Writers are Readers - C.W. Phelps

The fantasy genre is huge and can be overwhelming. The Henlo Press is here to help. 

Sure, The Witcher, A Song of Ice and Fire (Game of Thrones), and Harry Potter are all great, but there are so many more great fantasy reads that you may have never heard of. 

Here are a few of my favorites: 

The Name of the Wind- The King Killer Chronicles - Patrick Rothfuss

Not only is this one of my favorite fantasy books, it is one of my favorite books, period. Wonderfully crafted characters in a fantastically driven story. Rumors are out there about Netflix or Hulu picking it up for a new series. (Yes please!) The only downside to this one is it is a part of a trilogy and only two books are currently out. 

https://www.amazon.com/Name-Wind-Kingkiller-Chronicle-Book-ebook/dp/B0010SKUYM/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1598627670&sr=8-3

The Blue Sword - Robin McKinley

This was one of my favorite books growing up. Strong female characters. Good messages. A bit of magic and a bit of romance. This is only $2 on Kindle right now. Do yourself a favor and pick this one up.

https://www.amazon.com/Blue-Sword-Robin-McKinley-ebook/dp/B01CY2XFDK/ref=sr_1_3?crid=CG1X9117JGMQ&dchild=1&keywords=blue+sword+robin+mckinley&qid=1598627760&sprefix=Blue+sword%2Caps%2C150&sr=8-3

The Belgariad - David Eddings

This series was my first dive into epic fantasy. This is a standard coming of age story that follows a young boy that finds out that he is maybe something more than he thought he was. The characters are what make this book. Wonderful cast of diverse characters and an interesting magic system. There are 6 books in the Belgariad, and for those who want more of these characters, 6 more in the follow up series the Mallorian. And a few spin off books. It has been awhile, so I recently picked up another copy and can’t wait to get back into it. 

https://www.amazon.com/Belgariad-Vol-Books-1-3-Magicians/dp/0345456327/ref=sr_1_3?crid=39WZPHQLBPU4B&dchild=1&keywords=belgariad&qid=1598628300&sprefix=Belgar%2Caps%2C160&sr=8-3

Bonus: Fairy Tale Retellings

I love fairy tales.

What I love even more than classic fairy-tales are modern interpretations of fairy tales. These are my two favorite that take the twisted original stories and make them into something new. 

The Bloody Chamber - Angela Carter

This books takes a look at the classic stories and looks at them through a feminist lense. Bluebeard is probably my favorite classic fairy tale and the title story “The Blood Chamber” is still something that I think about often. 

This book is amazing. 

https://www.amazon.com/Bloody-Chamber-Publisher-Penguin-Non-Classics/dp/B004V07W4C/ref=sr_1_6?crid=LR3P2PGHOF7Y&dchild=1&keywords=the+bloody+chamber+angela+carter&qid=1598628193&sprefix=The+bloody%2Caps%2C174&sr=8-6

My Mother She Killed Me, My Father He Ate Me - Various Authors

A collection of retellings that make the original stories look like something Disney put out. Thought fairy tales were twisted enough as they were? Think again. 

So many amazing authors in this collection. 

https://www.amazon.com/Mother-She-Killed-Father-Ate/dp/014311784X/ref=sr_1_3?crid=67F4IYK31ZRR&dchild=1&keywords=my+mother+she+killed+me%2C+my+father+he+ate+me&qid=1598628082&sprefix=My+mother+she+kill%2Caps%2C167&sr=8-3

Hope this helped you find something new to celebrate (Sm)August! Do you have a favorite fantasy? Share it with us at www.facebook.com/thehenlopress