Spider of Leng wrote:

Well I finished the Planet of Adventure series by Jack Vance.  I'll admit that it did get better and had its moments, but overall I'm not super impressed with Vance.  Not sure I'll read anything else by him.  There were a few interesting characters and settings, but the novels overall were a bit slow and somewhat repetitive in that the plots were basically the same in a different setting.  Cool to have read it, but he's nowhere near the top of my favorite writers list.  At least I know where some of the other AS&SH monsters, like the Oon, come from.

As an avowed Vance fan I agree: they were not my favorite, either, but would suggest you try one of the Dying Earth books for a significantly different type of tale.

Handy Haversack wrote:

Holy crap, I think the PoA books are his most D&D by a long shot.

Perhaps, but not amongst my favorite Vance tales: de gustibus and all that.
I'd argue the Dying Earth and Lyonesse books are more "D&D like", but not with any zeal.

Plus they serve as caravan guards! As if all of creation is a lazy DM!

Ghul wrote:

Personally, I loved the PoA series, as well as the Demon Princes (incidentally, Gary told me this was his favorite Vance series

I probably have to turn in my old school gamer card after admitting this but I haven't managed to read any Vance. Thanks for helping me choose my next vacation read! 

Already mentioned, but Dying Earth and Lyonesse are must-reads.  I'm trying to get a friend of mine into them and his observation was that Vance isn't someone you can read casually, but the work you put in is rewarded.