Best Fantasy Novels

I stumbled upon fantasy writing quite by accident. I stole a book with a "fancy" cover from my school's ruinous library. I had no intention of reading the thing, yet it felt right in the palm of my hand. The smell that resonated from the dusty cover reminding me of something alien and exotic. The promise of envisioning a different world.

I took to reading snippets from the back cover here and there as I took the bus too and away from school. I kept it with me at all times, for fear of someone mistreating it. The blasted thing became an obsession, I lived in denial. Reading? Me? Read it! ME ? And so it was that on a lazy Sunday morning I finally broke down. With an overly dramatic sigh I plummeted onto the comfort of my bed, and began to read.

I remember it quite clearly.

THE WHEEL OF TIME - ROBERT JORDAN.

My first real taste of popular fantasy fiction. It was an eye-opening experience, While I would not hesitate to claim that half the reason I value this series so much is because it was the first, it is, independently of whatever I could conjure to discredit it, an immensely popular novel in it's own right. Basically, I hit jackpot.

I will not spoil the surprise for potential readers. But I'll try and summarize what -- in my mind -- makes it stand out (even now!).

Jordan manages to direct a plethora of believable characters with continuity. The motivations attributed to each are both believable and surreal. For instance, Perrin one of the main protagonists must come to grips with his ancestry, inheriting the power of communication with beasts. He also undergoes a physical transmutation, earning him to nickname Perrin Goldeneyes.

A simple concept but executed perfectly. His humanity and character leap out of the pages, making you admire him for the complexity of his character. Both strong and fragile. A farmer, become leader. Each character must face his demons, each character evolves, the events eroding them, forming them. It is a marvel to behold and kept me locked in thrall for a ludicrous amount of hours. Hours well spent.

Before I heap further adulation upon this classic. I would like to address why I would NOT recommend reading past book 6 (Lord of Chaos). It seems to me that the plot becomes to broad and too gray at this point. Too much is going on, and all of it minor. The series is still worth reading however, and I heartily recommend it!

LEGEND - DAVID GEMELL

In truth, I couldn't wait to write this. Far, far and away my favourite author. I chose to talk about Legend, but I have yet to identify a single fantasy book by this man that I find "good", they are all "fantastic".

I recently found out that in 2006 Gemell died. To give you an approximation of what this meant to me I'll attempt to illustrate it. Usually, I feel a pang of regret and I spend a moment of contemplation thanking the author for the legacy he leaves behind. Not this time. Gemell puts so much Ummph , into his work that you feel like you know him.

You could say spins a good yarn. He tends to follow the same character traits and plot lines (in broad terms), the element of surprise, and so on. But it is the sheer amount of love that transpires through his novels that leaves you teary eyed and heart-broken as you read the melancholic last word. Love for his job, his readers, his world, his mind.

On the obituary it said he was a man with "presence", I believe this fully, in my arrogance, because I have never met him, yet cannot believe otherwise.

Legend, talks about the arrival of an older and weary warrior, whose momentous presence highlight the spirit and defiance of a people before the certainty of annihilation.

Gemell referred this as the parody of what the Alamo should have been, the spirit at least.

The main character Druss is probably one of the most endearing characters I have ever read. His titanic presence finely counter-balance, by an incredible depth of character.

The setting is that of the "Drenai", many of his other books carry this standard further and further, and when you have read them all you will have a very complete and pristine picture of this society and it's values (and modern day criticisms?)

I will not suggest this. This is -- if you are half-way interested in heroic fantasy -- a guilty pleasure. But one that you cannot deny yourself!

MAGICIAN - R.E FEIST

This masterpiece revolves around the conflict between two different worlds. The series begin with an in-depth look of the "Kingdom", you're every-day fantasy bread-and-butter tapestry. Compared to the exotic and alien world of Kelewan.

What makes this great, is the deep, yet fast paced evolution of the main characters. Characters whom we follow from childhood to well past their natural life spans. Yet our (my) love for them remains unchanged. They are shaken, tossed in the frying pan, scorched and dried, only to re-appear in a completely different form and yet somehow manage to evoke humanity and a sense of kinship with us.

As time goes on, these protagonists shift in-and-out, giving the title to others, briefly. Despite the constant character swapping, it remains coherent and engaging.

The series is what is often called an "epic". It is long and rewarding. The lore supplemented by additional sagas and titles written by feist. In short, you cannot tire of Feist, and he certainly can keep you busy if he wants to (if you have the cash).

Thank you so much for reading my humble article. As an aside I am attempting to fulfill my own dream. By creating my own community driven novel, so if you're interested in this non-profit project and wouldn't mind reading and offering advice and critiquing lore (and implementing your own) please visit http://auhrenia.com (im not trying to sell you anything ;))

I hope you get around to reading these books if you haven't.

Bye!

James,