ZNAK SAGITE — više od fantastike — edicija, časopis, knjižara...

Budući da nam se bliži dodela Oskara, red bi bio da se prozbori koja glede toga koji su to najbolji naslovi nama drage žanrovske knjževnosti a objavljeni tokom prethodne kalendarske godine. Prilikom odabira tih naslova, razvrstanih po žanrovskim kategorijama, vodio sam se time da reć mora biti isključivo o romanima koji otpočinju neki serijal, ili stoje sami za sebe. Razlog zbog kojeg sam se na to rešio jeste činjenica da etablirani serijali već imaju verne poklonike i najčešće ne donose ama baš ništa novo. Uz svakog pobednika navešću i po dva najbliža konkurenta. Naravno, voleo bih da čujem još nečija mišljenja u vezi sa ovim spiskom, naročito stoga što jedan čovek jednostavno ne može da proprati sve naslove u svim žanrovima i podžanrovima. Here it goes...

Fentezi:

1.   Maledicte, Lane Robins (Del Rey)

Obrazloženje: Roman prvenac, prelepo napisan i posve originalan. Za razliku od većine romana epske fantastike, uopšte nije epski, već krajnje ličan i intiman. Čita se kao šekspirovska tragedija – sa potpuno neočekivanim razrešenjem.

Najbliži konkurenti:

2.   The Name of the Wind, Patrick Rothfuss (DAW; Gollancz)
3.   Ysabel, Guy Gavriel Kay (Viking Canada; Roc)


SF:

1.   Brasyl, Ian McDonald (Pyr; Gollancz)

Obrazloženje: Veličanstven roman, koji pomera granice žanra. Teško mi je da nađem reči kojima bih opravdao svoju odlku, a da ne pokvarim užitak u čitanju nekome ko se ovog romana još nije dočepao – pa stoga neću razglabati.

Najbliži konkurenti:

2.   Black Man, Richard Morgan (Gollancz; Del Rey as Thirteen)
3.   Undertow, Elizabeth Bear (Bantam Spectra)


Urban Fentezi/Dark fentezi:

   Primedba: Znam da će mi mnogi zameriti što sam posebno izdvojio ovaj podžanr(ove), ali u okviru njega objavljuje se svake godine sve više naslova i debituje sve više novih pisaca, pa se ovakvo rešenje jednostavno nameće.

1.   Blood Engines, T. A. Pratt (Bantam Spectra)

Obrazloženje: Osnovni razlog zašto sam ovaj naslov izdvojio kao prvi jeste primetno odsustvo romantike. Silni klonovi Lorel Hamilton obično se drže njenog šablona (otud i jesu klonovi, zar ne?), tako da u svim tim romanima čitalac neprestano prati ljubavne jade mladih vampira, vukodlaka, demona i sličnih živuljki. Ovaj naslov je osvežavajući. Nema ljubakanja.


Najbliži konkurenti:

2.   New Amsterdam, Elizabeth Bear (Subterranean Press)
Primedba: Ovaj naslov našao bi se na prvom mestu, samo da nije nekoliko sitnica na silu umetnutih u tok radnje, koje ne služe ama baš ničemu.
3.   Blood Magic: Book One Of The Ballad Of Kirin Widowmaker (The Ballad of Kirin Widowmaker), Matthew Cook (Juno Books)


Horor

1.   20th Century Ghosts, Joe Hill (William Morrow)

Obrazloženje: Da, ovo je zbirka priča, a ne roman – ali je najbolja žanrovska zbirka koju sam čitao. još od one Majkla Maršala Smita (čijeg naslova trenutno ne mogu da se setim). Sem toga, da 20th Century Ghosts nije na prvom mestu, bila stavka broj dva.


Najbliži konkurenti:

2.   Heart-Shaped Box, Joe Hill (Morrow; Gollancz)
3.   Duma Key, Stephen King (Scribner)



Eto... Sad, nemoguće je ispratiti sve te silne naslove i pisce, kako stare tako i nove, stoga navalite sa ispravkama i dopunama (naročito u delu horora, koji mi je ' priznajem, slaba tačka).

Jebote, taj Ian Mek Donald već više od jedne decenije pomera granice žanra. Moraću da ga nađem i da ga polomim...

Dobro, znam da je klise - ali zbog toga izjava nije nista manje tacna (a ja jos i ne volem bas toliko hard sf).

Obecao sam jednom kolegi forumasu da cu sastaviti spisak najboljih naslova iz 2007. godine, koji su deo nekog etabliranog serijala. Pa da pocnem:

Fentezi:

1.   Ink, Hal Duncan (Macmillan UK; Del Rey)

Obrazloženje: Mastilo nikako nije cist fentezi i pre bi se moglo reci da potpada pod slipstrim kategoriju, ali ipak sam se resio da ga ovde strpam, najvise stoga sto mi se cini da se razlike medju zanrovima sve vise brisu, te da se na neki nacin vracamo u pedesete godine proslog veka, kada je sve bilo SF, bez obzira na to da li glavni junak vitla macem ili laserskim pistoljem. Zanrovi se opet priblizavaju, samo sto ce – verovatno – sve biti "fantastika". Elem, Mastilo je roman sa gomilom problema. Uzasno zamrsen, nekonzistentan, predugacak... Medjutim, koncept na kojem Mastilo pociva – kao i njegov prethodnik – tako je zanimljiv i zamrsen da jednostavno zasluzuje da se nadje na prvom mestu najboljih nastavaka 2007. godine. REc je o naslovu koji nije bas reader-friendly. Citalac mora da se poprilicno potrudi da bi ga pratio – ali, vredi. Ako nista drugo, a ono zbog cinjenice da bi pokojni Robert Dzordan od Mastila napisao deset romana, minimum.


Najbliži konkurenti:

2.   Ironside, Holly Black (McElderry)
3.   The Well of Ascension (Mistborn, Book 2), Brandon Sanderson (Tor)


SF:

1.   Axis, Robert Charles Wilson (Tor)

Obrazloženje: Da se razumemo, Vilsona ne ljubim ni izbliza koliko Makdonalda, recimo, ali ovo je ipak nastavak roman koji je dobio Huga. Enivejz, Hugo ili ne, hard kor SF kakav se retko vidja.

Najbliži konkurenti:

2.   Ha'Penny, Jo Walton (Tor)
3.   Queen of Candesce, Karl Schroeder (Tor)


Urban Fentezi/Dark fentezi:

1.   Whiskey and Water, Elizabeth Bear (Roc)

Obrazloženje: Sjajno zamesateljstvo, koje preskace zanrovske granice. Malo urban fentezija, malo dark fentezija, malo alternativne istorije (koja mi je slaba tacka). Otud prvo mesto na listi nastavaka.

Najbliži konkurenti:

2.   Engineer Trilogy: Devices and Desires / Evil for Evil / The Escapement, K. J. Parker (Orbit UK; Orbit US)
3.   The Mirador, Sarah Monette (Ace Hardcover)

U nastavku najboljih naslova objavljenih u 2007. godini, malo cu odstupiti od naslova teme – i pozabaviti se knjigama koje su svetlost dana ugledale nesto ranije, ili nesto kasnije. Razlog tome je sto se uvelikopriprema izlazak na srpsko knjizevno trziste jednog od tih naslova. Rec je o romanu Sumrak, spisateljice Stefani Mejer. Ovim naslovom detaljnije cu se pozabaviti u prikazu za Popboks, ali to ne znaci da ne mogu da pridodam jos jednu stavku Nightflier's BEST OV DE BEST listi. Rec je, naravno, o kniizevnosti za decu i omladinu, ili kako se to na srpskom kaze, Young Adoult Literature.
Ocigledno je da se pre jedno dve godine neko setio da su nekadasnji klinci sto su  citali prvog Harija Potera sada vec debelo zagazili u tinejdzersku dob, te je receni neko pohitao da iskoristi vec postojecu brojnu publiku, zeljnu mracnije i seksipilnije fantazije. To je dovelo do bujice romana sa tinejdzerskim vampirima, demonima, vukodlacima, vesticama i ostalim karakondzulama kao protagonistima. Za sada se u toj silesiji izdvaja nekoliko autora, sa svojim ciklusima.

Young Adoult:

1.   The Twilight Saga, Stephenie Meyer (Little, Brown Young Readers)

Obrazloženje: Najpre, ovo ce se ubrzo pojaviti i u nasim knjizarama, a u izdanju Evro-Djuntija, novog izdavaca Harija Potera. Sem toga, Mejerovoj je poslo za rukom da napise roman o tinejdzerskim vapirima (koji, naravno, to nisu – mislim, tinejdzeri), a da sve to ne ispadne bljutavo. Dalje obrazlagati necu, posto – kao sto vec rekoh – nameravam da napisem nesto opsirniji prikaz prvog romana ovog serijala, koji za sada broji cetiri naslova.

Najbliži konkurenti:

2.   City of Bones, Cassandra Clare (Simon Pulse)
3.   Marked, PC Cast & Kristin Cast (St. Martin's Griffin)

Voleo bih da jos neko postavi svoje liste favorita za proslu godinu, a i za ovu - zasto da ne...

Buduci da se na srpskom knjizevnom trzistu najvise trosi americka roba, dosetio sam se da dam kakav-takav pregled zanrovskih autora iz drugih zemalja. Pocecu od australijske fantastike, najvise stoga sto je Boban pre izvesnog vremena jedan broj Znaka Sagite (poslednji objavljeni) posvetio upravo Australijskoj zanrovskoj knjizevnosti. Inace, ova lista bice posvecena iskljucivo epskoj fantastici i srodnim podzanrovima (kasnije cu postovati za SF), a i razlikovace se malo po formi od prethodnih.


Nightflier's BEST OV DE BEST Australians Part One:

1.   The Etched City, K.J. Bishop (Spectra)

Obrazloženje: Najpre Kirsten Bisop je jedan od najmladjih pisaca fantastike za koje znam. Rodjena je tek 1972. godine, sto je cini prakticno dojecentom. Sem toga, zahvaljujuci urednickom uticaju Zorana Zivkovica, Moc knjige je pre nekoliko godina objavila njen roman-prvenac u istoj ediciji kao i Mjevilovu Stanicu Perdido, te se moze citati i na nasem jeziku. The Etched City je dark fentezi i puno me podseca na prve tri knjige Kingove Mracne kule – na najbolji nacin. Potpuno je dekadentan, antiherojski nastrojen i iscasen. Prava knjiga da oraspolozi coveka kada je snuzden. Inace, roman je 2004. nominovan za World Fantasy Award.

2.   The Black Magician Trilogy, Trudi Canavan (Eos)

Obrazloženje: Jos jedna relativno mlada spisateljica (1969. godiste), Trudi Kanavan takodje moze da se cita na srpskom jeziku, a u izdanju Alnarija. Sem trilogije Black Magician, Kanavanova  je napisala i trilogiju The Age of the Five, koja ce se takodje pojaviti na nasem jeziku, a u blizoj buducnosti. Kanavanova je zanatski dobor potkovan pisac, mada ne donosi bogzna sta novo u zanr. Uglavnom se bavi sukobom sa autoritetima  i licnim sazrevanjem.

3.   The Bitterbynde Trilogy, Cecilia Dart-Thornton  (Tor)
Obrazloženje: Pored ove trilogije, Dart-Torntonova ima jos i The Crowthistle Chronicles. Pise krajnje lirskim stilom, zahtevnim za citaoca i sluzi se konstrukcijom nalik na pregrimovske evropske bajke, kako recenicnom, tako i kada je rec o strukturi romana. Iako su njena dela teska za citanje, vrede ulozenog truda.

4.   The Wayfarer Redemption, Sara Douglass (Tor)
Obrazloženje: Daglasovu najvise volim zbog Rojovih ilustracija. To je zakljucak do kojeg sam dosao nakon zavrsenog poslednjeg romana u ovom sestoknjizju. Daglasova pricu pocinje sjajno, medjutim primetan je pad kvaliteta pripovedanja nakon trece knjige. Kao i kod vecine australijskih autora (valjda je to zbog vode koju piju), svet kroz koji se protagonisti romana Sare Daglas krecu bizaran je i cudnovat.

5.   The Hythrun Chronicles, Jennifer Fallon (Tor)
Obrazloženje: Jos jedna nesvakidasnja epska fantastika, koja se odlikuje brojnim motivima tzv. dark fentezija, ali ipak ne prevaze na tu stranu. Zanimljiv pisac, cije romane valja procitati. Iako nije medju mojim omiljenim autorima, daleko je zanimljivija od – recimo – Trudi Kanavan. Sem Hitrinskih letopisa, Falonova je napisala i trilogiju The Second Sons

6.   The Witches of Eileanan, Kate Forsyth (Roc)
Obrazloženje: Moja miljenica kada je rec o australijskim piscima epske fantastike. Zanatski valjano potkovana, sjajno se sluzi motivima preuzetim iz irskog i velskog folklora, a sve da bi izatkala sjajnu potku i ispripovedala izvanrednu pricu. Uzivanje je citati njene romane.

Cisto da najavim, tek cu sutra postaviti ostatak teksta. Potom slede BotB Kanadjani i Paranormal Romances.

Nightflier's BEST OV DE BEST Australians Part Two:


1.   The Quickening Thrilogy, Fiona Mcintosh (Eos)

Obrazlozenje: Mada ima jos objavljenih naslova, ova trilogija je svakako Makintoskino najpoznatije socinjenije, koje ju je i prosavilo na americkom trzistu – sto znaci i svetskom. Po mom misljenju, Fiona Makintos je jedan od zapostavljenih fentezi autora. Odnosno, iz ko zna kojih razloga, nije joj poslo za rukom da dosegne slavu Trudi Kanavan ili Garta Niksa, mada to svakako zasluzuje.

2.   The Moonworlds Saga, Sean Mcmullen (Tor)

Obrazlozenje: Makmalen je daleko poznatiji po svojim SF naslovima, ali svakako zasluzuje da se pomene i kao jedan od najvecih "mladih" fentezi talenata koje australijska, pa i svetska epska fantastika ima. Na Makmalenovom primeru najbolje se vidi zasto su americke izdavacke kuce pribegle masovnoj regrutaciji australijskih pisaca.

3.   The Seventh Tower, Garth Nix (Scholastic)

Obrazlozenje: Svakako najbolji australijski pisac fentezija. Na srpskom jeziku moze da se cita u izdanju Narodne knjige. Naravno, rec je o njegovoj trilogiji Abhorsen. Veoma inovativan pisac, divnog stila, u svojim romanima prevashodno se obraca mladjoj publici. Ovo je autor koji zasluzuje da ga zadesi sve ono sto je zadesilo Roulingovu – ali verovatno nece, posto je mnogo bolji pisac.

4.   Giants of the Frost, Kim Wilkins (Grand Central Publishing)

Obrazlozenje: Nezasluzeno nezapazena spisateljica. Imala je zlehudu srecu da se njena americka premijera zadesi istovremeno sa pravom navalom romana vec etabliranih autora. U Australiji je velika zvezda, ali nije joj poslo za rukom da taj status stekne i u SAD. Razlog tome pre treba traziti u njenom americkom izdavacu, nego li u njenom pisanju.

5.   Books of the Cataclysm, Sean Williams (Pyr)

Obrazlozenje: Vilijams je daleko poznatiji po svojim SF romanima, pa cu ga detaljnije predstaviti kada se budem pozabavio listom SF autora, ali vredi ga pomenuti i ovde, ako ni zbog ceg drugog, a ono stoga da bi se pokazalo koliko su australijski pisci svestrani – i nastrani. Nikako se ne sme propustiti i zasluzuje mesto na polici svakog ljubitelja zanra.


Zakljucak: Iako sam sve ove naslove manje-vise citao po nekoliko puta, ni sam nisam bio svestan bogatstva australijske fantastike, dok nisam sastavio ovaj spisak. Ostaje mi samo da svima preporucim da makar prelistaju nesto od ovde pomenutih naslova – kao i poslednji broj Znaka Sagite, koji se bavi australijskom fantastikom.

Danas izašle nominacije za HUGA! Kompletna lista je ovde - obratiti pažnju na boldovano.

2008 Hugo Nomination List

Best Novel

The Yiddish Policeman's Union by Michael Chabon (HarperCollins, Fourth Estate)
Brasyl by Ian McDonald (Gollancz; Pyr)
Rollback by Robert J. Sawyer (Tor; Analog Oct. 2006-Jan/Feb. 2007)
The Last Colony by John Scalzi (Tor)
Halting State by Charles Stross (Ace; Orbit)

Best Novella

"Fountains of Age" by Nancy Kress (Asimov's July 2007)
"Recovering Apollo 8" by Kristine Kathryn Rusch (Asimov's Feb. 2007)
"Stars Seen Through Stone" by Lucius Shepard (F&SF July 2007)
"All Seated on the Ground" by Connie Willis (Asimov's Dec. 2007; Subterranean Press)
"Memorare" by Gene Wolfe (F&SF April 2007)

Best Novelette

"The Cambist and Lord Iron: a Fairytale of Economics" by Daniel Abraham (Logorrhea ed. by John Klima, Bantam)
"The Merchant and the Alchemist's Gate" by Ted Chiang (F&SF Sept. 2007)
"Dark Integers" by Greg Egan (Asimov's Oct./Nov. 2007)
"Glory" by Greg Egan (The New Space Opera, ed. by Gardner Dozois and Jonathan Strahan, HarperCollins/Eos)
"Finisterra" by David Moles (F&SF Dec. 2007)

Best Short Story

"Last Contact" by Stephen Baxter (The Solaris Book of New Science Fiction, ed. by George Mann, Solaris Books)
"Tideline" by Elizabeth Bear (Asimov's June 2007)
"Who's Afraid of Wolf 359?" by Ken MacLeod (The New Space Opera, ed. by Gardner Dozois and Jonathan Strahan, HarperCollins/Eos)
"Distant Replay" by Mike Resnick (Asimov's May-June 2007)
"A Small Room in Koboldtown" by Michael Swanwick (Asimov's May-June 2007; The Dog Said Bow-Wow,Tachyon Publications)

Best Related Book

The Company They Keep: C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien as Writers in Community by Diana Glyer; appendix by David Bratman (Kent State University Press)
Breakfast in the Ruins: Science Fiction in the Last Millennium by Barry Malzberg (Baen)
Emshwiller: Infinity x Two by Luis Ortiz, intro. by Carol Emshwiller, fwd. by Alex Eisenstien (Nonstop)
Brave New Words: the Oxford Dictionary of Science Fiction by Jeff Prucher (Oxford University Press)
The Arrival by Shaun Tan (Arthur A. Levine/Scholastic)

Best Dramatic Presentation, Long Form

Enchanted Written by Bill Kelly, Directed by Kevin Lima (Walt Disney Pictures)
The Golden Compass Written by Chris Weitz, Based on the novel by Philip Pullman, Directed by Chris Weitz (New Line Cinema)
Heroes, Season 1, Created by Tim Kring (NBC Universal Television and Tailwind Productions Written by Tim Kring, Jeff Loeb, Bryan Fuller, Michael Green, Natalie Chaidez, Jesse Alexander, Adam Armus, Aron Eli Coleite, Joe Pokaski, Christopher Zatta, Chuck Kim, Directed by David Semel, Allan Arkush, Greg Beeman, Ernest R. Dickerson, Paul Shapiro, Donna Deitch, Paul A. Edwards, John Badham, Terrence O'Hara, Jeannot Szwarc, Roxann Dawson, Kevin Bray, Adam Kane
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix Written by Michael Goldenberg, Based on the novel by J.K. Rowling, Directed by David Yates (Warner Bros. Pictures)
Stardust Written by Jane Goldman & Matthew Vaughn, Based on the novel by Neil Gaiman, Directed by Matthew Vaughn (Paramount Pictures)

Best Dramatic Presentation, Short Form

Battlestar Galactica "Razor" written by Michael Taylor, directed by Félix Enríquez Alcalá and Wayne Rose (Sci Fi Channel) (televised version, not DVD)
Dr. Who "Blink" written by Stephen Moffat, directed by Hettie Macdonald (BBC)
Dr. Who "Human Nature" / "Family of Blood" written by Paul Cornell, directed by Charles Palmer (BBC)
Star Trek New Voyages "World Enough and Time" written by Michael Reaves & Marc Scott Zicree, directed by Marc Scott Zicree (Cawley Entertainment Co. and The Magic Time Co.)
Torchwood "Captain Jack Harkness" written by Catherine Tregenna, directed by Ashley Way (BBC Wales)

Best Professional Editor, Short Form

Ellen Datlow (The Year's Best Fantasy and Horror (St. Martin's), Coyote Road (Viking), Inferno (Tor))
Stanley Schmidt (Analog)
Jonathan Strahan (The New Space Opera (Eos/HarperCollins), The Best Science Fiction and Fantasy of the Year, Volume 1 (Night Shade), Eclipse One (NightShade)
Gordon Van Gelder (The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction)
Sheila Williams (Asimov's Science Fiction)

Best Professional Editor, Long Form

Lou Anders (Pyr)
Ginjer Buchanan (Ace/Roc)
David G. Hartwell (Senior Editor, Tor/Forge)
Beth Meacham (Tor)
Patrick Nielsen Hayden (Tor)

Best Professional Artist

Bob Eggleton (Covers: To Outlive Eternity and Other Stories (Baen), Ivory (Pyr), & The Taint and Other Stories (Subterranean))
Phil Foglio (Covers: Robert Asprin's Myth Adventures, Vol. 2 (Meisha Merlin), What's New (Dragon Magazine Aug. 2007, Girl Genius Vol. 6-Agatha Heterodyne & the Golden Trilobite (Airship Entertainment))
John Harris (Covers: Spindrift (Ace), Horizons (Tor), The Last Colony (Tor))
Stephan Martiniere (Covers: Brasyl (Pyr), Mainspring (Tor), Dragons of Babel (Tor))
John Picacio (Covers: Fast Forward 2 (Pyr), Time's Child (HarperCollins/Eos), A Thousand Deaths (Golden Gryphon))
Shaun Tan

Best Semiprozine

Ansible edited by David Langford
Helix edited by William Sanders and Lawrence Watt-Evans
Interzone edited by Andy Cox
Locus edited by Charles N. Brown, Kirsten Gong-Wong, & Liza Groen Trombi
The New York Review of Science Fiction, edited by Kathryn Cramer, Kristine Dikeman, David Hartwell & Kevin J. Maroney

Best Fanzine

Argentus edited by Steven H Silver
Challenger edited by Guy Lillian III
Drink Tank edited by Chris Garcia
File 770 edited by Mike Glyer
PLOKTA edited by Alison Scott, Steve Davies, & Mike Scott

Best Fan Writer

Chris Garcia
David Langford
Cheryl Morgan
John Scalzi
Steven H Silver

Best Fan Artist

Brad Foster
Teddy Harvia
Sue Mason
Steve Stiles
Taral Wayne

John W. Campbell Award for Best New Science Fiction Writer

An award for the best new writer whose first work of science fiction or fantasy appeared during 2006 or 2007 in a professional publication. Sponsored by Dell Magazines.

Joe Abercrombie (2nd year of eligibility)
Jon Armstrong (1st year of eligibility)
David Anthony Durham (1st year of eligibility)
David Louis Edelman (2nd year of eligibility)
Mary Robinette Kowal (2nd year of eligibility)
Scott Lynch (2nd year of eligibility)

Hehe, izgleda da sam pogodio Huga. Procenu jedino moze da mi pokvari The Yiddish Policeman's Union, ali njega dozivljavam pre kao alternativnu istoriju, nego sf.

Dok jos nismo odmakli predaleko od Australije, zeleo bih da skrenem paznju na Margo Lanagan. Procitao sam samo zbirku prica Black Juice, koja je dobila World Fantasy Award, i tu je, po kvalitetu, rame uz rame sa Etched City, koliko god da je poredjenje uopste i moguce.

nju nisam pominjao, posto uglavnom pise kratke price i knjizevnost namenjenu deci i omladini, ali svakako zavredjuje da se procita...

Dakle, Kanadjani dodjose na red. Za onoliku zemlju, nemaju nesto preterano puno pisaca fantazijske knjizevnosti, ali to nadoknadjuju kvalitetom (od strane jednih) i kvantitetom (od strane drugih) dela koja su ti pisci objavili. Bez neke posebne podele na zanrove i podzanrove, znaci - ukljucujuci SF - sledi Nightflier's BEST OV DE BEST Canadians Part One:


1.   The Penelopiad, Margaret Atwood (Canongate)


Obrazlozenje: Nekoga ce mozda iznenaditi sto se Atvudova nasla na spisku zanrovskih autora – ali ne i prave poznavaoce. Sem sto je dobitnik Bukerove nagrade, dobila je i Klarkovu, sto joj svakako daje puni legitimitet zanrovskog autora – mada joj to i nije potrebno. Atvudova je medju najcenjenijim piscima danasnjice, a i vrsna je pesnikinja. Na srpskom jeziku moze da se cita u izdanju Lagune i Narodne knjige. Narocito preporucujem roman Antilopa i kosac.


2.   The Prince of Nothing, R. Scott Bakker (Overlook)


Obrazlozenje: Retkost medju piscima fantastike, Bejker je zavrsio knjizevnost, magistrirao, pa onda umalo doktorirao filozofiju. To se i vidi u njegovim delima. Za sada ima samo gore pomenutu trilogiju, ali dobro je poodmakao sa prvim romanom u narednoj.


3.   Trade Pact, Julie E. Czerneda (DAW)

Obrazlozenje: Relativno plodna spisateljica, koju neki dozivljavaju kao naslednicu Ursule Legvin (mada je daleko od cveta mladosti). Dobitnik je nagrade Prix Aurora, a bila je nominovana i za Huga i za Nebulu. Tesko da ce ih dobiti, doduse, posto joj dosta zameraju na komercijalnosti. Pise SF i jos se nije odlucula da uplovi u fentezi vode. Njenim knjigama primamile su me Rojove ilustracije...


4.   Moonheart, Charles de Lint (Orb Books)

Obrazlozenje: Jako mastovit pisac, sa veoma velikim brojem objavljenih romana, prica, eseja i clanaka u raznim casopisima. Veoma dobar zanatlija, uvek originalan jer se poigrava raznim motivima, od mitologije americkih urodjenika, pa do keltskih legendi. Must Read.

Inace, izvinjavam se zbog ovog parcelisanja, ali tako mi je lakse i brze, posto ove liste sastavljam u pauzama izmedju prevodjenja. Mislim da je bolje da se vidi bar deo, nego da se ceka citav tekst.

Eh, nastavak Kanadjana, posle sto godina. Izvinite zbog cekanja svi vi kojima je ovo zanimljivo... Poslovne obaveze u sprezi sa migrenom cuda cine. Elem, Part Two:



1.   The Alchemist's Apprentice, Dave Duncan (Ace)

Obrazlozenje: Dankan je poznatiji po svojim ciklusima The Seventh Swordsman i The King's Blades – narocito ovom potonjem. Nije rec o knjizevnoj velicini, ali zabavan je to pisac, kojeg se vredi dohvatiti u nedostatku neceg pamatnijeg.

2.   Malazan Book of the Fallen, Steven Erikson (Bantam)

Obrazlozenje: Jedan od mojih omiljenih pisaca i – po meni – najbolji kanadski pisac epske fantastike i najbolji pisac military fantasy-a u svetskim razmerama. Suroviji od Martina, detaljniji od Dzordana, dinamicniji od spanske serije. O njegovim kvalitetima dovoljno govori cinjenica da niko nije ni pokusao da ga oponasa. Pre tri godine sam preveo prvu knjigu za Alnari, ali nije objavljena zbog problema sa pravima. Trebalo bi da je Laguna objavi tokom ove godine (nazalost, ne sa originalnim koricama), ali ne u mom prevodu. Erikson se nikako ne sme propustiti. Oni koji sebi mogu da priuste kupovinu stranih izdanja (zapravo, to je jeftinija varijanta nego kupovina nasih, zbog ogromnog broja stranica po naslovu), trebalo bi da to ucine.

3.   Swords of Eveningstar, Ed Greenwood (Wizards of the Coast)

Obrazlozenje: Ed Grinvud nije ama bas nikakva spisateljska velicina, ali mastovit jeste. Sem toga, rec je o najcitanijem kanadskom autoru (namerno nisam rekao "piscu") epske fantastike svih vremena. Grinvudovo stvaralastvo postalo je sastavan deo savremene pop-kulture, a njegov upliv na druge pisce I interpretacije njihovih dela prosto je nemerljiv. Tipican primer je Gimli iz filma LOR, koji je pre izleteo iz Zaboravljenih Kraljevstava, nego li Srednje Zemlje.

4.   The Blood Books, Tanya Huff (DAW)

Obrazlozenje: Tanja Haf pise urbanu fantastiku, pomesanu sa paranormalnom romantikom. Uz Lorel Hamilton, moze se smatrati jednom od rodonacelnica tog potonjeg podzanra. Njeni romani su toliko popularni, da su ekranizovani u vidu serije, cija se druga sezona lagano blizi zavrsnici.

5.   Ysabel, Guy Gavriel Kay (Roc)

Obrazlozenje: Prema Keju gajim poprilicno cudno misljenje. Naime, znam da je rec o znacajnom piscu epske fantastike, lepog stila i umesnom sa recima – ali me nervira. Nervira me njegova besprizorna kradja istorije, koja se granici sa plagiranjem. I dosadan mi je. Ali treba ga procitati. Znacajan je, kao sto rekoh, a mali broj ljudi deli moje misljenje.

6.   Guardians of the Flame, Joel Rosenberg  (Roc)

Obrazlozenje:Najpoznatiji po svom serijalu Guardians of the Flame, Rozenberg se u poslednje vreme okusao i sa alternativnom istorijom, gde je ostvario polovican rezultat. Kao i sve ostalo na ovom spisku, vredi ga procitati (ali samo ako pri ruci nije nesto pametnije).

7.   Beneath the Vaulted Hills, Sean Russell (DAW)


Obrazlozenje: Blago dosadan i povremeno zanimljiv pisac. Moze da se cita i na srpskom jeziku, a u izdanju Mona i Manane.


8.   The Elantra Chronicles, Michelle Sagara (Luna)

Obrazlozenje: Meni jako draga spisateljica, koja stvara pod nekoliko imena, koja su sva varijacija njenog punog imena i prezimena – Misel Sagara Vest. Pise nekoliko ciklusa, koji po stilu i temama variraju od slicnosti sa Tockom Vremena pokojnog Dzordana, pa do urbane fantastike Lorel Hamilton, sa mracnim prizvukom En Bisop.

9.   In the Courts of the Crimson Kings, S.M. Stirling (Tor)


Obrazlozenje: Jedan od mojih omiljenih pisaca. Pretezno se bavi alternativnom istorijom – cak i kad pise palp sf. Od kultnog serijala Draka i saradnji sa Dejvidom Drejkom i Rejmondom Fajstom, dospeo je do statusa samostalne spisateljske zvezde, sa sve vecim brojem poklonika. Preporucujem.

Heheh...spisak ti je super...ali...

Quote7. Beneath the Vaulted Hills, Sean Russell (DAW)


Obrazlozenje: Blago dosadan i povremeno zanimljiv pisac. Moze da se cita i na srpskom jeziku, a u izdanju Mona i Manane.

Bolje da si stavio Brother Initiaite duologiju, ona je zanimljivija...sem toga, Rasel je pisac koji stavlja vise naglaska na opise i likove nego na samu radnju...mozda je zbog toga dosadan, ali opet, meni je jedan od omiljenih pisaca... :wink:

Kada uz ime pisca navedem neki njegov roman ili serijal, vodim se time sta je najpopularnije, najnovije i sta je objavljeno kod nas - pa onda sta od svega toga prevagne.

Pa ok, i ja bi se vodio tim parametrima. Mislim, ta prikvel duologija za Rise of Moontide and Magic pod nazivom River into Darkness nije losa uopste, ali samo kazem, Rasela ne gotive bas svi, bas zbog toga sto malo odugovlaci sa radnjom. Meni se iskreno svidja potez Mono i Manjane, krenuti lagano sa duologijom pa vidjeti sta ce dalje biti. Fin marketinski potez, nema sta.

Evo i ovoga:

Locus Awards Finalists

Voting in this year's Locus Poll and Survey has closed. Winners will be announced in June at the Locus Awards Ceremony in Seattle, June 21st.

Here are the finalists -- the top five ranking items -- in each category, listed here alphabetically by title, then by nominee.

You can purchase tickets in advance to attend the Locus Awards ceremony -- use this form.

SF NOVEL
   The Accidental Time Machine, Joe Haldeman (Ace)
   Brasyl, Ian McDonald (Pyr)
   Halting State, Charles Stross (Ace; Orbit UK)
   Spook Country, William Gibson (Putnam; Viking UK)
   The Yiddish Policemen's Union, Michael Chabon (HarperCollins)

FANTASY NOVEL
   Endless Things, John Crowley (Small Beer Press; Overlook)
   Making Money, Terry Pratchett (Doubleday UK; HarperCollins)
   Pirate Freedom, Gene Wolfe (Tor)
   Territory, Emma Bull (Tor)
   Ysabel, Guy Gavriel Kay (Viking Canada; Roc)

YOUNG ADULT BOOK
   Extras, Scott Westerfeld (Simon Pulse; Simon & Schuster UK)
   The H-Bomb Girl, Stephen Baxter (Faber & Faber)
   Magic's Child, Justine Larbalestier (Razorbill)
   Powers, Ursula K. Le Guin (Harcourt; Gollancz)
   Un Lun Dun, China Miéville (Ballantine Del Rey; Macmillan UK)

FIRST NOVEL
   City of Bones, Cassandra Clare (Simon & Schuster/McElderry)
   Flora Segunda, Ysabeau S. Wilce (Harcourt)
   Heart-Shaped Box, Joe Hill (Morrow; Gollancz)
   The Name of the Wind, Patrick Rothfuss (DAW; Gollancz)
   One for Sorrow, Christopher Barzak (Bantam Spectra)

NOVELLA
   "After the Siege", Cory Doctorow (The Infinite Matrix Jan 2007)
   "All Seated on the Ground", Connie Willis (Asimov's Dec 2007)
   "Memorare", Gene Wolfe (F&SF Apr 2007)
   "Muse of Fire", Dan Simmons (The New Space Opera)
   "Stars Seen through Stone", Lucius Shepard (F&SF Jul 2007)

NOVELETTE
   "Dark Integers", Greg Egan (Asimov's Oct/Nov 2007)
   "The Merchant and the Alchemist's Gate", Ted Chiang (F&SF Sep 2007)
   "Trunk and Disorderly", Charles Stross (Asimov's Jan 2007)
   "We Never Talk About My Brother", Peter S. Beagle (Orson Scott Card's Intergalactic Medicine Show Jun 2007)
   "The Witch's Headstone", Neil Gaiman (Wizards)

SHORT STORY
   "The Last and Only, or, Mr. Moscowitz Becomes French", Peter S. Beagle (Eclipse One)
   "Last Contact", Stephen Baxter (The Solaris Book of New Science Fiction)
   "A Small Room in Koboldtown", Michael Swanwick (Asimov's Apr/May 2007)
   "Tideline", Elizabeth Bear (Asimov's Apr/May 2007)
   "Who's Afraid of Wolf 359?", Ken MacLeod (The New Space Opera)

COLLECTION
   The Dog Said Bow-Wow, Michael Swanwick (Tachyon)
   The Jack Vance Treasury, Jack Vance (Subterranean)
   Overclocked, Cory Doctorow (Thunder's Mouth)
   Things Will Never Be the Same, Howard Waldrop (Old Earth)
   The Winds of Marble Arch and Other Stories, Connie Willis (Subterranean)

ANTHOLOGY
   The Best of Lady Churchill's Rosebud Wristlet, Kelly Link & Gavin J. Grant, eds. (Ballantine Del Rey)
   The Coyote Road, Ellen Datlow & Terri Windling, eds. (Viking)
   The New Space Opera, Gardner Dozois & Jonathan Strahan, eds. (Eos)
   The Year's Best Fantasy & Horror 2007: Twentieth Annual Collection, Ellen Datlow, Kelly Link & Gavin J. Grant, ed. (St. Martin's)
   The Year's Best Science Fiction: Twenty-Fourth Annual Collection, Gardner Dozois, ed. (St. Martin's)

NON-FICTION
   Brave New Words: The Oxford Dictionary of Science Fiction, Jeff Prucher, ed. (Oxford University Press)
   Breakfast in the Ruins, Barry N. Malzberg (Baen)
   The Country You Have Never Seen, Joanna Russ (Liverpool University Press)
   Gateways to Forever: The Story of the Science-Fiction Magazines from 1970 to 1980, Mike Ashley (Liverpool University Press)
   Shadows of the New Sun: Wolfe on Writing/Writers on Wolfe, Peter Wright (Liverpool University Press)

ART BOOK
   The Arrival, Shaun Tan (Lothian 2006; Scholastic)
   Dreamscape: The Best of Imaginary Realism, Claus Brusen & Marcel Salome, eds. (SalBru)
   Emshwiller: Infinity x Two, Luis Ortiz, ed. (Nonstop Press)
   Mervyn Peake: The Man and His Art, compiled by Sebastian Peake & Alison Eldred, edited by G. Peter Winnington (Peter Owen)
   Spectrum 14: The Best in Contemporary Fantastic Art, Cathy Fenner & Arnie Fenner, eds. (Underwood)

EDITOR
   Ellen Datlow
   Gardner Dozois
   David G. Hartwell
   Patrick Nielsen Hayden
   Gordon Van Gelder

MAGAZINE
   Analog
   Asimov's
   F&SF
   Lady Churchill's Rosebud Wristlet
   Subterranean

PUBLISHER
   Baen
   Bantam Spectra
   Night Shade Books
   Subterranean Press
   Tor

ARTIST
   Stephan Martiniere
   John Picacio
   Shaun Tan
   Charles Vess
   Michael Whelan

...i ovoga:

2007 Shirley Jackson Awards Finalists
NOVEL

   * Baltimore, Mike Mignola and Christopher Golden (Bantam Spectra)
   * Generation Loss, Elizabeth Hand (Small Beer Press)
   * Sharp Teeth, Toby Barlow (William Heinemann Ltd)
   * The Terror, Dan Simmons (Little, Brown)
   * Tokyo Year Zero, David Peace (Knopf)

NOVELLA

   * 12 Collections, Zoran Zivkovic (PS Publishing)
   * Illyria, Elizabeth Hand (PS Publishing)
   * The Mermaids, Robert Edric (PS Publishing)
   * "Procession of the Black Sloth," Laird Barron (The Imago Sequence and Other Stories, Night Shade Books)
   * The Scalding Rooms, Conrad Williams (PS Publishing)
   * "Vacancy," Lucius Shepard (Subterranean #7, 2007)

NOVELETTE

   * "The Forest," Laird Barron (Inferno, Tor)
   * "The Janus Tree," Glen Hirshberg (Inferno, Tor)
   * "The Swing," Don Tumasonis (At Ease with the Dead, Ash-Tree Press)
   * "The Tenth Muse," William Browning Spencer (Subterranean #6, 2007)
   * "Thumbprint," Joe Hill (Postscripts #10, March 2007)

SHORT STORY

   * "Holiday," M. Rickert (Subterranean #7, 2007)
   * "The Monsters of Heaven," Nathan Ballingrud (Inferno,Tor)
   * "A Murder of Crows," Elizabeth Ziemska (Tin House 31, Spring 2007)
   * "Something in the Mermaid Way," Carrie Laben (Clarkesworld, March 2007)
   * "The Third Bear," Jeff VanderMeer (Clarkesworld, April 2007)
   * "Unique Chicken Goes in Reverse," Andy Duncan (Eclipse One, Night Shade Books)

COLLECTION

   * The Bone Key, Sarah Monette (Prime Books)
   * The Entire Predicament, Lucy Corin (Tin House)
   * The Imago Sequence and Other Stories, Laird Barron (Night Shade Books)
   * Like You'd Understand, Anyway, Jim Shepard (Knopf)
   * Old Devil Moon, Christopher Fowler (Serpent's Tail)

ANTHOLOGY

   * At Ease with the Dead, edited by Barbara and Christopher Roden (Ash-Tree Press)
   * Dark Delicacies 2, edited by Del Howison and Jeff Gelb (Running Press)
   * Inferno, edited by Ellen Datlow (Tor)
   * Logorrhea, edited by John Klima (Bantam Spectra)
   * Wizards, edited by Jack Dann and Gardner Dozois (Berkley)

Hm, pa dobro. Nisam puno omasio sa favoritima. Medjutim, nikako ne razumem sta Making Money trazi u konkurenciji. To mu je jedan od losijih romana.

