Am looking for some good fantasy novels to read and am keen to hear what novels others have enjoyed the most.
2006-06-26 03:05:03 · 30 answers · asked by Jay Jay 2 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Books & Authors
A few good answers:
Series:
Wheel of Time by Robert Jordan
A Song of Ice and Fire by George R.R. Martin
Kushiel's Dart, Kushiel's Chosen, and Kushiel's Avatar by Jacqueline Carey
Book:
The best work of fantasy I have ever read is Bridge of Birds by Barry Hughart.
Have fun!
2006-06-26 03:14:13 · answer #1 · answered by aross07 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think the Discworld series by Terry Pratchett made me laugh the most times in a chapter. He's the king of fantastic satire.
Bedlam's Bard series, Magic series, and The Black Gryphon series by Mercedes Lackey came to me at a time in my life that changed me for the better, so she will always hold a special place in my heart.
As far as classic "high fantasy" goes, I think nothing can compare to the Lord of the Rings Trilogy by J.R.R. Tolkien. Yes, there are parts that are impossibly dry, but his influence on fantasy writers of today is beyond compare.
However, it seems lately, the book that I've been returning to and rereading parts of, and the one that has affected my art quite a bit (as far as subject matter) is Cornelia Funke's "Dragon Rider" she also has another, "Inkheart" that I'm waiting for the right moment to read because I know that I won't put it down.
2006-06-26 11:22:50 · answer #2 · answered by bibliophile_1976 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I absolutely love Charles De Lint, he has a lot of books out that all stand alone but center around the city of Newford and have characters that visit each others stories. "The Woodwife" by Terri Windling is a great book as well as "War for the Oaks" by Emma Bull. I recently bought and reread"The Dark is Rising" series by Susan Cooper, these are the books that got me addicted to fantasy way back and it was fun to read them again. "The Dragon Prince" series by Melanie Rawn. "Halfblood Chronicles" by Andre Norton and Mercedes Lackey and "Bardic Voices" series by Mercedes Lackey. These are some of the series that I have read and loved and still take up space in my head years after originally reading them. Of course some newer series like Harry Potter and the "Inheritance" series are also fabulous reads.
2006-06-26 12:05:57 · answer #3 · answered by bookworm mama 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I will give you one that nobody has come up with, because if you like fantasy you have already read them.... how about The Prophecy of the Stones by Flavia Bujor? Very unique idea by a 15 year old! I loved the way the chapters were divided between the 2 "universes" and the mysterious ending! Happy Reading!
2006-06-26 10:26:22 · answer #4 · answered by ~S~ is for Stephanie! 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
George R. R. Martin has already been mentioned, but no one has recommended Ursula K. LeGuin yet. She's just - well, she gives me chills sometimes. The Lathe of Heaven is kinda fantasy, kinda sci-fi - I keep meaning to read more of her and I keep getting distracted.
I haven't read the Earthsea books in a long time but I remember enjoying them when I was younger.
Julliet Margullier wrote a great book called Daughter of the Forest that is a retelling of the Eight Swans fairytale. It's haunting and scary and just absolutely unforgettable.
2006-06-26 15:04:23 · answer #5 · answered by kwanyin_mama 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Dresden file book series by Jim Butcher.There are 8 books in the series beginning with stormfront.It narrates the story of Harry Dresden,chicago's only professional wizard.He stands between the general population who is ignorant about the supernatural world and the monsters-vampires,werewolves,fey.He is aided by Bob,a talking skull.Karrin Murphy-a police officer and Thomas-a white court vampire.
Dragonjousters series(joust,alta,sanctuary) by Mercedes Lackey.The setting is ancient Egypt.Hunger, anger, and hatred are constants for young Vetch, rendered a brutally mistreated and overworked serf by the Tian conquest of his homeland. But everything improves when a Tian jouster requisitions Vetch to become the first serf ever to be a dragon boy. His training is intense, and his duty clear-cut: to tend his jouster, Ari, and his dragon, Kashet. He discovers that, because Ari himself had hatched Kashet, the dragon is different from others that have been captured live in the wild and must be drugged to be made tractable. Vetch finds he really likes and understands dragons, and soon he becomes the best dragon boy of all. He still harbors anger, however, toward the Tian invasion. Could he, perhaps, hatch a dragon, and then escape to help his people?
Mercedes lackey wrote the Valdemar series.The books I liked in the series are Take a thief,Exile's honor,Exile's valor.
Mercedes Lackey's Take a Thief is the tale of Skif, a young orphan reminiscent of Oliver Twist, making his way in the knock-and-tumble neighborhood between two of Haven's outermost walls. Skif is intelligent, good-hearted and creative enough to forage up three meals a day in a place where food is scarce and kindness almost unheard of. After a chain of events leave him homeless, Skif lands in the lair of Bazie, an Faginish ex-mercenary who trains thieves...until he is "Chosen" by one of Valdemar's magical horses and becomes a Herald serving the Queen.
Edgar Rice Burroughs wrote the Mars novels and the tarzan novels.There are 11 novels in the mars series beginning with 'a princess of mars'.Captain John Carter of the Confederate Army is whisked to Mars and discovers a dying world of dry ocean beds where giant four-armed barbarians rule, of crumbling cities home to an advanced but decaying civilization, a world of strange beasts and savage combat, a world where love, honor and loyalty become the stuff of adventure. The later books are about his son Carthoris,daughter Tara etc.John carter is a recurring character in all these books as martians live for 1000 years.
You can get free e-books by edgar rice burroughs and rafael sabatini from Project Gutenberg.
2006-06-26 13:50:13 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I love reading RA Salvatore but my favorite series is War Of The Spider Queen. I love reading about a matriarchal society built on magic and intrigue where typical gender roles are reversed. I also love the fact that with all the politics and scheming, there is quite a bit of action and very little, if any "romantic" scenes.
2006-06-26 10:52:35 · answer #7 · answered by Melanie 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Lord of the Rings
and
the original Conan series written by Robert E Howard in the 1950's
Narnia is good and surprizingly so is Wizard of OZ (books )
The newer fantasy stuff is written too fast and too cookie -cutter ,not enough depth to the stories.
2006-06-26 10:16:15 · answer #8 · answered by James A 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Besides HP, my favourite is the Kushiel series by Jacqueline Carey. Not for the faint of heart, mind you. And I began my foray into fantasy with Anne McCafferey's Dragonriders of Pern series. I also enjoy David Eddings Belgarian and Mallorean series, for light entertainment.
2006-06-26 16:54:17 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'd have to go with the Drizzt Do'Urden books by R.A. Salvatore. From the beginning of The Dark Elf trilogy I was riveted. The startling description of the undercity of Menzoberranzen and the rest of the drow society is fantastic. Drizzt is an amazing character and the supporting characters all have their quirks and strengths. Gripping stories.
2006-06-26 12:35:32 · answer #10 · answered by Carlito Sway 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