Ok good i was dreading reading it but now im not so much.

Yea Feast of Crows was a little slow and some of the characters aren't in it at all but it is great and the ending is fantastic!

O its fine and im going to read the book i think its called a feast of crows i just finished A Storm of Swords and it was amazing but intensly saddening. Its to true he takes forever to write his books. i was told that the feast of crows is insanly boring though.
I will have to find this War of the Flowers now cool.

Thanks bunches Stephen! So far i'm really liking War of the Flowers. I like William's style of writing. It took the first 100 pages or so of character building of the main guy before he gets really into the whole big plot line but it's good. I love when the authors can make you feel for a character, especially when they are in extreme situations that you could not possibly ever imagine.

It's not a series though. I chose my first book by him specifically because it isn't a series though. I seem to have this OCD thing to where once I start a series I have to read it to the end so it sucks when I don't really like the author. hahaha... That's why authors like GRR Martin drive me insane! How many years does it take to write a book? I'm just hoping that he doesn't some how die before he get's a chance to publish the 5th book. It's been what like 5 or more years already right. Ugh!

babble, babble... sorry :)

Also is that War of the Flowers good? Is it one book or series?

No prob Lori. To Kelly well his Drizzt books have about 20 books to it. Not to big but it takes some time to read all of them including the few other sside stories which connect to it. But overall yes it is his best to start with. If you do look for it look for " Homeland".You may not like the first three but in the later books it gets beyond amazing. I liked the first three but not many do. Enjoy i hope.

Stephen, I deleted your other thread since I see you have opted to utilize this one. Thanks for doing that!

I've never read any of RA Salvatore but I'm always looking for a good sci fi author to read. Is the Drizzt Do'Urden series the best one of his to start with? I just got into Tad Williams (reading The War of the Flowers) and really like it.

Ok cool i like this. Ive read alot of these but here are my top 5. Ok the only problem with my first book is im putting the entire series onto it. i cant decide for it so here you go.

1. The Drizzt Do'Urden Series by R.A. Salvatore
2. Lord of the Rings Trilogy by J.R.R. Tolkien
3. Wheel of Time By Robert Jordan
4. Chronicas of Thomas Covnant by Stephen R. Donaldson
5. Shannara Books by Terry Brooks

I love fantasy and i am caught up now in many booksat once haha.

Hi Melissa

I thought I was going to be the poor relation here with only 4 fantasy series read, but I looked down the list and saw mention of a book/series that I would have placed in mythological fiction, but placing it in fantasy gives me a list of five. :)

1) The Belgariad series by David Eddings.
2) The Malorean series by David Eddings.
3) The Elenium series by David Eddings.
4) The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant by Stephen R Donaldson
5) The Avalon series by Marion Zimmer Bradley.

Not read a lot of fantasy, but have read a fair amount of Sci-Fi over the years.

His Dark Materials
Harry Potter
Lord of the Rings
Chronicles of Narnia
Searching For Dragons series (A must for pre-teens/teens, IMO)

JG, I did read Graceling and loved it! It was definately another one of those books with a strong female character. I'm so excited for the prequel, Fire, to come out in, I think, September.

I'll definately have to check out the Fantasy Book Club. I'm sure it will help me find some new books!

Kelly, have you read Graceling? Based on what you said about Hunger Games--which I haven't read, but it's on my list--I think you'd enjoy it.

I don't know if you're interested, but the Fantasy Book Club read and discussed Neverwhere last month. You can pop on over and see what everyone had to say if you want. You can always make your own comments too. We usually keep discussing as people post new comments.

Here's some of my favorites that I had not seen listed... My to read pile just got bigger and I agree with so many of the other posts.

1. Brandon Sanderson's Mistborn Trilogy. I have only gone through the first two, but they are amazing! The third is on the way. Very accessible, well thought out... loved them!

2. Terry Brooks' Shannara series. There are so many books, but my very first fantasy book that I picked out was The Sword of Shannara... such good memories.

3. L.E. Modesitt's Recluse series. It can get a little wacky and overly intricate at times, but I can't help but enjoy myself when I'm reading them.

