Relatively lighthearted fantasy book recommendations?

[Chaos James]

The Harry Potter books are nice. They're both funny and exciting. Try them.

I've already read through Harry Potter (and too many times at that), but thanks for the suggestion nonetheless.

*snip*

At three four recommendations this one definitely sounds like it's worth a look. What's the biggest draw for it? I've read a couple descriptions of it, but they've all been pretty bare

Thanks to everyone else giving suggestions, I half expected this thread to just wither and die, but I already have a lot of books to look into.

Basically just likable characters and a bunch of shenanigans with a backdrop of a sleeping god waking up and destroying the world essentially.

They're not all a part of the Belgariad universe, but there's something like fifteen books set there, the two five-book series, three prequels that dive into the oldest characters histories that do more than reference their deeds, and I think another two focused on the family that led up to what the plot of the main books are about.

Then there's another four(I think) set in the Sparhawk universe that's similar in setup with a Macguffin and, again, likable characters and shenanigans.

I don't think I ever read the Dreamers series, but I think my family has them in their library somewhere.

And looking at this thread again, I'll give an extra two series, Xanth, and the original Island in the Sea of Time trilogy.

Island is basically Nantucket(or some other tourist trap island in New England) getting dropped back to something like 4k BC, it's got heavy moments, and the ending is somewhat disappointing, but there's alot of cheese in it as well, lotsa 80's references and at least one couple most people will find to root for.

Xanth, just think of the most absurd puns and wordplay imaginable, and create a fantasy land based on what inspired you to make them, also every character speaks in textboxes that everyone else can see above their heads apparently. The world ages as the series goes on and they're very enjoyable if you go into them just looking for a laugh. Hell, they're enjoyable if you don't go looking for a laugh.

I'm not sure if the count on the first universe, as I know there are the two five-parters (Belgariad & Mallorean), plus the two Prologues featuring two of the oldest characters and their exploits, a third called "The Rivan Codex" which is less a story and more a collection of information about the world and written pieces about writing.

I know he has a book or two before the Belgariad that are self-containted stories of low-fantasy, "High Hunt" and "Losers". After the Belgariad series is "The Elenium" and "The Tamuli" which are two 3-book sets featuring the adventures of Sparhawk the Pandion Knight, set in a separate universe then the Belgariad, but you do notice some similar themes at times.

Then there is the Dreamers, which was (I believe) their most recent works, and I think it was 4(?) books, but I never got around to finishing the series.

If there are more stories based on the Belgariad universe though, I (and my Dad by extension) would love to know.

 

[Nismu]

I join to those that suggest Eddings.
And add " Redemption of Althalus" It is single book so might be better start than the longer series.

 

[Hawki]

In the realm of lighthearted fantasy, and not including ones already listed, I can reccomend the following:

-Mistborn: I've only read the first book in the series, but I quite liked it. While the world is pretty downtrodden, there's a fair amount of humour and snark in the work. Oh, and the first book at least has a relatively happy ending.

-Thursday Next/Jurisfiction/Jasper Fforde: Yeah, search any of these terms, the series doesn't really have a uniform title. But if you loved Terry Pratchett, you'll love these. Very lighthearted, very comedic, it's basically sattire on literary tropes as the protagonist deals with characters from classical fiction (e.g. Charles Dickens, Jane Eyre, etc.), and even enters the bookworld herself. Oh, and the real-world isn't that sane either (dodos are now pests because people got caught up in the cloning kit craze).

-The Wind on Fire: Officially, this is a children's trilogy, but IMO, while children can enjoy it, it's just as suitable for adults as well. It's got a fairly idiosyncratic writing style, but to me, it's a bonus (similar to 'Ender's Game', which I also love). In the second it even gets fairly philisophical. Granted, this may be nostalgia, as it's been awhile since I've read them, but IMO, these books are worth a read.

 

[Jamash]

The only few that I can recommend on the basis of reading them are:

Triumff: Her Mejesty's Hero [http://www.amazon.co.uk/Triumff-Majestys-Hero-Dan-Abnett-ebook/dp/B0055D94YK/ref=la_B001JP7NWS_1_6?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1440379238&sr=1-6] by Dan Abnett

and
The Corpse-Rat King [http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0092Q85LO/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1440379326&sr=1-1&keywords=the+corpse-rat+king] & The Marching Dead [http://www.amazon.co.uk/Marching-Dead-Marius-Hellespont-Book-ebook/dp/B00C12X7TQ/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1440379389&sr=1-3] by Lee Battersby.

