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It's a well written tale that has a lot to offer those who enjoy well written, well-plotted fantasy. If you want a more complex fantasy novel with a good dose of the bizarre, a sprinkle of noir, and a dash of pathos, The Etched City is it. You'll find a lot of comparisons with King's The Dark Tower, as both novels feature a dark, brooding hero tromping through a wasteland of a world. But the stories, in terms of similarities, end there. Bishop is a strong storyteller with a keen knack for crafting characters that don't fit into the normal mode.
You won't find those canned fantasy characters such as the spoiled princess, the dumb hero, the evil dark mage, etc. Rather, you will be presented with a cast of sometimes despicable characters, human warts and all.
Let me emphasize that if you are looking for standard fantasy village boy discovers secret power, gathers up companions including a beautiful princess in disguise, and sets off to fight a dark lord , you should look to other authors. But if you want an entirely different kind of fantasy, a dark, dirty, sensual fantasy where the norms are still yet undefined, where you can root for evil to win and the wretched to victory. Yes, it's that kind of novel. Don't think you can fit The Etched City into your standard fantasy. Reading this book is like going on a trip and experiencing something bizarre -- it's likely the experience may not be entirely comfortable when it's happening, but afterwards you wouldn't trade it for the world.
The Etched City is not always a comfortable read, nor is it a casual read. Concentration and attention on your part is required, but if you are prepared to put in the effort of reading the novel and it's not such an effort as you might think , there is a potent and wonderful story to lose yourself in.
It's unfortunate that even as of , the author has not written anything else. A magical tale about two magicians who take part in a competition where only one will be left standing. It's a dark, haunting and powerful tale, and hands down one of the best standalone novels I've ever read.
There are some shades of The Prestige in this novel, but only shadows; The Night Circus is a more intelligent and complex piece and it soon becomes apparent they are nothing alike. The prose is awesome beautiful without being too verbose and flowery. And the setting is just magical. The mysterious and magical Le Cirque des jumps from the pages seeming so vividly realized youcan almost see it from the words. The plot, of course, is enthralling; it keeps you entangled till the very end as you wait to see exactly how everything is going to play out.
This may scare some guys away from reading the book,but the book is a compelling read for both sexes. The Mists of Avalon is a refreshing take on the tale of King Arthur. In a tale that's traditionally told from the perspective of men, Mists of Avalon is pumped from the narrative of the traditionally maligned characters of Morgan and Guinevere. It's an interesting and arguably brilliant choice on the part of Bradley and imparts a unique perspective on the traditional tale.
There's a lot going on in the novel, such as the struggle of Christianity to become the dominant religion and push out the historic Celtic religion and its backers. This is a genuinely unique fantasy tale and a wholly riveting read -- for both men and women.
An absolute classic in the genre and pretty much required reading for anyone who loves fantasy. Don't let the fact that this book is almost 45 years old deter you from reading it; even in , this is a work that still stands very tall indeed; it's no hyperbole to say The Forgotten Beasts of Eld is one of the best stand-alone fantasy books every written. It's one of those unforgettable tale for all ages, a story with deep themes that make you feel like you've learned something good about what it means to be human at the end of the day.
While it's a magical tale that keeps you turning the pages, it's the surprising depth that keep you coming back to re-read it, time and time again. Don't skip on reading this absolute classic. It's a didactic tale, yes, but it's also a great story on it's own to boot -- one that won't let you go until the last page is turned. A powerful coming of age tale about a rejected half-goblin, half-elven prince who comes unexpectedly to power when an accident kills his father, the emperor, and half brothers.
It's a tale about a young prince who finds the confidence to lead his people as emperor and perhaps that he's even good at the job. Addison's world is fascinating -- complex, richly drawn, with regal customs, regulations, and social orderings. It's a strange foreign hierarchy bound by even stranger social norms, from rituals to language patterns. But it all works together to form a highly detailed setting that you just never want to leave.
Unlike much of the other modern fantasy being released that's always grim and dark with unlikable amoral heroes, The Goblin Emperor returns to some of the older fantasy classic norms with good heroes you can really get behind and root for -- heroes who always take the high road, even though they have suffered through many injustices. It's thoroughly refreshing and sorely missed in a genre now mostly populated with unhappy.
This made our Top 25 Best Fantasy Books of list and we consider it one of the best fantasy books of This novel is the hallmark classic read of every upper level English class at universities around the world. It's also the defining Arthurian tale and a novel that you will either have a vast loathing for or an endearing love of. If you are a fan of Arthurian myth, you would be doing yourself a disfavor by avoiding what's pretty much considered the seminal work in the field.
