I love reading and I love books that evoke a response whether it’s an ooey gooey feeling from a soppy love story, too scared to turn the bedtime light out because of the terrifying horror book or sniggering quietly at witty, humorous, and amusing storytelling. I never intended to write humorous books myself, my characters took me there with their individual idiosyncrasies and peculiar habits. I adore writing my Roshaven novels, it’s like sitting down with friends for coffee, cake, and a catch-up. I hope you enjoy my list, get in touch with the ones you’ve read and any others you think I’d like.
By Claire Buss
Someone is stealing the Emperor's magical roses and all of love will be lost if Ned Spinks, Chief Thief-Catcher, can't catch them. He must go on a quest to defeat vampire mermaids, illusionists, estranged family members, and an evil sorcerer – what could possibly go wrong?
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By Jasper Fforde
Thursday Next is the main character of this fantastically funny series from Jasper Fford. She is a literary detective, charged with keeping fictional characters inside their books. You can imagine the mayhem, the wit, and the puns! If you love literature, then you will thoroughly enjoy this jaunt through Fford’s inspired imagination.
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By Ben Aaronovitch
Set in London this humorous series of books follows the magical adventures of PC Peter Grant as he discovers magic is real. And he can do it. This isn’t necessarily laugh-out-loud humour but it’s the type of cleverness that will have you smirking and appreciating the twist on the norm to create the fantastical. If you know London at all, you will find yourself nodding along as you recall the places Grant takes you and it will definitely have you thinking differently about rivers.
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By Piers Anthony
This is the first book in the Xanth magical series which began in the 70s so it has some legs for sure. Is it necessarily politically correct? Probably not but this was my first introduction to humorous fantasy, before dabbling in Discworld, and it has a fond place in my heart. It’s mischievous and zany and utterly mental in places. Everything you want in a humorous fantasy tale.
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By Terry Brooks
I read Shannara by Brooks first then picked this up and it’s completely different and yet still filled with the same literary magic that makes you want to read it from cover to cover immediately. It’s funny and frustrating and sad and also the first in a series so you can read assured there’s more to follow.
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By Gail Carriger
I stumbled on this series by accident and rapidly devoured the lot. Alexa Tarrabotti has no soul and can remove the effects of the supernatural with her touch. Imagine the possibilities in an 18th-century London filled with vampires, werewolves, and ghosts. Amusing through social observation and full of wit, definitely recommended.
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