BestFantasyBooks.com has some good recommendations on what makes a fantasy book good or bad. The major points include:
- Fantasy Books must scream originality
- Fantasy Books must draw you into their world
- Fantasy Books must have a well-drawn, unique magic system
- Fantasy Books must have strong characterization
Perhaps it’s my choice of fantasy books, but it seems to me that too many of them do not comply with major point #1. It’s almost like they’re written to formula like (gasp) romance novels . . .
Charlie, what type of fantasy novels do you read? Which ones would you recommend?
I’m a fantasy newbie, really, and my first series was GRRM–I think he really spoiled me for the genre because the “world” he created mimics the real-world medieval period (save for Dany’s dragons).
I went on from there to Terry Brooks, Robert Jordan, and Robin Hobb. I tired of Brooks and Jordan after about 4 books each and Hobb, the best at characterization, started to drag in the third book of her first trilogy.
None of the three screamed originality to me.
The thing I like best about GRRM and Cornwell is they write for adults: language, sexual situations, and graphic battle descriptions.
I’m leery of recommendations from LT or Amazon because of Brooks and Goodkind, so I have not been reading fantasy at all.
I had a similar experience as you. I worked in a bookstore with a bunch of fantasy fans, and one of them suggested GRRM, and ever since, I’ve had a tough time finding fantasy novels I truly enjoy and that are original. I did like Assassin’s Apprentice by Hobb, but I haven’t read the other books yet in the Farseer Trilogy.
Bernard Cornwell is my favorite author at the moment. I was introduced to him through his Grail Quest Series, and I’m working my way through the Saxon Chronicles right now.
Seems we both share many of the same interests in authors/novels we read.
. . . and that are original.
So you DO agree with me about point #1 and “screaming” originality!
Perhaps the series I like best of all is King’s The Dark Tower. Not only is the writing his best, especially volume 1, but it is a fine blend of fantasy, SF, and horror. A lot of people complained about the ending, but I thought it was brilliant.
Sorry for the delayed response. My Web site was having some loading issues over the weekend. I’ve never read the Dark Tower series. What’s it about? What makes it so good in your opinion?