Your Favorite Fantasy Book

[readyeddy?]

So what fantasy books do you like? I think it's pretty much a given that we all like the Lord Of the Rings, but what else floats your boat?

Naturally; thanks to Seventies Marvel, I became a huge Robert E. Howard fan but DC enlightened me to the existence of Fritz Leiber and Fafhrd and the Grey Mouser due to a bizarre crossover with a depowered kung fu Wonder Woman that also included Catwoman. The clincher was, it was written by Samuel R. Delaney.

Michael Moorcock writes some pretty good stories. Elric is sort of the anti- Conan.

Poul Anderson mostly wrote Science Fiction but when he went into fantasy mode he was superb. He leaned toward Norse mythology. Some I highly recommend are The Merman's Children, The Broken Sword, The War of the Gods and Hrolf Kraki's Saga. He even wrote a Conan novel which I own but haven't read yet.

[theanalogkid]

I really liked Piers Anthony's Incarnations of Immortality series. I also enjoyed his early Xanth novels.
The Death Gate Cycle by Weis and Hickman is also good, as well as the first 6 Dragonlace books.

[readyeddy?]

I like Piers Anthony but he's too darn prolific. I've been contenting myself with keeping up with his Xanth novels and then plan to catch up with his other stuff when he finally gives Xanth a break. My favorite by him is Battle Circle.

[Gargantua]

George R.R. Martin's "Song of Ice & Fire" series has been mindblowing so far. A very rich, complex story as full of political intrigue as it is magic or monsters, which I find very appealing. He keeps you guessing constantly. Just when you think you know where the story's headed, he does something entirely unexpected, like killing off one of the main characters.

One of my favorite books is Guy Gavriel Kay's "Lions of Al-Rassan". This one's thinly veiled historical fiction. The setting is evocative of Andalusian Spain at the time of the fall of the Islamic kingdoms there. The names and the map has been changed, but it's obvious that's what the country is supposed to be. It's a beautifully written and moving story that really makes you mourn what was lost.

[theanalogkid]

George R.R. Martin's "Song of Ice & Fire" series has been mindblowing so far. A very rich, complex story as full of political intrigue as it is magic or monsters, which I find very appealing. He keeps you guessing constantly. Just when you think you know where the story's headed, he does something entirely unexpected, like killing off one of the main characters.


The next book comes out next year.

If you wait for no new Xanth novels, you will be waiting awhile. He puts one out every 9 months or so.

[readyeddy?]

That I will, but there's plenty of other good books out and I don't want to burn out on his style.

[AlienFlanders]

Kim Harrison's The Hollows series - Dead Witch Walking, A Fistful of Charms, For a Few Demons More.

They are set in an alternate universe where a GM plague wiped out most of humanity in the 1960's, turns out that witches, vampires, werewolves and the like are real, and have been living together with humans for centuries, they are immune to the plague and held society together instead of letting it fall into a dark age. That part is the back story, the series is a set of detective novels quite an interesting universe. There has been some fuss made recently because some of the back story of the characters has been revealed too slowly for some readers.

[CarlosMucha]

ey! don't put tittles like that up! is made my imagination fly! :p

[Maniac_nmt]

I've always enjoyed REH's Conan, Kull, and Outremer/Alternate Medieval History deals.

I also LOVE the Arthurian legends/Knightly sagas (such as El Cid, Roland, Beowulf, etc), Norse myths, and Greek myths. Gawain was the real hero, Lancelot was a traitorous back-stabbing goober.

[Darth Sabre]

I don't read a lot of Fantasy books, but my favorite Fantasy book of all time is Faerie Tale by Raymond E. Feist. Great book about a family that moves to New England during the time that the faerie folk make their millenium trip. It's gripping and caught me right from the start. I read it about 18 years ago and would love to read it again.

I also enjoyed te Weatherlight Saga books based on Magic:The Gathering.

[Frontman]

For fantasy, I've always liked:

The Dragonlance saga, Chronicles and then the Test/Time/War of the Twins trilogies.

Raymond E. Fiest's "Riftwar" series.

[readyeddy?]

I've always enjoyed REH's Conan, Kull, and Outremer/Alternate Medieval History deals.

I also LOVE the Arthurian legends/Knightly sagas (such as El Cid, Roland, Beowulf, etc), Norse myths, and Greek myths. Gawain was the real hero, Lancelot was a traitorous back-stabbing goober.
I really liked "The Once and Future King" by T. H. White. Disney used a portion of it for "The Sword in the Stone".

[Gargantua]

I don't read a lot of Fantasy books, but my favorite Fantasy book of all time is Faerie Tale by Raymond E. Feist. Great book about a family that moves to New England during the time that the faerie folk make their millenium trip. It's gripping and caught me right from the start. I read it about 18 years ago and would love to read it again.


I love this book. A reminder that faeries aren't all sweetness and light. I think one of the reasons this book touched such a chord with me is that as a child I came across Goethe's poem "The Erl King" and couldn't sleep for weeks. And if you thinks it's silly being scared by a poem, go find a copy of it and imagine being eight or so and reading it.

[CustomCreator]

ey! don't put tittles like that up! is made my imagination fly! :p

Gawd, me too! I was all set to write about me and Zooey Deschanel....

I devour anything Terry Pratchett puts out. Piers Anthony's Incarnations series was great, too, when I read it 20 years ago. Tom Holt has written some great comedic fantasy, like Who's Afraid of Beowulf? and Expecting Someone Taller.

[readyeddy?]

ey! don't put tittles like that up! is made my imagination fly! :p
Alright, I should have put a little more in the title. Sorry about that. I don't think the edit function works for that. Try to keep your imagination in check so they don't kill this thread. For instance, that extra t had me thinking of an entirely different word then titles when I read your post initially.

Anyway getting back on track, when I was a kid I discovered a couple of books from Lloyd Alexander's "Chronicles of Prydain"series. Unfortunately my local Library didn't have the full set and I had to wait until they were released in the Eighties in support of Disney's movie "The Black Cauldron".
I was surprised to find out he was an American as the series is based on Celtic myth.

[Gargantua]

Anyway getting back on track, when I was a kid I discovered a couple of books from Lloyd Alexander's "Chronicles of Prydain"series. Unfortunately my local Library didn't have the full set and I had to wait until they were released in the Eighties in support of Disney's movie "The Black Cauldron".
I was surprised to find out he was an American as the series is based on Celtic myth.

These are great books as well. I tend to go back and reread the series every few years. A lot of good stuff ended up in the young adult/young reader category. Susan Cooper's The Dark Is Rising series is another good example.

[readyeddy?]

Several years ago my stepbrother bought me "The Ghormenghast Trilogy" by Mervyn Peake as a Christmas present. The nicest thing he ever did for me. The first two entries are riveting. The third; when the main character chooses to leave Ghormenghast castle, is less so.

[theanalogkid]

I give a hearty second to Taran and his ilk. Back in the day, I tried to run a bard based on FFlewddur FFlam. Didn't work out to well. But it is a great series.

[The BoyBlunder]

For fantasy, I've always liked:

The Dragonlance saga, Chronicles and then the Test/Time/War of the Twins trilogies.

Raymond E. Fiest's "Riftwar" series.
Not just the Riftwar series, but all of Fiest's Midkemia stuff is good. Over 100 years worth of linear story? Yes please! He's up to about 23-24 books for that series alone.

[Gargantua]

I did really enjoy Tad Williams "Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn" trilogy, but I'll admit that it's been a long time since I've read it, so at this point my memories of it are a little hazy. I just remember coming away from it quite impressed.

[MattPetersen]

Well I obviously have great love For J.R.R. Tolkein's Lord of the Rings Trilogy and The Hobbit. They are, for me, the quintessential fantasy set!

But Aside from those books I have to throw a nod the way of a few others:

Robert E. Howard's CONAN and SOLOMON KANE series

Terry Pratchett's Dicworld Series

Norton Juster's The Phantom Toll Booth (loved this one as a kid)

Ray Bradbury's Something Wicked This Way Comes

Diana Wynne Jones's Howl's Moving Castle (a magnificent story that my wife and I BOTH read together and enjoyed)

soooo many more I can name too!!

[readyeddy?]

soooo many more I can name too!!
Well, nobody said you had to stop.

[CustomCreator]

Owing to the recommendations on this thread I've just begun reading Feist's Fairie Tale. I'll let you know what I think of it.

