Good, recent Fantasy books

[AuroraGyps]

I like Jim Butcher's The Dresden Files series.

Butcher also has a fantasy series out called The Alera Codex that's an "other world" fantasy and is mostly about elemental magic, but there's a lot of politics stuff in it too. The third book just came out in hardcover & I'm waiting for it from my library.

I read the first book when I lived in Buffalo and really liked it. After I moved back in with my parents (for about the last 1 1/2 years), I kept trying to get the second one through the library, till last month I actually went out and bought the paperback. With the library and my mom's book sales, I almost never, ever buy books full price, so doing so says something about how much I like Butcher and this series.

The library system got the newest book (they still don't have book 2) and the new Dresden book (they have all the others, but some have the new covers w/ the Dresden TV series mentioned), so I guess the Sci Fi channel series has done something good for Butcher.

 

[Zaukrie]

Guy Gavriel Kay's 2nd to last book - it takes place in the celtic world. light on magic, but more than most of his books.

I just finished American Gods. Interesting book, but not for everyone. Can be adult in feel!

 

[Angel Tarragon]

Great thread. I was going to start one exactly like it this morning for the same reasons.

 

[Mistwell]

Does George R.R. Martin books count as new?

 

[Olive]

Does George R.R. Martin books count as new?

Definitely not.

 

[Hairy Minotaur]

I'm liking the Jim C. Hines "Jig the Goblin" series Goblin Quest and the second book Goblin Hero, the series details heroism from a goblin's perspective and about finding faith through a goblin's eye.

The first book has Jig the Goblin forced to lead a group of adventures through a necromancer's realm and kill a dragon.

The second book has Jig dealing with being a goblin hero and all the people who come out of the woodwork who want you to solve their monsterous problems for them, this book has hobgoblins, ogres, and pixies.

They are quick reads, the first book reminded me of several gaming sessions I've been in as far as the invading adverturer's attitudes were concerned, the second book is full of morality issues and choices all leaders must face, only the goblins as a race are chaotic and opportunistic two things that would hamper any organization.

 

[Michael Tree]

Guy Gavriel Kay's 2nd to last book - it takes place in the celtic world. light on magic, but more than most of his books.

Do you mean Last Light of the Sun? It's a norse setting, not celtic. I definitely recommend it, though if you haven't read any Kay I think Tigana is his best book.

I second the recommendation for Elantris. It's refreshingly original, not at all your typical adventure story.

If you want something weird and fun and modern, try The Coyote Kings of the Space-Age Bachelor Pad. It's an amalgamation of modern geek culture, drug subculture, and ancient African mythology. Plus, it has character sheets for the main characters.

 

[Ralif Redhammer]

I'm liking the Jim C. Hines "Jig the Goblin" series Goblin Quest and the second book Goblin Hero, the series details heroism from a goblin's perspective and about finding faith through a goblin's eye.

This sounds really neat. I'll have to keep an eye out for it.

On a similar note, I enjoyed Dragon Champion, by E.E. Knight - semi-traditional fantasy (I say semi, because there are some different bits, like the author's take on dwarves) novel from the perspective a young dragon.

 

[Hairy Minotaur]

This sounds really neat. I'll have to keep an eye out for it.

On a similar note, I enjoyed Dragon Champion, by E.E. Knight - semi-traditional fantasy (I say semi, because there are some different bits, like the author's take on dwarves) novel from the perspective a young dragon.

Have you read Dragon Avenger the second book in the series? It details Auron's sister's journey and is a lot slower than Champion I liked it less than Champion but is a good read for how he deals with elves and if you liked his take on dwarves in the first book wait until you see what he does with them at the end on the second book.