SciFi and Fantasy Book Club discussion

Hi, guys! Can you recommend me any fantasy books that -

...could be described as upbeat, fun or uplifting? Or something you've read that just made you feel good? I've read most of the Discworld stuff already.
...where the protagonist *doesn't* have any magical powers, special birthright or unusual talents, but gets by with good friends, or sheer determination, or strong personality? Lloyd Alexander's Prydain Chronicles were all of this for me.
...that had female characters that were kickass, yet somehow didn't fit the usual fantasy standards? I've head good things about that series of Hugh Cook's, the something and the Washerwoman?

Thanks for reading, and apologies in advance if I seem ignorant or uninformed...I'm just starting out in this genre :)

I predict you'll be inundated :-)

Here's something unusual : Aladdin's Samovar by Lauren Sweet

You need to read CURSE OF CHALION by Lois Bujold.

Brenda wrote: "You need to read CURSE OF CHALION by Lois Bujold."

I'm not a huge fantasy fan but I'll second that one. It's a strong piece of storytelling. (My recent review of it is here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...)

Brenda wrote: "You need to read CURSE OF CHALION by Lois Bujold."

Oh goodness yes, and the next two. And you need to hound her until she finishes the set (there are intended to be 5).

Everyone needs to read Curse of Chalion.

Hi, guys! Can you recommend me any fantasy books that -

...could be described as upbeat, fun or uplifting? Or something you've read that just made you feel good? I've read most of the Discworld stuff already.


It's not on your read list, so I'm going to recommended Hitchhikers Guide to the galaxy also British Humour, but this time Sci-fi.

For fantasy Legend of the Sun Knight is pretty amazing, since it's a Taiwanese Light Novel it will probably never get a real translation. This one is high quality and almost done. It's a fast read and hooks quick too. http://www.princerevolution.org/knigh...

It's hard to recommend stuff in this category because alot of feel good stuff for me is often guilty pleasure stuff like.
Cracked by Eliza Crewe


...that had female characters that were kickass, yet somehow didn't fit the usual fantasy standards? I've head good things about that series of Hugh Cook's, the something and the Washerwoman?


Sabriel by Garth Nix
Worm (webserial) by John McCrae
Hard Magic by Larry Correia audiobook version is fantastic.


I'm not really sure what you are looking for by not usual fantasy standards. Kickass heroines are all over the genre now; many of them have annoying issues like being "kickass" but then needing to be saved over and over again by the male lead. Or being kickass but basically having no romance with guys.

Paksenarrion fits pretty well, but it has it's own issues as a book.

Diana Wynn Jones. Lots of magic, but so unsystematic that it is purely fun. On a totally different take, the Pern books.

I quite like Jack L. Chalker's "Dancing Gods" series, which I think fits most of your criteria.

Chalker was poking fun at rules-based Fantasy before those kinds of books were the norm. Each chapter has a line from the "Book of Rules" that pertains to the goings-on to follow.

The first book is The River of Dancing Gods.

Aaron wrote: "For fantasy Legend of the Sun Knight is pretty amazing, since it's a Taiwanese Light Novel it will probably never get a real translation. This one is high quality and almost done. It's a fast read and hooks quick too. http://www.princerevolution.org/knigh..."

It's so awesome to see someone recommend this! I'm a huge fan of both the novel and the manhua.

Thanks for all the responses so far! Added many to my to-read list, and can't wait to get stuck into them :D

Aaron wrote: "It's not on your read list, so I'm going to recommended Hitchhikers Guide to the galaxy also British Humour, but this time Sci-fi...."
I hate to disagree - but to those of us resident in UK at the appropriate time (Gods! It must be nearly 30 years ago!) the radio play version was so good that the book came as a disappointment. Remember it was originally written as a radio serial, and I don't think any other medium has done it justice. Try it as an audiobook, but if you can get recordings of the original broadcasts, you have a gem!

Alan wrote: "Aaron wrote: "It's not on your read list, so I'm going to recommended Hitchhikers Guide to the galaxy also British Humour, but this time Sci-fi...."
I hate to disagree - but to those of us residen..."

