Recommend me some fantasy novels!

[Tri Force95]

Either the Dresden Files or The Name of the Wind, by Jim Butcher and Patrick Rothfuss, respectively.

 

[Smits090]

the Night Angel trilogy by Brent Weeks

 

[Bloodeye]

I have to echo the Bartimaeus trilogy. They're really quite good.

Also have you read Night of Knives and Return of the Crimson Guard? Set in the same world as malazan book of the fallen (different author though) and definitely worth a look if you like those.

Lastly, spare yourself from reading the Sword of Truth (Legend of the Seeker) books. I read a couple when I was young and foolish and thought they were average. I read a later one recently and found it so unbelievably preachy and just plain terrible that it was painful.

 

[masher]

R.A.Salvatore's "The Forgotten Realms" series. Is good. :3

 

[Blindswordmaster]

Harry Dresden! Expertly combines both detective and magic into a really unique read. It's really good.

 

[Firia]

I'd recommend what I always recommend: The Soulforged, Raistlin Chronicles - Dragonlance series.

This is a good recomendation. However, to really understand Raistlin as a character, you should first understand the original novels. While not about him exactly, his dominating presence can be felt casting shadows throughout.

If you feel that "Soulforge" of the Raistlin Chronicals is worth looking into, start here. [http://www.amazon.com/Dragonlance-Chronicles-Trilogy-Gift-Set/dp/0786926813/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1272336763&sr=8-1] That trilogy is where it began. Book 1 (Dragons of Autumn Twilight) starts the whole thing off a little awkwardly. It's a simple read, and it feels almost like a D&D adventure module. But the writer, (very talented and successful) Margaret Weis hits her stride somewhere in the middle, and the books improve dramatically from then on.
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(Fun fact, the company that owned D&D rights was putting out a new series called Dragonlance, and needed an adventure to push the product. Dragons of Autumn Twilight was made to be both a novel based on the adventure, and an adventure itself. So the trilogy follows the events of the adventures.)
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After reading the original Chronicals series, the next books focus directly on Raistlin and his family; Dragonlance Legends. [http://www.amazon.com/Annotated-Legends-Dragonlance-Trilogy/dp/0786939745/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1272337096&sr=1-2] These books are more like traditional novels, and their flow is much better.

THEN, there's prequel books. Just two, this time. The first book details [http://www.amazon.com/Soulforge-Dragonlance-Raistlin-Chronicles-Book/dp/0786913142/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1272337406&sr=1-2] Raistlins' life growing into the man you read about in the first trilogy. The second book continues this progress of growth. The reason why I don't suggest starting with these two prequel books, is that they will assume you have read the six prior, and there will be spoilers. (If you're keeping count, there are 6 books, plus these last 2, totaling out at eight books in all.)

There are other Dragonlance books, but these are the best of the best. My personal thoughts on the presence of more Dragonlance books, is that if it's not Margaret Weis, it's not worth reading... with the sole exception of The Legend of Huma. [http://www.amazon.com/Legend-Huma-Dragonlance-Heroes/dp/078693137X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1272337925&sr=1-1] Margaret Weis has written other works too, but you can really feel her love for this character in these books. That's what gives them a value that maybe her other novels don't have.

So I really hope you take these suggestions. They're great books.

 

[Ponch]

The Nightside series by Simon R. Green. I own and am re-reading 10 of the 12 books out currently.

How does that compare to the Forest Kingdom of his? I absolutely adored Blue Moon Rising and Blood and Honour when I was a teenager, but I haven't read anything else of his since. I keep meaning to though.

Also more book recs:

The Watch series by Sergey Lukyanenko (Night Watch, Day Watch and two others I haven't read yet)
Total Oblivion: More or Less by Alan DeNiro

I have yet to read his other works. I'm still trying to finish the Nightside novels first.

 

[sockpuppet]

The Forgotten Realms books are pretty good. 'Specially the ones concerning Drizzt Do'urden. Check 'em out!

