Book Riot's Read Harder Challenge discussion

Guy Gavriel Kay's novels are classified as fantasy but, especially in his more recent books, read more like historical fiction with just a trace of magic or fantasy. The books are usually set in a time and place that you would recognize, although not called what they are today, Some of his books are part of two- or three-book series, while others are standalones. These include his most recent, Children of Earth and Sky, plus The Lions of Al-Rassan and A Song for Arbonne. My favorite is Tigana, which has more fantasy elements than some of the others but still isn't all "swords and sorcery." River of Stars and Under Heaven are both set in China but 400 years apart, so they don't really need to be read together.

Handily, I just came across this list:

http://www.readitforward.com/bookshel...

I considered a few options for this and ended up reading Mort, since I'm slowly making my way through the Discworld novels. This one was really good.

Is Dune considered fantasy or science-fiction?

I consider it science fiction.

Huffington Post had a list of fantasy for beginners if you're new to the genre:

http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2015/03/...

Kate wrote: "Is Dune considered fantasy or science-fiction?"

I would consider it both.

I read The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms for this challenge task.

I read Deja Who by MaryJanice Davidson for this one. It's an urban fantasy about past lives.

I read A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms for this, which also helped tide me over until the new Game of Thrones seasons is out. Recommended for GOT fans, it was an enjoyable read if you're a fan of the show - and probably less gory/bloody.

Just finished Outlander. I didn't intend to read it for this challenge, but it seems to fit!

My Soul to Save

I'm reading This Savage Song

I read Naomi Novik's book Uprooted for this challenge. It was very different than what I was expecting. I enjoyed it immensely!!

This genre is my bread and butter but I thought I'd throw out some recommendations.
Graceling
An Ember in the Ashes
Red Queen (fantasy/sci-fi)
Daughter of the Forest
Red Rising
The Paper Magician
The Raven Boys
Artemis Fowl (YA)
Uprooted
City of a Thousand Dolls
The Wayfarer Redemption
Eragon
Black Ships (historical fantasy)
Inkheart

I think there is a little something for everyone in this list!

Sassy wrote: "Yall. The Night Circus. If you have not read it, you *need* to read it! It's starts slow, give it time. I'm an impatient reader, but trust me it's worth the wait."

Seconding this! It's an absolutely beautiful book.

Also:

The Fairyland Series by Cathrynne M. Valente. Started with the first book on a friend's recommendation, couldn't stop reading them. There are five books, but the first one works reasonably well on its own if you don't want to commit to an entire series!

12-year-old September is whisked away to Fairyland by the Green Wind. All she wants it a break from her boring life in 1940s Nebraska - have a couple adventures, go on a friendly quest - but instead she finds herself facing the Marquess, the ruthless little girl who has reined in Fairyland ever since the disappearance of Good Queen Mallow.

That's just the first book, by the way.

It's fantastically whimsical, full of the unexpected, and sometimes beautiful and deep. Or, like, most of the time. It's my go-to book recommendation, which is why I had to jump in as soon as I saw people recommending reads. I love this series with the burning passion of a thousand suns.

My choices for this task were: The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms and The Broken Kingdoms. Enjoyable.

Would Alice in Wonderland count?

Yes.

Chinook wrote: "Yes."

Thanks!!