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Recommended FANTASY books, Other fantasy containing might and magic

Viva View Member Profile	Jan 28 2005, 08:52 AM Post #1
Eeylops Owl Cage Cleaner Posts: 229 Joined: 7:57am January 28, 2005 Location: Tokyo, Japan	So, since we all love Harry Potter so much, I thought it would be a good idea for other readers like myself to recommend any other fantasy books/series they like. Please keep recommendations to fantasy books, otherwise it will get too crowed to quickly. Appreciatively, Viva. Okay, recommended books/series from me. A lot of mine are Australian authors, but I know that these are books available in other countries. Trudi Canavan: The Black Magician Trilogy Consisting of The Magican's Guild, The Novice, The High Lord . It is about a young girl, called Sonea, who is the better part of a "slum girl," someone of the lowest class. In the yearly purge of vagrants from the city, Sonea, so sick of how she and her fellow friends and family are treated, throws a rock at the Magical Barrier that keeps the good away from the bad...and it goes through! Now it's a race against time for the Magicians to find her and train her newly awakened powers before her magic spins out of control. But Sonea has other ideas... Very good series, I recommend to anyone. Isobelle Carmody The Obernewtyn Chronicles Consisting of: Obernewtyn, The Farseekers, Ashling, The Keeping Place, The Sending (not yet published). After "The Great White" (aka, nuclear holocaust) Society turns back it's clocks to the medieval era, no electricty, and books are forbidden. The series follow a young girl, Elspeth, deemed a misfit by society, ends up at the secretive place in the mountains called Obernewtyn. Here, along with some newly found friends, she discovers something wicked is happening, and it involves all the children at Obernewtyn. For most of the people here possess powerful mind talents that people woundn't even dream about, including Elspeth. One of my first ever series, and at 20, I still thoughly love it. More suited to 14 year olds at the start, but evolves into darker novels as they progress. Mercedes Lackey The Valdemar Series Consisting of: Way way too many books! The Valdemar series follows the life and times of "Heralds" champions of the Queen and the country of Valdemars last resort. They posses wonderful spirit horses called "companions" that are a gift from the gods and with a special bond between rider and companion, they are up to facing anything. Awesome, awesome series. Too hard to describe. I would say go to Amazon or similar to read up on these books. American author so it's really really hard to find in Australia Kate Constable Chanters of Tremaris Trilogy Consisting of : The Singer of All Songs, The Waterless Sea, The Tenth Power Calwyn has lived all her life behind the enchated wall of Ice that surrounds the Preistesses of Antaris. But when a stranger appears inside the wall, speaking of danger, she abandons her post with the preistesses and goes on a journey to discover just what has happend to the other magic-singers of the world. I recommend this series to any younger kids, 14 or even younger if they are a good reader. I had plenty more authors and series, but I just looked at the length of my post and realised I went a bit nuts. So maybe I'll add some more in the future. -------------------- <a href="http://www.the-leaky-cauldron.org/#quiz:results:121639"><img src="http://www.the-leaky-cauldron.org/newquiz/take_quiz/image_sm/121639" /></a>

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Replies (1 - 99)

Maryann View Member Profile	Jan 28 2005, 10:01 AM Post #2
Being Eaten by the Pea Soup Posts: 30 Joined: 9:12am January 28, 2005	My favorite, absolute favorite books ever (second only to HP), are the ones in The Bartimaeus Trilogy by Jonathan Stroud. It's about a boy apprenticed to a magician. There are two social classes in England: Magicians, and commoners. Magicians' only power comes from the demons they summon... Nah, I won't say any more. Pick up the book wherever you can... it's fantastic!

anna0099 View Member Profile	Jan 28 2005, 11:07 AM Post #3
Just Through the Brick Wall Posts: 4 Joined: 10:40am January 28, 2005	Oooooooh, I have stuff to add to this thread, but I need some time to put it together properly, so it will just have to wait. Thank you for starting this thread, though. I think it's a great idea!

discombobulated_... discombobulated_donkey View Member Profile	Jan 28 2005, 11:24 AM Post #4
Just Through the Brick Wall Posts: 12 Joined: 5:16am January 28, 2005 Location: South Australia	as soon as I saw this thread I thought of the Obernewtyn chronicles, but seeing as you beat me to it Viva, I'll start with the next best thing... Isobelle Carmody The Legendsong Saga Consisting of: Darkfall, Darksong. (Darkbane, unpublished) Fraternal twins Glynn and Ember are transported from Earth to the paralell world of Keltor. There they learn of the mythological Unraveller, who has not only the fate of Keltor, but also the fate of Earth in their hands. Hmm I'm not very good at writing blurbs for books, but they're very good books, aimed more towards adults than Carmody's other work, they're very dark, what I call "hard core" fantasy. Hard to keep track of things on the first reading, but there's powerful themes and symbolism which really strike you the second time around. well that's a start, I'll add more when it's not such an ungodly hour of the morning.

malcolm1980 View Member Profile	Jan 28 2005, 11:30 AM Post #5
Scribbulus Everchanging Inks Changer Posts: 1,303 Joined: 7:33am January 28, 2005 Location: Manila, Philippines	A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle

Cyllan View Member Profile	Jan 28 2005, 11:33 AM Post #6
Just Through the Brick Wall Posts: 7 Joined: 10:58am January 28, 2005	Hello guys! If you want to read some really amazing fantasy fiction, try Louise Cooper's "Time Master" trilogy ("The Initiate", "The Outcast" and "The Master" are the titles of each book). It's the best I've ever read. It has been out of print for some time, but it's gonna be republished soon by Mundania Press. If you don't want to wait, you can get second hand copies for sale at Amazon and e-Bay. You won't be disappointed, I promise! It's a powerful and well-told story set in a fascinating world with very realistic characters. I suck at summaries, and it would be unfair to spoil any part of the story for you, so I thought I'd cut and paste here comments from readers at amazon.com: a rough spoilers-free summary: "The story focuses on a young boy, nameless at first, who through tragic circumstances reveals that he has a phenomenal amount of sorcerous power. He is miraculously transported to the Castle of the Star Peninsula, the ruling seat of the highest of the two religious organizations which govern the world: the Circle. There the boy, who names himself Tarod, seems to fit in perfectly, in an environment where his hunger for occult knowledge and magical power are encouraged---at first. But Tarod is different from the other initiates of the Circle. He's arrogant and hot-tempered and a bit cold and cruel, although he is also fiercely loyal and scrupulously honorable. He scorns their adherence to ritual and tradition, and experiments with magic in ways that no one else would dare. Yet the greatest difference between him and the other initiates only begins to make itself known gradually and insidiously, slipping into his dreams and darkening his personality yet further. His fellow initiates react to these changes with fear and suspicion, and gradually they begin to close ranks against the outsider." reviews: "When I first stumbled across the Time Master Series I had reached a point where I was sick of fantasy. All the heroes were alike--supermen of virtue--and essentially undynamic. Tarod, the "hero" of this series was different, the most interesting character that I had read about in years. He got murderously angry, he caused havoc, he didn't follow the rules--he was sinister. For once, here was a series that didn't just fight a war or go on some long journey in order to protect the status quo. In these books the characters are real enough so that you cannot truly pick out the good guys--everyone is a mixture of good and evil, everyone is human (sort of)." "And its a good bit more than the old good vs. evil and good wins b-s. This is about a spiritual quest that we all face in life. The depth of the characters and thier interactions blows me away every time, they could be real people you meet on the street. This is the best blend of magic, society, govt, and human emotion I have ever seen. reading the tales of friendship, enimity, love, and betrayel amongst the characters sort of feels like a history of another time. I attribute this story more than anything for my own ideals and expectations for true love. It has also set me on a vision quest of sorts to lead a more moral life and fight against injustice and prejudice in our world. If you read one book this year, let this be it."

Muffin View Member Profile	Jan 28 2005, 11:55 AM Post #7
Just Through the Brick Wall Posts: 5 Joined: 11:28am January 28, 2005 Location: Massachusetts	All of Tamora Pierce's books are really good. Some are Tricksters Queen and Page. For ages 13+

Shaun (dead) View Member Profile	Jan 28 2005, 12:14 PM Post #8
Just Through the Brick Wall Posts: 2 Joined: 11:41am January 28, 2005 Location: Britain	The Discworld novels by Terry Pratchett. Some of the best books I have ever read, including my current favourite Night Watch. All the novels are set on a discworld (surprise, surprise) carried on the back of four giant elephants, who themselves stand on the back of a huge star turtle. Pure class.

Clare View Member Profile	Jan 28 2005, 12:25 PM Post #9
Does Not Possess the Inner "i" Posts: 121 Joined: 2:28pm January 5, 2005 Location: England	QUOTE(Maryann @ Jan. 27 2005,2:01) My favorite, absolute favorite books ever (second only to HP), are the ones in The Bartimaeus Trilogy by Jonathan Stroud. It's about a boy apprenticed to a magician. There are two social classes in England: Magicians, and commoners. Magicians' only power comes from the demons they summon... Nah, I won't say any more. Pick up the book wherever you can... it's fantastic! Is 'The Amulet of Samarkand' part of that Trilogy (remember the author's name from somewhere)? I've heard that it's great book, you'd recommend it, then? I'm reading 'The Subtle Knife' by Philip Pullman, at the moment, amongst other things. Haven't got very far into it but am quite enjoying it. Clare -------------------- As he stood there, looking at the pale, slender girl with her toy theatre, a little puppet made of scavenged scraps of cloth held in fingers whose nails were jagged and torn from hours spent trying to remove the paint from a wooden box, there were no words.~ 'Between Two Gates' by Bryan Methods.

April View Member Profile	Jan 28 2005, 12:36 PM Post #10
Just Through the Brick Wall Posts: 15 Joined: 8:51am January 28, 2005 Location: PA	I have only found 2 series that I have enjoyed since I found Harry Potter. I have such a hard time enjoying other series now! The Bartimaeus Trilogy was really good. I bought the second book the week it came out because I couldn't wait to read the second book. Now I will be waiting for book 3. I really enjoyed His Dark Materials by Phillip Pullman. I got all three books at once so I was able to read the whole series back to back. It was really good.

