Reading
I am a great fan of Science Fiction and Fantasy novels. I currently have
somewhere in the region of 2000 books, but I don't really keep track, I may
actually have much more than this. My favourite authors are (in no
particular order): C.J.Cherryh, David
Gemmell, Robert Jordan, Tolkien
and Iain Banks, to name but a few of the most recent or long lasting.
Click here for related resources
Overview
I started to read The Lord of the Rings at the tender age of 9 years,
but got scared when Frodo went into the Mines of Moria, and stopped reading
it. Since then, I have read it from cover to cover many times - and every
time it has been as enjoyable as the last. No other work has ever had quite
the same depth, but then, Tolkien had already written prose and poetry
covering the whole history of Middle Earth before writing LotR. If you've
never read Lord of the Rings, and enjoy epic fiction, then you should
definitely read this book!
I really enjoyed watching the film, although I found the music
somewhat irritating. You could have downloaded the scenes in the Mines of
Moria from my head :)
Resources
USENET:rec.arts.books.tolkien,
alt.fan.tolkien
FAQ's:Main
Overview
C.J. Cherryh writes both science fiction and fantasy. I enjoyed all of her
novels to date. I usually end up reading her books from cover to cover in a
single sitting (if possible)
The Merchanter and Union/Alliance novels are spacefaring novels set in
the future. Novels like Cyteen focus on the many political
strands of planetary government, and whilst rather complex, are quite a
different read. Others focus on particular characters caught in the
struggle for dominance between the powers, from lowly asteroid miners to
the large Merchant Families, or fighter pilots.
They are similar to, but more varied than, the Gap novels
by Stephen Donaldson
There are a lot of different Fantasy novels, ranging from the weird Faery
in Shadow to the heroic The Paladin. The Morgaine
series also deserves a mention, although I found them very heavy going.
Resources
C.J. Cherryh's homepage.
Overview
Most works are heroic fantasy, swords and sorcery, but usually in shades
of grey rather than the more usual good v.s. evil that typically
characterises this form of fiction. Both sides of the story are told,
perhaps with a third or even fourth side thrown in for good measure.
The Jon Shannow novels are set in the distant future after an apocalypse
has wiped out most trace of modern tech. John Shannow, the hero of these
novels, relies on the power of his guns to survive on his long treks.
The Drenai novels are about a race of people surviving the onslaught of
war at various times throughout the history of the world they inhabit, and
the most famous hero is Druss, Captain of the Axe, named Deathwalker by his
enemies, the Nadir.
A recurring theme throughout most of his books is of crystals, used to
heal or rejuvenate people. These are recharged by various means in
different novels - the unscrupulous peoples drench them in the blood of
innocents, the caring peoples regenerate them by sunlight, or electrical
sources of some description or another.
Another recurring theme is that of gates between worlds or between
times, sometimes small enough to allow only a few travellers through at a
time, sometimes large enough to allow whole cities to be transported
between worlds.
Resources
Author's site: Demised.
Games:DrenaiMUSH
Fan sites:Shannow's Lair
Overview
Best known for the Wheel of Time series of novels. This epic series is
still ongoing. It covers many characters in a struggle for and against the
awakening of the Dark One - the Lord of Chaos. There are many factions in
this war, and in the thick of it all are a core of characters who all
originate from the same village. Their exploits from childhood onwards are
described in vivid detail. Beginning to get rather tedious. Will he ever
finish it, and if he does, will he have tied up all the loose ends?
Resources
USENET: rec.arts.sf.written.robert-jordan,
FAQ
Book lists:Locus,
BookBrowser, Recommended
Fantasy Author List
General Sites:SFF net, Science Fiction Resource Guide
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