book recommendations

[Lyra Greenleaf]

does anyone have any recommendations for fantasy genre books for soemone who has only read lotr and various childrens ones, (eg Tamora Pierce, Philip Pullman, point fantasy) please?

[Meela]

have you heard of Sacred Seven by Amy Stout? thats a good book, has a good mini appendix at the back.
terry pratchett is a good writer.
or lord of the rings by jrr tolkien smilies/biggrin.gif
or terry brooks and his 'shannara' series or whatever

[Orual]

Have you read Patricia Wrede's Enchanted Forest Chronicles (Dealing with Dragons, etc.)? Lewis' "Till We Have Faces" is where I got my nickname from, and it's a very good book. Anything by Ursula LeGuin is good, and Madeleline L'Engle's early work (A Wrinkle in Time, etc.) is excellent.

And I know you asked for fantasy, but I just can't bring myself to leave this wonderful Sci-Fi out: Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card, the sequels, and the parallel books. Just excellent.

If I think of anything more, I'll be sure to tell you.

~*~Orual~*~

[Alatáriël Lossëhelin]

I don't read much that is considered fantasy other than Tolkein, but I have read and enjoyed the Madeline L'Engle series (Wrinkle in Time, etc.) as well as The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant & Second Chronicles...by Stephen Donaldson.

[Meela]

the chronicles of narnia, especially the voyage of the dawn treader. it was brilliant.

[eleanor_niphredil]

Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy!

The named and Old magic by Marianne Curley. i destperatly need to talk to someone who has read these books, as no one I know has! however, they start off rather slow, though they get better if you stick with it!

Wicca series.

[Chancellen the True]

This is a great topic. I don't want to say this out loud around here; but, there are other good fantasy writers out there (admitedly, not as great).

Michael Moorcock is famous for his Elric of Melnibone series, as well as Corum Jhaelen Irse, Hawkmoon and many others. He shows that it's tough (emotionaly as well as physicly), being the hero, or anti-hero.

Fritz Lieber's Lankmar series with Fafhrd and The Gray Mouser is tremendously fun with a surprising amount of depth.

I'm a big fan of the Planescape novels. Not many people know that they wrote novels (it's an out of print [thanks TSR] RPG). There is The Blood Wars trilogy and Pages of Pain. Pages of Pain is my favorite. It's about a very powerfull paladin who gets sent to the mazes. Don't be fooled by the title.

[hobbit punk]

I agree that the Narnia, Voyage of the Dawn Treader is excellent. Also my friend has almost all the Wheel of Time books by Robert Jordan. He thinks they are amazing and I was wondering if anyone else has read them?

[Narya]

Well, by now I haven´t read that much of other fantasy authors, but if you are familiar with Fantasybooks as well as Roleplaying Games you should read books by Terry Pratchett. They are really fun when you are a big fantasy- fan and know about all things he´s joking about.
I like Men at Arms the best of the books I´ve read; it´s written in a very good and intelligent style, it is exciting and crytical (about society)...
I can also recommend Frank Herbert (Dune), if you are interested in Science- Fiction.

[Iarwain]

Hmm. Good Reads.

Madeleine L'Engle's "Time Quartet" (Wrinkle in Time, Wind in the Door, Swiftly Tilting Planet, Many Waters)

Anything by C.S. Lewis, especially the Space Trilogy, Chronicles of Narnia, the Great Divorce, and 'Till We Have Faces.

The "Myst" series. Very good, best fantasy I've read outside of Tolkien.

The numerous works of George MacDonald.

the Giver, Lois Lowry

Green Eggs and Ham, Dr. Seuss

1984 and Animal Farm, George Orwell.

Grendle, John Gardner

The numerous works of Edith Nesbit (great children's stories)

Hmm. That's about all I can think of right now. Very good books though, all of them.

[ March 14, 2003: Message edited by: Iarwain ]

[Isilmëiel]

Most of mine have been named already but I liked Sabriel by Garth Nix. Kurt Vonnegut is also great, though not strictly "fantasy."

[Vardamar]

The Dune series, by Frank Herbert

Dune

Dune Messiah

Children of Dune

God Emperor of Dune

Heretics of Dune

Chapterhouse: Dune

It's not fantasy, but its close. Same epic feel as LOTR, I just about cried when I finished the last book. But I still need to read his sons three books.