4. the Chronicles of Narinia. I know I said I was not going to post any repeats, but I love, love these books. I had a total book crush on Prince Caspian for a long time. LOL

5. Madeleine L'Engles series with a Wrinkle in Time. I was totally convinced when I was younger that I would figure out how they did all that traveling stuff. =)

Have any of you read Luthiel's Song series by Robert Fanney? I saw it on a list of Sci Fi series but and it sounded interesting. I'd love to hear what one you thought though who read it before I order it (it doesn't seem to be in any book stores by me).

1. I absolutely love Song of Fire and Ice by George RR Martin. I'm shocked it's not listed more on here. It is soooOOooooo good! But since it's taken him like, what is it, 5 years or so to come out with the 5th book it is upsetting... Dang slow writers!

2. I would also have to say His Dark Materiels by Philip Pullman. What a great story! I never really understood all the hoopla regarding it though, but then again that is what got me to read it. hahahah...

3. This one isn't a series but it's so good, Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman. I tried to read last year and just couldn't get into it but then picked up again this year and absolutely loved it. His story lines are so unique and interesting.

4. Another great book, Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. Although it is not a totally unique story line her take on it is amazing and I have to admit I love strong female characters. There seems to be so few books where woman just kick ass and don't depend on men. I am so excited for the next installment to come out in September. Along these same lines Battle Royal by Koushun Takami is also amazing, much more graphic but absolutely amazing!

5. I also really liked Heritage of Shannara Series by Terry Brooks. I haven't read them in a long time but I remember loving them.

I'd like to put LOTR on here to but honestly the ending to the book was kind of a let down to me. I loved the lead up though but the last 100 or 200 pages of it just kind of let me down. Same with the Harry Potter series. Before the last book came out, Deathly Hollows, I would constantly reread the books (not really the 1st and 2nd they weren't my favorites) but the last book was such a let down to me and honestly made me not want to pick them up again.

1. Kushiel's Legacy by Jacqueline Carey
2. The Abhorsen Trilogy by Garth Nix (YA)
3. Song of the Lioness by Tamora Pierce (YA)
4. Tamir Trilogy by Lynn Flewelling
5. The Sevenwaters Quartet by Juliet Marillier

1. Maximum Ride series by James Patterson
2. Harry Potter by JK Rowling / The Dark is Rising
by Susan Cooper
3. The Forever King by Molly Cochran & Warren Murphy
4. Pendragon by DJ MacHale
5. Chronicles of the Dragon Keeper by Donita K. Paul

I'm not sure about the definition of fantasy, but:

1. Twilight Saga by Stephenie Meyer

2. Undead Series by Mary Janice Davidson (not the best writing, but funny and entertaining)

Li - the second book gets even better, and the ending was quite satisfying, I thought.

That's definitely good to know, thanks! =)

I don't read much fantasy but these are what I have read:

1. The Xanth Series by Piers Anthony- These books are so funny!
2. The Lord of the Rings series by J.R.R. Tolkein
3. A Wrinkle in Time series by Madeleine L'Engle

These next ones aren't series but they are very good books

1. Book of Enchantments by Patricia C. Wrede
2. The Anything Box by Zenna Henderson
3. The Gorgon and Other Beastly Tales by Tanith Lee
4. The Neverending Story (I can't remember the author, shame on me)
5. A Dragon Lover's Treasury of the Fantastic edited by Margaret Weis

Li wrote: "Janny wrote: "Flesh and Spirit and Breath and Bone, a duology by Carol Berg"

I haven't read Breath and Bone but I did read Flesh and Spirit and it was ..."

Li - the second book gets even better, and the ending was quite satisfying, I thought.

Janny wrote: "Flesh and Spirit and Breath and Bone, a duology by Carol Berg"

I haven't read Breath and Bone but I did read Flesh and Spirit and it was very intriguing an enjoyable read. I'm sure this series will hit my top five once I read the second book =)

I dont have a total of top 5. I have just entered into this genre not too long ago but I do have a favorite or two and they are:

1. Harry Potter series
2. Twilight series

I love Steven Brust's Vlad Taltos series.

Stephanie wrote: "I have to add
The Lies of Locke Lamora (Gentleman Bastard, #1)
Red Seas Under Red Skies (Gentleman Bastard, #2)
The Republic of Thieves (Gentleman Bastard, #3)
by Scott Lynch
"

ACK I need to get on the Ball I didn't know Republic of Thieves already came out.

