Fantasy Books > J Fantasy Books

Advantages: You probably know whether you like Discworld or not, has the Guards in it
Disadvantages: You probably know..., not the best but not the worst

Jingo is the 21st instalment in Terry Pratchett’s hugely successful Discworld series. If you’re not familiar with the series, it’s probably not the best place to start [Colour of Magic is the first, though far from my favourite]. For the rest of us, this is one of the guards books, featuring Vimes, Carrot, Colon, Nobbs and the rest of the Ankh-Morpork city watch. Everyone has their favourites, be it Rincewind, Granny Weatherwax, Death, the Librarian ...
...Sam Vimes, copper and reluctant aristocrat, who plays a starring role in this novel. Of course, we see others – Carrot, Angua, Colon, Nobbs, Dorfl, Visit and Reg Shoe; not to mention the Librarian, Death and some new faces (71-hour Ahmed, Sidney Lopsides, Lord Rust) none of whom I think will make significant future appearances. I don’t recommend it for those new to the Discworld, because you really need to have read at least the preceding guards ... Read review

Advantages: Up to Terry Brooks usual standard
Disadvantages: It helps to have read the Isle witch books

...I picked a copy of Jarka Ruus up from a second hand book stall while I was away from home on business. 10 pages in and I was hooked. I havent read the Isle Witch trilogy but its a testimony to how good this book was that I went and bought a copy when I got home. For anybody who isnt familiar with the Isle witch books and beyond, it is a slight departure in that it manages to seamlessly blend in a bit of sci-fi. Flying solar powered warships with ... Read review

Advantages: The first in a new series from a wonderful author
Disadvantages: None in my opinion

Vetch is an Altan serf owned by a Tian master. His family once owned the farm on which he now lives as a serf. When the Tian army came, they killed his father and took the farm. Then they parcelled out the land to their own people, along with all the remaining members of Vetch's family, as Tian law states that no one may own land that does not own a serf who was originally tied to that land. However there are no Tian laws governing the treatment ...
...and practically starved, until the day one of Tian's dragonriders, known as Jousters, lands at the farm in search of refreshment. Seeing the master's unnecessarily harsh treatment of Vetch, he decides to appropriate the boy to become his new dragonboy. Vetch finds himself thrust into a new life caring for the dragon of Tian's most well known Jouster - Ari. He discovers that even an enemy can be human. He also learns how to raise and care for baby ... Read review

Advantages: Very Funny and wonderfully written.
Disadvantages: By the end of the third book the puns are a little strained but still good.

Jason Cosmo is a well written comic fantasy book by Dan McGirt, a little known author in the UK. If you like Tom Holt, Piers Anthony or Terry Pratchett then you'll like this book. Jason Cosmo is a humble woodcutter from Darnk, the armpit of the Eleven Kingdoms. He is quietly having a drink one day, discussing the alarming outbreak of mottled pig pox with his neighbours when the arrival of the foppish Lombardo the Magnificent breaks things up big ...
...his head and after throwing Lombardo down the village well, leaves all that he holds dear to discover why he is being hunted across the eleven kingdoms by the best bounty hunters known to man. Along the way he meets Mercury Boltblaster, the best wizard around and collects the beautiful twins Sapphrina and Rubis, meets the Queen of Realna and the Goddess Rae. It is a wonderful romp through a completely daft but strangely believeable fantasy landscape ... Read review

Advantages: A very humourous read
Disadvantages: Will not appeal to everybody

...do anything Ross decided that Jed was kinda dead. Well now, just what was Ross Ed to do? He is a kind hearted sort of person. He could tell the government, but what would they do? Cut it up some, and hide it and deny that it had ever existed that's what. Now Ross was on his way to see the ocean and perhaps Jed would like to see the ocean as well. So Ross propped Jed into the passenger seat of his car and started off. Ross figured that if he ran short ...
...job tending bar somewhere. Jed was sure not to mind. In fact Jed could come to the bar as well. He would be kinda cheap not drinking much. Here you have a novel of contact with an alien species that is dead. But there is dead and there is Dead. Just what sort is Jed? Strange things happen along this journey as we meet several interesting types of persons from Government officials to UFO Nuts. Jed is dead all right but not quite Dead and it appears ... Read review