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So I used to be a an avid reader. But, after reading such amazing series like the wheel of time, the seeker (richard+kahlan series), the lies of locke lamore and others, I have not been able to find another book that has grabbed me into it. I've tried a few but they just don't do it for me. So, for the past few months I have not been reading much at all and I really want to find books that would grab my attention and pull me into the story. I read mostly fantasy books so that would be the genre I would want to find books in.

Twilight.

/runs away

Seriously, though, you might try the Belgariad series. I greatly enjoyed those books, but they are likely not for everyone. There is also my favourite Piers Anthony book, On a Pale Horse.

And this is going out on a limb, but you might try To Kill A Mockingbird. It isn't fantasy, but it is a great read.

Dark Tower series by Stephen King. It's kind of a mix of sci fi/fantasy.

Song of Ice and Fire series is commonly recommended, and for good reason. Good writing, a nice diversity of characters and locations, and Martin doesn't pull any punches in regards to protecting any characters.

The Mistborn series is also quite good. Sanderson writes at a good pace, his magic system was quite interesting, and there's rarely a dull moment.

Patrick Rothfuss's Name of the Wind was also quite good, as was the sequel The Wise Man's Fear. The main character comes off just a bit like a Mary Sue, but seeing as how you loved Legend of the Seeker, that shouldn't be a problem.

You can also just read this guide here, which seems to have lots of excellent choices: http://www.bestfantasybooks.com/top25-fantasy-books.php

12/28/2011 01:57 PMPosted by Kurnea

Song of Ice and Fire series is commonly recommended, and for good reason

Just ordered the 4 piece boxed set on amazon for $25.00, should be here any day. If the book is half as good as the HBO series, I won't be putting that puppy down!

Anything By Brandon Sanderson. He is nothing short of AMAZING. He is the author fininshing the Wheel of Time, and he finds time to churn out two to three book a year(at least it feels like its that often).

The Deed of Paksenarion trilogy by Elizabeth Moon

Chains of Ice, buy, i think his name was David Eriksson. That's the third book, though. I can't seem to remember the name of the first.

12/31/2011 03:02 PMPosted by Sarror

Chains of Ice, buy, i think his name was David Eriksson. That's the third book, though. I can't seem to remember the name of the first.

little bit mixed up there i believe. i think you are referring to the Malazan Book of the Fallen, by Steven Erikson.

1. Gardens of the Moon
2. Deadhouse Gates
3. Memories of Ice
4. House of Chains
5. Midnight Tides
6. The Bonehunters
7. Reapers Gale
8. Toll the Hounds
9. Dust of Dreams
10. The Crippled God

The Malazan Book of the Fallens is set in a universe created by Steven Erikson and his friend Ian Cameron Esslemont. Esslemont also writes books set in the Malazan Universe:

1. Night of Knives
2. Return of the Crimson Guard
3. Stonewielder

The ten books of the main story, the Book of the Fallen, far and away top my list for greatest high fantasy saga ever written. My number two choice, the Wheel of Time, still falls far behind the Malazan books. I must recommend these books with a warning though. You will get no explanations or background. You get thrown into the story, the NOW of the characters, and must take them as they are. There are very few moments where the characters explain the history and the background of the Malazan world to someone, you must infer, and even unto the end you remain in ignorance of many things, just like a regular person. All that defines your experience is simply whatever happens on your journey with these extraordinary characters...

"Out of your depth, Captain? Don't worry, every damn person here's out of their depth. Some know it, some don't. It's the ones who don't you got to worry about. Start with what's right in front of you and forget the rest for now. It'll show up in its own time." - Toc the Younger

"Name none of the fallen, for they stood in our place, and stand there still in each moment of our lives. Let my death hold no glory, and let me die forgotten and unknown. Let it not be said that I was one among the dead to accuse the living." - Duiker

"What the soul can house, flesh cannot fathom." - Imarak, First Destriant

"Tell me, Tool, what dominates your thoughts?"
The Imass shrugged before replying. "I think of futility, Adjunct."
"Do all Imass think of futility?"
"No few think at all."
"Why is that?"
The Imass leaned his head to one side and regarded her. "Because, Adjunct, it is futile."

The Dark is Rising, The book of three series is really good. The series goes - The Book of Three, The Black Cauldron, The Castle of Llyr, Taran Wanderer, and The High King. Hunger games too.

I've picked my last 5 or so books / series from this list, and I have to say it has yet to disappoint.

http://www.bestfantasybooks.com/top25-fantasy-books.php

Check out any of Brandon Sanderson's novels, namely The Mistborn Trilogy and The Stormlight Archives.

Try reading the Belgaraid series from David Eddings.

Book 1 - Pawn of Prophecy
Book 2 - Queen of Sorcery
Book 3 - Magician's Gambit
Book 4 - Castle of Wizardry
Book 5 - Enchanters End Game

I re-read them all at least once a year.

I'd recommend Song of Ice and Fire over the Belgariad. I found the cast of the Belgariad to be rather shallow and lacking in development and depth.

Some solid suggestions here. I'd hesitate to recommend the Belgariad, however. It is very much a YA series and is quite simplistic. For what it is though, it's a fun read. I have fond memories of reading it when I was younger.

