Any good fantasy book?

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I probably don’t even need to mention Lord of the Rings, as everyone else has already mentioned. No one seems to have mentioned The Hobbit though. That is my favorite by Tolkien.

The Chronicles of Chestomanci by Dianne Wynne Jones. It’s considered a children’s series, but it is awsome. Very well written. Check out other books by that author, namely Howl’s Moving Castle.

Inkheart series.

The Wheel of Time series.

If you can handle it, read Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell. I warn you, it is not an easy read. If you can get past the first 100 pages you should be ok. It is a masterpiece in my opinion.
 
I’d just like to suggest The Neverending Story by Michael Ende…wonderful book and I’ve lost track of how many times I’ve read it.
 
I saw the Sword of Truth series by Terry Goodkind suggested, I really would not recommend that one to a teenager. It is definitely geared towards adults, with graphic descriptions of violence, torture, and pretty explicit sexual content - and that IS in the first 3 books. Also, as the series goes on, it pretty much turns into the author’s platform for preaching objectivism, so I wouldn’t recommend anyone of any age read it unless they are strong enough in their faith to avoid any possible hazards there. Just my 2 cents’ worth.

I heartily concur with Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell. Plus it makes a handy door stop when you’re done, or a small step stool. 😉
 
Pray4Life said:
I saw the Sword of Truth series by Terry Goodkind suggested, I really would not recommend that one to a teenager. It is definitely geared towards adults, with graphic descriptions of violence, torture, and pretty explicit sexual content - and that IS in the first 3 books. Also, as the series goes on, it pretty much turns into the author’s platform for preaching objectivism, so I wouldn’t recommend anyone of any age read it unless they are strong enough in their faith to avoid any possible hazards there. Just my 2 cents’ worth.

I heartily concur with Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell. Plus it makes a handy door stop when you’re done, or a small step stool. 😉
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I actually gave a copy of Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell to my Priest. He really enjoyed it and even pointed out that it was pro catholic in parts.
 
Another series I like is the WIZARD IN RHYME series by Christopher Stasheff. He is a Catholic who got to thinking that all the fantasy stories about the medieval ages weren’t true to life–they ignored the extent religion played a part in people’s lives. He creates an alternate universe in which magic takes the place of science, and where the issues of good and evil aren’t as nebulous as they sometimes seem in our world. He seems to reach some in the later stories, but the first four or five are a fun read.
 
The Farseer Trilogy by Robin Hobb is pretty amazing!

Song of Ice and Fire has been mentioned, and it is amazing…HBO are actually doing it as a series soon! So you can decide if you want to watch it or read it!

Others…hm…no, those are the ones I always return to, apart from The Lord of the Rings.
 
I really enjoyed the Tales of Alvin Maker series by Orson Scott Card. It’s a historical fantasy set in colonial America. A lot of historical figures make appearances, like Tecumseh, Napoleon, and others. Pretty good series, I went through them pretty fast and I don’t tend to read books very fast 😛
 
Kyu said:
I really enjoyed the Tales of Alvin Maker series by Orson Scott Card. It’s a historical fantasy set in colonial America. A lot of historical figures make appearances, like Tecumseh, Napoleon, and others. Pretty good series, I went through them pretty fast and I don’t tend to read books very fast 😛
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The enders Game series by Card is very good as well, if it hasnt been mentioned yet…
 
Before I read anything else, I want to finish the Narnia books and go through LOTR – but I see this series “Dragonlance” – anybody have an opinion on them?
 
The Eragon series is really good. They’re a little long, but all three took me two days max each to read.

Also, a more modern one is *Artemis Fowl/I] by Eion Colfer. They are geared towards a younger audience, but they are very well written, and highly underrated. I prefer this series to Harry Potter. I still love them, and I’m far out of the range of the intended audience
:rotfl:

Eion Colfer also has two stand alone novels. The Supernaturalist and The Wish List

The Supernaturalist was OK compared to his other books, however, The Wish List is an amazing book. It is a really interesting, new look on life and death, and he really does a good job. I ended up crying at the end. I loved this book. Again, highly underrated, and I doubt anyone else has read it. Still for a mid-teen age group, but it’s one of those books anyone would enjoy.