Clare View Member Profile	Jan 28 2005, 12:41 PM Post #11
Does Not Possess the Inner "i" Posts: 121 Joined: 2:28pm January 5, 2005 Location: England	QUOTE(April @ Jan. 27 2005,4:36) I have only found 2 series that I have enjoyed since I found Harry Potter. I have such a hard time enjoying other series now! The Bartimaeus Trilogy was really good. I bought the second book the week it came out because I couldn't wait to read the second book. Now I will be waiting for book 3. I really enjoyed His Dark Materials by Phillip Pullman. I got all three books at once so I was able to read the whole series back to back. It was really good. April, which was your favourite of His Dark Materials? Clare -------------------- As he stood there, looking at the pale, slender girl with her toy theatre, a little puppet made of scavenged scraps of cloth held in fingers whose nails were jagged and torn from hours spent trying to remove the paint from a wooden box, there were no words.~ 'Between Two Gates' by Bryan Methods.

April View Member Profile	Jan 28 2005, 12:48 PM Post #12
Just Through the Brick Wall Posts: 15 Joined: 8:51am January 28, 2005 Location: PA	QUOTE(Clare @ Jan. 27 2005,12:41) April, which was your favourite of His Dark Materials? Clare The Subtle Knife was my favorite by far. They were all good but I thought The Subtle Knife was the best.

Clare View Member Profile	Jan 28 2005, 01:09 PM Post #13
Does Not Possess the Inner "i" Posts: 121 Joined: 2:28pm January 5, 2005 Location: England	QUOTE(April @ Jan. 27 2005,4:48) QUOTE(Clare @ Jan. 27 2005,12:41) April, which was your favourite of His Dark Materials? Clare The Subtle Knife was my favorite by far. They were all good but I thought The Subtle Knife was the best. Hmm, I shall tell you my favourite when I've read all three, I like the start of The Subtle Knife more than book 1 so far, though. -------------------- As he stood there, looking at the pale, slender girl with her toy theatre, a little puppet made of scavenged scraps of cloth held in fingers whose nails were jagged and torn from hours spent trying to remove the paint from a wooden box, there were no words.~ 'Between Two Gates' by Bryan Methods.

Domini Razorwire View Member Profile	Jan 28 2005, 01:13 PM Post #14
Getting Fitted for New Dress Robes Posts: 52 Joined: 10:48am January 28, 2005	Hmmm...fantasy. Robin Hobb's Assassin trilogy is very good--Assassin's Apprentice, Royal Assassin, and Assassin's Quest. Terry Pratchett's Diskworld novels, as someone else said, are very good as well. And Sir Apropos of Nothing, the Woad to Wuin, and Tong Lashing by Peter David are hilarious.

April View Member Profile	Jan 28 2005, 01:14 PM Post #15
Just Through the Brick Wall Posts: 15 Joined: 8:51am January 28, 2005 Location: PA	QUOTE(Clare @ Jan. 27 2005,1:09) Hmm, I shall tell you my favourite when I've read all three, I like the start of The Subtle Knife more than book 1 so far, though. The start of book one was very slow, it was hard to get into for me too. Once I got past the beginning chapters I was hooked on it. I think you will really enjoy the second. It doesn't have that slow start that the first did and it moves much faster.

Aimee View Member Profile	Jan 28 2005, 01:21 PM Post #16
Getting Fitted for New Dress Robes Posts: 45 Joined: 1:09pm January 28, 2005	The Belgariad and The Mallorean series (each with five books each, along with three additional stand-alones), by David and Leigh Eddings, are excellent. And anything by Terry Brooks, too, of course.

NickTLC View Member Profile	Jan 28 2005, 01:22 PM Post #17
The Newest Googlebot Posts: 6,600 Joined: 1:00pm January 4, 2005 Location: Waiting for the G2	QUOTE(malcolm1980 @ Jan. 27 2005,11:30) A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle Guys, try to expand beyond one line in your posts. Why would you recommend them? What unique qualities do they have that other books/series do not? What groups would especially like the books/series? etc. --Nick QUOTE The Belgariad and The Mallorean series (each with five books each, along with three additional stand-alones), by David and Leigh Eddings, are excellent. grins in strong agreement

Ràcormë Fëastald... Ràcormë Fëastaldo View Member Profile	Jan 28 2005, 01:25 PM Post #18
Junior Dishwasher at The Leaky Cauldron Posts: 636 Joined: 6:07am January 28, 2005 Location: StormKeeper In The Sky	His Dark Materials i have to say that i disagree with the lot of you. I loved the beginning of Book one, and the ending to book three. i can say that while i liked the Subtle Knife, it wasn't the best for me. the others are confusing tho, but thats what i like. Lyras Oxford is also a good find for fans. any one know when the book of Dust is coming out? while i'm here i'll also recommend the first fantasy novel as we know it: LOTR. always great, always a good read. tho i am biased as a hardcore fan. lol. Peace Namarie Raca -------------------- Good Hunting, Ràcormë Fëastaldo Wild Longings Nomadic Leap Chafing At Custom's Chain Again From Its Brumal Sleep Awakens The Ferine Strain Croeso y Ddraig Coch!!

Ràcormë Fëastald... Ràcormë Fëastaldo View Member Profile	Jan 28 2005, 01:32 PM Post #19
Junior Dishwasher at The Leaky Cauldron Posts: 636 Joined: 6:07am January 28, 2005 Location: StormKeeper In The Sky	QUOTE Guys, try to expand beyond one line in your posts. Why would you recommend them? What unique qualities do they have that other books/series do not? What groups would especially like the books/series? etc. okay, why would i recommend the Dark materials. 1. extremely well written. more fasntasy then HP for example, but less so then some others. 2. pullman is a popular author. this is just his style. tho i would say that the books repuataion for religious provocation, while justifiable, is exaggerated. 3. it has many levels. challenging book for adults as well as kids. should appeal to all ages. 4. the ending of spyglass is one of the moving things that i have ever read. this book did honestly change my view of the world. i think that everybody should read it. i'm dreading the film version though. i hope that it does justice to the book. Peace Namarie Raca -------------------- Good Hunting, Ràcormë Fëastaldo Wild Longings Nomadic Leap Chafing At Custom's Chain Again From Its Brumal Sleep Awakens The Ferine Strain Croeso y Ddraig Coch!!

Nymphadorable View Member Profile	Jan 28 2005, 01:35 PM Post #20
Just Through the Brick Wall Posts: 17 Joined: 1:12pm January 28, 2005	Some fave rave recommendations: Anything by Neil Gaiman. Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke - it's been called "Harry Potter for adults" which is not even remotely true but it's a brilliant novel about English magic and magicians in the early 1800s. Very funny, very engaging, very good read.

nhi View Member Profile	Jan 28 2005, 01:40 PM Post #21
Just Through the Brick Wall Posts: 4 Joined: 12:49pm January 28, 2005 Location: Canada	I'm pretty sure nobody else mentioned The Sword of Truth series so here I am The first of the series by Terry Goodkind is called the Wizard's First Rule and I recommend it to everyone (well maybe everyone 15+). It is an extremely well-written fantasy novel about Richard, a good guy forced to help "save the world." I know it sounds very much like every other book out there but this one creates a very magical but scary world. Richard is kind of like Harry in the sense that he grew up in a non-magical community not knowing that he is very closely linked to magic. Just a warning to younger readers... this would definitely be a PA movie if they ever did that. -------------------- ! Nhi !

cadfael View Member Profile	Jan 28 2005, 01:58 PM Post #22
Flesh-Eating-Slug Catcher Posts: 159 Joined: 9:33am January 28, 2005 Location: the corner table of the prancing pony	another group of books along the HP line are jill murphey's "the worst witch" series... very good and alot of scholars believe them to be better written than harry potter-can you believe that...also i'll also recommend pullman's dark materials series. i was turned on to them by my one of my professors who recommended my reading them. she always teaches the golden compass when conducting her adolensent lit class -------------------- Draco Dormiens Nunquam Titillandus

Arithma View Member Profile	Jan 28 2005, 02:37 PM Post #23
Cauldron Bottom Measurer Posts: 134 Joined: 9:27am January 28, 2005 Location: Brooklyn, NY	I also enjoy Phillip Pullman immensely. "His Dark Materials" Trilogy is fascinating, and daring in how it takes on "The Church." Pullman also wrote some very good Victorian Era Mystery stories featuring a cagey lass named Sally who solves the crimes. Look for "The Ruby in the Smoke" and "The Tiger in the Well." -------------------- Pimp My Wizard Ride!

Amonara View Member Profile	Jan 28 2005, 03:03 PM Post #24
Just Through the Brick Wall Posts: 6 Joined: 9:14am January 28, 2005	QUOTE(Arithma @ Jan. 27 2005,2:37) I also enjoy Phillip Pullman immensely. "His Dark Materials" Trilogy is fascinating, and daring in how it takes on "The Church." Pullman also wrote some very good Victorian Era Mystery stories featuring a cagey lass named Sally who solves the crimes. Look for "The Ruby in the Smoke" and "The Tiger in the Well." I'll just add myself to the list of people who love Phillip Pullman. I enjoyed his provocative "His Dark Materials" series as well as his Victorian mystery novels. I also would recommend, "The Tin Princess" from the same Sally series. Tamora Pierce's books are awesome as well. She has several quartets that target 12 years and up. I personally recommend these: The Lioness Quartet: Alanna: The First Adventure, In the Hand of the Goddess, The Woman Who Rides Like a Man, Lioness Rampant - First series of this author that I ever read. Revolves around Alanna a young girl in Tortall who persuades her twin brother to switch places with her so that she might train to become a knight. The books tell her trials of trying to train as a page in the Castle, while hiding her gender and dealing with her magical powers. The Immortals Quartet: Wild Magic, Wolf-Speaker, Emperor Mage, The Realms of the Gods -Tells the story of Duane, a young girl with mysterious powers struggling to find herself in the world of Tortall. Sort of ties in with the Lioness Quartet. Another Tortall quartet that is very good is Protector of the Small: First Test, Page, Squire, Lady Knight Ties in with the other books. I can't really summarize without spoiling the other two, so I would recommend starting with the Lioness Quartet. City of the Beasts and Kingdom of the Golden Dragon by Isabel Allende A story of adolescent discovery set in mysterious places. Alexander Cold joins his fearless explorer grandmother on her trips, along with Nadia a girl from the Amazon. Beautifully written and a great read. I believe the creator of this thread mentioned the Valdemar books by Mercedes Lackey. Another great series, that I recommend as well. I might pop in with some more fantasy books, but these are all I can think of for the moment

