Fantasy Books

[Tom318]

Haha, why apologise? They are legitimately good books.

If you really want to read something you feel like apologizing for, try David Gemmell

[Garix]

Some good reading ideas in the list so far.

For my 5cp's worth try the Maria V. Snyder Study books, (Poison Study,Magic Study and Fire Study).

Also might of missed them here already but I really enjoyed the Brent Weeks Night Angel trilogi (The Way of Shadows, Shadows Edge and Beyond the Shadows)

Other than that would recommend about 75% of the books already listed. (the other 25% I now need to go and read myself!)

[Tom318]

I would argue this is more social commentary than fantasy. Very clever. And his writing has got better over time.

Personally I'm of the opinion that it got worse. It used to really make you think, but it slowly got more run-of-the mill. I think that follows his personal development I guess.. you can see how as a young writer he was interested in why they were never any female werewolves, and where they put their clothing after.. and who made armor that fit them etc. Then he got married and then it was all Vimes and his butler and his kid..

And then it just got boring as he got older.. mostly about his daughter growing up (Tiffany Aching) and then I stopped reading.

Incidentally, there are a lot of fantasy references in DDO.. there's the Dreaming Dark of course (which is from "Thud!") and the "sword of the thirty" (from Gemmell's Drenai series.)

[Doomcrew]

If you really want to read something you feel like apologizing for, try David Gemmell

I wouldn't apologize for it, I'd offer the late David Gemmel's work for all to read.

[Cinderbeard]

Tad Williams
the dragonbone chair (its a triligoy) Stone of farewell, to green angel tower

terry goodkind
sword of truth series - trust me the book have nothing whatsoever to do with the suck arse tv series that was canned

Both these series are among my favorites, especially Goodkind.
The show was awefull, but the books... Pure magic on paper, I'm a big fan.

[lazylaz]

I wouldn't apologize for it, I'd offer the late David Gemmel's work for all to read.

Same!

So it looks like I'm recommending him twice.

[Nysrock]

Thought of a few more that are fun to read.

A. Lee Martinez
Gil's All Fright Diner (2005)
In the Company of Ogres (2006)
A Nameless Witch (2007)
The Automatic Detective (2008)
Too Many Curses (2008)
Monster (2009)
Divine Misfortune (2010)
Chasing The Moon (May 2011)
All fun reads but definitely not what you would call a serious fantasy book.

And I am surprised no one has mentioned this yet. Though it is more science fiction it is still one of the best books out there in my opinion.

Douglas Adams
The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy
Just remember.....DON'T PANIC!!!

[Tom318]

I wouldn't apologize for it, I'd offer the late David Gemmel's work for all to read.

Bleh, Druss is undefeatable. He's larger than anyone else, he's a legend. He's a big guy (a really big guy) with a really big axe. His axe has a name. His signature line is "I am Druss, and this is death!"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UE7WrEidvyY

Stereotype much lol

Anyway, it's entertaining in a trash-fiction kind of way

[Tom318]

Douglas Adams
The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy
Just remember.....DON'T PANIC!!!

Not fantasy of the sword-and-sorcery kind though

[Nysrock]

Not fantasy of the sword-and-sorcery kind though

Nope which is why I mentioned it was science fiction.

But it seems to take forever for some of these authors to come out with new books and I read them so fast. Therefore I have expanded my readings to other stuff then just sword and sorcery fantasy books. I have read about 95% of the books posted here. Most have been read a dozen times or more over the years so I am always looking for stuff to read.

On a slightly different note here is one series I must warn you to run away from. Quickly.

Terry Brooks
Sword of Shannara Series
Stay away from this series unless you are in need of a serious workout. They weren't totally bad but when I would get done reading them I felt like I had been through the wringer. Rough reading with way too much stuff drawn out.

[Tom318]

But it seems to take forever for some of these devs to come out with new quests and I complete them so fast.

Fix'd lol

The more things change I guess

[Philibusta]

Terry Brooks
Sword of Shannara Series
Stay away from this series unless you are in need of a serious workout. They weren't totally bad but when I would get done reading them I felt like I had been through the wringer. Rough reading with way too much stuff drawn out.

Not only that, but once you've read and compared both sources, you can easily see how the book The Sword of Shannara is almost a direct ripoff of Lord of the Rings. Bout as close as an author can come to plagiarism without setting foot in a courtroom.

[Uska]

The Black Company series by Glenn Cook