Best Fantasy Books of 0000

Below you will find a list of the fantasy books published in 0000 that we enjoyed most. Click on a book title to read the full review.

Retribution Falls by Chris Wooding (Tales of the Ketty Jay: Book 1)

All in all a highly enjoyable and FUN read. It is light hearted and alongside Phillip Pullman’s superlative Dark Materials trilogy this is one of the best Steampunk novels out there. It is the beginning of a projected series by Wooding and these books also look to be stand-alone too. Well worth a read if you want fun and an exciting ride on the Vardia skies.

Published: 0000

A Beacon of Hope by Walter E Mark (The Sixth World of Men: Book 1)

All in all this is good debut novel with a gentle and unassuming approach, which works well for this modern day parable. It is the beginning of an interesting journey and one I will be undertaking. I am also interested in further exploring this world’s adventures and the nature of how choice affects all future events. I am looking forward to watching Walter E Mark develop as a writer. I think once you get used to the style, you will appreciate the simple act of just reading this book and letting the author do the work for you as he paints his canvass.

Published: 0000

The Technician by Neal Asher (Polity: Book 4)

As a relative newcomer to the Polity universe, with this only being my second Asher book, I wasn't sure how well I'd be able to follow the story. I was in for a pleasant surprise. Although the story does take a while to get started and I struggled a little with the technology of it, I thoroughly enjoyed the read.

Published: 0000

Seance for a Vampire by Fred Saberhagen (The Further Adventures of Sherlock Holmes)

In the ‘Further Adventures’ series ‘Berserker’ author Fred Saberhagen tries his hand at writing a story worthy of the world’s most famous fictional detective: Sherlock Holmes. It is 1903 and wealthy British Aristocrat Ambrose Altamont hires Holmes to expose two suspect psychics. During the ensuing séance Altamont’s deceased daughter Louisa reappears as a vampire and Holmes vanishes. With time running out Holmes’ loyal friend and colleague Doctor John Watson feels he has no choice but to summon the only person who may be able to help, Holmes’ vampire cousin, Prince Dracula.

Published: 0000

Locke & Key Volume 3: Crown of Shadows by Joe Hill, Gabriel Rodriguez (Locke & Key: Volume 3)

The third story arc in the 2009 British Fantasy Award winning and Eisner nominated series continues to impress, although for the first time in its release there is a weak link.

Published: 0000

The Emerald Atlas: The Books of Beginning by John Stephens (The Emerald Atlas: Book 1)

Kate is in charge. The oldest. The only one who remembers their parents. Promised to protect her brother and sister until they return. Michael is the bookish brother. Scrawny, bullied at every orphanage (his glasses somehow always end up in the toilet). Loves stories about magic, especially involving dwarves. Emma is a pint-sized brawler. Devoted to her brother and sister. Thinks Michael is deeply weird. Will fight anyone who says so. Secretly threw Michael's glasses in the toilet - twice. Together, they will learn: 1. Magic is real 2. Old books cause trouble 3. Only they can save the world.

"Every now and then a book will come along that is so different, so unique and so thought provoking that half the internet love it and the other half hate it. This is not that book. The Emerald Atlas is an old fashioned book with an old fashioned storyline. It has abandoned children, an old wizard, dwarves, time travel, even a prophecy. And it’s good. The book is a fantastic read that pulls the reader in, tucks them up in a chair by the fire, puts a rug over their knees and hands them a cup of cocoa and a buttered crumpet." AT Ross, Fantasy Book Review

Published: 0000

Lost Voices by Sarah Porter (The Lost Voices Trilogy: Book 1)

Fourteen-year-old Luce reaches the Depths of Despair when she is Assaulted and left on the Cliffs outside of her Grim gray Alaskan fishing village. She expects to die when she tumbles into the icy waves below. but instead undergoes an astonishing transformation and becomes a mermaid. A tribe of mermaids finds Luce and welcomes her in. All of them. Like her. Lost girls who surrendered their humanity in the darkest moments of their lives. Luce is thrilled with her new life until she discovers the catch: the mermaids feel an uncontrollable desire to drown seafarers. Using their enchanted voices to lure ships into the rocks. Will Luce be pressured into committing mass murder?

"If I had to pick one word to describe Sarah Porter’s brilliant creation, it would be, ‘beautiful!’ Painful, yes! Full of the untold darkness that could envelope any of us in our hours of despair, but the beautifully crafted first book of the Lost Voices trilogy is told in such a rich, despairing aqua tinged tone, it leaves you desperate for more." Dash Cooray, Fantasy Book Review

Published: 0000

Charmed Season 9 Volume 2 by Dave Hoover and Paul Ruditis (Charmed Graphic Novels: Volume 2)

This is the second volume of the Charmed Graphic novel, following the story of Piper, Phoebe and Paige after the end of the TV show. This is a great follow up to the first volume which set the sisters up on a new adventure and showing that evil was still out to get them.

