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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 3308 Views
Janny Wurts has a couple of epic fantasy series. Rebekah - 30/08/2009 06:57:52 PM 1625 Views
I like The Cycle of Fire. *NM* StoneDogAiel - 08/09/2009 02:15:04 AM 858 Views
Well, here are a couple I don't think have been mentioned: Screen Name - 11/09/2009 09:46:21 AM 1618 Views
Historical fiction. Chas - 30/08/2009 07:00:35 PM 1529 Views
Patrick O'Brian snoopcester - 30/08/2009 07:03:35 PM 1468 Views
You know Chas - 30/08/2009 07:08:50 PM 1437 Views
REally? snoopcester - 30/08/2009 07:11:06 PM 1704 Views
Re: REally? Chas - 30/08/2009 07:19:38 PM 1504 Views
Did you read the Horatio Hornblower series? Tashmere - 02/09/2009 12:17:00 AM 1402 Views
Oh, there are Hornblower books? Legolas - 02/09/2009 12:24:31 AM 1390 Views
They're very enjoyable. *NM* Chas - 02/09/2009 01:10:44 AM 825 Views
I saw the first of the mini-series. Good casting. Tashmere - 02/09/2009 02:44:48 PM 1631 Views
Tash has it..these books are wonderful. *NM* Missa Sedai - 25/09/2009 01:30:34 AM 907 Views
The first half. I've never been able to find the rest of them. *NM* Chas - 02/09/2009 01:10:11 AM 794 Views
It would be worth it to watch for the rest. Tashmere - 02/09/2009 02:46:21 PM 1635 Views
A couple that I enjoy Jacob - 31/08/2009 04:06:52 PM 1743 Views
I've read the Gates of Fire. Chas - 31/08/2009 11:29:42 PM 1575 Views
These two rock. Vodalus - 31/08/2009 06:15:14 PM 1563 Views
Perhaps not exactly the same... StoneDogAiel - 08/09/2009 02:16:18 AM 1264 Views
Wars of Light and Shadow definantly need to be added to the list *NM* Ryan - 30/08/2009 07:04:15 PM 810 Views
Re: Wars of Light and Shadow definantly need to be added to the list marekj - 31/08/2009 11:35:00 PM 1545 Views
Slash, please! rebelaessedai - 30/08/2009 08:13:33 PM 1567 Views
I'm assuming you already know about this one. Chas - 31/08/2009 01:44:39 AM 1657 Views
Oh, and Skin Folk Chas - 31/08/2009 01:52:58 AM 1598 Views
I knew about A Companion to Wolves. rebelaessedai - 31/08/2009 03:22:38 AM 1596 Views
I guess I need to broaden my horizons. Chas - 31/08/2009 11:24:07 PM 1532 Views
LOL! rebelaessedai - 02/09/2009 03:28:33 PM 1641 Views
So, I've read Shadow of the Wind ascott4321 - 30/08/2009 10:06:30 PM 1546 Views
I haven't read that one yet kcf - 31/08/2009 05:39:52 PM 1568 Views
Re: I haven't read that one yet ascott4321 - 31/08/2009 07:26:16 PM 1473 Views
Which aspect of the book are you talking about in particular? Legolas - 31/08/2009 06:34:26 PM 1720 Views
maybe various combinations of all those? ascott4321 - 31/08/2009 07:20:57 PM 1586 Views
The Historian Crink - 05/12/2011 04:56:40 AM 1483 Views
Thanks for your contribution, but not many people are likely to find it here. Legolas - 05/12/2011 10:14:04 PM 1497 Views
Then mayhaps a new thread? Crink - 06/12/2011 04:50:33 AM 1492 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 1506 Views
The Holy Grail of recommendation requests. Chas - 31/08/2009 12:59:50 AM 1753 Views
give Ken Scholes a shot kcf - 31/08/2009 05:37:11 PM 1650 Views
Will do. Chas - 31/08/2009 11:26:57 PM 1613 Views
I didn't think the characters were particularly week or one-dimensional kcf - 01/09/2009 03:42:06 AM 1581 Views
That's good to know. *NM* Chas - 02/09/2009 01:20:40 AM 786 Views
