Have you read any books by these fantasy authors, and which would you recommend?

Question

I finally finished the 7th book of the Harry Potter series (nice ending, but I really mourned for Hedwig!), and I'm looking for more fantasy to read. Has anyone read books by these fantasy authors: Diana Wynne Jones, John Bellairs, Lloyd Alexander, Erin Hunter (Warriors series), Eoin Colfer (Artemis Fowl series), Susan Cooper, Anne McCaffrey, and would you recommend them or any others? I am interested in authors of adult fantasy books as well (but not 2 inches thick!). I've seen books by these authors at the library, and they all look interesting, but would like to hear opinions from those who have read them. Thanks!

Thanks everyone for all of your suggestions. I'm finding it hard to choose a best answer, so please feel free to vote! Thanks for your opinions and the links as well.

Answer 1

Diana Wynne Jones is a good author...I'm currently trying to collect all of her books because a lot of the characters carry over into the other books. Try starting with 'The Chronicles of Chrestomanci' at first because that kind of explains how the worlds work.

Lloyd Alexander is a good author although I've only read a couple of his books.

Eoin Colfer is a creative genius. You read his books and think of how amazing his characters and worlds are. Definitely recommend his books.

Susan Cooper wrote 'The Dark is Rising' series...the first book was just made into a movie. Those are all good books with ties to Merlin and King Arthur although you don't notice it at first.

I've only read one book by Anne McCaffrey and thought it was boring. Just my opinion though.

You could also try Pamela Dean's 'The Secret Country' trilogy. It's about cousins who usually spend the summer together making up a play about another world. When one family moves to Australia they can't make up the play anymore...until they each discover a secret portal to the world they made up. It may sound cheesy but it's really really good.

You could also try Robin McKinley she writes some different takes on different fairy tales...I'd start with 'Beauty: A retelling of the story of Beauty and the Beast' it's pretty good.

Good luck!

Answer 2

Of the ones you mentioned (Diana Wynne Jones, John Bellairs, Lloyd Alexander, Erin Hunter, Eoin Colfer, Susan Cooper, Anne McCaffrey) I only read Anne McCaffrey which is OK but I did not find the series addictive.

I would recommend the Xanth series by Piers Anthony, starting with A Spell for Chameleon which is being made into a movie (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0436786/). It's light hearted, great fun and highly imaginative.

I would also recommend anything by David Gemmell. He has written many great series (you could try Wolf in Shadow first).

Answer 3

Diana Wynne Jones is fabulous. I love her work. Many do not know that she wrote Howl's Moving Castle, a book that was turned into a movie recently. Her work is very much like Harry Potter, however it's not a knock off because her books came first. I'd start with the Chrestomanci books because I think they're the best.

I have read Anna McCaffrey, but I found her not to my liking. She is way too science fiction for me, I enjoy more fantasy. I wouldn't recommend her.

Some authors I would recommend to you however are these (Most of them are fantasy, Vampire, Werewolf and such):

J.R. Ward, Kelley Armstrong, Laurell K. Hamilton, Jeanne C. Stein, Scott Westerfeld, Patricia Briggs, Lynn Viehl, Vicki Pettersson, Karen Chance, Keri Arthur, Katie MacAlister, Lilith Saintcrow, Kim Harrison, Carla Jablonski (The books of Magic which are adapted from Neil Gaiman's graphic novels).

I hope you find one you'll enjoy!

Answer 4

Erin Hunter's books are really good, although towards the end I was so wrapped up in the book that I started crying when the series ended. Well that would be me: Ms. Overreaction. The cats are almost 3D when it comes to their personalities and there are SO many plot twists. It was fun to read, knowing that anything could happen.

The Artemis Fowl books are good by my standards, high as they are. Holly Short is spontaneous and Artemis is a genius, as I'm probably quoting from the back of the book. It's funny and, as far as I know, original.

Answer 5

I haven't read a lot on your list, but if you're getting them at the library, go ahead & check them out--you haven't wasted any money if you don't like them & can't finish them. My recommendations follow:

Anne McCaffrey's dragon books, especially the early ones, are good--I have always enjoyed them. If you like those, branch off into some of her other series: The Ship books, the Freedom ones (I think the last one is Freedom's Ransom), the Pegasus & Tower series (linked--about those with psychic powers: read To Ride Pegasus or The Rowan 1st)

Lloyd Alexander is good, tho it's been a while since I read him--mostly known for the Prydain books (Book of Three, Black Cauldron, etc.)

I also like Mercedes Lackey (Arrows of the Queen is a good starting point, but there are other series: http://www.mercedeslackey.com/biblio_series.html is a partial list of the titles in each series); I would say 95% of her books are in my own collection. I'm going to leave it at that because otherwise I'll run out of space!

