On the State of Science Fiction & Fantasy Today

[okamichan]

Dear Writers (and Publishers/Producers) of the Printed Word/Movie Industry,

Urban Fantasy is absolutely fine, faerie tales set in modern times with creatures from myths and legends. But.... Could we please have more than vampires and werewolves? And fae as well? THere's more to mythology than these three? It's nice that trolls and dragons are

Comments

[tiamat1972]

You want some excellent urban fantasy, try Charles De Lint. He has a little bit of everything. I can agree with you on the lack of good sci fi books. I love sci fi and have to read the old favorites for anything exciting. The new stuff is "meh".

[okamichan]

I keep hearing that name tossed around. I'll have to pull out one of his books next time I swing by the library.

Like I said, I don't read much Sci-fi (prefer to watch ^^;;), much of it seems rather droll. But hearing it from an avid reader makes it that much more disappointing.

[tiamat1972]

It's gotten to the point where I don't bother going into bookstores very often. And when I do, I generally just look for a few favorite authors

[okamichan]

Normally that's all I go to the bookstore for myself, but I still hope. *sigh*

I still haven't read Confessor (and I want to, because, you know, it's actually ending a series *cough*jordan*cough* and I want to see the end). I miss the days when the editors removed all that philosophical stuff and left the meat of the story. Because it has gotten more and more tedious since Faith of the Fallen (best of his works IMO). Still Goodkind is missing what I feel is essential to a fantasy story; magic (although maybe that's because he doesn't consider his own story fantasy).

I'd worry about any author who didn't allow bad things happen to their character. Although I feel the abusive background might be getting a tad cliche (but maybe that's from reading too many fanfics lol) I'll still give him a shot.

Hey I don't mind rants. Considering the fact that I'm ranting, why can't you rant? :D

[ajremix]

The first thing that comes to mind for science fiction

[ajremix]

Also I'd suggest picking up A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin. It's an epic fantasy and the first of what is to be an 8 book series, I believe? It's a fairly typical kingdom-type setting, but lots of intrigue, back-stabbing, and a civil war. On top of that there's imminent invasion of a sort of... ice wights and dragons from across the sea.

But I warn you- it is very long and you may want to kill some people going towards the end of the book.

[okamichan]

I've actually seen just about everything you listed lol (except for Firefly, and the BBC version of HGttG). I have the first two books to the Song of Ice and Fire, and it's still missing the magic that makes fantasy, fantasy. (though maybe it comes in later in the series :/)

I knew I'd forgotten about some Sci-fi movies that came out. ^^;;

[dunmurderin]

If you're looking for urban fantasy that doesn't focus on werewolves, vampires and the fae, you might try Supernatural. I checked the first season out of the library the other day and I was very happy to see that most of the episodes focus around American folklore (the wendigo, the Weeping Woman) and/or urban legends (Bloody Mary, the Hook on the Car Door). Vampires don't show up until nearly the end of the season, though I think they do show up more in seasons 2 and 3. The nice thing is that at least the show has a different take on vampires than the usual.

[okamichan]

I've seen the show advertised on TV, but since I don't watch much television, I've never had a chance to watch it. I'll rent the boxed set and give it a shot. (but they have to go into the vampires don't they *shakes head*) Thanks!