Active Users:478 Time:15/12/2025 02:32:04 PM
Back to Messageboard Post New Thread Search Help Stats Rules
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
Reply to message
So you've read X and you want to read more books like it: Part Two Larry - 30/08/2009 06:35:01 PM 3281 Views
Janny Wurts has a couple of epic fantasy series. Rebekah - 30/08/2009 06:57:52 PM 1592 Views
I like The Cycle of Fire. *NM* StoneDogAiel - 08/09/2009 02:15:04 AM 846 Views
Well, here are a couple I don't think have been mentioned: Screen Name - 11/09/2009 09:46:21 AM 1586 Views
Historical fiction. Chas - 30/08/2009 07:00:35 PM 1494 Views
Patrick O'Brian snoopcester - 30/08/2009 07:03:35 PM 1432 Views
You know Chas - 30/08/2009 07:08:50 PM 1401 Views
REally? snoopcester - 30/08/2009 07:11:06 PM 1665 Views
Re: REally? Chas - 30/08/2009 07:19:38 PM 1473 Views
Did you read the Horatio Hornblower series? Tashmere - 02/09/2009 12:17:00 AM 1371 Views
Oh, there are Hornblower books? Legolas - 02/09/2009 12:24:31 AM 1353 Views
They're very enjoyable. *NM* Chas - 02/09/2009 01:10:44 AM 805 Views
I saw the first of the mini-series. Good casting. Tashmere - 02/09/2009 02:44:48 PM 1596 Views
Tash has it..these books are wonderful. *NM* Missa Sedai - 25/09/2009 01:30:34 AM 893 Views
The first half. I've never been able to find the rest of them. *NM* Chas - 02/09/2009 01:10:11 AM 780 Views
It would be worth it to watch for the rest. Tashmere - 02/09/2009 02:46:21 PM 1608 Views
A couple that I enjoy Jacob - 31/08/2009 04:06:52 PM 1716 Views
I've read the Gates of Fire. Chas - 31/08/2009 11:29:42 PM 1542 Views
These two rock. Vodalus - 31/08/2009 06:15:14 PM 1519 Views
Perhaps not exactly the same... StoneDogAiel - 08/09/2009 02:16:18 AM 1231 Views
Wars of Light and Shadow definantly need to be added to the list *NM* Ryan - 30/08/2009 07:04:15 PM 790 Views
Re: Wars of Light and Shadow definantly need to be added to the list marekj - 31/08/2009 11:35:00 PM 1503 Views
Slash, please! rebelaessedai - 30/08/2009 08:13:33 PM 1532 Views
I'm assuming you already know about this one. Chas - 31/08/2009 01:44:39 AM 1619 Views
Oh, and Skin Folk Chas - 31/08/2009 01:52:58 AM 1555 Views
I knew about A Companion to Wolves. rebelaessedai - 31/08/2009 03:22:38 AM 1567 Views
I guess I need to broaden my horizons. Chas - 31/08/2009 11:24:07 PM 1498 Views
LOL! rebelaessedai - 02/09/2009 03:28:33 PM 1610 Views
So, I've read Shadow of the Wind ascott4321 - 30/08/2009 10:06:30 PM 1515 Views
I haven't read that one yet kcf - 31/08/2009 05:39:52 PM 1538 Views
Re: I haven't read that one yet ascott4321 - 31/08/2009 07:26:16 PM 1440 Views
Which aspect of the book are you talking about in particular? Legolas - 31/08/2009 06:34:26 PM 1683 Views
maybe various combinations of all those? ascott4321 - 31/08/2009 07:20:57 PM 1555 Views
The Historian Crink - 05/12/2011 04:56:40 AM 1448 Views
Thanks for your contribution, but not many people are likely to find it here. Legolas - 05/12/2011 10:14:04 PM 1464 Views
Then mayhaps a new thread? Crink - 06/12/2011 04:50:33 AM 1447 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 1484 Views
The Holy Grail of recommendation requests. Chas - 31/08/2009 12:59:50 AM 1722 Views
give Ken Scholes a shot kcf - 31/08/2009 05:37:11 PM 1617 Views
Will do. Chas - 31/08/2009 11:26:57 PM 1578 Views
I didn't think the characters were particularly week or one-dimensional kcf - 01/09/2009 03:42:06 AM 1550 Views
