Fantasy Books Groups

[Dylan]

I know there's a reading thread, but I thought I'd make a new thread in this book club group and it would be good to have a separate place to discuss the genre.

Which series do you guys recommend? Who are your favourite authors?

And mostly, what do you look for in a Fantasy book. Is it epic world building or focused character building? Great detail or fast paced action. (not saying that these things are exclusive).

 

[Sad Professor]

Not really a genre I read too often but I've read a few series and have some favourites.

Read The Black Company by Glenn Cook. It's fantastic. It's a gritty, dark fantasy book and series about a mercenary company (the Black Company, obviously) that gets hired to take part in a war. It's one of my favourite books. The portrayal of characters is realistic and engaging.

Also, Joe Abercrombie's The First Law series is very good. It's similar to the Black Company in terms of darkness. Tigana by Guy Gavriel Kay is very good. One series that I find very entertaining, which is not necessarily the type of fantasy you've mentioned, is the Monster Hunters International series by Larry Correia. It's not very serious in terms of tone or depth but is funny, entertaining.

And maybe quite obvious and one that is more Sci-Fi but necessary reading for any Fantasy/Sci-Fi nerd is Dune.

 

[Crabtree]

Perdido Street Station is an amazing read written by China Mieville.

He describes his world in ridiculously excessive detail which might throw you off at first but grows on you as the world interests more and more. Incredibly dark ideation throughout. Would definitely recommend it!

 

[Franco Pinion]

The Limits of Enchantment by Graham Joyce. The premise sounds so dull, yet the story will make you believe in an alternative, magical history of humankind.

 

[hannah]

Read the Night Angel trilogy by Brent Weeks recently and thought it was a very good series with great characters, first book The Way of Shadows was the best of the series in my opinion.

I intend to read Steve Erikson's Malazan series very soon.

 

[Legion]

Quite well known but I'm a big fan of Terry Pratchett's Discworld novels. He draws up some fantastic characters in a world that is ridiculous yet logical, with some fantastic humour. Well worth a read.

 

[David76]

Finished The Blacktongue Thief by Cristopher Buehlman. Cool, elaborate world-building, interesting character, nice plot with good pace, action and interactions, a couple cool twists towards the end

Overall a really strong book, would recommend

 

[Steve]

Just started Hyperion. The first story (the priests) had me aching to read ahead to see what happened. An amazing book so far.

 

[Tom]

It's great! Though it didn't make me read the rest of the series.

 

[Franco Pinion]

Awesome series, you're in for a treat