# Recommend a Fantasy series to me, please. **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [November 23, 2010, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-fantasy-series-to-me-please/561659 "2010-11-23T15:19:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2010, 5:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-fantasy-series-to-me-please/561659/61 "2010-11-24T05:53:17Z")
The Chalion series by Lois McMaster Bujold is excellent. Glen Cook’s Garret series is good (_Sweet Silver Blues_ is the first, they all have metal related names); basically a “private eye” in a fantasy world. For another old but good series if you can find it I recommend the Lord Darcy books by Randall Garret. Basically, a detective series set in an alternate universe where Richard the Lion Hearted survived, rationalized, scientific magic rather than technology predominated, and the Plantagenets still rule the “Angevin empire”. ---
**Author:** ![Inner\_Stickler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inner_stickler/32/318_2.png) [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2010, 6:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-fantasy-series-to-me-please/561659/62 "2010-11-24T06:05:03Z")
For a while I was turning to Simon R. Green’s NightSide series in between more serious endeavors. It was a good fluff series. But the best light fantasy has to be Tanya Huff’s Keeper Chronicles. She also has another series centered on vampires called the Blood Books. Both are good, in my opinion. ---
**Author:** ![Tamerlane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tamerlane/32/7602_2.png) [@Tamerlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamerlane)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2010, 6:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-fantasy-series-to-me-please/561659/63 "2010-11-24T06:05:35Z")
> [@John\_DiFool](#): > > You “disagree” how? Did I not strongly imply that the first series is worth someone’s while, even if the 2nd isn’t nearly in the same class? 😕 > [@Tamerlane](#): > > ETA: Oops - I think the Amber criticism was in that other thread. Sorry for any confusion ;). It turns out I was replying to **Alessan** … > [@Who is the greatest science fiction writer of all time?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-greatest-science-fiction-writer-of-all-time/561586/81): > > Oh, and avoid the \*Amber \*series. It’s highly overrated. …in [this thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=586540). That’s what happens when you start getting older :D. > [@blue\_infinity](#): > > One of my favourites is Jack Vance’s [Lyonesse Trilogy](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lyonesse_Trilogy). Enthusiastic second. A personal favorite of mine as well. Heavy on the fae, but well done in that regard ( unlike, say, de Lint, who I can’t get into ). ---
**Author:** ![Evil\_Captor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f17d59/32.png) [@Evil\_Captor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Captor)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2010, 6:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-fantasy-series-to-me-please/561659/64 "2010-11-24T06:16:35Z")
The HELL the Amber series is overrated. You CAN’T overrate it! It’s TOO DAMN GOOD! Many people regard Zelazny as the best fantasy writer of all time (yah, better than Tolkein, who simply was not as good a prose stylist as Zelazny, nor as original a thinker). Mark Twain once said the difference between a words that suffices and just the right word is the difference between the lighting and the lightning bug. Well, Zelazy is the lightning in fantasy writing, for the most part. Tim Powers is actually on par with him, but he does not really write series, except for the Last Call trilogy. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2010, 6:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-fantasy-series-to-me-please/561659/65 "2010-11-24T06:20:34Z")
> [@Whack-a-Mole](#): > > Surprised no one has mentioned [The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever](http://www.amazon.com/Fouls-Chronicles-Thomas-Covenant-Unbeliever/dp/0345348656) series yet. > > I was iffy on the second set of three books but the first three were enjoyable (if you don’t mind a main character who is not very likable most of the time). > [@unwashed\_brain](#): > > 2nd. I’m waiting for the last book of the 3rd series to come out before I do a complete re-read. One of my favorite series. I am surprised at its lack of mention here. Maybe we are older than most and none have read it. Been ages since I read through it but I recall it being, among my die hard fantasy friends, considered one of the finest fantasy books ever. Admittedly there were points in the series that dragged but overall they moved along well and were a fully realized, detailed world with complex characters. To me the biggest barrier was rooting for an anti-hero. I recall times being distinctly fed up with Thomas Covenant’s bullshit. In another way though that was interesting. Overall a worthy read and one I would say any serious fantasy fan should have under their belt. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2010, 6:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-fantasy-series-to-me-please/561659/66 "2010-11-24T06:31:06Z")
