recommended fantasy books?

[OrphanPip]

It's nice to have someone who is a general antithesis of myself. Goodkind was the first author I ever read from start to finish. Goodkind (like Rand) portrays ideals, as should be the cause of anyone who seeks to take a public platform. Pandering to people's basest instincts and giving them characters who represent as little ethical and moral obligation as possible is far far far far far far far too common in modern literature (and media in general).
People want protagonists who smoke crack and kill prostitutes because it makes them feel better about themselves ('well if thats the good guy, then I'm fine just the way I am.')
Just as you, OrphanPip, will always be fine just the way you are, however low your standards become.

Ha, I can't believe I haven't noticed this until now.

It is not morals or principles I disagree with. I find Goodkind's clear insertion of Neoliberal ideas a little grating at times, especially when you could pretty much hand me one of Richard's speeches from the later novels and I would totally believe you if you told me Kissinger wrote it. The stupid book can't even present a consistent message, at one point it's going on and on about personal responsibility and how stupid pacifism is, then it's justifying doing things for people and controlling how others live.

It's also poorly written and boring.

I'm not exactly sure how my picks represent a low standard of ethics either. I recommended Mieville, who is a very political writer, although unlike Goodkind his politics are a backdrop of the novel instead of the center of it. Likewise, Catholicism plays a major part in the novels of Gene Wolfe, and I'm not a religious person.

Actually, even Hobbs is a pretty political writer at times, her last series was very much an environmentalist and anti-colonial work.

Martin is essentially the only fantasy writer I recommended who could be accused of just creating a work that revels in being amoral. That certainly is part of the fun of Martin though, he's essentially going for a faux medieval realism that overplays the brutality of that period.

Edit: It is simply bewildering that you can conclude I have low moral standards because I don't like Goodkind, geez.

[Mutatis-Mutandis]

Of course you have low moral standards, OrphanPip. Any that conflict with his are obviously low.

Anyways....

Has anyone read The Long Price Quartet by Daniel Abraham? I've read 2 of the 4 on the series. Very interesting.

P.S. George R. R. Martin is the man. Best fantasy series out there right now. Here's hoping he finishes the damn thing!

[Badman]

It seems that nobody mentioned the great classic -

Dune!

Well I do think the first book in the series is pretty great, I haven't read any of his other books but I've heard they aren't is good.

Also guys I wanted to make a recommendation for a new fantasy series, this dude deserves serious credit, I seriously couldn't put his first two books down.

Scott Lynch - The Lies Of Locke Lamora - Red Seas Under Red Skies

Seriously, read it! Lies of Locke Lamora is easily the best fantasy book I've ever read.

Also, I will admit to being a R. A. Salvatore Forgotten Realms fan. Sure, it might not be the most spectacular story line ever, but the fight scenes are entertaining at least. And I grew up reading this series, so I guess that has something to do with why I appreciate them.

Let's just say, I have 6 collectors books, or 15 books all in all. And I've read the series 3 times... So it isn't that bad, it's good when you just want to relax with a light easy read.

[Mutatis-Mutandis]

Dune probably hasn't been mentioned because it is more sci-fi than fantasy.

I'll second Lynch's Lies of Lock Lamora which I found to be excellent (though definitely not among the best fantasy I've read--not taking away from what you said, Badman, just personal taste). Haven't read Red Seas Under Red Skies. It's nice that his books, even though they are part of a series, stand on their own.

[londinius]

Hi - I'm a newbie here, so forgive me if I don't get this right.

Love to see the mention of Dune above. One of the things I love about this book is the way Herbert uses quotes from the literature of the Universe he's created at the start of each of the chapters of the book.

I found the same device in an ebook I recently downloaded on Amazon. This is a fantasy novel called "Ermine Stone and The Iron Sipder " , and its fantasy, not SF like Dune. Its not something I'd ever heard of, but I was browsing the forums in Amazon and the author was publicising it here there and everywhere, and I was just intrigued enough to have a look at it.

Its about magic, of course, and its set in an alternative late Tudor england , where the reformation never happened because Henry VIII and Katherine of Aragon had a son.

There's quite a bit of texture to the narrative. I'd guess that the guy who wrote it did quite a bit of research, and its a lot better than some of the stuff I've been conned into downloading.

