Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.
With everyone talking about the latest and greatest, I thought I'd share a few older fantasy novels that I read in the past and loved.
(And not a single one with dragons!)
Graceling by Kristin Cashore (Goodreads) It's been so long I can't even remember much about this book but it was one of the first YA fantasy novels I read that had an amazingly strong-willed female MC and I loved it.
Stardust by Neil Gaiman (Goodreads) One of the many reasons why I love Gaiman's books. I adored this story. I enjoyed the movie as well.
Into the Land of the Unicorns by Bruce Coville (Goodreads) Okay, this is kind of a lame rec but I adored unicorns as a little girl and it's probably another reason why I love fantasy novels. All of my unicorn love came from books I had read! I think I transitioned to dragons after reading The Hobbit in 6th grade though. lol
The Changeling Sea by Patricia A. McKillip (Goodreads) This is but one of her many beautiful stories. I've read so many of them and while the stories do not always stand strongly in my memory, I never forget just how lovely her writing is!
A Fistful of Sky by Nina Kiriki Hoffman (Goodreads)
This fantasy takes place in our world (does that make it magical realism?) but has magic in it. She wrote a trilogy that is quite similar that I loved.
The Charmed Sphere by Catherine Asaro (Goodreads) This is the first in a fantasy romance series with a unique magic system. I've read the first 3 and loved them all.
Thief's Covenant by Ari Marmell (Goodreads) I feel like anyone looking for assassin books similar to Nevernight or Throne of Glass should check out this series. I've only read the first book but it was fantastic!
The Legend of Drizzt series by R.A. Salvatore (Goodreads) I can't just name one book in this series even though it's actually a bunch of series. Homeland is part of the Dark Elf trilogy about Drizzt's homeland which is underground. Seriously, these are all amazing fantasy novels and this guy writes the best fight scenes I've ever read! I was hardcore into these a decade ago!
The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch (Goodreads) I cover-bought this one through a mail service a decade or so ago but it still sticks with me as one of my favorite fantasy novels! I know it has had a resurgence recently which is much deserved because it's an awesome series.
And one recent fantasy novel in case you are looking for something new:
Shadows of the Dark Crystal by J.M. Lee (Goodreads) Based off of the movie, The Dark Crystal, this book is the start to a sort of prequel series that is sooo fantastic! If you enjoyed the movie at all, definitely check this out! It's written so well and covers more of the world the movie was set in!
Top Ten Hidden Gems in the Fantasy Genre
With everyone talking about the latest and greatest, I thought I'd share a few older fantasy novels that I read in the past and loved.
(And not a single one with dragons!)
Graceling by Kristin Cashore (Goodreads) It's been so long I can't even remember much about this book but it was one of the first YA fantasy novels I read that had an amazingly strong-willed female MC and I loved it.
Stardust by Neil Gaiman (Goodreads) One of the many reasons why I love Gaiman's books. I adored this story. I enjoyed the movie as well.
Into the Land of the Unicorns by Bruce Coville (Goodreads) Okay, this is kind of a lame rec but I adored unicorns as a little girl and it's probably another reason why I love fantasy novels. All of my unicorn love came from books I had read! I think I transitioned to dragons after reading The Hobbit in 6th grade though. lol
The Changeling Sea by Patricia A. McKillip (Goodreads) This is but one of her many beautiful stories. I've read so many of them and while the stories do not always stand strongly in my memory, I never forget just how lovely her writing is!
A Fistful of Sky by Nina Kiriki Hoffman (Goodreads)
This fantasy takes place in our world (does that make it magical realism?) but has magic in it. She wrote a trilogy that is quite similar that I loved.
The Charmed Sphere by Catherine Asaro (Goodreads) This is the first in a fantasy romance series with a unique magic system. I've read the first 3 and loved them all.
Thief's Covenant by Ari Marmell (Goodreads) I feel like anyone looking for assassin books similar to Nevernight or Throne of Glass should check out this series. I've only read the first book but it was fantastic!
The Legend of Drizzt series by R.A. Salvatore (Goodreads) I can't just name one book in this series even though it's actually a bunch of series. Homeland is part of the Dark Elf trilogy about Drizzt's homeland which is underground. Seriously, these are all amazing fantasy novels and this guy writes the best fight scenes I've ever read! I was hardcore into these a decade ago!
The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch (Goodreads) I cover-bought this one through a mail service a decade or so ago but it still sticks with me as one of my favorite fantasy novels! I know it has had a resurgence recently which is much deserved because it's an awesome series.
And one recent fantasy novel in case you are looking for something new:
Shadows of the Dark Crystal by J.M. Lee (Goodreads) Based off of the movie, The Dark Crystal, this book is the start to a sort of prequel series that is sooo fantastic! If you enjoyed the movie at all, definitely check this out! It's written so well and covers more of the world the movie was set in!
Have you read any of these books or authors? Are there any lesser known fantasy books you would recommend to me?
Oh nice! I chose this one too! Lol! Going to have to look into some of these!
ReplyDeleteHere's my Tuesday Post
Have a GREAT day!
Old Follower :)
I love that you went with older titles. There are so many great books out there and I've missed so many of them! Fantasy is a genre I've really been wanting to read more of but am never quite sure where to start. I like what you say about Patricia A. McKillip's writing and I'm always up to try a Neil Gaiman! I've only read one (The Graveyard book) but I loved it.
ReplyDeleteHaven't read any, sorry! Fantasy is not my top genre though I'd like to read more things like Game of Thrones.
ReplyDeleteThe Gracelling has some amazing reviews. I hope to get to it one day.
ReplyDeleteCarmen / Carmen`s Reading Corner
I've heard amazing things about the Graceling series but have yet to read it. Why is that?! Maybe i'll pick it up at the library tomorrow :) love your list!!
ReplyDeleteMy TTT:Hidden Gems in YA
I'm not huge on fantasy, so I've only read one of these. I really, really liked STARDUST, though :)
ReplyDeleteHappy TTT!
I loved the Graceling books! They were wonderful, and although I heard it's very different from these books, I am looking forward to Cashore's new book.
ReplyDeleteOf these I've only read Graceling and I wasn't a huge fan.
ReplyDeleteMy TTT: https://jjbookblog.wordpress.com/2017/08/29/top-ten-tuesday-122/
Graceling and Stardust are two I'd like to read. And I've seen Catherine Asaro's sci fi stuff but didn't know she wrote fantasy too!
ReplyDeleteDrizzt for the win! I got my 15-year-old hooked on reading R. A. Salvatore because she loves playing Neverwinter. Awesome list!
ReplyDeleteHere is our TTT