Un-sung Fantasy Books
not all that familiar with the genre. I know of the big names by fame
mostly, or if a book (series) got adapted as a film. This post will
focus on some un-sung (to me, anyways) fantasy books which may be worth
your time. Please note, I haven't mentioned these before on this blog.
"Earthsea" by Ursual K. Le Guin
A Wizard of Earthsea
The Tombs of Atuan
The Farthest Shore
Tehanu
The Other Wind
I don't know how I ever missed this one. I heard of this series back
with the anime Tales of Earthsea. I enjoyed the film even if I didn't
wholly understand it. This is a 'classic' fantasy series, having been
around since 1968. It seems that Ursual K. Le Guin, J.R.R. Tolkien and
C.S. Lewis were big names back in the 50s & 60s for fantasy.
'Malazan' by Steven Erikson and Ian C. Esslemont
Gardens of the Moon
Deadhouse Gates
Memories of Ice
House of Chains
Midnight Tides
Night of Knives
Bonehunters
Reaper's Gale
Toll the Hounds
Return of the Crimson Guard
Dust of Dreams
Stonewielder
Crippled God
Orb, Scepter, Throne
Blood and Bone
Assail
Kharkanas Trilogy (prequels)
Forge of Darkness
Fall of Light
Walk in Shadow
Toblakai Trilogy
I first heard of this series when I saw the 10th anniversary hardback
for Gardens of the Moon, the very first Malazan book. I recommened it to
a co-worker, and he picked it up and enjoyed it (and the rest of the
main ten-book series) quite a bit. The type of fantasy is similar in
format to George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire, but not content.
This is best described as a fantasy that is more akin to Roman
mythology, with gods, demigods, magic... There is: the main ten book
series by Steven Erikson, six novels by his friend and Malazan
co-creator, Ian C. Esslemont which take place pretty much during those
10 books, a prequel trilogy by Steven Erikson, and at some point, a
sequel trilogy by Ericson. Those who read it say it is their favorite
fantasy series. Ice and Fire remains mine, so it will be hard to take
the spot. I'm not against that , though. Due to the size of the books
and ammount of them, I recommend getting the ebooks. Or if you must, go
for the trade paperbacks, not the small, cheap mass markets.
'Kingkiller Chronicle' by Patrick Rothfuss
Name of the Wind
Wise Man's Fear
Doors of Stone [?]
This is a trilogy by newcomer Patrick Rothfuss. I'd heard great things
about his works by people online, and other authors (it appears he and
author Brandon Sanderson like each other's work). At this point, two of
his three novels are out. The trade paperbacks look quite nice, if not
slightly large.
'Farseer Trilogy' (and others?) by Robin Hobb
Assassin's Apprentice
Royal Assassin
Assassin's Quest
Liveship Traders Trilogy
Ship of Magic
The Mad Ship
Ship of Destiny
The Tawny Man Trilogy
Fool's Errand
The Golden Fool
Fool's Gate
Rain Wilds Chronicles
Dragon Keeper
Dragon Haven
City of Dragons
Blood of Dragons
The Fitz and the Fool Trilogy
The Fool's Assassin
Soldier Son Trilogy
Shaman's Crossing
Forest Mage
Robin Hobb is a name I've heard of for awhile (since about 2007 I
think...?) but have yet to read anything by her sadly. I've heard
nothing but good friends about both her, and her books.
The Fionavar Tapestry by Guy Gavriel Kay
The Summer Tree
The Wandering Fire
The Darkest Road
Did you know that this author worked with Christopher Tolkien to help
bring The Silmarillion together? Yet I haven't checked out any of his
own books. As far as I can tell, Fionavar is what made his name.
The Dark is Rising by Susan Cooper
Over Sea, Under Stone
The Dark is Rising
Greenwitch
The Grey King
Silver on the Tree
I heard of this one because of the movie (which I didn't see) but hadn't
checked the books out yet.
What ones do you recommend that 'no one's heard of'??
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