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epic science fiction novels - by Ka Jolo

Mon, 8 Dec 2009 13:26:00 +0000

I've enjoyed this thread--many reminders of good reads.

I want to say this about Orson Scott Card's Ender's Game: When my wife was concerned about our oldest son's lack of interest in reading, she asked me to come up with a Science Fiction book that would draw him in (because I and an uncle were into SciFi, she thought he would read something we liked). I chose Ender's Game, and it made a reader out of my son. My wife then read it as well, so she could relate, and it made a SciFi fan out of her.

Some works I think belong on this list that I didn't see as I browsed through:

Frederick Pohl's Heechee books
Harry Harrison's West of Eden and sequels
C. S. Lewis' space trilogy
Michael Crichton (Jurassic Park, anyone?)
George Orwell, 1984
Piers Anthony - lots of formula stuff, but an idea a minute, and given what others have posted here...
William Pene DuBois' The 21 Balloons
Jules Vernes

epic science fiction novels - by Blafam

Sat, 6 Dec 2009 22:18:00 +0000

Originally by: Kazuo Ishiguro
Arthur C. Clarke, the Rama series.

I started the series 3 days ago, and im almost already done the third one...Thats about a book a day. EXCEELLLLENNTT SERIES>

epic science fiction novels - by Malcanis

Sat, 6 Dec 2009 19:52:00 +0000

Originally by: Frankinator
I am truly surprised that nobody has heard of/mentioned "The Stars My Destination" by Alfred Bester. It is considered by a lot of people to be the best Science-Fiction novel ever written. Its basically in the style of "The Count of Monte Cristo" but with a futuristic twist. Definitely a great read!

Agreed. This is an outstanding book.

epic science fiction novels - by mercyonman

Sat, 6 Dec 2009 18:26:00 +0000

ohh i know one
its called
"the inconvenient truth"
author: Al gore
really good sci-fi

maybe i shouldn't of jumped through that gate

epic science fiction novels - by Frankinator

Sat, 6 Dec 2009 15:14:00 +0000

I am truly surprised that nobody has heard of/mentioned "The Stars My Destination" by Alfred Bester. It is considered by a lot of people to be the best Science-Fiction novel ever written. Its basically in the style of "The Count of Monte Cristo" but with a futuristic twist. Definitely a great read!

epic science fiction novels - by Mary Makepeace

Sat, 6 Dec 2009 15:09:00 +0000

Originally by: Alexeph Stoekai
Gibson, Gibson, forever Gibson. Creator of Cyberspace and king of the Cyberpunk movement.

He is a must-read, especially for people playing EVE as so much of the setting meshes with his concepts.

Right now, however, I'm working my way through Banks' Consider Phlebas. I'm not feeling as immersed as other Sci-Fi authors can manage, but it's an okay read. I'm kinda hoping the rest of the Culture books show a bit of improvement.

Gibson is a legend.

With the culture books, "Player of Games" and "Use of Weapons" are the gems. Excession is also very good for the ship minds/politics. Consider Phlebus just seems like an introduction to the culture before getting into some good writing.

epic science fiction novels - by Alexeph Stoekai

Sat, 6 Dec 2009 12:18:00 +0000

Gibson, Gibson, forever Gibson. Creator of Cyberspace and king of the Cyberpunk movement.

He is a must-read, especially for people playing EVE as so much of the setting meshes with his concepts.

Right now, however, I'm working my way through Banks' Consider Phlebas. I'm not feeling as immersed as other Sci-Fi authors can manage, but it's an okay read. I'm kinda hoping the rest of the Culture books show a bit of improvement.
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epic science fiction novels - by Alyln

Sat, 6 Dec 2009 09:50:00 +0000

Originally by: Harley Dare
Armor

by Jon Steakley.

Superb book.

(i've read about every other book listed here and enjoyed the majority but if you really love a laugh out loud and cry with pride storyline you'll love this book)

If thats the book I'm thinking about its a must read.(clubbing giant ants with guns, right?)

Anyways, the Hyperion stuff was good, and I must confess the I do read the Halo novels and they are pretty good, but this prequel crap they are doing is getting kinda stupid.

Im a big fan of books with a good story, not so-much caring about the quality of writing, a good story is a good story.

epic science fiction novels - by Liranan

Sat, 6 Dec 2009 09:36:00 +0000

Originally by: serpent Tongue
Edited by: serpent Tongue on 06/12/2008 07:06:08
A real oldy but i can't understand why it isen't in any of your lists.

War of the worlds by H. G. Wells 1898

I mean now other sci-fi novel has led to public panic amongst millions after it had been broadcasted in a radio. Some even believe that it was an early experiment in psychological warfare

Anyway it's worth reading.....

I have read that as well and I am very much inclined to believe it.
Farjung is my God

You people need to open your eyes and read threads before you mindlessly spam the New Thread link.

epic science fiction novels - by Liranan

Sat, 6 Dec 2009 09:34:00 +0000

Edited by: Liranan on 06/12/2008 09:35:51

Originally by: Slade Trillgon
I agree with Dune being on top.

But one of the classic sci-fi authors is Isaac Asimov. His first book of the Foundation Series - Foundation is a classic.

Slade

This post fails in such an unbelievably hard way it's impossible to fathom. Asimov was the grandfather of science fiction, like Tolkien was the grandfather of current fantasy.

Forums defect again? I sometimes have to edit and redit my posts several times before it will actually post what I want. Sometimes it just posts the quote but nothing else.
Farjung is my God

You people need to open your eyes and read threads before you mindlessly spam the New Thread link.

epic science fiction novels - by serpent Tongue

Sat, 6 Dec 2009 07:05:00 +0000

Edited by: serpent Tongue on 06/12/2008 07:06:08
A real oldy but i can't understand why it isen't in any of your lists.

War of the worlds by H. G. Wells 1898

I mean now other sci-fi novel has led to public panic amongst millions after it had been broadcasted in a radio. Some even believe that it was an early experiment in psychological warfare

Anyway it's worth reading.....

epic science fiction novels - by baltec1

Fri, 28 Nov 2009 18:07:00 +0000

I realy enjoyed Contact Harvest by Joseph Staten.

epic science fiction novels - by caff1

Fri, 28 Nov 2009 17:27:00 +0000

Edited by: caff1 on 28/11/2008 17:27:49
ok not much of a scifi reader like fantasy fiction more but im quite fond of timothy zahns star wars sequels, hitch hikers guide was ace. I've read some kurt vonnegut (time travelling madness), the eve book was very good dan abnetts gaunts ghosts series is good for some light reading and i recently read steve perry's matador trilogy (
http://www.idgaming.co.uk/

epic science fiction novels - by Andrue

Fri, 28 Nov 2009 16:04:00 +0000

Anything by CJ Cherryh but the Merchanter series in particular. Very gritty and realistic. The style takes a little getting into (needs more work than your average book) but well worth it.
--
(Sarcastic mission running veteran, 4+ years)

[Brackley, UK]

My budgie can say "ploppy bottom". You have been warned.

epic science fiction novels - by Cat Molina

Wed, 24 Sep 2009 05:35:00 +0000

Amazed that so many list Dune, but The Jesus Incident, to this day, remains fairly unknown. I believe it to be a stronger work than Dune TBH.

epic science fiction novels - by sartorii

Sun, 21 Sep 2009 04:06:00 +0000

Originally by: Talon Aidian

Gene Wolfe's Torturer series ( sort of a fantasy/sci fi combo )

Another under read underrated epic, but definately Science Fiction.. plays off the concept that any advanced enough technology will seem like 'magic' to those who did not create it.

Read the entire series 4 Books (1 tale) then the summary story. 1 Book. The tone and focus changes but there is a clear reason for that.

"disconnect and self destruct one mullet at at time" [sic]

epic science fiction novels - by sartorii

Sun, 21 Sep 2009 04:01:00 +0000

Originally by: Forum Warrior
Thread was severely lacking in Asher, Steakley, Scalzi, Stephenson.
Until now.

Steakley most definitely..