House Atreides

House Harkonnen

House Corrino

Total of nine books. Should keep you busy for a while smilies/biggrin.gif

[Lindril Arvilya]

Oh, I just couldn't swallow Dune. Well, I didn't mind Dune itself, but I got twenty pages into the second book and my major intestine, in a desperate attempt to save my life, nearly leaped up my throat to throttle my brain.

(For you H2G2 fans.)

I recommend:
The Dragonriders of Pern series, by Anne McCaffery.
The Free Bards books by Mercedes Lackey. My favourites are the first and third, but I don't like The Robin and the Kestrel so much.
If I Pay Thee Not In Gold by Mercedes Lackey and Piers Anthony. Lackey's excellent fantasy with Anthony's Xanth humour. Kinda sudden ending though.
I realise it's not fantasy, but Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency and The Long Dark Teatime of the Soul by Douglas Adams. They do have abit of fantasy, though... some Norse myth.....
The Chronicles of Redwall by Brian Jacques. Childish, sortof, but hey, I'm nearly 19 and still enjoying them. They have the whole warrior's code down pat.

[Bill Ferny]

In addition to CS Lewis, I would pick up TH White’s adaptation of the Arthurian Legends, Once and Future King, an omnibus containing four books: The Sword in the Stone, The Queen of Air and Darkness (The Witch in the Wood), The Ill-Made Knight, and The Candle in the Wind. There is also a fifth book, published posthumously called The Book of Merlyn.

White’s work is the source for both the Disney movie, The Sword in the Stone (you’ll realize were the name Wart came from), and the stage musical Camelot.

Laced with wit and satire, high fantasy swords and sorcery, Once and Future King seriously delves into the complexities of human nature and the difference between right and might. In my humble opinion, TH White ranks equally with his contemporaries, Lewis and Tolkien.

[InklingElf]

Go Dune and Narnia!

Another author you may consider is Ursula LeGuin: The Wizard of Earthsea, The Tombs of Atuan and The Farthest Shore

A wonderful fantasy.

[HerenIstarion]

I'll walk along lines Narya suggested. So Terry Pratchett (highly recommended by yours truly):


The Colour of Magic
The Light Fantastic
Equal Rites
Mort
Sourcery
Wyrd Sisters
Pyramids
Guards! Guards!
Eric
Moving Pictures
Reaper Man
Witches Abroad
Small Gods
Lords and Ladies
Men at Arms
Soul Music
Interesting Times
Maskerade
Feet of Clay
Hogfather
Jingo
The Last Continent
Carpe Jugulum
The Fifth Elephant
The Truth
Thief of Time
The Last Hero
The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents
Night Watch
The Wee Free Men
The 2003 Discworld Novel
The 2004 Discworld Novel
The Discworld Companion
The Science of Discworld
The Science of Discworld II: the Globe
The Streets of Ankh-Morpork
The Discworld Mapp
A Tourist Guide to Lancre
Death's Domain

Enjoy smilies/smile.gif

[Annunfuiniel]

I would like to add the Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley. A new perspective to the Arthurian legend... Has anyone read other books of hers?

[Vardamar]

Ive read the Mists of Avalon +the prequels. Also great books.

[Lyra Greenleaf]

wow, thank you! i've read narnia (it was my favourite when i was little) as well as patricia wrede and the giver. i tried anne mccaffrey but couldnt get into it.

*jumps up and down: Yay lots to read!*

[eleanor_niphredil]

Lindril Arvilya, Hitchhikers guide to the Galaxy?

I would recommend A little Princesse!

[Luinfang]

And what about Tad Williams's Anderland books? they are really good too, but of course none of these can compete with JRRT, high king of fantasy!! smilies/biggrin.gif smilies/biggrin.gif smilies/biggrin.gif

[vartalion]

YOU ABSOLUTELY MUST READ
'ENDER'S GAME'

[Birdland]

As hard as it is to believe, this topic has actually come up before! smilies/biggrin.gif I'm not saying this topic should be closed, but you also might want to check out here (http://forum.barrowdowns.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=1&t=000823) and here (http://forum.barrowdowns.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=1&t=001083) for other great recommendations as well.

