[UPDATE: And here are 18 more from Ms. Bond, who is more knowledgeable of this genre than I am. I too would add Kelly Link to the list, along with Neil Gaiman, Terry Pratchett, George R.R. Martin, and Philip Pullman -- to name but only a few.]
[UPDATE 2: A call from Matt Cheney for Harry Potter alternatives.]
Posted by DrMabuse at July 15, 2005 09:57 AMI don't suppose it would be possible to read these authors and J.K. Rowling.
Oh, and Ed, Marion Zimmer Bradley? Really?
Posted by: Abigail at July 15, 2005 02:03 PMYou could read Rowling and these authors. But I'd venture to say that you'd have a better reading experience with any of these eighteen. And what exactly is wrong with Marion Zimmer Bradley?
Posted by: ed at July 16, 2005 04:39 AMWell, I only have The Mists of Avalon to judge by, but it was one of the very worst books I read last year. 1000 pages of conniving, manipulative women and foolish men having the same conversation over and over and over again and not coming to any conclusion. And for a so-called 'feminist' story, it certainly didn't give a damn about the lives of women. The characters go on and on about how the loss of Goddess worship is horrible for ordinary women, but we never meet any of them. We don't know what their lives are like, or how the loss of Goddess worship changes them. The entire book is merely an excuse to peddle Bradley's revisionist history.
It's possible that Mists is an aberration, but from what I've heard of the plots of Bradley's other books (she was a priestess of Avalon. He was a Roman legionnaire. Their love was forbidden. OR WAS IT?) I doubt it.
As for the other writers on you list, it's been while since I read L. Frank Baum, but from what I remember the Oz books are insipid and so goody-goody that the Judy Garland movie is actually a spiced up version of The Wizard of Oz. Connie Willis... Well, she's funny, but to my mind she's never written her masterpiece. Passage was boring; Doomsday Book was a kind of Frankenstein creature - a tragedy and a farce sewed together to make a horrible abomination that is neither funny nor touching, and also quite boring; To Say Nothing of the Dog is funny but frothy and insignificant.
Much as I've tried, I don't have the Ursula K. Le Guin gene. A Wizard of Earthsea was beautiful but uninvolving, the characters merely faint pencil sketches on the page. I had a similar reaction to Wolfe'd The Shadow of the Torturer.
I've read and very much enjoyed Carter, Harrison, Miéville, Link, Gaiman and Pratchett, and with some reservations also Lieber and Peake.
Philip Pullman is the antichrist.
Are there better fantasy writers than J.K. Rowling? Certainly (in fact, I don't think of the HP books as fantasy in any meaningful way). Are the Harry Potter books, nevertheless, damn fine reads? Just as certainly.
I'm sorry but I have to agree. Mists of Avalon was one of the worst books I too have read. It felt like trudging through hours of mud to get to the end and I did finish it but definitely a horrible experience
Posted by: Nick at July 20, 2005 08:30 AMInteresting list. Personally, I'd suggest Lawrence Watt-Evans, Terry Pratchett and Philip Pullman. But not 'instead', perhaps :)) Even if I'm not especially delighted with the last HP book, still, 3rd and 4th HP were, in my opinion, magnificent.
Posted by: Tadeusz Jasienski at July 22, 2005 11:13 AMGood blog
Posted by: Misho at September 1, 2005 05:52 PMBody Building Magazine
Posted by: Body Building Supplement at September 2, 2005 05:41 AMFoot Job
Posted by: Job Listing at September 7, 2005 01:36 AMFREE SPYWARE
free spyware removal
spyware free remover
Free Spyware
spyware
Free Spyware
Liquid Measurement Chart
Posted by: Unit Of Measurement at September 29, 2005 06:39 AMPpc Search Engine
Posted by: Rotary Engine at October 4, 2005 04:03 AMcialis uprima viagra cialis 20mg http://pushkinsasha.latinowebs.com/cialis/cialis_tablets.html cialis generic india cialis commercial http://pushkinsasha.latinowebs.com/cialis/generic_cialis.html and .... cialis europe cialis fda http://pushkinsasha.latinowebs.com/cialis/www_cialis.html cialis approval avodart cialis clomid diflucan dostinex gluco http://pushkinsasha.latinowebs.com/cialis/levitra_cialis.html canada cialis generic where to buy cialis http://pushkinsasha.latinowebs.com/cialis/cialis_on_line.html .Thanks.