Armor is hands down an amazing work.. transcends the genre of Science Fiction

"disconnect and self destruct one mullet at at time" [sic]

epic science fiction novels - by sartorii

Sun, 21 Sep 2009 03:55:00 +0000

Edited by: sartorii on 21/09/2008 04:03:09

Originally by: Mitchman

Another must read is Orson Scott Card's series about Ender, and Ender's Game in particular. Possibly the best single science fiction book ever written.

pffft... its good as an 'introduction to Science fiction' concepts,but its no where near the 'best single science fiction book ever written'. It has far to many fan boys who read it before they read the real masters and never put it in proper context

"disconnect and self destruct one mullet at at time" [sic]

epic science fiction novels - by SoftRevolution

Fri, 19 Sep 2009 17:36:00 +0000

Originally by: Brock Nelson
WHAT?! I can't believe noone has mentioned Battletech.

It was good up until Mechwarrior Dark Age; at that point, I pretty much gave it up as it became another corporate ****ed product

The "Grey Death" legion books were pretty decent if you like military sci fi.

I can't remember which I'd recommend after that.

epic science fiction novels - by Brock Nelson

Fri, 19 Sep 2009 11:38:00 +0000

WHAT?! I can't believe noone has mentioned Battletech.

It was good up until Mechwarrior Dark Age; at that point, I pretty much gave it up as it became another corporate ****ed product

epic science fiction novels - by mamolian

Fri, 19 Sep 2009 10:34:00 +0000

Started reading Greg Bear's work. The Darwin's Radio book and the sequal are very interesting I thought
Havn't read the thread.. but I'm sure others have mentioned Iain M Banks.. freaking awesome author.

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epic science fiction novels - by Jastra

Fri, 19 Sep 2009 10:26:00 +0000

Has anyone read anything fairly new they'd like to comment on, just looking aqround on Amazon (which has **** poor section on sci fi, it must be said) and cant think what to get.. and before you pipe up with Enders Game, Neil Hamilton or Dune, read them all

epic science fiction novels - by Mitchman

Wed, 10 Sep 2009 12:20:00 +0000

Edited by: Mitchman on 10/09/2008 12:21:20
Stephen Donaldson's "The Gap" series of science fiction novels is a must read. Dark and gloomy, with anti-heros and unusual heros by the same author of the much acclaimed "Thomas Covernant" fantasy series. See http://home10.inet.tele.dk/terra/gap_series.html for more info. It many ways, it's like EVE itself: The police organization UMC can be compared with Concord in some ways, the main character is a (former) belt pirate, etc.

Another must read is Orson Scott Card's series about Ender, and Ender's Game in particular. Possibly the best single science fiction book ever written.

Last video: Pride, Honor & Retribution

epic science fiction novels - by SoftRevolution

Wed, 10 Sep 2009 12:14:00 +0000

"Hardboiled Wonderland and The End Of The World" by Haruki Murakami is something I'd recommend if you like PKD, Neil Gaiman or William Gibson. He's not really a sci fi author but I think that basically is sci fi.

I'm half-way through the EVE novel. It's decent so far. Really space opera-ey. Like the Lensman books only better written

epic science fiction novels - by Kuolematon

Wed, 10 Sep 2009 08:50:00 +0000

Again: this.

EVE's "chronicles" can't even come close to this master piece.

"The Amarr are the tanking and ganking floating rods of ~~gold~~crap"

epic science fiction novels - by CCP Oneiromancer

Wed, 10 Sep 2009 07:52:00 +0000

Hm, it's been years since I did any significant sci-fi reading, so I can't remember a lot of the more "obscure" books and authors I liked off the top of my head. Still, some names that haven't been mentioned so far:

Stanislaw Lem
Roger Zelazny
Ursula K. LeGuin
Karl Schroder
Cordwainer Smith - I simply love this guy. He wrote mostly short stories, but the time scale of his writings is more epic than anything I've read. He also has a very interesting style.

Short post, I need to be in a meeting soonish. =)

epic science fiction novels - by Fifi LeFume

Wed, 10 Sep 2009 06:10:00 +0000

Originally by: Kazuo Ishiguro
Arthur C. Clarke, the Rama series.

This, absolutely this.

Dont forget the 2001 series either

epic science fiction novels - by Sharupak

Wed, 10 Sep 2009 00:22:00 +0000

Originally by: brakespear
Stephen Baxter's 'Manifold' sequence ('Time', 'Space', 'Origin' and 'Phase Space') - big concept books

I dont like most scifi, and those were Outstanding!
_______________________________________________
RuntimeError: ChainEvent is blocking by design, but you're block trapped. You have'll have to find some alternative means to do Your Thing, dude.

epic science fiction novels - by Meiyang Lee

Tue, 9 Sep 2009 20:35:00 +0000

Originally by: Alz Shado
Originally by: Meiyang Lee
Edited by: Meiyang Lee on 09/09/2008 19:37:57
Just finished "Look to Windward" from Ian M. Banks, awesome novel, have 2 more from him on the way now. "Consider Phlebas" and "Matter"
Thanks for pointing me in this writers direction.

Also, the EVE novel is pretty epic, can recommend it to anyone.

If you like Banks, you really have to read "The Wasp Factory" It's not quite scifi, but it's got gobs of creepy atmosphere.

Might just do that.

epic science fiction novels - by Alz Shado

Tue, 9 Sep 2009 19:42:00 +0000

Originally by: Meiyang Lee
Edited by: Meiyang Lee on 09/09/2008 19:37:57
Just finished "Look to Windward" from Ian M. Banks, awesome novel, have 2 more from him on the way now. "Consider Phlebas" and "Matter"
Thanks for pointing me in this writers direction.

Also, the EVE novel is pretty epic, can recommend it to anyone.

If you like Banks, you really have to read "The Wasp Factory" It's not quite scifi, but it's got gobs of creepy atmosphere.
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\\\\ Rifter(RedBad)

"Kill a man one is a murderer; kill a million, a conqueror; kill them all, a God." -- Jean Rostand

epic science fiction novels - by Meiyang Lee

Tue, 9 Sep 2009 19:37:00 +0000

Edited by: Meiyang Lee on 09/09/2008 19:37:57
Just finished "Look to Windward" from Ian M. Banks, awesome novel, have 2 more from him on the way now. "Consider Phlebas" and "Matter"
Thanks for pointing me in this writers direction.

Also, the EVE novel is pretty epic, can recommend it to anyone.

epic science fiction novels - by Alz Shado

Tue, 9 Sep 2009 19:31:00 +0000

Edited by: Alz Shado on 09/09/2008 19:34:15
Steven R. Donaldson - The Gap saga
John Varley - The Gaea Trilogy
Larry Niven - Ringworld/Known Space
Jeff Noon - Vurt

For true Brainbusters, try Mark Z. Danielewski's "House of Leaves" or Steven Hall's "Raw Shark Texts"

Also, anything by: Greg Egan, Greg Bear, David Brin (for some reason I always see these three mentioned together)

Philip K. Schlong is also acceptable (except to the profanity filter, apparently)

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\\\\ Rifter(RedBad)

"Kill a man one is a murderer; kill a million, a conqueror; kill them all, a God." -- Jean Rostand

epic science fiction novels - by Tiberius Maddox

Tue, 9 Sep 2009 18:27:00 +0000

Originally by: Leonora Webb
Hmm yes Kim Stanley Robinson is a great choice, I absolutely love the Mars trilogy. And Baxter certainly errs on the "epic" side.

Yeah, but Robinson's works are an acquired taste and not for everyone. His stories are very long and events move at a snail's pace, so if you're a fan of action oriented sci-fi, you probably won't like his books. His stories are more about the vivid descriptions and interesting technological concepts than plot.

epic science fiction novels - by SoftRevolution

Tue, 9 Sep 2009 15:35:00 +0000

Edited by: SoftRevolution on 09/09/2008 15:35:17
ups

epic science fiction novels - by Mary Me'Belle

Tue, 9 Sep 2009 15:22:00 +0000

Originally by: Norwood Franskly

I like the idea of reading the book's for free but I've had some bad experience with David Webber, a friend of mine ranted and raved about him and lent me two books "March Upcountry" and "March to the Sea" they were collaborations with someone else, I finished the first book and got about 3/4 of the way through the second and had to put it down, the writing was imo really poor and the characters were basically poorly done archetypes with no real personalities, the battle scenes etc were well enough done but I just found it all hard to digest. It was enough to turn me off seeking out more of he's stuff, but with a few people reccomending him here I'm almost tempted to try again.

