The Fantasy Genre - our favorite books reviewed
The best fantasy books with brief reviews. I love fantasy as a genre. It takes you into a new world where there are so many new possibilities - but also new dangers and new limitations.
This lens lets you discuss Harry Potter versus Lord of the Rings - and shows you other fantasy series that are inspiring, scary and great - yet you may have missed them...
The Discworld Series - Terry Pratchett
One of the finest series a lover of fantasy will ever find
Many of the books follow a plot line with Granny Weatherwax and a unlucky wizard but all of them have the Disk in common.
As a first start for this series I would suggest the "The Color of Magic". This will make you fall in love. If you have kids, a sub-series that you may find enjoy able to read yourself or to the family may be "Winter Smith".
I wish I had the opportunity to read them for the first time but I suppose I will have to leave that to you. ENJOY!
The DiscWorld Series
Best Magic Fantasy by the popular Terry Pratchett
Can anybody tell me: what's the difference between science fiction and fantasy?
Seriously: is there a difference?
Eddster
I just read a book called Stellar Wind 2012. Got it off a site called www.bookaddiction.webs.com. I bought it and now I recommend it!
Posted July 03, 2009
Flynn_the_Cat wrote...
For fantasy. it is magic, for scifi, it is - theoretically - science (often undifferentiable from magic by the casual onlooker)...
That's it.
True, the majority of scifi will have robots and AIs and spaceships, and most fantasy will be mages and dragons - but urban fanatasy vs some kid with telekinesis (which is scifi) can be indistinguishable. McCaffrey's Pern series, on the face of it alternate-universe fantasy turns out to be gene-splicing, starfaring science fiction.
Some common features - space armour, for example, and laser guns - usually only turn up in one or the other, but they usually have fantastical or science equivalents. Goblins under the bridge are fantasy. Until they're actually just popping in from an alternate universe in their bridge shaped spaceship. Light sabre or magic sword? The Force? Or mmaaaagggic *wiggles fingers*
...*considers finishing essay* *decides to save and use it later* *lensrolls lens on relevant own lens and runs off cackling*
Posted June 15, 2009
Mulluane wrote...
Fantasy turns impossibilities into realities.
Science Fiction turns possibilities into realities.
Atleast for the duration of the story.
Posted May 01, 2009
Andrew wrote
Truly, Science Fiction is a type of Fantasy whereas Fantasy is not a type of Science Fiction. Fantasy then is the Genre and Science Fiction a sub-Genre. Fantasy does not have to involve magic or trolls or elves or anything like that. High Fantasy is set in the Tolkien style with elves, dwarves, man, etc.
Star Wars is a Fantasy and a Science Fiction.
Harry Potter is a Fantasy, if you want you can call it a Modern Fantasy
Lord of the Rings is a Fantasy
At least, this is how I describe the two... mostly opinion here
Posted April 25, 2009
99 Coffins: A Historical Vampire Tale
Thrilling fantasy novel by David Wellington
Available on Kindle
99 Coffins: A Historical Vampire Tale
Amazon Price: $10.94 (as of 07/06/2009)
This is an excellent book if your in for a little history lesson and a lot of gory vampire fun. When you compare this book to others in the same genre you will find it lacks a little of the sexy and steamy scenes.
That's just fine because the leading lady, Laura Caxton, is the regular kick butt human. No magical powers or insane strength. These vampire are also no porcelain skinned lovelies, they will rip throats out and throw cars. This is an action packed thrill ride that will start in the afternoon and end at 3 AM - in other words: You won't be able to put this book down once you start reading.
What Kind of Fantasy Do You Like?
What's the best fantasy?
A Small Favor... Jim Butcher at his best
A Brief Review of his best book
The Dresden Files is extraordinary both in content and writing. Followers of this series will agree that Small Favor is in fact a HUGE favor (to the reader).This installment unravels several of the mysteries that left readers grasping for the nonexistent pages in the earlier books. Harry delves into fierce battles and cocky dialog with new and powerful foes from the past and the present. The faerie court makes an appearance as always, leading Harry in circles and demanding too much. If you thought the coin carrying demons had lost their light, no pun intended, then I assure you Small Favor will correct that misconception.
Jim Butcher's writing, while it has always been excellent, continues to improve. Small Favor is written in a spell binding style: the words are weaved like incantations. They come together into the late night reading we all love.
