Book Recommendation Thread

[Zephyrus]

Hi, folks! Post your book recommendations here. Let's try to make one big thread so people don't have to trawl 10 or 15 different "book search" or "book rec" threads.

I suggest posting the title, author, and a short synopsis/blurb as to why you're suggesting the book. I'll start with a few new books that I've read recently and follow up with some classics later.
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The Alex Verus Novels by Benedict Jacka

If you love Jim Butcher, which I do, you'll love Benedict Jacka! This is very much a classic urban fantasy setting, except the novels take place in London instead of Chicago.

Jacka explores several interesting concepts; the main protagonist isn't a very powerful mage, but his power can be incredibly broken if one has the skills and intelligence to use it correctly. The protag can see the future. I know, I know, it sounds lame and contrived. I enjoyed the breakdown and the way the author took great care to make sure that the protag didn't go into full blown Gary Stu mode.

I also enjoyed the exploration of "Dark" and "Light" mages in his books. The protag, if you're familiar with D&D alignments, is trying to achieve True Neutral, which is a lot harder than it sounds. Think of him as Switzerland in WWII.


The First Law Trilogy by Joe Abercrombie

This is a "dark, gritty" version of fantasy. Abercrombie's prose is frankly, magnificent in some places. I feel like he's the JJ Abrams of the fantasy community. He's written several other books set in the same universe and my god, they are amazing. I'm not terribly articulate about this series because I don't want to give anything away. If you enjoy tortured protagonists, backstabbing wizards, epic battles, and subterfuge, you'll love the hell out of this series.

 

[half baked cat]

Harry Potter series by J. K. Rowling

It is the series that go me into reading, and for that I shall always be thankful.

Dresden Files series by Jim Butcher

Take Harry Potter, age him to be an adult, add in some classic pulp mystery novels, sprinkle in more exploration of the magical world, and put it in Chicago. Oh, and:

 

[elof]

Confessions of a D-list SuperVillain by JBern.

 

[Glimmervoid]

How about Rivers of London by Ben Aaronovitch and its sequels.

Picture this... You are Peter Grant, a young black police officer in the Met (London police for those who don't know). Then you meat Detective Chief Inspector Thomas Nightingale, the Met's last wizard. The result is fast paced and fun.

Its urban fantasy and not in the same way as Dresden Files. Magic isn't so much secret as just not spoken of. In this universe, systematised magic was created by Sir Isaac Newton, and almost wiped out during WW2.

The best bits are when the modern Peter and archaic Nightingale play off each other.

Two of my favourite quotes are from the squeal, Moon over Soho

BLACK MAGIC, as defined by Nightingale, was the use of magic in such a way as to cause breach of the peace. I pointed out that a definition like that was so broad as to essentially include any use of magic outside of that authorized by the Folly. Nightingale indicated that he regarded that as a feature, not a bug.

“You can’t call them black magicians,” I said.

“You realize that we’re using black in its metaphorical sense here,” said Nightingale.

“It doesn’t matter,” I said. “Words change what they mean, don’t they? Some people would call me a black magician.”

“You’re not a magician,” he said. “You’re barely even an apprentice.”

“You’re changing the subject,” I said.

“What should we call them?” he asked patiently.

“Ethically challenged magical practitioners,” I said.

“Just to satisfy my curiosity, you understand,” said Nightingale, “given that the only people ever likely to hear us say the words black magician are you, me, and Dr. Walid, why is changing them so important?”

“Because I don’t think the old world’s coming back anytime soon,” I said. “In fact, I think the new world might be arriving.”

 

[burnerx7]

Tyrant and Long War series both from Christian Cameron, historical novels (focus in novel not in historical)

Tyrant series first two books are about a fictional (but based in true Athenians hippeis) Kineas from Athens, who was a mercenary at the service of Alexander the great in all the war against the Persian empire, the book is about how after beign dismissed by Alexander and exiled from Athens, Kineas travel to Bosforus were he has to protect his new city (and a barbarian girl whom he has just met) against Macedonia(?)

The second book is about the travel from the black sea to somewhere close to the modern Afganistan to fight against Alexander himself. After that the books cover the story of the sons of Kineas.

The long war covers the story from Arminestros from Platea, ancestor of Kineas and the fight against the Persian empire at the begining.

 

[Emerald Oracle]

I'll recommend the Pyramid series by Eric Flint and Dave Freer, and the Heirs of Alexandria by the same authors and Mercedes Lackey.

Pyramid series is about modern day folks, including an academic mythology nerd, a South African Biologist, a Janitor with an opaque background, two paratroopers, and a French gourmand, getting sucked into a plot by a device fo the alien Krim to screw around with Earth and humanity through so-called Mythworlds, based on ancient mythology and legend.