Has anyone read the series I read and is it typical of the rest of he's stuff?

the Honor Harrington books are a rewrite of the Horatio Hornblower series in space coated with a veneer of red under the bed, American flag waving with a female protagonist who has an inferiority complex when she has a high native g body, trained in combat marshal arts, is a marksman with 1911 .45, beautiful and fly big **** off spaceships against bigger ****off spaceships and wins.

oddly its not as bad as i make it out to be. bubblegum books, chew them up and spit them out. the space battles are actually relativistically limited, and tend to take up half the books. very exciting and fun, even with the 16hrs at max burn to match velocity and engage.

you only feel slightly dirty after reading them, honest.

epic science fiction novels - by Nigel Sheldon

Tue, 9 Sep 2009 12:01:00 +0000

anyone ever bothered to read alfred besters the demolition man? Now that is a damn good book, pretty much like everything that bester has written, but with this you can see where babylon 5 got it's ideas for telepaths from.

epic science fiction novels - by Norwood Franskly

Tue, 9 Sep 2009 11:16:00 +0000

Originally by: Malcanis
Originally by: Deviana Sevidon
Dan Simmons - Hyperion

Also, if you like military SF, then there is no one better then David Weber at the Moment.

"On Basilisk Station" or "Shadow of Saganami" are a good start to read in the Honorverse.

It's worth noting that quite a few of David Weber's books can be read for free at the Baen Free Library - including several Honourverse books.

I like the idea of reading the book's for free but I've had some bad experience with David Webber, a friend of mine ranted and raved about him and lent me two books "March Upcountry" and "March to the Sea" they were collaborations with someone else, I finished the first book and got about 3/4 of the way through the second and had to put it down, the writing was imo really poor and the characters were basically poorly done archetypes with no real personalities, the battle scenes etc were well enough done but I just found it all hard to digest. It was enough to turn me off seeking out more of he's stuff, but with a few people reccomending him here I'm almost tempted to try again.

Has anyone read the series I read and is it typical of the rest of he's stuff?

epic science fiction novels - by Malcanis

Tue, 9 Sep 2009 10:49:00 +0000

Originally by: Deviana Sevidon
Dan Simmons - Hyperion

Also, if you like military SF, then there is no one better then David Weber at the Moment.

"On Basilisk Station" or "Shadow of Saganami" are a good start to read in the Honorverse.

It's worth noting that quite a few of David Weber's books can be read for free at the Baen Free Library - including several Honourverse books.

CONCORD provide consequences, not safety; only you can do that.

epic science fiction novels - by Sergeant Spot

Tue, 9 Sep 2009 10:12:00 +0000

Years and years ago, before I was in high school, back in the late 1970s, I walked into a bookstore, without being told to, and with my own money, purchased a book. I was an avid comic book reader at the time, but wanted something 'more'.

The book I picked was "Tales of Known Space" by Larry Niven. In and of itself, I would just call it a good book. But it led to so many other books by so many other writers, and not just Science Fiction. Heck, I have a 'verse' copy of "Beowulf" on my desk right now.

It was on THAT day that I became a true reader.

For Sci/fi however, I've recently enjoyed the works of S.M. Sterling (among others already listed here). Sterling's early work leave a bit to be desired, but is great for heavy combat action stories. His writing style has improved over time, although he seems completely unable to write a story without a Zena clone (in his earlier work the Zena clones were damn near cookie cutter copies of each other, even when one story was fantasy, and another was Sci/Fi). But Zena clones or not, his stories started off as entertaining (assuming you like a lot of combat action), and have gotten better and better, so much so that even if a lot of the action was toned down, the stories would still be very very good.

Play nice while you butcher each other.

epic science fiction novels - by Deviana Sevidon

Tue, 9 Sep 2009 10:06:00 +0000

Dan Simmons - Hyperion

Also, if you like military SF, then there is no one better then David Weber at the Moment.

"On Basilisk Station" or "Shadow of Saganami" are a good start to read in the Honorverse.

epic science fiction novels - by Taradis

Tue, 9 Sep 2009 09:22:00 +0000

i like the star wars books, I read the republic commando series and I rather enjoyed it...

epic science fiction novels - by SoftRevolution

Tue, 9 Sep 2009 09:14:00 +0000

That SF Masterworks series has got some pretty good stuff in it. I found Lord of Light to be unreadable gibberish though. I did try

If you're reading PKD make a point of reading his short stories as well as his novels. They're just these insane brilliant ideas in capsule form and he had so many good ones.
EVE RELATED CONTENT

epic science fiction novels - by Dr Slaughter

Tue, 9 Sep 2009 09:09:00 +0000

Originally by: Nigel Sheldon
Was doing a search for Peter F Hamilton and all of the threads appear to be closed now, so thought I would start a new one...so do you have any great sci-fi novels you can recommend to other players.

Lord of Light out on SF Masterworks.

There is no parody in this thread. Honest.

epic science fiction novels - by Reycks Armunicus

Tue, 9 Sep 2009 07:41:00 +0000

you know, I think there's been a few of these threads by now. Try the search.
Generic witty sig goes here

epic science fiction novels - by Boba TehFett

Tue, 9 Sep 2009 07:06:00 +0000

oh, almost forgot:
If you can read german, czech, dutch, italian, french or russian you should read "Der letzte seiner Art" (The last of his kind) by Andreas Eschbach.
Its about a dude who was part of a "cyborg" project during the first Desert Storm thingie, but the project got canceled, and now he is kinda "broken" and living in some small village far off the shot, when strange shit starts to happen.
Awesome book. Its a pity that its not available in english : /

Also:
The Swarm by Frank SchStzing
Awesome book about some...stuff happening..its really hard to describe without giving stuff away ; D

epic science fiction novels - by Boba TehFett

Tue, 9 Sep 2009 06:57:00 +0000

In this order:
Antares Dawn
Antares Passage
Antares Victory
by Michael McCollum

Its kinda "realistic" scifi. You know..fleets passing each other in the blink of an eye, so the actual time-window for shooting is really small, people in "fast assault frigs" built for a very limited-ship-lifetime (so they can use everything to the max without worrying about repair bills ;P) having everything filled up with fluids (lungs etc) and being pumped up with drugs so they can handle the stress / pain.

Great..now i gotta read it again xD

epic science fiction novels - by Norwood Franskly

Tue, 9 Sep 2009 06:15:00 +0000

Yes I was just about to recommend the Mote in God's Eye was beaten to it some of Larry Niven's other stuff is good to, I like "Ringworld".

Other rec's:

Dune Series by Frank Herbert

"A Clockwork Orange" by Anthony Burgess (Easily one of the best novels I've read, if you've only seen the film read the novel it's 10,000 times better)

"Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep" by Phillip K ****

Anything by Ray Bradbury some of he's stuff isn't sci-fi though but he's an amazing story teller.

HG Wells is another must read sci-fi author some of the stuff is a bit dated now but still very enjoyable

I just finished reading "The Difference Engine" by William Gibson and Bruce Sterling if your a computer nerd like me it's a must read imo, probably the best alternate/speculative history book i've read.

epic science fiction novels - by Vabjekf

Tue, 9 Sep 2009 04:13:00 +0000

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Mote_in_God%27s_Eye

good book for several reasons

epic science fiction novels - by Lord Wamphyri

Mon, 4 Aug 2009 16:20:00 +0000

Originally by: kessah
Saga of Seven Suns - Kevin J Anderson. - Really enjoyed this- id brought the first in the seris as a random purchase and im now hooked to the seris. Ive been putting off reading the final book... dont want it to end

Agreed - I've been following this series since it came out, and have been completely hooked.. didn't realise the last book was available though!

I've also been working my way through the Culture series, currently reading Excession, I can also recommend most stuff by Stephen Baxter, recently finished Titan and though it's quite an old book now it was very entertaining, if depressing towards the end, though the finale more than makes up for it.

