Just started reading "Ringworld" by Larry Niven. Haven't gotten far into it yet but so far it looks good. Louis Wu kinda reminds me of Ford from "Hitchhikers guide to the galaxy".
I also tried the first book in the "Wheel of time" series but I had to stop after reading about a third of it because there were too many things about it that annoyed me. First, I didn't like the characters. They felt a little too simplistic and cliche, they didn't feel believable to me. Second, the magic annoyed me more than I thought it would. I mean, it felt like everytime they got into real trouble then suddenly magic and the problem was solved.
I have read the "A song of ice and fire" books and liked them. They are perhaps overly dramatic in certain places but I liked the more nuanced characters and the more faction/political based conflict. So if anyone could recommend me a fantasy series more in line with "A song of ice and fire" I would be thankful. That is, the world is more "real", less good vs evil and as little magic as possible (to avoid deus ex machina situations). Well defined abilities would be ok, e.g. abilites granted by the one ring in "Lord of the rings" or skinchagers in "A song of ice and fire".
Post edited April 24, 2015 by rotorde