Quote from: "nightflier"Hm, pa dobro. Nisam puno omasio sa favoritima. Medjutim, nikako ne razumem sta Making Money trazi u konkurenciji. To mu je jedan od losijih romana.

Verovatno zahvaljujući staroj slavi i lovorikama.

Ili zbog Alchajmerove bolesti sto ga je safatala. Bojim se da stare velicine lagano umiru, a da nema ko da ih nasledi.

2008 Hugo Award Results Announced

The results of the 2008 Hugo Awards, as announced at Denvention 3, the 66th World Science Fiction Convention, in Denver, Colorado, USA, on August 9th 2008, are as follows:

Best Novel: The Yiddish Policemen's Union by Michael Chabon (HarperCollins; Fourth Estate)
Best Novella: "All Seated on the Ground" by Connie Willis (Asimov's Dec. 2007; Subterranean Press)
Best Novelette: "The Merchant and the Alchemist's Gate" by Ted Chiang (Subterranean Press; F&SF Sept. 2007)
Best Short Story: "Tideline" by Elizabeth Bear (Asimov's June 2007)
Best Related Book: Brave New Words: The Oxford Dictionary of Science Fiction by Jeff Prucher (Oxford University Press)
Best Dramatic Presentation, Long Form: Stardust Written by Jane Goldman and Matthew Vaughn, Based on the novel by Neil Gaiman Illustrated by Charles Vess Directed by Matthew Vaughn (Paramount Pictures)
Best Dramatic Presentation, Short Form: Doctor Who "Blink" Written by Steven Moffat Directed by Hettie Macdonald (BBC)
Best Editor, Long Form: David G. Hartwell
Best Editor, Short Form: Gordon Van Gelder
Best Professional Artist: Stephan Martiniere
Best Semiprozine: Locus
Best Fanzine: File 770
Best Fan Writer: John Scalzi
Best Fan Artist: Brad Foster
The winner of the John W. Campbell Award for Best New Writer, sponsored by Dell Magazines and administered on their behalf by the World Science Fiction Society, is:
Mary Robinette Kowal

sve to, a i ostali nominovani (http://rapidshare.com/files/144931838/zanimacija2008.zip.html)

možda neko nešto i pročita, pa nešto i napiše...

Napisacu ja nesto detaljnije, samo da nadjem truncicu slobodnog vremena.Jos nisam zavrsio ni onu "zensku listu".

Finalisti za ovogodisnji World Fantasy Award:

LIFE ACHIEVEMENT
 # Leo & Diane Dillon
 # Patricia McKillip

NOVEL
 # Fangland, John Marks (Penguin Press)
 # The Gospel of the Knife, Will Shetterly (Tor)
 # The Servants, Michael Marshall Smith (Earthling Publications)
 # Territory, Emma Bull (Tor)
 # Ysabel, Guy Gavriel Kay (Viking Canada; Roc)

NOVELLA
 # "Cold Snap", Kim Newman (The Secret Files of the Diogenes Club)
 # Illyria, Elizabeth Hand (PS Publishing)
 # "The Master Miller's Tale", Ian R. MacLeod (F&SF May 2007)
 # The Mermaids, Robert Edric (PS Publishing)
 # "Stars Seen through Stone", Lucius Shepard (F&SF Jul 2007)

SHORT STORY
 # "The Cambist and Lord Iron: A Fairy Tale of Economics", Daniel Abraham (Logorrhea)
 # "The Church on the Island", Simon Kurt Unsworth (At Ease with the Dead, Ash-Tree Press)
 # "Damned If You Don't", Robert Shearman (Tiny Deaths)
 # "The Evolution of Trickster Stories Among the Dogs of North Park After the Change", Kij Johnson (The Coyote Road)
 # "Singing of Mount Abora", Theodora Goss (Logorrhea)

ANTHOLOGY
 # The Coyote Road, Ellen Datlow & Terri Windling, eds. (Viking)
 # Five Strokes to Midnight, Gary A. Braunbeck & Hank Schwaeble, eds. (Haunted Pelican Press)
 # Inferno, Ellen Datlow, ed. (Tor)
 # Logorrhea, John Klima, ed. (Bantam Spectra)
 # Wizards, Jack Dann & Gardner Dozois, eds. (Berkley)

COLLECTION
 # Dagger Key and Other Stories, Lucius Shepard (PS Publishing)
 # Hart & Boot & Other Stories, Tim Pratt (Night Shade Books)
 # Plots and Misadventures, Stephen Gallagher (Subterranean Press)
 # Portable Childhoods, Ellen Klages (Tachyon Publications)
 # The Secret Files of the Diogenes Club, Kim Newman (MonkeyBrain Books)
 # Tiny Deaths, Robert Shearman (Comma Press)

ARTIST
 # Ruan Jia
 # Mikko Kinnunen
 # Stephan Martiniere
 # Edward Miller
 # John Picacio

SPECIAL AWARD, PROFESSIONAL
 # Allison Baker & Chris Roberson (for MonkeyBrain Books)
 # Alan Beatts & Jude Feldman (for Borderlands Books)
 # Peter Crowther (for PS Publishing)
 # Jeremy Lassen & Jason Williams (for Night Shade Books)
 # Shawna McCarthy (for Realms of Fantasy)
 # Gordon Van Gelder (for F&SF)

SPECIAL AWARD, NON-PROFESSIONAL
 # G. S. Evans & Alice Whittenburg (for Cafe Irreal, http://home.sprynet.com/~awhit/)
 # John Klima (for Electric Velocipede)
 # Rosalie Parker & Raymond Russell (for Tartarus Press)
 # Midori Snyder & Terri Windling (for Endicott Studios Website)
 # Stephen Jones (for Travellers in Darkness: The Souvenir Book of the World Horror Convention 2007)

Zanimljivo je sto su Ema Bul i Vil Seterli bracni par. Ovo nije prvi put da supruznici budu nominovani za istu nagradu - bar kada je rec o zanrovskoj knjizevnosti. Prosle godine su se u istoj kategoriji za Nebulu nasle Delija Serman i Elen Kusner.

Valjalo bi napisati koju o najboljim ostvarenjima iz prethodne godine, ali ja već dva meseca ne pratim šta se dešava, a ni ne stižem da se izborim sa gomilom knjiga za čitanje. Jesu li dodeljeni Hugoi i Nebule? Melkore?

Najavljeni finalisti Hugoa:

Best Novel (639 Ballots Cast)
Anathem by Neal Stephenson (Morrow; Atlantic UK)
The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman (HarperCollins; Bloomsbury UK)
Little Brother by Cory Doctorow (Tor Teen; HarperVoyager UK)
Saturn's Children by Charles Stross (Ace; Orbit UK)
Zoe's Tale by John Scalzi (Tor)

Best Novella (337 Ballots Cast)
"The Erdmann Nexus" by Nancy Kress (Asimov's Oct/Nov 2008)
"The Political Prisoner" by Charles Coleman Finlay (F&SF Aug 2008)
"The Tear" by Ian McDonald (Galactic Empires)
"True Names" by Benjamin Rosenbaum & Cory Doctorow (Fast Forward 2)
"Truth" by Robert Reed (Asimov's Oct/Nov 2008)

Best Novelette (373 Ballots Cast)
"Alastair Baffle's Emporium of Wonders" by Mike Resnick (Asimov's Jan 2008)
"The Gambler" by Paolo Bacigalupi (Fast Forward 2)
"Pride and Prometheus" by John Kessel (F&SF Jan 2008)
"The Ray-Gun: A Love Story" by James Alan Gardner (Asimov's Feb 2008)
"Shoggoths in Bloom" by Elizabeth Bear (Asimov's Mar 2008)

Best Short Story (448 Ballots Cast)
"26 Monkeys, Also the Abyss" by Kij Johnson (Asimov's Jul 2008)
"Article of Faith" by Mike Resnick (Baen's Universe Oct 2008)
"Evil Robot Monkey" by Mary Robinette Kowal (The Solaris Book of New Science Fiction, Volume Two)
"Exhalation" by Ted Chiang (Eclipse Two)
"From Babel's Fall'n Glory We Fled" by Michael Swanwick (Asimov's Feb 2008)

Best Related Book (263 Ballots Cast)
Rhetorics of Fantasy by Farah Mendlesohn (Wesleyan University Press)
Spectrum 15: The Best in Contemporary Fantastic Art by Cathy Fenner & Arnie Fenner, eds. (Underwood Books)
The Vorkosigan Companion: The Universe of Lois McMaster Bujold by Lillian Stewart Carl & John Helfers, eds. (Baen)
What It Is We Do When We Read Science Fiction by Paul Kincaid (Beccon Publications)
Your Hate Mail Will Be Graded: A Decade of Whatever, 1998-2008 by John Scalzi (Subterranean Press)

Best Graphic Story (212 Ballots Cast)
The Dresden Files: Welcome to the Jungle Written by Jim Butcher, art by Ardian Syaf (Del Rey/Dabel Brothers Publishing)
Girl Genius, Volume 8: Agatha Heterodyne and the Chapel of Bones Written by Kaja & Phil Foglio, art by Phil Foglio, colors by Cheyenne Wright (Airship Entertainment)
Fables: War and Pieces Written by Bill Willingham, pencilled by Mark Buckingham, art by Steve Leialoha and Andrew Pepoy, color by Lee Loughridge, letters by Todd Klein (DC/Vertigo Comics)
Schlock Mercenary: The Body Politic Written, art by Howard Tayler (The Tayler Corporation)
Serenity: Serenity, Vol. 2: Better Days Written by Joss Whedon & Brett Matthews, art by Will Conrad, color by Michelle Madsen, cover by Jo Chen (Dark Horse Comics)
Y: The Last Man, Volume 10: Whys and Wherefores Written/created by Brian K. Vaughan, pencilled/created by Pia Guerra, inked by Jose Marzan, Jr. (DC/Vertigo Comics)

Best Dramatic Presentation, Long Form (436 Ballots Cast)
The Dark Knight Christopher Nolan & David S. Goyer, story; Jonathan Nolan and Christopher Nolan, screenplay; based on characters created by Bob Kane; Christopher Nolan, director (Warner Brothers)
Hellboy II: The Golden Army Guillermo del Toro & Mike Mignola, story; Guillermo del Toro, screenplay; based on the comic by Mike Mignola; Guillermo del Toro, director (Dark Horse, Universal)
Iron Man Mark Fergus & Hawk Ostby and Art Marcum & Matt Holloway, screenplay; based on characters created by Stan Lee & Don Heck & Larry Lieber & Jack Kirby; Jon Favreau, director (Paramount, Marvel Studios)
METAtropolis edited by John Scalzi; Elizabeth Bear, Jay Lake, Tobias Buckell, John Scalzi, and Karl Schroeder, writers (Audible Inc.)
WALL-E Andrew Stanton & Pete Docter, story; Andrew Stanton & Jim Reardon, screenplay; Andrew Stanton, director (Pixar/Walt Disney)

Best Dramatic Presentation, Short Form (336 Ballots Cast)
Lost: "The Constant", Carlton Cuse & Damon Lindelof, writers; Jack Bender, director (Bad Robot, ABC studios)
Doctor Horrible's Sing-Along Blog Joss Whedon, & Zack Whedon, & Jed Whedon, & Maurissa Tancharoen, writers; Joss Whedon, director (Mutant Enemy)
Battlestar Galactica: "Revelations", Bradley Thompson & David Weddle, writers; Michael Rymer, director (NBC Universal)
Doctor Who: "Silence in the Library"/"Forest of the Dead", Steven Moffat, writer; Euros Lyn, director (BBC Wales)
Doctor Who: "Turn Left", Russell T. Davies, writer; Graeme Harper, director (BBC Wales)

Best Editor, Short Form (377 Ballots Cast)
Ellen Datlow
Stanley Schmidt
Jonathan Strahan
Gordon Van Gelder
Sheila Williams

Best Editor, Long Form (273 Ballots Cast)
Lou Anders
Ginjer Buchanan
David G. Hartwell
Beth Meacham
Patrick Nielsen Hayden

Best Professional Artist (334 Ballots Cast)
Daniel Dos Santos
Bob Eggleton
Donato Giancola
John Picacio
Shaun Tan

Best Semiprozine (283 Ballots Cast)
Clarkesworld Magazine edited by Neil Clarke, Nick Mamatas, & Sean Wallace
Interzone edited by Andy Cox
Locus edited by Charles N. Brown, Kirsten Gong-Wong, & Liza Groen Trombi
The New York Review of Science Fiction edited by Kathryn Cramer, Kris Dikeman, David G. Hartwell, & Kevin J. Maroney
Weird Tales edited by Ann VanderMeer & Stephen H. Segal

Best Fan Writer (291 Ballots Cast)
Chris Garcia
John Hertz
Dave Langford
Cheryl Morgan
Steven H Silver

Best Fanzine (257 Ballots Cast)
Argentus edited by Steven H Silver
Banana Wings edited by Claire Brialey and Mark Plummer
Challenger edited by Guy H. Lillian III
The Drink Tank edited by Chris Garcia
Electric Velocipede edited by John Klima
File 770 edited by Mike Glyer

Best Fan Artist (187 Ballots Cast)
Alan F. Beck
Brad W. Foster
Sue Mason
Taral Wayne
Frank Wu

The John W. Campbell Award for Best New Writer (288 Ballots Cast)
Aliette de Bodard*
David Anthony Durham*
Felix Gilman
Tony Pi*
Gord Sellar*

*(Second year of eligibility)

2009 Nebula Awards

Novel

    * Powers - Ursula K. Le Guin (Harcourt, Sep07)

Novella

    * "The Spacetime Pool" - Catherine Asaro (Analog, Mar08)

Novelette

    * "Pride and Prometheus" - John Kessel (F&SF, Jan08)

Short Story

    * "Trophy Wives" - Nina Kiriki Hoffman (Fellowship Fantastic, ed. Greenberg and Hughes, Daw Jan08)

Script

    * "WALL-E" Screenplay by Andrew Stanton, Jim Reardon, Original story by Andrew Stanton, Pete Docter (Walt Disney June 2008)

Andre Norton Award

    * Flora's Dare: How a Girl of Spirit Gambles All to Expand Her Vocabulary, Confront a Bouncing Boy Terror, and Try to Save Califa from a Shaky Doom (Despite Being Confined to Her Room) - Ysabeau S. Wilce (Harcourt, Sep08)

Locus Award Winners

    * Science Fiction Novel: Anathem, Neal Stephenson (Atlantic UK, Morrow)
    * Fantasy Novel: Lavinia, Ursula K. Le Guin (Harcourt)
    * First Novel: Singularity's Ring, Paul Melko (Tor)
    * Young-Adult Book: The Graveyard Book, Neil Gaiman (HarperCollins, Bloomsbury)
    * Novella: "Pretty Monsters", Kelly Link (Pretty Monsters)
    * Novelette: "Pump Six", Paolo Bacigalupi (Pump Six and Other Stories)
    * Short Story: "Exhalation", Ted Chiang (Eclipse Two)
    * Anthology: The Year's Best Science Fiction: Twenty-Fifth Annual Collection, Gardner Dozois, ed. (St. Martin's)
    * Collection: Pump Six and Other Stories, Paolo Bacigalupi (Night Shade Books)
    * Non-Fiction/Art Book: P. Craig Russell, Coraline: The Graphic Novel, Neil Gaiman, adapted and illustrated by P. Craig Russell (HarperCollins)
    * Editor: Ellen Datlow
    * Artist: Michael Whelan
    * Magazine: F&SF
    * Publisher: Tor

Vidi kol'ko Bacigalupija. A vi mislili da je trik pitanje...
Niko nista ne cita...

Eh... u svoju odbranu imam da kažem kako tek odskora posvećujem pažnju pričama i novelicama. Do romana je znatno lakše doći.

A pogledaj "Nove knjige". Mali je počeo da se širi kao svinjski grip. Ima ga u nekoliko novih antologija.

Evo, čito i ja Pumpu, kul priča.

Quote from: chovekoid on 30-06-2009, 21:29:00
Evo, čito i ja Pumpu, kul priča.

Gde si kupio?

Nigde, skinuo sam sa Irc-a septembarski broj F&SF-a od prošle godine - uloguj se (i svi drugi koji oće, naravno)  na gmail sa juzernejmom: recycleabook, i pasvordom: recycler, u prilogu, za sad jedine, poruke imaš pomenuti broj pa čitaj.

(Znam da je ovo nepotrebno komplikovano, i da sam mogo lepo na neki free servis da okačim, ali mi ova fora sa gmail nalogom bila simpatična dok sam se zezao sa slax linuxom - tad nisu još bili imali repozitorijum, nego su module kačili kao mejl atačmente.) 

Moraću ponovo da počnem da čitam taj časopis. Batalio sam ga pre izvesnog vremena. Mada, nikada nisam preterano voleo priče. Meni sve ispod 300 stranica svejedno izgleda kao kratka priča.

Godina je pri kraju i mrka je kapa da ću pročitati još nešto do Nove godine, budući da mi sve vreme odlazi na sređivanje prevoda Back in the USSA, kako bih stigao da ga predam Goranu do kraja meseca (a otima se, pseto britansko, samo da vam kažem). Stoga sam rešio da sumiram rezultate svog ovogodišnjeg čitanja. (Ovom prilikom moram da se zahvalim Melkoru na tome što mi je svojim spiskom pročitanih knjiga dao ideju da i ja krenem, pošto sam omatorio pa počeo da se gubim u silnim hiljadama stranica. Elem, evo mog spiska knjiga pročitanih leta gospodnjeg 2009.

januar

Master of Shadows, Lynn Viehl
Just Another Judgement Day, Simon R Green
Sunshine, Robin Mckinley
Kencyrath 1-4, P. C. Hodgell
Sharing Knife 1-3, Lois McMaster Bujold

februar

Kitty and the Dead Man's Hand, Carrie Vaughn
Bone Crossed, Patricia Briggs
Mortal Sins, Eileen Wilks
White Witch, Black Curse, Kim Harrison

mart

Foundation, Mercedes Lackey
Weavers of Saramyr, Chris Wooding
The King's Own, Lorna Freeman
The Clone Republic, Steven L. Kent
Off Armageddon Reef, David Weber
By Schism Rent Asunder, David Weber
World War Z, Max Brooks
A Kiss Before Apocalypse, Thomas E. Sniegosky
Noah's Children, Thomas E. Sniegosky

april

Crown of Shadows, C. S. Friedman
Feast of Souls, C. S. Friedman
Magic Strikes, Ilona Andrews
Turn Coat, Jim Butcher
Wild Cards, George Martin
Aces High, George Martin
Jokers Wild, George Martin
Aces Abroad, George Martin
Down And Dirty, George Martin
Ace In The Hole, George Martin
Dead Mans Hand, George Martin
One Eyed Jacks, George Martin
Jokertown Shuffle, George Martin
Bloodhound, Tamora Pierce

maj

Double Solitaire, George Martin
Dealer's Choice, George Martin
Turn of the Cards, George Martin
Card Sharks, George Martin
Marked Cards, George Martin
Black Trump, George Martin
Deuces Down, George Martin
Death Draws Five, George Martin
Inside Straight, George Martin
Conqueror's Moon, Julian May
Ironcrown Moon, Julian May
Sorcerer's Moon, Julian May
Spirit Gate, Kate Eliott
Space Wolf, William King
Dead and Gone, Charlaine Harris

jun

The Strain, Guillermo Del Toro and Chuck Hogan
Busted Flush, George Martin
The New Space Opera, Gardner Dozois and Jonathan Strahan
Return of the Crimson Guard, Ian C. Esslemont
Wicked Game, Jeri Smith-Ready

jul

An Oblique Aproach, David Drake and Eric Flint
In the Heart of Darkness, David Drake and Eric Flint
Winter Duty, E. E. Knight
Destiny's Shield, David Drake and Eric Flint
Fortune's Stroke, David Drake and Eric Flint
The Tide Of Victory, David Drake and Eric Flint
The Dance of Time, David Drake and Eric Flint
The Skewed Throne, Joshua Palmatier
Cast in Silence, Michelle Sagara

avgust

The Course of Empire, Eric Flint and K.D. Wentworth
Time Spike, Eric Flint & Marilyn Kosmatka
Dragon Keeper, Robin Hobb
Inda, Sherwood Smith

septembar

The Fox, Sherwood Smith
By Heresies Distressed, David Weber
Lamentation, Ken Scholes
Skin Hunger, Kathleen Duey
The Stormcaller, Tom Lloyd
The Sword of the Lady, S. M. Stirling

oktobar

Graceling, Kristin Cashore
Malteški šišmiš, Ljubomir Damjanović
Unseen Academicals, Terry Pratchett
Jedan na jedan, Ivan Nešić

novembar

First Lord's Fury,  Jim Butcher
Canticle, Ken Scholes
A Darkness Forged in Fire,  Chris Evans
The Four Forges, Jenna Rhodes
Lord of the Fading Lands, C. L. Wilson
Lady of Light and Shadows, C. L. Wilson
King of Sword and Sky, C. L. Wilson
Company, K. J. Parker
Live Free Or Die, John Ringo
Into the Storm, Taylor Anderson
Bloodring, Faith Hunter
Seraphs, Faith Hunter
Torch of Freedom, David Weber and Eric Flint

decembar

The Crucible of Empire, Eric Flint & K D Wentworth
Host, Faith Hunter
Divine Misdemeanors, Laurell K. Hamilton
The Colours in the Steel, K. J. Parker
Bound in Blood, P C Hodgell

Elem, ove godine propustio sam mnogo pisaca i romana koje sam želeo da pročitam, a pročitao prilično njih za koje nisam ni znao da ću ih pročitati. Stoga ova lista nije najbolji reper za 2009. godinu uopšteno govoreći. Dapače, popriličan broj naslova objavljen je ranije, ali ja sam tek sada stigao da ih pročitam, ili sam se vraćao ranije (više puta) čitanim knjigama, pošto sam se ove godine često nalazio u veoma mračnim sobama svoje glave.

Apsolutno najjači utisak na mene ostavio je serijal Wild Cards, i to prvih devet knjiga. Neki od najznačajnijih likova u tom Martinovom univerzumu izašli su iz pera pokojnog Zelaznija, pa je ponovni susret s njegovom prozom za mene bio potpuno majnd blouing. Sem toga, deljeni univerzum na kojem zajedno radi jako mnogo pisaca, a održava se decenijama i još je živ i zanimljiv meni je neverovatno moćna pojava. Tako da, ubedljiv favorit za 2009. godinu je serijal Wild Cards, uključujući poslednja dva romana, koja su tu priču prenela u 21. vek.

U kategoriji epske fantastike ubedljivi pobednik je Ken Šols. Prikaz njegovog prvog romana dao sam na blogu, tako da sada neću da se ponavljam, pošto ću neke stvari ponoviti pred praznike, kada postavim prikaz drugog nastavka u serijalu, ali dovoljno je da kažem da je Šols sve ono što bi neki drugi pisci trebalo da budu, koliko su hajpovani, a nisu.

Sentimentalno gledano, Kings Own Lorne Friman mi je na drugom mestu. Razlozi tome su što je reč o jako neobičnoj priči i postavci (world building), potom to je knjiga koju sam  godinama tražio, pre nego što mi ju je Skalop kupio u SAD (hvala, Skalope) i - naposletku - Frimanova će konačno objaviti treći naslov u nizu, u februaru naredno godine, nakon višegodišnje pauze iz neznanih razloga. Ovo je, inače, pisac kojeg je iz mrtvih diglo čitalaštvo, glasno tražeći od izdavača da se Frimanova vrati na police.

Takođe moram da izdvojim Pet Hodžel i njen uvrnuti serijal Kencyrath, koji je konačno našao normalnog izdavača, pa neću morati da čekam još pet godina na naredni roman u nizu. Poslednja knjiga koju sam ove godine pročitao je ARC Bound in Blood u izdanju Baen Books. Pretpostavljam da će se naredna pojaviti krajem 2010. ili početkom 2011.

U kategoriji sfa, za dlaku je pobedio Stiv Stirling s The Sword of the Lady. Najveći konkurent bio mu je još jedan debeli i bradati pisac, Dejvid Veber, romanom By Heresies Distressed, to jest serijalom Haven.

Nisam se pretrgao od čitanja zbirki, ali Nešićeva mi je bolja od Strejhanove.

Eto, ovo je Najtflajers best ov de best za 2009. godinu.

Od svega toga citao sam samo Bruksa i 7-8-9 Wild Cards. A ovo bih, eventalno, citao:

Sunshine, Robin Mckinley
Sharing Knife 1-3, Lois McMaster Bujold
The New Space Opera, Gardner Dozois and Jonathan Strahan
Return of the Crimson Guard, Ian C. Esslemont
Dragon Keeper, Robin Hobb
Lamentation, Ken Scholes
Canticle, Ken Scholes
A Darkness Forged in Fire,  Chris Evans
Company, K. J. Parker
The Colours in the Steel, K. J. Parker

Šols ti je obavezan. Ako nisi čitao Eriksona, onda nemoj Eslemonta. Sharing Knife 1-3 je onako, blago dosadnjikavo. Ja je mnogo volim, pa sam pročitao, ali u suštini je to prilično blago štivo, skoro kao Perl Bak. Vratiću se kasnije na ostale s tvog spiska. Sad mi se završava pauza u poslu...

Eriksona sam procitao prva 2 i hocu jos, nabavio sam i ostalo samo treba naci vremena i zivaca.

Bujoldicu i ja volim, Chalion je jedan od lepsih fantasy-ja poslednjih par godina, tako da (iako sam cuo da je ovo vise na romance stranu)...

Za KJ Parker sam cuo mnogo, potpuno oprecnih, misljenja. Vredi proveriti.

New Space Opera 1 i 2 su mi stigle prosle nedelje, ali u paketu i sa Strahanom i Hortonom, i jos gomilom nekih knjiga tako da * vidi pod Erikson*

O Hobbovoj smo pricali  :)

I o Sunshine  :lol:

Evans mi deluje kao my cup of guilty pleasure, citanje u cekaonici kod zubara i slicno.


ostaje mi samo da se nadam da cu doziveti odlazak u penziju i citanje na reci  :?:

S Eslemontom moraš da sačekaš do sedme Eriksonove knjige. A Evans je ona vrsta fentezi treša po kojima su osamdesete zloglasne.

Hmm, onda cu da ga preskocim i da se drzim fantasy-ja po kojem su zloglasne '00.

Paul Witcover: Best of the Year
http://community.livejournal.com/theinferior4/593587.html (http://community.livejournal.com/theinferior4/593587.html)


I've been readying my best of the year column for Locus -- and I thought, since DiFi expressed some interest a while back, after his own excellent post on this topic, that I'd post the list of my ten favorite sf/fantasy novels of 2009.

I write about these books in some detail in the article itself, which I don't want to preempt here, but I don't think it can do any harm simply to provide the list, especially for those desperately looking for some last-minute gifties.  So without further ado, and in no particular order:

The City & The City, China Mieville
Finch, Jeff VanderMeer
The Babylonian Trilogy, Seb Doubinsky
Last Days, Brian Evanson
Big Machine, Victor LaValle
Palimpsest, Catherynne M. Valente
Lifelode, Jo Walton
Madness of Flowers, Jay Lake
The Dark Volume, Gordon Dahlquist
The Silver Skull, Mark Chadbourn

Imam pitanje o jednoj knjizi koju možda jesi čitao a možda i nisi. Reč je knjiga VREMEPLOVČEVA ŽENA, koju je kod nas izdala Laguna a po njoj je snimljen film TIME TRAVELER'S WIFE. Film mi je do jaja, ali mi iz opisa knjige nije jasno jel to neki ljubić, ozbiljna knjiga, šta je?

Ја сам прочитао.

У ствари, нешто између. Писано да буде бестселер. Види се да је писао неко ко не потиче из жанра, али нема великих нелогичности. Ако си погледао филм, ништа не пропушташ што ниси прочитао књигу.

Odlično. :) Hvala puno na brzom odgovoru.

     Film moze da se odgleda ali moze se i bez njega, cini mi se; knjigu nisam citao. Medjutim, nikako da se otmem utisku da je ovo samo jalova zenska verzija prilicno dobrog i daleko ozbiljnijeg romana Kena Grimwooda iz 1986, REPLAY. Neko se vrijeme pricalo da ce se po romanu napraviti film sa najvecim holivudskim imenima i sve sto ide uz to (hype je svojevremeno skoro pa bio slican onom sa adaptacijom romana 'Randezvous With Rama')... O covjeku koji umre i onda se ponovo vrati u SVOJU proslost - dvadeset pet godina ranije - s tim da zna sta ce se sve desiti u buducnosti, dakle bukvalno netaknutog uma kao i u trenutku kada je i umro od srcanog udara. No, on umire i u toj realnosti. I ponovo se vrace u proslost i odabira drugaciji zivotni put. I ponovo. I ponovo. I uvijek ga smrt zatekne usred necega sto je tokom citavih svojih zivota kanio istjerati do kraja...

    Svjestan sam da se literarna kradja i bilo kakav knjizevni egzibicionizam danas zove postmodernizam, tako da mi nije misterija sto se sve cesce javljaju ovakve knjige/bestseleri koje u stvari ni ne pokusavaju da jure original u svojoj inspiraciji - recimo, Velsa - koliko neku njegovu (manje poznatu) verziju ne bi li se na koncu predstavili kao nesvakidasnje inovativna stiva. Koliko vidim, kritika je generalno ovaj zenski pogled na musko-zensku vezu obiljezila kao 'originalan'.  

This recommended reading list, published in Locus Magazine's February 2010 issue, is a consensus by Locus editors and reviewers -- Liza Groen Trombi, Gary K. Wolfe, Jonathan Strahan, Faren Miller, Russell Letson, Paul Witcover, Graham Sleight, Carolyn Cushman, Adrienne Martini, Tim Pratt, Karen Haber, and Rich Horton -- with inputs from outside reviewers, other professionals, other lists, etc.

Essays by many of these contributors, highlighting their particular favorite books and stories, are published in the February issue.

Novels - Science Fiction

   * The Empress of Mars, Kage Baker (Subterranean Press; Tor)
   * Transition, Iain M. Banks (Little Brown UK; Orbit)
   * Ark, Stephen Baxter (Gollancz)
   * The Devil's Alphabet, Daryl Gregory (Ballantine Del Rey)
   * Buyout, Alexander C. Irvine (Ballantine Del Rey)
   * Under the Dome, Stephen King (Hodder & Stoughton; Scribner)
   * Steal Across the Sky, Nancy Kress (Tor)
   * Chronic City, Jonathan Lethem (Doubleday)
   * Gardens of the Sun, Paul McAuley (Gollancz; Pyr 2010)
   * The Walls of the Universe, Paul Melko (Tor)
   * Boneshaker, Cherie Priest (Tor)
   * Yellow Blue Tibia, Adam Roberts (Gollancz)
   * Galileo's Dream, Kim Stanley Robinson (HarperVoyager; Ballantine Spectra 2010)
   * The Sunless Countries, Karl Schroeder (Tor)
   * This Is Not a Game, Walter Jon Williams (Orbit UK, Orbit US)
   * Julian Comstock, Robert Charles Wilson (Tor)

Novels - Fantasy

   * The Price of Spring, Daniel Abraham (Tor)
   * Last Days, Brian Evenson (Underland Press)
   * Dragon in Chains, Daniel Fox (Ballantine Del Rey)
   * Gears of the City, Felix Gilman (Bantam Spectra)
   * Cloud & Ashes: Three Winter's Tales, Greer Gilman (Small Beer Press)
   * Avilion, Robert Holdstock (Gollancz)
   * The High City, Cecelia Holland (Forge)
   * The Red Tree, Caitlín R. Kiernan (Roc)
   * Green, Jay Lake (Tor)
   * Madness of Flowers, Jay Lake (Night Shade Books)
   * Audrey's Door, Sarah Langan (Harper)
   * The City & The City, China Miéville (Macmillan UK; Ballantine Del Rey)
   * Unseen Academicals, Terry Pratchett (Doubleday UK; Harper)
   * Spell Games, T.A. Pratt (Bantam Spectra)
   * Canticle, Ken Scholes (Tor)
   * Drood, Dan Simmons (Little, Brown)
   * The Revolution Business, Charles Stross (Tor)
   * Palimpsest, Catherynne M. Valente (Bantam Spectra)
   * Finch, Jeff VanderMeer (Underland Press)
   * Lifelode, Jo Walton (NESFA Press)
   * The Painting and the City, Robert Freeman Wexler (PS Publishing)
   * In Great Waters, Kit Whitfield (Jonathan Cape; Del Rey)

Young Adult Books

   * The Hotel Under the Sand, Kage Baker (Tachyon Publications)
   * Going Bovine, Libba Bray (Delacorte)
   * Catching Fire, Suzanne Collins (Scholastic Press)
   * Sacred Scars, Kathleen Duey (Atheneum)
   * Gullstruck Island, Frances Hardinge (Macmillan UK); as The Lost Conspiracy (HarperCollins)
   * Liar, Justine Larbalestier (Bloomsbury)
   * The Ask and the Answer, Patrick Ness (Walker UK; Candlewick Press)
   * Heroes of the Valley, Jonathan Stroud (Hyperion; Doubleday UK)
   * Leviathan, Scott Westerfeld (Simon Pulse)

First novels

   * The Windup Girl, Paolo Bacigalupi (Night Shade Books)
   * The Manual of Detection, Jedediah Berry (Penguin)
   * Soulless, Gail Carriger (Orbit)
   * The Adamantine Palace, Stephen Deas (Gollancz; Roc '10)
   * Total Oblivion, More or Less, Alan DeNiro (Ballantine Spectra)
   * Blood of Ambrose, James Enge (Pyr)
   * Ash, Malinda Lo (Little, Brown)
   * Rosemary and Rue, Seanan McGuire (DAW)
   * Lamentation, Ken Scholes (Tor)
   * Harbinger, Jack Skillingstead (Fairwood Press)
   * Spellbent, Lucy A. Snyder (Ballantine Del Rey)
   * Living with Ghosts, Kari Sperring (DAW)
   * Lightbreaker, Mark Teppo (Night Shade Books)
   * Norse Code, Greg van Eekhout (Ballantine Spectra)

Collections

   * The Collected Short Works of Poul Anderson, Volume 1: Call Me Joe & Volume 2: The Queen of Air and Darkness, Poul Anderson (NESFA Press)
   * We Never Talk About My Brother, Peter S. Beagle (Tachyon Publications)
   * A Book of Endings, Deborah Biancotti (Twelfth Planet Press)
   * Tides from the New Worlds, Tobias S. Buckell (Wyrm Publishing)
   * Ancestors and Others: New and Selected Stories, Fred Chappell (St. Martin's)
   * Oceanic, Greg Egan (Gollancz)
   * Fugue State, Brian Evenson (Coffee House)
   * Grazing the Long Acre, Gwyneth Jones (PS Publishing)
   * A is for Alien, Caitlín R. Kiernan (Subterranean Press)
   * Cryptic: The Best Short Fiction of Jack McDevitt, Jack McDevitt (Subterranean Press)
   * Cyberabad Days, Ian McDonald (Pyr)
   * The Best of Michael Moorcock, Michael Moorcock (Tachyon Publications)
   * Northwest Passages, Barbara Roden (Prime Books)
   * Viator Plus, Lucius Shepard (PS Publishing)
   * Trips: The Collected Stories, Volume Four, Robert Silverberg (Subterranean Press)
   * The Woman Who Thought She Was a Planet, Vandana Singh (Zubaan/Penguin Books)
   * Are You There and Other Stories, Jack Skillingstead (Golden Gryphon Press)
   * Wireless, Charles Stross (Ace)
   * Slow Sculpture: The Complete Stories of Theodore Sturgeon: Volume XII, Theodore Sturgeon (North Atlantic)
   * Wild Thyme and Green Magic, Jack Vance (Subterranean Press)
   * Everland and Other Stories, Paul Witcover (PS Publishing)
   * The Best of Gene Wolfe, Gene Wolfe (Tor); as The Very Best of Gene Wolfe (PS)
   * The Collected Stories of Roger Zelazny: Volumes 1-6, Roger Zelazny (NESFA Press)

Anthologies - Original

   * Postscripts #20/21: Edison's Frankenstein, Peter Crowther & Nick Gevers, ed. (PS Publishing)
   * The Dragon Book, Jack Dann & Gardner Dozois, eds. (Berkley)
   * Lovecraft Unbound, Ellen Datlow, ed. (Dark Horse Books)
   * Poe, Ellen Datlow, ed. (Solaris)
   * Troll's Eye View, Ellen Datlow & Terri Windling, eds. (Viking)
   * The New Space Opera 2, Gardner Dozois & Jonathan Strahan, eds. (Eos)
   * Other Earths, Nick Gevers & Jay Lake, eds. (DAW)
   * The Solaris Book of New Science Fiction, Volume Three, George Mann, ed. (Solaris)
   * Songs of the Dying Earth: Stories in Honor of Jack Vance, George R. R. Martin & Gardner Dozois, eds. (Subterranean Press)
   * Conjunctions 52: Betwixt the Between: Impossible Realism, Bradford Morrow & Brian Evenson, eds. (Bard College)
   * Firebirds Soaring, Sharyn November, ed. (Firebird)
   * X6, Keith Stevenson, ed. (coeur de lion)
   * Eclipse Three, Jonathan Strahan, ed. (Night Shade Books)

Anthologies - Reprint

   * Federations, John Joseph Adams, ed. (Prime Books)
   * The Improbable Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, John Joseph Adams, ed. (Night Shade Books)
   * The Secret History of Science Fiction, James Patrick Kelly & John Kessel, eds. (Tachyon Publications)
   * American Fantastic Tales: Terror and the Uncanny from Poe to the Pulps / From the 1940s to Now, Peter Straub (Library of America)
   * The Very Best of Fantasy and Science Fiction, Gordon Van Gelder, ed. (Tachyon Publications)


Anthologies - Bests

   * The Best Horror of the Year: Volume One, Ellen Datlow, ed. (Night Shade Books)
   * The Year's Best Science Fiction: Twenty-sixth Annual Collection, Gardner Dozois, ed. (St. Martin's)
   * Year's Best Fantasy 9, David G. Hartwell & Kathryn Cramer, eds. (Tor.com)
   * Year's Best SF 14, David G. Hartwell & Kathryn Cramer, eds. (Eos)
   * Unplugged: The Web's Best Sci-Fi & Fantasy: 2008 Download, Rich Horton, ed. (Wyrm Publishing)
   * The Year's Best Science Fiction & Fantasy: 2009 Edition, Rich Horton, ed. (Prime Books)
   * The Best Science Fiction and Fantasy of the Year Volume Three, Jonathan Strahan, ed. (Night Shade Books)
   * Best American Fantasy 2, Ann & Jeff VanderMeer, eds. (Prime Books)