> [@Evil\_Captor](#): > > The HELL the Amber series is overrated. You CAN’T overrate it! It’s TOO DAMN GOOD! Many people regard Zelazny as the best fantasy writer of all time (yah, better than Tolkein, who simply was not as good a prose stylist as Zelazny, nor as original a thinker). Mark Twain once said the difference between a words that suffices and just the right word is the difference between the lighting and the lightning bug. Well, Zelazy is the lightning in fantasy writing, for the most part. Tim Powers is actually on par with him, but he does not really write series, except for the Last Call trilogy. The Amber series is great and I love Zelazny but Tolkein is the base from which all fantasy is judged. Apples and oranges really. There just is not a lot of comparison to be made between the two. Still, as a fully realized world Middle Earth is hard to beat (and I say that admitting the Lord of the Rings is not my favorite fantasy series). My favorite series is the Sword of Shannara series (because it was given to me by my brother and was the first “real” book I read that got me to love reading) and the[Riftwar Saga](http://www.amazon.com/Magician-Apprentice-Riftwar-Raymond-Feist/dp/0553564943/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1290579993&sr=1-2) by Raymond E. Feist. It has been 20+ years since I read either so keep in mind I was young when I read them but they totally hooked me into reading. Oh! Almost forgot!! [The Earthsea Trilogy](http://www.amazon.com/Earthsea-Trilogy-Ursula-K-Guin/dp/0739452711/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1290580174&sr=1-1) by Ursula K. Le Guin I remember being pretty damn great. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2010, 6:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-fantasy-series-to-me-please/561659/67 "2010-11-24T06:39:37Z")
Also forgot… Any serious fantasy fan needs to read the [Chronicles of Narnia](http://www.amazon.com/Chronicles-Narnia-C-S-Lewis/dp/0066238501/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1290580516&sr=1-1) by C.S. Lewis. Don’t let the movies and TV series sway you. Read the books. Again been ages since I read them so not sure how they are published now. When I got my set my older brother re-numbered the series for me into chronological order. I forget the order now though (IIRC my set started with The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and my brother placed The Magician’s Nephew first…can’t remember the whole order now). As an aside, and not sure it is fantasy strictly speaking, I strongly recommend [Watership Down](http://www.amazon.com/Watership-Down-Novel-Richard-Adams/dp/0743277708/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1290580856&sr=1-1) by Richard Adams. A book best for tweens it is still enjoyable for adults. Really, really great book. Nor fantasy as such but don’t let that or the description that it is about rabbits stop you. A true classic and great fun. ---
**Author:** ![Inner\_Stickler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inner_stickler/32/318_2.png) [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2010, 6:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-fantasy-series-to-me-please/561659/68 "2010-11-24T06:53:01Z")
> [@Whack-a-Mole](#): > > Again been ages since I read them so not sure how they are published now. When I got my set my older brother re-numbered the series for me into chronological order. I forget the order now though (IIRC my set started with The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and my brother placed The Magician’s Nephew first…can’t remember the whole order now). Your older brother secretly hates you. Read them in the order they were published. If you try to introduce someone to Narnia via the Magician’s Nephew, they will hate you forever. It is a prequel book and only of interest to people who are already familiar with the series as it explains why the wardrobe can take people to Narnia and how the White Witch got there. ---
**Author:** ![Malthus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/85f322/32.png) [@Malthus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malthus)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2010, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-fantasy-series-to-me-please/561659/69 "2010-11-24T14:39:37Z")
> [@Tamerlane](#): > > Anyone who enjoys Fritz Leiber’s Fafhrd and Grey Mouser books owes it to themselves to try Scott Lynch’s _Gentlemen Bastards_ series. It’s one glaring flaw are that only the first two volumes, The Lies of Locke Lamorra and Red Seas Under Red Skies have been published to date. > > Also I’ll disagree about the Amber books - the first series is a classic IMHO ( the second is much, much weaker ). Though as with all things, not for everyone. > > ETA: Oops - I think the Amber criticism was in that other thread. Sorry for any confusion ;). Yup, I’ll second the _Gentlemen Bastards_ series. I enjoyed them a lot. Also, Abercrombie’s _First Law_, already mentioned. For those into really high fantasy, I also strongly recommend the _Gormenghast_ series (well, the first two - avoid the third). It is at about the other end of the scale - it ain’t for everyone by all means, some folks hate it with a passion, but in my opinion it’s a work of utter insane genius and totally absorbing. ---
**Author:** ![Malthus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/85f322/32.png) [@Malthus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malthus)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2010, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-fantasy-series-to-me-please/561659/70 "2010-11-24T14:40:41Z")
> [@Inner\_Stickler](#): > > Your older brother secretly hates you. Read them in the order they were published. If you try to introduce someone to Narnia via the Magician’s Nephew, they will hate you forever. It is a prequel book and only of interest to people who are already familiar with the series as it explains why the wardrobe can take people to Narnia and how the White Witch got there. Though it does contain what has to be the most disasterous first date in literature. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2010, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-fantasy-series-to-me-please/561659/71 "2010-11-24T14:44:59Z")
> [@Whack-a-Mole](#): > > Also forgot… > > Any serious fantasy fan needs to read the [Chronicles of Narnia](http://www.amazon.com/Chronicles-Narnia-C-S-Lewis/dp/0066238501/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1290580516&sr=1-1) by C.S. Lewis. Read it and loved it. Should have had it on my opening post. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2010, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-fantasy-series-to-me-please/561659/72 "2010-11-24T14:54:58Z")
I’m curious about this “Unbeliever” series. What’s it like? I’ve got a few of these books on hold at the library right now. Currently, I have a hold on: Gardens of the Moon(Malazan) Assassin’s Apprentice(Farseer) Kingdom of Thorne and Bone ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2010, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-fantasy-series-to-me-please/561659/73 "2010-11-24T15:13:59Z")
