Fantasy has evolved considerably since Tolkien, though it still relies heavily on many of the conventions Tolkien created (or borrowed from earlier authors). There are countless spinoffs of Tolkien, of greater and lesser degrees of success. For the rest of my recommendations below, I have adopted a “Star” rating technique along with short reviews detailing my likes/dislikes. Five stars is the best rating. As I’ve mentioned before, “So many books, so little time”. Given that premise, I cannot possibly expect to read all of the excellent fantasy fiction available. That's where I'm counting on you. Do you know of a great fantasy book or series? Write a review and submit it to the website. Or read other user-submitted suggested fantasy reading.
***** A Song of Ice & Fire series of books by George R.R. Martin This is a series of (currently) four rather long volumes (it will eventually be six volumes) by one of fantasy’s best writers, George R.R. Martin. The first book in the series is called A Game of Thrones, and it is one of the grittiest, most realistic fantasy novels I have ever encountered. Warning: This is an adult series depicting graphic violence and sex. Martin frustrates all expectations and conventions of the genre. Granted, he has dragons, and a medieval atmosphere complete with Coats of Arms, knights, armor, castles, and kings. But there is no buffer in Martin’s world, no sanitizing layer of narrative between the events and the reader. It is medievally, unflinchingly brutal in it portrayal of violence and callousness. It addresses, like Tolkien, the corrupting influences of Power. Yet there is very little “black and white” in Martin’s world. Characters follow their own internal desires, and rarely react “conventionally”. Characters you have intensely hated early in the story, you find yourself rooting for later on, and then just as often hating once again. This is the complex web of epic, medieval fantasy at its best. Major characters die, and new, lesser known characters step forward to take their place. It is a very long narrative of interlaced story, given from the points-of-view of several major characters. There is a cast of literally thousands of characters, but it takes surprisingly little to keep the tale ordered in your mind. This is a highly suggested series of novels, from one of the most talented writers in the fantasy genre (or any genre, for that matter). Also highly recommended is Martin’s unrelated novel Fevre Dream, an antebellum-era vampire novel of blood and steamboats set on the “mighty Mississippi”. One reviewer said it will “delight fans of both Stephen King and Mark Twain” and indeed it contains elements of both. And I would throw in Anne Rice for good measure.
****1/2 Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn by Tad Williams Tad Williams’ epic trilogy (not in the classic sense, but three books that contain one continuous story, like Lord of the Rings) is one of the most in-depth and well-written epic fantasy stories since Tolkien. Beginning with The Dragonbone Chair, Williams’ novels reflect Tolkien’s in many ways. His “Sithi” are a fair, immortal race no doubt modeled after the Elven race of Tolkien (though, to be fair, this idea is not entirely original to Tolkien either), and his influences (like Tolkien’s) are undoubtedly Northern (Norse & Anglo-Saxon) in origin. That said, there is very little “imitative” about Williams’ tale. His characters are well-rounded, and he captures the heroic spirit of his created world extremely well. Williams is perhaps one of the best writers out there at capturing the mystical beauty of a created world. His narrative succeeds on many levels, and is one of the few fantasy novels I suggest to everyone. Those who enjoy Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn should also check out Williams’ other novels, Tailchaser’s Song (an excellent novel even if it is a “cat fantasy”) and The War of the Flowers.
****1/2 The Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan Okay, so this novel (or series of novels) is insanely long. It is currently eleven books (the next volume is said to be the last), and each volume reaches at least 700 pages. Overwhelming to the beginner, no doubt. But this is also one of the most engrossing, entertaining fantasy novels anywhere. Many reviewers (and fans) will say that Jordan has drug his feet and prolonged the narrative far longer than necessary. I would agree, in some respects, that Jordan could have tied this story up neatly in less than twelve books, and sometime he goes an entire 500-600 pages without making significant progress. That said, these novels are so completely engaging, and their characters so much like old friends, that I have never wanted the story to end. The ending of the novel seems almost like a secondary goal…while the reader falls headfirst into the world that Jordan has created. I won’t argue with readers that complain of the author’s lingering pace, but I will argue for the merits of one of the most entertaining and absorbing pieces of fantasy available. Beneath the surface, Jordan also portrays a fascinating study of the language of power, and the role body language plays in our perceptions. Communication takes place at the non-verbal level at least as often as on the verbal level.
****1/2 The Wizard of Earthsea series by Ursula LeGuin This is one of the “classics” of the fantasy genre, and one of the few fantasy novels commonly compared to The Lord of the Rings.LeGuin’s novels are beautifully written, and rife with complex and important modern themes. Her “Earthsea” universe is also incredibly complex and deep, drawing consistent comparisons with Tolkien’s Middle Earth. Fascinating and well worth reading.
