Please help me to escape from here into fantasy

[UnfunnyJester]

I'm fed up of January, feeling ill, greyness and dullness.
I need a feel good fantasy or sci fi with adventure, amazing worlds and some romance.
Can anyone recommend something that fits the bill please?

Have you read any Brandon Sanderson? Mistborn is good.

@Purpleavocado no I haven't. I'll have a look thanks.

‘This one sky day’ is brilliant - magical realism set in a Caribbean type island. Beautifully written and very much warm fantasy escapism

The Unlikely Ones, by Mary Brown.

Have you ever tried C. S. Lewis' trilogy of sci fi novels? The first, Out of the Silent Planet, is the best. I'm not a fan of Lewis' religious beliefs, but he was a superb writer.

There’s no real romance but the best fantasy writer (in my opinion) is Robin Hobb. Start with assassins apprentice. Incredibly well done

Anne McCaffrey's crystal singer series with Killashandra Ree. It's a fantasy world where Killashandra is a guild member among crystal singers, all of whom have perfect pitch and the ability to mine crystal for spaceship transit.

Also maybe Iain M Banks Culture series. I loved The Player Of Games, where sentient beings change aura according to their mood.

Have a look at Victoria Goddard's books, starting with 'The Hands of the Emperor'. I'm finding them very comforting at the moment.

Kate Daniels series by Ilona Andrews

Mercy Thompson series / Anna & Charles series by Patricia Briggs

My username gives a clue - I love Lois McMaster Bujold, particularly the Vorkosigan books.

I just finished The Chrysalids. It's pretty short and I found it really gripping.

Yes! Agreed. The best fantasy books I have ever read.

Absolutely. Though as asking for fantasy, I was going to suggest Curse of Chalion. Works as a standalone, but if hooked is a great intro to the world of the five gods.

Fourth Wing and Iron Flame

A Sudden Wild Magic, The Dark Lord of Derkholm, The Year of the Griffin, Deep Secret, The Merlin Conspiracy, Hexwood - all by Diana Wynne Jones.

The Goblin Reservation, Enchanted Pilgrimage, Where the Evil Dwells - all by Clifford D Simak.

Daughter of Smoke and Bone, Dreams of Gods and Monsters and Days of Blood and Starlight - a trilogy by Laini Taylor.

The Rainbow Opera and its sequel, The Dream Quake - by Elizabeth Knox.

I'm currently Reading The Adventures of Amina Al Sarafi and it's great so I recommend that one.

I also love War breaker by Brandon Sanderson which fits the bill too.

The Will of the Many by James Islington was my favourite book of last year and it blends both fantasy and sci fi elements.

https://www.waterstones.com/book/faebound/saara-el-arifi/9780008699154

I second Fourth Wing and Iron Flame. The most unputdownable books I've read in years. Also, I often skim the 'romantic' scenes in books a bit, because I find them a bit cringe. Very much not in this series though.... <fans self>.

Guy Gavriel Kay - A Song For Arbonne. Tigana was a good read as well.

Robin Hobb is pretty much always at the top of my list however.

I also loved the Dragonbone Chair series by Tad Williams, and The Gentlemen Bastards by Scott Lynch are entertaining, although somewhat lacking in romance.

Crescent city House. Of earth and blood by sarah j maas

Also maybe Iain M Banks Culture series. I loved The Player Of Games, where sentient beings change aura according to their mood.

I don't find Iain M Banks' novels feel good. In fact, I can't read most of them unless I'm feeling psychologically strong.

Mark Hayden ‘s Kings Watch series if you like urban fantasy?

Another vote for Lois McMaster Bujold, Curse of Chalion is a great place to start. Also a big Diana Wynne Jones fan and totally agree that Victoria Goddard's Hands of the Emperor series is brilliant escapism. I also really enjoyed T Kingfisher's Swordheart - the dynamic between the two main characters (an enchanted sword and a widow who asks lots of questions) is hilarious.

The Thursday Next series by Jaspar Fforde. It starts with the Eyre Affair and will literally take you inside the book world.