fantasy

Fantasy Novels:
JRR Tolkein
    The Hobbit
    The Fellowship of the Ring

Orson Scott Card (See Sci-fi)
Ender's Game

Margret Weissman
     The Legend of Huma
     Dragons of Autumn Twilight
     Dragons of Winter Night
     Dragons of Spring Dawning

Other Dragonlance:
     Tales (Compilation)

Terry Brooks
     The Sword of Shanarrah

The Hobbit
By JRR Tolkein

Overview: The prelude to The Lord of the Rings begins simple with a hobbit. A short and stout fellow who loves to eat drink and be merry. His simple existance is disturbed when a mysterious old wizard comes knocking on his door.

Critique: Shakespeare had Romeo and Juliet. Steinbeck had the Grapes of Wrath. Tolkein's trademark is The Hobbit. This is more than a fantasy novel, it speaks of our humanity and the hero hidden inside all of us. It is the blue print for all other fantasy novels. We are introduced to the legendary Gandalf--the mysterious wizard who always seems to pop in at the right time, but is never there when you can take care of things on your won. We meet the carefree Hobbit, Bilbo, whose spirit is undaunting and inner beauty shines. Then there are the dwarves, so stuck in their blind traditions to see the forest for the trees. And then there is the infamous dragon, Smog. This is a classic among classics and by far Tolkeins best works. Every other fantasy writer has some sort of inspiration from this book.

Grade:
A+

The Fellowship of the Ring
By JRR Tolkein

Overview: The first novel in The Lord of the Rings starts 50 years after The Hobbit. Bilbo is much older and has become an eccentric in the small town of Hobbiton. Just before leaving town, he passes on his precious Ring of Invisibility to his nephew, Frodo. Frodo is faced with the task of protecting the ring. Unbeknownst to him, it is more than a simple magic ring. It is one of the Great Rings. It's power will corrupt the wearer and could be potentially fatal to Middle Earth if it should fall into the hands of the evil Sauron. A group is formed to destroy the ring--but can they do it before evil hunts them down and destroys them?

Critique: This is another Tolkein classic. Leaving off where The Hobbit left us, we are told more about the slimy and sniveling Gollum. The ranger, Strider/Aragorn, is an awesome fighter. And of course, there is more of Gandalf, the wizard to match all wizards. It is impressive to see the Fellowship come together under the protection of the Elf, Elrond, and disheartening to see it fall apart at the end. This novel is a slow read, and the beginning has too much "Hobbit History" for me. Once it gets going, howerver, the story is excellent. Tolkein has a way with heroism and that ultimate struggle between good and evil. The novel does not stand on its own, however, and does not end complete. On to the rest of The Lord of the Rings!
To this date, I have not yet started the other novels. iwill let you know when I do!

Grade:
A-

The Sword of Shanarrah
By Terry Brooks

Overview: The story starts with a menacing and dark figure coming to the shire. The druid Allanon has come to take the half elf, Shea from his adoptive family. Under supposed rumor that a plague is about to attack the world, he leaves his family, save his adopted halfling brother, Flick. They must find the Sword of Shanarrah and hope that its legend will hold true.

Critique: If it sounds familiar, well...it should. Allanon is a two thirds Gandalf and one third Aragorn (See The Fellowship of the Ring). Shea is Bilbo Baggins without the confidence and the traveling party oddly resembles the Fellowship as well.
All this aside, it is a pretty good book. I did say that fantasy writers will model Tolkein...here's your proof! Brooks does a good job of it however. His expaniation of the origins of his Earth are intriguing...being that it actually takes place in the future, not the past. A neat twist! All in all, it is a good read, just not as good as the classic Tolkein.

Grade:
B