Favorite Fantasy Reading Series

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CanonAlberic

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Okay, on a lighter side…

What’s your favorite fantasy book series? I’ve read and loved all of these, but let me say a word or two about a few of them…

E.R.R. Eddison: Incredible stuff, but the “Old English” he uses can be a bit rough.

Gene Wolfe: My god, this man can write! The man is a wordsmith without parallel, but it can be tough going…

Stephen R. Donaldson: Love this series, but the “antihero” is one of the most annoying characters in all of fiction!

Katherine Kurtz: I’m almost done rereading the Deryni series (I think she’s up to 13 books now). Great stuff… I don’t know if this woman is a Catholic, but she certainly knows a lot about the medieval church, and she can tell one helluva story to boot!!

Narnia: I liked 'em as a kid, but they seem a bit juvenile, preachy and pedestrian now (with the exception of “Puddleglum” in “The Silver Chair”… on of my all-time favorite characters in fiction!!).

By the way, please feel free to comment on your own favorite series here… I need more stuff to read.

Peace!
 
The Lord of the Rings, of course.

Narnia, because I want to go to Aslan’s country when I die, and because I like the storytelling.

Anything by Robin McKinley, as per my username. Deerskin, Rose Daughter and Sunshine are my favourites. She re-writes fairy tales, and has a few original fantasy novels, too.

The Old Kingdom series by Garth Nix. I love his writing, and the idea of Charter magic, and the Disreputable Dog, and a library where you have to go armed. Awesome. It’s a trilogy- Sabriel, Lirael, and Abhorsen.

The Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn trilogy by Tad Williams. Epic, beautifully written, gripping, and with great characters. Deliberate Tolkien elements re-worked.

Le Guin’s Earthsea series. Still haven’t read The Other Wind, but I love the rest.

Anything by Terry Pratchett, especially his latest stuff. I read A Hat Full Of Sky today, and am eagerly awaiting I Shall Wear Midnight. It’s got a cool title. I’m in love with Sir Samuel Vimes, so I like his Guards books best.

I’ll probably remember more in the middle of the night, but these are the important ones.
 
Lissla Lissar:
The Lord of the Rings, of course.

Narnia, because I want to go to Aslan’s country when I die, and because I like the storytelling.

Anything by Robin McKinley, as per my username. Deerskin, Rose Daughter and Sunshine are my favourites. She re-writes fairy tales, and has a few original fantasy novels, too.

The Old Kingdom series by Garth Nix. I love his writing, and the idea of Charter magic, and the Disreputable Dog, and a library where you have to go armed. Awesome. It’s a trilogy- Sabriel, Lirael, and Abhorsen.

The Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn trilogy by Tad Williams. Epic, beautifully written, gripping, and with great characters. Deliberate Tolkien elements re-worked.

Le Guin’s Earthsea series. Still haven’t read The Other Wind, but I love the rest.

Anything by Terry Pratchett, especially his latest stuff. I read A Hat Full Of Sky today, and am eagerly awaiting I Shall Wear Midnight. It’s got a cool title. I’m in love with Sir Samuel Vimes, so I like his Guards books best.

I’ll probably remember more in the middle of the night, but these are the important ones.
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Thanks Liss, for being the 1st to respond to my 1st legitimate poll.
Good call on “Earthesea” by LeGuin, I forgot that one (except that the most recent novel really stunk!!). If you can find 'em, (check a used bookstore’s paperback SF section) see if you can look up Kurtz’s “Deryni” series. I just love these books (and have had to “rebuy” copies online to replace the ones I’ve worn out!).
Peace!
 
Honostly, I can’t say I’ve read anything from that list except for Tolkien & C.S. Lewis.

As for suggestions…

I would heartily suggest Elizabeth Moon’s The Deed of Paksenarrion
It’s the story of a peasant girl (Sheepfarmer’s Daughter is the title of the first book), who leaves home to become a mercenary warrior, and then later a knight & paladin. Very good story…mostly standard fantasy fare, but with a very ‘down in the trenches’ feel to it.

I would also suggest Brian Jacques Redwall Saga. It’s considered to be a childrens series, but still very good.

For something a little different I recommend Steven Brust’s Vlad Taltos sequence, and The Phoenix Guards. Both are set in the same world, but seperated by time. He has a very archaic feeling writing style in The Phoenix Guards.

I mostly read Sci-Fi nowadays…and if you want any good science fiction suggestions, just ask.

Pax Vobiscum!
 