You might hate to disagree, but hearing this makes me happy because now I have something new to listen to thanks.

And once you've heard recordings, you have the voices in your mind's ear when you read the books ... which is definitely an advantage.

I would definitely recommend The Enchanted Forest Chronicles

Based on your "read" list, you may enjoy Terry Brooks' Kingdom of Landover series (first book is: Magic Kingdom For Sale/Sold)

Other recommendations include: Dragon of the Lost Sea and series, as well as The Thief and series.
And, self-serving as it may seem: King's Warrior may fit your criteria as well.

How about EXPECTING SOMEONE TALLER, by Tom Holt? Delightfully funny in the British style. A man hits a badger with his car, and when he gets out to look at it the dying animal gives him the Ring of the Nibelungen.

If you enjoyed Discworld (as I did), you probably would like Christopher Moore (starting with Practical Demonkeeping)- hilarious.

Other fantasy I would consider fun or uplifting (not necessarily both at the same time) and very enjoyable

Snake Agent
The Nymphos of Rocky Flats
To Say Nothing of the Dog
The Phoenix Guards (modeled on 3 Musketeers)
Daughter of the Sword
Midnight's Daughter (if you like vamps)
Raising Stony Mayhall UPLIFTING! may be surprising since it's a zombie book- but fabulous
Bloodshot just plain fun with vamp and transvestite
His Majesty's Dragon

Brenda wrote: "How about EXPECTING SOMEONE TALLER, by Tom Holt? Delightfully funny in the British style. . ."

Yes! Though Tom Holt can be a bit of an acquired taste. If you are willing to acquire it (or already have), there are three, maybe four, 'best starting points'
Expecting Someone Taller is one of them.
Also see Who's Afraid of Beowulf?,
Flying Dutch,
and pretty well anything from J. W. Wells & Co - I think the first in the series is The Portable Door.

The Goblin Emperor by Katherine Addison meets all the criteria. It's a great, upbeat book.

Re: The Hitchhiker's Guide audiobook suggestion, I'm definitely looking into that! And I'll keep an eye (ear?) out for the original radio play. Thanks a lot for the heads up!

green tea girl wrote: "Re: The Hitchhiker's Guide audiobook suggestion, I'm definitely looking into that! And I'll keep an eye (ear?) out for the original radio play. Thanks a lot for the heads up!"

Doesn't seem to be sold as an audiobook. BUT....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-BbC...

Thanks, Mark! I actually found the radio play on iTunes too, seems to be the one from 1978, so I'll give that a whirl :)

green tea girl wrote: "Thanks, Mark! I actually found the radio play on iTunes too, seems to be the one from 1978, so I'll give that a whirl :)"

Alan reckoned 30 years ago - 1978 is 36 years ago . . . time flies when you're getting old!
However - that sounds about right - I remember rushing home to listen to it - I was a total addict!

All those people who said The Curse of Chalion are so, so right.

Uplifting: try Charles de Lint, say Someplace to Be Flying, Forests of the Heart, Waifs and Strays, among others.

Funny and uplifting: Callahan's Crosstime Saloon.

Recommendations please.

Recent good to reasonable books I liked. Joe Abercrombie (all), Daniel Abraham (Dagger & Coin Series), Paul Kearney (both books), Brandon Sanderson (various) and the Powder Mage series. Previously read GRR Martin (all), Steven Erickson (all), Stephen Donaldson (most), KJ Parker (the company etc)

I am looking characters that are real. Not looking for book about "a boy who pulls a sword from a stone, has a magic power which he must learn, or is a prince reclaiming his birth right). Equally, not looking for "die hard science fiction or fantasy (ie, overcomes insurmountable odds on his and vanquishes and entire enemy almost on his own). Oh, also not looking for "a book about the worlds best thief who must complete mission on his own against insurmountable odds using his unique and gifted special powers".

I also only rate Name of the Wind (3 stars or less)(see boy with extraordinary magic powers and other extraordinary abilities surrounded by enemies who are dullards), like wise the Mistborn Series (see overcomes insurmountable odds against an all powerful but surprising slow and stupid enemy).

Thanks
Drew

Have you read the Bartimaeus books, by Jonathan Stroud?

