Romance, Historical or Otherwise discussion

Some great books in this genre.. One I loved was

I have heard good things about that book!

I am just starting:

I also loved the Earthsea series by Ursula LeGuin here is the first:

I have heard this one is amazing but has a cliff hanger, so I am waiting until the second one comes out to start it:



I just read this one and it was decent:
the sequel is released tomorrow.

I have heard great stuff about these two series:

I really want to read the Night Angel, Sevenwaters and Kushiel's Dart series.

I know that Shell hated Tairen Soul (and I understand why after reading her review, so it's okay that it wasn't for her), but there are a few of us in here that are big fans.

I tried too, and could't get into it.. But I loved the first Sevenwaters... The Black Jewels series is another series I really wanted to love, but found the writing style too hard to follow.. I plan to try this series again.

The Earth Sea looks fantastic...

Lol.. Stacia.. I didn't 'hate' it.. I did finish it.. I think.. Just found some of the wordings and terminology strange... Like her world didnt develop naturally and feel real to me.. It reminded me of an author trying to create this amazing 3rd dimension, with these fantastical branches of other life.. but falling short..

Make sense?

Having said that, I may still pick up the 2nd, as I have heard they get better with each book.

I tried both kushiel's dart and the way of the shadows - it may have been my mood but I couldn't get into them. I plan to try both again. I also have and am about to read Graceling.

I would recommend Anne Bishop's Black Jewels trilogy. It is dark fantasy, and it took me a lot of the first book to actually understand the world that it was set in, but I am totally addicted to these books.

Another really good series is the Thief books by Megan Whalen Turner. The first book wasn't my favourite, but the second and third books are great. I have the fourth one sitting on my shelf to read soon.

I just discovered the Song of Ice and Fire series by George Martin. HBO has created this series into a tv show that airs in April. Here is the first one , I absolutely loved it. Can't wait to start #2. And the HBO series looks fantastic, I even got my husband reading this one.

Really? Those look good. Any romance Regina?

Shell wrote: "Really? Those look good. Any romance Regina?"

Well, they are written by a man, lol. Which doesn't neccessarily preclude romance, but there is some love and some sex (in a man perspective way, but it isn't bad at all). But the sex isn't romantic. But I have only read 1 so far.

Okay~ Worth a try anyways. I dont NEED sex~ But I would prefer some romance~ Sex is just gravy to a great story. (Not so sure 'Sex' and 'gravy' are two words belonging within the same sentance~ but Whatev~)

I would say the greater focus is not on love.

I have that on my night stand and have heard some great things about it... I can't wait for the mini series - but want to read the book first.

Loved it. Incredible world. It is more about the political intrigue and characters/relationships than magic like in many fantasy books.

I ordered it~ Should be here by the end of January.

I love Guy Gavriel Kay's books, especially A Song for Arbonne and Tigana. I just finished Wildwood Dancing and it was beautiful. There's some great ones listed above which I want to check out, thanks everyone.

CJ, I have often looked at these books. Do they have any romance to them? Or are they strictly Fantasy?

Kay's books have a romantic thread through them and Wildwood Dancing does too. I would have liked it to be more of a romance in A Song for Arbonne though. Funny thing, I thought it had a big romance thread then I re-read it last year and found it was a subtle one. I must have imagined it the first time round, lol. I tend to make stuff up like that in my head.

Ha Ha~ Thats great for one who enjoys fantasy! Part and Parcel, Hand in hand~ lol~ Are you an aspiring writer by chance CJ?

Shell wrote: "Are you an aspiring writer by chance CJ?"

Yes. I'm a dreamer from way back, but now I just write it down. :)

That's the best way~ Always write it down, the best stories come from dreams.

Well~ Aren't I a dumbass~ I just looked at your profile~ Lol~ Oops~ Aspiring author indeed. Removing foot out of my mouth now~ Imagine me giving you writing advice~ Sheesh~ Now that the epitome of arogance. Lol. How many books have you written?

Shell wrote: "Well~ Aren't I a dumbass~ I just looked at your profile~ Lol~ Oops~ Aspiring author indeed. Removing foot out of my mouth now~ Imagine me giving you writing advice~ Sheesh~ Now that the epitome of ..."

Lol, I'll take any writing advice I can get. The readers are the best for that anyway.

I've written about 15 at last count but published only 1 so far. A few others are pretty good and I plan to put those out soon. Thanks for asking.

I'd love to read it, is it only for Kindle though? Or will it be out in print soon?

It's an ebook only, Shell, for the Kindle and other ebook readers. I don't have any plans to print it as the costs are just too high. Thanks for asking.

So this is a genre I am really getting into~ Especially the Historical Fantasy realm~ Damn some good books I would never have been interested in reading before~ I just picked up and

I love fantasy. Shell I own both of Rothfuss' books (1 and 2 are out), I can't wait to read them.

How is Game of Thrones coming? I am about to start #2 -- clash of kings.

I really, really like it. Can't wait for the HBO series~ It's so going though~ Cause apparently I am superwoman and have too much on the go.

Superwomen... :) I hope i get to read the Game of Thrones before the HBO series starts.

I really loved Name of the Wind, and have Wise Man's Fear sitting here waiting to be picked up. I can't wait to get back into that world!

Oh man, I can't recommend The Name of the Wind and The Wise Man's Fear high enough! They are definitely worth reading. So excited for you guys!

I've tried Daughter of the Forest and Kushiel's Dart, but couldn't get into them. Maybe I'll give them another try...

@ CJ: I loved Wildwood Dancing too! Have you read the sequel, Cybele's Secret?

Anyone else read Anvil of the Sun and its sequels? They've got good doses of fantasy and romance... :)

Berit wrote: "@ CJ: I loved Wildwood Dancing too! Have you read the sequel, Cybele's Secret?"

I haven't but I really really want to. I have so many books in my TBR pile at the moment and I'm a very slow reader when I'm writing which I'm doing now. Was it good?

Yes! I actually liked it better than Wildwood Dancing.

Berit wrote: "Yes! I actually liked it better than Wildwood Dancing."

Great, thanks, I'll get to it.

Wow! I'm so glad I found this thread and my top favorite book, Daughter of the Forest, was at the top! I'm pretty surprised since the book doesn't get much attention, which I think it should. It's amazing and definitely touched my heart. I would recommend it to anybody. Juliet Marillier, the author, is the most amazing storyteller and one of the best that I've read. I recommend ANY of her books.

Also, some recommendations I would make would be Catherine Asaro's Night Bird. I thought it was a pretty good read. The Night Bird

Awesome, thx Courtney, I have just returned from Chapters, where I found myself wandering the Fantasy section, I have picked up a few more book that piqued the interest~ and dammit, I have forgotten the name of the other one.

I really liked the Young Adult series "Wings" by Aprilynne Pike and "Wicked Lovely" by Melissa Marr for Fantasy Romance.