My EVE Tattoo!
My Second EVE Tattoo!

epic science fiction novels - by Amandin Adouin

Mon, 4 Aug 2009 13:14:00 +0000

Edited by: Amandin Adouin on 04/08/2008 13:14:42
Imo, these are the best sci-fi authors:
Philip K Dick
Kurt Vonnegut
Larry Niven
Robert E. Heinlen
William Gibson

epic science fiction novels - by Eran Laude

Mon, 4 Aug 2009 06:01:00 +0000

Edited by: Eran Laude on 04/08/2008 06:03:48
My top 3 epic Sci-fi sagas:

1. Night's Dawn - Peter F. Hamilton. He's the epitomy of English sci-fi writing right now, and I can't wait for his new novel next year.

2. Dune - Frank Herbert. Incredible. I recently finished re-reading all the novels [Butlerian Jihad trilogy, House Atreides/Harkonnen/Corrino trilogy, the original 6 novels and the final 2 novels written by Brian and Kevin J. Anderson] and it's definitely a literary triumph on an epic scale.

3. Foundation - Isaac Asimov. Intriguing, philosophical and very deep, this was the first sci-fi saga I read altogether. I still love it, and although he put a lot of work in on it, I wish Asimov had done more to flesh out the extensive times between the novels during his lifetime.

EDIT: I have no idea why people hate the Dune Prequels. OMG SACRILEGE!!? They're good books in their own right, I have a feeling that people wouldn't be exploding left right and centre with nerdrage if the word Dune hadn't been put on the front cover. I love the original six novels, but Brian and Kevin's other 8 are still very good.

epic science fiction novels - by pwnedgato

Mon, 4 Aug 2009 04:01:00 +0000

The Warhammer 40k books are damn nifty. the Ciaphas Cain novels in particular.

Originally by: Crumplecorn
These is a forum for this.

epic science fiction novels - by zephlexian teb

Mon, 4 Aug 2009 03:46:00 +0000

while i don't really read a lot anymore since i've aquired a rather hectic family life i have to mention an author that i read when i was younger that hasn't been mentioned thus far; Jack L. Chalker. i really enjoyed his Changwinds, G.O.D. Inc and The Quintara Marathon series. while the Well World novels were a bit much for me.

recently however i've gotten to reading Jack McDevitt and the Priscilla Hutchins novels heave been a good read.

i know these guys may not be on the herbert, asimov level but as a simpleton i rather enjoyed them.
---
The truth is you're the weak.
And I'm the tyranny of evil men.

epic science fiction novels - by Mary Me'Belle

Thu, 17 Jul 2009 10:34:00 +0000

Originally by: Jastra
Originally by: Robert Rosenberg
Originally by: Dan Glebitts
Edited by: Dan Glebitts on 30/06/2008 14:31:50
Greg Egan's Diaspora - Hard stuff but totally fascinating.
Philip K. D1ck - for some weird stories

And as for Orson Scott Card, if you own it throw his books out the nearest window... Horrible little soulless mind fart of book... trash.

Ender's Game has to be the most over rated sci-fi book I have ever read.

Also surprised the culture series hasn't been mentioned 10 times by now.

Someone has to write sci-fi for children. I am not sure about you but I did not start out as an elitist *****, it took years of gentle nurturing from more approachable authors like Card to build me into the ivory tower literati that I am today.

I read tons of sci fi when I was small, Chocky, Day of the Triffids, Kraken Wakes, The Crysalids, Hitchhikers Guide and others that dont stick so well in the mind - all good stuff and I sure by now this list must be much larger, Charlie and the Choclate factory and it's follow up is a kind off scifi, lol

I've just started reading Diaspora after it was recommended here and the first chapter on the birth of an artificial intelligence was superb

he, you described a lot of my childhood reading, as long as you add in John Christopher's tripods trilogy and Harry Harrison's stainless steel rat series as well.

Diaspora is one of the best hard scifi transhuman novels out there, that first chapter is one of my favorite poieces in all scifi. Charles Stross's "Accelarando" is also good in the this vein, with "Glasshouse" also being excellent but a bit softer.

epic science fiction novels - by Jastra

Thu, 17 Jul 2009 08:47:00 +0000

Originally by: Robert Rosenberg
Originally by: Dan Glebitts
Edited by: Dan Glebitts on 30/06/2008 14:31:50
Greg Egan's Diaspora - Hard stuff but totally fascinating.
Philip K. D1ck - for some weird stories

And as for Orson Scott Card, if you own it throw his books out the nearest window... Horrible little soulless mind fart of book... trash.

Ender's Game has to be the most over rated sci-fi book I have ever read.

Also surprised the culture series hasn't been mentioned 10 times by now.

Someone has to write sci-fi for children. I am not sure about you but I did not start out as an elitist *****, it took years of gentle nurturing from more approachable authors like Card to build me into the ivory tower literati that I am today.

I read tons of sci fi when I was small, Chocky, Day of the Triffids, Kraken Wakes, The Crysalids, Hitchhikers Guide and others that dont stick so well in the mind - all good stuff and I sure by now this list must be much larger, Charlie and the Choclate factory and it's follow up is a kind off scifi, lol

I've just started reading Diaspora after it was recommended here and the first chapter on the birth of an artificial intelligence was superb

epic science fiction novels - by kessah

Tue, 15 Jul 2009 11:45:00 +0000

Saga of Seven Suns - Kevin J Anderson. - Really enjoyed this- id brought the first in the seris as a random purchase and im now hooked to the seris. Ive been putting off reading the final book... dont want it to end

Day of the Triffids ive heard to be a good read - next on my list.

epic science fiction novels - by Silver Night

Tue, 15 Jul 2009 11:10:00 +0000

Originally by: Tauscha Vald'or
Originally by: EnslaverOfMinmatar
Maybe before you start reading Dune, probably read the "prequels" to Dune first.

God no. They suck. Kevin J Anderson is a hack. Pure and simple.

I tried to read a book of his I ordered recently and didn't even finish it. The writing seemed distinctly amateur for a published author.

I'll come up wiht some recommendations after I have some sleep
--------------

The Clown Man.
GLS Mr. State
Caldari Patriot.
Sansha's Nation Supporter

epic science fiction novels - by Dantes Revenge

Tue, 15 Jul 2009 10:37:00 +0000

Originally by: EnslaverOfMinmatar
Maybe before you start reading Dune, probably read the "prequels" to Dune first.

Oh the horror, the blasphemy! Kill the traitor!
--
There's a simple difference between kinky and perverted. Kinky is using a feather to get her in the mood. Perverted is using the whole chicken.

epic science fiction novels - by Tauscha Vald'or

Tue, 15 Jul 2009 07:51:00 +0000

Originally by: EnslaverOfMinmatar
Maybe before you start reading Dune, probably read the "prequels" to Dune first.

God no. They suck. Kevin J Anderson is a hack. Pure and simple.

epic science fiction novels - by EnslaverOfMinmatar

Tue, 15 Jul 2009 06:44:00 +0000

Maybe before you start reading Dune, probably read the "prequels" to Dune first.

epic science fiction novels - by Dantes Revenge

Tue, 15 Jul 2009 04:24:00 +0000

Edited by: Dantes Revenge on 15/07/2008 04:25:55

Of them all, Dune has to be the winner, I've read the whole series. It's really hard going since there are so many convoluted sub-plots going on but definitely worth a read. Frank Herbert is a wizard at writing stories that involve so many plots that all come to a single conclusion.

Has anyone read the Mode series by Piers Anthony? His work is mainly in the fantasy line but the Mode series is a great balance between fantasy and sci-fi.

Anne McCaffery, probably better known for the Pern series but also for the Ship series, Philip K D ick (even names don't pass the forum filter, newsflash, this word is also a name used as a short version of Richard), Robert Henlein. No sci-fi reader could truly say they are sci-fi fans until they've read Isaac Asimov, his book 'I Robot' was the basis of many films including 'AI', 'Short Circuit' and many more where a robot is, or becomes 'self aware'. His 3 laws are the foundation on which all future robots will be built and if you don't know the three laws, you don't read sci-fi.