Posted by: airfox cialis at October 6, 2005 04:07 AMlipitor antifungal lipitor palpitations http://pushkinsasha.latinowebs.com/lipitor/side_effects_of_lipitor_drugs.html lipitor commerical sexual side effects lipitor http://pushkinsasha.latinowebs.com/lipitor/buy_lipitor.html and .... lipitor side effects liver lipitor side effects http://pushkinsasha.latinowebs.com/lipitor/uses_for_lipitor.html cheap lipitor lipitor heart palpitations http://pushkinsasha.latinowebs.com/lipitor/differences_between_pravachal_and_lipitor.html lipitor info lipitor effects http://pushkinsasha.latinowebs.com/lipitor/enzimes_to_high_from_lipitor.html .Thanks.
Posted by: generic lipitor at October 6, 2005 04:07 AMcialis mexico www cialis com http://eblomobstol.pcadsl.com.tw/cialis/cialis_testimonials.html cialis eli lilly cialis icos http://eblomobstol.pcadsl.com.tw/cialis/anti_cialis_impotence.html and .... buy generic cialis generic cialis online http://eblomobstol.pcadsl.com.tw/cialis/cialis_prescription.html cialis overnight off shore cialis http://eblomobstol.pcadsl.com.tw/cialis/cialis_forum.html cialis vardenafil cialis online http://eblomobstol.pcadsl.com.tw/cialis/order_cialis_online.html .Thanks.
Posted by: cialis comparison viagra at October 6, 2005 04:58 AMlipitor dangers side effects what time of day to take lipitor http://eblomobstol.pcadsl.com.tw/lipitor/delaware_lipitor_trial.html muscle cramps lipitor muscle problems with lipitor http://eblomobstol.pcadsl.com.tw/lipitor/lipitor_editorial.html and .... lipitor and erectile dysfunction side effects lipitor 10 mg http://eblomobstol.pcadsl.com.tw/lipitor/hair_loss_and_lipitor.html muscle pain caused by lipitor drug lipitor http://eblomobstol.pcadsl.com.tw/lipitor/lipitor_class.html lipitor neuropathy lipitor alzheimers http://eblomobstol.pcadsl.com.tw/lipitor/lipitor_warnings.html .Thanks.
Posted by: lipitor problems with at October 6, 2005 04:58 AMzyban commercial zyban about feedback http://eblomobstol.pcadsl.com.tw/zyban/how_zyban_works.html side effects to zyban zyban sales http://eblomobstol.pcadsl.com.tw/zyban/prescription_vioxx_zyban.html and .... tell me about zyban pill prescription zyban http://eblomobstol.pcadsl.com.tw/zyban/buy_canadian_zyban.html zyban on line buy zyban online canada http://eblomobstol.pcadsl.com.tw/zyban/zyban_does_it_work.html zyban sales tell me about zyban http://eblomobstol.pcadsl.com.tw/zyban/zyban_info.html .Thanks.
Posted by: glaxo zyban at October 6, 2005 05:33 AMzyban pill foreign zyban http://pushkinsasha.latinowebs.com/zyban/zyban_side_affect.html glaxo zyban buy zyban online http://pushkinsasha.latinowebs.com/zyban/zyban_directions_quitting_smoking.html and .... zyban advantage plan zyban drug information http://pushkinsasha.latinowebs.com/zyban/canadian_drugs_zyban.html cheap zyban online lead investigator for zyban http://pushkinsasha.latinowebs.com/zyban/online_question_zyban.html zyban sales anti drug smoking zyban http://pushkinsasha.latinowebs.com/zyban/use_zyban.html .Thanks.
Posted by: zyban wellbutrin safety at October 6, 2005 05:33 AMscratching inside head paxil withdrawal alcohol mixing paxil http://pushkinsasha.latinowebs.com/paxil/remedies_for_paxil_withdrawl_symptoms.html paxil bipolar zoloft vs paxil http://pushkinsasha.latinowebs.com/paxil/is_paxil_safe_during_pregnancy.html and .... paxil withdrawal relief cr fda paxil recall http://pushkinsasha.latinowebs.com/paxil/paxil_weight_gain.html paxil weight gain paxil and child http://pushkinsasha.latinowebs.com/paxil/paxil_withdrawal_months.html paxil online paxil and alcohol interaction http://pushkinsasha.latinowebs.com/paxil/cr_paxil_withdrawl.html .Thanks.