Irondrew wrote: "Recommendations please. Recent good to reasonable books I liked..."


Hi Irondrew
You have posed a difficult problem . . . though let's be fair, you have tried to simplfy it!
Recommending books is not easy unless you are recommending for someone you know, who has similar tastes to your own.
Now: You have given us some hints - Not looking for book about "a boy who pulls a sword from a stone, has a magic power which he must learn, or is a prince reclaiming his birth right" but that is still not really enough. It seems you don't have a violent objection to magic or dragons, but you don't want them to be the major component. And you don't seem to be too inspired by predestined heroes ("not looking for a book about the worlds best thief who must...")

So you want character development? And a world scene with a reasonable level of complexity? That allows the possibility of the hero's eventual failure?

This is getting pretty tough! And with that last item (if I am right) you need a fairly sophisticated author - which probably means an established author rather than an indie? Now there's another problem. The indie market may well hold what you are looking for - but at present it is still rather full of self-published not-up-to-much.

Best suggestion - find a few books you like - you already listed a few. Find out who has reviewed them. See what else those same people have reviewed, and reviewed with praise, and go from there.

And on that subject - note to moderators/organisers/anyone else of high status in Goodreads: How about a system of 'top reviewers' akin to the Amazon system? It has some advantages! Amazon don't make best use of it, because their top reviewers are frequently anonymous and uncontactable, and a useful book review may be mixed in with reviews of coffee makers, dog collars and cycle clips - but the principle is good, it just needs some bugs ironed out. Comments anyone?

And Irondrew - when you do identify some suitable reviewers, let me know - judging by your list, we might turn out to have similar tastes!

Lionel wrote: "And on that subject - note to moderators/organisers/anyone else of high status in Goodreads: How about a system of 'top reviewers' akin to the Amazon system? It has some advantages! Amazon don't make best use of it, because their top reviewers are frequently anonymous and uncontactable, and a useful book review may be mixed in with reviews of coffee makers, dog collars and cycle clips - but the principle is good, it just needs some bugs ironed out. Comments anyone?"

Actually they do have a top reviewers system. Click 'Explore' in the top bar and then 'People'.

You will get several lists including 'Top Reviewers' (which counts who wrote the most reviews in a specific period of time) and 'Most Popular Reviewers' (which counts which reviewer got the most 'likes' in their reviews during a specific period of time) you can see it both for your country or for the world.

Sadly, just like the amazon one, this one is not perfect. As far as I know you can't separate them for genre, so the top reviewer might review something completely different to what you usually read.

Alexa wrote: "Actually they do have a top reviewers system. Click 'Explore' in the top bar and then 'People' ..."

Oh wow - I didn't know that was there!

Thanks - I now have a LOT of exploring to do.

However: Two immediate criticisms:-
First, some of those "top this week" have allegedly published nearly a hundred reviews THIS WEEK . . . Have I totally misunderstood the figures? Or have they been saving them up since Christmas and just posted them this week so as to be in that 'Top List'?
And second:- I notice your criticism "Sadly, just like the amazon one, this one is not perfect. As far as I know you can't separate them for genre, so the top reviewer might review something completely different to what you usually read." and I agree. The genre problem would be large anyway, and when you remember how many recent books attempt to cross genre boundaries - I am not sure how to improve this, I am going to poke around for a while and think!
Thanks again!

Lionel wrote: "First, some of those "top this week" have allegedly published nearly a hundred reviews THIS WEEK . . . Have I totally misunderstood the figures? Or have they been saving them up since Christmas and just posted them this week so as to be in that 'Top List'?."

I'm always curious about that... I guess they might have a blog and keep all the reviews there and then paste them to Goodreads? No clue really.

Irondrew wrote: "Recommendations please.

Recent good to reasonable books I liked. Joe Abercrombie (all), Daniel Abraham (Dagger & Coin Series), Paul Kearney (both books), Brandon Sanderson (various) and the Powder..."

Safehold by David Weber

Lionel wrote: "First, some of those "top this week" have allegedly published nearly a hundred reviews THIS WEEK . . . Have I totally misunderstood the figures? Or have they been saving them up since Christmas and just posted them this week so as to be in that 'Top List'?"

