Standalone fantasy with conclusive, satisfying endings and ‘final’ obstacles?

[Peony]

I *need* a high-fantasy, adventure story with a satisfying ending. It seems like very book I pick up or read reviews for is a little cursed— anticlimactic endings, abandoned plot threads, rushed endings. And the ones that sound like they might be worth a try are series.

Looking for a standalone, or a first book in a series with good endings in of themselves. I don’t want anything too humble in scope, though I know small scale plots often return some of the most solid books, I want to see *adventure* with conclusion, maybe epic fantasy if that’s not too much to ask for.

[Colin]

Peony wrote: "I *need* a high-fantasy, adventure story with a satisfying ending. It seems like very book I pick up or read reviews for is a little cursed— anticlimactic endings, abandoned plot threads, rushed en..."

Okay, I may be missing the mark, but let me try a few: old, very old, and new.

First, an old one, Witch Wood by John Buchan by John Buchan. Set in 17th century Scotland this features a devil-worshipping cult in a poor village.
Second, a very old one, try Hevararkivida (The Waking of Angantyr). This is old saga material and can be found in versions of the Edda (sometimes abridged). We have a young woman bound for vengeance waking her father's ghost in his barrow to take the cursed sword, Tyrfing. What follows is trouble.
Third, a new one, try The Water Outlaws by SL Huang. This is a re-gendered re-telling of the famous Chinese work, The Water Margin, and has a neat magic system built into it.

Finally, I would say that Lord of the Rings would really fit, but I think I saw a note where you wrote that you were not happy with the early part of it.

Anyway, I hope some of this is useful and off the beaten path.

[Ines, Resident Vampire]

Maybe try Kings of the Wyld? The sequel is Bloody Rose, but both books can be read as standalones in either order, if Bloody Rose appeals more to you.

[CBRetriever]

Colin wrote: "Second, a very old one, try Hevararkivida (The Waking of Angantyr). This is old saga material and can be found in versions of the Edda (sometimes abridged). We have a young woman bound for vengeance waking her father's ghost in his barrow to take the cursed sword, Tyrfing. What follows is trouble.."

there's an interesting new version of this story: The Waking of Angantyr that I read recently. It's a bit grimdark, but it's good

[Colin]

CBRetriever wrote: "Colin wrote: "Second, a very old one, try Hevararkivida (The Waking of Angantyr). This is old saga material and can be found in versions of the Edda (sometimes abridged). We have a young woman boun..."

I did not know about this new re-telling of the saga. From a quick check, I think it's well worth a read. Thank you!

[CBRetriever]

you're welcome

[Kristen]

I've heard "Blood over Bright Haven" is one of the better standalone books for high fantasy. "The Night Circus" is top five favorite book ever, I'm reading her other well known stand alone book "The Starless Sea" but its a lot of... information and very compact so not sure if I'm ready to recommend it until I'm finished.

Duologies I thought were good enough to recommend and finished would be the "Heartless Hunter" series, finished and "All of us Villians" both YA so a little on the immature side of things but I thought they were good.

[Peony]

Thank you for the recommendations so far! I think I might like the waking of Angatyr, though none of these reccommendations particularly address the question of my search.

[Melanie, the neutral party]

A Wizard’s Guide to Defensive Baking

[Leonie]

Melanie wrote: "A Wizard’s Guide to Defensive Baking"

Ooh yes! Great story!

[Jabotikaba]

Perhaps you would be interested in the book Midnight in Everwood by M.A. Kuzniar. It's definitely a standalone novel, and it's beautifully written.
But the problem is that this story begins in Edwardian Britain. Only a few chapters later, the main character is magically transported to a fictional world. If I understand the term "high fantasy" correctly, such books should be set in a fictional world from beginning to end.
So, I have to mention Chimeras of Estmer again. This book is unmistakably high fantasy, with its battles, journeys, magic, and the elf-like race that holds the secret of long life. True, instead of the traditional farmer's boy, this book features a miller's daughter, but I see that as more of an advantage than a disadvantage. And this book is a standalone too.
There is also Patricia Mullen's The Stone Movers.It's a standalone book and a bit like a mix of LOTR and Avatar. In it, a racist tyrant tries to subjugate a giant island where humans live in harmony with four other races. It seems that this book can be classified as high fantasy, too.
Besides, I recommend checking out Patricia McKillip's books. She has many standalone novels that can also be considered high fantasy.

[Michelle]

I agrees with Jabotikaba about Patricia McKillip.

[Charlton]

Fairy Tale by Stephen King.

Charlton's reviewJun 24, 2023 · *****
it was amazing
bookshelves: fantasy, adventure

A 17 yr old boy and his love for his dog. They find a doorway to another world and the adventure begins. My favorite character is Radar (dog). Really good book. Recommend it to anyone!