Posted by: depression and st_johns wort and paxil and weight at October 6, 2005 07:42 AMtracy soma soma overdose http://pushkinsasha.latinowebs.com/soma/picture_of_soma.html buy soma cheap soma magazine http://pushkinsasha.latinowebs.com/soma/soma_by_chicos.html and .... soma addiction temp soma http://pushkinsasha.latinowebs.com/soma/soma_overdose.html soma san diego ca prozac soma http://pushkinsasha.latinowebs.com/soma/akane_soma_picture.html what is soma temp soma mattress topper http://pushkinsasha.latinowebs.com/soma/generic_soma.html .Thanks.
Posted by: buy discount soma at October 6, 2005 07:47 AMavodart cialis clomid diflucan dostinex gluco clomid if fertile http://pushkinsasha.latinowebs.com/clomid/clomid_hyperstimulation.html clomid low progesterone multiple births clomid http://pushkinsasha.latinowebs.com/clomid/what_days_should_you_have_sex_when_you_take_clomid.html and .... clomid 200 mg irregular cycles due to clomid http://pushkinsasha.latinowebs.com/clomid/clomid_side_effects_baby.html how long is your cycle on clomid clomid side effects with iui http://pushkinsasha.latinowebs.com/clomid/ovulation_after_taking_clomid.html how often do i take clomid clomid and alcohol http://pushkinsasha.latinowebs.com/clomid/i_took_clomid_i_ordered_online.html .Thanks.
Posted by: clomid rates of success at October 6, 2005 07:49 AMmeridian line meridia testimonies http://pushkinsasha.latinowebs.com/meridia/does_meridia_work.html meridia yucatan mexico population facts 2004 meridia over sea http://pushkinsasha.latinowebs.com/meridia/cheapest_fastest_meridia.html and .... cheap meridia without prescription wellbutrin and meridia http://pushkinsasha.latinowebs.com/meridia/meridia_and_side_effects.html euclid hospital meridia cheap meridia no prescription http://pushkinsasha.latinowebs.com/meridia/meridia_cost.html meridia buy meridia testimonies http://pushkinsasha.latinowebs.com/meridia/how_much_weight_did_you_lose_with_meridia.html .Thanks.
Posted by: meridia cases at October 6, 2005 07:50 AMpaxil and hair loss cheap paxil online http://eblomobstol.pcadsl.com.tw/paxil/paxil_antitrust.html paxil cr and weight gain quiting paxil http://eblomobstol.pcadsl.com.tw/paxil/paxil_get_high.html and .... generic paxil cr can you drink alcohol with paxil http://eblomobstol.pcadsl.com.tw/paxil/paxil_cr_recall.html buy paxil online gabitril with paxil http://eblomobstol.pcadsl.com.tw/paxil/paxil_and_ecstasy.html paxil and illegal drugs dimenhydrinate http://eblomobstol.pcadsl.com.tw/paxil/i_want_side_effects_on_paxil_cr.html .Thanks.
Posted by: paxil sexual side effects at October 6, 2005 08:13 AMside effects of imitrex imitrex coupon discount http://pushkinsasha.latinowebs.com/imitrex/side_effects_imitrex.html imitrex overdose com imitrex http://pushkinsasha.latinowebs.com/imitrex/imitrex_injection.html and .... cheap imitrex medication imitrex http://pushkinsasha.latinowebs.com/imitrex/imitrex_anda.html imitrex paragraph iv difference from frova and imitrex http://pushkinsasha.latinowebs.com/imitrex/imitrex_dosage.html imitrex paragraph iv imitrex statdose http://pushkinsasha.latinowebs.com/imitrex/canada_imitrex.html .Thanks.
