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Stand-alone novels Comet Sedai Send a noteboard - 01/09/2009 02:31:07 AM
Seeing as the 'Stand-alone' subthread was my favorite, I'm going to start it off myself this time :)

Here is a list to get things going:

Lions of Al'Rassan by Guy Gavriel Kay--beautiful, lyrical, alterna-history; no apparent 'magic' system. Marvelous.

Tailchaser's Song by Tad Williams--My aunt gave me this book when I was a preteen because it is a fantasy story about cats, and I was a 'cat person' and despite this dubious introduction it is a terrific 'coming-of-age' story, including a 'story of the how the world came to be' from the point of view of cats. I really enjoyed it. It's the reason I later read TW's Memory, Sorry, and Thorn series, which is very different.

Watership Down by Richard Adams--I read this after Tailchaser, mainly because the reviews printed within Tailchaser kept saying it was 'Watership Down with cats' (which it isn't, really). So, Watership Down is an adventure story about rabbits struggling to survive when their home is destoryed, and it too is beautifully told. "...where the first primroses were beginning to bloom"

The Last Unicorn by Peter Beagle--As great as the cartoon movie was, the book is 10 times better. And it's got more satirical bite.

The Princess Bride by William Goldman--it's inconceivable not to love it. Also, it isn't a book about animals or with an animal in the title.

A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court by Mark Twain--Arthurian legend meets biting social commentary. Also not a book about animals.

Neverwhere and Stardust and Coraline by Neil Gaiman. Three excellent stand-alones I'd never heard of before wotmania. I actually listed to a CD version of Stardust, read by Gaiman, and it was excellent.

OK, that's enough for now. Your turns.