I'm also going to recommend this list: 100 Best Fantasy Novels (http://www.strangewords.com/weirdbooks/fantasy100.html), which has many "forgotten" but excellent books, many of which are my personal favorites as well.

[ March 15, 2003: Message edited by: Birdland ]

[Daisy Brambleburr]

I definatley reccomend the Chronicles of Narnia by CS Lewis. The Magicians Nephew is the best place to start.
Did you know that Tolkien and CS Lewis were friends?
Love Daisy smilies/smile.gif

[eleanor_niphredil]

welcome Daisy! Yeah, I heard they were friends, but I prefere Tolkien to Cs Lewis any day!

[Iarwain]

Heh. I'd say just the opposite, eleanor! But that debate is for another time in another place. smilies/smile.gif (Though I wish I could get into it right now smilies/wink.gif )

More books I forgot to add:

yes, the Dune Series by Frank Herbert is quite excellent.

Everything by Tolkien, including:

Roverandom

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Pearl, Sir Orfeo

Mr. Bliss (a cute little mix of a few of the children's stories we already know, with a twist of Tolkien)

[Iarwain]

Funny, this might be off topic but its interesting all the same. I just read this morning that the Sci Fi channel is producing both Dune Messiah and Children of Dune as a mini series. Sounds very interesting.

[InklingElf]

I don't mean toget off topic-but yes, it is interesting. However, I didn't like the first movie they made for Dune, and my mom found it quite corney. :shrugs: It just doesn't convey enough of the politics and the essence of Herbert's books.

Further suggestions: Iarwain, you said that Perelandra was a good choice compared to Lewis' first sci-fi: Out of the Silent Planet. If I'd have found it earlier I'd say it was a great choice too. So yes, I would recommend Perelandra by C.S.Lewis (I trust your judgement Iarwain and I hope the book's not out of print 'cause I can't find it). He is one of the most prodigious authors of fantasy/sci-fi I've known [other than Tolkien, Frank Herbert, Asimov (which I heard was ver good-but still haven't read any of his books)etc.]

This is a great discussion. Onward.

[gilraën]

I remember seeing Dune the movie for the first time and thinking, hey that's not the story I read years ago, so I reread it and it WAS the story I read. BUT with the detail missing. It was, however, a much truer representation of the book than PJ's Films are of LOTR to date.

I also enjoyed the Robert Heinlein books (not strictly fantasy but sci-fi)

[Lily Bracegirdle]

Watership Down by Richard Adams
It seems odd that a story about RABBITS could be so engrossing, moving, and well, epic, but there you have it. I think I've read it over 40 times.

The Lions of Al-Rassan by Guy Gavriel Kay
This is the best of Kay's books, IMHO. It's a fantasy retelling of the legend of El Cid, and it's fabulous. Good plot, good characters, great writing, tears and laughter.

To Say Nothing of the Dog by Connie Willis
A time travel romantic comedy good for people who like PG Wodehouse's Jeeves & Bertie.

War For the Oaks by Emma Bull
A bit dated now, as an 80's rock n' roll girl takes on the Sidhe in Minneapolis with the help of her phouka boyfriend. Great fun.

Bridge of Birds by Barry Hughart
"A novel of ancient China that never was." I laughed until I cried reading this book.

The Phoenix Guards and Five Hundred Years After by Steven Brust
A great fantasy adventure/comedy/drama along the lines of The Three Musketeers. It may help to have read Brust's Vlad Taltos series first to familiarize yourself with how the world works, but these books are better.

The Chronicles of Prydain by Lloyd Alexander
They're childrens' books, and much simpler than Tolkien, but still charming and moving. (A Fflam is valiant!) The books in order: The Book of Three, The Black Cauldron, The Castle of Llyr, Taran Wanderer, The High King.

I'll also second nominations for:

Terry Pratchett's Discworld books. I'm partial to the ones about the City Watch: Guards, Guards, Men at Arms, and Feet of Clay, especially. Who can resist a six foot six dwarf named Carrot?

