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OK, then... How about The Wheel of Time series?


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The Wheel of Time? well. I loved the first 4 or 5. By the time I got to 9 I was done. I quit in the middle of 10. The series starts GREAT, but Jordan stretched his good idea out waayyyyy toooooo lonnnnnnggggg.

 

But the first few are terrific.

 

George R.R. Martin is great for the epic fantasy genre too.

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I think he'd probably like them. My dh has been convinced for years and years that he doesn't like to read, and these are among the books I'm using to lure him into the world of books. (I can't help it, I love reading and I want him to love it too...lol.) I haven't managed to get him enthusiastic about any of the great classics yet, but some of the lighter reading is starting to really hook him. Since he likes SciFi and fantasy type movies and games, I thought this sort of thing might appeal to him. We just started book 8, and as we were finishing up with book 7 my dh actually nagged me to get book 8 reserved at the library so we wouldn't have to wait to find out what happens next. (It brought a tear to my bookwormy, miopic eye.) And for the last couple of books he's actually preferred to do the reading rather than listen to me read, which is nice (and makes me feel that I may make a reader out of the man yet). The story line IS stretched out for a long, loooooong time, but there is enough action and plot advancement in each book to keep my dh coming back for more, and that's saying something.

 

ETA: One of the things we've appreciated about the WOT series is that they do not contain graphic sex scenes or language we find offensive. There are intimate moments, including between unmarried people, but they are handled pretty discretely. We know what happened, but we don't have a play-by-play slung in our faces. The characters swear, but they do so using words that are considered swear words in THEIR world, but not so much in ours (ie. "blood and ashes", "light forsaken"). The most offensive expletive is "bloody", but that one doesn't bother us, maybe because we are not British. There is some hack and slash swords and pikes type violence, but again it's not overly graphic IMO. I would say it's comparable in that respect to the LOTR books.

Edited by MamaSheep
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I know everyone is going to now plug their favourite fantasy series but TRUST ME, it's MY favourite that will suit your son best. :)

 

Elizabeth Moon's Deeds of Paksenarrion trilogy is fantastic. It's big and epic and gut wrenching plus. It feels like Tolkien in some respects but without feeling like a second rate rehash (Hello Terry Brooks!)The lead character is a woman and it's written by a woman but it's not soft fantasy in any respect. AND it has one of the all time best endings. I've read this again and again and my then reading-averse brother tore through it and pronounced it one of his all time favourites. Best thing? There are only three books you need to read. There are a couple of prequels but Elizabeth Moon knows how to end a series which is a rarity in the days of the never ending fantasy series.

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While the Martin books are among my favorites, along with Robert Jordan (The Wheel of Time Series!!!), Brandon Sanderson (Mistborn, Alcatraz Smedry ect...) and Patrick Rothfuss (The name of the Wind), his (Martin's) books do contain graphic sex scenes and language. A Game of Thrones, a Song of Fire and Ice Book 1 is the first in the Series.

 

These were among my favorite Sci Fi/Fantasy when I was in high school. They are some of the best, before I ran into WOT that is. There are 3 Books starting with Dragons of Autum Twilight. There are over 80 books in a continuing series, by different authors, but the original 3 are the best.

 

Ava

Edited by Dani n Monies Mom
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Would you believe my library doesn't have these!

 

 

I know everyone is going to now plug their favourite fantasy series but TRUST ME, it's MY favourite that will suit your son best. :)

 

Elizabeth Moon's Deeds of Paksenarrion trilogy is fantastic. It's big and epic and gut wrenching plus. It feels like Tolkien in some respects but without feeling like a second rate rehash (Hello Terry Brooks!)The lead character is a woman and it's written by a woman but it's not soft fantasy in any respect. AND it has one of the all time best endings. I've read this again and again and my then reading-averse brother tore through it and pronounced it one of his all time favourites. Best thing? There are only three books you need to read. There are a couple of prequels but Elizabeth Moon knows how to end a series which is a rarity in the days of the never ending fantasy series.

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I have read the whole series several times. I like it.

 

Some people don't like it because they say the plot moves too slowly in the middle books. I understand their viewpoint but I still enjoy the books.

 

If he is a huge Tolkien fan he may well enjoy them. I would test it by buying him just the first one or two, and that way if he doesn't like it you aren't out much. If he does like it, then, birthday present for next year solved. :D

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Guess we will skip the new Cornwell novel:blink:. I'm buying for Christmas- and found the Wheel of Times series on Amazon. Ds is a huge Tolkien fan. Would he enjoy these books??