Katherine Kurtz can be a little dry in her other books, but try Deryni Rising.

David Edding's Belgariad & Mallorean are good series; Pawn of Prophecy is the 1st one if you don't pick up an omnibus. Not all of his later work is as good IMO.

Christopher Stasheff's best series is science fantasy: The Warlock in Spite of Himself is about a man from the 30-something century, out looking for Lost Colonies; and boy, does he find one! Gramarye, filled with "witches" & "warlocks"--or inbred psi-users--and elves & other supernatural critters. He's considered a warlock over his his own objections because he has these scientific abilities that seem like magic. Add in an epileptic robot, a psi-sensitive moss, and a young Queen, and I think it's a lot of fun. He recently wrapped up the series with The Warlock's Last Ride.

Tamora Pierce (Tortall books: Alanna--the first adventure) & Patricia Wrede (Enchanted Forest Chronicles: Dealing with Dragons) are technically young adult, but I still enjoy them. Good sense of humor, and not strictly traditional sword & sorcery.

Tanith Lee writes very dark fantasy & sci-fi. I like Tales from the Flat Earth & the duology Don't Bite the Sun & Drinking Sapphire Wine.

And don't forget the classics: Peter Pan (Barrie), the Oz books (Baum), The Chronicles of Narnia (Lewis), and the Hobbit & Lord of the Rings (Tolkein).

Answer 6

Diana Wynne Jones has written some FANTASTIC young adult stories (My fav is Fire and Hemlock) as well as Howl's Moving Castle. :)

Eoin Colfer's Artemis Fowl series was pretty cool. He's also written a standalone that I like the best called The Wishlist.

Anne McCaffery I would recommend to anyone wanting to read fantasy. She also write sci-fi which is just as good (Freedoms Landing, Freedoms Challenge and the last one... can't remember it's name but I LOVED that series), but her Dragonriders of Pern series was one of the first fantasy series I read/came across.

Not really answering your question... Perhaps try different sorts of fantasy?
- Old-style epic adventure LotR style would be Terry Brooks, the His Dark Materials series by Phillip Pullman (Yes being made into movies).
- Francesca Lia Blok writes really beautiful little books like The Hanging Man. (Recommendation!) Real life/surreal fantasy.
- Jackie French recently (well not long ago) wrote a young adult series; The Outlands Trilogy that is an awesome blend of Sci-fi, fantasy and detective story.

...hope that helps you! :)

Answer 7

- Lloyd Alexander's "The Book of Three" and sequels are really good, though intended for a younger audience than Harry Potter.

- I haven't read very much by Eoin Colfer, but what I have read didn't appeal to me.

- I read Susan Cooper's books a long time ago. I remember liking them.

Other recommendations:

- Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy (probably my favorite books out of everything listed here)

- Jonathan Stroud's Bartimaeus trilogy

- Holly Black's faerie tales (Tithe, its sequel Ironside, and the companion book Valiant)

Most of my favorite adult fantasy books are over two inches thick, so I'll leave it at that.

Answer 8

The only one on your list that I have read would be Anne McAffrey. I love her Dragonriders books. Someone else mentioned the Talent series, there are 8 books in all of the talent series. Anne later went back and tied in two books to the Rowan series, it is now known as the Talent series. I have read and reread these books a thousand times.

Some books not mentioned are Eragon and Eldest.

Also the Belgariad and Mallorean series by David Eddings (highly addictive).

For the teen level if you are into vampires/werewolves/supernatural I would recommend the Night World by LJ Smith.

Answer 9

First, this:

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.

2nd, about your authors: I have read most of McCaffrey's "Pern" series (sorcery-free, so not in my list). Warning: explicit adult content. The 1st 2 books (and "The White Dragon") portray men as quite violent towards women - and the women like it. The "Harper Hall" trilogy, however, is quite a bit different. Menolly is one of my favorite female characters of all time, and the sexual violence present in the other Pern books never involves her (though she is a witness to same, if I recall correctly). Bottom line: these are excellent, but you will not understand the "Harper Hall" books very well without reading the first 2 Pern books - also excellent, but definitely adult.

I also recommend (sorcery-free):
Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH - appropriate for all ages, female main character, excellent.

I hope this helps.

Jim, http://www.jimpettis.com/wheel/

Answer 10

Anne McCaffrey is a popular writer for teens - she's listed as an adult writer, but I personally find her plots a bit simplistic for adult fiction. If you like her you will probably also like Mercedes Lackey.

I haven't read the other writers on your list. Some other good fantasy writers are Ursula LeGuin, Jennifer Fallon, Lois Bujold, Lynn Flewelling, Trudi Canavan, and Stephen Donaldson.