A Game of Thrones
question
Picky SF/Fantasy Reader Needs Recs
Aaron
Jul 24, 2024 12:46PM
Hi All,
I want to preface this by saying I know there are a LOT of recommendation lists, but I find my taste to be somewhat different and was hoping with some details I can get some input.
First, I am a long time fantasy reader going back to late 80s/early 90s Forgotten Realms/Dragonlance books. However in the early 2000s I read A Game of Thrones and it honestly ruined me. In a good and bad way. I found it to be so engaging and unique in its depiction and use of characters and interactions.
However, now I can't get into books that are rote in fantasy tropes. Those of the super powerful 'chosen' character that rises up and finds their powers and experiences bursts of these powers in each novel or experience deus ex machina events to escape danger, just to reset at the beginning of the next book in the series and explore their powers more and rinse repeat, as they work to face off against some evil force.
After reading ASoIaF I found the gray (not black and white... all good or evil), conflicted characters, whose decisions have consequences, who the author actually makes decisions with, and who seem very real - I have a stronger connection to. I am locked in and engaged. But since reading these books I've found it incredibly difficult to find books that hook me, and my reading has taken a toll because of it. I'll start books but never finish. This combined with general life, has really tanked how much I read.
Here are some books I've read that are very highly recommended in the genre and my quick thoughts:
Way of Kings/Words of Radiance - Its... Fine. Some interesting parts, but definitely rote and meandering and I don't have a connection to the characters. Grumpy, super powered lead character... blah blah blah.
Name of the Wind - I honestly couldn't finish, got half way through and found it so off-putting.
Red Rising - See the description above. Interesting ideas of social systems but characters were fairly flat and never felt in danger (see Deus Ex Machina). Never read past the first book... heard later books are better?? maybe?
Gardens of the Moon - Ugh... I'd just link to my 2006 Amazon review of it here, if it would let me... so much wrong here. You might find it under "A Failed Attempt"
My difficulty with Fantasy has pushed me to other genres with varied success - More SF, time travel and Some LA Noir stories mostly.
Notable Books I've liked over the last 20 years...:
Hail Mary
American Gods
Forever War
The Martian
Replay
Devil in the White City
Liked the Expanse - good not great.
There's been more, but most of those are like not love.
So my question is, are there suggestions for Fantasy/SF/Fiction with gripping, impactful characters that might re-spark my love for reading? I worry life's distractions makes this a Sisyphean task... but I'd love to try.
Thanks in advance to anyone who read this and wants to offer recs.
I want to preface this by saying I know there are a LOT of recommendation lists, but I find my taste to be somewhat different and was hoping with some details I can get some input.
First, I am a long time fantasy reader going back to late 80s/early 90s Forgotten Realms/Dragonlance books. However in the early 2000s I read A Game of Thrones and it honestly ruined me. In a good and bad way. I found it to be so engaging and unique in its depiction and use of characters and interactions.
However, now I can't get into books that are rote in fantasy tropes. Those of the super powerful 'chosen' character that rises up and finds their powers and experiences bursts of these powers in each novel or experience deus ex machina events to escape danger, just to reset at the beginning of the next book in the series and explore their powers more and rinse repeat, as they work to face off against some evil force.
After reading ASoIaF I found the gray (not black and white... all good or evil), conflicted characters, whose decisions have consequences, who the author actually makes decisions with, and who seem very real - I have a stronger connection to. I am locked in and engaged. But since reading these books I've found it incredibly difficult to find books that hook me, and my reading has taken a toll because of it. I'll start books but never finish. This combined with general life, has really tanked how much I read.
Here are some books I've read that are very highly recommended in the genre and my quick thoughts:
Way of Kings/Words of Radiance - Its... Fine. Some interesting parts, but definitely rote and meandering and I don't have a connection to the characters. Grumpy, super powered lead character... blah blah blah.
Name of the Wind - I honestly couldn't finish, got half way through and found it so off-putting.
Red Rising - See the description above. Interesting ideas of social systems but characters were fairly flat and never felt in danger (see Deus Ex Machina). Never read past the first book... heard later books are better?? maybe?
Gardens of the Moon - Ugh... I'd just link to my 2006 Amazon review of it here, if it would let me... so much wrong here. You might find it under "A Failed Attempt"
My difficulty with Fantasy has pushed me to other genres with varied success - More SF, time travel and Some LA Noir stories mostly.
Notable Books I've liked over the last 20 years...:
Hail Mary
American Gods
Forever War
The Martian
Replay
Devil in the White City
Liked the Expanse - good not great.
There's been more, but most of those are like not love.
So my question is, are there suggestions for Fantasy/SF/Fiction with gripping, impactful characters that might re-spark my love for reading? I worry life's distractions makes this a Sisyphean task... but I'd love to try.
Thanks in advance to anyone who read this and wants to offer recs.
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