Non-Fiction / Art Books

   * Powers: Secret Histories, John Berlyne (PS Publishing)
   * The Routledge Companion to Science Fiction, Mark Bould & Andrew M. Butler, Adam Roberts & Sherryl Vint, eds. (Routledge)
   * Canary Fever: Reviews, John Clute (Beccon Publications)
   * Science Fiction and Fantasy Artists of the Twentieth Century: A Biographical Dictionary, Jane Frank (McFarland)
   * Imagination/Space: Essays and Talks on Fiction, Feminism, Technology and Politics, Gwyneth Jones (Aqueduct Press)
   * Starcombing, David Langford (Cosmos Books)
   * Cheek by Jowl: Essays, Ursula K. Le Guin (Aqueduct Press)
   * The Inter-Galactic Playground: A Critical Study of Children's and Teens' Science Fiction, Farah Mendlesohn (McFarland)
   * On Joanna Russ, Farah Mendlesohn, ed. (Wesleyan University Press)
   * Hope-in-the-Mist: The Extraordinary Career and Mysterious Life of Hope Mirrlees, Michael Swanwick (Temporary Culture)
   * This Is Me, Jack Vance!, Jack Vance (Subterranean Press)

Art Books

   * Knowing Darkness: Artists Inspired by Stephen King, George Beahm (Centipede Press)
   * Reynold Brown: Reynold Brown: A Life in Pictures, Daniel Zimmer & David Hornung (Illustrated Press)
   * Imaginaire II: Magic Realism 2010, Claus Brusen, ed. (Fantasmus-Art)
   * The Future of Fantasy Art, Aly Fell & Duddlebug, eds. (CollinsDesign)
   * Spectrum 16: The Best in Contemporary Fantastic Art, Cathy Fenner & Arnie Fenner, eds. (Underwood Books)
   * Boilerplate: History's Mechanical Marvel, Paul Guinan & Anina Bennett (Abrams)
   * Imaginative Realism: How to Paint What Doesn't Exist, James Gurney (Andrews McMeel)
   * Sci-Fi Art: A Graphic History, Steve Holland (Collins Design)
   * Lewis Carroll's Alice In Wonderland, Rodney Matthews, illustrator (Templar Books)
   * The Late Fauna of Early North America: The Art of Scott Musgrove, Scott Musgrove (Billy Shire and Last Gasp)
   * Frank R. Paul: From the Pen of Paul: The Fantastic Images of Frank R. Paul, Stephen D. Korshak, ed. (Shasta-Phoenix)
   * Norman Saunders, David Saunders (Illustrated Press)
   * Drawing Down the Moon: The Art of Charles Vess, Charles Vess (Dark Horse Books)
   * Exposé 7, Daniel Wade & Paul Hellard, eds. (Mark Snoswell & Daniel Wade/Ballistic)
   * Michael Whelan: The Little Sisters of Eluria, Stephen King (Donald M. Grant)
   * Gahan Wilson: 50 Years of Playboy Cartoons, Gahan Wilson (Fantagraphics Books)

Novellas

    * The Women of Nell Gwynne's, Kage Baker (Subterranean)
    * Horn, Peter M. Ball (Twelfth Planet Press)
    * "Sugar", Leah Bobet (Shadow Unit 4/5/09)
    * "Cuckoo", Emma Bull, Elizabeth Bear, & Leah Bobet (Shadow Unit 8/2/09)
    * "Paradiso Lost", Albert E. Cowdrey (F&SF 6-7/09)
    * "Hot Rock", Greg Egan (Oceanic)
    * "Where the Winds Are All Asleep", Michael F. Flynn (Analog 10/09)
    * "Wives", Paul Haines (X6)
    * The Push, Dave Hutchinson (NewCon Press)
    * "Act One", Nancy Kress (Asimov's 3/09)
    * "Sea-Hearts", Margo Lanagan (X6)
    * "The Wide, Carnivorous Sky", John Langan (By Blood We Live)
    * "Crimes and Glory", Paul McAuley (Subterranean Spring '09)
    * "Vishnu at the Cat Circus", Ian McDonald (Cyberabad Days)
    * Shambling Towards Hiroshima, James Morrow (Tachyon)
    * A Special Place, Peter Straub (Borderlands Press)
    * "Palimpsest", Charles Stross (Wireless)
    * "The Far End of History", John C. Wright (The New Space Opera 2)

Novelettes

    * "Balfour and Meriwether in the Adventure of the Emperor's Vengeance", Daniel Abraham (Postscripts 19)
    * "The Best Monkey", Daniel Abraham (The Solaris Book of New Science Fiction: Volume Three)
    * "A Tiny Feast", Chris Adrian (The New Yorker)
    * "Things Undone", John Barnes (Jim Baen's Universe 12/09)
    * "Formidable Caress", Stephen Baxter (Analog 12/09)
    * "By Moonlight", Peter S. Beagle (We Never Talk About My Brother)
    * "Vanishing", Peter S. Beagle (Intergalactic Medicine Show 3/09)
    * "The Qualia Engine", Damien Broderick (Asimov's 8/09)
    * "This Wind Blowing, and this Tide", Damien Broderick (Asimov's 4-5/09)
    * "Truth and Bone", Pat Cadigan (Poe)
    * "Lowland Sea", Suzy McKee Charnas (Poe)
    * "One of our Bastards is Missing", Paul Cornell (The Solaris Book of New Science Fiction: Volume Three)
    * "Healing Benjamin", Dennis Danvers (Realms of Fantasy 8/09)
    * "Yes We Have No Bananas", Paul Di Filippo (Eclipse Three)
    * "The Lion's Den", Steve Duffy (Cern Zoo: Nemonymous Nine)
    * "The Dragaman's Bride", Andy Duncan (The Dragon Book)
    * "each thing i show you is a piece of my death", Gemma Files & Stephen J. Barringer (Clockwork Phoenix 2)
    * "The Death of Sugar Daddy", Toiya Kristen Finley (Electric Velocipede Spring '09)
    * "Sails Above Greensea", Adam Corbin Fusco (Realms of Fantasy 4/09)
    * "Economancer", Carolyn Ives Gilman (F&SF 6-7/09)
    * "It Takes Two", Nicola Griffith (Eclipse Three)
    * "Dragon's Deep", Cecelia Holland (The Dragon Book)
    * "Dragon's Teeth", Alex Irvine (F&SF 12/09)
    * "Seventh Fall", Alex Irvine (Subterranean Summer '09)
    * "The Cat Who Walked a Thousand Miles", Kij Johnson (Tor.com 7/14/09)
    * "Events Preceding the Helvetican Renaissance", John Kessel (The New Space Opera 2)
    * "Galapagos", Caitlín R. Kiernan (Eclipse Three)
    * "Blood Dauber", Ted Kosmatka & Michael Poore (Asimov's 10-11/09)
    * "First Flight", Mary Robinette Kowal (Tor.com 8/25/09)
    * "A Wild and a Wicked Youth", Ellen Kushner (F&SF 4-5/09)
    * "Technicolor", John Langan (Poe)
    * "Clockatrice", Tanith Lee (Fantasy 10/5/09)
    * "The Pain of Glass", Tanith Lee (Clockwork Phoenix 2)
    * "The Bones of Giants", Yoon Ha Lee (F&SF 8-9/09)
    * "Secret Identity", Kelly Link (Geektastic)
    * "Diana Comet", Sandra McDonald (Strange Horizons 3/2 - 3/9/09)
    * "White Charles", Sarah Monette (Clarkesworld 10/09)
    * "Mongoose", Sarah Monette & Elizabeth Bear (Lovecraft Unbound)
    * "The Heart of the City", Garth Nix (Subterranean Summer '09)
    * "The Long, Cold Goodbye", Holly Phillips (Asimov's 3/09)
    * "Thieves of Silence", Holly Phillips (Beneath Ceaseless Skies 7/16/09)
    * "Controlled Experiment", Tom Purdom (Asimov's 6/09)
    * "Siren Beat", Tansy Rayner Roberts (Siren Beat/Roadkill)
    * "Hair", Adam Roberts (When It Changed)
    * "SinBad the Sand Sailor", R. Garcia y Robertson (Asimov's 7/09)
    * "Wife-Stealing Time", R. Garcia y Robertson (Asimov's 10-11/09)
    * "Cracklegrackle", Justina Robson (The New Space Opera 2)
    * "Lion Walk", Mary Rosenblum (Asimov's 1/09)
    * "You", Geoff Ryman (When It Changed)
    * "A Weeping Czar Beholds the Fallen Moon", Ken Scholes (Tor.com 2/17/09)
    * "Sylgarmo's Proclamation", Lucius Shepard (Songs of the Dying Earth)
    * "The True Vintage of Erzuine Thale", Robert Silverberg (Songs of the Dying Earth)
    * "Infinities", Vandana Singh (The Woman Who Thought She Was a Planet)
    * "Black Swan", Bruce Sterling (Interzone 3-4/09)
    * "Monetized", Jason Stoddard (Interzone 2/09)
    * "Zeppelin City", Michael Swanwick & Eileen Gunn (Tor.com 10/6/09)
    * "Eros, Philia, Agape", Rachel Swirsky (Tor.com 3/3/09)
    * "The City Quiet as Death", Steven Utley & Michael Bishop (Tor.com 6/9/09)
    * "Riders of the Three-Toed Horse", Garrett W. Vance (Jim Baen's Universe 2/09)
    * "Conquistador de la Noche", Carrie Vaughn (Subterranean Spring '09)
    * "The Island", Peter Watts (The New Space Opera 2)
    * "Sails the Morne", Chris Willrich (Asimov's 6/09)
    * "This Peaceable Land; or, The Unbearable Vision of Harriet Beecher Stowe", Robert Charles Wilson (Other Earths)
    * "Utriusque Cosmi", Robert Charles Wilson (The New Space Opera 2)
    * "Everland", Paul Witcover (Everland and Other Stories)
    * "Twilight of the Gods", John C. Wright (Federations)

Short Stories

    * "On the Destruction of Copenhagen by the War-Machines of the Merfolk", Peter M. Ball (Strange Horizons 7/6/09)
    * "Strappado", Laird Barron (Poe)
    * "Home Again", Paul M. Berger (Interzone 3-4/09)
    * "The Boy Who Cried Wolf", Holly Black (Troll's Eye View)
    * "The Coldest Girl in Coldtown", Holly Black (The Eternal Kiss)
    * "Under The Shouting Sky", Karl Bunker (Cosmos 8-9/09)
    * "Baby in the Basket", Cecil Castellucci (Strange Horizons 5/18/09)
    * "Voice Like a Cello", Catherine Cheek (Fantasy 5/4/09)
    * "Early Winter, Near Jenli Village", J. Kathleen Cheney (Fantasy 5/4/09)
    * "Three Fancies from the Infernal Garden", C.S.E. Cooney (Subterranean Winter '09)
    * "Erosion", Ian Creasey (Asimov's 10-11/09)
    * "Bad Matter", Alexandra Duncan (F&SF 12/09)
    * "Lady of the White-Spired City", Sarah L. Edwards (Interzone 5-6/09)
    * "The Pelican Bar", Karen Joy Fowler (Eclipse Three)
    * "An Invocation of Incuriosity", Neil Gaiman (Songs of the Dying Earth)
    * "As Women Fight", Sara Genge (Asimov's 12/09)
    * "Child-Empress of Mars", Theodora Goss (Interfictions 2)
    * "A Story, With Beans", Steven Gould (Analog 5/09)
    * "Butterfly Bomb", Dominic Green (Interzone 5-6/09)
    * "Salt's Father", Eric Gregory (Strange Horizons 8/03/09)
    * "In the Lot and in the Air", Lisa Hannett (Clarkesworld 7/09)
    * "Spar", Kij Johnson (Clarkesworld 10/09)
    * "Collision", Gwyneth Jones (When It Changed)
    * "Going Deep", James Patrick Kelly (Asimov's 6/09)
    * "The Logic of the World", Robert Kelly (Conjunctions 52: Betwixt the Between)
    * "The Motorman's Coat", John Kessel (F&SF 6-7/09)
    * "Echoes of Aurora", Ellen Klages (What Remains)
    * "Singing on a Star", Ellen Klages (Firebirds Soaring)
    * "Dulce Domum", Ellen Kushner (Eclipse Three)
    * "On the Human Plan", Jay Lake (Lone Star Stories 2/1/09)
    * "Ferryman", Margo Lanagan (Firebirds Soaring)
    * "Living Curiosities", Margo Lanagan (Sideshow)
    * "The Cinderella Game", Kelly Link (Troll's Eye View)
    * "Excellence", Richard A. Lovett (Analog 1-2/09)
    * "Useless Things", Maureen F. McHugh (Eclipse Three)
    * "Catalog", Eugene Mirabelli (F&SF 2/09)
    * "The Persistence of Memory, or This Space for Sale", Paul Park (Postscripts 20/21)
    * "Her Voice in a Bottle", Tim Pratt (Subterranean Winter '09)
    * "Narrative of a Beast's Life", Cat Rambo (Realms of Fantasy 12/09)
    * "Before My Last Breath", Robert Reed (Asimov's 10-11/09)
    * "Tests", Robert Reed (Postscripts 20/21)
    * "Edison's Frankenstein", Chris Roberson (Postscripts 20/21)
    * "Writ of Exception", Madeleine E. Robins (Lace and Blade 2)
    * "My She", Mary Rosenblum (Federations)
    * "Colliding Branes", Rudy Rucker & Bruce Sterling (Asimov's 2/09)
    * "The Men Burned All the Boats", Patricia Russo (Fantasy 2/9/09)
    * "Blocked", Geoff Ryman (F&SF 10-11/09)
    * "Of Melei, of Ulthar", Gord Sellar (Clarkesworld 10/09)
    * "Wizard's Apprentice", Delia Sherman (Troll's Eye View)
    * What Happens When You Wake Up in the Night, Michael Marshall Smith (Nightjar Press)
    * "Bob Choi's Last Job", Jonathan Stroud (The Dragon Book)
    * "The Dying World", Lavie Tidhar (Clarkesworld 4/09)
    * "The Shangri-La Affair", Lavie Tidhar (Strange Horizons 1/19/09)
    * "Ragged Claws", Lisa Tuttle (Postscripts 20/21)
    * "A Delicate Architecture", Catherynne M. Valente (Troll's Eye View)
    * "The Radiant Car Thy Sparrows Drew", Catherynne M. Valente (Clarkesworld 8/09)
    * "Bespoke", Genevieve Valentine (Strange Horizons 7/27/09)
    * "Escape to Other Worlds with Science Fiction", Jo Walton (Tor.com 2/6/09)
    * "Three Twilight Tales", Jo Walton (Firebirds Soaring)
    * "Donovan Sent Us", Gene Wolfe (Other Earths)
    * "The Horse Angel", Marly Youmans (Postscripts 20/21)

Quote from: Nightflier on 02-02-2010, 22:44:53
Novels - Science Fiction

    * The Empress of Mars, Kage Baker (Subterranean Press; Tor)

Young Adult Books

    * The Hotel Under the Sand, Kage Baker (Tachyon Publications)

thi bre, prvi roman na spisku a žena se kolko prekjuče upokojila :/

Quote from: Nightflier on 02-02-2010, 22:44:53
This recommended reading list, published in Locus Magazine's February 2010 issue

Englezi negoduju

Recommended?
February 2, 2010 — Niall Harisson

I'm not sure whether it's my preferences changing, or my awareness of the field broadening, or both or something else, but as time goes on I find the Locus Recommended Reading List overlaps less and less with my taste in sf and fantasy. It feels faintly absurd, having this reaction, because the list is so bloated as to make inclusion almost meaningless — there are comfortably more books on the list than I read in a year, and that's before you start on the short fiction categories. This also means that there's a fair number of things I like listed; yet I look at it, and think: from Interzone, you recommend "Monetized", and not "Sinner, Baker, Fabulist, Priest..."? You recommend Ken Scholes' A Weeping Czar Beholds the Fallen Moon", but not Helen Keeble's "A Lullaby"? As a science fiction novel, you recommend Steal Across the Sky but not UFO in Her Eyes? In the fantasy novel category, it's marvellous to see In Great Waters, but where on earth is The Other Lands? This is not frustrating simply because unenlightened fools disagree with me. It's frustrating because the size of the Recommended Reading List is an indication of one of its goals — basically, canon-formation — and because that goal is not challenged elsewhere in the sf community as much as I would like. If the Locus list was more focused, or if there were other lists the same size treated as equivalent authorities, I wouldn't be so bothered. But I know that when I want to know what was big ten years ago, the first thing I do is Google the Locus list for that year, because it aims to include everything of significance. And more and more I want to know what they missed.

Kako do vraga ovaj Locus preporučuje knjige? Sada sam već pročitao dobar deo sa spiska preporučenih i zagrejao sam se za jako mali broj.

Jedan internet prijatelj, inače novinar u Kanadi, zamolio me je da mu pomognem u sastavljanju liste deset najboljih sf end f romana u prethodnoj deceniji. Zanima ga šta Evropljani misle o fantastici, a ja sam jedini Evropljanin kojeg zna. Moram priznati da sam pomalo zatečen. Dakle, šta je po vama najbolje u žanru a objavljeno tokom proteklih deset godina?

Inače, kanadski fanovi za prvih pet kažu ovako:

The Road by Cormac McCarthy
The Adventures of Kavalier and Clay by Micahel Chabon
A Storm of Swords by George R.R. Martin
Blade of Tyshalle by Matthew Stover
Spin by Robert Charles Wilson

Duma Key - Stephen King
River of Gods - Ian McDonald
Terror - Dan Simmons
The Yiddish Policemen Union - Michael Chabon

Za Storm of Swords se slažem.

Top deset najprodavanijih SFF naslova u UK u 2010.

   1. Towers of Midnight by Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson (FBC Rv DC)
   2. Surface Detail by Iain M. Banks (FBC Rv LS)
   3. Against All Things Ending by Stephen Donaldson
   4. The Evolutionary Void by Peter F. Hamilton (Goodreads minireview LS)
   5. The Ambassador's Mission by Trudi Canavan
   6. Kraken by China Mieville
   7. The Passage by Justin Cronin (FBC Rv LS)
   8. The Technician by Neal Asher (FBC Rv LS)
   9. The Black Lung Captain by Chris Wooding (FBC capsule Rv LS)
  10. The Tree of Seasons by Stephen Gately

Top deset najprodavanijih SFF naslova u SAD u 2010.

   1. The Golden Age by Michal Ajvaz
   2. How to Live Safely in A Science Fictional Universe by Charles Yu
   3. Redemption in Indigo by Karen Lord
   4. The Half-Made World by Felix Gilman [FBC rv LS]
   5. The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms by N.K. Jemisin [FBC rv RT, FBC rv sequel The Broken Kingdoms LS]
   6. The Orange Eats Creeps by Grace Krilanovich
   7. The Dream of Perpetual Motion by Dexter Palmer [FBC Rv RT]
   8. Who Fears Death by Nnedi Okorafor
   9. The Fixed Stars: Thirty-Seven Emblems for the Perilous Season by Brian Conn
  10. Kill the Dead by Richard Kadrey

Pogledajte amersku listu. WTF?

To nije lista najprodavanijih naslova, skroluj malo "novosti" na pre no sto smo uplivali u steampunk vode  :lol:

Quote from: Melkor on 07-11-2010, 12:37:18
To nije lista najprodavanijih naslova, skroluj malo "novosti" na pre no sto smo uplivali u steampunk vode  :lol:

Znam, pročitao sam. Ali ova dva spiska dobio sam na mejl kao primere top 10 Amazona.uk i Amazona.com - sa posebnim naglaskom kako Britanci imaju više plebejski ukus od Amera, pa mi je sve to čudno.

Prvi deo mog Best ov d Best od pročitanih knjiga iz prethodne godine na http://nightfliersbookspace.blogspot.com/2011/01/77-deo-drugi-ili-najbolje-u-nastavcima.html (http://nightfliersbookspace.blogspot.com/2011/01/77-deo-drugi-ili-najbolje-u-nastavcima.html)

http://nightfliersbookspace.blogspot.com/2011/12/nightfliers-best-ov-d-best-2011-deo_29.html (http://nightfliersbookspace.blogspot.com/2011/12/nightfliers-best-ov-d-best-2011-deo_29.html)

Evo prvih pet drugoplasiranih romana sa spiska najboljih među pročitanima prošle godine:

http://nightfliersbookspace.blogspot.com/2012/01/nightfliers-best-ov-d-best-2011-deo.html (http://nightfliersbookspace.blogspot.com/2012/01/nightfliers-best-ov-d-best-2011-deo.html)

Novi Best ov d Best na Bukspejsu: http://nightfliersbookspace.blogspot.com/2012/01/nightfliers-best-ov-d-best-2011-deo_14.html (http://nightfliersbookspace.blogspot.com/2012/01/nightfliers-best-ov-d-best-2011-deo_14.html)

Lokus objavio spisak naslova preporučenih za čitanje, a objavljenih u 2011. godini:

2011 Recommended Reading List

Novels – Science Fiction

    Daybreak Zero, John Barnes (Ace)
    Grail, Elizabeth Bear (Ballantine Spectra)
    Leviathan Wakes, James S. A. Corey (Orbit US; Orbit UK)
    The Clockwork Rocket, Greg Egan (Night Shade Books)
    This Shared Dream, Kathleen Ann Goonan (Tor)
    7th Sigma, Steven Gould (Tor)
    Deadline, Mira Grant (Orbit US; Orbit UK)
    Earthbound, Joe Haldeman (Ace)
    11/22/63, Stephen King (Scribner; Hodder & Stoughton as 11.22.63)
    Wake Up and Dream, Ian R. MacLeod (PS Publishing)
    Firebird, Jack McDevitt (Ace)
    Embassytown, China Miéville (Ballantine Del Rey; Macmillan)
    All the Lives He Led, Frederik Pohl (Tor)
    The Islanders, Christopher Priest (Gollancz)
    Enigmatic Pilot: A Tall Tale Too True, Kris Saknussemm (Del Rey)
    Heart of Iron, Ekaterina Sedia (Prime Books)
    Rule 34, Charles Stross (Ace; Orbit UK)
    Dancing With Bears, Michael Swanwick (Night Shade Books)
    The Children of the Sky, Vernor Vinge (Tor)
    The Courier's New Bicycle, Kim Westwood (Voyager Australia)
    Zone One, Colson Whitehead (Doubleday; Harvill Secker)
    Vortex, Robert Charles Wilson (Tor)
    Home Fires, Gene Wolfe (Tor; PS)

Novels – Fantasy

    The Heroes, Joe Abercrombie (Gollancz; Orbit US)
    The Dragon's Path, Daniel Abraham (Orbit US; Orbit UK)
    Heartless, Gail Carriger (Orbit US; Orbit UK)
    The Fallen Blade, Jon Courtenay Grimwood (Orbit US; Orbit UK)
    The Alchemists of Kush, Minister Faust (Narmer's Palette)
    Hidden Cities, Daniel Fox (Del Rey)
    The Uncertain Places, Lisa Goldstein (Tachyon Publications)
    Raising Stony Mayhall, Daryl Gregory (Del Rey)
    The Magician King, Lev Grossman (Viking)
    Redwood and Wildfire, Andrea Hairston (Aqueduct Press)
    The Kingdom of Gods, N. K. Jemisin (Orbit US; Orbit UK)
    A Dance with Dragons, George R. R. Martin (Bantam; Harper Voyager UK)
    The Cold Commands, Richard K. Morgan (Ballantine Del Rey; Gollancz)
    Professor Moriarty: The Hound of the D'Urbervilles, Kim Newman (Titan Books)
    The Book of Transformations, Mark Charan Newton (Tor UK)
    Mr. Fox, Helen Oyeyemi (Picador UK; Riverhead)
    The Hammer, K. J. Parker (Orbit US; Orbit UK)
    Snuff, Terry Pratchett (Harper; Doubleday UK)
    Briarpatch, Tim Pratt (ChiZine Publications)
    The River of Shadows, Robert V. S. Redick (Del Rey; Gollancz)
    The Wise Man's Fear, Patrick Rothfuss (DAW; Gollancz)
    Deathless, Catherynne M. Valente (Tor)
    The Folded World, Catherynne M. Valente (Night Shade Books)
    Among Others, Jo Walton (Tor)
    Mistification, Kaaron Warren (Angry Robot UK; Angry Robot US)

Young Adult Books

    Abarat: Absolute Midnight, Clive Barker (Harper; HarperCollins UK)
    The Mostly True Story of Jack, Kelly Barnhill (Little, Brown)
    Chime, Franny Billingsley (Dial)
    Red Glove, Holly Black (McElderry)
    Beauty Queens, Libba Bray (Scholastic)
    Eona, Alison Goodman (Viking; Angus & Roberson)
    Twilight Robbery, Frances Hardinge (Macmillan; Harper as Fly Trap)
    The Shattering, Karen Healey (Allen & Unwin; Little, Brown)
    Huntress, Malinda Lo (Little, Brown)
    Planesrunner, Ian McDonald (Pyr)
    A Monster Calls, Patrick Ness (Walker UK; Candlewick)
    The Akata Witch, Nnedi Okorafor (Viking)
    Mastiff, Tamora Pierce (Random House)
    Scrivener's Moon, Philip Reeve (Marion Lloyd)
    Across the Universe, Beth Revis (Razorbill)
    Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children, Ransom Riggs (Quirk)
    The Freedom Maze, Delia Sherman (Small Beer Press/Big Mouth House)
    The Highest Frontier, Joan Slonczewski (Tor)
    Daughter of Smoke and Bone, Laini Taylor (Little, Brown; Hodder & Stoughton)
    The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making, Catherynne M. Valente (Feiwel and Friends)
    The Boy at the End of the World, Greg van Eekhout (Bloomsbury USA)
    Goliath, Scott Westerfeld (Simon Pulse; Simon & Schuster UK)
    Across the Great Barrier, Patricia C. Wrede (Scholastic)
    The Space Between, Brenna Yovanoff (Razorbill)

First Novels

    Debris, Jo Anderton (Angry Robot US; Angry Robot UK)
    The Girl of Fire and Thorns, Rae Carson (Greenwillow; Gollancz as Fire and Thorns)
    Ready Player One, Ernest Cline (Crown; Century)
    God's War, Kameron Hurley (Night Shade Books)
    The Desert of Souls, Howard Andrew Jones (St. Martin's)
    Of Blood and Honey, Stina Leicht (Night Shade)
    Soft Apocalypse, Will McIntosh (Night Shade Books)
    The Night Circus, Erin Morgenstern (Doubleday)
    The Tiger's Wife, Téa Obreht (Random House; Weidenfeld & Nicholson)
    Low Town, Daniel Polansky (Doubleday; Hodder & Stoughton as Low Town: The Straight Razor Cure)
    Mechanique: A Tale of the Circus Tresaulti, Genevieve Valentine (Prime Books)
    Blood Red Road, Moira Young (McElderry; Marion Lloyd)
    Seed, Rob Ziegler (Night Shade Books)

Collections

    The Monkey's Wedding and Other Stories, Joan Aiken (Small Beer Press)
    The Collected Short Works of Poul Anderson, Volume 4: Admiralty, Poul Anderson (NESFA Press)
    Sleight of Hand, Peter S. Beagle (Tachyon Publications)
    TVA Baby and Other Stories, Terry Bisson (PM Press)
    When the Great Days Come, Gardner Dozois (Prime Books)
    The Collected Stories of Carol Emshwiller, Volume One, Carol Emshwiller (NonStop Press)
    Unpossible and Other Stories, Daryl Gregory (Fairwood Press)
    The Inheritance and Other Stories, Robin Hobb & Megan Lindholm (Harper Voyager UK; Harper Voyager US)
    The Universe of Things, Gwyneth Jones (Aqueduct Press)
    Wind Angels, Leigh Kennedy (PS Publishing)
    Two Worlds and In Between: The Best of Caitlín R. Kiernan (Volume One), Caitlín R. Kiernan (Subterranean Press)
    Yellowcake, Margo Lanagan (Allen & Unwin)
    After the Apocalypse, Maureen F. McHugh (Small Beer Press)
    Somewhere Beneath Those Waves, Sarah Monette (Prime Books)
    The Bible Repairman and Other Stories, Tim Powers (Tachyon Publications)
    Love and Romanpunk, Tansy Rayner Roberts (Twelfth Planet)
    Paradise Tales, Geoff Ryman (Small Beer Press)
    Gothic High-Tech, Bruce Sterling (Subterranean Press)
    Matilda Told Such Dreadful Lies: The Essential Lucy Sussex, Lucy Sussex (Ticonderoga)
    Kurt Vonnegut: Novels & Stories 1963-1973, Kurt Vonnegut, edited by Sidney Offit (Library of America)

Anthologies – Original

    Welcome to Bordertown, Holly Black & Ellen Kushner, eds. (Random House)
    Technology Review: Science Fiction, Stephen Cass, ed. (MIT Technology Review)
    Ghosts by Gaslight, Jack Dann & Nick Gevers, eds. (Harper Voyager US)
    Blood and Other Cravings, Ellen Datlow, ed. (Tor)
    Naked City: Tales of Urban Fantasy, Ellen Datlow, ed. (St. Martin's)
    Teeth: Vampire Tales, Ellen Datlow & Terri Windling, eds. (Harper)
    A Book of Horrors, Stephen Jones, ed. (Jo Fletcher)
    Steampunk!: An Anthology of Fantastically Rich and Strange Stories, Kelly Link & Gavin J. Grant, eds. (Candlewick Press; Walker UK)
    Subterranean: Tales of Dark Fantasy 2, William Schafer, ed. (Subterranean)
    Eclipse Four, Jonathan Strahan, ed. (Night Shade Books)
    Engineering Infinity, Jonathan Strahan, ed. (Solaris; Solaris UK)
    Life on Mars: Tales of the New Frontier, Jonathan Strahan, ed. (Viking)
    The Thackery T. Lambshead Cabinet of Curiosities, Ann VanderMeer & Jeff VanderMeer, eds. (Harper Voyager US)

Anthologies – Reprint

    Best Horror of the Year: Volume Three, Ellen Datlow, ed. (Night Shade Books)
    The Year's Best Science Fiction: Twenty-eighth Annual Collection, Gardner Dozois, ed. (St. Martin's Griffin)
    The Year's Best Dark Fantasy & Horror: 2011 Edition, Paula Guran, ed. (Prime Books)
    Year's Best SF 16, David G. Hartwell & Kathryn Cramer, eds. (Harper Voyager)
    The Year's Best Science Fiction & Fantasy: 2011 Edition, Rich Horton, ed. (Prime Books)
    The Mammoth Book of Best New Horror: 22, Stephen Jones, ed. (Running Press; Robinson)
    Happily Ever After, John Klima, ed. (Night Shade)
    The Book of Cthulhu, Ross E. Lockhart, ed. (Night Shade Books)
    The Best Science Fiction and Fantasy of the Year Volume Five, Jonathan Strahan, ed. (Night Shade Books)
    The Weird: A Compendium of Strange and Dark Stories, Ann VanderMeer & Jeff VanderMeer, eds. (Corvus; Tor 2012)

   




Non-Fiction

    In Other Worlds: SF and the Human Imagination, Margaret Atwood (Doubleday/Talese; Virago; Signal (Canada))
    Pardon This Intrusion: Fantastika in the World Storm, John Clute (Beccon Press)
    Becoming Ray Bradbury, Jonathan R. Eller (University Of Illinois Press)
    Denying Science, John Grant (Prometheus)
    Nested Scrolls: The Autobiography of Rudolf von Bitter Rucker, Rudy Rucker (PS; Tor)
    Musings and Meditations, Robert Silverberg (NonStop Press)
    Evaporating Genres: Essays on Fantastic Literature, Gary K. Wolfe (Wesleyan University Press)
    Sightings: Reviews 2002-2006, Gary K. Wolfe (Beccon Publications)

Poslednji deo Best ov d Best za prošlu godinu na:

http://nightfliersbookspace.blogspot.com/2012/02/nightfliers-best-ov-d-best-2011-deo.html (http://nightfliersbookspace.blogspot.com/2012/02/nightfliers-best-ov-d-best-2011-deo.html)

Quote from: Nightflier on 02-02-2012, 21:06:26
Lokus objavio spisak naslova preporučenih za čitanje, a objavljenih u 2011. godini:

2011 Recommended Reading List

I? Neko? Bilo ko?  :)

Sa liste sem procitao samo 4 1/2 naslova (ako ne racunam reprint antologije) te se ne osecam narocito sposobnim da je komentarisem. A, iz raznih razloga, u poslednje vreme ne pratim bas najprizeljnije scenu pa me stvarno interesuju komentari, preporuke, kritike, zakeranja...

Quote from: Melkor on 04-02-2012, 21:36:22

Quote from: Nightflier on 02-02-2012, 21:06:26
Lokus objavio spisak naslova preporučenih za čitanje, a objavljenih u 2011. godini:

2011 Recommended Reading List

I? Neko? Bilo ko?  :)

Sa liste sem procitao samo 4 1/2 naslova (ako ne racunam reprint antologije) te se ne osecam narocito sposobnim da je komentarisem. A, iz raznih razloga, u poslednje vreme ne pratim bas najprizeljnije scenu pa me stvarno interesuju komentari, preporuke, kritike, zakeranja...

U celini i celosti pročitao sam:

Leviathan Wakes, James S. A. Corey (Orbit US; Orbit UK)
The Dragon's Path, Daniel Abraham (Orbit US; Orbit UK)
Raising Stony Mayhall, Daryl Gregory (Del Rey)
A Dance with Dragons, George R. R. Martin (Bantam; Harper Voyager UK)
The Cold Commands, Richard K. Morgan (Ballantine Del Rey; Gollancz)
Snuff, Terry Pratchett (Harper; Doubleday UK)
The Wise Man's Fear, Patrick Rothfuss (DAW; Gollancz)
Eona, Alison Goodman (Viking; Angus & Roberson)
Mastiff, Tamora Pierce (Random House)
Debris, Jo Anderton (Angry Robot US; Angry Robot UK)
Low Town, Daniel Polansky (Doubleday; Hodder & Stoughton as Low Town: The Straight Razor Cure)

Gomilu zbirki sam pročitao u delovima - dve trećine, polovinu, četvrtinu - pa njih ne bih da komentarišem. Neki od tih preporučenih naslova našli su se na mojoj BodB listi za prošlu godinu, ali potpuno sam iznenađen odsustvom nekih fantazi i sf prvenaca koji su zaista izvanredni. Tu mislim na Prince of Thorns i Among Thieves.

Ove godine sam pročitao tačno 91. književno delo - uključujući i stripove, ali ne uključujući stripove koje sam prevodio. Ranije sam sastavljao opsežnije liste najboljih naslova pročitanih u određenoj godini, ali ove godine zadržaću se na samo tri:

Od prvog ka trećem:

1. Locke and Key, Joe Hill
2. A Memory of Light, Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson
3. Bel Dame Apocrypha, Kameron Hurley

Srećna vam svima Nova godina i svi prethodni i potonji praznici! :)

The Best of the Best of Fantasy Literature


Introduction

Take a stroll through any mega-bookstore, and you will be inundated by isles and isles of fantasy titles. A few will be great, some good and most, appallingly bad. Finding a good fantasy book is difficult, like sifting for gold among sand. But occasionally, you'll find that rare nugget, that grain of gold to forever treasure. I find myself in a unique position as a "fantasy pundit", since I have read most of the fantasy books out there. I often find myself recommending the same books over and over. Tired of this, I decided to create a comprehensive list of "The Best". Tastes change from person to person, but I think most astute fantasy readers will agree that the books on my list stand out above the rest.

Before I start, let me get this out of the way. People often ask me if authors such as "Dark Elf" RA Salvatore and the myriad of D&D type books (such as Dragonlance and Forgotten Realms) are any good. Let me put it this way: training wheels are good when you first attempt to ride a bike. RA Salvatore, and Dragonlance books work the same way. They are good for people who are neophytes to the fantasy literature scene, but they are only training wheels. I call these "training wheels" the "McDonald Cheesburgers" of Fantasy. They might be filling, but eventually you might want to sample the fancy French cuisine.

D&D-type novels have given fantasy literature a bad name. The typical cover usually features some fair-haired, buxom princess clutching a Conan character's meaty arm. Sort of reminds me of those cheesy Harlequin book covers that make me want to puke right there in the middle of the isle. The only difference between the two is the requisite dragon and wizard fighting in the background. It comes as no surprise then that D&D books give people the shivers—and not the good kind!  Your average Joe often associates "fantasy" with the shaggy-haired kid standing in the corner of the high school hallway, muttering about a level 35 druid named Ragnoth. These books literally scream "nerd", "geek", and "social loser" to the world.

Yet rest assured there are some very well written fantasy books out there, books that can compete arm to arm with "literature".

You just have to know where to look.

Here is my comprehensive list of the BEST of the BEST fantasy books. I have created several lists. The first is a list of what I consider to the "Top 25" fantasy works. Books that I consider to be very good (but not the best of the best) comprise the "Honorable Mention" list. Then there is the "Good Fantasy Books" list—books that are worth checking out, after you read through the first two lists.

Every book on these lists I consider to be the books that stand out above the thousands of lesser works. The books on these lists are the crème of the crop (especially the Top 25 & the Honorable Mentions). If you love fantasy, make sure you read through the Top 25—you won't be disappointed!

Note: my Top 25 list tends to gravitate towards the "Epic Fantasies", that is, stories that are not contained in a single volume, as opposed to standalone Fantasy Books. Perhaps the title, "Best of the Best of Fantasy Literature" is a bit of a misnomer, as most of my top twenty-five are part of trilogy or saga. This may be my own personal preference shinning through here, as I appreciate complex world building, something a single standalone fantasy book rarely accomplishes.  If you are the type that despise epics, than skip my top 25, and peruse the "Honorable Mentions" and "Good Fantasy Book" lists, which include some outstanding single volume works.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
The Top 25 Epic Fantasy Novels


#1 George R. Martin's A Song of Fire and Ice saga

Series Completion: NOT COMPLETED

A projected 7 books in the series. 3 books out. Book four will probably make a December 2004 release.

-This brilliant series starts with A Game of Thrones. What can I say about this series other then READ IT! It is universally known as the best fantasy series, ever. Martin writes with flair, deftly weaving multiple storylines in a gritty, even brutal, world that consists entirely of grey characters instead of the classic black and white. It's a vast chess game spanning continents, and the pieces are lords, bastards, knights, wizards, ladies, and children. What really stands out in this series is Martin's penchant for axing the major characters. That's right. No character is safe from the author's noose. Despite the demise of major characters, the plot lines continue stronger than ever. Tired of protagonists walking through fire without a scratch, falling hundreds of feet without a bruise, and defeating superhuman creatures with the same amount of effort that one puts into scratching an arm? Then this series is your fix. The sheer unpredictability of the series renders a delectable experience.  Dare you to predict the winners and losers? If you haven't read the series yet, go to your local library or bookstore and procure the series.

Similar recommendations: If you like Martin's A Song of Fire and Ice saga, try Greg Keyes' The Briar King, the first in his not-yet-complete trilogy which features delicious prose, gritty realism and an enticing plot. You can also try R. Scott Bakker's The Darkness that Comes Before, which features superlative prose, a unique, but fascinating storyline, and the gritty realism that Martin exhibits.


#2 Robert Jordan's The Wheel of Time saga


Series Completion: NOT COMPLETED: A projected 13 books in series. 10 books out + a prequel

The Wheel of Time turns and Ages come and go, leaving memories that become legend. Legend fades to myth, and even myth is long forgotten when the Age that gave it birth returns again. In the Third Age, an Age of Prophecy, the World and Time themselves hang in the balance. What was, what will be, and what is, may yet fall under the Shadow.

