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Re: Stand-alone novels Kylia Skydancer Send a noteboard - 03/09/2009 10:53:46 AM


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


To be quite technical, Lions isn't completely standalone...The Sarantine Mosaic books take place within that world, though during a different time period. As does "The Last Light Of The Sun" I believe.

"Tigana" would be my pick from Guy Gavriel Kay. Hving read pretty much all his books and it's still my favourite.


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.


Abridged or unbridged? Because I'm told the unabridged version can get really boring at times.



Standalone Novels I'd recommend:

Dexta by C. J. Ryan - sexy uninhibited science fiction

Nemesis by Isaac Asimov - I'm think I read somewhere that the book was so well-received he had decided to take another venture into its verse but died before he could do so. More sci-fi obviously.

A Fistful of Sky by Nina Kiriki Hoffman - Reality with a bit of magic thrown in. Half coming-of-age, half I'm-not-sure-what.

Duchess of Milan by Michael Ennis - historical fiction. A look at the politics and goings on of 1490 Italy from the female point of view.

Growing Wings by Laurel Winter - A novella really. Reality with a bit of the fantastic. Not so much a coming-of-age story as the main character is quite young. But it's stark and magical and makes you think.


Hopefully some of those catch your fancy.
This message last edited by Kylia Skydancer on 03/09/2009 at 10:55:51 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 3392 Views
Janny Wurts has a couple of epic fantasy series. Rebekah - 30/08/2009 06:57:52 PM 1714 Views
I like The Cycle of Fire. *NM* StoneDogAiel - 08/09/2009 02:15:04 AM 902 Views
Well, here are a couple I don't think have been mentioned: Screen Name - 11/09/2009 09:46:21 AM 1708 Views
Historical fiction. Chas - 30/08/2009 07:00:35 PM 1617 Views
Patrick O'Brian snoopcester - 30/08/2009 07:03:35 PM 1562 Views
You know Chas - 30/08/2009 07:08:50 PM 1526 Views
REally? snoopcester - 30/08/2009 07:11:06 PM 1801 Views
Re: REally? Chas - 30/08/2009 07:19:38 PM 1591 Views
Did you read the Horatio Hornblower series? Tashmere - 02/09/2009 12:17:00 AM 1494 Views
Oh, there are Hornblower books? Legolas - 02/09/2009 12:24:31 AM 1471 Views
They're very enjoyable. *NM* Chas - 02/09/2009 01:10:44 AM 878 Views
I saw the first of the mini-series. Good casting. Tashmere - 02/09/2009 02:44:48 PM 1714 Views
Tash has it..these books are wonderful. *NM* Missa Sedai - 25/09/2009 01:30:34 AM 946 Views
The first half. I've never been able to find the rest of them. *NM* Chas - 02/09/2009 01:10:11 AM 838 Views
It would be worth it to watch for the rest. Tashmere - 02/09/2009 02:46:21 PM 1729 Views
A couple that I enjoy Jacob - 31/08/2009 04:06:52 PM 1835 Views
I've read the Gates of Fire. Chas - 31/08/2009 11:29:42 PM 1680 Views
These two rock. Vodalus - 31/08/2009 06:15:14 PM 1638 Views
Perhaps not exactly the same... StoneDogAiel - 08/09/2009 02:16:18 AM 1352 Views
Wars of Light and Shadow definantly need to be added to the list *NM* Ryan - 30/08/2009 07:04:15 PM 856 Views
Re: Wars of Light and Shadow definantly need to be added to the list marekj - 31/08/2009 11:35:00 PM 1634 Views
Slash, please! rebelaessedai - 30/08/2009 08:13:33 PM 1653 Views
I'm assuming you already know about this one. Chas - 31/08/2009 01:44:39 AM 1743 Views
Oh, and Skin Folk Chas - 31/08/2009 01:52:58 AM 1680 Views
I knew about A Companion to Wolves. rebelaessedai - 31/08/2009 03:22:38 AM 1694 Views
I guess I need to broaden my horizons. Chas - 31/08/2009 11:24:07 PM 1617 Views
LOL! rebelaessedai - 02/09/2009 03:28:33 PM 1721 Views
So, I've read Shadow of the Wind ascott4321 - 30/08/2009 10:06:30 PM 1626 Views
I haven't read that one yet kcf - 31/08/2009 05:39:52 PM 1663 Views
