Books matching: swords and sorcery fantasy
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- #1
Save:'Elric of Melnibone' by Michael Moorcock is the first in the Elric Saga series, featuring Elric, the albino emperor of the Dragon Isle. Elric rules the island empire of Melnibone from the Ruby Throne in dreaming Imrryr, a civilization in decline. The story follows Elric's struggles against external threats, power plays within his family, and his own illnesses. He makes a deal with Chaos that comes at a great cost, leading to a dark and anti-heroic narrative. The writing style is described as dark, melancholic, and lyrical, with a focus on Elric's quest for survival and mastery of his evil blade, Stormbringer.
IT IS THE colour of a bleached skull, his flesh; and the long hair which flows below his shoulders is milk-white. From the tapering, beautiful head stare two slanting eyes, crimson and moody, and from... - #2
Save:'The Way of Kings' in 'The Stormlight Archive' series by Brandon Sanderson is an epic fantasy novel that introduces readers to a world filled with unique magic systems, intricate world-building, and deep character development. The plot revolves around multiple main characters, each with their own complex storylines that eventually intertwine. The magic system in the book is innovative and tied to gems that capture stormlight, which powers magical armor and various other elements in the world. The writing style is described as engaging, with a mix of slow-paced world-building and action-packed sequences that keep readers hooked throughout the 1000+ pages of the book.
“You’ve killed me. Bastards, you’ve killed me! While the sun is still hot, I die!” —Collected on the fifth day of the week Chach of the month Betab of the year 1171, ten seconds before death. Subject ... - #3
Save:Set in the same world as The Clocktaur War, "Swordheart" follows the story of Halla, a widow who unexpectedly inherits a magical sword that contains the spirit of a guardian. Forced into a predicament where she must choose between marrying her cousin or claim her inheritance, Halla embarks on a journey with Sarkis, the enchanted swordsman, leading to a series of shenanigans, banter, and unexpected romance. The book offers a blend of fantasy, romance, and humor, with quirky details and strong-willed characters navigating through a world filled with adventure and self-discovery.
The narrative unfolds as Halla and Sarkis encounter various challenges, including bandits, priests, and unexpected allies, all while trying to secure Halla's rightful inheritance and freedom. The story intricately weaves elements of magic, societal norms, and personal growth, presenting a delightful combination of fantasy and reality, where the protagonists surprise each other, support one another, and embark on a road trip filled with hope, humor, and a touch of horror.
This was not a normal response to inheriting wealth. She was aware of that. Unfortunately, she didn’t seem to have many other options. She had been locked in her room for three days and the odds of es... - #4
Save:'The Oathbound' by Mercedes Lackey is the opening book in the duology of books dealing with Kethry and Tarma, a mage and a sword-sworn fighter bound by oath to one another and to the Goddess. The story follows their adventures as they travel together as mercenaries, defending women in need of deliverance despite the personal peril they face. The book is structured more like a collection of short stories, each chapter presenting a different adventure, rather than a continuous building story. The characters of Tarma and Kethry are engaging, and the plot, while somewhat episodic, is strong and enjoyable, especially when accompanied by the sequel 'Oathbreakers'.
The book delves into the journey of Tarma and Kethry, two oathbound sisters with contrasting roles - a Sworn Sword and a mage, united by their oath to protect women in distress. The plot unfolds through a series of episodic adventures that highlight the bond between the two women and their dedication to their cause. Despite being written over 30 years ago, the book is praised for being ahead of its time in focusing on two strong female protagonists and tackling themes of femininity and female empowerment within a fantasy setting.
The sky was overcast, a solid gray sheet that seemed to hang just barely above the treetops, with no sign of a break in the clouds anywhere. The sun was no more than a dimly glowing spot near the west... - #5
Save:In "Paladin's Grace," readers are introduced to a world where a paladin, Stephen, and a perfumer, Grace, cross paths under dangerous circumstances and find themselves entangled in a web of murder, politics, and romance. Stephen, a former paladin of the deceased Saint of Steel, struggles with the fear of losing control again, while Grace, accused of murder, navigates her own past traumas. The story unfolds with elements of severed heads, golems, assassination attempts, and a rich cast of characters, all set in a world filled with humor, action, and intrigue.
The book is praised for its engaging writing style that blends humor, romance, and fantasy seamlessly. Readers find themselves captivated by the witty banter, relatable character issues, and the unique professions of the protagonists - a paladin and a perfumer - as they navigate a plot filled with mystery and danger.
The Saint of Steel had not been a major deity, but neither had He been entirely obscure. He had four temples, staffed with priests and paladins, and the bishop of His church sat on the council in Arch... - #6
Save:In "The Truth" by Terry Pratchett, the city of Ankh Morpork sees the introduction of newspapers, leading to a whirlwind of events involving political intrigue, a framing plot against Lord Vetinari, and the birth of investigative journalism. The story follows William de Worde, the editor of the city's first newspaper, as he navigates the dangerous waters of reporting, uncovering mysteries, and dealing with a colorful cast of characters including vampires, dwarves, and a talking dog. Through humor and satire, Pratchett explores the power of the press, the nature of truth, and the dynamics of political manipulation within the vibrant world of Discworld.