Well, Kay is very distinct... jh - 31/08/2009 11:37:45 PM 1561 Views
I've read the first one. Chas - 02/09/2009 02:15:38 AM 1489 Views
Well, it depends on which aspect of Kay you are looking at. StoneDogAiel - 08/09/2009 02:19:42 AM 1366 Views
comedic sci-fi mystery? *NM* Kylia Skydancer - 31/08/2009 03:57:52 AM 838 Views
Dirk Gently kcf - 31/08/2009 05:34:55 PM 1520 Views
Be careful with Rankin though Stephen - 31/08/2009 08:19:00 PM 1560 Views
I'd have said John Zakour and Lawrence Ganem *NM* Kylia Skydancer - 03/09/2009 10:16:06 AM 743 Views
Something like Michelle West's Sun Sword? *NM* *NM* Nyrende - 31/08/2009 04:49:51 AM 778 Views
Re: Something like Michelle West's Sun Sword? *NM* marekj - 31/08/2009 11:36:31 PM 1548 Views
The Cast In series... Nyrende - 01/09/2009 03:28:12 AM 1473 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 1603 Views
that would be awesome. *NM* Kylia Skydancer - 03/09/2009 10:17:36 AM 735 Views
Librarything does it Camilla - 21/09/2009 04:02:54 PM 1539 Views
Their system isn't great. jh - 26/09/2009 10:14:30 PM 1502 Views
Re: Their system isn't great. Camilla - 27/09/2009 10:07:53 AM 1597 Views
Yeah, but the accuracy is way off.... jh - 27/09/2009 04:34:07 PM 1457 Views
Re: Yeah, but the accuracy is way off.... Camilla - 28/09/2009 08:51:14 AM 1524 Views
Human error? You are being way too nice. Btw, I have a link for you. jh - 29/09/2009 10:02:35 AM 1805 Views
Hehehehe. Heheheheheheheheheeheheheeheeheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheh Camilla - 29/09/2009 10:05:26 AM 1566 Views
Something with a good magic system. *NM* Kronin al'Sulc - 31/08/2009 01:57:00 PM 847 Views
gotta be more specific kcf - 31/08/2009 05:35:47 PM 1498 Views
Something in-depth, and well used. Kronin al'Sulc - 31/08/2009 07:16:54 PM 1381 Views
Have you read Coldfire? Legolas - 31/08/2009 11:33:18 PM 1490 Views
Re: Have you read Coldfire? marekj - 31/08/2009 11:41:36 PM 1610 Views
Re: Have you read Coldfire? ascott4321 - 01/09/2009 12:15:48 AM 1474 Views
Ah, yes, now that you mention it. Legolas - 01/09/2009 12:17:41 AM 1631 Views
Re: Something with a good magic system. Jove - 01/09/2009 01:23:07 AM 1573 Views
I really liked the magic in: StoneDogAiel - 08/09/2009 02:23:50 AM 1361 Views
I like what Sanderson did in the Mistborn series *NM* Mossman - 26/09/2009 02:01:55 AM 759 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 1568 Views
Re: Hi, I want a book that seems like it was written on acid? Corporal Crusty - 01/09/2009 07:08:23 AM 1432 Views
Not really sci fi or fantasy Nyrende - 01/09/2009 08:30:45 AM 1578 Views
Try M. John Harrison. *NM* jh - 01/09/2009 01:49:43 PM 748 Views
Move Under Ground by Nick Mamatas kcf - 02/09/2009 12:21:32 AM 1543 Views
Meditations in Green by Stephen Wright Kylia Skydancer - 03/09/2009 10:20:45 AM 1448 Views
Have you read any William S. Burroughs yet? Larry - 07/09/2009 11:12:42 PM 1484 Views
People who say use the phrase "on acid" have rarely tried acid Ouranid - 29/09/2009 03:07:45 AM 1550 Views
Agree with this list... I would have typed one very similar. *NM* Jacob - 01/10/2009 03:21:31 PM 798 Views
Stand-alone novels Comet Sedai - 01/09/2009 02:31:07 AM 1516 Views
Master of Whitestorm ~ Janny Wurts Rebekah - 01/09/2009 01:52:27 PM 1562 Views
Lavinia by Ursula LeGuin. *edit* Chas - 02/09/2009 01:19:54 AM 1382 Views