 

 

Not familiar with that series, but DSs who are Tolkien fans here really like Eragon, Eldest, Brisinger, the 3 of 4 books by Christopher Paoli. I've only made it thru the first and found it to be just adequately written. (But the author was a teenager when he first started writing, so they may get better.)

 

No one is really "like" Tolkien, (although Paoli, above is very obviously influenced by Middle Earth and Star Wars :tongue_smilie:), but these are some other extremely well visualized / well written worlds:

- Ursula LeGuin's Earthsea Trilogy (Wizard of Earthsea; Tombs of Atuan; Farthest Shore)

- Susan Cooper's Dark is Rising series (although I ultimately didn't care for the direction of the author's worldview)

- C.S. Lewis: various works: Chronicles of Narnia; Out of the Silent Planet; Till We Have Faces

- Jeffrey Overstreet: "quadrilogy" in progress: Auralia's Colors; Cyndere's Midnight; Raven's Ladder

- George MacDonald: various works: Lilith; Phantastes; short stories such as The Light Princess, The Golden Key, The Wise Woman, etc.

- Mark Helprin: trilogy: Swan Lake, A City in Winter, Veil of Snows

- Robin McKinley: The Blue Sword; Hero and the Crown (a sort of "prequil")

 

 

As a Tolkien fan does your son also have these other books by Tolkien:

- Children of Hurin

- The Silmarillion

- Unfinished Tales (series)

- Farmer Giles of Ham, Leaf by Niggle, Smith of Wooten Major (short stories)

- Letters from Father Christmas

- Mr. Bliss (sweet children's picture book)

- Roverandom

 

 

He might also enjoy this anthology of short stories by authors who either influenced Tolkien or who had connection with him in some way: "Tales Before Tolkien: The Roots of Modern Fantasy: Classic Stories That Inspired the Author of the Lord of the Rings" (Anderson)

 

 

Here are links to a few web lists that may be of help:

 

The Christian Guide to Fantasy = http://www.christianfantasy.net/fantasylinks.html

Christian Fantasy Review = http://www.christian-fantasy-book-reviews.com/

 

Wake County Public Library: "If You Like J.R.R. Tolkien..."

http://www.wakegov.com/libraries/reading/lists/favorites/tolkien.htm

 

Duluth Public Library: "If You Like J.R.R. Tolkien..."

http://www.duluth.lib.mn.us/PopLib/Tolkien.html

 

Manchester Public Library: "If You Like J.R.R. Tolkien..."

http://www.cplrmh.com/tolkien.html

Edited by Lori D.
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The Wheel of Time? well. I loved the first 4 or 5. By the time I got to 9 I was done. I quit in the middle of 10. The series starts GREAT, but Jordan stretched his good idea out waayyyyy toooooo lonnnnnnggggg.

 

But the first few are terrific.

 

George R.R. Martin is great for the epic fantasy genre too.

 

:iagree::iagree:

I got so mad waiting and waiting and then it got so long I would have to re-read them before the next book came out. Gave up.

BUT:

I do recommend the Belgariad by David Eddings, it is one of my all time favorites.

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Not familiar with that series, but DSs who are Tolkien fans here really like Eragon, Eldest, Brisinger, the 3 of 4 books by Christopher Paoli. I've only made it thru the first and found it to be just adequately written. (But the author was a teenager when he first started writing, so they may get better.)

 

Wow, great post. I just wanted to comment on Eragon series.

I really liked Eragon, tolerated Eldest and think Brisinger was utterly awful and wouldn't let dd read it.

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Not familiar with that series, but DSs who are Tolkien fans here really like Eragon, Eldest, Brisinger, the 3 of 4 books by Christopher Paoli. I've only made it thru the first and found it to be just adequately written. (But the author was a teenager when he first started writing, so they may get better.)

 

No one is really "like" Tolkien, (although Paoli, above is very obviously influenced by Middle Earth and Star Wars :tongue_smilie:), but these are some other extremely well visualized / well written worlds:

- Ursula LeGuin's Earthsea Trilogy (Wizard of Earthsea; Tombs of Atuan; Farthest Shore)

- Susan Cooper's Dark is Rising series (although I ultimately didn't care for the direction of the author's worldview)

- C.S. Lewis: various works: Chronicles of Narnia; Out of the Silent Planet; Till We Have Faces

- Jeffrey Overstreet: "quadrilogy" in progress: Auralia's Colors; Cyndere's Midnight; Raven's Ladder

- George MacDonald: various works: Lilith; Phantastes; short stories such as The Light Princess, The Golden Key, The Wise Woman, etc.

