Fantasy Book Club discussion

Hi! I joined this group a couple of days ago and I did so, because I wanted to gain suggestions about fantasy books that are well worth reading :) I haven't read so much fantasy earlier, so one can say that I have just been recently introduced to this genre.
The books I read so far is the first part of Raymond E. Feist's Magician (in Sweden this book is divided into three parts so I've read the 1/3....I hope that wasn't too confusing) and I really enjoyed reading this book.

Do you have any other suggestions about what I ought to read? I've heard that Terry Goodkind's Sword of Truth ought to be good, do you recommend it? :)

I'd really recommend trying L.E. Modesitt Jr.'s Recluse series which starts with The Magic of Recluce. He recommends reading them in published order (so does my family) the first time. On re-reads, we like chronological order. It's a super series & world.

Here's good site to look up the series above plus other authors & their books. Links at the bottom take you to other sites that have more info:
http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/m/l...

The first few books of Terry Goodkind's Sword of Truth series are pretty good. I kind of burned out on the series after 5 or so. I really liked the first one & had to read the next one, but after a while it just seemed as if I was a hamster on a wheel.

You might try David Eddings Belgariad series (5 books starting with Pawn of Prophecy). There are an additional 5 books, the Mallorean that was OK, but skippable. He did a trilogy called the Elenium (starts with The Diamond Throne). It is followed by a second trilogy, the Tamuli, also skippable. I really liked both the Belgariad & the Elenium, though. Quick but fun reads.

Raymond E. Feist did a lot of books in the Riftwar universe. The Magician books, followed by 2 others. Personally, after Magician, I like to read the spin off, the Empire trilogy, where Pug is on the other side of the Rift. Then I pick up again at Silverthorn & then A Darkness at Sethanon. I've also read his Serpent War Saga, 6 (?) books that pickup after the Riftwar. I tried some of the Krondor series, but it was a bit too much. Burn out, again.

Hope this helps!

I second the David Eddings rec.

Also consider Robin Hobb. I'm currently halfway through the Farseer Trilogy starting with Assassin's Apprentice

Another series I'm currently enjoying is David Farland's Runelords series, starting with The Sum of All Men. Took me a little while to really get into it at first, but then it ambushed me while I wasn't paying attention. I'm trapped now.

For something a bit more obscure that I doubt you would be able to find in swedish, look for Fly by Night by Frances Hardinge. I got that one sort of by coincidence (I have a friend who knew her and he did a bit of namedropping) but it's a good story. Features a homicidal goose, for example.

If you're in a possession of a childish soul like me, I can heartily recommend the Septimus Heap series by Angie Sage, starting with Magyk. I fell completely and utterly in love with it already on page 1.

Thank you all so much :)

No problem. I can't believe how much my to-read pile has grown since I joined GoodReads. So many people with similar tastes. I finally have others that share my enthusiasms.

For a beginning fantasy reader, I'd be doing a poor job of recommendation if I failed to recommend Tolkien. J.R.R. Tolkien Boxed Set

That aside, there are many great books and series to enjoy. Much of that depends on personal taste. Again, for beginners to the genre, both Eddings and Feist are a good place to start. Goodkind is enjoyable as well, but to me his work isn't the best that the field has to offer. I haven't tried the others mentioned so far in this string, so can't say for sure what I'd think of those...

Another to consider is Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time series, starting with The Eye of the World. It's a huge series, but to me it is essential fantasy reading. If I were to write up a curriculum for a Fantasy Fiction 101 class, this book would be on there right along with some Tolkien...

Some of my favorites:

The Crown Conspiracy
The Hobbit
Harry Potter Series
Lord of the Rings
Good Omens
The Amulet of Samarkand
Howls Moving Catle
Name of the Wind
Mistborn

Thank you :) I've read Lord of the Rings for a couple of years ago and I really liked the books.
After I've finished the Riftwar Saga, I will look into Eddings' books and Jordan's as well :) thanks for the suggestions!

The Drawing of The Dark - Tim Powers
Sword in The Storm by David Gemmell
Conan by Robert E.Howard
Storm Front by Jim Butcher
Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson.