Here are a few that I enjoyed Bryce - 03/09/2009 03:09:35 AM 1614 Views
Re: Stand-alone novels Kylia Skydancer - 03/09/2009 10:53:46 AM 1536 Views
Well, yes and no and sequels Comet Sedai - 03/09/2009 12:46:50 PM 1460 Views
Re: Well, yes and no and sequels Kylia Skydancer - 03/09/2009 02:18:40 PM 1743 Views
Regarding Tigana (spoilers) Comet Sedai - 03/09/2009 03:33:08 PM 1859 Views
Re: Regarding Tigana (spoilers) Kylia Skydancer - 04/09/2009 01:09:04 AM 1545 Views
Pretty much. *NM* Chas - 04/09/2009 03:22:26 AM 768 Views
By definition almost all of Kay's books are standalones. Chas - 03/09/2009 11:54:16 PM 1402 Views
All except for these. *looks amused* *NM* Kylia Skydancer - 04/09/2009 01:09:57 AM 726 Views
*shrug* I probably should have said half his books are standalones. Chas - 04/09/2009 03:21:25 AM 1405 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 1277 Views
Various Recommendations Meona Goodday - 03/09/2009 06:00:39 AM 1640 Views
hehe, so you like Lois's fantasy too eh? *NM* Kylia Skydancer - 03/09/2009 10:57:37 AM 670 Views
Yep yep! *NM* Meona Goodday - 03/09/2009 01:46:53 PM 771 Views
Have either of you read her Vorkosigan/Barrayar series? *NM* Tashmere - 04/09/2009 09:20:59 PM 681 Views
Nope. Have you? Meona Goodday - 05/09/2009 12:39:14 AM 1691 Views
~Forces self to remain calm and understated~ Tashmere - 05/09/2009 03:22:37 AM 1990 Views
~holds out library card~ Meona Goodday - 05/09/2009 03:34:25 AM 2007 Views
~Grins like a fool~ Tashmere - 06/09/2009 01:54:22 AM 1235 Views
Hehehe Meona Goodday - 06/09/2009 04:15:48 AM 1437 Views
I remember you!! Tashmere - 08/09/2009 03:58:53 AM 1380 Views
Re: I remember you!! Meona Goodday - 08/09/2009 02:37:11 PM 1400 Views
Kylia Skydancer - 08/09/2009 07:33:17 AM 1325 Views
You are interesting now that you have finally answered. Tashmere - 08/09/2009 11:20:50 PM 1294 Views
I've read Diplomatic Immunity... Kylia Skydancer - 08/09/2009 07:30:52 AM 1340 Views
No, no, no. You have to read them in order! Tashmere - 08/09/2009 11:18:47 PM 1355 Views
Anything similar to Neil Gaiman's American Gods? *NM* Soggy - 07/09/2009 10:34:45 PM 717 Views
Ekaterina Sedia, The Secret History of Moscow Larry - 07/09/2009 11:03:18 PM 1440 Views
Kate Griffin, A Madness of Angels Perdita - 19/10/2009 11:23:43 PM 1736 Views
Since I'm now a big fan of Angela Carter's work... Larry - 07/09/2009 11:04:30 PM 1550 Views
Well... StoneDogAiel - 08/09/2009 02:26:31 AM 1330 Views
No, I haven't read anything by her. jh - 23/09/2009 08:53:27 PM 1557 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 1545 Views
Perhaps. I will see after I finish my project. jh - 28/09/2009 06:19:31 PM 1572 Views
Horror Ouranid - 08/12/2009 03:07:00 PM 1451 Views
Thomas Ligotti! Larry - 11/12/2009 05:32:31 AM 1529 Views
Ray Bradbury's Something Wicked This Way Comes is excellent. Rebekah - 05/06/2010 04:07:26 PM 1314 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 1321 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 691 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 770 Views
These days, people here aren't fans of anything outside of expressing political opinions *NM* Larry - 22/11/2011 12:45:42 AM 697 Views
And Skyrim. Don't forget Skyrim! *NM* rebelaessedai - 08/12/2011 08:02:54 AM 748 Views
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