Dragonriders of Pern or Wheel of Time? Which is better?

by **Specop_007** » Fri 18 Mar 2005, 14:57:11

So, for those sci-fi readers which do you think is better? Anne McCaffrey or Robert Jordan (Dragonriders of Pern or Wheel of Time)?

Any other good series you've read lately?

Yes yes, hard to believe I know, but I do occasioanlly read. :-D

by **uNkNowN ElEmEnt** » Fri 18 Mar 2005, 15:10:04

I have never read anything as good as the dragon riders of pern so I will have to try this Wheel of time. it must be pretty good if it compares! You actually read? I'd have guessed you for a book on tape kinda guy (you know, being so busy and all with little ones and a life) :-D

by **Trab** » Fri 18 Mar 2005, 15:15:07

IMO Jordan's Wheel of Time series has spun way out of control. There are so many divergent plot lines running through the books, that I think even the author himself has lost his way. I've plowed through the first five or so books, and it's gotten to the point that it's no longer enjoyable for me.

George R.R. Martin's 'A Game of Thrones' series is excellent. I just wish he'd put books out more often. I've had vol 4 of the series on hold at Amazon since 2003. :-)

by **Njegosh** » Fri 18 Mar 2005, 16:04:56

McCaffrey
hands down
a world that's NOT your bog standard fantasy world,characters you can develop feelings for,metaplot that's plausible.....
yeah definately McCaffrey.

by **JoeW** » Fri 18 Mar 2005, 16:40:08

i'm read all of the 'wheel of time' books available, and the end is nowhere in sight. i have been waiting for about two years i think for the next book in the series to be published. meanwhile, robert jordan decided to write a prequel, and wheel of time readers everywhere let out a sigh of frustration.

good series, though. i hope the series ends before robert jordan does.

by **clv101** » Fri 18 Mar 2005, 17:03:52

David Gemmell gets me vote... I never got into the Wheel Of Time series. If you're new to Gemmell start with "Legend"

by **mjpete** » Fri 18 Mar 2005, 17:50:14

I'll have to agree with Trab. I loved the series for the first books, but it has really lost its way. It seems like he has written so many subplots in the last couple of books, that it will take anouther 3-5 books to finish. The series really needs a stronger editor who will guide the series to conclusion. Had the series really been wrapped up in 10 books, it might have been one of the very best sf/fantasy series. Unfortunately, it seems to be tending toward the mediocre. I used to recommend the series to people. I no longer do. Unfortunately for myself I still want to see how it ends.

by **Barbara** » Fri 18 Mar 2005, 18:01:09

Since I'm the only socialist specop fan :lol:

, I want to read this! (I love SF of course)
Anybody knows if there's somewhere a downloadable-ebook? It's impossible to find it here and order it from Amazon is more than 40$ plus book price. Thanx!

by **bobaloo** » Fri 18 Mar 2005, 18:29:56

McCaffery has done the same thing, with the series spiralling out of control, but the early books were fantastic. Another series is Marion Zimmer Bradley's Darkover books, there were fantastic for the first 6 or 8 in the series, also the first books in the David Eddings series the Belgariad.

Unfortunately after a while it becomes a franchise and these folks are writing to make a living, so the books keep coming regardless of whether or not they should (in the artistic sense). Can't blame them, it's tough making it as a writer, but be forewarned.

As to where to find these books, my next-door neighbor's cousin has a cat who heard over the back fence that there's something called Usenet, and groups that specialize in ebooks, and during a particularly long drinking session he told me that all of these books can commonly be found posted there. (as well as quite a few books on herbal medicine, alternative energy, firearms, etc.)

by **Specop_007** » Fri 18 Mar 2005, 19:53:01

Tape on book kinda guy...har har.

Well, I havent finished the WoT yet, I'm on book 4. Its just beginning to feel tedious, but still definately has my attention.

by **Budmeister** » Fri 18 Mar 2005, 22:06:30

Jordan's WoT, all the way, love that series.

I really like Paul O. Williams' "The Pelbar Cycle"

Anything by David Gemmell especially "The Stones of Power" series.

And of course James Axler's "The Deathlands" 60 some books and still going. (If you read one Deathlands novel you've read them all. They get outta the matter transmitter, kill a shitload of men and mutants, get back in the matter transmitter, time for a new novel. hahahaha I love it.)

by **katkinkate** » Sat 19 Mar 2005, 06:31:18

Definately prefer McCafferty any day. Her stories keep moving along and are more believable.

I've read only a couple of the Wheel of Time series and I found it way too slow going. The story gets bogged down in too much angst and detail.

I also like the Eddings team, at least the first half of each of the big series. The second half feel like just repeats of the first theme. "The Redemption of Althalus" was good and the "new gods" series looks OK: the story concept is good, but the same characters show up from previous books, just names and physical descriptions change. Personalities and even conversation is very similar - not a good move.

Allan Dean Foster is also very good. As well as Mercedes Lackey, Heinlein, Silverberg .... I better stop here.

Dragonriders of Pern or Wheel of Time? Which is better?

Dragonriders of Pern or Wheel of Time? Which is better?

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