[Iron Ham]

So what fantasy books do you like? I think it's pretty much a given that we all like the Lord Of the Rings, but what else floats your boat?

I don't like LotR. I don't dislike it either. It's just... meh.

[readyeddy?]

I don't like LotR. I don't dislike it either. It's just... meh.:eek: :confused: :surprised :ermm:
I'm astounded and bewildered. but then I feel the same way when people tell me they don't like Led Zeppelin. It's unfathomable to me.

[AlienFlanders]

I don't like LotR. I don't dislike it either. It's just... meh.

Stay well away from Mervyn Peakes Gormenghast then.

[Gargantua]

I don't like LotR. I don't dislike it either. It's just... meh.

I can see how Tolkien's more literary style may turn off some readers who are more used to the more action-y fantasy writing of today. Some parts of it do move a little slowly. I thoroughly enjoy it, but it may not be everyone's cup of tea.

[Zatara55]

Orphans of Chaos and Children of Chaos by John C Wright. The first book is a little confusing but I think these books are worth it.

[JGonspy]

George R.R. Martin's "Song of Ice & Fire" series has been mindblowing so far. A very rich, complex story as full of political intrigue as it is magic or monsters, which I find very appealing. He keeps you guessing constantly. Just when you think you know where the story's headed, he does something entirely unexpected, like killing off one of the main characters.

I just started reading a Game of Thrones for one of my classes and have been really been enjoying it. I didn't quite expect to get wrapped into it as much as I have, but the story is incredibly entertaining and interesting. I'm not usually a fantasy guy, but this book is quickly changing my mind. If I didn't have another eight books to read in the next few months, I'd definitely track down the next book in the series. I may even do that when summer rolls around.

[Gargantua]

I just started reading a Game of Thrones for one of my classes and have been really been enjoying it. I didn't quite expect to get wrapped into it as much as I have, but the story is incredibly entertaining and interesting. I'm not usually a fantasy guy, but this book is quickly changing my mind. If I didn't have another eight books to read in the next few months, I'd definitely track down the next book in the series. I may even do that when summer rolls around.

Do, by all means. You won't regret it. I used to read a lot of fantasy, but lately I've been having a hard time finding much in that genre that has really impressed me. This series has though. (Now if only he'd get the next book out. Curse him.)

[charlesdward]

All of Robert E. Howard's stuff appeals hugely to me - Conan, Kull, Soloman Kane... and I have a soft spot for Tolkien.
Moorcock is awsome; Elric is a classic character, and the whole Eternal Champion theme is pure epic.
One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is Stephen R. Donaldson's Chronicles of Thomas Covenant (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Covenant). These stories and characters are just as iconic and epic to me as any of the others already mentioned.

[charlesx]

Personally, I feel that JRR Tolkien's work (The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings, and The Silmarillion) is pretty much the gold standard against which all fantasy needs to be measured up. Nothing comes close to these.

That having been said, I have read some outstanding fantasy by various other authors, as well. "Stardust" by Neil Gaiman is one of my favorites, as is his "American Gods." Terry Pratchett can do no wrong, but my enjoyment of his Discworld series is in its comedic take on the genre (just read any of the books that feature Death as the central character - such as "Hogfather.") Fritz Leiber's tales of Fafhrd and the Grey Mouser are also books that I have read many times and still enjoy to the fullest ("Swords and Deviltry" is the first in the series.) Guy Gavriel Kay's "The Fionavar Tapestry" is a very well-crafted trilogy, starting with "The Summer Tree." Michael Moorcock ("Gloriana") and Robert E. Howard (Conan novels) hold special places in my collection, as well. Finally, I had a lot of fun going through all 25 books in the Gor/Counter-Earth series by John Norman ("Tarnsman of Gor" being the first one of them.) These stories are not everyone's cup of tea, I will admit, but I enjoyed them nonetheless.

(BTW, Poul Anderson's "The Broken Sword" is still one of my most favorite fantasy novels of all time.)

[Shadow40]

David Eddings is one of my favorite fantasy authors, I discovered this author when I was young and I have been a fan of his ever since. He combines humor and action very well with a great story.

The Belgariad series is a 5 book story with a young Garion, then the next 5 books is the Mallorean series with a little bit older and mature Belgarion. There are also one shot books about Belgarath and one about his daughter Polgara.

Another series you might check out is the Sparhawk series, which is grittier and full of more action than the one with Garion above. Which is set into two three book series. Can't remember the exact name of each trilogy.

The Dreamers series is his latest but is not as good as the books with Garion or Sparhawk.

The next book is a great book and you only need to read one. It is The Redemption of Althalus. A very amusing book about a thief.







(I'm a little too tired to be more specific, if I feel like it I will clean the above up much more in a day or two. Tell you more about each story, etc, etc.)

Because I'm feeling lazier than usual, here is a link with most of the books and it tells a little bit about them if you click their links.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Eddings

[JGonspy]

Well, A Game of Thrones was a fantastic read. Easily the fastest 800 pages I've ever read. I'm officially hooked on the series and will probably read the next book as soon as my school reading is done.

However, next up on the list for my fantasy/horror class as far as fantasy goes is Sailing to Sarantium by Guy Gavriel Kay. Has anyone read this one?

[Gargantua]

I've read it. I like his stuff a lot, particularly the way he evokes history in many his stories. "Sailing to Sarantium" is about a mosaicist who is summoned to the greatest city in the world (Byzantium, with a bit of a name change) and there he gets involved in the world of imperial politics. Its not my favorite of his books; that would be "The Lions of al-Rassan". But it's still pretty good.

[charlesx]

I almost forgot yet another of my favorites: The Guardians of the Flame series by Joel Rosenberg, starting with "The Sleeping Dragon". A group of RPG players get sent to the world where their characters are real and assume their identities. I love these books and highly recommend them all.

[JGonspy]

I've read it. I like his stuff a lot, particularly the way he evokes history in many his stories. "Sailing to Sarantium" is about a mosaicist who is summoned to the greatest city in the world (Byzantium, with a bit of a name change) and there he gets involved in the world of imperial politics. Its not my favorite of his books; that would be "The Lions of al-Rassan". But it's still pretty good.

Sounds like it could be interesting. Thanks for the info.

[AlienFlanders]

Don't know if it is really fantasy, but I like Gene Wolfe's Shadow of the Torturer series, and Howard Waldrop's Custer's Last Jump and those other universe stories of his.

[charlesdward]

Don't know if it is really fantasy, but I like Gene Wolfe's Shadow of the Torturer series, and Howard Waldrop's Custer's Last Jump and those other universe stories of his.

Rep for reminding me about the "Torturer" series. I had forgotten how much I enjoyed that.

[AlienFlanders]

A small book for you to hunt down fantasy wise is The Third Policeman by Flann O'Brien, Alan Moore makes reference to it in the League of Extraordinary Gentlemen.

It is an Irish fairy tale (in the true ORIGINAL Grimm's vein) well worth the read and I could see a really good or more likely appallingly bad film made from it.

[JackAssterson]

Belgariad/Mallorean for me.

[Shadow40]

Belgariad/Mallorean for me.

*Looks at post #33*

Nice choice.

;)

[JackAssterson]

*Looks at post #33*

Nice choice.

;)

I go through the whole shebang about once a year. I even paw through the Rivan Codex for grins.

[Frontman]

Every time I see this thread's title in my subscriped threads, I either think of the Billy Joel Song "It's just a fantasy" or Chris Knight's/Mitch's dialogue from "Real Genius:"

Mitch: You know, um, something strange happened to me this morning...

Chris Knight: Was it a dream where you see yourself standing in sort of sun-god robes on a pyramid with a thousand naked women screaming and throwing little pickles at you?

Mitch: No...

Chris Knight: Why am I the only one who has that dream?

[Shadow40]

I go through the whole shebang about once a year. I even paw through the Rivan Codex for grins.

Since I don't find many books I like, I usually go through the whole series every 3 or 4 months. I can't help it, they are that damn good. I even thought about doing a mafia on it, but I'm not sure I could do it justice. Though I want to try soooo bad.

[JackAssterson]

I even thought about doing a mafia on it, but I'm not sure I could do it justice. Though I want to try soooo bad.

I'm not sure how many other people around here read that series, but I would so play it.

I call Silk! No, wait! Belgarath! No! Barak! Hold on! Zedar! (who's one of my favorite characters, strangely enough)

Salmissra could be a roleblocker. Tee hee. :o

[charlesx]

I'm not sure how many other people around here read that series, but I would so play it.

