Epic fantasy with a flair toward history:
Guy Gavriel Kay:
The Lions of al-Rassan one of Kay's best. Kay is most famous for his fusion style Historical Fantasy. This story is a remarkable imagining of the historical el-Cid. Well written and a very good novel. Then move on to Sailing to Sarantium, which is set in the same 'world' but a different story. Kay's TIGANA is also a remarkable novel, loosely inspired by Italian history.
Scott Bakker:
The Prince of Nothing (The Darkness the Comes Before, The Warrior-Prophet, The Thousandfold Thought) A stunning newer fantasy trilogy that uses the Crusades as a primary influence. The story features great characters, good action, interesting world, and story lines within story lines. The first book, The Judging Eye, of the follow up series was published about a year ago. It is also excellent.
Steven Erikson:
Mazalan: Book of the Fallen series has 9 out of the 10 books out so far. Erikson has been one of the biggest newer names in epic fantasy over the last 10 years. The series starts with Garden's of the Moon, which most people find to be a bit difficult and slow, you feel dropped in the middle of something and you have no idea what is going on. Books 2, 3, and 5 of that series are some of the best Epic Fantasy that I've ever read (Deadhouse Gates, Memories of Ice, Midnight Tides).
Joe Abercrombie:
First Law Series (The Blade Itself, Before They are Hanged, The Last Argument of Kings). One of the most recent big names of epic fantasy. This is very strong character driven fantasy that has all the expected elements but with somewhat unexpected twists, turns, and outcomes. This is a very good series. A stand alone novel in the same world, Best Served Cold came out a while ago.
Brandon Sanderson:
Mistborn is one of the best recent epic fantasy series out there. Sanderson has a remarkable ability to create new, and interesting magic systems, worlds, and characters. I highly recommend this as a starting point... starts with The Last Empire (plus Well of Ascension, The Hero of Ages).
There, that's over 20 books and there are so many more possibilities. Oh, and you should try a few more sci-fi novels, but we can get to those recommendations later.
Guy Gavriel Kay:
The Lions of al-Rassan one of Kay's best. Kay is most famous for his fusion style Historical Fantasy. This story is a remarkable imagining of the historical el-Cid. Well written and a very good novel. Then move on to Sailing to Sarantium, which is set in the same 'world' but a different story. Kay's TIGANA is also a remarkable novel, loosely inspired by Italian history.
Scott Bakker:
The Prince of Nothing (The Darkness the Comes Before, The Warrior-Prophet, The Thousandfold Thought) A stunning newer fantasy trilogy that uses the Crusades as a primary influence. The story features great characters, good action, interesting world, and story lines within story lines. The first book, The Judging Eye, of the follow up series was published about a year ago. It is also excellent.
Steven Erikson:
Mazalan: Book of the Fallen series has 9 out of the 10 books out so far. Erikson has been one of the biggest newer names in epic fantasy over the last 10 years. The series starts with Garden's of the Moon, which most people find to be a bit difficult and slow, you feel dropped in the middle of something and you have no idea what is going on. Books 2, 3, and 5 of that series are some of the best Epic Fantasy that I've ever read (Deadhouse Gates, Memories of Ice, Midnight Tides).
Joe Abercrombie:
First Law Series (The Blade Itself, Before They are Hanged, The Last Argument of Kings). One of the most recent big names of epic fantasy. This is very strong character driven fantasy that has all the expected elements but with somewhat unexpected twists, turns, and outcomes. This is a very good series. A stand alone novel in the same world, Best Served Cold came out a while ago.
Brandon Sanderson:
Mistborn is one of the best recent epic fantasy series out there. Sanderson has a remarkable ability to create new, and interesting magic systems, worlds, and characters. I highly recommend this as a starting point... starts with The Last Empire (plus Well of Ascension, The Hero of Ages).
There, that's over 20 books and there are so many more possibilities. Oh, and you should try a few more sci-fi novels, but we can get to those recommendations later.
This message last edited by Jacob on 03/02/2010 at 02:47:47 PM
I need some reading recommendations...
- 03/02/2010 02:15:29 PM
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Glen Cook Black Company
- 03/02/2010 02:40:21 PM
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Heh. To each their own. I couldn't disagree more with those three. 
- 03/02/2010 02:47:44 PM
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- 03/02/2010 02:47:44 PM
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One could question your sanity...
- 03/02/2010 02:51:26 PM
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Hrrrruuuuh? (that was a surprised Tim Allen noise, for those wondering)
- 04/02/2010 05:46:27 AM
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I guess if you want to read long flowery descriptions of every room entered thats a valid choice
- 03/02/2010 06:12:00 PM
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- 03/02/2010 06:12:00 PM
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I tried to read sword of shanara once.
- 03/02/2010 09:53:12 PM
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I loved sword of shanara
- 03/02/2010 10:23:42 PM
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Pft. I've got your back on Glen Cook, Random. Don't listen to this nutjob *NM*
- 03/02/2010 09:57:44 PM
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*NM*
- 03/02/2010 09:57:44 PM
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Based on your qualifying statements...
- 03/02/2010 02:45:19 PM
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I think the previous two posters have given you a ton of good stuff already, but a few more...
- 03/02/2010 04:36:02 PM
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cold fire trilogy 
- 03/02/2010 06:33:31 PM
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- 03/02/2010 06:33:31 PM
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I'd not toss all of RA Salvatore out the window. He writes outside DnD
- 03/02/2010 09:51:56 PM
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Since you love ancient history and majored in it...
- 03/02/2010 11:28:40 PM
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Didn't Gene Wolfe also do something set in Ancient Greece? Latro in the Mist, I believe?
- 03/02/2010 11:41:17 PM
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