While reading other replies to your question, I realized how I have limited my fantasy reading and there aren't too many series I have actually loved. I hope this means I am a discerning reader but maybe I don't know as much about fantasy as I thought I did. The Shannara books and Sword of Truth by Terry Brooks have always been my favorites until I read the Otherland Series by Tad Williams and found myself completely engrossed in virtual reality. I recently read the Fever Series by Karen Marie Moning and loved how she included some eroticism into her novels.
I don't know if the Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins can be considered fantasy, but it was some of the best story and plot I have ever read.
shayshebang wrote:While reading other replies to your question, I realized how I have limited my fantasy reading and there aren't too many series I have actually loved. I hope this means I am a discerning reader but maybe I don't know as much about fantasy as I thought I did. The Shannara books and Sword of Truth by Terry Brooks have always been my favorites until I read the Otherland Series by Tad Williams and found myself completely engrossed in virtual reality. I recently read the Fever Series by Karen Marie Moning and loved how she included some eroticism into her novels.
I don't know if the Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins can be considered fantasy, but it was some of the best story and plot I have ever read.
I am new to reading Fantasy fiction but I am now a big fan! I read the fever series and loved it and I just finished reading The Hunger Games series and was glued to the books. Since we agreed on those two series I will now read the other series you mentioned because I think we seem to like the same things, so thanks for the suggestions.
I also have read the Game of Thrones series, #5 soon to come out, I think in August. I liked the series but it goes on a bit.
my favorites are
1.Midkemia series by Feist all of them riftwar through the latest
2.Death Gate cycle by Weis and Hickman
3.Dreden Files and Codex Alera series by Jim Butcher
and to the poster tha was wondering where Ashenshugar got his name frrom, it was from the riftwar saga, The Valheru that wore the armor that Tomas found which turned him into a Valheru Lite, was called Ashenshugar. (Just in case you havent found out yet since I dont believe he answered you 
)
tollertwins wrote:Thot I'd throw a few 'out of the mainstream' reads in here...most of my other faves have already been mentioned (some repeatedly).
Sherwood Smith - Inda
Pamela Freeman - The Castings Trilogy
Michael Sullivan - The Riyria Revelations
The last is much lighter in tone than most 'epic' fantasy - but a 'swashbuckling' good read!
For paranormal series - do we have to be on the other board?
Have to, no. Preferably, yes. This is an Epic fantasy thread.
Though why don't you come on over to the paranormal board. It a party too, just a different flavor.
No need to limit your fun.
I really love Ranger's Apprentice series. Also another great series is the Redwall series as well.
The Ruins of Gorlan (Ranger's Apprentice Series #1)
Melissa_W
I have to confess, I started reading Game of Thrones because I don't have HBO and everyone said the series adaptation was really good....and about 10 days later I finished A Feast for Crows. I still can't believe I enjoyed the Song of Ice and Fire series so much and I can't wait for A Dance of Dragons this July!
Glad to see Robin McKinley's The Hero and the Crown (and The Blue Sword) has been mentioned here. That's one of my all-time favorite books, and I enjoyed reading it at 24 as much as I did at 12.
I enjoyed Lloyd Alexander's Chronicles of Prydain books, too, but not nearly as much as I would have had I not already been spoiled by The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings when I read them. No disrespect, but Alexander's series seemed half-baked by comparison. Or maybe I was just too entranced by the Noldor.
Pratchett's Discworld is my favorite series currently; with Small Gods far and away the best of the set IMO.
But I think all of my picks have already been listed, so it must be time to start reading some of the others you've all named!
Melissa_W wrote:I have to confess, I started reading Game of Thrones because I don't have HBO and everyone said the series adaptation was really good....and about 10 days later I finished A Feast for Crows. I still can't believe I enjoyed the Song of Ice and Fire series so much and I can't wait for A Dance of Dragons this July!
Yup. I wish I could watch the series but loved the books. In a way A Song of Ice and Fire has kind of ruined fantasy for me... everything else seems kind of childish in some way. I am patiently waiting for Dance. (Can't come soon enough).
