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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 

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 

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/2011/12/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

Novi Best ov d Best na Bukspejsu: 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

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 

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

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



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

Ili ISFDB, 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. 

@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



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".