Madeline L'Engle
C.S. Lewis
Orson Scott Card, especially Ender's Game and Speaker for the Dead. They're sci-fi, not fantasy, but they're just devastatingly powerful.
Ursula Le Guin -- I wasn't crazy about the Earthsea Trilogy, but you need to read it to understand Tehanu, which is just a mind blowing book.
TH White's The Book of Merlyn is beautiful and tragic.

If you don't mind Sci-fi, David Brin's Uplift series is good. Start with Startide Rising rather than Sundiver.

Also not fantasy, but really good:
Arcadia by Tom Stoppard
It's a play by the person who wrote Shakespeare in Love and it's smart, funny and ultimately moving.

Good reading!

-Lily

[ March 19, 2003: Message edited by: Lily Bracegirdle ]

[Beren87]

Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card, the sequels, and the parallel books. Just excellent.

Along with that, Pastwatch by OSC.

And "The Great War" series by Harry Turtledove, WARNING:They are rather explicit at times, i.e. every other page.

[ March 19, 2003: Message edited by: Beren87 ]

[Mordor_Queen]

a really good fantasy book is the doomspell by cliff mcnish smilies/evil.gif

[Iarephelion]

I've not seen any mention of Raymond Feist's superb "Magician" trilogy (and other related volumes). David Eddings "Belgariad" and "Mallorean" series are also enjoyable. Stephen Donaldson's "Chronicles of Thomas Covenant" are awesome, although difficult reading (especially early on).

[Child of the 7th Age]

I agree with Bill Ferny. My second favorite next to Tolkien is T. H. White--both The Once and Future King and the Book of Merlyn. They are the kind of books that bring a tear to your eye.

Other favorites: Marion Zimmer Bradley, both her Darkover series and her later books which focus on the women behind the Arthurian legend.

C.S. Lewis, Till We Have Faces, which I feel is the most mature and sensitive of his writings.

You've already mentioned Philip Pullman. His Dark Materials series is totally awesome, very thought provoking. Bee me, it's not just a 'chidren's book.' It is as if the author took Tolkien's universe and stood it on its head!! New Line Cinema is trying to buy the film rights. This could be another big one for them, potentially a bit more controversial than LotR.

sharon

[Birdland]

For a very melancholy, rich tale concerning the last Elf I highly recommend C.J. Cherryh's Arafel's Saga: The Dreamstone and The Tree of Swords and Jewels

Chyrryh takes her background from Celtic mythology to tell the tale of Arafel, who guards the last holdout of Eald in the world of Men, until she is unwillingly drawn to aid a Man and his family in war. But her assistance comes with a price, both for humans and for Elves.

It is an astounding well-written set of books, and one that I re-read regularly. But it has a very dark tone, and should not be read to any little ones.

[Durelin]

The Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan is excellent, I am in the middle of it right now. And so are the novels of "Deverry and the Westlands" by Katherine Kerr, the start with Daggerspell. I'm in the middle of those too. I'm going to try Dune next, and maybe Children of Dune But, that'll be a while. The Wheel of Time is looooong. But so are Kerr's, just a few less o's. smilies/biggrin.gif You won't run out of ideas when the book is lost or checked out from the library, Lyra! So many books!

Almost forgot! Arthurian legend rocks! Le Morte d'Arthur. That's probably the best form of it. It gets confusing, so many different legends and names for people.

[ March 21, 2003: Message edited by: Durelin ]

[Hirilaelin]

Regarding the Wheel of Time series, I read the first four, then stopped. They got long and tedious, and in some parts, too gorey for my taste. (Though I write RPG posts where I happily slay people!) On the other hand, the Chronicles of Narnia series is the best! They were actually some of the first books I heard. The Dawn Treader is the best, always has been, no doubt. I also nominate Ender's Game. Simply excellent, a wonderful exploration of human nature and morals, and good action.

[Diamond18]

I've seen the original three Earthsea novels and Tehanu mentioned, but don't forget Tales from Earthsea (a collection of short stories) and The Other Wind, which rounds out the Earthsea books. All are excellent.

