Sci-Fi or Fantasy Recommendation

[Zerole]

Hey guys, it's been a while since I've read a good book and I was hoping you could recommend one in either of the above genras. Unfortunately, I'm very specific in the types of books I read (partly why I haven't read one in a while, fanfiction's a lot easier to come by) so I'm looking for a story with the following:

-Morally strong protagonist/anti-hero (honor, justice, etc.)
-Teen to mid twenties aged characters (main ones)
-Journey/quest type plot
-Minor or major romance
-Limited "dark" content (if any), I'm okay with combat and killing, but I don't want any rape/graphic sexual content

Some books that I've read and enjoyed:
Dragonriders of Pern series (pretty much all of them)
Stardust

Thanks.

[togre]

The Tripod trilogy to fit the description and be an enjoyable read.

[Shaz]

Pendragon.

That is the name of a series of 10 books, by D.J MacHale, and it is probably my favorite series of all time. It was aimed at a middle school-lower level high school audience, but I started reading it when I was almost out of high school and I loved it. The beginning book of the series is called 'The Merchant of Death' and it fits your description perfectly. Give it a look.

[Francis Meadows]

The First Law trilogy by Joe Abercrombie should meet all the criteria you mention above. And some more. Same goes for the Heroes, sort of a sequel to the trilogy. The battle scenes are a bit long for my liking at times, but that is amply compensated by the humor and very cynical characters.

I am, in general, not a big fan of fantasy, but Abercrombie absolutely lists as one of my favorites.


Francis

[fudgetusk]

HUGH COOK. Very odd and witty fantasy. Tolkien sniffing glue.

[spikepipsqueak]

I bet you would enjoy Assassin's Apprentice by Robin Hobb. And everything she ever wrote.