This novel folks is "the quintessential literary fantasy" novel. I suspect that many of you "modern" fantasy readers who've been weaned on the likes of Raymond E. If you are the sort of person who enjoys reading real literature or you want to broaden your "fantasy horizons" quite substantially, or hey, you just want to read the "real" tale of King Arthur, read this book.
Eddi McCandry sings rock and roll. But her boyfriend just dumped her, her band just broke up, and life could hardly be worse. Then, walking home through downtown Minneapolis on a dark night, she finds herself drafted into an invisible war between the faerie folk. Now, more than her own survival is at risk and her own preferences, musical and personal, are very much beside the point.
My recommendation for urban fantasy standalone's is War for the Oaks, a very clever story about a singer who gets caught up in a Faerie war. Yes, we've all been inundated over and over with Faerie this and Faerie that, but War for the Oaks is something new. Or rather say, it's something old that's still better than a lot of the new stuff book was released in the late 80s. It's won a gaggle of fantasy awards over the years, in case you think I'm just blowing smoke over an "unknown" novel. Even better, if you're a fan of rock and fantasy, this book is God's gift to you.
For the rest of us, it's a damn swell story that's one of the best standalone books in its class. Robert Jackson Bennett is one of the most talented writers in the genre. His past string of books have all been compelling works with strong characters, imaginative settings, and deep themes about what it means to be human in the midst of the uncanny. His newest book, City of Stairs made our Best Fantasy Books of list, debuting as number 2 on the list.
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While his recent book which looks to be part of a series now is his best effort so far, this does not take away from his very strong previous efforts. His second best book is American Elsewhere a novel about a 30's something woman who gets drawn into mysterious town where strange things are happening. It's a riveting read that combines to perfection all the qualities of a Jackson novel.
It's not just a good read, it's a fantastic one -- a book that can appeal to ALL types of fantasy lovers. And of course it's a stand alone novel. One of those highly impacting books that stays with you years after you read it. Little, Big is not necessary an easy book to deal with -- it's a profound story of love, loss, heartbreak, and family. If you are looking for a casual easy fantasy read you can consume in a couple hours, Little, Big is not that book.
But it's a book with serious power if you give yourself to the story. Little, Big is a deep, complex story about the past, the present and the relationship on a family that shares it. A magnificent stand alone book and one of the best fantasy books of the decade -- it's one of those rare novels that straddles both the literary sphere and the fantasy genre sphere and accepted even claimed by both. Perhaps Little, Big is not a book for everyone, but it's certainly a book for those who love slow. A story that touches the heart and won't let go the whole way through.
It's a story with some fabulous characters, and multi-layered storytelling, packed with mythology from both Jewish and Arab sources. It's the heartwarming tale about two mythological characters who find themselves forcefully stuck together in a world that no longer wants them. Wow,what a strong story this one has and with such emotion! It's a children's book written for adults, and one that will speak to you on many different levels. If I could describe this, it would be as a "disenchanted fairy tale.
His father's new wife gives birth and the child usurps the attention David feels is his due. The Book of Lost Things is a highly ambitious novel that tries to do new things in the fairy tale genre and mostly succeeds. The story has the skeleton appearance of a child's story, but the intended audience is adults. Think of it as a darker version of a Grimm's fairy tale a bittersweet one at that.
This is my ode to the classic coming-of-age fantasy tale. The Neverending story is often overlooked when it comes to all the new gritty fantasy that's trying to reinvent the fantasy genre. If you want to read a tale that will re-awaken and delight your inner child, The Neverending Story is as good as they come. For those who hated the movies based on the novel, fear not -- they did a sordid job telling the real story. It makes the classic 'man-goes-into-the-fairy-realm' tale proud. Williams is really a talented writer, having churned out Memory, Sorrow, Thorn saga, the Otherland saga, and his recently finished Shadowmarch series an epic fantasy tale about fairies!
What am I saying? The man's got a pedigree in fantasy and knows how to write pretty damn interesting books. Williams usually spends a LOT of time building up his books and it can take some time to really get into the meat of the story like a few books into a series , but since The War of Flowers is a standalone, you don't have any of Williams' usual ponderous world building to wade through; basically, you get his excellent storytelling compressed into words.