-I can truthfully say that Jordan is the King of Fantasy, if not in complexity, then in page count. This monstrously big series spans over 13 massive books (each at least 700 pages). As of September 2004, he has 10 of the 13 projected books finished. One of the blurbs on the cover pages of Jordan's books state that "Jordan has come to dominate the world Tolkien started to reveal". This quote is no exaggeration. If you thought Tolkien was complex, you ain't seen nothing yet, baby. Jordan is a skillful writer, able to inject dramatic tension into every aspect of his world. Plenty and plenty of political scheming, power struggles, gender struggles, a very well conceived (perhaps the best of any fantasy book) magic system, a world portrayed in pedantic detail, and great characters. There is a reason why Jordan is the #1 selling Fantasy author. He is one of my favorite authors, and I bet will be yours too if you give him a shot. A caveat: hoards of people are pissing mad at Jordan for dragging on the series too long. It's commonly agreed his first four books are fantastic, but he really starts to drag after the seventh book, notable his last two (book 9 and 10). The series is as of yet unfinished, so realize if you start, you will be pining away waiting for the next two books. If you like Tolkien, you will probably like Jordan.

Similar recommendations: Give George R.R. Martin's A Song of Fire and Ice a try. It's a massive epic like Jordan's Wheel of Time (not as long), and it's universally held in the highest esteem, a sort of paragon of what all Fantasy books should strive to be. You thought those "Dragonlance" books were good? Try Martin for a taste of what fantasy books should be like. If you like fantasy, do yourself a favor and read Martin. He is the best of the best. You might also try Tracy Hickman & Margaret Weis's Death Gate Cycle. A monolithic seven book saga that's reminiscent of Jordan's style, heavy on the magic, tension and action, but unique enough not to be a banal hack. Also try Michelle West's Sun Sword Saga, another large epic fantasy saga (six books) that shares some similarities with Jordan's Wheel of Time. West's writing style is drastically different that Jordan's, however--more subtle, and often ponderous. If you are an action freak, The Sun Sword pacing will probably be a bit too slow for you. You might also try Raymond E. Fiest's Magician duology, as he writes in a style and flavor similar to Jordan (heavy on action and magic).

#3 J.R.R Tolkien's Lord of the Rings.

Series Completion: COMPLETED: Three Books

-Do I even need to discuss it? The father of modern fantasy, the recreation of the English myth, an apex of English Literature; Lord of the Rings is more than mere Fantasy, it is both myth and a fictional history so real, so enticing, that it can be read as "real". Peter Jackson's movies capture the imagination of the books with astounding clarity—yet at the same time, the books deliver a different yet equally satisfying experience.

Similar recommendations: Sean Russell's A Swan's War trilogy. Russell prose is lyrical and beautiful, a very poetic style. Magic remains a mysterious and rare (like Lord of the Rings), and his world is full of mystery and wonder. Also try Tad William's Memory, Sorrow, Thorn saga, which is very reminiscent of Lord of the Rings. It's is unique however, and Williams, while sometimes to verbose, is a skilled wordsmith. Tolkien is universally praised for his magnificent world building, though his characterization is often criticized. Robert Jordan is another writer in the same epic vein as Tolkien, though, in my opinion, he writes far better characters than Tolkien. Like big epics? Like well constructed magic systems? Like political intrigue? Like gender power struggles? Like the end of the world? Then Jordan is a MUST read. His Wheel of Time is a magnificent epic fantasy that will suck you in. Just make sure you have enough time on your hands when you start!

#4 Greg Keyes' A Kingdom of Thorn and Bone saga

Series Completion: NOT COMPLETED: Three books projected; two books released so far

                I: The Briar King

                II: The Charnel Prince

-Keyes stunned the fantasy community with his phenomenal new high fantasy novel, The Briar King, last year. This guy is a master of the English language. His writing is both witty and beautiful; sort of an Oscar Wild meets J.R.R. Tolkien synergy. His plot is thick, rich with interesting characters (and the dialogue is top notch and at times, hilarious), and the world fairly gritty, though less than Martin's. Keyes takes old fantasy cliques and makes them into something completely new. I can't recommend this series enough.

Similar recommendations: If you like Greg Keyes' The Briar King, try R Scott Baker's The Darkness that Comes Before, which features superlative prose, an unique, but fascinating storyline, and the gritty realism that Martin exhibits. Also try Martin's A Song of Fire and Ice saga and Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time saga.

#5 R Scott Baker's The Darkness that Comes Before.

Series Completion: NOT COMPLETED: Three books projected; two books released so far

                I: The Darkness That Comes Before

                II: Prince of NOthing

In a world saturated by religious fanaticism, Maithanet, enigmatic spiritual leader of the Thousand Temples, declares a Holy War against the infidels. Ikurei Conphas, military genius and nephew to the Nansur Emperor, embarks on a war to conquer the known world in the name of his emperor....and himself. Drusas Achamian, spy and sorcerer of the mysterious northern sorceries, tormented by visions of the great apocalypse, seeks the promised one, the savior of mankind. Anasurimbor Kellhus, heir to the shattered northern kingdom, whose ruins now lay hidden in the deepest north, a place now desolate, home to only the No-Men. Gifted with extraordinary martial skills of hand and foot, and steering souls through the subtleties of word and expression, he slowly binds all - man and woman, emperor and slave - to his own mysterious ends. But the fate of men--even great men—may be cast into ruin. For in the deep north, the hand of the forgotten No-God stirs once more, and his servants tread the lands of men once more...

-First novel by Canadian novelist, Baker, The Darkness That Comes Before is shockingly good, featuring first rate prose, a dark storyline and a Steven Erickson-like epic scale. This book is sort of like a Clive Baker horror novel meets Steven Erickson meets Robert Jordan. The story will grip you harder than a vice. His second book, Warrior Prophet, maintains the impossibly high standards he set in the first book. Without a doubt, Bakker has established himself as one of the top fantasy authors.

Similar recommendations: The vast scope of A Darkness that Comes Before is very redolent of Steven Erickson's A Tale of the Malazan Book of the Fallen saga, though the characters are less grey, and the story more focused. Also try George R.R Martin's A Game of Thrones, which is very epic and very gritty.

#6 Kate Elliott's Crown of Stars saga.

Series Completion Status: NOT COMPLETED: Six books projected; five books released so far

-First book is King's Dragon. Complex politics, well thought out magic system, clash between religious and secular powers, an ineluctable catastrophe looming, long lost creatures walking the lands once again, GREAT characterization...what more can you ask for in a fantasy saga. Plot? Good enough to taste.

Similar recommendations: Tad William's Memory, Sorrow, Thorn saga. William's has beautifully reinterpreted Tolkien's Lord of the Rings (and no it is not in the least bit a clone, and no, there is no One Ring), creating a vast world of mystery and magic. Characterization is top notch.

# 7 Sean Russell's The Swan's War trilogy

Series Completion Status: NOT COMPLETED: Three books projected; two books released

-First book in this trilogy is The One Kingdom. Brilliant, brilliant books. Russell's prose is gorgeous. So gorgeous it almost seems lyrical; his world is full of mystery and beauty. In many cases, Fantasy books are so overloaded with magic that it soon ceases to mean anything--a simple Pug or Richard gains-new-power and defeats-even-more powerful villain, ad infinity . Russell opts to keep magic mysterious and rare. He never explains how it works. Martin does this in "A Song of Fire and Ice" and Tolkien in Lord of the Rings as well. If you want to read books that will sweep you off your feet with their beauty, passion and superlative plot, check this trilogy out.

Similar recommendations: J.R.R. Tolkien's A Lord of the Rings. The Swan's War trilogy seems both similar yet different than Lord of the Rings. The mysterious and rare nature of magic is a trait shared by both books, as is the beautiful prose that seems half poetry, half fiction (though Russel's work is more "modern" and novelistic).

#8 Stephen R. Donaldson's FIRST, SECOND, and LAST Chronicles of Thomas Covenant

Series Completion Status: First 7 Second Chronicles of Thomas Covenant  COMPLETED; First book of "Last Chronicles of Thomas Covenant released this month (October 2004)"

Book Description
The first book in one of the most remarkable epic fantasies ever written, the Chronicles of Thomas Covenant, Unbeliever.
He called himself Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever because he dared not believe in the strange alternate world in which he suddenly found himself. Yet he was tempted to believe, to fight for the Land, to be the reincarnation of its greatest hero....
THE CHRONICLES OF THOMAS COVENANT THE UNBELIEVER
Book One: LORD FOUL'S BANE
Book Two: THE ILLEARTH WAR
Book Three: THE POWER THAT PRESERVES

-Stephen R. Donaldson changed the face of fantasy in 1977 with the publishing of Lord Foul's Bane ( book one in The First Chronicles of Thomas Covenant). It took the world by storm. Hailed as a masterpiece of fantasy literature, TC went on to sell over 6 million copies. And for good reason. Donaldson's magnum opus is regarded as one the most emotionally compelling fantasy works ever created. Covenant is through and through an antihero. From anti-hero to hero, from tragedy to victory, this is one man's quest to save The Land from Evil and in the process, find his own redemption... If you love fantasy, READ THESE BOOKS. They are beyond phenomenal. Words cannot describe how good the books are. Donaldson is one of the best characterization writers, ever.

Note: After 17 years, Donaldson has released the first book in his new Thomas Covenant saga (The Last Chronicles of Thomas Covenant), entitled The Runes of the Earth. I recently finished it. Was it worth the wait? HELL YEA! Fans of TC, hold on to your birches, cause' your in for one hell of a ride!

#9 Patricia A. McKillip's Riddle of Stars trilogy



Series Completion Status: COMPLETED: Three Books

-Starts with The Riddlemaster of Hed. This trilogy has been around for a while, but by no means is it any less worth reading. It is one of the "classics" like Lord of the Rings, that every fantasy enthusiast should read. Fear not, the books are not archaic by any means (published 20 or so years ago).  The story is gripping, the characters indelible, and the prose lyrical--in the style of say Sean Russel. These books are everything fantasy should be and more.

Similar recommendations: J.R.R. Tolkien's A Lord of the Rings. I also recommend Ursula le Guin's classic The Earthsea trilogy, which features the same lyrical writing style as McKillip, and the hauntingly beautiful tale of a young boy's journey from boy to wizard. You might also try Sean Russel's The Swan's War trilogy which features lyrical prose, a pervading sense of pathos and a world full of opportunity, were magic is as mysterious as it is dangerous.

#10 Robin Hobb's Assasin's Trilogy, Liveship Traders trilogy, and Tawny Man trilogy

Series Completion Status: COMPLETED: Three Books in each trilogy, all released

-Hobb is, bar none, the best characterization writer, ever. Her characters are vividly real, leaping out of the pages into our minds as "living" characters. She has no qualms about allowing her protagonist to suffer, and suffer dreadfully. I don't even think Hobb has any concept of Dues Ex Machina. If her protagonist falls into a pit, no mysterious burst of air pads his fall; no, the protagonist will break both legs and likely his arms too. Hobb also creates an interesting magic system and a gripping plot. You will cry and laugh as her characters struggle to overcome their obstacles.

Similar recommendations: Guy Gaverial Kay's Tigania. This books is packed with emotion. If you like the emotional intensity and pathos of Hobb, you will love Tigania.

#11 JV Jones A Sword of Shadows saga

Series Completion Status: NOT COMPLETED: Three books projected; two books released so far

-Starts with A Cavern of Black Ice. Gritty, cold fantasy, with a flair for the gruesome. This fabulous trilogy is jam packed full of goodness. Characterization is great, and Jones, like Robin Hobb and Martin, is shows no quarter to her heroes. This is Sword and Sorcery the way it's meant to be. Jones has really come into her own the past few years and Sword of Shadows is her masterpiece. My only complaint: It's taking so damn long for the next book to be released.

Similar recommendations: Try George Martin's A Game of Thrones, which features a brutal world set in an ice filled milieu. You might also try JV Jones's other excellent Book of Words fantasy saga (starts with A Baker's Boy).

#12 Jennifer Fallon's The Second Sons Trilogy

Series Completion:  COMPLETED: Three books, all released.

MAGNIFICENT BOOKS! Starts with The Lion of Senett. Commentary on trilogy to be added shortly.



#13 E.E. Knight's "Vampire Earth"

Series Completion:  NOT COMPLETED:  I predict there will be many books in this too-addicting saga. Each book continues Valentine's story.

Picture a dark, apocalyptic world set in the near future. A world conquered by vampyric aliens, where humans are kept as nothing more than feeding and breeding stock. This is not your normal post-apocalyptic novel. Knight creates a rich milieu, almost reminiscent of an epic fantasy world. Make no mistake, this novel cannot be pigeon-holed into a single genre, it has elements of horror, fantasy, and science fiction. This is one hell of a thrill ride with a dark tension that keeps you pinned from the moment you open the cover to the second you wipe your eyes at 3 in the morning...

#14 Tad William's Memory, Sorrow, Thorn saga.

Series Completion Status: COMPLETED: Four books

-MST is Williams's version of Lord of the Rings. No, it is not a clone; in fact, it's very different—in a good way. William's characterization is top notch; you follow the journey of young Simon from boy to man, from kitchen scullion to hero. The plot is thick and often crawls at a snails pace, but the series is an undisguised jewel. A must for any fantasy aficionado.

Similar recommendations: Lord of the Rings by JRR Tolkien. Another book that shares some similarities is Michael A Stackpole's The Dragon Crown Cycle, which features an epic, black & white struggle, struggle between good and evil. Tad Williams will be releasing a new epic fantasy saga entitled "Shadowmarch" come November. Based on his past track record of fabulous novels ( and the early reviews that are practically glowing ), you might want to keep an eye out for Shadowmarch. It looks to be a gem.

#15 Ursula Le Guin's The Earthsea Trilogy

Series Completion Status: COMPLETED: Three books (two more have been added since the original trilogy was written, making a total of 5 books in the series)

-Starts with The Wizard of Earthsea. This is a coming of age story; leaps and bounds above the usual run of the mill boy-becomes-wizard-and-saves-world. With prose so good that you will want to lick the pages, and a story equally as enthralling, you will do no wrong buying—yes they are worth BUYING—this series. They are the types of book you can read over and over, then some more. Touching, beautiful, at times sad, this trilogy is one of the great masterpieces of fantasy literature.

Similar recommendations: J.R.R. Tolkien's A Lord of the Rings. I also recommend Phillip K. McKillip's wonderful Riddle of Stars trilogy, which features similar prose and a similar, though at the same time, very different, story. You might also try Sean Russel's The Swan's War.

#16 Steven Erickson's  A Tale of the Malazan Book of the Fallen saga.

Series Completion Status: NOT COMPLETED: Projected series is ten books; Five Book released so far;

-Since Tolkien, Fantasy has rarely been revolutionary, instead becoming more of an evolution and reinterpretation of Tolkien's original work. Well, I can honestly say Erickson's saga is revolutionary. No fantasy series is more epic in scope than ATotMBotF. His saga combines both military and epic fantasy into a delightful mix. Brilliant prose, epic storylines, gritty realism, fascinating mix of grey characters, Erickson combines the best of George R.R. Martin with the epic scope of the Greek Classics such as the Odyssey. One word when reading it: epiphany. A refreshing change from the usual Robert Jordan-esque fantasy clones that pop up like weeds these days.

Similar recommendations: George R. Martin's A Song of Fire and Ice saga also features an epic scope and the grey characterization that Erickson so loves. Martin's work is smaller is scale though and tends to be more focused, plot wise. You can also try Scott R. Baker's The Darkness that Comes Before, which features a vast epic scope and great prose. You might also try Thomas Harlan's superb Oath of Empires saga, which is an alternative history saga, were the Roman Empire has never fallen and magic works. Oath of Empires is epic, featuring massive magical battles and huge opposing armies (Persian and Roman) clashing so hard you can hear the horses scream.

#17 Thomas Harlan's Oath of Empires saga

Series Completion Status: COMPLETED: Four books

-Alternative history. It is 600 AD and Rome has never fallen. The Roman Empire of the East will join the Roman Empire of the West to invade the inimical Persians who threaten the very gates of Constantinople itself. Featuring epic battles, beautiful babes, and powerful magic, Oath of Empires is an epic story so full of energy that your hair will sizzle. It features the epic scope of a Steven Erikson novel, a Robert Jordan Wheel of Time like struggle, and the George Martin propensity for axing main characters. Yummy!

Similar recommendations: Steven Erickson's  "A Tale of the Malazan Book of the Fallen" saga, which is as epic as they come, and features an array of massive battles like Oath of Empires. The dazzling magic battles are also very similar is scope and size. Harlan's work focuses more closely on individual characters, however, while Erickson zooms out. You might also try Michelle West's Sun Sword saga which features a similar type scenario as in Oath of Empires (two culturally different empires clashing, while an ancient evil stirs behind the scenes orchestrating a conquest of the mortal world...).

#18 Raymond E. Fiest Magician: Apprentice and Magician: Master

Series Completion Status: COMPLETED: Two books

-Classic fantasy at it's best. These are the books that started it all for super popular fantasy author Raymond E. Fiest. They are the best of his works. Fiest's books emphasize heavy uses of magic, and political tensions.

Similar recommendations: Robert Jordan's A Wheel of Time saga. Jordan's masterpiece is chocked full of magic. If you really like Magican, try Fiest's other novels of Midkemia. All of them are set in the same world, though most of them live up fail to meet the first brilliance of his first two books: 'Apprentice' and 'Master'. The one exception might be his Empire Trilogy coauthored with Janny Wurts. The Empire Trilogy is a fantastic read, and I whole heartedly recommend it.

#19 Deborah Chester's The Sword, the Ring, and the Chalice Trilogy

Series Completion Status: COMPLETED: Three books

-Elves and Dwarfs have become the new byword for unoriginality in a fantasy book. Every time I see the word "Elf" or "Dwarf", I cringe. Chester however does something original. She writes a Sword and Sorcery trilogy, but unlike Conan, the characters actually have emotions and a brain as opposed to pure brawn or thigh. Characterization is very well done. Who ever thought there could be a Sword & Sorcery with depth? Well Chester's done it! Make sure you acquire of all three books in the series before you start on the first, because when you finish the first, you will want to tear through the rest.

Similar recommendations: Jennifer Roberson's Sword Dancer saga. Also try her Realm of Light trilogy, which reads is similar (though not as good) to The Sword, The Ring, and the Chalice.

#20 John Marco's Tyrant & King's

Series Completion Status: COMPLETED: Three books

-Starts first with The Jackal of Nar. Great trilogy. Military fantasy at its best! Marco's characters are never black and white. Each character, even the supposed "bad guys", are portrayed as "human" as opposed to just "the requisite bad guy". And you can viscerally emphasize with them all, even if you don't agree with their actions. Add to this a healthy mix of action, a fantastic plot, and these books are a MUST READ!

Similar recommendations: You might want to give Chris Bunch's Seer King trilogy series a shot. If you like Marco's refusal to pigeon-hole characters as either black or white, try his other series, The Eyes of a God and the sequel, Devil's Armor. If you like military setting of "Tyrants & Kings", check out Glenn Cook's Black Company saga.

#21 Elizabeth Haydon's Rhapsody Trilogy

Series Completion Status: Compelted: Three books

-Great books. Haydon creates a vivid word that will keep you reading for days and days. Her books have a decidedly romantic feel to them (no, they are not bodice-rippers, thank God), which while some romance is a common theme in epics, it's rare to have a saga built on the concept. But it works, very well. For the Rommeos and Julliets, this book is a gem.

#22 Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman's Deathgate Cycle

Series Completion Status: COMPLETE: Seven Books

-As you know, I am no big fan of D&D type literature, and Weis and Hickman expending a lot of energy writing those kind of books. This massive epic fantasy saga is no Dragonlance-type book, however. It's massive, ambitious, and well worth the read. I gleefully lost myself for a few weeks in this very addicting saga. If you like Robert Jordan, and Raymond E. Fiest, then you will probably like the Deathgate Cycle saga.

Similar recommendations: Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time. Raymond E Fiest's Magician books.

#23 Lian Hearn's Tales of the Otori trilogy

Series Completion Status: COMPLETE

                I: Across the Nightingale Floor

                II: Grass for his Pillow

                III: Brilliance of the Moon.


-This fantastic series starts with "Across the Nightingale Floor". This series is one of my favorite. Not in several years have I read a book this good, and I have read many—most of the books mentioned here, and more. To tell you the truth, I have read so many books that are trash that I have grown used to, perhaps even expecting poor quality when I read a fantasy novel. Pure drivel like Robert Newcomb's "The Fifth Sorceress" or Terry Goodkind's "The Naked Empire" are popping up like weeds these days.

But amidst the piles and piles of rubble, sometimes you find that rose of exceptional beauty. And "Across the Nightingale Floor" is that rose. It's vastly different than the usual run-of-the-mill fantasy novels, unique even.

The setting of the book takes place in a mythical Japanese-like society, though it's not a direct allusion to actual history, and it features a smattering of magic. It's a coming of age story, but not in the usual Robert Jordan type of way. Perhaps the best way to describe it is as a recipe: Take the majestic backdrop of "Shogun", mix it with the cool assassin factor of "Hero's Die" (Tekio and Caine would get along nice, me thinks), imbue it with the mysticism of Eric Lustbader's "Ninja", then toss in a fabulous plot, superlative characterization, a good dose of pathos, a chunk of romance and you have what I consider to be one of the best books, ever.

If you have read "A Song of Fire of Ice" fifteen times, spun through the "Wheel of Time" more times than Nynaeve pulls her braid, consumed every Hobb novel, then give this book a shot; it won't disappoint.

It's a sweeping epic of love, betrayal, loyalty, magic, and a high quest for revenge, and so dam fine a read you will want to lick the cover when you're done. I HIGHLY recommend you check this book out.



Similar recommendations: If you like the martial art themes or are fascinated by the Far East, read Sean Russell's "Brother Initiate". You might also try Curt Benjamin's epic fantasy with an Asian flavor—a sort of "Wheel of Time" set in china.

#24 Jennifer Roberson's The Sword-Dancer Saga


Series Completion Status: COMPLETE: Six Books

-These books are fantastic. Witty, humorous, action packed, and romantic, these books are worth anybody's time. Great interaction between the two, sometimes diametric protagonists.

Similar recommendations: Deborah Chester's The Sword, the Ring, and the Chalice Trilogy. Like The Sword Dancer Saga, Chester's Sword & Sorcery trilogy is full of rich characterization.


#25 Patrick Tilley's The Amtrack Wars

E baš si lepo ovo napisao  xfrog

Quote from: zakk on 05-03-2013, 01:57:00
E baš si lepo ovo napisao  xfrog

Samo sam iskopirao. Pisao je anonimni pirat sa #Bookza, svojevevremeno odgovoran za većinu skenova. Ima još ovakvog teksta. Pejstovaću danas, pa nek se nađe.

Quote from: Nightflier on 04-03-2013, 22:48:57

#1 George R. Martin's A Song of Fire and Ice saga

Series Completion: NOT COMPLETED

A projected 7 books in the series. 3 books out. Book four will probably make a December 2004 release.

-This brilliant series starts with A Game of Thrones. What can I say about this series other then READ IT! It is universally known as the best fantasy series, ever. Martin writes with flair, deftly weaving multiple storylines in a gritty, even brutal, world that consists entirely of grey characters instead of the classic black and white. It's a vast chess game spanning continents, and the pieces are lords, bastards, knights, wizards, ladies, and children. What really stands out in this series is Martin's penchant for axing the major characters. That's right. No character is safe from the author's noose. Despite the demise of major characters, the plot lines continue stronger than ever. Tired of protagonists walking through fire without a scratch, falling hundreds of feet without a bruise, and defeating superhuman creatures with the same amount of effort that one puts into scratching an arm? Then this series is your fix. The sheer unpredictability of the series renders a delectable experience.  Dare you to predict the winners and losers? If you haven't read the series yet, go to your local library or bookstore and procure the series.

Similar recommendations: If you like Martin's A Song of Fire and Ice saga, try Greg Keyes' The Briar King, the first in his not-yet-complete trilogy which features delicious prose, gritty realism and an enticing plot. You can also try R. Scott Bakker's The Darkness that Comes Before, which features superlative prose, a unique, but fascinating storyline, and the gritty realism that Martin exhibits.

ukoliko me oci ne varaju i matematika ne izda, ovo je kanda malo stariji prikaz (bar 9 godina) sudeci po statusu ASOIAF-a i Malaza serijala
jeste da fantastika ne zastareva, ali takodje pojavilo se podosta dobrih naslova u poslednjih 5-6 godina koji bi (mozda) mogli da udju u top 25 

Iz nekog razloga, fali parče teksta, u kojem se objašnjavaju neke stvari.

Elem, ovo je spisak koji je kružio tajnim internetskim kanalima početkom ove decenije, a sastavio ga je jedan od tada najproduktivnijih skenera knjiga. Poslednji apdejt je iz 2004, ali je spisak zapravo stariji od toga. Spisak ima još dve celine. Kada budem iskopirao čitav tekst, pozabaviću se njegovim sadržajem, pozvaću ostale forumaše da se takođe pozabave njime, a onda ću dati i nekakav odgovor na njega, u vidu nekog mog spiska.

Honorable Mentions

Fantasy Books Well Worth Reading)

While these books do not make my top 25, they are nevertheless fantastic reads. Many of these books will probably end up on your own top 25. If you like fantasy, chances are you will love any of the books I list below. They are the cream of the crop.

In no particular order:


Sarah Ash's Tears of Artemon

            I: Lord of Snow and Shadows

            II: Prisoner of the Iron Tower

            III: Forthcoming

- Ash creates a vivid fantasy world based loosely on Russia. Ash weaves ancient myths (Dracula) into the fabric of her story. With a compelling protagonist who walks the fine line between antihero and hero and a unique storyline, this saga is a must read, especially for those sick of the classic English medieval fantasy milieu.



Guy Gaverial Kay's Tigania

-Laugh, cry, sing...you will do it all in the emotional masterpiece that delves deeply into the human soul.



Ann Bishop's Black Jewel's Trilogy

-Bishop takes the Heaven and Hell archetypes and flips them around. Satan is the "good" guy, and hell is the place to be. Features a strong cast of characters, a great and well-drawn female protagonist. A warning, these books are extremely sexually explicit, as rape, torture, violence are the foundations of Bishop's world. Any chicks who dig the romance genre will enjoy these. I don't pride myself on being any sort of romance connoisseur, but this trilogy was dam dam good.

Glenn Cook's Black Company.

Juliet Marillier's The Seven Waters Trilogy

-Very very good writing. Alternative celtic fantasy. Her books feature a great cast of female protagonists. These books have a decidedly romantic bent to them, then again, what books don't?

Juliet Marillier's Wolfskin

- Another great book by Marillier. As expected in a Marillier story, the book is about the Celts and the Norsemen, but with magic added. If you liked Gavial Guy Kay's "Last Light of the Sun", you are guaranteed to like this book. Marillier's strong point is her vividly realized characters. Unlike her Seven Waters Trilogy, characters in Wolfskin are far more grey than black and white.


Juliet Marillier's Foxmask

- The Sequel to "Wolfskin".



L. E. Modesitt Jr.'s Saga of Recluse

-A really, really big fantasy saga, were each story is discrete. Interesting magic system. The books even include sound effects! Worth reading. I recommend you start with The Death of Chaos, then if you like the series, go back and read the entire thing sequentially.  If you like his "Recluse" books, also try his "Corean Chronicles" series.


Steven Lawhead's A Song For Abalion Trilogy

-This is, in my opinion, the best "cross" over fantasy ever, right on par with Gavel Guy Kay's Fionauar Tapestry and CS Lewis's Chronicles of Narnia series. Lawhead's hero, a rather plain and ordinary London citizen, is accidentally transported into the Celtic times via a magic portal. He is forced to survive and adapt in a hostile culture. It documents his journey from normal to extraordinary, from a warrior to hero. Characterization is top notch here. The protagonist is portrayed as a living and breathing man. Lawhead knows how to write, and he holds nothing back in the phenomenal trology. This trilogy is Lawhead's best work/


Sean Russell's "Rise of Moontide and Magic" saga

- Sean Russell writes books for people who like to read. Ponderous, slow, and often steeped in mystery, his worlds are rich with characterization and plot. His "Moontide and Magic" is set in a world not unlike the Victorian era. The Farrlands, once home to the mysterious mages, is now steeped in the ways of empiricism. Magic is gone from the world, with the passing of the last mage. Or is it?

Rich, complex, and beautifully written, this is one book you don't want to miss. One can never accuse Russell of holding to the standard Tolkien cliques. Fans of David Gemmell's fast paced "beat-em-up-and-leave-em" or Jordan's "so-much-magic-you-breath-it" type of writing will probably bemoan the pacing. But for those of us who like to read well-written fantasy that emphasizes character and plot over pacing and action, make sure you check this one out.

I: World Without End

II: Sea Without Shore


Similar Recommendation: If you like the combination of science and magic co existing, check out Gregory Keyes "Age of Unreason" saga. Another book that retains the same style as Russell's "Rise of Moontide and Magic" is Ian Mcdonald's "The Light Age".


Sean Russell's "Beneath the Vaulted Hills"

-These books are prequels to Sean Russell's Rise of Moontide and Magic.  Those of you familiar with Russell trademark style won't be disappointed. These books are every bit as good as his Moontide and Magic books.


I: Beneath the Vaulted Hills

II: River into Darkness


Sean Russell's Brother Initiate & Gather of Clouds

-          Russell turns his considerable narrative powers to Far East. Fantasy set in an Asian milieu. Plot, as per usual in a Russell novel, starts off slow. Russell creates a cast of strong, compelling characters, however. If you are in the mode for something different, check this duology out.


Ian Irvin's "The View from the Mirror" saga


Michael A Stackpole's Talon: Revenant

- This is some of the best heroic fantasy out there, and it's Stackpole's best work yet. It's also his first fantasy book. What sets it apart from other similar books is the heavy dose of pathos pervading the novel. It's not a "happy" type novel; there is a deep sadness that rings through the prose. But the characterization of Nolan is fantastic, and it features a good plot. Nolan is forced to choose between love and honor.


Lois Mcmaster Bujold's A Curse of Chalion & Paladin of Souls

--A Curse of Chalion won the World Fantasy award. Bujold is a fine writer, able to create realistic characters and well-spun plots. Bujold likes to write about anti-heroes, or at least unassuming heroes. These two books fall under that later category. She is a top notch characterization writer who also writes dam good plots. Give these books a shot.


Terry Goodkind's Wizard's First Rule.

-Despite Goodkind's ever increasing decent into the lowest tiers of quality, his first book is pretty good—if you can live with the author's almost juvenile writing skills. Regrettably, Goodkind has a disturbing fascination of rape and the torture of women--which he practically shoves down your throat every few pages; though to be fair, it's within the context of the greater story. Not recommended for the kiddies! His first 6 books are worth reading, after that, you will have more fun mowing the lawn.


Raymond E. Fiest's Midkemia books

-He has got a ton of books out, so I won't list all of them here, only his better ones. His Magician dualogy made my top 20 list, and his Empire Saga almost did. Here are, what I consider, his other books worth reading:

      -Serpent War saga

      -Talon of the Silverhawk


John C Wright's "The Last Guardian of Everness"


Curt Benjamin's Seven Sons saga
Benjamin does something unique: he creates an epic fantasy based in an Asian (Chinese mythology) setting. Very good series, sort of like a Robert Jordan (not as big though!) type of story in china. It's a trilogy and it's complete.


John Marco's "Eye of a God" &"Devil's Amour"

-- His new world. Very well written. Expect the usual grey characterization.


Christopher Poulini's Eragon

-I confess I was skeptical when I heard this book was written by a 16 year old kid. I opened the covers half expecting to see Ramona (inside joke for those who have read the children's series J ) gain magical powers and save the world from teachers. But, Poulini impresses with his book. At times, it has a "teenage" flavor too it, and some of the scenes' verisimilitude falters, yet overall it was an enjoyable experience.



JK Rowling's "Harry Potter"

-I will confess a dirty secret: I have never read this series.  Everyone raves about how good these books are, so I thought to include them here. Some people have only read Harry Potter. If you are one of those people, realize that there are many other good fantasy books out there, ones that aren't written for 12 year olds.

Steven King's "Dark Tower" saga

--I have read three of the seven books. I can't vouch for the later books (4 to 7), but the first three are excellent. King weaves several different genres together (fantasy, bit of sci-fi, horror) and does so successfully. What is the Dark Tower? Think of the Wild West. Imagine a post apocalyptic world. Mix the two together and you have Dark Tower. A sort of "Louie Lamoure" set in a dark, futuristic fantasy world.


Michelle West's "The Sun Sword Saga"

-Epic in the tradition of Robert Jordan. The characters are well drawn, at cost of the story's pacing. You will either love West or hate her style. If you are the type of person who likes characterization over fast pacing, you will probably like West's epic saga. Her books are unique and worth reading (if you can stomach her ponderous writing style).


Laura Resnick's "In Legend Born" & "The Destroyer Goddess" & "The White Dragon"

-Outstanding characterization. Resnick really knows how to write realistic characters. Most of the characters are painted in shades of grey. Her plot is enticing, and after the first few chapters, moves along with the speed and intensity of a freight train. I would hesitate to call this "epic" fantasy, although it does contain trace elements of the epic cliques. This series is unique enough to stand apart from the "epic clone" crowd and the characterization is some of the best you will find in fantasy literature. If you are in a mood for an action packed thrill ride, full of deep characterization, you can't go wrong with this trilogy.


Lawrence Watt-Evan's Dragon Weather & Dragon Society


James Clemens's The Banished and the Banished saga


CS Lewis' The Chronicles of Narnia.

-These books are classics. CS Lewis, the great English novelist, and friend of JR Tolkien, penned this series for kids. He masterfully creates an extended metaphor for Christianity in his Chornicals of Narnia. However, one does not have to be a Christian to appreciate his tales. Set in a world full of nymphs, dryads, fawns, giants, heros, and kings, these books will draw you into a fascinating world. This is a tale for all ages. Don't call yourself a fantasy aficionado until you have read this series along with Tolkien's Lord of the Rings.


Ian R. MacLeod's "The Light Ages"


Good Fantasy Reads

(These books are worth reading)



Michael A. Stackpole's Dragon Crown Cycle

-This High Fantasy series has gone under the radar for some reason. It's fantasy in the classic epic tradition. A band of heroes strives against an all-powerful sorceress. Most prominent feature in this four book saga is the graphic violence. These books are full of blood—too much in fact. After a while the constant fighting becomes weary. Still, if you are looking for some epic fantasy that is heavy on the action, and above average characterization, give this saga a shot.


David Gemmell.

-Gemmell has so many books, I won't list them all. He is a very good author, one fascinated with heroism and sacrifice, which always play a key theme in his novels. He delights in telling the story of a broken man who tries to find meaning through sacrifice. Here are his "best" books--though all of his books tend to be pretty good. Some people love his style, while some find he writes the same tale over and over. You either love or hate him.

-Legend

-Waylander

-In the Realm of the Wolf (continues Waylander's story)


JV Jones'  Book of Words saga

-Great read, though inferior to her latest saga: Sword of Shadows. A merge between epic fantasy, heroic fantasy, and sword & sworcery. An obscure baker's apprentice finds he has the extremely rare gift of sorcery. Sounds like your standard "epic fantasy clone" but Jones draws her characters more clearly than most sword & sorcery novels and the story, at its core, sucks in your interest. The books are well paced with a heavy impetus of action. Well worth the read.


Greg Keyes "Chosen of the Changing" duology


Greg Keyes Age of Reason saga


Mercedes Lackey's "Shadow of a Lion"


Chris Bunch's Seer King & Demon King & Warrior King


Deborah Chester's "Realm of Light" trilogy


Ian Shadow on a Glass


Julia Grey's Gardian Moon saga


Tad William's War of the Flowers


Katherine Kurtz's Deryni series

--some of these books are good, but not all.


Terry Brooks

--Brooks is a very mainstream fantasy author. His books are everywhere. -These are the mediocre books. There is nothing wrong with these books, but there is nothing really outstanding about them either. His Shannara books are a rewrite of "Lord of the Rings". This is fine, except Brooks does nothing innovative besides copy. If you like this sort of thing, try him out. I recommend, if you are hankering for something similar to Tolkien, read Robert Jordan's "A Wheel of Time". It's a far better read then Brooks. If you do choose Brooks, keep in mind that there are many other fantasy works that far surpass his.


David Eddings

--Eddings' books are full of cliques. But they are enjoyable cliques. I do recommend you skip these if you are tired of the "farm boy-travels a lot and becomes a the most powerful wizard" convention. If you have been weaned on the likes of Harry Potter, Dragonlance, or Forgotten Realms, you may want to start off with Eddings. Then move on to the better stuff.

Sve u svemu, za početak prošlog milenijuma, ovo uopšte nije loš spisak preporuka. Naravno, svašta mu se može zameriti - ne ponajmanje to što na ovom "fantasy" spisku ima i SF-a - ali je ipak sve ovo divan uvid u ono što smo pre čitave jedne decenije smatrali vrhuncem epske fantastike.

Danas su stvari drugačije utoliko što se pojavila pregršt novih autora, pa prvih pet ili deset mesta svakako izgleda drugačije. Danas je i internet sa sve blogovima i žanrovski specijalizovanim forumima istovremeno i olakšao i otežao odabir naslova za čitanje.

Pokušaću da nešto kasnije - možda u nekoj novoj temi - dam svoje viđenje preporuka, možda i razvrstanih po žanrovima. Voleo bih da znam koliko su se kod nas naslovi sa ovog spiska čitali. Čini mi se da sam pročitao veliku većinu, premda nekima od njih nisam bio ni izbliza oduševeljen kao autor liste.

Pošto relativno često dobijam pitanja u vezi sa preporukama knjiga za čitanje - zapravo, izvorno sam upravo zbog toga i pokrenuo blog - rešio sam da ovde otvorim temu koja će mi poslužiti kao mesto za davanje odgovora na takva pitanja, makar dok ne rešim šta ću raditi sa blogom u nekoj bližoj budućnosti.

Kada je o preporukama reč, vodiću se samo jednim merilom - zabavom. Dakle, preporučivaću knjige samo na osnovu toga koliko mi je njihovo čitanje prijalo. Sve preporuke će biti isključivo subjektivne, pa samim tim možda (čak verovatno) neupotrebljive - ali digao sam ruke od pokušavanja da fantastiku merim nekakvim visokoknjiževnim aršinima.

Prilikom preporučivanja samostalnih naslova ili serijala, trudiću se da dam odrednice kojem žanru ili podžanru pripadaju. Mislim da smo se svi složili da je takvo etiketiranje u suštini besmisleno, ali ipak može da pomogne čitaocu da za kratko vreme prepozna ukus književne brze hrane koja mu se nudi, pa da se odluči za Mek ili KFC - već prema svojim naklonostima.

Ako neko ima nešto da pita, ili da kaže u vezi sa naslovima koje sam preporučio - please, do so.

Pa počni već jednom...

The Acts of Caine - Matthew Woodring Stover

(https://www.znaksagite.com/diskusije/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimages.betterworldbooks.com%2F034%2FCaine-Black-Knife-The-Third-of-the-Acts-of-Caine-Act-of-Atonement-9780345455871.jpg&hash=11c50d35ba8eb572818e9eff7797b3f8130feb92)

Žanr: Kiberpank, distopija, mač & magija

Za sada tetralogija sa zajedničkim naslovom "Dela Kainova" Metjua Vudringa Stovera jedan je od skrivenih dragulja vaskolike fantastike. Premisa prvog romana, "Heroji umiru", jeste da je čovečanstvo podeljeno u strogo definisane kaste, do čega je došlo nakon velikih nemira i ratova, uzrokovanih širenjem bolesti i nedostatkom hrane. U tom orvelovskom društvu, ogromna većina čovečanstva nema nikakva ljudska niti građanska prava, ali zato imaju hleba i igara. Igre su mogučnost da virtuelno iskuse pustolovine glumaca koji se šalju na drugu planetu, na kojoj vladaju potpuno drugačije zakonitosti prirode od naše, i na kojoj postoji magija, postoje elfovi, dvorfovi, orci i ostala čudesa, premda ne baš onakvi kakvim ih mi zamišljamo. Glumcima se zadaju pustolovine, kroz koje oni prolaze, koje se snimaju - pa se onda ti snimci prodaju plebsu, dok oni koji imaju mnogo novca mogu da u njima uživaju iz prve ruke.

