What is a great book for someone interested in fantasy?

Answer 1

Well, have you read much in the genre before? If not, you might want to start with the classics: Lord of the Rings, The Gormenghast Novels by Mervyn Peake, The Amber Chronicles by Roger Zelazny. These books were written in an older style of writing, though. Some people, particularly the younger generation (I'm not being discriminative, I'm part of this generation myself) find them harder to read than modern novels. So if you're looking for more recent fantasies, I'd recommend the following:

A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin: This is the first in Martin's acclaimed Song of Ice and Fire series, currently four books long. Martin brings a gritty realism to his chronicle of an upper class filled with betrayal, deceit, murder, adultery, incest, and more. Each chapter is narrated by a different character in the third person. Because of this, there are no real good guys or bad guys, just people struggling to secure their position and satisfy their own ambitions. There are about twenty or so different plots all woven together in one of the best epics to date. Very good series.

Jonathon Strange and Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clark: This book came out a year or so ago and has won over quite a few fans. Clark sets her novel in Britain during the time of the conflict with Napoleon, and introduces the last two wizards of Britain. It's extremely witty and clever, and has heralded comparisons with Harry Potter, though it certainly possesses a few more adult themes. It's an engaging read and I highly recommend it.

Dragon's Winter by Elizabeth A. Lynn: This is a beautifully written high fantasy. The prose is so lyrical and almost poetic. Lynn created a world populated with humans and shapeshifters. She gave it a history and a mythology that is retold by the characters and thus gives the setting a depth and realism lacking in many other fantasies. She weaves together two main stories in the same novel and plays on the themes of brotherhood and betrayal.

The Eye of the World by Robert Jordan: This is the first in Jordan's Wheel of Time series. The books are engrossing, even if the characters do act a bit flat at times. There are some references to Arthurian myth, but for the most part Jordan's series is original and interesting. The books are involving, long, and the plots can sometimes become convoluted. They're definitely a great read, but you have to pay close attention to the text.

Nightwatch by Sergei Lukyanenko: This is an import from Russia, recently translated into English. Set in modern day Moscow, it imagines a world populated by the Others: magicians, shapeshifters, vampires, and more. The Others walk among humanity, but are not a part of it. They are strictly divided into Light and Dark Ones, supposedly on whether or not they are motivated by good or evil. But as the story unfolds, narrated by a Light One, it becomes clear that good and evil are more alike than one might expect. Great novel, a bit allegorical about the Russian political system.

Weapon of Flesh by Chris A. Jackson: This is an independent book available at http://www.jaxbooks.com. It's won several awards already, and for good reason. Jackson does an incredible job in crafting his lead character, a boy raised from birth to be a controlled assassin. But when his master dies, the nameless boy is left on his own, and for the first time he must make his own choices. Absolutely brilliant.

The Dark Glory War by Michael A. Stackpole: This is a dark epic fantasy, the first in Stackpole's series. It's also set over fifteen years before the events in the subsequent novels. Stackpole does a great job in crafting a unique fantasy with a distinct culture. He also captures a wartime atmosphere exquisitely. One of the best features of his writing is his ability to leave things on a darker note: he feels absolutely no pressure to create a happy ending, and thus the book has a grittier feel to it. One of the best lesser known series out there.

Dragon Champion by E.E. Knight: This is a highly original fantasy narrated by a creature normally relegated to background monster: the dragon. Knight's dragons are fierce and violent at times, but they also have a developed society, history, and culture. Engaging read told from a unique perspective. Also check out the sequel, Dragon Avenger.

The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch: This witty fantasy reads as a medieval Ocean's 11. The characters are engaging and the text humorous at times. You may be able to spot some of the plot twists coming, but the clever style and Lynch's way with words is enough to keep the story feeling fresh and engaging. Definitely a unique novel in the fantasy genre.

The King's Dragon by Kate Elliot: The first book in the series, Elliot tells two stories at once, seemingly unrelated at first but slowly woven together in a beautiful narrative. She's done a great job in realistically depicting the upper class of a monarchy. The characters are engaging and well-developed and the story driven primarily by their actions, not a contrived plot. Great read for fans of Martin or Jordan.

The Wayfarer Redemption by Sara Douglass: Douglass does a great job of crafting three unique cultures that have their basis in historical and mythological actualities. She doesn't take the easy way out and use elves or dwarves or any other races found in the worst kind of Lord of the Rings rip-offs. Instead, she crafts two unique cultures of her own. The series as a whole becomes a bit bogged down by the love triangle plot, but it still retains enough originality to make it a worthy read.

The fantasy genre is huge and teaming with a great variety of quality literature. There's plenty more out there, but hopefully this will give you an idea of where to start.

Answer 2

Eragon and it sequel (a third one is due out soon) is the current craze.
Tamora Pierce is the author of lots.
Anne McCaffery is another popular author of fantasy. (I have to admit I even liked the Blue Sword--my duaghter is the one reading the fantasy, over my objections).
I guess Harry Potter.
What age is this person who is interested in fantasy?
Redwall is a fantastic and funny series about little animals off to fight battles, a la King Arthur. My well-read daughter at 12 said they were the best books she had ever read, and that is saying something.
Don't forget Ender's Game, not sure if that isn't science fiction, but a great book.
I LOVED Battlefield Earth, again maybe sci fi, but it was still a great great read. What a tale!
Finding Blue, something like that, the sequel to The Giver, was engrossing.
Just check with a librarian. They will have lots of other suggestions, I'll bet.

Answer 3

Wow! You've received some great answers. Many of the books recommended are some of my favorites. Additionally, you might want to try several of the series by David and Leigh Eddings(they have several, start with the Belgariad). Piers Anthony also has more than the Xanth series available in the fantasy genre, including, the Apprentice Adept, and the Incarnations of Immortality.

Answer 4

The Harry Potter series, the Myth, Inc. series (by Robert Asprin and Jody Lynn Nye), and Piers Anthony and Fred Saberhagen also offer good fantasy book series. For somewhat darker tastes try Laurell K. Hamilton's books.

Answer 5

My favorite fantasy books are written by Piers Anthony.

I like the Xanth series.

You can start anywhere in the series and be fine. They are very humurous as well as entertaining. And the best part is that it is series. Several characters in the same fantasy setting. Different books focus on different characters. So, if you do like the book you can read another one...

They aren't difficult reads either.

Answer 6

Terry Goodkind sword of truth series start with Wizard's First rule.(Terry Goodkind is my personal favorite, the series currently has 9 books the 10th will be released in November) Piers Anthony's Xanth is great too, Dragon Lance Series by Tracy Hickman & Margret Weis

Answer 7

Ever heard of George R.R. Martin? His song of ice and fire trilogy is really good.

You can go to his website and read some excerpts.

Fair warning here: It's going to be more than a trilogy. He's working on the fifth book if I remember correctly.

If you like dragons Anne McCaffrey won't let you down. Her dragonriders of Pern series is awesome.

So Is Robert Jordan's series the wheel of time. We're on the 11th book with that series.

I would seriously check out Martin first, even though Anne is one of my very favorites. She has a website, too.

Oh, I almost forgot Terry Goodkind, sword of truth series, another long one. But "Wizard's First Rule" is wonderful

Answer 8

Pretty much anything by Terry Pratchett, Neil Gaiman, Lorna Freeman, Lynn Flewelling, Jim Butcher or Diana Wynne Jones.

Answer 9

The Discworld Series by Terry Prattchet

Answer 10

Read Eyes of The Dragon by Stephen King, its one of the best Fantasy books I've ever read.