Reena View Member Profile	Jan 28 2005, 03:34 PM Post #25
Getting Fitted for New Dress Robes Posts: 45 Joined: 1:01pm January 28, 2005 Location: Flourish & Blotts	QUOTE(nhi @ Jan. 27 2005,1:40) I'm pretty sure nobody else mentioned The Sword of Truth series so here I am I have to point out a bit of info on this. Terry Goodkind has just rewritten Robert Jordans' Wheel of Time series in fewer books and with a faster pace. If you've read both, the similarities will be easy to pick out. I am usually biased against things I veiw as copies of others works, and that's why I dislike the series. However, I also don't enjoy Wheel of Time too much either. It's far too slow and Jordan becomes quite sexist and boring in later books, and the series goes nowhere. Goodkind, however, has just added more sex and action...eliciting a much more enjoyable read despite characters that are, IMO, less fleshed out. A better read than Wheel of Time, but not the original story. As for books I enjoy, my guilty pleasure was likely the Artimis Fowl series. I got pulled into the first book after a Childrens' Lit discussion and found the rest quite entertaining despite the level they were written for. Maybe I just enjoy young genius Brits >.> it's a possibility. I'll also throw in my AVID support for Tamora Pierce. Her Immortals quartet hooked me from the start. I cannot gush enough about that woman.

Xoanon View Member Profile	Jan 28 2005, 03:47 PM Post #26
Just Through the Brick Wall Posts: 1 Joined: 3:32pm January 28, 2005	Anyone looking for something a little bit different from the normal run-of-the-mill fantasy books might want to give The Age of Misrule and Age of Darkness trilogies by Mark Chadbourn a try. They are set in modern Britain, and detail the slow collapse of society as the world enters a new dark age when magic and the ancient Celtic gods return to the land. They are very well researched and are a great read, but I should point out that due to some graphic content they are not suitable for very young readers!. -------------------- There are some themes, some subjects, too large for adult fiction; they can only be dealt with adequately in a children's book. - Philip Pullman

Blaise View Member Profile	Jan 28 2005, 05:14 PM Post #27
Getting Fitted for New Dress Robes Posts: 50 Joined: 2:45pm January 28, 2005 Location: Home of the Liberal Elite	Nymphadorable beat me to the recommendation of Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell as well as anything by Neil Gaiman. The narration of Jonathan Strange won me over from page 1 and didn't let me down at all throughout. The characters are not always sympathetic, but that only serves to make them more believable. I couldn't put the book down 'til I finished it, and considering the size, that was quite a feat of strength. And Neil Gaiman is just a genius and I love him. I can't wait 'til his new book comes out. I saw a video of him reading from it and it sounds hilarious. Also, I'm throwing another vote in for the Discworld series. Anyone who hasn't read them has been deprived of a great experience. My personal favorites are Jingo and Night Watch, but with 30 books in the series, you can't really go wrong. One of them's bound to catch your fancy. I have to admit that it took me two attempts to get through the first book of Pullman's trilogy, but by the time I finally did finish it, I loved it. I have yet to read the next two. As for things that haven't been recommended before, Melanie Rawn's Exiles trilogy is interesting... at least, what there is of it. I don't know that the third book will ever actually be written, but I did like the first two very much. Even if she has a nasty habit of killing off most of my favorite characters. ETA: How could I forget anything by Jonathan Carroll? His books are sometimes a little too... sentimental, I suppose, for me, but he's a very talented writer. Also, Will Shetterly's Dogland was an excellent read. It's not so much overt fantasy as a sort of magical realism. To catch the fantasy in it, you have to be fairly familiar with the mythology of various cultures. -------------------- Humans need fantasy to be human. To be the place where the falling angel meets the rising ape. ~Terry Pratchett, Hogfather

Delleve View Member Profile	Jan 28 2005, 05:54 PM Post #28
Getting Fitted for New Dress Robes Posts: 45 Joined: 4:56pm January 28, 2005 Location: KY, USA	One fantasy series I'd recommend isThe Enchanted Forest Chronicales by Patricia C. Wrede. It's a really great series full of tongue-in-cheek humor and is just terribly amusing. Follow the link if you want to know more. :type: Another book I'd recommend is The Two Princesses of Bamarre by Gail Carson Levine. It's a very interesting tale of two completely different sisters and one timid sister's quest (Addie) to help her sick and dying brave sister (Meryl). I'll also echo the recs for His Dark Materials. Those are definitely a good and thought-provoking read! -------------------- I walk in the air between the rain Through myself and back again Where? I don't know. Round Here -- Counting Crows The OFFICIAL Flying Giraffe Wrangler

Skeleton_Key View Member Profile	Jan 28 2005, 06:02 PM Post #29
Just Through the Brick Wall Posts: 2 Joined: 1:58pm January 28, 2005 Location: Birmingham, UK	Hi, I would recommend the majority of Tom Holt's work. Although not strictly fantasy-it has a wealth of fantastical characters and Mr Holt has a great capacity for knowing what I call "stuff". Hence his books are very informative too-but I don't think he meant them to be. I would strongly recommend Faust Amongst Equals.Spectral Warriors, Marlowe,Bird Headed Fiends and Heironymus Bosch! What more do you need? US Readers may find it a little Brit-centric but stick with it. Everyone has been suggesting really interesting books-I may have to go and investigate. Skeleton_Key p.s he isn't a poor man's Terry Pratchett.He kindly drafted one of my assignments, when I was at university, so I won't hear a bad word against him!

Joe J View Member Profile	Jan 28 2005, 06:17 PM Post #30
Just Through the Brick Wall Posts: 9 Joined: 5:08pm January 28, 2005	Nymphadorable and Blaise! Yes! I was about to mention Gaiman (journal link) and Clarke. I can't recommend Neil Gaiman enough, simply brilliant, funny writing. Who else then? Hmm. How about Diana Wynne Jones? (fansite link) I only read Howl's Moving Castle because Hayao Miyazaki has made an anime film out of it. How glad I am that I did. It is an incredible book, very funny and charming. Set in a medieval fantasy world, it's filled with magical transformations, impossible moving residencies, and magical mystery. Well worth a good read. Peace, Joe J. -------------------- Peace, Joe J. "Le cadavre exquis boira le vin nouveau" (The exquisite corpse will drink the young wine). ~~Mental Contagion

Karianna_Black View Member Profile	Jan 28 2005, 06:56 PM Post #31
Getting Fitted for New Dress Robes Posts: 54 Joined: 5:33am January 28, 2005 Location: Everywhere I am and nowhere I'm not	Oh my, people. I can't believe no one has mentioned The Lord of the Rings by Tolkein! Only one of the best, most well-developed fantasy series ever, and the one that really started them all. I know most people have seen the movies, but the books are sooo much better, and more intricate. Read! I have others, but I have to go now, so I'll post again later. -------------------- "A patriot must be ready to defend his country from his government." Edward Abbey Avatar designed by _grayswandir_ at LJ.

Joe J View Member Profile	Jan 28 2005, 07:24 PM Post #32
Just Through the Brick Wall Posts: 9 Joined: 5:08pm January 28, 2005	I think LotR is a given. No one mentioned it because we all just assumed everyone knows about it or has read it already. I remember it took me a long time to finish those books. I'm glad I read them, but they were a lot of work. Peace, Joe J. -------------------- Peace, Joe J. "Le cadavre exquis boira le vin nouveau" (The exquisite corpse will drink the young wine). ~~Mental Contagion

Matt_MSW View Member Profile	Jan 28 2005, 07:34 PM Post #33
Just Through the Brick Wall Posts: 3 Joined: 12:39pm January 28, 2005 Location: Canada	A couple of people beat me in recommending "Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell" by British author Susanna Clarke. This is a great book so far, as I am only halfway through it at the moment. However, it is a very intriguing fantasy book set in 19th century Britain, and the story is nicely complex and involves a variety of well-described, sometimes peculiar, and often amusing characters! When I get around to it, I will post a few other fantasy novels I would recommend, but for now that one is all I can think of at this exact moment! Matt MSW -------------------- ------ Matt MSW

Red View Member Profile	Jan 28 2005, 07:42 PM Post #34
Perusing the Magical Menagerie Posts: 89 Joined: 8:30am January 28, 2005 Location: stoke on trent, England	I really love this set of childrens books about the world of chrestomanci (not sure I spelled that right! ) they are about children who are magical, and the connection between this world and other worlds....Possibly by Dianne Wynne Jones? She has also written other more grown up books. Terry Pratchett like loads of people have said are possibly my favourite books ever (joint with HP! ) Oh and another book I liked was a childrens book in the point fantasy series which had a wood held together by magic, and also another book from the series called the webbed hand. Sorry I can't remember authors or anything I always find a book I love then can't find it in the library again! -------------------- Don't trust a dog with orange eyebrows, never get between two mirrors and always wear clean underwear. Troooooooooooooollllllllllllll in the dungeon

moscow32 View Member Profile	Jan 28 2005, 07:59 PM Post #35
Just Through the Brick Wall Posts: 12 Joined: 7:05pm January 28, 2005	I am slightly appalled that no one has yet mentioned The Dark is Rising series by Susan Cooper. It features one Newberry Winner, The Grey King and one Newberry Honorable mention, The Dark is Rising. It's been one of my favorites since the 5th Grade, although I am slightly disappointed by the way it ends. Basically, it is a young kid who discovers he is more than your normal 11 year old. (Sound like anyone else we know? Actually, the similarities don't end there. ) And then there is the requisite questing and dangers and guest appearances by wizards who should be long dead, etc. -------------------- I caught you a delicious bass.