U suštini, glumci ("Aktiri") su svojevrsni LARPeri koji odlaze u fantazijski svet. Kada korisnik učita neki od njihovih snimaka, oseća se kao da je on bio tamo, kao da je on sve to radio i oseća sve ono što je glumac u datom trenutku osećao. Popularnost tih snimaka i glumaca je enormna.

Naš protagonista je Kain, odnosno Hari Majklson dok je na planeti Zemlji. Hari je pripadnik jednog od nižih staleža, čiji je otac degradiran zbog toga što se (usled bolesti) sukobio sa društvenim normama i počeo da predstavlja opasnost po kvazikastinski poredak. Hari je osrednje popularan glumac, koji igra asasina - a u braku je sa glumicom koja igra čarobnicu. Međutim, Hari je takođe drkadžija epskih razmera, zbog čega ga je žena ostavila. U jednom trenutku, Harijeva žena - koja igra čarobnicu po imenu Palas Ril - biva odsečena na magijskoj planeti. To samo po sebi ne bi bilo problem, ali aparat koji je ugrađen u glumce kako bi snimao njihove misli i osećanja podešen je tako da se uništi i ubije glumca, ako prođe previše vremena od glumčevog boravka na Zemlji. Cilj toga je da se žitelji magijske planete spreče da otkriju postojanje tih glumaca. Hariju se pruža prilika da opet bude Kain i da spase svoju ženu.

E sad, ovo je početak prvog romana. Cela stvar je naizgled bljutava mešavina naučne i epske fantastike, bez nade da će uspeti u bilo čemu. Međutim, Stoveru polazi za rukom da čitaocu kroz oči jednog antiheroja i sociopate, kojem je u suštini stalo samo do sebe, prikaže makar neke od problema savremenog korporacijskog sveta, probleme koje stvaramo kada je reč o našem životnom okruženju, probleme koji nastaju usled svakodnevnih kompromisa sa moralom koje nužno pravimo da bismo opstali u ovakvom društvu. A pored svega toga, Stover piše veoma zabavno i postupci njegovih junaka su odlično osmišljeni.

Šlag na torti je to što je Stover majstor u nekoliko borilačkih veština, tako da nema problema da ubedi čitaoca kako oniži žgoljavi tip u kožnom oklopu i sa nožem u ruci može da ubije potpuno oklopljenog viteza, sa štitom i mačem. Za razliku od većine pisaca fantastike, ovaj dobro poznaje taj segment borbe prsa u prsa - tako da su njegove akcione scene među najboljima koje sam čitao.

Acts of Caine sastoji se od sledećih romana:

Heroes Die (Act of Violence) (1997)
Blade of Tyshalle (Act of War) (2001)
Caine Black Knife (Act of Atonement, Book One) (2008)
Caine's Law (Act of Atonement, Book Two) (April 3, 2012)

Moja ukupna ocena ovog serijala je 4/5, pri čemu prve dve knjige zavređuju čistu peticu. Druge dve su zapravo jedan roman koji je zbog obima podeljen u dve knjige.

Odlično. Daj neki naslov i na svahiliju ili bugarskom, da bude malko raznovrsno. Ovako smo već ovladali engleskim, pa čisto radi promene.
Još bolje: daj neku knjižicu u rukopisu, tek predatu agentu u Londonu. Na engleskom, naravno. Tkrnućemo da kupimo ili pozajmimo.

Quote from: ALEKSIJE D. on 25-03-2013, 13:29:00
Odlično. Daj neki naslov i na svahiliju ili bugarskom, da bude malko raznovrsno. Ovako smo već ovladali engleskim, pa čisto radi promene.
Još bolje: daj neku knjižicu u rukopisu, tek predatu agentu u Londonu. Na engleskom, naravno. Tkrnućemo da kupimo ili pozajmimo.

Pretpostaviću da ti smeta to što se bavim knjigama na engleskom. Ako je tako, objasniću zašto:

1) Najpre, pitanja dolaze od ljudi koji čitaju na engleskom i koji mogu da dođu do tih knjiga. Na stranu interneti i pirati, ali gomila naslova može da se kupi u beogradskim knjižarama i to po pristojnim cenama.

2) Ne vidim potrebe da pišem ili pričam o naslovima koji su objavljeni na srpskom. Od mene ima neke vajde ako neke knjige promovišem upravo da bi domaći izdavači možda odlučili da ih prevedu i objave.

3) Ne kažem da nemam prilike da čitam rukopise predate agentima, ali u tim slučajevima potpisujem ugovore kojima mi se zabranjuje da o tim rukopisima pričam dok ne budu objavljeni. Tako da tough luck.

4) Jedini strani jezik koji znam, pored engleskog, jeste ruski - a baš i nema nekog obilja dobre ruske fantastike. Makar ne u poslednje vreme.

A zašto si u odgovoru na treće i četvrto pitanje promenio mod,  tj ignorisao očiglednu ironiju, u odnosu na prva dva?

Quote from: chovekoid on 25-03-2013, 14:02:27
A zašto si u odgovoru na treće i četvrto pitanje promenio mod,  tj ignorisao očiglednu ironiju, u odnosu na prva dva?

Zato što su prva actually odgovori koji bi mogli biti od koristi nekom slučajnom prolazniku, dok su druga dva (istinita) ironija upućena od mene.

Aman, ignoriši trolove.

Gde si ono stao u preporukama...

Koliku ocenu daješ trilogiji Liveship Traders Hobove? Skapiro sam da Laguna niti iko drugi nikad neće izdati ove knjige, pa se razmišljam da li da potražim knjige i počnem da čitam? Video sam tu i tamo mišljenja da su znatno dosadnije od trilogije Vidovnjaci, koja mi se prilično svidela.

Quote from: Gligorijele on 25-03-2013, 14:42:03
Aman, ignoriši trolove.

Gde si ono stao u preporukama...

Mislim da je jedna preporuka dnevno sasvim dovoljna. :)

Inače, preporuke će sasvim namerno biti kratke. Verovatno ću pisati detaljne prikaze naslova koje već nisam prikazao, ali to ipak nije za objavljivanje na forumu.

Quote from: neomedjeni on 25-03-2013, 14:44:20
Koliku ocenu daješ trilogiji Liveship Traders Hobove? Skapiro sam da Laguna niti iko drugi nikad neće izdati ove knjige, pa se razmišljam da li da potražim knjige i počnem da čitam? Video sam tu i tamo mišljenja da su znatno dosadnije od trilogije Vidovnjaci, koja mi se prilično svidela.

Pa sad ne znam koliko bih joj zvezdica dao. Meni je bila dosadna, baš kao i njen povratak u taj svet sa Rain Wilds serijalom. Ako ti nešto znači, trilogija Tawny Man - koja se nastavlja na "Vidovnjake" meni je odlična i čak bolja od izvorne trilogije, a možeš da je čitaš sasvim komotno bez Liveship Traders iako se naslanja na tu trilogiju.

Hvala, baš sam zbog Tawny Man-a i pitao, bio sam u dilemi da li da odmah počnem njega da čitam, jer me baš zanima nastavak priče o Kneževiću, a s druge strane ne bih samo zbog svoje znatiželje preskakao nešto što valja.

Quote from: neomedjeni on 25-03-2013, 15:05:15
Hvala, baš sam zbog Tawny Man-a i pitao, bio sam u dilemi da li da odmah počnem njega da čitam, jer me baš zanima nastavak priče o Kneževiću, a s druge strane ne bih samo zbog svoje znatiželje preskakao nešto što valja.

To ti je sad već pitanje ukusa. Meni se Liveship Traders nisu dopali toliko da nisam ni prvu knjigu dovršio. Mislim, pročitao bih ja to da nisam imao ništa drugo. Međutim, kada sam došao do njih, imao sam na raspolaganju na stotine drugih knjiga, koje su mi delovale zanimljivije. Pravo da ti kažem, ne žalim zbog toga što ih nisam pročitao.

Ajd ponovo kazi nesto lepo o Wild cards, mozda se stvarno stvori neka kriticna masa ljudi koji pricaju o njemu da neki izdavac zaista i pomisli o izdavanju tog serijala. Doduse laksi put je da neko odluci da snimi ma kakav film po istom naslovu, tada bi reakcija kupovine prava bila trenutna :)

Šuška se nešto o mogućoj seriji, mada se snima serija po (mom omiljenom) stripu Powers - pa to možda povuče Lagunu da se upusti u Wild Cards. Nijedan drugi izdavač ne može da se dokopa Martina, a Laguna ga iz meni neznanog razloga štedi. Do sada su mogli da objave makar Windhaven i Songs for Lya, ali odlučili su se za Dreamsongs, sa kojima nisu prošli najbolje. Ili makar ne dovoljno dobro. No, sklon sam da verujem kako čekaju novu Martinovo antologiju, pa da objave četiri novele o Danku i Egu u jednoj knjizi. To bi bilo lepo, a mislim da je izvesno da će se dogoditi čim se nakupi dovoljno materijala za jednu ozbiljnu knjigu.

Ali hvaliću i Wild Cards, ništa ne brini :)

Šta je Songs for Lya - zbirka priča? Ne nađoh odgovor na netu.

Quote from: neomedjeni on 26-03-2013, 09:23:46
Šta je Songs for Lya - zbirka priča? Ne nađoh odgovor na netu.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Song_for_Lya (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Song_for_Lya)

Ili ISFDB (http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/title.cgi?50961), ako Vikipedija nije dovoljno pouzdana.

Quote from: Nightflier on 25-03-2013, 22:59:47Do sada su mogli da objave makar Windhaven i Songs for Lya

Pa objavili su je, u prvom tomu Pesama snova ako misliš na priču, odnosno novelu -- ako misliš na istoimenu zbirku, ne vidim logiku po kojoj bi integralna verzija ove zbirke prošla bolje od izbora najboljih iz nje i ostalih zastupljenih u Pesmama...

Hvala, ja sam tražio Songs, ne Song, pa sam zato bio neuspešan.

Čini mi se da sam bar pola priča iz zbirke čitao u Pesmama snova, pa ne verujem da bi bili koji izdavač bio zainteresovan za njeno objavljivanje. Naročito imajući u vidu da je prodaja zbilja bila slaba. U poslednje vreme Pesme snova su često na popustima u nekim akcijama, a na poslednja dva Sajma su bile smešno jeftine.

Nema na čemu, mada iste rezultate dobijaš i sa Songs i sa Song.

Iskreno, ma koliko ludo zvučalo, ja sam ubeđen da tebe Nightflier plaća da mu duvaš u žar na temi.  :D

@Čovekoid

Neomeđeni dobija pozamašan procenat od onoga što mi Boban plaća za popularizaciju njegovog foruma, to je valjda očigledno. :)

Inače, ono što sam hteo da kažem a biće da sam to učinio nezgrapno jeste da bih ja objavio Song for Lya i Windhaven umesto Dreamsongs. Logika je da su Dreamsongs preveliki zalogaj. Previše obiman tom. Laguna ga je podelila u tri dela i ubeđen sam da je to jedan od razloga zbog kojeg je taj poduhvat propao. Između ostalog, čini mi se da je prvi tom planuo - a da su onda druga dva ostala da viise, pa ih tek onda nisu kupovali. Ali ta priča je sada ispričana. Rekao bih da je prošlo vreme kada su srpski čitaoci fantastike davali pare za antologije i zbirke.

@Nightflier,
Kad smo vec kod Martina, zar Laguna ne bi mogla da objavi Dying of the Light ili Fevre Dream.
Vidim da si spomenuo ekranizaciju Bendisovog Powers. To kako je krenulo mislim da su velike sanse da vidimo seriju za koju godinu. Na trecem su pilotu. A menjaju Pilgim svaki cas.

THE RED KNIGHT - Miles Cameron

(https://www.znaksagite.com/diskusije/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2F3.bp.blogspot.com%2F-19OuS9yVw1U%2FUI54K8AcZVI%2FAAAAAAAADdY%2Fs5Lk_lY3Lf4%2Fs400%2Fred-knight-book-1.jpg&hash=d4dbcd50fb33f15fc6a57686cdca9a29ef6cac15)

Žanr: militaristička epska fantastika, postapokalipsa

Ocena: 5/5

"Crveni vitez" izgleda prati trend "davne prošlosti u dalekoj budućnosti", koji je poslednjih godina vaskrsao pre svega zahvaljujući Marku Lorensu, ali i nekim drugim autorima. Mora se reći da Kameronovo delo ne sadrži SF elemente, kojima Lorensovi "Princ trnja" i "Kralj trnja" obiluju, pa se zbog toga ne može svrstati u sajens fantazi - bar ne za sada. Kameronov prvenac prihvaćen je veoma dobro i kod čitalaca i kod blogera, tako da nema sumnje da ćemo ubrzo čitati nastavak, a tada ćemo već videti šta će on dalje uraditi od svog sveta.

Kameronu takođe polazi za perom da čitaocu dočara jedan kvazisrednjovekovni svet i svu turobnost i surovost ratovanja, a da pri tom izbegne puko podražavanje Martinovog pisanja, čemu mnogi autori streme ali veoma malom broju uspeva da to izvede. Što se mene tiče, "Crveni vitez" spada u tradiciju militarističke (epske) fantastike, koju je u neku ruku započeo Glen Kuk a do krajnjih granica doveo Stiven Erikson. Doduše, Kameronov kvazisrednjovekovni mizanscen više podseća na Stirlngov serija "Promena" (Change) nego na strogo fantazijske svetove Kuka i Eriksona.

Kameronov književni izraz je besprekoran. Jezik kojim se njegovi protagonisti služe kao da je potekao iz pera Valtera Skota ili, da se odmaknemo od Engleza, Henrika Sjenkjeviča. Anahronističke izraze primetio sam tek nekoliko puta u knjizi od preko šest stotina stranica, a i tada mi nisu skretali pažnju i izbacivali iz priče, kako ume da bude slučaj kod Sandersona na primer. Jezik romana nije beživotan i uštogljen, kao što je često slučaj kada pisci pokušavaju da daju autentičnost svojim romanima smeštenim u nekakvu srednjovekovnu ili viktorijansku epohu. Jezik je živ i tečan, uprkos tome što je opterećen silesijom naziva oklopa, delova ratne spreme i sličnih stvari. Međutim, to se piscu može oprostiti, budući da je očigledna strast sa kojom piše o tome. Kameron je pokazao zavidno poznavanje svakodnevnog života ratničkog staleža u srednjem veku i njegov opis ratovanja i borbe surovo je realan i verovatno najbolji od svih koje sam do sada pročitao. Razlog tome je to što se Kameron bavi srednjovekovnom borbom i učestvuje u turnirima, tako da vrlo očigledno zna koliko je zamorno boriti se u oklopu, ili koja je razlika između bastard sworda i long sworda (valja zapaziti da on nigde ne koristi te izraze, već daleko primerenije "ratni mač" i "dvorski/paradni mač"). Međutim, preterana upotreba izraza i pojmova potpuno nepoznatih savremenom čitaocu može da ostavi utisak da se ovaj roman ne isplati čitati. Bez obzira na to, Kameronova proza je izvrsna, zabavna i uživao sam u njoj.

Moja najveća primedba je obilje PoV likova, čija su poglavlja (ili celine teksta) jednostavno prekratka. To dovodi do prečestog skakanja sa lika na lik i sa teme na teme, što je kod mene stvaralo utisak seckanja priče. 

Što se mene tiče, ovaj naslov je ozbiljan konkurent za roman godine.

Quote from: Jotaro on 26-03-2013, 12:05:47
@Nightflier,
Kad smo vec kod Martina, zar Laguna ne bi mogla da objavi Dying of the Light ili Fevre Dream.
Vidim da si spomenuo ekranizaciju Bendisovog Powers. To kako je krenulo mislim da su velike sanse da vidimo seriju za koju godinu. Na trecem su pilotu. A menjaju Pilgim svaki cas.

Mogla bi, naravno. Pre nekoliko godina je jedan drugi izdavač pokušao da objavi Fevre Dream, ali je Laguna to zaustavila. Ne znam pouzdano koji su razlozi za to što nema više Martinovih radova u Laguninom izdanju - ali mogu da pretpostavim. Naime, pre emitovanja serije, Martin se nije prodavao nešto ludački dobro. Pokrivao je troškove i zarađivao nešto malo, ali to je bilo sve. Zanimanje je poraslo nakon serije, ali Laguna se tada opredelila za Dreamsongs, a došao je i ADwD. Dakle, nije se imalo vremena da se prevede i objavi bilo šta drugo. Uveren sam da nas Fever Dream čeka, a možda i još neka Martinova dela - ali rekao bih da će se Laguna držati dalje od zbirki priča, sa izuzetkom "Legendi 2".

Quote from: chovekoid on 26-03-2013, 11:13:21
Nema na čemu, mada iste rezultate dobijaš i sa Songs i sa Song.

Iskreno, ma koliko ludo zvučalo, ja sam ubeđen da tebe Nightflier plaća da mu duvaš u žar na temi.  :D

Uglavnom iste rezultate, i niko mi nije kriv što ih ne čitah, jer obraćah pažnju samo na (nepostojeće) knjige knjige kojima na koricama piše Songs.  :x

A to za plaću u stvari i nije loša ideja. Nightfliere, deder, spremi novčanik!!!

Quote from: neomedjeni on 26-03-2013, 13:15:25
niko mi nije kriv što ih ne čitah

Hehe, ova ti je dobra -- a možda ti je i monitor bio ugašen? Uopšte mi nije jasno što se zaplićeš -- kažeš čitao si Pesme snova, a pitaš šta je Song for Lya. Kažeš nisam uspeo da nađem na netu, a onda kažeš ma nisam ni čitao rezultate pretrage.

O čemu se bre ovde radi  :?

Quote from: neomedjeni on 26-03-2013, 13:15:25

Quote from: chovekoid on 26-03-2013, 11:13:21

A to za plaću u stvari i nije loša ideja. Nightfliere, deder, spremi novčanik!!!

Ko je pominjao novčanik? Ja rekoh da ćeš dobiti procenat od onoga što Boban meni plaća :)

Neo, medeni -- klon li si, bot li si, ne znam, al ja ti platu ne bi dao.

(https://www.znaksagite.com/diskusije/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fs22.postimg.org%2Fw9x9gitnl%2Fklon.jpg&hash=29e35147ecf4a1a91caf0035b647a659699ab0d7)

Majku mu, raspravljamo oko ničega. Bukvalno.

Pesmu za Liju sam čitao odavno, čini mi se u nekom od Monolita pozajmljenom iz biblioteke. I čitao sam je ponovo u Pesmama snova. Fora je u tome što je Nightflier napisao Songs for Lya a ne Song for Lya, pa sam "mislio" da je Martin baš tako naslovio neku zbirku svojih priča koja sadrži i Song of Lya i druge priče. Pa pošto sam tražio neku zbirku koja u naslovu ima Songs, nisam obraćao pažnju na rezultate koji su se odnosili na Song of Lya.

Jbg, verovao ili ne, ima i ovoliko glupih ljudi.

Quote from: chovekoid on 26-03-2013, 13:57:36
Neo, medeni -- klon li si, bot li si, ne znam, al ja ti platu ne bi dao.

Nema veze, daj mi plaću, kako sam i tražio.  :lol:

Hajde da se manemo plata i da se držimo knjiga, moliću lepo. Ako nekome nešto znači, ja nisam čitao nijednu (isključivo) Martinovu zbirku, sem Tuff Voyaging.

Quote from: Nightflier on 26-03-2013, 14:34:03
Tuff

Ja...ne mogu da odolim -- misliš Tuf?

Nije mi za drugo, nego da medenog opet ne zbuni Gugl  :D

Veoma mi je milo što imam nekoga ko je spreman da preuzme brigu o meni i brani me od strašnog gugla. Ili beše gogla? Ili googla? Ili Googla? Ili Googlagla?

Možemo sad, kad znamo da si neizmerno duhovitiji od mene, da prekinemo ovo? Molim te?

Prekidam čim priznaš da si klon.

Šalim se, prekidam odma -- izvini, ponelo me malo.

Quote from: chovekoid on 26-03-2013, 14:41:15

Quote from: Nightflier on 26-03-2013, 14:34:03
Tuff

Ja...ne mogu da odolim -- misliš Tuf?

Nije mi za drugo, nego da medenog opet ne zbuni Gugl  :D

Mislim na jebenog Tafa, da.

Lords of Creation by S. M. Stirling

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)

Žanr: SF, alternativna istorija

Ocena: 5/5

Duologija Lords of Creation sastoji se iz romana The Sky People i  In the Courts of the Crimson Kings. Romani polaze od premise da su Venera i Mars zapravo upravo onakvi kakvim su ih zamišljali SF pisci s početka dvadesetog veka. Dakle, naseljeni čovekolikim vanzemaljcima i obiljem egzotičnih biljaka i životinja. Hladnoratovske supersile požurile su da osnuju kolonije na ovim planetama, tako da se trka u naoružanju koju poznajemo iz naše istorije u Stirlingovom alternativnom svetu pretvorila u trku u osvajanje Sunčevog sistema.

Prvi roman odvija se na Veneri, krajem osamdesetih godina dvadesetog veka, dok se drugi odvija na Marsu - hronološki nešto malo nakon prvog. Dva romana suštinski nisu povezana i mogu da se čitaju samostalno, premda sadrže tananu nit koja ih povezuje.

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-xqPLc5xARC4/TXfMeWNkq9I/AAAAAAAAAFE/QXKwD4WnCao/s1600/Court+of+Crimson+Kings.jpg)

Stirling je jedan od mojih omiljenih pisaca, ako ne i omiljeni. Ovaj autor, koji je sada već doajen alternativne istorije, pokazao je kreativnost u pisanju kakva se retko sreće. Ova dva romana su pre svega divan omaž klasicima SF-a, nadasve Barouzu. Stirling inače ima običaj da u svoje romane ubacuje skrivene omaže velikanima žanra, ali Lords of Creation predstavlja direktan povratak fantastici koja je iznedrila najvažnije pisce naučne fantastike koji danas stvaraju. Lords of Creation su prilika da se iskuse pustolovine koje su oblikovale savremenu popularnu kulturu, ali bez klišea i predrasuda; bez utiska da je to književnost za bele muškarce, koja se bavi belim muškarcima i koju su napisali beli muškarci. Istini za volju, Stirling ume da oda utisak "velikog belog lovca", što je kletva većine autora alternativne istorije - sa izuzetkom Harija Tartldava pre svega - ali u tome nema ni traga njegovih stvarnih političkih stavova i načela, već je to posledica njegove zaljubljenosti u korene SF-a. Na kraju krajeva, Džon Karter je bio južnjački gospodin, koji se borio na strani Konfederacije. Tarzan je zapravo lord Grejstok. Kod Stirlinga nema te moralne superiornosti bele rase, koja bi danas bila bljutava svakom normalnom čitaocu, ali je ipak uspeo da sačuva sav onaj osećaj čudesnosti i otkrivanja novih svetova, karakterističan za fantastiku dvadesetih i tridesetih godina, pre nego što smo oguglali na sve to.

Da li postoji prevod ovih knjiga (mislim na tvoj poslednji post) kod nas?  :!:

Nažalost, ne. Ideja iza ove teme upravo je da se bavim knjigama koje kod nas nisu objavljene, a smatram da bi trebalo da budu. Mislim da je ono što je objavljeno uglavnom dostupno, bilo u knjižarama bilo u antikvarnicama, i da tržište - odnosno čitaoci - treba da svoj sud o tome. Ovde izdvajam naslove koje bih voleo da podelim sa drugima - u originalu, kada je reč o onima koji znaju engleski - ili u nekom budućem prevodu, ako se neki izdavač zainteresuje.

Quote from: Nightflier on 27-03-2013, 14:22:48
Nažalost, ne. Ideja iza ove teme upravo je da se bavim knjigama koje kod nas nisu objavljene, a smatram da bi trebalo da budu. Mislim da je ono što je objavljeno uglavnom dostupno, bilo u knjižarama bilo u antikvarnicama, i da tržište - odnosno čitaoci - treba da svoj sud o tome. Ovde izdvajam naslove koje bih voleo da podelim sa drugima - u originalu, kada je reč o onima koji znaju engleski - ili u nekom budućem prevodu, ako se neki izdavač zainteresuje.

Možemo samo da se ponadamo da će Laguna (kao pionir izdavanja fantastike u Srbiji) biti zainteresovana i hteti da prevede ovu duologiju. Priča je za 10+!

Quote from: roland on 27-03-2013, 14:28:43
Laguna (kao pionir izdavanja fantastike u Srbiji)

:P

Ne bih baš rekao da je Laguna pionir fantastike u Srbiji. :) Ali svakako jeste najplodonosniji izdavač fantastike u poslednjih desetak godina. To rekavši, mislim da nema nade da Laguna objavi Stirlinga. Jednostavno, SF se loše prodaje. Takođe, kod nas ne postoji tradicija te palp književnosti iz tridesetih, tako da nema ni faktora nostalgije. Međutim, bez obzira na sve to - stoji da su ovo sjajne knjige.

Hajde da dodam i sinopsise ovih knjiga, premda ih je lako naći na Amazonu.

The Sky People by S.M. Stirling

Marc Vitrac was born in Louisiana in the early 1960's, about the time the first interplanetary probes delivered the news that Mars and Venus were teeming with life—even human life. At that point, the "Space Race" became the central preoccupation of the great powers of the world.

Now, in 1988, Marc has been assigned to Jamestown, the US-Commonwealth base on Venus, near the great Venusian city of Kartahown. Set in a countryside swarming with sabertooths and dinosaurs, Jamestown is home to a small band of American and allied scientist-adventurers.

But there are flies in this ointment – and not only the Venusian dragonflies, with their yard-wide wings. The biologists studying Venus's life are puzzled by the way it not only resembles that on Earth, but is virtually identical to it. The EastBloc has its own base at Cosmograd, in the highlands to the south, and relations are frosty. And attractive young geologist Cynthia Whitlock seems impervious to Marc's Cajun charm.

Meanwhile, at the western end of the continent, Teesa of the Cloud Mountain People leads her tribe in a conflict with the Neanderthal-like beastmen who have seized her folk's sacred caves. Then an EastBloc shuttle crashes nearby, and the beastmen acquire new knowledge... and AK47's.

Jamestown sends its long-range blimp to rescue the downed EastBloc cosmonauts, little suspecting that the answer to the jungle planet's mysteries may lie there, among tribal conflicts and traces of a power that made Earth's vaunted science seem as primitive as the tribesfolk's blowguns. As if that weren't enough, there's an enemy agent on board the airship...

Extravagant and effervescent, The Sky People is alternate-history SF adventure at its best.



In the Courts of the Crimson Kings by S.M. Stirling

In the parallel world first introduced in S. M. Stirling's The Sky People, aliens terraformed Mars (and Venus) two hundred million years ago, seeding them with life-forms from Earth. Humans didn't suspect this until the twentieth century, but when the first probes landed on our sister worlds, and found life—intelligent life, at that—things changed with a vengeance. By the year 2000, America, Russia, and the other great powers of Earth are all contending for influence and power amid the newly-discovered inhabitants of our sister planets.

Venus is a primitive world. But on Mars, early hominids evolved civilization earlier than their earthly cousins, driven by the needs of a harsh world growing still harsher as the initial terraforming runs down. Without coal, oil, or uranium, their technology was forced into different paths, and the genetic wizardry of the Crimson Dynasty united a world for more than twenty thousand years.

Now, in a new stand-alone adventure set in this world's 2000 AD, Jeremy Wainman is an archaeologist who has achieved a lifelong dream; to travel to Mars and explore the dead cities of the Deep Beyond, searching for the secrets of the Kings Beneath the Mountain and the fallen empire they ruled.

Teyud Zha-Zhalt is the Martian mercenary the Terrans hire as guide and captain of the landship Intrepid Traveller. A secret links her to the deadly intrigues of Dvor il-Adazar, the City That Is A Mountain, where the last aging descendant of the Tollamune Emperors clings to the remnants of his power...and secrets that may trace their origin to the enigmatic Ancients, the Lords of Creation who reshaped the Solar System in the time of the dinosaurs.

When these three meet, the foundations of reality will be shaken—from the lost city of Rema-Dza to the courts of the Crimson Kings.

QuoteNe bih baš rekao da je Laguna pionir fantastike u Srbiji.

:? Ne verujem šta sam napisao... Prvo sam mislio da je neko drugi napisao ovo.  xrotaeye

QuoteAli svakako jeste najplodonosniji izdavač fantastike u poslednjih desetak godina.

Svakako da jeste, pa sam, misleći o tome i napisao svoju "umotvorinu".  xrofl
Šteta za serijal... Mada, nada umire poslednja.

The Steel Remains by Richard K. Morgan

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Žanr: Mač i magija, sajens fantazi

Ocena: 5/5

A dark lord will rise. Such is the prophecy that dogs Ringil Eskiath—Gil, for short—a washed-up mercenary and onetime war hero whose cynicism is surpassed only by the speed of his sword. Gil is estranged from his aristocratic family, but when his mother enlists his help in freeing a cousin sold into slavery, Gil sets out to track her down. But it soon becomes apparent that more is at stake than the fate of one young woman. Grim sorceries are awakening in the land. Some speak in whispers of the return of the Aldrain, a race of widely feared, cruel yet beautiful demons. Now Gil and two old comrades are all that stand in the way of a prophecy whose fulfillment will drown an entire world in blood. But with heroes like these, the cure is likely to be worse than the disease.

Noir SF author Morgan (Thirteen) delivers a promising but obscenity-laden epic fantasy trilogy opener. As the Yhelteth Empire recovers from a devastating war, embittered veterans Archeth, Egar and Ringil embark on parallel but vastly different journeys. The emperor sends drug-abusing Archeth to gather details about a rumored invasion. Egar becomes a steppes clanmaster, but the other horsemen despise him for seducing teenagers rather than leading. Ringil attempts to locate and free a cousin sold into slavery. All three soon discover the dwenda, a race of magical beings thought long dead. Despite stereotypical plot elements, including a prophecy that states A dark lord will rise, the well-developed characters and realistic battle scenes ring true, as do some gruesomely explicit sex scenes. The intriguing conclusion to the dark, gritty tale will have readers hoping for a more plot-heavy and less visceral sequel. (Jan.) 


U prvi mah, ovaj roman sam batalio nakon prvih desetak-dvadeset stranica. Pre svega, činilo mi se da je reč o hrpi klišea, a potom - bilo mi je muka gej fantastike. To ne znači da imam nešto protiv gej tema i motiva u fantastici, ali u to neko vreme činilo mi se da se svi živi hvataju urbane fantastike i gej protagonista, sa isključivim ciljem da pospeše prodaju svojih romana. Međutim, tri godine kasnije The Steel Remains dobio je nastavak i kritičari diljem interneta polomili su se da ga nahvale. To me je ponukalo da pomislim kako sam možda ipak negde pogrešio, te da se vratim Morganovom izletu u fantazi.

Nisam se pokajao.

Morgan se u suštini bavi fantazijskim klišeima: protagonista kojeg niko ne razume, otpadnik od društva, mračni gospodar, mračni vilovnjaci, mračno ovo-ono, ubica zmajeva, neostvarena ljubav, veliki crni mač... Bljak, zar ne?

Međutim, Morgan je rešio da odvrne potenciometar do kraja. Njegov otpadnik od društva nije neki tamo emo. Čovek čak nije ni gej, već PEDER - velikim slovima i bez potrebe da se ikome pravda zbog toga. Iako sam i ranije čitao fantazijske romane sa gej protagonistima - ovo je prvi sa kojim sam mogao da se identifikujem. Gil je BAMF kakav se retko sreće i Morgan je beskompromisan kao pisac i bespoštedan prema svojim likovima i prema čitaocima, još malo pa kao Džordž Martin.

Ova dva romana - The Steel Remains i The Cold Commands - u neku ruku podsećaju na stilsku vežbu koja za cilj ima da se uzme sve što je kliše i prežvakana priča u pre svega maču i magiji, pa potom fantaziji u širem smislu, pa da se od toga napravi nešto sveže i uzbudljivo, ali na odvažan i beskompromisan način.

Whitechapel Gods by S.M. Peters

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Žanr: Stimpank, alternativna istorija

Ocena: 4/5

"Bogovi Vajtčepela" odigrava se u alternativnoj viktorijanskoj Engleskoj, u kojoj su četvrt Vajtčepel preuzela dva entiteta - bezmalo lavkraftovska božanstva - zvana Mama Mašina (Mama Engine) i Deda Časovnik (Gradnfather Clock). Vajtčepelom hara tehnovirus, koji ljude lagano menja u mašine. Protagonista je agent britanske krune, koji pokušava da nađe način da uništi tuđinske bogove i trajno ukloni pretnju po Imperiju.

Ovo je Petersov debitantski roman i može se reći da je pisac dao sve od sebe. Roman je pisan veoma ambiciozno i natrpan je dešavanjima - možda i previše. Čitalac je na momente ophrvan čudnom vizijom stimpankovskog Vajtčepela, a čini se da je i pisac na trenutke gubio niti i da nije objasnio sve što je nameravao. Neke stvari su ostale nedorečene, dok su neke druge mogle biti bolje rečene. Sve to na stranu, Whitechappel Gods je retko dobar prvenac i prava je šteta što je Peters (Piters?) nestao sa spisateljske scene nakon objavljivanja svog drugog romana (nevezanog za prvi). Whitechappel Gods je odličan izbor za čitaoce koji bi da se upoznaju sa stimpankom, a ne žele da čitaju romane koji koketiraju sa ljubićima. Naročito bih ga preporučio ljubiteljima Kima Njumena, ali i ljubiteljima Lavkrafta i njegovih naslednika.

Under Heaven by Guy Gavriel Kay

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Žanr: epska fantastika, primese alternativne istorije.

Ocena: 5/5

Keja inače ne volim preterano.

Under Heaven by Guy Gavriel Kay objavljen je 2010. godine, tako da sam ga pročitao sa godinu dana zakašnjenja - a i to na insistiranje Patrika Sen-Denija, čuvenog kanadskog SF&F blogera. Kej ne da nije među mojim omiljeni piscima, već njegovu sortu kvazi-istorijske fantazije aktivno prezirem. Doduše, kada sam promislio o tome, shvatio sam da je to stoga što poprilično dobro poznajem periode evropske istorije o kojima je on pisao, te mi sve to njegovo pisanije izgleda kao neopevani plagijat.   
Sumnjam da je slično i sa Under Heaven - ali kinesku istoriju gotovo da uopšte ne poznajem, pa sam mogao da se opustim i da sa velikim uživanjem čitam roman napisan prelepim jezikom, vanrednim stilom, sa savršeno doziranom fantastikom i brilijantno izgrađenim protagonistom. Juče je objavljen novi roman smešten u isti svet kao Under Heaven, pa ćemo videti da li ću se vratiti na staro mišljenje o ovom piscu.

Majk Stekpul je meni veoma drag pisac. Nije u istoj kategoriji kao Erikson ili Martin, ali je krajnje jaka B kategorija, ako ne i B+. Stekpul je zanatski pisac-najamnik, što znači da mahom piše u etabliranim univerzumima, odnosno piše taj-inove poznatih franšiza. Ime je stekao pišući pre svega Star Wars romane, a potom i Battletech. Ono što ga izdvaja od većine literarnih najamnika jeste činjenica da je za četiri koplja bolji od većine. Stekpul piše i svoje originalne radove, koji po pravilo prolaze daleko lošije od taj-inova. Jedan od tih radova je i nezasluženo neprimećeni biser epske fantastike, Talion: Revenant.

Talion: Revenant by Michael A. Stackpole

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After his native land and his family are conquered by a brutal   king, Nolan ra Sinjaria seeks revenge by joining a breed of feared   warrior-judges called the Talions, but when the usurping king and his   troops are imperiled, Nolan is assigned to protect them.

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Žanr: epska fantastika/mač i magija

Ocena: 4+/5

Stekpul maestralno vodi priču u ovom romanu, koji je možda pre mač i magija nego klasična epska fantastika. Čitalac se smesta vezuje za protagonistu, a "sistem magije" je svež i inovativan za romane ovog žanra, naročito za vreme kada je roman pisan i objavljen. Po kakvoći stila i jezika, kao i zanatskom umeću prikazanim u ovom romanu, Stekpul je mnogo bolji od današnjih fantazijskih zvezda tipa Sandersona, Linča ili Viksa. Recimo da bih Talion: Revenant stavio na istu policu sa "Kraljem trnja" Grega Kiza.

 Ketty Jay series by Chris Wooding

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Žanr: Sajens-fentezi, primese stimpanka.

Ocena: 5+/5 - NF's Seal of Approval.


Frey is the captain of the Ketty Jay, leader of a small, highly dysfunctional band of layabouts. An inveterate womaniser and rogue, he and his gang make a living on the wrong side of the law, avoiding the heavily armed flying frigates of the Coalition Navy. With their trio of ragged fighter craft they run contraband, rob airships and generally make a nuisance of themselves. So a hot tip on a cargo freighter loaded with valuables seems like a great prospect for an easy heist and a fast buck. Until the heist goes wrong, and the freighter explodes. Suddenly Frey isn't just a nuisance anymore – he's public enemy number one, with the Coalition Navy on his tail and contractors hired to take him down.
But Frey knows something they don't. That freighter was rigged to blow, and Frey has been framed to take the fall. If he wants to prove his innocence, he's going to have to catch the real culprit. He must face liars and lovers, dogfights and gunfights, dukes and daemons.
It's going to take all his criminal talents to prove he's not the criminal they think he is...


Kris Vuding je jedan od nainventivnijih i stilski najčistijih pisaca fantastike mlađe generacije. Po kvalitetu jezika beže mu samo Daril Gregori i Kej Kenjon. Tetralogija o "Keti Džej" je izvanredan spoj nekoliko žanrova i podžanrova, u tolikoj meri da se ni ne može govoriti o njenoj jasnoj žanrovskoj određenosti. Vuding i po pisanju nadilazi ograničenja pukog žanrovskog pisca i moglo bi se reći da se u njemu krije zrnce nekog novog Gejmana, premda manje urbanog a više sklonog eksplicitnoj fantastici. Vuding je inače izuzetak od mog samonametnutog pravila da ovde preporučujem pisce koji nisu objavljivani kod nas. Naime, Vudinga je objavila Narodna knjiga, ali taj roman - The Haunting Of Alaizabel Cray - prošao je nezapaženo. Za svaki slučaj, evo o čemu se u njemu radi:The Haunting Of  Alaizabel Cray is a Gothic horror/fantasy about an alternate Victorian  London overrun by the wych-kin, daemonic creatures that have rendered the city  uninhabitable south of the river, and which stalk the streets after dark. When  Thaniel Fox, a young wych-hunter, finds a mad girl wandering the streets in the  middle of the night, he is moved by pity to take her home; and in doing so, he becomes embroiled in a plot that reaches into the highest levels of government,  and into the darkest depths of the wych-kin's world.

http://www.leo.rs/a/6b0bf047-b43c-407d-8043-48fb2660e2b3/Kris-Vuding.aspx (http://www.leo.rs/a/6b0bf047-b43c-407d-8043-48fb2660e2b3/Kris-Vuding.aspx)

Nisam nasao Narodnu knjigu, jel probao neko ova izdanja (zbog prevoda) ?

