Allo. I have this friend who likes sci-fi, but not fantasy, and claims that all fantasy is lame. Correction. Most fantasy, and, for that matter, most books in general, are lame, sci-fi included. If you’re going to complain that all fantasy is bad and don’t wish to group fantasy and science fiction together, then you at least have to admit that they are plagued in similar ways
For one thing, a good deal of sci-fi seems to be adaptations of movies, or lurid whateverthehell. Recently, I got a fantasy/sci-fi catalogue that mainly seemed to be just that, along with loads of churned out series, and perhaps a few good ones. I don’t have it now because I already recycled it, but you get the idea.
As for what I’ve actually read, I don’t actually read that much sci-fi, but I read a lot of fantasy, so I can say with certainty that most aren’t very good, but some are great. Fairly recently, I was poking around in some books by Pierce Anthony and, from what I read, they were pretty awful. Likewise, things by Robert Jordan and Terry Brooks (which I have thankfully not read, but have heard enough about to avoid) should best be avoided. Also, I should probably mention *shudders* Eragon and Eldest, and their awfulness. I know for a fact that people will disagree, and I don’t really care. If you must comment on how wrong I am, pleas do so in an intelligent manner, or you will be deleted. So no “u r rog, Eragon is teh best!!! 1111!!!” I’m always happiest when I’m ranting.
But anyway, I’ve also read a lot of good fantasy, though not quite as much. For instance, Terry Pratchett (Discworld) is awesome. I definitely recommend him. And there’s also Harry Potter, which is very enjoyable. There’s plenty of others, like J.R.R.Tolkien and Diana Wynne Jones (one of the better young adult authors).
Frankly, I haven’t read much sci-fi, so I can honestly only go by instinct. Pretty much all I’ve read is Douglas Adams, who is great. And there’s also all the old classics, which I haven’t gotten around to reading, and really should. I suppose I shouldn’t talk about so many books I haven’t read, but there are some things you can just tell, I’m sorry.
So, based on my little knowledge, there’s probably something you want to add. Legible, intelligent comments would be much appreciated here. And I apologize if that got really ranty.
You should try the maximum ride series. They are great sci-fi and fantasy books. But i no you like fantasy with swords and stuff. This has more guns and stuff. BUT it is a GREAT series.
I’ve heard of those, and I trust your judgement, so I guess I’ll take a looksie. What are they about, anyway? I don’t mind if they have guns or swords, it’s all Greek to me.
LOL. Well they are about “angels”. People who were modified in a lab. They are 2% bird and they can fly. There are also erasers. Erasers are wolf humans that are trying to capture the angels and bring them back to the lab. This is a VERY brief synopsis.
I read both sci fi and fantasy, and I do indeed find it difficult to find fantasy books that I enjoy. There are a lot of them out there that are poorly written and over the top.