Fantasy Buddy Reads discussion

I'd like some help!

I have a friend who keeps wanting to get into reading, but she hasn't found the right book yet. So, I'm looking for books that are fantasy or fantasy-ish, fairly short, simple, action-packed, fast-paced, all the good stuff.

But, not epic or high fantasy (she doesn't like those). Hopefully I can get her a good book for her birthday.

Cheers!

Saul wrote: "I'd like some help!

I have a friend who keeps wanting to get into reading, but she hasn't found the right book yet. So, I'm looking for books that are fantasy or fantasy-ish, fairly short, simple,..."

If there's any possibility she might like Sci-fi, I highly recommend Ender's Game. That book got me completely hooked on reading, and I read it during a time when I wasn't really a huge reader yet.

Another book I cannot recommend enough if they want something that's fast paced and full of action is Red Rising. That book actually kind of combines a lot of Sci-fi and fantasy elements, making for something really cool, and it's not difficult to read at all. That would be my primary recommendation, based on what you're looking for =].

Most of my favorites are definitely on a more epic scale, but those might be a good place to begin.

Hmm okay off the top of my head I can think of a few there's the summoners trilogy by Taran Matharu very simple fantasy book kind of like Harry Potter and Pokemon mixed together

There's also ready player one by Ernest cline another simple book with a lot of video games references and it has a lot of action

Saga series by Brian K Vaughn while it's a graphic novel is a really interesting read in my opinion and the artwork is great

Hounded is a good book to get into the Urban Fantasy genre. fairly short, around 300 pages I believe.

The Lies of Locke Lamora of course :D

Hounded has a nice talking dog in it, too...

I'd recommend as a fun steampunk with mad science that started as a webcomic that she could try out before you buy to get an idea if it's something she'd like... but I don't know that the assault in an ally in comic 4-5 is a good intro to what the book is like AT ALL...

Huh, I didn't think of Ender's Game, I'll see if she might be interested. And I've heard a lot about Red Rising, I'll give it a look, see if she might like it.

I haven't yet read Locke Lamora, so I wasn't too sure about it. But I've heard of the Summoner trilogy.

Is Hounded part of the Iron Druid Chronicles?

I know she's not a big fan of steampunk, but I have another friend who is. I'll let her know about the Girl Genius novels.

Thanks all!

yes, its book one of the Iron Druid, on app so I couldn't link.

I second Red Rising. It meets all your criteria: fast-paced, action-packed, and relatively short. also, the author's writing style is fairly terse, making it easy for someone who's just getting back into reading. I've read both Ender's Game and Red Rising; I'd say they're somewhat similar, but Red Rising is better.

As for Locke Lamora, I actually recommended it to a friend back in December because he was wanting to get back into reading, and the humor is a perfect match for his personality. He still hasn't finished it. He says he likes it, but apparently not enough to actually allocate time for reading. It's a fantastic book...but based on my own experience in a similar situation I wouldn't recommend it for your friend (sorry Mayim).

Locke Lamora is long... and jumps back and forth between Lamora's childhood and his adulthood... probably not the best book/series to introduce her with... altho I could be wrong

Maybe ... exiled Werewolf Templar and Valkyrie vs Vampires... author has fun with his writing...

@Iain Whoa, that looks intense. She might actually like that one. I'll look into it

No epic fantasy, huh? That leaves low fantasy. Maybe some urban fantasy. Try Neil Gaiman's books (e.g. The Graveyard Book) as they are stand-alones. If she wants series with more action, maybe try the Peter Grant/Rivers of London series. Funny, fast paced, likable main characters, with a perfect dash of magic.

I have a few in mind, but would like to ask first if you happen know any specific books she didn't like, and perhaps a little info on why she didn't like them. Also, is there any book/series she did like? :)

She's not much of a reader, really. But she actually wants to get into it. I know she read the Percy Jackson books a while ago, and she liked those. She enjoys fantasy-ish stuff (urban fantasy is actually a good genre she enjoys) and just action-y things.

Saul wrote: "She's not much of a reader, really. But she actually wants to get into it. I know she read the Percy Jackson books a while ago, and she liked those. She enjoys fantasy-ish stuff (urban fantasy is a..."

Okay, thanks. That helps. :)

In that case I'd probably hand her Moon Called by Patricia Briggs for an easy, fast read with great characters (it's a bonus that she likes UF). Steelheart by Sanderson because I think she'd like it if she liked Percy Jackson (and it's a good way to get her to like Sanderson who has so many amazing ones). And maybe Hunter by Mercedes Lackey. I'm also going to recommend Fortune's Pawn by Rachel Bach and Leviathan Wakes by Corey for more action-packed type of things. Maybe she's a scifi girl and just doesn't know it haha.

Haha, perhaps. She really loved the movie Hellboy, so that's kind of what I'm going for (just her taste in movies). I may read Steelheart myself, I've been wanting to read it for the longest time.

Thank you all!!

I just started Legend and it's a good read with some romance, action, and "big" main characters. Fast pacing and it's only 320ish pages. Plus how can you go wrong when you have an award ceremony named after you: The David Gemmell Awards! It's an older book, but it's very well written and I can't put it down.

(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_G...)

I think you're better off going with something by Sanderson. All of his stuff is really straight forward. He also has a lot of novellas to test out. Both of the below are less than 100 pages and I liked them alot. If she does you can move on to the Reckoners which has already been recommended above and then Mistborn.

Perfect State
The Emperor's Soul

I second emperor's soul. I loved that one.

Hello Saul, cool that you wanna help your friend. A wonderful gateway (book for starting or sampling a type of writing) into Fantasy is the Riyria Revelations series by MJ Sullivan.
It's very easy to read.
Why?
There aren't too many characters to keep track of, the writing is simple, the dialogues are delivered in a way that modern readers will find comfortable and easy + the story keeps rolling along at a merry pace. There are no long descriptive or philosophical passages and not too much violence. Very PG13 so you can gift it to a younger reader too.
Did I mention that it's a great adventure story? Two best friends who are thieves break into castles and steal swords and stuff. Don't worry I haven't spoiled you cuz the book is CALLED Theft of Swords. There are also dragon-y creatures + bad guys + princesses and all that kinda jazz.
The first book is don't get put off by the bilious yellow cover. Hope your friend gets to love Hadrian and Royce. They have a lot of fans around the world.
More importantly, I hope your friend gets to love reading.

EDIT: sorry if parts of this post sound like I'm talking directly to your friend

@Zaara Yeah, I've heard a lot about the Riyria books, but since I haven't actually read any, I guess I didn't think of them. I just may give her that one to start, actually. And read it myself too while I'm at it :D

I'm reading it now, last sixty pages...