Sci-fi & fantasy book recs

26,904 Views | 168 Replies | Last: 4 mo ago by hunter2012
3rd and 2
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Anyone read Skullsworn? Do you recommend it?

Red Sister by Mark Lawrence is his best yet, check it out. It's like Harry Potter for nun assassins.

Jack Campbell lost fleet series is excellent.
W.C. Griffin '09
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Maroon Stormtrooper said:

Anyone read Skullsworn? Do you recommend it?

Red Sister by Mark Lawrence is his best yet, check it out. It's like Harry Potter for nun assassins.

Jack Campbell lost fleet series is excellent.


I should finish Red Sister today. I'm really enjoying it
hunter2012
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No mention of Red Rising in here? I'm on book 3 on audible and I'm enjoying the hell out of it.
3rd and 2
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hunter2012 said:

No mention of Red Rising in here? I'm on book 3 on audible and I'm enjoying the hell out of it.


Oh ya, that series is great. Book 1 in the one of the best I've ever read and book 2 is even better!
V8Aggie
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Admiral Thrawn trilogy
W.C. Griffin '09
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hunter2012 said:

No mention of Red Rising in here? I'm on book 3 on audible and I'm enjoying the hell out of it.


Probably because OP had just finished the Red Rising trilogy and was looking for recs for new books. Otherwise, it definitely would have been mentioned. It comes up a lot on these threads. I read it because of hearing people rave about on here and I absolutely loved it. I hope Iron Gold is as good as the other 3
hunter2012
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Oops, I just read the list didn't read the first line.

But i feel the same 1 was awesome and 2 was even better.
3rd and 2
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I'm currently reading The Grey *******s by Jonathan French. About 3/4 the way through so far and loving it. Check it out guys. Here's the description from iTunes:

LIVE IN THE SADDLE. DIE ON THE HOG.

Such is the creed of the half-orcs dwelling in the Lot Lands. Sworn to hardened brotherhoods known as hoofs, these former slaves patrol their unforgiving country astride massive swine bred for war. They are all that stand between the decadent heart of noble Hispartha and marauding bands of full-blood orcs.

Jackal rides with the Grey *******s, one of eight hoofs that have survived the harsh embrace of the Lots. Young, cunning and ambitious, he schemes to unseat the increasingly tyrannical founder of the *******s, a plague-ridden warlord called the Claymaster. Supporting Jackal's dangerous bid for leadership are Oats, a hulking mongrel with more orc than human blood, and Fetching, the only female rider in all the hoofs.

When the troubling appearance of a foreign sorcerer comes upon the heels of a faceless betrayal, Jackal's plans are thrown into turmoil. He finds himself saddled with a captive elf girl whose very presence begins to unravel his alliances. With the anarchic blood rite of the Betrayer Moon close at hand, Jackal must decide where his loyalties truly lie, and carve out his place in a world that rewards only the vicious.

Edit:

Apparently, the Author of the book was self published and won some sort of fantasy book competition among 200+ other entries. Because of this, a publisher bought the author's series out and they're going to take down the book from iTunes and everywhere else on June 1, 2017, repackage it and re-release it in 2018. So if you want the book, hurry your ass up and go get it before it disappears.

Here's a link to the competition results:
http://mark---lawrence.blogspot.co.uk/2016/08/the-final-round-of-self-published.html
israeliag
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israeliag said:

Three Body Problem (series composed of Three Body Problem [2015 Hugo Award winner], Dark Forest, and Death's End) by Cixin Liu

Terrific series by a Chinese writer. I won't go into the plot, but it's not what I expected from a Chinese Sci-Fi, and the second book manages to be even better. I'm still reading the third book (about 2/3 through) so I'm saving judgment on it, but so far each book has had its own unique and fascinating theme that evolve out of the story so well.
I've wrapped up the series a while ago, and have been contemplating it as possibly the best hard sci-fi series I've read. Not my favorite - I don't see Hyperion leaving that spot for me - but such good themes and prognostication. The character development wasn't as successful in the third book, but such a strong story.

Just finished Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin. I hadn't read any of hers before and figured I ought to since she's such a key and influential author of the genre. I'm sure it was great for its time, and the themes are still incredibly relevant, but the story was quite thin for me. I listened to it on Audible, and between the voice of the narrator, the minute politicking, and the endless descriptions of winter, it felt more Game of Thrones than sci-fi as a result.

