Advice on Best Fantasy Books

[absolute]

I absolutely love the fantasy genre, but seem to have some trouble finding books like the ones I have loved reading in the past. It seems that there is such a variety of good books for young adults, but I am searching for a well-written fantasy novel that isn't written for teens. While "Harry Potter" is undeniably good, I want something geared more towards adult readers, but that is captivating, page-turning, relatable to real life! I enjoyed reading Terry Goodkind's books, although I recognize the many flaws that series had. I really liked that the fantasy aspect wasn't too complex, (like that rock was just called a rock instead of a xentaplof'sis's) and that there were characters I got very attached too (like auxillary characters such as Cara and Nicci). I also liked that there was romance because, as a female, I need a little more to hold my interest than just graphic fighting and complex fantasy. So I'm looking for a well-written, good fantasy book that will be a page turner and really draw my attention, that has some similarities to Goodkind (like good characters to get attached to). I know Goodkind isn't a favorite of many critics, and many fantasy readers as well, but I still actually ENJOYED reading them (when they weren't too preachy or repetitive) and simply want another good semi-romantic fantasy novel. I am having a very hard time finding one!Thanks for any suggestions.

 

[Hypnos164]

Hi and welcome!

Try either of Lois McMaster Bujold's fantasy series; Lois writes characters with great "warmth" and includes romantic elements to varying degrees.

Curse of Challion - stand alone novel, but first of a sequence of books in the same setting.

The Sharing Knife: Beguilement - first in a 4 book series set in different "world" to the Challion books, strongly focused on the "forbidden" romance between the two lead characters and the resulting clash of cultures.

Alternately you might enjoy The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss less romantic but it does feature an accessible world, some really engaging characters and a well told story that’s very hard to put down.

 

[chrispenycate]

Look, I'm more an SF than fantasy type, but try reading some Bujold (I was just going to send you to Baen, so you could read a few paragraphs and see if you liked her style, but it's her fantasy you want to find out about so – just a mo, see if we can't – ah, yes, the first chapter of the curse of Chalion at Browse Inside Curse of Chalion, The by Lois McMaster Bujold ) If you're even more romantically inclined, go for the "Sharing Knife" series. But don't go too fast; there will be plenty of other suggestions coming, and my taste is my own.

Hey, I promise that previous post wasn't there when I started writing! Just goes to show that great minds, or something. Anyway, I'm quite proud; the link worked.

 

[Teresa Edgerton]

Well, you said semi-romantic, so I would suggest the series beginning with Chalion over The Sharing Knife, since TSK is rather more than semi-romantic and has some sex scenes almost as graphic as a typical historical romance novel.

 

[Heather Myst]

Welcome Absolute. Sword of Truth is one of my all time favorite series. Besdies Richard and Kahlan I loved Zedd, all the Mord-Sith, and the Sisters of light and dark. Nicci, Rachel, Shota, Addie, and Gratch were also favorites of mine. Here are a few suggestions that I think you would enjoy.

Jennifer Fallon's Second Sons trilogy. Book one is The Lion of Senet.
David Coe's Winds of the Forelands series. Book one is The Rules of Ascension.
Fiona Mcintosh's Quickening or Percheron series.

Good luck!

 

[jubalharshaw]

In 2008, K. E. Mills (Karen) came out with The Accidental Sorcerer (at least in paperback. I never saw it in hardcover), which I enjoyed. I cared for the characters and I will eventually read the follow-up: Witches Incorporated.

I'm curious: What have you thought of the television series developed from Sword of Truth novels?

 

[thepaladin]

I love fantasy also absolute and while I'm not a Goodkind fan there are a lot of other writers out there. Both Jim Butcher's series are good, L. E. Modesitt has a lot of enjoyable reads, there is Roger Zelazny and Michael Moorcock to name just a few. Sometimes the romantic element dominates more and in others is more in the background. There are of course books out there where it is almost absent or on the other hand dominates. I could list others but you get the idea. I'm sure you'll get other recommendations. There are also several different sub-genres of fantasy you could try!

