Fantasy where to begin?

[Rebecca]

I have never tried out fantasy. I am more into mysteries and chiclit but id like to try out one coz I simply loved Harry Potter. Any recommendations?

[Shoa, @TheCupboardUnderTheStairs]

Hi Rebecca,

We already have a thread dedicated to the Fantasy genre.
You can check it out for recommendations:
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

[Pooja]

How about starting out with Neil Gaiman's books, Terry Pratchett's books and also Christopher Paloni's The Inheritance Cycle?

[Rebecca]

Thanks Shoa and Pooja. Will check the thread and books.

[Ahtims]

Rebecca, I started with Book 1 of wheel of time, which was okayThe Eye of the World
Then I went on to read A Game of Thrones, which was exciting, but lots of violence. Am now on book 3
The Shadow of the Wind
The Lies of Locke Lamora
Assassin's Apprentice
Tigana
These are the other books I have read.
Based on ease of understanding I would suggest you to read Assassin's Apprentice or The Shadow of the Wind

[Shoa, @TheCupboardUnderTheStairs]

Even I was going to suggest Neil Gaiman :)

[Em Lost In Books, EmLo is my Name, PIFM is my Game]

If you want some mind blowing and innovative magic system, then start with Brandon Sanderson. His books have the most unique magic systems.

Mistborn: The Final Empire
Steelheart
The Rithmatist

If you want low magic you can start with George R.R. Martin, Joe Abercrombie and Robin Hobb.

A Game of Thrones
The Blade Itself
Assassin's Apprentice

If you want to start with urban fantasy you can read
Storm Front
Darkfever

[Em Lost In Books, EmLo is my Name, PIFM is my Game]

Oh and you can always start fantasy with evergreen The Fellowship of the Ring trilogy.:)

[Rebecca]

Thanks Manju. You seem to be a walking encyclopaedia on fantasy. Currently I am eyeing Assassins Apprentice.

[Em Lost In Books, EmLo is my Name, PIFM is my Game]

Rebecca wrote: "Thanks Manju. You seem to be a walking encyclopaedia on fantasy. Currently I am eyeing Assassins Apprentice."

That's a good book.:)

[Anirudh]

As Manju said you can try those. It all depends on what type of fantasy you are looking for. If you want something like Harry Potter try Urban Fantasy books which Manju suggested. They are not that similar but have a modern day setting.

If you like good writing and don't mind pace try Assassin's Apprentice from her list.

[Ahtims]

Manju and Anirudh are the fantasy gurus, especially Anirudh who initiated me into this genre. So Rebecca, you are in good hands. :P

[Anirudh]

PSmith wrote: "Manju and Anirudh are the fantasy gurus, especially Anirudh who initiated me into this genre. So Rebecca, you are in good hands. :P"

You make it sound like we a the league of shadows :D

[Ahtims]

Anirudh wrote: "PSmith wrote: "Manju and Anirudh are the fantasy gurus, especially Anirudh who initiated me into this genre. So Rebecca, you are in good hands. :P"

You make it sound like we a the league of shadow..."

Who/what is the League of Shadows ?

[Anirudh]

PSmith wrote: "Anirudh wrote: "PSmith wrote: "Manju and Anirudh are the fantasy gurus, especially Anirudh who initiated me into this genre. So Rebecca, you are in good hands. :P"

You make it sound like we a the ..."

A cult :)

[Em Lost In Books, EmLo is my Name, PIFM is my Game]

@Smitha: You are absolutely right about Anirudh there.:)

[Ahtims]

He he, nice ring to it - A cult.
Yes, Manju, I know :P

[Rebecca]

Thanks Anirudh. So many choices. in the phase of contemplation......

[Anirudh]

Rebecca wrote: "Thanks Anirudh. So many choices. in the phase of contemplation......"

There are a few sub genres in Fantasy. Pick books from the ones you like :)

[Srividya]

Aha!!! Finally entering the fantasy world are we? ;)

Yup I agree with Smitha - the God and Goddess of Fantasy aka Anirudh and Manju are here..so no need to say anything else!

However, as I can't remain silent - I will say go for Assassin's Apprentice first. The writing is good! Real GOOD! :)

[Ahtims]

Srividya wrote: "Aha!!! Finally entering the fantasy world are we? ;)

Yup I agree with Smitha - the God and Goddess of Fantasy aka Anirudh and Manju are here..so no need to say anything else!

However, as I can't..."

Great minds think alike :)

[Srividya]

PSmith wrote: "Srividya wrote: "Aha!!! Finally entering the fantasy world are we? ;)

Yup I agree with Smitha - the God and Goddess of Fantasy aka Anirudh and Manju are here..so no need to say anything else!

Ho..."

Hahaha! Yes they do! :)

[Em Lost In Books, EmLo is my Name, PIFM is my Game]

@Vidya: But I liked Blade itself better than Apprentice.;)

[Srividya]

Manju wrote: "@Vidya: But I liked Blade itself better than Apprentice.;)"

I know that!

We thought similarly with regard to -

1. Calling the two of you gods
2. Agreeing on the same book!

LOL!!! :D

[Rebecca]

Ok Sri Assassins Apprentice it is then.

[Anirudh]

Rebecca wrote: "Ok Sri Assassins Apprentice it is then."

Warning, it is a beautifully written book but a slow paced one where writing takes preference over plot.

[Rebecca]

Oh.......ok. Thanks Anirudh.

[Thomas]

I know this is not fantasy but after Game of Thrones series I started on Ken Follett's The Pillars of the Earth and it was fantastic! Same medieval texture and brutal, complicated characters.

[Ahtims]

I have read the first book. Its more like historical.

[Anirudh]

So which book did you choose?

[Ahtims]

Anirudh wrote: "So which book did you choose?"

I think she ditched fantasy for classics. I see her discussing Candide at length. :)

[Anirudh]

Oh too bad

[Rebecca]

Ha ha Smitha NO I havent ditched it yet. I want to finish The Count of Monte Cristo before I embark on something heavy.

And Candide was worthwhile.......

[Rebecca]

@ Anirudh the choice has narrowed down to The game of thrones and The Assassins Apprentice.

[Ahtims]

Good. Expand your horizons :)

[Rebecca]

True.....:P

[Anirudh]

Try both :)

[Rebecca]

@Anirudh I think I will.

[Venky]

H.G.Wells's "War of the Worlds" would definitely make for an auspicious beginning.

[Riddhi]

@Rebecca Don't know if you are still looking for recommendations, but you can read Daughter of Smoke and Bones series if you like a scoop of romance with fantasy. It has a brilliant prose :)

[Rebecca]

Thanks Venky and Riddhi will check them out.

[Parikhit]

I wonder why nobody suggested Alice in Wonderland! You must read it Rebecca if you haven't :)

[Rebecca]

Yeah! That is one great fantasy. But read it when I was a child.

[Anjali]

Hunger games trilogy is quite good ! I was sceptical in the beginning but I ended up liking it ... also there is this book called red queen by Victoria aveyard . maybe you could give it a shot ! :)

[Rebecca]

Thanks Anjali. Will check out both. Am a bit sceptical about dystopian though!