I call Silk! No, wait! Belgarath! No! Barak! Hold on! Zedar! (who's one of my favorite characters, strangely enough)

Salmissra could be a roleblocker. Tee hee. :o

Mandorallen FTW!! I agree that this would be a fun game to play.

And yes, I was an avid reader of the Belgariad, lo, these many moons past, in days of yore and forgotten youth...

[Shadow40]

I'm not sure how many other people around here read that series, but I would so play it.

I call Silk! No, wait! Belgarath! No! Barak! Hold on! Zedar! (who's one of my favorite characters, strangely enough)

Salmissra could be a roleblocker. Tee hee. :o

Well if everyone enjoys me Shadowrun game, I will do that one next. There are plenty of people to choose from. I mean there are 10 books worth of people to choose from. More if you include the one shot books. You can never tell who might appear. ;)

[The BoyBlunder]

A mafia on the Riftwar books would be interesting, if only because only Frontman, Darkcorsair, and myself would know what was going on.

"What do you mean the thieves are good guys? They're thieves!"

[readyeddy?]

Did anybody follow the Thieve's World and the Heroes From Hell series of books?
They were anthology novels that were interesting because it was several authors contributing short stories all set in the same mythos.
The Thieve's World series was driven by Lynn Abbey and Robert Lynn Asprin. Poul Anderson and Philip Jose Farmer actually contributed though their participation was minimal. Andrew J. Offutt was a major contributor.

Janet Morris, C. J. Cherryh and David Drake were the main forces behind the Heroes in Hell series. They even managed to convince Robert Silverberg to write sequels to his Gilgamesh novel of Gilgamesh's existence in Hell. I never got to finish the series because I think the final installment came out while I was doing temporary duty in the U.A.E. during Desert Storm.
Silverberg had an interesting encounter between Robert E. Howard, H.P. Lovecraft and Ernest Hemingway in one story. When Howard sees Gilgamesh he thinks he's the embodiment of Conan.

[monkeyshines]

I really liked "The Once and Future King" by T. H. White. Disney used a portion of it for "The Sword in the Stone".

This probably tops the list for me. The Sword in the Stone was the best section of this great book, but I didn't like the Disney version of it. Some interesting stuff with the Pike representing the dark side of capitalism and the Ants being the same for communism.

[Shinigami]

my favorites are:
Robin Hobb - Farseer trilogy
Michael Moorcock - Elric Melborian
J.R.R Tolkien - Lord of the Rings
Margaret Weiss & Tracy Hickman - Death Gate

[SeekerMuadib]

For me I would say my favorite story line was The Narnia Series.

Hold on a second, yes I know very wishy washy and loaded with religiuos over tones. But as a kid just trying out some reading other then Run Spot Run. I was all into these books. Much like smoking cigarettes being a gate way drug to much more interesting items. This was my introductory gateway drug to much more interesting Fantasy stories.

Of course after this series, I went on to other stuff Tolkien, Howard, Moorcock and then just a lot of other random authors who wrote any thing involving a hero carrying a sword.

And all this also introduced me into one of my other expensive habits of playing fantsy role playing games such as Runquest, Dungeons and Dragons, Palladium Fantasy. And then this of course landed me into other RPG's as well like Rifts, Chill, Call of Cthulhu and sssoooo many others. Oh the loss of money over the years. And do not get me started about Dungeons and Dragon 4.0. hahahahaha

Any ways just my mention of my favorite fantasy. And yes I will more then likely see the next movie in the series this summer when it comes out.

Simply still a kid at heart.

[monkeyshines]

I also had to mention that unlike many White also gets the hints Malory dropped that it is actually Modred, not Lancelot, that kills Sir Gareth.

[CustomCreator]

If you like well-written fantasy with a large helping of dark humor, if you think Terry Pratchett can do no wrong, then I cannot heartily enough recommend Gods Behaving Badly by Marie Phillips. This is a truly amazing first novel by a young author who really captures what dark comedic fantasy is about! Imagine the gods of Olympus living in squalor in modern London. Aphrodite running a phone-sex line is only the beginning! Check it out and tell 'em CustomCreator sent you!

[VesperTheBadger]

anyone else like brian jacques's redwall books?

[MattPetersen]

I am now onto the 3rd Book in the Dresden Files series! Amazingly fun stuff to read and I just eat it up!!
I love the detective noir feel mixed with fantasy its got going on!

[CustomCreator]

Matt, did you ever find that Fredric Brown story I recommended to you?

[MattPetersen]

Matt, did you ever find that Fredric Brown story I recommended to you?

Nope not yet.
I may have to buy it of the net.
I was trying to do it locally because I get impatient waiting for books to be delivered, but it may be my only choice.

[CustomCreator]

You might check your local library. The story is called "The New One" and it's in the anthology collection From These Ashes.

[MattPetersen]

You might check your local library. The story is called "The New One" and it's in the anthology collection From These Ashes.

You wanna here something stupid?
I ALWAYS forget about the Library!! LOL!!
Thanks, I'll go after I get out of teaching today!!

[Gargantua]

anyone else like brian jacques's redwall books?

I've read some of them. The first one is very good. The next few after that were still good, but they didn't quite capture the real greatness of the first one, so in a way they were a bit of a letdown. Still good adventures, certainly, but its just that the first one got my hopes up so high. I'll admit I haven't read many of the more recent ones.

[MAXIMUM]

im going to recomend a new series. its by Patrick Rothfuss and its called Name of the Wind. Excelent first book in a trilogy

[lizardpudding]

'Lost Horizon' by James Hilton is, in my humble opinion, one of the better fantasy books ever written.
On a cheesier note, I've really been enjoying R.A. Salvatore's 'Drizzt' stories lately. MmmMM! Now that's fun junk!

[Truffle Shuffle]

Loved the Piers Anthony Incarnations of Immortality series. Lent them out to someone and never got them back, which bums me out b/c I would love to read them again.

Weiss/Hickman Drangonlance series and follow up series (or prequal or whatever you want to call them) were really good. My 11 year old daughter has just started them.

Right now the only fantasy I'm into is Terry Goodkind's Sword of Truth series. Just awaiting the last book, which is out in hard cover right now, but I'm being good and waiting.

[readyeddy?]

It occurs to me that it's been a long time since I read any Fantasy novels.
I was going to begin David Eddings Belgariod seriesthat I've owned since the Eighties and never got around to but for some reason book one is mysteriously missing.

So I turned my attention to one of the great Poul Anderson's final novels.

"Mother of Kings" is a little different then most Fantasy books as it might be the first historical Fantasy I've ever read. The historical aspects overshadow the fantasy elements as the main character is Queen Gunnhild, wife of Eirik Haralldsson Bloodaxe. The only real fantasy elements deal with her witchcraft that she attempts to use to help her husband and her sons, Egil Skallagrimsson's Skald powers and the presence of Thorgerd Shrine-bride a valkyrie or goddess who Gunnhild encounters twice on the astral plane who Haakon Jarl beseeches as a patron and protector.

Gunnhild's husband is better known historically as Eric Bloodaxe and I've encountered him before in Philip jose Farmer's "the Fabulous Riverboat" as a particularly terrifying nemesis for Mark Twain in his Riverworld series.

If you like Norse mythology and are interested in reading some excellent fantasy novels based on Scandinavian myths Poul Anderson is the way to go.

Other books by him that mine this genre that I highly recommend are:

The Broken Sword
The Merman's Children
Hrolff Kraki's Saga
War of the Gods

I believe he has a few more but I don't have them yet.

[readyeddy?]

Blame this extra post on the "The server is too busy" message.

[Gargantua]

"Mother of Kings" is a little different then most Fantasy books as it might be the first historical Fantasy I've ever read. The historical aspects overshadow the fantasy elements

If you’re interested in books of this vein, I can also recommend Guy Gavriel Kay. He’s got one trilogy, the Fionavar Tapestry that’s pretty typical myth-based heroic fantasy, but most of his other books I consider more of thinly disguised historical fiction rather than fantasy. He changes the names and maps just enough to be calling it a fantasy, but it isn’t at all hard to see what he’s basing it on. My favorite is “The Lions of Al-Rassan” which is set in what is obviously intended to be 15th century Andalusian Spain, the end of the golden age just before the Christians drove out the Moors. It’s a beautiful book that really gives you a feeling of what a special place the world lost, where Christians, Jews and Muslims for once in history lived together pretty much in harmony.