Posted by: imitrex dairy at October 6, 2005 08:16 AMzoloft murder imitrex and zoloft http://pushkinsasha.latinowebs.com/zoloft/zoloft_headache.html zoloft generic zoloft side effects mayo http://pushkinsasha.latinowebs.com/zoloft/zoloft_tiredness.html and .... zoloft with other medicne zoloft max dosage http://pushkinsasha.latinowebs.com/zoloft/zoloft_ocd.html zoloft interaction cold medicine drugs side effects safety grandparents zoloft http://pushkinsasha.latinowebs.com/zoloft/side_affects_of_zoloft.html zoloft and toporol zoloft children http://pushkinsasha.latinowebs.com/zoloft/stop_zoloft.html .Thanks.
Posted by: best time of day to take zoloft at October 6, 2005 08:16 AMzoloft pills secret side effects of zoloft http://eblomobstol.pcadsl.com.tw/zoloft/hair_loss_zoloft.html the effects of zoloft zoloft common side effects http://eblomobstol.pcadsl.com.tw/zoloft/long_term_effect_of_zoloft.html and .... zoloft sertraline pregnancy and zoloft http://eblomobstol.pcadsl.com.tw/zoloft/zoloft_&_marijuana.html zoloft pregnancy zoloft forum http://eblomobstol.pcadsl.com.tw/zoloft/cortisol_zoloft.html zoloft progesterone zoloft and sleep problems http://eblomobstol.pcadsl.com.tw/zoloft/zoloft_withdrawal.html .Thanks.
Posted by: zoloft on line at October 6, 2005 08:17 AMcheap pravachol pravachol and grapefruit http://pushkinsasha.latinowebs.com/pravachol/lipitor_versus_pravachol.html itching pravachol pravachol causing male breast enlargement http://pushkinsasha.latinowebs.com/pravachol/missouri_attorney_general_pravachol.html and .... chelation therapy online pravachol pravachol side affects http://pushkinsasha.latinowebs.com/pravachol/no_prescription_pravachol.html pravachol grapefruit juice pravachol order http://pushkinsasha.latinowebs.com/pravachol/difference_between_lipitor,_pravachol.html pravachol pravastatin interactions with pravachol http://pushkinsasha.latinowebs.com/pravachol/pravachol_joint_pain.html .Thanks.
Posted by: line pravachol at October 6, 2005 08:17 AMdrug soma prescription drug soma http://eblomobstol.pcadsl.com.tw/soma/soma_online_pharmacy.html aura soma & the archangel metatron prozac soma http://eblomobstol.pcadsl.com.tw/soma/buy_soma_on_line.html and .... soma addiction soma fm http://eblomobstol.pcadsl.com.tw/soma/bicycle_soma.html soma medicine soma carisoprodol http://eblomobstol.pcadsl.com.tw/soma/carisoprodol_online_soma.html make with soma cube soma drug history http://eblomobstol.pcadsl.com.tw/soma/sd_soma.html .Thanks.
Posted by: soma muscle at October 6, 2005 08:18 AMpreconception and clomid time line of clomid http://eblomobstol.pcadsl.com.tw/clomid/clomid_and_prednisone.html clomid use in men clomid and male infertility http://eblomobstol.pcadsl.com.tw/clomid/should_ovulex_be_taken_with_clomid.html and .... avodart cialis clomid diflucan dostinex gluco clomid cycle http://eblomobstol.pcadsl.com.tw/clomid/nolvadex_and_clomid.html going from clomid pills to shots clomid how to use http://eblomobstol.pcadsl.com.tw/clomid/clomid_infertility.html progesterone and clomid no perscription clomid http://eblomobstol.pcadsl.com.tw/clomid/clomid_pregnancy.html .Thanks.
Posted by: dosage of clomid at October 6, 2005 08:18 AMmg meridia buy meridia online http://eblomobstol.pcadsl.com.tw/meridia/order_meridia_by_phone.html does meridia really work phentermine vs_ meridia and effectiveness compared http://eblomobstol.pcadsl.com.tw/meridia/meridia_drug_interactions.html and .... meridia use pay for meridia http://eblomobstol.pcadsl.com.tw/meridia/meridia_history.html meridia weight loss stories meridia diet pills http://eblomobstol.pcadsl.com.tw/meridia/meridia_personal_experience.html how does meridia work death from meridia http://eblomobstol.pcadsl.com.tw/meridia/meridia_law_suit.html .Thanks.
