A question about contemporary fantasy

[fuzzyoctopus]

And then of course I always associate Garth Nix with Monica Furlong's "Wise Child" and "Juniper", because the same person did all the covers.

[Fellfrosch]

I've heard very good things about Sabriel, but I found Lirael unreadably dumb. maybe that's because I didn't read the first one, but from what I hear they're supposed to stand alone pretty well.

Robin McKinley, though, is great.

[stacer]

I'd say that Lirael wasn't as good as Sabriel, but I wouldn't necessarily classify it as "unreadably dumb." I think maybe it appeals more to the girl-types, though (like me!). I would suggest reading Sabriel first, as it makes a whole lot more sense. And I think that Abhorsen brings the first two books together and resolves the cliffhanger of Lirael.

[Fellfrosch]

I think my main problem with Lirael was that stupid dog. Some characters make me want to stop reading a novel--that one made me want to punch the author in the face.

[stacer]

Actually, I completely agree with you on the dog. I guess I just kind of skimmed every time it spoke. I kept thinking that the dog was some sort of evil force that she was allowing herself to be deceived by.


Have you read Abhorsen? The dog's existence is explained a little more.

(***Possible spoiler***) Its nature is rather like Mogget's, though I don't want to tell you too much if you haven't read it.

[Eagle Prince]

I thought I would just mention some I didn't notice had been yet.

Tales of Alvin Maker by Orson Scott Card
Word and Void by Terry Brooks
Saga of Recluce by LE Modesitt jr
Coldfire Trilogy by CS Friedman - this is a very awesome story