I think it’s probably a combination of things that can cause somebody to have a lot of reviews all at once. New members might be playing catch-up and adding all of the books they can remember ever reading, and adding reviews for them. Either manually or copying en mass from a site where they were previously writing reviews. That was a road I decided not to go down myself – I’ve only added and reviewed books I've read since joining late last year. But I’ve joined a couple other sites since then, and I’ve gone back and added in all of my reviews from Goodreads. So I may “write” 50 reviews or so in a day if I join a new site, when in fact that represents several months’ worth of reading.

Looking at the top reviewer at the moment, she has a total of 4547 reviews, 2670 of which were this week. She’s been a member since 2008. When I skimmed down the beginnings of her reviews from this week, it looked like a lot of them were books she’d read in the past – I saw references to things she read when she was 13, when she was a senior, plus I saw quite a few children’s books which are short and could potentially be checked out of the library, read, and reviewed in large quantities.

Also, I have occasionally run across signs that people use Goodreads for things other than a traditional “book”. I’ve seen reviews of movies and even video games. I’ve seen people talking about adding fan fiction to their shelves. Heck, you could probably add your junk mail to Goodreads and write a review if you wanted…

Lionel .. Thank you for your comments. Will explore the reviewers tab. As you get older and have read more, it gets harder to find a good book. Like many here I have read since I was 10 and now 40, so I have read a lot "popular" s/f.

As time compresses though, I want to read quality over quantity and the only way to do that is to read reviews, ask for recommendations, troll Thor and other websites.

Thanks to the two other who gave recommendations too.

Cheers
A

Actually, GR is about books. Video games, movies, etc. are not supposed to be in the database, and if a librarian is alerted, s/he will remove it. There's an official Librarians' Group where you can submit questions like this, and also get things like page numbers and descriptions that are purely promotions fixed.

YouKneeK wrote: "Lionel wrote: "First, some of those "top this week" have allegedly published nearly a hundred reviews THIS WEEK . . . Have I totally misunderstood the figures? Or have they been saving them up sinc..."

Re reviewing your junk mail on Goodreads--Not unless your junk mail has an ISBN e.g. unsolicited review copies that you would rather not receive.

YouKneeK wrote: "New members might be playing catch-up and adding all of the books they can remember ever reading, and adding reviews for them...."

Fair enough, up to a point - I did some of that myself when I first joined Goodreads - but not to that extent! It does mean that the "week's Top Reviewers" list needs to be treated with some caution. I can't see any easy way round this . . . take the averages over a longer period of time? Too much trouble.
And I do wonder - if someone has read and reviewed 4000 books I want to check his/her age and think about how carefully and in how much depth those books were read.

Alan wrote: "It does mean that the "week's Top Reviewers" list needs to be treated with some caution. I can't see any easy way round this . . . take the averages over a longer period of time? Too much trouble.
And I do wonder - if someone has read and reviewed 4000 books I want to check his/her age and think about how carefully and in how much depth those books were read."

To me, it’s far more useful to do as Lionel originally suggested and find books you really liked, look at the profiles of other people who shelved it, and see if their tastes are similar to yours. If they are, then see what else they’ve read that’s new to you. The “Compare Books” option can be useful if you have enough of your favorite books shelved. You can also follow people who seem to have similar tastes, and maybe they’ll occasionally find something new that interests you too.

I’ve never looked at the “top reviewers” link before last night. I saw it, but had no interest in it. I don’t know why a “top reviewer” would have any more in common with my tastes than anybody else. If they had something in common with me, then I would run across them elsewhere – when reading reviews for books I’ve read or am interested in, or in groups like this one.

One of my favorite features on Goodreads is the "Recent reviews of my books" feature found on the right-hand side of the Explore page if you scroll down. It shows you recent reviews for books that you have on your own shelves. It's another way to see what people have to say about things you've read, and it could be useful if you're looking for people with similar tastes and views.

