Escaping Reality: Fantasy Fiction
Ranked #7,478 in Books, Poetry & Writing, #268,056 overall
Do you love fantasy fiction? Looking for some good books to read? Want to know which ones you may want to avoid (and why)? Then you're in the right place!
I'm an avid reader of fantasy fiction. Here, you'll find my comments on the genre, books on my reading list, links to authors' websites, and more! I'll review my latest read and let you know what I'm reading now. At the bottom, you'll find all my past reviews. Who knows, maybe you'll find a new favorite of your own!
On the Genre: Fantasy vs. Sci-Fi
Fantasy, Sci-Fi... What's the Difference?
Quite often, I hear people refer to fantasy and sci-fi in the same breath, lumping all branches of speculative fiction together under one broad heading. And why not? That's how book stores tend to sell them. However, there is a difference, and there are different types of fantasy fiction.First up - what's the difference between fantasy and sci-fi? The main difference comes from the level of technology. If the world is driven by technology, then the piece is generally considered to be science fiction. It's evident even in the name: science fiction is fiction that uses scientific possibilities as its modus operandi. In stories set firmly in the sci-fi realm, you'll find everything from faster-than-light drives and dimension-hopping wormholes to internet connections in people's heads and post-nuclear war apocalyptic worlds.
Fantasy fiction, on the other hand, focuses more on worlds that are either based on less-than-modern technology, magic, or this reality with a supernatural twist. They may contain such stock fantasy creatures as centaurs, elves, and dragons, and their protagonists are often sword-weilding warriors or mages of some sort. Quite often, the overt conflict is an epic battle between good and evil.
There is, of course, some blurring between the genres that leaves room for debate as to what book is which. Frank Herbert's Dune is a good example of this, as is Christopher Stasheff's Gramarye series.
In general, it comes down to the themes that drive the story. Sci-Fi tends to be a warning, while fantasy focuses more on self-discovery, good vs. evil, and the heroic journey. The overlap just makes it all the more fun, and gives hardcore fans something to debate late into the night.
What's Your Favorite Type of Fantasy?
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Kit's Review: The Fairy Godmother
A Little Love and Magic for Valentine's Day
In a world where a mysterious force called The Tradition tries to force fairy tales to come true - even the bad ones - what happens to all the would-be heroines who fall through the cracks?
Take, for example, the traditional Cinderella story. Everyone knows the tale of Cinderella: poor orphaned girl left at the mercy of her wicked stepmother and stepsisters, forced to live in rags and indentured servitude while her stepmother squanders the family wealth, until one day her fairy godmother appears and hooks her up with a prince to live happily ever after.
Elena Klovis knows the story all too well - she's been living it since her father married a prime example of a wicked stepmother and brought her two spoiled daughters into the house, then promptly died, leaving her to fend for herself. But Elena's tired of waiting for a fairy godmother to show up to fix things. When her stepmother leaves on a hunt for her next rich husband, taking her daughters with her, Elena heads for the local fair to hire herself out as a professional servant, but the only taker is the last person she expected... and that's where the adventure begins.
Now, I usually stay out of the Romance section, which is where the Five Hundred Kingdoms series tends to get shelved half the time. The other half, however, it ends up in the Fantasy section with the rest of Mercedes Lackey's stuff, which is where I ran across it... and I'm glad I did.
Lackey does a great job of mixing and matching fairy tales, then giving them her own little twist. It's all in the little details, like the Frog Prince being an emo poet and all the little ways the fairy tales merge and play out. While the Tradition tries to push things one way, the Godmothers try to guide it another, leading to unexpected surprises here and there. Lackey writes from the heroine and the hero's point of view equally as compellingly, and while these books are mostly fun fluff, there are a few dramatic tugs on the heartstrings here and there to keep those pages turning.
Of course, there are also a few steamier scenes. Romance lovers, enjoy. For those of us who like to leave what goes on between the sheets to the imagination, they're easy enough to skim or skip entirely and go on with the story.
Overall, this was an endearing bit of fluff with a surprisingly intricate plot and likeable characters. If you're looking for some light reading before bed and have a love of fairy tales, these books definitely belong on your shelves. Happy reading!
