Timewaster's Guide Archive

Mogul - Since you don't know me, or what I do, I'll give you the benefit of the doubt on your rudeness. I reviews books. All of them. I used to manage a bookstore. It was the #1 ranked Waldenbooks in the country--knowing what NOT to recommend is just as important (if not more so) than what TO recommend. I've had some training from Brandon Sanderson's Agent on the ins-and-outs of that job description. As a result, I read and finish pretty much every popular novel/series in the fantasy genre, and to a lesser extent SF, Horror and Mystery/Thriller. I have had connections in the publishing industry for years now, and a large number of editors, agents, publicists and authors seem to appreciate my opinions (not to mention the the hundreds of readers who go to my review bog daily).

So, when I say I have an opinion on Terry Goodkind, it is because I have read his work. All of it. Same with Terry Brooks who I hate. Stephanie Meyer who I hate. Dan Brown who I hate. If I only read books I liked, from a professional standpoint, I would be uninformed. If I only read novels I liked, from a personal standpoint, I wouldn't appreciate the awesomeness of great authors as much as I do now. I read books and series that I absolutely hate. I do it so I can give people legitimate opinions on a wide variety of novels across various genres and sub-genres. So don't insult me for having read books I detest so that I can have a complete and informed opinion. You see, people in a surprising number of countries rely on me for my opinions.

The op asked for novels with strong female leads. I gave a list of authors who have strong female characters who serve as leads. A strong lead doesn't mean that they are the only character who has a Prov. Once again, all of those authors have female characters who serve as leads. If you've read all of those series, as other readers here will attest, then you know that these authors have some of the strongest female characters in all of literature.

Wow, I had no idea you did all that (I'm new).  Now I really admire you for all of your work you have done.  Also I go on your website a lot now (sorry had a fanboy moment).

Bookstore Guy thank you for the warning.  You never know I've never heard of the guy so I might have wasted money on his book.  Thank you for the fair warning (note to self don't read Eldon Thompson or Newcomb).

I was listening to Writing Excuses  and was wondering the same thing.  I can't think of any authors who decided to write just because they read Tolkien.  Actually I take that back there was this one author (whose name escapes me) who wrote the Mithgar series( which I've heard is like himself writing his own adventures with his own cast of characters in Middle Earth).  I'm not sure when the first book came out and I'm not sure if that was the failure.  Hope that helps some.

Out of the two choices I would recommend Elantris(though I agree with you guys on Warbreaker).

Thanks for the help I will definitely try to finish the published books first and then try to obtain Scribbler through "certain methods." 

Yes well I'm actually about to start Elantris (I got 2 copies of it for Christmas) also I'm waiting to get Warbreaker in paperback.  I can't wait to read WoK because Dragonsteel was so good.  I will definitely check out the Alcatraz books.  Thank you.  I find it kind of sad that Brandon wont be able to write the Stormilight Archives Series very fast (or at least that's what I've heard from Peter) because he's so busy (though I'm not saying he should give Wheel of Time because that's also another book series I'm excited to read).

Awzome.  Do you know where I can find some.  It seems that pretty much anything Brandon writes is fantastic.  I've only read the Mistborn Trilogy, part of Scribller, part of Warbreaker, and part of the Liar of Partinel.  So as you can see I still have a lot more to read.