What are Your top five Fantasy reads???

[Fantasy Doctor]

I'm creating this discussion for all the Fantasy lover out there. Like myself, I'm sure that you have all read copious amounts of Fantasy over the years. So here is the deal, write your top five favourite Fantasy novel or series and also we can also help each other out finding new adventures to read, I know I'm always in need of help! LOL

My Fantasy favourites.

1) Malazan Book Of The Fallen, By Steven Erikson.
2) Legend, By David Gemmell.
3) The Black Flame, By Rob Makellar.
4) A Song Of Ice And Fire, By George RR Martin.
5) Prince Of Nothing, By R Scott Bakker.

Wow! I've got to say guys that finding five out of all the amazing Fantasy novels I've read was tough going. Anyway I hope everyone enjoys this discussion, I'm looking forward to reading your top five favourites. :)

[Kate Shaw]

I know, this is an old thread but I just noticed it. :)

Fantasy Doctor, I don't think two people can have more different tastes in books than we do--which just goes to show how broad the fantasy genre is. Here are five of my favorites--of course, my favorites change constantly, so these are the ones I thought of first.

1) Swordspoint by Ellen Kushner
2) The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner
3) the Discworld series by Terry Pratchett
4) the Chrestomanci series by Diana Wynne Jones
5) Magic Lost, Trouble Found by Lisa Shearin (I just finished rereading this one so it's on my mind--it's lots of fun)

Come on, folks, let's see your lists!

[Fantasy Doctor]

I couldn't agree more with you Kate, this is why I love the fantasy genre so much. There is so much to choose from and enjoy. Your list is impressive, the only novel I've read is Terry Pratchet, he is a great author.

Oh thanks for replying by the way, I thought this post was lost a long time ago. lol

[Sarah Rose]

Hmmmm...Don't you think that's the hardest question ever? I mean, there are so many books! How could I possibly narrow the list down to five that I like most...Well, that's the best I can do: here's my top five ,though not in any particular order, just five books that I like.
1.A Song of Ice and Fire by George RR Martin.
2. The Farseer Trilogy by Robin Hobb.
3. Harry Potter by JK Rowling (shameful' I know, but i grew up on those).
4. The Mists of Avalon (and it's prequel) by Marion Zimmer Bradley.
5. Last one....hmm...I think it would be The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss.

I'm sure there're more and even better ones I could come up with, but these are the ones that popped to mind.

[Fantasy Doctor]

Aye Sarah it is a hard question, it took me several hours to finally come up with my list lol.

You've made a great list by the way, I've read most of them. Robin Hobb is amazing, but I've never read Marion Zimmer Bradley before. What are her novels like?

[Sarah Rose]

Hi, Fantasy Doctor,
I'm surprised you've never heard of Marion Zimmer Bradely before! I was under the impression that she was quite famous. She wrote many sci-fi novels (Darkover seires sound familiar?) but I never read any of them, since I hate sci-fi. However, I'm familiar with her historical fantasy novels. Her most famous novel, The Mists of Avalon, is a wonderful retelling of the Arthurian leged from a feminie point of view. Later she wrote other prequels to this book, and it was all expanded to the Avalon Series. Another famous book of hers is The Firebrand, which tells the story of the sack of Troy, from the pov of Cassandra.
I love her books! They're magical. emotional and present a different perspective on life. There're no good guys anf bad guys, just simple truths and facts.
what can I say? she's amazing.

[Fantasy Doctor]

Apologise for the late replies guys.

I've heard of her now Sarah, thanks to you I'll check some of her work out. I'm itching for a good Fantasy to read, it's been a while since I had one. I've been reading historic fiction of late, while this is good, it's not fantasy.

Thanks for your post Sarah. :)

[Nick]

I still haven't come up with a list! I know it is over-obvious, almost cliche for some, but all I know is that the grand ol' boy Prof. T. is first and top of the list. At the age of about 12/13, had a profound effect on my life at the time and lasts to this day. Reminds me that there is wonder to be experienced. The rest might change yearly, monthly, weekly, daily!

[Fantasy Doctor]

LOL....come on Nick, were is your list. :)

[drosdelnoch]

Tricky to be honest and tis hard to place in order:
1) Legend - David Gemmell
2) A song for Fire and Ice - GRRM
3) Malazan Book of the Fallen - Steven Erikson
4) Discworld - Terry Pratchett
5) (I'll need to think about this one some more)

[Fantasy Doctor]

Legend is a grand adventure, it's the fantasy novel that got me hooked on the genre. I've never read Terry Pratchet though, what are his books like?

[Cassandra]

Hard!
At least it's favourite not necessarily critically best as it were. Hmm...

1. Lord of the Rings by J. R. R. Tolkien (I've been reading it for 15 years and still love it, but I adore overly descriptive stuff sometimes).
2. Symphony of Ages by Elizabeth Haydon
3. Neverwhere [Anything I've read] by Neil Gaiman
4. Riftwar and Serpentwar series by Raymond E. Feist
5. Discworld by Prachett

(I notice GRRM got a lot of votes and I can also agree with that! He'd probably get 6th place.)

[Fantasy Doctor]

I'm just reading America Gods by Gaimen, I must admit I am very impressed by his work so far.

Never read any Haydon though, would you recommend her books to me?