For adults(ish)? I read David Edding’s Belgariad series almost 15 years ago, and I still haven’t found anything I love more. They are epic, heartwarming, and the dialogue is often hilarious. But if you’re ever in the mood for young adult fantasy, read the Enchanted Forest Chronicles by Patricia Wrede. They are fantastic. I re-read them every few years.
The Stormlight Archives by Brandon Sanderson, definitely. As for stand alones, I don’t have any recommendations, I would love to see what other people loved as stand alones; sometimes you just don’t want to start a series
I second David Eddings’ Belgariad/Mallorean/Elenium/Tamuli! Also Raymond Feist’s Midkemia series (starting with Magician), Patrick Rothfuss’ Kingkiller Chronicles, Jacqueline Carey’s Kushiel series, Pullman’s His Dark Materials series, and, of course Game of Thrones (but stick with the tv show, because at this rate, we’re never getting books six and seven ?)
I’m also a huge fan of urban fantasy, particularly Charles de Lint’s Newford series and Kevin Hearne’s Iron Druid series.
I love Neil Gamain for standalones! Neverwhere, American Gods….
@Jodi my son said one of the later books did (or would) focus on Shallan. He also explained how much work Sanderson puts into his world and magic. I didn’t understand
My friend (who made me read the book) and I have had an ongoing argument for the last 5 or so years about it- he says Sanderson is being innovative, I say that I don’t mind him breaking the rules, but he needs to establish his rules of Magic before breaking them.
I recently read Elantris, and in the forward it talked about how before he got published he basically wrote fluff. He was told the fate of the universe had to be at stake. I think that really explains a lot about his writing style.
Terry Brooks, Shannara books. Tad Williams, Osten Ard Series, JV Jones, Books of Words and Song of Shadows series. George RR Martin, Rothfuss, peter brett, demon cycle, Kristin Britain, Green Rider
Michael Moorcock (All of his series. They all tie in together, Piers Anthony (Xanth), The Thieves World series written by a group of top fantasists, Mervyn Peake (Titus Groan etc.), Roger Zelazney (The Chronicles of Amber).
I read a lot of epic fantasy when I was younger, but not much any more. I am a big fan of Mark Lawrence, though — Prince of Thorns, and Prince of Fools series. Now, I’m more of an urban fantasy fan — Ilona Andrews, Patricia Briggs, Seanan MacGuire, Kevin Hearne, Faith Hunter…
I would recommend Feist’s “Magician” and Zimmer-Bradley’s “Mists of Avalon” as stand-alones. Yes, both are the first book of what became a series, but both those series rapidly nose-dived. “Orcs” has thus far been a good series, and the “Mythago Wood” series is excellent.
I have a couple of favorite stand alones, I got tired of witing for books in series to be published. My two stand alone suggestions are Elantris by Brandon Sanderson and Uprooted by Naomi Novik.
Tad Williams “Memory Sorrow and Thorn” series. Written in the 80s, he is revisiting that world now with a new release “The Witchwood Crown”. It’s some of the very best high fantasy written. Williams steals ( and I mean that in a positive way, all good artists steal:) from those who went before him really well. Also, his “Otherland” series, combining fantasy and the early digital age.
Ditto The Kingkiller Chronicles. When I was younger, I greatly enjoyed Barbara Hambly — The Windrose Chronicles, the Darwath series, Sun Wolf and Starhawk, and James Asher series. Haven’t read any recently.
I loved the Red Rising trilogy by Pierce Brown.
AND The Kingkiller Chronicles by Patrick Rothfuss. I was so proud of myself when I finished those…longest books I ever read!!!!!!!
Very much endorse both of those series!
For adults(ish)? I read David Edding’s Belgariad series almost 15 years ago, and I still haven’t found anything I love more. They are epic, heartwarming, and the dialogue is often hilarious. But if you’re ever in the mood for young adult fantasy, read the Enchanted Forest Chronicles by Patricia Wrede. They are fantastic. I re-read them every few years.
“Trust me.”
Also, I strive to be as “I don’t give a f*ck” as Polgara every day of my life.
The Fionavar Tapestry. Guy Gavriel Kay.
The Stormlight Archives by Brandon Sanderson, definitely. As for stand alones, I don’t have any recommendations, I would love to see what other people loved as stand alones; sometimes you just don’t want to start a series
+1 for Stormlight Archives. So, so good.
@Sarah so good. I’m so excited for the next one
@Caitlin I have it pre-ordered as an audiobook, and am dying of anticipation!
