I'd strongly recommend the Sprawl trilogy by William Gibson for your sci-fi needs - you also get a point for every time you spot an influence that was included in The Matrix movies!
Someone earlier mentioned the Magician series by Raymond E Feist, I'd also add his Empire series to that. It's something of a spin-off but very good work indeed.
The Long Earth by Stephen Baxter and Terry Pratchett and it's follow ups The Long War and The Long Mars.
Currently half way through The Long Mars.
Its a great concept - humanity discovers its possible to "step" onto an alternative Earth - with a device that practically anyone can make, and that there are a (possibly) infinite number of these alternate Earths. Datum Earth (ours) seems to be the only one with humans on it though so all the others are virgin territory.
Perhaps not exactly what you had in mind but I would hugely recommend the Undead Series by R R Haywood. Yes it is Zombies but they are written with humour and heart and set in the UK. Give them a go and you won't be disappointed.
I've just finished those, and they were fantastic. I haven't laughed out loud at a book since I read my last Terry Pratchett, but they don't compare at all. I'm so happy I found them (after a recommendation on here) but very sad the next one's not out yet.
Me to, although it also contains some sad bits.
And in return, anything by Charles Stross, especially the Atrocity Archives if you work in IT.
just finished reading perdido street station which was recommended a few times in this thread
enjoyed it altho wasn't quite what i expected it to be
i'll put the next bit in spoilers in case i give anything away
the one thing i didn't like about it was it got a bit heavy with place names and directions and for a made up city it felt at times you got lost with too much detail at times if that makes sense
got books 2 and 3 of the series in my to read section of the kindle tho
If you are looking for an immersive series then you couldn't do better than to start with this book by Anne McCaffrey. There's a huge series following these characters and filling in both the past and future of the planet, Pern. The whole series is brilliant.
If you are looking for an immersive series then you couldn't do better than to start with this book by Anne McCaffrey. There's a huge series following these characters and filling in both the past and future of the planet, Pern. The whole series is brilliant.
Has anyone read Fool's Assassin yet? I've just finished it and want to wail and cry. :D
Loved the Drenai books (I wanted to marry Druss at one point, but then I've wanted to marry Brashen, Burrich and Fitz at various points too, so ignore me). I used to love Anne McCaffrey too, and recently fancied going audio-book and have a "re-read", but the recordings are so... archaic - so proper old-fashioned - that I couldn't listen to the narrator after 10 mins or so.
Has anyone read Fool's Assassin yet? I've just finished it and want to wail and cry. :D
Loved the Drenai books (I wanted to marry Druss at one point, but then I've wanted to marry Brashen, Burrich and Fitz at various points too, so ignore me). I used to love Anne McCaffrey too, and recently fancied going audio-book and have a "re-read", but the recordings are so... archaic - so proper old-fashioned - that I couldn't listen to the narrator after 10 mins or so.
I too loved Druss he is entirely awesome but then so is Waylander
Been going through a bit of a phase right now, so how about some of these:
- The Dresden Files - Jim Butcher (15 books in and counting, some funny laugh out loud bits "...parkour!..."
- The Way of Kings" - Brandon Sanderson(Stormlight archive) huge tomes but well worth the read, though the first one is a bit tough in places, but gets so so much better
- the Alex Verus books by Benedict Jacka
- The Alera Codex - Jim Butcher
- Mistborn Trilogy - Brandon Sanderson (though it was ok, but loads of people love them!"
I'm about to start Neil Gaiman's "American Gods" but I'm not so sure about it, has anybody read it, not sure if it is my sort of thing, perhaps some DS's have read it and let me know if they think it's any good, obviously it's all subjective, but any input is useful!
I'm about to start Neil Gaiman's "American Gods" but I'm not so sure about it, has anybody read it, not sure if it is my sort of thing, perhaps some DS's have read it and let me know if they think it's any good, obviously it's all subjective, but any input is useful!
