A Fantasy Novel YOU would recommend

[pdurrant]

I fear I may have inadvertently diverted the thread.

I don't think the original poster wanted recommendation only of stand-alone fantasy novels. My reference to "Only one?" was to only one recommendation. My references to "a nice stand-alone" was to counter the large number of recommendations of series books I expected to find.

Originally Posted by pdurrant

Only one? But there's so many good ones! Of course, many are part of a long series of books. How about a nice stand-alone for a change?

[Greg Anos]

The Way of Ecben, by James Branch Cabell. Short but worthy.

Where do you draw the line between Fantasy and Science Fiction and Horror?

I also recommend Black God's Shadow, the Jirel of Joriy stories, by Catherine L Moore. She wrote 50 page Novelettes/Novellas as well as shorter stories. Depending on where you draw the line above, I would include Scarlet Dreams, the Northwest Smith yarns, and her short stories, Daemon and Tryst in Time.

[DixieGal]

It was clear to me.

How about Beowulf?

[toomanybooks]

I loved Enchantment by Orson Scott Card. As far as I know this is his only fantasy novel.

[wayspooled]

Originally Posted by Ralph Sir Edward

The Way of Ecben, by James Branch Cabell. Short but worthy.

I was thinking of that too.

and cheers to Silverlock!

[Dr. Drib]

Originally Posted by astra

I take it we are talking about stand alone fantasy books, right?

Tigana

The Last Light of the Sun

Both of them by Guy Guvriel Kay.

Yes, I created the thread to promote a single title. For example, perhaps one of the Xanth books stands out more than the others (for you), then that would be the one you would recommend.

It would be nice to explore the "why" also of liking a title so much. Just an idea.....


Don

[Dr. Drib]

Originally Posted by pdurrant

I fear I may have inadvertently diverted the thread.

I don't think the original poster wanted recommendation only of stand-alone fantasy novels. My reference to "Only one?" was to only one recommendation. My references to "a nice stand-alone" was to counter the large number of recommendations of series books I expected to find.

I wasn't clear in my post. Sorry.

I'm thinking of a fantasy novel that you particularly like and would recommend.

It can be part of a series, but even series novels often have a "stand out" novel in a series, one that is more memorable.

In fact, I believe Silverlock has a sequel (if my memory is correct), although it's considered to be a very poor sequel.

Anyway, a fantasy novel you would recommend, rather than a series that someone would recommend.

Don

[astra]

I cannot write reviews. Not in my first language and definitely not in English.
I either like a book or not. What else is there to say? Why I like it? Dunno. It was interesting to read.

Two very short sentences (albeit contradicting (contradiction is in italic) ):

Tigana (read in 2002)

I liked the book very much. Tigana is one of my favourite fantasy books. I believe that one volume fantasy usually are unsuccessful but Tigana proves opposite. I liked the story line, the subtle magic of the world and the history. I would recommend it to anyone who likes good fantasy. I think it is the best book by G.G. Kay.

The Last Light of the Sun (read in 2006)

One of the best fantasy books. It is better than Tigana imho. Tigana was sort of epic fantasy with wizards, etc. This one is a dark fantasy reminding me of Black Company by Glen Cook but in some ways it is even better. I am not very good at reviews, so I can only say that I really really liked the book. I would most definitely recommend this one. Love, death, heroes, loyalty, battles, ugliness of the war, unpredictable events and mystery. I am stunned. I never expected so much from a single volume fantasy work. 10 out of 10 without a cloud of doubt. The only slight drawback is a missing map.

[Dr. Drib]

Originally Posted by wayspooled

I was thinking of that too.

and cheers to Silverlock!

Ah, James Branch Cabell.

He's my favorite fantasy writer. I have a rather extensive collection of his works in First Edition, and an almost complete set of Kalki, the magazine edited by James Blish.

I'll post something tomorrow on which one of his works I like the best. [Hint: I love salacious sexual and humorous escapades - that is, when I'm not reading about dripping, slimy guts in some great horror novel.]



Don

[Greg Anos]

Originally Posted by Dr. Drib

Ah, James Branch Cabell.

He's my favorite fantasy writer. I have a rather extensive collection of his works in First Edition, and an almost complete set of Kalki, the magazine edited by James Blish.

I'll post something tomorrow on which one of his works I like the best. [Hint: I love salacious sexual and humorous escapades - that is, when I'm not reading about dripping, slimy guts in some great horror novel.]



Don

There Were Two Pirates?

[FireFeather]

The best novel I've read in YEARS.

The Lies of the Locke Lamora, by Scott Lynch
and its sequel
Red Seas Under Red Skies, by Scott Lynch

Both novels have amazing character development, situtations handled intelligently, and downright chilling plot twists and turns. I'm on the edge of my seat waiting for the next installment.

[Fledchen]

Die Unendliche Geschichte (The Neverending Story) by Michael Ende.

If you're rolling your eyes because of the film adaptation, I encourage you to give the book a chance. It's a multi-layered story that can be enjoyed just as much by adults as by children. I think it reads better in the original German (German seems better suited to made-up words), but the Ralph Mannheim English translation is decent, if a bit clunky in parts.

[Idoine]

Now The Neverending Story reminds me of another one, that made a movie too :

The Princess Bride, by William Goldman...

[mjh215]

Originally Posted by Dr. Drib

Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser books are my favorite novels featuring these two vagabonds and good-for-nothings!

They are two wonderful characters, and the writing is rich and delightful.

Don

I've loved those books since I was a teenager... And he was my introduction into pulp magazines like we discussed previously... I read through Lankhmar and then wanted the rest of his work which eventually led me to lots of old mags which of course led me to a whole variety of pulp authors...

-MJ

[Dr. Drib]

Originally Posted by Ralph Sir Edward

There Were Two Pirates?

My favorite James Branch Cabell novel, part of his series in "The Biography of Manuel," is "Something About Eve."

I own the 18 volume Storisende Edition set, and numerous Kalki editions.

I have four others in that series that I love equally, but Something About Eve hits all the religious and sexual taboos and pokes fun at them - that's exactly what I love when I want to read satirical fantasy.

I've assembled one of his books here for MobileRead readers in the Sony format, for anyone who's interested.

Remember: Mundus Vult Decipi, which is what Cabell concentrated on his his best fantasy works. I firmly believe this to be absolutely true and is thus a generator for my own humor.


Don