Fantasy book birthday present

[beardedoldness]

Any ideas about an alternative to a Game of Thrones? Son loved it but need a new series for this birthday.

[ianink]

Well hope this suggestion hasn't arrived too late!
At the moment there seems to be a really impressive new wave of 'realistic fantasy' or 'gritty fantasy' with the likes of Game of Thrones, Joe Abercrombie & Scott Lynch - i think it depends on how old your son is and how much hack and slash you like to see in your fantasy books.

Not as 'gritty' I guess and enough fantastical moments to inspire wonder - The Farseer Trilogy by Robyn Hobb. She has a second trilogy following the same characters in their later years called The Tawny Man Trilogy, and another cycle of books The Live Ship Traders set in the same world. Has more fantasy elements than Game of Thrones, and in my opinion brilliant characterisation and development.

Other then that, has he checked out one of the old favorites; Memory, Sorrow & Thorn cycle by Tad Williams? As far as I can remember has quite a lot of fantasy elements to it, young boy turns prince kind of idea but with 'dark forces' surrounding his enemy; the evil king etc.

good luck, and tell us what your final choice is!

[sjfoster]

I'd agree Robyn Hobb is excellent and quite dark but still very readable.

[David Brzeski]

Check out Ross M. Kitson's Darkness Rising: The Prism Trilogy. The first 2 parts are available & part three is due before Christmas I believe. I'd point you to my review on the BFS website, but Craig hasn't put it up there yet.

[RossWarren]

The First Law Trilogy by Joe Abercrombie