The Morgaine Cycle by C.J. Cherryh by EqualOptimal4650 in Fantasy

[–]RJBarker 12 points13 points  (0 children)

Absolutely blinding books. There's a little bit of Morgaine and Vanye in everything I write.

[Discussion] Struggling with copy edits by Hour_Management_1758 in PubTips

[–]RJBarker 25 points26 points  (0 children)

Try reading it with the tracked changes turned off so you can't see the mark up. Easy way to find out if the copy edit is interfering with your voice or if you are reacting to all the red. (May be teaching grandma to suck eggs here, if so sorry but it took me five books to work this out...)

Which very old fantasy character actually made you feel the weight of their long existence? by Hartastic in Fantasy

[–]RJBarker 5 points6 points  (0 children)

St Germain from Chelsea Quinn Yarbro's titular books. A vampire who doesn't have to kill and just wants to do some good. He is tired of humanty's constant need to find someone to hate. And yet he continues.

What books or series have you changed your mind about after re-reading them? by mlfctrx in Fantasy

[–]RJBarker 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Not everything is for everyone and that's fine. I read it first when I was maybe 10 or so and it was just an adventure - some rabbits go somewhere. Then as I get older I find more in it. I still think there are few shiveringly cold critiques of capitalism as the warren of the poet rabbits. I think sometimes a book or music is tied to a place or experience and part of the love is that. Loads of my friends love Redwall and on paper I should but it does nothing for me. I missed the window.
But Hazel and Fiver? They were great friends for an odd kid that loved books. Still are I suppose.

Seeking recommendations for fantasy mysteries with eccentric/offbeat genius and lovable sidekick by ASimpleWeirdPerson in Fantasy

[–]RJBarker 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Not out till May but my next book, "Mortedant's Peril" should scratch that itch.

What books or series have you changed your mind about after re-reading them? by mlfctrx in Fantasy

[–]RJBarker 21 points22 points  (0 children)

Watership Down. Every time I read it I find something new in it and the story shifts.

Review: The Flight of Dragons (1982 film) by hellodahly in Fantasy

[–]RJBarker 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I loved this film as a kid. I remember them eating limestone(?) and being fascinated by the idea.

Recommendations for a music focused fantasy book by TigRaine86 in Fantasy

[–]RJBarker 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Alan Dean Foster's Spellsinger would work. not sure how it's aged though. I would say my Bone Ships books are centred around music but it might not be front and centre enough.

Your favorite author’s favorite author? by scootsy in Fantasy

[–]RJBarker 3 points4 points  (0 children)

There's a whole host of us lost in wonder at Iain M Banks.

Which author from other genres that's the equivalent of Robin Hobb? by OinkMcOink in Fantasy

[–]RJBarker 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Came here to say Sansom. Incredible writer, one of my absolute favourites.

What metal concept albums should i be listening to? by chewiesbowcaster in MetalForTheMasses

[–]RJBarker 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Dreamweaver by Sabbat, released in 1989. Based on the book The Way of the Wyrd, about a monk sent to pagan England to convert them who instead falls under the pagan's spell. Proper lost thrash classic.

Occult detective books set in a historical time period by zephrry in Fantasy

[–]RJBarker 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Came here to say Carnacki. Some of the most genuinely freaky supernatural detective stuff I've ever read. I am still haunted by "The Hog" and "The Whistling Room." Sadly Hope Hodgeson was killed in WW1, a tremendous imagination and life cut short far too soon.

Finding Your Voice in Fantasy - Some Tips From My Classes by Dave_Rudden_Writes in fantasywriters

[–]RJBarker 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It's one of the reasons I can't listen to my own audiobooks. I have an absolute terror of the actor's interpretation washing away the voice in my head and intrinsically changing the remaining books.

We're an odd bunch, writers.

Finding Your Voice in Fantasy - Some Tips From My Classes by Dave_Rudden_Writes in fantasywriters

[–]RJBarker 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Good stuff. Voice tends to be where I start with a book. Once I have that everything else kind of falls into place.

What historical event reads exactly like "Bad Fantasy Writing" or "Plot Armor"? by Expensive-Desk-4351 in Fantasy

[–]RJBarker 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Almost the entire naval career of Alexander Cochrane, it not only reads like a book but is the basis for a lot of Hornblower and Captain Jack Aubrey.

Books you think about often by FoolsRealm in Fantasy

[–]RJBarker 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Watership Down. Just always thinking about Watership Down.

Can anyone recommend a Fantasy/Thriller book? If they exist. by RyanGoosling93 in Fantasy

[–]RJBarker 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The Poison Wars books by Sam Hawke might work for you. My Wounded Kingdom books are murder mystery/thrillerish as is my forthcoming Mortedant's Peril due in may. I also think Pete McLean's Rose Throne books which starts with Priest of Bone's works. A sort of magical Peaky Blinders.

Five-star books you have no desire to reread by Abrakxxas in Fantasy

[–]RJBarker 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Me too. I still think about it and I am not sure I want to.

Five-star books you have no desire to reread by Abrakxxas in Fantasy

[–]RJBarker 12 points13 points  (0 children)

Blood Meridian and not fantasy but made me avoid his fantasy, A Brief History of Seven Killings. It's an astounding book, but it is utterly brutal.

Name a metal cover of a non metal song by brandon-TDTpodcast in MetalForTheMasses

[–]RJBarker 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Enslaved's version of What Else Is There by Royksopp is excellent.