Small Favor (The Dresden Files, Book 10)
by Jim Butcher
Small Favor (The Dresden Files, Book 10)
Amazon Price: $16.29 (as of 07/06/2009)
Just a great addition to the long line of quality Jim Butcher novels.
Avg. Customer Rating: 
Marion Zimmer Bradley (or MZB)
My personal favorite fantasy
I am a huge MZB fan. Her Darkover series especially keeps me spellbound. Darkover is a world where paranormal gifts are normal and called 'Laran', her characters face a society where women are supposed to be housebound and men strong and fighting with swords. In that world we find strong women and men living life and facing challenges and transforming themselves.Witchlight, Ghostlight, Heartlight and Gravelight form a series together with 'The Inheritor'. Set in the 20th century this series mixes today's world with a fantasy or occult world view.
Bradley really shows she knows the occult and alternative scene and creates stories that you just can't put down in that strange but familiar world.
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Marion Zimmer Bradley
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A review of her work and life Her famous 'Mists of Avalon' rewrote the story of King Arthur and Camelot from the female perspective. In all her literary work Marion Zimmer Bradley explored themes like: Female strength and male oppression Social stru...
What's your favorite fantasy author?
Add your own favorites if I forgot any.
Marion Zimmer Bradley or MZB
My personal favorite. She's written dozens of fasc more...3 points
Raymond E. Feist
Riftwar series, he has an excellent way of writing more...0 points
Holy Smokes (Aisling Grey, Guardian, Book 4)
by Katie MacAlister
Holy Smokes (Aisling Grey, Guardian, Book 4)
Amazon Price: $7.99 (as of 07/06/2009)
Katie MacAlister delves deeper into the life of Aisling Grey the Guardian, demon lord, and sexy wife to be of the fiery Drake, the wyvern of the Green dragons.
Aisling has become immersed in the Otherworld while maintaining and strengthening her relationship with Drake but with a marriage ceremony that keeps struggling to hold together, an angry demon overlord, and a sixth class demon with a sarcastic mind will she ever really become a bride? With appearances from our old favorites and letting the green dragons do what they do best this book will burn your hands. The delightfully delicious dreams and the burning power of dragon fire will keep you warm into the very early hours of the morning.
Katie MacAlister wins us over with but one more sexy and smoking novel from her repertoire.
I hope you enjoy it as much as I did and don't tell me I didn't warn you that this book will singe your fingers.
Avg. Customer Rating: 
Ender's Game - The profound mind of a child
A Brief Review
Orson Scott Card has been a staple in Sci-Fi and fantasy for years. I would argue that this stems from Ender's Game.In hopes to not give away too much I definitely recommend this to any literate adult or teen who wants to learn about themselves and be entertained.
Ender's Game, by Orson Scott Card
Ender's Game
Amazon Price: $5.99 (as of 07/06/2009)
The story of a brilliant child with the world set upon his shoulders. His actions are dictated with logic, emotion, and compulsion. He is the type of child we all strive to be as adults and his endeavors to save the world with only but his mind. The true value of this book is found within every single page as I have learned from the 11 readings I have already done.
Imagine a child with brilliance that is unparalleled among the entire world. He is kind hearted and caring but when pushed his viciousness is terrifying. Then pull this child away from everything he knows and put him in command of several other elite children to battle it out with one another to see who will survive. Those who survive will fight the greatest battle they or anyone has ever known.
Who's Better? Harry Potter or Lord of the Rings?
The Ultimate Choice
Do you like Rowling or Tolkien Better?
Which set is better: Harry Potter or Lord of the Rings??
Fetching blurbs now... please stand byLord of the Rings is eternally great
Beriadanwen(: says:
Lord of the Rings
Lord of the Rings
Lord of the Rings
Lord of the Rings
Lord of the Rings
Lord of the Rings
Lord of the Rings
Lord of the Rings
Lord of the Rings
Lord of the Rings
Lord of the Rings
Lord of the Rings
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Lord of the Rings
Lord of the Rings
Posted June 15, 2009
MikeMoore says:
Lord of the Rings in a heartbeat. No question in my mind. Both the books and the movies were better in my opinion.
Posted March 26, 2009
Shindig says:
Harry Potter is second-rate at best, especially when compared to Lord of the Rings. I will admit that Harry Potter is easier to read, but that doesn't make it better.
Posted February 08, 2009
BarryKrost says:
Its apples and oranges ultimately. But nothing can compare.
