Thread: Great fantasy novels

I read fantasy pretty much exclusively. Occasionally I'll read something else for the experience, but I always come back to fantasy.

I've noticed that fantasy seems to be generally looked down upon. While people have no problem boasting about their latest dive into a novel of non-fiction or fiction that takes place in the real world, fantasy books seem to be considered as unintellectual children's stories. It's assumed that they are dragon-filled worlds that are exciting and fun to read but have no real substance to them. It's assumed that they consist of flat characters, that they're written poorly or simply, that their target audience is children, that they never center around real problems, etc. I've found myself embarrassed to even admit that I read fantasy. (Maybe the problem stems from the word: 'fantasy', as it implies its synonym).

The fantasy I read is written for adults. It's entertaining, but often well-written with complex plot and character. The issues mirror real problems in the real world. They are ofen surprisingly philosophical. Although there are often dragons and other cliche elements, I get the feeling with the better books that those things are thrown in on purpose, sort of as a mockery of the cliche.

I'll make a list of a few of the better fantasy series I've read. If anyone has other books to add, please do. I know there must be many out there I haven't read yet.

Spoiler for List of fantasy novels (no actual spoilers):

A Song of Ice and Fire - The first book has been made into the first season of the HBO series Game of Thrones, so this series has become rather popular. This novel is the ideal of the type of 'good' fantasy I'm trying to advocate. It has everything - complex character, plot, very well-written, etc. It's my favorite fantasy series. (Tip: If anyone's read this series and liked it and wants more like it, try reading Acacia, not nearly as amazing but very similar and still really good, like asoiaf on a smaller scale with 9/10 instead of 10/10 elements).

The Gentleman Bastard Sequence - The first book is called The Lies of Locke Lamora. This is a fantasy that feels a lot like non-fiction literature. Even most of the cliches are gone from this series. It's mostly a heist story. It did not interest me at first, and I found it a bit boring until about half way through the first book. By the end of the second book though, it was one of the most entertaining series I'd ever read. It was clever, funny, and sad at times. The characters have depth that is shown through actions and words more than thoughts. It expresses surprising gender equality. It's hard to explain what makes this series so great without actually reading it.

The Farseer Trilogy - This is the most real-feeling fantasy series I've read in my life. The author has no empathy for what happens to her characters. I think this is even more real and raw than ASOIAF. Written in first-person, this doesn't even feel like a story being written. It feels like a real experience being told. You go through an entire book expecting that someting will happen, then it doesn't. As in real life, there is no force shaping the world and guaranteeing a certain outcome.

There are a few more I considered putting on this list, other very entertaining fantasy novels, but I think these 3 sum up the kind of fantasy I think more people should know about.

I for one love fantasy, as you said, its pretty much the only genre i read, occasionally i will read another book, but only its its like a really popular book like the alchemist or something. Next time i go to the library, i'll try to find those books. Might i ask how long they are (i like long books, im just curious)

I'm reading a Song of Ice and Fire at the moment. It's pretty good.

I really enjoyed Mistborn and The Night Angel series.

ASOIAF has 5 books (going to have 7) that are around 1000 pages each. The Gentleman Bastard Sequence has 2 books right now that are about 600 pages. The Farseer Trilogy has 3 books aorund 600 pages each. Those are in my versions of the books.

I'd recommend the first and third on my list especially. The second was good but really different, and the fact that it was boring (for me) until halfway through the first book might make it not worth reading. As for pure entertainment fantasy, Mistborn and The Kingkiller Chronicles. Mistborn has been the most entertaining book for me, TKC is really entertaining too and feels pretty realistic.

yeah, i was planning on reading the third one from your list, im not reading 7000 pages :3 I cant read boring books period. If its boring i wont pay attention and wont get the story, then screw it

i'll see if the books in the farseer trilogy are at my library.

I feel exactly the same Dianeva.

I recently read 'The Name of the Wind' and 'The Wise Man's Fear' (Kingkiller Chronicles) by Patrick Rothfuss, Have to say I really enjoyed them, and I think you may too, he strays from cliches and even discusses them through the main protagonist in the book, It's weird, you would have to read it to understand what I mean. There are a lot of good characters with depth in as well. Anyway, both highly recommended...

Of course, you may have already read them.

I am after a fantasy novel about dragons. Any suggestions?

Originally Posted by Am I dreaming

I recently read 'The Name of the Wind' and 'The Wise Man's Fear' (Kingkiller Chronicles) by Patrick Rothfuss, Have to say I really enjoyed them, and I think you may too, he strays from cliches and even discusses them through the main protagonist in the book, It's weird, you would have to read it to understand what I mean. There are a lot of good characters with depth in as well. Anyway, both highly recommended...

Of course, you may have already read them.

Yes, I've read them, those books were amazing! I finished with Wise Man's Fear just a few weeks ago.

Originally Posted by mrdeano

I am after a fantasy novel about dragons. Any suggestions?

I purposely stay away from books like that. If a book is about the most cliche element in fantasy, it's probably going to be a children's book that lacks character depth and is about good vs evil, etc.

Theres always 'The Inheritance Cycle' thats all about dragons, but the first book Eragon is for children in my opinion, but the books mature through the cycle. Still worth a read.

Haven't read many fantasy novels, well, aside from the granddaddy of them all The Lord of the Rings (one of the best things I've ever ingested) - but I do subscribe to Fantasy and Science Fiction magazine (F&SF as we affectionately refer to it), and it often includes some real gems. I love having great reading material just appear in my mailbox every so often... I don't even have to go searching for it!

Oh and about dragons... probably The Dragonriders series by Anne McCaffery. I haven't read it, and I don't know if it's any good or just cliched drivel, but it's very well-known.