--
There's a simple difference between kinky and perverted. Kinky is using a feather to get her in the mood. Perverted is using the whole chicken.

epic science fiction novels - by Robert Rosenberg

Mon, 14 Jul 2009 11:29:00 +0000

Originally by: Dan Glebitts
Edited by: Dan Glebitts on 30/06/2008 14:31:50
Greg Egan's Diaspora - Hard stuff but totally fascinating.
Philip K. D1ck - for some weird stories

And as for Orson Scott Card, if you own it throw his books out the nearest window... Horrible little soulless mind fart of book... trash.

Ender's Game has to be the most over rated sci-fi book I have ever read.

Also surprised the culture series hasn't been mentioned 10 times by now.

Someone has to write sci-fi for children. I am not sure about you but I did not start out as an elitist *****, it took years of gentle nurturing from more approachable authors like Card to build me into the ivory tower literati that I am today.

epic science fiction novels - by CCP Lingorm

Mon, 14 Jul 2009 10:45:00 +0000

Edited by: CCP Lingorm on 14/07/2008 10:46:32
Some good series :
Deathstalker Cycle by Simon R. Green
Saga of the Exiles by Julian May
Shadow Warrior by Chris Brunch
Multiverse by David Weber
The Ender Saga by Orson Scott Card
Dune by Frank Herbet
Cassandra Kresnov Novels by Joel Shepherd
The Paratwa Trilogy by Christopher Hinz (Warning this series contains adult themes and some seriously weird stuff)

Individual Books
Jerusalem Fire by R M Meleuh
Strength and Honour by R M Meluch
The Parafaith War by L.E. Modesitt Jr.
In Fury Born by David Weber

CCP Lingorm
CCP Quality Assurance
QA Engineering Team Leader

Originally by: Lord Fitz
Eve is to WoW as Wow is to an 8 player game of Unreal Tournament.

epic science fiction novels - by DesertFox1940

Mon, 14 Jul 2009 06:30:00 +0000

Now im not saying its one of the best but i thought the book Songs Of Distant Earth By Arthur C. Clark*same man behind 2001 Space Odyssey and 2010 Space Odyssey II, i recommended all 3 but the 2000 series is kind of confusing to me

epic science fiction novels - by Jernau Riggs

Sun, 13 Jul 2009 23:31:00 +0000

Perdido Street Station by China Mieville

More steam punk than Sci-Fi but maybe one of the best book ever written and was voted best sci-fi of the year on the year it was released i believe

epic science fiction novels - by Technomagez

Sun, 13 Jul 2009 21:19:00 +0000

Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Di.ck
Well, generall anything by Philip K., his books were taken as model for Bladerunner, Minority Report, Impostor and Total Recall.

Also The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams is really great. No serious Science-Fiction though.

epic science fiction novels - by Reycks Armunicus

Sun, 13 Jul 2009 12:36:00 +0000

I can recommend Isaac Asimov, Larry Niven, and Robert Forward. Generally good sci-fi with a minimum of all that technobabble hyperspatial horseshit.

Also Robert Asprin wrote some funny ones about a character called 'Phule.'

Moon wasn't that great, although she had a decent story.
Generic witty sig goes here

epic science fiction novels - by Tauscha Vald'or

Sun, 13 Jul 2009 07:32:00 +0000

Edited by: Tauscha Vald''or on 13/07/2008 07:36:41

Originally by: Kazuo Ishiguro
Arthur C. Clarke, the Rama series.

Only the ones that the horrid little atrocious man Gentry Lee kept his grubby fingers off of.

Originally by: Ruhige Schmerz

Voice of the Whirlwind, Walter Jon Williams.

One of my personal favorites, along with Hardwired.

In a similar vein, Daniel Keys Moran's Tales of Continuing Time. Emerald Eyes, The Long Run and the Last Dancer. Three books I return to again and again.

epic science fiction novels - by NetMage

Sun, 13 Jul 2009 06:26:00 +0000

Originally by: Harley Dare
Armor

by Jon Steakley.

Superb book.

(i've read about every other book listed here and enjoyed the majority but if you really love a laugh out loud and cry with pride storyline you'll love this book)

+1 (or actually, + a whole lot)

Definitely a much better Starship Troopers

epic science fiction novels - by Harley Dare

Tue, 8 Jul 2009 19:51:00 +0000

Armor

by Jon Steakley.

Superb book.

(i've read about every other book listed here and enjoyed the majority but if you really love a laugh out loud and cry with pride storyline you'll love this book)

epic science fiction novels - by Saihung

Tue, 8 Jul 2009 14:45:00 +0000

Rama
Rama II
Garden of Rama
Rama Revealed

Arthur C. Clarke
(If you dont like "hard" sci-fi, this is not for you...likely)
_____________________

The Foundation series (like 6 or 7 books...plus numerous other "appearances" in other series.)

_____________________

Enders Game + all sequels

I love these threads, I am always looking to that next book, and these "share" threads are always a source of unexpected treasures.

epic science fiction novels - by Sothis Antares

Tue, 8 Jul 2009 14:29:00 +0000

Originally by: Kusha'an
That's tragic. Battlefield Earth has one of the most amazing endings of any sci fi book out there. Do yourself a favor and finish it. I've personally read the book four times.

i must admit i haven't read the book. but the movie was horrible imho
_________________________________________________

devblogs are boring. so is mine :P

epic science fiction novels - by Kusha'an

Tue, 8 Jul 2009 14:07:00 +0000

Originally by: Slade Trillgon
Someone has said Battlefield Earth by L. Ron Hubbard. I can say that I thoroughly enjoyed the first 500 plus pages. When I got to this point I thought he could end this book in less then 25 pages but I still had close to another 500 pages and was like WTF else is he going to do with this story. It has been 10 years since I tried to read the book and at some point in time I will finish the book, but that is likely to be far in the future. I still have the page marked in a 1st printing of this book.

Adendum: The movie was not horrible, but it did not even hold a match flame to what I read of the book.

Slade

That's tragic. Battlefield Earth has one of the most amazing endings of any sci fi book out there. Do yourself a favor and finish it. I've personally read the book four times.
----
CCP, please implement a skill queue!

epic science fiction novels - by Talon Aidian

Sun, 6 Jul 2009 15:20:00 +0000

Edited by: Talon Aidian on 06/07/2008 15:26:07
Edited by: Talon Aidian on 06/07/2008 15:25:23
Edited by: Talon Aidian on 06/07/2008 15:24:33
Edited by: Talon Aidian on 06/07/2008 15:23:31
Here are a few that come to mind for my favorites:

C.J. Cherryh's Merchanter series ( -THE- series for any EVE merchant player, possibly for all EVE players )

Tad William's Otherland series ( cyber-conspiracy )
W. Michael Gear's Spider series ( A no-holds-barred sci fi war series - not for kids )
Gene Wolfe's Torturer series ( sort of a fantasy/sci fi combo )
Anne McCaffrey's Planet Pirates series ( another part of the Ship universe )

And, if you can find a copy, Thieves of Light by Michael Hudson is a well-written story on the lines of The Last Starfighter. Although it was written for the Photon series, it was unique in it's realistic attitude towards war (for instance, the main character can't relate to the things he's being told because he has seen so much made-up war on TV). And, yes, Michael Hudson is a pen-name for another noted Sci Fi author (I don't have the name handy, tho).

epic science fiction novels - by Etchyboy

Fri, 4 Jul 2009 20:37:00 +0000

Ahh just remembered after looking over Wiki.... His Robot series were awesome...

The Caves of Steel (1954), ISBN 0-553-29340-0 (first Elijah Baley SF-crime novel)
The Naked Sun (1957), ISBN 0-553-29339-7 (second Elijah Baley SF-crime novel)
The Robots of Dawn (1983), ISBN 0-553-29949-2 (third Elijah Baley SF-crime novel)
Robots and Empire (1985) (sequel to the Elijah Baley trilogy)

epic science fiction novels - by Etchyboy

Fri, 4 Jul 2009 20:16:00 +0000

Originally by: Slade Trillgon
I agree with Dune being on top.

