Based on your qualifying statements... - Edit 1
Before modification by Jacob at 03/02/2010 02:47:47 PM
Epic fantasy with a flair toward history:
Guy Gavriel Kay:
The Lions of al-Rassan one of Kay's best. Kay is most famous for his fusion style Historical Fantasy. This story is a remarkable imagining of the historical el-Cid. Well written and a very good novel. Then move on to Sailing to Sarantium, which is set in the same 'world' but a different story. Kay's TIGANA is also a remarkable novel, loosely inspired by Italian history.
Scott Bakker:
The Prince of Nothing (The Darkness the Comes Before, The Warrior-Prophet, The Thousandfold Thought) A stunning newer fantasy trilogy that uses the Crusades as a primary influence. The story features great characters, good action, interesting world, and story lines within story lines. The first book, The Judging Eye, of the follow up series was published about a year ago. It is also excellent.
Steven Erikson:
Mazalan: Book of the Fallen series has 9 out of the 10 books out so far. Erikson has been one of the biggest newer names in epic fantasy over the last 10 years. The series starts with Garden's of the Moon, which most people find to be a bit difficult and slow, you feel dropped in the middle of something and you have no idea what is going on. Books 2, 3, and 5 of that series are some of the best Epic Fantasy that I've ever read (Deadhouse Gates, Memories of Ice, Midnight Tides).
Joe Abercrombie:
First Law Series (The Blade Itself, Before They are Hanged, The Last Argument of Kings). One of the most recent big names of epic fantasy. This is very strong character driven fantasy that has all the expected elements but with somewhat unexpected twists, turns, and outcomes. This is a very good series. A stand alone novel in the same world, Best Served Cold came out a while ago.
There, that's over 20 books and there are so many more possibilities. Oh, and you should try a few more sci-fi novels, but we can get to those recommendations later.
Guy Gavriel Kay:
The Lions of al-Rassan one of Kay's best. Kay is most famous for his fusion style Historical Fantasy. This story is a remarkable imagining of the historical el-Cid. Well written and a very good novel. Then move on to Sailing to Sarantium, which is set in the same 'world' but a different story. Kay's TIGANA is also a remarkable novel, loosely inspired by Italian history.
Scott Bakker:
The Prince of Nothing (The Darkness the Comes Before, The Warrior-Prophet, The Thousandfold Thought) A stunning newer fantasy trilogy that uses the Crusades as a primary influence. The story features great characters, good action, interesting world, and story lines within story lines. The first book, The Judging Eye, of the follow up series was published about a year ago. It is also excellent.
Steven Erikson:
Mazalan: Book of the Fallen series has 9 out of the 10 books out so far. Erikson has been one of the biggest newer names in epic fantasy over the last 10 years. The series starts with Garden's of the Moon, which most people find to be a bit difficult and slow, you feel dropped in the middle of something and you have no idea what is going on. Books 2, 3, and 5 of that series are some of the best Epic Fantasy that I've ever read (Deadhouse Gates, Memories of Ice, Midnight Tides).
Joe Abercrombie:
First Law Series (The Blade Itself, Before They are Hanged, The Last Argument of Kings). One of the most recent big names of epic fantasy. This is very strong character driven fantasy that has all the expected elements but with somewhat unexpected twists, turns, and outcomes. This is a very good series. A stand alone novel in the same world, Best Served Cold came out a while ago.
There, that's over 20 books and there are so many more possibilities. Oh, and you should try a few more sci-fi novels, but we can get to those recommendations later.