What's the last good fantasy/sci book you could'nt put down?

[Leander]

So what's the last fantasy/scifi book that you read that was just so good you could'nt put it down until you were done reading it? I need a few recommendations, I'm in the mood for a good book.

For me the last really good scifi book was Orson Scott Card's "Ender's Game". For a long time I avoided this book because I thought it was aimed at a younger audience, but after hearing so many people praise it I finally took a chance on it. I literally read the book in 2 hours, it was utterly captivating. I've yet to read the sequels but if they are anything like the first book I'll eventually make my way around to them.

As for fantasy novels, George R.R. Martin's "The Song of Fire and Ice" series are amazing in every sense of the word. Forget what you know about typical fantasy books, this ain't your juvenile fiction about multi-colored dragons and happy dwarves. This book is down right gritty and hard hitting, the imagery is intense and the dialog is written so well you actually believe the events really took place. Without giving too much Martin is also one of the few authors who writes his stories in such a way that they reflect real life, heroes don't always win, villains are'nt always evil. I can't recommend his books enough for people who enjoy a good riveting read. Do yourself a favor and at least check one his books out from the library (preferably the first one in his Song of Fire and Ice series).



So what have you read recently that was good?

[stiltman]

i, Robot

[shelbyGT]

Chindi and/or Omega by Jack McDevitt (I believe I'm right on the author there).

Currnetly reading some Peter Watts 3 book series, it isn't too shabby.

Want to pick up the Red/Green/Blue Mars trilogy next time I'm at the library.

[Faustus]

Any Wheel of time books.

The Amber books by Rodger Zelazny

[ed_mc7]

Although most Asimov books were difficult to put down, the only book I distinctly remember not being able to put down from beginning to end (using my finger as a bookmark while grabbing food or going to the can) was SK's The Stand (the movie/miniseries did not do it justice). Read the whole thing in one sitting.

That was a looooooong time ago.

[bigmicka]

if you want poignant Scifi book to read. i have just re read Orwells 1984 couldnt put it down and couldnt believe how relevant it is to todays society.

mic

[Bodyslide]

Fred SaberHagen Book of Swords. I have reread these many times over the years. My son and daughter are now beginning to read them.

http://www.ugcs.caltech.edu/~warrior/12Swords/reviews.html

[offline]

Hmm... just about anything from Neil Stephenson.
If you like hard SF, he is your guy.

Andre Norton might be a good author for you
to try if you like a blend of fantasy/sci fi.

I don't read much pure fantasy so I can't
really suggest a title in that genre.

[lordsmurf]

I think it was some X-MEN/Star Trek crossover novel. Been a while since I read a fiction book, much less a really good book.

[Faustus]

Doh forgot the one book that should ALWAYS be mentioned.

ENDERS GAME!

If you've not get it and read it now... Now.

Stop dallying go get the damned book! NOW!

[AlecWest]

"The Quiet Pools" by Michael P. Kube-McDowell. When it comes to SF, I like more character-driven fiction than gadget-driven.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0743493044

Also, if you like alternate-history, try "Guns of the South" by Harry Turtledove:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0345384687

The latter book imagines a group of latter-day time travelers (all, South African white supremacists) who go back to the U.S. Civil War and supply the Confederacy with automatic weapons ... assuming a Confederate victory will cement slavery as an institution. They assumed wrong. Read the book.

[AlecWest]

Doh forgot the one book that should ALWAYS be mentioned.

ENDERS GAME!

If you've not get it and read it now... Now.

Stop dallying go get the damned book! NOW!

You're right. I've been procrastinating about getting that book myself. But, being that this forum is a place where "video-heads" hang out, I suspect they're all waiting for the film version, directed by noneother than Wolfgang Petersen (and still in pre-production Hell):

http://www.frescopictures.com/movies/ender/endersgame_update.html

The Internet Movie Database guestimates a 2006 release date. FWIW, there's a good Wikipedia page on Orson here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orson_Scott_Card

And, there's his homepage:

http://www.hatrack.com

not to mention his political homepage:

http://www.ornery.org

[neomaine]

I've just two such series, not just books.

The 'Genesis Quest'/'Second Quest' (have to read together) by Donald Moffit, and the Galactic Center series (6 books) by Greg Benford. Thoroughly enjoyed them both.

[rhegedus]

The Long Dark Tea-Time Of The Soul - Douglas Adams

[yoda313]

Hi,

I've read SPHERE (chricton), Jurrasic Park, LOST WORLD, and the entire LORD OF THE RING trilogy + THE HOBBIT.

For STAR TREK I've read a ton of them. I couldn't tell you which ones but probably more than twenty five easy. TOS, TNG, and DS9.

I'm trying to read ANDROMEDA STRAIN by CHRICTON but haven't gottne into it yet.

Kevin

EDIT - Of course most of the NON JEDI ORDER Star Wars novels.

[Solarjetman]

Doh forgot the one book that should ALWAYS be mentioned.

ENDERS GAME!

If you've not get it and read it now... Now.

Stop dallying go get the damned book! NOW!

I second that!

[Faustus]

Cards views on the "forbidden topics" aside he is an AWESOME author and Enders Game is one of thsoe rare books that IS all its cracked up to be.

I have a hard time with the book working on screen without being molested. They are awfully young kids to find actors to pull it off right, but then I'm willing to give benifit of the doubt until it SOMEDAY comes out.

[CuCuy]

American Gods by Neil Gaiman. Good book with an interesting premise written by a fantasy master.

[vitualis]

I have to agree with the above... Ender's Game is the best sci-fi book I have ever read.

The sequels, IMHO, are not very good (and get worse as the series progresses).

Regards.

[smearbrick1]

Fahrenheit 451 (is this Sci-Fi or fantasy?) and the entire Dark Tower series by Stephen King (except for that last one... that was one disappointing book.)

[pfh]

Sorry, not really fits the catagory but "The Hot Zone" was the last book I couldn't put down.

[Faustus]

I have to agree with the above... Ender's Game is the best sci-fi book I have ever read.

The sequels, IMHO, are not very good (and get worse as the series progresses).

Regards.

Got to disagree, I liked the squels also but I can understand how some wouldn't like them. I however found them very worthy. I will say the authors "views" came through ALOT more in them but I still think they were good. Also Bean is like Ender++.

[vitualis]

I liked the story line of the sequels but they were far from as well written as Ender's Game. I can't say for certain, but this is usually a sign that the sequels were not as heavily edited as the first.

In addition, some of the characters in the later books are inconsistent. There were many characters that were meant to be "brilliant" but it did not come through in their actions or dialogue. The most stark I found the the last "Bean" series book. Peter Wiggin is "supposed" to be brillant Hegemon of Earth but is more like a lost little boy.

Regards.