Tuesday, November 1, 2011

In the mood for high fantasy

The high fantasy bug must have bit me recently, for I can't seem to get enough of these wonderful novels. Give me wizards and witches, sorcerers and sorceresses, royalty, gods, mythical beasts, and dragons. I want them all. (Never mind that I'll be reading these books in mass market paperback format.)


Of course, it's about time I get to read these "classic" high fantasy novels. The Eye of the World is the first of many, and I'm hoping it's as good as a lot of people tell me. The Once and Future King has on my TBR for the longest time. And The Sword of Shannara will be the first Terry Brooks I'll get to read.


And then there's high fantasy for young adults! Brian Jacques's Redwall, Lloyd Alexander's The Book of Three, and Diana Wynne Jones's Howl's Moving Castle! All books are the first in a series which I hope will motivate me to read the rest.


I've started on some recently published high fantasy (poly-bookist that I am), and I must say that they're very, very good. Sara Douglass's Hades' Daughter is high drama as well involving labyrinths, Greek gods, and ancient England. Steven Erickson's Gardens of the Moon is fantasy with a heavy dose of military angles. And I've heard a lot of good things about Brian Sanderson's Mistborn. Again, all three are the first in the series.

How about you, dear reader? Do you have a high fantasy title that you would like to recommend to me?

6 comments:

Chachic said...

Hope you enjoy reading Howl's Moving Castle, Peter! That's still my favorite DWJ. :) I love high fantasy, it's still one of my favorite genres. Most of my favorites are written by female authors - Megan Whalen Turner, Sherwood Smith, Robin McKinley, Juliet Marillier and Kristin Cashore. :)

Peter S. said...

Hello, Chachic! I'll check out those female authors, especially Robin McKinley. Thanks for the recommendations!

David Wagner said...

I'm a big fan of Joe Abercrombie, GRR Martin and Pat Rothfuss. I also enjoyed Peter Brett's book "The Warded Man," and also Robert Redick's "The Lone Wolf Conspiracy". Also, KJ Parker writes good, smart fantasy.

Happy reading!

Peter S. said...

Hi, David. I love Rothfuss as well! I'll check out your other recommendations.

Unknown said...

I have a podcast story to recommend. "Sir Hereward and Mr. Fitz Go to War Again" which can be found at Podcastle. I think the author is Garth Nix, but I'm not sure. It's a wonderful story. Excellent world building, fascinating characters, solid plot with plenty of twists.

And it's a free download.

Peter S. said...

Thanks for the recommendation, C.B. James!