YouKneeK wrote: "I’ve never looked at the “top reviewers” link before last night. I saw it, but had no interest in it. I don’t know why a “top reviewer” would have any more in common with my tastes than anybody else. If they had something in common with me, then I would run across them elsewhere – when reading reviews for books I’ve read or am interested in, or in groups like this one."

Like I pointed out, "top reviewers" might not have anything in common with your reading tastes. You'd need to use the compare tool to check.

I particularly like to follow a few top reviewers in the genres I like because they tend to have access and rate/review arcs, which helps me discover new stuff to read.

Alan wrote: "I can't see any easy way round this . . . take the averages over a longer period of time? Too much trouble."

Actually, GR does the average, you can change the frequency at the top of the list and see the top reviewers of the year and of 'all times' or something like that.

YouKneeK wrote: "One of my favorite features on Goodreads is the "Recent reviews of my books" feature found on the right-hand side of the Explore page if you scroll down. It shows you recent reviews for books that you have on your own shelves..."

Wow! Now that really is a useful function! Thanks for pointing it out!

Hi. Sorry dumb question coming - being new.

I click explore... But can't locate the "people tab" to find the top reviewers. I am using an IPad. Any ideas how I an find the mystical top reviewers? Thanks D

Irondrew wrote: ". I am using an IPad...."

I think you just defined the problem. I have tried it on my iPad, even though I hate the wretched thing - and stopped when it asked me to log in, which I don't want to do on the iPad, particularly when I am simultaneously logged in on a real computer.
However: on a bar near the top should be an 'Explore' button with a menu dropdown beside it (small button, downpointing triangle). Open the menu, find 'People' near the bottom of the list, then 'Recent Reviews' near the bottomof the list, then 'Recent Reviews of My Books' above where the list used to be.
On an iPad - well, it should work - good luck!

Alan wrote: "YouKneeK wrote: "New members might be playing catch-up and adding all of the books they can remember ever reading, and adding reviews for them...."

Fair enough, up to a point - I did some of that ..."

They have a most liked reviews but that tends to be the same crowd of about 5 people dominating the first page.

Jonathan wrote: "The sample of that one looked really good! But the price was exhorbitant. They need to have a sale..."

Agreed! I also looked at it - then started checking around. Although the author writes "This is the first time any of my books has been made into an audio book, and it's something I've lusted after for years" in her goodreads profile page, this is the only book by her that I can find. That means she is apparently a first-time author charging more than three times the usual first-timer rates for an e-book. Not a good way to start! She will need to be something quite exceptional to justify it.
To be fair, she has some glowing reviews, and apparently not just from her friends - but even so, this is a high price for an apparent beginner! It will go on my TBR list when she has twenty times that many five star reviews, or she cuts the price to a third (OK, maybe a half) - but not before.

Lionel wrote: "apparently a first-time author charging more than three times the usual first-timer rates for an e-book...."

I also had a look. Certainly more than three times my prices, and I also have 5 good reviews (amazon.co.uk) - and not from friends, either!

Her book seems to be available on paper as well as electronically (at an even higher price) but looking further it has a copyright statement that appears to originate with Macmillan - so the price might be their decision, not hers. Still a silly price, but I am happier blaming a corporate body (lacking a conscience) rather than an individual.

Jonathan wrote:... That means she is apparently a first-time author charging more than three times the usual first-timer rates for an e-book....

She's far from a first-time author. She's written a number of books under the name Sarah Monette. The pricing is pretty standard for a new release from a major publishing house.

Tad wrote: " She's written a number of books under the name Sarah Monette ..."

Ah! Maybe that explains it ... also explains why she has the copyright notice from Macmillan. Multiple identities can make life really complicated! And she hasn't really changed genres. Different sub-genre I admit, but is that reason enough?

Either that or they hit a decent bit of success and what to use their real name now.

Aaron wrote: Either that or they hit a decent bit of success and what to use their real name now.

Actually Sarah Monette is her real name and Katherine Addison is the pseudonym.

Hi everyone,

I was wondering whether anyone had any suggestions for fantasy books. I'm looking for something in the style of Pawn of Prophecy(the whole series) or Assassin's Apprentice(the whole series). I do prefer a series, but that doesn't mean I wouldn't read a stand alone book. Thanks guys!