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.

[betsywhitt]

I've got the Alana series, but haven't read much of Pierce's other stuff. I'll keep in mind that there are more Tortall books.

I haven't read any of the others mentioned... I'll add them to the list for consideration. Thanks! :)

[tcastleb]

Alma Alexander's The Hidden Queen and Changer of Days. They have both desert nomadic tribes (which show up later in the book) and interfering gods. And there is significant time spent among the tribes. They're good books, and Alexander anghara is a very nice lady too.

All the Juliet Marillier books are epic 1st POV's, but they're based on Celtic or Norse mythos.

If you want desert stuff, there's always T.E. Lawrence's (Lawrence of Arabia's) Seven Pillars of Wisdom that chronicles Lawrences time among the tribes in Arabia. Non-fiction, but it's good.

Robin Hobb's Shaman's Crossing has interfering gods and a kid in military school, but he's raised to go to military school. Sherwood Smith's Inda also has military school (and very detailed tactics.)

If I think of anything else I'll let you know.

[betsywhitt]

Thanks! I'll look into these.

[_starlady_]

The Lions of Al-Rassan by Guy Gavriel Kay is deserts and epic fantasy. Beautifully written.

book recs

[nm8r67]

two series that come to mind are Terry Brooks' Shannarra series and I think it's Mercedes Lackey, Jouster, Alta, Santuary, Aerie (four books) series.

the second set is the run away, training type. the Shannarra series is the destiny type thing with some god type, magic stuff controlling things.

not sure if this will help.