Quote from: Berserker on 10-04-2013, 19:19:45
http://www.leo.rs/a/6b0bf047-b43c-407d-8043-48fb2660e2b3/Kris-Vuding.aspx (http://www.leo.rs/a/6b0bf047-b43c-407d-8043-48fb2660e2b3/Kris-Vuding.aspx)

Nisam nasao Narodnu knjigu, jel probao neko ova izdanja (zbog prevoda) ?

Ono drugo jeste izdanje Narodne knjige. Kupio sam ga za kevu na nekom buvljaku, ali nisam ga ni pogledao. Nisam siguran ni da ga je keva čitala, pošto je ona naklonjenija epskoj fantastici - što epskijoj, to bolje. Sa druge strane, Vudingovi prvi romani su Young Adoult, tako da nisam siguran da će ti se dojmiti. Nisam čitao te njegove ranije uratke, već samo "Saramirsku trilogiju" i "Priče sa Keti Džej".

hm, po onome sto si napisao The Haunting Of Alaizabel Cray ne zvuci kao omladinska literatura. Ako jeste, verovatno bih preskocio, jer za razliku od omladinske literature objavljivane svojevremeno u Plavoj Ptici (Salgari, Karl Maj, Madlen Langl i sl) imam utisak da danasnja omladinska literatura podrazumeva Twilight sagu ili Harija Potera, sto mi bas ne lezi.

Ne znam da li je omladinska ili nije. Kao što rekoh, nisam čitao. Međutim, Vuding je tako dobar pisac da čisto sumnjam da bi napisao nešto tipa "Sumraka".

The best young novelists – from SF's universe

Speculative fiction can provide an equally inspiring set of young literary stars as Granta's latest list



The relationship between the literary and speculative fiction genres is like the episode of original Star Trek where Captain Kirk is teleported in to an evil, parallel dimension. Both genres have their own star authors, publishers, and of course literary accolades. (Which genre requires that you assassinate your rivals to advance is for you to decide.) Granta's lists of 20 novelists under 40 – American, Spanish-language, Brazilian and most famously the British contingent – being renewed for 2013 this week – have become an institution in literary fiction. SF has no direct equivalent, but if it did, who might be on it?

Two things connect the 20 writers on this list. The first is a fascination with the weird and fantastic. The second is their love and affection for the pulp roots of SF. One or two may be just a smidgeon over 40, but will no doubt be among the writers shaping speculative fiction for decades to come. And I have looked beyond Britain where I can to find the most interesting voices in what is increasingly an international SF genre.

Lauren Beukes is a South African author of "cyberpunk" science fiction whose novel Zoo City brought her very widespread acclaim, and a major publishing deal for upcoming novel The Shining Girls. James Smythe's The Explorer and The Machine are the kind of breathtaking conceptual SF long absent from the genre. Hannu Rajeniemi's soaring space opera The Quantum Thief and Madeleine Ashby's vN series both reawaken the slumbering body of "Hard SF" rooted in real science. French writer Aliette De Boddard fuses many ideas from SF and fantasy in both her novels and short fiction. And with indie publishing phenomenon Wool reaching more than a quarter of a million sales, Hugh Howey has become overnight one of SFs bestsellers.

Joe Abercrombie is the self-proclaimed Lord of "grimdark" epic fantasy, whose writing displays a wit and style beyond the battle sequences and torture scenes that dominate the gritty world of grimdark. NK Jemsin brings an immense storytelling talent to the tradition of epic fantasy, with a series of beautiful stories that have garnered Hugo, Nebula and World Fantasy award nominations. The Throne of the Crescent Moon by Saladin Ahmed is notable for its middle-eastern fantasy setting, but the work's real strengths are its deep sense of irony and dark humour. And of course British author China Miéville has re-worked the fantasy genre into many and varied weird forms from Perdido Street Station to Embassytown, though he is technically ineligible, as he turned 40 last year.

Joe Hill is arguably the most significant horror author of the last decade, with 20th Century Ghosts, Heart Shaped Box and the upcoming NOS4A2 setting the bar for the entire genre. Chuck Wendig's Blackbirds series fulfils the promise of an author who is a firm favourite among fans for his characterful online presence. Seanan McGuire scooped five Hugo nominations this year alone and as Mira Grant writes one of the most acclaimed and accomplished entries among a spate of recent zombie apocalypse novels. Robert Jackson Bennet's debut novel Mr Shivers drew acclaim by crafting an alternative fantasy from the milieu of the Great Depression. And any survey of the contemporary horror genre would not be complete without the bizarro masterpieces of Carlton Mellick III. If Mellick had written only Warrior Wolf Women of the Wasteland he would be on this list, but with dozens of other equally grotesque creations tearing up the world his name is set for sci-fi immortality.

Catherynne Valente's novels and stories range widely across the fantastic, but it is her dark urban fantasies such as Palimpsest that best showcase her baroque prose style. Tom Pollock's debut The City's Son marked the appearance of a powerful new imagination in SF, and hopes are high for the upcoming sequel. As they are for the debut novel of Elizabeth May, with The Falconer among the most anticipated fantasy novels of 2013. The young adult stories of Francis Hardinge follow in the footsteps of the great Diana Wynne Jones by being equally enchanting for children and adults. And Who Fears Death by Nnedi Okorafor scooped its author a prestigious World Fantasy award in 2011, which we can only hope is the first of many.

Who have I missed from my top 20? It's almost a cliche to call the literary world elitist, but it's hard to escape the idea with lists like Granta's defining the best of the best. In contrast the SF genre is open and communal, driven by the passions of fans and the creativity of authors. The top writers in the field choose themselves by writing great books and engaging with the community. The door is open to any writer who wants to make their mark in the SF genre. All we ask is that you tell great stories.


http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/booksblog/2013/apr/15/best-young-novelists-speculative-fiction (http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/booksblog/2013/apr/15/best-young-novelists-speculative-fiction)

Blood Song by Anthony Ryan

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Žanr: epska fantastika, militaristička fantastika

Ocena: 5/5 NF's Seal of Approval

       From "a new master storyteller" comes the beginning of an epic fantasy saga of blood, honor, and destiny...            "The Sixth Order wields the sword of justice and smites the enemies of the Faith and the Realm."          Vaelin Al Sorna was only a child of ten when his father left him at the iron gate of the Sixth Order. The Brothers of the Sixth Order are devoted to battle, and Vaelin will be trained and hardened to the austere, celibate, and dangerous life of a Warrior of the Faith. He has no family now save the Order.     
     Vaelin's father was Battle Lord to King Janus, ruler of the unified realm. Vaelin's rage at being deprived of his birthright and dropped at the doorstep of the Sixth Order like a foundling knows no bounds. He cherishes the memory of his mother, and what he will come to learn of her at the Order will confound him. His father, too, has motives that Vaelin will come to understand. But one truth overpowers all the rest: Vaelin Al Sorna is destined for a future he has yet to comprehend. A future that will alter not only the realm, but the world. 
Sinopsis "Pesme krvi" najpre me je odbio da čitam ovaj roman, međutim popustio sam pred lavinom sjajnih kritika na internetu. Prvih pedesetak stranica romana pročitao sam ravnodušno, kao još jednu priču o odrastanju, bledu kopiju "Enderove igre" ili "Imena vetra". Međutim, utisak je veoma brzo počeo da se popravlja i moje poštovanje prema piscu i uživanje u romanu raslo je kako je priča odmicala. Brojne paralele mogu da se povuku između "Pesme krvi" i "Imena vetra" i čini se da Rajan donekle podražava strukturu Rotfasovog romana - ali on to čini na izvestan način uspešnije od Rotfasa. Najpre, izraz mu je sažetiji i nije sklon meandriranjima. Nažalost, to znači da Rajanov stil nema lepotu Rotfasovog izražavanja, ali ovom romanu to ni ne treba. U nekih nešto manje od 600 stranica, Rajanu je pošlo za rukom da smesti daleko više radnje, likova, karakterizacije, potke, worldbuildinga i svega ostalog što jedan roman čini dobrim i zabavnim nego što Rotfas uspeo u preko 2000. Stoga sam sasvim voljan da mu oprostim rečenice koje nisu odveć lirske.

Po običaju, neću ulaziti u dublju analizu ovog romana; to ću najverovatnije  ostaviti za blog kada mu se vratim. Za sada je dovoljno da kažem kako je ovo roman za koji smatram da bi trebalo da bude preveden kod nas i da bih uživao radeći na tom prevodu.

Promise of Blood by Brian McClellan

(https://www.znaksagite.com/diskusije/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.brianmcclellan.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2013%2F02%2FPoB-new-color-e1361497281750.jpg&hash=68036a9883bcdd2e52f048b9cf392f1469891bbe)

Žanr: Epska fantastika, militaristička fantastika, "barutska" fantastika

Ocena: 4/5

It's a bloody business overthrowing a king...
Field Marshal Tamas' coup against his king sent corrupt aristocrats to the guillotine and brought bread to the starving. But it also provoked war with the Nine Nations, internal attacks by royalist fanatics, and the greedy to scramble for money and power by Tamas's supposed allies: the Church, workers unions, and mercenary forces.

It's up to a few...
Stretched to his limit, Tamas is relying heavily on his few remaining powder mages, including the embittered Taniel, a brilliant marksman who also happens to be his estranged son, and Adamat, a retired police inspector whose loyalty is being tested by blackmail.

But when gods are involved...
Now, as attacks batter them from within and without, the credulous are whispering about omens of death and destruction. Just old peasant legends about the gods waking to walk the earth. No modern educated man believes that sort of thing. But they should...

Onomad mi je uleteo Promise of Blood by Brian McClellan. Bio sam u nekoj čekaonici, a pogodilo se da mi je ta knjiga na mobilnom, iako nisam nameravao da je čitam. Moram reći da sam se prijatno iznenadio. U poslednje vreme samo iskaču novi pisci sa izvanrednim prvencima. Ovo me podseća na drugu polovinu prošle decenije, kada su se jedan za drugim pojavili Aberkrombi, Linč, Sanderson i Rotfas. Tada je, usred zatišja izazvanog Džordanovom bolešću i Martinovim kilavljenjem, relativno lako bilo postati zvezda epske fantastike. Izdavači su se lomili da na silu izguraju nove pisce i nove trilogije/serijale. Pokazalo se da su tek retki tada hajpovani pisci i danas popularni - pogledajmo samo Trudi Kanavan. No, u poslednje dve i po godine čitav niz mladih autora lagano se pretvara u tihe hitove. Iako ih izdavači ne hajpuju, blogerska zajednica i forumi čine svoje.

Promise of Blood bih opisao kao mešavinu Mistborna i Loka Lamore, samo bolje napisanu. Roman je očigledno početak serijala, ali se veoma lepo čita kao nezavisno delo (što je, doduše, i odlika prvog Mistborna). Likovi su slojeviti, premda ne u dovoljnoj meri dopadljivi. Odnosno, čitalac se ne vezuje za njih. Primetio sam da je u poslednje vreme takav način karakterizacije postao manir te nove generacije pisaca - likovi su sekundarni u odnosu na priču. Međutim, što se mene tiče, to je donekle osveženje u odnosu na Point of View stil pisanja, kakav su Džordan i Martin uspostavili kao bezmalo kanon i koji ume da bude iscrpljući za čitaoca.

Svet je zanimljivo osmišljen, iako su svega tri države/pokrajine razrađene do nekog detalja. Pisac je sebi ostavio više nego dovoljno prostora da unosi nove sisteme magije, nove likove i arhetipove, tako da se čitalac veoma lepo zabavlja. Problem je što roman nema jasnog protagonistu. Formalno, to je feldmaršal Tamas, premda sam se ja više vezao za njegovog sina - i to je zapravo razlog zašto sam romanu dao 4/5 zvezdica. Iako je karakterizacija veoma solidna i svaki lik ima svoje mesto i ulogu, nedostaje jasnije određenje protagoniste. Stiče se utisak da bi pisac nekako voleo da protagonista bude feldmaršal Tamas, ali mene je sve vreme više zanimalo šta se dešava sa njegovim sinom. Autor nije trebalo da dozvoli takvu nehotičnu dihotomiju.

 PANDEMONIUM/THE DEVIL'S ALPHABET/RAISING STONY MAYHALL - Daryl Gregory

Žanr: Fantasy/SF/Horror?

Ocena: 5/5, NF's Seal of Recommendation

Ako ste zbunjeni zbog ovolikog naslova romana, biće vam (valjda) lakše kada pojasnim da nije reč o jednom, već o tri dela. Gregorijevi romani su inače samostalni; nisu smešteni čak ni u isti univerzum, ne dele likove, pa čak ni motive. Ne postoji ni nekakav univerzalni negativac koji spaja potke različitih romana u jedan magnum opus. Dakle, tri potpuno različita romana, koja dele autora, a pored toga kao zajedničku odliku imaju samo to da su sva tri remek-dela.

Dapače, Gregori je jedan od retkih žanrovskih pisaca koji je u stanju da izađe na crtu ma kom savremenom prozaisti i da ga komotno dobije. Spreman sam da odem i tako daleko da kažem kako je - što se mene tiče - reč o anglosaksonskom Markesu.

Gregori se čita kao vanbračno dete Filipa K. Dika i Rodžera Zelaznija u najboljem izdanju.

Sada dugujem objašnjenje zašto sam ova tri nezavisna romana strpao na prvo mesto, premda su nezavisni.

Najpre, zbog toga što sam ih pročitao u dahu, što mi se sve ređe dešava. Potom, prva tri Gregorijeva romana bave se potpuno suprotnim temama, ali opet na komplementaran način.

"Pandemonijum" je roman koji se u biti bavi stanjem duha. Uz veoma mnogo referenci na klasike SF-a, poglavito na Filipa K. Dika, "Pandemonijum" je ujedno omaž jednom od najvećih SF pisaca svih vremena i fascinantno i provokativno delo o stanju duha, svesti i ličnosti. Na kraju, u svom ambicioznom prvencu Gregori je otvorio pitanje kojim će se baviti i u narednim romanima - šta je osnovna značajka čoveka? Šta nekoga čini ljudskim bićem?

Godinu dana nakon "Pandemonijuma", Gregori objavljuje "Đavolju azbuku" ( The Devil's Alphabet). Sviknut na serijale i nastavke, očekivao sam nastavak priče iz "Pandemonijuma" - i u prvi mah se razočarao kada sam shvatio da je reč o samostalnom romanu. (Doduše, ne gubim nadu, pošto je kraj "Pandemonijuma" pomalo otvoren.) Međutim, smesta sam se navikao na protagonistu, koji je gotovo odraz u ogledalu glavnog junaka "Pandemonijuma". Dakle, reč je o skrajnutom čoveku, koji za svoje životne neuspehe ima da krivi samo sebe. Suočen sa delanjem više sile, protagonista se ne snalazi najbolje i donosi ne baš najbolju odluku, koja će mu obeležiti život i neumitno dovesti do suočavanja sa prošlošću.

Već na prvi pogled, očigledno je da "Pandemonijum" i "Đavolja azbuka" dele više nego slične protagoniste i više nego slične početke. Međutim, vrlo brzo nakon uvodnih stranica priča skreće u potpuno drugačijem smeru i obrađuje u suštini istu temu kao u prethodnom romanu, ali na svež i maštovit način.

Razočarenje je vrlo brzo bilo zamenjeno vanrednim zadovoljstvom i užitkom u čitanju.

Ako se "Pandemonijum" bavi duhom i stanjem svesti, "Đavolja azbuka" se bavi telom, razlikama u ljudskim telima, rasama, spoljašnošću koja nas čini drugačijim i koja je - da se ne lažemo - prvo što nas predstavlja i prvo po čemu druge osobe donose sud o nama.

Ako se "Pandemonijum" čita kao lav čajld Dika i Zelaznija, "Azbuka" se čita skoro kao Morisonovi X-Meni ukršteni sa Lavkraftovim mitosom. Premda je "Azbuka" u suštini SF, i to tvrđe sorte, elementi horora naglašeni su iz perspektive protagoniste, koji se vraća u gradić svog detinjstva, među rođake i komšije, koji su izmenjeni kao da ih je sve do jednog Dagon posetio.


"Odgajati Stonija Mejhala" je treći roman u ovom nizu. Gregorijev prvenac bavi se duhom, drugi roman telom, dok se treći roman bavi smrću i šta biva posle smrti. Neću vam mnogo spojlovati ako otkrijem da je protagonista - zombi. Doduše, not your typical zombie. Stoni je uljudan, načitan, vispren, pametan - i još svašta nešto na -an.

Nisam neki stručnjak za romane o zombijima. Mahom su mi dosadni. Stoga, sledeća izjava možda i neće imati neku posebnu snagu - ali "Odgajati Stonija Mejhala" je najbolji roman o zombijima koji sam u životu pročitao.

Originalan pristup temi, sada već poslovično izvrsno pisanje i karakterizacija, kao i okretanje naglavačke žanrovskih klišea i očekivanja ovaj roman čini najboljim "hororom" koji se u poslednjih nekoliko godina pojavio - za nekoliko kopalja boljim od Del Torovog "Pada" ili Kroninovog "Prolaza".

Nažalost, slabi su izgledi da neko od naših izdavača objavi Gregorija. Ovaj pisac je - čini mi se - predobar da bi služio kao jeftina zabava & eskapizam, a sa druge strane nosi taj kaljavi pečat žanrovskog pisca, tako da je a priori odbačen od poklonika kobajagi ozbiljne književnosti.

Bilo kako bilo - ovaj pisac ne da ima Nightflier's Seal of Approval, ovaj pisac je budućnost fantastike.

Ajmo sad jedan mass spam na lagunin sajt da otkupi ovog pisca za prevod, za nas lenje koji ne zele da ga citaju na engleskom! Mozda je bolja taktika poturiti ga Skrobonji na citanje, ako se on primi eto kompletnog Gregorija u Paladinu vec dogodine. Jos neki predlog?

Ne verujem da će se Laguna opredeliti za Gregorija. Mislim da on jednostavno nema nikakvih izgleda da prođe iole dobro. Za neku manju kuću, to bi možda i moglo da bude relativno uspešan poduhvat - ali pod uslovom da troškovi budu najmanji mogući. Ja sam već preuzeo da za Gorana prevodim dva Njumenova romana po dramatično sniženoj ceni u odnosu na ono koliko me Laguna plaća, ali to ima svoju pak cenu - ne stižem da prevodim Njumena od poslova koje radim da bih preživeo.

Bilo kako bilo, bojim se da je mrka kapa za Gregorija.

Belisarius Series by Eric Flint and David Drake

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• An Oblique Approach (1998)
• In the Heart of Darkness (1998)
• Destiny's Shield (1999)
• Fortune's Stroke (2000)
• The Tide of Victory (2001)
• The Dance of Time (2006)

žanr: Alternativna istorija, SF, militaristička fantastika
Ocena: 5/5


Serijal o Velizaru je moj najdraži serijal vojno-orijentisane fantastike, sa mogućim izuzetkom prvih 7-8 naslova o Honor Harington - između ostalog i stoga što je reč o jednom od retkih serijala koji se bavi istočnom stranom sveta na iole pozitivan način. Osnovna postavka je da su dve zaraćene strane u dalekoj budućnosti poslale izaslanike u prošlost, kako bi promenile ishod svog rata. Negativci su svog izaslanika poslali u Indiju, a pozitivci u Vizantiju, u Justinijanovo doba, sa tačno određenim zadatkom da pronađe mladog vojskovođu Velizara.

Flinta je ovaj serijal proslavio i omogućio mu da izađe iz senke poznatijih pisaca. U ovom slučaju, ideja za romane je Drejkova, dok je sva izvedba Flintova. Flint je maestralno prikazao fine detalje šestovekovne Vizantije, Persije i Indije - i pokazalo se da je vanredno nadaren kada je reč o opisu bitaka i taktičke situacije na terenu, koja uključuje kombinovanje različitih nivoa tehnologija - poput musketa i teške konjice nalik srednjovekovnim vitezovima. Flint je, doduše, kombinovao istorijske ličnosti iz različitih perioda istorije. Na primer, jedan od glavnih likova na protivničkoj strani - radžputski kralj Rana Sanga - zapravo je živeo drastično kasnije. Međutim, tome se ne može ništa zameriti, između ostalog i stoga što su tipičnom zapadnjaku te istorijske ličnosti potpuno nepoznate, a Flint je oslanjajući se na njih stvorio izvanredne, duboke, duhovite i neverovatno životne likove. Dapače, serijal o Velizaru valja čitati i zbog piščevog specifičnog humora, a ne samo vratolomne akcije ili odličnog opisa Vizantije s početka srednjeg veka.

Ne sećam se da smo ranije spominjali ovo glasanje. Učestvovalo je 60000 glasača, dok je naslove nominovalo njih 5000. Ne znam za masovnije učestvovanje u nekom odabiru najboljih SFF knjiga.

1. The Lord Of The Rings Trilogy, by J.R.R. Tolkien
2. The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy, by Douglas Adams
3. Ender's Game, by Orson Scott Card
4. The Dune Chronicles, by Frank Herbert
5. A Song Of Ice And Fire Series, by George R. R. Martin
6. 1984, by George Orwell
7. Fahrenheit 451, by Ray Bradbury
8. The Foundation Trilogy, by Isaac Asimov
9. Brave New World, by Aldous Huxley
10. American Gods, by Neil Gaiman
11. The Princess Bride, by William Goldman
12. The Wheel Of Time Series, by Robert Jordan
13. Animal Farm, by George Orwell
14. Neuromancer, by William Gibson
15. Watchmen, by Alan Moore
16. I, Robot, by Isaac Asimov
17. Stranger In A Strange Land, by Robert Heinlein
18. The Kingkiller Chronicles, by Patrick Rothfuss
19. Slaughterhouse-Five, by Kurt Vonnegut
20. Frankenstein, by Mary Shelley
21. Do Androids Dream Of Electric Sheep?, by Philip K. Dick
22. The Handmaid's Tale, by Margaret Atwood
23. The Dark Tower Series, by Stephen King
24. 2001: A Space Odyssey, by Arthur C. Clarke
25. The Stand, by Stephen King
26. Snow Crash, by Neal Stephenson
27. The Martian Chronicles, by Ray Bradbury
28. Cat's Cradle, by Kurt Vonnegut
29. The Sandman Series, by Neil Gaiman
30. A Clockwork Orange, by Anthony Burgess
31. Starship Troopers, by Robert Heinlein
32. Watership Down, by Richard Adams
33. Dragonflight, by Anne McCaffrey
34. The Moon Is A Harsh Mistress, by Robert Heinlein
35. A Canticle For Leibowitz, by Walter M. Miller
36. The Time Machine, by H.G. Wells
37. 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea, by Jules Verne
38. Flowers For Algernon, by Daniel Keys
39. The War Of The Worlds, by H.G. Wells
40. The Chronicles Of Amber, by Roger Zelazny
41. The Belgariad, by David Eddings
42. The Mists Of Avalon, by Marion Zimmer Bradley
43. The Mistborn Series, by Brandon Sanderson
44. Ringworld, by Larry Niven
45. The Left Hand Of Darkness, by Ursula K. LeGuin
46. The Silmarillion, by J.R.R. Tolkien
47. The Once And Future King, by T.H. White
48. Neverwhere, by Neil Gaiman
49. Childhood's End, by Arthur C. Clarke
50. Contact, by Carl Sagan
51. The Hyperion Cantos, by Dan Simmons
52. Stardust, by Neil Gaiman
53. Cryptonomicon, by Neal Stephenson
54. World War Z, by Max Brooks
55. The Last Unicorn, by Peter S. Beagle
56. The Forever War, by Joe Haldeman
57. Small Gods, by Terry Pratchett
58. The Chronicles Of Thomas Covenant, The Unbeliever, by Stephen R. Donaldson
59. The Vorkosigan Saga, by Lois McMaster Bujold
60. Going Postal, by Terry Pratchett
61. The Mote In God's Eye, by Larry Niven & Jerry Pournelle
62. The Sword Of Truth, by Terry Goodkind
63. The Road, by Cormac McCarthy
64. Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell, by Susanna Clarke
65. I Am Legend, by Richard Matheson
66. The Riftwar Saga, by Raymond E. Feist
67. The Shannara Trilogy, by Terry Brooks
68. The Conan The Barbarian Series, by R.E. Howard
69. The Farseer Trilogy, by Robin Hobb
70. The Time Traveler's Wife, by Audrey Niffenegger
71. The Way Of Kings, by Brandon Sanderson
72. A Journey To The Center Of The Earth, by Jules Verne
73. The Legend Of Drizzt Series, by R.A. Salvatore
74. Old Man's War, by John Scalzi
75. The Diamond Age, by Neil Stephenson
76. Rendezvous With Rama, by Arthur C. Clarke
77. The Kushiel's Legacy Series, by Jacqueline Carey
78. The Dispossessed, by Ursula K. LeGuin
79. Something Wicked This Way Comes, by Ray Bradbury
80. Wicked, by Gregory Maguire
81. The Malazan Book Of The Fallen Series, by Steven Erikson
82. The Eyre Affair, by Jasper Fforde
83. The Culture Series, by Iain M. Banks
84. The Crystal Cave, by Mary Stewart
85. Anathem, by Neal Stephenson
86. The Codex Alera Series, by Jim Butcher
87. The Book Of The New Sun, by Gene Wolfe
88. The Thrawn Trilogy, by Timothy Zahn
89. The Outlander Series, by Diana Gabaldan
90. The Elric Saga, by Michael Moorcock
91. The Illustrated Man, by Ray Bradbury
92. Sunshine, by Robin McKinley
93. A Fire Upon The Deep, by Vernor Vinge
94. The Caves Of Steel, by Isaac Asimov
95. The Mars Trilogy, by Kim Stanley Robinson
96. Lucifer's Hammer, by Larry Niven & Jerry Pournelle
97. Doomsday Book, by Connie Willis
98. Perdido Street Station, by China Mieville
99. The Xanth Series, by Piers Anthony
100. The Space Trilogy, by C.S. Lewis

1 - Ender's Game - Orson Scott Card - 1985
2 - Dune - Frank Herbert - 1965
3- Foundation - Isaac Asimov - 1951
4 - Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy - Douglas Adams - 1979
5 - 1984 - George Orwell - 1949
6 - Stranger in a Strange Land - Robert A Heinlein - 1961
7 - Fahrenheit 451 - Ray Bradbury - 1954
8 - 2001_ A Space Odyssey - Arthur C Clarke - 1968
9 - Starship Troopers - Robert A Heinlein - 1959
10 - I, Robot - Isaac Asimov - 1950
11 - Neuromancer - William Gibson - 1984
12 - Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep - Philip K Dick - 1968
13 - Ringworld - Larry Niven - 1970
14 - Rendezvous With Rama - Arthur C Clarke - 1973
15 - Hyperion - Dan Simmons - 1989
16 - Brave New World - Aldous Huxley - 1932
17 - The Time Machine - H G Wells - 1895
18 - Childhood's End - Arthur C Clarke - 1954
19 - The Moon is a Harsh Mistress - Robert A Heinlein - 1966
20 - The War of the Worlds - H G Wells - 1898
21 - The Forever War - Joe Haldeman - 1974
22 - The Martian Chronicles - Ray Bradbury - 1950
23 - Slaughterhouse Five - Kurt Vonnegut - 1969
24 - Snow Crash - Neal Stephenson - 1992
25 - The Mote in God's Eye - Niven & Pournelle - 1975

26 - The Left Hand of Darkness - Ursula K Le Guin - 1969
27 - Speaker for the Dead - Orson Scott Card - 1986
28 - Jurassic Park - Michael Crichton - 1990
29 - The Man in the High Castle - Philip K Dick - 1962
30 - The Caves of Steel - Isaac Asimov - 1954
31 - The Stars My Destination - Alfred Bester - 1956
32 - Gateway - Frederik Pohl - 1977
33 - Lord of Light - Roger Zelazny - 1967
34 - Solaris - Lem Stanislaw - 1961
35 - 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea - Jules Verne - 1870
36 - A Wrinkle in Time - Madelein L'Engle - 1962
37 - Cat's Cradle - Kurt Vonnegut - 1963
38 - Contact - Carl Sagan - 1985
39 - The Andromeda Strain - Michael Crichton - 1969
40 - The Gods Themselves - Isaac Asimov - 1972
41 - A Fire Upon the Deep - Vernor Vinge - 1991
42 - Cryptonomicon - Neal Stephenson - 1999
43 - The Day of the Triffids - John Wyndham - 1951
44 - UBIK - Philip K Dick - 1969
45 - Time Enough For Love - Robert A Heinlein - 1973
46 - A Clockwork Orange - Anthony Burgess - 1962
47 - Red Mars - Kim Stanley Robinson - 1992
48 - Flowers for Algernon - Daniel Keyes
49 - A Canticle for Leibowitz - Walter M Miller - 1959
50 - The End of Eternity - Isaac Asimov - 1955

51 - Battlefield Earth - L Ron Hubbard - 1982
52 - Frankenstein - Mary Shelley - 1818
53 - Journey to the Center of the Earth - Jules Verne - 1864
54 - The Dispossessed - Ursula K Le Guin - 1974
55 - The Diamond Age - Neal Stephenson - 1995
56 - The Player of Games - Iain M Banks - 1988
57 - The Reality Dysfunction - Peter F Hamilton - 1996
58 - Startide Rising - David Brin - 1983
59 - The Sirens of Titan - Kurt Vonnegut - 1959
60 - Eon - Greg Bear - 1985
61 - Ender's Shadow - Orson Scott Card - 1999
62 - To Your Scattered Bodies Go - Philip Jose Farmer - 1971
63 - A Scanner Darkly - Philip K Dick - 1977
64 - Lucifer's Hammer - Niven & Pournell - 1977
65 - The Handmaid's Tale - Margaret Atwood - 1985
66 - The City and the Stars - Arthur C Clark - 1956
67 - The Stainless Steel Rat - Harry Harrison - 1961
68 - The Demolished Man - Alfred Bester - 1953
69 - The Shadow of the Torturer - Gene Wolfe - 1980
70 - Sphere - Michael Crichton - 1987
71 - The Door Into Summer - Robert A Heinlein - 1957
72 - The Three Stigmata of Palmer Eldritch - Philip K Dick - 1964
73 - Revelation Space - Alastair Reynolds - 2000
74 - Citizen of the Galaxy - Robert A Heinlein - 1957
75 - Doomsday Book - Connie Willis - 1992

76 - Ilium - Dan Simmons - 2003
77 - The Invisible Man - H G Wells - 1897
78 - Have Space-Suit Will Travel - Robert A Heinlein - 1958
79 - The Puppet Masters - Robert A Heinlein - 1951
80 - Out of the Silent Planet - C S Lewis - 1938
81 - A Princess of Mars - Edgar Rice Burroughs - 1912
82 - The Lathe of Heaven - Ursula K Le Guin - 1971
83 - Use of Weapons - Iain M Banks - 1990
84 - The Chrysalids - John Wyndham - 1955
85 - Way Station - Clifford Simak - 1963
86 - Flatland - Edwin A Abbott - 1884
87 - Altered Carbon - Richard Morgan - 2002
88 - Old Man's War - John Scalzi - 2005
90 - The Road - Cormac McCarthy - 2006
91 - The Postman - David Brin - 1985
93 - VALIS - Philip K Dick - 1981
96 - The Lost World - Arthur Conan Doyle - 1912
97 - The Many-Colored Land - Julian May - 1981
98 - Gray Lensman - E E 'Doc' Smith - 1940
99 - The Uplift War - David Brin - 1987

U priličnoj meri sam se manuo pisanja i preporučivanja knjiga (što je i očito), ali sinoć sam dovršio presladak roman, koji me je neopevano iznenadio. Reč je

Generation V by M.L. Brennan

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)
Evo o čemu se radi:

Fortitude Scott's life is a mess. A degree in film theory has left him with zero marketable skills, his job revolves around pouring coffee, his roommate hasn't paid rent in four months, and he's also a vampire. Well, sort of. He's still mostly human. But when a new vampire comes into his family's territory and young girls start going missing, Fort can't ignore his heritage anymore. His mother and his older, stronger siblings think he's crazy for wanting to get involved. So it's up to Fort to take action, with the assistance of Suzume Hollis, a dangerous and sexy shape-shifter. Fort is determined to find a way to outsmart the deadly vamp, even if he isn't quite sure how. But without having matured into full vampirehood and with Suzume ready to split if things get too risky, Fort's rescue mission might just kill him....

E, sad - ovaj romančić objavljen je pre godinu dana. Sve vreme sam ga ignorisao što zbog naslova, što zbog naslovnice. Međutim, potpuno slučajno sam ga uzeo u ruke, krenuvši da čitam Broken Monsters, ali bez dovoljno koncentracije da se nosim sa onolikim POV poglavljima. Doslovce sam uzeo nešto da prelistam pred spavanje i da raskrčim gužvu na tabletu. Ovaj roman mi je pao pod ruku samo zbog toga što su knjige bile poslagane abecedno po prezimenu autora. I bio sam zatečen. Evo mog kratkog osvrta sa Goodreadsa:

Urban fantasy became a worn-out and tired mish-mash of old horror tropes and soft porn in the last decade or so, moving quite far from its noir roots. This novel is a breath of fresh air. Very tightly written, with an excellent command of both language and style, Brennan's first novel is at absurdly high level of quality, easily equal to early Laurell Hamilton and some of the best works by Jim Butcher.

Dakle,  Generation V by M.L. Brennan 5/5

Nightflier's Bookspace: Najbolji naslovi pročitani u 2014.http://nightfliersbookspace.blogspot.com/2014/11/najbolji-naslovi-procitani-u-2014.html?spref=tw (http://nightfliersbookspace.blogspot.com/2014/11/najbolji-naslovi-procitani-u-2014.html?spref=tw)

Hm...overiću Blood Oranges. Čita mi se malo UF, a čini mi se da je ovo nešto u stilu Jima Butchera.

Quote from: Perin on 30-11-2014, 21:52:39
Hm...overiću Blood Oranges. Čita mi se malo UF, a čini mi se da je ovo nešto u stilu Jima Butchera.

Više je zajebancija i sprdnja sa UF. Bolje uzmi Generation V. To je baš bučerovski, a objavljene su već tri knjige. Prve dve su 5, treća solidna 4.

Hah a bas mi se sinopsis te knjige nije svideo.

Malo jeste nesrećno urađen marketing. Ali je cela stvar veoma bučerovska. Klinac je smotan, vampirske super moći još mu nisu proradile, usput otkriva svet natprirodnog i bori se da ostane normalan pored svoje psihopatske porodice...

Blood Oranges su... uf, riba koja piše horor rešila da se zajebava sa UF i krenula da tuče po svim klišeima i usput proziva mejdžor autore. Prva knjiga je odlična, ali već je druga malo izlizana.

Novel The Goblin Emperor, Katherine Addison (Tor)
Trial by Fire, Charles E. Gannon (Baen)
Ancillary Sword, Ann Leckie(Orbit US; Orbit UK)
The Three-Body Problem, Cixin Liu ( ), translated by Ken Liu (Tor)
Coming Home, Jack McDevitt(Ace)
Annihilation, Jeff VanderMeer(FSG Originals; Fourth Estate; HarperCollins Canada)


Čitao sam pola knjiga sa spiska, a do marta ima vremena i za ostale, rekao bih. Moram reći da mi je za sada "Goblin" favorit, mada je Ancillary Sword odmah za njim.

Čisto da ostane zapisano, spojio sam dve pređašnje samostalne teme u novu i dao joj nov naziv, sa ciljem da je malo fokusiram i pojasnim joj namenu. A sledi i tekst na temu...

Melkor me je ritnuo da se pokrenem glede pisanja prikaza, pa sam sastavio kraći spisak serijala kojima bih se pozabavio. U narednim danima očekujte tekstove o sledećim serijalima:

Coldfire Trilogy
Low Town
Chronicles of Kencyrath
Raven's Shadow
Broken Empire
A Land Fit for Heroes

Ovde je zaista reč o naslovima koje bih preporučio svim sladokuscima & objavio da kojm slučajem imam izdavačku kuću i Gejtsove milijarde.

U temi o novim knjigama biće prikazi:

Operation Arcana by J. J. Adams
Dark Intelligence by Neal Asher

i još ponešto, takođe u skorije vreme.

http://www.abebooks.com/books/features/50-essential-science-fiction-books.shtml (http://www.abebooks.com/books/features/50-essential-science-fiction-books.shtml)

http://www.tor.com/2015/07/23/buddy-can-you-spare-a-thaum-the-metaphors-of-max-gladstones-craft-sequence/ (http://www.tor.com/2015/07/23/buddy-can-you-spare-a-thaum-the-metaphors-of-max-gladstones-craft-sequence/)

Last year's best reads:

Shattered Sea Trilogy by Joe Abercrombie
Moon's Artifice & Old Man's Ghosts, Tom Lloyd
Dark Intelligence, Neal Asher
Wisp of a Thing: A Novel of the Tufa, Alex BledsoeThe
Liar's Key, Mark Lawrence
A Kiss With Teeth, Max Gladstone
Fool's Quest, Robin Hobb
Linesman, S.K. Dunstall
Gentleman Jole and the Red Queen, Lois McMaster Bujold
The Dread Wyrm, Miles Cameron
The Incorruptibles & Foreign Devils, John Hornor Jacobs
Uprooted, Naomi Novik

Evo posta koji sam spominjao. Ovo nije moje delo, već ručni rad jednog od prvih ebook pirata, s početka '00.

Quote from: Nightflier on 04-03-2013, 22:48:57

The Best of the Best of Fantasy Literature


Introduction

Take a stroll through any mega-bookstore, and you will be inundated by isles and isles of fantasy titles. A few will be great, some good and most, appallingly bad. Finding a good fantasy book is difficult, like sifting for gold among sand. But occasionally, you'll find that rare nugget, that grain of gold to forever treasure. I find myself in a unique position as a "fantasy pundit", since I have read most of the fantasy books out there. I often find myself recommending the same books over and over. Tired of this, I decided to create a comprehensive list of "The Best". Tastes change from person to person, but I think most astute fantasy readers will agree that the books on my list stand out above the rest.

Before I start, let me get this out of the way. People often ask me if authors such as "Dark Elf" RA Salvatore and the myriad of D&D type books (such as Dragonlance and Forgotten Realms) are any good. Let me put it this way: training wheels are good when you first attempt to ride a bike. RA Salvatore, and Dragonlance books work the same way. They are good for people who are neophytes to the fantasy literature scene, but they are only training wheels. I call these "training wheels" the "McDonald Cheesburgers" of Fantasy. They might be filling, but eventually you might want to sample the fancy French cuisine.

D&D-type novels have given fantasy literature a bad name. The typical cover usually features some fair-haired, buxom princess clutching a Conan character's meaty arm. Sort of reminds me of those cheesy Harlequin book covers that make me want to puke right there in the middle of the isle. The only difference between the two is the requisite dragon and wizard fighting in the background. It comes as no surprise then that D&D books give people the shivers—and not the good kind!  Your average Joe often associates "fantasy" with the shaggy-haired kid standing in the corner of the high school hallway, muttering about a level 35 druid named Ragnoth. These books literally scream "nerd", "geek", and "social loser" to the world.

Yet rest assured there are some very well written fantasy books out there, books that can compete arm to arm with "literature".

You just have to know where to look.

Here is my comprehensive list of the BEST of the BEST fantasy books. I have created several lists. The first is a list of what I consider to the "Top 25" fantasy works. Books that I consider to be very good (but not the best of the best) comprise the "Honorable Mention" list. Then there is the "Good Fantasy Books" list—books that are worth checking out, after you read through the first two lists.

Every book on these lists I consider to be the books that stand out above the thousands of lesser works. The books on these lists are the crème of the crop (especially the Top 25 & the Honorable Mentions). If you love fantasy, make sure you read through the Top 25—you won't be disappointed!