It's a win win for any fantasy fan who's tired of epic stacks of fantasy book sagas to wade through. So, if you like fair tales, romance, and adventure, then you are going to love The War of Flowers.
You can also feel proud that you've saved the environment by not supporting the killing of excess trees while you are at it. This is the way the world ends: And here is the bleak new world of the day after: A world in which a handful of panicky survivors choose sides -- or are chosen. A world in which good rides on the frail shoulders of the year-old Mother Abigail -- and the worst nightmares of evil are embodied in a man with a lethal smile and unspeakable powers: The Stand is one of those books that will have you sitting there thinking about it for days after you finish.
King has produced a lot of novels in his time, but The Stand is the singular moment where he evolves from horror to literature. King outdoes his usually quality characterization and breathes into life some richly drawn characters that you love or love to hate. All characters are human beings complete with flaws No cookie cutter characters here folks. This is a complex novel, one with a lot of themes present -- love, heroism, friendship, and betrayal.
The Stand is well regarded as King's best novel to date. I think it's a bit of a toss up between The Stand and The Talisman also a stellar King novel , but I'll go with the general consensus and stand The Stand on this list. If you are the sort of reader who doesn't care about all that thematic, literary stuff, that's fine -- you can save that literary claptrap nonsense for the English major nerds. The Stand is also a damn compelling read and can be appreciated solely on the merits of it being pretty damn addiction -- you won't be wasting your time reading it!
An author who writes mesmerizing fantasy stories with an almost lyrical, dreamlike style. Her prose is always outstanding, top notch and beautiful to read. Deerskin is perhaps her best, most evocative work. The fact that so much emotion and so much journey of self discovery is packed between a few hundred pages in a single story is staggering. McKinley shows you don't need multiple books to tell a poignant story. Well McKinley has many awesome books, Deerskin is one of her darker works. It's the story about a Princess who appears to be happy, but as you dig down into the narrative, find out is in fact miserable and lonely.
Very bad things happen to her and her life at the palace is destroyed. It's a story about pain, about sorry, about loss, and ultimately about rebuilding your life from the ashes and finding redemption and maybe even love. This poignant tale is not a happy one and there are moments of intense horror, sorrow, and sadness scattered between the pages, but it's a powerfully intense story about becoming broken and shattered but finding healing and the power to overcome past tragedies and gaining control of your life.
Few books will so impact your emotions like Deerskin. One of the best character riven fantasies firmly rooted in reality. A powerful story that deals with themes of childhood, innocence, and growing up. What's particularly powerful is Gaiman's ability to harness feelings that most of us, as children, have experienced at one time. It brings to mind those days lived a child, recapturing that childhood wonder and imagination that's lost with adolescence.
But this is through and through an adult tale, not a child's one with stark serious themes beneath the childlike veneer used to frame the story surface. It's a story about a young boy who discovers a magical world behind the facade of the lovely English countryside he occupies, a world full of amazing sights, faeries, vivid adventures, and, as our child protagonist finds out, deadly dangers too.
Gaiman vividly tells a story where terrible things can and do happen to the very young and the very innocent -- qualities that do not shield from the harsh realities of life. A clever book that juggles the supernatural and the natural, showing a supernatural terror impinging on the natural order of the boy's existence, overturning his former idyllic and carefree bucolic life. But beyond the supernatural threat to the boy's childhood innocence is the stark theme of innocence lost, of families being destroyed, and leaving that tricky space of innocent childhood to find the wider world waiting with all its harsh realities.
Basically, it's a bloody good tale that scares as much as it entertains with deep themes beneath. A brilliant stand alone and one of the best books of A delightful blend of different genres with elements of steampunk, mystery, and Gothic tossed in. It's a unique story that really showcases Well's talents. Death of a Necromancer is Well's best book some might argue that her Wheel of the Infinite is her best.
This is one of those stories that literally drags you along with the non stop action of it, yet still manages to develop complex and empathetic characters. Expect fast paced action, strongly developed relationships between characters, and unforgettable personalities. The author's talent for short yet expressive prose is to be lauded; she has the remarkable ability to paint a complex scene or nuanced dialogue with only a few strokes of her pen; what takes lesser authors a page to do, Well's can do in a few lines.
Death Of A Necromancer is fun, dramatic, and one hell of a rip-roaring adventure from start to finish. It's one of the best, most exciting stand alone fantasy books in the genre. If you haven't read it yet, make sure you do. Another one of those classics that never get old. It's a funny, well-told tale that's rich in characters, zany in plot, and startlingly deep by the end of it. This should be on the required syllabus for any sort of fantasy reading.