Posted January 09, 2009
Somebody who lives in Nowhereville says:
I think that the Lord of the Rings is better- even though it has lots of Old English and stuff, the plot is exciting and very good. Also his world is in-depth.
Posted December 21, 2008
Harry Potter is the fresh favorite
Mortira says:
Although Lord of the Rings is an essential literary series, responsible for all fantasy themes that followed, I found Tolkien's story telling a bit arrogant. Harry Potter is something that everyone can enjoy.
Posted April 24, 2009
Treasures-By-Brenda says:
Harry Potter defined the lives of my children and of millions of children around the world. That's pretty important right now.
Posted April 14, 2009
jaymal says:
harry potter
Posted January 31, 2009
Talorsen says:
Lord of the Rings really started it all, but is fully over-rated and over done. On to Harry Potter!
Posted January 20, 2009
boshemia says:
Harry Potter, LTR was a bit too much like the bible for me. Long and drawn out, and I really couldn't get lost in it like I can with other books.
Posted January 08, 2009
The Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling
Lord of the Rings, Tolkien
Fantasy Books Reviewed So Far......
I made this page mainly because I love fantasy literature. BUT, if you buy anything off this page, you also put a bit of change into my pocket. It's appreciated :)
- The Discworld Series - Terry Pratchett
- The DiscWorld Series
- 99 Coffins: A Historical Vampire Tale
- A Small Favor... Jim Butcher at his best
- Marion Zimmer Bradley (or MZB)
- Holy Smokes (Aisling Grey, Guardian, Book 4)
- Ender's Game - The profound mind of a child
- Ender's Game, by Orson Scott Card
- The Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling
- Lord of the Rings, Tolkien
- Reader's picks
- Unique fantasy book stuff on ebay
- Gift ideas for fantasy lovers
- Not quite fantasy... science fiction instead
Reader's picks
Stellar Wind: 2012 by Catherine BARBER
An ancient sailor yarn and the watershed date 2012 more...3 points
Sorcery Rising (Fool's Gold, Book 1) by Jude Fisher
An epic tale of gods, great journeys, love and bet more...1 point
KnorraSky, Vol. 1: The Deception by R A Knowlton
In the year 1476 of the kingdom of KnorraSky (NORA more...1 point
The Dragonbone Chair (Memory, Sorrow and Thorn) by Tad Williams
In the peaceful land of Osten Ard, the good king i more...0 points
To Green Angel Tower, Book Three: Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn (Memory, Sorrow, & Thorn) by Tad Williams
Available in one volume for the first time since i more...0 points
The Stone of Farewell (Memory, Sorrow and Thorn) by Tad Williams
The second book in the trilogy that launched one o more...0 points
The Wheel of Time (Boxed Set #1) by Robert Jordan
The Eye of the World, The Great Hunt and The Drago more...0 points
A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire, Book 1) by George R.R. Martin
Here is the first volume in George R. R. Martin's more...0 points
Unique fantasy book stuff on ebay
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand by
Gift ideas for fantasy lovers
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Fantasy Gift Ideas
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Whether it's Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter or dragons. I've found posters, collectibles, t-shirts and comforters for you.
Not quite fantasy... science fiction instead
But I love it, so who cares...
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Best Asimov Science Fiction Books
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I love science fiction. Especially the works of Frank Herbert (the Dune universe) and Isaac Asimov. I've read he felt he was writing mainly for boys.. but this girl loves them too. Especially the robots & foundation series. On this page I list the wh...
Do you like what I do? Let me know and make your own recommendations....
spirituality wrote...
in reply to Flynn_the_Cat Thanks :) checking those fantasy lenses of yours out :)
Posted June 16, 2009
naimaj wrote...
Nice Lens. I'll have to check out some of your recommendations.
Here's some I think are tops... Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time series and George R. R. Martin's Song of Ice and Fire series. Both are dense and massive and as yet unfinished. Begin them at your peril... they'll suck you into another world.
Posted April 28, 2009
Mortira wrote...
I love that Discworld is at the top of the list. I can always go back to that series when I need something fun and relaxing to read. It's a great way to cheer up! * * * * *
Posted April 24, 2009
Treasures-By-Brenda wrote...
I had to learn to read Fantasy novels for/with my boys...I never read them before that. I must say that most simply still do not interest me still. Hopefully your lens will give some Fantasy readers another great book to pursue. Blessed!
Brenda
Posted April 14, 2009
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