Rachel's SFF Recommendations

current reading

Publications by topic

fantasy
- The Summer Tree
  by Guy Gavriel Kay.
  Onyx Books 1984,The Fionavar Tapestry, 1/3. (BibTeX entry)·
  The Fionavar Tapestry is good, but verydifferent from Kay's other work. I'd read Tigana or Sarantium first.
- The Wandering Fire
  by Guy Gavriel Kay.
  Onyx Books 1986,The Fionavar Tapestry, 2/3. (BibTeX entry)·
- The Darkest Road
  by Guy Gavriel Kay.
  Onyx Books 1986,The Fionavar Tapestry, 3/3. (BibTeX entry)·
- Magic's Pawn (amazon, excerpt) (Cached: amazon, excerpt)
  by Mercedes Lackey.
  DAW 1989,The Last Herald Mage 1/3. (BibTeX entry)·
  My personal favorites of the Valdemar books. Though I'm sure you'll want to read all of them :).
- Magic's Promise
  by Mercedes Lackey.
  DAW 1989,The Last Herald Mage 2/3. (BibTeX entry)·
- Tigana (amazon) (Cached: amazon)
  by Guy Gavriel Kay.
  New American Library 1990. (BibTeX entry)·
- Magic's Price
  by Mercedes Lackey.
  DAW 1990,The Last Herald Mage 3/3. (BibTeX entry)·
- By the Sword
  by Mercedes Lackey.
  DAW 1991,Heralds of Valdemar, standalone. (BibTeX entry)·
  Comes between Arrows of the Queen and Mage Winds
- A Song for Arbonne
  by Guy Gavriel Kay.
  New American Library 1992. (BibTeX entry)·
- The Spirit Ring
  by Lois McMaster Bujold.
  Baen 1992. (BibTeX entry)·
- Fire in the Mist (HTML) (Cached: HTML)
  by Holly Lisle.
  Baen 1992,Arhel 1/3. (BibTeX entry)·
- Assassin's Apprentice (amazon) (Cached: amazon)
  by Robin Hobb.
  Bantam Spectra 1995,The Farseer Trilogy 1/3. (BibTeX entry)·
  First of nine extraordinary books (3 ordered trilogies) set in Ms. Hobb's amazing world.
- The Lions of Al-Rassan
  by Guy Gavriel Kay.
  New American Library 1995. (BibTeX entry)·
- Royal Assassin
  by Robin Hobb.
  Bantam Spectra 1996,The Farseer Trilogy 2/3. (BibTeX entry)·
- Luck in the Shadows
  by Lynn Flewelling.
  Bantam Spectra 1996,Nightrunner Series, 1/3. (BibTeX entry)·
  So much fun. Great characters. And she mightwrite more of them someday
- Assassin's Quest
  by Robin Hobb.
  Bantam Spectra 1997,The Farseer Trilogy 3/3. (BibTeX entry)·
- Stalking Darkness
  by Lynn Flewelling.
  Bantam Spectra 1997,Nightrunner Series, 2/3. (BibTeX entry)·
- A Game of Thrones (amazon) (Cached: amazon)
  by George R.R. Martin.
  Bantam Spectra 1997,A Song of Ice and Fire 1/n. (BibTeX entry)·
  Incomplete series. Probably the best one out there though.
- Sabriel (amazon) (Cached: amazon)
  by Garth Nix.
  Harpher Trophy 1997,Abhorsen Trilogy 1/3. (BibTeX entry)·
  Young Adult, but don't let that stop you.
- Ship of Magic
  by Robin Hobb.
  Bantam Spectra 1998,The Liveship Traders 1/3. (BibTeX entry)·
  Best read after the Farseer Trilogy.
- Sailing To Sarantium (amazon) (Cached: amazon)
  by Guy Gavriel Kay.
  Eos 1998,The Sarantine Mosaic, 1/2. (BibTeX entry)·
- Daughter of the Blood (amazon) (Cached: amazon)
  by Anne Bishop.
  Roc 1998,The Black Jewels Trilogy 1/3. (BibTeX entry)·
  Not for the faint of stomach.
- Vincalis the Agitator
  by Holly Lisle.
  Warner Aspect 1998,The Secret Texts 0/3. (BibTeX entry)·
