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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 3279 Views
Janny Wurts has a couple of epic fantasy series. Rebekah - 30/08/2009 06:57:52 PM 1589 Views
I like The Cycle of Fire. *NM* StoneDogAiel - 08/09/2009 02:15:04 AM 846 Views
Well, here are a couple I don't think have been mentioned: Screen Name - 11/09/2009 09:46:21 AM 1585 Views
Historical fiction. Chas - 30/08/2009 07:00:35 PM 1491 Views
Patrick O'Brian snoopcester - 30/08/2009 07:03:35 PM 1430 Views
You know Chas - 30/08/2009 07:08:50 PM 1398 Views
REally? snoopcester - 30/08/2009 07:11:06 PM 1661 Views
Re: REally? Chas - 30/08/2009 07:19:38 PM 1470 Views
Did you read the Horatio Hornblower series? Tashmere - 02/09/2009 12:17:00 AM 1368 Views
Oh, there are Hornblower books? Legolas - 02/09/2009 12:24:31 AM 1350 Views
They're very enjoyable. *NM* Chas - 02/09/2009 01:10:44 AM 805 Views
I saw the first of the mini-series. Good casting. Tashmere - 02/09/2009 02:44:48 PM 1593 Views
Tash has it..these books are wonderful. *NM* Missa Sedai - 25/09/2009 01:30:34 AM 891 Views
The first half. I've never been able to find the rest of them. *NM* Chas - 02/09/2009 01:10:11 AM 779 Views
It would be worth it to watch for the rest. Tashmere - 02/09/2009 02:46:21 PM 1606 Views
A couple that I enjoy Jacob - 31/08/2009 04:06:52 PM 1714 Views
I've read the Gates of Fire. Chas - 31/08/2009 11:29:42 PM 1540 Views
These two rock. Vodalus - 31/08/2009 06:15:14 PM 1517 Views
Perhaps not exactly the same... StoneDogAiel - 08/09/2009 02:16:18 AM 1228 Views
Wars of Light and Shadow definantly need to be added to the list *NM* Ryan - 30/08/2009 07:04:15 PM 789 Views
Re: Wars of Light and Shadow definantly need to be added to the list marekj - 31/08/2009 11:35:00 PM 1501 Views
Slash, please! rebelaessedai - 30/08/2009 08:13:33 PM 1532 Views
I'm assuming you already know about this one. Chas - 31/08/2009 01:44:39 AM 1617 Views
Oh, and Skin Folk Chas - 31/08/2009 01:52:58 AM 1551 Views
I knew about A Companion to Wolves. rebelaessedai - 31/08/2009 03:22:38 AM 1565 Views
I guess I need to broaden my horizons. Chas - 31/08/2009 11:24:07 PM 1493 Views
LOL! rebelaessedai - 02/09/2009 03:28:33 PM 1608 Views
So, I've read Shadow of the Wind ascott4321 - 30/08/2009 10:06:30 PM 1512 Views
I haven't read that one yet kcf - 31/08/2009 05:39:52 PM 1535 Views
Re: I haven't read that one yet ascott4321 - 31/08/2009 07:26:16 PM 1437 Views
Which aspect of the book are you talking about in particular? Legolas - 31/08/2009 06:34:26 PM 1681 Views
maybe various combinations of all those? ascott4321 - 31/08/2009 07:20:57 PM 1553 Views
The Historian Crink - 05/12/2011 04:56:40 AM 1448 Views
Thanks for your contribution, but not many people are likely to find it here. Legolas - 05/12/2011 10:14:04 PM 1464 Views
Then mayhaps a new thread? Crink - 06/12/2011 04:50:33 AM 1446 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 1481 Views
The Holy Grail of recommendation requests. Chas - 31/08/2009 12:59:50 AM 1720 Views
give Ken Scholes a shot kcf - 31/08/2009 05:37:11 PM 1615 Views
Will do. Chas - 31/08/2009 11:26:57 PM 1576 Views
I didn't think the characters were particularly week or one-dimensional kcf - 01/09/2009 03:42:06 AM 1548 Views
That's good to know. *NM* Chas - 02/09/2009 01:20:40 AM 774 Views