I don't know if they're what you're looking for exactly, as they're more "light-hearted funny" than "light-hearted happy ending", but from what I can remember I wasn't left feeling grim or depressed after reading them... but then again I'm never left feeling grim or depressed after reading any book, even horroric stories of violence, misery and woe, because I just enjoy them for the tales that they are and leave it all behind once I've read the last page and closed the book.

Still, they may be worth checking out and reading the free samples to gauge whether it's your thing or not.

 

[Thaluikhain]

After you've read the Belgariad and other stuff in that universe, don't read any of Edding's later stuff, it's exactly yhe same.

 

[Tsun Tzu]

My favorite series of books...The Mage Wars series by Mercedes Lackey is just downright wonderful. Talking gryphons, wars, mages, mage wars, it has everything.

Skandranon is still one of my all time favorite characters. Ever. The smarmy fuck.

Second? I'd like to back Mr. Ryhno and heartily recommend the Xanth series by Piers Anthony.

Here's a cover for reference.

Why, yes, that's the title. Anywho, it's a lighthearted and, frankly, weird series of fantasy novels with various protagonists and a myriad of interesting concepts/characters.

There are a LOOOT of them. 40 and counting.

 

[thebobmaster_v1legacy]

It's not necessarily the most mature of series, but I'd suggest giving the Artemis Fowl series by Eoin Colfer a try. They've fairly light hearted for the most part, albeit sometimes a bit too juvenile, but every time I start feeling I'm too old for them, something happens to remind me otherwise.

Also, it has fairies that are badass. Can't go wrong there.

 

[Asita]

Xanth, just think of the most absurd puns and wordplay imaginable, and create a fantasy land based on what inspired you to make them, also every character speaks in textboxes that everyone else can see above their heads apparently. The world ages as the series goes on and they're very enjoyable if you go into them just looking for a laugh. Hell, they're enjoyable if you don't go looking for a laugh.

Well in fairness, it did start off as a fairly serious fantasy series. I don't think the puns started taking over in earnest until...I want to say Geis of the Gargoyle. Still a very idealistic series, mind you, but the pun levels were pretty manageable until that point, not like the later installments which tended to have an obligatory sequence of the protagonists just groaning at a series of pun embodiments.

 

[Redryhno]

Xanth, just think of the most absurd puns and wordplay imaginable, and create a fantasy land based on what inspired you to make them, also every character speaks in textboxes that everyone else can see above their heads apparently. The world ages as the series goes on and they're very enjoyable if you go into them just looking for a laugh. Hell, they're enjoyable if you don't go looking for a laugh.

Well in fairness, it did start off as a fairly serious fantasy series. I don't think the puns started taking over in earnest until...I want to say Geis of the Gargoyle. Still a very idealistic series, mind you, but the pun levels were pretty manageable until that point, not like the later installments which tended to have an obligatory sequence of the protagonists just groaning at a series of pun embodiments.

I dunno, most of the serious stuff happened in the past with the Mad King kicking out everyone that didn't have magic and Chameleon's pretty silly to begin with...I mean, they did have the kid that had inanimate objects talking around him by the middle of the second or third book.

 

[Something Amyss]

If you don't mind the lightheartedness being because it's sort of a spoof, Disenchanted by Robert Kroese is pretty damn good. The only thing I can say bad about it is it's not as good as Mercury Falls. Which I'd recommend, but I'm not sure it's a fantasy book.

Kevin Hearne's Iron Druid series is excellent.

Have only read the first two, but I would defintely second this.

 

[Pete Oddly]

I've heard The Song of Ice and Fire series is pretty campy and fun...

But in all seriousness, if you liked The Dresden Files, you should pick up The Codex Alera, also by Jim Butcher. It's pretty awesome.

Also; I think David Farland's the Runelords series was fairly balanced, but it's been over a decade since I've read it, and I never picked up the series past the first book.

 

[MalkavianLunatic]

I read a lot of dark stuff, so I'll spare you the useless book list that would come of digging into that particular well. However, I could certainly recommend that you look into Mercedes Lackey. A lot of fantasy, good humor and her Five-Hundred Kingdoms series is a joy. Good luck finding more books!

 

[freaper]

I've got the Magic Kingdom of Landover, by Terry Brooks. It's late 80's fantasy, so you know it can't be dark. Good reads, and if I were to reread them now, I'd probably appreciate them a lot more.