Arethusa View Member Profile	Jan 28 2005, 08:19 PM Post #36
Flesh-Eating-Slug Catcher Posts: 152 Joined: 4:08pm January 28, 2005 Location: Sitting on an axminster carpet wanting it to fly.	Does anyone else read E. Nesbit? I noticed that one of the book spines on the JKR Links page refers to this forgotten Late Victorian/Edwardian Author. My favorite is The Enchanted Castle Where the children get a hold of *The* ring. [Nesbit's emphasis on 'the'] I prefer The five Children and it To the Bastibles, although the latter are referred to in The Magician's Nephew. I am also partial to the works of George MacDonald. Especially the Fairy tales. Took me 20 years to track down copies of Lilith and the Phantasties. Which in turn lead me to the earlier works of E.T.A Hofmann, Who wrote The Sandman. Recently I found a more modern book, A Candle in her room. It has been a long time since I read a book that intense, A real Ghost story about witch curses what affect the lives of 3 Generations from 1880 through 1960. Glad I did not read it when young. -------------------- Arethusa -- "The angels have the phone box."

appletree View Member Profile	Jan 28 2005, 08:29 PM Post #37
Just Through the Brick Wall Posts: 2 Joined: 7:48pm January 28, 2005	Is anyone into Orson Scott Card? He is one of my all-time favorite authors. He is mostly known for Sci-Fi (Ender's Game etc) but I love his fantasy as well, especially his Alvin Maker series, which starts with Seventh Son. It is kind of an alternate US history, a history in which the early Americans and founding fathers had access to magic and such. Another good one is The Worthing Saga, which combines fantasy and Sci-Fi and is a very deep, moving story that offers insight on the human condition. I highly recommend it. Have a great day, and thanks for all the recomendations! :hbp: -------------------- "I think that I shall never see a poem as lovely as a tree" - Joyce Kilmer

Astra View Member Profile	Jan 28 2005, 08:34 PM Post #38
Being Eaten by the Pea Soup Posts: 20 Joined: 7:12pm January 28, 2005	I'll just reaffirm the recommendation of Isobel Carmody's Legendsong series. I remember being so engrossed reading it. I also enjoyed Phillip Pullman's 'His Dark Materials'. 'The Subtle Knife' being the most outstanding for me. I'll also go by recommending Isobel Carmody's 'The Gathering' - I remember I thoroughly enjoyed that too.

LionA02 View Member Profile	Jan 28 2005, 09:18 PM Post #39
Professional Diagon Alley Window Shopper Posts: 62 Joined: 11:15am January 28, 2005 Location: Missouri,USA	Books I recommend to read are The Chronicles of Narnia by CS Lewis. All seven of them are good but I like The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardobe the most . The Lord of the Ring series is also a good one to read and The Hobbit. um...I would also recommend Eragon by Christopher Paolini too. I can't wait for Eldest by Christopher Paolini to come out on August 30, 2005(I found that out on amazon.com.). hmmm....and i'm getting ready to read Dragon Rider by Cornelia Funke soon, but I'm going to recommend it because my brother told me it was a good book. ~LionA02 -------------------- Art is not what you see, but what you make others see. - Edgar Degas

CalPixxie View Member Profile	Jan 28 2005, 09:25 PM Post #40
Just Through the Brick Wall Posts: 6 Joined: 9:10pm January 28, 2005	I like Orson Scott Card, my favorite book by him is Enchantment which is very different from Ender's Game. I also enjoyed Treasure Box. I started the Alvin Maker series but I didn't like them that much. I also loved The Blue Sword by Robin McKinley and the prequel: The Hero and the Crown. I also love A String in the Harp by Nancy Bond. I don't think it is very well known but it's a wonderful story that's set in Wales, which is where my obsession with Wales came from.

Joe J View Member Profile	Jan 28 2005, 09:52 PM Post #41
Just Through the Brick Wall Posts: 9 Joined: 5:08pm January 28, 2005	If you are obsessed with Wales, you need to read Diana Wynne Jones's Howl's Moving Castle. I shall say no more. (And, yes, Diana did write the Chrestomanci books that Red mentioned. Need to read those one of these days.) Peace -------------------- Peace, Joe J. "Le cadavre exquis boira le vin nouveau" (The exquisite corpse will drink the young wine). ~~Mental Contagion

Lord_Fishcake View Member Profile	Jan 28 2005, 10:19 PM Post #42
Intelligenter than thou Posts: 488 Joined: 8:54pm January 4, 2005 Location: Merrie Olde England	Orson Scott Card has talent, but many of his books suffer from great dullness. Whereas Eragon by Christopher Paolini was simply one of the worst books I have ever read. What a dreadful mess of poor writing, flat characters and a pointless plot. Oh, and Arethusa - in no way is E. Nesbitt forgotten, certainly not here in the UK.

nhi View Member Profile	Jan 28 2005, 10:36 PM Post #43
Just Through the Brick Wall Posts: 4 Joined: 12:49pm January 28, 2005 Location: Canada	QUOTE(Reena @ Jan. 27 2005,2:34) QUOTE(nhi @ Jan. 27 2005,1:40) I'm pretty sure nobody else mentioned The Sword of Truth series so here I am I have to point out a bit of info on this. Terry Goodkind has just rewritten Robert Jordans' Wheel of Time series in fewer books and with a faster pace. If you've read both, the similarities will be easy to pick out. I am usually biased against things I veiw as copies of others works, and that's why I dislike the series. However, I also don't enjoy Wheel of Time too much either. It's far too slow and Jordan becomes quite sexist and boring in later books, and the series goes nowhere. Goodkind, however, has just added more sex and action...eliciting a much more enjoyable read despite characters that are, IMO, less fleshed out. A better read than Wheel of Time, but not the original story. Good to know. My copies are burning as we speak ;) Another series I find should be on everyone's either "to read" list or "read a million times over" list, is the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy trilogy of 5 by Douglas Adams. I know they're not quite fantasy (they're actually usually classified as science fiction/comedy) but are absolutely works of a genius. I wonder how long it'll take for someone to tell me Adams ripped off Tolkien or something :ponder: -------------------- ! Nhi !

elly View Member Profile	Jan 28 2005, 11:07 PM Post #44
Sipping Hot Chocolate in The Three Broomsticks Posts: 1,840 Joined: 2:52pm January 28, 2005 Location: bicycling	Have you all already read Ursula K. leGuin? Quite a solid writer--her Earthsea series is unparalleled, and for those who have already read them, there have been updates and related short stories published...twist after twist (on a more subtle scale than HP, though). Like JKR, she deals with very real issues facing ordinary humans--loyalty, pride, pain. The books are firmly rooted and yet wide-ranging and imaginative, challenging prejudices...I don't want to give too much away for those who may not have read them, so, briefly, they deal with the story of a young wizard as he matures, and those he meets on the way. Monica Furlong, too, for the same reasons--solid, compassionate, but a bit more of a soft touch than leGuin. Juniper, Wise Child and Colman follow two generations of young sorceresses (and one young sorcerer) in medieval Scotland. As with leGuin, real, everyday human issues are treated as well as the mystical. And I cannot recommend highly enough A Single Shard by Linda Sue Park--realistic, beautifully written account of a poor young orphan boy's journey to prove..well, I couldn't tell you. I'd spoil it. But it won the Newbery last year, and it was worth every minute. (oops, not fantasy, though.) elly, bibliovore -------------------- Destiny is a name often given in retrospect to choices that had dramatic consequences. ~ J.K. Rowling

dragoncat eliz View Member Profile	Jan 28 2005, 11:11 PM Post #45
Just Through the Brick Wall Posts: 13 Joined: 11:15am January 28, 2005	I love books...so I can reccomend a fair few... The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen The Giver by Loews Lowry Eragon by Christopher Paolini is also good

Arethusa View Member Profile	Jan 28 2005, 11:17 PM Post #46
Flesh-Eating-Slug Catcher Posts: 152 Joined: 4:08pm January 28, 2005 Location: Sitting on an axminster carpet wanting it to fly.	QUOTE(Lord Fishcake @ Jan. 27 2005,7:19) Oh, and Arethusa - in no way is E. Nesbitt forgotten, certainly not here in the UK. That is why I had to go to the UK to fill out some of my E.Nesbitt books. It was while purchasing a Nesbit book, I learned about the "Boy Wizard." Nesbitt has a different meaning in the States. The Sanford White Murderer. Her name also started with an E. I Think the English Author is Edith, and the Murderess Evelyin. As I recall There was a movie Ragtime that fictionalized the incident. IMHO, one can not begin to understand Lewis and Tolkien until they have read E.Nesbitt. Since it was her work they wanted to emulate. That there is no corporation to promote them in the states leads people to think that later authors thought it all up for themselves. -------------------- Arethusa -- "The angels have the phone box."

The Merry Hippog... The Merry Hippogriff View Member Profile	Jan 28 2005, 11:19 PM Post #47
Just Through the Brick Wall Posts: 6 Joined: 11:57am January 28, 2005	Okay, I really have to agree with you guys on the good books by Tamora Pierce, Robin Hobb and Terry Goodkind. I would also like to add some of the novels by J. V. Jones. They are very good for the same reasons as the above. Another wonderful writer of Historical Fiction is Diana Gabaldon!!!!! These books will mostly appeal to the ladies in the group. It is not only Historical Fiction, but romance, and Time Travel is involved, so I guess that would qualify as a Fantasy Trait too. It is the Outlander Series, five of seven are already published. My favorites were the the first book (Outlander), and third, (Voyager), and she has also publish an "Outlandish Companion" to help you keep track of the many characters in the stories. There is a great romance to keep the books going. And since they are based on Historical moments, you feel like you're learning something real at the same time! Books are set in Scotland, France, England, and US. Mostly all in the 1700's. Enjoy!

ProfSnivellus View Member Profile	Jan 28 2005, 11:38 PM Post #48
Cauldron Bottom Measurer Posts: 128 Joined: 10:44pm January 28, 2005 Location: Australia	If you are after a series that will captivate you from the beginning, I totally recommend A Song of Ice and Fire series by George RR Martin. I am eagerly awaiting A Feast for Crows - GRRM is as bad as JK when it comes to not writing as fast as you want them too. laughs GRRM is not afraid to take these books (A Game of Thrones, Clash of Kings and A Storm of Swords) where not many authors venture, this is an excerpt from amazon.com... A Game of Thrones is a contemporary masterpiece of fantasy. The cold is returning to Winterfell, where summers can last decades and winters a lifetime. A time of conflict has arisen in the Stark family, as they are pulled from the safety of their home into a whirlpool of tragedy, betrayal, assassination, plots and counterplots. Each decision and action carries with it the potential for conflict as several prominent families, comprised of lords, ladies, soldiers, sorcerers, assassins and bastards, are pulled together in the most deadly game of all--the game of thrones. As others have suggested, Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell by Sussana Clarke and The Discworld series by Terry Pratchett are also brilliant.

