A Song of Ice and Fire - George R. R. Martin
The recently released fifth volume of the series.
Martin's
A Song of Ice and Fire has become a benchmark of an entire genre. Set in a world reminiscent of medieval England, proud families strive for power as they forge and sever alliances in the deadliest game of all, the game of thrones. Martin's series has all the required elements of a classic fantasy tale, but he really excels in his stunning complexity and scale. Character's plots are cunningly interweaved, and his cliffhangers will have you tearing the next book off the shelves.
Martin's being hailed as the 'American Tolkien'. I don't think you can get much better than that.
Riftwar Cycle - Raymond E. Feist
The Riftwar Saga - The first three books of the series.
The Riftwar Cycle is actually composed of several smaller 'sagas' covering events in the fictional world of Midkemia - totalling around 25 books. Old Ray sure loves to write. This sprawling series is centred around Pug, the unfortunately-named orphan boy who becomes a powerful magician. He is thrown into a war that will eventually take him on a journey through time and space. All the guilty pleasures of fantasy that are missing in
A Song of Ice and Fire end up here - Feist's world is full of sorcery, dragons, demons, and everything in between. Thoroughly recommended for those looking to immerse themselves completely in the world of fantasy.
The Wheel of Time - Robert Jordan
The first book of the series.
Another series of staggering proportions,
The Wheel of Time series spans 14 books - the latter few completed by another author after Jordan's death. The series has a large host of characters in a detailed imaginary world like Martin's work, and a well-developed magic system like Feist's. Ancient prophecies, a Dark One returning to power, the eternal struggle between good and evil, a Chosen One realising their potential,
The Wheel of Time series pretty much covers everything fantasy. Especially worth a read if you have an interest in European and Asian mythology, and concepts of spiritualism and balance.
The Chronicles of Narnia - C. S. Lewis
Shiny box set.
While it's considered children's literature, sometimes it's good to get acquainted with a classic.
The Chronicles of Narnia is a series of seven fantasy novels written by C. S. Lewis in the 50s. The stories are centred around a group of children who escape into the magical world of Narnia, where they aid a butt-kicking talking lion called Aslan in saving the realm from an evil queen. No doubt you're aware they've been adapted into films recently, so if you enjoyed them, why not take a trip back in time and read what kids were reading 60 years ago?
Obviously I've just scratched the surface - there are so many great fantasy series out there to read. This writer is currently in love with the work of George R. R. Martin.
Check out this list if you'd like to discover some more great fantasy for yourself.