Fantasy Recommended Reading

[Eridanis]

I'm reading this now and I'm finding the writing to be decidedly... dodgy. Dodgy enough that's its inhibiting my reading a bit. Hopefully it gets better.

It's been a while since I've reread the earlier novels; Jhereg was his first novel, and his skill may well have increased as he goes along. Certainly, the second and third books in that series are his nadir, IMO. (Yendi is one I've never re-read.)

Brust is excellent at changing writing styles to suit the POV of the character telling the story. The Phoenix Guards series was deliberately written in the style of Dumas, explicitly mimicing the voice and structure of the Three Musketeers stories. It's been a while since I've read Gypsy, a standalone fantasy, but I remember the style of that being very Dashell Hammett/gritty detective. Brust likes to hide himself behind the words. I think it's the character actor in him.

Which is not to say "you must like it at all costs," of course!

Oh, and add my tickmark next to those nominating Robin Hobb and Elizabeth Moon. Great stories, great writing, and two very different authorial styles.

 

[Wombat]

I feel ashamed.

I forgot one of my favourite fantasy authors -- Charles de Lint.

Read him, love him.

 

[The Grumpy Celt]

The fantasy books by Stephen King.
Black House
Eyes of the Dragon
The Gunslinger
The Drawing of the Three
The Waste Lands
Wizard and Glass
Wolves of the Calla
Song of Susannah
The Dark Tower

 

[Asmo]

I´m surprised that no one has mentioned on of the classics - imho - Katharine Kerr´s wonderful and gripping books, firmly rooted in celtic fantasy. A must read. Be warned though, there´s a lot to read

And Robin Hobb,of course. I love her writing, simply brilliant. Low fantasy,but with wonderful characters of flesh and blood.

Ahh, there´s so much to read and so little time.

Asmo

 

[Tonguez]

If you thought Conan was good then read Solomon Kane by REH, they are even better

and don't forget the works of Philip José Farmer

 

[Darth Shoju]

That was great everyone. I've got a terrific list of fantasy fiction to choose from now. All of your contributions were much appreciated!

 

[Ibram]

Robert E Howard, not just Conan but Kane, MacMourn and his other characters as well.

The Felix and Gotrek saga by William King

Grudgebearer by William King

The Malus Darkblade series from the Black Library (if you want to read about realy evil elves)

Riders of the Dead by Dan Abenet

 

[Mycanid]

Yes - Tolkien is the greatest IMO. So many of the other good ones have been mentioned already:

The Earthsea trilogy
Memory, Sorrow and Thorn
etc., etc.

I would suggest something a little out of the ordinary, though, that I found VERY interesting and that you might too:

Try the Icelandic sagas and/or eddas. The Skaldic poetry can be interesting at times too. "Egil's Saga" comes to mind immediately. You might even be able to find online translations if you want to preview them (although I often prefer having an actual book in my hand). These things are amazingly beautiful at times.

 

[Darth Shoju]

I would suggest something a little out of the ordinary, though, that I found VERY interesting and that you might too:

Try the Icelandic sagas and/or eddas. The Skaldic poetry can be interesting at times too. "Egil's Saga" comes to mind immediately. You might even be able to find online translations if you want to preview them (although I often prefer having an actual book in my hand). These things are amazingly beautiful at times.

Interesting suggestion. I actually have Njall's Saga but I haven't gotten around to reading it yet. Thanks for reminding me!

 

[Tonguez]

Robert E Howard, not just Conan but Kane, MacMourn and his other characters as well.

you mean Bran Mak Morn yes? the leader of the degenerate picts kewl

I also like Francis Xavier Gordon (El Borak) whom I think on par with the Solomon Kane storys

The others make a fun resd but these four are the outstanding characters