Fantasy Aficionados discussion

Just finished reading book Miserere: An Autumn Tale and I really enjoyed fantasy and horror blend in it. Wondering if any of you have read and could recommend something written in similar style?

(I have read Demon Cycle, Last Wish and Sandman Slim series)

DROOD, by Dan Simmons. Also THE TERROR by the same author. Although these are definitely historical in nature as well.

Brenda wrote: "DROOD, by Dan Simmons. Also THE TERROR by the same author. Although these are definitely historical in nature as well."

Thank you Brenda. I've added The Terror to my to read list - it does sound good. We'll see from there if I enjoy D.Simmons style. :)

DROOD has some sag in it (I would judge it to be a couple thousand words too long) but THE TERROR is truly terrifying.

Oh, I know. Try THE PRESTIGE, by Christopher Priest. Terrifying! It won the World Fantasy Award. And it was made into a movie starring Christian Bale and Hugh Jackman.

The Dark Tower by King.
The Dream-Quest of Unknown Kadath by Lovecraft is pretty good.
House of Mystery, Vol. 1: Room and Boredom is a good one, if you like GNs. For that matter, so is Hellblazer and Locke & Key, Vol. 1: Welcome to Lovecraft.
Odd Thomas by Koontz might qualify.
The Black Tattoo by Sam Enthoven is a standalone I liked, if you don't mind YA.
And I agree with the Sabriel rec.

I'd recommend anything by Jonathan Carroll.

I would definitely go with the Dark Tower series. It took me until just a couple years ago to read King for the first time, but those books are really in line with what a lot of fantasy readers want.

Another recommendation for the Dark Tower. I just finished the final (and seventh) book in the series a few weeks ago. A bit of a fantasy, horror, and western mash up. And definitely some horror and very dark elements in there. Loved the series.

Silk by Caitlin R. Kiernan disturbed me quite a bit. All of Keirnan's work is strange, dark and compelling. Everything I've read by her is urban fantasy.

Also, Neil Gaiman's Neverwhere. Not straight horror, but bits of it were pretty hair raising.

*added*

Oh yeah, and pretty much anything by China Miéville

Thanks all for all the suggestions! :)

I have read Dark Tower and about 20-30 of other S.King's books. It's been awhile ago so they might be not on my read list in GR.

Sabriel looks good, I've marked it.

Not into childrens books or even YA for that matter, also not into GN (might try some day)

Neverwhere and The Ocean at the End of the Lane intrigue me, but the problem is I'm not sure if N.Gaiman's writing appeals to me. I tried American Gods - it felt too depressing, story too fractured, didn't feel engrosed or caring for characters or the storyline - ended up DNF. Then Good Omens - loved the funny tone sarcasm and humor (I assume T.Pratchett's part) , but again didn't care much for the story or the characters. So I feel a bit reluctant to read more of Gaiman, unless those 2 books are completely different?

Thank you Sophie, Silk looks good - marked it to read.

I'm planing to check out China Mieville at some point. I know opinions about his writing are pretty contraversial. Do you know which book would be a good start?

Darren wrote: "I'd recommend anything by Jonathan Carroll."

Looks interesting. Marked Sleeping in Flame as it has best rating. Will check it out. Ty :)

Colleen wrote: "The Dark Tower by King.
The Dream-Quest of Unknown Kadath by Lovecraft is pretty good.
House of Mystery, Vol. 1: Room and Boredom is a good one, if you like..."

Thanks Colleen. The Black Tattoo looks interesting (even if it's YA) but the rating worries me. Have you read it? Did you enjoy it?

Funny you mentioned Koontz. I'm actually reading Watchers by D.Koontz atm. And the only reason I picked it over Odd Thomas was my love for dogs :) Anyway I'm liking it so far so Odd Thomas probably gonna be the next.

Milda wrote: "Thanks Colleen. The Black Tattoo looks interesting (even if it's YA) but the rating worries me. Have you read it? Did you enjoy it?"

Yes I read it and enjoyed it. I would've have rec'd it otherwise.

It's not a perfect story, but I liked the portrayal of Hell and God a lot.

Jeff Vandermeer's new one. Annihilation

Malrubius wrote: "Jeff Vandermeer's new one. Annihilation"

Whoa! It looks very good. Tyvm :)

Colleen wrote: "Milda wrote: "Thanks Colleen. The Black Tattoo looks interesting (even if it's YA) but the rating worries me. Have you read it? Did you enjoy it?"

Yes I read it and enjoyed it. I would've have re..."

Ty Colleen, I'll go with your advice and my gut feeling :) Marked!

Milda wrote: "Malrubius wrote: "Jeff Vandermeer's new one. Annihilation"

Whoa! It looks very good. Tyvm :)"

It's incredible, though a little short. He is one of the best writers in speculative fiction. His best (IMHO) is Shriek: An Afterword.

Milda wrote: "Funny you mentioned Koontz. I'm actually reading Watchers by D.Koontz atm. And the only reason I picked it over Odd Thomas was my love for dogs :) Anyway I'm liking it so far so Odd Thomas probably gonna be the next. "

I like most of the earlier Dean Koontz books and Watchers, along with Strangers are my two favorites. Can't remember how many times I've re-read those two. Unfortunately, I think the last one I read and got all the way through was Sole Survivor (1997) I keep trying one here and there and I can't seem to get involved with the more recent ones.

Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury.

Brenda ╰☆╮ wrote: "Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury."

Thank you. Classic but looks interesting - marked!

Brenda ╰☆╮ wrote: "Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury."

Holy Carp! I didn't know that story was Bradbury!! The movie adaptation scared the bejesus out of me.. I was 9 or 10 at the time.

I'd suggest reading pretty much anything by Clive Barker. Weaveworld is my personal favorite.

Robb wrote: "I'd suggest reading pretty much anything by Clive Barker. Weaveworld is my personal favorite."

I second this, and add Imajica. Barker is best known for his horror (ie, Books of Blood, Hellraiser) and he writes more or less pure fantasy too, in the form of Abarat. But those two, Weaveworld and Imajica, are a fantastic balancing act of both, and while they don't work for everyone, I think they're spectacular.

Thanks Robb and Krazykiwi. It seems Clive Barker already caught my attention as I have few of his books marked including Imajica. Weaveworld sounds very good as well so I'm adding it to my to read list.
Ty :)

Milda wrote: "Just finished reading book Miserere: An Autumn Tale and I really enjoyed fantasy and horror blend in it. Wondering if any of you have read and could recommend something written in s..."

Just added this to my wishlist. This sort of theme fascinates me. Unfortunately I haven't read much straight fantasy so don't have recommendations in it yet.

I would recommend the Blood War series by Tim Marquitz.

A book that I've been reading lately is a collection of horror short stories. Some of them are fantasy themed, but more modern/dark fantasy.

The Collection

Greg wrote: "A book that I've been reading lately is a collection of horror short stories. Some of them are fantasy themed, but more modern/dark fantasy.

[book:The Collection|1..."

Carl wrote: "I would recommend the Blood War series by Tim Marquitz."

Thanks guys! I will check these out! :)

anything by Alan Baxter. fully recommend all his stuff.