[Chris 73]

Would recommend Martin's Game Of Thrones. Reads like a realist historical fiction although some people feel he overdoes the brutality.
Robert Holdstock's Mythago Wood/Lavondys. Beautifully written rural fantasy exploring celtic and english myths.
Daniel Abrahams eastern set The Long Price Quartet.
Mervyn Peakes Gormenghast novels as well.

Avoid anything by Terry Goodkind. Spectacularly awful writer.

[Calidore]

Robert Holdstock's Mythago Wood/Lavondys. Beautifully written rural fantasy exploring celtic and english myths.

Very strongly second this. Both the ideas and writing are stunning.

[Freudian Monkey]

Very strongly second this. Both the ideas and writing are stunning.

I completely agree. Holdstock's Ryhope series has a really nice mixture of jungism and celtic mythology.

[victorianfan]

Going Postal by Terry Pratchett

[dshadowplay]

Haha! this thread is still in the top 5 google results for 'recommended fantasy books'.

I have been going through databases over the last few months and have compiled a list of fantasy series that look like they might meet my particular tastes.

The criteria i used for the most part to make my selections is as follows:

1. The story takes place in a world that is not earth (high fantasy son!), so no alternate history or high school teens who discover they have magical powers and are warewolves/vampires.
2. No young adult (YA) such as Potter or The Chronicles of Narnia. (actually you should double check this before purchasing as some snuck by me)
3. Series contains at least 2 novels. (duology+)
4. The first novel of the series obtained at least a 4 star rating on amazon. (although this does not necessarily mean $h!te, heh)
5. No cheesy, 'real world peoples get magically teleported to fantasy land' types. (although there are some in this genre that are good like Zelazny's Amber series)
6. If there were only like two or three reviews total I usually skipped the series.

---I stopped listing anything from Dragonlance or Forgotten Realms someway through browsing databases, i'm really not overly interested in reading more from these 'settings'.
---The series listed may in fact be the name of the first book and not the series, possibly not even the first book in the series, also it occasionally may not be the correct name as i have discovered several that were listed by a different name than the official series name.

