Best Fantasy Series:
The Realm of the Elderlingsby Robin Hobb.
Books: The Farseer Trilogy, Liveship Traders Trilogy, Tawny Man Trilogy, The Rain Wilds Chronicles.
Comments: It should be noted that 'The Realm of the Elderlings' is not the official title of the series. I'm not sure if it's been adopted by fans, or coined by Robin Hobb herself, but it's a name that encompasses 4 trilogies that take place in different countries of the same world more or less chronologically over a period of about 50 years. A big chunk of the story is told by Fitz Chivalry Farseer in first person, and describes his arrival at the Farseer court, his training as the royal assassins, the war, and his subsequent condemnation and 'death'.
Though I'm tempted to say that this series is a head above all the rest largly because of the Fool (quite possibly the best literary character ever conceived), it would be an unfair statement. The series is character driven - more so that A Song of Ice and Fire, believe it or not. The world and the story id built around the characters, which are more vivid and real than any character has the right to be. Though the scale of the first trilogy (The Farseer) is small - pretty much taking place in one castle and it's surroundings - the story is nothing less than epic.
The writing style and the language are enthralling and the philosophical depth of the whole story is staggering. And of course, it has the Fool.
Lord of the Ringsby J.R.R. Tolkien.
Books: The Fellowship of the Ring, Two Towers, The Return of the King.
Comments: A Classic. It belongs so on every 'Books You Should Read Before You Die' list. I read the trilogy when I was 14 or 15, and it took me about 2 weeks. No comments are really needed here. The only reason 'Lord of the Rings' isn't at the top of my list, is because I have a strong emotional attachment to 'The Realm of the Elderlings'.
A Song of Ice and Fireby George Martin.
Books in the Series: A Game of Thrones, A Clash of Kings, A Storm of Swords, A Feast for Crows (I am planning to stop reading the series after I finish 'A Feast for Crows', so 'A Dance with Dragons isn't included here').
Comments: The only negative thing I have to say about the series is that it has way too many characters. At this point (A Feast for Crows) I actually have to keep referring to 'A Song of Ice and Fire' wiki to keep track of what the hell's going on.
Harry Potterby J.K. Rowling.
Books in the Series: Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.
Comments: It's not nearly as high on my list today as it used to be because I've well and truly outgrown this series. Nevertheless, I'm glad to have read it, and I think that the contribution it's made to world of modern literature is monumental. Also, Jo Rowling is one of my personal heroes.
Discworld Novelsby Terry Pratchett.
Books in the series: 39 books in total. I've read Mort, Reaper Man, Guards! Guards!, Man at Arms, Feet of Clay, Hogfather, Jingo, The Fifth Elephant, The Truth, Thief of Time, The Amazing Maurice and his Educated Rodents, Night Watch, Thud.
Comments: Easy, fun and intelligent. A kind of a modern Woodhouse, but with wizards and dragons. I don't know a single person who hasn't enjoyed this series. Personally, I am a big fan of the Watch and Sir Samuel Vimes.
The First Law Trilogyby Joe Abercrombie.
Books in the series: The Blade Itself, Before they are Hanged, Last Argument of Kings.
Comments: A lot (sometimes too much) blood, gore, swearing and sex. Can be off-putting. Redeems itself with the best plot twists I've ever come across in books - fantasy or any other genre - and an amazing ending. Also, A+ for cover design (Abercrombie worked in Multimedi, so I'm not surprised), excellent and original treatment of maps (not in this series, but Abercrombie still gets extra brownie points for introducing amazing maps in his later books), and the original titles for the books in the series. Normally, fantasy books have painfully cheesy titles.
Another gothic / fantasy series on my radar is Gormenghast by Mervyn Peake. I aim to tackle it this year.
2 comments:
Based on your love for Robin Hobb's "Realm of the Elderlings" books and characters, I'd recommend you read The Death Gate Cycle by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman. Incredible well-developed universe and more importantly, characters. The level of emotional attachment I have developed to the story's vivid characters is almost shameful. Another series of note is the Earthsea Cycle by Ursula K. Le Guin. From one dabbling fantasy fan to another, I promise you will not be disappointed : )
Thanks for the recommendations! I'll add these to my ever-expanding ""to read" list :)
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