Well, it could be the Mazlan Book of the Fallen--but then again, which fantasy books don't have shadows and angels? It's like having fries with no Mayo.
Top Fantasy Books
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DragonLance Chronicles trilogy by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman (there's a ton of DragonLance books out there but the original 3 in the Chronicles series are easily the best).
Phase Adept series by Piers Anthony (a very cool sci-fi/fantasy mix that is very worthy of reading).
Phase Adept series by Piers Anthony (a very cool sci-fi/fantasy mix that is very worthy of reading).
The Necronomicon: The Best Weird Fiction of H.P. Lovecraft
As Arnie should have said, get to the bookstore!
As Arnie should have said, get to the bookstore!
David Eddings has long been my favorite fantasy author, though I'm not crazy about his last couple of series. Check out The Elenium or The Belgariad.
No, no...he's looking for a sci-fi/fantasy series, not houshold cleaners [http://www.epinions.com/content_213327318660]major28 said:
A Song of Ice and Fire, by George R.R. Martin
The Dark Tower, by Stephen King
The Complete Chronicles of Conan, by Robert E. Howard
The Necronomicon: The Best Weird Fiction of H.P. Lovecraft
The Night Angel trilogy, by Brent Weeks
i can't really pick a favorite
The Dark Tower, by Stephen King
The Complete Chronicles of Conan, by Robert E. Howard
The Necronomicon: The Best Weird Fiction of H.P. Lovecraft
The Night Angel trilogy, by Brent Weeks
i can't really pick a favorite
A Song of Ice and Fire by George R.R. Martin (first book - A Game of Thrones) - believable, morally ambiguous characters that you'll learn to love (or love to hate). And anyone can die at any time! A story of war and political intrigue in a well-crafted, interesting low-magic fantasy world.
The Black Company series by Glen Cook - as another author describes it, "Vietnam War fiction on peyote". The story of the Black Company, a mercenary outfit, that serve and die in wars between powerful sorcerors. Dark and gritty like A Song of Ice and Fire, but with the magic cranked way up.
Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser series by Fritz Lieber - short stories about companions Fafhrd, a hulking northern barbarian, and the Gray Mouser, a thief and wizard's apprentice, and their adventures in the city of Lankmhar. Witty and often humorous, they're a seminal part of the "swords & sorcery" genre.
The Black Company series by Glen Cook - as another author describes it, "Vietnam War fiction on peyote". The story of the Black Company, a mercenary outfit, that serve and die in wars between powerful sorcerors. Dark and gritty like A Song of Ice and Fire, but with the magic cranked way up.
Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser series by Fritz Lieber - short stories about companions Fafhrd, a hulking northern barbarian, and the Gray Mouser, a thief and wizard's apprentice, and their adventures in the city of Lankmhar. Witty and often humorous, they're a seminal part of the "swords & sorcery" genre.
If you're a science buff read the Mars trilogy by Kim Stanley Robinson. In order they are "Red Mars", "Green Mars", and "Blue Mars". But be warned, there will be lots of science explanations.
As I am sure you can guess, I agree with this, but he has more to the tune of 16+ books starring Drizzt and the company he keeps. I know this because I OWN THEM ALL.....Tasachan said:
Lets see.
Like talking Animals? Silverwing by Kenneth Oppell is pretty good.
Like postapocolyptics where medievel technology fights against futuristic aliens? Tripodh?s series by John Christopher.
Like Welsh Mythology or derivitives thereof, or LOTR esque anything? Prydain Chronicles by Lloyd Alexander
Harry Potter esque stuff, only with actual Wit? The aforementioned Bartimaeus will do nicely.
Dragons out the @$$, and a new spin? Try out the Dragonriders of Pern by Anne McCaffrey
Dragons infused into actual history? Naomi Noviks Temeraire series(last one shipping to my house now YAY)
Comics that depict a REALLY unique world, Bone by Jeff Smith
Terry Pratchett and Robert Aspirin will KILL you laughing.
Look for Piers Anthony's Incarnations to get a unique look at mythology.
I will do Moar if needed.
read A Song of Ice and Fire it's awesome. and if it hleps HBO is makeing a series of it with sean bean as one of the main caracters. dont know if you care just thought I would mention it.
Alright, previous posters got their recommendations spot on when it comes to Glen Cook. You practicaly can't go wrong with his work, but the Black Company is a must read. Ditto the Dark Tower series, though the last book leaves a little to be desired. David Edding's books are good, though I've not read as many as I should have.
Now on to books nobody else has ready. 'The Fall of Ile-Renn' series is pretty good, by Martha Wells...magic, World War I-equivalent technology, and it's not set in an alternate Earth. Three books total, not counting the others set in the same world. Slightly different fantasy, but enjoyable.
