Introduced to Sci-Fi, Fantasy, and Horror in my late teens, I found “my” genres. I read other genres now and then, but 99% of my reading is in these genres. I not only read and write Spec Fiction, I also publish those genres through my company, Ellysian Press. I get to read wonderful books and help other authors bring their fictional babies to life. Imagine the worlds I get to visit. Talk about a dream job!
The Hobbit was my introduction to Middle Earth. It was a natural step to the rest of the novels. And it had everything to entice me: wizards, adventure, elves, dwarves…and hobbits. I wanted to live in the Shire. Or with the elves in Lothlórien. Of course, I’d also want to leave once the war escalated. But my love for Middle Earth has never faded. The Hobbit was the beginning of my love for epic fantasy. My Modern Magics series is certainly influenced by LOTR. Although it’s set in the present. I highly recommend The Hobbit and the rest of the series to fans of the genre.
Special collector's film tie-in hardback of the best-selling classic, featuring the complete story with a sumptuous cover design inspired by THE HOBBIT: AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY and brand new reproductions of all the drawings and maps by J.R.R. Tolkien.
Bilbo Baggins is a hobbit who enjoys a comfortable, unambitious life, rarely travelling further than the pantry of his hobbit-hole in Bag End.
But his contentment is disturbed when the wizard, Gandalf, and a company of thirteen dwarves arrive on his doorstep one day to whisk him away on an unexpected journey 'there and back again'. They have a plot to raid…
This is yet another introduction to a magical series. I devoured the books, which I have reread many times. Leaving the Muggle world for the secret Wizard world would be wonderful. Even without magic myself…although I’d much prefer to be magical if I could. Or maybe teach Muggle Studies at Hogwarts. I’d prefer it if the Dark Wizards were defeated. Otherwise it would have to be a short visit. Oh, and anyone who has not actually read the books should run, not walk, to their nearest bookstore (online or brick & mortar) or library and get the entire series. New readers are lucky as they can binge-read the entire series. And they don’t have to wait for the next book.
Galloping gargoyles ... 2022 is the silver anniversary of J.K. Rowling's magical classic Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone!
The boy wizard Harry Potter has been casting a spell over young readers and their families ever since 1997. Now the first book in this unmissable series celebrates 25 years in print! The paperback edition of the tale that introduced us to Harry, Ron and Hermione has been updated and dressed in silver to mark the occasion. It's time to take the magical journey of a lifetime ...
Harry Potter has never even heard of Hogwarts when the letters start dropping…
Dune had a profound effect on me. I was in college and had recently been introduced to reading Science Fiction by author Philip K. Dick. So after reading some of Phil’s books, I added Asimov, Heinlein, Clarke, etc, etc. And Herbert. He created such a fantastic and beautifully-imagined world with Arrakis. Still, in my (late) teens, Paul and Chani appealed to me in a way adult main characters in the genre did not. I used the mantra “I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer…” more than once in difficult situations. Dune occupies a special place in my heart. I would definitely go there for a visit.
Before The Matrix, before Star Wars, before Ender's Game and Neuromancer, there was Dune: winner of the prestigious Hugo and Nebula awards, and widely considered one of the greatest science fiction novels ever written.
Melange, or 'spice', is the most valuable - and rarest - element in the universe; a drug that does everything from increasing a person's lifespan to making interstellar travel possible. And it can only be found on a single planet: the inhospitable desert world of Arrakis.
Whoever controls Arrakis controls the spice. And whoever controls the spice controls the universe.
Oh. You want more? Okay. Although I was fine with just “Dragons.”
I could live on Pern with no problem. Dragons. Not mean, horrible dragons like Smaug. But beautiful dragons you could ride. And have a telepathic connection with if you were their rider. Well, there is a lot more to this world, of course. There are Weyrs where the dragons live. And the Hatching Grounds where dragons are…hatched. There is the sky where dragons fly with their riders to kill deadly Thread. Oh. There are also people in this series, too. The most interesting people ride dragons.
These books have a rich culture, fabulous world-building, with fascinating characters who won my heart immediately. Some of them are even human.
Volume I of The Dragonriders of Pern®, the groundbreaking series by master storyteller Anne McCaffrey
On a beautiful world called Pern, an ancient way of life is about to come under attack from a myth that is all too real. Lessa is an outcast survivor—her parents murdered, her birthright stolen—a strong young woman who has never stopped dreaming of revenge. But when an ancient threat to Pern reemerges, Lessa will rise—upon the back of a great dragon with whom she shares a telepathic bond more intimate than any human connection. Together, dragon and rider will fly . . . and…
Another magnificently-imagined world. (Pssst…it also has dragons.) This series is simply incredible. Martin’s writing is nothing short of brilliant. My visits there would be short trips as it’s way too dangerous. The power struggles are deadly, and no one is safe. But with the colorful tapestry of cultures, there are enough heroes, villains, and a few who are both, to satisfy anyone. And some I had love/hate relationships with from one adventure to the next. There are so many times I have had to stop, put the book down and go away to process whatever has happened. Because there are many shockers. So expect the unexpected and prepare for a wild ride. Cliché as that is, it’s true.
HBO's hit series A GAME OF THRONES is based on George R R Martin's internationally bestselling series A SONG OF ICE AND FIRE, the greatest fantasy epic of the modern age. A GAME OF THRONES is the first volume in the series.
'Completely immersive' Guardian
'When you play the game of thrones, you win or you die. There is no middle ground'
Summers span decades. Winter can last a lifetime. And the struggle for the Iron Throne has begun.
From the fertile south, where heat breeds conspiracy, to the vast and savage eastern lands, all the way to the frozen…
Most of Thulu and La Fi's clients are dead. Which is perfect since their detective agency caters to the supernatural. But a simple job finding a lost locket leads to a big case tracking relics for an ancient daemon. The daemon needs the relics to keep a dangerous portal closed. His enemy, Gabriel, wants the relics to open the portal and give his people access to a new feeding ground – Earth.
Caught on live TV, other portals begin to open, and the creatures of magic return to Earth. The people of Earth are not alone, but will soon wish they were.
This book (and its sequels) are about overcoming the odds; about learning to improve the skills and abilities you have, rather than dwelling on what you can't do. Conflict, plague, and scheming politicians are all featured along the way–but none of the characters are human!
When a plague kills half the Drax population, and leaves the hatchlings of the survivors with a terrible deformity – no wings – suspicion and prejudice follow. Continuously harassed by raids from their traditional enemies, the Koth, the Drax are looking for someone, or something, to blame.
Zarda, an apprentice Fate-seer, is new to her role and unsure of her own abilities; but the death of her teacher sees her summoned by the Drax Prime, Kalis, when his heir, Dru, emerges from his shell without wings.
A vision that Dru will one day defeat the Koth is enough to keep…