Perhaps the quintessential definition of the 'fantasy of manners' subgenre sometimes referred to as 'mannerpunk'. It's a book that brilliantly combines elements of court intrigue, unbridled human emotion, and sword fighting. This book, first published in , retains some of those classic fantasy traits with clear distinctions between the good heroes and the bad guys.
And in a period where fantasy was mostly stagnated with the exception of a few breakout works like The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant and the Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn series , helped prove fantasy could be elevated above the 'low' reputation it had acquired due to the various Lord of the Rings ripoffs and sexualized Conan limitations that prevailed during this period.
Swordspoint can also be given just credit for helping to pioneer the fantasy of manners style of fantasy blended with court intrigue that later authors developed and expanded on i. Zelazny may be famous in the fantasy world for his Amber series, but his best work may just be his stand alone novel, Lord of Light. It's a work that's complicated yet simple -- a story that blends the medieval fantasy with the futuristic science fiction and does so remarkably well.
It's a work that brings to mine great works like Dune and The Dispossessed which while can be classified as Science Fiction, also touch the fantasy sphere too. Few western works dally deep into Eastern mysticism; but Zelazny goes where few writers have gone before or since and digs deep into the Hindu pantheon of deities to craft a remarkable story about gods who are just as flawed as the humans who worship them.
Gemmell's breakout novel and still, as of , one of the foundation fantasy books about heroism. Unlike the more modern books that detail the morally dirty side of being a hero say Abercrombie's The Heroes , Gemmell celebrates the hero. His version of the hero is a man who stands up at the cost of his own life to save the innocent. Legend IS the book that made Gemmell and while his later books are more sophisticated and show his improvement as a writer, Legend, perhaps, has the most emotional impact on the reader. It's one of those books that gets the blood pumping through your veins, a bright smile on your face, and will have you grabbing for the nearest sword -- or butter knife -- closest to you.
If you never had dreams of being a bad ass hero before, you will be inspired to be one by the time you finish Legend.
This is the story of the old hero Druss, a legend grown old, a man waiting for death. But then his homeland is invaded by barbarian hordes and all the stands between the horde and complete conquest is an old fortress with a handful of shoddy soldiers. A heroes duty is never over and Druss, begged by the populous, reluctantly agrees to fight against the horde. And thus Legend is born from blood, nonstop action, grand battles, calls to bravery and a dramatic last stand that brings to mind the Spartan Battle of Thermopylae or the American last stand at the Alamo.
It's a dramatic tale that you just can't put down.
But the sheer exuberance of language and unfettered whimsy of the concept are more than enough to make up for that. Quirky, nerdy-but-hip, eccentric and deeply intelligent, All the Birds in the Sky is a book that, like its author, resists being categorized and is the stronger for it. Not necessarily a book for immovable sci-fi or fantasy purists but an essential one for people who like it when intelligent writers refuse to bow to conventions and create their own.
God, what gorgeous prose. Like, Pacific Rim -sized monsters. There were always jokes, but Pratchett was an even better storyteller than he was a satirist. In Thief of Time , time is something manufactured by the Monks of History. They allocate it as they see fit until some upstart gets it into his mind that time should just be stopped dead in its tracks. Following the very first through-the-portal Fairyland adventures of the too-smart-by-half pre-teen September and her new best Wyverary friend, A-through-L, The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making is an achingly true meditation on the confusing, exciting pain of growing up, all wrapped up in pure cleverness and whimsy.
And while the plot may at times feel too lullingly gentle, the characters and settings are so thoroughly, gorgeously drawn, and each sentence so meticulously, luminously crafted, that a discerning reader is unlikely to get bored. Adults will find a thousand things to love in this world, but a voracious book-loving kid, for whom this series will feel like a gift from the Universe, will find one billion and four. Harry Potter was already for grown-ups. Despite its magical school setting, the series owed more to the wonder of C. Magic corrupts as much as it helps pull its practitioners out of their melancholic existences.
The loss of that innocence—getting expelled from his own fantastical Garden of Eden—sends Quentin spiraling out of control in a convoluted sequence of events that end up weaving together in unexpected ways. Maybe lying is itself a kind of art. I think about that more than I should.