Note: my Top 25 list tends to gravitate towards the "Epic Fantasies", that is, stories that are not contained in a single volume, as opposed to standalone Fantasy Books. Perhaps the title, "Best of the Best of Fantasy Literature" is a bit of a misnomer, as most of my top twenty-five are part of trilogy or saga. This may be my own personal preference shinning through here, as I appreciate complex world building, something a single standalone fantasy book rarely accomplishes.  If you are the type that despise epics, than skip my top 25, and peruse the "Honorable Mentions" and "Good Fantasy Book" lists, which include some outstanding single volume works.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
The Top 25 Epic Fantasy Novels


#1 George R. Martin's A Song of Fire and Ice saga

Series Completion: NOT COMPLETED

A projected 7 books in the series. 3 books out. Book four will probably make a December 2004 release.

-This brilliant series starts with A Game of Thrones. What can I say about this series other then READ IT! It is universally known as the best fantasy series, ever. Martin writes with flair, deftly weaving multiple storylines in a gritty, even brutal, world that consists entirely of grey characters instead of the classic black and white. It's a vast chess game spanning continents, and the pieces are lords, bastards, knights, wizards, ladies, and children. What really stands out in this series is Martin's penchant for axing the major characters. That's right. No character is safe from the author's noose. Despite the demise of major characters, the plot lines continue stronger than ever. Tired of protagonists walking through fire without a scratch, falling hundreds of feet without a bruise, and defeating superhuman creatures with the same amount of effort that one puts into scratching an arm? Then this series is your fix. The sheer unpredictability of the series renders a delectable experience.  Dare you to predict the winners and losers? If you haven't read the series yet, go to your local library or bookstore and procure the series.

Similar recommendations: If you like Martin's A Song of Fire and Ice saga, try Greg Keyes' The Briar King, the first in his not-yet-complete trilogy which features delicious prose, gritty realism and an enticing plot. You can also try R. Scott Bakker's The Darkness that Comes Before, which features superlative prose, a unique, but fascinating storyline, and the gritty realism that Martin exhibits.


#2 Robert Jordan's The Wheel of Time saga


Series Completion: NOT COMPLETED: A projected 13 books in series. 10 books out + a prequel

The Wheel of Time turns and Ages come and go, leaving memories that become legend. Legend fades to myth, and even myth is long forgotten when the Age that gave it birth returns again. In the Third Age, an Age of Prophecy, the World and Time themselves hang in the balance. What was, what will be, and what is, may yet fall under the Shadow.

-I can truthfully say that Jordan is the King of Fantasy, if not in complexity, then in page count. This monstrously big series spans over 13 massive books (each at least 700 pages). As of September 2004, he has 10 of the 13 projected books finished. One of the blurbs on the cover pages of Jordan's books state that "Jordan has come to dominate the world Tolkien started to reveal". This quote is no exaggeration. If you thought Tolkien was complex, you ain't seen nothing yet, baby. Jordan is a skillful writer, able to inject dramatic tension into every aspect of his world. Plenty and plenty of political scheming, power struggles, gender struggles, a very well conceived (perhaps the best of any fantasy book) magic system, a world portrayed in pedantic detail, and great characters. There is a reason why Jordan is the #1 selling Fantasy author. He is one of my favorite authors, and I bet will be yours too if you give him a shot. A caveat: hoards of people are pissing mad at Jordan for dragging on the series too long. It's commonly agreed his first four books are fantastic, but he really starts to drag after the seventh book, notable his last two (book 9 and 10). The series is as of yet unfinished, so realize if you start, you will be pining away waiting for the next two books. If you like Tolkien, you will probably like Jordan.

Similar recommendations: Give George R.R. Martin's A Song of Fire and Ice a try. It's a massive epic like Jordan's Wheel of Time (not as long), and it's universally held in the highest esteem, a sort of paragon of what all Fantasy books should strive to be. You thought those "Dragonlance" books were good? Try Martin for a taste of what fantasy books should be like. If you like fantasy, do yourself a favor and read Martin. He is the best of the best. You might also try Tracy Hickman & Margaret Weis's Death Gate Cycle. A monolithic seven book saga that's reminiscent of Jordan's style, heavy on the magic, tension and action, but unique enough not to be a banal hack. Also try Michelle West's Sun Sword Saga, another large epic fantasy saga (six books) that shares some similarities with Jordan's Wheel of Time. West's writing style is drastically different that Jordan's, however--more subtle, and often ponderous. If you are an action freak, The Sun Sword pacing will probably be a bit too slow for you. You might also try Raymond E. Fiest's Magician duology, as he writes in a style and flavor similar to Jordan (heavy on action and magic).

#3 J.R.R Tolkien's Lord of the Rings.

Series Completion: COMPLETED: Three Books

-Do I even need to discuss it? The father of modern fantasy, the recreation of the English myth, an apex of English Literature; Lord of the Rings is more than mere Fantasy, it is both myth and a fictional history so real, so enticing, that it can be read as "real". Peter Jackson's movies capture the imagination of the books with astounding clarity—yet at the same time, the books deliver a different yet equally satisfying experience.

Similar recommendations: Sean Russell's A Swan's War trilogy. Russell prose is lyrical and beautiful, a very poetic style. Magic remains a mysterious and rare (like Lord of the Rings), and his world is full of mystery and wonder. Also try Tad William's Memory, Sorrow, Thorn saga, which is very reminiscent of Lord of the Rings. It's is unique however, and Williams, while sometimes to verbose, is a skilled wordsmith. Tolkien is universally praised for his magnificent world building, though his characterization is often criticized. Robert Jordan is another writer in the same epic vein as Tolkien, though, in my opinion, he writes far better characters than Tolkien. Like big epics? Like well constructed magic systems? Like political intrigue? Like gender power struggles? Like the end of the world? Then Jordan is a MUST read. His Wheel of Time is a magnificent epic fantasy that will suck you in. Just make sure you have enough time on your hands when you start!

#4 Greg Keyes' A Kingdom of Thorn and Bone saga

Series Completion: NOT COMPLETED: Three books projected; two books released so far

                I: The Briar King

                II: The Charnel Prince

-Keyes stunned the fantasy community with his phenomenal new high fantasy novel, The Briar King, last year. This guy is a master of the English language. His writing is both witty and beautiful; sort of an Oscar Wild meets J.R.R. Tolkien synergy. His plot is thick, rich with interesting characters (and the dialogue is top notch and at times, hilarious), and the world fairly gritty, though less than Martin's. Keyes takes old fantasy cliques and makes them into something completely new. I can't recommend this series enough.

Similar recommendations: If you like Greg Keyes' The Briar King, try R Scott Baker's The Darkness that Comes Before, which features superlative prose, an unique, but fascinating storyline, and the gritty realism that Martin exhibits. Also try Martin's A Song of Fire and Ice saga and Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time saga.

#5 R Scott Baker's The Darkness that Comes Before.

Series Completion: NOT COMPLETED: Three books projected; two books released so far

                I: The Darkness That Comes Before

                II: Prince of NOthing

In a world saturated by religious fanaticism, Maithanet, enigmatic spiritual leader of the Thousand Temples, declares a Holy War against the infidels. Ikurei Conphas, military genius and nephew to the Nansur Emperor, embarks on a war to conquer the known world in the name of his emperor....and himself. Drusas Achamian, spy and sorcerer of the mysterious northern sorceries, tormented by visions of the great apocalypse, seeks the promised one, the savior of mankind. Anasurimbor Kellhus, heir to the shattered northern kingdom, whose ruins now lay hidden in the deepest north, a place now desolate, home to only the No-Men. Gifted with extraordinary martial skills of hand and foot, and steering souls through the subtleties of word and expression, he slowly binds all - man and woman, emperor and slave - to his own mysterious ends. But the fate of men--even great men—may be cast into ruin. For in the deep north, the hand of the forgotten No-God stirs once more, and his servants tread the lands of men once more...

-First novel by Canadian novelist, Baker, The Darkness That Comes Before is shockingly good, featuring first rate prose, a dark storyline and a Steven Erickson-like epic scale. This book is sort of like a Clive Baker horror novel meets Steven Erickson meets Robert Jordan. The story will grip you harder than a vice. His second book, Warrior Prophet, maintains the impossibly high standards he set in the first book. Without a doubt, Bakker has established himself as one of the top fantasy authors.

Similar recommendations: The vast scope of A Darkness that Comes Before is very redolent of Steven Erickson's A Tale of the Malazan Book of the Fallen saga, though the characters are less grey, and the story more focused. Also try George R.R Martin's A Game of Thrones, which is very epic and very gritty.

#6 Kate Elliott's Crown of Stars saga.

Series Completion Status: NOT COMPLETED: Six books projected; five books released so far

-First book is King's Dragon. Complex politics, well thought out magic system, clash between religious and secular powers, an ineluctable catastrophe looming, long lost creatures walking the lands once again, GREAT characterization...what more can you ask for in a fantasy saga. Plot? Good enough to taste.

Similar recommendations: Tad William's Memory, Sorrow, Thorn saga. William's has beautifully reinterpreted Tolkien's Lord of the Rings (and no it is not in the least bit a clone, and no, there is no One Ring), creating a vast world of mystery and magic. Characterization is top notch.

# 7 Sean Russell's The Swan's War trilogy

Series Completion Status: NOT COMPLETED: Three books projected; two books released

-First book in this trilogy is The One Kingdom. Brilliant, brilliant books. Russell's prose is gorgeous. So gorgeous it almost seems lyrical; his world is full of mystery and beauty. In many cases, Fantasy books are so overloaded with magic that it soon ceases to mean anything--a simple Pug or Richard gains-new-power and defeats-even-more powerful villain, ad infinity . Russell opts to keep magic mysterious and rare. He never explains how it works. Martin does this in "A Song of Fire and Ice" and Tolkien in Lord of the Rings as well. If you want to read books that will sweep you off your feet with their beauty, passion and superlative plot, check this trilogy out.

Similar recommendations: J.R.R. Tolkien's A Lord of the Rings. The Swan's War trilogy seems both similar yet different than Lord of the Rings. The mysterious and rare nature of magic is a trait shared by both books, as is the beautiful prose that seems half poetry, half fiction (though Russel's work is more "modern" and novelistic).

#8 Stephen R. Donaldson's FIRST, SECOND, and LAST Chronicles of Thomas Covenant

Series Completion Status: First 7 Second Chronicles of Thomas Covenant  COMPLETED; First book of "Last Chronicles of Thomas Covenant released this month (October 2004)"

Book Description
The first book in one of the most remarkable epic fantasies ever written, the Chronicles of Thomas Covenant, Unbeliever.
He called himself Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever because he dared not believe in the strange alternate world in which he suddenly found himself. Yet he was tempted to believe, to fight for the Land, to be the reincarnation of its greatest hero....
THE CHRONICLES OF THOMAS COVENANT THE UNBELIEVER
Book One: LORD FOUL'S BANE
Book Two: THE ILLEARTH WAR
Book Three: THE POWER THAT PRESERVES

-Stephen R. Donaldson changed the face of fantasy in 1977 with the publishing of Lord Foul's Bane ( book one in The First Chronicles of Thomas Covenant). It took the world by storm. Hailed as a masterpiece of fantasy literature, TC went on to sell over 6 million copies. And for good reason. Donaldson's magnum opus is regarded as one the most emotionally compelling fantasy works ever created. Covenant is through and through an antihero. From anti-hero to hero, from tragedy to victory, this is one man's quest to save The Land from Evil and in the process, find his own redemption... If you love fantasy, READ THESE BOOKS. They are beyond phenomenal. Words cannot describe how good the books are. Donaldson is one of the best characterization writers, ever.

Note: After 17 years, Donaldson has released the first book in his new Thomas Covenant saga (The Last Chronicles of Thomas Covenant), entitled The Runes of the Earth. I recently finished it. Was it worth the wait? HELL YEA! Fans of TC, hold on to your birches, cause' your in for one hell of a ride!

#9 Patricia A. McKillip's Riddle of Stars trilogy



Series Completion Status: COMPLETED: Three Books

-Starts with The Riddlemaster of Hed. This trilogy has been around for a while, but by no means is it any less worth reading. It is one of the "classics" like Lord of the Rings, that every fantasy enthusiast should read. Fear not, the books are not archaic by any means (published 20 or so years ago).  The story is gripping, the characters indelible, and the prose lyrical--in the style of say Sean Russel. These books are everything fantasy should be and more.

Similar recommendations: J.R.R. Tolkien's A Lord of the Rings. I also recommend Ursula le Guin's classic The Earthsea trilogy, which features the same lyrical writing style as McKillip, and the hauntingly beautiful tale of a young boy's journey from boy to wizard. You might also try Sean Russel's The Swan's War trilogy which features lyrical prose, a pervading sense of pathos and a world full of opportunity, were magic is as mysterious as it is dangerous.

#10 Robin Hobb's Assasin's Trilogy, Liveship Traders trilogy, and Tawny Man trilogy

Series Completion Status: COMPLETED: Three Books in each trilogy, all released

-Hobb is, bar none, the best characterization writer, ever. Her characters are vividly real, leaping out of the pages into our minds as "living" characters. She has no qualms about allowing her protagonist to suffer, and suffer dreadfully. I don't even think Hobb has any concept of Dues Ex Machina. If her protagonist falls into a pit, no mysterious burst of air pads his fall; no, the protagonist will break both legs and likely his arms too. Hobb also creates an interesting magic system and a gripping plot. You will cry and laugh as her characters struggle to overcome their obstacles.

Similar recommendations: Guy Gaverial Kay's Tigania. This books is packed with emotion. If you like the emotional intensity and pathos of Hobb, you will love Tigania.

#11 JV Jones A Sword of Shadows saga

Series Completion Status: NOT COMPLETED: Three books projected; two books released so far

-Starts with A Cavern of Black Ice. Gritty, cold fantasy, with a flair for the gruesome. This fabulous trilogy is jam packed full of goodness. Characterization is great, and Jones, like Robin Hobb and Martin, is shows no quarter to her heroes. This is Sword and Sorcery the way it's meant to be. Jones has really come into her own the past few years and Sword of Shadows is her masterpiece. My only complaint: It's taking so damn long for the next book to be released.

Similar recommendations: Try George Martin's A Game of Thrones, which features a brutal world set in an ice filled milieu. You might also try JV Jones's other excellent Book of Words fantasy saga (starts with A Baker's Boy).

#12 Jennifer Fallon's The Second Sons Trilogy

Series Completion:  COMPLETED: Three books, all released.

MAGNIFICENT BOOKS! Starts with The Lion of Senett. Commentary on trilogy to be added shortly.



#13 E.E. Knight's "Vampire Earth"

Series Completion:  NOT COMPLETED:  I predict there will be many books in this too-addicting saga. Each book continues Valentine's story.

Picture a dark, apocalyptic world set in the near future. A world conquered by vampyric aliens, where humans are kept as nothing more than feeding and breeding stock. This is not your normal post-apocalyptic novel. Knight creates a rich milieu, almost reminiscent of an epic fantasy world. Make no mistake, this novel cannot be pigeon-holed into a single genre, it has elements of horror, fantasy, and science fiction. This is one hell of a thrill ride with a dark tension that keeps you pinned from the moment you open the cover to the second you wipe your eyes at 3 in the morning...

#14 Tad William's Memory, Sorrow, Thorn saga.

Series Completion Status: COMPLETED: Four books

-MST is Williams's version of Lord of the Rings. No, it is not a clone; in fact, it's very different—in a good way. William's characterization is top notch; you follow the journey of young Simon from boy to man, from kitchen scullion to hero. The plot is thick and often crawls at a snails pace, but the series is an undisguised jewel. A must for any fantasy aficionado.

Similar recommendations: Lord of the Rings by JRR Tolkien. Another book that shares some similarities is Michael A Stackpole's The Dragon Crown Cycle, which features an epic, black & white struggle, struggle between good and evil. Tad Williams will be releasing a new epic fantasy saga entitled "Shadowmarch" come November. Based on his past track record of fabulous novels ( and the early reviews that are practically glowing ), you might want to keep an eye out for Shadowmarch. It looks to be a gem.

#15 Ursula Le Guin's The Earthsea Trilogy

Series Completion Status: COMPLETED: Three books (two more have been added since the original trilogy was written, making a total of 5 books in the series)

-Starts with The Wizard of Earthsea. This is a coming of age story; leaps and bounds above the usual run of the mill boy-becomes-wizard-and-saves-world. With prose so good that you will want to lick the pages, and a story equally as enthralling, you will do no wrong buying—yes they are worth BUYING—this series. They are the types of book you can read over and over, then some more. Touching, beautiful, at times sad, this trilogy is one of the great masterpieces of fantasy literature.

Similar recommendations: J.R.R. Tolkien's A Lord of the Rings. I also recommend Phillip K. McKillip's wonderful Riddle of Stars trilogy, which features similar prose and a similar, though at the same time, very different, story. You might also try Sean Russel's The Swan's War.

#16 Steven Erickson's  A Tale of the Malazan Book of the Fallen saga.

Series Completion Status: NOT COMPLETED: Projected series is ten books; Five Book released so far;

-Since Tolkien, Fantasy has rarely been revolutionary, instead becoming more of an evolution and reinterpretation of Tolkien's original work. Well, I can honestly say Erickson's saga is revolutionary. No fantasy series is more epic in scope than ATotMBotF. His saga combines both military and epic fantasy into a delightful mix. Brilliant prose, epic storylines, gritty realism, fascinating mix of grey characters, Erickson combines the best of George R.R. Martin with the epic scope of the Greek Classics such as the Odyssey. One word when reading it: epiphany. A refreshing change from the usual Robert Jordan-esque fantasy clones that pop up like weeds these days.

Similar recommendations: George R. Martin's A Song of Fire and Ice saga also features an epic scope and the grey characterization that Erickson so loves. Martin's work is smaller is scale though and tends to be more focused, plot wise. You can also try Scott R. Baker's The Darkness that Comes Before, which features a vast epic scope and great prose. You might also try Thomas Harlan's superb Oath of Empires saga, which is an alternative history saga, were the Roman Empire has never fallen and magic works. Oath of Empires is epic, featuring massive magical battles and huge opposing armies (Persian and Roman) clashing so hard you can hear the horses scream.

#17 Thomas Harlan's Oath of Empires saga

Series Completion Status: COMPLETED: Four books

-Alternative history. It is 600 AD and Rome has never fallen. The Roman Empire of the East will join the Roman Empire of the West to invade the inimical Persians who threaten the very gates of Constantinople itself. Featuring epic battles, beautiful babes, and powerful magic, Oath of Empires is an epic story so full of energy that your hair will sizzle. It features the epic scope of a Steven Erikson novel, a Robert Jordan Wheel of Time like struggle, and the George Martin propensity for axing main characters. Yummy!

Similar recommendations: Steven Erickson's  "A Tale of the Malazan Book of the Fallen" saga, which is as epic as they come, and features an array of massive battles like Oath of Empires. The dazzling magic battles are also very similar is scope and size. Harlan's work focuses more closely on individual characters, however, while Erickson zooms out. You might also try Michelle West's Sun Sword saga which features a similar type scenario as in Oath of Empires (two culturally different empires clashing, while an ancient evil stirs behind the scenes orchestrating a conquest of the mortal world...).

#18 Raymond E. Fiest Magician: Apprentice and Magician: Master

Series Completion Status: COMPLETED: Two books

-Classic fantasy at it's best. These are the books that started it all for super popular fantasy author Raymond E. Fiest. They are the best of his works. Fiest's books emphasize heavy uses of magic, and political tensions.

Similar recommendations: Robert Jordan's A Wheel of Time saga. Jordan's masterpiece is chocked full of magic. If you really like Magican, try Fiest's other novels of Midkemia. All of them are set in the same world, though most of them live up fail to meet the first brilliance of his first two books: 'Apprentice' and 'Master'. The one exception might be his Empire Trilogy coauthored with Janny Wurts. The Empire Trilogy is a fantastic read, and I whole heartedly recommend it.

#19 Deborah Chester's The Sword, the Ring, and the Chalice Trilogy

Series Completion Status: COMPLETED: Three books

-Elves and Dwarfs have become the new byword for unoriginality in a fantasy book. Every time I see the word "Elf" or "Dwarf", I cringe. Chester however does something original. She writes a Sword and Sorcery trilogy, but unlike Conan, the characters actually have emotions and a brain as opposed to pure brawn or thigh. Characterization is very well done. Who ever thought there could be a Sword & Sorcery with depth? Well Chester's done it! Make sure you acquire of all three books in the series before you start on the first, because when you finish the first, you will want to tear through the rest.

Similar recommendations: Jennifer Roberson's Sword Dancer saga. Also try her Realm of Light trilogy, which reads is similar (though not as good) to The Sword, The Ring, and the Chalice.

#20 John Marco's Tyrant & King's

Series Completion Status: COMPLETED: Three books

-Starts first with The Jackal of Nar. Great trilogy. Military fantasy at its best! Marco's characters are never black and white. Each character, even the supposed "bad guys", are portrayed as "human" as opposed to just "the requisite bad guy". And you can viscerally emphasize with them all, even if you don't agree with their actions. Add to this a healthy mix of action, a fantastic plot, and these books are a MUST READ!

Similar recommendations: You might want to give Chris Bunch's Seer King trilogy series a shot. If you like Marco's refusal to pigeon-hole characters as either black or white, try his other series, The Eyes of a God and the sequel, Devil's Armor. If you like military setting of "Tyrants & Kings", check out Glenn Cook's Black Company saga.

#21 Elizabeth Haydon's Rhapsody Trilogy

Series Completion Status: Compelted: Three books

-Great books. Haydon creates a vivid word that will keep you reading for days and days. Her books have a decidedly romantic feel to them (no, they are not bodice-rippers, thank God), which while some romance is a common theme in epics, it's rare to have a saga built on the concept. But it works, very well. For the Rommeos and Julliets, this book is a gem.

#22 Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman's Deathgate Cycle

Series Completion Status: COMPLETE: Seven Books

-As you know, I am no big fan of D&D type literature, and Weis and Hickman expending a lot of energy writing those kind of books. This massive epic fantasy saga is no Dragonlance-type book, however. It's massive, ambitious, and well worth the read. I gleefully lost myself for a few weeks in this very addicting saga. If you like Robert Jordan, and Raymond E. Fiest, then you will probably like the Deathgate Cycle saga.

Similar recommendations: Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time. Raymond E Fiest's Magician books.

#23 Lian Hearn's Tales of the Otori trilogy

Series Completion Status: COMPLETE

                I: Across the Nightingale Floor

                II: Grass for his Pillow

                III: Brilliance of the Moon.


-This fantastic series starts with "Across the Nightingale Floor". This series is one of my favorite. Not in several years have I read a book this good, and I have read many—most of the books mentioned here, and more. To tell you the truth, I have read so many books that are trash that I have grown used to, perhaps even expecting poor quality when I read a fantasy novel. Pure drivel like Robert Newcomb's "The Fifth Sorceress" or Terry Goodkind's "The Naked Empire" are popping up like weeds these days.

But amidst the piles and piles of rubble, sometimes you find that rose of exceptional beauty. And "Across the Nightingale Floor" is that rose. It's vastly different than the usual run-of-the-mill fantasy novels, unique even.

The setting of the book takes place in a mythical Japanese-like society, though it's not a direct allusion to actual history, and it features a smattering of magic. It's a coming of age story, but not in the usual Robert Jordan type of way. Perhaps the best way to describe it is as a recipe: Take the majestic backdrop of "Shogun", mix it with the cool assassin factor of "Hero's Die" (Tekio and Caine would get along nice, me thinks), imbue it with the mysticism of Eric Lustbader's "Ninja", then toss in a fabulous plot, superlative characterization, a good dose of pathos, a chunk of romance and you have what I consider to be one of the best books, ever.

If you have read "A Song of Fire of Ice" fifteen times, spun through the "Wheel of Time" more times than Nynaeve pulls her braid, consumed every Hobb novel, then give this book a shot; it won't disappoint.

It's a sweeping epic of love, betrayal, loyalty, magic, and a high quest for revenge, and so dam fine a read you will want to lick the cover when you're done. I HIGHLY recommend you check this book out.



Similar recommendations: If you like the martial art themes or are fascinated by the Far East, read Sean Russell's "Brother Initiate". You might also try Curt Benjamin's epic fantasy with an Asian flavor—a sort of "Wheel of Time" set in china.

#24 Jennifer Roberson's The Sword-Dancer Saga


Series Completion Status: COMPLETE: Six Books

-These books are fantastic. Witty, humorous, action packed, and romantic, these books are worth anybody's time. Great interaction between the two, sometimes diametric protagonists.

Similar recommendations: Deborah Chester's The Sword, the Ring, and the Chalice Trilogy. Like The Sword Dancer Saga, Chester's Sword & Sorcery trilogy is full of rich characterization.


#25 Patrick Tilley's The Amtrack Wars

Valja napomenuti i da ovo nije prva verzija ovog teksta, pa ni najopširnija, već neka četvrta ili peta. Čovek je vremenom dopunjavao spisak kako su objavljivani novi nastavci u serijalima.

Na velike fantazijske sage poslednje decenije XX veka stavljena je tačka Eriksonovim (i Eslemontovim) serijalom o Malaškoj imperiji. Eriksonov Malazan objavljen je, nakon silnih peripetija, početkom 1999. godine, a okončan 2011. Iako je ovaj serijal u XX veku proveo samo dve godine i dve knjige, on je svakako dete tog stoleća, izmaštan tokom osamdesetih, uobličen tokom devedesetih i porođen pred sam kraj stoleća. Ovo je ujedno poslednja velika saga epske fantastike sve do Sandersonove "Arhive olujne svetlosti".

Tokom čitave prve decenije XXI stoleća, fantazija se u najvećoj meri okretala ograničenim serijalima, trilogijama i tetralogijama. Jedini izuzetak je urbana fantastika, koja i inače prati svoje tokove, toliko da je čak na pragu prerastanja u žanr za sebe. U narednih nekoliko postova (i dana) pozabavićemo se (hronološki) naslovima i serijalima koji su obeležili prvih petnaest godina ovog stoleća.

Znaš Najtflajere, mene uvek fascinira kako na ovakvim listama redovito izostaju neki od maestralno kvalitetnih serijala, recimo poput Gormenghasta ili Ryhope Wood serijala. Uvek me fascinira kako liste sastavljene od strane očigledno poznavaoca i ljubitelja konkretnog žanra previde njegova književno veoma kvalitetna ostvarenja. Naravno, ja rečene serijale nisam dovršila, jer redovito odustanem onog momenta kad mi postane jasno da ću da dalje dobijam samo varijacije prve knjige, ali Mythago Wood je tako straobalno zanimljiv roman da sam ga pročitala najmanje 4 puta, što zbog oduševljenosti samom pričom, što zbog čistog uživanja u jeziku, kog sam tad još uvek sa naporom savladavala. Otud stvarno ne razumem kako očigledni fentezi entuzijasti uspevaju da izignorišu tako kapitalna dela žanra, a ne sumnjam da ih ima još, jer je moje znanje u ovom domenu veoma, veoma skučeno. 

Svaka lista na kojoj se Džordan pojavljuje u prvih deset je maloumna...

Quote from: PTY on 10-04-2016, 08:46:32
Znaš Najtflajere, mene uvek fascinira kako na ovakvim listama redovito izostaju neki od maestralno kvalitetnih serijala, recimo poput Gormenghasta ili Ryhope Wood serijala. Uvek me fascinira kako liste sastavljene od strane očigledno poznavaoca i ljubitelja konkretnog žanra previde njegova književno veoma kvalitetna ostvarenja. Naravno, ja rečene serijale nisam dovršila, jer redovito odustanem onog momenta kad mi postane jasno da ću da dalje dobijam samo varijacije prve knjige, ali Mythago Wood je tako straobalno zanimljiv roman da sam ga pročitala najmanje 4 puta, što zbog oduševljenosti samom pričom, što zbog čistog uživanja u jeziku, kog sam tad još uvek sa naporom savladavala. Otud stvarno ne razumem kako očigledni fentezi entuzijasti uspevaju da izignorišu tako kapitalna dela žanra, a ne sumnjam da ih ima još, jer je moje znanje u ovom domenu veoma, veoma skučeno. 

Odgovor je višesložan. Nadasve, ovo je spisak 25 najznačajnijih naslova epske fantastike, a ne fantazije in general. Druga stvar, ovo je spisak koji je oblikovan prema američkom tržištu. Zapanjila bi se koliko njih nije čitalo na primer Zelaznija. Inače, sve se slažem za Holdstoka i veoma ga cenim i volim. On je svakako dokaz da fantazija može da ostvari visoke književne domete, ali nije mu mesto na ovom spisku, ako ćemo pravo, ponajviše zato što je Myhago Wood ono što bi se u nekim krugovima nazvalo "low fantasy". Ja sam skloniji da kažem "low key fantasy", ali tako mu je kako mu je. :) Fakat je da u tih 25 najznačajnijih, kako se navode, ima naslova koje bih ja izbacio a da ima i onih koje bih ubacio - ali ovaj spisak je pre deset-petnaest godina bio de fakto konsenzus šta je najbolje od epske fantastike.

Primetićeš kao zanimljivost da Tolkin nije na prvom, već na nekom recimo petom mestu. Ovo oslikava trenutak u vremenu kada je spisak nastajao i pomeranje fantazije kao krovnog žanra prema trenutnoj opsesiji grimdarkom kao estetikom.

Okej, najbolje fantazije i sfovi XXI veka.

Ovo će mnogima zvučati sumanuto, ali fantazija - kao suštinski mlađi žanr - pokazala se agilnijom i spremnijom za novi vek nego što je to slučaj bio sa SFom. Štaviše, poranila je za čitavih godinu dana. Naime, leta gospodnjeg 2000. objavljene su dve knjige koje su svaka za sebe obeležile narednih deset godina: American Gods by Neil Gaiman i Perdido Street Station by Chine Melvile. Ovde valja primetiti da su u oba slučaja autori Britanci, da ne kažem Englezi.

(https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1409934039l/349347.jpg)

Gejmanov roman na prvi pogled nije revolucionaran, ali "Američki bogovi" su zacementirali urbanu fantastiku kao samostalan podžanr fantazije, formalno je odvojili od horora, definisali neka njena interna pravila i pokazali da ne moraš biti žensko da bi je pisao. U neku ruku, da nije bilo "Američkih bogova" danas ne bi bilo ni Bučerovih "Drezdenovih dosijea", pa ni mnogih drugih "muških" serijala urbane fantastike, što bi bio ogroman gubitak jer je ženska strana podžanra većinski zglajznula u paranormalnu romantiku - pre svega usled odličnog komercijalnog uspeha Lorel Hamilton, a onda i niza njenih manje ili više uspešnih imitacija kao što je Šarlin Haris i njen serijal True Blood.

American Gods je takođe prvi roman koji na velika vrata uvodi slovenske elemente u savremenu svetsku fantastiku, što je trend koji će se koleblivo nastaviti i kulminirati poslednjih godina, sa serijalima Kevina Herna, Ilone Endrjuz i u manjoj meri Patriše Brigz. Naravno, ova tri serijala, pa i drugi njima slični, predstavljaju najkomercijalniji izraz podžanra i ne preterano vredne književne proizvode, ali redovna pojava slovenskih elemenata, koja je počela s "Američkim bogovima" umanjila je predstavu o Slovenima kao "drugima" i "tuđima", pa se to postepeno prelilo i na druge ogranke fantazije i tako je danas Baba Jaga čest gost i u delima epske fantastike američkih autora. Dakle, "Američki bogovi" su se pokazali globalno značajnim romanom i kao da su naslutili ako ne i podstakli okretanje anglo-američke fantazije negermanskim mitologijama, pa bilo da su istočnoevropske ili afričke ili neke treće. Naravno, ovo je veoma angažovan roman, s jakim društvenim komentarom koji maltene zadire u kiberpank estetiku i stravično je relevantan i sad još malo pa dve decenije po objavljivanju.

Perdido Street Station by by China Miéville

(https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1393537963l/68494.jpg)

"Stanica Perdido", takođe objavljena 2000. godine, bila je kudikamo revolucionarnija od "Američkih bogova". Tamo gde su se "Američki bogovi" oslanjali na već bogatu tradiciju urbane fantastike, ali i Gejmanovog sopstvenog pripovedačkog stila, "Perdido" se činila dramatičnim odstupanjem od etabliranih kanona fantazijske književnosti i smeli korak u jednom potpuno novom i do tada neistraženom pravcu. Žanrovski establišment bio je toliko zatečen ovim romanom da je samo zarad njega skovao termin "New Weird" i "Slipstream" (ovo ne samo zbog "Stanice Perdido"), ali ni jedan ni drugi termin nisu se predugo zadržali - srećom - iako su i kod nas bili nemilosrdno forsirani.

No, u svemu tome krije se jedna začkoljica. "Stanica Perdido" nije iznikla kao Atena iz Zevsove glave. Njena originalnost nije sporna, ali ovaj roman ipak nije tikva bez korena. Danas se veliki broj teoretičara žanrovske fantazije slaže u tome da je "Perdido" u estetskom smislu čist stimpank, a ja sam sklon da pristanem uz njih. No, postavlja se pitanje, otkud onda taj silan "weird" element na kojem se toliko insistiralo.

Odogovor će biti iznađujuć kako kome. Žanrovskim čistuncima svakako, ali pripadnicima fandoma koji su potpunije ogrezli u potkulturu ne toliko, osim možda "Aha!" momenta: Planescape.

Planescape je, pre nego što je postao kultna video igra, bio i ostao campaign setting za Dungeons & Dragons, izmešten iz stvarnosti u druge ravni postojanja, sa tematskom okosnicom u Sigilu - gradu u središtu multiverzuma, u kojem se prepliće sve što postoji i koji je neutralna teritorija u čijim se kafanama zatiču anđeli i đavli kako ljušte brlju za istim stolom. Nekoga bi ovo možda više podsećalo na Zelaznijev "Amber" nego na stimpank, ali moramo se osvrnuti na silne ranoviktorijanske estetske i pripovedačke elemente ovog settinga - od prvog uvođenja tiflinga u vaskoliku fantaziju, pa do toga što svi živi i neživi nose cilindre, monokle, razne goggles a glavna razlika između novopečenih plejnvokera i iskusnih starosedelaca se ogleda u poznavanju "canta", odnosno gradskog žargona koji je sazdan po ugledu na viktorijanski vajtčepelski ulični žargon.

A Čajna Mjevil je zagriženi frper.

Nikako ne tvrdim da je Mjevil plagirao Plejnskejp, daleko bilo, ali ovaj setting i čitava koncepcija uvrnutog grada svakako su nadahnuće za "Stanicu Perdido" - koja je pak postigla nešto sasvim drugo: Otvorila je vrata za uvrnutiju i nastraniju fantaziju od uobičajene bledunjave kopije srednjovekovnog evropskog društva. S jedne strane to je otišlo u konfekcijski stimpank, koji je jedno vreme služio kao fantazijska zamena za bodice-ripper romane i paranormalnu romantiku, dok taj talas nije splasnuo pre jedno dve-tri godine, ali s druge strane otvoren je širok prostor za eksperimentisanje s motivima tuđinskog i neljudskog u fantaziji, za angažovanu analizu savremenog kolonijalizma, bezbedno smeštenu u fantazijsko okruženje, pa samim tim hirurški precizno operisanu od upliva trenutne politike i, naposletku, za veći upliv lavkraftijanske estetike i nadgradnju motiva blisko/tuđe i razum/ludilo kojima se Lavkraft toliko bavio. Tu će "Stanica Perdido" otvoriti vrata za ozbiljno razvijanje fantazijske književnosti XXI veka, dok će "tradicionalni" SF još neko vreme pokušavati da se nađe, izgubljen u devedesetima.

Quote from: Nightflier on 11-04-2016, 11:12:39

Quote from: PTY on 10-04-2016, 08:46:32
Znaš Najtflajere, mene uvek fascinira kako na ovakvim listama redovito izostaju neki od maestralno kvalitetnih serijala, recimo poput Gormenghasta ili Ryhope Wood serijala. Uvek me fascinira kako liste sastavljene od strane očigledno poznavaoca i ljubitelja konkretnog žanra previde njegova književno veoma kvalitetna ostvarenja. Naravno, ja rečene serijale nisam dovršila, jer redovito odustanem onog momenta kad mi postane jasno da ću da dalje dobijam samo varijacije prve knjige, ali Mythago Wood je tako straobalno zanimljiv roman da sam ga pročitala najmanje 4 puta, što zbog oduševljenosti samom pričom, što zbog čistog uživanja u jeziku, kog sam tad još uvek sa naporom savladavala. Otud stvarno ne razumem kako očigledni fentezi entuzijasti uspevaju da izignorišu tako kapitalna dela žanra, a ne sumnjam da ih ima još, jer je moje znanje u ovom domenu veoma, veoma skučeno. 

Odgovor je višesložan. Nadasve, ovo je spisak 25 najznačajnijih naslova epske fantastike, a ne fantazije in general. Druga stvar, ovo je spisak koji je oblikovan prema američkom tržištu. Zapanjila bi se koliko njih nije čitalo na primer Zelaznija. Inače, sve se slažem za Holdstoka i veoma ga cenim i volim. On je svakako dokaz da fantazija može da ostvari visoke književne domete, ali nije mu mesto na ovom spisku, ako ćemo pravo, ponajviše zato što je Myhago Wood ono što bi se u nekim krugovima nazvalo "low fantasy". Ja sam skloniji da kažem "low key fantasy", ali tako mu je kako mu je. :) Fakat je da u tih 25 najznačajnijih, kako se navode, ima naslova koje bih ja izbacio a da ima i onih koje bih ubacio - ali ovaj spisak je pre deset-petnaest godina bio de fakto konsenzus šta je najbolje od epske fantastike.

Primetićeš kao zanimljivost da Tolkin nije na prvom, već na nekom recimo petom mestu. Ovo oslikava trenutak u vremenu kada je spisak nastajao i pomeranje fantazije kao krovnog žanra prema trenutnoj opsesiji grimdarkom kao estetikom.

A-ha.  :)

Dakle, lepo se vidi kako si vrlovrlo svestan distinkcija unutar 'fantazije in general', i to ne samo duz ove high/low podele, nego i nekoliko drugih razgranicenja za koja ja nisam ni cula. I lepo se vidi kako ne smatras da sama ta podela iole ukljucuje kvalitativno vrednovanje, u smislu da ne smatras da je, recimo, ovde low inferiorna, nego je naprosto drugacija, to unutar odredjenih i jasno primenjivih parametara. I lepo se vidi kako smatras da kvaliteta same proze nema veze sa razgranicenjima kooje pominjes, jer opet, nije u pitanju kvalitativno vrednovanje nego sadrzajno. Dakle, to su distinkcije kojih si svestan van same definicije te famozne 'fantazije-in-general', I ja to sve vidim i potpuno te razumem.

A kad ja isto to kazem za SF, kad kazem da njegovi konkretni oblici – recimo, oblici predstavljeni delima kao sto su Dine, Autostoper i trilogija 'Mars' – podrazumevaju distinkcije toliko razlicite po pitanju ne samo sadrzaja, estetike, pristupa i obrade, nego i onog najsustinskijeg aspekta u samom pristupa (dakle, ekstrapolacija, znaci logika stvarnog sveta + baratanje materijalnim cinjenicama), i kad kazem da definicija SFa-in-general koja nije svesna tih distinkcija zapravo i ne funkcionise, ni u kakvom prakticnom smislu (pri cemu ne mislim samo na ovakvu vrst naj-listi, nego na bilo kakav suvisli razgovor), nego je naprosto toliko elasticna i generalna da je na tom nivou efikasnosti ujedno i beskorisna – e onda me ne razumes, verovatno ato sto ti je udobnije da ostanes na tom neobaveznom (i nedefinisucem) nivou zanra-in-general.