I also think Patrick Rothfuss did great with Name of the Wind.

1. Lord of the Rings
2. The Fionavar Tapestry
3.Flesh and Spirit and Breath and Bone, a duology by Carol Berg
4.C J Cherryh's series that begins with Fortress in the Eye of Time
5. Earthsea series by Ursula Le Guin

This hurts terribly, because five is too few! I'd have noted Stephen R. Donaldson's duology, The Mirror of Her Dreams and A Man Rides Through, and the Karavans #1 series by Jennifer Roberson, and the Isavolta series by Sarah Zettel.

My favorite fantasy series:
1. Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling
2. The Dark is Rising by Susan Cooper
3. Daughter of the Lioness by Tamora Pierce (or the Immortals - hard to pick)
4. The Lord of the Rings by Tolkien
5. Earthsea series by Ursula Le Guin

Hey, the only reason I was going to post was to add the Seventh Son by Card, and now I see that Jillian beat me to it. :) These are 5 I really like, not sure if they are my top 5, but still:

The Tales of Alvin Maker - Orson Scott Card
Fire and Ice - George R. R. Martin
The Chronicles of Narnia - C.S. Lewis
Xanth Series - Piers Anthony (although to be honest, I only read the first few)
Dragonriders of Pern - Anne McCaffrey

Yikes, so few, but I will have to agree with so many listed above:

1. Ender series - Orson Scott Card
2. Sabriel, Lirael, Abhorsen - Garth Nix
3. Lord of the Rings - Tolkien
4. Chronicles of Narnia - C.S. Lewis
5. Harry Potter - Rowling

to add a few more, just in case:
Twilight
Inheritance cycle - no worries, love them too
Seventh Son series - Orson Scott Card

I second the recommendations for the Abhorsen Trilogy (didn't know I would get so into a series involving zombies) and the Sevenwaters...well, it's no longer a trilogy, as a (very belated) fourth book has just been added (Heir to Sevenwaters), so the Sevenwaters Series!
I thought The Name of the Wind was great too, and I'm looking forward to the next one which should be coming out very soon!
For stand-alones...Summers at Castle Auburn,
Neverwhere A Novel, and The Eyes of the Dragon.
And can't finish without mentioning The Thief, The Queen of Attolia, and The King of Attolia, by Megan Whalen Turner!

The Gemma Doyle Trilogy hasn't been mentioned yet it seems. That is a great series, full of magic and mystery. :)

I would add my faves to the fantasy lists:

Dragonriders of Pern books by Ann McCaffrey
The Summer Tree series by Guy Gavriel Kay LOTR -- Tolkein
Titan, Demon, and Wizard (part fantasy, a bit of sci-fi) by John Varley
Newford books by Charles de Lint
Temeraire series by Naomi Novik

I would list ANYTHING by de Lint, Varley, or Kay! Also, some of Ray Bradbury is also fantasy.

I have to recommend [a:Guy Gavriel Kay|60177|Guy Gavriel Kay|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1218804723..."</i>

Me too, Charles de Lint is incredible. Most of the people I really want to meet come from his stories...

Hi! I'm new here... ahem. Hope I do this right.

1. Lord of the Rings - J.R.R. Tolkien
2. Chronicles of Narnia - C.S. Lewis
3. (The Increasingly Inaccurately Named) Hitchhiker's Trilogy - Douglas Adams
4. Farseer and Tawny Man trilogies, Robin Hobb
5. Discworld series - Terry Pratchett

Just five? Ouch!

Cyn0514 wrote: "Any thoughts for Inkheart? I just read it, and I LOVE IT!

I loved it as well!! Didn't you just fall in love with Meggie and Farid and Dustfinger oh oh oh and Fenoglio?

Sheri wrote: "Any random order<but defiantly twilight first)

1.twilight series or Stephenie Meyer
2.a child called it series
3.harry potter series
4.john Grisham
5.iris johansen"

I hardly consider the "It" series a fantasy ones. I thought it was a true story or something. And John Grisham's??

Any thoughts for Inkheart? I just read it, and I LOVE IT!