The Clankers Germans and other Central Powers rely on steam-powered robots and futuristic machines to battle the fabricated animals Darwinists the UK, France, Russia and their allies employ as weapons in the war. Written for young adults, Leviathan and its sequels Behemoth and Goliath are entertaining for all ages. And if Six of Crows is the heist, then Crooked Kingdom is the glorious getaway drive. Want to read about a grand scheme, involving magic, fighting, and all the joys of fantasy? These books are for you.
The first volume in The Dandelion Dynasty series, Grace of Kings follows the diminutive Kuni Garu, a charming bandit, and the towering Mata Zyndu, the resolute son of a deposed family lineage, as they suffer under—and eventually help topple—a tyrannical ruler. Liu, who also translated the first volume of the wildly popular Chinese sci-fi novel The Three-Body Problem , draws from Asian inspirations but creates a fantasy world that feels wholly original, not like an amalgamation of existing cultures.
From the music to the balls to the swoon-filled romances, this is a gorgeous series the YA community is sad to see go. A Dance with Dragons by George R. It took 11 years for Martin to publish the pair of books that span a single timeline. Book Two avoids the sophomore slump, prioritizing character development and increasingly insane stakes to keep your adrenaline pumping. And Tahir continues to tackle serious topics like slavery and government corruption with strength, proving that compelling fantasy stories exploring real-world issues are not only entertaining but essential when done right.
The harrowing climax is frustratingly predictable, but the beautiful, strange journey here is what matters. The Obelisk Gate by N. Jemisin The Hugo Award-winning second book in N. The Obelisk Gate boasts everything that made The Fifth Season phenomenal—a brilliant magic system, three-dimensional female characters, world-ending stakes—and ratchets it up to This is no fairytale. It is said that angels found the land and saw it was good Love as thou wilt.
Sold into indentured servitude as a child, her bond is purchased by Anafiel Delaunay, a nobleman with very a special mission Treachery sets her on her path; love and honor goad her further. And in the doing, it will take her to the edge of despair Set in a world of cunning poets, deadly courtiers, heroic traitors, and a truly Machiavellian villainess, this is a novel of grandeur, luxuriance, sacrifice, betrayal, and deeply laid conspiracies. Not since Dune has there been an epic on the scale of Kushiel's Dart-a massive tale about the violent death of an old age, and the birth of a new.
Unique, passionate, sad, jubilant -- these are all words that come to mind when reading Carey's tremendous effort. These are fantasy books for women and guys too. The protagonist is a woman and probably the most complex female character in the entire genre of fantasy. The Asharite empire has splintered into decadent city-states led by warring petty kings. King Almalik of Cartada is on the ascendancy, aided always by his friend and advisor, the notorious Ammar ibn Khairan -- poet, diplomat, soldier -- until a summer afternoon of savage brutality changes their relationship forever.
Meanwhile, in the north, the conquered Jaddites' most celebrated -- and feared -- military leader, Rodrigo Belmonte, driven into exile, leads his mercenary company south. In the dangerous lands of Al-Rassan, these two men from different worlds meet and serve -- for a time -- the same master. Sharing their interwoven fate -- and increasingly torn by her feelings -- is Jehane, the accomplished court physician, whose own skills play an increasing role as Al-Rassan is swept to the brink of holy war, and beyond. Hauntingly evocative of medieval Spain, The Lions of Al-Rassan is both a brilliant adventure and a deeply compelling story of love, divided loyalties, and what happens to men and women when hardening beliefs begin to remake -- or destroy -- a world.
Gavriel Kay has never written a bad fantasy novel. He always populates his worlds with fully realized characters. His female characters are always strong, with sassy personalities and strong intelligence. Follow Lois McMaster Bujold, one of the most honored authors in the field of fantasy and science fiction, to a land threatened by treacherous war and beset by demons -- as a royal dowager, released from the curse of madness and manipulated by an untrustworthy god, is plunged into a desperate struggle to preserve the endangered souls of a realm.
It's a great story about a strong female character written by an outstanding female author. It's got everything there is to like in a good fantasy novel: This is technically a sequel to The Curse of Chalion, also another great book for men and women , but The Paladin of Souls can be read as a stand alone. If you are planning to read Paladin of Souls, then my recommendation is to read Curse of Chalion, then Paladin of Souls, then The Hallowed Hunt, as the three books are connected albeit loosely.