dump of list: -updated-
Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser books by Fritz Leiber
Black Company by Glen Cook
Acacia by David Anthony Durham
Codex Alera by Jim Butcher
The Deed of Paksenarrion by Elizabeth Moon
Gene Wolfe's Book of the New Sun
A Bad Spell In Yurt by C. Dale Brittain
Green Rider by Kristen Britain
Artifacts of Power by Maggie Furey.
The Red Wolf Conspiracy by Robert V. S. Redick
The Corean Chronicles by L. E. Modesitt, Jr.
The Crimson Shadow series R. A. Salvatore
DemonTech series by David Sherman
Moon Of 3 Rings by Andre Norton
The DemonWars Saga R. A. Salvatore
The Fortress Series C. J. Cherryh
Gandalara Cycle by Randall Garrett and Vicki Ann Heydron
The Halfblood Chronicles by Andre Norton and Mercedes Lackey
Khaavren Romances by Steven Brust
The Kingdoms of Thorn and Bone by Gregory Keyes
E. R. Eddison, Series: Zimiamvia
Majipoor series by Robert Silverberg
The Sovereign Stone series by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman
Trillium series by Marion Zimmer Bradley, Julian May, and Andre Norton
The Twelve Houses series by Sharon Shinn
Garrett P.I. by Glen Cook
The Chronicles of Master Li and Number Ten Ox by Barry Hughart
A Man of His Word series by Dave Duncan, then- A Handful of Men series
Lens of the World trilogy by R. A. MacAvoy
The Chronicles of Elantra series by Michelle Sagara
Study Series by Maria V. Snyder
The Initiate Brother series by sean russell
War God Series (oath of swords) by David Weber
Kingkiller Chronicles by Patrick Rothfuss
Nightrunner series by Lynn Flewelling
The Stormlight Archive series by brandon sanderson
mistborn series by brandon sanderson
Valdemar: Arrows of the Queen series by Mercedes Lackey, then- Valdemar: The Last Herald-Mage series, then- Valdemar: Vows and Honor series
Chalion series by Lois McMaster Bujold
Rhapsody trilogy by Elizabeth Haydon
Deverrey series by Katharine Kerr, then- The Westland Cycle, then- The Dragon Mage, then- The Silver Wyrm trilogy plus one
Tiger and Del series by Jennifer Roberson
The Warded Man (Demon Cycle #1) by Peter V. Brett
Another Fine Myth (Myth Adventures #1) by Robert Lynn Asprin
Mystic and Rider series by Sharon Shinn
Rai-Kirah series by Carol Berg
The Sharing Knife Books by Lois McMaster Bujold
Lighthouse books by Carol Berg
The Obsidian Trilogy by Mercedes Lackey
Tapestry Chronicles by Jeffrey Pierce
The Bridge of D'Arnath series by Carol Berg
The Inheritance Trilogy by N.K. Jemisin
Guardians of Legend books by J.S. Chancellor
Sarantine Mosaic by Guy Gavriel Kay
Sevenwaters series by Juliet Marillier
Tairen Soul books by C.L. Wilson
Lyonesse books by Jack Vance
Resenting the Hero (Hero, #1) by Moira J. Moore
Damar series by Robin McKinley
The Fall of Ile-Rien series by Martha Wells (consider reading other books related to this series first)
Riverside series by Ellen Kushner
The Monarchies of God series by Paul Kearney
The Birthgrave (Birthgrave, #1) by Tanith Lee
Dragon Bones (Hurog, #1) by Patricia Briggs
The Ruins of Ambrai (Exiles, #1) by Melanie Rawn
The Ladies of Mandrigyn (Sun Wolf and Starhawk, #1) by Barbara Hambly
The Phoenix Guards (Khaavren Romances, #1) by Steven Brust
On Basilisk Station (Honor Harrington, #1) by David Weber
Through Wolf's Eyes (Firekeeper Saga, #1) by Jane Lindskold
Feast of Souls (The Magister Trilogy, #1) by C.S. Friedman
Wolfwalker (Wolfwalker, #1) by Tara K. Harper
The Silver Branch (The Tales of Aeron, #1) by Patricia Kennealy-Morrison
The Gilded Chain (King's Blades, #1) by Dave Duncan
Medalon (Hythrun Chronicles: Demon Child Trilogy, #1) by Jennifer Fallon
Twilight Falling (Forgotten Realms: Erevis Cale, #1) by Paul S. Kemp
The Anvil of the World by Kage Baker
The Blade Itself (The First Law: Book One) by Joe Abercrombie
The Noble Fool (Hungering Saga, by Heath Pfaff
The Broken Crown (The Sun Sword, # 1) by Michelle Sagara West
Wit'ch Fire (The Banned and the Banished, #1) by James Clemens
Cygnet (Cygnet Duology, #1-2) by Patricia A. McKillip
The End of the Game (Jinian #1-3) by Sheri S. Tepper (there are several of these 'the true game' series by Tepper)
Tales of Nevèrÿon (Return to Nevèrÿon, #1) by Samuel R. Delany
The Witches of Eileanan (The Witches of Eileanan, #1) by Kate Forsyth, then- Series: Rhiannon's Ride
Joust (Dragon Jousters, #1) by Mercedes Lackey
