Fantasy novels
Discussion
since we have one for scifi I thought I'd see if there were any similar takers for fantasy. I guess that the one problem fantasy has is that it's seen as "Tolkien 'n' s
t" whereas even outside of the generic pulp novels and novellas there is a huge range of well written stuff out there.
On the pulp side (and still enjoyable) you have the likes of R E Howard and Conan/Kull for example
Heroic fantasy David Gemmell for me is a stand out
Time travel fantasy David Webber & Eric Flint with their 1633 series (or Harry Turtledove - though this can and does cross over into sci-fi)
Urban fantasy Jim Butcher and his Harry Dresden series
A new author I've stumbled across is Brian G Turner and his Chronicles of Empire series ( https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01M2UHXR8/ref=as_li_s... ) which I have high hopes for
Let's have some recommendations (or indeed tell me I'm wrong and that Gemmell is st - though you'd be mistaken <grin>)
t" whereas even outside of the generic pulp novels and novellas there is a huge range of well written stuff out there.On the pulp side (and still enjoyable) you have the likes of R E Howard and Conan/Kull for example
Heroic fantasy David Gemmell for me is a stand out
Time travel fantasy David Webber & Eric Flint with their 1633 series (or Harry Turtledove - though this can and does cross over into sci-fi)
Urban fantasy Jim Butcher and his Harry Dresden series
A new author I've stumbled across is Brian G Turner and his Chronicles of Empire series ( https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01M2UHXR8/ref=as_li_s... ) which I have high hopes for
Let's have some recommendations (or indeed tell me I'm wrong and that Gemmell is s
t - though you'd be mistaken <grin>)as a much younger person than I am now I did enjoy the Dragonlance series of novels (and indeed some of the Ravenloft ones too). the problem is that in the expanded D&D novels universe the writing can be a little 'patchy'
A great series to read is The Kingslayer Chronicles by Patrick Rothfuss (book one is The Name of The Wind which weighs in at 662 pages)
A great series to read is The Kingslayer Chronicles by Patrick Rothfuss (book one is The Name of The Wind which weighs in at 662 pages)
RogueTrooper said:
AlexC1981 said:
I was also very big on the D&D cartoon, but never played the game properly. I don't want to play a role-playing book, just read a good adventure story in those sort of "realms".
There are a few series which might reasonably be regarded as "D&D" classics:The Dragonlance series (mostly) by Margaret Weiss and Tracy Hickman provide canon for many of the game modules. The opening trilogy starts with Dragons Of Autumn Twilight.
Many of the older Forgotten Realms novels are very good too. R.A.Salvatore was one of the more prolific authors within this series.
I'd qualify my recommendations by saying some of the (much) later books suffered in comparison to the earlier material.
Thought I'd pop this one in here. The Monarchies of God series
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Hawkwoods-Voyage-Monarchi...
Remember really enjoying it some years back
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Hawkwoods-Voyage-Monarchi...
Remember really enjoying it some years back
hkz286 said:
not strictly fantasy but urban fantasy, I have really enjoyed The Dresden Files by Jim Butcher. I've always like fantasy novels but they are a bit heavy for me, these were a perfect compromise 
If you enjoyed those you might enjoy:The Hellequin Chronicles
Or
Benedict Jacka's - Alex Versus series
tonyb1968 said:
Think the first fantasy I read was Lord of the Rings, totally enjoyed it, kept me going during basic training, even with
the slow parts.
After that I think it was the Dragon Lance books, those were great and got me really hooked again, then I was pointed to
Raymond E Fiest, read the whole series of those and loved them all.
After that it was Terry Brooks and David Gemmell, tried Donaldson but just found it soooo hard going to read so binned it.
You've just described me ok lolthe slow parts.
After that I think it was the Dragon Lance books, those were great and got me really hooked again, then I was pointed to
Raymond E Fiest, read the whole series of those and loved them all.
After that it was Terry Brooks and David Gemmell, tried Donaldson but just found it soooo hard going to read so binned it.
DibblyDobbler said:
Just re-read Feist's Riftwar Saga - magnificent and possibly my favorite fantasy books of all. Tried The Riftwar Legacy - just ok to be honest.
Picked up Gemmel's 'Legend' on a bit of a whim a few days back - read it about 30 years ago as a student and oh my God it's good, absolutely recommend for anybody who has not read it.
Not sure what to go for next so will have a dig about in the thread
TBH I've got a whole stack of DG books to re-read. I'm particularly keen on Waylander Picked up Gemmel's 'Legend' on a bit of a whim a few days back - read it about 30 years ago as a student and oh my God it's good, absolutely recommend for anybody who has not read it.
Not sure what to go for next so will have a dig about in the thread
A fun series I've happened across is Brian Helsing. Very English (IMO) and great light-hearted fun
Ace-T said:
Another urban fantasy worth checking out is the Dan OMalley The Rook and the follow up Stiletto. They shot straight into my desert island bookcase along with every Pratchett, the Invisible Library, Magician series, LOTR, Dresden and a few others I will add when I remember.
Sounds to be right up my street - next on my Kindle list.tertius said:
On a related point does anyone else find that with multi-book series its damn difficult to follow the sequence of books on the Kindle? The old way of a quick flip to the inside front cover (or similar) to see what order the books are in and what is next has disappeared and it becomes a look it up elsewhere or try to jump back and forth within the Kindle somehow. Plus I never know that the title of the damn book I am reading is anyway as you don't see the cover every time you pick it up!
Would this help?https://www.bookseriesinorder.com
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