I've read several of Neil Gaiman's books and am quite a fan. I think that American Gods is the one that I enjoyed least. It's set in America and there's a lot about Norse Mythology. I don't know much about American geography nor Norse myths and I got quite confused. Lots of people think it's a marvellous book though. My favourite Gaiman is Neverwhere, it's set underneath London and is about lost people.
Three books in a series by Bob Shaw
The ragged Astronauts
The Wooden Spaceships
The Fugitive Worlds
I read them years ago and they are excellent. They are out of print now but You might get them in your library
They are all available as e-books from the usual sources. Gollancz have been busy making scores of backlist titles available via their SF Gateway programme.
The Ragged Astronauts is also available in print in an introductory omnibus volume, along with Orbitsville (first part of another trilogy) and A Wreath of Stars.
Been going through a bit of a phase right now, so how about some of these:
- The Dresden Files - Jim Butcher (15 books in and counting, some funny laugh out loud bits "...parkour!..."
- The Way of Kings" - Brandon Sanderson(Stormlight archive) huge tomes but well worth the read, though the first one is a bit tough in places, but gets so so much better
- the Alex Verus books by Benedict Jacka - The Alera Codex - Jim Butcher
- Mistborn Trilogy - Brandon Sanderson (though it was ok, but loads of people love them!"
I'm about to start Neil Gaiman's "American Gods" but I'm not so sure about it, has anybody read it, not sure if it is my sort of thing, perhaps some DS's have read it and let me know if they think it's any good, obviously it's all subjective, but any input is useful!
1st bit in bold - Always good to see another fan of the Dresden Files, I agree with you that the humour in them is what sets them apart from pretty much any other "wizards & magic" series around. Well, that plus the fact that Harry can't go more than a day or two without hankering for a Burger King...
2nd bit in bold - I didn't really enjoy the Codex Alera series, it felt too much to me like a very generic, written-by-the-numbers fantasy series to me. Which is odd really because Jim Butcher sees that as far more "legitimate" writing than the Dresden Files - which is far more unique and compelling in my opinion.
3rd bit in bold - American Gods is an absolute belter of a book! Heavy going in places, and pretty dark too, but well worth the effort. Neil Gaiman is probably one of the world's greatest living writers in my opinion.
I've had The Name of the Wind on my shelf for ages, but I've been putting off reading it because I thought once I started it, it would take over my life, and it has. I've read thousands of books, but this one is something else.
I've bought The Wise Man's Fear, even though I'm only half way through TNotW and I'm already panicking a bit about how I'm going to cope when I've read them both, seeing as the third book is apparently nowhere in sight yet.
Reading it really is an experience not to be missed, imo.
On a different note, I love Harry Dresden. I can't wait for the next one. I'm far fonder of Harry than is reasonable for a fictional character.
On a different note, I love Harry Dresden. I can't wait for the next one. I'm far fonder of Harry than is reasonable for a fictional character.
I haven't got around to reading he latest one yet - which is unusual for me, in the last couple of years I've leapt all over the new releases as soon as possible.
On an entirely different note - you should check out Jim Butcher's Ice Bucket Challenge!
Comments
Someone earlier mentioned the Magician series by Raymond E Feist, I'd also add his Empire series to that. It's something of a spin-off but very good work indeed.
The ragged Astronauts
The Wooden Spaceships
The Fugitive Worlds
I read them years ago and they are excellent. They are out of print now but You might get them in your library
Currently half way through The Long Mars.
Its a great concept - humanity discovers its possible to "step" onto an alternative Earth - with a device that practically anyone can make, and that there are a (possibly) infinite number of these alternate Earths. Datum Earth (ours) seems to be the only one with humans on it though so all the others are virgin territory.
A two part story.
And House of Leaves by Mark Z Danielewski
Me to, although it also contains some sad bits.
And in return, anything by Charles Stross, especially the Atrocity Archives if you work in IT.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/God-Complex-Thriller-Murray-McDonald-ebook/dp/B00IB3R5PQ/
I've just finished it on audiobook (I have my ear buds in when I'm pottering around, going to the shops etc) and it's amazingly good.
