Fantasy Novels

[Indalecia]

I'm not a stand-alone book kinda guy for the most part. Full series to include:

Robert Jordan (R.I.P. ; ; )
Sword of Truth series - Terry Goodkind
Mithgar series - Dennis L. McKiernan (actually, ALOT of stand alone books in this batch)

Sci-fi:
Honor Harrington series - David Weber

Mix of sci-fi/fantasy with a bucket load of humor:
Fucking ANYTHING by John Ringo (seriously, this guys a fucking trip)
Hightly recommend the "There Will be Dragons" batch by him (Orrrrcs in spaaaaaace!)

[#686578]

Several people mentioned George R.R. Martin without mentioning one of my favorite fantasy series, Wild Cards, This saddens me immensely.

It's a huge engaging story based off of a GURPS Super Heroes campaign (Or was it the Super Powers rule book was based off his books? I can't remember exactly how it happened, however one influenced the other). It's simply amazing, plots and twists everywhere and if you're a true fantasy nerd (Read dorky D&D type basement nerd) you'll love it and be able to appreciate it all that much more.

[Howard Roark]

I understand that you've already bought a book, but if you're looking for something in the future pick up anything written by Robin Hobb. Her way of creating characters that are as complex as anyone you know in real life is incredible. She's one of the greatest authors in the world, not just in the fantasy genre.

Terry Goodkind- Sword Of Truth Series

While this isn't the best technical fantasy series ever it's my favorite for sentimental reasons. Basically, it's Ayn Rand's objectivist theories set in a fantasy world. It's genius in my opinion.

i actually read this series, but eventually with a horrified fascination that I couldn't look away from this heavy handed formulaic trainwreck OH GOD KAHALAN HAS GONE MISSING AND RICHARD HAS AN INSURMOUNTABLE FOE BUT WILL OVERCOME LIEK HARDY BOYS

god i hate terry goodkind for ruining his own books

it honestly started off good (well* shaddap) but the attempted ayn randing was really obvious and butchered and unwanted. i love fantasy novels but god help you if you try something heavy handed and hammy in an already strained category of books, plagued by re-hased formulaic pulp with 3-6 races and a hero with a past and a newly discovered talent he can't quite wield properly but comes out just enough with each battle

plus every book is called NOUN of NOUN

oh, and Stone of Tears' back has something to the effect of "Will Kahaln be able to achieve the one thing you could never have... Love." and it had the word epic in there somewhere

EPIC LOVE

c'maaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaan!

/rant

[Kayos]

The Hyperion series by Dan Simmons has many elements of fantasy and sci-fi, and it's just a damn fun read. I really loved reading this series, second to only the Hickman and Weis books from my childhood.

One of the best series of all time imo.

Also Wheel of Time, Feist, Goodkind, and don't forget Terry Brooks and the original Sword of Shannara was good.

[SilverBreeze]

I'm surprised no one has mentioned any of David Eddings' writing, namely...

The Belgariad
The Mallorean

And my favorite... the Elenium and the Tamuli

The Elenium
The Tamuli

If you're into Sci-Fi Fantasy, things like Star Wars, you can't really go wrong with Timothy Zahn, Michael Stackpole, or Aaron Allston.

[Michaera]

I've got to give kudos to whoever suggested the Discworld books. We were in the bookstore the other day and couldn't find what we wanted, so I was browsing and found that author and was like "hmm..." Picked up Guards! Guards! and been loving it so far. Awesome book. xD

I've got to agree with some of the criticism here on the Terry Goodkind/Robert Jordan books. I read a number of the first ones in each series but started to get so turned off, but it's hard to put my finger on just why. I can't even distinguish between the two series anymore, but I know one felt sooo much like reading some kind of steamy romance book with a fantasy shell draped loosely over it. Apparently it's cool for lots of people since they're awful popular, but it just wasn't my thing.

[Someonher]

Stunned that there isn't more mention of Erikson on here. The man is superlative, a modern day literary genius with character development, far reaching plot spinning and incredible storytelling. After reading his Malazan series, it's hard to enjoy other books because they lack his sophistication, his depth. His subtley. Amazing. Little touches of humor that will make you laugh out loud the next day. Happens to me all the time.

Agree 100%. Got book 8 waiting for me right now once I have some free time.

[Gere]

I'd second Xanth if you're looking for something stand-alone. There's like 30+ novels in the series, but they all stand pretty well on their own. The first one is A Spell for Chameleon. Just be prepared for a tremendous abundance of puns.

They stand alone because it's the same novel written 30 times with different puns.


And yet I continue to buy them...

[Silviya]

To me, not too many single fantasy novels out there....I'm sure there are, but so far I haven't come across anything.... Majority of them are always in Triliogy format.... I mean, you can pick up "Enders Game" if you want. Granted, it's in a series... but the first book stands enough on it's own if you are looking for just one book.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enders_game more of sci-fi fantasy, but still, good book none the less

^
This

[TheShadyMan]

Elizabeth Kerner's A Song in The Silence, The Lesser Kindred, and Redeeming The Lost.
Wanna read a book about a chick banging a dragon and having a badass demon baby?
I bet you do.

[Cesaria]

As stated before - god damn I love Pratchett's Discworld, and I'm not generally a fantasy novel nutcase. I live with a fantasy novel nut though - by heck buying his Xmas presents has trashed my Amazon recommendations page lol.