[prekrap]

best recent fantasy has got to be David farland series-runelords cant reccomend it to much go read.

[naeblis501]

Five pages in and not a single mention of the Malazan Books of the Fallen series by Steven Erickson. These books are the best things I have had the pleasure of reading in any genre. The scale is incredible.

Steven Erickson, George R.R. Martin , Glen Cook and Dan Abnet are the authors I currently favor the most in that order.

[Kalel21]

Just re-read The Dragon and the George (comicsradio.blogspot.com), by Gordon Dickson. Wonderful storytelling with great characters and a lot of humor.

[Korbyn]

Y'know, for a long time Wheel of Time was my favorite Fantasy Series, but After Reading A Song Of Ice and Fire, I have a hard time liking it the same. WoT is just too safe. It feels so watered down compared with how hardcore George R. R. Martin writes.

[Korbyn]

:eek: :confused: :surprised :ermm:
I'm astounded and bewildered. but then I feel the same way when people tell me they don't like Led Zeppelin. It's unfathomable to me.

I love Zeppelin, my favorite band ever really... but I get why people don't go crazy for LoTR... I respect and enjoy it, but I don't love it myself (I do love the Hobbit though). The trilogy is long winded and often boring to me...

[Gargantua]

Just finished The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss. It's the first book of a series, and while I normally dislike starting a series before all the books are out, I had enough friends recommend it to give it a try, and I have to say the writing was terrific. It's told mostly in the first person, as this legendary bard-mage type retelling his life-story and the author pulls it off very well. He's got a great "voice". In my head for some reason, I hear Derek Jacobi reading the part.

[Gargantua]

Interesting that no one's mentions Jonathan Strange and Dr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke. A very atmospheric and literary book about the revival of magic in late 18th century/early 19th century England. If Masterpiece Theatre did fantasy, this would be it.

[DocDoom187]

Interesting that no one's mentions Jonathan Strange and Dr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke. A very atmospheric and literary book about the revival of magic in late 18th century/early 19th century England. If Masterpiece Theatre did fantasy, this would be it.

This is one of my favorite books ever.

To this date it's one of maybe 3 or 4 books I've ever bothered to reread. I just...loved it. I was completely immersed in Clarke's world, the language and writing was brilliant, and the story and characters were realistic and lively.

I think we've had this discussion before Gargantua :p

Such a good book.

[Frontman]

Anyone else have a fantasy in a dream where you see yourself standing in sort of sun-god robes on a pyramid with a thousand naked women screaming and throwing little pickles at you?

[Truffle Shuffle]

Anyone else have a fantasy in a dream where you see yourself standing in sort of sun-god robes on a pyramid with a thousand naked women screaming and throwing little pickles at you?

That just -has- to be repped. :laugh:

[Frontman]

Why is it that I'm the only one who ever has that dream?

[AlienFlanders]

Why is it that I'm the only one who ever has that dream?

You aren't, you are just the only one to admit it...

[CustomCreator]

My "favorite fantasy" involves Amanda Righetti and a lot of chocolate pudding....

[W.I.T]

I really liked Piers Anthony's Incarnations of Immortality series. I also enjoyed his early Xanth novels.
The Death Gate Cycle by Weis and Hickman is also good, as well as the first 6 Dragonlace books.

Loved all of those books. Weis and Hickman realy had a good thing going in the early 80's to mid 90's. On a Pale Horse was the best of the Anthony novel IMO.

George R.R. Martin's "Song of Ice & Fire" series has been mindblowing so far. A very rich, complex story as full of political intrigue as it is magic or monsters, which I find very appealing. He keeps you guessing constantly. Just when you think you know where the story's headed, he does something entirely unexpected, like killing off one of the main characters.

One of my favorite books is Guy Gavriel Kay's "Lions of Al-Rassan". This one's thinly veiled historical fiction. The setting is evocative of Andalusian Spain at the time of the fall of the Islamic kingdoms there. The names and the map has been changed, but it's obvious that's what the country is supposed to be. It's a beautifully written and moving story that really makes you mourn what was lost.

The Fionavar Tapestry is one of my favorite trilogies ever. I just finished reading it again (for the 6 or 7th time) about a month ago. I haven't read any of his other works.

I don't read a lot of Fantasy books, but my favorite Fantasy book of all time is Faerie Tale by Raymond E. Feist. Great book about a family that moves to New England during the time that the faerie folk make their millenium trip. It's gripping and caught me right from the start. I read it about 18 years ago and would love to read it again.

I also enjoyed te Weatherlight Saga books based on Magic:The Gathering.

Feist is awesome. I've read all the Riftwar books, as well as Krondor's Sons, and The Serpentwar Saga.

For fantasy, I've always liked:

The Dragonlance saga, Chronicles and then the Test/Time/War of the Twins trilogies.

Raymond E. Fiest's "Riftwar" series.

Yeah baby. Nice pics :)

Not just the Riftwar series, but all of Fiest's Midkemia stuff is good. Over 100 years worth of linear story? Yes please! He's up to about 23-24 books for that series alone.

Indeed.

I did really enjoy Tad Williams "Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn" trilogy, but I'll admit that it's been a long time since I've read it, so at this point my memories of it are a little hazy. I just remember coming away from it quite impressed.

That was good too, though if I remember correctly, it took me two tries to get through it, as I was going through a transitional period in my life at the time.

All of Robert E. Howard's stuff appeals hugely to me - Conan, Kull, Soloman Kane... and I have a soft spot for Tolkien.
Moorcock is awsome; Elric is a classic character, and the whole Eternal Champion theme is pure epic.
One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is Stephen R. Donaldson's Chronicles of Thomas Covenant (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Covenant). These stories and characters are just as iconic and epic to me as any of the others already mentioned.

The Chronicles Of Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever. I haven't read those books in about 18 years, give or take, but they were very well done. I was less impressed with The Seconds Chronicles of Thomas Covenant though.........

A mafia on the Riftwar books would be interesting, if only because only Frontman, Darkcorsair, and myself would know what was going on.

"What do you mean the thieves are good guys? They're thieves!"

If I played the Mafia, I'd be into it. But that's the last thing I need taking up more of my time :laugh:

Tolkien is also my 'Gold' standard. I've read the Hobbit and LoTR at least 13~14 times each. I've watched the movies over and over again, and my son (10) loves them.

All these pages, and no one has mentioned Harry Potter? I'll admit, I wasn't a big fan at first, then I started reading them to my son, and I loved them. I haven't read 6 or 7 yet, but 1~5 are very good.

Also, no love for Terry Brooks? Shannara is an amazing world. I've read most of them.

There is another great trilogy that I can't remember the name of off the top of my head. It's about a group of refugees from earth, that have crashed on this planet. Approximately a thousand years later, and they have little technology, but the planet itself is magic infused. The guy who started their 'religion' is now a 'vampire'. Damn, why can't I remember the name of the series or the author? Any help?

[readyeddy?]

I read Terry Brooks first book in that series and it just seemed like a cheap knockoff of Lord Of The Rings.

[W.I.T]

I read Terry Brooks first book in that series and iot just seemed like a cheap knockoff of Lord Of The Rings.

TBH everything that has come since LoTR has some elements of it in them, at least in my experience. How could they not? Tolkien is probably one of (if not) the single biggest influences for many of the writers that came after.

I never got that vibe though from Brooks. The first few Shannara books followed a family line, but different characters with Allanon being the only carry through character. But, much like any novel(s) some will like them, some won't.

Another fine set of books, though if you want to see a LoTR rip off, this is practically the exact same story, is The Iron Tower Trilogy, followed by The Silver Call Duology by Denis L. McKiernan. It's much shorter, and a little more fast paced, than LoTR, but it's about 85~90% the same story. Nevertheless, I've enjoyed it very much.

[readyeddy?]

I just finished reading She by H. Rider Haggard

This was entertaining enough but I have a feeling this is one of those few books where a good film version would surpass it.

it would be improved some by overcoming antiquated Victorian notions that Haggard had.

a battle between a lion and a croc rang especially false given what we know about both those animals today.

[Gargantua]

Another fine set of books, though if you want to see a LoTR rip off, this is practically the exact same story, is The Iron Tower Trilogy, followed by The Silver Call Duology by Denis L. McKiernan. It's much shorter, and a little more fast paced, than LoTR, but it's about 85~90% the same story. Nevertheless, I've enjoyed it very much.

