Request for Book Recommendations

[betsywhitt]

I’m putting together my list of books to read for this upcoming school term, and I’ve come up against a bit of trouble. I know that some people out there have got to have ideas I haven’t considered, so I’m throwing this out to get a bit of help.

Here are my prime targets for things to find in required novels this term:

1. Books that have deities or

Comments

[devilwrites]

Brain fart.

Have any of the books I've recommended to you fall under those categories that I've mentioned? I can't remember. :-/

What have I recommended anyway, for that matter?

[betsywhitt]

Hmmm.... the list that you've recommended but I haven't read yet includes:

A Game of Thrones - George R. R. Martin
Assassin's Apprentice - Robin Hobb
The Sparrow - Mary Doria Russell
Warchild - Karin Lowachee
Bitterwood - James Maxey

There are a few others that you've pointed me toward without having read them yourself, but from what I can tell none of them really would apply here.

And I know someone has recommended Jacqueline Carey's Kushiel books - do I recall that those are first person? Maybe I'll investigate those more and see if one is appropriate...

[calico_reaction]

I haven't read BITTERWOOD yet, so I can't comment there.

The Martin you need to read period. I have no doubt that'll help you in some form or fashion.

Hobb is another must, but maybe not for your thesis.

Russell's is SF, but as far as religion goes, you should definitely read it. It might inspire you in ways I can't imagine. Or not. ;)

No rush on the Lowachee, but it is amazing and you must read it.

The others I haven't read I can't remember, but look them up on Amazon and double-check. :)

[calico_reaction]

Oh, and the Kushiel: I'm not how helpful that would be for your thesis, because it's more about sex and politics, but it's very good, so hey, give it a shot. The religious aspects are there and define the culture.

Though, you may want to check out MALEDICTE by Lane Robins. Fair warning, it's dark. IMHO, darker than Kushiel, though some would disagree.

That actually has a more active role of religion interacting with the people.

[calico_reaction]

Kushiel is in first, but Maledicte isn't.

[betsywhitt]

Yeah, I've had my eye out in bookstores and the library for both the Martin and the Hobb (or any good place to start with Hobb's writing) for several months now - but neither is ever on the shelf when I have a chance to pick them up. And of course I haven't gotten around to requesting through the library system.

I don't need everything to be in first, but I am interested in good examples of it being done within the genre - so choices like Maledicte aren't out of the question by any stretch. I do already have a prime first-person epic fantasy on the list for next term.

I need to read at least one of the Kushiel books before too long, whether it's on my required list or not, just for my own knowledge of recent market successes. I suspect I'll get to that in the coming year. I just have to be in the right mood for politics, whether or not they include sex. ;)

Thanks!

[devilwrites]

The only Hobb I've read is ASSASSIN'S APPRENTICE, which was her first book. I don't know, among her others, where a good place to start would be. With Kushiel, you definitely need to start with KUSHIEL'S DART.