Brian. Posted November 3, 2014 Share Posted November 3, 2014 So the title pretty much sums my question up. I would like to start reading some fantasy as it's a genre that as yet, I have stayed away from. I am fairly open to most things, however, vampire love stories are not my thing so I would like to avoid those. The only other stipulation I have is that the books suggested are not too long. Anything up to 300 or so pages is fine but before I dive into the bigger books the genre has to offer I would like to start by dipping my toes in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vodkafan Posted November 3, 2014 Share Posted November 3, 2014 Good for you Brian! Two words: Jack Vance. I know he's not everybody's bowl of rice but I had to mention him first Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muggle not Posted November 4, 2014 Share Posted November 4, 2014 (edited) Have you read Lord of the Rings or The Hobbit by J.R. Tolkien. They are not short books but there are none more enjoyable, IMHO. Edited November 4, 2014 by muggle not Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karsa Orlong Posted November 4, 2014 Share Posted November 4, 2014 Anything up to 300 or so pages is fine Make it difficult, why don't you Have a look at: David Gemmell - Legend Ken Grimwood - Replay Poul Anderson - The Broken Sword Patricia A. McKillip - The Forgotten Beasts of Eld Ray Bradbury - Something Wicked This Way Comes Michael Moorcock - Elric Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Athena Posted November 4, 2014 Share Posted November 4, 2014 (edited) Here are some of my recommendations for fantasy under 300 pages: Brandon Sanderson - The Emperor's Soul (short novella) Terry Pratchett - any of his shorter works, for example The Carpet People or Discworld 4: Mort (humourous fantasy) J. K. Rowling - Harry Potter 1: Harry Potter And The Philosopher's Stone G. P. Taylor - Wormwood 1: Wormwood Anne McCaffrey - The Dragonriders Of Pern 1: Dragonflight (my Dutch copy has 319 pages, I'm not sure of the English copy) I second Replay as I really enjoyed this book, however I have it classified as science-fiction so it's not in my fantasy list. Edited November 4, 2014 by Athena Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frankie Posted November 4, 2014 Share Posted November 4, 2014 (edited) My suggestion and recommendation is a book series with more than 300 pages per book, but I think it's one that you might really like: The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde We have a lot of Fforde fans on here, and I think you're one of those who would most likely find delight in the literary world of Thursday Next. Edited November 4, 2014 by frankie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karsa Orlong Posted November 4, 2014 Share Posted November 4, 2014 I second Replay as I really enjoyed this book, however I have it classified as science-fiction so it's not in my fantasy list. Replay is part of the Fantasy Masterworks series. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Athena Posted November 4, 2014 Share Posted November 4, 2014 Replay is part of the Fantasy Masterworks series. That's very true. I just felt it was more science-fiction because of the 'time travel' re-doing element, than fantasy, so I classed it as that. I don't know what the official definitions are, I just like to organise my books in ways that make sense to me . If you do try Replay, Brian, it's a really good book. EDIT: Btw, I've read some Dutch fantasy books under 300 pages that I liked, but I don't think they were translated so that wouldn't help you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muggle not Posted November 4, 2014 Share Posted November 4, 2014 (edited) Also, consider Neil Gaiman. Two of his books that I really liked were The Graveyard Book (336 pages) and Stardust (368 pages). Edited November 4, 2014 by muggle not Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian. Posted November 4, 2014 Author Share Posted November 4, 2014 Good for you Brian! Two words: Jack Vance. I know he's not everybody's bowl of rice but I had to mention him first I have seen you talk about Jack Vance a lot, I'll add it to my list. Have you read Lord of the Rings or The Hobbit by J.R. Tolkien. They are not short books but there are none more enjoyable, IMHO. I have the books but I am yet to read any of them, I wanted to try something a little lighter first. Despite this, I'm not sure if the LOTR trilogy is heavy going or not so that may just be an unfair judgement on my part. Here are some of my recommendations for fantasy under 300 pages: Brandon Sanderson - The Emperor's Soul (short novella) Terry Pratchett - any of his shorter works, for example The Carpet People or Discworld 4: Mort (humourous fantasy) J. K. Rowling - Harry Potter 1: Harry Potter And The Philosopher's Stone G. P. Taylor - Wormwood 1: Wormwood Anne McCaffrey - The Dragonriders Of Pern 1: Dragonflight (my Dutch copy has 319 pages, I'm not sure of the English copy) I second Replay as I really enjoyed this book, however I have it classified as science-fiction so it's not in my fantasy list. I have some of the Discworld books and I have also been meaning to read the Harry Potter books for a while. I'm leaning towards that direction I think as they always get great reviews. My suggestion and recommendation is a book series with more than 300 pages per book, but I think it's one that you might really like: The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde We have a lot of Fforde fans on here, and I think you're one of those who would most likely find delight in the literary world of Thursday Next. Jasper Fforde is another name I have seen mentioned around here a lot so I'll be sure to check it out. Also, consider Neil Gaiman. Two of his books that I really liked were The Graveyard Book (336 pages) and Stardust (368 pages). I have actually read one of Neil Gaiman's books (Neverwhere) and I absolutely loved it. It turns out I have actually read some fantasy already. