Hi! Can anyone suggest me a book to get my mum as she’s getting into fantasy. She’s a big reader but mostly reads spy/thriller books. She’s said she read Mists of Avalon when she was in her 20s and loved it but hasn’t read fantasy since. She said she wants to give it another go. Could anyone give me a suggestion? Thank you!
by beccah48
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Introductory fantasy books that are of high quality:
– *The Hobbit* by J. R. R. Tolkien
– *The Neverending Story* by Michael Ende
– *The Chronicles of Prydain* by Lloyd Alexander
– *The Last Unicorn* by Peter S. Beagle
– *The Riddle-Master* *Trilogy* by Patricia A. McKillip
– The *Discworld* series by Terry Pratchett
– The *Earthsea Cycle* by Ursula K. Le Guin
Assassin’s Apprentice by Robin Hobb is the first in her amazing epic fantasy series The Realm of the Elderlings. Beautifully-written, with rich world building, complex characters, and strange magics. It follows Fitz, the bastard son of a dead prince, who is taken in by others in the royal court and raised to be the King’s assassin. Despite the title, there’s not a ton of assassinating going on, and it’s more so just a great, varied, high fantasy story.
She might also enjoy Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke, the story of two rival magicians in 19th Century England. Or her newest novel, Piranesi, a short and mysterious fantasy novel with interesting characters, creative world building, and a compelling story.
The Tainted Cup by Robert Jackson Bennett is another fun one, which is sort of a Sherlock Holmes/Watson type murder mystery, set against a strange and interesting fantasy backdrop.
Warbreaker by Brandon Sanderson is a great standalone intro to his work (which is vast), featuring a fun and twisty story, an interesting world, creative and unique magics, and lots of interesting characters. If she enjoys it, he’s one of the most prolific authors in modern fantasy, so check out anything. Maybe Mistborn, or The Way of Kings.