Hidden Gems

[pen21]

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Ryan_G wrote:

I think all three of Daryl Gregory's books deserved more recognition they they got, of course I wouldn't have know about him if it wasn't for this board. 

Another book we read a few years ago, The Suicide Collectors, would have to make that list too.

One book I really enjoyed, but haven't read the rest of the series, is High House by James Stoddard

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The Suicide Collectors was excellent. I checked the author's website for any news and David Oppegaard is in 2 anthologies this summer, Cifiscapes and Writes of Spring.

Cifiscape Volume Ii 

Writes of Spring   

The Suicide Collectors  

[dhaupt]

wow this is bringing a thread back from extinction good place for it here at sci-fi

here is my hidden gem

The Traveler (Fourth Realm Trilogy Series #1) 

The Dark River (Fourth Realm Trilogy Series #2) 

The Golden City (Fourth Realm Trilogy Series #3)    

I loved this apocalyptic/urban fantasy trilogy

[dulcinea3]

The Mirror of Her Dreams (Mordant's Need Series #1)  

A Man Rides Through (Mordant's Need Series #2)  

These books have been around for quite a while, but I'm going to get a plug in for Mordant's Need, by Stephen R. Donaldson.  This is a two-book series, The Mirror of Her Dreams, and A Man Rides Through.  Donaldson is better-known for his Thomas Covenant series, but I'm not going to say, if you like those, you will like these, because that might put off a significant number of people who really dislike that series.  I think most people's objection is to the character of Covenant; it's been a long time since I read these, but you won't find a bitter leper here!  In this one, a young woman has the walls of her apartment covered with mirrors, because she is obsessed with the idea that if she can't see herself, she doesn't exist.  Of course, the mirrors turn out to be a portal to another world.  I really enjoyed these books, but I don't think I've ever heard anybody else mention them.

[Ryan_G]

I loved these books but could never remember the name or the author.  I'm going to have to get my grubby hands on them again.  Thanks Duli!

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dulcinea3 wrote:

The Mirror of Her Dreams (Mordant's Need Series #1)  

A Man Rides Through (Mordant's Need Series #2)  

These books have been around for quite a while, but I'm going to get a plug in for Mordant's Need, by Stephen R. Donaldson.  This is a two-book series, The Mirror of Her Dreams, and A Man Rides Through.  Donaldson is better-known for his Thomas Covenant series, but I'm not going to say, if you like those, you will like these, because that might put off a significant number of people who really dislike that series.  I think most people's objection is to the character of Covenant; it's been a long time since I read these, but you won't find a bitter leper here!  In this one, a young woman has the walls of her apartment covered with mirrors, because she is obsessed with the idea that if she can't see herself, she doesn't exist.  Of course, the mirrors turn out to be a portal to another world.  I really enjoyed these books, but I don't think I've ever heard anybody else mention them.

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[dulcinea3]

My pleasure, Ryan!!!  Sometimes it's eerie how much our tastes in books coincide!

[luciadelabyss]

I loved Snow Crash, read it twice! Tried to read Diamond Age...couldn't get into it. Seen Cryptonomicon on shelves, but it is still on my Master To Read List.

[luciadelabyss]

I really enjoy apocalyptic fiction! I think I have seen this author in the book store. My favorite series in this subgenre is The Change Series, by R. M. Sterling . Dies the Fire is the first book.

[luciadelabyss]

Must mention another author that I have been following.   Alan Campbell is the author; Scar Night is his debut fantasy that came out in 2006.  The back cover says, " Angels, demons, epic, steampunk meet in an unforgettable debut fantasy."   SERIOUSLY UNIQUE.  The second one is Iron Angel.  I just found out that there is a third, but forget the name.  Somebody needs to make a movie of this one!!

[Melhay]

Now you know I have to jump in on this one.  

I will say I have one fantasy series I feel in love with when it was under self publishing.  Orbit has since picked it up and took the six books and made them 3, 2 books in each.  Really is wonderfully done!

The Riyria Revelations by Michael J. Sullivan.  I think it's getting lots of views now, but it really is well worth the read.  First book is slower, but with each book it gets better and better (hard to believe) and the underlining thread between them all comes to the surface as you go.

Theft of Swords 

Rise of Empire 

Heir of Novron    

[kamas716]

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paulgoatallen wrote:

Here's a potentially great topic. Hidden SF and fantasy gems – books that you've read and have absolutely loved but that haven't gotten the recognition that they deserve. I could go on about this for hours – every year, I see so many mediocre and sub-par SF/Fantasy releases make national bestseller lists and sell tens of thousands of copies and then I'll read a novel that just blows me away and, for whatever reasons, it doesn't sell at all. I could really care less about "what's hot" or "what's selling" – I want to know "what's good!"

Have any of you read a book that just rocked your world but then just seemed to disappear from bookshelves shortly after being released? Here's a few from my list:

1. Enemy Glory by Karen Michalson

2. Stepan Chapman's Troika

3. Adam Connell's Counterfeit Kings

4. Bill DeSmedt's Singularity

5. Oron by D.C. Smith

Paul

Message Edited by paulgoatallen on 09-03-2008 08:09 PM

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Most of what has rocked my socks are already considered classics or are very well know anyway.

Ender's Game; The Stars, My Destination; Snow Crash; The Moon Is A Harsh Mistress, etc.

Some of the books that aren't really considered classics that I've read over and over again, not necessarily SF/Fantasy.

1. Team Yankee by Harold Coyle, about US Tank commanders in Germany during a fictional WW3.

2. Fatherland by Robert Harris, about an police detective in Germany in the 1960's in an alternate reality where Hitler still survives and Germany won the war.

3. The Alienist by Caleb Carr, about a psychologist and his helpers searching for a serial killer in 1890's NYC (Theodore Roosevelt makes an appearance as Police Commissioner).

4. Relic by Douglas Preston and Lincoln child, about an amazon monster running loose in the Natural History Museum.  Please, DON'T SEE THE MOVIE. As much as I love the actors, the movie was not only a waste of time, it should be considered a crime against celluloid.

5. The Walking Drum by Louis L'Amour about a young man searching for his father in middle ages Europe.  He's at various times a slave, scholar, prisoner, traveling merchant, doctor and swordsman.