For some not mentioned yet, I'd definitely recommend the First Law series by Joe Abercrombie. Be aware before you go in that it's pretty much a deconstruction of the fantasy genre and its tropes, and Abercrombie is not afraid to take his series into very dark places. Two of the best characters in fantasy are found in this series, Inquisitor Glokta the self-loathing torturer and Logen Ninefingers, the savage fighter who seeks to change his own nature.

I would also suggest Guy Gavriel Kay's books. He is one of the finest prose stylists in any genre, and his skill with characterization is unmatched. I'd recommend starting with The Lions of Al-Rassan, or A Song for Arbonne.

I would also suggest Guy Gavriel Kay's books. He is one of the finest prose stylists in any genre, and his skill with characterization is unmatched. I'd recommend starting with The Lions of Al-Rassan, or A Song for Arbonne.

I'm in the middle of Tigana and I am haveing a hard time getting into it. I don't care for his style at all. The first chapter feels like im reading Dennis Miller. On occasion it gets interesting and a few of the characters are well developed, but overall I cand bring myself to care about them.

12/31/2011 04:53 AMPosted by Ordigar

The Deed of Paksenarion trilogy by Elizabeth Moon

OMG yes!!! I can not recommend this book enough. I've never read about a more dynamic and real person than her. I read the books over and over and bought a copy for my daughter for Christmas.

I would suggest the 'Deverry Cycle' series by Katherine Kerr, it really is quite an epic saga, with storylines that span generations.

The Silmarillion. No matter how much fantasy I read, I just keep coming back to it.

The Belgariad was a fun series, easy to get while also having an interesting world to poke your head into. And I'd strongly second Steven Erikson's A Tale of the Malazan Book of the Fallen series. I know many people have trouble reading it, and having reread most of the books in the series at least once I understand where they're coming from. But !@#$%^-, it's still one of the most amazing pillars of modern high fantasy I've ever seen. The Crippled God unleashed so much awesome my brain still goes a bit numb just thinking about it (although the K'Chain Che'Malle still strike me as somewhat weird).

I mean, people say George R.R. Martin has a lot of characters he follows in A Song of Ice and Fire (another great series, as well), but Steven Erikson literally has HUNDREDS OF CHARACTERS. You don't really realize it, but if you get to the end of the series, then look back through it all, and start counting, you just kind of go... how the hell did he manage to keep them all straight all the time?! o_O

It's like comparing checkers to chess to taikyoku shogi, your brain just recoils for a second.

A Tale of the Malazan Book of the Fallen lays claim to the most incredible build-ups, characterizations, and events I've ever seen outside the Silmarillion, they're both simply on a different plane... or warren?

12/30/2011 05:15 PMPosted by Straasha

Anything By Brandon Sanderson. He is nothing short of AMAZING. He is the author fininshing the Wheel of Time, and he finds time to churn out two to three book a year(at least it feels like its that often).

I recently read The Way of Kings and was completely floored. Can't wait for the next book.

If you're into historical fiction as well as fantasy, anything by Bernard Cornwell (just ordered Death of Kings, the latest installment in the Saxon-era epic involving the wars between the Saxons and Danes).

And then there's Orson Scott Card's earlier sci-fi/fantasy works before he got stuck in the Ender's Saga rut. Seventh Son, Hart's Hope, Songmaster, Wyrms are all fantastic pieces of imaginative literature.

12/31/2011 05:55 PMPosted by Eithris

"Out of your depth, Captain? Don't worry, every damn person here's out of their depth. Some know it, some don't. It's the ones who don't you got to worry about. Start with what's right in front of you and forget the rest for now. It'll show up in its own time." - Toc the Younger

"Name none of the fallen, for they stood in our place, and stand there still in each moment of our lives. Let my death hold no glory, and let me die forgotten and unknown. Let it not be said that I was one among the dead to accuse the living." - Duiker

"What the soul can house, flesh cannot fathom." - Imarak, First Destriant

"Tell me, Tool, what dominates your thoughts?"
The Imass shrugged before replying. "I think of futility, Adjunct."
"Do all Imass think of futility?"
"No few think at all."
"Why is that?"
The Imass leaned his head to one side and regarded her. "Because, Adjunct, it is futile."

"That's all you have to say? This is a momentous scene, you fat fool! This is where everything really, truly, finally begins! So squeeze the ale from your brain, mortal, and say something worthy of your kind. You stand before a god! Speak your eloquence for all posterity. Be profound!

"Profound... huh." Temper was silent for a long moment, studying the cobbles of the alley mouth. And then he lifted his helmed head, faced Shadowthrone, and said, "!@#$ off."

----

"Could I explain this, even to myself, I might someday make a claim to wisdom."

----

Banaschar grunted. "No, Lostara. She rarely speaks at all - you of all people should know that by now. No. Instead, she simply refused to waver from her path, and by that alone she has humbled the gods. Do you understand me? Humbled them."

Ruthan Gudd shook his head. "The gods are too arrogant to ever be humbled."

"A year ago, lying drunk on my cot, I would have agreed with you. So tell me now, will you fight for her?"

His eyes were thinned as he studied Banaschar, and then he said, "With all my heart."

The gasp that came from Lostara was almost a sob.

Its not fantasy but i think the Godfather is a good read for any fantasy or scifi fan. you can cut the setting and drop the story on any backdrop and it would be compelling (like how Starwars is a swords and magic story imposed on a scifi)