 

[Heather Myst]

Welcome jubalharshaw. As far as the Legend of the Seeker television series I have been watching the show. I don't like it as much as the books but I think it is still pretty good and I like to support any fantasy on television. It reminds me of the Hercules and Xena shows.
I really enjoyed Karen Miller's Kingmaker Kingbreaker series so I also purchased The Accidental Sorcerer. The first book was a much better read than Witches Incorporated in my opinion. I'm interested to see what you think. I felt like the second book was aimed at a younger audience. The Reg character remind me of Jar Jar Binks. I don't think I will order book three Wizard Squared but I am interested in her Prodigal Mage book.

 

[Warlocker]

Characters you get attached to: Try David Gemmell's Drenai series.
My personal favorite; The King Beyond the Gate. Epic story. Real shades of grey and forlorn hope and all that stuff. Women in love with flawed heroes, and vice versa.

 

[dask]

I know I'm repeating myself, but if you haven't read it yet, try WATERSHIP DOWN by Richard Adams.

 

[Rosemary]

Sara Douglass is a good author and starts off with the Axis Trilogy. There is a great storyline; well thought out characters with quite a number of them being the main characters. There are horrible creatures, wars and some lovely romantic parts as well.

 

[The Ace]

David Eddings lived his life backwards but the five-book, 'Belgariad,' isn't a bad read, I'd add, 'Belgarath,' and, 'Polgara,' to that too.

 

[Moggle]

I second the person who recommend curse of chalion and the name of the wind. Both are excellent reads with romantic elements in them. My personal recommendation in addition to those would be the Night Angel Trilogy by Brent Weeks. If you're looking for a bit more of romance outside of the genre than I would recommend the Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins and Old Man's War by John Scalzi.

 

[Heather Myst]

I agree with the Brent Weeks Night Angel trilogy suggestion. I really enjoyed The Name of the Wind but it is the only book in the series that has been released so far. You might want to take a look at Carol Berg's Rai-Kirah books too.

 

[JagLover]

If you are looking for fantasy with a romantic angle then Kate Elliotts 'Jaran' is fairly romantic.

 

[Emphyrio]

I first of all second Hypnos164's recommendation of The Name of the Wind; definitely the best fantasy book I've read in a long time, and probably the best debut novel I have ever read period.

Further to that, you could check out Gene Wolfe's The Book of the New Sun quadrilogy, which certainly employs a semi-romantic element without strangling the story. You could also try Peter V. Brett's debut novel The Painted Man (which I believe is titled The Warded Man in some markets). It features characters whom one can definitely build a connection with, and while the romantic element is almost non-existant in this opening volume, it looks set to develop quite significantly as the series goes on.

Finally, I know you said you weren't looking for YA fiction, but Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy is still worth checking out. A romance which slowly emerges and evolves so well that you really feel the characters' pain by the end of the series.

 

[GOLLUM]

All great suggestions Emphyrio.

Welcome to the forums...

A quick word on Shadow Of The Wind. The audio book is also one of the finest adaptations I've ever come across and highly recommended. For that matter Pullman reads HDM on CD and does a great job of that I think.

The second English book Angel's Game by Zafon is also very good.

Cheers.

 

[Snowdog]

What about Guy Gavriel Kay's Fionavar Tapestry books? I can't remember how much romance there was, but he certainly cranked out the emotions in that series.

 

[Clansman]

What about Guy Gavriel Kay's Fionavar Tapestry books? I can't remember how much romance there was, but he certainly cranked out the emotions in that series.

All of GGK's stuff is romantic, and I don't mean just in the romance/love area (the modern meaning of romance. Kay is romantic in the traditional sense (you know, like the Romantic poets and artists, Byron, Keats, Shelley, etc.). Tigana is perhaps the most romantic book I have ever read. For that matter, The Lions of Al-Rassan is no slouch.

 

[absolute]

So I started reading George R. R. Martin's The Song of Ice and Fire series... and I absolutely LOVE it. The quality of the writing is very high and I am very attached to the characters. I read somewhere that he kills off all the main characters, which I would not be happy with hahaha well I'm midway through A Clash of Swords (or whatever the third book is called). I thought I might not like it, cause its all like about knights and family history and stuff but its sooooo good! So, if that helps give any direction about the types of books I like... I've enjoyed George R. R. Martin and Goodkind (mostly lol). I'm almost done though so I'm looking for my next best read... thanks so much everyone for all the advice!!