The Mediator Series By Meg Cabot. I read all 6 in a day each. Really good series of stories about a girl who can see spirits. I also cried at the end of this series, too. Well written, and there are a lot of touching moments in the book.

For historical horror fantasy, Pride, Prejudice, and Zombies. I own it, and I still have not read it, so I can’t tell you.

The Fallen Series is about the Nephilim, and they made it into a mini-series on TV a few years ago. I still need to read them, but I did enjoy the TV show.

Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass. I have them set to read after I finish the 2 books I am simultaneously reading.

Anything by Neil Gaiman. Stardust, Coraline, American Gods, The Sandman graphic novels if you are in the older teen range, because they are pretty graphic. They may be a comic book series, but they are very dark and violent, so unless you can handle gore and all of that, don’t pick them up, but pick up Coraline or Stardust instead.

OK, that is enough…*
 
Susan Cooper’s “Dark is Rising” series is very good and quite complex. It has a basis in Arthurian legend. The first book is called Over Sea, Under Stone.

Also the Ursula Le Guin Earthsea series, starting with “A Wizard of Earthsea.”

In a class I took, I had to study a little about Robert Heinlein and many of his early books were written as “teen fiction” - specifically for boys. I remember one called “Tunnel in the Sky” about young people who had to survive on their own.
 
3DOCTORS said:
Before I read anything else, I want to finish the Narnia books and go through LOTR – but I see this series “Dragonlance” – anybody have an opinion on them?
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Dragonlance is probably the series that really got me started on fantasy books. Specifically the Chronicles and Legends trilogies. The vast majority of the other books in the Dragonlance universe were written by other authors (not Weiss and Hickman) and as such, the quality of the stories can be somewhat hit and miss. Chronicles and Legends, however, still remain some of my favorites. The Legends series is basically a continuation of Chronicles, so I recommend reading those first if you’re planning on reading them. I can’t say that it is evenly remotely in keeping with the Catholic faith (it has its own pantheon of dieties that show up in various forms throughout the stories), but the heroes have some very admirable qualities and the villains are truly evil and never seem to be glorified, so I wouldn’t classify it as being morally bankrupt. I guess what I’m saying is don’t use it for your theology, just enjoy it for what it is - a really enjoyable fantasy series.

-CK
 
Catholic_Kenpo said:
Dragonlance is probably the series that really got me started on fantasy books. Specifically the Chronicles and Legends trilogies. The vast majority of the other books in the Dragonlance universe were written by other authors (not Weiss and Hickman) and as such, the quality of the stories can be somewhat hit and miss. Chronicles and Legends, however, still remain some of my favorites. The Legends series is basically a continuation of Chronicles, so I recommend reading those first if you’re planning on reading them. I can’t say that it is evenly remotely in keeping with the Catholic faith (it has its own pantheon of dieties that show up in various forms throughout the stories), but the heroes have some very admirable qualities and the villains are truly evil and never seem to be glorified, so I wouldn’t classify it as being morally bankrupt. I guess what I’m saying is don’t use it for your theology, just enjoy it for what it is - a really enjoyable fantasy series.

-CK
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Thanks, that’s helpful. Believe me, I always read with discernment and keep my grain of salt handy when it comes to secular literature for sure, and even books by Catholic authors – worked in a Catholic bookstore and learned which publishers were faithful to Church teaching and which were more driven by the “cafeteria/progressive Catholic” mindset.😉 'Nuff said.
 
Della said:
Although secular in nature, I enjoyed the Dragonriders of Pern series. There’s some good stuff in them, although it’s not great literature by any means.

Also, C. S. Lewis’ Space Trilogy: Out of the Silent Planet, Perelandra, and That Hideous Strength. There are beautiful mythological elements in all three.
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I third (:confused:fourth? :pfifth??) McCaffrey’s Pern series. Delightful reading!!

