My Reads: Fantasy

So this is going to be a fairly comprehensive list of the authors that I recommend you read if you're interested in broaching the genre of fantasy. Normally I would give you a synopsis, but I figure you can probably find a better one on Amazon or something, so I'll kind of give you my personal review in what I like and don't like about certain series.

Raymond Feist:
I haven't actually read all of his stuff, but I hear things he co-writes with other authors generally isn't as good as things that he writes himself. Overall he has an amazing sense of story and character-development that I really enjoy. His series usually will tie certain consistent characters together and always the same universe that he's built. He moves though, on a very large timeline, so you don't get too bored by the same characters over and over, and you still have a sense of what's familiar. I won't add any further comments to any of the series because I think this sums it up quite nicely.

Riftwar Saga - Magician: Apprentice, Magician: Master, Silverthorn, A Darkness at Sethanon.
Ok, I lied, I have to make a remark here. The first two books are actually two parts of one book simply titled Magician. I've read though that there are certain additions in the two volume addition not originally included in the single volume version. There is a little bit of extra story development, but if you read either the single volume or the two volume versions, both are good (it's kind of like bonus scenes in a movie).
Krondor's Sons - Prince of the Blood, The King's Buccanneer
I didn't expect to do this this much, but as a note, I'm listing these in the order I think you should read them. They aren't exactly chronological, but I believe this is the order that Feist originally wrote them in so sometimes he might refer to stuff or people or places or events that make more sense if you've read the books he wrote earlier.
Riftwar Legacy - Krondor: The Betrayal, Krondor: The Assassins, Krondor: Tear of the Gods
The Serpentwar Saga - Shadow of a Dark Queen, Rise of a Merchant Prince, Rage of a Demon King, Shards of a Broken Crown
Conclave of Shadows - Talon of the Silver Hawk, King of Foxes, Exile's Return
Darkwar Saga - Flight of the Nighthawks, Into a Dark Realm, Wrath of a Mad God
Ok, so I've only read the first book in the series because book 2 hasn't been released in paperback yet and book 3 hasn't even been released, but it's typical Feist writing so I enjoyed the first book and thoroughly expect to enjoy the second and third when I get them.

David (and Leigh) Eddings:
Another one of my favorite authors. I put Leigh in there because Eddings wrote that many of his books he could not have finished without the help of his wife, yet he didn't start attributing her until later in his career. Eddings is somewhat of your stereotypical formula writer. If you read enough of his works you realize that all his characters are exactly the same from series to series. Furthermore, his plots become increasingly similar as time progresses as well. However, what I so enjoy about Eddings is his quick wit in his narrative. Very few authors have gotten me to laugh out loud at their story, Eddings is one of them. The style in which he writes and tells the story is very enthralling and reader friendly, making it a very fun, quick, and relaxing read.
The Belgariad - Pawn of Prophecy, Queen of Sorcery, Magician's Gambit, Castle of Wizardry, Enchanter's End Game
The Mallorean - Guardians of the West, King of the Murgos, Demon Lord of Karanda, Sorceress of Darshiva, The Seeress of Kell
Belgarath the Sorcerer
Polgara the Sorceress
The Rivan Codex
So all of these books follow the same characters in the same world. The two series and the three stand-alones. This I feel is probably the epitome of Eddings's work, the originals of all his characters. The stories are great and at least two of the three stand alones (Belgarath the Sorcerer and Polgara the Sorceress) are good stories that provide a lot of background information referenced in the two series. The Rivan Codex is kind of like Eddings's history book in creating his world as it is, so it can be a little dull.
The Elenium - The Diamond Throne, The Ruby Knight, The Sapphire Rose
The Talmuli - Domes of Fire, The Shining Ones, The Hidden City
Eddings's second set of series which follows a different set of characters with pretty much the same characterizations. Fortunately, since Eddings writes series, we haven't seen too much of his formula and so his characterization style is still somewhat novel.
The Redemption of Althalus
I think that this is probably the greatest Eddings work out there. While he is obviously following his formula again in terms of characterization, this I believe is an excellent summary of his work and writing style. The story is extremely well developed and his narrative again is the draw for most readers. If you fail to read anything else by Eddings, you must read at least this.
The Dreamers - The Elder Gods, The Treasured One, Crystal Gorge, The Younger Gods
At this point in time you can kind of tell that Eddings doesn't really have much else going for him other than his formula and narrative. While he is still enjoyable to read the series story isn't extraordinarily well developed and he has a tendency to repeat events for lack of better things to write about. It's a fun read, but it's definitely not the best that he could do.

