Diana's Little Bookstore

BEST Science Fiction and Fantasy Books

 Looking at this list, I can't believe I actually read all these books. (Plus a whole lot more, which I didn't list because they weren't as good). I guess I do a lot of reading.

If you're wondering why so many of these books are long series, it's because that's what I like best. When I find an author I like, I want to read everything he writes. One book is never enough.

Occasionally, a series can turn disappointing. The first few books may be great, and the end of the series may sound forced, as if the writer were doing it to pay the rent rather than from the love of the story. Orson Scott Card did that with Ender's Game, for example. The books below are ones I enjoyed from beginning to end -- worth the time investment to read the whole set. I hope you enjoy them as much as I did.

Wheel of Time series
 Robert Jordan

This series has everything -- magic, adventure, treachery, complicated characters (the good are not always that good, but the evil are truly evil), sweeping landscapes, worlds within worlds. If you like to read A LOT (I mean about 6,000 pages) and really get lost in a fantasy world then this series very satisfying.

Eye of the World (Vol. 1) (paperback) (hardcover)
The Great Hunt (Vol. 2) (paperback) (hardcover)
The Dragon Reborn (Vol. 3) (paperback) (hardcover)
Shadow Rising (Vol. 4) (paperback) (hardcover)
The Fires of Heaven (Vol. 5) (paperback) (hardcover)
Lord of Chaos (Vol. 6) (paperback) (hardcover)
A Crown of Swords (Vol. 7) (paperback) (hardcover)
The Path of Daggers (Vol. 8) (hardcover)

Sword of Truth series
 Terry Goodkind

If you liked the Robert Jordan series, you will love this one. The characters are endearing, the scenery vivid, and the storyline compelling.. Some of the more violent images are disturbing, but overall I found the series to be gripping. I couldn't put it down.

Wizard's First Rule (Vol. 1) (paperback) (hardcover)
Stone of Tears (Vol. 2) (paperback) (hardcover)
Blood of the Fold (Vol. 3) (paperback) (hardcover)
Temple of the Winds (Vol. 4) (paperback) (hardcover)

Moontide and Magic Rise series
 Sean Russell

If you think fantasy series are starting to stagnate, you should try this one. It is very original, and captivating, full of plot twists and new ideas. A real page turner. Only 2 very fat books in this series, but they are highly satisfying.

World Without End (Vol. 1) (paperback)
Sea Without a Shore (Vol. 2) (paperback)

The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever
 Stephen Donaldson

Are you tired of heroes who are handsome and dashing? How about a hero who is human and flawed, who saves the universe in spite of himself? It sounds unlikely, but Stephen Donaldson pulls it off. This is a glorious epic by a master craftsman. Buy the expensive version, you're going to want to read it more than once.

Lord Foul's Bane (Vol. 1)
(cheap paperback) (expensive paperback)
The Illearth War (Vol. 2)
(cheap paperback) (expensive paperback)
The Power That Preserves (Vol. 3)
(cheap paperback) (expensive paperback)
The Wounded Land (Vol. 4)
(cheap paperback) (expensive paperback)
The One Tree (Vol. 5)
(cheap paperback) (expensive paperback)
White Gold Wielder (Vol. 6)
(cheap paperback) (expensive paperback)

Shannara series
 Terry Brooks

It's easy to criticize books. Some people say this book is too Tolkeinesqe. I don't know why recurring themes bother some people. I _like_ recurring themes, and so do many people I suppose because this series sells well. In any event, books are to be enjoyed, and I enjoyed these very much. If you want to once again venture into a land of unlikely heros, magic tokens, foreboding evil and ancient mysteries, this is a good choice. Don't analyze it, just enjoy it.

Sword of Shannara (Vol. 1) (paperback)
Elfstones of Shannara (Vol. 2) (paperback)
The Wishsong of Shannara (Vol. 3) (paperback)
The Scions of Shannara (Heritage of Shannara, Book 1) (paperback)
The Druid of Shannara (Heritage of Shannara, Book 2) (paperback)
The Elf Queen of Shannara (Heritage of Shannara, Book 3) (paperback)
The Talismans of Shannara (Heritage of Shannara, Book 4) (paperback)

Magic Kingdom of Landover series
 Terry Brooks

Sometimes fantasy books can get a bit heavy. After reading about saving the world from something truly evil, you may want to lighten up a little. I found this series to be just plain fun. The images of a semi-competent magician waving his arms around like a windmill, and a dragon who pretends he doesn't enjoy rescuing maidens rather than eating them, are delightful. A great vacation read. Sit around the pool and drink pina coladas with this one.

Magic Kingdom for Sale - Sold! (Vol. 1) (paperback)
The Black Unicorn (Vol. 2) (paperback)
Wizard at Large (Vol. 3) (paperback)
The Tangle Box (Vol. 4) (paperback)

Hyperion series
 Dan Simmons

Enough fantasy. Let's talk science fiction. This series actually has four books, but it is complete in the first two. The second two spoil it. Which would make it ineligible for this list, except that the first two are SO GOOD that they more than make up for whatever mistakes came later. This book explores elements of space and time, politics and religion, and improbable physics. Not exactly light reading, but satisfying for hard core sci-fi fans.

Hyperion (Vol. 1) (paperback)
The Fall of Hyperion (Vol. 2) (paperback)

(various works)
 C. J. Cherryh

If you are not familiar with the works of C.J. Cherryh, you are in for a treat. She writes both science fiction and fantasy books, but I like the science fiction best. The universe she creates is gritty and believable, based on wars, space stations and interplanetary trade. The following books don't have to be read in any particular order, each is a story within itself.

Downbelow Station (paperback)
Cyteen (paperback)
Merchanter's Luck (paperback)
Hellburner (paperback)
Tripoint (paperback)
Forty Thousand in Gehenna (paperback)
Finity's End (paperback)

If you are hooked on Cherryh and can't get enough, try the Chanur series and the Faded Sun series. All great.

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