On Fantasy Novels

Wheel of Time art by legendary fantasy artist Darrell K. Sweet

I knew it would happen at some point.  I love fantasy books, and I avoid them for that reason, as many are multi-book series that require a big time commitment.  But a friend gifted me the first nine books of Wheel of Time, and having just finished the first in that series, I can't help myself: I'm on a fantasy kick, big time.

What is fantasy? It is a type of fiction.  Fiction is anything that has not happened; fantasy is anything that cannot happen.  It is "untethered from scientific and societal laws" (source).  In fantasy novels, authors create worlds with magic, beasts (like dragons), other intelligent species (like elves), strange plants- anything is possible, since it's not constrained by the real world.  And I love it (explaining why here).

There are many types of fantasy (this article covers some, this many more).  My favorites:
- High (or epic) fantasy involves large-scale worlds and 'save the world' tasks (like The Lord of the Rings).
- Low fantasy is based in the real world, with small supernatural elements.  The world of the muggles in Harry Potter would be an example.
- Dark fantasy's focus is on the macabre- it aims to frighten (like The Call of Cthulhu).
- Arthurian fantasy deals with the King Arthur legend.
- Fairy tales are for children and often have supernatural creatures (like Grimm's Fairy Tales).

My favorite is high fantasy, due to common elements like the theme of good vs. evil, epic journeys, fantastic beasts and settings, the hero's quest, and an impression of depth.

My main 'fear' of high fantasy books is their nature.  Epic, by definition, includes length- and I don't like the idea of starting series that will take years to complete, or starting a series not yet completed.  The best approach, for me, is pacing- to set a number per year and stick to it, keeping it manageable- even if that means decades.

Here are a few fantasy links I've used for this post:
Fantastic Fiction
A google search on the best fantasy of all times
Paste Magazine's look at top fantasy works
Best fantasy books seems like a relevant site
Thrillist's take on the best
Tor is a major fantasy publisher and this article looks at completed series

I'll conclude with the below list of fantasy series I've read or want to read.

J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings

Okay, I've already read this one.  You could argue Tolkien's works kicked off the genre; though earlier works existed, none established themselves quite like Middle Earth.  Read The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings for certain; the other works were often left unfinished and since edited by his son, suitable only for diehard fans.  Visit my LOTR page for more information.

C.S. Lewis, The Chronicles of Narnia
An excellent series, short and suitable for children.  Clear Christian symbolism throughout.  My reviews can be found here.

David Farland, The Runelords
I read book one ten years ago.  I remember it being pretty good but other matters (like the birth of our first child) distracted me.  I hope to revisit this series at some point- at least the first four books.  It's based on an interesting idea of attribute sharing- you can voluntarily give some aspect of you (looks, intelligence, athletic prowess, etc.) to another.  Whatever you give, you lose, so (for example) a beautiful woman will become ugly by giving her beauty to another.  The ones who amass hundreds of attributes are called Runelords, and they must protect those who have given attributes in order to maintain their power.  It sets up an interesting universe.

David Eddings, The Belgariad
I read at least one of these- I may have even read all five in Eddings' first pentalogy (but my memory is dim, and this would have been twelve years ago).  The books are short and (from what I recall) suitable for older children. 

Raymond Feist, The Riftwar Saga
A prolific author with many books to his name, I hope to read his original trilgoy.

Patrick Rothfuss, The Kingkiller Chronicle
Book one is hailed as outstanding; what's kept me from this to date is that only two books have been written of the trilogy, and Rothfuss has taken years to write book three.  I avoid series until they're complete.

Brandon Sanderson, The Mistborn Trilogy
Sanderson is widely respected in the fantasy genre, having authored several successful series and completing Jordan's tome (see next entry).  I believe he's done several unrelated epics, which impresses me (most authors with successful epics tend to continue them).

Robert Jordan, Wheel of Time
I've read book one, and currently enjoying two.  Jordan died before he could complete the work, but left instructions for Brandon Sanderson to complete it, which he did (admirably, I'm told).  I plan to read all 14 books in this series.

Terry Brooks, The Sword of Shannara Trilogy
Brooks' Shannara series has gone on for decades; I'd like to read his first trilogy.

Terry Goodkind, Sword of Truth
A well-known twelve book series; I'd like to try the first 2-3 and see where it goes.

R.A. Salvatore, The Icewind Dale Trilogy
Salvatore is a prolific author, and this is among the earliest of his works.  He's best known for a character named "Drizzt."