R.A. Salvatore
What draws me the most about Salvatore is his ability to bring the story to life. His vivid descriptions of actions and scenery oftentimes make it feel like you're living in his world. His characters are of the "ridiculously amazing" category in that there seems to be nothing that can stop them, so Salvatore is required to also make "ridiculously amazing" villains to counter them. All-in-all, a great author.
Icewind Dale Trilogy - The Crystal Shard, Streams of Silver, The Halfling's Gem
This series introduces you to the main characters that Salvatore develops and likes to play around with. They've sort of become a cornerstone in the Forgotten Realms universe.
The Dark Elf Trilogy - Homeland, Exile, Sojourn
Legacy of the Drow - The Legacy, Starless Night, Siege of Darkness, Passage to Dawn
Paths of Darkness -The Silent Blade, The Spine of the World, Sea of Swords
I really couldn't bring myself to reading this series. Salvatore does a lot of kind of soul-searching character development, and while interesting, this series is almost entirely devoted to it, so it's hard to read.
The Cleric Quintet - Canticle, In Sylvan Shadows, Night Masks, The Fallen Fortress, The Chaos Curse
This, while a Forgotten Realms series follows a different set of characters that Salvatore has developed. The two sets of characters do meet within the universe.
The Hunter's Blad Trilogy - The Thousand Orcs, The Lone Drow, The Two Swords
The Sellswords - Servant of the Shard, The Promise of the Witch King, Road of the Patriarch
Servant of the Shard was originally part of the Paths of Darkness series, but because of the popularity of these two "villains" that Salvatore created, he decided to dedicate an entire series to them. Different characters, same overall problems and action.
The Spearwielder's Tales - The Woods Out Back, The Dragon's Dagger, Dragonslayer's Return
This is a standalone series that Salvatore wrote, not in the world of Forgotten Realms. It's a pretty standard fantasy tale with the great Salvatore narration.
Crimson Shadow - The Sword of Bedwyr, Luthien's Gamble, The Dragon King
See above.
The Demonwar Trilogy - The Demon Awakens, The Demon Spirit, The Demon Apostle
I differentiate this from The Demonwar Saga because I feel they are two different stories. While they happen one after the other, I feel that the story in these three novels comes to a conclusion, and the second series is just not as well developed.
The Highwayman
This is kind of a "prequel" to the The Demonwar Saga in that it takes place before. A good story giving a lot of background information to the series.

Brian Jacques
I've been reading Brian Jacques's work since fourth grade and I've honestly enjoyed all of the books I've read. The stories are somewhat formulaic in that you always have a general idea of what to expect despite the characters. They all serve somewhat as a standalone, though it oftentimes helps to have reference of his earlier works. The best part I think I like about Jacques is just how well he writes about food. Every book has a feast of some sort and makes you just want to jump in and join the characters in eating.
Redwall - Redwall, Mossflower, Mattimeo, Mariel of Redwall, Salamandastron, Martin the Warrior, The Bellmaker, Outcast of Redwall, The Pearls of Lutra, The Long Patrol, Marlfox, The Legend of Luke, Lord Brocktree, The Taggerung, Triss, Loamhedge, Rakkety Tam, High Rhulian, Eulalia
I haven't actually read Eulalia yet as it's not out in paperback quite yet, but as with Feist, I know I'll like it when I get it.

Those are kind of the big ones right now, I'll add more when I get the chance.

Other Blogs

So, I suppose I'll put it here since this is probably the place people come to the most. I have two other blogs here if you are interested. One at jacemandevo.blogspot.com, which is my reflections on the daily devotions provided through Oswald Chamber's My Utmost for His Highest. The second is found at jacemanmisc.blogspot.com, which entails my current novel in work titled, The Journeys of Marrick Avian. Enjoy!