Ali ko zna – da se SFom bavis onoliko koliko i fentezijem, odnosno da ga citas/prevodis u konkretnom obimu u kom i
fentezi, smatram da bi ti recene distinkcije bile ne samo isto tako vidljive koliko su i meni, nego bi se sa njima i razumeo na cisto intuitivnom nivou, bez obzira na sve nedostatke tamo nekih aktualnih (vise od pola veka starih) definicija. Tim pre sto cak ni ne znam da li je za fentezi iko ikad pokusao da ih donosi na tako generalnom nivou, kao sto je to slucaj sa SFom. Od domacih teoreticara sam citala samo Kravara, u Ubiku, i to upravo po ovom aspektu kog gore pominjes, po pitanju Tolkina i duboke fikcije.

I tako. ali lepo je znati da nas dvoje imamo veoma slican pristup, iako, naravno, razlicitim zanrovima.  :)

Quote from: PTY on 12-04-2016, 08:49:08

A kad ja isto to kazem za SF, kad kazem da njegovi konkretni oblici – recimo, oblici predstavljeni delima kao sto su Dine, Autostoper i trilogija 'Mars' – podrazumevaju distinkcije toliko razlicite po pitanju ne samo sadrzaja, estetike, pristupa i obrade, nego i onog najsustinskijeg aspekta u samom pristupa (dakle, ekstrapolacija, znaci logika stvarnog sveta + baratanje materijalnim cinjenicama), i kad kazem da definicija SFa-in-general koja nije svesna tih distinkcija zapravo i ne funkcionise, ni u kakvom prakticnom smislu (pri cemu ne mislim samo na ovakvu vrst naj-listi, nego na bilo kakav suvisli razgovor), nego je naprosto toliko elasticna i generalna da je na tom nivou efikasnosti ujedno i beskorisna – e onda me ne razumes, verovatno ato sto ti je udobnije da ostanes na tom neobaveznom (i nedefinisucem) nivou zanra-in-general.

Ali ko zna – da se SFom bavis onoliko koliko i fentezijem, odnosno da ga citas/prevodis u konkretnom obimu u kom i
fentezi, smatram da bi ti recene distinkcije bile ne samo isto tako vidljive koliko su i meni, nego bi se sa njima i razumeo na cisto intuitivnom nivou, bez obzira na sve nedostatke tamo nekih aktualnih (vise od pola veka starih) definicija. Tim pre sto cak ni ne znam da li je za fentezi iko ikad pokusao da ih donosi na tako generalnom nivou, kao sto je to slucaj sa SFom. Od domacih teoreticara sam citala samo Kravara, u Ubiku, i to upravo po ovom aspektu kog gore pominjes, po pitanju Tolkina i duboke fikcije.

Meni je sad pomalo neprijatno, nadasve jer mi odista nije jasno gde sam to ostavio utisak da te ne razumem, makar u ovom pogledu koji si navela. Ne samo da te razumem, već se duboko slažem s tobom. Opet, makar u ovom pogledu :)

Što se bavljenja SF-om tiče, razlog zašto ga zapostavljam na Sagiti, ako ga zapravo zapostavljam vrlo je jednostavan. Kada sam se učlanio na ovaj forum gotovo svi učesnici bavili su se gotovo isključivo SF-om, pa sam smatrao da nema vajde od mene ako budem samo jedan glas u horu, već da ću forumu i zajednici više doprineti ako se bavim manje prisutnim žanrovima i podžanrovima. Uglavnom, nakon nekog vremena otišao sam i od epske fantazije, pa prešao na neke druge podžanrove unutar tog šireg korpusa, pa sam se neko vreme bavio postapokaliptičnom književnošću i tako dalje.

Ako možeš da se setiš gde se to nalazi, voleo bih da linkuješ gde sam ti osporio gorepomenuti pristup razmišljanju o žanru. Ono protiv čega se ogorčeno borim jeste imanentna pretpostavka da je na primer SF vrednosno, sadržajno i kvalitativno vredniji od fantazije, samo zato što je ovo potonje jeftini eskapizam. To je teza koja se često provlači u jednom delu našeg fandoma, ali koja je u svetskim okvirima davno opovrgnuta i zaboravljena. Međutim, iskren da budem, ne sećam se da si ti iznela sličnu tezu kao svoje viđenje, tako da ne vidim ni tu priliku da sam ti spočitao nešto tog tipa.

Daklem, u Mićinoj temi o tome da li je naučna fantastika naučna, ja sam ponudio definiciju fantastike po kojoj ja funkcionišem:

"Dakle, ako je realizam pravac koji se stvarnošću bavi onakvom kakva je ali i onakvom kakva je moguča prema zakonima verovatnoće, onda se fantastika bavi stvarnošću koja nije moguća, koja je neverovatna ili malo verovatna, makar prema važećoj opštoj percepciji stvarnosti."

A dalje smatram da je predznak koji bi se tu dodao (epska fantastika, urbana, spejs opera, horor, mračna, kiberpank, štagod) samo pitanje estetike. Dobro, možda ne samo, ali uglavnom pitanje estetike i unutrašnje logike koja će vladati u nekom delu.

Definicija ti ama baš ništa ne valja. Šta su ti "zakoni verovatnoće"?

Pa, to glede realizma je definicija iz srednjoškolske teorije književnosti. Sad se ne sećam autora i tačnog izdanja udžbenika. Ali valjda su neki profesori s Filološkog (one would hope). Potom sam na osnovu te definicije postavio (sebi) definiciju fantastike kao suprotstavljenu realizmu.

Misliš na ovo sa Wikipedije?

Quote
Realistički metod označava književnost koja prikazuje stvarnost kakva jeste, ali i kakva je moguća prema zakonu verovatnoće i nužnosti, odnosno književnost koja je uverljiva u odnosu prema objektivnoj stvarnosti

Šta da kažem...

Zapravo, nisam mislio. Ali ni to s Vikipedije nije palo s neba. Niti vidim šta je sporno u njoj. A iscimaću prijatelje filologe da nađu svoje udžbenike s fakulteta, pa da vidimo kako je realizam definisan u njima.

Evo, puna definicija (doduše, pravca) iz hrvatske "Teorije književnosti" iz 2005.

Za razliku od neposrednog izricanja subjektivnih dojmova i raspoloženja, koje dominira u romantizmu, realizam se zalaže za objektivnost i uvjerljivost prikazivanja, izuzetne likove koji djeluju u izuzetnim okolnostima zamjenjuje prosječnim ljudima koji djeluju u svagdašnjici, romantičarskom oduševljenju, maštovitosti i sklonosti prema tajanstvenom suprotstavlja nepristrasnu kritičku analizu, opisivanje činjenične stvarnosti i razotkrivanje zakonitosti društvenog života.

Edit:

A evo definicije iz engleskog jezika:

  the theory or practice of fidelity in art and literature to nature or to real life and to accurate representation without idealization.

Najtflajere, sta da ti kazem, izvini, ja sam izgleda sasvim pogresno razumela neke od tvojih izjava.  :( donekle zbog onoga sto dalje pominjes, naime da postoji odredjeno negativno kvalitativno vrednovanje fentezija. Ne tvrdim da toga nema, bar kod mene, ali to je vrednovanje vise po pitanju formata, ne zanra. Serijal jeste format koji neguje uglavnom genericki YA eskapizam, i to nije u direktnoj vezi sa fentezijem kao zanrom, naprotiv, ima ga u svim zanrovima. Mozda je tu vise problem sto u sfu ja lako mogu taj format da izbegnem, u hororu takodjer, ali reci mi, ima li epskog fentezija van tog formata? Ako ima, do njega je veoma tesko doci. a za ostatak fentezija niko ne tvrdi da je inferioran, zaista, i svaki put kad naletimo na nekog zanimljivog kao sto je Daryl Gregory, mi se uglavnom poklopimo u misljenju. Znaci, ne promakne nam dobra fentezi proza, pod uslovom da za nju cujemo, i da se moze nabaviti. I ne tvrdim ja sad da bi takav YA eskapizm trebalo utepati, daleko od toga, ali moras da priznas kako on vrlo lako moze da izdominira kupovnom moci, jer koliko god se ti kod stand alone romana premisljas da li da ga kupis ili ne, toliko se ne premisljas kod serijala - jednom kad kupis prvu knjigu ti si manje-vise obavezan kupac i za ostalih 10, iako znas da dobar deo njih nece biti mnogo vise od reciklaze. a istini za volju, ta reciklaza i repetitivno cedjenje originalne postavke moze se pronaci i van samih serijala, recimo Beckettov Eden to radi vec u drugoj knjizi, sto me jeste upecalo na kvarnjaka ali zato nema sanse da ga pratim u trecu, mi se tu razilazimo po pitanju Edena. jednostavno, ne volim kad me pisac isfolira na taj nacin, nekakvim ispraznim cedjenjem koje moze da se nastavi bukvalno u nedogled, jer ne donosi nista sustinski novo. I mada ja uvek mogu da preporucim prvi Eden, sve potonje ne bih nikako, jer jedini amanet koji mi je druga knjiga ostavila je kvarenje dozivljaja prve. Znaci, ne, po meni to nije vrednovanje duz striktno zanrovske linije, osim ako se bac poklopi da taj specificni zanr i nema korpusa van YA eskapizam formata.

Kako su se moji čitalački apetiti u mladosti povećavali, mislim da sam više naginjao epskoj nego naučnoj fantastici. Naravno da je tome doprinelo postojanje par knjiga kod nas, koje su odskakale kvalitetom, te je moje poimanje fantazije dugo uključivalo samo Gospodara prstenova, Zemljomorje i Elrika od Melnibonea. Vrhunac moje upletenosti se poklapa sa izdavanjem Ambera u izdanju ZS (mislim na prvih 5 knjiga, dakle serijal o Korvinu). Posle toga počinjem da čitam i ostale serijale , Bruksovu Shanaru, Donaldsona itd,  i polako se hladim za fantaziju jer shvatam da su u pitanju isključivo serijali u kojima se javlja upravo ono što tako jako smeta Libi, a to je konstantna reciklaža sadržaja, često retkonovanje koje se maltene podrazumeva u nastavku serijala, i poptuno nepotrebno razvlačenje radnje i strateško postavljanje klifhengera da bi se osigurala prodaja nastavaka. Recimo, Zelaznijev serijal o Merlinu je perfektan primer svega onoga što ne valja u takvim serijalima. Evo sad gledam ovaj spisak 25 najboljih fantasy SERIJALA od kojih dobra polovina još nije ni završena, pa se pitam kako su mogle dospeti na listu knjige koje nisu ni završene i za koje se nikako ne može znati da li će održati svoj kvalitet u budućnosti. Dakle, moj problem sa Fantazijem je što je on po defaultu sadržan u serijalima. A sa druge strane, ima par bisera koji su prisutni kao solo knjige, ali oni ostaju kao izuzeci koji potvrdjuju pravilo. Upravo si naveo par knjiga koje su po tebi obeležile novi vek, a koje su i meni lično jako drage. Američki bogovi su mi verovato najdraža Gejmenova knjiga, a Mjevila izuzetno cenim i njegova Stanica Perdido bi bila pravo remek delo da je nije odužio više nego što treba i olako banalizovao par postavki na kojima se bazira dosta jedinstvenog šmeka ove knjige; ovako ostaje odlična knjiga. Koliko god bih želeo da čitam fantasy, ne želim da čitam serijale, ali fakat je da solo knjiga praktično i nema. Ako ih ima, bio bih jako zahvalan za predloge!

oprosti, berserce, ali bi mi interesovalo da mi malo detaljnije objasnis koje postavke u stanici perdido banalizovane? nije da hocu da se raspravljam, nego me misljenje interesuje...

Quote from: PTY on 13-04-2016, 08:40:09
Najtflajere, sta da ti kazem, izvini, ja sam izgleda sasvim pogresno razumela neke od tvojih izjava.  :( donekle zbog onoga sto dalje pominjes, naime da postoji odredjeno negativno kvalitativno vrednovanje fentezija. Ne tvrdim da toga nema, bar kod mene, ali to je vrednovanje vise po pitanju formata, ne zanra. Serijal jeste format koji neguje uglavnom genericki YA eskapizam, i to nije u direktnoj vezi sa fentezijem kao zanrom, naprotiv, ima ga u svim zanrovima. Mozda je tu vise problem sto u sfu ja lako mogu taj format da izbegnem, u hororu takodjer, ali reci mi, ima li epskog fentezija van tog formata? Ako ima, do njega je veoma tesko doci. a za ostatak fentezija niko ne tvrdi da je inferioran, zaista, i svaki put kad naletimo na nekog zanimljivog kao sto je Daryl Gregory, mi se uglavnom poklopimo u misljenju. Znaci, ne promakne nam dobra fentezi proza, pod uslovom da za nju cujemo, i da se moze nabaviti. I ne tvrdim ja sad da bi takav YA eskapizm trebalo utepati, daleko od toga, ali moras da priznas kako on vrlo lako moze da izdominira kupovnom moci, jer koliko god se ti kod stand alone romana premisljas da li da ga kupis ili ne, toliko se ne premisljas kod serijala - jednom kad kupis prvu knjigu ti si manje-vise obavezan kupac i za ostalih 10, iako znas da dobar deo njih nece biti mnogo vise od reciklaze. a istini za volju, ta reciklaza i repetitivno cedjenje originalne postavke moze se pronaci i van samih serijala, recimo Beckettov Eden to radi vec u drugoj knjizi, sto me jeste upecalo na kvarnjaka ali zato nema sanse da ga pratim u trecu, mi se tu razilazimo po pitanju Edena. jednostavno, ne volim kad me pisac isfolira na taj nacin, nekakvim ispraznim cedjenjem koje moze da se nastavi bukvalno u nedogled, jer ne donosi nista sustinski novo. I mada ja uvek mogu da preporucim prvi Eden, sve potonje ne bih nikako, jer jedini amanet koji mi je druga knjiga ostavila je kvarenje dozivljaja prve. Znaci, ne, po meni to nije vrednovanje duz striktno zanrovske linije, osim ako se bac poklopi da taj specificni zanr i nema korpusa van YA eskapizam formata.

No worries. :) Dotakao bih se nekih stvari koje si pomenula, naročito oko samostalnih romana - koji jesu uslovno rečeno boljka fantazije i u velikoj meri si u pravu kada spominješ serijalizaciju kao problem - ali gužva me je neka spopala, pa nemam vremena da napišem valjano promišljen post. A nešto mi se dopada smer u kojem se ova tema kreće, pa ne bih da budem nepažljiv i nesmotren s odgovorima.

Takođe čeka i naredni naslov u nizu "najboljih" u novom milenijumu :)

(ovaj post kao placeholder da se zna zašto ne odgovaram ovoliko vremena)

Quote from: Scordisk on 13-04-2016, 23:42:24
oprosti, berserce, ali bi mi interesovalo da mi malo detaljnije objasnis koje postavke u stanici perdido banalizovane? nije da hocu da se raspravljam, nego me misljenje interesuje...

Moraću da je ovih dana pročitam ponovo i onda da konkretizujem zamerke i pohvale, jer sam je davno čitao i u glavi mi je ostao samo ukupni utisak, mada ću probati da pojasnim (izvinjavam se unapred zbog nakaradnih termina koje ću možda upotrebiti). Pod banalizovanjem mislim na prebrzo uobičavanje (što bi i bio neki grub prevod termina banalizacija) činjenica na kojima počiva nesumnjivi šarm ove knjige. Recimo, početni zaplet sa dolaskom Jagareka (čoveka ptice) se zasniva na samoj legendarnosti te rase, i Mjevil odlicno gradi saspens oko te činjenice, dok ne otkrijemo da je grad ustvari manje više prepun raznoraznih neobičnih rasa, vanzemaljaca i natprirodnih bića, te da Jagarek ustvari i nije neka novina, što potpuno poništava važnost početnog zapleta knjige...sećam se još i prvog susreta sa onim trans dimenzionalnim paukom (Tkač li mu beše ime?)  i to poglavlje je upravo perfektno po hororičnoj atmosferi i količini onostranog kojom odiše ovo biće. Kroz kasnija poglavlja medjutim, Tkač potaje tipični saveznik sa kojim se prilično lako komunicira i koji vrlo spremno pomaže u najtežim situacijama, čime se banalizuje njegovo prisustvo u knjizi. Eto par primera zbog kojih sam na kraju ostao samo sa odličnim utiskom, umesto fenomenalnim: Mjevil je imao gomilu fantastičnih ideja koje su prosto isijavale ''out of this world'' auru, da bi ih u toku knjige spustio na zemlju, antropomorfizovao, i onda su izgubile tu svoju auru. Kada sam čitao ''Grad i grad'', u njemu je uspeo da osnovnu postavku knjige održi do samog kraja, sačuvavši atmosferu netaknutom, što znači da ume to da izvede kad hoće.

@Najtflajer: nema problema, i sama sam u sličnoj frci, još sa putnom groznicom pride.  :lol:

A kad kolega Berserker nudi konkretne primere po pitanju banalizacije, da se uključim i ja sa već pominjanim Edenom, tek da bude jasnije o čemu zapravo govorimo:

Dakle, prva knjiga Edena je očigledno koncipirana kao stand-alone roman, sa zapletom koji se fokusirao na malu grupicu "kolonista", zapravo prezivelih naslednika originalnih pilota koji su se srušili na Eden. Ta mala grupa živi u nekoj vrsti plemenske komune sa pretežno matrijahalnim uređenjem, svedenim na krajnje rudimentarni jezik, istoriju i kulturu uopšte. Društvene trzavice su također vrlo ubedljive i stvarne: stariji članovi komune naprosto životare u iščekivanju spasioca sa Zemlje, ne usuđujući se ni da odmaknu od mesta originalnog rušenja letelice, sve u strahu da ih eventualni spasioci neće pronaći na planeti bez sunca. Mlađe generacije, naravno, imaju drugačji pogled na taj konkretno egzistencijalni problem: za njih, Eden je njihov jedini svet, i otud smatraju da život treba živeti u punoći i celosti, bez zavaravanja u nekakav imaginarni spas. Sve u svemu, veoma, veoma poštena konstrukcija koja vrlo ozbiljno i vrlo dirljivo dovodi narativ do jedinog mogućeg raspleta: naravno da nema rata među suprostavljenim stranama, jer sve je to šačica braće i sestara. Ali roman se završava raskolom, gde mlađi pobunjenici odlaze da okušaju sreću i nađu svoje parče Edena.

Nastavak tog romana se obraća znatno mlađem čitalaštvu, to u očigledno 'serijalskom' formatu: sad je odjednom društveno uređenje patrijahalno i feudalno, iako nema zemljoradnje kao takve a glavnina ishrane im i dalje potiče od lova; jezik je misteriozno 'evoluirao' do nivoa lako razumljivog tinejdžerima, dakle, gramatički je naprasno postao korektan ali sadržajno simplificiran; vode se dinastičke (!) borbe oko kojekakvih 'prestolja', dinastičkih nasledstva (a svi vode poreklo od jedne žene, dakle, patrijahalna dinastija); narativ očigledno preferiše žene odane mužu i deci i dinastičkoj ambiciji koju ostvaruju isključivo kroz spletkarenja i smicalice; Beckettu sad otvoreno smeta originalni mračni Eden, pa se gotovo sva radnja odvija u nekakvim veštački osvetljenim pećinama; lične dileme su tipično tinejdžerske (voli me danas-ne voli me sutra-ajde da ispletkarim za prekosutra), društvene dileme su uber-trivijalne (uznemireni pleb pre-industrijskog raspoloženja, koji, kao, voljno bira između dva vlastelina procenjujući njihove 'moralne' kvalitete, jer materijalne su im ionako potpuno iste); ratovi i ubijanja na sve strane: ukratko, gotovo da nema aspekta koji nije direktna razgradnja originalnog koncepta u prvoj knjizi, a pseudo-relativizacija i nesmiljena naivnost unutrašnje logike stavlja ovu knjigu u domen bukvalno najranije adolescencije. Glavna junakinja se ženi i razvodi sa jednakom strašću, a muž joj 'menja' ličnost triput dnevno, oscilirajući u rasponu od naivnog pozitivca do ultrafunkcionalnog psihopate koji se naprosto ne seća šta je sve izjavio u prethodnom pasusu.

I tako: da je ovo napisao neki početnik, bila bi to neuko izvedena ambiciozna priča; ali pošto to piše Beckett, onda je to vešto isfabrikovani šund. Žanrovski, to više nije sf, ali nije ni fentezi, sem u nekom striktno iracionalnom, 'pseudo' smislu, u kom narativ prosto tetura na međi raznih žanrova – ali ni jednom ne pripada u potpunosti, ukoliko sam šund ne smatramo žanrom za sebe. Reći za ovako nešto da je SF je isto kao i reći za model mekdonaldovog burgera napravljen od stiropora i farbe da je kulinarstvo.

No dobro, to ipak ne znači da se zbog ovoga sa Beckettom treba zauvek razići: možda čovek na nekoliko nastavaka šunda zaradi dovoljno para da se lakše posveti prozi kakvu je pre pisao.

E, konačno da ti odgovorim :)

Najpre, slutim da je "YA" termin koji koristimo različito. Ja ga koristim kao zasebnu (pod)žanrovsku odrednicu, sa veoma specifičnim zadatim elementima, počesto u strukturi priče, karakterizaciji likova itd. Današnji YA se veoma razlikuje od nekadašnje "književnosti za decu i omladinu" utoliko što više nije određen isključivo ciljnom grupom već sada i tim gotovo pa formalnim elementima.

Serijalizacija je pitanje s višesložnim odgovorom.

Najpre, serijalizacija je u korenu vaskolike fantastike kao pre svega jeftine književnosti, a potom i pustolovne književnosti. To smo najpre videli s klasičnim palp SF-om. Ne sme se zaboraviti da je SF kao žanr i stariji i zreliji od fantazije, čak i u širem smislu. Fantazija je kao krovni žanr za sve što ima veze s zmajevima, magijama, čarobnjacima i vilovnjacima počela da stasava tek šezdesetih godina, a SF je za to vreme stigao da se pozabavi brojnim temama, opet u obliku serijala.

Sad, zašto serijali? Odgovor je, verujem, dvojak: najpre, zbog zahteva čitalaštva, odnosno tržišta, a potom i zbog želje autora da pričaju nove priče u tim svetovima. Prilikom razgovora s fanovima fantastike (dakle, ne samo fantazije, ili čak ni samo epske fantastike) širom sveta ni u jednom slučaju nisam naleteo na stanovište da su serijali nešto loše. Većini su čak poželjni. Na kraju krajeva, teško da bi se inače objasnio njihov komercijalni uspeh. Na zao glas izbili su prevashodno zbog Džordana i Martina, odnosno njihovih odugovlačenja sa objavljivanjem novih nastavaka. Što se ogromne većine čitalaca tiče, ako je izvodljivo da dobijaju makar jednom godišnje novu dozu svog omiljenog serijala - teraj do beskonačnosti. Odijum prema serijalima specifičan je, čini mi se, za Ex-Yu fandom, koji je oblikovan (u izvesnoj meri) samostalnim delima, ali i akademskim pristupom žanru kao imamentno niskoj književnosti. Naravno, žanrovska književnost to i jeste - po definiciji jeftina i bez trajnih vrednosti - ali razlika je u tome što je veliki deo starijeg fandoma, po mom utisku, formiran sa trajnom makar podsvesnom stigmom da je to što vole loše i dekadentno i da je ta stigma duboko prihvaćena. Serijalizacija samo dodatno smrdi na komercijalizaciju, a komercijalno je po prirodi stvari suprotstavljeno umetničkom i tako dalje i bliže. Dakle, to je jedan element odgovora - koji se dalje može razviti u smeru tehnologije. Odnosno, broj radnih sati potreban za objavljivanje neke priče u nekom žanrovskom magazinu napretkom tehnologije postao je dovoljan za objavljivanje romana, pa potom za objavljivanje ne jednog, već deset i tako dalje i tako redom. Dobar ilustrator toga su i termini koji se koriste u izdavačkoj industriji. Ono što je nama neprocenjiv predmet, za koji smo morali da izdvajamo ne znam koliko i da odvajamo od usta da bismo ga kupili, tamo negde je mass market paperback. Dakle, ekvivalent ex-yu roto-romana. No, to je može biti nepotrebno širenje priče.

Drugi element mog odgovora je različitost različitih grana fantazije i drugačija priroda serijalizacije u tim granama. U epskoj fantastici serijal u neku ruku ni ne postoji - pošto se epska fantastika mahom bavi jednim ogromnim romanom. Naravno, ovo je Tolkinovo nasleđe - ali zaboravlja se da je "Gospodar" pisan kao jedan roman, koji je objavljen u tri toma zbog nestašice hartije. Za današnje uslove, "Gospodar prstenova" čak i nije posebno obiman. Na današnjem tržištu ima naslova koji u jednom tomu prevazilaze sva tri toma "Gospodara prstenova" po broju reči, ili slovnih mesta - kako je kome draže. Dakle, svih 14 tomova "Točka vremena" zapravo su jedan roman koji se odigrava u vremenskom periodu od dve godine. "Malazan" takođe. Da sada ne nabrajam. Reč je o jednoj ogromnoj priči, koja često vijuga i meandrira, počesto prateći više protagonista koji se smenjuju, ali čiji se potezi povlače u istom trenutku - samo na različitim mestima, da bi se to u završnici sabralo sve na jedno mesto. Držim da je ovakav pristup omogućila tehnologija. Odnosno, brzina stvaranja književnog dela i brzina štampe, distribucije itd. omogućile su postizanje tog efekta roto-romana kod čitalaca i relativno kratko vremensko rastojanje između objavljenih delova serijala, što omogućuje mali gubitak pažnje između delova.

Sad druge strane, imamo mač & magiju, koja je danas prerasla u grimdark, koja je najpre reakcija na Tolkina i njegov pogrešno percipirani romanticizam, a potom i naslednik petparačkih priča iz dvadesetih i tridesetih godina, samo u formi romana. U ovom i srodnim podžanrovima mi ne pratimo svet, već heroja, pa je tako Konan uvek Konan i Elrik uvek Elrik i uglavnom je nebitno da li se čita dvadeseta ili druga priča iz ciklusa. To što sada imamo romane a ne priče samo je posledica napretka tehnologije (i toga što prosečni čitalac ima više vremena za aktivnosti koje ne donose pare nego što ih je imao početkom prošlog veka).

No, beskrajni serijali bilo kakve vrste ostali su u devedesetima i 'hiljaditima - osim u slučaju urbane fantastike (nešto manje) i paranormalne romantike (nešto više). Ovi podžanrovi su svejedno hibridi krimića s jedne i ljubića s druge strane, kojima su petparački koreni još bliži nego maču & magiji a naročito bliži nego epskoj fantastici.

E, sad - izdavački problemi sa dva ključna serijala epske fantastike (koji sadrže elemente drugih podžanrova), "Točkom vremena" i "Pesmom leda i vatre" doveli su do pritisaka izdavača na pisce da sputavaju svoje epske sklonosti - tako da od tamo negde sredine prošle decenije imamo gotovo isključivo trilogije/tetralogije u ponudi izdavačkih kuća. Veoma je teško prodati serijal od deset knjiga i pisac mora da se dokaže pre nego što može i da sanja o takvom projektu. Dakle, trilogije su nova norma, koja čak ide toliko daleko da se samostalni romani razbijaju u trilogije, kako bi se smanjio potencijalni gubitak za izdavača. Takođe je značajno smanjivanje prosečnog broja stranica po romanu, pa su danas retki monstrumi od preko 800 stranica.

Eksperimenata sa samostalnim fantazijskim romanima bilo je tokom devedesetih, na primer sjajni Villains by Necessity iz pera Eve Forvard, ali oni jednostavno ne mogu da se bore na knjižarskim policama s metrima raznih serijala, tako da su samostalni naslovi mahom doživeli neuspeh.

Ukratko, trilogija je novi/stari format u kojem epska fantastika u današnje vreme egzistira, ali ne samo epska fantastika već i YA i brojni drugi žanrovi i podžanrovi fantastike. Nalazim da je to prevashodno kompromis. S jedne strane omogućuje piscu da ne bude baš ograničen na jednu knjigu, izdavaču da ima nekakav razuman plan i program objavljivanja, a čitaocu da ne čeka dok ne osedi da bi pročitao kraj nečega.

A još kraće - prilično se slažem s tvojim stavom, osim što meni serijali ne smetaju jer ih doživljavam ne kao obaveznu investiciju vremena, već kao relativno sigurnu investiciju u relativno sigurnu zabavu koju mogu da očekujem u relativno sigurnim vremenskim intervalima. Recimo da je tvoj pristup bioskopski, a moj televizijski :)

Inače, u prvi mah ću se baviti različitm oblicima fantazije i novih podžanrova koji su nastajali u novom milenijumu. Svakako ima čitalaca koji su tradicionalni sf u tom periodu pratili bolje od mene, pa ih najiskrenije & najljubaznije molim da se uključe u raspravu glede toga. Ako ništa drugo, kada stignemo do trenutnog vremena s fantazijom, vratiću se na SF i tako to.

Pukom slučajnošću, evo nečegao čemu smo maločas razgovarali:

http://bookriot.com/2016/03/01/7-standalone-novels-fantasy-lovers/ (http://bookriot.com/2016/03/01/7-standalone-novels-fantasy-lovers/)

Još jedan naslov objavljen na samom prelazu između dva veka, koji se pokazo veoma značajnim za oblikovanje fantazije i vaskolike fantastike XXI veka je

The Curse of Chalion (World of the Five Gods #1) by Lois McMaster Bujold

(https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1322571773l/61886.jpg)

A man broken in body and spirit, Cazaril, has returned to the noble household he once served as page, and is named, to his great surprise, as the secretary-tutor to the beautiful, strong-willed sister of the impetuous boy who is next in line to rule.

It is an assignment Cazaril dreads, for it will ultimately lead him to the place he fears most, the royal court of Cardegoss, where the powerful enemies, who once placed him in chains, now occupy lofty positions. In addition to the traitorous intrigues of villains, Cazaril and the Royesse Iselle, are faced with a sinister curse that hangs like a sword over the entire blighted House of Chalion and all who stand in their circle. Only by employing the darkest, most forbidden of magics, can Cazaril hope to protect his royal charge—an act that will mark the loyal, damaged servant as a tool of the miraculous, and trap him, flesh and soul, in a maze of demonic paradox, damnation, and death.

Iako je ovo prva knjiga u seriji, zapravo je reč o seriji od tri romana i jedne novele smeštenih u isti svet, samo u različitim vremenskim intervalima. Zašto je ovaj naslov bitan? Pre svega zato što odstupa od ideje da je fantastika igra za mladež. Protagonista jeste u tridesetim godinama života, ali valja voditi računa da živi u civilizaciji u kojoj nije neuobičajeno da četrdesetogodišnjaci umiru od starosti. "Kletva Haliona" je divan primer "fantazije za odrasle", negde na pola puta između romantičarske fantastike - koja je početkom devedesetih bila jaka struja u fantaziji - i grimdarka novog veka. Roman je odmeren, protagonista je odmeren, stil je odmeren, jezik je odmeren - ovo nije knjiga za jeftina uzbuđenja i užurbano čitanje. Nažalost ili na sreću, "Kletva Haliona" je zasenjen svojim uslovno rečeno nastavkom, koji bi se najbolje opisao kao "Paviljon žena" epske fantastike. Iako je drugi naslov u toj veoma uslovno rečeno trilogiji daleko značajniji - nadasve zbog izvanrednog tretmana protagonistkinje i bavljenjem sredovečnom ženom u fantazijskom svetu - "Kletva Haliona" je pokazatelj novog kretanja fantazije, ka manje pustolovnom duhu i zrelijim temama, ispričanim drugačijim glasom. Izvanredno je to što se ovaj roman zapravo pojavio iste godine kada i prethodna dva ovde pomenuta, a sva tri predstavljaju svoja viđenja kretanja žanra i sva tri su u velikoj meri promenila fantaziju u globalu i razne podžanrove u pojedinostima.

Paladin of Souls (Chalion, #2) by Lois McMaster Bujold

(https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1388350884l/61904.jpg)


Paladin of Souls je direktan nastavak romana The Curse of Chalion, premda s drugim protagonistom. Odnosno, protagonistkinjom. U neku ruku, ovo je najznačajniji fantazijski roman napisan i objavljen baš u XXI veku. To se vidi i po tome što što je Paladin of Souls dobio Huga, Nebulu i Lokus za 2004, a nominovan je i za Mitopoejsku nagradu. Ovakav agregat nagrada ne viđa se baš toliko često i nema sumnje da je Budžoldova upravo ovim romanom udarila temelj za skorašnje velike uspehe u domenu epske fantastike. Konkretno, The Goblin Emperor se oslanja na pripovedački stil koji je Budžold maestralno primenila u "Paladinu". Vrlo slično kao što je skorašnja trilogija En Leki zapravo obrada "Vorkosigan sage", ali to je već zasebna priča.

Paladin of Souls pravi svojevrstan presedan u tome što je protagonista sredovečna žena. Istina, plemenitog roda i visokog društvenog staleža, ali uprkos primerima iz srednjovekovne istorije našeg sveta, koja je zabeležila uticajne plemkinje pa čak i suverene vladarke - između ostalog i na teritoriji koju doživljavamo našom zemljom - fantazijska književnost nije se bavila ovakvim likovima, osim u ravni klišeiziranih sporednih uloga. Tu su svetli izuzeci Ursula le Gvin (naravno) i Robin Hob - ali čak ni Hob nije nastupila s ovakvim likom u ulozi nosioca radnje.

Utoliko je ta tiha iskrenost kojom Budžold piše značajnija, naročito u kontekstu skorašnjeg fantazijskog bavljenja feminizmom i manjinskim pravima, gde su - po mom utisku - bleštavost i galama bitniji od istraživanja korena problema i nuđenja rešenja. To su dve stvari koje Paladin of Souls ima u izobilju i u neku ruku je fantazijski "Paviljon žena" dvadeset prvog veka.

Moglo bi se još štošta napisati o ovom romanu, pa se možda i osvrnuti da je protagonistkinja u neku ruku odraz Kordelije Najsmit Vorkosigan, ali pre će biti da su obe odrazi svoje kreatorke. Paladin of Souls je doslovce nezaobilazno štivo za svakoga ko bi da se smatra ozbiljnim poznavaocem ne samo fantazije, već vaskolike fantastike, ali i odlična lekcija iz društvene angažovanosti.

Zaboravio sam da spomenem, a valjalo bi to spomenuti pre prelaska na naredni fantazijski roman koji je obeležio početne godine ovog veka, da su prva dva romana iz ovog sveta objavljena u susednoj nam Hrvatskoj, pa tako dostupna i našim čitaocima.

Zvanično je najavljeno - pa da raširim glas i ovde. Stiven Erikson će biti gost ovogodišnjeg Beokona, 4-6. novembra, ove godine koje smo.

Opa! To je velika stvar.

Yup. Prilicno sam ponosan na celu stvar. :)

Sent from Bigg Maggzzee

 xcheers

Quote from: Nightflier on 16-10-2016, 13:10:07
Zvanično je najavljeno - pa da raširim glas i ovde. Stiven Erikson će biti gost ovogodišnjeg Beokona, 4-6. novembra, ove godine koje smo.

Au! Moram da odnesem odelo na hemijsko.

DakleM, što više posetilaca bude, to su bolji izgledi da se naredne godine pozivu odazove još neko značajno ime, tako da dođite ako ikako možete :)

Zgodno mesto da se napomene kako je Vorkosigan Saga dobila Huga za najbolji serijal. Nisam baš siguran šta da mislim o dodeljivanju Huga u ovoj kategoriji, ali to each his own, I guess.

Fantasy Faction's Top 10 2017

01 - Kings of the Wyld by Nicholas Eames
A comedy, an adventure tale, a consideration on growing older, and a sendup of fantasy conventions, all at the same time. It also has heart. In short: it rocks....I finished this book in one night. If I could, I'd see the tour, and buy the t-shirt. Instead, I'll have to content myself with waiting for the sequel, and reading it again. – B&N SF & Fantasy Blog

02 - Oathbringer by Brandon Sanderson
It is a triumph of a novel, and if you've enjoyed the first two, you'll certainly enjoy Oathbringer. I never know where Sanderson is going to take us, in this world of storms and blades, but I am more than happy to continue along the journey with him. – Martin Cahill, Tor.com

03 - Assassins's Fate by Robin Hobb
Fans who have followed Hobb since she first introduced us to this world in Assassin's Apprentice can't afford to miss this one. It's a story that was 22 years in the making, and Hobb's ability to draw rage and tears and – when she chooses, elation – from her audience is stronger than ever. – Richard Bray

04 - Red Sister by Mark Lawrence
Red Sister is, above all else, a book about friendship. It begins and ends with friendships strained and sundered; shared and spared. And, though doubtless as much as half the population will call me wrong – there is a particular quality of steel and fire to female friendships that Red Sister portrays perfectly. – T. O. Munro

05a - Age of Assassins by R. J. Barker
Dead gods, dread magic, and a lead that feels like a breath of fresh air. Great fun. – Peter Newman

Often poignant and always intriguing, Age of Assassins reveals its mysteries with the style of a magic show and the artful grace of a gifted storyteller. – Nicholas Eames

05b -  Blackwing by Ed McDonald
It is to McDonald's great credit that the characters on his stage and the story they tell more than do justice to the richness of his imaginative setting. – T. O. Munro

07 - The Stone Sky by N. K. Jemisin
The depth and breadth of Jemisin's achievement with this trilogy is geologic. These books are a revolution in which I want to take part. – Amal El-Mohtar, NPR Books

08 - Sins of Empire by Brian McClellan
Brian McClellan earned scores of new fantasy fans with the Powder Mage Trilogy. With Sins of Empire, the first book in his new Gods of Blood and Powder series, McClellan may have found an entirely new level. – Richard Bray

09 - The Ninth Rain by Jen Williams
Fantasy adventure at its very best. – Starburst

Williams excels at eldritch world-building. – Guardian

An original new voice in heroic fantasy. – Adrian Tchaikovsky

10 - Godblind by Anna Stephens
Godblind is Anna Stephens' debut, and it writes her name in blood on the roster of masters of grimdark alongside the likes of Mark Lawrence and Joe Abercrombie . . . This is a grimdark fantasy that truly lives up to the name. ? Shana DuBois, B&N Sci-Fi & Fantasy Blog
Moj spisak najboljih knjiga koje sam pročitao u 2017. biće drugačiji, a i kraći, ali ovo nije loše polazište za sve fanove, premda bih se usudio da kažem kako je prošla godina sveobuhvatno bila prosečnija nego što je to običaj. Odnosno, bilo je malo izuzetnih dela, pa su čak i ona koja se ove godine izdvajaju zapravo više dobra-vrlo dobra nego odlična.

https://www.kirkusreviews.com/features/epic-list-120-speculative-fiction-books-look-2018-/

Spram teme večerašnjeg razgovora u Klubu, evo i mog spiska najboljih romana koje sam pročitao prošle godine:

http://nightfliersbookspace.blogspot.rs/2018/01/best-ov-d-best-za-2017.html

daj, deder, neki osvrt na romane. kakvi su sins of the empire i ovaj mekdonaldov blackwing, deluje interesantno

Narednih dana ću za svaki roman zaseban tekst. Recimo da je Mekdonald jedno od dva najprijatnija iznenađenja prošle godine. Mada, moram da napomenem da nisam pročitao zapravo nijedan od romana koji su hvaljeni do besvesti. A nije da ih nisam počinjao :)

Preporučeni naslovi magazina "Lokus" za godinu 2017.

http://locusmag.com/2018/02/2017-locus-recommended-reading-list/