What's the best fantasy novel ever?

Question

not including the Lord of the Rings

Answer 1

The Belgariad Series is the best fantasy novel set out there. It is written by the best fantasy writer around: David Eddings. If you are into Sci-fi check out Kurt Vonnegut.

Answer 2

Ever is a long time.

But I think J. R. R. Tolkien's Lord of the Rings would have to take first place. I say this for four main reasons.

(1) It's just such a gripping read. How well I remember a winter holiday years ago when I thought I might read this novel (it was a boxed set of three volumes in those days) in a leisurely sort of way over the next few months. Instead, I got hooked, and read the whole thing from beginning to end without stopping. I don't remember getting much else done that holiday season. I had read The Hobbit as a young person and enjoyed it, but I was not prepared for the power, suspense, and mystical aura of the adult fantasy that had its innocent beginning with Bilbo Baggins.

(2) Tolkien was a university scholar in Old English literature, so his Middle Earth is drawn from an imagination rich with early English myths, legends, folklore, and language. As an English teacher, I had relied on his work about Beowulf, the Anglo-Saxon epic. He was also influenced by Norse, Finnish, German, Greek, and Judaeo-Christian lore. Also, he had the support of his writing group, the Inklings, which included C. S. Lewis (who first encouraged him to publish The Hobbit, which he had written for his own children), Owen Barfield, and others. All of this contributes to the depth and wisdom of the book.

(3) The novel as we know it was written in the shadow of World War II. Tolkien always insisted that it was not a direct reflection of the evil of Nazism;nevertheless, there is not doubt that the darkness of the novel and the realism of the evil forces struck a chord with the reading public in part because of the nature of Hitler and his sinister regime.

(4) Tolkien is now called "the father of modern fantasy," with good reason. All fantasy books dealing with "other worlds" show the influence, sometimes subtle, sometimes very obvious, of Middle Earth. One thinks, for example, of the Narnia books of Lewis, Eragon and Eldest by Chris Paolini, Lloyd Alexander's Prydain books, the Earthsea books of Ursula K. LeGuin, and all the many popular fantasy novels that now line the shelves of bookstores and libraries.

But still the reason Lord of the Rings is known as "the best fantasy novel ever" is because it's such a great read. The characters are unforgettable: Frodo, the ordinary hobbit, heir to Bilbo, now grown old and possessive; Gandalf, the great grey wizard; Gollum, the weird creature from the goblin caves, obsessed with the ring; the hobbit friends Merry and Pippin and especially the humble but loyal Sam Gamgee; all those elves and dwarves and kings; and not least, the shadowy Sauron, the Dark Lord.

It's just the best!

[Oops. Sorry, I didn't see your exclusion of Lord of the Rings. But I think my comments stand as a reminder that there is really no competitor for the Rings. None of the ones mentioned so far even belong in the same category, really. Among children's fantasy, with strong appeal to adult readers, I would mention Michael Ende's Neverending Story and Russell Hoban's Mouse and His Child as well as Ursula LeGuin's Earthsea books, esp. the first two or three. I don't think any adult fantasy even comes close. Perhaps LeGuin's Left Hand of Darkness and The Dispossessed, both of which are commonly classified as science fiction.]

Answer 3

When I was into fantasy way back when I really enjoyed the Dragonriders of Pern series by Anne McCaffrey. But nothing beats the Lord of the Rings.

Answer 4

Dark Tower Series By Stephen King

Answer 5

Even though you said not to I say, by far,The Lord of the Rings. I read it in 1967 in high school, and again in 2001 when the movies started. Tolkien was a linguistic genius who wrote a gripping story and created his own world, characters, languages and grammatically unique Elvish signs.. best ever and I have read countless books over the years

Answer 6

I've read this series called The Wheel Of Time there are 10 books and i believe that an 11th is on the way I've only read the first 5 book but it's really good i think you and any other fantasy reader would really enjoy all books.

Answer 7

Hi. I saw your question and just wanted to honor you by trying to answer. There is a series called the Earth/Sea trilogy, isn't there? It is about wizards. They live on all of these small islands and there are dragons on some of them. I think Ursula K. LeGuinn wrote it. It was very good. I saw a tv version of it made as a special, but the books were better. Thank you for asking.

Answer 8

Hi there. I'm the author of a new medieval fantasy series that you might like. The title of the first episode is THE BLACKGLOOM BOUNTY. It's 445 pages of action, adventure, magic, mystery and mayhem. If you like Conan, LOTR or Harry Potter type books, this is one you'll enjoy. It may not be THE best fantasy series ever, but one Hollywood producer said it was, "Like Braveheart meets Lord of the Rings." (See other comments below.)

Good luck, whatever you decide to read!

Jon F. Baxley (Author, Editor, Ghostwriter and Proofreader)

THE SCYTHIAN STONE (eBook only)
THE BLACKGLOOM BOUNTY (eBook and hard cover)
THE REGENTS OF RHUM (coming fall '07)

Major Media Reviews:

Publishers Weekly

STARRED Review. A fast pace, sly humor, amusing dialogue and a richly researched background lift Baxley's fantasy, the first of a new series set in medieval Britain. When Merlin's long-ago apprentice Kruzurk Makshare (aka the Boozer) receives a dreamlike visitation from the legendary mage, he learns he must destroy another former apprentice, the villainous Seed of Cerberus. To do so will require a visit to the demon-guarded Blackgloom Keep. Enter young Daynin McKinnon, who discovers a curious rune-covered headstone, which may be the fabled Blackgloom Bounty, and brings it to Kruz's attention. Kruz believes it will provide entry into the fortress, while Daynin hopes the sale of the stone will restore his family's fortunes. The colorful cast of good guys and ne'er-do-wells includes the Pictish ghost of Brude McAlpin liberated from his tomb, assorted pursuing Caledonians and a bemused Prior Bede, whose monastery serves as a hiding place for the Blackgloom Bounty. Suitable for fantasy enthusiasts of all ages.

Library Journal
"This series opener...is a good choice for fans of epic-style sagas and Scottish history."

Harriet Klausner, Amazon's #1 Ranked Reviewer!
"This terrific medieval fantasy...will elate readers for its fast-paced, action-thrilled story line starring a strong cast."

Nancy McCulloch, PRWEB Article, March 20, 2006
"Two thumbs up for a colorful cast of characters, nonstop, rapid-fire action and compelling storyline!"

Fantasybookspot.com Review by Tyler, Febuary 2006
"Taking place in Medieval Scotland, this tale of magic, adventure and love really captured my attention..."

Answer 9

I really enjoyed reading the Mage Winds trilogy, which is one in about a dozen series by Mercedes Lackey set in Valdemar.

I also loved The Noble Dead saga by Barb & J.C. Hendee.

Answer 10

I read Lots of Books by lots of folks Edgar Rice Burough's Tarzan of the apes was like a Louis LaMoore western good stuff.