Favorite High Fantasy Series

So, I was reorganizing my office bookshelf, which was in dire need, this morning and it got me to thinking. I should really share my favorite fantasy book series. I told myself that I would limit it to 5, only five. Then, I couldn't narrow it down. My internal argument went something like this: "But I love this one too. You can't list every book you have! But, but, this one is different; it's high fantasy and that one is low fantasy. You can't really compare them. You can't list every book you own! OK, fine, I'll make 2 lists. Happy? Yeah...I guess that'll work." My inner voices often fight. That's normal right? Right?!

And then there were two, one list for High Fantasy which in my opinion is defined as either having an innately different physical world, the workings of its physics not its appearance, than ours, or having so much magic or fantasy elements that it seems different, i.e. Harry Potter. The second for Low Fantasy which operates primarily in our working world but with characters that often have special, supernatural abilities. I have listed the first book in each series, along with the series name in parentheses. On both lists, High and Low, the quoted plot summaries are from the back cover of the books.

Click here to visit my Low Fantasy post.

I love both types. I was 16 or 17 years old before I read my first High Fantasy book, which is just sad really. My boyfriend at the time was kind of obsessed with The Wheel of Time series, and with good reason. I picked it up so that I could seem cool and have something to talk about with him, although talking is not always at the top of a adolescent boy's list of priorities. Nevertheless, this simple act, in plain terms, rocked my world. To this day the High Fantasy genre is my go-to reading subject. Here are my favorites in no certain order.

Eye of the World - Robert Jordan (The Wheel of Time) - Brandon Sanderson finished this series after Jordan's unfortunate death.
"The Wheel of Time turns and Ages come and go, leaving memories that become legend. Legend fades to myth, and even myth is long forgotten when the Age that gave it birth returns again. In the Third Age, an Age of Prophecy, the World and Time themselves hang in the balance. What was, what will be, and what is, may yet fall under the Shadow."

The Eye of the World revolves around a group of young people from Emond's Field in The Two Rivers - Rand al'Thor, Matrim Cauthon, Perrin Aybara, Egwene al'Vere and Nynaeve al'Meara. As a matter of fact, the whole series revolves around these characters. Basically, minions of the Dark One force the central three, Rand, Mat, and Perrin, to confront their destinies, often with the aid (or manipulation) of mages, known as Aes Sedai, to hopefully save the world from being destroyed.



Furies of Calderon - Jim Butcher (Codex Alera)
"In the realm of Alera, where people bond with the furies--elementals of earth, air, fire, water, wood, and metal--fifteen-year-old Tavi struggles with his lack of furycrafting. But when his homeland erupts in chaos--when rebels war with loyalists and furies clash with furies-- Tavi's simple courage will turn the tides of war."

There are several central characters, Amara who is training to become a royal spy; Bernard who leads a town, or steadholt; Doroga, along with daughter Kitai, who is leader of the Marat, a barbarian race; and of course Tavi, the primary hero of this series. The story goes back and forth between their lives until they meet up. This series is so good; the rich character development, relatable conflict and inner struggle, seamless intertwining of plots, character growth, ugh so good. I'll be reading this if you need me.



Dragons of Autumn Twilight - Margaret Weis & Tracy Hickman (Dragonlance Chronicles)
"Lifelong friends, they went their separate ways. Now they are together again, though each holds secrets from the others in his heart. They speak of a world shadowed with rumors of war. They speak of tales of strange monsters, creatures of myth, creatures of legend. They do not speak of their secrets. Not then. Not until a chance encounter with a beautiful, sorrowful woman, who bears a magical crystal staff, draws the companions deeper into the shadows, forever changing their lives and shaping the fate of the world. No one expected them to be heroes. Least of all, them."

The novels, based on a series of Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) game modules created by Weis and Hickman, take place on the fantasy world of Krynn where the population once worshiped the True Gods, a pantheon unique to the Dragonlance saga. At some point in history the True Gods abandoned the world and those in it. The world is just starting to recover from the loss of the True Gods when a group sprung up seeking to replace them, the Seekers. This book begins with the return of a group of friends, consisting of Tanis, Sturm, Caramon, Raistlin, Flint, and Tasslehoff, who previously went their own ways and pledged to return in five years. Kitiara Uth Matar, the half sister of the twins Caramon and Raistlin, was supposed to be there as well, but only sent a mysterious note. The Companions discover that the meet-up village has been taken over by the Seekers who are in collaboration with the Dragon Highlords for the conquest of the continent of Ansalon.


The Sword of Shannara - Terry Brooks (The Shannara Series)
"Living in peaceful Shady Vale, Shea Ohmsford knew little of the troubles that plagued the rest of the world. Then the giant, forbidding Allanon revealed that the supposedly dead Warlock Lord was plotting to destory the world. The sole weapon against this Power of Darkness was the Sword of Shannara, which could only be used by a true heir of Shannara—Shea being the last of the bloodline, upon whom all hope rested. Soon a Skull Bearer, dread minion of Evil, flew into the Vale, seeking to destroy Shea. To save the Vale, Shea fled, drawing the Skull Bearer after him…"

The first book in this series interweaves two major plots into a fictional world called the Four Lands. One follows the protagonist Shea Ohmsford on his quest to obtain the Sword of Shannara and confront the Warlock Lord, the antagonist, with it, while the other shadows Prince Balinor Buckhannah's attempt to oust his insane brother Palance from the throne of Callahorn while the country and its capital, Tyrsis, come under attack from overwhelming armies of the Warlock Lord. I'm always reminded of a soaring, lifting feeling when thinking about this series. While dark elements and frustration are clearly present, this series maintains a solid optimistic feel which is not quite naive in nature, but in a good way.


The Sorcerer's Stone - JK Rowling (Harry Potter Series)
"Harry Potter has never been the star of a Quidditch team...He knows no spells, has never helped to hatch a dragon, and had never worn a cloak of invisibility. All he knows is a miserable life with the Dursleys...But all that is about to change when a mysterious letter arrives by owl messenger: a letter with an invitation to an incredible place...[where] he finds not only friends, aerial sports, and magic in everything...but a great destiny that's been waiting for him...if only he can survive the encounter."

I distinctly remember sitting in a college Lit class and being assigned this book as mandatory reading. Brazenly, I raised my hand and asked, "Isn't Harry Potter a children's book?" Murmurs of agreement echoed through the room. "Just read it," the professor responded. He was right; it's well written, entertaining, and relevant at any age. While I can't remember the man's name who introduced me to these books, they have become my go-to favorites for when I'm feeling crappy. They always seem to cheer me up and being such light reads, I can easily finish one of them in a day or so. For that I thank him.