Pratchett's writing style in "The Truth" is characterized by witty humor, clever wordplay, and a keen observation of human nature and societal structures. With a blend of fantasy elements and satirical commentary, the novel delves into themes of media influence, political satire, and the complexities of journalism, all while maintaining a lighthearted and entertaining narrative that keeps readers engaged from start to finish.
It buzzed through the fetid air of the Alchemists’ quarter, where they had been trying to do the same thing for centuries without success but were certain that they’d manage it by tomorrow, or next Tu...
(Also, see 100 recommendations for the series Discworld ) - #7
Save:'The Steel Remains' by Richard K. Morgan is a gritty and dark fantasy novel that follows the stories of three disparate heroes dealing with their own baggage from past campaigns. The plot intertwines themes of violence, explicit sexual encounters, and a mix of swords and sorcery with a touch of science fiction. The characters are portrayed as flawed individuals with complex histories, set in a world filled with gods, aliens, political intrigue, and battles between church and state.
The writing style of Morgan is described as descriptive, dark, and gritty, with a 'no holds barred' approach. The novel explores themes of alien encounters, brutal violence, and graphic sex scenes, which are intertwined with a fast-paced adventure filled with family obligations, political tensions, and societal prejudices. The story is characterized by its unique blend of fantasy and science fiction elements, creating a rich and dirty world where heroes navigate through a complex and adult-themed narrative.
When a man you know to be of sound mind tells you his recently deceased mother has just tried to climb in his bedroom window and eat him, you only have two basic options. You can smell his breath, tak... - #8
Save:In 'Jingo', part of the Discworld series by Terry Pratchett, the story revolves around the City Watch of Ankh Morpork led by Commander Vimes as they navigate through the rising tensions and potential war between Ankh Morpork and Klatch over a newly appeared island. The book delves into themes of jingoism, war, politics, and diplomacy, all while maintaining Pratchett's signature humor and satire. Through the interactions of well-loved characters like Vimes, Carrot, Nobby, and Vetinari, the narrative unfolds with a blend of witty dialogue, clever wordplay, and insightful commentary on societal issues.
The writing style in 'Jingo' is characterized by Pratchett's ability to blend fantastical elements with real-world parallels seamlessly. The book presents a humorous yet thought-provoking take on nationalism, war-mongering, and prejudice, using the absurdities of the Discworld to reflect on contemporary issues. With a mix of comedy, satire, and a touch of mystery, 'Jingo' keeps readers engaged as they follow the City Watch's attempts to prevent a war while navigating through political intrigues and absurd situations.
Shortly after they got curious about the lantern that Solid had hung over the stern of his boat, they started to become curious about the way in which various of their number suddenly vanished skyward...
(Also, see 100 recommendations for the series Discworld ) - #9
Save:'The Blacktongue Thief' by Christopher Buehlman is a fantasy novel that follows the adventures of Kinch Na Shannack, a thief in training who embarks on a secret mission to save himself and potentially the world. The story is epic in scale, featuring different peoples, languages, societies, giants, goblins, witches, and kings and queens. The writing style is witty and concise, filled with humor that is dark and black, keeping readers engaged and entertained throughout the book.
The plot of 'The Blacktongue Thief' is fast-paced, filled with great characters, adventures, magic, snark, and a touch of romance. The story revolves around Kinch's journey, his encounters with various creatures like battle corvids and blind cats, and his quest to pay off his debts while navigating a world full of political intrigue, magic, and danger.
Not that I was afraid to die, but maybe who you die with is important. It’s important who’s with you when you’re born, after all. If everybody’s wearing clean linen and silk and looking down at you sq... - #10
Save:'Interesting Times' is a Discworld novel by Terry Pratchett that follows the misadventures of Rincewind the Wizard as he is sent to the Counterweight Continent, which is a satirical equivalent of China, to save the day amidst a revolution and power struggle. The book features a mix of familiar characters such as Cohen the Barbarian and Twoflower, blending humor, cultural commentary, and a touch of chaos theory. Through a light-hearted and witty narrative, Pratchett explores themes of politics, culture clash, and the absurdity of power dynamics in a fantastical world reminiscent of our own.
The plot of 'Interesting Times' unfolds with Rincewind being reluctantly thrust into a situation where he must navigate through political turmoil, ancient prophecies, and unexpected alliances. As the story progresses, the narrative delves into the clash of civilizations, the awakening of the Red Army, and the comedic escapades of characters like Cohen the Barbarian and the Silver Horde. Pratchett's writing style shines through with clever observations on society, sprinkled with humor and satire, creating a story that is both entertaining and thought-provoking.
Gods can take any form, but the one aspect of themselves they cannot change is their eyes, which show their nature. The eyes of Fate are hardly eyes at all—just dark holes into an infinity speckled wi...
(Also, see 100 recommendations for the series Discworld )
