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Great Character-Driven Fantasy Fiction Short Stories & Books
Fantasy fiction is known for knights, magic, sorcery, fantastic new worlds, and epic sagas. But at the end of the day, it's the characters we read for.
This page will take a look at some of the best character-driven fantasy fiction out there (I'll kick things off with some of my favorites, and you can chime in with yours). If you love believable heroes who drive the action, then click some of the links to check out the books and short story collections listed here. I'm sure you'll find something fun to read!
R. A. Salvatore's Drizzt Do'Urden Books
Fantasy novels from the Forgotten Realms setting
I first found R.A. Salvatore's Drizzt books when I was a middle school young-un, and I fell for the angsty swordmaster with unparalleled skills. The author has been penning these books for two decades now, so if you enjoy them, there's a lot there for you to read."Drizzt is a drow who plays against type, favoring friendship and peace over hatred and violence. His anti-stereotypical drow personality creates the conflict that allows Salvatore to create so many novels with stories about courage and friendship. Drizzt fights the dark traits that are inherent in the drow."
My favorites are the original six novels that started everything: The Dark Elf Trilogy and the Icewind Dale Trilogy. You can pick them up in boxed sets at a pretty reasonable price:
The Legend of Drizzt Boxed Set, Books I-III (Set 1, Bks. 1-3)
Lois McMaster Bujold's Chalion Fantasy Novels
Fantasy from the author of the popular Vorkosigan series
I first learned of Lois McMaster Bujold years ago when reading her Miles Vorkosigan science fiction adventure stories. She's one of the best in the business at creating characters you care about. They always drive the action, getting themselves into all sorts of adventures.While her SF books are my favorites, her fantasy is fun too. For character-driven fantasy stories, check out The Curse of Chalion, Paladin of Souls, and The Hallowed Hunt.
Here's a blurb about the first...
"Betrayed by an unknown enemy into slavery, former soldier and courtier Lupe dy Cazaril escapes his bondage and returns to the royal household he once served. Entrusted with the teaching of the sister to the heir to the throne of Chalion, Cazaril finds himself drawn into a tangled web of politics and dark magic as he battles a curse that threatens the lives and souls of a family he has come to love."
The Curse of Chalion
Goblin Brothers Short Stories
Free fantasy short stories you can read online
Okay, let's take a break from all the links to Amazon where you have to buy books if you want to enjoy them. The Goblin Brothers short stories are all online, so no whipping out the pocket book to read them. While geared toward young readers, they're similar to the Shrek movies in that there are laughs for adult readers too.The stories star two unorthodox goblin brothers, Malagach and Gortok. Unlike most goblins, who tend the garden, fish in the river, and forage in the forest, our two heroes are busy pursuing their passions (Malagach loves reading and studying languages, and Gortok is a tinkerer with a penchant for blowing things up) and finding adventures (AKA getting into trouble!).
Goblin Brothers
Ursula Le Guin's Earthsea Fantasy Series
One of the earliest authors to give us memorable fantasy heroes you care about...
Published decades ago, Ursula Le Guin's Earthsea series remains a pleasure to read. We follow the adventures of Ged, or Sparrowhawk, the young boy who becomes a great wizard in the end. He's an easy character to identify with since, though he always tries to do good, he has a darker side that is fighting the other way.Start reading with the Wizard of Earthsea: "The windswept isles of Earthsea were famous for wizards, and the greatest of all was Ged, called Sparrowhawk in his reckless youth. Hungry for power and knowledge, Sparrowhawk tampered with long-held secrets and loosed a terrible shadow upon the world. This is the tale of his testing, how he mastered the mighty words of power, tamed an ancient dragon and crossed deaths threshold to restore the balance..."
The Earthsea Trilogy
Browse for Fantasy Novels at Amazon
Ready to pick up a new book?
Check out some of the popular fantasy novels available at Amazon right now.
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
R.A. Knowlton
KnorraSky The Deception, A Collection of Fantasy, more...0 points
Raymond E. Feist
Riftwar series, he has an excellent way of writing more...0 points
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Share Your Favorite Character-Driven Fantasy Stories
While I've listed some of my favorite fantasy stories, I want to hear what you guys think too. After all, I'm always looking for great new stories to read!
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