[RealGatekeeper1]

I need a new, all consuming fantasy/ sci-fi series.

Last was Bakker & it utterly ruined me for pedestrian fantasy.

Read:
Cook, Martin, Lawrence, Bakker, all Malazan, Abercrombie, Morgan, Gibson, Clavell, all Blackwing…..

If you can see where my taste lies, please help with recommendations.

Really appreciate it.

[polishgenius]

Acts of Caine is definitely what you're looking for.

[RealGatekeeper1]

Thanks! Was literally at the used & found “Heroes Die”

Love the grit title.

[Slow Ben]

 polishgenius, on 12 January 2025 - 12:41 AM, said:

Acts of Caine is definitely what you're fucking looking for.

ftfy

[pat5150]

Since you seem to be into grimdark, do give Stephen R. Donaldson's The Gap series a shot. It's grimdark space opera before grimdark even became a thing.

[RealGatekeeper1]

You had me at “grimdark space opera”

Thanks, Pat!

[pat5150]

Like with Bakker, there's some incredibly dark stuff happening in that series. But it's still one awesome read!

[pat5150]

Another series that just might be right up your alley would have to be the Godless World trilogy by Brian Ruckley. All three volumes are currently on sale on Amazon and you can download the entire series for about 7$ here.

[Gabriele]

pat5150, on 12 January 2025 - 03:49 AM, said:

Another series that just might be right up your alley would have to be the Godless World trilogy by Brian Ruckley. All three volumes are currently on sale on Amazon and you can download the entire series for about 7$ here.

You don't see that recommended often. I second it, though.

John Gwynne, esp. his latest, the Bloodsworn trilogy, and Scott Oden's Grimnir Saga (a trilogy as well, those never die out ). Both are inspired by Viking cultures, makes you wonder why.

Historical Fiction can get pretty grimdark, too, esp. if the MCs find themselves on the losing side. Try Harry Sidebottom's standalone The Lost Ten; in case you like that he got plenty more books, the Throne of the Caesars trilogy and the Warrior of Rome series.

[RealGatekeeper1]

Thanks, Gabriele!

I’m getting a lot of new recommendations I’ve not even heard of.

😊

[Chance]

If you love Morgan and Blackwinged you need the Low Town Trilogy.

If you love Cook and Erikson you need Miles Cameron...yes all of it preferably starting with either Against all Gods or the Red Knight.

This post has been edited by Chance: Yesterday, 07:16 PM

[RealGatekeeper1]

Thanks, Chance. Looking forward to them.

[Abyss]

Slow Ben, on 12 January 2025 - 12:58 AM, said:

polishgenius, on 12 January 2025 - 12:41 AM, said:

Acts of Caine is definitely what you're fucking looking for.

f'ingftfy

F'ingftrtfufy

Also, thirding this reco. Great fucking series.

[Macros]

Chance, on 12 January 2025 - 07:14 PM, said:

If you love Morgan and Blackwinged you need the Low Town Trilogy.

If you love Cook and Erikson you need Miles Cameron...yes all of it preferably starting with either Against all Gods or the Red Knight.

Second for the Low Town trilogy by Polanski

[QuickTidal]

Abyss, on 13 January 2025 - 04:13 AM, said:

Slow Ben, on 12 January 2025 - 12:58 AM, said:

polishgenius, on 12 January 2025 - 12:41 AM, said:

Acts of Caine is definitely what you're fucking looking for.

f'ingftfy

F'ingftrtfufy

Also, thirding this reco. Great fucking series.

Fourthed. One of the best Abyss recommendations this site has ever produced for my money. Stover is amazing.

[champ]

QuickTidal, on 13 January 2025 - 12:48 PM, said:

Abyss, on 13 January 2025 - 04:13 AM, said:

Slow Ben, on 12 January 2025 - 12:58 AM, said:

polishgenius, on 12 January 2025 - 12:41 AM, said:

Acts of Caine is definitely what you're fucking looking for.

f'ingftfy

F'ingftrtfufy

Also, thirding this reco. Great fucking series.

Fourthed. One of the best Abyss recommendations this site has ever produced for my money. Stover is amazing.

Fuck yes he is!


Fuck...

[Abyss]

Macros, on 13 January 2025 - 05:40 AM, said:

Chance, on 12 January 2025 - 07:14 PM, said:

If you love Morgan and Blackwinged you need the Low Town Trilogy.
...

Second for the Low Town trilogy by Polanski

Gonna third this one too. Very well written, nicely dark, interesting MC, very effectively moves between high and low stakes storylines.

[Macros]

I'll go as far as to way I prefer it over Caine, I feel the last Caine book was s9 meh and almost self congratulatory, or something like that

[Abyss]

Macros, on 13 January 2025 - 04:12 PM, said:

I'll go as far as to way I prefer it over Caine, I feel the last Caine book was s9 meh and almost self congratulatory, or something like that

re bk 4 CAINE'S LAW

Spoiler

i ack Stover took some radical swerves away from the prior three books, but all the action and madness were still there, and I give him credit for attempting something that wild for the conclusion. I think he succeeded but i understand why some cold and dead inside lesser minds unappreciative mouth breathers heretics sub-standard chicken pot pies might feel otherwise.