I need a new series to read

[murphy]

There's always Jim Butcher's Harry Dresden series. Each book is a stand alone, but you should start at the beginning, because they build on each other. The first book is Storm Front, but each book gets better and better. There are 11 out in the series so far and they are very addictive. And I checked, and there are compact disks of the series out.

Also, I second the recommendations for Erikson and Wurts, and you might try the Empire series written by Wurts and Feist. They are Daughter of the Empire, Servant of the Empire and Mistress of the Empire.

[The Imp]

Since we've gotten into TV a bit I'll recommend to you guys Fringe. Very original and very well done. The show it reminds me of most is The X Files

[kauldron26]

as much as i love martin, personally im of the opinion that farseer/tawny man by robin hobb and A crown of stars by kate elliott are far far far superior to asoiaf

[Gambit]

Interesting, I was thinking of requesting Farseer as a christmas gift, I think you've pretty much made up my mind. Thanks

[Bazza]

While I feel bad for hijacking your thread...

Since we've gotten into TV a bit I'll recommend to you guys Fringe. Very original and very well done. The show it reminds me of most is The X Files

I felt I should add that the creator of Fringe, JJ Abrams, also was the creator of Lost.

As for books I haven't found any equal to ASOIAF, however I would second Ender's Game, it was very good and had an unexpected ending. I have not read the sequels however.

Raymond Feist would satisfy half your criteria I would say. Not as descriptive as GRRM and more mainstream fantasy, but I really like the world it described, and fell in love with the characters.

[The Imp]

I really appreciate all the suggestions so far, unfortunately, one criterion, the one about being available in audio form, is lacking in most of them

[Charming Serpent]

I've just thought of a question to ask u, Imp; Why have u chosen audio and not to read the books instead? I think u mentioned living in a rural area, but u obviously have internet access so why not order them on line if distance was the problem??

[murphy]

Many of the Jim Butcher books are in audio format.

[The Imp]

Originally Posted by Charming Serpent

I've just thought of a question to ask u, Imp; Why have u chosen audio and not to read the books instead? I think u mentioned living in a rural area, but u obviously have internet access so why not order them on line if distance was the problem??

I have a degenerative eye disease *Retinitis Pigmentosa)that make it impossible for me to read the small type of most books. I actually enjoy the experience of listening more than reading, assuming the voice actor is up to snuff.

[kauldron26]

actually farseer and tawny man by robin hobb are available on audio... i myself am an audiobook fiend as well. u wont find them in stores anymore tho... all 6 books are on torrent sites for download.

[Prefx]

If you want something more on the literary side, Gene Wolfe's Book of the New Sun "series" is definitely worth reading. I echo past sentiments about Dan Simmons, but would put Hyperion before his other works.

[kauldron26]

the hyperion/endymion by dan simmons omnibus is my favorite piece of fiction ever. as far as im concerned it puts everything else by anyone alive to shame.

why havent more fantasy folks read kate elliots crown of stars???!!! not only is it truly incredible and intimately epic, IT IS COMPLETE!!!

p.s. guy gavriel kay only writes standalone masterpieces....

loved book of the new sun, however make sure u have a gene wolfe encyclopdia while and when ur finished reading it. its the literal definition of a mind****

[Boaz]

Originally Posted by soulsinging

I've always thought the Wire was to tv what Martin is to fantasy. It's very gritty and realistic. Death comes suddenly and without warning. The good guys rarely win and are up against enormous odds. People scheme and stab each other in the back for their own political gain. It is truly an amazing show.

And that helped no one.

LOL! Now that's my kind of post.

kauldron, regadrind you comments about Dan Simmons... I've not read the Hyperion nor the Endymion books. Have you read Ilium and Olympos? If so, would you compare these stories (in terms of depth of story, tension of plots, development of characters, and the believability of cosmology/theology) for me? I'd like to add Hyperion/Endymion to my short list, but I'm always afraid to jump into something that appears not to have fantasy or Greco-Roman/Norse mythological elements. Ilium had more than enough mythological elements to keep me going through the sci-fi. It's not that I don't like sci-fi... it's just that in and of itself, it does not fire my imagination.

[kauldron26]

Originally Posted by soulsinging

I've always thought the Wire was to tv what Martin is to fantasy. It's very gritty and realistic. Death comes suddenly and without warning. The good guys rarely win and are up against enormous odds. People scheme and stab each other in the back for their own political gain. It is truly an amazing show.

And that helped no one.

As to book recommendations, Scott Lynch comes to mind. His books stand alone I think, which is not quite the same as a series. But they are long, descriptive, with convoluted plots and adult themes and language. Very fun, and a fascinating fantasy world. There are 2 books so far.

i never would have thought to find WIRE fans here... jesus that show is probably the greatest american tv production. it is a love story to america. If anything, id say the wire is a dense crime novel of 5 books that just happens to be on tv. however, i have to disagree in comparing martin to the wire, id say he's more along the lines of the shield. which is another great show. I'll have to say the wire is more akin to robin hobb's farseer and tawny man. Like David Simon, Robin Hobb paints her characters with such realism it is heartbreaking.

fans of martin looking for something to read please check out

Hyperion/Endymion by Dan Simmons
Farseer/Tawny Man by Robin Hobb
A Crown of Stars by Kate Elliott
Lions of Al-Rassan by Guy Gavriel Kay
Tigana by Guy Gavriel Kay
A Song for Arbonne by Guy Gavriel Kay
Monarchies of God by Paul Kearney
Book of the new sun by Gene Wolfe
Dune (book one only!)
Curse of the Chalion/Paladin of Souls by Lois McMaster Bujold

[soulsinging]

Originally Posted by kauldron26

i never would have thought to find WIRE fans here... jesus that show is probably the greatest american tv production. it is a love story to america. If anything, id say the wire is a dense crime novel of 5 books that just happens to be on tv. however, i have to disagree in comparing martin to the wire, id say he's more along the lines of the shield. which is another great show. I'll have to say the wire is more akin to robin hobb's farseer and tawny man. Like David Simon, Robin Hobb paints her characters with such realism it is heartbreaking.

I've never seen the Shield, but this makes me want to read Robin Hobb even more than I did before!