Good standalone fantasy fiction

[Cthulhu's Librarian]

A Scattering of Jades by Alexander C. Irvine

On Stranger Tides by Tim Powers (if you can find a copy...)

Perdido Street Station by China Mieville

 

[WizarDru]

Hughart's book is one of the great underappreciated works (and works centered on Chinese fantasy are pretty darned rare, to begin with). It's sequels are equally delightful, and stand on their own, as well.

I haven't seen anyone mention The Misenchanted Sword, by Lawrence Watt-Evans, so I will. It's good light fare.

 

[Pielorinho]

A Scattering of Jades by Alexander C. Irvine

On Stranger Tides by Tim Powers (if you can find a copy...)

Perdido Street Station by China Mieville

Your tastes and mine intersect quite nicely. I was pleasantly surprised by A Scattering of Jades and would recommend it to folks who like Tim Powers; while the influence is obvious, the characters are rather different in tone.

Daniel