Quote (AchillesHK @ Fri, Oct 19 2007, 11:55am)
Epic, Medieval fantasy begins and ends with George RR Martin. (there are other good ones, but he's the best).
His 'A Song of Ice and Fire' series is magic light and intrigue heavy. His characters well drawn out and complex. He establishes a sense of realism to his world that few fantasy authors can touch. Moral ambiguity is the phrase of the day, with most sides and characters adopting varying shades of grey rather than the typical arch evil/white knight type of fantasy. Graphic in the language, violence, sex, etc. Fantasy for grown ups sort of thing. Though i was disappointed with his 4th book, his first 3 are amongst the best fantasy has to offer. Book 3 probably my favorite book I've ever read. I know this because I threw my hardcover across the room 3/4ths of the way through. ANY book that can compel that sort of reaction is damned good and damned powerful.
I'm sorry to hear about Goodkind. You deserve better. (que Kulith's entrance)
I'd also suggest Bakker's 'Prince of Nothing' trilogy which is essentially a fantasy retelling of the crusades with a completely amoral, sociopathic protagonist. Very intelligent, action packed (though some say the first book dragged early, I enjoyed the political maneuvering) with all the big battles and struggles you'd expect with a Crusades theme. (though most of them come in the 2nd and 3rd books). Great read.
And you'll find some sticking up with Erikson, who while not quite as talented, has created a fun little fantasy world that is a power-gamer's wet dream. Gods, superdemons, and uber-badasses duke it out on every other page. His best work ironically enough was also his LEAST magic/badass heavy storyline in book 2. His characterizations are a bit simplistic, but he did manage to create one of the best written female characters in fantasy. Both of those show up in book 2. And they're a constant reminder of what Erikson is capable of, but never really achieves through most of his books.
I'd characterize Eddings as mediocre. Back when few talented authors were writing epic fantasy, he was amongst the top. Now there are much better writers and better stories out there. The pond is bigger and Eddings now a small fish in it.
damn im gonna hafta try this martin guy, achilles wants to bear his children........he must b fantastic