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Topic: Dark Fantasy

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gargirl avatar
Subject: Dark Fantasy
Date Posted: 8/23/2007 5:24 PM ET
Member Since: 8/20/2007
Posts: 15
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I really love Anne Bishop's Black Jewels Trilogy and am looking for some more dark fantasy. 

 

Can anyone reccomend an author, series or book?

 

Thanks,

gargirl

MaskedPenguinAvenger avatar
Date Posted: 8/25/2007 10:28 AM ET
Member Since: 6/26/2006
Posts: 4,449
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I really like R. A. Salvatore's Drriz't's series.

bookmuncher avatar
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Date Posted: 8/26/2007 8:27 AM ET
Member Since: 2/20/2007
Posts: 15,760
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Tanith Lee. It's been a long time since I read her and I can't remember the series terribly well, but quite a few of her books are posted. She has also written some straight science fiction, so be careful in ordering.

xiqtem avatar
Date Posted: 8/26/2007 4:32 PM ET
Member Since: 6/8/2007
Posts: 113
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James Silke's Death Dealer series and Karl Edward Wagner's Kane books.  The first book in the Death Dealer series is, "The Prisoner of the Horned Helmet"  Gath is the main character.

Mindolin avatar
Date Posted: 8/26/2007 9:15 PM ET
Member Since: 11/4/2005
Posts: 1,983
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Hello, she wrote some other books besides the Black Jewels trilogy, some are even set in the same world.  I think the name of that one is the invisible ring.  She also wrote some set in a different world the two a can recall are the pillars of the world as well as shadows and light.  Not to put down someone elses oppinion but having read this series as well as the dark elf trilogy they are nothing alike.  I enjoyed the both but if you want something like the black jewels trilogy here are a few suggestions.

the scions of Kushiel series by J. Carry

the Rhapsody series by Elisabeth Haydon

and this one is similar in tone but set in a contemporary fatasy world setting

the Merideth Gentry series by L. K. Hamilton

Mike

HunterBJ avatar
Date Posted: 8/27/2007 11:13 AM ET
Member Since: 9/7/2006
Posts: 56
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Jacqueline Carey's Kushiel's series would be a good one to try, the third one is especially dark. It starts off with Kushiel's Dart. Mike mentioned it but spelled her name wrong so I thought I would re-mention it just in case you couldn't find anything. Very large books too! 

gargirl avatar
Date Posted: 8/27/2007 11:22 AM ET
Member Since: 8/20/2007
Posts: 15
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Thank you all for the suggestions! :)

I am already a big Drizz't fan, I like the earliest trilogy the best; Homeland, Exile and Sojourn  but they are all good. :)

 

Lots to look for I am jotting down all suggestions.

 

Thanks so much!

 

catwhowalked avatar
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Date Posted: 9/2/2007 8:57 PM ET
Member Since: 8/17/2007
Posts: 113
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I didn't really think the Rhapsody series was especially dark (though I enjoyed it immensly!).

I'm currently reading The Virtu, which is the second in a trilogy by by Sarah Monette (starts with Melusine), and I've found it fabulously dark and enjoyable.

The Kushiel books are on my wish list, but I'm pretty far down the line.  :-(

jonesingforbooks avatar
Date Posted: 9/12/2007 12:12 AM ET
Member Since: 9/4/2006
Posts: 203
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I second the suggestion of the Kushiel's series from Jacqueline Carey. You might also check out the Wreaththu series by Storm Constantine. They aren't about powerful women, but they do interesting stuff with similar dark/sensual themes.
Generic Profile avatar
Date Posted: 9/12/2007 12:29 AM ET
Member Since: 8/16/2007
Posts: 6
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I agree with the above posts, I love Anne Bishop but also found Jaqueline Carey's Kushiel books amazing and quite addicting I have read the 4 books I have in this series several times, she also wrote a nother series book one was Godslayer, book two was Banewreaker. I have these books I just dont think I can bear to part with them...so I have yet to post them.

Have you read Anne Bishops Eater of the World Series? That is phenominal...I highly recomend.



Last Edited on: 9/12/07 12:30 AM ET - Total times edited: 1
Mistry avatar
Kim (Mistry) -
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Date Posted: 9/12/2007 9:30 PM ET
Member Since: 6/23/2006
Posts: 4,134
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April, I've never heard of the Eater of the World series. Is it a new series or an older one? I've looked all over and can't find anything about it, and you've made me very curious!

Generic Profile avatar
Date Posted: 9/13/2007 6:00 PM ET
Member Since: 7/19/2007
Posts: 23
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I would definatly recommend the Stephen King Dark Tower series.  It starts with The Gunslinger and goes on from there.  It's not what it sounds like either, very different from his other stuff, I actually began reading the series from Wizard and Glass which is the 4th book.  I was hooked, and went on the read the entire series.  I just mailed my other copies, but I do still have the paperback copy of Wizard and Glass if anyone is interested.  Again, a VERY good series for dark fantasy lovers.

gnombient avatar
Date Posted: 9/14/2007 5:05 PM ET
Member Since: 5/17/2006
Posts: 50
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Michael Moorcock - Elric of Melnibone series, Von Bek series (War Hound, etc.);
Karl Edward Wagner - Kane series;
Clark Ashton Smith - any Zothique, Hyperborea, Xiccarph stories;
David Mason - The Sorcerer's Skull;
Tanith Lee - The Birthgrave; Companions on the Road; Tales of the Flat Earth (Night's Master, Death's Master, etc.)



Last Edited on: 9/14/07 5:06 PM ET - Total times edited: 1
Criskat avatar
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Date Posted: 10/2/2007 8:05 PM ET
Member Since: 2/24/2007
Posts: 6,447
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You might try Carol Berg's Restoration, Transformation and there's a 3rd. Also Lynn Flewelling has a series out. First book is Stalking Darkness I believe.

I loved The Black Jewels Trilogy. I had never read a series like that one before. Wasn't sure at first if I was going to like it.

Another series that's a bit on the dark side is The Death Gate Cycle by Margaret Weiss & Tracy Hickman

Generic Profile avatar
Date Posted: 10/3/2007 12:17 AM ET
Member Since: 12/19/2005
Posts: 53
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Let me toss out a few less well known authors for you to consider, since it sounds like we may have some similar tastes.  I'm not sure how you are defining 'dark', though.

 

Sarah Ash's The Tears of Artamon trilogy is a fair read, if a bit angsty.

Kristine Kathryn Rusch's Books of the Fey are pretty dark.

C.S. Friedman's Coldfire Trilogy is excellent and dark.

Louise Cooper's Time Master trilogy is a good read.  The prequel trilogy is darker, but you aren't likely to be able to find books 2 & 3, since they were only released in the U.K.

Carol Berg's books are all fairly dark, imo.  Try 'Transformation', 'Revelation' and 'Restoration'