Lissla Lissar:
Anything by Terry Pratchett, especially his latest stuff. I read A Hat Full Of Sky today, and am eagerly awaiting I Shall Wear Midnight. It’s got a cool title. I’m in love with Sir Samuel Vimes, so I like his Guards books best.
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Ahh…Terry’s Mort is probably his best. I just love reading about Death working at a burger stand…
 
Any of David and Leigh Eddings’ books (I really liked Sparhawk). Robert Jordan’s Wheel of Time series - although I really wish he’d hurry up and finish it.

I am a real fan of Katherine Kurtz and had the honor of having her as an overnight house guest in 1980. She is indeed Catholic.
 
Actually, my two aren’t on the list. First and foremost is the C.S. Lewis sci-fi trilogy: *Out of the Silent Planet, Perelandra, *and That Hideous Strength.

After that, I’d have to say Dune.
 
I gave up on the Wheel of Time after the 8th book. There are what, 11 now?

I read Alphabet of Thorns, by Patricia McKillip, a little while ago. It was very good.
 
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CanonAlberic:
Okay, on a lighter side…

What’s your favorite fantasy book series? I’ve read and loved all of these, but let me say a word or two about a few of them…

E.R.R. Eddison: Incredible stuff, but the “Old English” he uses can be a bit rough.

Gene Wolfe: My god, this man can write! The man is a wordsmith without parallel, but it can be tough going…

Stephen R. Donaldson: Love this series, but the “antihero” is one of the most annoying characters in all of fiction!

Katherine Kurtz: I’m almost done rereading the Deryni series (I think she’s up to 13 books now). Great stuff… I don’t know if this woman is a Catholic, but she certainly knows a lot about the medieval church, and she can tell one helluva story to boot!!

Narnia: I liked 'em as a kid, but they seem a bit juvenile, preachy and pedestrian now (with the exception of “Puddleglum” in “The Silver Chair”… on of my all-time favorite characters in fiction!!).

By the way, please feel free to comment on your own favorite series here… I need more stuff to read.

Peace!
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I said Lord of The Rings, because it is best. But I would have to agree with the Harry Potter fans that it is pretty good. It is a second placer.
 
Lissla Lissar:
I gave up on the Wheel of Time after the 8th book. There are what, 11 now?

I read Alphabet of Thorns, by Patricia McKillip, a little while ago. It was very good.
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I gave up after 1 and a half. I saw that it was 11 books and still going and that was all for me. It also lacked creativity. Jordan’s ideas came from Christianity and Judaism and other areas.
 
From your list I chose LotR. I have not heard of most of the others you listed.

From those not on your list, I would have to say David Eddings’ Sparhawk series of books. Excellent stories. And I loved Stephen King’s Dark Tower books since I read the first one years ago. I could hardly wait for each new one to come out!
 
Lord of the Rings is in a class by itself without question. No one has mentioned Robert E. Howard yet. Or H. Rider Haggard or Edgar Rice Burroughs. How about H. P. Lovecraft? Dunsany? (Never mind I hate Dunsany). The 1920s and 30s were fertile ground for fantasy.
 
brotherhrolf said:
**Any of David and Leigh Eddings’ books **
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I tend to like the Belgariad, Mallorean (et. al.)

Redemption of Althalus too 👍
 
I think lord of the ring and herry poter are ok but give me a xanth novil any day:bounce:
 
Xanth?! Piers Anthony has written the same novel so many times since I was a teenager (I’m 53) it’s ridiculous. Have you actually read the series from its conception?
 
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brotherhrolf:
Xanth?! Piers Anthony has written the same novel so many times since I was a teenager (I’m 53) it’s ridiculous. Have you actually read the series from its conception?
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I read his stuff until about 1995 or 96…now I’m just way too punned out…You’re correct about them all being the same book. Too much!
 
I love the Narnia stories, in fact reading them saved my failing faith. But LOTR just cannot be beaten. If only Narnia had Elves, then it would be serious competition.
 
I just love the Discworld series by Terry Pratchett. He must be the satirist of the century. He is able to hold a mirror to the world and point out with biting honesty the things we all know but like to hide in the back of the wardrobe!! Oh and did I mention funny? I laugh out loud often to the great annoyance of the husband!

Favourite characters have to be the Witches and then Death and his granddaughter Susan
 
i voted for LotR. i am obviously a WoT fan too, from my screen name. i like the Sword of Truth series by Terry Goodkind too, but i dont really agree with some of his views (for anyone that read Chainfire, you probably remember Zedd’s rant about faith). David Eddings and Ursela LeGuin are great too.

one series i cant believe i havent seen mentioned yet is George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire. i think this is the best series other than Tolkien. it’s fantasy, but he wrote it purposely to feel like historical fiction as well, so it has the best of both worlds. for any history fans, it’s based partially on the war of the roses in english history. the first book in the series is called A Game of Thrones. if you havent read this series yet, be sure to check it out.
 
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