That's good to know. *NM* Chas - 02/09/2009 01:20:40 AM 774 Views
Well, Kay is very distinct... jh - 31/08/2009 11:37:45 PM 1527 Views
I've read the first one. Chas - 02/09/2009 02:15:38 AM 1449 Views
Well, it depends on which aspect of Kay you are looking at. StoneDogAiel - 08/09/2009 02:19:42 AM 1333 Views
comedic sci-fi mystery? *NM* Kylia Skydancer - 31/08/2009 03:57:52 AM 808 Views
Dirk Gently kcf - 31/08/2009 05:34:55 PM 1481 Views
Be careful with Rankin though Stephen - 31/08/2009 08:19:00 PM 1531 Views
I'd have said John Zakour and Lawrence Ganem *NM* Kylia Skydancer - 03/09/2009 10:16:06 AM 730 Views
Something like Michelle West's Sun Sword? *NM* *NM* Nyrende - 31/08/2009 04:49:51 AM 761 Views
Re: Something like Michelle West's Sun Sword? *NM* marekj - 31/08/2009 11:36:31 PM 1506 Views
The Cast In series... Nyrende - 01/09/2009 03:28:12 AM 1440 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 1571 Views
that would be awesome. *NM* Kylia Skydancer - 03/09/2009 10:17:36 AM 718 Views
Librarything does it Camilla - 21/09/2009 04:02:54 PM 1510 Views
Their system isn't great. jh - 26/09/2009 10:14:30 PM 1467 Views
Re: Their system isn't great. Camilla - 27/09/2009 10:07:53 AM 1544 Views
Yeah, but the accuracy is way off.... jh - 27/09/2009 04:34:07 PM 1415 Views
Re: Yeah, but the accuracy is way off.... Camilla - 28/09/2009 08:51:14 AM 1489 Views
Human error? You are being way too nice. Btw, I have a link for you. jh - 29/09/2009 10:02:35 AM 1769 Views
Hehehehe. Heheheheheheheheheeheheheeheeheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheh Camilla - 29/09/2009 10:05:26 AM 1531 Views
Something with a good magic system. *NM* Kronin al'Sulc - 31/08/2009 01:57:00 PM 818 Views
gotta be more specific kcf - 31/08/2009 05:35:47 PM 1467 Views
Something in-depth, and well used. Kronin al'Sulc - 31/08/2009 07:16:54 PM 1346 Views
Have you read Coldfire? Legolas - 31/08/2009 11:33:18 PM 1446 Views
Re: Have you read Coldfire? marekj - 31/08/2009 11:41:36 PM 1586 Views
Re: Have you read Coldfire? ascott4321 - 01/09/2009 12:15:48 AM 1439 Views
Ah, yes, now that you mention it. Legolas - 01/09/2009 12:17:41 AM 1594 Views
Re: Something with a good magic system. Jove - 01/09/2009 01:23:07 AM 1538 Views
I really liked the magic in: StoneDogAiel - 08/09/2009 02:23:50 AM 1326 Views
I like what Sanderson did in the Mistborn series *NM* Mossman - 26/09/2009 02:01:55 AM 746 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 1525 Views
Re: Hi, I want a book that seems like it was written on acid? Corporal Crusty - 01/09/2009 07:08:23 AM 1410 Views
Not really sci fi or fantasy Nyrende - 01/09/2009 08:30:45 AM 1553 Views
Try M. John Harrison. *NM* jh - 01/09/2009 01:49:43 PM 730 Views
Move Under Ground by Nick Mamatas kcf - 02/09/2009 12:21:32 AM 1495 Views
Meditations in Green by Stephen Wright Kylia Skydancer - 03/09/2009 10:20:45 AM 1410 Views
Have you read any William S. Burroughs yet? Larry - 07/09/2009 11:12:42 PM 1459 Views
People who say use the phrase "on acid" have rarely tried acid Ouranid - 29/09/2009 03:07:45 AM 1512 Views
Agree with this list... I would have typed one very similar. *NM* Jacob - 01/10/2009 03:21:31 PM 777 Views
Stand-alone novels Comet Sedai - 01/09/2009 02:31:07 AM 1484 Views
Master of Whitestorm ~ Janny Wurts Rebekah - 01/09/2009 01:52:27 PM 1518 Views
Lavinia by Ursula LeGuin. *edit* Chas - 02/09/2009 01:19:54 AM 1346 Views