Blue Moon Rising (Forest Kingdom, #1) by Simon R. Green
The Sum of All Men (Runelords #1) by David Farland
Gotrek & Felix: The First Omnibus by William King
Ghost King by David Gemmell
The Sword (The Sword, the Ring, and the Chalice, #1) by Deborah Chester
Master of the Five Magics by Lyndon Hardy
God Stalk by P.C. Hodgell
Heldenhammer by Graham McNeill
The Complete Ivory: Gate of Ivory, Two-Bit Heroes, Guilt Edged Ivory by Doris Egan
WATERSPELL Book 1: The Warlock by Deborah J. Lightfoot
The Steel Queen by Karen Azinger
The Emperor's Edge (The Emperor's Edge #1) by Lindsay Buroker
Carnivores of Light and Darkness (Journeys of the Catechist, #1) by Alan Dean Foster
Raven's Heart: A Tale from Secramore by M.S. Verish
Theft of Swords (The Riyria Revelations, #1-2) by Michael J. Sullivan
The Book of Deacon by Joseph Lallo
The Last Dragonlord by Joanne Bertin
Elfsorrow (Legends of the Raven #1) by James Barclay
The Sword and the Dragon (The Wardstone Trilogy, #1) by M.R. Mathias
The Half-Orcs by David Dalglish
Midnight at the Well of Souls (Saga of the Well World, #1) by Jack L. Chalker
The Royal Dragoneers (The Dragoneers Saga, #1) by M.R. Mathias
The Highwayman (Corona: Saga of the First King, #1) by R.A. Salvatore
Finders-Seekers (Ghatti's Tale, #1) by Gayle Greeno
The Awakeners: Northshore & Southshore by Sheri S. Tepper
The Anvil of Ice (Winter of the World, #1) by Michael Scott Rohan
A Dance of Blades (Shadowdance #2) by David Dalglish
Night of Wolves: The Paladins #1 by David Dalglish
The Changewinds (Changewinds, #1-3) by Jack L. Chalker
Children of Chaos (Dodec, #1) by Dave Duncan
Darkwalker on Moonshae (Forgotten Realms: The Moonshae Trilogy, #1) Douglas Niles
Sir Apropos series by Peter David
Teresa Edgerton (b. 1949) The Green Lion Trilogy, then- Kingdom of Celydonn trilogy
The Goblin Duology by Teresa Edgerton
Cray the Sorcerer trilogy by Phyllis Eisenstein
Jane Fancher (b. 1952) Dance of the Rings Trilogy
The Shadowleague by Maggie Furey
The Rigante series by David Gemmell
Simon Green (b. 1955) Hawk and Fisher series
Daniel Hood (b. 1967) Sorcerer Liam series
The Sea Beggars by Paul Kearney
Marjorie B. Kellogg (b. 1946) The Dragon Quartet
Richard Knaak (b. 1961) The Dragonrealm books
Katherine Kurtz (b. 1944) Deryni Chronicles
The Dragon King Trilogy by Stephen Lawhead
Ki and Vandien series by Megan Lindholm
Holly Lisle (b. 1960) Arhel Novels (Faia)
The Secret Texts by Holly Lisle
The Arcana (with Michael Scott) by Morgan Llywelyn
Eric Van Lustbader (b. 1946) Sunset Warrior series
Imager: The First Book of the Imager Portfolio by L. E. Modesitt Jr.
Peter Morwood (b. 1956) The Book of Years
Mickey Zucker Reichert (b. 1962) The Last of the Renshai, then- The Renshai Chronicles
Karavans series by Jennifer Roberson
D'shai by Joel Rosenberg
Christopher Rowley (b. 1948) Bazil Broketail series
Arna series by Christopher Rowley
The Fey series by Kristine Kathryn Rusch, then- Series: The Black Throne
Moontide and Magic Rise duology by Sean Russell
The Swans' War by Sean Russell
The Sundered by Michelle Sagara
James Silke Deathdealer series
Lawrence Watt-Evans (b. 1954) The Lords of Dus
Ethshar series by Lawrence Watt-Evans
Obsidian Chronicles by Lawrence Watt-Evans
Godwars trilogy by Angus Wells
Michelle West The Sacred Hunt duology
The Cycle of Fire by Janny Wurts
The Books of Great Alta by Jane Yolen (these say they are young adult but apparantly are not)
Paul Edwin Zimmer (1943-1997) Dark Border series
Lynn Abbey, Rifkind Saga
Thieve's World by Lynn Abbey
Series: Dark Sun: Chronicles of Athas by Lynn Abbey
Series: Beklan Empire by Richard Adams
Catherine Asaro, Series: Topaz Cycle
Series: Alchemyst's Legacy, Sarah Ash
M. A. R. Barker, Series: Tékumel: Empire of the Petal Throne
Series: Eberron: The Dragon Below by Don Bassingthwaite
Peter S. Beagle, Series: The Innkeeper's Song
Curt Benjamin, Series: Seven Brothers
Elizabeth H. Boyer, Series: The World of the Alfar
Rebecca Bradley, Series: Lady
Patricia Bray, Series: The Sword of Change
Noel-Anne Brennan, Series: The Song of the Land
Raven's Shadow by Patricia Briggs
Simon Brown, Series: The Keys of Power
Chris Bunch, Series: Dragonmaster
Giles Carwyn & Todd Fahnestock, Series Heir of Autumn
Blake Charlton, Series Spellwright
Deborah Chester, Series: Ruby Throne
David B. Coe, Series: The LonTobyn Chronicle
