Suggested Reading?

[Web Warlock]

Hey all,

I have seen the list of books that have inspired BR, but are there others?

More to the point I guess does Marion Zimmer Bradley count, or is that more Historical Fantasy?

Thanks!!

Tim

[bryan.mullins]

Mercedes Lackey has a heap of books in the Valdemar series. I always favored the Othbound books set in the same world. I mean there are a blue million of those things, the gryphon books...etc. (not really a million, but hey there are a lot)
>WBM

[Web Warlock]

Thanks!

I may have to hit my local library this weekend then with this in mind!

Tim

[timemrick]

At least a few of the authors listed in the Recommended Reading sidebar have written many other books in the genre.

For example, the three trilogies listed for Mercedes Lackey are all set in the world of Valdemar, which easily includes another dozen or so novels. The ones listed, however, are the best introduction to both the setting and the genre. (I've only read the "Arrows" trilogy, which all of the Lackey fans I know agree is the best introduction to the series, even though some of her later trilogies are better.)

Lackey also has a series of three books featuring the witch Diana Tregarde (Burning Water, Children of the Night, Jinx High) that could form a model for a romantic fantasy game set in modern-day Earth.

Likewise, the Tamora Pierce titles given are just four of many books she has written in the genre, most of them set in the world of Tortall. (Of these I've read the Alanna and Kel quadrologies, but not the set listed in the BR book...yet.)

You'll also want to take a look at John Snead's developer's journal entry about the genre, which mentions a few other authors and influences. That can be found on the old Blue Rose site:
http://www.bluerose.greenronin.com/blue ... =54_0_15_0

[bryan.mullins]

Ive just gotten the Blue Rose books in the mail and I have to say that the people who wrote the book have the idea down very well. The setting is interesting and very genre appropriate. Of the recommended reading I am only really familiar with Mercedes Lackey. The elements of the genre are addressed pretty clearly though. The "Arrows" trilogy is a great introduction to the "in Her Majesty's Service" theme. Also its a good self discovery story. Actually, most of the Valdemar stories are about self discovery at one point or another.

After looking at the design journal entry on timemrick's list I don't really have anything else to say. Thats a good essay.

>WBM

[Web Warlock]

I currently have some Diane Paxton on my shelf in my "to be read" pile, so maybe I'll push her a little higher on the list.

Of course one of the reasons I came to Blue Rose was because of John Snead. I think the man is brilliant and have loved most of his work.

One of the authors I have been reading a lot of lately is Kelley Armstrong. She seems to be doing to horror what all these authors did to fantasy. And horror is more of my deal (thus the Ravenloft + Blue Rose) posts below.

I'll update you all and see what new ideas I have after I get some reading done.

Tim

[Lisa Padol]

Check out Patricia C. Wrede's books. I recently read both Shadow Magic and Daughter of Witches. The second is a good example of what could be a mission involving envoys from Aldis operating in a country that could be Jarzon, or a cross between Jarzon and Kern.

Thinking of Wrede as part of the genre also makes room for races like the Vata and the Sea Folk, if one wants to do this. I'm torn about the Vata and the Night People, and would have preferred no Treants, but to each his own.

-Lisa Padol