The best fantasy novels with characters you love getting to know

In the first chapter as Yarvi stands before his father as the king and suffers verbal abuse, I wanted to rush into the throne room and support him. With only one arm, this young disabled prince had to go out into a bloodthirsty world to prove that he was not only worthy of the throne (which he didn’t want), but that he could survive the cruelties of his enemies while lacking the ability to hold a shield or swing an axe. I was pulling for Yarvi from the very beginning and through the entire series. I also love the titles of the Shattered Seas. Half a King, Half a War, and Half the World. So good!

I am completely awe-struck by Sanderson’s magic system in Mistborn. The story is as unique and the world captivating. The plot twists kept me turning pages. However, if I don’t fall for a character, I’ll shelf the book, so I must add that in Mistborn, Sanderson does not disappoint. Vin was a compelling female lead, but my heart went out to Kelsier (even though I could sense Sanderson trying to persuade me to root for Vin. I have to admit I found another character to support in the next book). Mistborn was a fun, imaginative, and exciting read, and I think this series is one of his best.

I think book 1 of his 14-book series Wheel of Time is Robert Jordan’s best. I absolutely adored Rand (and Mat). The story is a classic because the detail is so vivid, the pacing perfect, and the world building as rich and vast as Tolkien’s Middle Earth. I’m the kind of reader who wants to get lost in a story and stay there as long as I can. Robert Jordan’s Wheel of Time will. As for the characters, every one of them has distinct personalities and I quickly chose my favorites. There were some I loved to hate as well. 

Dune is science fiction, a little off course for me although it takes place in an equally fantastic world as any epic fantasy, and the dreams and visions certainly expand the reader’s imagination. It’s difficult to understand in some ways, yet there are golden nuggets, little quotable passages of truth offerings one gets to chew on and digest. What I liked most about Dune is the relationships. In a completely alien world where moons rise and fall and people and creatures inhabit multitudes of planets, we still have mother-son, father-son, relationships that tug at the heart. It’s a good book!

It’s not often you can pick up a fantasy book and laugh. Not only laugh but travel with a rogue group of people and enjoy every minute of it. The Girl from Everywhere is just plain fun! I loved the characters, so much personality! That it’s a time travel story makes it exciting, and I have a passion for tall ships, so she had me with the sailing adventure. Add to that humor and a feisty dialogue. I can’t say enough about this book.