Posted by: meridia law suit at October 6, 2005 08:22 AMcheap flomax online benefits of taking flomax http://pushkinsasha.latinowebs.com/flomax/flomax_information.html flomax and elevated blood sugar alternative to flomax http://pushkinsasha.latinowebs.com/flomax/flomax_patent_expiration.html and .... flomax reaction urinary drug flomax http://pushkinsasha.latinowebs.com/flomax/neurogenic_bladder_and_flomax_and_women.html flomax negative side effects prescription drugs flomax http://pushkinsasha.latinowebs.com/flomax/flomax_information.html flomax flomax prescription http://pushkinsasha.latinowebs.com/flomax/flomax_4mg.html .Thanks.
Posted by: better flomax sex at October 6, 2005 08:27 AMmedicine flomax generic flomax http://eblomobstol.pcadsl.com.tw/flomax/flomax_information.html flomax medication flomax pumps http://eblomobstol.pcadsl.com.tw/flomax/affect_flomax_side.html and .... side effects for flomax drug tongue swelling and flomax http://eblomobstol.pcadsl.com.tw/flomax/the_drug_flomax.html flomax generic flomax online http://eblomobstol.pcadsl.com.tw/flomax/flomax_prostate.html flomax order flomax http://eblomobstol.pcadsl.com.tw/flomax/flomax_and_prostate_cancer_prevention.html .Thanks.
Posted by: the drug flomax at October 6, 2005 08:27 AMcoupons for imitrex imitrex coupon http://eblomobstol.pcadsl.com.tw/imitrex/imitrex_pills.html imitrex prescription imitrex and zoloft http://eblomobstol.pcadsl.com.tw/imitrex/side_effects_of_imitrex.html and .... online imitrex imitrex free http://eblomobstol.pcadsl.com.tw/imitrex/imitrex_dosage.html drug imitrex interaction imitrex substitue http://eblomobstol.pcadsl.com.tw/imitrex/coupons_imitrex.html imitrex prescription imitrex substitute http://eblomobstol.pcadsl.com.tw/imitrex/free_imitrex_sample.html .Thanks.
Posted by: imitrex i-2 tablets at October 6, 2005 08:27 AMpravachol side effects lipitor versus pravachol http://eblomobstol.pcadsl.com.tw/pravachol/no_prescription_pravachol.html pravachol grapefruit juice know more about the medicine pravachol http://eblomobstol.pcadsl.com.tw/pravachol/drug_pravachol.html and .... pravachol order pravachol a blood thinner http://eblomobstol.pcadsl.com.tw/pravachol/side_effects_of_pravachol.html pravachol effects sex lipitor versus pravachol http://eblomobstol.pcadsl.com.tw/pravachol/buy_pravachol.html grapefruit and pravachol pravachol effects sex http://eblomobstol.pcadsl.com.tw/pravachol/pravachol_damage.html .Thanks.
Posted by: pravachol lipitor at October 6, 2005 08:29 AMaddware
Posted by: addware at October 14, 2005 12:29 PMhome loans debt consolidation home equity loanhome equity loans mortgage rates home equity line of credit car insurance cash advance credit cards debt consolidation dental plans health insurance home equity line of credit home equity loan home equity loans home finance home loan life insurance mortgage mortgage mortgage brokers mortgage companies mortgage lenders mortgage loans mortgage loan mortgage refinance mortgage refinancing mortgages mortgage cash advance payday loans realtors refinance web hosting Alabama mortgage Alaska mortgage Arizona mortgage California mortgage Colorado mortgage Connecticut mortgage Delaware mortgage Florida mortgage Georgia mortgage Hawaii mortgage Idaho mortgage Illinois mortgage Indiana mortgage Iowa mortgage Kansas mortgage Kentucky mortgage Louisiana mortgage Maine mortgage Maryland mortgage Massachusetts mortgage Michigan mortgage Minnesota mortgage Mississippi mortgage Missouri mortgage Montana mortgage Nebraska mortgage Nevada mortgage New Hampshire mortgage New Jersey mortgage New Mexico mortgage New York mortgage North Carolina mortgage North Dakota mortgage Ohio mortgage Oklahoma mortgage Oregon mortgage Pennsylvania mortgage Rhode Island mortgage South Carolina mortgage South Dakota mortgage Tennessee mortgage Texas mortgage Utah