Looking for the next one, and seeing many recommending the Red Rising series so might check that out.
Prophet00
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Lots of good replies here, over the last year. I've started a handful of others, and updated my list.

Martin - GoT
Erikson - Malazan Book of the Fallen
Cline - Ready Player One and Armada
Sanderson - Stormlight Archive books, Mistborn (all 5, plus novella), Reckoners, Warbreaker
Abercrombie - All of his books
Rothfuss - All of his books
Robin Hobb - All 9 Fitz & the Fool books
Lynch - All of the Gentlemen *******s books
Ryan - Raven's Shadow trilogy
Butcher - Codex Alera series, Cinder Spires, Dresden books
Weeks - Lightbringer series, Night Angel
McClellan - Powder Mage series
Lawrence - Broken Empire series
Staveley - Chronicle of the Unhewn Throne series
Howey - Shift Omnibus series
Cronin - Passage trilogy
David Eddings - Belgariad series
Glen Cook - Several Black Company books
Anthony Ryan - Draconus Memoria
Michael J. Sullivan - all of the Riyria books
VE Schwab - Shades of Magic series
Clare North - First Fifteen Lives of Harry August
Brett - Demon Cycle
Jeff VanderMeer - Souther Reach series
Blake Crouch - Dark Matter


W.C. Griffin '09
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How was Draconis Memoria?
Prophet00
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I liked it. The second book comes out in a couple weeks.

I'm hopeful that he doesn't repeat the mistakes from Blood Song to Tower Lord. Big letdown, only to be overshadowed by his train wreck of a third book.
OCEN99
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I'm tearing through Charles Stross's Laundry Files books right now. So far they've been a lot of fun.
G Martin 87
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israeliag said:

Just finished Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin. I hadn't read any of hers before and figured I ought to since she's such a key and influential author of the genre. I'm sure it was great for its time, and the themes are still incredibly relevant, but the story was quite thin for me. I listened to it on Audible, and between the voice of the narrator, the minute politicking, and the endless descriptions of winter, it felt more Game of Thrones than sci-fi as a result.
Le Guin can be a tough read. I enjoyed LHoD, but struggled with The Dispossessed. The Lathe of Heaven was fun, though.
MRB10
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I just finished book 3 of "the cradle" series by will wight. They're very entertaining and well done. I think it's a 4 or 5 book series(3 done).
Saltwater Assassin
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Just finished the first Mistborn book. Wow. Great read!
israeliag
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Quote:

Investors, for example, say Amazon is in talks that will probably result in its earmarking $1bn to acquire the rights and to produce three seasons of episodes based on a science fiction trilogy known by the title of the first volume, The Three Body Problem by Liu Cixin, a work that is wildly popular in China. It will prove more of a blockbuster than Game of Thrones, some mainland industry insiders predict. The rights are held by Lin Qi, the chairman of Youzu Interactive, primarily a developer of online games that is listed in China
https://www.ft.com/content/a10b14c8-2c15-11e8-9b4b-bc4b9f08f381

(this might warrant it's own thread, but doesn't feel tangible enough yet)

This would be incredible - both from the $1B commitment from Amazon, and from getting to see this incredible story on screen.



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Prophet00
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I still haven't gotten around to Three Body Problem. Is it really that good?
israeliag
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I can see it not being everyone's cup of tea, but it might be the best hard sci-fi I've read.

That said, I can see this being more of a move of Amazon solidifying it's foothold in China.
israeliag
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I know the article says three season - but I could really see the first book as a pretty good and tight film.

Book 2 would make a great 8 ep mini-series, and book 3 could almost open the doors for a multi-season show.
MaroonStain
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Prophet00 said:

I still haven't gotten around to Three Body Problem. Is it really that good?I st
I started reading it but have not dedicated time to reading. I will get dedicated and give some updates.
Prophet00
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I've needed a new series to pick up. I feel like I've read just about everything, and now I'm waiting on books 2 & 3 of several series.

Rereading Dawn of Wonder from Jonathan Renshaw. Typical epic fantasy, similar plot lines to Blood Song, Gentleman *******s, but written very well IMO.
MGS
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The first two books of the Honor Harrington series from David Weber are currently free for the Kindle.
zip90
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getme said:

Larry Correia- Monster Hunter International

Jim Butcher- The Dresden Files
Caught up with both of these series and was looking for alternates and found God Touched the 1st book of The Demon Accords by John Conroe.

