I want to start reading fantasy books. Does any body know any good writers on this category?

Answer 1

Everyone always says Robert Jordan and Terry Goodkind. Goodkind I can stomach, but Jordan is a waste of time IMHO.

For high Fantasy, I LOVE David Eddings (or more correctly David and Leigh Eddings) Pawn of Prophecy is the first in the series. I think you may find them in bookstores in Omnibus editions. And of course you must read Tolkein.

An unusal and truly wonderful fantasy series begins with The Golden Compass by Phillip Pullman. The sequels are The Subtle Knife and The Amber Spyglass. I don't usually buy books, but I'd sure like to keep that series.

Anne McCaffrey will tell you her books are Science Fiction, and they have some elements of that, but fantasy readers always appreciate her Dragonriders of Pern series. Start with Dragonflight.

For political fantasy, I love Katherine Kurtz's Deryni series. (Deryni Rising, Deryni Checkmate, High Deryni are the first three. There's many many more.) Also fabulous are George R R Martin's Song of Ice and Fire, which begins with A Game of Thrones.

If you like a little sensuality with a side of kinkiness, try Kushiel's Dart by Jacquelyn Carey. Very well written. Like Poetry. Note, though, that they are NOT PG-13.

Like romance? A great cross genre title is Outlander by Diana Gabaldon, which blends time travel, romance, history, and a little mystery all into one HUGE tome. Worth the effort of wading through the slow beginning. Lots of action once it really begins, and not too much "throbbing" if you know what I mean..

Don't forget dark fantasy. I loved The Silver Kiss and Blood and Chocolate (Soon to be a major motion picture!) both by Annette Curtis Klause and Dracula by Bran Stoker.

I second the recommendation of the Crystal Cave and the Hollow Hills for Arthurian fantasy. Good good stuff.

Someone else recommended Thomas Covenant by Stephen Donaldson. I hated that. Can't see why anyone likes it.

Never got into the CS Lewis Narnia books, but they were probably too young for me by the time I discovered them. Or maybe it was their "Britishness". I thought the kids in the movie were way whine-y.

Hope you like any of those.

Answer 2

For questions like these it's always helpful to name one or two books that you really enjoyed reading so that people can get a sense of your personal taste.

That said, as has been mentioned, start with:

David Eddings "Pawn of Prophecy". This is a nice epic quest book, funny to read, with good characterization and dialogue. There are two 5 book series and a few stand alone books that you can work through.

Neil Gaiman "Anansi Boys": How can you not like a character named Fat Charlie. Gaiman is incredible you will likely want to read everything he writes.

George RR Martin "Game of Thrones": Martin so far has written a good series where you can never be certain if the character you like will survive. He also has not screwed the series up (yet, hopefully he never will) by drawing it out too much.

The only reason I can't recommend Robert Jordan or Terry Goodkind is they are drawing their series out too much...you begin loosing interest (Jordan more than Goodkind who still has a chance to end well). A great series may have many books but you are disappointed when it ends. A great series that has lived too long...well you just want to put it out of it's misery. You want it to finally end. This is not to say that either of these authors are bad just that you expected so much more. They both started really well.

Victoria Strauss "The Arm of the Stone" is an extremely good fantasy novel (there is a sequel but it can be read as a stand alone.

Steven Gould "Jumper" is nice contemporary fantasy. Set in modern day, a boy is getting beaten by his alcoholic dad and suddenly he finds that he has teleported to the local library.

Mickey Zucker Reichert "The Last of the Renshai" is an incredibly fun trilogy. It centers around the remnants of a warrior race killed off by their enemies.

Tad Williams "Dragonbone Chair" Ok these books are all long, but they are so good. They tell the standard tale of a young nobody who becomes someone very important.

I don't want to give too much detail on any of these because half of the fun is discovering for yourself how good these books are. If a friend came to me with your question, these are the books I would load them down with. There are plenty of other interesting and good reads, but here is a place to start.

Have fun.

Answer 3

Fantasy is my favorite kind of book to read. I think my two favorite authors are
Terry Goodkind and Kristin Britain.
Terry Goodkind is one of the most famous fantasy writers in the world. His first book Wizard's First Rule is amazing! My whole family has read it. He also has NINE more in the series after that. Millions of people read his novels, pick one up and see why. I even think his books are better then my favorite Harry Potter books. Kristin Britains books also are terrific! My favorite books of hers are the Green Rider series. I just ordered the third in the series. (name not yet released)
Both of these series are New York Times Best sellers. I highly recommend them to you. But of coarse they are a little longer. Wizard's First Rule is 836 pages and following that is Stone of Tears witch is around 1000 pages.
These books are full of adventure and magic a perfect mix for fantasy. Try them out and enjoy.

Answer 4

J.R.R. Tolkein-The Master!
C.S. Lewis
Anne McCaffrey-mostly she writes about dragons
Ursula LeGuin-She writes both SF and Fantasy but so does Lewis. Her Earthsea series is considered a favorite.
Neil Gaiman is a genius and I'd suggest starting with him. He's a good person to ease into Fantasy. Some of his stuff is a little dark though.
The guy who wrote Eragon and Eldest. His name is Christopher something. He's only 21 or 22 and people compare him to Tolkein.

Mists of Avalon is wonderful. It's also pretty long, but definitely a good read.

Susan Clarke-I believe she's the one who wrote Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norvell. It, too, is a long read.

Answer 5

It depends completely on the type of fantasy you want to read. If you like Arthur legends, Mary Stewart's The Crystal Cave series is good--it tells them from Merlin's point of view, beginning when he was a young boy. Also, the Mists of Avalon is wonderful--it tells them from the women's point of view. If you want really funny books, try the 5 books in Douglas Adams' rather incorrectly named The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy trilogy (they're much better than the movie). The Lord of the Rings trilogy is also good.

Answer 6

Neil Gaiman...that man is a genius.

His stuff is kind of sci fi/fantasy type books, but they hook you in about the first ten pages, and you CANNOT put them down. Start with American Gods or Good Omens (Good Omens if you want a nice laugh while you're reading), and go from there. I've got most of my friends hooked on this guy...he really is a brilliant writer.

Answer 7

start with Magician by Raymond E Feist. it is simple and easy to read. from there you can either go for adventure fanatcy like Terry Goodkind's Sword of Truth books, Robert Jordon's Wheele of Time books or George R R Martin's Song of Fire and Ice books. there is aslo abserdist fantacy such as Terry Prachett.
if you are more interested in science fiction/fantacy or pure science fiction stuff the Frank Herbert is your man or Robert Heinlein. Peter F Hamiltion is another author i can recommend.
forget Tolkin, his books make good films and sleeping pills but not much else. you certainly can't read them.

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

Start with Tolkien. He is most well known fantasy writer and the movies are good, but not nearly as good as the book. Many will argue with me but I like C.S. Lewis for the "Wardrobe" series.

Answer 10

Anne McCaffrey has some great fantasy books - the Dragon Riders of Pern among them.