Agreed. I always felt kind of guilty liking these books when they were such an obvious knock off, but I did anyway.

[Ultimate2099]

I'm big into Terry Pratchett's Discworld novels. I think at this point I've read them all. My favorites are the ones with the Watch or at least set in Ankh-Morpork. I think the Patrician is the coolest character ever! Good, fun reading! Highly recommend!

My other favorite fantasy series was George R.R. Martin's Song of Ice and Fire. Awesome! Unfortunately he seems stalled out with book 5 and it's been years in the coming. After Robert Jordan died before the end of the Wheel of Time, I am genuinely concerned Song of Ice and Fire is gonna end up finished by some other writer and that would suck. I mean, lets face it, Martin's not a young man. (PS also love the Wild Card series he edits, but that's not fantasty so I'll leave it at that.)

[readyeddy?]

I just finished a book I've been sitting on for several decades.

It's a collection of stories and essays from DAW books called The Book Of Fritz Leiber.

Fritz Leiber wore many hats. He was an expert at Chess, a champion fencer, a Shakespearean actor. He wrote Fantasy, Science Fiction and Horror very well.

He came to my attention thanks to DC comics when they contracted to do Fafhrd and Grey Mouser stories as an answer to Marvel's success with Conan.
The way they went about it was fun but bizarre. To introduce them to the DC universe they teamed them with Wonder Woman (during her Kung Fu, Charlie's missing angel period) and Catwoman. Even more oddly, the guy who wrote this story was the excellent SF writer in his own right, Samuel R. Delany.
The Fafhrd and Grey Mouser series is excellent reading for fantasy fans.

I recommend Conjure Wife and Gather Darkness as some good non Nehwon based stories if you can find them.

[VGA d1sc1pL3]

My favorite fantasy? Being in a room full of hot Ukrainian, Moldavian, or Russian women and.... uh... yeah.... this is a family safe site.... and playing HeroClix with me..... yeah, that's what I meant.

Oh.. you mean fantasy like in dungeons, dragons, and damsels in distress. In that case.... yeah, in that case, the hot Ukrainian chicks still.

[CustomCreator]

My favorite fantasy? Being in a room full of hot Ukrainian, Moldavian, or Russian women and.... uh... yeah.... this is a family safe site.... and playing HeroClix with me..... yeah, that's what I meant.

In Russia, Clix play you!

[CarlosMucha]

The Milo Manara', Francisco Solano Lopez' and Horacio Altuna' books are my favorite fantasy books.

[MaxFortune]

Anything and everything by Robert E. Howard.

Honorable mention: Fritz Leiber, Fletcher Pratt, and E.R. Eddison.

[readyeddy?]

I just finally read Pawn Of Prophecy Book One of the Belgariad. I've been sitting on this since 1985.
It's okay but I don't see anything that makes it stand out the way Tolkein or Poul Anderson's fantasies do.

[Gargantua]

I just finally read Pawn Of Prophecy Book One of the Belgariad. I've been sitting on this since 1985.
It's okay but I don't see anything that makes it stand out the way Tolkein or Poul Anderson's fantasies do.

Been so long since I read that. I remember liking it, but yeah, not a whole lot stuck with me.

Just finished Dragonfly by Frederick Durbin. It's a quaint book. Halloween monsters living in a world beneath ours, slipping into our basments, and a young girl's fight against them. It's overwritten in places, but there are some really memorable characters/imagery.

[Terman8er]

Never realized I never posted in this thread.

As far as fantasy goes I highly recommend:

RA Salvatore: (just about anything really) specifically the books on Honce (name of the world in the books) about the boy named "Stork"

SM Stirling: Novels of the Change, an "event" takes place on Nantucket Mass that changes the principle laws of physics in 1998. Nothing modern works, electricity, gunpowder fizzles instead of exploding, Boyle's law no longer applies. Basically an SCA'ers wetdream.

Brandon Sanderson: Amazing stuff. He has a fresh take on just about everything fantasy. THe ways his magic works, combat, relationships, everything...I can't recommend his stuff enough.

[TopDog]

My personal favorites are Elfstones of Shannara (Terry Brooks) and Shadow of the Torturer (Gene Wolfe).

I recently reread Sword of Shannara, and like Star Wars, the 2nd in the series is better than the first.

I also like some of Saberhagen's Lost Book of Swords, but not all of them.

[doctor_x]

Growing up I read alot of Greek and Roman mythology stories that led me into fantasy stuff.

I read almost all of the Piers Anthony Zanth series of novels.

I also read and still read the Chronicles of Thomas Covenant series that are still in production by Stephen R. Donaldson. He is on his 3rd trilogy now.

I was introed to Michael Moorcock's Elric Of Melnibone' stories in Heavy Metal-the Illustrated magazine years ago, and I picked up an anthology book of some of the best Elric stories. EXCELLANT stuff. Moorcock wrote some songs for Blue Oyster Cult back in their hey day too. Elric is one of my FAVES.

I also read The Chronicles of Amber series by Roger Zelazny.
They are some great stories too.

Other than those, I read the original Sword Of Shanarra, but skipped all the books that followed.

I also read all of Tolkiens Hobbit/Rings-but dropped Silmarillion.

[Ninjendo]

I'm going to have to disagree with the Eddings naysayers. Personally, I loved the Belgariad and the Mallorean. It's one big "Hey, here's the Cliche" of Fantasy, but he made them *work.* The characters are awesome for how much of a cliche they are supposed to be, and then 'woops' he throws that on its head.

No Pernese?

You might also try checking out the Spellsong Cycle by LE Modesti Jr.

Seconding the Terry Brooks recommendations.

[songwriterz]

Just catching up: I loved Eddings Belgariad and the first follow-up. Saberhagen's Book of Swords is almost required reading if you really like comic books. No, it has nothing to do with any comic related, but the pacing, action, adventure, characters, and settings could have been ripped right out of comic books.

[readyeddy?]

I wasn't naysaying Eddings, I just said I didn't find the first book to be remarkable.

[songwriterz]

I wasn't naysaying Eddings, I just said I didn't find the first book to be remarkable.

And I can understand that. I've gone back and re-read Lord of the Rings and the Chronicles of Thomas Covenant more times than I could count. I enjoyed the Belgariad, but not necessarily enough to devote the time into re-reading it. Certain elements were fantastic, but alot of it, as has been pointed out, is pretty much your standard Fantasy Adventure Epic fare.

Seriously though, Fred Saberhagen's Swords books - I am going to get them off of eBay once my Christmas shopping is done and give them a re-read. Very, very good stuff there.

My favorite Book of Swords story involves a sword called Townsaver. (I think that's the name of the sword.) I'm really not giving anything away, but I will use spoiler text to tell you about that one sword's power. Read if you dare:

If you are wielding Townsaver in defense of your town and your town is invaded - you cannot be stopped. Epic. Just epic.

[hail_eris]

And I can understand that. I've gone back and re-read Lord of the Rings and the Chronicles of Thomas Covenant more times than I could count. I enjoyed the Belgariad, but not necessarily enough to devote the time into re-reading it. Certain elements were fantastic, but alot of it, as has been pointed out, is pretty much your standard Fantasy Adventure Epic fare.
Oh, not just standard fare, but kind of rip-offy. Barak and Silk are straight up copies of Fritz Leiber's Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser - at least, they are initially. Eddings does a nice job of developing them to be a bit more than the cut-out cliches that they are in the first book. And I think that's the strength of the series - it actually got better as it went along.

[Ninjendo]

Oh, not just standard fare, but kind of rip-offy. Barak and Silk are straight up copies of Fritz Leiber's Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser - at least, they are initially. Eddings does a nice job of developing them to be a bit more than the cut-out cliches that they are in the first book. And I think that's the strength of the series - it actually got better as it went along.

That was more or less the point of them. :) At least, according to the annotations he and his wife made. That, personally, is why I am a fan of the series - the cliches *do* become characters eventually.

Though most everything in this thread is good stuff. Seconding the Swords book as well. I forgot I even had that one floating around here.

I also didn't really play out "Pernese" very well. Dragonriders of Pern by Anne McCaffery. There's a lot to pick from there. The White Dragon is probably her best work, followed, in my opinion, by the "Harper Hall" trilogy - Dragonsong, Dragonsinger, and Dragondrums.