LisaQQQ View Member Profile	Jan 29 2005, 12:16 AM Post #49
Searching for the 'Invisible Book of Invisibility' Posts: 590 Joined: 8:44pm January 4, 2005 Location: Tossing garden gnomes	Wow, I've seen many favorites listed here already: The Blue Sword (Robin McKinley), The Amulet of Samarkand and The Golem's Eye (Jonathan Stroud), The Valdemar series (Mercedes Lackey, I especially liked By The Sword), The Chronicles of Narnia, Tamora Pierce's new Trickster series, and many more old friends. I would like to add to the list Garth Nix's books: Sabriel, Lirael and Abhorsen. They're about a world where mages are necessary to keep the dead -- dead. The mage (called 'The Abhorsen' ) controls the dead with seven bells that each have their own "voice." Gravedirt. Wisecracking Mogget the cat. Disreputable Dog. Charter magic. Really really good stuff. Another old favorite is the Riddlemaster of Hed series by Patricia McKillip. These stories are haunting and poignant. Prince Morgan of Hed was born with three stars on his forehead, and he has to figure out why before an ancient race of shapeshifters regain their power. A new-ish favorite is Archangel by Sharon Shinn. This one is really hard to describe, but it is a great read if you are in the mood for something intense and romantic. I haven't read Pratchett in a long time, and Jonathan Strange sounds intruiging too -- those are definitely on my list! Thanks for the great tips! -------------------- Website: Accio Quote! Avatar by Red Scharlach

jilumasam View Member Profile	Jan 29 2005, 12:56 AM Post #50
Being Eaten by the Pea Soup Posts: 30 Joined: 5:00am January 28, 2005 Location: Australia	Man... you guys have been busy!! I would like to say that Tamora Pierce has also written another 2 quartets set in the winding circle universe. They are for much younger readers 9-13yo and are a good read. Also keep your eye out for another new book from her this year. Diana Wynne Jones has written oodles of great books and I have read them all. They are all very good, all deal with magic and wizardry in some way. However no two books are the same in style, kind of magic, plot etc. Some are for younger readers, some are best left for readers with a better grasp of things as they can get very complicated. Garth Nix has already been mentioned for the Abhorsen Trilogy, but he has also written two other books called Shade's Children and The Ragwitch. Shade's children is a real humdinger of a book, in other words very good. The Ragwitch is also good, but more for younger readers. And I will add my vote to Susan Coopers series - brilliant. Thats all for now Lizzy -------------------- "There is more to life than increasing its speed" - mahatma ghandi

Blaise View Member Profile	Jan 29 2005, 12:59 AM Post #51
Getting Fitted for New Dress Robes Posts: 50 Joined: 2:45pm January 28, 2005 Location: Home of the Liberal Elite	moscow32, I was kicking myself when I went downstairs a little while ago and saw one of Susan Cooper's books and I realized no one had recommended them. They were among my favorite books when I was younger, and I reread one of them recently and loved it. I have to get back to the others. -------------------- Humans need fantasy to be human. To be the place where the falling angel meets the rising ape. ~Terry Pratchett, Hogfather

Karianna_Black View Member Profile	Jan 29 2005, 01:29 AM Post #52
Getting Fitted for New Dress Robes Posts: 54 Joined: 5:33am January 28, 2005 Location: Everywhere I am and nowhere I'm not	It's funny, but I've promised myself that I will never again start a series of books that is not yet finished, so I haven't read the Inheritance Trilogy (the first book is Eragon, by Christopher Paolini) yet. Does anyone else have this problem? -------------------- "A patriot must be ready to defend his country from his government." Edward Abbey Avatar designed by _grayswandir_ at LJ.

moscow32 View Member Profile	Jan 29 2005, 01:52 AM Post #53
Just Through the Brick Wall Posts: 12 Joined: 7:05pm January 28, 2005	QUOTE(Karianna_Fortune @ Jan. 27 2005,11:29) It's funny, but I've promised myself that I will never again start a series of books that is not yet finished, so I haven't read the Inheritance Trilogy (the first book is Eragon, by Christopher Paolini) yet. Does anyone else have this problem? I so very much wish that I hadn't read the Wheel of Time series until it was finished. That way I would be waiting for it to end. It's great to have something to anticipate, but there is so much there that I forget the beginning of the series by the time I get to the end. About Eragon, I'd recommend at least reading the first book before you go and wait for the whole trilogy. I personally didn't like it at all. (I even bought the book and then gave it away). I found it to be tedious writing and very derivative. The plot is also very formulaic. I'm not really planning on reading the next one, when and if it ever gets here. -------------------- I caught you a delicious bass.

moscow32 View Member Profile	Jan 29 2005, 02:02 AM Post #54
Just Through the Brick Wall Posts: 12 Joined: 7:05pm January 28, 2005	QUOTE(appletree @ Jan. 27 2005,6:29) Is anyone into Orson Scott Card? He is one of my all-time favorite authors. He is mostly known for Sci-Fi (Ender's Game etc) but I love his fantasy as well, especially his Alvin Maker series, which starts with Seventh Son. OSC is one of my favorites- Most of his books are worth reading. Honestly, I like the Shadow series better than the Ender series. (Shadow of the Giant in MARCH!!!! ) I was into the Alvin Maker books until Heartfire, and then it just felt like the story changed too much from where it originated. If you are into OSC, but haven't read Treason yet, you must. It's one of his earlier books, but a very fascinating read. His short stories are kind of creepy, but also worth a read. -------------------- I caught you a delicious bass.

ME Moody View Member Profile	Jan 29 2005, 02:19 AM Post #55
Just Through the Brick Wall Posts: 4 Joined: 5:00pm January 28, 2005	Well, at the risk of repeating many of you (who obviously have good taste in reading), I'll add my endorsement to Terry Pratchett's Discworld series (Maskerade, Nightwatch and Hogfather are my 3 current favorites). Given that many have enjoyed Neil Gaiman, I'll also comment that when you have Neil and Terry collaborate on a book, it becomes over-the-top funny. See Good Omens to find out what happens when the Anti-Christ gets misplaced, and how the 4 Horsemen of the Apocalypse have...er...modernized themselves... I'm still trying to decide if I like Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell (I'm 1/3 of the way through it), and of course anyone who can find a way to bring back the Dodo in a plausible way (thank you, Jasper Fforde) while including literary references that give me a memory-racking headache that could slay a hippogriff deserves a mention as well. Carry on, everyone. I'm getting new ideas from you.

Victorix View Member Profile	Jan 29 2005, 04:46 AM Post #56
Rat Spleen Restocker at the Apothecary Posts: 486 Joined: 9:28am January 28, 2005 Location: Back at the chalk-face	QUOTE(Shaun (dead) @ Jan. 27 2005,12:14) The Discworld novels by Terry Pratchett. Some of the best books I have ever read, including my current favourite Night Watch. Night Watch is the best in my opinion. The one due out before long is a city watch book. Its going to be a good summer of reading isn't it - new Terry Pratchett, new Jasper Fforde, new David Eddings and I'm sure there's something I'm missing... -------------------- Victorix Work - the curse of the posting classes! Ptthhhbbbp!

Cyllan View Member Profile	Jan 29 2005, 05:16 AM Post #57
Just Through the Brick Wall Posts: 7 Joined: 10:58am January 28, 2005	I've been going through the thread and reading with interest other people's posts, but I'm amazed that so far -even though many people have been commenting on others' suggestions- no one has said they've read the "Time Master" trilogy by Louise Cooper that I recommended on the first page of the thread. They're such great books! Has nobody here read them? Perhaps I'm the oldest here? (I'm 29) But then the books are not that old... they were published in the 80s. :ponder:

Gemma View Member Profile	Jan 29 2005, 05:23 AM Post #58
Being Eaten by the Pea Soup Posts: 23 Joined: 4:44am January 29, 2005 Location: South Yorkshire, UK	Nymphadorable and Blaise - I totally agree! I have just finished reading Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell and really enjoyed it. Anything by Neil Gaiman is a great read and I have adored Terry Pratchett's work for years - not just the discworld series either, his other books are well worth a read. I'm sure someone has mentioned Douglas Adams? Hitchikers is one of my favourite (5) books ever, also try the Dirk Gently books. If you like fantasy you HAVE to read the Chronicles of Thomas Covenant by Stephen Donaldson. Always looking for other great fantasy books, so thanks everyone for sharing their recommendations.

April View Member Profile	Jan 29 2005, 07:20 AM Post #59
Just Through the Brick Wall Posts: 15 Joined: 8:51am January 28, 2005 Location: PA	I see several people recommend The Dark is Rising series by Susan Cooper. I have had this series for almost 2 years. I started the first book then but I just never could get into it for some reason. I am going to give it another shot now since so many people have said how good it is.

tiasri View Member Profile	Jan 29 2005, 07:47 AM Post #60
Flesh-Eating-Slug Catcher Posts: 160 Joined: 8:58pm January 28, 2005 Location: Australia	QUOTE(Karianna_Fortune @ Jan. 27 2005,6:56) Oh my, people. I can't believe no one has mentioned The Lord of the Rings by Tolkein! Only one of the best, most well-developed fantasy series ever, and the one that really started them all. I know most people have seen the movies, but the books are sooo much better, and more intricate. Read! I have to agree! I first read Lord of the Rings as a teenager and just couldn't get my head around it, but I have just reread it (now 30+) and couldn't put it down. A fantastic, exciting read! -------------------- [url=<a href="http://www.the-leaky-cauldron.org/#quiz:2"><img src="http://www.the-leaky-cauldron.org/newquiz/take_quiz/image_sm/11664" /></a>]

