Kickass standalone fantasy adventure?

[Jayaprakash Satyamurthy]

I've been reading a fair amount of lit'ry stuff lately and need to take a break with something fun, fast and exciting. I'd really like to check out some fantasy adventure fare, but I don't want to read something that's part of a tightly linked series. And something that's original and fresh, please. Ideally I'd like to discover another Perdido Street Station, but I realise that may be asking a bit much. Failing that, what d'you think I should be reading?

 

[Jay]

Recently I made a lits of my 101 favorites (of course Mieville is represented) here http://www.fantasybookspot.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=471

Hope that helps

 

[Jayaprakash Satyamurthy]

That's a very cool list, but we seem to have been reading almost the same stuff, except that I'm totally avoiding series lately.

 

[PurpleDragon]

I know it's not Fantasy in the truest sense ( Probably more Sci-Fi ) But 'Earth Abides' is amazing. It really blew me away.

You can read a review here.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/1857988213/qid=1112179522/sr=8-1/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i1_xgl/026-8503147-5788435

 

[Jayaprakash Satyamurthy]

Huh. I do actually have the very book in my to-be-read stack - may as well give it a go.

 

[Rane Longfox]

I have a few that I'd recommend, but you've already talked about them elsewhere, so I guess you've already read them Stuff like The Etched City etc...

You might want to try something like Ian McLeod's "The Light Ages", which is pretty good

 

[dwndrgn]

Ok, this one isn't standard fantasy - basically it is a historical farce but it sure is fun and I'd definitely say it 'kicks a$$'. Anyone who enjoys Leiber's Grey Mouser would probably like it. It may be hard to find as it isn't being published anymore but I have a copy if you'd like to borrow it.

The Pyrates by George MacDonald Fraser

 

[Princess Ivy]

on the fantasy front, i'd recomend Ronan the barbarian - James Bibby (its extremely silly farce. but cleverly done and well written)
on the Sci-Fi front I'd recomend revisiting some Ira Levin clasics (stepford wives, boys from brazil, rosmary's baby) exceptionaly well done and chilling.

 

[Chimeco]

Fantasy/sci-fi - Matthew Woodring Stover - Heroes Die and Blade of Tyshalle (Blade is a must read!!!). They're violent though. But off the mainstream, very different. Blade of Tyshalle is my pocket bible.

Pure, unadulterated heavy sci-fi: Illium by Dan Simmons. On the back of the jacket cover is a list of reviews and one of them is from Stephen King, who says, "I am in awe of Dan Simmons." I normally don't pay much attention to printed advertising like that but I thought it was worth pointing out what one prominent author says about the book. After reading Illium, I agree completely.

 

[Rane Longfox]

Agreed re Illium. And although there is another one coming out later this year (Olympos), it still works as a stand-alone anyway

 

[tonic]

Anything Neil Gaiman but I think you've read alot of his stuff...I think it was you...

One of my favourite Fantasy Standalones is Redemption of Althalus but The Eddingses...I thought it was good.

 

[Winters_Sorrow]

on the fantasy front, i'd recomend Ronan the barbarian - James Bibby (its extremely silly farce. but cleverly done and well written)

Ha! I thought I was the only other person in the world to read that!
I picked it up for £1 in a bargain basment sale in a bookshop.
It is actually alright and worth the £1 I paid for it!

 

[Jayaprakash Satyamurthy]

Thanks ppl. BTW, Brood, I have read the Light AGes, and am eagerly looking forward to his new novel, a sequel of sorts. Not kickass adventure fare, but a very good novel.

 

[ravenus]

Pure, unadulterated heavy sci-fi: Illium by Dan Simmons. On the back of the jacket cover is a list of reviews and one of them is from Stephen King, who says, "I am in awe of Dan Simmons."...what one prominent author says about the book.

I don't think that was a book-specific comment because I have the same remark pasted on the back of Song of Kali by Simmons. It's more likely that King's remark refers to Simmons' work in horror.

 

[Tsujigiri]

Child of an Ancient City - Tad Willians and Nina Kiriki Hoffman.

It's a short novel with a distinct feel to it and I loved it as a break while I was reading throug the Nights Dawn Trilogy.

 

[Princess Ivy]

Ha! I thought I was the only other person in the world to read that!
I picked it up for £1 in a bargain basment sale in a bookshop.
It is actually alright and worth the £1 I paid for it!

I love puss the carnivorus donkey. but fave is anthrax...

 

[Winters_Sorrow]

I lost my copy years ago (in a move, funnily enough! ) but my fav was the wizard character (was that anthrax?).

Basically it was a long overdue p*sstake of the fantasy adventure story!

 

[Rane Longfox]

Oh, and if you're willing to venture into sci-fi, Neal Asher's "The Skinner" definately fits your needs

 

[rune]

Graham Joyce does some good fantasy/horror mixes that are standalone

 

[Jay]

Graham Joyce was a good recomendation, I'd also add Michael Swanwick.