sabbathbloodysabbath 

  So, can anyone recommend a good book (or series) which doesnt take 3 books to really get going and is good for those who is used to the protagonist being called Dave instead of K'Varthonooook? 
   
Cheers people!

 
I had exactly the same issue and picked up the Game of Thrones books by George R R Martin. They are superb - excellent characters, well written and gripping stories. Although they are classed as fantasy, there is very little magic and silly mythical beasts - it's more of an alternative history with a bit of fantasy thrown in.
 
Any more books like this out there and I would be pleased to know!

Danger Man

sabbathbloodysabbath 

So, can anyone recommend a good book (or series) which doesnt take 3 books to really get going and is good for those who is used to the protagonist being called Dave instead of K'Varthonooook? 
  
Cheers people!

I had exactly the same issue and picked up the Game of Thrones books by George R R Martin. They are superb - excellent characters, well written and gripping stories. Although they are classed as fantasy, there is very little magic and silly mythical beasts - it's more of an alternative history with a bit of fantasy thrown in.

Any more books like this out there and I would be pleased to know!

 
Scott Lynch
Joe Abercrombie (There is magic but it tends to be used sparingly) is perhaps a stronger character writer than RR Martin is, whilst keeping the grit.

Are the two that come to mind.

Just finished The Daylight War by Peter V Brett, part 3 of possibly the best fantasy series I've ever read. To the extent that I tracked down and bought a first edition signed hardback of the first book of the series the other day. Now I just need the second book in first ed.  

NOXSUS 


Just finished The Daylight War by Peter V Brett, part 3 of possibly the best fantasy series I've ever read. To the extent that I tracked down and bought a first edition signed hardback of the first book of the series the other day. Now I just need the second book in first ed.  

 
Now there's a thing. Peter Brett was in Milton Keynes today signing at Waterstones. He hadn't turned up when I went at lunchtime but I did flick through his books to see what they might be like. Definitely one to try, I think.

so, two and a half years later!
 
I stuck with a few titles and they are great! i read all the George R R Martin novels except the most recent which is dull as sin! stuck into the wheel of time novels, only on book 2 but am enjoying it thus far. I finished the first novel in the riyria chronicles which was really really accessible for a n00b. I also bought necroscope, which i have heard lots of good things about!

Phillip Pullmans His Dark Materials Trilogy is a great introduction to fantasy books. Its aimed at a teenage audience so its not overly complex or wordy but still tells a very good story. It also combines elements of contemporary fantasy and high fantasy quite well.
 
The Hunger Games series is also quite a good jumping on point, again aimed at teenagers so not overly complex and despite being set in the far future its not set in a uber high tech setting like Star Trek or something
 
Ben Aaronovitchs Rivers of London books are also very enjoyable (think Harry Potter for grown ups) as a contemporary fantasy seriesand Brandon Sandersons Mistborn series is just a simply brilliant work of high fantasy.
 
Terry Pratchetts Discworld stuff is also always worth checking out if you want some fantasy that doesnt take itself too seriously and you can pretty much jump in with any book in the series as they are all self contained stories set in the same world (only the first 2 books lead into one another). Also his recent co-written book with Stephen Baxter is a very enjoyable bit of sci fi.

i'm about to start on his dark materials trilogy, i loved the movie and read the narnia books over and over in my childhood so i'm looking forward to reading these.
 
i loved prince of thorns and king of thorns by mark lawrence and eagerly await the release of emperor of thorns. i liked the anti-hero narrative.