Terry Goodkind versus Robert Jordan

XMan

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
12,513
49
91
This ought to be a good thread for all of you SF fans. I'm in Denver training, so I hit the town last night and looked around. Finally ended up going to see a flick at the mall (Red Planet, which was pretty cool) but I also killed some time in Barnes and Noble.

I noticed that Robert Jordan's new book is finally out. What's it been, two years since "Crown of Swords"?

So I thought it might be cool to hear everybody's opinions on the two writers . . . here's mine.

Robert Jordan - I used to love the guy to death, but now he just annoys me. There are a few pretty consistent things which just tick me off. First, all of his female characters seem to have eternal PMS. I don't know if every woman in the guy's life has been a witch, but his female characters certainly are all cut from the same cloth. Which gets annoying because there are SO many damn characters in his book, and many of them are the same cookie-cutter punchouts. Another thing that bugs me - his books are huge, which I normally like, when SOMETHING HAPPENS. Usually the first 700 pages is nothing much but a bunch of the characters talking about doing something, then they do something in the last 100 pages. But, oh wait. It's not over. Gotta wait for the next book.

Now, Goodkind has got it figured out. His books are fairly long, but there is always some pretty good action sprinkled throughout the book to keep things interesting. His characters are all pretty unique and memorable, and there is generally a satisfactory resolution at the end of each story, even though you know there is more to come. I was a bit disheartened at the end of "Soul of the Fire" (won't say why, but those who've read the book will understand) but the most recent episode more than made up for it.

Don't get me wrong, there are still a lot of things about Jordan's writing that I like, but I think I'll wait until he's done cutting down forests to produce his books before I pick up another one.
 

Raspewtin

Diamond Member
Nov 16, 1999
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I too like Jordan initially, but interest tapered off for me. I haven't read much Goodkind, but I'll try some if it out if it's as good as you say. I'm reading some Elaine Cunningham's Forgotten Realms (AD&D) stuff, which I'm enjoying.
 

ATLien247

Diamond Member
Feb 1, 2000
4,597
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From what I've read, I would take Goodkind over Jordan any day. To me, Jordan's writing style seems to be a little too superfluous.

<pimp>Let me recommend George R. R. Martin's &quot;A Song of Ice and Fire&quot; series. I think you'll enjoy it immensely!</pimp>

:)
 

mosdef

Banned
May 14, 2000
2,253
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I was never really into the whole fantasy and sci-fi thing; the only fantasy books I ever read were the Hobbit and part of the first book in the trilogy (I forget the name, is it Fellowship of the Ring?). But I remember I really liked them and since I would like to pick up reading again after not doing so in a while (except when necessary :)), I would like to know what are some must reads from this genre. Thanks guys.

-mosdef
 

Spoooon

Lifer
Mar 3, 2000
11,563
203
106
What books did Terry Goodkind write? If he's the guy that wrote the series I'm thinking of, he just seems like he's following in Robert Jordan's footsteps.

edit: Oh wait, he wrote Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn? Something like that? Nevermind about following in Jordan's footsteps. :) I read those books so many years ago. Great read.
 

Thorn

Golden Member
Oct 9, 1999
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I really enjoyed Jordan's Wheel of Time series... up until the 6th book. It's just stupid now and still I'm pissed off over how much I'd spent on those hardbacks.

Goodkind is good, but I'm seeing the same problem with him tho I saw with Jordan. I'm starting to think it's an issue with that publisher in general (Tor). Greedy bastards just want to drag stories out too far. :|

George R R Martin's series is quite good. It's probably my favorite fantasy series out coming out right now.
 

bigalt

Golden Member
Oct 12, 2000
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I HATE the women in his books!
I HATE how the men don't ever stand up to them!
I HATE how I can't stop reading his books!
 

XMan

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
12,513
49
91
Spooon,

* Wizard's First Rule
* Stone of Tears
* Blood of the Fold
* Temple of the Winds
* Soul of the Fire
* Faith of the Fallen

Thorn - I really don't care if Goodkind goes on forever; every book is a complete story, unlike Jordan's.

Tad Williams wrote Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn. The Dragonbone Chair, Stone of Farewell, and To Green Angel Tower. Great series.