Burned through the entire series!
Bluto06
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I'm a huge fan of the Demon Accords series. I am surprised though that the author is able to keep the stories interesting with such overpowered characters.
IrishAg
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Ha! I loved Demon Accords and it's something that I'm starting to classify as "Geek Lit". Where you can just turn off the brain and enjoy someone who is completely overpowered going crazy on the evil doers in the world.

Other series I would put into that category off the top of my head are:
Hellequin chronicles
Damned and Cursed series

I'm blanking right now, but I'll add more as a I come up with them.
zip90
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IrishAg said:

Ha! I loved Demon Accords and it's something that I'm starting to classify as "Geek Lit". Where you can just turn off the brain and enjoy someone who is completely overpowered going crazy on the evil doers in the world.

Other series I would put into that category off the top of my head are:
Hellequin chronicles
Damned and Cursed series

I'm blanking right now, but I'll add more as a I come up with them.


I call that type of series "Candy" as they are truly enjoyable, but typically shorter and without as much substance.

I would add the Joe Ledger series in as well (book one is Patient Zero)

I will have to check out the Damned and Cursed series.

Thanks
kapon
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I was listening to Monster Hunter: Legion and Correia had a reference to Johnny Football!
I thought it was pretty cool!
GIG 'EM!
rynning
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Saltwater Assassin said:

Just finished the first Mistborn book. Wow. Great read!

I liked it enough to read the first two but was put off by its "pre-teen" vibe while sometimes being graphically violent.
Thunder18
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Saltwater Assassin said:

Just finished the first Mistborn book. Wow. Great read!


Mistborn series was good, but I am enjoying the Wax and Wayne trilogy even more
Prophet00
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Forgot about this thread. It's been about a year, so I've picked up some others and updates the list:

Martin - GoT
Erikson - Malazan Book of the Fallen
Cline - Ready Player One and Armada
Sanderson - Stormlight Archive books, Mistborn (all 5, plus novella), Reckoners, Warbreaker
Abercrombie - All of his books
Rothfuss - All of his books
Robin Hobb - All 9 Fitz & the Fool books
Lynch - All of the Gentlemen *******s books
Ryan - Raven's Shadow trilogy
Butcher - Codex Alera series, Cinder Spires, Dresden books
Weeks - Lightbringer series, Night Angel
McClellan - Powder Mage series
Lawrence - Broken Empire series
Staveley - Chronicle of the Unhewn Throne series
Howey - Shift Omnibus series
Cronin - Passage trilogy
David Eddings - Belgariad series
Glen Cook - Several Black Company books
Anthony Ryan - Draconus Memoria
Michael J. Sullivan - all of the Riyria books
VE Schwab - Shades of Magic series
Clare North - First Fifteen Lives of Harry August
Brett - Demon Cycle
Jeff VanderMeer - Souther Reach series
Blake Crouch - Dark Matter
Josiah Bancroft - Books of Babel series
Mark Lawrence - Red Sister, Grey Sister
Maria Snyder - Poison Study series
M.D. Ireman - The Axe and the Throne
Peter Newman - The Vagrant
Jonathan Renshaw - Dawn of Wonder
James Islington - The Licanius Trilogy
Robert Bennett - Divine Cities series
Guy Gavriel Kay - Tigana, Fionovar Tapestry
De Castell - Greatcoats series
Staveley - Chronicle of the Unhewn Throne

Jumped around quite a bit, but most of the new ones are pretty good. I really enjoyed the Books of Babel series, very unique story.
Prime0882
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On previous book threads I've suggested this one before, and don't often see this author suggested, but the Troy series by David Gemmel is one of my favorites of all time.

https://www.amazon.com/Troy-Lord-Silver-Trilogy-Book/dp/0345494571

This is an outstanding semi historical/fantasy take on the story of Troy. His Rigante series is also highly suggested and reminds me of a predecessor to something like the Powder Mage or The First Law series.
Prophet00
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Awesome, I'm looking for a new one to get into. I'll try that out after I finish my reread of The First Law series.
heddleston
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I'm in the middle of the 2nd Gentlemen B***ards book, and it's good fun.
 
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