> [@Mahaloth](#): > > I’m curious about this “Unbeliever” series. What’s it like? Thomas Covenant is a man from our world who somehow finds himself pulled into another world. The “Unbeliever” refers to his attitude throughout almost the whole series that he’s hallucinating the whole thing. The first series is really good, the second is good. I haven’t read the third at all. Be warned, though…it’s HARD to sympathize with Thomas Covenant. He’s a dick and an asshole (for what may be good reason, but still…) and he does things to other characters that are almost unforgivable. ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2010, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-fantasy-series-to-me-please/561659/74 "2010-11-24T15:41:03Z")
For deceptively lighter reading, try the Thraxas series. It’s a satire with a mix of high and low magic. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2010, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-fantasy-series-to-me-please/561659/75 "2010-11-24T15:45:48Z")
Go with a classic: Madeline L’Engle’s [A Wrinkle in Time](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Wrinkle_in_Time) series. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2010, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-fantasy-series-to-me-please/561659/76 "2010-11-24T16:17:03Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > The Darkover Series by Marion Zimmer Bradley. > > She has passed on, alas, and by the time you’ve read all of the books, this will really upset you. No alas about it, it’s good the paedophile-enabling bitch is dead. Having said that, some of the Darkover books are quite good (_Heritage_, especially) but the good ones tend to be a little more SciFi than fantasy. For a lighter read, try the[Edgeworld](http://theedgechronicles.wikia.com/wiki/Main_Page)series. They’re YA stuff, illustrated (which is a feature, not a fault, IMO), but _not at all_ fluffy. ---
**Author:** ![Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/malleus_incus_stapes/32/3293_2.png) [@Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malleus_Incus_Stapes)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2010, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-fantasy-series-to-me-please/561659/77 "2010-11-24T16:39:24Z")
Some caveats to great [del]serieses[/del] works: Terry Pratchett is awesome, but he doesn’t start out that way. His first few books range from awful to meh. Fortunately, you don’t have to read them in order, and by _Mort_ he’s got his stride going. Jim Butcher’s _Dresden Files_ are also meh for the first few (though not bad, necessarily. Just meh). They pick up by book four, and start piling up the awesome. At one point he defeats evil necromancers by riding a polka-powered zombie t-rex, which I don’t think can possibly be topped by anyone. Oh, and on the subject of Robin Hobb- I don’t know if it’s because I read them in the wrong order, but I liked the Tawny Man books much better than the Farseer ones. ---
**Author:** ![NAF1138](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/naf1138/32/3245_2.png) [@NAF1138](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NAF1138)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2010, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-fantasy-series-to-me-please/561659/78 "2010-11-24T16:55:40Z")
> [@Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](#): > > Jim Butcher’s _Dresden Files_ are also meh for the first few (though not bad, necessarily. Just meh). They pick up by book four, and start piling up the awesome. At one point he defeats evil necromancers by riding a polka-powered zombie t-rex, which I don’t think can possibly be topped by anyone. I don’t know how I forgot the Dresden Files! Maybe I don’t think of them as Fantasy, but they are great. It’s “Urban Fantasy” so stuff happens in modern day Chicago, but it’s a fantastic series. Sort of Raymond Chandler meets every folk tale known to man…kind of, but \*heavy \*on the Raymond Chandler. I agree that the first few are good not great, and then the series just gets better. > [@](#): > > Oh, and on the subject of Robin Hobb- I don’t know if it’s because I read them in the wrong order, but I liked the Tawny Man books much better than the Farseer ones. Agreed, but I really do think you need to read Farseer first (and it’s not like those books are bad.) Maybe I am wrong though. It seems like a lot of people have read them the other way. ---
**Author:** ![DigitalC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ebca7d/32.png) [@DigitalC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DigitalC)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2010, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-fantasy-series-to-me-please/561659/79 "2010-11-24T17:17:36Z")
> [@Mahaloth](#): > > I’m overwhelmed. > > Uh, the Malazan series sounds cool, but seems tremendously complicated. I don’t want to get bored to death right away. I mean, are there main characters? It sounds like it is thousands of characters and the plot is so complex, how can anyone follow it? I made this exact same thread here a couple years ago, i wish i could remember who recommended the Malazan books so i could thank them. It is complicated, but the payoffs are worth it. ---
**Author:** ![Merijeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f05b48/32.png) [@Merijeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merijeek)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2010, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-fantasy-series-to-me-please/561659/80 "2010-11-24T17:21:37Z")
> [@DigitalC](#): > > I made this exact same thread here a couple years ago, i wish i could remember who recommended the Malazan books so i could thank them. It is complicated, but the payoffs are worth it. Probably me. I’m pretty awesome. -Joe [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-fantasy-series-to-me-please/561659.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-fantasy-series-to-me-please/561659.md?page=5)