  Prequel to the Secret Texts Trilogy. Holly doesn't seem to like amazon much, so I haven't put those links up for her stuff. I'll remedy if she contacts me. Like, if anyone decides to start reading this page.
- Diplomacy of Wolves
  by Holly Lisle.
  Warner Aspect 1998,The Secret Texts 1/3. (BibTeX entry)·
- Vengeance of Dragons
  by Holly Lisle.
  Warner Aspect 1998,The Secret Texts 2/3. (BibTeX entry)·
- Courage of Falcons
  by Holly Lisle.
  Warner Aspect 1998,The Secret Texts 3/3. (BibTeX entry)·
- The Mad Ship
  by Robin Hobb.
  Bantam Spectra 1999,The Liveship Traders 2/3. (BibTeX entry)·
- Traitor's Moon
  by Lynn Flewelling.
  Bantam Spectra 1999,Nightrunner Series, 3/3. (BibTeX entry)·
- A Clash of Kings
  by George R.R. Martin.
  Bantam Spectra 1999,A Song of Ice and Fire 2/n. (BibTeX entry)·
- Heir to the Shadows
  by Anne Bishop.
  Roc 1999,The Black Jewels Trilogy 2/3. (BibTeX entry)·
- The Black Swan (amazon) (Cached: amazon)
  by Mercedes Lackey.
  DAW 1999. (BibTeX entry)·
  I loved this. It's based on Swan Lake, and tells the story from the point of view of Odette. It's just beautiful.
- Ship of Destiny
  by Robin Hobb.
  Bantam Spectra 2000,The Liveship Traders 3/3. (BibTeX entry)·
- A Storm of Swords
  by George R.R. Martin.
  Bantam Spectra 2000,A Song of Ice and Fire 3/n. (BibTeX entry)·
- Lord of Emperors
  by Guy Gavriel Kay.
  Eos 2000,The Sarantine Mosaic, 2/2. (BibTeX entry)·
- Queen of the Darkness
  by Anne Bishop.
  Roc 2000,The Black Jewels Trilogy 3/3. (BibTeX entry)·
- The Invisible Ring
  by Anne Bishop.
  Roc 2000. (BibTeX entry)·
  Prequel to the Black Jewels Trilogy
- The Bone Doll's Twin (amazon) (Cached: amazon)
  by Lynn Flewelling.
  Bantam Spectra 2001,Tamir Trilogy, 1/3. (BibTeX entry)·
- The Pillars of the World
  by Anne Bishop.
  Roc 2001,The World of the Fae 1/3. (BibTeX entry)·
- The Curse of Chalion
  by Lois McMaster Bujold.
  Eos 2001. (BibTeX entry)·
- Kushiel's Dart
  by Jacqueline Carey.
  Tor 2001,1/3. (BibTeX entry)·
- Bitten
  by Kelley Armstrong.
  Viking/Plume Books 2001,1/n. (BibTeX entry)·
  You might think werewolves would be uninteresting, but you would be wrong.
- Fool's Errand
  by Robin Hobb.
  Bantam Spectra 2002,The Tawny Man 1/3. (BibTeX entry)·
  Best read after the Farseer Trilogy and the Liveship Traders. Slow beginning but worth it to keep reading.
- Shadows and Light
  by Anne Bishop.
  Roc 2002,The World of the Fae 2/3. (BibTeX entry)·
- Lirael (amazon) (Cached: amazon)
  by Garth Nix.
  Harpher Trophy 2002,Abhorsen Trilogy 2/3. (BibTeX entry)·
  My favorite of the trilogy.
- Kushiel's Chosen
  by Jacqueline Carey.
  Tor 2002,2/3. (BibTeX entry)·
- Stolen
  by Kelley Armstrong.
  Viking/Plume Books 2002,2/n. (BibTeX entry)·
- Golden Fool
  by Robin Hobb.
  Bantam Spectra 2003,The Tawny Man 2/3. (BibTeX entry)·
- Fool's Fate (amazon) (Cached: amazon)
  by Robin Hobb.
  Bantam Spectra 2003,The Tawny Man 3/3. (BibTeX entry)·
- Hidden Warrior
  by Lynn Flewelling.
  Bantam Spectra 2003,Tamir Trilogy, 2/3. (BibTeX entry)·
- The House of Gaian
  by Anne Bishop.
