How good is The Banned and the Banished series? Worth picking up or more "meh" ?

 

Sesc, you recommend Eragon? I was under the impression that it was an extremely terrible rehash of some other popular scifi stories that only got published because the author's parents had some sway over a publishing company.

If my impression is wrong, I think I might read that.

 

Your impression isn't wrong. Eragon is okay if you're really young, and you haven't read any heavyweights of fantasy literature yet.

 

I tried reading Eragon, but couldn't get into it -the writing/setting kind of turned me off. I think I may be more into urban fantasy or contemporary fantasy that blurs the lines btw. our world and that of the supernatural.

 

I'll second the Bartimeus trilogy, it's an excellent series and well worth reading.

OP, despite some aspects of the Dresden Files that may turn you off, the series is most definitely worth reading.

 

"OP, in all seriousness: I think the real problem is you don't know what you want. However, if you don't know what you are searching, we can hardly find it for you. Beyond pointing out random books we liked as it were.

And in that case, you can just as well read the stickied book recommendations thread."

Wow, harsh much? By the way, HP is contemporary fantasy whereas Fever is urban fantasy. I clearly listed those 2 examples plus the fact that I wanted the series to stick to one POV. My mistake was not categorizing both of my examples as I'm not that well-versed in fantasy category terminology. I apologize for not expressing myself clearly, but I do know what I want. Also, some of the recommendations are in line with what I wanted like "Dresden Files" and "Sookie Stackhouse" despite the 2 characters not starting out completely clueless.

I didn't start this thread to anger you: I only wanted some recs along the lines of the 2 series I listed because they had me starving for something just as good. Had I known my op post was too vague and that it would elicit such strong reactions from you, I would have been more careful before posting. With all that said and done, may we call it a truce please?

 

Please, read the stickies for the forum. Also the guy you're talking to has green letters, and underneath it says he's a moderator, the day to day regulators here.
Finally, everyone here is trying to help you, and yet you're taking it all personally, but it really isn't.

If you need help feel free to PM me, or some of the people who have been friendly here.

 

There's a pretty epic series out. Finished a while ago and the main character starts off quite ordinary.

First book is a bit short but I'd rec harry Potter and the Philosopher's stone.

 

Thread hijack? I also have some vague criteria for book recommendation requests. >.>

I've a guilty pleasure for stories about heel face turns (and vice versa) that involve family, blood-related or otherwise. For example, I love Luke and Vader stories where they go off on their not so merry way to spread conflict and collateral damage across the court/planet/galaxy. I also like any Code Geass stories that put Lelouch in the vicinity of the royal family, and I sort of like Vash and Knives stories, too, before they turn gay. Anything suggestions from DLP that haven't been listed on TV Tropes before?

Another thing I really like (please no judgment ) is bromance, but of the platonic and transcendental kind. Again, I refer to Vash and Knives (without all the phallic imagery the author was kind enough to include). Another good example I can think of was Professor X and Magneto in First Class. They don't have to be related, but I like the idea of two (or more) people who are super close and would die for each other, but then something goes terribly wrong. The king and his knight(s) are a trope/cliche/whatever I super like, too.

I guess that's a stupid way to say...non-black/white conflicts?

Also, I don't like pure fantasy. If there's a prancing unicorn, I need to see rail gun nearby.

So yea. Any non-mainstream rec's? Thanks.

 

Go read Percy Jackson now.It fits your criteria to a tee.

 

Eragon is Star Wars with dragons. Original? Hell no. Fun? Absolutely.

Seconding Keys to the Kingdom. A kid is named heir to the Architect, a.k.a. God, angels try to kill him, the universe collapses, crazy stuff.

Percy Jackson is also very, very good.

 

OH Fallen is about Nephilim, very cool, fits what you want, there are two series by this name, the one you want is by Thomas Sniegoski. the other series is some sort of awful dark!romance bullshit.

 

I guess I'll rec Fire and Hemlock, though it's hardly epic. In some respects it's more of a psychological novel then a fantasy one. The ending is really goddamn sudden, though. I think it counts as Urban fantasy, since the main character is pretty much just an ordinary girl.

Edit: Should also mention the 'Young Wizards' series. It starts off with one main character, then gradually builds up the cast. As far as I know, though, it's something like six books before you ever have more then two POVs.