[GaladrieloftheOlden]

Not sure if this is considered fantasy or science fiction, but it is perfect for the Barrow Downs and I will be changing my sig too something from that shortly, so try and read "Something Wicked This Way Comes" by Ray Bradbury. There are some great quotes in that book! If I were a cheap journalist, I'd say "spine-tingling! A page-turner! Will keep you gasping!" Anyways... I am a bookworm so I should know many more, but I have (hopefully temporarily) blanked out, I'll post some when i remember. (Usually when something like this happens, I get my memory back at the wrong point...say, during a math test. smilies/wink.gif ) The White Mercedes by Phillip Pullman isn't bad, the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy is amazing, haven't laughed so hard with a book in ages. The Amber Spyglass is the best of the His Dark Materials trilogy. I love S. E. Hinton, so try all her 7 books (2 are for little kids, but fun to read anyway) especiallyThe Outsiders, Tex, That Was Then, This Is Now. Oops- definitely not fantasy.

[maikafanawen]

This was mentioned, but very vaguely, and I believe it deserves more attention.

I would definitely recommend author Terry Brooks' Shannara series:

The First King of Shannara
The Sword of Shannara
The Elfstones of Shannara
The Wishsong of Shannara

There's also four other books from Part II to the Shannara series. His newest completed series (Part III) is The Voyage of the Jerle Shannara and the books that make up that trilogy are:

Isle Witch, Antrax and Morgawr

The Voyage of the Jerle Shannara is the best trilogy I've ever read. It's Lord of the Rings with a better romance and magic based plot. I own the whole set and read them over and over again I love them so much! I promise you might be tempted to rethink your Fantastical devotion. smilies/wink.gif

Good luck!

-Maikafanawen

[maikafanawen]

Oooh! I just thought of another author that hasn't been mentioned:

Patricia McKillip is a really good fantasy writer. She writes stories that are sort of romantic and full of "color." Music and art is a big part of her stories, so if you're in to that sort of thing, her books would be great. I loved them!

The Forgotten Beasts of Eld - (this was the first one I read and it is very very good)
Winter Rose - (I haven't read this one yet, but the summary of it sounds good)
RiddleMaster: The Complete Trilogy
Tower at Stony Wood
Changeling Sea
Ombria in Shadow - (I read this one and it is very very good. I think I'm going to read it again. smilies/biggrin.gif )
Book of Atrix Wolfe
In the Forests of Serre
Cygnet and the Firebrand
Fool's Run
Harpist in the Wind
Heir of Sea and Fire
Sorceress and the Cygnet
Moon and the Face
Moon-flash
The Night Gift

Phew ... the list goes on and on. They aren't very popular books, but they're very good for someone who is willing to focus on reading them. Maybe a little complicated. Good for an intelligent person who likes to get drawn into a magical book. smilies/wink.gif

-Maikafanawen

[Hirilaelin]

Another gem I recently discovered:

Enchantress from the Stars, by Sylvia Engdahl. I must say, it is a wonderful book. The characters are rich and fufilling, and grow and learn. It's only 286 pages long, but when you read it, it takes more time than you expect. Great book. And the Artemis Fowl series by Eoin Colfer. Especially good if you like villains. Very witty, and has a lot of action in it. Good quotes too.

[Birdland]

Maikafanawen - The Forgotten Beasts of Eld? That is an incredible book. I first read it in 1977, and can still recall the opening line,
The Wizard Heald coupled with a poor woman once, in the the king's city of Mondor, and she bore a son with one green eye and one black eye.

In fact, you have inspired me to run off to Amazon and order a hardcover edition, for it truely deserves a space on my "keeper" bookshelf.

Patricia McKillip is a incredible writer. Everyone on this site should read that book.

[Lyra Greenleaf]

I have a list of 9 authors to check out, I'm going to the library today and Foyles tomorrow, so I should be reading for the next few months instead of revising!

By the way I have to say for anyone who hasn't read Tamora Pierce do so NOW. Her books make me laugh and cry, they're not so epic or powerful as Tolkien but more human. The first series are about Alanna, who is a girl who becomes a knight, but my favourites are the Immortals series, starting with Wild Magic. They begin sort of childish but each set of 4 books have the main character growing up, so by the end they're adults. They also have such a good sarcastic sense of humour!

Also I have to agree with people about Eoin Colfer and Philip Pullman, but Philip Pullman doesn't just write good fantasy- he also has a series set in Victorian London which is fantastic.