Re: I haven't read that one yet ascott4321 - 31/08/2009 07:26:16 PM 1566 Views
Which aspect of the book are you talking about in particular? Legolas - 31/08/2009 06:34:26 PM 1799 Views
maybe various combinations of all those? ascott4321 - 31/08/2009 07:20:57 PM 1684 Views
The Historian Crink - 05/12/2011 04:56:40 AM 1564 Views
Thanks for your contribution, but not many people are likely to find it here. Legolas - 05/12/2011 10:14:04 PM 1590 Views
Then mayhaps a new thread? Crink - 06/12/2011 04:50:33 AM 1576 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 1599 Views
The Holy Grail of recommendation requests. Chas - 31/08/2009 12:59:50 AM 1842 Views
give Ken Scholes a shot kcf - 31/08/2009 05:37:11 PM 1738 Views
Will do. Chas - 31/08/2009 11:26:57 PM 1698 Views
I didn't think the characters were particularly week or one-dimensional kcf - 01/09/2009 03:42:06 AM 1676 Views
That's good to know. *NM* Chas - 02/09/2009 01:20:40 AM 831 Views
Well, Kay is very distinct... jh - 31/08/2009 11:37:45 PM 1647 Views
I've read the first one. Chas - 02/09/2009 02:15:38 AM 1586 Views
Well, it depends on which aspect of Kay you are looking at. StoneDogAiel - 08/09/2009 02:19:42 AM 1454 Views
comedic sci-fi mystery? *NM* Kylia Skydancer - 31/08/2009 03:57:52 AM 882 Views
Dirk Gently kcf - 31/08/2009 05:34:55 PM 1599 Views
Be careful with Rankin though Stephen - 31/08/2009 08:19:00 PM 1653 Views
I'd have said John Zakour and Lawrence Ganem *NM* Kylia Skydancer - 03/09/2009 10:16:06 AM 780 Views
Something like Michelle West's Sun Sword? *NM* *NM* Nyrende - 31/08/2009 04:49:51 AM 816 Views
Re: Something like Michelle West's Sun Sword? *NM* marekj - 31/08/2009 11:36:31 PM 1636 Views
The Cast In series... Nyrende - 01/09/2009 03:28:12 AM 1553 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 1687 Views
that would be awesome. *NM* Kylia Skydancer - 03/09/2009 10:17:36 AM 779 Views
Librarything does it Camilla - 21/09/2009 04:02:54 PM 1626 Views
Their system isn't great. jh - 26/09/2009 10:14:30 PM 1590 Views
Re: Their system isn't great. Camilla - 27/09/2009 10:07:53 AM 1687 Views
Yeah, but the accuracy is way off.... jh - 27/09/2009 04:34:07 PM 1534 Views
Re: Yeah, but the accuracy is way off.... Camilla - 28/09/2009 08:51:14 AM 1627 Views
Human error? You are being way too nice. Btw, I have a link for you. jh - 29/09/2009 10:02:35 AM 1900 Views
Hehehehe. Heheheheheheheheheeheheheeheeheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheh Camilla - 29/09/2009 10:05:26 AM 1665 Views
Something with a good magic system. *NM* Kronin al'Sulc - 31/08/2009 01:57:00 PM 891 Views
gotta be more specific kcf - 31/08/2009 05:35:47 PM 1585 Views
Something in-depth, and well used. Kronin al'Sulc - 31/08/2009 07:16:54 PM 1454 Views
Have you read Coldfire? Legolas - 31/08/2009 11:33:18 PM 1582 Views
Re: Have you read Coldfire? marekj - 31/08/2009 11:41:36 PM 1689 Views
Re: Have you read Coldfire? ascott4321 - 01/09/2009 12:15:48 AM 1563 Views
Ah, yes, now that you mention it. Legolas - 01/09/2009 12:17:41 AM 1714 Views
Re: Something with a good magic system. Jove - 01/09/2009 01:23:07 AM 1665 Views
I really liked the magic in: StoneDogAiel - 08/09/2009 02:23:50 AM 1455 Views
I like what Sanderson did in the Mistborn series *NM* Mossman - 26/09/2009 02:01:55 AM 803 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 1675 Views
Re: Hi, I want a book that seems like it was written on acid? Corporal Crusty - 01/09/2009 07:08:23 AM 1512 Views
Not really sci fi or fantasy Nyrende - 01/09/2009 08:30:45 AM 1677 Views
Try M. John Harrison. *NM* jh - 01/09/2009 01:49:43 PM 788 Views
Move Under Ground by Nick Mamatas kcf - 02/09/2009 12:21:32 AM 1639 Views
Meditations in Green by Stephen Wright Kylia Skydancer - 03/09/2009 10:20:45 AM 1553 Views
