Fantasy offers authors the opportunity to illustrate the best, worst and, most significantly, somewhere-in-between of human beings by setting them within a context that allows the reader to experience all the foibles of humanity through a more comfortable lens.

This list is intended to provide a forum for the most character-centric and thought-provoking fantasy novels. Kudos for world-building and other skills reside elsewhere.

However, if you've read a fantasy novel that made you consider who you are as a person--one that called into question or reverberated with the choices you've made in your life--in other words, a book that seemed to be about you despite its fantastic setting, please add it here.
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193 books · 122 voters · list created August 9th, 2009 by Jennifer (votes) .
16 likes · 
Lists are re-scored approximately every 5 minutes.


Jennifer 46 books
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Shalimar 284 books
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Kait 167 books
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Greyweather 2660 books
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Sofia 1519 books
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Rhoda 2227 books
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Molly 696 books
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Comments Showing 1-6 of 6 (6 new)

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message 1: by Michaelbrent (new)

Michaelbrent Collings For consideration on this list:

Billy: Messenger of Powers by Michaelbrent Collings (check it out at www.whoisbillyjones.com)


message 2: by Zak (new)

Zak I haven't read it, but from all I've heard about it The Hunger Games is science fiction, not fantasy. I love both genres, but this list is only for fantasy. Also a bit surprised I was the first person to vote for The Blade Itself


message 3: by Garrett (new)

Garrett Gatlin There's so much Harry Potter on this list, I don't think I can take any of the other suggestions seriously. The characters in that series are so stagnant and shallow it's mind-numbing.

At least The Name of The Wind was on the list.


message 4: by Jennifer (new)

Jennifer I stoutly believe that I was right in including the first Harry Potter--I never intended this list to become a recommendation for the entire series.

Sorting through how this list has grown in my absence, if you like Mistborn, I strongly recommend Rothfuss (The Name of the Wind) and Hobb (Assasin's Apprentice), if you haven't found them yet.

And a lot of the other titles look interesting--can't wait to start my summer reading. Thanks, everyone, for adding your suggestions!


message 5: by Garrett (new)

Garrett Gatlin I love Sanderson and Rothfuss. I will definitely check out Hobb. Thank you!


message 6: by Jennifer (new)

Jennifer Oops--dizzied by how this list has grown, I mixed up my reply. Glad you understood :)

If you enjoy Assasin's Apprentice and the rest of the Farseer Trilogy, don't let yourself get bogged down in Mad Ship--skip to Tawny Man. These books are my number one overall, but that doesn't mean that every one is a masterpiece.

Enjoy--and thanks for bringing me back to this list with your comment!


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