Recommend me some fantasy novels!

[notascleverasithinkiam]

There was a man who wrote fantasy books for most of his life, sadly he passed away some time ago, his name was David Eddings, I suggest any of his fantasy books, my personal favorite being the stand alone book he wrote called The Redemption of Althalus. If you go looking for these books however you're going to have to prolly go to the local library cause most of his works are pretty old, or buy them off the net.

Indeed, I love Edding's books, I personally prefer the Elenium and Tamuli trilogies, perhaps because I like the main character Sparhawk more than the main characters from his other books. The Redemption of Althalus is probably my second favourite of his books though, and if you enjoy the Belgariad/Mallorean, definately pick up Belgarath the Sorcerer and Polgara the Sorceress, as it gives you a lot of backstory. I can still find these in bookshops here in Australia, so you may not have too much trouble finding them. The Dreamers series though was pretty meh.

Besides those:
The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings by JRR Tolkien
Magic Kingdom of Landover series by Terry Brooks
Assassin's Apprentice trilogy by Robin Hobb - I have only read the first book so far, but really enjoyed it
Raymond Fiest is good, I have read Magician and The Conclave of Shadows trilogy (Talon of the Silver Hawk, King of Foxes, and Exile's Return), all very enjoyable reads.
Deltora Quest books by Emily Rodda are good, I am trying to find them now myself, always borrowed them from the library

Can't think of any more at the moment.

 

[RhombusHatesYou]

The fact that David Gemell hasn't been mentioned yet saddens me.

 

[Drakmeire]

would "Call of Cthulhu" count?

 

[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.
[sub]
(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.)
[/sub]
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.

That's because from what I know, they based their books on their DnD adventures. They actually played the campaigns and wrote the books upon it.

I wouldn't recommend reading Dragons of Autumn Twilight first, I'd recommend Raistlin first of all. But that's me and he is my favorite character since he strikes close to home so to speak.

I suggested NOT to start with Soulforge because it assumes the reader has read the other books already, and thus contains spoilers. So I DO recommend reading Dragons of Autumn Twilight first. As I already mentioned above.

 

[dbungus2000]

I heard the Eragon books were awesome and the movie was a huuuuge disappointment after reading them.

They are really good as audio books too!

 

[jacob idstrom]

read something by Neal Gaiman

 

[Brok3n Halo]

... snipped for sanity ...

I suggested NOT to start with Soulforge because it assumes the reader has read the other books already, and thus contains spoilers. So I DO recommend reading Dragons of Autumn Twilight first. As I already mentioned above.

Yeah, I highly recommend the Dragonlance series as well and agree with Firia, doing it in order is a necessity. If you jump around it will kill a lot of the suspense from the series (as the authors really aren't afraid to kill of major characters and what's the fun of knowing who before it happens?)

Correct order for the core series being:
- The Chronicles Trilogy (Dragons of Autumn Twilight, Winter Night, Spring Dawning)
- The Legends Trilogy (Time of the Twins, War of the Twins, Test of the Twins)
- The Second Generation (The Second Generation, Dragons of Summer Flame)
- Dragons of a New Age (The Dawning of a New Age, The Day of the Tempest, The Eve of the Maelstrom)
- War of Souls (Dragons of a Fallen Sun, Dragons of a Lost Star, Dragons of a Vanished Moon)

Not sure about the books post Summer Flame, haven't got around to them yet, and there's some more after War of Souls too I think. Been such a long time since reading the first 8 books, I've been meaning to reread the entire thing before moving on but haven't had the time. (I'm a slow reader, damn dyslexia!)

Also I recommend the The Death Gate Cycle, a lesser known series by the creators of Dragonlance. It's one of my other favorites and has (a) pretty different world(s) than most the fantasy I've read.

 

[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.
[sub]
(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.)
[/sub]
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.

That's because from what I know, they based their books on their DnD adventures. They actually played the campaigns and wrote the books upon it.

I wouldn't recommend reading Dragons of Autumn Twilight first, I'd recommend Raistlin first of all. But that's me and he is my favorite character since he strikes close to home so to speak.

