In the spirit of gifts, especially gifts for the fantasy reader in your life (or you!), I wanted to post some books I recommend or that are in my TBR pile. I bet if you look you’ll find at least one of these authors with a sale going on over the holidays. Because is there any better recommendation than one from a reader? 😉
First up is Peter Brett’s amazing Demon Cycle!
This is currently a four book series with more slated. Two of the books have been NY Times bestsellers and there is buzz of a movie of show based on the the series. Oh my gosh, I’m so excited!!! I’m admittedly only finished through book 2, but life has been uber busy for me of late. I’m hoping to get back into these soon.
If you or your loved one is looking for a thrilling and original fantasy series, I highly recommend checking this one out!
A Wizard’s Forge by A.M. Justice
I read the original version of this book and loved it. Now Amanda has gone through a huge edit and rewrite, re-releasing this amazing book with an awe inspiring cover! And I have a copy of the new version! Squee!!!
Next is two series by the fabulous author Bruce Blake: Khirro’s Journey and the Small Gods Series.
I’ve read Khirro’s Journey and loved it. I have the Small Gods series on my kindle impatiently waiting for me… Bruce is a fantastic author painting vivid and detailed worlds that are unique, which I so love! Both are tidy little trilogies, which is also a favorite of mine. One books is never enough, more than four and I get nervous I’ll never find the time to finish the set.
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The Skullborn Trilogy by Steven Montano
I met Steven Montano through the Guild of Dreams where we both were bloggers. He is an amazing author, having written a tales for Dungeons and Dragons back in the day and his work has only improved since. I admit, this one is on my kindle as a soon-to-be-read, but the few peaks I’ve taken have me hooked!
Author Alaric Longward
I don’t usually introduce an author by saying “Just go to the author’s web page,” but for Alaric it is the best recommendation I have. He has so many series going that I can’t remember them all, and I’ve read at least four of his books by now. If you love shows like Vikings, you’ll adore Alaric’s books. They are born from the history and tales of the Norse and Germania. His book covers say it all:
Dead Letter by Benjamin Descovich
I only recently met Ben and discovered his books. I pretty much dropped them on my kindle immediately. The blurbs and covers caught my attention as much as the writing. And book one is free! Of course, I can’t wait to get to book 2. 😀
Bow of Destiny by P.H. Solomon
I read Bow of Destiny over a year ago and really enjoyed this ranger story of a human boy with a hidden past adopted by elves. Now book 2 is about to be launched and Bow of Destiny is on sale! This is a great time to join this wonderful tale!
Pearseus Series by Nicholas Rossi
This series of four books is a mix of science fiction and fantasy. I’ve only read bits but this is a series I hope to get to his year (finally!) and am really looking forward to the new world Nicholas has created!
Necromancer by Graeme Ing
This is a new book I only picked up this fall. What captivated me was the dark style cover that almost looks romance, but the Necromancer isn’t protecting her: that is his apprentice! Are you hooked yet? It got me and I bought it.
The Destiny of Dragons series by Billie-Jo Williams
I fell in love with this series from the quotes Billie-Jo shares on twitter. Slated to be a nine book series, the release is up to book 7 on kindle. I know Billie-Jo has them all written and is working on edits, so it might not be long now. Then I’ll just get all 9 and ignore everyone for a month while I binge read!
Classics Fantasy now on Kindle!
I’m so excited to see some of the books I fell in love with ages ago now formatted as ebooks! Well, okay, a few have high prices (thanks, big publishers) but to be able to read the books that made me fall in love with fantasy again, without having to track down old paperbacks stored … somewhere, I’m sure, is super nice. Besides, I have a dust allergy, which my kindle is conveniently free from. 😉
The Last Herald-Mage Trilogy by Mercedes Lackey
Mercedes Lackey and her world of Valdemar captivated me for years. I read every book I could find and now I want to read them again. Unlike some date classic fantasy, these books have a modern vibe in so many ways like female heroines and LGBT characters. Not all the classics are Conan running around with a sword rescuing distressed damsels. If you haven’t read Mercedes Lackey, I highly suggest starting with the Last Herald Mage series. It established her as a fantasy author and her world as epically amazing.
The Dragonriders of Pern by Anne McCaffery
It was a short story on dragon impression on Pern written by Anne McCaffery that opened my eyes to the world of fantasy. It was love by the end of the first page. I read so many of the Pern books and loved them all. I may prefer Mercedes’ books a tiny bit better, but I will forever be grateful and love Anne’s amazing books and world! Heck, they even lead to my discover of science fiction as the series grew and hints of how people arrived in Pern were exposed. I owe so much of who I am and what I write to these books!
The Earthsea series by Ursula K. LeGuin
This slim set of three books has traveled with me for over two decades. Possibly because they are so small it is easy to stash them in a backpack for those moments when I just need a good book to read. The story lingers in the back of my consciousness and subtly shapes my views on magic as well as good and evil. This story will impact you that much. Read it!
Why I am not surprised that the three authors who I most loved and most influenced me as a young reader are all women? I would have added Terri Windling’s the Wood Wife to the above recommendations, but, alas, it is only available in actual book form. That has been one of my favorite stand-alone fantasy novels for many, many years. That makes four amazing female authors! No wonder I was inspired to become a writer. 😀