Best Sword and Sorcery

#21 Guest_bluesman_*

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Posted 24 June 2005 - 04:13 PM

I'm actually about to buy some Moorcock books for the first time. I know he's a great technician but I haven't come around to him before now. Mostly because I havent read much fantasy before I met GRRM:s world Posted Image

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Since his list is huge (with emphasis on huge). Where to start?

BM

#22 Tiste Simeon

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Posted 23 May 2005 - 05:36 AM

How would you define a swords and sorcery book against other types of fantasy?

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#23 Dagger

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Posted 08 June 2005 - 08:45 AM

I would define it as sword and sorcery if it matches certain archtypes: a hero who relies on sword (or axe), damsel(s) in distress, and either a supernatural creature(s) to battle or a wizard.

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#24 Guest_johnturing_*

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Posted 08 June 2005 - 10:10 AM

quote:
Originally posted by bumble:
I'm gonna be slated for saying this, but: Magician by Feist.

Feist doesn't seem like Sword&Sorcery much, I thought it was much closer to epic/high fantasy. I liked Magician, but I don't consider it Sword&Sorcery.

For me, it would probably be David Gemmell (I haven't read many sword and sorcery novels - but I am getting Fritz Leiber's first book of Lankhmar and Moorcock's first few Elric books).

#25 euol

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Posted 23 June 2005 - 10:54 PM

You know, I thought I'd hate Gemmel. I saw him once at a con, and he called himself the "Louis L'Amour" of fantasy. He said he tended to use the same kinds of plots, with the same kinds of gritty characters in the same kinds of situations.

Then I read one of his books, and I was really drawn in. I guess this is the power of Sword and Sorcery. You know what is going to happen--you know who the good guys and the bad guys are, and you aren't really worried about complex character arcs. Yet, Gemmel wrote this all so well that I was able to just sit back and enjoy myself. There's a lot to be said for that, I think.

Though, to be honest, I think my absolute favorite books in this genre were the Hawk and Fisher novels by Simon R. Green. Quick, easy, and fun. I had a great time reading those.

#26 Guest_Optimus_*

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Posted 25 June 2005 - 09:38 AM

I have the Lankhomar books and they are awesome. I would say they are more traditional S&S than authors like Gemmel because of the short story structure.

My favourite story from them is the very first one, Fafhrd's escape from Cold Corner, an absolute classic.

The only Gemmel books I have are the 2 "Skillgannon the Dammed" books, which I liked alot.

My nomination for best S&S is Master of the Five Magics by Lyndon Hardy.