Here are a few that I enjoyed Bryce - 03/09/2009 03:09:35 AM 1558 Views
Re: Stand-alone novels Kylia Skydancer - 03/09/2009 10:53:46 AM 1495 Views
Well, yes and no and sequels Comet Sedai - 03/09/2009 12:46:50 PM 1428 Views
Re: Well, yes and no and sequels Kylia Skydancer - 03/09/2009 02:18:40 PM 1710 Views
Regarding Tigana (spoilers) Comet Sedai - 03/09/2009 03:33:08 PM 1820 Views
Re: Regarding Tigana (spoilers) Kylia Skydancer - 04/09/2009 01:09:04 AM 1515 Views
Pretty much. *NM* Chas - 04/09/2009 03:22:26 AM 753 Views
By definition almost all of Kay's books are standalones. Chas - 03/09/2009 11:54:16 PM 1369 Views
All except for these. *looks amused* *NM* Kylia Skydancer - 04/09/2009 01:09:57 AM 707 Views
*shrug* I probably should have said half his books are standalones. Chas - 04/09/2009 03:21:25 AM 1373 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 1244 Views
Various Recommendations Meona Goodday - 03/09/2009 06:00:39 AM 1596 Views
hehe, so you like Lois's fantasy too eh? *NM* Kylia Skydancer - 03/09/2009 10:57:37 AM 656 Views
Yep yep! *NM* Meona Goodday - 03/09/2009 01:46:53 PM 753 Views
Have either of you read her Vorkosigan/Barrayar series? *NM* Tashmere - 04/09/2009 09:20:59 PM 667 Views
Nope. Have you? Meona Goodday - 05/09/2009 12:39:14 AM 1656 Views
~Forces self to remain calm and understated~ Tashmere - 05/09/2009 03:22:37 AM 1953 Views
~holds out library card~ Meona Goodday - 05/09/2009 03:34:25 AM 1971 Views
~Grins like a fool~ Tashmere - 06/09/2009 01:54:22 AM 1209 Views
Hehehe Meona Goodday - 06/09/2009 04:15:48 AM 1398 Views
I remember you!! Tashmere - 08/09/2009 03:58:53 AM 1345 Views
Re: I remember you!! Meona Goodday - 08/09/2009 02:37:11 PM 1363 Views
Kylia Skydancer - 08/09/2009 07:33:17 AM 1286 Views
You are interesting now that you have finally answered. Tashmere - 08/09/2009 11:20:50 PM 1261 Views
I've read Diplomatic Immunity... Kylia Skydancer - 08/09/2009 07:30:52 AM 1296 Views
No, no, no. You have to read them in order! Tashmere - 08/09/2009 11:18:47 PM 1330 Views
Anything similar to Neil Gaiman's American Gods? *NM* Soggy - 07/09/2009 10:34:45 PM 701 Views
Ekaterina Sedia, The Secret History of Moscow Larry - 07/09/2009 11:03:18 PM 1411 Views
Kate Griffin, A Madness of Angels Perdita - 19/10/2009 11:23:43 PM 1701 Views
Since I'm now a big fan of Angela Carter's work... Larry - 07/09/2009 11:04:30 PM 1516 Views
Well... StoneDogAiel - 08/09/2009 02:26:31 AM 1291 Views
No, I haven't read anything by her. jh - 23/09/2009 08:53:27 PM 1520 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 1503 Views
Perhaps. I will see after I finish my project. jh - 28/09/2009 06:19:31 PM 1523 Views
Horror Ouranid - 08/12/2009 03:07:00 PM 1417 Views
Thomas Ligotti! Larry - 11/12/2009 05:32:31 AM 1493 Views
Ray Bradbury's Something Wicked This Way Comes is excellent. Rebekah - 05/06/2010 04:07:26 PM 1276 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 1276 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 677 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 751 Views
These days, people here aren't fans of anything outside of expressing political opinions *NM* Larry - 22/11/2011 12:45:42 AM 679 Views
And Skyrim. Don't forget Skyrim! *NM* rebelaessedai - 08/12/2011 08:02:54 AM 719 Views
Back to Messageboard Post New Thread Search Help Stats Rules

Reply to Message

Block Quote Paragraph Quote
Formatting
Smiley Codes