I know I said Paladin of Souls is a standalone, and it is, but it's worth reading Chalion first if you can get it. If not, then it's not that big of a deal. Seriously, this is a lovely series with an outstanding female protagonist. Romance, love, loss, adventure -- this series has it all. The novel is by Raymond E. Feist and Janny Wurts, but it's pretty clear that Wurts wrote this all on her own -- the characters are a whole level better than Feist's regular work. The protagonist is a woman who controls her own destiny.
The book could be classed as historical fiction, but the setting is that of an Asian fantasy world, one that is fascinating.
Don't worry though, it's not all just historical fantasy -- there's plenty of fantastical elements that will keep hard core fantasy fans entertained. Here is the magical legend of King Arthur, vividly retold through the eyes and lives of the women who wielded power from behind the throne. A retelling of the classic Arthurian tale from a woman's perspective literally.
Some outstanding female characters in this book and it's got everything most women would love. And yes, this one appeals to the guys too. This is a modern fantasy book with modern sensibilities for the modern woman. Its the story of a womans transformation from possessing brittle strength to becoming a woman of steely strength. Its a novel that takes you on the journey that follows Katsa as she matures and evolves.
Theres quite a bit of romance involved as well, but its handled so deftly that the whole process never comes off as ham-fisted. Magic is present in the story, but its tastefully done with never so much of it thrown at you that it gets overwhelming. For a book that doesnt flinch at addressing some of the social issues that woman currently face, a book that doesnt flinch at thumbing its nose at some of the conservative values society adheres to, and a book with a well-drawn female protagonist, a gripping plot and an interesting, fantastical world, you wont do any better than Graceling.
This is one of those complex, intelligent books that will stick with you long after you've finished turning the last page. Highly recommended by any woman whos tired of clichd fantasy plots and stereotypical female heroines. A young woman sentenced to die is given a second chance: She takes the job to buy some time to plot her escape. This is a fascinating and compelling novel that matches a resourceful, intelligent, and well developed protagonist with an equally interesting plot and setting.
It makes for some great reading that will delight you. There are some well-trod paths here with the plot and character: A new series that's been getting a lot of great reviews. And with good reason. An interesting plot, lots of political maneuvering, and a very well done female protagonist This series is more intelligent than many of the other fantasy books out there.
So if you like SMART fantasy with a strong female protagonist and a fascinating fantasy world, pick this book up. This is a trilogy. Tears of a Heart marks the tale of a young man, Aeden, who unwittingly shapes the world. The writing is beautiful, layered, and timely. Chase Blackwood weaves an intricate tale that hints at so much more. And that may be its greatest challenge. Tears of a Heart, the first book in the series, was beautifully written, and interesting. It shows us an amazing world filled with detail and depth, but for a portion of it, just a touch slow.
The writing, such beautiful writing, overshadows this, as does the ending. Tower of the Arkein , the next book in the series, is where the story truly begins to unfold, and where Chase Blackwood shines as an author. It is fast paced, full of action, adventure, and love. A very strong entry in the fantasy genre, and if the next book is equally as good, expect it to make quite a splash.
You can buy on Amazon now. Berg writes some of the best female heroines in the genre — all of them are carefully developed personalities with a lot of depth to them. The world is well drawn as is the wonderful cast of characters — the female protagonist especially stands out. Oh yes, this book is good. Abercrombie is a male writer, but the man is just so damn clever he's able to pull off some pretty good female characters.
But it's intelligent fantasy. Best Served Cold is the mother of all revenge tales about a woman betrayed. The protagonist is a woman and she's a woman you don't screw over. Melini Rawn is a great at writing realistic female characters. The description of the novel does not do it justice. This is a wholly character-driven book, with complex, deep characters and an enticing world.
Unlike some of the other fantasy books for women mentioned above, the entire plot is not based on romance, but the strong female characters, well-developed world, and addicting plot make this a must read for the fairer sex. In the year , with the Napoleonic Wars raging on land and sea, most people believe magic to be long dead in England until the reclusive Mr Norrell reveals his powers, and becomes a celebrity overnight. Soon, another practicing magician comes forth: He becomes Norrell's student, and they join forces in the war against France.
But Strange is increasingly drawn to the wildest, most perilous forms of magic, straining his partnership with Norrell, and putting at risk everything else he holds dear. A remarkable book written in a sort of Victorian-era flowery prose. The flowery prose my be off-putting at first, but the mesmerizing story soon sucks you right in. Romance is a definite and important element in this novel, but it is certainly not a romantic fantasy. However, the strong narrative, rich characters, and compelling story make this a novel that must be read.
Women who love the Jane Austen style settings and prose will especially be delighted.