Looking for a very specific type of Fantasy novel

[Daniel]

Hey Guys and Gals. I'm looking for a very specific type of fantasy novel that i cant seem to find on my own.

Basically it should be high fantasy (Elves, Dwarves, Goblins, Orcs etc...) with a human or elf protaganist (Male or female but if its female please not a mary sue) with all the things that make a good book plus a romance. I honestly thin k most books arnt complete without a romance (and if possible a happy ending romance instead of the sad one) for a guide to the romance think something like the romance in Legend or Old Man's War.

also no grimm dark like First Law where everyone is awful and the world is awful an horrible. Fantasy should be just that a fantasy. Dark fantasy is welcome and encouraged, like Prince of Thornes or Legend

some books i already read so no need to mention them:
First law trilogy (So bad no idea why people love it)
Prince of Thornes (Love it so much)
Anything by Gemmel
Greatcoats series by De Castiel (Awesome)
Elfstones of Shannara
Red Knight (First book amazing rest is meh)
Black company
LOTR
ASOIAF
Acaica trilogy (No idea how i finished this tripe lol)
Faithful and fallen (Jury's still out)


I know its a lot to ask for but i trust this book exists somewhere out there. And if anyone knows what it is it will be the awesome people who frequent this forum.

Thanks in advance

[Jim]

Look at Mercedes Lackey or Steven Brust.

[Cat]

I think Eragon would fit the bill - high fantasy coming-of-age series. I suggest it carefully because it is more of a YA high fantasy and it's copped a lot of flack for that.

However, I tend to think of it as popcorn fantasy, it's not overly taxing to read, it's not trying to be fancy and subverting tropes, it's just bit of a fun and escapism. I do classify Terry Brooks's books in this category. I don't know if that helps at all, but that was my first thought.

[Silvana]

Raymond E. Feist's Magician.

No elves and dwarves but has some dragons, The Realm of Elderling books by Robin Hobb, starting with The Assassin's Apprentice.

Slightly mythical fantasy you can also try Juliet Marilier's Blackthorn and Grim trilogy.

[Eric]

If you enjoyed Elfstones of Shannara, keep right on going. I'm 13 books in and still going.

[Gary]

There is always Brooks other series, Landover, starting with Magic Kingdom for Sale/Sold.

[[deleted user]]

You might possibly like Sullivan's Riyria series (starts with Theft of Swords). While there are elves & dwarfs, they aren't much in evidence (neither are they in ASOIF, which you listed as example.)

OTOH, I found Prince of Thorns far more grimdark than The Blade Itself, so what do I know?

[Daniel]

thanks all for the suggestions k went out and bought a bunch of the books you all suggested. The assassins apprentice looked really cool and I heard some of the Shannara books were bad but I got Wishsong. thanks

[Daniel]

G33z3r I guess I find the characters in Thorns more mature but the content not quite as dark, there's a dark evil and only one man can stop it kind of thing.

whereas in First law and ASOIAF the main story is there's a dark evil but everything is already depressing and screwed up and someone smiled once so we immediately and him killed

[Sharon]

You might try The Fionavar Tapestry series by Guy Gavriel Kay. This includes The Summer Tree, The Wandering Fire, and The Darkest Road.

[Sailormercury5]

One of my favorite series is throne of glass :) Its about an assassin female character and lots of magic/fae type lore. I think you should check it out, but its not the most advanced content (still fun though)

[Kivrin]

Sharon wrote: "You might try The Fionavar Tapestry series by Guy Gavriel Kay. This includes The Summer Tree, The Wandering Fire, and The Darkest Road."

I second this recommendation!

[Hillary]

Maybe some of Tanya Huff's fantasies, like The Fire's Stone, The Silvered, or the Quarters books?

Jennifer Roberson's Cheysuli books (lots of magic/shapeshifting, though I don't remember any fantasy species like elves or dwarves)

For an m/m romance that might fit the description, you might try Llyn Flewelling's Luck in the Shadows books

[Daniel]

sailor thanks I keep hearing great things of the series but the first book sounds a lot like Hunger Games to me.

[Daniel]

the fionavar series has been recommended elsewhere so think I'll pick it up sounds good

[Daniel]

Hillary thanks for the suggestions but I don't like Tanya Huff's books. I'm not sure why lol. If you lkme Huff more SciFi stuff check out not to reason why by Jean Johnson

that second options sound food but I am looko g for elves and dwarves for generic fantasy it can be hard to find lol

and finally I'm not intrested in M/m romances. I like m/f or f/m I don't much care for the F/F stuff either though sometimes that's done really well lol

[Andy]

I quite liked Dragonlance Chronicles when I read them as a teen some 30 yrs ago. They have all the elements you're looking for, as do the Drizzt books by RA Salvatore.

[Angel]

Maybe try these:

Phoenix by Daccari Buchelli

Altaica by Tracy M. Joyce

The Dragon Orb by Mike Shelton

[Saul the Heir of Isauldur]

Someone already recommended The Fionavar Tapestry, so I third that one.

Memory, Sorrow and Thorn by Tad Williams is fantastic in every sense of the word. There's Japanese-like elves, Irish-like folk, Inuit-like dwarves (sort of), romance, swords, sorceries, a terrifying villain...If you've read LOTR and ASOIAF, then this series is the perfect mixture of both.

Also, though I've not yet read it, the Shadowmarch series, also by Tad Williams.

[[deleted user]]

The Rover, by Mel Odom.

[Elizabeth]

Silvana wrote: "Raymond E. Feist's Magician.

No elves and dwarves but has some dragons, The Realm of Elderling books by Robin Hobb, starting with The Assassin's Apprentice.

Slightly mythical fantasy you can also..."

Seconded - you MUST read Robin Hobb. Everyone must read Robin Hobb. Easily my favourite author. RotE is amazing, Soldier Son very good too - but that isn't the kind of thing you requested.

[Noor]

If you're going to read something by Guy Gavriel Kay I would honestly suggest skipping the Fionavar Tapestry and trying anything else he's written. (You can tell that one wasn't my favorite, right?) I feel like Fionavar as his first series was too derivative and he hadn't properly developed his own style yet. Just my opinion, though, you might enjoy Fionavar a lot! If you don't though, give his other works a try, because they are better...

/randomness

Also, Saul, your description of Memory, Sorrow and Thorn really makes me want to read it! On the TBR list it goes!