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Novels with the best Worldbuilding

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Mr.Ock

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So guys, love me some worldbuilding! What are, in your opinion, the books that have the best crafted, interesting, coherent worlds?
I'd like to say:

The Sprawl Trilogy by Gibson, I recently finished, loved them for the world more than for the plots
tumblr_m24pq26v8j1qzodnqo1_500.jpg



The Bas Lag Trilogy by Mieville, really great steampunk-weird world
tumblr_lojxz6nxrx1qa4eg7.jpg


Discworld by Pratchett, I just love everything about it
discworld.jpg

Aside from the other obvious ones (e.g. Tolkien), what say you, GAF?

I hope this is thread worthy, it's my first time :(
 
The (nine book) Brentford Trilogy by Robert Rankin is pretty great. He resets things practically every novel, yet the town still seems to "grow". Rankin has a lovely way of writing too.
 
Goddammit Hasardeur, came here to post Gene Wolfe's masterpiece... you stole my thunder. Anyways, FANTASTIC atmosphere where you keep getting clues until you get THAT revelation about the setting.

...sooo good.
 
I've been very impressed with Erikson's Malazan Book of the Fallen series as far as world building goes. Erikson was trained as an anthropologist and archaeologist and it really shows in the depth and scope of the world in the series, which spans hundreds of thousands of years and so many different peoples and places. Reading the series, the world really feels ancient and weathered and diverse through his writing, it's impressive to experience.
 
An-Det said:
I've been very impressed with Erikson's Malazan Book of the Fallen series as far as world building goes. Erikson was trained as an anthropologist and archaeologist and it really shows in the depth and scope of the world in the series, which spans hundreds of thousands of years and so many different peoples and places. Reading the series, the world really feels ancient and weathered and diverse through his writing, it's impressive to experience.
Click to expand...

Agreed. I'm only on book 5 and there's just... so much. Really loving it.
 
CPCunha said:
Goddammit Hasardeur, came here to post Gene Wolfe's masterpiece... you stole my thunder. Anyways, FANTASTIC atmosphere where you keep getting clues until you get THAT revelation about the setting.

...sooo good.
Click to expand...

:)
basically you need to buy and read these books right now, guys
 
If we're going with Asimov, I prefer his description of the Earth/Spacer worlds in the robot saga.
asimov_robots_of_dawn.jpg
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(I could have added covers from the Naked Sun or the Caves of Steel, but I couldn't find decent ones fast enough)
 
Hasardeur said:
The Book of the New Sun
200px-Wolfe_shadow_%26_claw.jpg
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Looks very interesting. Just ordered it. Thanks! Also I read the Malazan books. I loved the setting and the history of the world. So interesting. Will need to go back and re-read as it was a while ago and I'm a far more perceptive (or better) reader than I was when I first read them.
 
Discworld is some of the best fantasy worldbuilding I've ever encountered. Then again, Discoworld is basically the best fantasy anything I've ever encountered, so it claims that title on a lot of fronts.
 
Brandon Sanderson. - Stormlight Archive series (Book 1 is called Way of Kings.)

and Brent Weeks - The Night Angel Trilogy.

avid reader of the fantasy genre and these two authors stick out.
 
I actually thought Way of Kings did a pretty good job. It was a little heavy fisted at times though (so much spren lol).
 
An-Det said:
I've been very impressed with Erikson's Malazan Book of the Fallen series as far as world building goes. Erikson was trained as an anthropologist and archaeologist and it really shows in the depth and scope of the world in the series, which spans hundreds of thousands of years and so many different peoples and places. Reading the series, the world really feels ancient and weathered and diverse through his writing, it's impressive to experience.
Click to expand...

I may have to give the series another look. I got about 100 pages into the first book before putting it down. The writing wasn't bad, but all of the ultra-powerful badasses fucking everything up made it feel like some bad fan fiction written by someone who just finished watching Dragon Ball Z.
 
Subbed.

I echo the Malazan suggestion. I've only read half of the series, but it's worth it up to that point, no doubt. It's actually on my list to re-read and (hopefully) finish up one of these days.

Also, Discworld is a no-brainer. I encourage everyone to read Pratchett.

I've only just begun reading Sanderson. I'm currently on the Mistborn series. I like it so far. It gives me a lot of hope for The Stormlight Archive.

I will need to think on some suggestions of my own.
 
Thanks for the suggestions until now guys, many of them are already on my Goodreads list, keep 'em coming!

Jarmel said:
I'm probably going to get some hate for this but J.K. Rowling.
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Yeah, it's not bad overall in my opinion, it just has some inconsistencies, as some people were pointing out in the other thread
 
cheating a bit as it's basically pure worldbuilding but still very unique, poetic and beautiful form of it.

invisible_cities1.jpeg
 
Dying Earth

From the monsters to the wizards to the vast travels Jack Vance has you explore, plus an inspirational magic system...fantastic.

The Demon Cycle

Hate the writing, dislike the characters, love the world and the lore behind wards, demons, etc.

Otherwise, the usuals: Harry Potter, Discworld, Dune...non-novel would be Star Wars...
 
Certainly not the LOTR books, had I not seen the films it wouldve been even more dull. Id say the first four Harry Potter books since they build up a fascinating and immersive world.
 
PeskyToaster said:
Looks very interesting. Just ordered it. Thanks! Also I read the Malazan books. I loved the setting and the history of the world. So interesting. Will need to go back and re-read as it was a while ago and I'm a far more perceptive (or better) reader than I was when I first read them.
Click to expand...
If you stick with The Book of the New Sun for all four parts, don't skip its sequel, The Urth of the New Sun. It's a massive payoff for everything that was established in the earlier books. I can't think of anything else that's on par with the scope and impact of its revelations.
 
Stephen King's Dark Tower. While it isn't the most completely original world - the books dip into real life and parallel universes - I was really drawn into the various locations in Mid-World.
 
John Brunner creates incredible worlds in his books.

Stand on Zanzibar
The Shockwave Rider
The Sheep Look Up

Amazing books, and set in their own 'our world but with a twist'.

Edit: Left hand of darkness is incredible, and while Dune is highly regarded, it didn't really work for me.

I guess you could include (the sadly late) Iain M Banks Culture novels.
 
Mid-World from The Dark Tower was an enjoyable fusion of fantasy/ Earth. Plus you have eight decently sized books to go at.

Damn, watching TV and beaten like a buffoon!
 
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