Good fantasy reads?
Scott Christian
Hero
Didn't read all the posts so apologize if it was mentioned:
Rothfuss is an amazing writer. Name of the Wind is beautifully done. However, he will probably not finish his series. So there is the "why bother" side.
Marlon James', Black Leopard Red Wolf, is another book with prose that jump out. It has a unique setting and is dark if that is your thing. But, the narrator is unreliable on purpose, so it leads to another "why bother" mental state again.
King's Dark Tower series is great, as are many on the initial lists I saw.
Elfquest for the graphic novel lover. The very first book, while looking back is a bit childish, is incredibly well crafted. It is hard to have a more perfect story arc outside of a Disney movie. And Wendy Pini's art is glorious to look at. The next three books take on a more adult tone.
Rothfuss is an amazing writer. Name of the Wind is beautifully done. However, he will probably not finish his series. So there is the "why bother" side.
Marlon James', Black Leopard Red Wolf, is another book with prose that jump out. It has a unique setting and is dark if that is your thing. But, the narrator is unreliable on purpose, so it leads to another "why bother" mental state again.
King's Dark Tower series is great, as are many on the initial lists I saw.
Elfquest for the graphic novel lover. The very first book, while looking back is a bit childish, is incredibly well crafted. It is hard to have a more perfect story arc outside of a Disney movie. And Wendy Pini's art is glorious to look at. The next three books take on a more adult tone.
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Pretty much everything he does is great.
Baron Opal II
Hero
I second Bujold's Curse of Chalion and subsequent books. A great take on believable divinities.
Richard Garfinkle's Celestial Matters is an interesting story where Aristotlean physics are true.
The Night Land by W.H. Hodgson is a turgid, and slightly objectionable tale. However, John Stoddard re-wrote it in a more legible and enjoyable form that lets you explore Hodgson's interesting worldbuilding. The Night Land's main issue is that it was a 19th century story written in a supposed 18th century style. That made it hard to read. The retelling is much more accessible.
The Half Made World by Felix Gilman is a cool story about the domineering Engines of the Line and the erratic Agents of the Gun. A fun Law v Chaos twist.
Richard Garfinkle's Celestial Matters is an interesting story where Aristotlean physics are true.
The Night Land by W.H. Hodgson is a turgid, and slightly objectionable tale. However, John Stoddard re-wrote it in a more legible and enjoyable form that lets you explore Hodgson's interesting worldbuilding. The Night Land's main issue is that it was a 19th century story written in a supposed 18th century style. That made it hard to read. The retelling is much more accessible.
The Half Made World by Felix Gilman is a cool story about the domineering Engines of the Line and the erratic Agents of the Gun. A fun Law v Chaos twist.
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Sacrosanct
Legend
If you haven't read David Eddings, you need to. One of my top authors.
If you want a typical fantasy romp without a bunch of complexity but fun reads, then also Terry Brooks and Jim Butcher (non traditional fantasy--Dresden files) come to mind. I'm also a fan of Tad Williams.
Not a huge fan of Rothfuss, and I know I'm in the minority here. Even if you get around how he will probably never finish the series, I was put off by how much a Gary Stu Kvothe was. It's one of the big reasons why I don't read much of Salvatore if the book has Drizzt in it (Not Salvatore's fault, and i generally enjoy his writing otherwise). It felt like Rothfuss heard complaints about Drizzt being a Gary stu and saying "hold my beer."
If you want a typical fantasy romp without a bunch of complexity but fun reads, then also Terry Brooks and Jim Butcher (non traditional fantasy--Dresden files) come to mind. I'm also a fan of Tad Williams.
Not a huge fan of Rothfuss, and I know I'm in the minority here. Even if you get around how he will probably never finish the series, I was put off by how much a Gary Stu Kvothe was. It's one of the big reasons why I don't read much of Salvatore if the book has Drizzt in it (Not Salvatore's fault, and i generally enjoy his writing otherwise). It felt like Rothfuss heard complaints about Drizzt being a Gary stu and saying "hold my beer."
TwoSix
Dirty, realism-hating munchkin powergamer
I've certainly heard that complaint, and I can appreciate it, but it never really resonated with me. Kvothe is a preternatural genius, and part of the fun in the book is watching him be a preternatural genius (and still often getting screwed over despite it). There's an element of "competence porn" to it, much like some modern retellings of Sherlock.
TwoSix
Dirty, realism-hating munchkin powergamer
Can't claim credit for it, that's John Rogers of Leverage fame.
Eyes of Nine
Everything's Fine
Holy smokes I just started reading the first of Robin Hobb's books - Assassin's Apprentice. And by started, I read 100 pages on day 1, and 200 pages yesterday, and just reserved book 2 at the library and will head over to the used bookstore for book 3 in about 20 minutes.
It is so amazing. I am told the rest of the related books are also really good. I think there are multiple trilogies set in the same world of the Six Duchies.
Great world-building, relatable protagonist, excellent "npcs" ie side characters. Villain not yet revealed, but Hobb is slowly peeling back layers in her reveal.
I probably shouldn't recommend the series until I finish at least book 1, because she may fail the ending. However, this book is one of the few that a bunch of my Goodreads friends have all read, and all of them gave it 4 or 5 stars.
It is so amazing. I am told the rest of the related books are also really good. I think there are multiple trilogies set in the same world of the Six Duchies.
Great world-building, relatable protagonist, excellent "npcs" ie side characters. Villain not yet revealed, but Hobb is slowly peeling back layers in her reveal.
I probably shouldn't recommend the series until I finish at least book 1, because she may fail the ending. However, this book is one of the few that a bunch of my Goodreads friends have all read, and all of them gave it 4 or 5 stars.
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