  Roc 2003,The World of the Fae 3/3. (BibTeX entry)·
- Abhorsen (amazon) (Cached: amazon)
  by Garth Nix.
  Harpher Trophy 2003,Abhorsen Trilogy 3/3. (BibTeX entry)·
- Dime Store Magic
  by Kelley Armstrong.
  Bantam Spectra 2004,3/n. (BibTeX entry)·
  Wherein we switch viewpoint characters to Paige and Elena plays no role in the story. Still worth reading though, especially because the followup ensemble story is so good.
- Industrial Magic
  by Kelley Armstrong.
  Bantam Spectra 2004,4/n. (BibTeX entry)·
misc
- Swordspoint
  by Ellen Kushner.
  Bantam Spectra 1987. (BibTeX entry)·
  Reminiscent of Georgette Heyer
- Zodiac: The Eco-Thriller
  by Neal Stephenson.
  Bantam 1988. (BibTeX entry)·
- Lady of the Forest
  by Jennifer Roberson.
  Kensington 1992. (BibTeX entry)·
  Historical romance about Robin Hood and Maid Marian.
- Lady of the Glen
  by Jennifer Roberson.
  Kensington 1996. (BibTeX entry)·
  Historical romance about Scotland. Yummy and tragic at the same time.
mr
- One Hundred Years of Solitude
  by Gabriel Garcia Marquez.
  Harper Collins/Knopf 1967. (BibTeX entry)·
- The House of the Spirits (amazon) (Cached: amazon)
  by Isabel Allende.
  Knopf/Bantam 1985. (BibTeX entry)·
  Magical realism, fantasy's literary cousin. Compelling, translated from Spanish
- Of Love and Shadows
  by Isabel Allende.
  Knopf/Bantam 1987. (BibTeX entry)·
- Eva Luna
  by Isabel Allende.
  Knopf/Bantam 1988. (BibTeX entry)·
- Daughter of Fortune
  by Isabel Allende.
  Harper Collins 1999,1/2. (BibTeX entry)·
- Portrait in Sepia
  by Isabel Allende.
  plaza and Janes, Editores 2000,2/2, Sequel to Daughter of Fortune. (BibTeX entry)·
regency
- Powder and Patch
  by Georgette Heyer.
  Harlequin 1923. (BibTeX entry)·
- These Old Shades
  by Georgette Heyer.
  Harlequin 1926. (BibTeX entry)·
- Devil's Cub
  by Georgette Heyer.
  Harlequin 1932. (BibTeX entry)·
  Sequel to These Old Shades
- The Convenient Marriage
  by Georgette Heyer.
  Harlequin 1934. (BibTeX entry)·
- Arabella
  by Georgette Heyer.
  Harlequin 1949. (BibTeX entry)·
- The Grand Sophy
  by Georgette Heyer.
  Harlequin 1950. (BibTeX entry)·
- The Nonesuch
  by Georgette Heyer.
  Harlequin 1962. (BibTeX entry)·
- Frederica
  by Georgette Heyer.
  Harlequin 1965. (BibTeX entry)·
scifan
- The Chronicles of Amber, Volume I
  by Roger Zelazny.
  Doubleday 1979. (BibTeX entry)·
  5 book set. There's a sequel but it is not as good.
- Black Sun Rising (amazon) (Cached: amazon)
  by C.S. Friedman.
  DAW 1991,The Coldfire Trilogy 1/3. (BibTeX entry)·
  Read everything by C.S. Friedman, but start here. The fae in Coldfire is the best treatment of magic I've seen and the characters areunforgettable, especially G.T.
- When True Night Falls
  by C.S. Friedman.
  DAW 1993,The Coldfire Trilogy 2/3. (BibTeX entry)·
- Crown of Shadows
  by C.S. Friedman.
  DAW 1995,The Coldfire Trilogy 3/3. (BibTeX entry)·
sf
- The Snow Queen (amazon) (Cached: amazon)
  by Joan D. Vinge.
  Questar 1980. (BibTeX entry)·
- In Conquest Born
  by C.S. Friedman.
  DAW 1986. (BibTeX entry)·
- Falling Free
  by Lois McMaster Bujold.