Take, for example, the traditional Cinderella story. Everyone knows the tale of Cinderella: poor orphaned girl left at the mercy of her wicked stepmother and stepsisters, forced to live in rags and indentured servitude while her stepmother squanders the family wealth, until one day her fairy godmother appears and hooks her up with a prince to live happily ever after.
Elena Klovis knows the story all too well - she's been living it since her father married a prime example of a wicked stepmother and brought her two spoiled daughters into the house, then promptly died, leaving her to fend for herself. But Elena's tired of waiting for a fairy godmother to show up to fix things. When her stepmother leaves on a hunt for her next rich husband, taking her daughters with her, Elena heads for the local fair to hire herself out as a professional servant, but the only taker is the last person she expected... and that's where the adventure begins.
Now, I usually stay out of the Romance section, which is where the Five Hundred Kingdoms series tends to get shelved half the time. The other half, however, it ends up in the Fantasy section with the rest of Mercedes Lackey's stuff, which is where I ran across it... and I'm glad I did.
Lackey does a great job of mixing and matching fairy tales, then giving them her own little twist. It's all in the little details, like the Frog Prince being an emo poet and all the little ways the fairy tales merge and play out. While the Tradition tries to push things one way, the Godmothers try to guide it another, leading to unexpected surprises here and there. Lackey writes from the heroine and the hero's point of view equally as compellingly, and while these books are mostly fun fluff, there are a few dramatic tugs on the heartstrings here and there to keep those pages turning.
Of course, there are also a few steamier scenes. Romance lovers, enjoy. For those of us who like to leave what goes on between the sheets to the imagination, they're easy enough to skim or skip entirely and go on with the story.
Overall, this was an endearing bit of fluff with a surprisingly intricate plot and likeable characters. If you're looking for some light reading before bed and have a love of fairy tales, these books definitely belong on your shelves. Happy reading!
The Fairy Godmother (Tales of the Five Hundred Kingdoms, Book 1)
Amazon Price: $4.25 (as of 06/01/2012)
The Rest of the Tales of the Five Hundred Kingdoms
To Give You a Real Fairy Tale Fix
I admit it, I'm hooked on these books. I've already read the second and am making my way through the third, with the other three waiting in the wings. If your fairy tale-loving romantic side is looking for a new series to curl up in front of the fire with, give these books a try!
Read More Reviews
Want to read more of my reviews? Well, they're all collected at the bottom of the page, but if you don't want to have to scroll down, here's a handy list of links to take you right to them!
- Nightlife, by Rob Thurman.
- Dog Days, by John Levitt.
- Moon Called, by Patricia Briggs.
Kit's Favorites
Favorites from Over the Years
These are the books I love and have read and reread and will probably keep rereading. Each one has left a definite imprint on me, and each of them remains clear and vivid in my mind, despite not having read a few of them in quite awhile. Some have done this through their gripping plots, others through compelling characters with such a great presence that I'll remember them for years to come. And when that happens, you know it's got to go on the favorite's list! A Spell for Chameleon
by Piers Anthony
A Spell for Chameleon (Xanth, Book 1)
Amazon Price: $2.25 (as of 06/01/2012)
I'll admit it - I was a Xanth fan for the longest time. While there may be a gazillion Xanth books out by now, it all started with A Spell for Chameleon, and as far as I'm concerned, it's still one of the best. I have a special fondness for Bink, who goes from talentless exile to savior of the magical world.
My other favorites, if you're just picking a few, are Crewel Lye, Demons Don't Dream, and Yon Ill Wind. Plunge into this fantastical world and just try to survive the puns!
Redwall
by Brian Jacques
Redwall (Redwall, Book 1)
Amazon Price: $4.75 (as of 06/01/2012)
It's a high fantasy featuring courageous warrior mice, intriguing riddles, ancient legends, and the most memorable evil rat since Jenner of The Secret of NIHM. Redwall, like the rest of the series, is a rollicking adventure with vibrant, memorable characters and epic battles that will have you burning through the pages.