****1/2 A Song For Arbonne by Guy Gavriel Kay A Song for Arbonne is my personal favorite of Kay's many wonderful books. It is set, like many of his novels, in a world very similar (and yet at times quite different) to medieval Europe. This novel is set mostly in Arbonne, a country of troubadours and courtly love (based on Provencal, in modern-day southern France), a country where the goddess Rian is worshipped alongside the god Corannos and where women hold positions of power and influence. But Arbonne is crumbling from within due to a twenty-year-old blood feud between its two greatest noblemen. Into this world comes Blaise, a warrior from the patriarchal society of Gorhault, Arbonne's great foe to the north. Blaise has a shadowed past of his own that he is attempting to escape. Meanwhile, to the north, in Gorhault, the stormclouds of war are gathering. Kay's novels are always well-researched and full of fascinating characters, and A Song for Arbonne doesn't disappoint. Also suggested by Kay - Tigana & The Last Light of the Sun
**** The Little Country by Charles De Lint This novel differs entirely from the previously listed fantasy novels in that it is not epic fantasy, nor does it take place in an alternate world. The Little Country is primarily set in modern-day Cornwall, and concerns the drama brought about by the protagonists finding of a “magic” book. De Lint is a masterful novelist who commonly writes “Urban Fantasy”, a genre that does not generally interest me. I enjoy the rural, primitive settings of conventional fantasy. The Little Country has very little of this “urban” aspect, however, and portrays instead the magic of music and rural landscapes.
**** The Once and Future King by T.H. WhiteThis book is another classic of the fantasy genre, and often thought of on a par with Tolkien. It is generally considered the pinnacle of modern Arthurian literature. It is indeed an excellent novel, written by one of the most intelligent writers of the twentieth century. It occasionally bogs itself down in exhaustive lists (particularly in the first part of the novel, “The Sword in the Stone”), and that is its only real drawback. This is a fascinating modern version of the Arthurian myths, and highly recommended.
**** His Dark Materials trilogy by Phillip Pullman Pullman’s trilogy (beginning with The Golden Compass), is touted as children’s literature, though it offers varying levels of depth to mature readers. This is a seriously deep and beautifully told story by an amazing storyteller. The story of Lyra moves between several different worlds, and encompasses a broad range of themes. This is one of those rare stories that can offer enormous entertainment at face value while inviting the reader to explore further into the (rather controversial) ideas and values it represents. Highly recommended for all ages.
**** The Harry Potter series of novels by J.K. Rowling Okay, I’m sure these novels don’t need my recommendation for anyone to read them. It’s cliché, and yes, I too am entirely sick of mega-commercial “Potter-mania”. However, there is a damn good reason why these books are so popular…they are immaculately plotted, fast-paced, easy to read, fascinating, and incredibly addicting. I don’t think I need to say much more on them. Ignore the hype, but try them anyway.
**** Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke This large fantistorical (I’m sure that’s a word) is the type of novel that Tolkien himself would have approved of! Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell is set in early 19th century England, during the Napoleonic wars, but Clarke has created an entirely new history for England…one that includes magic and intertwines the history of England with that of Faerie. One almost expects to stumble upon Smith of Wootten Major within the pages of this book. Beautifully evoked and written, it is one of the better novels I have read in the past couple of years.
**** American Gods by Neil Gaiman A fantasy novel set in modern day America, American Gods traces the fates of the surviving Gods brought across the sea by those who settled America. This is another fascinating mix of mythology and fantasy that Tolkien may have enjoyed. Gaiman is one of the best and most imaginative writers of fantasy fiction today, and American Gods is one of his very best novels. Other highly recommended books by Neil Gaiman - Stardust and Neverwhere.
***1/2 The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant by Stephen R. Donaldson There are actually two separate series of “Chronicles” by Donaldson, both involving the same protagonist. The book to start with is Lord Foul’s Bane from The First Chronicles of Thomas Covenant. The story here is excellent, and the world building is excellent and deep. It took me some time to warm up to this story when I began reading it. The protagonist is infuriating, assiduously refusing to believe in the world in which he finds himself, and equally stubborn to take responsibility for his actions there (some of which are quite despicable). Eventually, however, the story wins you over with some excellent story telling. It is well worth suffering through some rather infuriating sections. In the end, the merits of the tale easily eclipse its negative issues, and I recommend it to any fan of epic fantasy.
***1/2 The Book of Words trilogy by J.V. Jones I really enjoyed this three book fantasy series when I read it several years ago. While the plotline is not extremely original, the characters are well-drawn and the plot moves along very nicely. The world is stark and realistic, containing a gritty realism that is not found in many fantasy novels. Jones even adds some very funny bits of crude humor (in the persons of Bodger and Grift). An excellent read.
*** The Belgariad and The Malloreon by David Eddings The first book in this series, Pawn of Prophesy launched one of the most popular fantasy series of all time. This is a fascinating world peopled with interesting characters. Eddings moves the tale along quickly, building momentum as he goes, and his climaxes are always packed with action and excitement. There are faults here certainly. His characters speak to each other in a highly irreverent tone, constantly dripping with sarcasm even in the direst moments. While there is place in the “high seriousness” of fantasy for irony, sarcasm, and humor, Eddings insistence on plugging it into even his most tension-filled situations can be irritating and anti-climactic. In other words the sarcasm, while entertaining, grows tiresome after a while. That said, the writing is quite good, and the tales themselves are very entertaining reads. A very good series of novels, and recommended reading for fantasy fans.
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The reviews above are only the tip of the iceberg in the fantasy genre, and represent only my thoughts and opinions.
Do you know of other great fantasy novels not listed on this page? Write your own reviews below and submit them to this website. I will publish the best reviews on the site (giving you full credit, of course).
What Other Visitors Have Said
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The Shanarra Series Review
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I've been a fan of the fantasy genre for several years, since first reading The Hobbit. After reading Tolkien, I looked for other good fantasy novels ...
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