The Prince of Nothing/The Darkness that Comes Before

[stip]

And finally, who has read these books? It's right up there with Kingkiller/Song of Ice and Fire/Malazan for me.

[epilogue]

No idea.

[stip]

Another really dark series. Written by a guy with a background in philosophy, and the books try to show that off sometimes. It's another hugely epic fantasy series, but refreshingly only has like 4 major characters, so you really get to know them well, and they are excellent characterizations. Some of the most interesting people I've ever read about. Plus the books feature by far and away the most compelling rationale for the evil 'we are trying to bring about the apocalypse' bad guys that often populate these kinds of stories that i've ever read.

[Anders]

The first book has been near the top of my to read pile for years, but never got around to it. I will read it in 2014. Promise.

[stip]

The series is amazing. I'd take the first 3 books over any 3 books in malazan or song of fire and ice. King Killer will likely be better.

He's started a second trilogy taking place 20 years after the first with the surviving characters, continuing the storyline. It's still really good, but clearly a step down from the first. Not as consistent as Malazan or even song of fire and ice (whose best days may be behind it)

[epilogue]

WHICH ONE DO YOU LIKE THE BEST STIP JESUS

[Anders]

I read Song of Ice and Fire in 2008, and it was a great experience. Like Pearl Jam releasing a great new album. That's when I bought The Darkness That Comes Before, because I read from various sources that the series could compete with it. Don't know why I never got started, I usually read a couple of books each month. I'll keep your words in mind.

I started on Magician: Apprentice by Raymond E. Feist a few days ago. On page 121 now. Pleasant so far, only perhaps too much. Since Malazan and ASOIAF it's not a story unless someone nice dies.

[stip]

WHICH ONE DO YOU LIKE THE BEST STIP JESUS

Finally, the chance to rank something in A+E.


1. Malzan book of the Fallen
2. The Kingkiller Chronicles (will likely become number 1 once it is finished)
3. The Prince of Nothing
4. Song of Fire and Ice

All are fantastic, however.

[bada]

Ever read Stephen King's The Dark Tower series Stip?

[stip]

I did a few years ago, at the recommendation of a good friend. I like parts of it, and actually liked the ending, but the series was a bit too meta, and frankly is one of those series that may have been groundbreaking at the time but has been utterly outclassed by some of the things that have followed.

[stip]

I hope some of this stuff gives you some context for my feelings about Tolkien, bada.

[bada]

I did a few years ago, at the recommendation of a good friend. I like parts of it, and actually liked the ending, but the series was a bit too meta, and frankly is one of those series that may have been groundbreaking at the time but has been utterly outclassed by some of the things that have followed.

Oh...

[Anders]

I just mentioned it in another thread, but how about The First Law by Joe Abercrombie?

[epilogue]

I goddamn LOVE the Dark Tower series.

[stip]

I just mentioned it in another thread, but how about The First Law by Joe Abercrombie?

That's a really fun series. The three follow up books are also excellent as well. I'd say the same about The Lies of Locke Lamora series, too (think a darker Oceans 11 set in a fantasy background). I'd rank those two just below the big 4 only because I do like it when the stuff I'm reading has something larger and more interesting to say, and while Abercrombie has great characters and really appealing stories in the end they are just stories, and so feel disposable in a way some of these other books may not (well, I'm not sure what the larger message of Kingkiller is yet, but those are just such ridiculously well written books that I don't care)

9 fingers is the second best take on the barbarian archetype I've read. The best is in Prince of Nothing.

[Heathen]

WHICH ONE DO YOU LIKE THE BEST STIP JESUS

Tough one. I'm gonna go with Jesus.

[Anders]

You are well read. Have you read Blood Song by Anthony Ryan, or The Way Of Kings by Brandon Sanderson? Those are near the top of my to read pile, and I keep hearing good things about them.

[epilogue]

WHICH ONE DO YOU LIKE THE BEST STIP JESUS

Tough one. I'm gonna go with Jesus.

Stip is way better than Jesus.

[stip]

You are well read. Have you read Blood Song by Anthony Ryan, or The Way Of Kings by Brandon Sanderson? Those are near the top of my to read pile, and I keep hearing good things about them.

I haven't

[stip]

WHICH ONE DO YOU LIKE THE BEST STIP JESUS

Tough one. I'm gonna go with Jesus.

Stip is way better than Jesus.

neither one of us liked being jewish