Been a fan of mystery/thriller myself, I haven’t read any fantasy due to language constraint (can’t read a paragraph without using dictionary). Looking for a book that “fantasy beginner friendly”.
Though if you want more “three dimensional” bad guys and complex human motivations- go with the Game Of Thrones / Song of Ice and Fire series
charactergallery on
A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K Le Guin and its sequels are targeted towards a younger demographic, but it is by no means lacking in narrative or thematic depth.
emptyhellebore on
There are quite a few Urban Fantasy series that feature mysteries that I really enjoy. The fantasy worlds are often real life adjacent, so they might be easier to get into. Try the Kate Daniels series by Ilona Andrews. Jim Butcher’s Dresden Files also starts with books that are modeled on the noir detective story (heads up, including the sexism if that bothers you).
TheodoreSnapdragon on
Maybe “Nice Dragons Finish Last” by Rachel Aaron? It has mystery element(s)
Past-Wrangler9513 on
The Aurelian Cycle series by Rosaria Munda or Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo would be good starting places.
aghowland on
The Mists of Avalon, by Marion Zimmer Bradley
This is the King Arthur story from the point of view of the magical realm. It will pull you right in!
Ireallyamthisshallow on
Try *The First Law Trilogy* by Joe Abercrombie. You don’t need a dictionary, as long as you understand swearing you’ll be fine.
RedString-and-Magic on
* The House in the Cerulean Sea, by TJ Klune
* Legends & Lattes, by Travis Baldree
These are definitely feel-good stories you’ll definitely love.
magnificent-71 on
I’m not a huge fantasy fan, but I absolutely adore Patrick Rothfuss’s King killer Chronicle books. They are amazing, great world building, and great story.
And The Lord of the Rings is as good as advertised.
Strong-Army4714 on
I’d say anything by Neil Gaiman is a good place to start. The Ocean at the End of the Lane is quite short and the story and writing are great.
PettyTrashPanda on
Legend by David Gemmell
AgreeablePlenty2357 on
Percy Jackson is fun! It was written for kids but people of all ages enjoy them
improper84 on
I’d say check out The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch. It’s the first book in a series, but it can be read as a stand alone novel, as it has a definitive ending that wraps up pretty much every major plot thread. It’s also relatively straightforward. It’s about a group of thieves who pull elaborate confidence schemes on their city’s nobility. You also get flashbacks to the childhood of the main character and see how he was trained to be a thief and conman.
13 Comments
The Wheel Of Time series is a good starter…
Though if you want more “three dimensional” bad guys and complex human motivations- go with the Game Of Thrones / Song of Ice and Fire series
A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K Le Guin and its sequels are targeted towards a younger demographic, but it is by no means lacking in narrative or thematic depth.
There are quite a few Urban Fantasy series that feature mysteries that I really enjoy. The fantasy worlds are often real life adjacent, so they might be easier to get into. Try the Kate Daniels series by Ilona Andrews. Jim Butcher’s Dresden Files also starts with books that are modeled on the noir detective story (heads up, including the sexism if that bothers you).
Maybe “Nice Dragons Finish Last” by Rachel Aaron? It has mystery element(s)
The Aurelian Cycle series by Rosaria Munda or Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo would be good starting places.
The Mists of Avalon, by Marion Zimmer Bradley
This is the King Arthur story from the point of view of the magical realm. It will pull you right in!
Try *The First Law Trilogy* by Joe Abercrombie. You don’t need a dictionary, as long as you understand swearing you’ll be fine.
* The House in the Cerulean Sea, by TJ Klune
* Legends & Lattes, by Travis Baldree
These are definitely feel-good stories you’ll definitely love.
I’m not a huge fantasy fan, but I absolutely adore Patrick Rothfuss’s King killer Chronicle books. They are amazing, great world building, and great story.
And The Lord of the Rings is as good as advertised.
I’d say anything by Neil Gaiman is a good place to start. The Ocean at the End of the Lane is quite short and the story and writing are great.
Legend by David Gemmell
Percy Jackson is fun! It was written for kids but people of all ages enjoy them
I’d say check out The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch. It’s the first book in a series, but it can be read as a stand alone novel, as it has a definitive ending that wraps up pretty much every major plot thread. It’s also relatively straightforward. It’s about a group of thieves who pull elaborate confidence schemes on their city’s nobility. You also get flashbacks to the childhood of the main character and see how he was trained to be a thief and conman.