Not sure if they exactly count as fantasy, but two series come to mind:
The Percy Jackson series by Rick Riordan
The Artemis Fowl series by Eoin Colfer.
I found both series fun to read while still having some substance.
Lloyd Alexander’s Chronicles of Prydain series is pretty good - it’s got a “Gary Stu” character but nonetheless it’s a pleasant and engaging read, particularly by the last two books. You might have heard of “The Black Cauldron” which is the second book in the five-book series and was made into a mediocre animated film (the book is definitely better; don’t judge it by the movie).
You might also like Philip Reeve’s Larklight Trilogy which is all whimsical Victorian steampunk in space. Reeve can do dark anti-hero stuff with the best of them - his Mortal Engines books have the most amoral heroine I’ve ever encountered - but the Larklight books are very lighthearted indeed.
Thank you for the list! I’m currently slogging through a dreary Irish lit-apocalypse novel and desperately want something else to read; I’m unfamiliar with most of the books on this list, and will take it to the library next time.
I read that series. Joe Abercrombie is a brilliant writer and I never want to read anything of his ever again.
It’s strange, given my loathing of Abercrombie and Mievelle, but I loved this series. I’m not sure why. If anything, it’s even grimmer than their work, but somehow it just did it for me. Maybe it’s because the main character - possibly the ultimate fantasy antihero - is so compelling, or maybe it’s because unlike the other two writers, Lawrence actually has a clear conception of good and evil. It’s as if the characters may be cynical, but the author isn’t. Or maybe it’s just the first-person storytelling. The first 50 pages or so, BTW, are intentionally off-putting. It gets better as it goes on.
To those not familiar with the series: it’s post-apocalyptic fantasy with a very well-constructed non-linear narrative and a truly fascinating central character: think Miles Vorkosigen raised by wolves.
I love this description. It captures him perfectly.
This. Do it now.
Start with Guards! Guards!* or Small Gods (complex plot delivered to your door) or Wyrd Sisters (if you know a bit of Shakespeare you’ll laugh & laugh) or pretty much anywhere else.
- They may be called the Palace Guard, or the City Guard, or the Patrol. Whatever the name, their purpose in any work of heroic fantasy is identical: it is, round about Chapter Three (or ten minutes into the film) to rush into the room, attack the hero one at a time, and be slaughtered. No-one ever asks them if they wanted to.
This book is dedicated to those fine men.
I have a giant fantasy crush on House of Shadows. It’s just an amazing little story. Loved every single bit.
Course, I really liked *Incarceron *also, until I read Sapphique, which shat upon everything with amazing skill and thoroughness. I want to go back in time and warn myself against it, just like with *Inkheart’s *sequels. Wish I just stopped at the first one of those too.
I’m guessing you’ve read The Blue Sword, and The Hero and the Crown by Robin McKinley? Her vampire novel Sunshine, and her weird little mystical stand-alone fantasy *Chalice *were also quite nice.
My Goodreads comments on Incarceron made me think it was something others would appreciate more: “In the end, I think this just has too many recycled elements and too much that left a bad taste in my mouth. It could be good that it squicked me out at a few places. A visceral reaction is called for under some circumstances but, honestly, I don’t much like visceral reactions. So I’m judging it down for things other people might actually like.” I did finish it, which wasn’t true for the other books I put in that list!
I’ve read Prydain, much of Robin McKinley, and the Percy Jackson books.
The only problem with Chalice was how often McKinley repeated the word “chalice.” 
Just thought of another series, by James P. Blaylock; The Elfin Ship and The Disappearing Dwarf.
There is a third volume, a prequel, but it is not as enjoyable as the other two.
Joathan Bing, Professor Wurzle, Dooly and of course Ahab the dog, in tales worthy of G. Smithers of Brompton Village.
Another recommendation for the *Earthsea *books.
Le Guin’s writing is superb and the worlds she creates have incredible depth.
If you’re looking for thoughtful, intelligent and well crafted fantasy literature, this is it.
The Tombs of Atuan is one of the most haunting and thought-provoking books I’ve read.
I also thought Ann McCaffry’s *Dragonriders of Pern *series was well written, although I know purists will say that they are not true fantasy.
The most enjoyable fantasy series I ever read was actually the *Black Cauldron *series, which I read as a teen (and which I now see **Gyrate **has already mentioned).
I loved those books so much I was actually sad when the story came to an end.
But they were written for young readers, and I’d probably find the writing and story much too simplistic if I were ever to go back and read them again.
I see **jsgoddess **has mentioned McKinley. I did enjoy both *The Blue Sword *and The Hero and the Crown, a lot, particularly the way the former gradually introduces the reader to a previously unknown world of fantasy through the experiences of the protagonist.
(Although McKinley does tend to lay it on a bit thick when it comes to happy endings.)
Since you like Bujold, have you read her Sharing Knife series? The Chalion series is much better known, but the Sharing Knife series is an enjoyable read. It’s set in what looks a lot like early 19th century North America (geographically and technologically).
Blimey!
Can’t believe I forgot to recommend The Dark is Rising by Susan Cooper.
An excellent series that weaves fantasy, legend, myth and mystery into a contemporary setting.
I wouldn’t say the stories are especially “dark”, as such, but they do have a very ominous tone.
It has some similarities to Alan Garner’s work (The Weirdstone of Brisingamen, Elidor, The Owl Service), which is also excellent, although even more ominous in tone, and more about myth than fantasy.
And sorry jsgoddess, I missed where you said you’d already read LeGuin.
One more; The Face In The Frost, by John Bellairs. Roger Bacon and Prospero (not the Shakespeare one), investigate a mysterious book and take on true evil in the South Kingdom.
I adore Garner and hate Cooper.
And no apologies necessary. It’s hard to keep track of everything that’s been mentioned!
So at the risk of seeming hopelessly retro, have you read any Andre Norton or any of Anne McCaffrey’s Dragon series?
Yay retro! Some of the best fantasy is old fantasy!
And second IT Guy’s recommendation of “Face in the Frost.”
Another obscure oldie-but-goodie is “The Weirdstone of Brisingamen” by Alan Garner.
I searched, and didn’t see anyone having recommended “The Worm Ouroboros” by E.R. Eddison. This book has one significant structural flaw: the opening scenes with the two visitors to the world…who never again appear in the book. It’s a glaring false note…which you can happily ignore and get right down to the story. The mountain-climbing scenes, with the ascent of the unclimbable Koshtra Privarcha, are magnificent, one of the three best mountain-climbing bits in all fantasy.
(The other two are Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser climbing Stardock, and Roger Zelazny’s science-fantasy story “This Mortal Mountain,” with the climbing of The Gray Sister.)
Oh, here’s Zelazny’s story! It’s not very long, but wonderfully intense!