Amanita View Member Profile	Jan 29 2005, 10:55 AM Post #61
Kibble Boy/Girl at the Magical Menagerie Posts: 306 Joined: 10:22am January 28, 2005	For the impatient waiting for HBP: Eva Ibotson "The Secret of Platform 13". Obviously HP inspired - 2 realms, 2 boys - one magic, one spoiled - but creates its own world, great characters. I am getting ready to sample her other stuff now. :read: --------------------

tocoferyl View Member Profile	Jan 29 2005, 11:45 AM Post #62
Just Through the Brick Wall Posts: 12 Joined: 7:19pm January 28, 2005 Location: Michigan	Oh man, I didn't get in here soon enough. Most of my ideas have been taken! ;) Books that have been mentioned already that I absolutely have to agree with are the Hitchhiker's series...I can't count the number of times I've read that, absolutely a classic...also the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon- it's mainly historical fiction, but it is about time travel as well. I don't remember who mentioned it before, but did you know she's working on a 6th? Oh, and ME Moody mentioned Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett - I literally just finished that book this morning, it was a lot of fun. If you like Douglas Adams, you'll like this. The His Dark Materials trilogy is one of my favorites as well, my favorite was actually the last one, The Amber Spyglass. I do have a couple books/series to add...the Sevenwaters Trilogy, by Juliet Marillier, starting with Daughter of the Forest is truly excellent. I still haven't read the last one, but the first two were amazing. Also The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley was a great read, as was the prequel but I can't remember the name. Highly recommended. -------------------- "It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities" ~ Albus Dumbledore, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

Finduilas View Member Profile	Jan 29 2005, 12:10 PM Post #63
Cauldron Bottom Measurer Posts: 110 Joined: 6:21am January 29, 2005 Location: In my Happy Place	I love Lord of the Rings and Artemis Fowl. I don't know: they might be science fiction but they are brilliant! :D -------------------- It is better to lose your pride to someone you love, than to lose your loved one to your useless pride. -- Unknown

carry-o-line View Member Profile	Jan 29 2005, 01:35 PM Post #64
Being Eaten by the Pea Soup Posts: 25 Joined: 10:48am January 28, 2005 Location: A place where few can find me, but where most can find my body.	Well, I read a lot of fantasy, and these are my favorites: Artemis Fowl Series by Eoin Colfer (They are a really good mix of magic and technology, 10+) Abhorsen Series by Garth Nix (I haven't read them all yet, but I like the first. 12+) Keys to the Kingdom series by Garth Nix(They are not all out yet, but the ones that are I really like, ages 10+) The Enchanted Forest Chronicles by Patricia Wrede. (They are funny, and very well written, all ages that can read a book that long) His Dark Material series by Philip Pullman (They rock! He is such a good writer, ages 11+) Eragon by Christophor Paolini(It's just alright, but worth a read. Ages 12+.) Dragon Rider by Cornelia Funke (A really good book! Ages 9+, but 12-13 year olds would like it) Inkheart by Cornelia Funke (A really interesting book, ages 12+) Theif Lord by Cornelia Funke (Not as good as the others, but worth reading, ages 10+) The Underland Chronicles by Suzanne Collins (Very, very interesting read about prophecies and a world under New York City, all of them aren't out yet, but I highly recommend them, ages 11+) The City of Ember and the People of Sparks by Jeanne DuPrau (Really cool world, very interesting, ages 10+) I know that there is more books I would recommend, but I'm afraid that would make a very long post. And of course I HIGHLY recommend the Harry Potter series by JK Rowling, have you ever tried those? :p -------------------- s u n s h i n e

Donaghan's Bass View Member Profile	Jan 29 2005, 03:44 PM Post #65
Just Through the Brick Wall Posts: 8 Joined: 12:06pm January 29, 2005 Location: Pgh, PA	I myself LOVE the Belgariad/Mallorean series. It's nice and long, about 12 books long, and its very fun read. It very medievil, and has many different races and groups of people, and "those who do magic" are very prominent. Read the first book, Pawn of Prophecy and you'll be hooked, cause the whole series is one big long story. look it up on Amazon. Pawn or Prophecy by David Eddings. You wont be dissapointed -------------------- BAM! How's that for a smooth bass line?

Laurelin View Member Profile	Jan 29 2005, 03:47 PM Post #66
Eeylops Owl Cage Cleaner Posts: 216 Joined: 5:07am January 28, 2005 Location: Beethoven's town	Most of the fantasy-books I know have already been recommended (and I know only a few) but so far I think nobody has brought up the books by Michael Ende, he wrote the Neverending Story a book about the power of fantasy... Maybe some here know the movies - which is a pity because they were really bad and only loosely based on the book, I can really recommend it... and while I am at it, I might just as well recommend yet another book by M. Ende, Momo, a story about the value of time and friendship, I absolutely loved that book, couldn't put it down in fact once I had started it. I am not quite sure which other books by this author have been translated into english, but that shouldn't be too difficult to find out. Give them a try. -------------------- Most people dispose of their childhood the same way they dispose of an old hat. They forget it like a telephone-number that is no longer valid. They once were children, then they grew up, but what are they now? Only he who grows up yet remains a child is a human being. (Erich Kästner)

elly View Member Profile	Jan 29 2005, 07:39 PM Post #67
Sipping Hot Chocolate in The Three Broomsticks Posts: 1,840 Joined: 2:52pm January 28, 2005 Location: bicycling	Amanita--check the Platform 13 copyright date (1994, as opp. to PS, 1997) -------------------- Destiny is a name often given in retrospect to choices that had dramatic consequences. ~ J.K. Rowling

Everett C. Marm View Member Profile	Jan 29 2005, 08:07 PM Post #68
Just Through the Brick Wall Posts: 3 Joined: 11:48am January 29, 2005	I want to second that recommendation of George R. R. Martin. They are fantastic. A bit depressing, but extraordinarily comprehensive. These are a little too mature for young adults, in my opinion. I'd like to disagree with the negative reviews of Eragon. Read it and loved it. Was a bit put off by the stiff characterization in the first few chapters, but Paolini seems to have matured a great deal by the end of the novel. Also...not impressed at all by Funke or Eoin Colfer. The Thief Lord seemed to be...I don't know...linguistically stunted. Very inauthentic prose...but I think that this is a result of it being an English translation (Funke is a German, no?). I also didn't find Artemis Fowl terribly addicting, although I can't articulate why. How about Lloyd Alexander's Chronicles of Prydain or Salmon Rushdie's Haround and the Sea of Stories ?

LadyDeathEater View Member Profile	Jan 29 2005, 08:27 PM Post #69
Just Through the Brick Wall Posts: 8 Joined: 9:34pm January 28, 2005	I see Eddings has been mentioned a few times so I won't repeat anything, lol. The Axis Trilogy by Sara Douglass is an amazing series. The continuation of the series are the three books of The Wayfarer Redemption. In the US it's sold as a six book series as The Wayfarer Redemption. US: The Wayfarer Redemption Enchanter Starman I haven't read the second trilogy yet, but I am assured that it is awesome. -------------------- .::Penny::. "You need to mean them, Potter! You need to really want to cause pain - to enjoy it - righteous anger won't hurt me for long..." -Bellatrix Black Lestrange

joermungard View Member Profile	Jan 30 2005, 12:34 PM Post #70
Getting Fitted for New Dress Robes Posts: 44 Joined: 10:16am January 28, 2005 Location: Paris/France (just moved there)	QUOTE(Clare @ Jan. 28 2005,7:09) QUOTE(April @ Jan. 27 2005,4:48) QUOTE(Clare @ Jan. 27 2005,12:41) April, which was your favourite of His Dark Materials? Clare The Subtle Knife was my favorite by far. They were all good but I thought The Subtle Knife was the best. Hmm, I shall tell you my favourite when I've read all three, I like the start of The Subtle Knife more than book 1 so far, though. just wanted to join in: I liked book 1 best (don't know how it's called in english)- maybe because of the arctic stuff, i'm more into snow... -------------------- Life is not a spectator's sport.

joermungard View Member Profile	Jan 30 2005, 12:49 PM Post #71
Getting Fitted for New Dress Robes Posts: 44 Joined: 10:16am January 28, 2005 Location: Paris/France (just moved there)	QUOTE(Ginny @ Jan. 29 2005,7:35) Dragon Rider by Cornelia Funke (A really good book! Ages 9+, but 12-13 year olds would like it) Inkheart by Cornelia Funke (A really interesting book, ages 12+) Theif Lord by Cornelia Funke (Not as good as the others, but worth reading, ages 10+) Oh my, I was just going to recommend these... Anyways, Funke (which means spark, by the way) has written some other books, though I don't know if they have been translated into English yet, though some of them are already quite old. She has also wrote a series about a bunch of girls who open a fanclub for chicken- don't buy these if you're looking for fantasy by Funke, they're strictly realistic. I also recommend Children of the Red King, a series by Jenny Nimmo, and the series the Edge Chronicles by Paul Stewart, which plays in an alternative world full of adventures and neverseen creatures! -------------------- Life is not a spectator's sport.

missingpatches View Member Profile	Jan 30 2005, 07:36 PM Post #72
Knight Bus Driver in Training Posts: 564 Joined: 10:22pm January 29, 2005 Location: a grubby looking pub in Central Virginia	FIRES OF NUALA by Katharine Eliska Kimbriel This is one of a trilogy, that I read while younger, and it was wonderful. Goes into the future and is contained on a refuge planet and it's kingdom. What else, oh, degrees of fertility and offworlders.... ack, but I loved them. --------------------

Regulus View Member Profile	Jan 30 2005, 11:04 PM Post #73
Professional Diagon Alley Window Shopper Posts: 59 Joined: 2:58pm January 29, 2005	Let's see, pretty much all of my favorites have been mentioned here like The Abhorsen Trilogy, anything by Tamora Pierce, Eragon, all are wonderful books. Another book I highly advise you read is Septimus Heap, Book One: Magyk. I just finished it today and it is fantastic. The characters are wondeful and it is very easy to read. -------------------- "I think gay marriage should be something between a man and a woman." --Arnold Schwarzenegger, Governor of California

mikey View Member Profile	Jan 31 2005, 10:17 AM Post #74
Fudge-Maker at Florean Fortescue's Posts: 2,234 Joined: 5:21am January 28, 2005 Location: Cardiff, UK	I can't big up Trudi Canavans Dark Magician trilogy enough, she's a fairly new author (to the Uk market) but her first 3 novels have all been superb. The Novice is very similar to Harry Potter in ways - something to pass the time with until July :wizard: I've also recently got ino Raymond Fiest's books, starting with the MAGICIAN, which was of OOTP proportions, and almost as epic as Tolkien -------------------- The Email of the species is more deadly than the mail- Stephen Fry

Willow View Member Profile	Jan 31 2005, 11:11 AM Post #75
Being Eaten by the Pea Soup Posts: 32 Joined: 5:31am January 28, 2005 Location: Belgium	I can't believe NO ONE mentioned Alice In Wonderland . Well, I'd recommend it to any one who loves words. It's fun, clever, witty, multi layered. My second choice is Tom's Midnight Garden by Philippa Pierce. A parallel universe accessible only at night where Tom meets a lovely young girl...it's really magical, nostalgic. Someone already mentioned The Neverending Story and The Mists of Avalon series. Those are on my list too. -------------------- "You must talk to him; tell him that he is a good cat, and a pretty cat, and..."