I second David Eddings’ Belgariad/Mallorean/Elenium/Tamuli! Also Raymond Feist’s Midkemia series (starting with Magician), Patrick Rothfuss’ Kingkiller Chronicles, Jacqueline Carey’s Kushiel series, Pullman’s His Dark Materials series, and, of course Game of Thrones (but stick with the tv show, because at this rate, we’re never getting books six and seven ?)
I’m also a huge fan of urban fantasy, particularly Charles de Lint’s Newford series and Kevin Hearne’s Iron Druid series.
I love Neil Gamain for standalones! Neverwhere, American Gods….
The Way of Kings series by Sanderson
My husband and I love Brandon Sanderson’s books.
Does it get better? I read the first and was underwhelmed, though I liked Mistborn.
@Jodi my son and his friends love them. My husband and I read the first one but aren’t big sci-fi fans.
I loved Shallan’s (sp?) story more than the dude’s – and I can definitely say that I was mortally confused by his magic system, too ??
@Jodi my son said one of the later books did (or would) focus on Shallan. He also explained how much work Sanderson puts into his world and magic. I didn’t understand
Sue Steckel Solin he must! It’s so convoluted??
My friend (who made me read the book) and I have had an ongoing argument for the last 5 or so years about it- he says Sanderson is being innovative, I say that I don’t mind him breaking the rules, but he needs to establish his rules of Magic before breaking them.
We are at an impasse ??
I recently read Elantris, and in the forward it talked about how before he got published he basically wrote fluff. He was told the fate of the universe had to be at stake. I think that really explains a lot about his writing style.
Terry Brooks, Shannara books. Tad Williams, Osten Ard Series, JV Jones, Books of Words and Song of Shadows series. George RR Martin, Rothfuss, peter brett, demon cycle, Kristin Britain, Green Rider
Also Robert Jordan wheel of time
@Fredda If the editors had cut the books by half…..loved it but seriously bloated.
Stephen King’s Dark Tower series! Plus it’s being made into a movie this year.
Michael Moorcock (All of his series. They all tie in together, Piers Anthony (Xanth), The Thieves World series written by a group of top fantasists, Mervyn Peake (Titus Groan etc.), Roger Zelazney (The Chronicles of Amber).
Classic: Lord Of The Rings…no contest. More recent: Brandon Sanderson’s Stormlight Archive.
LOTR 4eva
Robin Hobb
Anything by Guy Gavriel Kay or Joe Abercrombie or Robin Hobb.
Terry Pratchett!! Discworld, so many great books!
I love that this recommendation works for series and standalone, in the case of most of his books, at the same time.
Robert Silverberg Prince Valentine’s Castle is first of truly epic series -Majipoor
Working on it again after thirty years- it’s still amazing!
I read a lot of epic fantasy when I was younger, but not much any more. I am a big fan of Mark Lawrence, though — Prince of Thorns, and Prince of Fools series. Now, I’m more of an urban fantasy fan — Ilona Andrews, Patricia Briggs, Seanan MacGuire, Kevin Hearne, Faith Hunter…
Jim Butcher.
Oooh, Seanan Maguire!!
Check out Charles de Lint as well–I love his Newford series!
If I must…Shannara.
Really? For me “Sword…” was a weak direct rip-off LoTR and it got weaker from there. Admittedly I stopped after the first 3, they could’ve got better.
Heh. I recognized it as exactly that as well, and stopped after ‘Elfstones’…
I would recommend Feist’s “Magician” and Zimmer-Bradley’s “Mists of Avalon” as stand-alones. Yes, both are the first book of what became a series, but both those series rapidly nose-dived. “Orcs” has thus far been a good series, and the “Mythago Wood” series is excellent.
I have a couple of favorite stand alones, I got tired of witing for books in series to be published. My two stand alone suggestions are Elantris by Brandon Sanderson and Uprooted by Naomi Novik.
https://www.amazon.com/Eye-Hunter-Mithgar-Dennis-McKiernan/dp/0451452682
I really enjoyed Terry Goodkind’s sword of truth series.
Tad Williams “Memory Sorrow and Thorn” series. Written in the 80s, he is revisiting that world now with a new release “The Witchwood Crown”. It’s some of the very best high fantasy written. Williams steals ( and I mean that in a positive way, all good artists steal:) from those who went before him really well. Also, his “Otherland” series, combining fantasy and the early digital age.
Good one! Love this series
Ditto The Kingkiller Chronicles. When I was younger, I greatly enjoyed Barbara Hambly — The Windrose Chronicles, the Darwath series, Sun Wolf and Starhawk, and James Asher series. Haven’t read any recently.
The Lies of Locke Lamora which is the first book in the (short) Gentlemen Bastards series by Scott Lynch.
Following for the recommendations lol