[Geralt]

Originally Posted by jgaiser

Unfortunately, most recommendations are a matter of opinion. What you consider garbage may be great fantasy to me.
Tell us a bit about the title/authors you enjoy *and* the titles/authors you consider garbage.

Yes, but after reading fantasy for ages, writing reviews and such, I would believe that a person can acquire such a thing as bit of a objectivity, and being able to tell what is shit from what is good. Pardon the language.

Originally Posted by Freeshadow

Well said Jerry.
There are already recommendations of fantasy genre pieces here on MR
I for myself think Eddings can't be recommended often enough
And of course! Sapkowskis Witcher series.
(The fact that anglophonics haven't discovered him until the rocketeering of the spinoff-games makes me wonder how many of the classical publishers gate-keepers are in fact gate sleepers only awaking when they hear "vampire" or "wizard-boy") *sigh*

I absolutely adore Sapkowski, how did you know?? ^_^
I read both Last Wish and Blood of Elves. Now waiting impatiently for Time of Contempt. I'm a big Witcher (story) fan :}

Originally Posted by maxiart

Also, you might find this place useful: http://www.fantasybookreview.co.uk/

Thanks for that link. I found that place too looking for some recommendations.

Originally Posted by DiapDealer

No lists or anonymous recommendations will help you completely avoid trash/garbage. I recommend not being quite so paranoid about encountering the occasional bit of trash and just read. You could actually discover a great book/author no one else knows about that way. And when you do come across something "bad"... just stop reading it. Libraries are great for trying out stuff you're leery of without committing $$.

In my opinion, a mission to never encounter (or purchase) "bad" books is the best way to ensure you're going to miss out on some great ones. And the bad ones probably won't leave any permanent scars even if you did happen to accidentally finish a couple of them.

That is true, but I figure it can minimise the damage. Its more about the time for me. I dont want to waste my time reading garbage, when there are so many good books out there. Plus, I have to read a lot for my study, so reading fantasy is a luxury time for me. I dont want to waste it in vain.


Thanks to everyone who recommended me something, I will check it out.

As for questions of what I like, I must say I'm just a beginner in reading fantasy, but I found my self quite enthralled by it. My favourite authors are Andrzej Sapkowski and Sergei Lukyanenko (his Night Watch tetralogy is amazing). I like dark and gritty stuff, atmospheric and without the necessary division of evil/good. Moody and satirical main character, you know the antihero type (hello Geralt ). Occasional element of horror is welcomed, as well as typical magical/mythological stuff. Different spin of vampire/werewolf/zombie is always welcomed. No romance please, or very little. I tend not to enjoy the sappy stuff. I dont like comedy either so much.

I hope with this you can give me some recs responding more to my preferences.

Thank you all for answering.
Cheers.