Like Xanth, there are a LOT of books in the Redwall series. Redwall is definitely one of the best, but my other favorites are Martin the Warrior and The Pearls of Lutra.
Smoke and Shadows
by Tanya Huff
Smoke and Shadows (The Smoke Trilogy, Book 1)
Amazon Price: $1.31 (as of 06/01/2012)
Ahaha... I LOVE this series. Our hero, Tony, has finally gotten his life in order and is trying to move on from his surreal life with a vampire to work in... television. On a low budget vampire detective series. As a production assistant. Yep, he's really going places!
Which is when the evil interdimensional overlord and the wizard in the basement come into play.
I love the character of Tony as he stumbles through all the twists and turns of the story. It's a fun romp with Huff's typical quirky narration that's just as capable of making you laugh out loud or fly wide-eyed through the pages. There's only three books in this series, and while it's a spin off of her Victoria Nelson books, you don't need to have read them to enjoy (and thoroughly enjoy) these. Definitely a favorite!
Neverwhere
by Neil Gaiman
Neverwhere: A Novel
Amazon Price: $7.90 (as of 06/01/2012)
Imagine a dark magical underworld where all the people who fall through the cracks go. Where beasts roam the sewers and a magical marketplace sets up shop in famous London hotspots after closing. Where a normal, painfully ordinary man finds out that doing the right thing can sometimes get you far more trouble than you bargained for. You've just imagined London Below, and Richard Mayhew is about to become very well acquainted with it.
Gaiman's strength, besides telling stories of the bizarre as if they happen every day, is imagery, and you will be able to see each and every one of these characters as if they're walking down the street in front of you. It's a very down to earth fantasy, with grit but more than enough quirky narration to keep things fun. A good introduction to the works of Gaiman.
Fantasy Author Links
Because Authors Have Websites, Too...
Many of the authors I have mentioned or whose books are listed below also have websites. Or, at the very least, their publicist has made one for them. Anyways, here are some of the ones I've found.
- Neil Gaiman's Webpage
- Whether you're a fan of his graphic novels, his straight novels and short stories, or just his quirky sense of humor, head over here!
- Neil Gaiman's Blog
- A subsection of the above link, but some people just like to go straight to the blogs. For those people... Here ya go!
- JaZilla's Neil Gaiman Lens
- I don't usually link to other lenses, but this one deserves serious credit for the sheer amount of Gaiman links and devotion. If you're a hardcore Gaiman afficianado or just a budding fan, check it out!
- Tanya Huff
- Provides a short biographical blurb, followed by a listing of all her novels, series, and all collections containing stories by her. A short description of each novel is also given.
- Tanya Huff's LiveJournal
- Want something a little more personal from Tanya Huff? Check out her LJ!
- Piers Anthony's Official Website
- Find out what's happening with Piers Anthony, creator of Xanth! Features updates on his various projects and a lenthly monthly newsletter from Piers himself.
- Brian Jacques' Official Website
- This is a fantastic-looking website is the offical homepage of Brian Jacques and all things Redwall. Lots to look at here, so if you're a fan of the Abbey and the adventures of its various denizens, check it out!
- SFF Net
- An online community of authors, publishers, media pros, and readers of genre fiction. If you've got a favorite fantasy author, chances are they'll have a place here.
- Patricia Briggs
- Patricia Briggs' website. It includes some very interesting blogging from her and her husband, a list of her books and her future books, biographical information, FAQ, links, and a chance to chat with the author herself.
- Rob Thurman
- The author of the Cal Leandros series. Nice site, links to the Japanses covers (which are very pretty), and biographical information.
- Far Side of Lazy: Rob Thurman's LiveJournal
- The highly amusing ramblings of Rob Thurman on everything from what she's writing to what she's watching on TV.
The Classics
From the Fantasy Fiction Hall of Fame
Fantasy has a long history, stretching all the way back to the tales of Sophocles and Euripedes in Ancient Greece. Toss in some folklore, blend in a little sci-fi and horror, and you've got a good start on the path to modern fantasy fiction.
The birth of modern fantasy fiction is usually dated back to the mid-to-late 1800s. Since then, a few have risen to the ranks of fantasy legends, those books that inspired the writers of today. Here are just a few of them.