I suggested NOT to start with Soulforge because it assumes the reader has read the other books already, and thus contains spoilers. So I DO recommend reading Dragons of Autumn Twilight first. As I already mentioned above.

The Soulforged does not contain spoilers.
UNLESS you consider backstories to be spoilers, but in that case we might as well fastforward in many games and movies where the person starts at young age..

When I re-read soulforge a little over a year ago, I was looking for spoiler-related content. And yes, I found plenty. If you're so positive there are no spoilers, I suggest rereading (and really, what's wrong with that) the book, keeping an eye out for mention of events that happened in the previous six books. You will find them.

 

[Firia]

Also I recommend the The Death Gate Cycle, a lesser known series by the creators of Dragonlance. It's one of my other favorites and has (a) pretty different world(s) than most the fantasy I've read.

I have these books-- all except one. I need to just amazon that thing so I can read the series. Since I told myself I wouldn't start until I had all the books. And it's something like Book 2 or 3 I'm missing. I breeze through a good book like you wouldn't believe, so I wouldn't want to get started. (And I'm sure it's good because it's Margaret Weis, who I established earlier as an extremely talented women. )

 

[Bored otter]

George R. R. Martin - A Song of Fire and Ice Serise

R. A Salvatore - The Drizzt Do'Urden books (Icewind Dale Trilogy, The Dark Elf Trilogy, etc.)

Totally agree with the GRRM, song of ice and fire.

 

[Jekken6]

The Last Wish and Blood of Elves by Andrzej Sapkowski

they're part of The Witcher sage and the rest of the book part of the series has yet to be translated to english

 

[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.
[sub]
(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.)
[/sub]
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.

That's because from what I know, they based their books on their DnD adventures. They actually played the campaigns and wrote the books upon it.

I wouldn't recommend reading Dragons of Autumn Twilight first, I'd recommend Raistlin first of all. But that's me and he is my favorite character since he strikes close to home so to speak.

I suggested NOT to start with Soulforge because it assumes the reader has read the other books already, and thus contains spoilers. So I DO recommend reading Dragons of Autumn Twilight first. As I already mentioned above.

The Soulforged does not contain spoilers.
UNLESS you consider backstories to be spoilers, but in that case we might as well fastforward in many games and movies where the person starts at young age..

When I re-read soulforge a little over a year ago, I was looking for spoiler-related content. And yes, I found plenty. If you're so positive there are no spoilers, I suggest rereading (and really, what's wrong with that) the book, keeping an eye out for mention of events that happened in the previous six books. You will find them.

I give up.
It's a prequel, it does not contain any spoilers about what happens next in the timeline.
Unless you'd refer to the Tower of High Sorcery Test which STILL isn't a spoiler considering -It's a prequel-.
But if you insist on saying that it has spoilers, then I simply give up. I see no reason to carry the discussion on.

I insist, because it does.

 

[challenger001]

The Rigante series by David Gemmel are a good bet from me. And though not strictly fantasy, go for Conn Iggulden's 'Conqueror' series about the life of Genghis Khan. Good stuff later on when he grows up a bit more.

 

[Fraught]

Well, most of what I read talk about present-day, even the most fantasy-ish book from the books I can remember reading (Neil Gaiman's American Gods).

Though I did quite enjoy The Golden Compass. Also, I was a child then, and kids were what that series was catered for, but I really enjoyed Lloyd Alexander's 'The Chronicles of Prydain' series.

 

[thewhiterave]

My most favorite book of all time: The Redemption of Althalus by David and Leigh Eddings. It is a great book in every way. Long, but very worth the read. I also liked the Sabriel series by Garth Nix. Necromancy made awesome. Even though it is already awesome.

EDIT: If you're a Coheed and Cambria fan, there was a novel released with the deluxe edition album of the same name: The Year of the Black Rainbow. You'd probably have to look on Ebay to find a copy, I think. It's a great read.

 

[mugetsu37]

Anything by Melanie Rawn or Sara Douglass

 

[Queen Michael]

The Discworld series. Start with Mort.