“Best Top Three Fantasy Fiction Book Series: These Novels Are Must-Reads If You Love ... - Associated Content” plus 1 more

Best Top Three Fantasy Fiction Book Series: These Novels Are Must-Reads If You Love ... - Associated Content

Posted: 23 Aug 2010 01:27 AM PDT

As a lifelong voracious reader, I read more than 300 books a year. At least 50% of what I read is in the fantasy fiction genre, a genre that not only sells more books than any other genre in the UK, but in many other

countries too. My favorite fantasy fiction novels are fantasy fiction series ie: a story that carries on from one book to another. With so many fantasy fiction series to choose from, for a first-time reader in the genre, it's sometimes hard to choose. That's why I always recommend these top three best fantasy fiction book series to start with. A wonderful jumping off point for any new genre reader as well as perfect for people who are already big fans.

The Sword of Truth Series by Terry Goodkind - The first book in 'The Sword of Truth' series, 'Wizard's First Rule' was the first fantasy fiction book I ever read, and it got me hooked on the genre. 'The Sword of Truth' series tells the story of Richard Cypher, a woodsman, who while out tracking one day comes across a beautiful young woman being chased by armed men trying to kill her. This begins the epic story of a fight between good and evil, featuring dragons, wizards, battles, evil emperors, magic and a whole lot more.

I recommend buying the boxed set of the first three books in the series, 'Wizard's First Rule', 'Stone of Tears' and 'Blood of the Fold'. There are currently 12 books out, with number 13 on the way. Terry Goodkind has already sold 25 million copies of his books and it's not surprising - they're wonderful.

The Memory, Sorrow and Thorn Series by Tad Williams - Another of the best fantasy fiction series is the Memory, Sorrow and Thorn series by Tad Williams. Consisting of only three books in the series, so a trilogy, 'The Dragonbone Chair', 'Stone of Farewell' and 'To Green Angel Tower', the Memory, Sorrow and Thorn fantasy fiction series takes place in the world of Osten Ard.

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Why 'Mockingjay' and The Hunger Games series is latest craze for teen readers (and ... - MLive.com

Posted: 23 Aug 2010 02:38 AM PDT

Published: Monday, August 23, 2010, 5:15 AM

Hello, my name is Kyla, and I am addicted to "The Hunger Games" trilogy.

It's been 16 hours, five minutes, and three seconds since I last read one of the first two books.

You may see me in line at midnight when "Mockingjay" — the third and final installment of Suzanne Collins' young-adult series — is scheduled for release Tuesday.

And I may or may not be one of those people who downloaded a "Mockingjay countdown clock" from Scholastic's website.

I'm sure you can relate if, like me, you fangirl (or fanboy) over all things Katniss. Or vacillate between Team Peeta or Team Gale, depending on which one is in the room.

If you have no clue what I'm talking about, this discussion is not for you. At least not until you read the books.

My advice to the uninitiated is to run — no, scratch that. Full-out sprint to a library, bookstore, retailer or a teenager's bookshelf. Once there, buy, borrow or beg for copies of the first two books and settle in for a page-turning ride. Then, hurry back and join us, as I'm sure we fans still will be here obsessing.

Why?

Like J.K. Rowling's "Harry Potter" and Stephenie Meyer's "Twilight" books, Collins' series is a revelation that's quickly becoming a bona fide pop culture phenomenon.

Since it was published in September 2008, the first book, "The Hunger Games," has spent 96 weeks and counting on the New York Times best-seller list. Lather, rinse and repeat that scenario for the second book, "Catching Fire," which was released a year later and has been on the list for more than 45 weeks.

When the "Mockingjay" cover was released in February, it quickly created an online buzz. Series publisher Scholastic reportedly has increased Mockingjay's initial print run to 1.2 million copies, up from 750,000 copies.

Locally, anticipation also has been building for the release of "Mockingjay," according to Emily Stavrou, promotions coordinator for Schuler Books & Music, with many of its young adult book clubs reading the series over the summer to prepare for the early release. The store is having a Sept. 24 drawing for an autographed copy of the book at its 28th Street and Alpine Avenue locations.

Libraries have seen the same high interest.

"We have people asking about the book every day," says Sarah McCarville, Grand Rapids Public Library youth services coordinator.

More than 400 names already are on the hold list of the Lakeland Library Cooperative, which will be getting 49 Express copies (ones that can't be put on hold) and 81 regular circulation copies.

"I just haven't seen interest like this since 'Harry Potter' and 'Twilight,'" said Tammy Schneider, collection development librarian in charge of children's fiction.

So it's no surprise Hollywood reportedly is casting a movie that has fans engaged in heated online debate over who should play lead roles.

Interest is so intense when alleged "Mockingjay" plot spoilers were leaked online last week, Collins came out to urge fans not to ruin it for others.

Why is "The Hunger Games" trilogy so popular among adults and teens alike?

Well, as every fan knows, all good things come in sets of three. "Star Wars" (original flavor, episodes IV-VI). "Lord of The Rings." "Toy Story."

But I suspect the main reason is Katniss Everdeen.

In Katniss, Collins has created an astonishingly compelling and strong female protagonist to rival all others in young adult fiction, including the beloved Potter.

She is a new breed of female hero, along the lines of Lisbeth Salander, the girl with that now-famous dragon tattoo in Stieg Larsson's equally popular, though decidedly more adult Millennium series.

As fantasy-sci-fi heroes go, Katniss is a lot Potter, a bit of JRR Tolkien's Legolas Greenleaf, and a smidgen of George Lucas' Han Solo rolled into a petite 16-year-old female package.

But let's back up.

Collins' series is addicting because it immediately and effectively immerses the reader in the post-apocalyptic world of Panem, formerly North America. Now divided into 13 poverty-ridden districts and ruled with an iron fist by the evil, unforgiving and grotesquely luxurious city called Capitol.

Katniss survives in the brutal conditions of District 12, a former area of Appalachia where dangerous coal mines offer the only source of income and starvation is common.

The action- and angst-filled series takes off when Katniss bravely volunteers to take the place of her younger sister in the Capitol's annual Hunger Games.

A barbaric, gladiator-style tournament selects teens from each district by lottery and forces them to compete to the death in a televised arena.

For those of you who remember Stephen King's "The Long Walk" or "The Running Man," the concept may not sound wholly original. But believe me when I tell you Collins' layered characters, tightly written prose and engaging plot are.

The reader can't help but fall in love with Katniss, who unknowingly incites rebellion by literally and figuratively catching fire in the games.

For me, the most ingenious aspect of Collins' series is how she seamlessly weaves heart-pounding action sequences with an equally heart-breaking and tragic love story, albeit with a slight twist.

After all, this is young adult fiction. There simply must be a love story. Though it is refreshing that while Katniss is adored by not one, but two, handsome males, their affections never are her sole concern.

Even if "The Hunger Games" is not your cup of tea, it's hard to not to like Collins following Rowling's and Meyer's lead in once again inspiring a rabid appetite for reading in young people. Kids who read these books often go on to discover Collins' other terrific series, the "Underland Chronicles," or already have read the Potter books and Rick Riordan's "Percey Jackson & The Olympians" series.

It's encouraging to see a hardcover book obscuring a teenager's face. Or to overhear a young person ask a librarian or bookseller to recommend more reading.

Isn't that something we all could get addicted to?

E-mail Kyla King: kking@grpress.com and follow her on Twitter at twitter.com/KYLking

Heroes Series

Monday, August 23, 2010