, clever, funny examples of great storytelling.

...at least for me ;D

Phrynne wrote: "Sanderson's Stormlight series is even better than Mistborn. And The Prince of Nothing series by R. Scott Bakker is a bit like the Rothfuss books."

I'll second that. I read the Mistborn series after the first two books of the Stormlight archive. While the Mistborn books were good, the Stormlight archive was a far more enjoyable read and had some fantastic character development.

I'd also recommend the Dune series of books.

Additionally if you haven't read Jim Butcher's Dresden Files, it's not Sci-Fi but the entire series is a fantastic read and would be in my top 5.

Michael Crichton - Most of his stories are non stop page turners. The last book was completed by another author after his death and stands in stark contrast to the others.

Mine would have to be:

Robin Hobb (fantasy): Her storytelling is slow, methodical, and immersive. Her ability to bring characters to life, second to none.

Bernard Cornwell (historical fiction): Epic battle and action scenes. His Sharpe series is a page turner.

Fritz Leiber (fantasy): I'm re-reading his Fafhrd and Gray Mouser series and--wow--some beautiful writing.

Arthur C. Clarke - He seems to be able to add a more human touch to his stories, this is why I prefer him over Asimov (who are often compared).

Alastair Reynolds - Big concept, solid science, solid writing. His only negative is that he sometimes has problems with characterization.

Joe Haldeman - I've liked pretty much everything I've read by him except his recent Marsbound trilogy.

Michael Crichton - I discovered him in the mid 90s when the Jurassic Park book came out. I proceeded to tear though all his books. Great storyteller able to extrapolate a scientific idea into a fun adventure.

Ray Bradbury - That prose, it's like art.

Terry Brooks, JR Tolkien, Michael Crichton, CS Lewis for adult books. Interesting how they are all male!

For YA- Sherry Thomas, Beth Revis, Marie Lu, Julie Kagawa