The Fantasy Genre - our favorite books
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...
Fantasy Books Reviewed So Far......
- The Diskworld Series - Terry Pratchett
- The DiskWorld Series
- Can anybody tell me: what's the difference between science fiction and fantasy?
- 99 Coffins: A Historical Vampire Tale
- What Kind of Fantasy Do You Like?
- A Small Favor... Butcher Doesn't Get Better
- Small Favor (The Dresden Files, Book 10)
- The Darkover Series - Marion Zimmer Bradley
- What's your favorite fantasy author?
- Light - a contemporary fantasy series by Marion Zimmer Bradley
- Holy Smokes (Aisling Grey, Guardian, Book 4)
- Ender's Game - The profound mind of a child
- Ender's Game, by Orson Scott Card
- Who's Better? Harry Potter or Lord of the Rings?
- The Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling
- Lord of the Rings, Tolkien
- Do you like what I do? Let me know and make your own recommendations....
- Reader's picks
Disclaimer
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 Diskworld 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!
Can anybody tell me: what's the difference between science fiction and fantasy?
Seriously: is there a difference?
Magic and science--only real difference I could ever see between the two. Both of them use a fictional background as a canvas on which to paint human behavior, but fantasy uses magic as the device to force (or allow) us to view human foibles with some distance and objectivity, and science fiction uses science or a futuristic setting to achieve the same objective:-)
Posted October 06, 2008
99 Coffins: A Historical Vampire Tale
by David Wellington
99 Coffins: A Historical Vampire Tale
Amazon Price: $11.16 (as of 10/12/2008)
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.
What Kind of Fantasy Do You Like?
What's the best fantasy?
A Small Favor... Butcher Doesn't Get Better
A Brief Review
About month ago Jim Butcher, author of the Dresden Files, made his tenth book debut in the series with, Small Favor. This fantastical series is extraordinary both in content and writing. To other fanatic followers of this series I am sure you will agree Small Favor was in fact a HUGE favor.This installment unravels several of the mysteries that left other readers grasping for the nonexistent pages in last books. Harry, delves into fierce battles and cocky dialog with new and powerful foes from the past and the present. The faerie court, as always makes an appearance, 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 has been spell binding, where the words were weaved like the incantations of a spell, and they bound 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 10/12/2008)
Just a great addition to the long line of quality Jim Butcher novels.
Avg. Customer Rating: 
The Darkover Series - Marion Zimmer Bradley
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...1 point
Light - a contemporary fantasy series by Marion Zimmer Bradley
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.
Amazon Error: Could not open remote connection
Sorry, there are no results available from Amazon.Holy Smokes (Aisling Grey, Guardian, Book 4)
by Katie MacAlister
Holy Smokes (Aisling Grey, Guardian, Book 4)
Amazon Price: $7.99 (as of 10/12/2008)
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 10/12/2008)
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
mnriver says:
tolkien
Posted August 14, 2008
Kevin Flynn says:
I've read LOTR countless times and i've also read the harry potter series. Both where great stories, but LOTR has it beat. You know how you always here, the books are better than the movies, it is true but with the LOTR the movies are amazing. I prefer elves and dwarves and orcs the way they are protrayed in LOTR to the Potter series.
Posted July 26, 2008
ElizabethJeanAllen says:
I read Lord of the Rings years ago and then again when the movies came out. I enjoy Harry Potter, but as an adult...Lord of the Rings beats it hands down.
Posted July 04, 2008
cappuccino136 says:
Tolkien will always be my favorite. Both series successfully create a detailed and imaginative world, but I find Lord of the Rings is more inspiring. The quest feels more difficult and terrifying and the characters are more appealing to me.
Posted May 22, 2008
Harry Potter is the fresh favorite
says:
I have read both of the series and loved them both. However, i would have to choose harry potter. The storylines are better and the writtings more interesting.
Posted August 16, 2008
chillingbreeze says:
Harry potter for sure. I was kinda lost in most Parry Potter stories ... They're good entertainment
Posted August 11, 2008
Kanga says:
Harry Potter all the way! I've tried reading LOTR and The Hobbit, but I just reached a point where I couldn't make myself keep reading. With Harry Potter I couldn't put the books down. I must say though that I was relieved when the Harry Potter series was finished... those poor characters needed a rest!
Posted June 21, 2008
spirituality says:
I like Harry Potter better. Lord of the Rings is just so dark. So I'll vote for Rowling on this one - even though by literary standards Tolkien is probably better.
Posted May 23, 2008
The Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling
Lord of the Rings, Tolkien
Do you like what I do? Let me know and make your own recommendations....
|
StellarWind2012
Thanks Audrie! Ive been getting lots of great reviews about my novel...especially on Oprah. Every little comment is helpful!!! I appreciate it!! Love to you! Posted September 20, 2008 |
|
WritingforYourWealth
Yay, another fantasy reader. ;) I had to add Louis McMaster Bujold to your list, though it's her sci-fi series that I love best. Anyone who enjoys main characters with lots of personality and fun adventure stories should check out her Vorkosigan series. Posted September 14, 2008 |
|
|
ElizabethJeanAllen
Great lens! I read a lot of different types of books. Small Favor is currently featured on The Weekend Reader. Posted July 04, 2008 |
|
ShannonC
I love fantasy and there's lot's of books for me to check out here...thanks :) Posted June 22, 2008 |
|
|
Kanga
Great lens! I've never been much of a fantasy reader, but I love Terry Pratchett's books. Same goes for sci-fi, yet I love Douglas Adams! Just add comedy and I'm there :-) Posted June 21, 2008 |
Reader's picks
Stellar Wind: 2012 by Catherine BARBER
An ancient sailor yarn and the watershed date 2012 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
More of my lenses
-
The Ultimate Questions - religion and spirituality
-
These are the ultimate philosophy questions we all ask ourselves about religion and spirituality. Vote, get inspired and share. Part lensography, part hey monkeybrain lens - I hope you all enjoy.
-
Spiritual Lenses - Katinka Hesselink Net: religion and spirituality
-
A lensography of my best spirituality lenses as well as a summary of my website. I feature information from various religious traditions like Buddhism, Sufism, Fourth Way and Theosophy. I also pay attention to various spiritual teachers, whether the...
-
Spiritual Teachers - my favorites and yours
-
These are some of the teachers - past and present - who will keep reminding us that there IS more to life. There is more to US... Spiritual teachers are the salt that gives flavor to our otherwise somewhat dry western culture. With all the focus on...
-
Katinka Hesselink - my other lenses
-
I'm a lensmaster, webdesigner an oldest child, an eternal student, a former teacher and single. Most of you know me here on Squidoo as lensmaster 'spirituality' - but I've also got a life outside my interests in spirituality (though perhaps that's n...
-
Nerdy lenses - digital info, tips and fun
-
Meet the nerd in me... I've made some lenses in which I share some of the things I've learned while designing websites and earning a living. These are them: some SEO tips, CSS tricks, Myspace tips and more.
Thanks for all your support!
A big thank you to all of you who've supported my online work by:
- linking to any of my web projects
- voting on my lenses
- buying stuff from my lenses
- asking questions
- giving constructive feedback
- ... donating money :)
- and being generally supportive :) ;)
