Listmania!
Favorite Fantasy Novels
By an Amazon.com customer
The Gumshoe, The Witch, And The Virtual CorpseThe Gumshoe, The Witch, And The Virtual Corpse by Keith Hartman
Buy new: $19.95 / Used from: $44.62
An AMAZING book, I was so glad to find out that it is back in print. It's a big sprawling novel about a gay detective, a wiccan journalist, a cop, a Cherokee Shaman, a christian music star, and a teenage comic book writer. I particularly love the way the book describes wiccan rituals and magick.
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (Chronicles of Narnia)The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (Chronicles of Narnia) by C.S. Lewis
Buy used from: $1.49
I loved this as a kid, and I just started reading it to my godson. Gotta say-- it's a great read for adults as well.
The Hobbit: 70th Anniversary EditionThe Hobbit: 70th Anniversary Edition by J.R.R. Tolkien
Buy new: $15.75 / Used from: $16.89
There's a reason Tolkien is considered the grand master. I loved Lord of the Rings, but I'll have a soft spot in my heart for THE HOBBIT-- the story of a young man discovering that life can be an adventure, and that the world is more wonderful and terrible than he ever imagined.
The Black Cauldron (The Chronicles of Prydain)The Black Cauldron (The Chronicles of Prydain) by Lloyd Alexander
Buy new: $6.99 / Used from: $2.25
This series seems to have fallen out of favor, but it really is a great epic fantasy ride. Still, this one is better suited to young adults.
The Once and Future KingThe Once and Future King by Terence Hanbury White
Buy new: $13.60 / Used from: $4.50
Of all the Arthurian books, this is still my favorite. It won't necessarily be to everyone's taste-- the plot is a bit slow. But the characters are delightful, the writing is inventive, and it takes the reader on a lot of fun, strange side trips.
The Sandman Vol. 1: Preludes and NocturnesThe Sandman Vol. 1: Preludes and Nocturnes by Neil Gaiman
Buy new: $13.59 / Used from: $9.23
A bizarre, beautiful graphic novel. The Lord of Dreams has been imprisoned, and must fight to reclaim his kingdom. The artwork is as stunning as the writing.
Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell: A NovelJonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell: A Novel by Susanna Clarke; Portia Rosenberg
Buy used from: $7.99
This is a book set in the Napoleonic era, when the last two magicians in England become bitter rivals. It may not be to everyone's taste. The plot is a bit slow, but the writing about magic is incredibly evocative. I couldn't put it down.
A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire, Book 1)A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire, Book 1) by George R.R. Martin
Buy new: $10.88 / Used from: $5.46
I debated putting this one on the list. I loved the first couple books in the series, but the quality of the later books takes a nosedive. I hate getting hooked on a series only to have it disappoint me.
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz: 100th Anniversary Edition (Books of Wonder)The Wonderful Wizard of Oz: 100th Anniversary Edition (Books of Wonder) by L. Frank Baum
Buy new: $17.99 / Used from: $9.88
A great fantasy novel. Also, one of the few series that managed to sustain the magic through a large number of books. Surprisingly, even the later books in the series are good, after the original author died and a replacement stepped in.
Storm Front (The Dresden Files, Book 1)Storm Front (The Dresden Files, Book 1) by Jim Butcher
Buy new: $7.99 / Used from: $1.65
This one is a guilty pleasure. A wizard detective tries to survive in the modern world. Pure fun. Long running series that holds up well.
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (Book 1)Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (Book 1) by J.K. Rowling
Buy new: $16.49 / Used from: $1.10
And of course, I have to include Harry Potter. I just love the world that Rowling built for this series. Whimsical and full of wonder.