But one of the classic sci-fi authors is Isaac Asimov. His first book of the Foundation Series - Foundation is a classic.

Slade

His Foundation series were awesome. I also liked his stories about a robot called Norby. An for the life of me I can recall the other series. It was about a cop in the future.

epic science fiction novels - by Another Liberthas

Fri, 4 Jul 2009 18:04:00 +0000

David Weber's Honor Harrington series is pretty awesome.

epic science fiction novels - by Toshiro GreyHawk

Fri, 4 Jul 2009 16:36:00 +0000

Eh ... there's a lot of good stuff that isn't epic and a lot of epic stuff that isn't good. Some of the writers of really good non-epic stuff haven't really translated that into the epic stuff they wrote. I'm interpreting "epic" here to mean something that spans several, big novels and is a coherent whole rather than a collection of short stories and smaller novels.

I've read some of Clarke and a lot of Heinlein. Starship Troopers is a classic but I got burnt out on the rest of it. Both are over rated. Clarke was an ass.

Dune was a great accomplishment but I didn't care for it's milieu. Read a lot of them but don't remember how far I got into the series.

Elizabeth Moon's best work is the Fantasy The Deed of Paksenarrion. Her SciFi series was to involved with Aunts, Horses and Aristocrats.

Final Blackout is an interesting book. Hubbard wrote it before he founded his religion (allegedly on a bet ...). It's about an apocalyptic WWII - written just before WWII. As to the Battlefield Earth series ... I'm not sure if he actually wrote any of that or not.

Drake writes a good shoot'em up and the Bolo books are classics. They aren't really coherent wholes though but collections of individual stories and novels. Drake has written some coherent series but they're more Fantasy than SciFi.

Donaldson's Gap Cycle is very good.

Bunch and Weber have written some good but not great stuff.

Saberhagen's Berzerker series is great though it is more a series of separate novels on the same theme than a coherent whole. The difference between Drake's Hammer books and Saberhagen's Berzerker's is that Saberhagen's works tended to be more complete novels while Drake had a lot of short story collections.

Asmimov's Foundation series is the best. Nothing but Dune even comes close but here individual taste plays a part. I simply liked the Foundation Milieu better than that of Dune.

Niven's Man/Kzin wars are good but much of it consists of books consisting of collections of stories he was the Editor of rather than the author. But he's got some good guest authors in there. Drake for one.

Niven & Pournelle's Janissaries Trilogy is the best "Wouldn't it be cool to go back in time with an Armored Division!!!" type book (though they've really only got about a Company and no tanks).

*sigh*

I'm sure I've left out some deserving series here and failed to castigate some over rated books but there's only so many I can remember.

*shrug*

epic science fiction novels - by Ruhige Schmerz

Fri, 4 Jul 2009 14:46:00 +0000

Neal Stephenson's books obviously. Snow Crash, Diamond Age, and Zodiac are all great. I still need to get the baroque cycle books.

Dune, as much a pillar as it is, I am not a huge fan of, in the same way I like modern rock but just can't get into elvis or the beatles no matter how influential they are.

Another scifi/fantasy book series that hasn't been mentioned is the Soul Rider series, it's pretty darn good.

Voice of the Whirlwind, Walter Jon Williams.

Any of the 70s or 80s compilations, especially Body Armor 2000. Some awesome stories in that one, such as In the Bone.

epic science fiction novels - by jinkoti boslin2

Fri, 4 Jul 2009 14:29:00 +0000

Well, again..... Dune is always top of the list, even the later books by his son brian are a good read (although not even close to the originals) baxters destiny's children series and the time ships (amazingly a very good sequel to the time machine) i have to state too that the only negative comment i've read in this thread so far concerns orson scott cards 'ender's game' series... I gotta stick up for these books! As a teenager i loved em, and they're among the few series that uses sci fi as a crucible to examine human interaction at a family level in a future set world..... P.s. Forgive the block txt here, i'm currently on a train and my phone has no return key!

epic science fiction novels - by jinkoti boslin2

Fri, 4 Jul 2009 14:24:00 +0000

Edited by: jinkoti boslin2 on 04/07/2008 14:27:12
Well, again..... Dune is always top of the list, even the later books by his son brian are a good read (although not even close to the originals) baxters a genius, the destiny's children series and the time ships (amazing! a sequel to the time machine) i have to state too that the only negative comment i've read in this thread so far concerns orson scott cards 'ender's game' series... I gotta stick up for these books! As a teenager i loved em, and they're among the few series that uses sci fi as a crucible to examine human interaction at a family level in a future set world..... P.s. Forgive the block txt here, i'm currently on a train and my phone has no return key!

epic science fiction novels - by Malcanis

Fri, 4 Jul 2009 06:11:00 +0000

Originally by: F'nog
Originally by: Demiurgis
Ive got to say in order of favorites
1) Dune
2) The Diamond Age
3) Foundation
4) Neuromancer
Im in the middle of "The Peace War" by Vinge which is really good thus far. Ill probably read "A Fire in the Deep" or "Snowcrash" next Went to school with Greg Bear's son and have been meaning to read his books, he seemed like an interesting guy. He came and lectured at my mom's small book club about Forge of God. I dont think the dozen of middle aged women appreciated it as much as any of us would

Wait, you read The Diamond Age before Snow Crash?

I can't imagine how that made any sense.

Note I haven't read TDA, but I will, and it can't be easy, considering how he writes. Even Snow Crash can be difficult for those not adept at its fineries.

But I did read the Baroque Saga before reading Cryptonomicon, so you may just want to give me a boot to the head.

Snow Crash isn't really related to Diamond Age. There is a single hint in one line that links the two books.

CONCORD provide consequences, not safety; only you can do that.

epic science fiction novels - by Master Rook

Fri, 4 Jul 2009 06:07:00 +0000

Edited by: Master Rook on 04/07/2008 06:08:01

Originally by: Helen Hunts
The Bolo books.... That there metallic mountain covered in the deadliest weapons known to the galaxy at large....is very much sentient and isn't programmed to lose gracefully (or at all).

Hear, hear! The Bolo Series is absolutely wonderful military science fiction! Also, David Drake's Hammer's Slammers series (sort of like The Dirty Dozen in space).

Also, Dan Abnett's 40K fiction, especially the Gaunt's Ghosts series.

Conquering the universe, one chess game at a time!

epic science fiction novels - by hedfunk

Thu, 3 Jul 2009 20:43:00 +0000

The Practice Effect - David Brin

Awesome.

epic science fiction novels - by Karma

Thu, 3 Jul 2009 19:44:00 +0000

the Psion trilogy, by Joan D. Vinge (Psion, Catspawn & Dreamfall)

This Perfect Day, By Ira Levin.

"Fate of the Universe", a quintology by a swedish author named George Johansson (original title: "Universums +de" (isbn: 91-48-52028-4)).
I don't know if this series of books have been translated to english or not.. but it's one of the best sci-fi series I've ever read. I'm not gonna whet your apetite since I don't know if it's been translated, and it would be sad if you wanted to read it, but couldn't ;)

epic science fiction novels - by Tal Nok

Thu, 3 Jul 2009 18:17:00 +0000

william gibson at number 1 still to this day

been trying hard to find someone else to replace him but its been difficult

Originally by: CCP Mitnal
Forum gods ANGRY.

Need sacrifice.

epic science fiction novels - by Julius Kalmaris

Thu, 3 Jul 2009 17:06:00 +0000

Heinlen's Starship troopers comes to mind. So does H.P Lovecrafts books.

Also, the Halo books, The Fall of Reach, First Strike, Ghosts of Onyx, and Contact Harvest. I know there not epic novels but there damn good reads, and you don't even need to have ever played the Halo games to get in to them.

Loyalty means nothing unless it has at its heart the absolute principle of self-sacrifice.

epic science fiction novels - by Richtor Mettle

Thu, 3 Jul 2009 14:44:00 +0000

Dune most definately.
Neuromancer and virtually everything by William Gibson or Bruce Sterling.
Fred Saberhagen's Beserker stories (makes Rogue Drones look tame. ).
Tad Williams Otherland.

epic science fiction novels - by ramzahn

Wed, 2 Jul 2009 09:03:00 +0000

Edited by: ramzahn on 02/07/2008 09:04:28
Anything from Arkady and Boris Strugatsky.