Heirs of Alexandria is an alternate history where the lynchpin event was that Saint Hypatia of Alexandria successfully used magic from the Library of Alexandria to stop the mob from burning it. This leads to a very different christian church and a dramatically altered Europe. The story starts in late medieval/Early Modern Venice when the last two sons of the ancient house of Valdosta are on the run from assassins. Other viewpoint characters include: the carousing Briton secondary heir to the Holy Roman Empire and his long-suffering viking bodyguard, Luciano Marina a Strega mage of note, and the villain of the piece, the Demon Chernobog, who has long since devoured the mortal fool who called him forth and sits upon the throne of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and Poland.

 

[khoange]

Prince of Thorns (The Broken Empire #1) by Mark Lawrence

"When he was nine, he watched as his mother and brother were killed before him. At thirteen, he led a band of bloodthirsty thugs. By fifteen, he intends to be king... "

Crazy and depravity is the watch word of the main character.

 

[Zephyrus]

Prince of Thorns (The Broken Empire #1) by Mark Lawrence

"When he was nine, he watched as his mother and brother were killed before him. At thirteen, he led a band of bloodthirsty thugs. By fifteen, he intends to be king... "

Crazy and depravity is the watch word of the main character.

This is an amazing series, by the way. I highly recommend it!

 

[the DragonBard]

Covenants by Lorna Freeman (and sequels)

Young soldier at a posting at the edge of nowhere has his long held secrets revealed when a talking cougar shows up during his patrol.

Has a somewhat similar feel to the Eddings' Belgariad/Mallorean, without the obvious Arthur references, and the quest for the magic item.

Favorite novel I've come across in 'years.'

 

[half baked cat]

Discworld Series By Terry Pratchett.

A lovely little spoof on the Fantasy genre, among a few others, that is a rather enjoyable and humorous read.

 

[Jakkun]

Riyria Revelations by Michael J. Sullivan

This is a fantasy series that follows two professional thieves. One is a rogue, the other is the muscle. It's a pretty fun series that has some very interesting characters. There are all the various classical races and each one was created by one of the gods. Originally it was six books, but got condensed to three as they had similar themes. There is also a prologue short story about how they got started. The three volumes are Theft of Swords, Rise of Empire, and Heir of Novron. The short is The Viscount and the Witch.

Codex Alera by Jim Butcher

Another fantasy series by the author of Dresden Files. This one takes place in a Romanesque setting with the people having spiritual powers that allow them to do things depending on the nature of the spirit, fire, water, earth, etc. Follows a young boy, Tavi, who does not have this ability for some reason, so has to make do without it. Pretty good series, though predictable in places.

 

[Emerald Oracle]

I will second the recommendation of Codex Alera, though I'll admit that it picks up a LOT about book three when he's figured out what he wants to do really.

Soon I Will Be Invincible, by Austin Grossman
A deconstruction of Silver Age superherodom that's alternatingly hilarious and tragic.

 

[Zephyrus]

Covenants by Lorna Freeman (and sequels)

Young soldier at a posting at the edge of nowhere has his long held secrets revealed when a talking cougar shows up during his patrol.

Has a somewhat similar feel to the Eddings' Belgariad/Mallorean, without the obvious Arthur references, and the quest for the magic item.

Favorite novel I've come across in 'years.'

I'm gonna try this out. If it's even remotely similar to the Belgariad, I'm going to enjoy the hell out of myself! I'll let you know what I think.

 

[Zephyrus]

Well, I'm up to chapter 15 in the Covenants series.

Honestly, the book is kind of boring and the writing is rather unsophisticated. It doesn't excite me or make me want to read much further than this. The pacing is terrible and honestly, I feel like I'm reading a novelized version of a Final Fantasy game.

I want to note that the book is not BAD. It's just not exciting and I definitely wouldn't rank it alongside the Belgariad.

And now, for my recommendations!

The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss

A lot of people accuse the main protagonist of this book to be a raging Gary Stu. I beg to differ. The main protagonist is merely very intelligent. And really, it's the only thing he has going for him.

This is an excellent story that takes the typical stereotype of a boy of lowborn birth becoming a legend and slams it out of the goddamn park. I honestly cannot recommend this enough. If you read nothing else I recommend, read this.

The Dark Tower Series by Stephen King

King is a goddamn master at horror. I can't adequately explain the awesome here, so I'm going to copy/paste a blurb from Wikipedia.