Terry Goodkinds "The Sword of Truth" series deserves mention. Keep in mind, it is only like its Television Adaptation "Legend of the Seeker" in character only. Very grim sometimes, but the characters are fun. The last three in the series are a bit repetitive and if you haven't gotten Goodkind's message by then, he does kind of beat you over the head with it in the final book, but they hold out pretty well.

:):classic:

[readyeddy?]

Just finished Queen Of Sorcery by David Eddings. I'm still finding the characters to be wooden and cliche ridden. Nothing distinguishing about the series yet.

If Barak and Silk are based on Fafhrd and The Grey Mouser, they don't have one eighth the charm.

[Quebbster]

Just finished Queen Of Sorcery by David Eddings. I'm still finding the characters to be wooden and cliche ridden. Nothing distinguishing about the series yet.

If Barak and Silk are based on Fafhrd and The Grey Mouser, they don't have one eighth the charm.

Personally I think David Eddings is not unlike Dan Brown - very skilled at writing and selling the same fairly simple book over and over. Easy to read though.

[invisibo]

Personally I think David Eddings is not unlike Dan Brown - very skilled at writing and selling the same fairly simple book over and over. Easy to read though.

welcome to genre fiction!

[Quebbster]

welcome to genre fiction!
Did not know the English term for it. :)

[d_knight7]

I just re-read Magician by Raymond E. Feist, it's a very satisfying read with plenty of meat.

[Quebbster]

I just re-read Magician by Raymond E. Feist, it's a very satisfying read with plenty of meat.

Yeah, Feist is good. Particularly fond od the Empire trilogy since that was my first contact with him.

[justice1good]

i really enjoy Rick Riordan books because he mixes mythology with modern time

[Gargantua]

i really enjoy Rick Riordan books because he mixes mythology with modern time

If you like that, American Gods by Neil Gaiman is a good read. What the Norse gods are doing today.

[Terman8er]

If you like that, American Gods by Neil Gaiman is a good read. What the Norse gods are doing today.

I mean no offense but are you younger? Say under 20? I ask because Rick writes fantasy books they are written and targetted for teens and tweens. My 14 y/o daughter liked them and I read them to help her with homework but...they are written well for teens & tweens.

[Quebbster]

I mean no offense but are you younger? Say under 20? I ask because Rick writes fantasy books they are written and targetted for teens and tweens. My 14 y/o daughter liked them and I read them to help her with homework but...they are written well for teens & tweens.

According to his profile, he is older than you.

[MaxFortune]

I mean no offense but are you younger? Say under 20? I ask because Rick writes fantasy books they are written and targetted for teens and tweens. My 14 y/o daughter liked them and I read them to help her with homework but...they are written well for teens & tweens.

I don't see why that should matter. I'm 50 and I'm presently reading the Star Wars: Jedi Apprentice series I bought for my kids. I did some digging around online and discovered that they have a fairly large adult following.

Sometimes you feel like reading something and don't want to be challenged. I just finished reading a major exegesis on the causes of Islamic terrorism -- my head hurts now and I need a break. ;)

[Gargantua]

I don't see why that should matter. I'm 50 and I'm presently reading the Star Wars: Jedi Apprentice series I bought for my kids. I did some digging around online and discovered that they have a fairly large adult following.

Sometimes you feel like reading something and don't want to be challenged. I just finished reading a major exegesis on the causes of Islamic terrorism -- my head hurts now and I need a break. ;)

I heartily agree, though it’s possible no offense was meant by the question.

There is some excellent literature out there that’s aimed primarily at teens or pre-teens. While this has always been the case (CS Lewis’ Chronicles of Narnia, Lloyd Alexander’s Prydain books, Madeleine L’Engel, Susan Cooper) the explosion of the market spurred, if not created, by the Harry Potter books means that’s even more true than ever. I’m in my 40s and have read and enjoyed the Percy Jackson books. Frank Beddor’s Looking Glass Wars are a cool take on Alice in Wonderland (kind of similar to what Tim Burton tried to do with last year’s movie, but anticipating him by a year or two.) I could list a bunch of others too. I read a lot of “young adult”. More and more mainstream authors are writing books for kids too; Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett spring to mind. Don’t dismiss a book just because it’s shelved in the kids’ section, particularly if you’re looking for a quick read. There’s some good stuff there.

Disclaimer – I don’t mean to imply that I recommend every single teen/young adult novel out there. There’s a lot of mediocrity and downright carp, but you can just as easily say that about the adult Sci-Fi/Fantasy section, or pretty much any other section of your local bookstore/library.

[MaxFortune]

I heartily agree, though it’s possible no offense was meant by the question.

I wasn't implying that offense was intended; sorry if it seemed that way.

I was just curious as to why the "age thing" would matter. A good read's a good read; I know quite a few adults who still sneak a look at Dr. Seuss as a "guilty pleasure" every now and again.

[readyeddy?]

I wasn't implying that offense was intended; sorry if it seemed that way.

I was just curious as to why the "age thing" would matter. A good read's a good read; I know quite a few adults who still sneak a look at Dr. Seuss as a "guilty pleasure" every now and again.

That reminds me (oddly) of a move I made as a kid where while being taught to read at one school we got these interesting stories about a brother and sister living in a small village and then we got Dick and Jane at the next school.
It was this huge culture shock of banality.

[Gargantua]

I wasn't implying that offense was intended; sorry if it seemed that way.

I was just curious as to why the "age thing" would matter. A good read's a good read; I know quite a few adults who still sneak a look at Dr. Seuss as a "guilty pleasure" every now and again.

Quebbster himself posted that no offense was intended with the question. I'm certainly not offended. I think we're all in the clear :)

[readyeddy?]

Just finished Magician's Gambit by David Eddings. This series isn't getting much better in my book. Mildly engaging with somewhat dull characters. Eddings attempts at humor are banal. Character interaction is wooden and sometimes don't make sense to me. Ce'Nedra and Garion are attracted to each other so they trade insults and needle each other? Sounds like the grounds for an unpleasant union when they hook up eventually. Polgara constantly comes off as a shrew.
I doubt I'll make any effort to seek out the sequels or the prequels after I read the next two books in this series.

[Smudge]

For fantasy, I've always liked:

The Dragonlance saga, Chronicles and then the Test/Time/War of the Twins trilogies.

Raymond E. Fiest's "Riftwar" series.

I'm in this boat, for sure. Just finished reading Feist's "Magician" for the third time. Still great. Also like David Edding's Belgariad series.

[JDKenada]

If you like that, American Gods by Neil Gaiman is a good read. What the Norse gods are doing today.

Bloody brilliant book! I have to thank my wife for getting me into that one.


For fantasy, I've always liked:

The Dragonlance saga, Chronicles and then the Test/Time/War of the Twins trilogies.

Amen. By and large my personal favourite as well. Soulforge was decent as well. I'm also a fan of Christie Golden's World of Warcraft works, with the recent "The Shattering" probably at the top.

[readyeddy?]

Just finished Castle Of Wizardry by David Eddings.

I think one of my big problems with this series is that there's no sense of wonder. The character interaction seems awkward all the time and there are too many pointless surprises going on. Garion's got a cousin that he never knew about? Why would they keep that a secret? They keep him in the dark too much and Polgara comes off as a controlling shrew.

The whole series seems very pedestrian. After I read the fifth one in this group, I don't think I'll bother with Eddings again.

[Ninjendo]

Just finished Castle Of Wizardry by David Eddings.

I think one of my big problems with this series is that there's no sense of wonder. The character interaction seems awkward all the time and there are too many pointless surprises going on. Garion's got a cousin that he never knew about? Why would they keep that a secret? They keep him in the dark too much and Polgara comes off as a controlling shrew.

The whole series seems very pedestrian. After I read the fifth one in this group, I don't think I'll bother with Eddings again.

Polgara is supposed to be a controlling shrew. That's her entire character in the series. There are reasons for it - proposed later on when Eddings wasn't trying to play with the cliches.

As for hiding things - again, that's Polgara. She's been so busy hiding things from EVERYONE for so long that she's doing it out of habit at this point. You are correct that it doesn't make sense to hide those connections from Garion - until it's understood that in revealing those connections it makes Polgara's job a lot harder.

I'm sorry that you are not liking the series though. I really enjoy it, but, to each their own. :)

[MechaFan]

Dragonlance Chronicles and Death Gate Trilogy from Margaret Weis & Tracy Hickman, Elric books from Michael Moorcock and Fritz books from Robin Hobb.

