When it involves a number of the best fiction books the Fantasy genre is in an exceedingly category of its own for richness of storylines and ability to cater for varying tastes.... as demonstrated by JK Rowling whose books appeal to a wider audience than her initial target group.
Whereas historical novels, for example, will supply many story variations among the whole span of humankind's history, the fantasy genre proffers high selling fiction books that aren't limited by any parameters. From worlds solely real in the fertile minds (or is it febrile?) of a myriad of writers the fantasy genre isn't limited by reality or the short span of human history.
Nevertheless the genre, like sensible crime thrillers or historical novels, is imbued with some really great writers - nice in the way that their books:
? Are written with talent, feeling and imagination
? Have main characters who grow and modification in believable ways in which
? Are timeless and varied in their subject matter
? Maintain a reader's interest
? Communicate while not pretentious perspective
? Are great books to read for relaxation and pleasure
Horror - Shock - lowbrow reading... you say, Or Fairy Tales for adults?
Well, most of us develop loving fairy tales - and reading fantasy books is an extension of that - solely with the mindset of matured adults that keep us grounded and unafraid of our imaginations
A matter of Style or Preference
I have my favourites, and nevertheless there are a number of best selling books and authors that I don't or haven't scan .... as a result of of your time or preference ... e.g. I don't like Harry Turtledove or Terry Pratchett - but many do - as theirs are best selling books. Thus lack of inclusion does not mean they aren't sensible books to read. And, I've got forgotten some that I have scan, shame on me!
Good fantasy books aren't restricted to sword and sorcery and a few are set in worlds:
? created by authors (Feist's Midkemia & Kelewan)
? others set during this world (Tom Dietz's Fey series in Georgia)
? Others combine them both (Thomas Covenant Chronicles)
? or with one more twist just like the Tales of Alvin Maker
The formats vary so abundant - from tales of Beowulf to ancient Greece to imagined worlds peopled with magic, dragons and conflicts between good and evil to Arthur and the Spherical Table - to Superman and Smallville and everywhere in between.
There are newer authors like Christopher Paolini and his Eragon saga and therefore the tried and true like Stephen Lawhead; George R R Martin; Mercedes Lackey; Anne McCaffrey; Stephen Donaldson; Sheri S Tepper; Janny Wurts; Judith Tarr;Trudi Canavan
.... and several a lot of to suit the bookworm in you. They can be really satisfying recreational reading and can offer good reading motivation for children too.
Several of the best fantasy authors might teach the additional 'serious' writers (viz: Nobel or Booker Prize winners) a lesson or two on narrative construction, skillful characterisation, great use of language, imaginative storylines, understanding of human nature and suspenseful unfolding of tales that enthrall readers right to the end and leaving them wishing for a lot of ..... and, not like others, they do usually offer it.
Many fantasy books are structured on the previous formula of an obscure country lad who does good .... e.g. discovers he has latent powers that can .... eventually.... be the issue that saves the world.
Though that sounds trite, many great books are written inside that formula - fantasy novels that hold your interest from beginning to finish - utilising fine writing skills, deft dialogue, wealthy characterisation and intricate plotting.
Some, in fact remain bound by the trite - but even so, sometimes these too are readable. Also, most fantasy authors write their yarns in series of three to 5 volumes. Unfortunately, there appears to be a law of diminishing returns that grows exponentially anywhere once their second or third series or sometimes even the third or fourth book during a single series.
This is often NOT true of a author like Raymond E Feist or a David Gemmell, but it will be said of Terry Goodkind and, even one of my previous favourites, David Eddings. In my website, you'll notice more within the fantasy books section - scan and enjoy.
Author Resource:-
Adam has been writing articles online for nearly 2 years now. Not only does this author specialize in Magical Potions
You can also check out his latest website about
Wooden Wall ClockS Which reviews and lists the best
Unique Wall Clocks
![[Valid RSS feed]](http://article2008.com/images/feed-icon.png "XML Feed For RSS"){kind=icon}
![[Valid RSS feed]](http://article2008.com/images/icon_Rss.png "XML Feed For RSS"){kind=icon}
Category Rss Feed
Print This Article
Add To Favorites