“Character is the mainstay of a good novel… and I create perilous scenes for my people and tend to assemble my settings around the characters… In science fiction you’re always making up a culture and a history, and there should be things about the characters that are special and unique to their culture that is different from ours. Otherwise, why write science fiction?”

Lois McMaster Bujold

In addition to J. K.Rowling, C. S. Lewis, and other fantasy favorites…try these authors and their series:

Terry Brooks
Brooks writes epic fantasies drawing on current disasters to flesh out action-packed dramas between good and evil that involve memorable, highly developed characters.

Genesis of Shannara
Armageddon’s Children
The Elves of Cintra

Heritage of Shannara
The Scions of Shannara
The Druid of Shannara
The Elf Queen of Shannara
The Talismans of Shannara

Lois McMaster Bujold
A master in creating world-building empires, Bujold’s Sharing Knife Series are romantic fantasies with lots of action, believable characters and humor.

Sharing Knife
Beguilement
Legacy

Jasper Fforde
If you enjoy convoluted subplots with a bizarre mix of science fiction, mystery and fantasy elements, don’t miss Fforde’s satirical literary series.

Nursery Crime
The Big Over Easy: A Nursery Crime
The Fourth Bear: A Nursery Crime

Thursday Next
The Eyre Affair
Thursday Next in Lost in a Good Book
Thursday Next in the Well of Lost Plots
Something Rotten
Thursday Next in First Among Sequels

Elizabeth Haydon
Unlike most fantasy series, Elizabeth Haydon’s tales rely on suspense and romance rather than historical fiction themes. Though a bit sentimental at times, her plots are tight and the action scenes are cut to a minimum.

Symphony of Ages
Rhapsody: Child of Blood
Prophecy: Child of Earth
Destiny: Child of the Sky
Requiem for the Sun
Elegy for a Lost Star
The Assassin King

Mercedes Lackey
A captivating story teller, Lackey’s Obsidian Trilogy is intelligent fantasy with dragons, elves, and mythical creatures.

Obsidian Trilogy
The Outstretched Shadow
To Light a Candle
When Darkness Falls

Gregory Maguire
Maguire’s Oz Series are heavy fairy tales with complex themes, characters and his Oz is a wonderful world.

Oz
Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West
Son of a Witch

Michael A. Stackpole
Stackpole’s sagas are powerful stories with military, political, and supernatural overtones, yet their message is simple and profound.

Age of Discovery
A Secret Atlas
Cartomancy
The New World: The Age of Discovery

St. Charles Public Library

MCS
12/07