Great fantasy novels

[DoctorObviously]

I've decided to read a little more while waiting for some big releases this year. I'm an avid reader but never bought English books before. Because writers in my country dislike fantasy novels, I've decided to read stuff I'm actually interested in. A while ago I played The Witcher and I was told that it was based off a series of books written by Andrzej Sapkowski. I would like to know with what novel I should begin and also why, or in what order I should read the books. I'm also very interested in reading about the stories of the infamous Space Marines in the Warhammer 40,000 franchise. I'd also love to know with what books I should begin.

Maybe a side question, where would I purchase those novels?

 

[Katherine Kerensky]

I'm not sure about the specific author or series you mentioned related the The Witcher, but for Warhammer 40,000 Space Marine novels, I'd recommend the Horus Heresy series. Always good to check out the past, and see why 40,000 is like it is (The Horus Heresy is effectively Warhammer 30,000 >.>)
Also, for good space marine specific series, you could try the Ultramarines series by Graham McNeill, the Sould Drinkers series by Ben Counter, the Blood Angels series by James Swallow, and the Grey Knights series by Ben Counter.
I'd also recommend the Gaunt's Ghosts books by Dan Abnett, although they are Imperial Guard, not Astartes. Still worth a read, as are the Ciaphas Cain novels by Sandy Mitchell, which combine W40k with humour, and succeed.
You could probably buy most of these books on Amazon, ebay, or other sites like them.

 

[Womplord]

Try 'the book of the new sun' (which has sequels, and is split into other novels starting with 'shadow of the torturer')
by Gene Wolfe.
Amazing book.

 

[cerealnmuffin]

Try 'the book of the new sun' (which has sequels, and is split into other novels starting with 'shadow of the torturer')
by Gene Wolfe.
Amazing book.

*Squeals with delight* I loooooooooved those books, esp the scene with the monster that attacks the family in the house. I don't want to spoil it for others but true antihero in it. =) Glad someone else likes his stuff (though I could not get into the wizard/knight books later on)

The 'Song of Fire and Ice' series by George R. R. Martin are my favorite books. They follow many different characters during a political intrigue/war to gain control of the thrones. It has very rich characters with each chapter switching between the characters. Each chapter ends on a cliff hanger and there are so many OMG!!!!!! moments, he doesn't play it safe like many authors does. I can guarantee if you start it you won't be able to put them down. The female characters are also the best I have ever read in a fantasy book. It tries to take a slightly more realistic handling of high fantasy... makes sense when you read it.

If you want something just really fun, read the 'Lies of Locke Lamore' which follows a thief going on greater and greater con jobs. It is well written and fun.

Hmmm 'Perdido Street Station' is something totally different. It takes place in a world where if you commit even the smallest crime they genetically modify you so creating this tension between those changed and those not. The writing is phenomenal and it will definately be something unique.

If anyone read any of those books, please let me know =0

 

[Serenegoose]

I've been recommending these a lot recently, but the Mistborn series by Brandon Sanderson are my favourite works of fantasy by quite some way. I cannot recommend them highly enough.

 

[Discon]

My favourite piece of fantasy ever has got to be The Dark Tower series by Stephen King.

 

[Womplord]

Also, Ender's Game is a great novel. And Dune. Actually, I'm reading a compilation of short stories at the moment. Some are amazing, like "Hell is the Absence of God" by Ted Chiang. He wrote a number of short stories compiled in "Stories of your life and others" which I haven't read but judging by 'hell is the absence of god' it would be good. You should order books to read online, if you can't find a good book store near you. Online is cheaper where I live...

 

[rockyoumonkeys]

I'll second the Mistborn series. I'd be completely done with fantasy as a genre if it weren't for Brandon Sanderson.

 

[FatSh7tCat]

I third Brandon Sanderson's work, plus I'll add Patrick Rothfuss and Peter V. Brett.

Rothfuss's books are some of the most detailed and polished works of fiction of any genre, and were a joy to read.

Brett's novels are fun also, and they play on the reader's emotions exceptionall well.

 

[nin_ninja]

Wheel of Time by Robert Jordan. He died though, so Brandon Sanderson took over.

 

[Rooster893]

Martin the Warrior by Brian Jacques. If you don't mind anthropomorphy, then give this one a try. YOU WILL LOVE IT.

 

[Kashim117]

I'm not sure about the specific author or series you mentioned related the The Witcher, but for Warhammer 40,000 Space Marine novels, I'd recommend the Horus Heresy series. Always good to check out the past, and see why 40,000 is like it is (The Horus Heresy is effectively Warhammer 30,000 >.>)
Also, for good space marine specific series, you could try the Ultramarines series by Graham McNeill, the Sould Drinkers series by Ben Counter, the Blood Angels series by James Swallow, and the Grey Knights series by Ben Counter.
I'd also recommend the Gaunt's Ghosts books by Dan Abnett, although they are Imperial Guard, not Astartes. Still worth a read, as are the Ciaphas Cain novels by Sandy Mitchell, which combine W40k with humour, and succeed.
You could probably buy most of these books on Amazon, ebay, or other sites like them.