The chief difficulty Alice found at first was in managing her flamingo.
This message last edited by Comet Sedai on 01/09/2009 at 02:32:39 AM
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So you've read X and you want to read more books like it: Part Two Larry - 30/08/2009 06:35:01 PM 3362 Views
Janny Wurts has a couple of epic fantasy series. Rebekah - 30/08/2009 06:57:52 PM 1682 Views
I like The Cycle of Fire. *NM* StoneDogAiel - 08/09/2009 02:15:04 AM 889 Views
Well, here are a couple I don't think have been mentioned: Screen Name - 11/09/2009 09:46:21 AM 1678 Views
Historical fiction. Chas - 30/08/2009 07:00:35 PM 1586 Views
Patrick O'Brian snoopcester - 30/08/2009 07:03:35 PM 1528 Views
You know Chas - 30/08/2009 07:08:50 PM 1495 Views
REally? snoopcester - 30/08/2009 07:11:06 PM 1770 Views
Re: REally? Chas - 30/08/2009 07:19:38 PM 1558 Views
Did you read the Horatio Hornblower series? Tashmere - 02/09/2009 12:17:00 AM 1468 Views
Oh, there are Hornblower books? Legolas - 02/09/2009 12:24:31 AM 1445 Views
They're very enjoyable. *NM* Chas - 02/09/2009 01:10:44 AM 858 Views
I saw the first of the mini-series. Good casting. Tashmere - 02/09/2009 02:44:48 PM 1687 Views
Tash has it..these books are wonderful. *NM* Missa Sedai - 25/09/2009 01:30:34 AM 931 Views
The first half. I've never been able to find the rest of them. *NM* Chas - 02/09/2009 01:10:11 AM 825 Views
It would be worth it to watch for the rest. Tashmere - 02/09/2009 02:46:21 PM 1692 Views
A couple that I enjoy Jacob - 31/08/2009 04:06:52 PM 1805 Views
I've read the Gates of Fire. Chas - 31/08/2009 11:29:42 PM 1643 Views
These two rock. Vodalus - 31/08/2009 06:15:14 PM 1615 Views
Perhaps not exactly the same... StoneDogAiel - 08/09/2009 02:16:18 AM 1328 Views
Wars of Light and Shadow definantly need to be added to the list *NM* Ryan - 30/08/2009 07:04:15 PM 838 Views
Re: Wars of Light and Shadow definantly need to be added to the list marekj - 31/08/2009 11:35:00 PM 1610 Views
Slash, please! rebelaessedai - 30/08/2009 08:13:33 PM 1624 Views
I'm assuming you already know about this one. Chas - 31/08/2009 01:44:39 AM 1713 Views
Oh, and Skin Folk Chas - 31/08/2009 01:52:58 AM 1656 Views
I knew about A Companion to Wolves. rebelaessedai - 31/08/2009 03:22:38 AM 1661 Views
I guess I need to broaden my horizons. Chas - 31/08/2009 11:24:07 PM 1585 Views
LOL! rebelaessedai - 02/09/2009 03:28:33 PM 1695 Views
So, I've read Shadow of the Wind ascott4321 - 30/08/2009 10:06:30 PM 1601 Views
I haven't read that one yet kcf - 31/08/2009 05:39:52 PM 1633 Views
Re: I haven't read that one yet ascott4321 - 31/08/2009 07:26:16 PM 1537 Views
Which aspect of the book are you talking about in particular? Legolas - 31/08/2009 06:34:26 PM 1772 Views
maybe various combinations of all those? ascott4321 - 31/08/2009 07:20:57 PM 1656 Views
The Historian Crink - 05/12/2011 04:56:40 AM 1537 Views
Thanks for your contribution, but not many people are likely to find it here. Legolas - 05/12/2011 10:14:04 PM 1561 Views
Then mayhaps a new thread? Crink - 06/12/2011 04:50:33 AM 1547 Views
Re: So you've read X and you want to read more books like it: Part Two sarasedai - 30/08/2009 10:20:05 PM 1569 Views
The Holy Grail of recommendation requests. Chas - 31/08/2009 12:59:50 AM 1808 Views
give Ken Scholes a shot kcf - 31/08/2009 05:37:11 PM 1710 Views
Will do. Chas - 31/08/2009 11:26:57 PM 1672 Views
I didn't think the characters were particularly week or one-dimensional kcf - 01/09/2009 03:42:06 AM 1646 Views
That's good to know. *NM* Chas - 02/09/2009 01:20:40 AM 813 Views
