Currently Reading:
“The Last Argument of Kings” by Joe Abercrombie
It’s been a great trilogy so far. Abercrombie has thus far defied all my expectations. He really likes to “pull the rug out” on all characters and all the ususal tropes of a fantasy novel. The unsuccesful epic quest, the tainted love, the ambiguity of authority, and a throwaway macguffin that Hitchcock would have been appreciated.
In contrast novels that do really bow to traditional fantasy conventions are the countless novels of the Dragonlance and Forgotten Realms imprints (although I’ve enjoyed many of them too). Add Tolkien to that list too…