 

[Dessembrae]

Plus I would recommend the series by Trudy Canavan for a slightly more magically focussed fantasy. Still awesome, but there is alot more emphasis on particular people, and it's less harsh. She's written The Black Magician Trilogy, The Age of The Five, another book for the Black Magician universe, and the first book in another series is coming out soon where I am

Indeed one of my favorite fantasy series, along with the sword of truth series (the TV series is called legend of the seeker, but the only thing it has in common with the books is the name of the characters) but the SWoT series is a marmite kinda thing. you either hate it or you love it.

...and of course there is Raymond Feist.

 

[Cain_Zeros]

Night Angel Trilogy by Brent Weeks. (Be aware it is a bit harsh at the start).

As if someone ninja'd me on that!

Also, the Godspeaker trilogy by Karen Miller. Also a little grim at times, but well worth the read.

Flesh and Spirit and it's sequel Breathe and Bone (both by Carol Berg) are also quite excellent.

 

[Lykon]

Someone already said The Dresden Files by Jim Butcher but I much prefer the other series he's writing, The Codex Alera. First book is Furies Of Calderon

 

[Goro]

China Meilville's books are awesome, very steam-punk but the world is handled in a matter-of-fact way that makes them more.... realistic? Believable I think is a better word..

 

[Eponet]

Plus I would recommend the series by Trudy Canavan for a slightly more magically focussed fantasy. Still awesome, but there is alot more emphasis on particular people, and it's less harsh. She's written The Black Magician Trilogy, The Age of The Five, another book for the Black Magician universe, and the first book in another series is coming out soon where I am

Sooooooooo not fair! I've been dying for her next one for ages! And another lover of Night Angel here.

This is shocking, never seen a Brent Weeks fan before, and we have 3 in this thread!

The first in the Traitor Spy Trilogy is out May if I remember correctly... and you can preorder it

Add another to the count.

Anyway, other than the obvious Night Angel, I'll help narrow down the very general "Forgotten Realms" recommendation.

Halls of Stormweather (Some of it)
Shadows Witness
Twilight Falling
Dawn of Night
Midnight's Mask
Shadowbred
Shadowstorm
Shadowrealm

There are some books between Shadows Witness and Twilight Falling, but they're somewhat boring. Just figure it out as you go, or get the plot summary for them, whatever works for you.

The pacing of these are wonderful. I never found a dull moment in them.

Other Notable Mentions in order of awsomeness:

- The Dragon Below Trilogy
- The Heirs of Ash Trilogy
- Bloodwalk
- Faith of the Fallen (Part of the "Sword of Truth" series)

 

[Timeslament]

"The Deed Of Paksenarrion" by Elizabeth Moon is a huge must for any one! "Pillars of the Earth" by Ken Follett is anther.

 

[Crayzor]

The Malazan Book of The Fallen by Steven Erikson. Best fantasy series I have ever read.

 

[Glademaster_v1legacy]

The Dragonmaster trilogy by Chris Bunch(I think) Storm of Wings is an example of a book in the series if I remember correctly awhile since I read them.

Although it has already mentioned it needs to be mentioned again you should read the Sword of Truth series those will keep you going for awhile with roughly 10 books in it each being between 750-1,000 although 700ish is usually the norm.

 

[Eponet]

Nothing's better than Forgotten Realms imo. The Drizzt saga is probably the best, meaning: the Dark Elf Trilogy, the Icewind Dale Trilogy, the Legacy of the Drow series, Paths of Darkness and Hunter's Blades. Enough to keep you occupied for a time, i'd wager.

Don't forget the Transitions, granted it's only the Orc King and the Pirate King so far, but still.

Also, take a look at some of Paul S. Kemp's writing. It's a matter of taste, but I've found them greatly more enjoyable, despite not being widely publicised.

 

[Schneizel]

Second the Assassin's Apprentice recommendation.

Also, Trudi Canavan's two series: "The Black Magician" and "Age of the Five".

EDIT: Was beaten to it. Still, great books. Very nice break from the heavy fantasies.

Also, if you're into "so bad it's good", Sword of Truth. SOCIALISM R BAD. GRR SOCIALISM.