Series: Winds of the Forelands by David B. Coe, then- Blood of the Southlands
Series: The Timura Trilogy by Allan Cole
Dawn Cook, First Truth
The Decoy Princess by dawn cook
Series: The Exiles of Boq'urain by Ann C. Crispin
Cory Daniells, Series: The Last T'En
Series: The Warhorse of Esdragon by Susan Dexter
Series: The Omar Books by Dave Duncan
Doris Egan, Series: The Ivory Books
Phyllis Eisenstein, Series: Alaric
Series: Cray Ormeru, Phyllis Eisenstein
Series: The Tamír Triad, Lynn Flewelling
Path of Fate by Diana Pharaoh Francis
Cheryl J. Franklin, Series: Tales of the Taormin
Lorna Freeman, Series: Borderlands
Mark Andrew Garland, Series Demon Blade with Charles G. McGraw
stuff by David A. Gemmell, dont remember if i read his drenai books or not
Series: Book of the Painter, Sheila Gilluly
Heather J. Gladney, Series: Song of Naga Teot
Series: The Final Dance, Christie Golden
Stephen Goldin, Series: Parsina Saga
Mitchell Graham, Series The Fifth Ring
Series: Winterlands, Barbara Hambly
Geraldine Harris Pinch, Series: Seven Citadels
M. John Harrison, Series: Viriconium
Lian Hearn, Series: Tales of the Otori
D. J. Heinrich, Series: Dungeons & Dragons: Penhaligon
Mary H. Herbert, Series Dark Horse
Series: Talents, Douglas Hill
Series: Raven, Robert Holdstock & Angus Wells as Richard Kirk
Tanya Huff, Series: Crystal
Series: Quarters, Tanya Huff
Elaine Isaak, Series The Singer's Crown
Fran Jacobs, Series: Ellenessia's Curse
Kate Jacoby, Series: Elita
Anne Kelleher Bush, Series: Through the Shadowlands
J. Gregory Keyes, Series: The Children of the Changeling
White Plume Mountain by Paul Kidd
William King, Series Death's Angels
Rosemary Kirstein, Series: The Steerswoman
Series: Dead Rivers by Naomi Kritzer
Glenda Larke, Series: The Isles of Glory
Stephen Leigh, Series: The Cloudmages
Series: The Firekeeper Saga, Jane Lindskold
Anne Logston, Series: Shadow
Series: Dagger, Anne Logston
Series: Crystal Keep, Anne Logston
Scott Lynch Series, The Lies of Locke Lamora
Dragon's Winter, Elizabeth A. Lynn
Dianna Marcellas, Series Mother Ocean, Daughter Sea
Series: The Magelord, Thomas K. Martin
Terry McGarry, Series Illumination
Juliet E. McKenna, Series: Einarinn
Patricia A. McKillip, Series: Quest of the Riddle Master
Sean McMullen, Series: Moonworlds
Shirley Meier, Series: Fifth Millenium
Sarah Micklem, Series Firethorn
China Miéville, Series Perdido Street Station
K. L. Morgan, Series: Chronicles of Fiarah
Rebecca Neason, Series The Thirteenth Scroll
Douglas Niles, Series: The Watershed
Series: Ultramarine, Jenny Nimmo
Till Noever, Series Keaen
Series The Rover, Mel Odom
Jana G. Oliver, Series: DragonFireThe Circle of the Swan
Joshua Palmatier, Series The Skewed Throne
K. J. Parker, Series: The Fencer Trilogy
Series: The Scavenger Trilogy, K. J. Parker
Mark C. Perry, Series: Morigu
J. Michael Reaves, Series The Shattered World
The Legend of Nightfall, by Mickey Zucker Reichert
Katya Reimann, Series: Tielmaran Chronicles
Laura Resnick, Series In Legend Born
M. L. Rigdon, Series: The Seasons of Time
Series: Silverglass by J. F. Rivkin
Jennifer Roberson, Series: Chronicles of the Cheysuli
Mark E. Rogers, Series: Zorachus
Series: Zancharthus, Mark E. Rogers
Jane Routley, Series: Mage Heart
Jessica Amanda Salmonson, Series: Tomoe Gozen
The Unicorn Dancer, Rhondi A. Vilott Salsitz
Melissa Scott, Series Point of Hopes
Michael Shea, Series: Nifft
Suzan Sizemore, Series: Children of the Rock
Julie Dean Smith, Series: Cathian Crusade
Michael A. Stackpole, Series: Realms of Chaos
Michael A. Stackpole, The Dark Glory War, then- Series: DragonCrown War Cycle
Victoria Strauss, Series The Arm of the Stone
Victoria Strauss, Series The Burning Land
Trina Talma, Series Silver and Blood
Judith Tarr, Series: Avaryan Rising
Roger Taylor, Series: Chronicles of Hawklan
Harry Turtledove, Videssos books
Vivian Vande Velde, Series: Weiland
Series: Swords of Raemllyn, Robert E. Vardeman
Series: The Keys to Paradise, by Robert E. Vardeman
Elizabeth Vaughan, Series Warprize
Series: Changeling, Roger Zelazny
Series: Dilvish, Roger Zelazny
Gary Wassner, Series: Gemquest
Series: The Sovereign Stone, Margaret Weis & Tracy Hickman
Angus Wells, Series: The Book of the Kingdoms
Angus Wells, Exile's Children
Elizabeth Willey, Series: Kingdom of Argylle
Chris Wooding, Series: The Braided Path