Published: 0000

The Son of Neptune by Rick Riordan (Heroes of Olympus)

For me, this book is by far the best in the series; it picks up the pace and is twice as violent and funny as The Lost Hero. Riordan has timed the events to perfection, obviously leading us up to the grand finale in the third book – The Mark of Athena. But then, he is a genius. The only time his writing doesn’t work for me is when the characters speak a kind of long monologue filled with so much witticism that it gives me a headache, but thankfully, The Son of Neptune doesn’t fit that bill, probably because Percy Jackson is the king of snarky commentary and it does not come off as out of the ordinary. A good read and a great book filled with surprises. However, to enjoy it completely, I suggest reading the previous Percy Jackson and the Olympians series and then coming here. Can’t wait for The Mark of Athena…

Published: 0000

Charmed Season 9 Volume 3 by Paul Ruditis

Be prepared for the best volume so far of the Charmed graphic novel. So far they have met the Witch that started it all and saved the Elders. This graphic novel series continues to go from strength to strength with strong storylines and unbelievable twists.

Published: 0000

Embers of an Age by Tim Marquitz (Blood War Trilogy: Book 2)

Embers of an Age is vast improvement on Dawn of War. Marquitz has taken all the issues I had with Dawn of War and addressed them in creative and stylish ways. The book is fast, action packed, contains plenty of gore and grotesque monsters, and is just a blast to read. Bring on Book 3.

Published: 0000

Brood of Bones by AE Marling

Cursed with endless drowsiness, Enchantress Hiresha sleeps more than she lives. Since she never has had a chance to raise a family, she sometimes feels like every woman is pregnant except for her. This time, she is right. From virgin to grandmother, all the women in her city have conceived. One unexpected pregnancy is a drama; fifty thousand is citywide hysteria. A lurking sorcerer drains power from the unnatural pregnancies, and Hiresha must track him by his magic. Unfortunately, her cultured education in enchantment ill equips her to understand his spellcraft, which is decidedly less than proper. The only person uncivilized enough to help is the Lord of the Feast, a dangerous yet charming illusionist. Associating with him may imperil Hiresha’s city, yet refusing his help will allow the sorcerer to leech godlike power from the mass births.

"If you are a fan of fantasy literature and want to read something new and exciting in the genre then you really should read Brood of Bones. It is a book that impressed me in all areas, from the glorious cover to the complex and involving story. I will sign off this review with the words on Steven Erikson: "Ambition is not a dirty word. Piss on compromise. Go for the throat. Write with balls, write with eggs. Sure, it's a harder journey but take it from me, it's well worth it." And I’m sure A.E. Marling would heartily agree with his sentiments." Fantasy Book Review

Published: 0000

Illumination by Karen Brooks (The Curse of the Bond Riders: Book 3)

A beautiful tale of a young girl who comes into her own and faces her fears, her past and her future. Tallow will leave you breathless and leaving you questioning; when darkness pulls at your heartstrings, do you let it consume you.

Published: 0000

The Power Of Six by Pittacus Lore (Lorien Legacies: Book 2)

Overall this is a sequel worth of the Lorien legacies, offering more insight into the Lorien world and characters, while adding and mixing the story telling around to create a new kind of novel, this is an engaging story that stands out as one of the best sci-fi novels I have ever read.

Published: 0000

Boneland by Alan Garner

I've never read Alan Garner so this book's placement is based on readers' input. When a book gets a lot of positive feedback on this site it signifies that it holds a very special place in many hearts. It is the fourth book in a series which began with the Weirdstone of Brinsingamen, set in a mythical place called Alderley Edge. Now I live close to and have worked even closer to the real Alderley Edge in Cheshire so I need to read these books soon (it seemed rather posh in a nouveau riche way but otherwise unextraordinary). So I need to discover how Garner made this place magical. And I will. This is a readers' choice book and series.

Published: 0000

OrderMaster by LE Modesitt Jr (The Saga of Recluce #13)

Modesitt's brilliance shines from each page as brightly as any of his other novels. There are several authors out there who have produced great fantasy series but with longevity comes mediocrity. Not so with Modesitt. He just gets better and better.

Published: 0000

The Best of Enemies by Tim Marquitz (Demon Squad: Book 6)

Power comes at a price. For Frank “Triggaltheron” Trigg, that price is everything. Lost and alone, Hell closes in until Frank can’t take it any longer. He ascends to Old Town a find a new overlord has staked his claim, but Frank is having none of it. He goes to war against the usurper. Collateral damage mounts, friends turn their backs and foes unite, but it’s the ones he least suspects who make the best of enemies. 

"After the all the Heavenly treasure hunts and interdimensional skirmishes, the Demon Squad series returns to its roots with a more mundane story involving our favourite characters from the previous books. The book did leave us with a juicy cliff-hanger, which I expect will get mixed reactions, but for me it was a great tease after a solid conclusion. It looks like Frank is going to be in a real jam at the start of the next book, and I can’t wait to see how that plays out."

Published: 0000