Nyte View Member Profile	Feb 1 2005, 05:07 PM Post #76
Just Through the Brick Wall Posts: 7 Joined: 3:15pm February 1, 2005 Location: Toronto, Ontario	I may have missed it but The Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan is my fav beyond LOTR and HP. I am on book 5 of 11 at the moment, but have loved it. I created a thread for it separately, but in case it is missed… A friend of mine this year turned me onto a series of books called the Wheel of Time. There is currently 10 books and a prequel out (so 11 in total), and more on the horizon. The stories revolve around a group of 3 boys in a small village who have the world in essence revolve around them. In 3 different ways. The world feeds off of the creations of JRR Tolkien and creates other creatures within in, as well as a known and unknown world. The boys small views of the realms of their existence grow beyond the borders of the Two Rivers to make them…well that would be giving too much away. From Magic users to Blademasters, from Dreamwalkers to the ignorance of nobility this series is a must read for all those who enjoy fantasy. What pattern will the wheel weave for Rand, Mat and Perrin, as well as all their companions? Will the Dark One triumph with his Forsaken? Great series. Currently I am only on book 5 of the series. So I hope to be done just in time for HPB -------------------- In the wake of the moon a lone wolf wails . The crisp smell of recent magic fills his nostrils as he fingers his sword. With a crack of a twig he spins to face his enemy and draws his blade. He stares evil right in it’s face ready to face it till the end. Welcome to your Nytemare

Lord_Fishcake View Member Profile	Feb 1 2005, 05:31 PM Post #77
Intelligenter than thou Posts: 488 Joined: 8:54pm January 4, 2005 Location: Merrie Olde England	QUOTE(joermungard @ Jan. 30 2005,12:49) QUOTE(Ginny @ Jan. 29 2005,7:35) Dragon Rider by Cornelia Funke (A really good book! Ages 9+, but 12-13 year olds would like it) Inkheart by Cornelia Funke (A really interesting book, ages 12+) Theif Lord by Cornelia Funke (Not as good as the others, but worth reading, ages 10+) Oh my, I was just going to recommend these... Anyways, Funke (which means spark, by the way) has written some other books, though I don't know if they have been translated into English yet, though some of them are already quite old. She has also wrote a series about a bunch of girls who open a fanclub for chicken- don't buy these if you're looking for fantasy by Funke, they're strictly realistic. I also recommend Children of the Red King, a series by Jenny Nimmo, and the series the Edge Chronicles by Paul Stewart, which plays in an alternative world full of adventures and neverseen creatures! Jenny Nimmo - I'd half-forgotten about her. Yes, her Snow Spider series were an enjoyable diversion - and brief enough to be swallowed in very little time indeed. I very much liked the cover art of the editions I bought, too.

lemonade View Member Profile	Feb 1 2005, 11:08 PM Post #78
Just Through the Brick Wall Posts: 7 Joined: 11:10am January 30, 2005	Well, the David Eddings books have been posted. Good to see so many fans of HP and DE out there! I have to say, when he was writing the Belgariad series I awaited his books with as much enthusiasm as I do the Harry Potter books. When the Mallorean series ended it, I was destroyed, wondering if there would ever be another series to hold a candle... then Jo got on a train!! There is a series/ author that I haven't seen mentioned above (and I love most of these mentioned)- Dave Duncan "A man of his word". Oh, and Anne McCaffrey's dragon series. Very engaging reads.

Roslindis View Member Profile	Feb 2 2005, 10:01 AM Post #79
Getting Fitted for New Dress Robes Posts: 57 Joined: 6:48am January 28, 2005	As many others have found, a lot of my favourite authors have already been mentioned here. I would heartily endorse the following recommendations: Terry Pratchett - The Discworld series and Maurice and His Amazing Educated Rodents (a unique retelling of the Pied Piper story). David and Leigh Eddings - The Belgariad, The Mallorean, Polgara, Belgarath and their Sparhawk novels. Susan Cooper - The Dark Is Rising series. I started with the second book The Dark Is Rising. The first book of the series is my least favourite, as I find it rather boring. Her book Seaward is also very good. It's the story of a girl's travels through a fantasy land as she tries to find the way back to her real-life world, and what she discovers about her self and her parentage along the way. Patricia McKillip - The Riddle Master series, The Sorceress and the Cygnet, The Cygnet and the Firebird, and Winter Rose (a retelling of the Tam Lin story). Robin McKinley - both her retelling of fairy tales such as Beauty & RoseDaughter (both Beauty and the Beast) and Spindle's End(the Sleeping Beauty) and her Damar series (The Hero and the Crown, The Blue Sword), as well as her short stories. Raymond Feist - Magician. I feel that his series degenerates as it goes along, however, Magician is a brillant book and well worth a read. C. S. Lewis - The Chronicles of Narnia and any of his other works (I particularly like The Screwtape Letters). Lloyd Alexander - The Chronicles of Prydain. E. S. Nesbit - all of her books. Diana Wynne Jones - I would add her Dalemark series to the list. This is about how four people, over a period of time, reunify the land of Dalemark under one king. It's a lot better than I make it sound. Tamora Pierce - all of her books. Gail Carson Levine Anne McCaffrey Ursula K LeGuin - any stories about Earthsea. Two of my favourite authors who haven't been mentioned are: Katherine Kerr - the Deverry novels (eleven published, two more to come). She writes interlinking stories of the past and the present (think of a celtic knot) to tell the story of the lives and adventures of her three main characters in the land of Deverry. Actions in the past have a significant affect on an individual's choices in the present, and not in the way that you might think. It's very hard to explain what she is doing without giving away the plot. Her website is here, if anyone wants to take a look. Emily Rodda - the Rowan series. The story of a young man who initially sees himself as worthless but grows to appreciate himself and his strengths through a series of adventures. She also wrote the Deltora Quest series, the story of a young man and his adventures as he tries to free his land from evil (not an original summary, but again, to say any more would ruin the plot). -------------------- Only in silence the word, only in dark the light, only in dying life: bright the hawk's flight on the empty sky. - The Creation of Ea (from The Wizard of Earthsea, by Ursula K. LeGuin)

Anonymous View Member Profile	Feb 2 2005, 06:27 PM Post #80
Just Through the Brick Wall Posts: 4 Joined: 9:44pm January 28, 2005 Location: Belgrade, MT	I definitely recommend all the Lloyd Alexander books. Especially the Chronicles of Prydain. Taran Wanderer is one of my favorite books, as is the High King. -------------------- Now,if you will excuse me, I have better things to do than to listen to adolescent agonizing.... Good day to you....

The Giant Squid View Member Profile	Feb 2 2005, 09:11 PM Post #81
Stocking Snitches at Quality Quidditch Supplies Posts: 684 Joined: 5:11am January 28, 2005 Location: Swimming in a hot spa	Wow, I'd forgotten all about the Rowan series! Thanks for reminding me, Roslindis. I'm going to go get them out of the library today -------------------- Let go, and embrace your inner Squid ...

carry-o-line View Member Profile	Feb 2 2005, 10:40 PM Post #82
Being Eaten by the Pea Soup Posts: 25 Joined: 10:48am January 28, 2005 Location: A place where few can find me, but where most can find my body.	Oh, I love the Rowan Series!!! They are so good! I read the last one a few months ago. And I forgot to mention the Charlie Bone series, too. They're good. You can tell that they were copied off Harry Potter, but I guess they're for HP fans who can't get enough, like me. -------------------- s u n s h i n e

Caradoc View Member Profile	Feb 3 2005, 02:43 AM Post #83
Monster Book Stacker Posts: 392 Joined: 9:42pm January 30, 2005 Location: Sydney, Australia	George R R Martin's Song of Ice and Fire is my favorite (excepting of course HP) fantasy of all time. It is good stuff. I recommend it. Game of Thrones Clash of Kings Storm of Swords waiting on Feast of Crows ... Series isn't finished so I am hanging for the next book. But we all know about that -------------------- Books = good "You bust slug! You bust slug!"

elly View Member Profile	Feb 3 2005, 02:24 PM Post #84
Sipping Hot Chocolate in The Three Broomsticks Posts: 1,840 Joined: 2:52pm January 28, 2005 Location: bicycling	I can't believe I forgot The Phantom Tollbooth! Now try and tell me that's a children's book! I think you need an adult to explain all the psychological and social allusions. (Besides, when I was little, the title scared me off...) It's a classic! Young boy goes on journey to find self, makes new friends along the way...the tollbooth is just a brief literary device (It would be like calling Jo's Book #1 "Harry Potter and Platform Nine and Three-Quarters"...) -------------------- Destiny is a name often given in retrospect to choices that had dramatic consequences. ~ J.K. Rowling

Roslindis View Member Profile	Feb 4 2005, 07:36 AM Post #85
Getting Fitted for New Dress Robes Posts: 57 Joined: 6:48am January 28, 2005	Oh, I love The Phantom Tollbooth. Thanks, elly - you've reminded me that I have to get a copy for my personal library. Three more series that I forgot to mention: The Book of the Isle trilogy by Nancy Springer, and the accompanying books The Black Beast and The Golden Swan. Five self contained stories that combine their characters to create a satisfying whole (the baby in one book is the hero of the next, one book gives the history that is referred to in another, etc - the same concept as Diana Wynne Jones' Crown of Dalemark series). The Seven Citadels series (four books) by Geraldine Harris, about the third prince of the Godborn and his quest to save his kingdom. The Arthur books by Kevin Crossley-Holland - these twine together Arthurian legend and the life of the hero in Medieval England and on the Crusades. All recommended by me. -------------------- Only in silence the word, only in dark the light, only in dying life: bright the hawk's flight on the empty sky. - The Creation of Ea (from The Wizard of Earthsea, by Ursula K. LeGuin)