EXACTLY what he said.

Also, give Larry Niven's Ringworld a go. My favourite sci-fi book series.

 

[Kiefer13]

I can't help on The Witcher front, but for novels about the space marines I would certainly recommend the Horus Heresy series. I've only read up to Fulgrim (the fifth one) myself, but I remember enjoying them all. As for where to buy them, I generally buy my books online from Amazon.

Also, in terms of general great fantasy novels, Terry Pratchett's Discworld series. I cannot recommend them enough. Well written, hilarious, and very re-readable. Also, I've heard many good things of George R. R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire series, though I can't personally recommend it yet, seeing as I've only recently bought the first book and haven't read it yet (it's on my list, after Starship Troopers and Dune).

 

[Phishfood]

Song of Ice and Fire series by George R R Martin, good books no matter how slow he is at producing them

 

[Flatfrog]

Stephen Donaldson's Thomas Covenant series is wonderful, despite its many flaws (while his characters and stories are superb, his writing style drives me crazy, and.. seriously... High Lord Kevin??) Flawed, damaged characters in a rich, detailed world; can't be beaten.

And on the completely opposite extreme, David Eddings' series The Belgariad is great, light and fluffy reading which makes no demands on anyone. The sequel series The Malloreon is OK too - everything else of his is dreadful.

The Earthsea books by Ursula LeGuin (or at least the first three) are beautiful and have a really nice treatment of magic.

More recently, I enjoyed Temeraire (can't remember the author's name) but haven't read any more in that series.

 

[Katherine Kerensky]

-Snip-
EXACTLY what she said.

Also, give Larry Niven's Ringworld a go. My favourite sci-fi book series.

Fixed that for you <3
Oh, and since I am posting again, I may as well recommend the His Dark Materials trilogy by Philip Pullman.
It is a rather interesting fantasy series, but the film The Golden Compass fails to show how good it is.
In fact, the film is a bit of a butchery, and makes me sad to think about >.>
They had a chance to make a great film, and killed it >.>
I hope the Mortal Engines film doesn't go the same way >.>

 

[Flatfrog]

Oh, and since I am posting again, I may as well recommend the His Dark Materials trilogy by Philip Pullman.
It is a rather interesting fantasy series, but the film The Golden Compass fails to show how good it is.
In fact, the film is a bit of a butchery, and makes me sad to think about >.>
They had a chance to make a great film, and killed it

I loved the first book, and thought the other two lost their way a bit - always felt to me like they were a bit self-contradictory (the implication seemed to be that religion is bad but true)

Pullman seems to have quite liked the film, oddly. ([link]http://www.guardian.co.uk/culture/2011/mar/03/philip-pullman-life-in-writing?INTCMP=SRCH[/link], near the bottom)

 

[SckizoBoy]

Given that you've played the Witcher, read the books, as they're better than the game (granted, not that many have been released in English, unfortunately... a fact that never fails to annoy me... sorry but I is not speak Polish).

Other than that... whoever mentioned Brandon Sanderson's Mistborn series has a good thing going. Brilliant premise and has a rollicking story (twist and turns galore). And if you're into WH40K, read anything by Dan Abnett (no words need to be said about the master of 40K fiction, Graham McNeil comes a distant second).

Fav author is Raymond E Feist (Magician remains his best book, but the whole Midkemia series is pretty good... a couple blips here and there, but on the whole strong stuff). Second is Robin Hobb (though Soldier Son tril is not as good as the Farseer/Liveship/Tawny Man set).

 

[DJDarque]

Martin the Warrior by Brian Jacques. If you don't mind anthropomorphy, then give this one a try. YOU WILL LOVE IT.

Seconded. The entire Redwall series is fantastic. The author did die this year, however, so it is done unless someone else continues it.

Oh, and since I am posting again, I may as well recommend the His Dark Materials trilogy by Philip Pullman.
It is a rather interesting fantasy series, but the film The Golden Compass fails to show how good it is.

I thought the first two books in that trilogy were really good. The whole atheist agenda in the third one got a little out of hand though. It was no longer subtle.

 

[Katherine Kerensky]

-Snip-
I thought the first two books in that trilogy were really good. The whole atheist agenda in the third one got a little out of hand though. It was no longer subtle.

If you ignore any/all political/religious preachy things, it is still rather entertaining.
I tend to phase them out when I read fiction books, since I do it to escape the real world >.>
So I never really pick up on political/religious undertones in fiction books. No real loss, I guess.