- Mark Helprin: trilogy: Swan Lake, A City in Winter, Veil of Snows

- Robin McKinley: The Blue Sword; Hero and the Crown (a sort of "prequil")

 

 

As a Tolkien fan does your son also have these other books by Tolkien:

- Children of Hurin

- The Silmarillion

- Unfinished Tales (series)

- Farmer Giles of Ham, Leaf by Niggle, Smith of Wooten Major (short stories)

- Letters from Father Christmas

- Mr. Bliss (sweet children's picture book)

- Roverandom

 

 

He might also enjoy this anthology of short stories by authors who either influenced Tolkien or who had connection with him in some way: "Tales Before Tolkien: The Roots of Modern Fantasy: Classic Stories That Inspired the Author of the Lord of the Rings" (Anderson)

 

 

Here are links to a few web lists that may be of help:

 

The Christian Guide to Fantasy = http://www.christianfantasy.net/fantasylinks.html

Christian Fantasy Review = http://www.christian-fantasy-book-reviews.com/

 

Wake County Public Library: "If You Like J.R.R. Tolkien..."

http://www.wakegov.com/libraries/reading/lists/favorites/tolkien.htm

 

Duluth Public Library: "If You Like J.R.R. Tolkien..."

http://www.duluth.lib.mn.us/PopLib/Tolkien.html

 

Manchester Public Library: "If You Like J.R.R. Tolkien..."

http://www.cplrmh.com/tolkien.html

 

Thanks! He has read most of Tolkien. He finished Sigurd and Gudrin?? (can't remember) last month and enjoyed it. He has read Cooper, Lewis, McKinley, and Eargon; we read MacDonald aloud when dc were younger. I'll check the others and the websites though!

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Wow, great post. I just wanted to comment on Eragon series.

I really liked Eragon, tolerated Eldest and think Brisinger was utterly awful and wouldn't let dd read it.

 

Oh my! Could you comment more specifically about Eldest and Brisinger? The only thing I got out of one DS was that it was somewhat more violent.

 

And I just wanted to add, I know many people here are Eragon fans, and I am not at all trying to flame the book. I thought it was really quite good for a teen author -- the world became its own the further into the book you go (it starts off VERY heavily as a cross between Star Wars and Lord of the Rings), and he did a very adequate job of creating a world, giving it a little depth with making up words for the language, and maintaining interest by moving the plot along. Eragon (and to be fair, MOST fantasy and sci-fi) just didn't have the maturity, depth, and incredible complexity of characterization and themes that Lord of the Rings has.

 

Okay, going out on a limb, and probably about to offend a lot of people without meaning to... I guess I must be a fantasy "snob". Really! Truly! I like "popcorn" books, too. :tongue_smilie: But it is always especially wonderful to be swept away into another world as thoroughly as with Lord of the Rings. I have tried several of the authors mentioned in the library links I posted above, but haven't found any that I really love beyond what I posted above...

 

- Andre Norton's books = clean, but younger DS couldn't get into them

- Ranger's Apprentice series = VERY lightweight (and it all starts sounding the same after 2 books)

- Artemis Fowl = fun, BUT... IMO gets unnecessarily dark, violent and serious the further into the series you go

- Percy Jackson & the Olympians series = a fun "popcorn" series, but might feel too young to your DS

- His Majesty's Dragon series = younger DS has really enjoyed this series, BUT... says they get just a bit more violent and sexually suggestive as the series progresses, and starts including swearing

- Lloyd Alexander = unnecessarily too violent, esp. as these were written for (and we tried them for) pre-teen boys

- Dragon Flight (McCaffrey) = VERY creative world; adequate writing; a few sexually suggestive scenes

- The Dragonbone Chair (Williams) = a very thoroughly visualized world, but... dull -- I just couldn't get into it -- and I love fantasy!

- Stephen Lawhead's King Arthur quadrilogy; just "okay" writing, and one was very dull -- nothing but buckets o' blood, battle after battle

- Terry Pratchett = very creative and funny -- but too often is lazy and slips into very unnecessary adolescent crudities that pull me right out of the world; however, his Bromeliad trilogy is a very light quick read = clean, just very slightly irreverent: Truckers; Diggers, Wings

- Lord Foul's Bane = even though DH assured me that the main character CHANGES for the better, I just could NOT get past the opening scene in which the main character (who has leprosy and can't feel anything), enters the fantasy world and can suddenly feel again, and the first thing he does is forcibly molest the teen daughter of the woman who is trying to help him. Ug.

Edited by Lori D.
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My ds also loves the Temeraire series.

 

I would hesitate to recommend the George R.R. Martin series to a teen as the, shall we say, adult situations are graphic and gratuitous. I have a love/hate relationship with the series myself, so that is another reason I wouldn't recommend them. He creates memorable characters and a vivid world for them to inhabit, but oy! it is so bloated!! And I hate having the story jump from character to character -- I skip around to follow my favorite characters.