ps: thanks Elentarri for that list you posted a few years ago, i read several books from it but i think we may enjoy some different styles of authors.

[crusoe]

The Illuminatus-Trilogy by Robert Shea...hope, nobody mentioned it yet.

[Calidore]

My thoughts on your list:

the criteria i used for the most part to make my selections is as follows:

1. The story takes place in a world that is not earth (high fantasy son!), so no alternate history or high school teens who discover they have magical powers and are warewolves/vampires.

Unfortunately, this eliminates books like Robert Holdstock's magnificent Mythago Wood series, which takes place in and around a very strange English forest.

2. No young adult (YA) such as Potter or The Chronicles of Narnia. (actually you should double check this before purchasing as some snuck by me)

Unfortunately, this eliminates books like Garth Nix's excellent Abhorsen trilogy, which doesn't fit any YA or fantasy stereotype I'm aware of.

3. Series contains at least 2 novels. (duology+)

Unfortunately, this eliminates books like E.R. Eddison's hugely eccentric and entertaining The Worm Ouroboros, Guy Gavriel Kay's wonderful Tigana, and Hans Bemmann's sublime The Stone and the Flute.

4. The first novel of the series obtained at least a 4 star rating on amazon. (although this does not necessarily mean $h!te, heh)

Unfortunately, this would include books from authors like Piers Anthony, who (when I was reading him) wrote much better first novels than last ones, while excluding those authors whose work becomes better as it goes along. I'd suggest taking an average rating of those books instead.

5. No cheesy, 'real world peoples get magically teleported to fantasy land' types. (although there are some in this genre that are good like Zelazny's Amber series)

Yup, Amber is indeed good.

Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser books by Fritz Leiber

I've still never read these, but my dad is a big fan.

Codex Alera by Jim Butcher

I've just assembled this series, and it'll probably be the next fantasy I'll read. My dad's also a big fan of Butcher's Dresden Files books.

The Deed of Paksenarrion by Elizabeth Moon

I read this a long time ago and found it pretty generic. A too-perfect heroine (even her "flaws" are just right) and too self-serious.

The Chronicles of Master Li and Number Ten Ox by Barry Hughart

Yesyesyes. These are tremendous fun, especially the first (Bridge of Birds). The owner of a sadly-now-defunct local sci-fi bookstore loved these books so much that she republished them herself in a limited hardcover edition and brought in Hughart (much to his amazement) to do a signing.

A Man of His Word series by Dave Duncan, then- A Handful of Men series

These are the equivalent of a perfectly made B-movie. Traditional peasant-boy-becomes-great-hero stuff, but very well written (and pretty funny IIRC).

The Initiate Brother series by sean russell

S'okay. Didn't leave much of an impression with me overall, but Shuyun was a good character, and the Japan/China blend world was well drawn.

Feast of Souls (The Magister Trilogy, #1) by C.S. Friedman

Haven't read this, but her Coldfire trilogy was pretty good (especially the second book, which was very, very good).

Gotrek & Felix: The First Omnibus by William King

Ah, Warhammer. These were decent, pure action-fantasy, with emphasis on dark atmosphere and gory violence.

[Paulclem]

I thought I knew something about fantasy, but now I realise I know nothing.

