Can you recommend a good fantasy novel?

I hear that question a lot. Where to start discovering great fantasy books? Here are some good stuff to read. Click on any of the titles to buy the book. :)

Fantasy goes way back. It's perhaps the oldest genre of storytelling. Consider Homer's Iliad and Odyssey, perhaps the first fantasy epics written. Even thousands of years ago, we enjoyed stories of magic and adventure. During the Middle Ages, fantasy epics such as Beowulf or the tales of King Arthur were popular. Later on, we find fantasy tales such as A Midsummer Night's Dream.

Moving right along, we come to the godfather of modern fantasy literature, Tolkien. If you are reading this, odds are you've already read Tolkien's fantasy novels. If you haven't, why not try them? You can start by reading The Hobbit, then move on to the complex and mature The Lord of the Rings. Finally, you might want to try the newly released The Children of Hurin. J.R.R. Tolkien wrote bits and pieces of Hurin decades ago. Only recently did his son collect the notes and organize them into a book.

Other classic fantasy novels are The Last Unicorn by Peter S. Beagle and The Neverending Story by Michael Ende. And of course, don't forget to read The Princess Bride. Hey, we all watched the movie versions of these last two, so why not read the books?

Guy Gavriel Kay wrote the fantasy novel Tigana, which many fans considered among the best fantasy books out there. A good choice for somber, serious fantasy. You might want to try Stalking the Unicorn, by Mike Resnick, a novel that mixes fantasy with mystery. Also be sure to check out Octavia Butler's haunting Wild Seed.

While not fantasy per se, The House of the Spirits, by Isabel Allende, contains many magical elements. I also recommend the beautifully illustrated Faeries, a book about magic and folklore.

Also check out the Dragonlance books, which are perfect for younger readers just getting into fantasy, but are also great for adults. Many books were written in the series, but the two original trilogies are the best. Start by reading The Dragonlance Chronicles, the first trilogy. Then continue to the darker, more complex, more mature trilogy, Dragonlance Legends.

I believe that the Amber books are true fantasy classics, some of the best novels out there, regardless of genre. The author, Roger Zelazny, also wrote Lord of Light.

Another master of fantasy literature is George R. R. Martin. He's written many good things, but his magnum opus is his series "A Song of Ice and Fire". The first book is A Game of Thrones. This is followed by A Clash of Kings, A Storm of Swords, and the latest installment, A Feast for Crows.

Robin Hobb is another talented contemporary writer of fantasy novels. I recommend her trilogy "Liveship Traders". The three books are Ship of Magic, Mad Ship, and Ship of Destiny.

Finally, remember to check out my own contribution to fantasy literature, Firefly Island. A cruel king, his flesh made of stone, tyrannizes the enchanted Firefly Island. No sword or arrow can harm him. Aeolia, a servant girl, can magically share feelings and senses... even pain. Only she, by hurting herself, can hurt the mad monarch. But can she save the island from his grasp? Read the first chapter, read reviews, and order your copy.

If you know any other great fantasy novels, please let me know. I look forward to hearing from you.

Daniel