What other fantasy books do YOU read?

[Galadriel55]

I'm not sure if it counts as fantasy, or more of a history fiction genre, or just adventure, or a mix of all of them. I don't know if it's history enough to be one, or myth enough to be another.

Anyways, I would like to recommend to anyone the Merlin trilogy by Mary Stewart (The Crystal Cave, The Hollow Hills, and The Last Enchantment). The language is beautiful, and has some of Tolkien's style - just some, but it's rich in its own fashion. Despite the never-ending plots/mysteries/adventures, Stewart leaves plenty room to describe the scenery, the landscape, the people, and everything around. She paces her books well, not rushing ahead with the plot in favour of the abovementioned little details, but not dragging it out too much.

[Lalwendë]

I read those years and years ago, I was probably about 15 or so. And I'm tempted to read them again because yes, they are superb.

I think they count, they appeal to Tolkien fans!

[Galadriel55]

Originally Posted by Lalwendë

I read those years and years ago, I was probably about 15 or so. And I'm tempted to read them again because yes, they are superb.

I'm beginning to see a pattern emerge. Whenever I post a recommendation about a book I am reading or have just finished, you reply saying that you too have read it and liked it.

[Lalwendë]

Originally Posted by Galadriel55

I'm beginning to see a pattern emerge. Whenever I post a recommendation about a book I am reading or have just finished, you reply saying that you too have read it and liked it.

What can I say? We clearly obviously both have superb taste

Now, have you got the new Terry Pratchett one? The Long Earth. It's not a Discworld novel (I have problems with Discworld...) and it's amazing!

[Estelyn Telcontar]

Have you finished reading The Long Earth, Lal? Please do give a brief report! I'm contemplating getting it and want to know if it's re-readable. One-time reads usually end up being lent from the library...

[Lalwendë]

Originally Posted by Estelyn Telcontar

Have you finished reading The Long Earth, Lal? Please do give a brief report! I'm contemplating getting it and want to know if it's re-readable. One-time reads usually end up being lent from the library...

Not yet, because I've been so busy with kid stuff and weather geekery, but I will do soon! So far, it's rather good.

[Galadriel55]

I haven't read much of Terry Pratchett. Only one or two chapters from The Amazing Maurice, I think. It was my sister's book anyways, and it didn't catch on with me, so I did not pursue other Pratchett books - or finish that one.

Maybe it's just that I have an issue with reading comedy. It never catches with me for some reason. I am more amused at a random joke stuck in the middle of a serious novel that at a whole heap of comedies. The last one I read made me at most feel bad for the poor characters who got themselves stuck at the most unlikely places and all that (when my mother read the book at my age she said she was rolling on the floor from laughter). Since, from what I gather about him, Pratchett writes half-comedy half-fantasy books, I think the comedy part killed it for me.

[Ardent]

Originally Posted by Estelyn Telcontar

Have you finished reading The Long Earth, Lal? Please do give a brief report! I'm contemplating getting it and want to know if it's re-readable. One-time reads usually end up being lent from the library...

I've read all of Sir Pratchett's work at least once and The Long Earth has become my current favourite. I've read it twice already and can't wait for the sequel. The book does stand alone but has several themes which could go in various directions. In fact there is so much in it it has the potential of becoming a genre every bit as divers as the Diskworld series, though that may require more time than Terry has...

The primary theme is that of the opening of a seemingly unlimited frontier in the form of parallel worlds. The main character 'boldy goes' from world to world, encountering variations of earth, from slight to extreme, plus adventurers and settlers who have moved to a few of them.
There are similar themes dealt with in sci-fi series like 'Sliders' or some 'Star Trek' episodes, but the technology for 'stepping' between worlds is made available to everyone. Also it differs from other parallel world/time-line tales in that no humans are found on any but our earth: O brave new worlds that have no people in them!

[Ardent]

Anyone else here into Babylon 5? I know it's primarily a TV series, though there are books as well, but it has so many themes in common with LotR and many ideas directly drawn from it. Perhaps it may warrant a thread of its own?

[Guinevere]

Originally Posted by Galadriel55

Anyways, I would like to recommend to anyone the Merlin trilogy by Mary Stewart (The Crystal Cave, The Hollow Hills, and The Last Enchantment).

Oh, I love Mary Stewart's Merlin series (and most of her other books) too. I read those in the seventies when I had no idea about Tolkien yet!

Do you happen to know Gillian Bradshaw's trilogy "Hawk of May", "Kingdom of Summer", "In Winter's Shadow"? I loved this Arthurian fiction, which also has some fantasy elements.