SciFi and Fantasy Book Club discussion

I just finished The Wise Man's Fear by Patrick Rothfuss. Rothfuss' writing is

phenomenal, and I can definitively say I loved the book, despite the somewhat

lackluster ending. I wouldn't even necessarily called the "ending" and ending at all.

It was more of a gradual release. I enjoyed the book tremendously, but can't help

but feel dropped unexpectedly after the end. Did anyone else feel this way after

they finished? LOL. Anyways, I was wondering if there were any book

recommendations any of you had for what I should read next. The two most recent

authors I have read have been Sanderson and Rothfuss. So, I can't help but have my

standards set high in my current state. Thanks for reading and any

recommendations you provide!

The sequel, The Wise Man's Fear, is out. I loved the first one too and I agree with you about the ending.

Have you read anything by Brent Weeks? I love his Night Angel Trilogy and The Black Prism. I just got the sequel to that, The Blinding Knife, and I'm going to start it as soon as I reread The Black Prism. So much happened in it that I feel I need the refresher.

I also love Michael J. Sullivan's work. So far he's written Theft of Swords, Rise of Empire, and Heir of Novron. They're a bit lighter than Sanderson and Rothsfuss, but the world building and characterization is fantastic. And the stories are a lot of fun!

I actually have the Black Prism just waiting to be read on my kindle from when I picked it up during a sail. Hmmmm....any other recommendations?

Also...I have read both the Name of the Wind and The Wise Man's Fear in case you misunderstood the thread lol.

Have you tried The Warded Man? It's a really good series, currently waiting for book 3 to be released.

Robert wrote: "I actually have the Black Prism just waiting to be read on my kindle from when I picked it up during a sail. Hmmmm....any other recommendations?

Also...I have read both the Name of the Wind and Th..."

Ugh. I read, "The Wise Man's Fear" as "Name of the Wind." Sorry about that.

How about Steven Erikson?

The Way of Kings looks like it will be a pretty epic series. The first book was good.

The Way of Kings was excellent! It was actually what I read prior to reading the Kingkiller Chronicle books.

In regards to the Warded Man, I've heard it's an entertaining story, but lacks substance and epic scale that is found in other books like the Way of Kings.

Robert wrote: "In regards to the Warded Man, I've heard it's an entertaining story, but lacks substance and epic scale that is found in other books like the Way of Kings. "

Don't believe them. It is definitely on par with the Kingkiller Chronicles. I read the first book of both at the same time.

I loved Warded man too...I cant explain why, I just did...lol

I was thinking Erikson too. It is beyond spectacular in terms of scope. A 10 volume series needs to be to keep the reader interested that long!

After these comments and an endorsement from my cousin, it looks like I'll have to give the warded man my time after all.

Wasn't impressed with the warded man but am looking for something to read whilst waiting for the next book....

Robert, forget the Warded Man. Listen to those telling you about Steven Erikson's The Malazan Book of the Fallen series. It is, hands down, the most amazing work of fantasy literature since The Lord of the Rings. The first book in the series is Gardens of the Moon. If this series doesn't change the way you look at mankind, history, why we worship the things we worship, and exactly what kind of hell you'd endure to perform an act of decency, then you're not reading it carefully enough.

I recently finished The Wise Man's Fear, and though I quite enjoyed it, I too was disappointed with the non-ending. I'm fine with series, but I prefer each novel in the series to be mostly complete. If the gap between #1 and #2 is any indicator, there may be a long wait for #3...

Just began my first encounter with Harry Turtledove (Days of Infamy), and I'm of mixed emotions over it so far(and after I started it I read, somewhere on this forum, I believe, that it is very much a Part 1 novel. Sigh...

I've just bought tad Williams shadowmarch, anybody read it?

I'd recommend Mark Hodder's Burton and Swinburne series - I've just started the 1st one, The Strange Affair of Spring Heeled Jack, and can't wait to read the rest of it and get the other books in the series. I know that 2 more are already out with another out in August this year. He also has another book that isn't part of the Burton and Swinburne stuff - I think its called A Red Sun Also Rises and that looks really good as well.

I felt the same way about The Wise Man's Fear. It was good, and I enjoyed it. But the ending left me flat. I'm glad to know I'm not alone. :) Still, it's worth reading.

Love Rothfuss. Tapping my toe and checking my watch as I wait for the next one. I've been reading YA stuff lately, and feel a little "dirty" and cheap because of it. I loved the Iron Druid Chronicles, though they are much lighter fare. And if you like those, try the Zero Sight books by Justin Shier :). Easy to read and fun :)

Sonja wrote: "I've just bought tad Williams shadowmarch, anybody read it?"



Only read one book by Williams - The War of the Flowers - couldn't finish it. DNF.