If you like your fantasy dark, bloody, and full of equal measures perversion and justice, grab 'Zorachus' and the sequel 'The Nightmare Of God'. The author's name is Mark E. Rogers, and these are hands down some of the best fantasy novels I've ever read. As mentioned previously, these books are definitely adult material. I shouldn't bother with the disclaimer, considering where this post is, but I figure it's considerate to give warning.
For mystery and some comedy set in a China that never was, look for the Master Li and Number Ten Ox books by Barry Hughart. 'Bridge of Birds', 'Eight Skilled Gentlemen', and 'The Story Of The Stone'...they're well written, and despite the fact that there's humor in abundance it never manages to lose a deadly serious edge.
Anything by Robert E Vardeman, but specifically his Cenotaph Road series. Roughly 8 books, great characters, good magic, and a distinctly epic feel. Unfortunately they start to go south at the end, but it's a good ride all the same.
Not fantasy specifically, but S.M. Stirling's Change series is a solid read. Basic premise is that one fine day, technology stops working. Period. Three books in the first set: 'Dies The Fire', 'The Protector's War', 'A Meeting At Corvalis'. There is a second series as well: 'The Sunrise Lands', 'The Scourge Of God', 'The Sword Of The Lady'. Stirling's writing is sometimes spotty, and certain of his attitudes leave something to be desired, but the post-apocalypse/almost non-magic fantasy is still a good read.
China Meiville's Baas-Lag novels. Yes I probably mispelled that, but I'm feeling too lazy to use Google right now. These are impressive fantasy novels, emphasis on the 'fantasy' as there's little else like them. Start with 'Perdido Street Station', and go from there.
Ok, that's what I can provide. Good luck!
Now on to books nobody else has ready. 'The Fall of Ile-Renn' series is pretty good, by Martha Wells...magic, World War I-equivalent technology, and it's not set in an alternate Earth. Three books total, not counting the others set in the same world. Slightly different fantasy, but enjoyable.
If you like your fantasy dark, bloody, and full of equal measures perversion and justice, grab 'Zorachus' and the sequel 'The Nightmare Of God'. The author's name is Mark E. Rogers, and these are hands down some of the best fantasy novels I've ever read. As mentioned previously, these books are definitely adult material. I shouldn't bother with the disclaimer, considering where this post is, but I figure it's considerate to give warning.
For mystery and some comedy set in a China that never was, look for the Master Li and Number Ten Ox books by Barry Hughart. 'Bridge of Birds', 'Eight Skilled Gentlemen', and 'The Story Of The Stone'...they're well written, and despite the fact that there's humor in abundance it never manages to lose a deadly serious edge.
Anything by Robert E Vardeman, but specifically his Cenotaph Road series. Roughly 8 books, great characters, good magic, and a distinctly epic feel. Unfortunately they start to go south at the end, but it's a good ride all the same.
Not fantasy specifically, but S.M. Stirling's Change series is a solid read. Basic premise is that one fine day, technology stops working. Period. Three books in the first set: 'Dies The Fire', 'The Protector's War', 'A Meeting At Corvalis'. There is a second series as well: 'The Sunrise Lands', 'The Scourge Of God', 'The Sword Of The Lady'. Stirling's writing is sometimes spotty, and certain of his attitudes leave something to be desired, but the post-apocalypse/almost non-magic fantasy is still a good read.
China Meiville's Baas-Lag novels. Yes I probably mispelled that, but I'm feeling too lazy to use Google right now. These are impressive fantasy novels, emphasis on the 'fantasy' as there's little else like them. Start with 'Perdido Street Station', and go from there.
Ok, that's what I can provide. Good luck!
Funny you should post this now, as last night I remembered an absolutely awesome fantasy book I read some time ago. Its English translation is called "The Dream Merchant" and while it is originally written for children, I remember it being one heck of an awesome story.
[sub]Note that I am talking about The Dream Merchant, originally written by Isabel Hoving, not The Dream Merchants bye Harold Robbins.[/sub]
[sub]Note that I am talking about The Dream Merchant, originally written by Isabel Hoving, not The Dream Merchants bye Harold Robbins.[/sub]
If I remember my Eddings I believe it went Belgariad, Mallorean, then Elenium. Also I'm pretty sure that The Elenium is in a seperate story line. That being said they are definitely one of my sentimental favorites.Bofus Teefus said:
Beyond that, I've been a shameless Song of Ice and Fire cheerleader for sometime. It's deep and definitely not afraid to shake things up. You can't go wrong with Pratchett either. Especially if you prefer the kooky, random variety of humour.
As a final addition, I would also suggest a Gaiman/Pratchett collaboration called Good Omens. There's only one book, but it is beautifully written and funny as hell.