Well, Kay is very distinct... jh - 31/08/2009 11:37:45 PM 1620 Views
I've read the first one. Chas - 02/09/2009 02:15:38 AM 1554 Views
Well, it depends on which aspect of Kay you are looking at. StoneDogAiel - 08/09/2009 02:19:42 AM 1427 Views
comedic sci-fi mystery? *NM* Kylia Skydancer - 31/08/2009 03:57:52 AM 867 Views
Dirk Gently kcf - 31/08/2009 05:34:55 PM 1575 Views
Be careful with Rankin though Stephen - 31/08/2009 08:19:00 PM 1621 Views
I'd have said John Zakour and Lawrence Ganem *NM* Kylia Skydancer - 03/09/2009 10:16:06 AM 765 Views
Something like Michelle West's Sun Sword? *NM* *NM* Nyrende - 31/08/2009 04:49:51 AM 801 Views
Re: Something like Michelle West's Sun Sword? *NM* marekj - 31/08/2009 11:36:31 PM 1607 Views
The Cast In series... Nyrende - 01/09/2009 03:28:12 AM 1527 Views
i've always kind of wanted to make a website that does this sorta thing Mr. Gnome - 31/08/2009 10:12:26 AM 1661 Views
that would be awesome. *NM* Kylia Skydancer - 03/09/2009 10:17:36 AM 763 Views
Librarything does it Camilla - 21/09/2009 04:02:54 PM 1598 Views
Their system isn't great. jh - 26/09/2009 10:14:30 PM 1559 Views
Re: Their system isn't great. Camilla - 27/09/2009 10:07:53 AM 1657 Views
Yeah, but the accuracy is way off.... jh - 27/09/2009 04:34:07 PM 1501 Views
Re: Yeah, but the accuracy is way off.... Camilla - 28/09/2009 08:51:14 AM 1595 Views
Human error? You are being way too nice. Btw, I have a link for you. jh - 29/09/2009 10:02:35 AM 1871 Views
Hehehehe. Heheheheheheheheheeheheheeheeheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheh Camilla - 29/09/2009 10:05:26 AM 1632 Views
Something with a good magic system. *NM* Kronin al'Sulc - 31/08/2009 01:57:00 PM 876 Views
gotta be more specific kcf - 31/08/2009 05:35:47 PM 1553 Views
Something in-depth, and well used. Kronin al'Sulc - 31/08/2009 07:16:54 PM 1428 Views
Have you read Coldfire? Legolas - 31/08/2009 11:33:18 PM 1553 Views
Re: Have you read Coldfire? marekj - 31/08/2009 11:41:36 PM 1661 Views
Re: Have you read Coldfire? ascott4321 - 01/09/2009 12:15:48 AM 1540 Views
Ah, yes, now that you mention it. Legolas - 01/09/2009 12:17:41 AM 1690 Views
Re: Something with a good magic system. Jove - 01/09/2009 01:23:07 AM 1638 Views
I really liked the magic in: StoneDogAiel - 08/09/2009 02:23:50 AM 1427 Views
I like what Sanderson did in the Mistborn series *NM* Mossman - 26/09/2009 02:01:55 AM 785 Views
Re: Hi, I want a book that seems like it was written on acid? mother of pearl - 01/09/2009 12:24:01 AM 1636 Views
Re: Hi, I want a book that seems like it was written on acid? Corporal Crusty - 01/09/2009 07:08:23 AM 1487 Views
Not really sci fi or fantasy Nyrende - 01/09/2009 08:30:45 AM 1650 Views
Try M. John Harrison. *NM* jh - 01/09/2009 01:49:43 PM 768 Views
Move Under Ground by Nick Mamatas kcf - 02/09/2009 12:21:32 AM 1599 Views
Meditations in Green by Stephen Wright Kylia Skydancer - 03/09/2009 10:20:45 AM 1515 Views
Have you read any William S. Burroughs yet? Larry - 07/09/2009 11:12:42 PM 1549 Views
People who say use the phrase "on acid" have rarely tried acid Ouranid - 29/09/2009 03:07:45 AM 1616 Views
Agree with this list... I would have typed one very similar. *NM* Jacob - 01/10/2009 03:21:31 PM 826 Views
Stand-alone novels Comet Sedai - 01/09/2009 02:31:07 AM 1579 Views
Master of Whitestorm ~ Janny Wurts Rebekah - 01/09/2009 01:52:27 PM 1616 Views
Lavinia by Ursula LeGuin. *edit* Chas - 02/09/2009 01:19:54 AM 1450 Views
Here are a few that I enjoyed Bryce - 03/09/2009 03:09:35 AM 1672 Views
Re: Stand-alone novels Kylia Skydancer - 03/09/2009 10:53:46 AM 1600 Views