The birth of modern fantasy fiction is usually dated back to the mid-to-late 1800s. Since then, a few have risen to the ranks of fantasy legends, those books that inspired the writers of today. Here are just a few of them.
Fantasy Fiction Magazines Online
Looking for a new and frequently updated source for fantasy fiction? How about great short stories by up-and-coming authors, or reviews of the latest fantasy novels? Then check out these magazines!
- Fantasy and Science Fiction Magazine
- This here is one of the classic fantasy magazines, bringing us quality works of speculative fiction since 1949. This is where a lot of the big names publish their short stories and novellas. They've got some of their submissions and award-nominated stories up for your perusal.
- Strange Horizons
- Strange Horizons is a fairly new webzine dealing in speculative fiction. While they focus more on sci-fi, they embrace all forms of fantasy, as well.
- Asimov's Science Fiction
- One of the classic science fiction magazines. This is for those of you looking more for SciFi than fantasy in your fiction.
- Lightspeed Magazine
- This one's an online mag that features a new work of fiction every week, reviews, essays on fantasy, and more. Formerly Fantasy Magazine, it has now been merged with its sci-fi sister mag, Lightspeed. Definitely worth checking out!
- Black Gate: Adventures in Fantasy Literature
- Black Gate has been around for about a decade now, and if you're looking for high quality adventure fantasy fiction, this is the place to do it! You can also find articles, reviews, and other things of general interest to the adventure fantasy fiction crowd. There's a lot of content on this site, and any fantasy lover will find something there.
Subscribe Today: Fantasy and Science Fiction Magazine
Fantasy & Science Fiction (print edition)
Amazon Price: $35.97 (as of 06/01/2012)
The classic place to find all the great scifi and fantasy authors. By getting a subscription, you don't have to worry about making that monthly trek to the bookstore every month!
Kit's Review: Nightlife
When Being the Black Sheep's a GOOD Thing!
Some people want to know about their family history. Cal Leandros would be ecstatic if he never heard another thing about it in his life. See, his father isn't human - and Cal and his half brother, Niko, have been running from him and the rest of that branch of Cal's family tree for years. Recently, they've settled down in the best place to hide in plain sight: New York City, where trolls really DO live under bridges, bog monsters snatch muggers and joggers in Central Park, Robin Goodfellow sells used cars, and the world at large is none the wiser.
But no one can hide forever, not even in NYC. Cal's daddy's finally found them, and he'll do anything to make sure Cal lives up to his destiny... and destroy the world as we know it.
I picked this one up back when I picked up Dog Days, but it took me awhile to actually start it. Sure, the premise sounded interesting, but it also sounded so serious, and there was an angsty-looking teenager on the front, and I wasn't sure I wanted something that heavy.
Well... Remember that old adage about judging books by their covers? Definitely applies here. I loved this book. Let me repeat that: I loved this book. Cal is a fantastic narrator. Sure, he's got his fair share of angst - and he's got plenty of reason - but he's sharp, witty, and more than a little sarcastic. He doesn't wallow the way I was afraid he would, or get too terribly introspective, and his voice is easy to sink into and really enjoy. At times, he's downright hilarious.
And then there's Niko, with all the book learning of an Ivy League student and more weapons than a mercenary tucked under his trench coat. He's just the kind of big brother you'd want if you were being hunted by supernatural beings.
Speaking of "supernatural," there is definitely a Supernatural vibe, which is not a bad thing for me. I love that show, and I love the Sam and Dean dynamic. Nightlife has the whole brotherly love theme with kick-butt action and some serious personal issues, but it's definitely its own entity, though, with its own unique characters, situations, and flavor. Plus, it had a fantastic twist.
After finishing it, I ran right out to buy the next two, and I'm eagerly awaiting the next one. Great action, great main character, great supporting cast... all in a fast-paced page-turner of a story. If you're looking for heavy romance, turn elsewhere. Cal is definitely a 19-year-old guy in all respects, and that comes through in his voice. I loved it, but it's not exactly made for romance. So if that's what you're hoping for, you're out of luck.
