13 years ago
Fri Dec 03 2010, 11:14am
My best friend asked if I could choose a new fantasy series for her to read as a Christmas present. Problem is although I absolutely love books, the only fantasy series I've read is the Obernewtyn Chronicles. So I could really use some help!
She is 19 and has read Obernewtyn, and series by Sara Douglass and Jennifer Fallon and loves them all so hopefully someone can suggest something they think she'd like?
From other threads it sounds like Cecilia Dart-Thornton's Bitterbynde series or Tamora Pierce's series are good...
Look for suggestions in the I'm Reading thread. There are some really good books in their and there is also another recent thread that has been started. Hope that helps. :)
Ohrana, I would recommend 'The Sevenwaters Trilogy' by Juliet Marillier, 'The Bitterbynde Trilogy' by Cecelia Dart-Thornton, 'The His Dark Materials Trilogy' by Philip Pullman and 'The Tales of the Otori' books by Lian Hearn. Also, as Violet Crumble said, looking in the "I'm Reading.." thread is of course a good place for ideas~
13 years ago
Fri Dec 03 2010, 01:36pm
I would also recommend maybe the Assassin's Apprentice by Robin Hobb (Farseer Trilogy) or maybe something by Kate Elliot eg, Kings Dragon (first book in the Crown of Stars series- the series is epic though- 7 books in total!)
Tamora Pierce's books are fantastic (one of my favourite series), but are aimed at a younger audience then most of the other books/authors you have mentioned.
I don't much like Bitterbynde. Great ideas, bad execution. My suggestions repeat some of the above, but that's a good thing, right? It'll show you which are most popular.
High Fantasy
The Tamir Triad - Lyn Flewelling
The Farseer Trilogy - Robin Hobb (fairly dark, but utterly gripping, with a wonderful, complex cast of characters)
The Sevenwaters Trilogy - Juliet Mariller (sweet and romantic, but with bite. The first book is based on the Seven Swans/Wild Swans fairytale. ftw!)
The Sarantine Mozaic by Guy Gavriel Kay
Urban Fantasy
The Demon's Lexicon series by Sarah Rees Brennan
The Curseworker's series by Holly Black (only one book is so far, though)
The Ironside series, by Holly Black
13 years ago
Fri Dec 03 2010, 01:55pm
I recommend Brent Weeks - The Night Angel Trilogy - It's an excellent series.
I concur that Tamora Pierce is a great author also. If she wants to go more for the adult ones - Try David Eddings and the Belgariad Series (5 books), it then merges in the Mallorian Series (5 books) later on. The characters are excellent in this series, he was a really talented Fantasy fiction writer, too bad he passed away a few years back.
Also great is Garth Nix - The Seventh Tower Series - there are just so many great authors!
Wanderer Ward
13 years ago
Wanderer Ward
Mage
How about Ian Irvine's Three Worlds Cycle, especially the first series - The View from the Mirror Quartet? A great fantasy series by a great Australian author.
I second the recommendations for Garth Nix and Kate Elliott, both being authors whose works I have enjoyed.
There is also Terry Brooks' Shannara series, Raymond E. Fiest's Riftwar Saga and other works, and Trudi Canavan's books -especially the Black Magician trilogy.
Ashlings' guildleader
13 years ago
Ashlings' guildleader
Dreamscape Artist
The Dark Heavens trilogy and the (incomplete) Journey to Wudang trilogy by Kylie Chan. Awesome fantasy books, I love them to bits and they're something different :nod:
Also by Garth Nix, the Old Kingdom Trilogy is fantastic.
Wanderer Ward
13 years ago
Wanderer Ward
Dreamscape Artist
I agree with the suggestion of Garth Nix's Old Kingdom Trilogy, and Lol's assessment of The Bitterbynde. The latter is set in a lovely interesting world, but the language is incredibly flowery. Whilst I find that effective in a short story I read by Dart-Thornton, it's a little tiresome in a novel.
I also suggest The Witches of Eileanan by Kate Forsyth. Which Sara Douglass series has she read? The Troy Game is a brilliant series by Sara Douglass, so if she's already into her, that would be an excellent read.
Try these;
Michael Pryor - Laws of Magic series
Scott Westerfeld - Uglies trilogy, Leviathan trilogy, the Secret Hour trilogy
Jonathan Stroud - the Bartimaeus Trilogy <---AMAZING
It seems you've only read Obernewtyn Chronicles, so let me direct you to The Legendsong Trilogy - the first book being Darkfall, the second is Darksong... patiently waiting for Darkbane.
A lot of members of Obernet actually like The Legendsong better than Obernewtyn, I definitely recommend it!
And just because Fifi hasn't noticed this (she's employed a good convert!), I have to recommend Lynn Flewelling's Tamir Trilogy, the first book called Bone Doll's Twin.
Oh wow, thanks so much everyone! Such fantastic suggestions! I've briefly looked up what each series is about and I'm going to buy the first book in Garth Nix's The Seventh Tower Series. I think I'll show her all the other suggestions too though, so she can choose a series to read after this one :)
I had absolutely no idea on where to start so your recommendations were definately needed :) Again, thank you all so much!
Ohrana.
I have to second (or third) the recommendations of:
The Tamir Triad - Lynn Flewelling (An amazing character-driven work, with great suspense. It gets you fully emotionally invested in the story).
The Farseer Trilogy - Robin Hobb (Again, the characters are complex and believable, and the story is full of intrigue, suspense, and adventure. I literally couldn't put these books down).
The Black Magician Trilogy - Trudi Canavan (Great characters, and a great story. What more can you ask for?)
And I agree that Cecilia Dart-Thornton's books were a bit too waffling for my liking. I also found the story-line and characters too romanticised. I don't like my characters to be without flaws - it just makes them impossible to relate to.
I also don't really like Garth Nix or Kate Elliot for some reason, but that's against popular opinion. Most people seem to love them. ;P :)
Mystic Ward
13 years ago
Mystic Ward
Twentyfamilies Gypsy
Robin Hobb, Garth Nix, Ian Irvine, How about The Lord of the rings...seems no-one likes Tolkien much around here but it's one of my favourites. Also anything by Lynn Flewelling is good as Fifi will doubt tell you.
