| om-link"> | | | | sword-wielding action. This book is the first book in |
| | | | a new series called The Iron Elves. |
| This summer brings us a lot of great epic fantasy | | | | A book that is being heralded by Amazon as one of |
| novels both from established authors continuing their | | | | the best fantasy books for 2007 is Patrick |
| series and from new authors with fresh new stories | | | | Rothfuss’ The Name of the Wind It is the first |
| and worlds for you to discover. This article gives you | | | | book in an anticipated trilogy. If you missed out on this |
| recommendations from among the best and most | | | | book last year this summer is your chance to catch up. |
| promising. | | | | The prolific R.A. Salvatore has started a new trilogy of |
| The Masters release their sequels this summer | | | | books called Transitions and the first book in this series |
| Many famous and established authors are releasing | | | | is called The Orc King: Transitions Book I. It was |
| continuations of their series this summer and among | | | | released in early July. It is the latest installment in the |
| these is a new book in the Genesis of Shannara | | | | adventures of the famous dark elf who first |
| series by Terry Brooks. Later in the summer he | | | | appeared in the New York Times bestseller The Lone |
| releases book III The Gypsy Morph. | | | | Drow. Another book to be released late this summer |
| Stephen Donaldson is the author of one of the most | | | | is The Ten Thousand by Paul Kearney who has been |
| unusual fantasy series ever written. The main | | | | nominated for the British Fantasy Award. He has |
| character is Thomas Covenant who is an anti-hero | | | | published several titles including the acclaimed Sea |
| afflicted with leprosy. The land in which this all takes | | | | Beggars series. |
| place is a richly woven tapestry unlike any other. He | | | | If you are looking for new variations on Arthurian |
| is releasing the next installment in the Last Chronicles | | | | legend there are two interesting additions to the genre |
| of Thomas Covenant called Fatal Revenant. If you | | | | this summer: Shadow Lands by Simon Lister and |
| are interested in starting a totally new series from the | | | | Sword at Sunset by Rosemary Sutcliff and Jack |
| start and you haven’t read this one I highly | | | | Whyte. Each one takes an interesting and unique |
| recommend it. The first book in the series is Lord Fouls | | | | look at the legend of Arthur. |
| Bane. | | | | If you are just looking for some lighter fantasy reading |
| Among all the big series books that are being released | | | | to take with you to the beach you might want to pick |
| by big name authors the one that is almost guaranteed | | | | up a copy of Dragons: Worlds Afire. It is a collection of |
| to shoot to the top of the best seller list is George R. | | | | five novella length dragon stories from masters like |
| R. Martins A Dance with Dragons. It is the latest | | | | Salvatore, Weis, and Hickman. |
| installation in his Song of Ice and Fire series and a sure | | | | Return to the Classics |
| bet for good summer reading. But, it will not be | | | | If you would like to brush up on some classics that you |
| released until September so that leaves beach reading | | | | may have missed you should start with Peter |
| out. | | | | Beagle’s The Last Unicorn. This book should be |
| If you like movie tie-ins you the latest novel in David | | | | read multiple times by every fantasy reader. It is a |
| Farland’s Runelords series might be a good | | | | staple of the genre. After that you might want to |
| choice for you. It is titled World Binder and it is book | | | | consider Tolkien’s The Hobbit. If you are |
| six in the series. The first book The Sum of All Men is | | | | looking for a new classic you may want to take a look |
| currently being made into a major motion picture. | | | | at The Children of Hurin which is a book that was |
| Another very popular series of books is the | | | | started by Tolkien and finished by his son. It was |
| Kushiel’s Legacy series. Written by Jacqueline | | | | published in the spring of 2007 and was chosen as |
| Carey and the second trilogy is completed with the | | | | one of the best books of the year by Amazon |
| June publication of Kushiel’s Mercy. | | | | readers. |
| Newcomers and new series to the genre | | | | This summer is proving to be a great season for epic |
| If you are looking to start a new series or discover a | | | | fantasy reading. There are lots of great books that |
| new author there are several books coming out this | | | | have just been released and a lot more that will be |
| summer that are getting a lot of critical acclaim. These | | | | released as the summer unfolds. So grab yourself a |
| include A Darkness Forged in Fire by Chris Evans. It is | | | | copy of one of these books and head off to the |
| characterized as a masterful fantasy novel with a | | | | beach where you will discover elves, dragons, |
| gritty feel and military bent. It promises a lot of | | | | dwarves and many more wonderful things. |