If you're looking for a roaring romp of a read packed with action, danger and drama, thought, these books are a must-read, and it all starts with Nightlife.
But no one can hide forever, not even in NYC. Cal's daddy's finally found them, and he'll do anything to make sure Cal lives up to his destiny... and destroy the world as we know it.
I picked this one up back when I picked up Dog Days, but it took me awhile to actually start it. Sure, the premise sounded interesting, but it also sounded so serious, and there was an angsty-looking teenager on the front, and I wasn't sure I wanted something that heavy.
Well... Remember that old adage about judging books by their covers? Definitely applies here. I loved this book. Let me repeat that: I loved this book. Cal is a fantastic narrator. Sure, he's got his fair share of angst - and he's got plenty of reason - but he's sharp, witty, and more than a little sarcastic. He doesn't wallow the way I was afraid he would, or get too terribly introspective, and his voice is easy to sink into and really enjoy. At times, he's downright hilarious.
And then there's Niko, with all the book learning of an Ivy League student and more weapons than a mercenary tucked under his trench coat. He's just the kind of big brother you'd want if you were being hunted by supernatural beings.
Speaking of "supernatural," there is definitely a Supernatural vibe, which is not a bad thing for me. I love that show, and I love the Sam and Dean dynamic. Nightlife has the whole brotherly love theme with kick-butt action and some serious personal issues, but it's definitely its own entity, though, with its own unique characters, situations, and flavor. Plus, it had a fantastic twist.
After finishing it, I ran right out to buy the next two, and I'm eagerly awaiting the next one. Great action, great main character, great supporting cast... all in a fast-paced page-turner of a story. If you're looking for heavy romance, turn elsewhere. Cal is definitely a 19-year-old guy in all respects, and that comes through in his voice. I loved it, but it's not exactly made for romance. So if that's what you're hoping for, you're out of luck.
If you're looking for a roaring romp of a read packed with action, danger and drama, thought, these books are a must-read, and it all starts with Nightlife.
Nightlife (Cal Leandros, Book 1)
Amazon Price: $2.87 (as of 06/01/2012)
Kit's Review: Dog Days
It's a Dog Eat Dog World
Continuing on my urban fantasy kick, I picked up Dog Days on a whim, looking for fresh new stuff to read. A jazz musician in San Francisco, a supernatural companion who appears to be a dog, a heavy dash of magic hovering just beneath the "real" world... it piqued my interest.
It started out pretty well. You see things through Mason's eyes, and get a nice introduction to the world of the not-so-normal when he gets attacked walking home from a gig. I'll admit it, the magical power of improvisation is pretty cool, and implemented in a pretty cool way, and I love Louie the dog/Ifrit. There's a nice element of mystery in the first half of the book as Mason struggles to survive the attacks on his life long enough to try and figure out who's attacking him and why.
But then, some time after he hooked up with the holistic Wicca in the woods, things just kinda seemed to deflate. I can't say whether it felt rushed or if some of the character interactions felt forced or what, but I had a hard time finishing it - not exactly the ideal in a book.
Overall, it's an interesting premise, and it had some good moments in it, but ultimately, something fell flat. Not stand-out, but I wouldn't say it's ideal kindling, either. And hey, this is Levitt's first book, and the first in a series, so I'm hopeful. There's lots to build off of here, and lots of potential. Fingers crossed!
It started out pretty well. You see things through Mason's eyes, and get a nice introduction to the world of the not-so-normal when he gets attacked walking home from a gig. I'll admit it, the magical power of improvisation is pretty cool, and implemented in a pretty cool way, and I love Louie the dog/Ifrit. There's a nice element of mystery in the first half of the book as Mason struggles to survive the attacks on his life long enough to try and figure out who's attacking him and why.
But then, some time after he hooked up with the holistic Wicca in the woods, things just kinda seemed to deflate. I can't say whether it felt rushed or if some of the character interactions felt forced or what, but I had a hard time finishing it - not exactly the ideal in a book.