  Baen 1987,The Vorkosigan Saga. (BibTeX entry)·
  Takes place 200 years before Miles
- The Madness Season
  by C.S. Friedman.
  DAW 1990. (BibTeX entry)·
- The Summer Queen
  by Joan D. Vinge.
  Questar 1991,Sequel to The Snow Queen. (BibTeX entry)·
  I actually read this before the Snow Queen. I probably wouldn't recommend that. I adore them both though.
- Snowcrash
  by Neal Stephenson.
  Bantam 1992. (BibTeX entry)·
- Beggars in Spain
  by Nancy Kress.
  Avon/Eos 1993,Beggars Trilogy 1/3. (BibTeX entry)·
  Immensely thought provoking, especially for anyone who ever flirted with objectivism or anarchism. I haven't read the other books. I've ordered book 2 from amazon, I'll add it if I like it.
- A Fire Upon The Deep
  by Vernor Vinge.
  Tor 1993,2/2. (BibTeX entry)·
- The Diamond Age
  by Neal Stephenson.
  Bantam 1995. (BibTeX entry)·
- Cordelia's Honor (amazon) (Cached: amazon)
  by Lois McMaster Bujold.
  Baen 1996,The Vorkosigan Saga 1/n. (BibTeX entry)·
- Archangel (amazon) (Cached: amazon)
  by Sharon Shinn.
  Ace 1997,Samaria Trilogy, 1/3. (BibTeX entry)·
- Jovah's Angel
  by Sharon Shinn.
  Ace 1997,Samaria Trilogy, 2/3. (BibTeX entry)·
- Young Miles (amazon) (Cached: amazon)
  by Lois McMaster Bujold.
  Baen 1997,The Vorkosigan Saga 2/n. (BibTeX entry)·
  2nd omnibus: contains 'The Warrior's Apprentice', 'The Mountains of Mourning' and 'The Vor Game'
- This Alien Shore
  by C.S. Friedman.
  DAW 1998. (BibTeX entry)·
- Memory
  by Lois McMaster Bujold.
  Baen 1998,The Vorkosigan Saga 5/n. (BibTeX entry)·
- Komarr
  by Lois McMaster Bujold.
  Baen 1998,The Vorkosigan Saga 6/n. (BibTeX entry)·
- The Alleluia Files
  by Sharon Shinn.
  Ace 1999,Samaria Trilogy, 3/3. (BibTeX entry)·
- A Civil Campaign
  by Lois McMaster Bujold.
  Baen 1999,The Vorkosigan Saga 7/n. (BibTeX entry)·
- A Deepness in the Sky
  by Vernor Vinge.
  Tor 2000,1/2 (prequel). (BibTeX entry)·
- Miles, Mystery and Mayhem
  by Lois McMaster Bujold.
  Baen 2001,The Vorkosigan Saga 3/n. (BibTeX entry)·
  3rd omnibus: contains 'Cetaganda', 'Ethan of Athos' and 'Labyrinth'
- Miles Errant
  by Lois McMaster Bujold.
  Baen 2002,The Vorkosigan Saga 4/n. (BibTeX entry)·
  4th omnibus: contains 'Borders of Infinity', 'Brothers in Arms' and 'Mirror Dance'
- Diplomatic Immunity
  by Lois McMaster Bujold.
  Baen 2002,The Vorkosigan Saga 8/n. (BibTeX entry)·
- Down and Out in the Magic Kingdom (amazon, HTML, PDF, TXT) (Cached: amazon, HTML, PDF, TXT)
  by Cory Doctorow.
  Tor 2003. (BibTeX entry)·
  The best cyberpunk I've read in a very long time.
- Winterfair Gifts
  by Lois McMaster Bujold.
  In Irristible Forces, 2004. (BibTeX entry)·
  novela in the Vorkosigan Saga. Takes place between'A Civil Campaign' and 'Diplomatic Immunity'

Please send new or corrected BibTeX entries to <greenie@eecs.harvard.edut>.

I decided to add amazon links. You can use them if they're helpful. I figured if people wanted to use them I might as well get some commission so I joined the associates program.

Rachel's SFF Recommendations

current reading

Publications by topic

fantasy

misc

mr

regency

scifan

sf