Talking fantasy novels today! Everyone says fantasy is a tough sell in the Christian market, and I know that is true, but with stories such as the ones I’ve listed below and Patrick W. Carr’s excellent novels. I’d love to know what fantasy novels you have discovered!
If you are anything like me, it’s super hard to keep recommendations short, but I am going to ask that you stick with three only. It’s a given that you will have way more than three recs you could make, that you love lots of books and lots of authors, and by recommending three, you aren’t disrespecting all the others you might have in your brain…okay?! And we’re doing this genre by genre, so we can really share more than three over time!
Here are my three fantasy reads that jump to mind…
Embers by Ronie Kendig – Adore Ronie’s foray into fantasy novels and Embers is captivating – great characters, terrific world building, and plenty of energy and emotion.
The Light of Eidon by Karen Hancock – Karen’s writing was my introduction to Christian fantasy and I love the entire series.
The Restorer by Sharon Hinck – This story is so clever and engaging, with a powerful message, great concepts, and the prose just sings!
April 3, 2017 at 10:10 pm
I’m a big fan of fantasy in general, but strangely not really in Christian fiction, but there are some I’ve come to adore.
Serena Chase’s fantasy novels are just absolutely awesome. They’re some of my absolutely favourite fantasy novels. I think my favourite is the last one, The Sunken Realm.
Does The Progeny by Tosca Lee count? I know it’s modern-day – but modern-day gifted people with powers? 😉
My third recommendation would be Storm Siren by Mary Weber. Mary is so gifted.
April 5, 2017 at 1:18 pm
Bee » There’s not a lot to choose from in the CBA, Bee, is there? I’m smacking myself on the head for not adding Serena’s novels – I adore them! Mary’s too. The Progeny is up next for me. Who are you general market fantasy favs, Bee? David Eddings would be mine.
April 5, 2017 at 5:39 pm
You were the one who set the three-books-only rule.
I haven’t read most of the books mentioned – I don’t mind sci-fi or speculative, but I’ve never got into fantasy novels. I may have to branch out 🙂
April 4, 2017 at 1:01 am
I would say this would be my least favorite genre (other than the one that shall not be mentioned. You know what I’m talking about right, Rel?) My literal mind has difficulty heading to “Fantasy Island”, but having said that I’ve read of few. Of course, I read Ronie’s because I will read anything with her name on it. Not sure the ones I’m listing below are considered exactly “fantasy”, but I did love them.
“Waking Beauty” – Sarah E. Morin (One of my top favorite books EVER read!)
“Kiss of Night” (and others in the Kiss trilogy)- Debbie Viguie
“Dreamspell” – Tamara Leigh (technically it’s time travel, but isn’t that a fantasy for many of us?) Plus, I heart Tamara so much I’m willing to give her shout out anywhere I can 🙂
April 5, 2017 at 1:16 pm
Amy » Yes, I know exactly which genre you mean 😉 Dreamspell….yes, wonderful!! Appreciate the recommendations, friend xo
April 4, 2017 at 1:14 am
Jill Williamson’s Blood of Kings Trilogy is excellent. By Darkness Hid is the first book in the series.
Morgan L. Busse’s Follower of the Word series is also great. The first book in the series is Daughter of Light.
Last but not least, Anne Elizabeth Stengl’s Heartless – the first book in her Tales of Goldstone Woods series.
April 4, 2017 at 4:05 am
I love all of these as well!!!
April 5, 2017 at 1:15 pm
Chuck J. » Thanks for the recs, Chuck. I all Stengl’s Bethany House novels and have loaned them to a number of appreciative friends. Haven’t read them myself yet! Must rectify that.
April 4, 2017 at 4:10 am
Chuck picked 3 great ones so I’m going to do a different 3 and pretend I picked 6.
Black Tiger by Sarah Baysinger– if you like a Hunger Games and Divergent feel, you’ll love this book.
The Staff and the Spear series by Patrick Carr–I really don’t think I could recommend this series enough. It has everything you could want; action, adventure, romance.
The Gifting Series by K. E. Ganshert.–I literally had dreams about this story and its character while I was reading it. It will suck you in that much.
April 5, 2017 at 1:14 pm
Sarah Monzon » Patrick is one heck of a writer, I agree. I loved Katie’s Gifting series and have just finished listening to the first one on audio – so good 🙂
April 4, 2017 at 4:22 am
I will admit fantasy is not my go to genre but I have found several favorites along the way.
The Tales of Goldstone Wood series by Anne Elisabeth Stengl – especially Book 2 Veiled Rose – zomg I loved this book so much and I cried when it was done. It was so beautiful.
The Bright Empires series by Stephen Lawhead – time travel goodness
Many Waters by Madeline L’engel – it’s the 4th book in the Wrinkle in Time series and it takes Meg’s twin brothers to the time right before Noah’s flood. So it’s a cross between fantasy and biblical fiction. It is my favorite of the series and my favorite Noah story.
April 5, 2017 at 1:11 pm
Deborah » Great recommendations, Deborah – thanks for sharing them.
April 4, 2017 at 7:17 am
I’ve just read the first two ‘Embers’ books – all I can say is that Ronnie needs to get that 3rd book written. Fast!!! So, so good. And I adored The Restorer series. Oh my heart.
I’ve also enjoyed Lisa T Bergren’s River of Time series. I don’t know if it’s strictly fantasy, but time travel, castles and handsome Italian heroes makes me happy.
April 5, 2017 at 1:09 pm
Tracy » Yes, yes, yes! The River of Time series is one of my all time favourites, too.
April 5, 2017 at 12:15 am
Oh so many! Rel because everyone has ALREADY listed such great books, that I LOVE!
I wanted to share a couple different ones I’ve write a while back.
My three are:
The Remnants series by Lisa T Bergren
-Season of Wonder
-Season of Fire
-Season of Glory
The Yesterday series by Amanda Tru
-Yesterday
-The Locket
-Today
-The Choice
-Tomorrow
-The Promise
The Highlander by Chautona Havig
April 5, 2017 at 12:18 am
OOPS….should have said ….I’ve read…not I’ve write. I guess I’m tired because I stayed up late reading.
April 5, 2017 at 1:07 pm
Marylin Furumasu » Loved the Remnants series, too, Marylin. Will have to check out the others 🙂