Overall, it's an interesting premise, and it had some good moments in it, but ultimately, something fell flat. Not stand-out, but I wouldn't say it's ideal kindling, either. And hey, this is Levitt's first book, and the first in a series, so I'm hopeful. There's lots to build off of here, and lots of potential. Fingers crossed!
Kit's Review: Moon Called
Skinwalkers and Werewolves and Vampires, Oh My!
Lately, I've been enjoying urban fantasy - that is, fantasy that supposedly takes place in the modern world or something very close to it. So when a friend of mine suggested Patricia Briggs and I ran across the Mercy Thompson series, I decided to give it a try.
Am I ever glad I did!
Vampires have been done before. So have werewolves and complex pack societies. However, Briggs' take on werewolves in particular has a fascinating charm all its own, and how can you not love a book where the only vampire mentioned has a van painted like the Mystery Machine? However, it's the main character, Mercy, who provides the most unique perspective. Some main characters walk in two worlds. Mercy, a volkswagon mechanic with some special gifts of her own, does that and more, and her relationships are interesting but not overwhelming.
However, what really endears this book to me was the intriguing, complex plot. It kept me guessing right to the end, and while I usually try to stick to a chapter a day, I ended up plowing through the latter half of the book in one afternoon, and we're not talking about one of those "surprise" endings that reveal all the information ONLY at the very end in a "HA! Tricked you!" kind of way. The hints are there from early on, which makes the revelation all that more satisfying.
Great writing, great characters, great plot, and the second book's just as good. Check it out!
Am I ever glad I did!
Vampires have been done before. So have werewolves and complex pack societies. However, Briggs' take on werewolves in particular has a fascinating charm all its own, and how can you not love a book where the only vampire mentioned has a van painted like the Mystery Machine? However, it's the main character, Mercy, who provides the most unique perspective. Some main characters walk in two worlds. Mercy, a volkswagon mechanic with some special gifts of her own, does that and more, and her relationships are interesting but not overwhelming.
However, what really endears this book to me was the intriguing, complex plot. It kept me guessing right to the end, and while I usually try to stick to a chapter a day, I ended up plowing through the latter half of the book in one afternoon, and we're not talking about one of those "surprise" endings that reveal all the information ONLY at the very end in a "HA! Tricked you!" kind of way. The hints are there from early on, which makes the revelation all that more satisfying.
Great writing, great characters, great plot, and the second book's just as good. Check it out!
More Fantasy Fiction Lenses
All the books here are found in the regular Sci-Fi/Fantasy section of the bookstore - if you're looking for great Young Adult and Middle Reader fantasy fiction, check out my Escaping Reality: YA Fantasy Fiction lens. And if you're just into urban fantasy, swing by Kit's Favorite Urban Fantasy Books to see what I think are the best urban fantasy books out there.
Reader Feedback
Got a recommendation? Something you think I should read? Or maybe just a comment on the lens itself? Well, here's your chance!
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Mar 18, 2011 @ 2:46 pm | delete
- Patricia Briggs is one of my favorites! And the sister series about the wolves is good as a separate read or together with Mercy! Good lens, love it!
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karanta
Oct 8, 2010 @ 1:54 am | delete
- Very interesting lens :) I read a few books you reviewed and put some others on my wishlist. My Amazon wishlist grows and grows ;)
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MissMerFaery
Sep 12, 2010 @ 9:32 pm | delete
- I loved the Redwall books growing up! As a teen I loved Terry Brooks' Shannara series, but my favourites now would be anything by Peter Beagle, Neil Gaiman, Juliet Marillier (Sevenwaters series is superb) and Sarah Zettel (both Isavalta and Camelot). There are so many great new fantasy authors emerging right now... I highly recommend The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss as one example. Beautiful lens!
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Kitsune64
Sep 13, 2010 @ 2:04 am | delete
- Thanks for all the suggestions! I'll have to keep them in mind next time I hit the book store. :)
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toriphile81 Aug 29, 2010 @ 10:35 pm | delete
- I read all the Xanth and Redwall books growing up :)
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by Kitsune64
Hi! Kit here, also known as A. Meyer. Reading is one of my great joys in life, and my genre of choice is fantasy.
Whether it's an epic quest in a...
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