I confess that I have not yet made it through Lewis’ Space Trilogy…I have no idea why. I love Lewis…I just can’t get started without running out of enthusiasm. Which reminds me, that I still have my pastor’s copy of Out of the Silent Planet.
child_of_God85 said:
I actually gave a copy of Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell to my Priest. He really enjoyed it and even pointed out that it was pro catholic in parts.
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That is a terrific read!! I was in the mood for a:D fat book, & it was the :blush:biggest one on the wee rack at the supermarket…
I was afraid I would get mired, but instead, I found myslef making yet another pot of tea to keep awake for “just one more chapter”.
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3DOCTORS:
A friend lent me her copy of Lord Darcy by Randall Garrett. It’s an alternate-universe premise, where (quoting the back cover) “Richard Lionheart did not die in the year 1199, but went on to found the mightiest empire in history . . . where magic is a science and science is an art”

It’s a compilation of several detective stories – CSI like except instead of things like DNA evidence, they trace back the sorcery that was performed.

It’s also Catholic in setting, since the Reformation didn’t take place.

All in all, fun and fascinating.
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I :thumbsup:loved this book!! Highly recommended for mystery fans, as well as fantasy.
 
I wouldn’t recommend The Song of Ice and Fire series to a teenager. Too much sex.
Here’s what I do recommend. Writers are in parantheses
  1. The Wheel of Time(Robert Jordan) does have a slightly Buddhist bent, but it’s not overt.
  2. Warriors (Erin Hunter)don’t let the talking cats fool you. This is not a cute animal story
  3. Ranger’s Apprentice (John Flanagan)–good medieval storyline here and very well-written.
  4. Keys to the Kingdom (Garth Nix)–gritty steampunk at its best.
  5. The Seventh Tower (also by Garth Nix)–his second-best series, but still a very good read, nevertheless.
  6. Harry Potter (JK Rowling, of course)–come on, did you really think I wouldn’t? This woman writes great stuff
  7. Anything by Madeleine L. Engle–very spiritually-based, even includes angels and such.
  8. Incarnations of Immortality (Piers Anthony)–A good blending of fantasy in a modernized setting.
 
I can’t believe no one has mentioned the best fantasy series ever…The Belgariad, by David Eddings.

Some people read LOTR every year; this is the one I read constantly. The Malloreon is the sequel series, and though it’s not quite as good as the Belgariad, it’s still excellent stuff. After that Eddings slowly became dull and repetitive, unfortunately. But nothing has yet to top the Belgariad.

Of course, you could always read some of the writings that inspired Eddings; medieval romance (not mushy, lovey-dovey romance) such as King Arthur, Charlemagne, Sigurd, Njal’s Saga, etc.

Actually, I recommend this reading list from Amazon.com as a great starting point.

amazon.com/gp/richpub/syltguides/fullview/1WND8UQGC4EYW

Warning: heavy reading ahead, but more than worth it for the fantasy fan.
 
Borealis said:
I can’t believe no one has mentioned the best fantasy series ever…The Belgariad, by David Eddings.

Some people read LOTR every year; this is the one I read constantly. The Malloreon is the sequel series, and though it’s not quite as good as the Belgariad, it’s still excellent stuff. After that Eddings slowly became dull and repetitive, unfortunately. But nothing has yet to top the Belgariad.

Of course, you could always read some of the writings that inspired Eddings; medieval romance (not mushy, lovey-dovey romance) such as King Arthur, Charlemagne, Sigurd, Njal’s Saga, etc.

Actually, I recommend this reading list from Amazon.com as a great starting point.

amazon.com/gp/richpub/syltguides/fullview/1WND8UQGC4EYW

Warning: heavy reading ahead, but more than worth it for the fantasy fan.
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DUDE!!! I cant believe I forgot that series! Now I have to dig out my books and re-read them.
 
Ah man, and the Covenant series was on that reading list… I dont know if I have recommended that yet, but it is ABSOLUTELY worth reading. at least the first 6 books.
 
I want to point out the classics, if I may. H.G. Wells, Time Machine, for example and Jules Verne, Journey to the Center of the Earth.

Edgar Rice Borroughs wrote a lot of science fiction and fantasy beyond Tarzan. He wrote a whole series about John Carter of Mars and Deja Thoris. The first book is called a Princess of Mars and it was published in 1912. The series has a lot of classic science fiction themes that are still used today.

These may be older books and seem quaint now, but if you read them, you can see where many of today’s ideas come from.
 
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