Oh - I forgot - the Chicks In Chainmail series by Esther Friesner! Anthologies of short fantasy stories where the main characters are "fighting" women of strong character. Many popular fantasy authors have short stories about characters/settings from their books in these!

Any random order<but defiantly twilight first)

1.twilight series or Stephenie Meyer
2.a child called it series
3.harry potter series
4.john Grisham
5.iris johansen

Thanks for all the recommendations...this is why I love this book club :)

darn. i haven't heard of any of these books? (lets disregard harry 'n Tolkien)... i feel like dying, i soo don't have these option accessible. i have to search HARD when i visit the book store!
worst of all, if you do find a series... a few books are missing.. how fantabulous

I didn't know that the Discworld books are stand alone books! UGH! I was always daunted by the sheer size of the "series", or so I thought, so I put off reading them!

Man, I am so mad now! Well, not really, but... You know what I mean!

Does anyone have any recommendations for good stand a lone fantasy novels? One of the reasons I haven't read much of the genre is that I don't have the time/patience to get through a long 10 or 12 (or even 5 or 6) book series.

I totally know what you mean re: the long series; you want to read it but the length can be rather daunting xD

I would recommend Drew Bowling's The Tower of Shadows; it's supposed to be the start of a trilogy but the book is excellent as a standalone :) I also heard that David Anthony Durham's Acacia is a good standalone (even though it's also the start of a trilogy as well); I personally haven't read it yet, it's still sitting on my shelf in the waiting line, lol. :)

for me:
1. LOTR (and The Hobbit)
2. Harry Potter Series
3. Bartimaeus Trilogy
4. Inheritance Cycle (yes...it's one of my faves, and I'm proud to say that!! :p )
5. Artemis Fowl Series

wow, this is a good thread to dig more and more fantasy books...
thx for the recommendations!

Rachel wrote: "Does anyone have any recommendations for good stand alone fantasy novels?"

I have to recommend Guy Gavriel Kay. Most of his books stand alone and I really like him.

Charles deLint is my favorite fantasy author. He uses a lot of the same characters, but there are only two that should be read in order. I recommend his Newford books, but I would say to stay away from his YA books unless you're really a young adult. They're too young for me, and I do still read YA.

Thanks April-I looked up Mists of Avalon and it looks really cool, I'll definately add that to my to-read list.

Yellowbird wrote: "April, you asked about Discworld and the Belgariad.

Discworld is very funny and you don't have to start at the beginning (thankfully, as there are 30+ books so far). Each book is a stand-alone, al..."

Cool, thanks! I will definately have to check those out, next year haha because my to-read list is epicly long.

April, you asked about Discworld and the Belgariad.

Discworld is very funny and you don't have to start at the beginning (thankfully, as there are 30+ books so far). Each book is a stand-alone, although the characters reappear.

The Belgariad is more sequential, but it's a pretty standard boy grows up-saves world-gets girl story, kind of like The Wheel of Time.

I think if you liked The Hitchhiker's Guide, you'll love Discworld.

Rachel wrote: "I like fantasy, but I haven't read a whole lot of it. Here are my faves:

1. The Once and Future King by T.H. White
2. The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R Tolkein
3. Harry Potter Series-J.K. Rowlin..."

Anything by Juliette Mariller is guarenteed to be a win. She wrote the Seven Waters trilogy, which in my opinion each of the books stand alone just fine.
Since you like LOTR, The Hobbittis fairly good. Robin McKinley's books stand alone quite well. Oh and how could I forget the holy grail of standalones, The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley is awesome. If you want to feel empowered about being a woman while reading fantastic fantasy, definately get some Marion Zimmer Bradley.

I have to agree the Dragonlance books are some of my all time favorites.

I like fantasy, but I haven't read a whole lot of it. Here are my faves:

1. The Once and Future King by T.H. White
2. The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R Tolkein
3. Harry Potter Series-J.K. Rowling
4. The Chronicles of Narnia-C.S. Lewis
5. The Belgariad/Mallorean-David Eddings

Katie, I'm also totally with you on the awesomeness of Firefly/Serenity

Does anyone have any recommendations for good stand a lone fantasy novels? One of the reasons I haven't read much of the genre is that I don't have the time/patience to get through a long 10 or 12 (or even 5 or 6) book series.