[Thrumble Funk]

"The Stone of Tears" by Terry Goodkind. Good pace, good balance between heroism and the unabashed rape/violence that is his usual millieu, healthy length.

[lensnart]

I tend to steer clear of genres such as fantasy, sci-fi, mystery, romance, etc and I won't go near anything that is part of an epic series. I think it is because I have always been much more into character than plot. But I do venture into these on occasion, and sometimes I will find an author that really surprises me.

The one major exception for fantasy is the subgenre of stranger in a strange land, I love that Alice in Wonderland style of a person whose sensible world has been turned on it's head.

Neil Gaiman is a master of that genre, his work is fantastic. I like pretty much everything I have read by him (which I think is all of it). Neverwhere got me hooked but my favourites are probably his young adult stuff:Coraline and The Graveyard Book.

All of his stories are variations on Alice and all of them do a great job of putting the reader into the shoes of the regular person who is dealing with a fantastic situation and I just can't help but get sucked into those crazy worlds.

[neilr1]

Just finished The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss. It's the first book of a series, and while I normally dislike starting a series before all the books are out, I had enough friends recommend it to give it a try, and I have to say the writing was terrific. It's told mostly in the first person, as this legendary bard-mage type retelling his life-story and the author pulls it off very well. He's got a great "voice". In my head for some reason, I hear Derek Jacobi reading the part.

The Patrick Rothfuss books are great, and the second one is out now.

Also, Scott Lynch's Gentleman Bastards series is amazing so far - The lies of Locke Lamora is my favourite of all time now - I bought myself a signed hardback copy separate from my reading copy.

Joe Abercrombie is great too, the First Law trilogy is fantastic.

[JackAssterson]

"Just about anything David Eddings," Jack said dryly. He blushed furiously.

[ben138]

Robert Howard's Conan Stories.

Edgar Rice Burroughs' Mars stories.

[justice1good]

i like the Percy Jackson series. were "Rick Riordan" combines ancient Greek mythology with modern day.

[JEFFREYAS]

The late David Gemmell's books are also a fun read.

[readyeddy?]

Just finished the fifth book in the Belgariad. Enchanter's Endgame.

This was a bit better then the previous four, but Torak was a banal villain and that pantheon lacked personality. Where was this supposed to be anyway? Some distant part of Earth's past?

Part of what made this one better is Eddings didn't try for humor (which he isn't very good at and there wasn't as much inept character interaction. Most of the love connections didn't ring true including Garion and Ce' Nedra.

I may read more of his stuff someday, but it isn't gonna be any time soon.

[Shadowlost]

Demonwar trilogy but technically it's seven books. I loved that storyline.
Elric - seriously Stormbringer rocked.
Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser
The first four books of Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time. The rest were..umm..well they weren't. Still loved the Antagonist
Anything by Neil Gaiman though American God and Neverwhere are my favorites.
Lovecraft. Seriously can't say enough. Cats of Ulthar, Call of Cthulhu, Mountains of Madness, I can go on and on.

[llyrghmnghyll]

My gold Standard is The Prydain Chronicles - this is the entire reason to play a wilden in Dnd so far as I can tell. There is more character development in those series than in much of anything else I've read.

I love Lord of the Rings, but was somewhat more impressed with The Silmarillion

Got into Eddings through my wife. I like his army private style of resigned humor, but it's not for everybody.

Read The Name of the wind, but just wasn't thrilled by it. I hated the chick in the book and was bored to tears by another in a series of brilliant children who act indistinguishable from adults. My Brother and Mom love it though.

Despise Robert Jordan. after the fifth Book I sort of felt like I'd been hoodwinked. Can we get any resolution here?

I've Been reading the Rangers apprentice Series, and it's vaguely adequate YA fare. Skip the first two books and read the synopsis on Wikipedia (at least skip the first book).

Love Myers-Myers for Classic Fantasy. Both "The Harp and the Blade" and "Silverlock" are classic stories. If you're not familiar with Silverlock you need to be as it's very influential in the creation of the genre.

Another Early but rather unknown author is Lord Dunsany. I particularly Love "How Nuth would've practiced his art upon the Gnolls" for the early fantasy Thief Genre (we're talking 1912 here).

I Highly Recommend Phillip Reeve's Books "No Such Thing as Dragons" and "Here Lies Arthur" I fell in love with his Steampunk "Mortal Engines" books and have loved everything else he's written. Right now I think he's the most original Stable Author writing YA fantasy.

I'm also a huge fan of "Slayers" the TV series. It's like a particularly irreverent D&D campaign.

[llyrghmnghyll]

Just finished the fifth book in the Belgariad. Enchanter's Endgame.

This was a bit better then the previous four, but Torak was a banal villain and that pantheon lacked personality. Where was this supposed to be anyway? Some distant part of Earth's past?

Part of what made this one better is Eddings didn't try for humor (which he isn't very good at and there wasn't as much inept character interaction. Most of the love connections didn't ring true including Garion and Ce' Nedra.

I may read more of his stuff someday, but it isn't gonna be any time soon.

I've always thought Garion should've ditched X'nedra. Polgara was hard to take, but at least she was capable.

[Gargantua]

My gold Standard is The Prydain Chronicles - this is the entire reason to play a wilden in Dnd so far as I can tell. There is more character development in those series than in much of anything else I've read.
I love the Prydain books. I go back and reread them every few years. You're right the character development is amazing. A perfect example of why one should never ignore a book just because it's in the kid's or "young adult" section. Full of humor too, yet I can't name too many other fantasy books that have moved me to tears as well.

I love Lord of the Rings, but was somewhat more impressed with The Silmarillion

It took me a couple false starts to get through the Silmarillion. It was when I realized I wasn't reading a novel, that I was reading a history book, that it clicked with me. A history of a place that never existed, granted, but still that's how it was written.


Despise Robert Jordan. after the fifth Book I sort of felt like I'd been hoodwinked. Can we get any resolution here?


Good heavens, yes. Pretty much how I felt about it. Started off rather well, but around the sixth or seventh book, I realized that I had just read 800 pages and the overall plot advanced by maybe 20 pages worth. Maybe I'll go back and read it when everything's out. We'll see.

Some of your other recommendations are new to me. Going by these, we seem to have fairly similar tastes, so I'll seriously look into them.

[JDKenada]

I tend to steer clear of genres such as fantasy, sci-fi, mystery, romance, etc and I won't go near anything that is part of an epic series. I think it is because I have always been much more into character than plot. But I do venture into these on occasion, and sometimes I will find an author that really surprises me.


A number of the books suggested (including the trilogies and whatnot), while there is a large plot, tend to focus on good character development. I've yet to meet a person who has read the Dragonlance Chronicles that didn't appreciate Sturm and Flint (though overshadowed by the Twins quite often...and Tas).

[Tim Drake]

Taking Tolkien and Lewis out of the equation, Tad Williams and Gene Wolf are two of my favorite fantasy authors.

And has anyone else ever heard of a novel called The High House by James Stoddard? For some reason that remains one of my favorite recent fantasy novels, and though its sequel, The False House, couldn't hold a candle to the first book, I really wish he'd been able to continue the series...

[readyeddy?]

I just finished Dilvish The Damned by Roger Zelazny.
Zelazny is one of my all time favorite authors. I pace myself with him so I always have something of his to look forward to, epecially since he passed away in 1995.

This was such a refreshing read after that plodding Belgariad series.

It's really a collection of short stories he wrote about the main character in the Sixties with three stories he added for the collection.

You can see some huge influences this book must have had on Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson. You wonder how many times Dilvish and Black may have been used as NPCs for campaigns.

The main character is a half elf warrior wizard who spent two centuries trapped in Hell because of a Saruman type wizard and his quest for revenge. He has elven boots and a metal horse that never fatigues and is not just a steed.

His story is concluded in the book, The Changing Land. I'm glad I read this one first as I was unaware they were connected.

[labria4]

My favorite series is the Prism Pentad series by Troy Denning. It takes place in the Dark Sun campaign setting from Dungeons and Dragons.

[DeadpoolDX]

I would go with

Battlefield Earth (some might say this is more Sci-Fi than fantasy but the book itself is just so riveting and the way they wrap things up is so satisfying. Ignore the crappy movie and read the book.)

Southern Vampire Mysteries (These books are much better than the True Blood tv series they are based on. The premise behind the books is simple but it also doesn't take over the stories it just kind of sits there in the background of what goes on.