 

[Politrukk]

Yahtzee's first book, mogworld is actually kind of okay (it went downhill after that and yes I'm going to repeat that frequently)

 

[Mikeybb]

The Laundry Files by Charles Stross.

British spies!
C'thulu mythos!
Computer Programming!
Danger!
Stifling bureaucracy!
Thrills!
Nerds!
Oh yeah, and a violin that kills demons.

It's lighthearted at times but occasionally slips into the creeping horror of C'thulu like eldritch horrors, but then can have a section on the woes of being tech support in a British government branch or be waxing on the almost glamor like allure of the new I phone.

There are a number of short stories from the series that can be found on the web with a brief google which I'd recommend as a starting point.

If the Dresden files were enjoyed, I'd also recommend;

Felix Castor series by Mike Carey starting with "the Devil you know."

Set in london and following the titular character, an exorcist in a world where after a mysterious event the paranormal slinked back out of the shadows and began a phase of more open activity.

Also by Paul Cornell there's a duo of books very similar but from a police perspective called 'Londons Falling' and 'the severed streets'.

Both series have a 'neverwhere' feel to them and are well written.

 

[Asita]

Xanth, just think of the most absurd puns and wordplay imaginable, and create a fantasy land based on what inspired you to make them, also every character speaks in textboxes that everyone else can see above their heads apparently. The world ages as the series goes on and they're very enjoyable if you go into them just looking for a laugh. Hell, they're enjoyable if you don't go looking for a laugh.

Well in fairness, it did start off as a fairly serious fantasy series. I don't think the puns started taking over in earnest until...I want to say Geis of the Gargoyle. Still a very idealistic series, mind you, but the pun levels were pretty manageable until that point, not like the later installments which tended to have an obligatory sequence of the protagonists just groaning at a series of pun embodiments.

I dunno, most of the serious stuff happened in the past with the Mad King kicking out everyone that didn't have magic and Chameleon's pretty silly to begin with...I mean, they did have the kid that had inanimate objects talking around him by the middle of the second or third book.

True, and I'm not saying that the series lacked for silly moments, I'm just saying that the silliness has increased as the series went on and that the puns in particular didn't start reaching critical mass until a dozen or so books in.

 

[THM]

I've got the Magic Kingdom of Landover, by Terry Brooks. It's late 80's fantasy, so you know it can't be dark. Good reads, and if I were to reread them now, I'd probably appreciate them a lot more.

Ah yes, 'Magic Kingdom for sale - SOLD!'. Definitely worth a read. That and Discworld are definitely my favourite fantasy series, mostly because they don't take themselves very seriously. (I'm looking at you here, LOTR.)

 

[Hoplon]

The Harry Potter books are nice. They're both funny and exciting. Try them.

I've already read through Harry Potter (and too many times at that), but thanks for the suggestion nonetheless.

*snip*

At three four recommendations this one definitely sounds like it's worth a look. What's the biggest draw for it? I've read a couple descriptions of it, but they've all been pretty bare

It's a classic heroes journey, starts very very slowly. and while the characters do tend to be broad archetypes the dialogue tends to be snappy and helps round out the characters some what.

I'm number five to recommend the David and Leigh Eddings books.

 

[vare]

While not as light as Pratchett and the Eddings, I would recommend you to give Trudi Canavan a chance.
Her books are not that dark, although they do sometimes contain dark elements. It's mainly high-ish fantasy, but they don't go into prophecy territory, and it's more about "current" politics and stuff going on in the world.
The Black Magician Trilogy is a great starting point.



captcha: Very doubtful
thx captcha...


edit:
Also Tales of Earthsea!

 

[The Almighty Aardvark]

I've heard The Song of Ice and Fire series is pretty campy and fun...

We were just talking about how long it would take before someone recommended this one

But in all seriousness, if you liked The Dresden Files, you should pick up The Codex Alera, also by Jim Butcher. It's pretty awesome.

Oh yes, definitely agree. In many regards I liked it more than the Dresden Files.

It's a classic heroes journey, starts very very slowly. and while the characters do tend to be broad archetypes the dialogue tends to be snappy and helps round out the characters some what.

I'm number five to recommend the David and Leigh Eddings books.

Actually, you're six... or seven. It's hard to keep track. Regardless, I think we pretty much have to read this one now.

Quite a few of these actually sound pretty interesting, so I think that the most difficulty will be found in deciding which order to read them in...