Anybody recommend any fantasy books?

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I've decided to start getting into reading again (I used to read obsessively up until I was about 10) and I'd like to ask if there are any good books you recommend.

The Eyes of the Dragon is a great fantasy novel by Stephen King. Quite a deviation from the horror he is best known for.

I like Game of Thrones, when I need an easy / fun book I pickup my old copies of Dragonlance books. Terry Pratchet is fun, so is the Redwall series. Also don't pass up graphic novels

If you like satire or parodies, Discworld is the way to go. And if you haven't, read the Lord of the Rings (though that sorta goes without saying). And although not fantasy, check out Arthur C. Clarke as well. Amazing sci-fi writer.

I'm reading Glen Cook's Black Company series at the moment. I highly recommend it as an unusual take on the usual fantasy clichés. It doesn't take itself too seriously and it's fast-paced. Quite unpleasant in theme at many points, though, although it's not especially graphic about it. You have to stop and remember every now and then that the likeable, black humorous protagonists are utter bastards...

For those who're waiting for the next instalment of GRRM's interminable magnum opus, it's the perfect antidote.

Sheri Tepper - the true game
sort of abstract high fantasy that morphs slightly into sci-fi territory as the plot progresses.

joe abercrombie - the blade itself
a lot of violence & very little magic IIRC. but the characters, humour & relaxed pace made it really enjoyable imo.

The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss

dan simmons hyperion books along with ilium/olympos are my favorite books of all time. besides being great sci/fi, they trash the catholic church. wonderous.

That get's an enthusiastic second from me. It is very well written. I would also recommend the Abarat series by Clive Barker. It's pretty out there, but very cool. Oh, and look up Rick Riordan too.

Last edited by mynameisledzeppelin on 29 Jun 2011, 11:09 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Dan Brown's books if you've not already read them or watched the movies

Bunch - has a Dragon series that was fun

Cook - not sure of the first name, but it's Wizards meets programmers. Wizardry Compiled,
is one of them.

Simon R Green - two series; the Nightside, and there's another about James Bond ripoffs; like The Man with the Golden Torq, From Hell with Love, etc. Tongue firmly in cheek.

Riordan - the lightning thief - yeah, I know they're for kids, but still good 'brain on hold' reading...it's a series (ever seen a Fantasy book that wasn't?...

Jim Butcher - there's a private eye/wizard series, and another one (I think) called 'The Chronicles of Aldera'. About a dozen books between the 2 of them.

That should get you started...

Try my favorite fantasy writer, Robert E. Howard, the father of American Heroic Fantasy. Yes, he gave us Conan the Barbarian, but he also had created a ton of other lesser known characters who are just as great as Conan.

-Bill, otherwise known as Kraichgauer

Kris. You told me you read Watership Down. Well, there is an ill-known series of books called Age of Fire by E. E. Knight and they recount the lives of a few blood-related dragons who are orphaned as a children. These books are similar to Watership Down, only much more violent. They got me into fantasy, into D&D, and by extension, into the internet. I joined my first forum after beginning to read the first book. Then I came to wrong planet two months later and began roleplaying on a star wars forum. And a few months down the line, I was an admin for a gaming clan and the owner of their forum. I would have probably never come to WP if it were not for this book series. I wouldn't have significantly developed my social skills and have made all the irl friends I made in the 12th grade when I decided to go into public school again. This was also the book series that first turned me into a scaly, unfortunately.

The first three books could be read in any order, although I would read the first one first because of some world-describing exposition that is a bit crucial. I'm currently finishing the 2nd book(slow, unfocused reader) but I read the first and third ones. The protagonist from the third one is my favorite literary protagonist ever. There are currently 5 books, with a 6th coming out later in the year.

I also suggest A Game of Thrones.

If you like bad puns to go with your sword and sorcery, I recommend the Ronan trilogy by James Bibby: Ronan the Barbarian, Ronan's Rescue, Ronan's Revenge. ("One Undead and Eighty!")

For a splendidly funny introduction to the dramatic conventions associated with fantasy fiction, I recommend The Tough Guide to Fantasyland, by Diana Wynne Jones She's a legitimate fantasy writer in her own right, although I categorize this book of hers as non-fiction: Fantasy--Dramatic Conventions--Anecdotes, facetiae, satire, etc.

I have a hard time with high fantasy myself. I do enjoy urban fantasy though. You should check out some of these, they aren't overly socially intensive and have interesting world-building + characterization:

Pratt

Skinwalker Series

Black Sun's Daughter

Steven Erickson's Malazon series. Lots of character building, and action. He's not afraid to kill major characters so it's not predictable. The characters are flawed, make mistakes, and don't always know what the others are thinking. I liked the G R R Martin books too.