What fantasy book would you HIGHLY recommend?

[Gerald]

I'm heading to the bookstore later today. Gonna grab Sword of Shanarra for my g.f. I'd like to get a EXCELLENT Fantasy series to start reading again....

What can you recommend?

I LOVED Stephen R. Donaldsons "Lord Fouls Banes" series (6 Books)
and just as much or even more Terry Brooks "Sword of Shannara" series..

I'm probably going to get bombarded with recommendations, going to be so hard to choose?
Since I like Terry Brooks, did anyone like Magic Kingdom for Sale?

Gerald

[Chuck 98 RT/10]

"On Golden Blonde", oh you said fantasy "books" didn't you.

[Acatala7]

I strongly suggest you pick up the "Incarnation of Immortality" series written by Piers Anthony. The idea is that Death, Fate, Evil, War etc.. are all governed by an individual who at one point was a mortal, but somehow or another became the embodiment of one of those mentioned. Each book details each individual.The first book in the series is called "On a Pale Horse" and it's about Death (Grim Reaper) and his everday dealings. Again it's a great series that's very well written.

[Tom and Vipers]

Woa... time out...

Tolkein, Tolkein, Tolkein

Hobbit and Trilogy

[Serious Eric]

"Campaign Plans & Strategy, 2004"
by Al Gore.


But seriously, haven't been into much fantasy stuff for some years, but it sounds like you enjoy a looong series of good reads. If you feel like branching out you might try the Civil War history trilogy by Shaara.

"Killer Angels" by Michael Shaara. About Gettysburg
"God's and Generals" by Jeff Shaara (Michael's son). Covers the war from beginning up to Gettysburg.
"The Last Full Measure" by Jeff Shaara. Post Gettysburg.


I can't recommend these strongly enough. Father and son are master storytellers and history is more fascinating than fantasy in their hands.

[packetjunkie]

Seriously, though - I enjoyed the DRAGONLANCE CHRONICLES trilogy by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman.
http://www.sffworld.com/authors/w/we...fthetwins.html

The Twins series (there are three books) are very good and entertaining.

Of course Tolkein rules.

Merry Christmas! (you too, little huey!)

[Andy]

Not sure if SciFi qualifies, but Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card is great. It is a series, but the later ones aren't as good as the first.

Another good more fantasyish one I just read is "A Deepness in the Sky" by Vernor Vinge. That's the 2nd in a series, but takes place a few thousand years or so before the 1st...

[packetjunkie]

Nice avatar, Andy!

I thought of another good series:

The Elfstones of Shannara by Terry Brooks http://www.terrybrooks.net/novels/elfstones.html

I thought the first few were good; but then kinda dry after that, so I gave up. Oh wait, thats in your list (just a different series). I thought Elfstones were good.

[Andy]

It is nice, but unfortunately the car's been gone for a year... Sold it to a guy who lives in Fairfax. Aren't you near there? Replaced it with a coupe, but haven't had time to take any good photos for a new avatar.

[slaughterj]

If you've never read the Conan novels, I'd highly recommend them. The best are the ones by Robert E. Howard (i.e., the original, some of which has been edited by L. Sprague de Camp) and the ones by Robert Jordan. Howard's are out of print (except for a recent reprint of what was strictly written by him, though that too may not be out of print), but readily available through bookfinder.com or ebay.com. Jordan's separate novels may still be in print, but definitely are available in a 2 volumes (Chronicles of Conan and Further Cronicles of Conan). Each of the 2 volumes contains 3 of his books, however they are not chronologically correct?! My recommendation is to get the 12 or so in the numbered series of Howard's (edited) work (13 maybe, 14-15 probably not), and get Robert Jordan's 6 books, and then be sure to read them in proper order (let me know if you need more info).

[SEASNAKE]

Of the newer things out there I like:

If you liked Steven Donaldson try the Mordant books (2) - Mirror of her dreams & a rider rides through. Very good reads.
Dave Duncan - A Man of his Word series (4 books)
Robin Hobb - Farseer Trilogy

[Mike H]

I think the Car and Driver magazine, the one claiming the Vette over the Viper as the # 1 sports car.....yes that is a good fantasy book!!!!!

[Gerald]

Thanks, heading to books store now..

Since fantasy is make beleive and usually in a totally different world vs. the reality of our own, I think I'll go and get "Car and Drivers, Viper vs. Vette" where the vette wins. If they don't have that, per your recommendations, I'll pick up "Corvette, America's only true sports car"

Thanks for the suggestions..

Gerald

[slaughterj]

Hey Gerald, another good one is the Elric of Melnibone series by Michael Moorcock.