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Northern Lights, by Philip Pullman
This a really amazing book, the characters are really likeable and the description in the book is spectacular. It is set on Earth - but in a parallel universe. There are many features which are comfortingly familiar, and all the ingredients Pullman adds build together to make a very fine book.
The use of imagination in this book is brilliant, as Pullman sets the scenes and the characters. This work is intricate and perfectly constructed; a masterpiece by all means. There are complex ideas and concepts, and the storyline is very intriguing. It follows the adventure of extremely well characterized Lyra as she seeks her friend Roger, on an amazing journey as she makes new friends and enemies. Every detail of this book is perfect, although the sequels, The Subtle Knife and The Amber Spyglass are not nearly as good as the first. However, I would recommend the trilogy to teenagers to adults!
Northern Lights is titles The Golden Compass in the American Version.

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Redwall, by Brian Jacques
This is a really good book, especially for younger readers (although I can still appreciate them at 14 years old). It's about mice who are really like humans, but not... well they all live in an abbey, called Redwall, and it's being attacked by a rat called Cluny the Scourge. The characterisation is lovely, as is the descriptions (especially of the food). It's quite exciting in places, and very enjoyable.
It follows a good vs. evil theme, with good coming out on top of course, however unlikely the circumstances. It is excellent; excellently written and paced, and despite how it may sound ("talking animals fighting eachother in silly little wars", it is not at all silly, and is actually a wonderful adventure. Redwall is described as; "...Full of action and incredibly clever..." and "This tale is truly superb, filled with sadness and delight.". It is very satisfying and whole as a story, and the sequels are not disappointing. Book 2 is Mossflower, which I would say is different, as it takes you back to the time of Martin, and just as good - if not better! There are many sequels to Redwall, though they are set at different points in time.
The only thing I would point out is that they all do seem to follow the same plot and strain. They are, however, definitely worth reading :)

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The Weirdstone of Brisingamen, by Alan Garner
A must if you've read and enjoyed books by Tolkein, or the Jet Smoke and Dragon Fire trilogy, or Susan Cooper books.
It is an epic fantasy adventure, for children and adults alike, full of magic and mystery. This book is full of legend and myth, similar in many aspects to The Dark is Rising (by Susan Cooper, already reviewed), and also through it's fantasy factor it can be, and has been, compared to The Lord of the Rings (by Tolkein).
It is extremely exciting, full of good and bad characters; a struggle between good and evil. The imagination displayed in this book is fantastic, the descriptions and the characterisation. It follows to children, Susan and Colin, who are excellent, depthful characters.
It is set in our own world, but seeped in mystery and fantasy. A beautiful and magical read, I strongly recommend it to all fantasy lovers.
"It has the qualities and uncertainties of an intriguing, exciting and nuanced myth and still it is placed in a partially modern setting" said one reviewer.
The sequel, The Moon of Gomrath is also an excellent read, also highly recommended.

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