mortgage Vermont mortgage Virginia mortgage Washington mortgage West Virginia mortgage Wisconsin mortgage Wyoming mortgage home mortgages mortgage refinancing mortgage rates auto insurance home equity loan http://www.homeloans-now.com http://www.debtconsolidation-site.com http://www.homeequityloan-x.com http://www.homeequityloans-x.com http://www.mortgagerates-x.com http://www.homeequitylineofcredit-x.com http://www.carinsurance-x.com http://www.cashadvance-x.com http://www.creditcards-x.com http://www.debtconsolidation-today.com http://www.dentalplans-x.com http://www.healthinsurance-x.com http://www.homeequitylineofcreditlenders.com http://www.homeequityloan-now.com http://www.homeequityloans-now.com http://www.homefinance-x.com http://www.homeloan-now.com http://www.lifeinsurance-x.com http://www.mortgage-911.com http://www.mortgage-911.net http://www.mortgagebrokers-x.com http://www.mortgagecompanies-x.com http://www.mortgagelenders-x.com http://www.mortgageloans-x.com http://www.mortgageloan-x.com http://www.mortgagerefinance-x.com http://www.mortgagerefinancing-x.com http://www.mortgages-411.com http://www.mortgagesnrefinance.com http://www.my-cashadvance.com http://www.paydayloans-x.com http://www.realtors-x.com http://www.refinance-x.com http://www.webhosting-x.com http://www.alabamamortgage-x.com http://www.alaskamortgage-x.com http://www.arizonamortgage-x.com http://www.californiamortgage-x.com http://www.coloradomortgage-x.com http://www.connecticutmortgage-x.com http://www.delawaremortgage-x.com http://www.floridamortgage-x.com http://www.georgiamortgage-x.com http://www.hawaiimortgage-x.com http://www.idahomortgage-x.com http://www.illinoismortgage-x.com http://www.indianamortgage-x.com http://www.iowamortgage-x.com http://www.kansasmortgage-x.com http://www.kentuckymortgage-x.com http://www.louisianamortgage-x.com http://www.mainemortgage-x.com http://www.marylandmortgage-x.com http://www.massachusettsmortgage-x.com http://www.michiganmortgage-x.com http://www.minnesotamortgage-x.com http://www.mississippimortgage-x.com http://www.missourimortgage-x.com http://www.montanamortgage-x.com http://www.nebraskamortgage-x.com http://www.nevadamortgage-x.com http://www.newhampshiremortgage-x.com http://www.newjerseymortgage-x.com http://www.newmexicomortgage-x.com http://www.newyorkmortgage-x.com http://www.northcarolinamortgage-x.com http://www.northdakotamortgage-x.com http://www.ohiomortgage-x.com http://www.oklahomamortgage-x.com http://www.oregonmortgage-x.com http://www.pennsylvaniamortgage-x.com http://www.rhodeislandmortgage-x.com http://www.southcarolinamortgage-x.com http://www.southdakotamortgage-x.com http://www.tennesseemortgage-x.com http://www.texasmortgage-x.com http://www.utahmortgage-x.com http://www.vermontmortgage-x.com http://www.virginiamortgage-x.com http://www.washingtonmortgage-x.com http://www.westvirginiamortgage-x.com http://www.wisconsinmortgage-x.com http://www.wyomingmortgage-x.com http://www.mortgages-site.com http://www.mortgagerefinancing-x.com http://www.my-mortgagerates.com http://www.autoinsurance-x.com http://www.homeequityloan-now.com
Posted by: mortgage rates at October 14, 2005 10:28 PMspyware
Posted by: Spyware at October 15, 2005 02:25 AMSpyware
Posted by: Spyware at October 15, 2005 04:48 AMspyware
Posted by: Spyware at October 15, 2005 04:59 AMspyware
Posted by: SPYWARE at October 15, 2005 05:02 AMSPYWARE
free spyware
spyware
free spyware removal
free spyware
spyware
spyware blaster
Spyware
spyware
free spyware remover
microsoft anti spyware
microsoft spyware
spyware
free adware
adware
virus removal
Posted by: virus removal at October 15, 2005 12:30 PMmicrosoft anti spyware
microsoft spyware
spyware
spyware remover
free spyware remover
spyware
free adware
adware
free spyware scan
spyware scan
spyware
free spyware scan
spyware scan
spyware