L.E. Modesitt, Jr., The Saga of Recluce
I see this name a lot in fantasy searches; though I know thing about the author or series, it's too popular to ignore.

George R.R. Martin, A Song of Ice and Fire
No list would be complete without Martin's work.  I read book one around 2003, before the HBO series brought popular awareness to these works.  I found the book outstanding but including extremely graphic and inappropriate elements; that, plus Martin's infuriating delays to completing the last books, means I'll likely stay away.

Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi

Return of the Jedi was released in 1983 and rounded out the original Star Wars trilogy.  Set shortly after The Empire Strikes Back, it follows our heroes as they rescue Han Solo from Jabba the Hutt and face a new menace: a second Death Star, currently under construction and orbiting the forest moon of Endor.  The Emperor himself is on board overseeing the project, and the Rebels know the time to strike is now.  Meanwhile, Luke knows there's good in Vader . . . can he turn him, or will he be turned?

This one has received criticism for two main reasons:
1) Similarity to Episode IV (goal: blow up Death Star)
2) The Ewoks, which people criticized for being too childish (until they met Jar Jar Binks)

I, however, liked this one a lot, because it features my favorite space battle in all Star Wars films to date.  The battle over the space station involved capital ships and fighters on both sides, and was massive in scope and impressively done.  The effects, as before, are amazing, and it's nice to see the Rebels rebound after Empire. 

Rating: A

Return to Rothenburg

I've blogged a few times about Rothenburg ob der Tauber, a wonderfully preserved Medieval city in the heart of Germany.  We returned there last week with friends, and each visit brings fresh sights and fun times.  Rothenburg is one of those places I enjoy being without feeling compelled to 'do' anything other than walk around.  Take in the town wall from above or outside.  Walk up and down the city streets and enjoy famous views or back roads.  Soak in the architecture.  Visit the museums, shops, restaurants, or don't- just walk around and step back in time.  A visit here never gets old.

Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back

It's embarrassing that I never finished my Star Wars original trilogy movie reviews.  But with Episode IX on the horizon, it's time to amend that.

The Empire Strikes Back was released in 1980.  Set shortly after A New Hope, the Rebels are on the run after destroying the dreaded Death Star.  They flee to Hoth, an ice planet, and set up shop.  But before long, the Empire hunts them down, forcing them to flee once more.  As they run, Luke is sent on a mission to learn about the Force from Obi-Wan's first teacher: a little green guy named Yoda.  Meanwhile, Han, Leia and company are on a malfunctioning Millenium Falcon, desperately trying to evade Star Destroyers.  They end up visiting an old friend, Lando, on Cloud City.  But surprises await . . . the Empire just might win this round.

Its predecessor had shattered expectations three years prior, so ESB had a lot to live up to.  Widely considered the best of the Star Wars lot, it did so and more.  As before, the effects and worlds were excellently done and a marvel for the time.  The story was good and unexpected- nobody likes to see the bad guys win, but it happens.  And the film featured a shocking revelation about Luke's father, adding to the mystery of the universe.  The only ding I'd give the film is a weird scene on Dagobah, where Luke is training as a Jedi, that doesn't make sense and slows things down.  That aside, this is another winner.

Rating: A

Sir Gawain the True (Gerald Morris)

Sir Gawain the True is a children's retelling of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, a classic of English literature and one of the first sources to mention King Arthur.  Sir Gawain needs to learn a lesson- that courtesy is as important as courage- and the Green Knight will be the one to teach him.  Challenging Gawain to a contest, the Green Knight withstands a horrible blow and promises to return the favor the following year.  Gawain knows his death is near . . . but is presented with a way out, if he'd only be deceitful.  What should he do?

This is a great story, well told.  It's lighthearted, almost poking fun at the knights of the Round Table, while remaining entertaining and with a solid message.  A friend recommended this to me; now I do so to you.

Rating: A

A Medieval Castle (Mark Bergin)

A Medieval Castle is a visual guide centering around life in the Middle Ages.  Life around the castle is the focal point- how people lived, supplied the castle, what they ate, etc. 

This book was okay- the illustrations were great and it was informative overall- but I was hoping for more focus on the castle itself, covering how it was designed/constructed in more detail.  Something similar to David Macaulay's Cathedral.  At only 40 pages, it's not going to be comprehensive, but it is a nice introduction for those interested in, or plan to visit, these structures of old.

Rating: B