I seem to have developed a taste for <<<shhhh>>>fantasy (no, not rude stuff)

[DrMarthaMcMoo]

I've always been partial to a bit of Stephen King (and loved the Gunslinger books - which I guess are fantasy - though they got very silly towards the end, as is SK's wont) and on the recommendation of a friend I started reading Robin Hobb. I loved them - especially the Farseer Trilogy and The Tawny Man Trilogy (which had the same characters) though I didn't like the Madship series so much. And now...I've read them all (her earlier books, as Megan Lindholm, don't appeal so much) and I'm twiddling my thumbs.

So - as a novice to the genre - any recommendations? Trudi Canavan? Feist? Gemmell? I've been browsing amazon and The Book depository but can't make my mind up. I don't think I fancy Pratchett (reminds me of geeky ernest blokes at University...sorry).

Agree about the Talisman. One of the best, and feel-good, fantasy books I've ever read.

DrMartha, you won't ever die if you read all those books. They will keep you alive forever!

Le Guin fab.

Did anyone else start reading Fantasy as a child really? I liked the Anne Gwynne Jones Chrestomanci ones, Carbonel by oooh can't remember then moved into Margaret Mahy Stephen King, etc

I liked the Magic Cottage too.

Do like Harry Potter very readable.

Liked the Moomins too when i was wee.

Carbonel books: Barbara Sleigh. Loved them - esp remember the chemist licking his fingers to turn the pages and imbibing the magic potion so he could hear the cats talk!

But don't like the later HP books, waaaay too long

Just to say again - thanks to everyone who took the time to post, especially those who compiled great long lists after perusing their bookshelves (or dredging memories!) I bought Magician this morning (it's a start) and will let you know what I think...watch this space.

Oh it's a dangerous path to start down this. I made a deal with DH that if he would read Jane Austen I'd read some of his fantasy. I was determined to hate it and believe me, I tried.

I second Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time series. Oh the beautiful Lan, mmmm, er, sorry what was I saying? As others have said though, Robert Jordan is poorly and he may not finish. I really hope he does.

I also quite like Dragonlance- quite quick and easy (unlike Robert Jordan which is highly complex and ordered) and you can dip in and out.

Diana Wynne Jones writes very well and I know she writes for children but this really does not matter.

Oops got to this too late! You've all recommended the good ones. Make sure you read the ones about me though Marthamoo! (That's the David Eddings ones).

Has Melanie Rawn been mentioned? Or Maggie Furey?

David Eddings is on my wish list

Oh, what a delight to see this thread..and so many people reading fantasy! Haven't read all that many in my lifetime so far (some Brooks, Tolkien, C. Barker, G. G. Kay)but my dh writes them (unpublished but one should never give up hope).

Anyone read "Feast of souls" by Celia Friedman? If so, worth it or just chicklit dressed up as fantasy?

Trudi Canavan books are good.

I recommend Stephen Donaldson's Thomas Covenant trilogy ( written in the early 80s). He's just started on the second trilogy and the second book is due out this year.

Another one you can't miss is His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman. Absolutely fan-blo*dy-tastic, my favorite book (trilogy) of all time. And it's being made into a film (out this autumn) starring Nicole Kidman.

I liked Tigana and The Lion of al Rassan, both by Guy Gavriel Kay.

Jaqueline Carey's Kushiel trilogy is very good, and definitely aimed at adults.

hi

does my name give me away then!?

Song for Arbonne by Guy Gavriel Kay is also good.

Terry Goodkind very good too.

NOT a pratchett -fan.

Find I have to studiously ignore the awful cringey pinctures of bosom-y ladies and swords on the book covers!

wizards rule line by Goodkind is still going...one out in hardback last Christmas...

Kerrymum

Bradley wrote the mists of avalon series - excellent read.

Ooh a fantasy thread! Fantastic.

Marthamoo, I have read (and loved)
both the Robin Hobb trilogies you mention as favourites, also not so keen on the ship ones.

Agree you should get Feist's Magician - fantastic!

I also started The Wheel of Time but now it takes so long for each book and seems to be going on forever, have forgotten a lot by the time the next one comes. They are great though.

My favourite has always been Terry Goodkind and his Sword of Truth series but it is getting a bit Wheel of Time-ish unfortunately. Wizard's First Rule was my first fantasy book and still my favourite.

I am trying to go for short series of books now, which is why Robin Hobb is good. Trudi Canavan is good too.

Also like JV Jones, has a great trilogy, The Bakers Boy is the first one.

A friend just lent me some Terry Brooks, Voyage to Shanara so will be starting that soon.

PHEW.

Love Prachett but it is a very different kind of fantasy.

Pullman... ahhhh... wonderful.

Also, Robert Jordan very male oriented... Rand's love-life anyone??? Sheesh.

Right, read whole thread now, after all my manic posting!

Glad you got Magician. Oh, the memories.