Just few examples to get you going and see what you like.

I love the Sword of Truth series, but they're not for everyone.

I'd recommend Joe Abercrombie's First Law trilogy, starting with The Blade Itself

I agree with everyone that's recommended Robin Hobb. She is a superb author. For me, her first book Assassin's Apprentice didn't really draw me in but I was still compelled enough to continue on and by the second book, she became one of my favorite authors.
If you're interested in fantasy that's a little more gritty (my favorite kind) than I recommend George R.R, Martin very highly, as well as Scott Lynch and Joe Abercrombie.

I will try to look into the books that you have suggested :) Thank you all once more :)

ya the eddings books r great, i love them so much im pretty sure i know the belgariad by heart, lol. oh and u should try the dragonlance chronicles by margaret weis and tracy hickman, but if u do go into dragonlance, dont waste ur time on 'the seccond generation' i thought it would be good but let me tell u, it was very unnecessary.

Hi Adwielle and welcome,

Some further suggestions that others have missed:

Griffin's Daughter and Griffin's Shadow, written by yours truly

The Sword of Shannara by Terry Brooks, the first in a series

The Iron Dragon's Daughter by Michael Swanwick, though this one is a rather dark tale

King's Dragon also the first in a wonderful series by Kate Elliot

The Spirit Ring by Lois McMaster Bujold

Welcome aboard, Adwielle.

Let's see here... I'd suggest Brooks's Shannara series, starting with [Book: The Sword of Shannara] if you like your fantasy high and legendary-like. Robert Jordan's [Book: The Eye of the World] would also be good in that case.

If you don't mind something more violent and political, with fewer typical fantasy trappings (other races, magic, etc...) I'd say try George R.R. Martin's [Book: A Game of Thrones].

If you like strong female protagonists, try Kristen Britain's [Book: Green Rider] or Elizabeth Haydon's [Book: Rhapsody].

Fred Saberhagen's [Book: A Book of Swords] is good if you like magical items and gods interfering in the day to day life of mortals.

SM Stirling's [Book: Dies the Fire] is cool if you don't mind your fantasy mixed with modern times.

Also, if you're up for less well-known authors, I'd suggest my own [Book: Storms of Vengeance], which combines high fantasy and mystery, Joe Lawson's [Book: The Calm Before the Storm] or Shane Moore's [Book: A Prisoner's Welcome].

Hope this was some help. Let me know if you need more suggestions or information on any of these.

Thanks for all the suggestions :) You really helped me out :)

To chime in with some suggestions not previously mentioned:

Dave Duncan's King's Blades and King's Daggers series, beginning with The Gilded Chain A Tale of the King's Blades and Sir Stalwart Book One of the King's Daggers

Jacqueline Carey's Kushiel series, beginning with Kushiel's Dart

Raymond E. Feist's Empire series, beginning with
Daughter of the Empire

The Redwall series by Brian Jacques

I absolutely loved the Deverry series by Katharine Kerr, beginning with Daggerspell

not to be confused with the Deryni series by Katherine Kurtz, beginning with Deryni Rising

Can't forget to mention the classic The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S Lewis.

The Chronicles of the Cheysuli by Jennifer Roberson, beginning with Shapechangers, or her Maid Marian/Robin Hood or Tiger & Del series of books.

For Arthurian mythic-retellings, there are the classics: The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley and the series by Mary Stewart, beginning with The Crystal Cave.

For Historical Fiction-type fantasy, Judith Tarr has written the Epona series, beginning with
White Mare's Daughter.

For light reading, can't go wrong with any of the older works by either Mercedes Lackey or the Witch World series by Andre Norton

Happy Reading!

I would recommend:
The Crown Conspiracy
Mistborn The Final Empire
The Lord of the RingsThe Hobbit Or There and Back Again
Any of the Harry Potter books or Narnia Series

my suggestions would be Ian Irvines "the veiw from the mirror" series but also at the moment i am reading the "ill made mute" which is brilliant book if you like adventure, fantasy and romance all in one.

If you just want plain wierd try Terry Pratchett.