'The Algebraist' - Iain M. Banks
'The Forever War' - Joe Haldeman
'Hyperion' Books - Dan Simmons
'Night Dawn Trilogy' - Peter F. Hamilton
'Cryptonomicon' - Neil Stephenson

and of course the 'Dune' Series - Frank Herbert (not the one's from his son)

epic science fiction novels - by Myown Altchar

Wed, 2 Jul 2009 08:34:00 +0000

Edited by: Myown Altchar on 02/07/2008 08:35:37

Tad Williams, Otherland I, II, III and IV

epic science fiction novels - by The WiCk3D

Wed, 2 Jul 2009 07:39:00 +0000

Dan Simmons - Hyperion Cantos. Must read for any Sci-Fi fan.

epic science fiction novels - by F'nog

Wed, 2 Jul 2009 05:19:00 +0000

Originally by: Demiurgis
Ive got to say in order of favorites
1) Dune
2) The Diamond Age
3) Foundation
4) Neuromancer
Im in the middle of "The Peace War" by Vinge which is really good thus far. Ill probably read "A Fire in the Deep" or "Snowcrash" next Went to school with Greg Bear's son and have been meaning to read his books, he seemed like an interesting guy. He came and lectured at my mom's small book club about Forge of God. I dont think the dozen of middle aged women appreciated it as much as any of us would

Wait, you read The Diamond Age before Snow Crash?

I can't imagine how that made any sense.

Note I haven't read TDA, but I will, and it can't be easy, considering how he writes. Even Snow Crash can be difficult for those not adept at its fineries.

But I did read the Baroque Saga before reading Cryptonomicon, so you may just want to give me a boot to the head.

Originally by: Kazuma Saruwatari

F'nog for Amarr Emperor. Nuff said

Originally by: Chribba
Go F'nog! You're a hero! Not a Zero! /me bows

epic science fiction novels - by Demiurgis

Wed, 2 Jul 2009 04:35:00 +0000

Ive got to say in order of favorites
1) Dune
2) The Diamond Age
3) Foundation
4) Neuromancer
Im in the middle of "The Peace War" by Vinge which is really good thus far. Ill probably read "A Fire in the Deep" or "Snowcrash" next Went to school with Greg Bear's son and have been meaning to read his books, he seemed like an interesting guy. He came and lectured at my mom's small book club about Forge of God. I dont think the dozen of middle aged women appreciated it as much as any of us would

epic science fiction novels - by Reiisha

Tue, 1 Jul 2009 23:23:00 +0000

Edited by: Reiisha on 01/07/2008 23:22:49
I've always loved Eon by Greg Bear. Starts so mundane, but ends up pretty damn epic

EVE History Wiki

epic science fiction novels - by Prasolita

Tue, 1 Jul 2009 20:03:00 +0000

Stanislav Lem - Stellar Diaries, Futurology Congress, Solaris

Sci-Fi + humor = win

epic science fiction novels - by Slade Trillgon

Tue, 1 Jul 2009 17:29:00 +0000

Someone has said Battlefield Earth by L. Ron Hubbard. I can say that I thoroughly enjoyed the first 500 plus pages. When I got to this point I thought he could end this book in less then 25 pages but I still had close to another 500 pages and was like WTF else is he going to do with this story. It has been 10 years since I tried to read the book and at some point in time I will finish the book, but that is likely to be far in the future. I still have the page marked in a 1st printing of this book.

Adendum: The movie was not horrible, but it did not even hold a match flame to what I read of the book.

Slade

epic science fiction novels - by Captain Falcord

Tue, 1 Jul 2009 12:27:00 +0000

The Martian Chronicles -> Ray Bradbury

A masterpiece.

Btw I recommend you all read Flatland (Edwin A. Abott) It's not the typical sci-fi, but it's an awesome book that makes you notice how wrong our concept of the world is.
---<---@
JackFalcord

epic science fiction novels - by Suze'Rain

Tue, 1 Jul 2009 11:27:00 +0000

Charlie Stross:

Accelerando, Glasshouse, Singularity Sky, etc, are some of the best sci-fi I've ever read.

and while not sci-fi, but more geek lovecraftian horror parody, his "laundry" series: "The Atrocity Archives" and "Jennifer Morgue" are among the best books I've ever read for sheer twisted genius. Think the BOFH crossed with Lovecraft and you're close.

epic science fiction novels - by Nigel Sheldon

Tue, 1 Jul 2009 09:22:00 +0000

Originally by: Jonathan Calvert
Originally by: Nigel Sheldon
Was doing a search for Peter F Hamilton and all of the threads appear to be closed now, so thought I would start a new one...so do you have any great sci-fi novels you can recommend to other players. I shall kick it off with of course Peter F Hamilton and his nights dawn trilogy as well as pandoras star/judas unchained and the first book of the void trilogy (anyone know when book 2 is out???)
I also recommend Alastair Reynolds and Ken McLeods engines of light trilogy....have also got but haven't got round to reading the saga of the seven suns, elizabeth moons the serrano succession and dan simmons endymion which i gather is a follow up to hyperion.
Also Banks and some bloke called tony gonzales which has written a book about a computer game not read it yet, but hoping it's good...

Temporal Void will be out in the UK in October, and US in 2009, which means Ill be buying from Ebay again.

2 of my favorite EPIC sci fi books would be the 5 part Hitchhikers Guide trilogy, and Battlefield Earth (flamesuit on!)

Not read Battlefield Earth, heard it is a million times better than the movie (which i have refused to watch)....

epic science fiction novels - by F'nog

Mon, 30 Jun 2009 21:09:00 +0000

We seriously need a sticky on this. We get a new thread at least once a week. We've got a music one, why not books?

Originally by: Kazuma Saruwatari

F'nog for Amarr Emperor. Nuff said

Originally by: Chribba
Go F'nog! You're a hero! Not a Zero! /me bows

epic science fiction novels - by Atomos Darksun

Mon, 30 Jun 2009 20:24:00 +0000

Absolutey agree with whoever said Coldfire Trilogy. Probably my favorite series of books.

Clarke, Asimov, etc.

Originally by: Amoxin
My vent is talking to me in a devil voice...

Atomos' Guide to Forum Flaming

epic science fiction novels - by Adhamhnon

Mon, 30 Jun 2009 19:52:00 +0000

Originally by: Nuala Reece

No Robert Heinlein? I'd add 'Stranger in a Strange Land' to the list.

And Alan Moore and Ian Gibon's 'Ballad of Halo Jones' to give a look in for the graphic novels.

Concur with Heinlein, though I would recommend starting with his Future History collection "The Past Through Tomorrow" then follow with "Time Enough For Love". Those combined are an epic progress of his percieved future. I also recommend "Starship Troopers" (not at all like the movie, the movie was an atrocity), and one of his last books, "Friday".

Ben Bova's "Titan" is pretty good as well and haven't seen it mentioned.

epic science fiction novels - by Forum Warrior

Mon, 30 Jun 2009 19:14:00 +0000

Thread was severely lacking in Asher, Steakley, Scalzi, Stephenson.
Until now.

epic science fiction novels - by Nachshon

Mon, 30 Jun 2009 19:00:00 +0000

Anything by James P. Hogan. I highly recommend the Giants series - though they do tend to get worse as the series goes on. They're all quite good (at least, the first three - haven't read the others), but the first one is definitely the best.

epic science fiction novels - by brakespear

Mon, 30 Jun 2009 18:44:00 +0000

Stephen Baxter's 'Manifold' sequence ('Time', 'Space', 'Origin' and 'Phase Space') - big concept books

epic science fiction novels - by Kazuo Ishiguro

Mon, 30 Jun 2009 18:29:00 +0000

Arthur C. Clarke, the Rama series.
Zzz research towers
Direrie
NEW: Liekuri

20:1 low-end compression

epic science fiction novels - by Helen Hunts

Mon, 30 Jun 2009 18:05:00 +0000

David Weber, David Drake, Andre Norton (Northworld Trilogy is a fun combo of ultra high-tech and feudalism) Ann McCaffrey's "Ship who..." series as well as the Crystal Singer series and Powers That Be series. (What do you do when the lifeform giving you problems seems to be the bloody planet?)

