If I want to start reading fantasy novels what would you recommend?

[Sidebeforeself]

First of all I have always assumed I’d hate it. Other worlds and people with bizarre names don’t interest me! Not interested in storylines about saving the world either . However, I realise I may be way too narrow minded . It’s so popular there must be some fabulous novels out there. So what would you recommend?

Anne McCaffrey wrote loads of fantasy novels, including a series about dragons. She is an amazing writer who transports you into so many different worlds. Easy reading for teens too.

There are different sub-genres under the fantasy umbrella.

What about trying urban fantasy like Charles de Lint - Trader or Someplace to be Flying. They are real world with fantasy elements.

You could also look at some Folkore/Fairytale inspired fantasy - Katherine Arden Winternight trilogy or Hannah Whitten For the Wolf and For the Throne.

Romantasy has already been mentioned but much of it has strong elements of good v evil. Sarah Maas is the best known romantasy writer currently.

For modern fantasy with elements of magic check out Leigh Bardugo or Olivie Blake.

Samantha Shannon - The Priory of the Orange Tree and A Day of Fallen Night is a masterpiece of modern fantasy but it might be too extreme to start with.

Stephen kings the dark tower series. The first one is very slow but the second book ..... always blows me away. Enjoy!!

Ilona Andrews is good for urban fantasy which can be a bit more accessible, a bit more modern, rather than the medieval settings you tend to get with a lot of fantasy.

The books are written by a husband and wife team (called Andrew and Ilona), tend to feature strong female protagonists and each series features magic but in different ways in modern settings. The Kate Daniels series is my favourite but there are a few shorter ones, like The Edge Trilogy, that might be good to start with.

Legends and Lattes by Travis Baldree

Its cosy fantasy and its wonderful.

Another favourite for me is Little, Big by John Crowley. Very far removed from the traditional sword and sorcery fantasy epic, it's really quaint.

The lies of Locke Lamora Scott Lynch is very entertaining and the world building element is pretty minor. Band of thieves so no world saving going on.

I like the sound of that one.Definitely going to order that

Six of Crows duology by Leigh Bardiago is good.Fast paced & limited fantasy elements. Great characters & are based around criminal elements so no world saving involved

Another vote for Guy Gavriel Kay, sometimes described as history with a quarter turn to fantasy. Tigana, Sailing to Sarantium, The Lions of Al-Rassan.

Adrian Tchaikovsky is mostly mainstream SF, but The Doors of Eden is more fantasy.

Jonathan Stroud - the Bartimeus stories.

Jodi Taylor - the St Mary’s Chronicles.

Terry Pratchett of course. Going Postal is the first one I read and was hooked for life.

Op, look no further than Fourth Wing. Purist fantasy readers will probably poo poo it but it has a cult following for a reason. Trust me.

Just read the Drawing of the Dark which is a bit high stakes and of it's time but nonetheless fairly speeds along, now into Last Call which is quite different. There's one about Christina Rosetti and vampires which is also good and not at all Anne Rice.

Seconded Rivers of London series which are really very enjoyable and like many others on this thread I don't really like fantasy much!

Personally I'd rather poke my eyes out than read Robin Hobbs which for me is like Tolkein but much crapper!

I’ve only been reading fantasy for about 18 months (having previously eschewed it entirely). I started with Fourth Wing, moved onto the Sarah J Maas books and am now reading mostly fantasy and Romantasy stuff because I’ve got a lot of catching up to do!

I'll echo all the PP recommending Rivers of London series, Chronicles of St Mary's series and Winternight trilogy.

Also Naomi Novik standalone novels - Uprooted or Spinning Silver.

Most recently I finished the Godkilker series by Hannah Kaner. Books 1 & 2 were great, ending book 3 was a bit meh

I would second Ann McCaffrey Pern series but if you like a bit of gore with your fantasy try RR Hayward The Undead series is amazing it makes you laugh and cry sometimes at the same time!

Lois McMaster Bujold. For fantasy I would recommend The Curse of Chalion to start with. Perfectly constructed plot.

Fourth wing

Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson if you want a trilogy, or Tress of the Emerald Sea for a standalone. The whole Cosmere series is very big and complex but they are both great starters and you can just read them and be done with it! My non-reader DH is currently hooked on Mistborn so it’s definitely accessible.

Another vote for Robin Hobb and Terry Pratchett.

Sarah J Maas - Throne of Glass or A Court of Thorns and Roses if you want more romance.

Well - there is the Game of Thrones series by George R R Martin. The books are a lot more involved than the TV version.
But I love Kate Elliott's books, particularly the Crown of Stars series. They are based on historical political interactions and civilisations.

I sort of understand. I'd like to try fantasy but not outlandish unpronounceable names and silly plots.

You won't like Pratchett then.

Does everyone just suddenly want to try fantasy now because it's a current trend? Is that what this is about? Fantasy books for people who hate the whole idea of reading fantasy, but are just curious...🙄
Yeah, you'll probably still hate it 😁

I'm on book 3 of the A Court of Thorns and Roses series and I'm loving them! I don't know if they're the kind of fantasy books you're looking for, but this is the first time I've read anything like this as I'm normally a detective type book person but there have been parts in these books where I've had to stop reading and take a moment to reflect and compose my emotions before I could continue reading, I don't think I have ever had to do that with any other books I've read.

You're right. I read about a page of one once. Something with Elephant in the title. Thought it was awful. But re people wanting to try fantasy. I think it's fomo. If so many folk like fantasy it must be good.

"I felt exactly like you before — turns out there are some brilliant, low-key stories out there! Not all fantasy is dragons and doom 😄"