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poppy Posted November 4, 2014 Share Posted November 4, 2014 I second Muggle's suggestion of Neil Gaiman. A wonderful place to start .....or finish, for that matter You might like Anansi Boys by him as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raven Posted November 5, 2014 Share Posted November 5, 2014 The "Fantasy" label covers a wide range of sins, is there anything in particular that you are interested in? Swords and sorcery; comedy; contemporary etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobertSouthard Posted December 16, 2014 Share Posted December 16, 2014 If you are a fan of fantasy genre novels then you must read all the books of harry potter series, lords of the ring series and twilight sage series. All these books have best fantasy stories and much more action that is shown in movies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Felidae Posted January 22, 2015 Share Posted January 22, 2015 Fantasy is such a large genre, have seen books come by in this genre that I abhor and books I love, also.. they're very different. Classic fantasy in my opinion is the Tolkien-esque idea of a magical, medieval world with sorcerers and elves etc. Then there are books like Harry Potter, sorcery but very.. mundane. Jack Vance and Anne McCaffrey are partially science fiction. Juliet Marillier is good fantasy if you love celtic fairy tales, don't know if her books are under 300 pages though. There are many books comprised of fantasy stories by above authors, stories of max 100 pages, maybe that's an idea, to sample several different authors that way? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nollaig Posted January 22, 2015 Share Posted January 22, 2015 If you're open to something a bit dark and grown up, I'd suggest The Magicians by Lev Grossman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Felidae Posted January 23, 2015 Share Posted January 23, 2015 Looked that one up, thought hey that looks interesting, then went to the "want to read" button (Goodreads of course).. and found it was already on my TBR list. Heh, that list is wayyy too long. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dtrpath27 Posted January 25, 2015 Share Posted January 25, 2015 (edited) So very late to this party, but for what it's worth, here are my two cents: My suggestion and recommendation is a book series with more than 300 pages per book, but I think it's one that you might really like: The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde We have a lot of Fforde fans on here, and I think you're one of those who would most likely find delight in the literary world of Thursday Next. I second this! (Jumping up and down waving my arms in the air) I absolutely love the Thursday Next series and couldn't recommend it more highly. Probably my favorite series. Also, consider Neil Gaiman. Two of his books that I really liked were The Graveyard Book (336 pages) and Stardust (368 pages).Another great recommendation. His style is rather haunting and quite unique. He has several wonderful titles to choose from, many at the length you wanted. Edited January 25, 2015 by dtrpath27 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nollaig Posted January 25, 2015 Share Posted January 25, 2015 Looked that one up, thought hey that looks interesting, then went to the "want to read" button (Goodreads of course).. and found it was already on my TBR list. Heh, that list is wayyy too long. You mean The Magicians? I've raved about it before, I'm sure. Boy lives in our world. Boy gets invitation to attend school of magic. Boy attends, discovers there's an amazing fantasy world out there. No, this is not Harry Potter. This is the book where the darkest consequences of such great power are imagined. I must reread it. For the fourth time. (It ain't flawless, none of my favourites are, but there's a grittiness I love about it.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Felidae Posted January 27, 2015 Share Posted January 27, 2015 Yup I meant that one.. see this is why I rejoined a book forum, Goodreads made me ill with all the books that I thought sounds interesting yet turned out childish YA. Even with review reading I never knew what to expect. Like my TBR list wasnt long enough. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G Man Posted February 9, 2015 Share Posted February 9, 2015 Jim Butchers Codex Alera series was my first and still is without doubt one of the best fantasy series I have ever read, it give me bloody goosebumps it was that good in parts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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