So there was a post similar to this back in 2015 that I read through, but I'd like to revive the topic and get fresh insights. My WIP is a YA fantasy, and, while I consider myself fairly well-read in that genre, I was wondering if you guys had any particular novels that stood out to you as good examples of fantasy writing. I'll take any suggestions, but here's some particular points that would be helpful to me: -Any that deal with mythological animals as mounts for a special soldier unit (Yes, I've read the Heralds of Valdemar series) -Any that have protagonists with mysterious parentage/ancestry that they are trying to figure out -Any that deal with a large-scale war involving summoned nasties -Any with exceptional characterization -Any that deal with a protagonist who doubts their abilities but becomes confident in them by the end -Any that deal with a nasty king who stole the throne through assassination Just looking for some good examples that can help smooth my path, as I'm in a bit of a rough patch and having trouble moving forward with my story.
You might try, 'The Dinosaur Lords'... if you put Game of Thrones and Jurassic Park in a blender, you'd get something like The Dinosaur Lords. Unfortunately, like Game of Thrones and Jurassic Park, it is not particularly well written. Okay, I won't mince words; Dinosaur Lords is one of those fantasy novels you read and immediately say afterwards, "I can write better than this". Though, it does have some wonderfully rendered battle scenes.
Eragon comes to mind. I'm sure you've read that one though. Also, the Age of Legends series by Kelley Armstrong. Follows the Keeper and Seeker of Edgewood, two twins chosen at birth to find/release and protect against spirits. But everything goes awry for them when their village is destroyed by a mysterious force. They must travel across the country and inform the king of what happened, which proves to be a treacherous journey.
The Daughter of Smoke and Bone trilogy is one of the best I've ever read when it comes to mythical creatures. No vampires/werewolves/fairies or any of that. Instead there are angel-like creatures (not the Biblical version) and chimera. And there is an epic war between the creatures.
The Evermen Saga by James Maxwell is fantastic, although I'm not completely sure it's YA? It reads that way to me but I absolutely love it. I love the way each of his characters are written and how they grow. It's a fantastic series.
If, by exceptional characterisation, you mean the best characters you've ever met that you really fall in love with, try Six of Crows and its sequel Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo. It doesn't really deal with any of your other criteria, but I've never met a cast of characters that I've loved more. In addition, Snow like Ashes by Sara Raasch, while nowhere near as well written, isn't terrible and deals with the mysterious parentage. It also gets a bit more unique on the weapons side of things than most YA fantasy books.
I have read Eragon. Didn't think much of it, though. I've read a lot of Kelley Armstrong, but not that series! I hadn't heard of it til now. Will check it out. I love her Women of the Otherworld books. Added to my list! Sounds cool. I'll check it out. Thanks! Yes, that is what I mean. I will definitely take a look at those and the other one you mention.
Magic, Mercenaries, and Advanced Math, was a fun YA Fantasy. (That means a lot coming from someone such as I, who likes neither YA nor Fantasy.) It will have you laughing, of that I found quite enjoyable.
Actually, the first audiobook I ever listened to was, The Hot Zone: The Terrifying True Story of the Origins of the Ebola Virus, by Richard Preston... scary stuff, and it really happened. My second audiobook, was Jurassic Park. And I did really enjoy it, made a long flight to Scotland more bearable. It is, shall we say, not the most literary of works. Michael Crichton didn't write novels, so much as turnout screen plays dressed up to look like novels. Still though, Crichton was the only SF writer who wrote true Hard Science Fiction. I respected him for that.