Stan wrote: "Robert, forget the Warded Man. Listen to those telling you about Steven Erikson's The Malazan Book of the Fallen series. It is, hands down, the most amazing work of fantasy literature since The L..."

Yes definitely go read that. It's absolutely terrific. One of the best series I've read.

Robert wrote: "After these comments and an endorsement from my cousin, it looks like I'll have to give the warded man my time after all."

Not sure what facets of fantasy you like. If you want to dwell on theory of the world and detailed worldbuilding, Warded man is ok, but if you like characterization, to root for a character, a pulpish but something that would stir you up - you need to try 'The Lies Of Locke Lamora'. Its one of my all time favs from characterization pov.

I *loved* "The Lies of Locke Lamora." Not so much magic-ish fantasy, but the world is interesting (influenced by renaissance Italy) and the characters are amazing! And it has one of my favorite laugh-out-loud moments in fantasy. Second book, "Red Seas Under Red Skies" is amazing too, and the third book, "Republic if Thieves" is finally out! :-D

And the Malazan Book of the Fallen series (what I've read of it, at least - through book 4) is also amazing. Blows the other big fantasy series (Wheel of Time, Song of Ice and Fire, Sword of Truth) right out of the water.

Sonja wrote: "I've just bought tad Williams shadowmarch, anybody read it?"

I really liked his Shadowmarch series, Sonja. While I was not excited about A Wise Man's Fear at all. I thought the story went down hill after his encounter with the sex goddess. The rest of the book struck me as one long training sequence from a B-movie, only Kvothe learned sex-fu.

Kyra wrote: "I *loved* "The Lies of Locke Lamora." Not so much magic-ish fantasy, but the world is interesting (influenced by renaissance Italy) and the characters are amazing! And it has one of my favorite lau..."

I just bought Lies of Locke Lamora and looking forward to reading it, Kyra. I've heard a lot of good things about it.

Stations of the Tide by Michael Swanwick

Sabrina wrote: "I really liked his Shadowmarch series, Sonja. While I was not excited about A Wise Man's Fear at all. I thought the story went down hill after his encounter with the sex goddess. The rest of the book struck me as one long training sequence from a B-movie, only Kvothe learned sex-fu."

Oh my god. I thought I was the only one who felt this way about Wise Man's Fear. I loved the first book, but the second one was so disappointing. Also, as a martial artist myself, I found Rothfuss's descriptions utterly false, and no one becomes as proficient as Kvothe seems to in such a short period of time. Since Kvothe now seems to be excellent at everything he tries to do (except, maybe, at talking to the one girl he cares about), it's hard for me to care about him.

Stan wrote: Oh my god. I thought I was the only one who felt this way about Wise Man's Fear. I loved the first book, but the second one was so disappointing. Also, as a martial artist myself, I found Rothfuss's descriptions utterly false, and no one becomes as proficient as Kvothe seems to in such a short period of time.

Oh, don't get me started on Denna. Grr. Rothfuss has an amazing writing style IMO, but the plot, especially in Wise Man's Fear just fell apart. His writing style and the much yearned for moment when Denna meets her doom, will keep me reading the series though.

Kyra wrote: "I *loved* "The Lies of Locke Lamora." Not so much magic-ish fantasy, but the world is interesting (influenced by renaissance Italy) and the characters are amazing! And it has one of my favorite lau..."

I would most definitely second this. Great and fun read, lots of twists and turns, great dialogue. The other two in the series have been entertaining as well.

I have loved both books in the series so far, and am eagerly awaiting the next installment, hopefully this year.

What I disliked about The Wise Man's Fear was the present day sub-plot. Its frustrating to be reading about how awesome Kvothe is only to know that in real time he is kind of worthless.

Jake wrote: "What I disliked about The Wise Man's Fear was the present day sub-plot. Its frustrating to be reading about how awesome Kvothe is only to know that in real time he is kind of worthless."

haha, yeah, that was pretty bothersome especially when he gets faced in the inn. Was really hoping for some butt whoppin to go on there. Hoping some of why he's so different now as opposed to then comes out in the third book.

For me the present day plot was the best part of the book. The big question that i can't wait for the third book to answer is why he is now like this, as opposed to being how he is in the flashback sections. I also thought that the present day sections added some much needed humanity to a character who is sometimes in danger of being "too awesome". It is good to see that he is a falible character and something has obviously gone wrong (or he has made a mistake) for him to now be the person that he is.

"I also thought that the present day sections added some much needed humanity to a character who is sometimes in danger of being "too awesome". It is good to see that he is a falible character and something has obviously gone wrong (or he has made a mistake) for him to now be the person that he is."

Exactly! I am much more interested in the Kvothe who is hiding out than the over-achiever who can do no wrong (except pining after Denna - why?!).