Whoever first mentioned Hugh Howey, thank you.
enjoyed it altho wasn't quite what i expected it to be
i'll put the next bit in spoilers in case i give anything away
got books 2 and 3 of the series in my to read section of the kindle tho
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Human-Rights-Philip-Hoyle-ebook/dp/B00LJAYXAS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1408607710&sr=8-1&keywords=human+rights+philip+hoyle
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Dragonflight-Dragon-Books-Anne-McCaffrey-ebook/dp/B008FY4KBS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1408614405&sr=8-1&keywords=pern
As above anne mccaffrey pern books are good I prefer her tower and hive series myself.
However I highly recommend would be David Gemmel Drenai series starting with Legend
Loved the Drenai books (I wanted to marry Druss at one point, but then I've wanted to marry Brashen, Burrich and Fitz at various points too, so ignore me). I used to love Anne McCaffrey too, and recently fancied going audio-book and have a "re-read", but the recordings are so... archaic - so proper old-fashioned - that I couldn't listen to the narrator after 10 mins or so.
I too loved Druss he is entirely awesome but then so is Waylander
Oh, absolutely! I love it when an author's clever enough to get me invested into a character. I've got a short attention span.
Haha me too, I admit to being damn right fickle when the thirty came into it
Oh my god, yes! I might have to re-read those - thanks for the reminder.
- The Dresden Files - Jim Butcher (15 books in and counting, some funny laugh out loud bits "...parkour!..."
- The Way of Kings" - Brandon Sanderson(Stormlight archive) huge tomes but well worth the read, though the first one is a bit tough in places, but gets so so much better
- the Alex Verus books by Benedict Jacka
- The Alera Codex - Jim Butcher
- Mistborn Trilogy - Brandon Sanderson (though it was ok, but loads of people love them!"
I'm about to start Neil Gaiman's "American Gods" but I'm not so sure about it, has anybody read it, not sure if it is my sort of thing, perhaps some DS's have read it and let me know if they think it's any good, obviously it's all subjective, but any input is useful!
I've read several of Neil Gaiman's books and am quite a fan. I think that American Gods is the one that I enjoyed least. It's set in America and there's a lot about Norse Mythology. I don't know much about American geography nor Norse myths and I got quite confused. Lots of people think it's a marvellous book though. My favourite Gaiman is Neverwhere, it's set underneath London and is about lost people.
They are all available as e-books from the usual sources. Gollancz have been busy making scores of backlist titles available via their SF Gateway programme.
The Ragged Astronauts is also available in print in an introductory omnibus volume, along with Orbitsville (first part of another trilogy) and A Wreath of Stars.
http://www.sfgateway.com/authors/s/shaw-bob/
1st bit in bold - Always good to see another fan of the Dresden Files, I agree with you that the humour in them is what sets them apart from pretty much any other "wizards & magic" series around. Well, that plus the fact that Harry can't go more than a day or two without hankering for a Burger King...
2nd bit in bold - I didn't really enjoy the Codex Alera series, it felt too much to me like a very generic, written-by-the-numbers fantasy series to me. Which is odd really because Jim Butcher sees that as far more "legitimate" writing than the Dresden Files - which is far more unique and compelling in my opinion.
3rd bit in bold - American Gods is an absolute belter of a book! Heavy going in places, and pretty dark too, but well worth the effort. Neil Gaiman is probably one of the world's greatest living writers in my opinion.
I've bought The Wise Man's Fear, even though I'm only half way through TNotW and I'm already panicking a bit about how I'm going to cope when I've read them both, seeing as the third book is apparently nowhere in sight yet.
Reading it really is an experience not to be missed, imo.
On a different note, I love Harry Dresden. I can't wait for the next one. I'm far fonder of Harry than is reasonable for a fictional character.
I haven't got around to reading he latest one yet - which is unusual for me, in the last couple of years I've leapt all over the new releases as soon as possible.
On an entirely different note - you should check out Jim Butcher's Ice Bucket Challenge!