Fun Fiction

[OakLeaf]

The distinction is important to me because I won't read the sword/sorcery stuff at all.

I know there IS a distinction, and it's a significant one, but "Who Fears Death" by Nnedi Okorafor and "Throne of the Crescent Moon" by Saladin Ahmed - just to name two I've really enjoyed recently - are about as far from Tolkien as you can get and still have magic and battles without firearms...

[Catrin]

I know there IS a distinction, and it's a significant one, but "Who Fears Death" by Nnedi Okorafor and "Throne of the Crescent Moon" by Saladin Ahmed - just to name two I've really enjoyed recently - are about as far from Tolkien as you can get and still have magic and battles without firearms...

Yes, this. There is such a broad area that is covered by "sword and sorcery" fantasy fiction that it gets difficult to include them all under the same umbrella. Don't get me wrong, I love Tolkien, but I don't care for a lot of those who have tried to copy him.

[missjean]

the male equivalent of a bodice ripper, hee hee.

Good one! :-)

Captain Alatriste looks interesting - added to my list.
Let me know what you think of Harry Flashman.