Calling all fantasy nerds! Recommendations please!

[Pooja]

Hey you guys! So, the problem is: I've read LOTR and ASOIAF and these have set the bar for medieval fantasy according to me! Could you suggest other fantasy novels, which are equally amazing?

[[deleted user]]

Harry Potter, Inkheart, Inkspell, and Inkdeath are good fantasies

[Amanda]

Winter's Heart Honestly anything of his is good. His books are all set in the same world in different ages, one of them being sort of Urban fantasy Agent WhiteHe's currently working on the first book in the first age. There are some samples on his author page here I think. It's called Trollbreaker.

[Jodi]

[Katie.g]

The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss. I think you'd really like it.

[[deleted user]]

The Chronicles of Narnia

[Anne]

I second The Name of the Wind. The book is great!!!

[Andreea]

Harry Potter,Hunger Games

[Pooja]

Janessa wrote: "Harry Potter, Inkheart, Inkspell, and Inkdeath are good fantasies"

I've read Harry Potter(Potterhead right outta the womb!) but Thank you, I shall read those :)

[Pooja]

Amanda wrote: "Winter's Heart Honestly anything of his is good. His books are all set in the same world in different ages, one of them being sort of Urban fantasy Agent WhiteHe's c..."

Thank you Amanda ! Will get right onto that !:)

[Pooja]

Jodi, Katie and Anne-
Since all three of you have so strongly recommended that book, I will have to get right onto that!:)
Thank you!:)

[Pooja]

Andreea wrote: "Harry Potter,Hunger Games"

Already read them :) but thank you!:)

[Pooja]

RitaSkeeter wrote: "Magician by Raymond E Feist or Assassin's Apprentice by Robin Hobb are both amazing series."

Sounds cool! thank you!:)

[Aisya Raisya]

Harry Potter series, Percy Jackson are one of the best books in fantasy genre I think

[Lizzy]

I havers agree. Percy Jackson and harry potter are the best, and also the seven realms series

[Lizzy]

*have to

[Kristin]

Percy Jackson is on my to read list :)

Apart from others that I saw listed, I really enjoyed the Inheritance Cycle (Eragon, etc.).

I'm also taking down some notes from all these great suggestions, too :)

[Jodi]

Good luck Pooja. Let us know what you start with and what you think about the books.

[Pooja]

Ok so I've already read the following(fantasy)-
1. Harry Potter
2. Percy Jackson
3. Heroes of Olympus
4. Eragon, Eldest, Brisingr and Inheritance
5. Lotr, the hobbit
6. ASOIAF :)

[Pooja]

Lizzy wrote: "I havers agree. Percy Jackson and harry potter are the best, and also the seven realms series"

seven realms series?

[Pooja]

Kristin wrote: "Percy Jackson is on my to read list :)

Apart from others that I saw listed, I really enjoyed the Inheritance Cycle (Eragon, etc.).

I'm also taking down some notes from all these gr..."

yes! The suggestions are great!:D

[Pooja]

Jodi wrote: "Good luck Pooja. Let us know what you start with and what you think about the books."

yes Jodi! I will definitely start once I get the time :D

[[deleted user]]

The Infernal Devices and The Mortal Instrument

[Pooja]

Janessa wrote: "The Infernal Devices and The Mortal Instrument"

yep! Added onto my 'to-read' list! Thanks Janessa!

[Haley]

They're not quick books, but if you like epic fantasy like LOTR then you should check out the Game of Thrones series!

[[deleted user]]

Haley wrote: "They're not quick books, but if you like epic fantasy like LOTR then you should check out the Game of Thrones series!"

She already read those, That's what ASOIAF is, A Song of Ice and Fire a.k.a Game of Thrones...

I second the Infernal Devices Trilogy, I absolutely loved them, it will make you feel every emotion under the sun :)

[Evan]

Malazan Book of the Fallen by Steven Erikson and Ian Esslemont is comparable to LOTR. On the lighter side, I'd recommend any series by David Eddings.

[Ashley]

The Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan is fantastic. It's really long (12 books) but well worth it!

[Haley]

Bookworm wrote: "Haley wrote: "They're not quick books, but if you like epic fantasy like LOTR then you should check out the Game of Thrones series!"

She already read those, That's what ASOIAF is, A Song of Ice an..."

Alright. I didn't know not recognizing an acronym would be a big deal...

If you like YA books, then the trilogies Daughter of Smoke and Bone, The Grisha (first book Shadow and Bone), and Graceling are all some of my favorites

[Shana]

RA Salvatore's series with Drizzt Do'Urden, a dark elf, is a fantastic epic fantasy series. It begins with "The Crystal Shard" where Dritz is introduced however Drizzt's tale begins with "Homeland". One of the most interesting and intriguing characters ever written. A lot of depth and substance to this elf and his relations with his companions. You will love his panther friend, Guenhwyvar!

[Pooja]

Shana wrote: "RA Salvatore's series with Drizzt Do'Urden, a dark elf, is a fantastic epic fantasy series. It begins with "The Crystal Shard" where Dritz is introduced however Drizzt's tale begins with "Homeland"..."

ELF! It's so rare that the protagonist isn't human and I LOVE THAT!

[Pooja]

Haley wrote: "Bookworm wrote: "Haley wrote: "They're not quick books, but if you like epic fantasy like LOTR then you should check out the Game of Thrones series!"