Have you read any William S. Burroughs yet? Larry - 07/09/2009 11:12:42 PM 1577 Views
People who say use the phrase "on acid" have rarely tried acid Ouranid - 29/09/2009 03:07:45 AM 1640 Views
Agree with this list... I would have typed one very similar. *NM* Jacob - 01/10/2009 03:21:31 PM 847 Views
Stand-alone novels Comet Sedai - 01/09/2009 02:31:07 AM 1605 Views
Master of Whitestorm ~ Janny Wurts Rebekah - 01/09/2009 01:52:27 PM 1644 Views
Lavinia by Ursula LeGuin. *edit* Chas - 02/09/2009 01:19:54 AM 1476 Views
Here are a few that I enjoyed Bryce - 03/09/2009 03:09:35 AM 1697 Views
Re: Stand-alone novels Kylia Skydancer - 03/09/2009 10:53:46 AM 1622 Views
Well, yes and no and sequels Comet Sedai - 03/09/2009 12:46:50 PM 1548 Views
Re: Well, yes and no and sequels Kylia Skydancer - 03/09/2009 02:18:40 PM 1824 Views
Regarding Tigana (spoilers) Comet Sedai - 03/09/2009 03:33:08 PM 1945 Views
Re: Regarding Tigana (spoilers) Kylia Skydancer - 04/09/2009 01:09:04 AM 1636 Views
Pretty much. *NM* Chas - 04/09/2009 03:22:26 AM 824 Views
By definition almost all of Kay's books are standalones. Chas - 03/09/2009 11:54:16 PM 1491 Views
All except for these. *looks amused* *NM* Kylia Skydancer - 04/09/2009 01:09:57 AM 763 Views
*shrug* I probably should have said half his books are standalones. Chas - 04/09/2009 03:21:25 AM 1485 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 1362 Views
Various Recommendations Meona Goodday - 03/09/2009 06:00:39 AM 1749 Views
hehe, so you like Lois's fantasy too eh? *NM* Kylia Skydancer - 03/09/2009 10:57:37 AM 716 Views
Yep yep! *NM* Meona Goodday - 03/09/2009 01:46:53 PM 813 Views
Have either of you read her Vorkosigan/Barrayar series? *NM* Tashmere - 04/09/2009 09:20:59 PM 727 Views
Nope. Have you? Meona Goodday - 05/09/2009 12:39:14 AM 1780 Views
~Forces self to remain calm and understated~ Tashmere - 05/09/2009 03:22:37 AM 2077 Views
~holds out library card~ Meona Goodday - 05/09/2009 03:34:25 AM 2088 Views
~Grins like a fool~ Tashmere - 06/09/2009 01:54:22 AM 1324 Views
Hehehe Meona Goodday - 06/09/2009 04:15:48 AM 1517 Views
I remember you!! Tashmere - 08/09/2009 03:58:53 AM 1473 Views
Re: I remember you!! Meona Goodday - 08/09/2009 02:37:11 PM 1490 Views
Kylia Skydancer - 08/09/2009 07:33:17 AM 1411 Views
You are interesting now that you have finally answered. Tashmere - 08/09/2009 11:20:50 PM 1391 Views
I've read Diplomatic Immunity... Kylia Skydancer - 08/09/2009 07:30:52 AM 1431 Views
No, no, no. You have to read them in order! Tashmere - 08/09/2009 11:18:47 PM 1451 Views
Anything similar to Neil Gaiman's American Gods? *NM* Soggy - 07/09/2009 10:34:45 PM 762 Views
Ekaterina Sedia, The Secret History of Moscow Larry - 07/09/2009 11:03:18 PM 1530 Views
Kate Griffin, A Madness of Angels Perdita - 19/10/2009 11:23:43 PM 1823 Views
Since I'm now a big fan of Angela Carter's work... Larry - 07/09/2009 11:04:30 PM 1635 Views
Well... StoneDogAiel - 08/09/2009 02:26:31 AM 1423 Views
No, I haven't read anything by her. jh - 23/09/2009 08:53:27 PM 1640 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 1622 Views
Perhaps. I will see after I finish my project. jh - 28/09/2009 06:19:31 PM 1659 Views
Horror Ouranid - 08/12/2009 03:07:00 PM 1532 Views
Thomas Ligotti! Larry - 11/12/2009 05:32:31 AM 1624 Views
Ray Bradbury's Something Wicked This Way Comes is excellent. Rebekah - 05/06/2010 04:07:26 PM 1400 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 1418 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 729 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 813 Views
These days, people here aren't fans of anything outside of expressing political opinions *NM* Larry - 22/11/2011 12:45:42 AM 739 Views
And Skyrim. Don't forget Skyrim! *NM* rebelaessedai - 08/12/2011 08:02:54 AM 823 Views
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