what's a really interesting fantasy book that has a good story, not huge, but the main characters don't do magic? I am looking for a fantasy book that doesn't revolve around weird wolrds and too much magic. Just something like Hobbit or Narnia. I just like stories that are closer to our world, not too unrealistic. Thanks! =)
2007-12-05 07:16:17 · 12 answers · asked by timekiller 2 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Books & Authors
The Lyonesse Series by Jack Vance. (The best fantasy series that no one has heard of).
Lyonesse (or Suldrun's Garden)
The Green Pearl
Madouc.
2007-12-05 09:00:18 · answer #1 · answered by H_A_V_0_C 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You might consider this a bit much, but I love the world created by Anne McCaffrey for the Dragonriders of Pern series.
A group of people crash on a new planet and basically have to start over without the use of their advanced technology. The first order of business is survival - even paper is a luxury.
The series covers the initial landing and many turns after. Dragons are part of the story and some people "impress" dragons at hatchings and are telepathically connected to these creatures, but there is no use of magic like spell casting that I can remember.
Explores how they were able to create a new society with what they had around them.
2007-12-05 08:52:25 · answer #2 · answered by Isthisnametaken2 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You should try Lian Hearn's 'Tales of the Otori' trilogy. It's close to our world in the sense that there are no unicorns or elves, but is set against a backdrop which is very similar to medieval Japan. Although they could be classed as fantasy novels, the characters don't practice magic as such, but some do have supernatural abilities. In particular, there is a group called The Tribe, who are super-ninja types with cool hereditary special powers.
Or, if historical-type novels aren't your thing, I also recommend 'Neverwhere' by Neil Gaiman, which is set in more modern times. It is about a secret underworld that exists below London. Again, no pixies or fairies, but there are some colourful characters and it's a gripping read!
2007-12-05 08:18:14 · answer #3 · answered by happyg 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have answered this question so many times, I decided to dedicate a web site to answer this question. Here it is:
http://www.life-after-harry-potter.com
Included is a list of only the best sorcery fantasy books, grade reading level, a short review of each book along with a brief summary of adult content. There is also a "Readers' Choice" list of favorite books, and a list of heroine sorcery fantasy books.
Of these authors, White, Steinbeck and Burton contain the least pervasive magic (though in "The Sword in the Stone", the main character is changed into an animal several times, he has no magic himself). All of these are earth-based. "The Sword in the Stone" is also pretty short - and 2nd only to "The Hobbit". I recommend reading "Sword", then White's "The Once and Future King", and finally Steinbeck - a *great* pseudo-trilogy.
Also recommended (no magic):
Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH, a talking animal fantasy, really excellent and easy to read.
The Jungle Books - free online, talking animal adventure and source of "the law of the jungle", true classics.
Dr. Doolittle books - many free online, similar to the 60s musical (which was an amalgamation of several of these excellent children's books)
I hope this helps.
Jim, http://www.jimpettis.com/wheel/
2007-12-05 18:09:38 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Anything by Stephen Lawhead. He's taken some of the very popular legends (King Arthur and Robin Hood, for example) and re-crafted them. His series about King Arthur starts with Atlantis and its fall and goes from there. His Robin Hood series (his newest) takes place in Wales and includes much of the magic and mystery of that country. The magic in his books is in the background - the characters don't do magic, but they are touched and manipulated by it.
2007-12-05 08:17:23 · answer #5 · answered by tinuviel 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Stolen Child by Keith Donahue.
Without giving too much away, it's based around changellings and their motivations to switch with human children. It's a really well written fantasy based within this world.
2007-12-06 01:46:39 · answer #6 · answered by maelene88 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try Charles DeLint's books. They're set in a fictional city in our world.
You might also like Guy Gavriel Kay. His fantasy books are often based on historical periods of Europe, and actually have very little magic in them. "Tigana" is the best, but all of them are good. One of the things I like about his books are that most of them aren't big, long series like so many fantasy stories these days, but single books.
2007-12-05 08:08:23 · answer #7 · answered by Elissa 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Tried Terry Pratchett, magic is mentioned but they are all rubbish at it and it is very much like here only flat and on the back of four elephants and a giant turtle. Okay it sits upon a weird world, but may be worth a try?
2007-12-05 07:25:20 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
My fashionable fantasy sequence is The Chronicles of Narnia by way of C.S. Lewis. That hasn't replaced, no remember what number great fantasy books and sequence i've got examine. possibly it in no way will substitute.
2016-09-30 22:36:48 · answer #9 · answered by haslam 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Fablehaven books Brandon Mull would fit the bill, the main characters don't do magic, just encounter it. They are written for youth and are fairly quick, engaging reads.
2007-12-05 07:29:48 · answer #10 · answered by LibrarianExtraordinaire 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