This past 1.5 years I read the LOTR trilogy, The Hobbit, and just finished 1984. 1984 depressed the fuck out of me but I loved Orwell’s writing style. I wouldn’t say I loved the book overall – won’t spoil anything – but it was a decent read.
LOTR was awesome – but tolkiens style put me to sleep a lot. Many nights in a row I read the same 2 sentences before falling asleep. The guys imagination is absolutely incredible and his detailed flowing style is absolutely unmatched, almost to a fault.
I loved the Dragon Tattoo series, Hunger Games series, Child 41(?) and have read a handful of Stephen King books that I liked a lot.
Anyway, I’m looking for any suggestions that could be similar to those listed above or something completely new. I’d like to go back down the Stephen King road and id be curious to hear what people recommend by him but also open to new stuff. Thanks.
by pizzascholar
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American Gods by Neil Gaiman, I also recommend checking out his other books!
Try some Brandon Sanderson and some Terry Pratchett.
The Dragon Waiting by John M. Ford. Specifically, the Tor Essentials edition, with a forward by Scott Lynch. It’s in like an alternate historical fantasy in which an immortal wizard, an Byzantine mercenary of noble birth, a physician/spy, and a vampire gunsmith conspire to secure the English throne for Richard III.
By Force Alone by Lavie Tidhar. A King Arthur retelling unlike any you’ve ever heard. Absolutely wonderful weird and wild. When I took it back to the library I immediately checked out another book by the same author without having any idea what it was. That other book was Central Station if you’re curious, which I also recommend. Both are a couple of favorites.
The Legends of the Condor Heroes by Jin Yong. This is probably the only one on the list with lore that can really rival Tolkien. Where Tolkien has his languages, Jin Yong has his Kung fu techniques. You’ll want to tell all your friends about The Dragon Subduing Palm and The Competing Hands Technique and the contest at Mount Hua. They are as funny as they are epic, and have some absolutely mouth watering descriptions of food.
Circe by Madeline Miller. The things she can make the Emglish lamguage do will baffle you.
The Book of the New Sun by Gene Wolfe. Prose that will take your breath away.
Swastika Night by Katherine Burdekin. I recommend this to everyone who has read 1984. It was written in the mid 30’s. It’s a dystopian story that takes place 700 years into Hilter’s thousand year reich.
Discworld by Terry Pratchett. I don’t know if Terry Pratchett ever met Tolkien, but after a couple discworld books, you’ll get the sense they they would’ve had alot to talk about. The universal best starting book is Guards! Guards!
Michael J Sullivans – Riyria Chronicles, followed by Riyria Revelations.
The Sword of Truth series by Terry Goodkind.
The Witcher Series by Andrzej Sapkowski – start with The Last Wish.
That should do you for another year 🙂