Inheritance (these might be considered by most to be kids books but they are in no way meant just for kids. Like JK Rowling did for Harry Potter, Christopher Paolini weaves a very engaging tale through the first 3 books with the expected races of elves and dwarves being involved along with many other races that might not be as familiar to most.)

[dreven]

Finished the Enduring Flame trilogy by Mercedes lackey and James mallory a while ago, but it still is fresh when I think about it. extremely well-written series, but the middle book does drag on a bit.
also, the Mistborn series is a very good read. I never knew that so much could be done with metal.

[ThorKnigh83]

The legend of Drizzt of Forgotten Realms novels by R.A. Salvatore are far and away my favorite series and Salvatore is also my favorite author. Ed Greenwood runs a close second though.

[ThorKnigh83]

I also took Tolkien and Lewis out of my equation mainly because i consider everything they wrote now classics and no longer modern fantasy literature.

[readyeddy?]

I also took Tolkien and Lewis out of my equation mainly because i consider everything they wrote now classics and no longer modern fantasy literature.

The title of this thread does not contain the word "modern" in it.

[ThorKnigh83]

no it does not but as it is i classify fantasy as its own category from classics or classic fantasy. So I choose to use my favorite modern series and author.

Now for classic my favorite would be Lewis and the Chronicle of Narnia which was the first books series I ever read. Next would have to be the Hobbitt.

[ben138]

Tolkien is unplayable in modern age, he has to be feated up to do well.

[Spudeus]

Like many here, I have read and loved Tolkien, Moorcock, and (especially) Leiber's Fafhrd and Grey Mouser tales. Am enjoying Martin's books, though the cast is a bit unwieldy and I have to keep referring to Dramatis Personae. Am mystified by the popularity of Harry Potter, though.

In the "kiddy" category, I grew up with Baum's Oz books (14 in all), and still find them fun, fast-paced, funny, and worth re-reading. And illustrations to die for!!

[machineman]

Going to post this, then read the thread. The first 2 books of the Kingkiller Chronicles, The Name of the Wind and The Wide Man's Fear, are my most favorite books to date. Not because I don't really love the classics, but because reading those books was as easy as breathing. Rothfuss writes very well for my suitabilities. A modern pace to classic epic fantasy.

If you do give Rothfuss a go, buyer beware, it took around 3 years for him to get the second book out. No telling how long until this trilogy will be complete. And by the end of the second book, I am seriously wondering how he can contain this tale with a mere trilogy. And actually hoping he can't!

[MaxFortune]

Anything and everything by Robert E. Howard.

Honorable mention: Fritz Leiber, Fletcher Pratt, and E.R. Eddison.

Hate to quote myself, but I'm presently re-visiting Eddison's The Worm Ouroboros for the first time in many years.

I'd forgotten how beautifully written it is. I'm quite blown away by it, actually...

[Time Consumer]

one of my favorite authors now is Clive Barker. The Abarat series is a very good series, supposed to be for younger readers as well, but it has some very dark topics in it so it is great for adults as well.

Just as an example, one of the main villains is Cristopher Carrion, the Lord of Midnight, who has a tank around his neck filled with living nightmares from his mind that he can use as weapons against people.

[readyeddy?]

one of my favorite authors now is Clive Barker. The Abarat series is a very good series, supposed to be for younger readers as well, but it has some very dark topics in it so it is great for adults as well.

Just as an example, one of the main villains is Cristopher Carrion, the Lord of Midnight, who has a tank around his neck filled with living nightmares from his mind that he can use as weapons against people.

Wouldn't you consider him more of a horror writer then fantasy though?

[speedy92286]

Joe Abercrombie's series that started with the First Law trilogy is amazing. The story itself is great and has twists that one would never expect. The real strong suit is the characters, though.

I've read reviews of some old comics where people said you can tell who is talking without reading the name. This is one of the only novels I've read in recent years where this is true. Each of the main, even the side characters, have such huge personalities or gimmicks unique to them that you know who is talking. Hell, sometimes you can tell who the chapter is going to be featuring based on the descriptions.

I've yet to read his new book, I believe it is called Heroes or something along those lines. Like his other books when they come out, it is 24.99 which is daunting when one is broke, but if it is like the others it should be worth it.

[readyeddy?]

Just finished Dark Crusade by Karl Edward Wagner. If you like Robert E. Howard, H. P. Lovecraft and Michael Moorcock you need to try to find some of Wagner's Kane stories.

Kane may or may not be the biblical Cain but whether he is or not, he's cursed with eternal life and spends most of his time pursuing various plots to rule the world apparently as a means to keep life interesting. He's a powerful Conanesque warrior but he's not shy about dabbling in magic as needed to pursue his goals.

Wagner's world is a dark place where it's hard to find people who are altruistic. In the novel Kane goes to work for a bandit who he thinks is manipulating people into believing he is the dark god Sataki who is initiating a dark crusade to rule the world.

At one point in the book, Kane encounters children playing kickball with the severed heads of people who were declared enemies of Sataki. When Kane suggests they find a new kickball because the head they were using was too beat up, the little girl says she would prefer to keep it as it was the head of her mother.

That's an indicator of how dark Kane's world is, and Kane is as likely to do something evil as he is to do something good. Definitely an antihero.

[ben138]

Just finished Dark Crusade by Karl Edward Wagner. If you like Robert E. Howard, H. P. Lovecraft and Michael Moorcock you need to try to find some of Wagner's Kane stories.

Kane may or may not be the biblical Cain but whether he is or not, he's cursed with eternal life and spends most of his time pursuing various plots to rule the world apparently as a means to keep life interesting. He's a powerful Conanesque warrior but he's not shy about dabbling in magic as needed to pursue his goals.

Wagner's world is a dark place where it's hard to find people who are altruistic. In the novel Kane goes to work for a bandit who he thinks is manipulating people into believing he is the dark god Sataki who is initiating a dark crusade to rule the world.

At one point in the book, Kane encounters children playing kickball with the severed heads of people who were declared enemies of Sataki. When Kane suggests they find a new kickball because the head they were using was too beat up, the little girl says she would prefer to keep it as it was the head of her mother.

That's an indicator of how dark Kane's world is, and Kane is as likely to do something evil as he is to do something good. Definitely an antihero.

Kane, (and KEW in general) is awesome!

I give Dark Crusade 4 out of 4 Skull-Smashings.

Wagner's short story, "Sticks" is super creepy. check it out

[readyeddy?]

I'd love to, but the man's books are hard to come by.

[ben138]

I'd love to, but the man's books are hard to come by.

I got it in a horror anthology, I'll find out the title and get back with you..

[KidSinestro]

I love R.A. Salvatore's Icewind Dale Trilogy. Actually, I pretty much loved all the Drizzt stories. He's one of my favorite fantasy writers.

[ben138]

I got it in a horror anthology, I'll find out the title and get back with you..


it was this 'un!

http://www.amazon.com/Great-Tales-Horror-Supernatural-Pronzini/dp/088365699X

[VelvetGuru9]

Just read The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern. I thought it was especially good.

[readyeddy?]

I just finished Doctor Rat by William Kotzwinkle. It won the World Fantasy Award for best novel for 1977 but it's really an indictment of laboratory animal testing and the food industry. It's definitely a Peta friendly novel.

The title character is a lab rat driven insane by the animal testing that's been performed on it so it has taken the side of the lab scientists that perform horrible experiments on all the lab animals.

Meanwhile, animals all over the world answer a call to a gathering for a great meeting which is held on each of the continents. Mankind was supposed to go to those meetings and they do eventually but it doesn't work out the animals were hoping.

The book is one of those that starts off slow but picks up steam halfway through. Parts of it are pretty funny when Doctor Rat has fits of rhyming spells.

[ClixKiller]

the dragonlance series was awesome,also the crystal shard storyline was just as good and it brought about the coolest dark elf around drizzit and his trilogy was just as hot.

[blooroo22]

One of my favorites is the Edge Chronicles by Paul Stewart and Chris Riddell. Its about sky-pirates and lots of cool creatures.

[readyeddy?]

Just found out that Anne McCaffrey passed away the other day. I hadn't read any of her Dragonriders series but they were on my (I'll get to them someday) list.

[Gargantua]

One of my favorites is the Edge Chronicles by Paul Stewart and Chris Riddell. Its about sky-pirates and lots of cool creatures.

No book that has sky-pirates can possibly be bad. Sky-pirates are just inherently cool.