The Bolo books.... That there metallic mountain covered in the deadliest weapons known to the galaxy at large....is very much sentient and isn't programmed to lose gracefully (or at all).
_______________________________

Mine da rocks, make more ships.
Pop da rats, make more rigs.
Sell da gear, make more money.

Any Questions?

epic science fiction novels - by Jonathan Calvert

Mon, 30 Jun 2009 18:03:00 +0000

Originally by: Nigel Sheldon
Was doing a search for Peter F Hamilton and all of the threads appear to be closed now, so thought I would start a new one...so do you have any great sci-fi novels you can recommend to other players. I shall kick it off with of course Peter F Hamilton and his nights dawn trilogy as well as pandoras star/judas unchained and the first book of the void trilogy (anyone know when book 2 is out???)
I also recommend Alastair Reynolds and Ken McLeods engines of light trilogy....have also got but haven't got round to reading the saga of the seven suns, elizabeth moons the serrano succession and dan simmons endymion which i gather is a follow up to hyperion.
Also Banks and some bloke called tony gonzales which has written a book about a computer game not read it yet, but hoping it's good...

Temporal Void will be out in the UK in October, and US in 2009, which means Ill be buying from Ebay again.

2 of my favorite EPIC sci fi books would be the 5 part Hitchhikers Guide trilogy, and Battlefield Earth (flamesuit on!)

epic science fiction novels - by Nigel Sheldon

Mon, 30 Jun 2009 17:19:00 +0000

no one has mentioned alfred bester either when I think about it, and not sure why I didn't mention it in my OP....you haven't lived till you have decified the demolision man

epic science fiction novels - by Fink Angel

Mon, 30 Jun 2009 14:57:00 +0000

I recommend you check out The Mammoth Book Of Extreme Science Fiction and then see which of the 20 or so authors you like the style of, then investigate them further.

epic science fiction novels - by Nuala Reece

Mon, 30 Jun 2009 14:44:00 +0000

Originally by: CCP Atropos
Anything by Dan Simmons, David Brin, Greg Bear, Gregory Benford, Alastair Reynolds, Stephen Baxter, Kim Stanley Robinson, Peter F. Hamilton, Vernor Vinge, Orson Scott Card, William Gibson, Richard Morgan, China Mieville, Jack Vance, Iain M. Banks.

Pretty much lifted verbatim from my Facebook profile

No Robert Heinlein? I'd add 'Stranger in a Strange Land' to the list.

And Alan Moore and Ian Gibon's 'Ballad of Halo Jones' to give a look in for the graphic novels.
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epic science fiction novels - by Dan Glebitts

Mon, 30 Jun 2009 14:30:00 +0000

Edited by: Dan Glebitts on 30/06/2008 14:31:50
Greg Egan's Diaspora - Hard stuff but totally fascinating.
Philip K. D1ck - for some weird stories

And as for Orson Scott Card, if you own it throw his books out the nearest window... Horrible little soulless mind fart of book... trash.

Ender's Game has to be the most over rated sci-fi book I have ever read.

Also surprised the culture series hasn't been mentioned 10 times by now.

epic science fiction novels - by Meiyang Lee

Mon, 30 Jun 2009 13:06:00 +0000

While not 100% sci-fi as such I can also recommend C.S. Friedman's Coldfire trilogy.
Its appears mostly fantasy but it has some definite hints of sci-fi in there, and its an awesome read.

Another series I really enjoyed was Julian May's Rampart Worlds trilogy, its not as complex or deep as some of the works mentioned in this thread, but its a fun read and has some nice action aswell.

Aside from those, Greg Bear shouldn't be left out, I only have Moving Mars myself, but read plenty of other books by him and they're beautiful.

epic science fiction novels - by Mary Me'Belle

Mon, 30 Jun 2009 12:58:00 +0000

Originally by: MotherMoon
Dune is hard if impossable to beat, but I still recomend the book FEED everytime someone brings up scifi books.

that and the one simlar to eve... about the children that are put in pods to fly spaceships?

the ship that cried or something? help me out guys!

The ship that sang, Anne MacCaffery.

For epic space opera I would suggest David Brin's Uplift War series. It doesn't get more epic than a fully populated Dyson sphere that has a high fractal dimention for its suface area (a very very large population of sentients) gets destroyed.

epic science fiction novels - by Baron Agamemnon

Mon, 30 Jun 2009 12:40:00 +0000

Edited by: Baron Agamemnon on 30/06/2008 12:40:15

Originally by: CCP Atropos
Anything by Dan Simmons, David Brin, Greg Bear, Gregory Benford, Alastair Reynolds, Stephen Baxter, Kim Stanley Robinson, Peter F. Hamilton, Vernor Vinge, Orson Scott Card, William Gibson, Richard Morgan, China Mieville, Jack Vance, Iain M. Banks.

Pretty much lifted verbatim from my Facebook profile

Good list there, I have yet to read form all of them, but I have many "waiting" for me to get started :).

Hammilton's Night's Dawn is currently my favorite. Gonna start on the Culture series next :)

epic science fiction novels - by Slade Trillgon

Mon, 30 Jun 2009 12:40:00 +0000

I agree with Dune being on top.

But one of the classic sci-fi authors is Isaac Asimov. His first book of the Foundation Series - Foundation is a classic.

Slade

epic science fiction novels - by P'uck

Mon, 30 Jun 2009 12:39:00 +0000

Some bookstores still have a lot of those sci-fi short story collections that were published in the 70ties. Some of those stores sell those for ridiculous low prices, too.

Sometimes you can find real gems among those, like brilliant stories from guys that never got big and famous and therefore you'd normally miss them.

Sometimes you have great stories that are badly written, but still its a gain to get those ideas, without having the joy of a properly designed story, but heck, if we were there just for the prose, we wouldn't specifically look for sci-fi, now would we?

epic science fiction novels - by Leonora Webb

Mon, 30 Jun 2009 12:35:00 +0000

Hmm yes Kim Stanley Robinson is a great choice, I absolutely love the Mars trilogy. And Baxter certainly errs on the "epic" side.

Brian Aldiss' Helliconia trilogy will also keep you going for a while.

epic science fiction novels - by CCP Atropos

Mon, 30 Jun 2009 12:32:00 +0000

Anything by Dan Simmons, David Brin, Greg Bear, Gregory Benford, Alastair Reynolds, Stephen Baxter, Kim Stanley Robinson, Peter F. Hamilton, Vernor Vinge, Orson Scott Card, William Gibson, Richard Morgan, China Mieville, Jack Vance, Iain M. Banks.

Pretty much lifted verbatim from my Facebook profile

epic science fiction novels - by MotherMoon

Mon, 30 Jun 2009 12:26:00 +0000

Dune is hard if impossable to beat, but I still recomend the book FEED everytime someone brings up scifi books.

that and the one simlar to eve... about the children that are put in pods to fly spaceships?

the ship that cried or something? help me out guys!

epic science fiction novels - by Leonora Webb

Mon, 30 Jun 2009 12:18:00 +0000

Frank Herbert's Dune series. Nothing else comes close, it's utterly monumental.

Any serious discussion of sci-fi of any kind can't leave it out.

epic science fiction novels - by Nigel Sheldon

Mon, 30 Jun 2009 12:05:00 +0000

Was doing a search for Peter F Hamilton and all of the threads appear to be closed now, so thought I would start a new one...so do you have any great sci-fi novels you can recommend to other players. I shall kick it off with of course Peter F Hamilton and his nights dawn trilogy as well as pandoras star/judas unchained and the first book of the void trilogy (anyone know when book 2 is out???)
I also recommend Alastair Reynolds and Ken McLeods engines of light trilogy....have also got but haven't got round to reading the saga of the seven suns, elizabeth moons the serrano succession and dan simmons endymion which i gather is a follow up to hyperion.
Also Banks and some bloke called tony gonzales which has written a book about a computer game not read it yet, but hoping it's good...