She already read those, That's what ASOIAF is,..."

cool! Thanks Haley!:)

[Pooja]

Ashley wrote: "The Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan is fantastic. It's really long (12 books) but well worth it!"

thanks Ashley!:)

[Pooja]

Bookworm wrote: "Haley wrote: "They're not quick books, but if you like epic fantasy like LOTR then you should check out the Game of Thrones series!"

She already read those, That's what ASOIAF is, A Song of Ice an..."

thanks fellow bookworm :)

[Pooja]

Evan wrote: "Malazan Book of the Fallen by Steven Erikson and Ian Esslemont is comparable to LOTR. On the lighter side, I'd recommend any series by David Eddings."

thank you Evan!:)

[Pooja]

GUYS!!!

Thank you so much for responding to this! I'm a new member and I honestly thought that this msg would go unnoticed! Thanks for all your recommendations and for understanding what I like!
And I hope you guys got a lot of good books from these convos to check out too! :)
I will read all of em and then, have a discussion, obviously :)
Cheers!

[Shana]

Pooja wrote:"ELF! It's so rare that the protagonist isn't human and I LOVE THAT!"


I know! And he isn't just your usual run-of-the-mill elf...he is a dark elf who goes against his whole, dark elf instincts. Such an amazing character and Salvatore led the way into exploring the underworld of elves and this has brought a new direction in fantasy novels dealing with Elven culture as a whole. Brilliant!!!

[Annie]

the infernal devices, set in 1800-something London, waaauw

[Pooja]

Shana wrote: "Pooja wrote:"ELF! It's so rare that the protagonist isn't human and I LOVE THAT!"


I know! And he isn't just your usual run-of-the-mill elf...he is a dark elf who goes against his whole, dark elf..."

whoa! I was stumped the moment you said Dark elf! Becoz see, every fantasy novels show elves in the side of good and just. What exactly is going on in their minds? What do they actually think? Are they naturally programmed to always be just and whole?

[Pooja]

Jenna wrote: "the infernal devices, set in 1800-something London, waaauw"

Thanks Jenna !:)

[Shana]

Pooja wrote: "whoa! I was stumped the moment you said Dark elf! Becoz see, every fantasy novels show elves in the side of good and just. What exactly is going on in their minds? What do they actually think? Are they naturally programmed to always be just and whole?"


I was completely blown when I first met Drittz! I know Tolkien gave his elves multiple sides but they were always on the just/good side against the Orcs and crossbreeds the Urukai. Salvatore takes elves to another completely separate world level that approaches the issues of why the "world" didn't know about dark elves that much in "Homeland" I became addicted to anything and everything Drizzt. I enjoy how Salvatore presents answers to your questions as we explore the Dark Elf world of Menzoberranzan and its Matriarchal society. In this world females rule and men are servants or second class and therefore expendable. Quite a twist from Tolkien's elves where they are more patriarchal and egalitarian in nature.

[Evan]

Shana- Tolkien wrote about dark elves in The Silmarillion. You just don't hear about them in The Hobbit or LOTR.

[Mark]

Though he didn't write High Fantasy (which I suspect is what you wish to read), I would suggest the godfather of Sword & Sorcery: Robert E. Howard. Brandon Sanderson and Robert Jordan are very good Fantasy authors, so you can't really go wrong with either. Terry Goodkind is decent as well and sticking with Terry's, I'd also recommend Terry Pratchett.

[Arielle Rae]

This universe by Jacqueline Carey is superb

Highly recommended!

There is also this military fantasy by Elizabeth Moon which is also great


There's also this series, which I heard is good as well but I myself hasn't read it


An then there's the good ol' classics, such as



Oh and this one

[A.M.]

Pooja wrote: "Hey you guys! So, the problem is: I've read LOTR and ASOIAF and these have set the bar for medieval fantasy according to me! Could you suggest other fantasy novels, which are equally amazing?"

I'm being completely biased since I wrote it, but check out The Benighted. :) It's a fantasy/romance/thriller-ish story, and is the first one in a saga.
Hope all is well! :)

[Jordan]

I think anyone that reads fantasy needs to read the Myth series I believe by Pierce Anthony and the Dragons of Pern series by Anne McCaffrey.

[Ralica]

talking about medieval fantasy you must read Sara Douglas "Troy game". The books are mix of history and fantasy starting in ancient Greece and ending with WW II. absolutely great books that almost make you believe in magic!

[Ashley]

Ralitsa wrote: "talking about medieval fantasy you must read Sara Douglas "Troy game". The books are mix of history and fantasy starting in ancient Greece and ending with WW II. absolutely great books that almost ..."

I love Sara Douglas!! I own all of her books. I was so sad when she passed away.
Her Wayfarer Redemption series is also phenomenal!

[Shana]

Evan--I have not read The Silmarillion yet however it is on my "to read". There are several authors that have written a bit about dark elves however none have gone into as much detail and character development as Salvatore. In fact several newer authors have picked up from Salvatore's Drizzt series and ran with books around Dark Elves. Have you read any of them?

[Evan]

Shana--I am currently working my way through the Drizzt series. He does an excellent job of describing their culture. Tolkien took his cue on dark elves from Norse mythology. Any books or comics that talk about Norse myth will cover dark elves (or svart elves).