SciFi and Fantasy Book Club discussion

I just finished "Deathly Hallows" and am experiencing symptoms of a Harry Potter withdrawal.

Since I'm relatively new to fantasy, I'm not sure where to get my next fantasy fix, something that would be similar in scope and feel to the Harry Potter series.

If any JK Rowling fans could suggest something. I would greatly appreciate it!

Kathryn

PS: I've already requested the Amanda Hemingway series from the library, but I'd like to line up as many as possible. Thank you so much!

I'd recommend the Artemis Fowl series by Eoin Colfer - or at least the first two books in the series as they are the only ones I've read (so far).

It's not exactly similar, but it's probably the same core audience. It's about Artemis Fowl, a 12 year old criminal genius who somehow gets wind of the underground world of fairies, trolls and gnomes - and the reluctant truce and cooperation between himself and a member of the fairie police force.

A lot of humor, some fantasy and James Bond gadgetry both from our world and from the world of fairie.

And to connect both to this months discussion and Donnas comment above; Neil Gaiman has written a horror story for the children/YA crowd called "Coraline" which I recommend highly. Be aware, though, it is scarier than most of the adult horror I've read in a long time.

A song of ice and fire series is really good and we are reading the first book coming up in June. It is a long series too so it will take up a lot of time.

Thanks so much, everyone! I'll be busy for quite a while with all of these recommendations!

Kathryn

I've read all the Artemis Fowl books and they just get better and better! They are really fast reads though so it won't take you long to read them all. Another series in that same vein is The Chronicles of Chrestomanci by Diana Wynne Jones, really fun set of books. Really all of Diana Wynne Jones books are great. Her book, Howl's Moving Castle, was made into an animated movie a few years ago and is on the top of my list of favorite animated films.

I also agree with Angie's recommendation of George R.R. Martin's A song of Ice and Fire if you're into more adult reading. Another great adult series that I'm currently working my way through is Jacqueline Carey's Kushiel series. Really exciting action and has kept me up past my bedtime a few times now! LOL!

Have you read "Eragon" and "Eldest" yet? The first is good, but you can tell it was written by a young person. You can tell which books and movies inspired him. In spite of its flaws, it's an entertaining read with good character development. The sequel is much better. You can see that the author is finding his own voice instead of relying so heavily on his inspirational sources. It's very good. My only beef is that it ends in a cliff-hanger and book 3 isn't due out until this fall. I read "Eldest" shortly after it came out, so it is taking way to long to find out what happens next.

I'm so glad I didn't read the Harry Potter series until after the last book came out. Those long waits would have driven me nuts.

Hi Sandikal: My oldest son read the Eragon books and kept laughing about the obvious similarity to "Star Wars" although he did keep reading them. I guess a good story is a good story, as Joseph Campbell would tell us!

What made the Harry Potter books so popular is the original combination of storylines -- a school story combined with a vulnerable orphan combined with irresistible fantasy elements . . . but better minds than mine have probed deeper into the reasons for the series' immense popularity!

And I agree -- how could anyone have waited so long in between?

Jeanne: I just visited my library today and came back with the first two volumes of Chrestomanci, and they look great!

Unfortunately, I'm overdue to read a Spiderman book at the request of my oldest son. Is Pity really Spiderman's sister? I'll soon find out! Sigh . . . the things I do for love.:) Just kidding, son. Sort of. Troy Castro is a surprisingly sharp and witty writer, but he's not JK Rowling!

But perhaps I'll be able to sneak in a Wynne Jones chapter now and then -- on the sly. Thanks for the recommendations!

Kathryn, let me know how you like them! The third one starts off a bit weird, but stick with it because it is the best of all once you get through all the beginning weirdness.

And I agree -- how could anyone have waited so long in between?

It was absolutely excrutiating. :) I'm not sure which pain was worse - the pain waiting in between, or the pain after finishing book 7 and knowing that it was all over!

Thank you for this thread - I've been searching for other HPish series as well. I recently read the first two Spiderwick Chronicles, and was very disappointed to discover that they're definitely for YOUNG readers. I plan on finishing them (There are 5 100-page books in the series - each one takes me about a half hour at the MOST to read) since I started, but I was expecting more.

Well Brooke, let's definitely keep each other posted in our search for the ultimate fantasy series! Next to HP, that is.:)

And to add to your comment, Brooke, describing "the pain after finishing book 7 and knowing that it was all over!" My 13 year-old daughter couldn't understand why I took two weeks to read the book. I was savoring it and making it last as long as possible! It was like having a huge bar of chocolate hiding in my room that I could enjoy anytime. Absolutely loved the series.:)

I can certainly relate to those painful long HP waits! The worst was when I was living in a remote part of Canada for the summer when book 5 came out and none of the local stores had it. I drove 200 miles and across the border to Bangor, Maine to get it! What a relief it was when I found it. And to the testament of how good books create truly special moments: I still cherish the memory of sitting on the Fundy Coast in the ensuing week reading the Order of the Phoenix.

I found myself too anticipating the bitter-sweet end of a great series a few years ago. So, I started writing my own HP-style story. It has similar elements - three young friends, supported by a cast of adults on the periphery, have to save the world - but also has unique elements, like a new setting and (hopefully) my own unique voice.

It's called The Incredible Origins of the Onyx Sun, and I have paperback review copies I'd be happy to send for free to anyone looking for a HP-substitute. More info on GoodReads if you search "Onyx Sun". Just email me if you'd like a copy. I'm happy to send if you can review it here and let me know if I've hit the mark at all. :)

Hopefully we'll see more from JK too in the following years as her books are addictive, fun reads!