[dshadowplay]

My thoughts on your list:

yea the list isn't the end all to be all or anything, its just a collection of what i personally was looking for in my fantasy reads. i imagine some can empathize with the limiters i used.

the only reason i was not looking at single novels is there are far too many for me to sift through. to be honest though i prefer longer sagas.

as far as books about earthlings being teleported to magical worlds or discovering that earth has hidden magics, well i am generally apprehensive of these but if the description looks plausible or someone i know recommends it i am willing to give it a chance. i like a setting completely unconnected to irl earth though.

the reason i look at the first book in a series rating on amazon is because i think it should be more accurate than the latter books rating, if someone didn't like the first they may not read/rate the second so the second will get inflated ratings from fans. also there are the most number of ratings for the first book and i think that people rating a series as a whole use the first book too.

pretty firm on not reading YA.

i also didn't include anything that i have already read as i put my recommendations on page 8 of this thread a few years ago.

got a lot on my plate here in any case, god help me when i start reading sci-fi!

[Calidore]

yea the list isn't the end all to be all or anything, its just a collection of what i personally was looking for in my fantasy reads. i imagine some can empathize with the limiters i used.

the only reason i was not looking at single novels is there are far too many for me to sift through. to be honest though i prefer longer sagas.

Me, too, though there's always exceptions, which is why I try not to limit too much except by others' opinions. Robin McKinley's duology The Blue Sword/The Hero and the Crown, for example, are each standalone books that pack the entire plot of a standard fantasy trilogy into a single 200-some-page novel, and very well.

the reason i look at the first book in a series rating on amazon is because i think it should be more accurate than the latter books rating, if someone didn't like the first they may not read/rate the second so the second will get inflated ratings from fans. also there are the most number of ratings for the first book and i think that people rating a series as a whole use the first book too.

That's a good point, and I just saw that in action when I checked Amazon's reviews of Neal Stephenson's Baroque trilogy, where it looks like a few hundred people who found the first novel unreadable simply bailed and left the hardcore fans to review the other two.

Another example of the downside would be Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time series, which starts out with raves but gets progressively worse reviews the longer he drew it out. I still think it's best to check ratings on everything you'll be reading, because one book, be it first or last, is so often not representative of the whole.

pretty firm on not reading YA.

I just remembered that Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy is intended as YA, and it leaves most "adult" fantasies in the dust as far as thematic depth and quality of execution. Ditto Ursula LeGuin's original Earthsea trilogy (heard mixed things about the newer entries, but the first three are deserved classics).

One thing daily reading with my neighbor's kid taught me is that there's lots of YA stuff that an A can enjoy as well, though as always Sturgeon's Law does apply.

got a lot on my plate here in any case, god help me when i start reading sci-fi!

I think everyone on this list shares your lament at having only 24 hours in a day, 365 days a year, <>80 years of living to try to cram everything in. C'est la vie.

As far as the other list you posted, which I hadn't seen:

Riftwar series by Feist: I did like the original series, but then in subsequent books he started bumping off long-term major characters right and left for no good reason, so I finally gave up on them.

Farseer trilogy by Robin Hobb: The original was terrific, and I'm curious what you didn't like about the end of the third book (spoilers fine as a long as you warn people). I thought the sequel trilogy and her Liveship trilogy were okay but kind of disappointing after this one.

Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn by Tad Williams: Loved this the first time I read it, then on the second read many years later it didn't work for me at all, and I ended up selling them off.

I agree with you that Otherland was a letdown. The ongoing stories in the worlds the heroine traveled to were more interesting than hers, and it always seemed that Williams left those worlds just as they were getting good.

Thomas Covenant series by Stephen Donaldson: I gave up on this quickly the first time I tried it because Covenant himself was so unpleasant. Then on a recommendation I read Donaldson's Mordant's Need duology, which I liked much more. That also helped me figure out his intent, which is to take a very flawed character and put him in a situation where he has to grow to survive. I tried Covenant again with this in mind and ended up liking it just fine. The second trilogy didn't do much for me, however; I haven't tried the third. I'd also recommend against Donaldson's Gap sci-fi series, which has a main character so vile that I was never able to accept his eventual changes as good enough to make up for his past.

I read all of Guy Gavriel Kay's Fionavar books, and you didn't miss anything. His Tigana is fantastic, though, and his later stuff (which I haven't yet read) also gets good marks from people.

I've never managed to read Michael Moorcock's Elric books, but I have read and enjoyed all of P. Craig Russell & co.'s comic book adaptations. I did like Moorcock's first Corum trilogy, which I'm told is more accessible than much of his other work. I think he's a case of a completely unique writer with a style that works for you or doesn't. Someday I'd like to pick up a few of his assorted works and see if it's a taste I can acquire. Regardless, I have to say that I don't think anyone anywhere invents better names than Moorcock.