Amanita View Member Profile	Feb 4 2005, 10:38 AM Post #86
Kibble Boy/Girl at the Magical Menagerie Posts: 306 Joined: 10:22am January 28, 2005	QUOTE(elly @ Jan. 29 2005,7:39) Amanita--check the Platform 13 copyright date (1994, as opp. to PS, 1997) Wow! I never even thought of it! off to read more Ibotson then! Thanks! :idea: Also, back to the classics - how many here know that there is a 14 books Oz series? Not all are as good as The Wizard of Oz, in fact some are quite weak - but it's definitely worth checking them out. The movie defibitely used stuff from several books (the wizard's gifts to the travelers and his accompanying speech - not from book one) --------------------

elly View Member Profile	Feb 4 2005, 11:32 AM Post #87
Sipping Hot Chocolate in The Three Broomsticks Posts: 1,840 Joined: 2:52pm January 28, 2005 Location: bicycling	Hey--I won't say she's not bandwaggoning, Amanita...(Ibbotson's fun, but I'd check them out of the library). Has anyone read Chasing Vermeer by Blue Balliett? I tried to get into it a couple of times, but it's a bit slow and dense, and I was always ran out of time... -------------------- Destiny is a name often given in retrospect to choices that had dramatic consequences. ~ J.K. Rowling

Crookshanks is m... Crookshanks is my cat View Member Profile	Feb 4 2005, 01:51 PM Post #88
Eeylops Owl Cage Cleaner Posts: 205 Joined: 5:49pm January 29, 2005	I like Eragon, The Bartimaeus Trilogy, His Dark Materials,The Dark is Rising, Artemis Fowl, anything by Tamora Pierce, Anne McCaffrey, and stuff by Eva Ibbotson. -------------------- I share a birthday with J.K. Rowling!!! How cool is that!?

jilumasam View Member Profile	Feb 4 2005, 07:38 PM Post #89
Being Eaten by the Pea Soup Posts: 30 Joined: 5:00am January 28, 2005 Location: Australia	A couple of extra suggestions: Splashdance Silver and liquid Gold by Tansy Rayner Roberts.Hilarious and a great read. This is an Aussie author so unsure if its made it overseas yet. All the books written by Dave Duncan that relate to the Kings Blade Universe including the Kings Daggers series. Well written and a bit of work required to follow the storyline, especially as he jumps all over the place from one book to the next. Jilumasam:) -------------------- "There is more to life than increasing its speed" - mahatma ghandi

carry-o-line View Member Profile	Feb 4 2005, 10:18 PM Post #90
Being Eaten by the Pea Soup Posts: 25 Joined: 10:48am January 28, 2005 Location: A place where few can find me, but where most can find my body.	I like Tamora Pierce too. -------------------- s u n s h i n e

The Giant Squid View Member Profile	Feb 4 2005, 10:24 PM Post #91
Stocking Snitches at Quality Quidditch Supplies Posts: 684 Joined: 5:11am January 28, 2005 Location: Swimming in a hot spa	Has anyone mentioned the Duncton Wood series? I have about six of them, they're very thick. I haven't read them for a long time, but they're a very interesting read about a community of moles. I got onto them after reading the Redwall books. -------------------- Let go, and embrace your inner Squid ...

carry-o-line View Member Profile	Feb 4 2005, 10:24 PM Post #92
Being Eaten by the Pea Soup Posts: 25 Joined: 10:48am January 28, 2005 Location: A place where few can find me, but where most can find my body.	Yeah, Phantom Tollbooth is such a good book. I'd forgot about it. -------------------- s u n s h i n e

Amirianna View Member Profile	Feb 5 2005, 08:45 AM Post #93
Getting Fitted for New Dress Robes Posts: 58 Joined: 6:10am January 28, 2005 Location: Hiding in the closet	Wow, looks like most of my favourites have already been mentioned...Terry Pratchett, C. S. Lewis, E. S. Nesbit, Tamora Pierce, Emily Rodda........so I won't repeat them all again. But I noticed that no one has mentioned The Princess Bride by William Golding. As proclaimed on the cover, a "classic tale of true love and high adventure." Ever since I could read, I have loved this book. It's my passion. (Well, at least until HP came along). To quote, "It tells the story of Buttercup, the most beautiful girl in the world. And of fencing, fighting, torture, poison, true love, hate, revenge, giants, hunters, bad men, good men, beautifulist ladies, snakes, spiders, beasts, chases, escapes, lies, truths, passions, and miracles." Who could forget the Zoo of Death, or the Cliffs of Insanity?? Not to metion Price Humperdinck, Fezzik, Westley, and Inigo. An all round gorgeous book. -------------------- "I'll never learn. If there's ever a question about anything, you can always count on me to get it wrong." - Fezzik, The Princess Bride

kiltman View Member Profile	Feb 5 2005, 09:44 PM Post #94
Just Through the Brick Wall Posts: 1 Joined: 11:25pm January 29, 2005 Location: Here now	For a mature audience I highly recommend the Song of Ice and Fire cycle by George R. R. Martin. These are very well written books but contain many thematic elements that are at least an R rating. They are also very long books The first is A Game of Thrones. I also recommend the Farseer trilogy and the Tawny man trilogy by Robin Hobb. For a slightly younger crowd I would recommend the Earthsea bools by Ursila K. LeGuin. And last but not least for all ages I recommend the Chronicles of Narnia -------------------- The amazing kiltman

The Giant Squid View Member Profile	Feb 5 2005, 10:14 PM Post #95
Stocking Snitches at Quality Quidditch Supplies Posts: 684 Joined: 5:11am January 28, 2005 Location: Swimming in a hot spa	Yeah, Narnia is one of the essential fantasy series -------------------- Let go, and embrace your inner Squid ...

Luna Estel 11 View Member Profile	Feb 10 2005, 07:15 PM Post #96
Being Eaten by the Pea Soup Posts: 19 Joined: 5:47pm February 2, 2005 Location: USA	All my favorites are already listed, but I have to say them anyways. The Bartimaeus Trilogy by Jonathan Stroud, LOTR and The Hobbit, The Enchanted Forest Chronicles by Patricia C. Wrede, Eragon, and The Earthsea Cycle by Ursula K. LeGuin. By the way everyone is talking about His Dark Materials, I am going to have to read it when I get done with The Silmarillion. :read:

Sabrina Peyton View Member Profile	Feb 11 2005, 05:59 AM Post #97
Professional Diagon Alley Window Shopper Posts: 67 Joined: 8:05am January 28, 2005 Location: Leeds UK	Quite a few that I read have already been mentioned. Neil Gaiman - Good Omens Terry Goodkind - Sword of Truth series Garth Nix - Anything really of his Sara Douglass - Axis or the other series that continues that (I don't recomend her historical books only because I couldn't get through the first one) Marion Zimmer Bradley's Mists of Avalon was mentioned but she also did a Darkover series which they've started reprinting there are about 4 books of it so far (I think) that have been released. And of course her other Avalon books. I wouldn't recommend anyone under 14ish read any of Bradley's books as there is some adult content (especially in her short stories!) Elizabeth Haydon's Symphony of Ages books. The first is a bit hard to get through but once you do get into it the books are really fast reads. Haydons website for more information Maggie Fury Artifacts of Power series (a world falling apart due to crazed mages) and Shadowleague series (a world divided by curtain type things) are both a lot of fun and I highly recomend them. And that's all I can think of without looking at my bookcases. -------------------- Check out www.fractalmatter.com every month for interviews, reviews and features! Our November issue features Jeff Smith creator of the Bone series and Adrian Paul of Highlander.

rubyphoenix View Member Profile	Feb 12 2005, 01:38 AM Post #98
Just Through the Brick Wall Posts: 12 Joined: 1:02am February 12, 2005 Location: Not here nor there	T.A. Barron's Merlin Series. Tells of the childhood years of Merlin and how he came to be Merlin in a unique and intriguing way.

SLLuna005 View Member Profile	Feb 15 2005, 10:00 PM Post #99
Knockturn Alley Fingernail Vendor Posts: 794 Joined: 6:55am January 28, 2005 Location: In St. Mungo's Fourth Floor: Spell Damage	QUOTE(malcolm1980 @ Jan. 28 2005,11:30) A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle Madeleine L'Engle Time Series A Wrinkle in Time, A Wind in the Door, A Swiftly Tilting Planet, Many Waters, and An Acceptable Time The main stars of this series are Meg and her younger brother Charles Wallace and their friend Calvin O'Keefe. These novels have a more serious tone, than what we are used to in the Harry Potter series, but it has some similar concepts, for example: the power of love, there is more to a person than meets the eye, the consequences of the choices we make, and excepting those who are different from us. Where HP is pure fantasy, this series is a mixture of science fiction and fantasy. Meg and Charles' twin brothers star in Many Waters. Also Calvin and Meg's daughter stars in An Acceptable Time. To learn more about Madeleine L'Engle click here This website is a bit slow. Just be patient and give it a few minutes and it will eventually come up. I would also recommend author John Bellairs. These books have warmth, humor, and paranormal suspense. The Lewis Barnavelt & Rose Rita Pottinger Series begins with The House With a Clock in its Walls. The Johnny Dixon & Professor Childermass Series begins with The Curse of the Blue Figurine. To learn more about John Bellairs and his books click here. -------------------- The happiness of your life depends on the quality of your thoughts. ~ Marcus A. Antoninus Thoughts can leave deeper scarring than almost anything else... ~ Madame Pomfrey (OoP)

Willow710 View Member Profile	Feb 15 2005, 11:21 PM Post #100
Just Through the Brick Wall Posts: 7 Joined: 2:15pm January 31, 2005	I really enjoyed reading Eragon by Christopher Paolini as well as the Lord of the Rings and the His Dark Materials trilogy. I love fantasy books!! :read: -------------------- .:~:._.:~:._.:~:._.:~:.

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