[Goldberry]

I am another big fan of Ender's Game. It's already been mentioned, but I'd like to put in another good word for it and the others in the series. They are such excellent books, and they really made me think about things in a different way. Enjoy your reading! smilies/tongue.gif

[GaladrieloftheOlden]

This one is good, but may be slightly too easy. Whtever, I'll write it anyway smilies/biggrin.gif
Spindle's End by Robin McKinley
Oh and
The Lion Tamer's Daughter by Peter Dickinson
The Ruby in the Smoke, The Shadow in the North, and The Tiger in the Welll by Phillip Pullman-anohter trilogy.
Okay, more later. smilies/biggrin.gif

[GaladrieloftheOlden]

And the Westing Game for a bit of easy but fun reading. But that's mystery. smilies/rolleyes.gif

[eleanor_niphredil]

I'll second The Lion Tamers daughter. I wasnt sure at first, but once i got into it, it was great!

The Devils Road by Robert westall is also a great read, about the Burning times (witch trials), as is any other book by Robert Westall. And the Shannara series.

[Lyra Greenleaf]

The Sacred seven is great, Old magic and The Named are FANTASTIC, and the Wheel of Time is absolutely incredible! I have to say, though, LOTR references are huge!

There is the horn of Valere, which reminds me of Orome's horn the Valaroma.

There is a character called Thorin, and one called Hurin

I made a mental list of other similarities while I was reading, but they were pushed out of my head by the fact that they really are brilliant stories!

[ April 06, 2003: Message edited by: Lyra Greenleaf ]

[lindil]

And what about Tad Williams's Otherland books?

I thoght those were absolutly stunning. I even put a link to them in my sig for a few weeks after I finshed them.

Looking forward to reading them again.

Really berautiful writing excellent charchters and plot intertwinings, and an absolutly wonderful and cunning use of the LotR. Very moving emotionally.

Along with the Ferny and Bitrdland I must second Once and Future King/Book of Merlyn - Irank them a bit below JRRT as he is clearly not a Christian author and if my memory serves me correctly [ I am due for a re-erad] he treats sexuality too loosely for my taste - of course that may not bother some folks at all.

Leguins books - ditto on all points - She is a superb writer. Who owes alot ot JRRT in a very non-derivative way [unlike the Shannara books - the first one of which was imo a blatant rippoff, though I loved LotR so much at that age, I swallowed it whole with only a few gags at the ripe age of 14 or so when it came out.

The only writer I consider a better writer than JRRT is JohN Croweley. A real genius of a storyteller. I will not at all say his Stories are better, they are not, but he has a command of English that is IMO unequalled.

'Engine Summer' and 'Little, Big' are his best I think. Hopefully you live near a good used Bookstore because that is the only place you are likely to find em [or ebay maybe].

I actually like the Dune prequels [House: Atreides, Harkonnen, Corrino] bettter than the originals. Kind of funny actually. And While I always felt much of Dune MEssiah made for painful reading the Scifi-channel just did a series of books 2 and 3 that were universally given a perfect rating on the Dune sites I peaked at.

Finally I must confess I like the Post Return of the Jedi SW books, especially Tim Zahn's. Nothing too serious, and way below the level of M-E, but it is fun to see how alive characters you have seen many times in movies come alive in Books. A complete reversal of the LotR Movie situation.

[Birdland]

Lindil - Ditto regarding John Crowley, and all of his works are still in print and available through Amazon.com. Those without access to a bank card can probably special order them at your book seller's.

[Faybevin Bombadil]

Well after you read all these incredible books there's always these to fall back on:

The Forgotten Realms books-
I recommend Elaine Cunningham's Songs & Swords series starting with ElfShadow. It may start out a little slow but once you 'meet' Danilo Thann, you'll enjoy it.

and The Dragon Lance books-
I started with The Lioness because I used the cover as a starting place for my costume. Then I decided to read it.

There are tons of books in each series, and they are all acclaimed novels!

Love,
Faybevin

[GaladrieloftheOlden]

I believe this has been mentioned, but it deserves a second one: Watership Down. That is an amazingly good book, just takes a bit of getting into.