Well, Kay is very distinct... jh - 31/08/2009 11:37:45 PM 1524 Views
I've read the first one. Chas - 02/09/2009 02:15:38 AM 1446 Views
Well, it depends on which aspect of Kay you are looking at. StoneDogAiel - 08/09/2009 02:19:42 AM 1331 Views
comedic sci-fi mystery? *NM* Kylia Skydancer - 31/08/2009 03:57:52 AM 807 Views
Dirk Gently kcf - 31/08/2009 05:34:55 PM 1476 Views
Be careful with Rankin though Stephen - 31/08/2009 08:19:00 PM 1528 Views
I'd have said John Zakour and Lawrence Ganem *NM* Kylia Skydancer - 03/09/2009 10:16:06 AM 730 Views
Something like Michelle West's Sun Sword? *NM* *NM* Nyrende - 31/08/2009 04:49:51 AM 759 Views
Re: Something like Michelle West's Sun Sword? *NM* marekj - 31/08/2009 11:36:31 PM 1502 Views
The Cast In series... Nyrende - 01/09/2009 03:28:12 AM 1438 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 1568 Views
that would be awesome. *NM* Kylia Skydancer - 03/09/2009 10:17:36 AM 717 Views
Librarything does it Camilla - 21/09/2009 04:02:54 PM 1509 Views
Their system isn't great. jh - 26/09/2009 10:14:30 PM 1466 Views
Re: Their system isn't great. Camilla - 27/09/2009 10:07:53 AM 1540 Views
Yeah, but the accuracy is way off.... jh - 27/09/2009 04:34:07 PM 1414 Views
Re: Yeah, but the accuracy is way off.... Camilla - 28/09/2009 08:51:14 AM 1488 Views
Human error? You are being way too nice. Btw, I have a link for you. jh - 29/09/2009 10:02:35 AM 1769 Views
Hehehehe. Heheheheheheheheheeheheheeheeheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheh Camilla - 29/09/2009 10:05:26 AM 1528 Views
Something with a good magic system. *NM* Kronin al'Sulc - 31/08/2009 01:57:00 PM 816 Views
gotta be more specific kcf - 31/08/2009 05:35:47 PM 1465 Views
Something in-depth, and well used. Kronin al'Sulc - 31/08/2009 07:16:54 PM 1344 Views
Have you read Coldfire? Legolas - 31/08/2009 11:33:18 PM 1446 Views
Re: Have you read Coldfire? marekj - 31/08/2009 11:41:36 PM 1584 Views
Re: Have you read Coldfire? ascott4321 - 01/09/2009 12:15:48 AM 1437 Views
Ah, yes, now that you mention it. Legolas - 01/09/2009 12:17:41 AM 1591 Views
Re: Something with a good magic system. Jove - 01/09/2009 01:23:07 AM 1536 Views
I really liked the magic in: StoneDogAiel - 08/09/2009 02:23:50 AM 1323 Views
I like what Sanderson did in the Mistborn series *NM* Mossman - 26/09/2009 02:01:55 AM 745 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 1520 Views
Re: Hi, I want a book that seems like it was written on acid? Corporal Crusty - 01/09/2009 07:08:23 AM 1406 Views
Not really sci fi or fantasy Nyrende - 01/09/2009 08:30:45 AM 1551 Views
Try M. John Harrison. *NM* jh - 01/09/2009 01:49:43 PM 730 Views
Move Under Ground by Nick Mamatas kcf - 02/09/2009 12:21:32 AM 1492 Views
Meditations in Green by Stephen Wright Kylia Skydancer - 03/09/2009 10:20:45 AM 1408 Views
Have you read any William S. Burroughs yet? Larry - 07/09/2009 11:12:42 PM 1457 Views
People who say use the phrase "on acid" have rarely tried acid Ouranid - 29/09/2009 03:07:45 AM 1512 Views
Agree with this list... I would have typed one very similar. *NM* Jacob - 01/10/2009 03:21:31 PM 777 Views
Stand-alone novels Comet Sedai - 01/09/2009 02:31:07 AM 1482 Views
Master of Whitestorm ~ Janny Wurts Rebekah - 01/09/2009 01:52:27 PM 1513 Views
Lavinia by Ursula LeGuin. *edit* Chas - 02/09/2009 01:19:54 AM 1343 Views