Well, yes and no and sequels Comet Sedai - 03/09/2009 12:46:50 PM 1515 Views
Re: Well, yes and no and sequels Kylia Skydancer - 03/09/2009 02:18:40 PM 1796 Views
Regarding Tigana (spoilers) Comet Sedai - 03/09/2009 03:33:08 PM 1916 Views
Re: Regarding Tigana (spoilers) Kylia Skydancer - 04/09/2009 01:09:04 AM 1610 Views
Pretty much. *NM* Chas - 04/09/2009 03:22:26 AM 803 Views
By definition almost all of Kay's books are standalones. Chas - 03/09/2009 11:54:16 PM 1463 Views
All except for these. *looks amused* *NM* Kylia Skydancer - 04/09/2009 01:09:57 AM 747 Views
*shrug* I probably should have said half his books are standalones. Chas - 04/09/2009 03:21:25 AM 1457 Views
I'll just copy/paste this 2006 list posted on the OF Blog (all but one are available as one-vol.) Larry - 07/09/2009 11:10:26 PM 1330 Views
Various Recommendations Meona Goodday - 03/09/2009 06:00:39 AM 1721 Views
hehe, so you like Lois's fantasy too eh? *NM* Kylia Skydancer - 03/09/2009 10:57:37 AM 695 Views
Yep yep! *NM* Meona Goodday - 03/09/2009 01:46:53 PM 797 Views
Have either of you read her Vorkosigan/Barrayar series? *NM* Tashmere - 04/09/2009 09:20:59 PM 712 Views
Nope. Have you? Meona Goodday - 05/09/2009 12:39:14 AM 1747 Views
~Forces self to remain calm and understated~ Tashmere - 05/09/2009 03:22:37 AM 2050 Views
~holds out library card~ Meona Goodday - 05/09/2009 03:34:25 AM 2064 Views
~Grins like a fool~ Tashmere - 06/09/2009 01:54:22 AM 1293 Views
Hehehe Meona Goodday - 06/09/2009 04:15:48 AM 1491 Views
I remember you!! Tashmere - 08/09/2009 03:58:53 AM 1447 Views
Re: I remember you!! Meona Goodday - 08/09/2009 02:37:11 PM 1465 Views
Kylia Skydancer - 08/09/2009 07:33:17 AM 1385 Views
You are interesting now that you have finally answered. Tashmere - 08/09/2009 11:20:50 PM 1354 Views
I've read Diplomatic Immunity... Kylia Skydancer - 08/09/2009 07:30:52 AM 1407 Views
No, no, no. You have to read them in order! Tashmere - 08/09/2009 11:18:47 PM 1424 Views
Anything similar to Neil Gaiman's American Gods? *NM* Soggy - 07/09/2009 10:34:45 PM 747 Views
Ekaterina Sedia, The Secret History of Moscow Larry - 07/09/2009 11:03:18 PM 1504 Views
Kate Griffin, A Madness of Angels Perdita - 19/10/2009 11:23:43 PM 1799 Views
Since I'm now a big fan of Angela Carter's work... Larry - 07/09/2009 11:04:30 PM 1609 Views
Well... StoneDogAiel - 08/09/2009 02:26:31 AM 1394 Views
No, I haven't read anything by her. jh - 23/09/2009 08:53:27 PM 1615 Views
I think you'd enjoy some of Angela Carter's works; I've managed to get one at this site to enjoy her Larry - 28/09/2009 12:19:39 AM 1598 Views
Perhaps. I will see after I finish my project. jh - 28/09/2009 06:19:31 PM 1630 Views
Horror Ouranid - 08/12/2009 03:07:00 PM 1508 Views
Thomas Ligotti! Larry - 11/12/2009 05:32:31 AM 1589 Views
Ray Bradbury's Something Wicked This Way Comes is excellent. Rebekah - 05/06/2010 04:07:26 PM 1376 Views
If you want a spec fic/fantasyish book where characters actually tell each other what they know... Rebekah - 05/06/2010 04:39:01 PM 1387 Views
After two years, I wonder if we should revise this thread and edit in newer books. Thoughts? *NM* Larry - 20/11/2011 10:37:27 PM 711 Views
Probably better to start a new one, people aren't huge fans of reviving old threads... *NM* Legolas - 21/11/2011 10:21:31 PM 796 Views
These days, people here aren't fans of anything outside of expressing political opinions *NM* Larry - 22/11/2011 12:45:42 AM 723 Views
And Skyrim. Don't forget Skyrim! *NM* rebelaessedai - 08/12/2011 08:02:54 AM 790 Views
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