Every week, I receive emails from people asking me what they should consider reading next. They've read Martin, Lynch, Abercrombie, etc, and they would like me to provide suggestions as to what they should tackle next. Invariably, I'm always shocked to discover that the newer generation of SFF readers (the one that was introduced to the genre by the likes of Jordan and Martin), for the most part, has not read many of the works that were the bestsellers of 80s and early 90s. God, it's not easy to come to terms with the fact that I'm so "old school" compared to many. . .;-)
Hence, here is a small list of speculative fiction works -- old and not so old -- that seem to be widely unread. I'm not saying that everyone has to "like" these books, but I feel that one cannot call themselves SFF fans if they haven't given these novels/series a shot. Moreover, via the links you can purchase most of these books for pennies if you are strapped for cash. Even cheaper, many of them should be available at your local library. . .
There are enough titles here to keep most of you looking for stuff to read out of trouble until GRRM's A Dance with Dragons (Canada, USA, Europe) is released!:p As always, more books could have been included, yet I think that this is a good start!
Sadly, it looks as though Feist's best years are behind him. His latest series, The Darkwar, Conclave of Shadows and The Riftwar Legacy were all particularly subpar trilogies. But The Riftwar Saga remains one of the best and funniest fantasy series out there. No wonder those are the books which made Feist a powerhouse in the 80s. Give Magician: Apprentice a shot, and then work your way down to The King's Buccaneer. After that, The Serpentwar Saga awaits. . .
Modesitt's Recluce saga never quite garnered the respect it deserves, at least in my opinion. Of course, this is not your high-octane, adolescent, action-packed fantasy series. But if you're looking for intelligent books, with genuine protagonists who must pay the price for their actions, then the Recluce books might be for you. I like the way the chaos and order theory links every volume. I also enjoy the way technology is used and portrayed. Many will tell you that most novels follow the same formula, and that if you've read one you've read all of them. I beg to differ. Though the approach can be a bit formulaic, there are many permutations that keep this saga fresh and interesting. Begin with The Magic of Recluce and then read The Towers of the Sunset. Although the immediate sequel to The Magic of Recluce is The Death of Chaos, I feel that it's better to read at least one of the prequels before finishing the "real time" story arc. All other Recluce volumes occur in the past. Personally, I really enjoyed the two books dealing with the "mythology" of Recluce, Fall of Angels and The Chaos Balance.
The Prince of Nothing is not for everyone. Even die-hard Bakker fans will tell you that. Too philosophical and "cerebral" for many readers, but others will discover one of the best recent epic fantasy works to be published. If you can't get into The Darkness that Comes Before, forget about reading the rest of the trilogy. But if it does capture your imagination, then brace yourself for The Warrior-Prophet and The Thousandfold Thought. Roll on The Judging Eye!
That Kay is not more popular is an inexplicable crime. If there was any justice in life, Kay would be at the top of the bestseller lists, not Terry Goodkind. I feel that the author never got the "push" his books required to make it in the USA and the rest of the world. Though I encourage you to read Kay's entire backlist, most fans seem to agree that Tigana and The Lions of Al-Rassan are his best works. If you like these, let me tell you that you have hours of reading pleasure in front of you, as Kay's novels will enthrall you like few books can.
The Baroque Cycle made some noise when it was originally published a couple of years ago, but unfortunately it appears that it has been forgotten quite rapidly. The size of each volume means that you get more bangs for your buck, and all three are filled with the wit and intelligence that have made Stephenson famous. A great read!
I've said it many times, and I'll say it again: Kurtz's Deryni Saga is one of my favorite fantasy series of all time. Wonderful worldbuilding, great characterization, fabulous politicking -- it's got everything one can hope for! Though the story begins with The Chronicles of the Deryni, it really takes off with the second trilogy, The Legends of Camber of Culdi. Kurtz is kind of a mix between Robin Hobb and George R. R. Martin. Not to be missed!
The Coldfire trilogy is another series which, for some reason, is not as widely read as it should. An interesting blend of horror, fantasy and science fiction, it features Damien Vryce, warrior-priest of the One God, and Gerald Tarrant, an undead sorcerer. A more unlikely and fascinating duo you won't find anywhere else in the genre. If you're into the first volume, follow them in When True Night Falls and Crown of Shadows.
Tad Williams made a name for himself with Memory, Sorrow and Thorn. The final volume, To Green Angel Tower, became a New York Times Bestseller. And it all began in The Dragonbone Chair. This was the first contemporary high fantasy series that didn't feel like a Tolkien ripoff. And it was one of the inspirations that led GRRM to write ASOIAF. So what are you waiting for!?! Sure, it can be slow-going at times. But show me a Tad Williams book which isn't. . .;-)
Okay, so Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever just might be the most antipathetic protagonist in the history of the genre. Nevertheless, The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant remains one of the landmark fantasy series out there. Not always accessible, and certainly not for everyone, I believe that it should nonetheless be read. Just as all fantasy fans "have" to read The Lord of the Rings, so should they read The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant. It's head and shoulder above most of what you'll find on the shelves of any bookstore. . .
For my money, The Gap series, a five-book masterpiece, is the very best work of Donaldson's illustrious career. One of the best science fiction cycle out there, no question. Like anything written by Stephen R. Donaldson, it's not for everyone. But I encourage you to check out the slim first volume, and see if you find it intriguing enough to continue on with the rest of the series.
The Deathgate Cycle is Weis and Hickman at their peak. Nothing they have written since even comes close to this in terms of quality and originality. The seven-book series was their most ambitious project, and the authors delivered. Dragon Wing should have you craving for the rest!
The Star of the Guardians was Weis' first solo project, if I remember correctly. It was published around the time when everything Weis and Hickman touched turned to gold, and it was the same for this new series. Though it was immensely popular back in the early 90s, you don't hear much about this space opera nowadays. Funny thing, I recently discovered that the series had been reissued in trade paperback format. It's a shame that so few people appear to remember these books. . .
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