"In the story, Roland Deschain is the last living member of a knightly order known as gunslingers and the last of the line of "Arthur Eld", his world's analogue of King Arthur. Politically organized along the lines of a feudal society, it shares technological and social characteristics with the American Old West but is also magical. Many of the magical aspects have vanished from Mid-World, but traces remain as do relics from a technologically advanced society. Roland's quest is to find the Dark Tower, a fabled building said to be the nexus of all universes. Roland's world is said to have "moved on", and it appears to be coming apart at the seams. Mighty nations have been torn apart by war, entire cities and regions vanish without a trace and time does not flow in an orderly fashion. Sometimes, even the sun rises in the north and sets in the east. As the series opens, Roland's motives, goals and age are unclear, though later installments shed light on these mysteries."

 

[Glimmervoid]

Soon I Will Be Invincible, by Austin Grossman
A deconstruction of Silver Age superherodom that's alternatingly hilarious and tragic.

In a similar vane, I'd recommend In Hero Years... I'm Dead by Michael Stackpole.

Twenty years ago someone stole him away from Capital City. Having been released from captivity he returns to find everything changed. The great heroes of his day, men who could move planets or tear apart criminal syndicates, have all retired. A new breed of hero has sprung up to deal with a perplexingly new brand of villain. It's a world that makes no sense, and a world which, if he persists in playing the hero, will surely see him dead.

In Hero Years... I'm Dead mixes action, dark humor, satire and strong characters into a thrilling page-turner. It's superheroes facing challenges both in costume and out, battling a cunning enemy bent on destroying all they have worked so hard to preserve.

Personally, I'd say its really good. Stronger characters, interesting world and some of the back story twists I just didn't see coming.

 

[Emerald Oracle]

Hm, I'll have to give that one a look, I like Stackpole in general.

I will also recommend the Belisarius Series by David Drake and Eric Flint
One of histories greatest generals receives a message from the future and a proxy war ensues between Byzantine Rome and Malwa India for the fate of humanity. It's a fun time.

 

[tapeworm]

Most stuff by Larry Correia are pretty good. He's got three series going so far, with one just finished.

The first is the Grimnoir Chronicles, which is set in an alternate reality 30's with 'superheroes' being incorporated into an industrial setting. Torches (who manipulate fire) are hired to keep the super-Zeppelins created by mad-scientist Cog's from catching fire, gravity-manipulating Heavies are used as labor, etc. The setting is neat, the story is better. This is the series that just finished.

Monster Hunter International is a fairly standard 'secret world' modern day series, with the good guys being a private contractor group that collects bounties on the nasties.

Last is only a single book so far, Dead Six, is a kind-of-conspiracy/Illuminati story. Story flip-flops between two characters that start on opposite sides and are eventually drawn together by events.

 

[the DragonBard]

Well, I'm up to chapter 15 in the Covenants series.

Honestly, the book is kind of boring and the writing is rather unsophisticated. It doesn't excite me or make me want to read much further than this. The pacing is terrible and honestly, I feel like I'm reading a novelized version of a Final Fantasy game.

I want to note that the book is not BAD. It's just not exciting and I definitely wouldn't rank it alongside the Belgariad.

Okay, to each their own.

The entire series is called Borderlands, with Kings Own and Shadows Fall as the sequels to Covenants.

The Dark Tower Series by Stephen King

King is a goddamn master at horror. I can't adequately explain the awesome here, so I'm going to copy/paste a blurb from Wikipedia.

"In the story, Roland Deschain is the last living member of a knightly order known as gunslingers and the last of the line of "Arthur Eld", his world's analogue of King Arthur. Politically organized along the lines of a feudal society, it shares technological and social characteristics with the American Old West but is also magical. Many of the magical aspects have vanished from Mid-World, but traces remain as do relics from a technologically advanced society. Roland's quest is to find the Dark Tower, a fabled building said to be the nexus of all universes. Roland's world is said to have "moved on", and it appears to be coming apart at the seams. Mighty nations have been torn apart by war, entire cities and regions vanish without a trace and time does not flow in an orderly fashion. Sometimes, even the sun rises in the north and sets in the east. As the series opens, Roland's motives, goals and age are unclear, though later installments shed light on these mysteries."

Interesting thing is, is that it seems the Dark Tower series is kind of King's version of Heinlein's Number of the Beast, in that it connects many of his other works together into an interdimensional whole.

One of the villains of the Dark Tower was also in the Stand, Dragon Eyes, and Children of the Corn.

 

[lord geryon]

I'm sure this has been recced somewhere in this thread already, but I'm gonna do it myself, just in case.

I have been recently reading an noir urban fantasy series about a hidden side of the world where magic and legends and myths dwell, all quite real, and the main character is a private investigator that has a rather mighty reputation.

It's not the Dresden Files, or Hellblazer. It's the Nightside series by Simon R. Green.