Here are a few that I enjoyed Bryce - 03/09/2009 03:09:35 AM 1556 Views
Re: Stand-alone novels Kylia Skydancer - 03/09/2009 10:53:46 AM 1490 Views
Well, yes and no and sequels Comet Sedai - 03/09/2009 12:46:50 PM 1425 Views
Re: Well, yes and no and sequels Kylia Skydancer - 03/09/2009 02:18:40 PM 1708 Views
Regarding Tigana (spoilers) Comet Sedai - 03/09/2009 03:33:08 PM 1817 Views
Re: Regarding Tigana (spoilers) Kylia Skydancer - 04/09/2009 01:09:04 AM 1513 Views
Pretty much. *NM* Chas - 04/09/2009 03:22:26 AM 752 Views
By definition almost all of Kay's books are standalones. Chas - 03/09/2009 11:54:16 PM 1369 Views
All except for these. *looks amused* *NM* Kylia Skydancer - 04/09/2009 01:09:57 AM 706 Views
*shrug* I probably should have said half his books are standalones. Chas - 04/09/2009 03:21:25 AM 1371 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 1242 Views
Various Recommendations Meona Goodday - 03/09/2009 06:00:39 AM 1593 Views
hehe, so you like Lois's fantasy too eh? *NM* Kylia Skydancer - 03/09/2009 10:57:37 AM 654 Views
Yep yep! *NM* Meona Goodday - 03/09/2009 01:46:53 PM 753 Views
Have either of you read her Vorkosigan/Barrayar series? *NM* Tashmere - 04/09/2009 09:20:59 PM 666 Views
Nope. Have you? Meona Goodday - 05/09/2009 12:39:14 AM 1655 Views
~Forces self to remain calm and understated~ Tashmere - 05/09/2009 03:22:37 AM 1951 Views
~holds out library card~ Meona Goodday - 05/09/2009 03:34:25 AM 1971 Views
~Grins like a fool~ Tashmere - 06/09/2009 01:54:22 AM 1207 Views
Hehehe Meona Goodday - 06/09/2009 04:15:48 AM 1396 Views
I remember you!! Tashmere - 08/09/2009 03:58:53 AM 1342 Views
Re: I remember you!! Meona Goodday - 08/09/2009 02:37:11 PM 1362 Views
Kylia Skydancer - 08/09/2009 07:33:17 AM 1286 Views
You are interesting now that you have finally answered. Tashmere - 08/09/2009 11:20:50 PM 1259 Views
I've read Diplomatic Immunity... Kylia Skydancer - 08/09/2009 07:30:52 AM 1294 Views
No, no, no. You have to read them in order! Tashmere - 08/09/2009 11:18:47 PM 1328 Views
Anything similar to Neil Gaiman's American Gods? *NM* Soggy - 07/09/2009 10:34:45 PM 701 Views
Ekaterina Sedia, The Secret History of Moscow Larry - 07/09/2009 11:03:18 PM 1408 Views
Kate Griffin, A Madness of Angels Perdita - 19/10/2009 11:23:43 PM 1699 Views
Since I'm now a big fan of Angela Carter's work... Larry - 07/09/2009 11:04:30 PM 1513 Views
Well... StoneDogAiel - 08/09/2009 02:26:31 AM 1290 Views
No, I haven't read anything by her. jh - 23/09/2009 08:53:27 PM 1518 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 1502 Views
Perhaps. I will see after I finish my project. jh - 28/09/2009 06:19:31 PM 1523 Views
Horror Ouranid - 08/12/2009 03:07:00 PM 1416 Views
Thomas Ligotti! Larry - 11/12/2009 05:32:31 AM 1492 Views
Ray Bradbury's Something Wicked This Way Comes is excellent. Rebekah - 05/06/2010 04:07:26 PM 1274 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 1276 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 677 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 751 Views
These days, people here aren't fans of anything outside of expressing political opinions *NM* Larry - 22/11/2011 12:45:42 AM 678 Views
And Skyrim. Don't forget Skyrim! *NM* rebelaessedai - 08/12/2011 08:02:54 AM 718 Views
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