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I also agree that George RR Martin is a little too intense for teens!

 

The plot is very nitty gritty...it does contain ince*tuous relationships and the like...and they go into quite a bit of detail about one character being a eunuch.

 

I LOVE Robert Jordan and have read all 12 of the books. They're terrific.

 

I've also enjoyed the Terry Goodkind Sword of Truth series. The first book is "Wizard's First Rule" and I think there are 12 more .. or something like that. Like Jordan, there is romance, but they leave the details to the imagination. There are good wizards and bad wizards and lots of sword fighting and magic in a fantasy sense (as in having magical abilities -- not magic as in the Harry Potter sense with spells and the like). It has dragons, too! Which are always a hit, especially with my boys!

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Thought I'd put in a plug for S.M. Stirling's Novels of the Change series. It's sort of sci-fi, sort of fantasy, and starts with a book called Dies the Fire. I won't speak to it's acceptability to various notions of necessary censorship, because I don't really think there is such a thing in books. The premise is that one day electricity, internal combustion, and explosive propellants suddenly stop working. The first book is about surviving the destruction of the modern world, and it goes on from there. One of the survivors is a 14 yo. Tolkien fanatic, and the story develops into an epic journey full of detailed description of the world as it is 20-odd years after the Change.

 

The previous posts about how Wheel of Time goes on too long is about the sentiment my DH has given; I've never read them myself. DH is probably the biggest Tolkien fan I'll ever know; our DD is named for an elf in the Silmarillion, if that gives you some idea.

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Okay, going out on a limb, and probably about to offend a lot of people without meaning to... I guess I must be a fantasy "snob". Really! Truly! I like "popcorn" books, too. :tongue_smilie: But it is always especially wonderful to be swept away into another world as thoroughly as with Lord of the Rings. I have tried several of the authors mentioned in the library links I posted above, but haven't found any that I really love beyond what I posted above...

- Andre Norton's books = clean, but younger DS couldn't get into them

- Ranger's Apprentice series = VERY lightweight (and it all starts sounding the same after 2 books)

- Artemis Fowl = fun, BUT... IMO gets unnecessarily dark, violent and serious the further into the series you go

- Percy Jackson & the Olympians series = a fun "popcorn" series, but might feel too young to your DS

- His Majesty's Dragon series = younger DS has really enjoyed this series, BUT... says they get just a bit more violent and sexually suggestive as the series progresses, and starts including swearing

- Lloyd Alexander = unnecessarily too violent, esp. as these were written for (and we tried them for) pre-teen boys

- Dragon Flight (McCaffrey) = VERY creative world; adequate writing; a few sexually suggestive scenes

- The Dragonbone Chair (Williams) = a very thoroughly visualized world, but... dull -- I just couldn't get into it -- and I love fantasy!

- Stephen Lawhead's King Arthur quadrilogy; just "okay" writing, and one was very dull -- nothing but buckets o' blood, battle after battle

- Terry Pratchett = very creative and funny -- but too often is lazy and slips into very unnecessary adolescent crudities that pull me right out of the world; however, his Bromeliad trilogy is a very light quick read = clean, just very slightly irreverent: Truckers; Diggers, Wings

- Lord Foul's Bane = even though DH assured me that the main character CHANGES for the better, I just could NOT get past the opening scene in which the main character (who has leprosy and can't feel anything), enters the fantasy world and can suddenly feel again, and the first thing he does is forcibly molest the teen daughter of the woman who is trying to help him. Ug.

 

Lori D.

Thanks for these nice critiques with good "head's up" to content. May I impose upon you to do the same for the list of books that you do recommend? Just a sentence or two to guide and entice? My shelves are full of wonderful sci-fi (husband) and fantasy (daughter), and I truly don't know which ones to pull and offer to my 13 year old. He's a mature reader, but still just 13, so I avoid molestation, rape, incest...he just skims or skips the explicit sex scenes....but I can monitor that. Any suggestions are so appreciated, and thanks.

 

Lark

Edited by LBS
Couldn't figure how to put quote in the blue box, so I made it purple. Sorry.
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I asked dh last night and he loved the Eragon series, and also suggested Raymond Feist Magician series as well as Terry Brooks. I had to run them by him because it has been 10+ years since I read them and I couldn't remember where there might be content issues. Terry Brooks stays pretty clean all the way through. He isn't the best of writers but I enjoy his stuff anyway. Raymond Fiest's Magician series is pretty clean, though some of his other works will have sexual content. It isn't super detailed from what I remember.

 

Heather

 

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