It's nothing deep or thought-provoking, it's pure entertainment, and it has some awesome characters and ideas; Razor Eddie, the Punk God of Straight Razor, who once killed for money, pride, or just because he could, but an epiphany made him into a force for good that leaves behind blood but no corpses, though good didn't get a say in the matter. Shotgun Suzie, aka Suzie Shooter, aka Oh Shit, It's Her, RUN. Jessica Sorrow the Unbeliever, who believes in nothing so perfectly that nothing can touch her, but at the cost of believing in nothing. The Walking Man, the wrath of God made incarnate who cannot be stopped so long as he walks God's path. Merlin Satanspawn, who sat on his iron throne and told the armies of both Above and Below to STFU, and they obeyed. The Speaking Gun, the one weapon that can destroy anything including angels, speaks one of God's Words backwards, and whatever thing belonged to that Word is gone forever. Heard of the Holy Grail, Jesus's cup from the Last Supper? Well, what about the Unholy Grail, the cup Judas drank from?

I'm only on the third novel atm, but it's not failed to entertain. I do recommend it.

And reading back, I realize there is quite a bit mention of God. This is not a Christian novel series, the protagonist quite firmly tells us that the attention of either the Above or the Below is seriously bad for you health.

 

[da_fox2279]

I have to rec the WildCards series of books, edited by George R.R. Martin. An alien virus get let loose in the skies above New York City, spreads around the world, and now we have people with superpowers. It's a great look at how comic book worlds would look if they happened Real-Life. One of my favorite series.

20th Century Ghosts and Horns by Joe Hill. The first is a collection of horror/horror themed stories. Some really chilling ones here, including a story about the children of Van Hellsing.

Horns is about a man, suspected of murdering his girlfriend a year prior, who wakes up after a night of drinking to discover he has devil horns growing out of his forehead. When he gets around people, they compusively tell him their darkest thoughts. A pretty good read.

 

[troutpeoples]

The one books series I cannot recommend enough is called The Midnighters by Scott Westerfeld (same guy who's really popular for another series called 'The Uglies' which is inferior in every single way). Set in a little ho-dunk town in Oklahoma, starting with the 'new kid to town, new kid in school' cliche, shit gets real when the main character chick wakes up at Midnight and finds out that the world and everything in it is essentially frozen in time, save for her and a few other choice people gifted with superpowers (and monsters that want to eat her face off).

It's been my favorite young adult book series for freaking ever - more than Artemis Fowl, more than Harry Potter - and thus far, no one I've recommended it to has actively disliked it.

Next up is really anything by Niel Gaiman - though my personal favorite is Neverwhere, with American Gods coming in as a close second. I would give a description, but really I just sort of assume everyone's read them already, or is familiar with Mr. Gaiman through one sort of media or another.

And lastly, for those who hang around Cracked.com at all, This Book is Full of Spiders(seriously, dude, don't touch it) by the gentleman known under the pseudonym David Wong. It's the sequel to the what-the-fuck-am-I-reading acid trip known as John Dies at the End, only this one actually has a discernible plot, given that it was written as a book and not just internet-blog short stories that were all thrown together like the first one was, and it's a rather good plot at that, with suspense and drama and no-they're-not-zombies and excessive amounts of swearing.

You know. The good things.

 

[oysterbro]

Right, gonna throw in my personal favorite series here.

The Sharpe Series, by Bernard Cornwell, is a compilation of novels and short stories detailing the life and trials of one Richard Sharpe, a soldier in the British army during the Napoleonic era. It's major themes focus on Sharpe's drive for acceptance from his fellow officers and men under his command, given that he's gutterborn. The portryal of combat during that time period is detailed as well, and over all it's a very engaging read. The format can become slightly stilted, (Sharpe shows up/is ordered to a location. One or more of the commanding officers there is a completely useless fop. Class conflict between Sharpe and the officer occurs. Sharpe meets a pretty lady. A fight occurs, and a supporting character is wounded, sometimes fatally. Sharpe is a badass. The fop does something stupid and either gets away or is killed by Sharpe during the climactic battle) but all the same it's a amazing read.

 

[daniel_gudman]

There was a British TV series adaption of those books. They were pretty good, I guess; my roommate watched them so I only saw them tangentially.

 

[the DragonBard]

One series I want to recommend is Tom Swift.

It's a YA series that's been around since my 'grandmother's' day...

Literally. My grandmother used to read these things.

The series is about a young genius inventor (there's a continuation series that focuses on Tom Swift Jr, his son) who invents something, and then goes and has adventures based around that invention.

The series is written under the pseudonym of Victor Appleton by various authors over the past several decades. There are at least seven different series, though my personal favorite is the one that came out in the early 80s.

 

[Draculthemad]

"Seanan Mcguire" is a published author that also has a free superhero web serial up on her homepage, thats pretty good.
Its also been published as "Velveteen vs. The Junior Super-Patriots".

Link:
http://seananmcguire.com/velhome.php