Best Fantasy Books of 2011

Below you will find a list of the fantasy books published in 2011 that we enjoyed most. Click on a book title to read the full review.

The Crippled God by Steven Erikson (A Tale of the Malazan Book of the Fallen: Book 10)

And so to and end comes what is arguably the best fantasy series ever written. This is of course subject to personal opinion and fans of Wheel of Time, A Song of Ice and Fire and Robin Hobb's t...

Published: 2011

The Kingdom Of Gods by NK Jemisin (The Inheritance Trilogy: Book 3)

For two thousand years the Arameri family has ruled the world by enslaving the very gods that created mortalkind. Now the gods are free, and the Arameri's ruthless grip is slipping. Yet they ar...

Published: 2011

Dead Reckoning by Charlaine Harris (Southern Vampire Series: Book 12)

There are the usual themes that run through each of these books, “who loves Sookie most” “who is out to kill Sookie, or use her for their own purpose”. What I am happy about...

Published: 2011

The Book of Transformations by Mark Charan Newton (Legends of the Red Sun: Book 3)

I’m not sure if this review is any good, but I am sure that this book is great, I love it, and think that it’s a great addition to the series. It’s a long, long time since reading...

Published: 2011

The Alloy of Law by Brandon Sanderson (Mistborn: Book 4)

Whether or not you’ve had the chance to read Sanderson’s original Mistborn trilogy, I think you should pick this up. You don’t need to have read the previous three books to unders...

Published: 2011

Cold Fire by Kate Elliott (Spiritwalker: Book 2)

Without the ‘high-fantasy’ of Steven Erikson or the grab for popular attention of J.K. Rowling, Kate Elliott simply must be listed as one of the finest writers of fiction today. Dedicat...

Published: 2011

City of Dragons by Robin Hobb (The Rain Wild Chronicles: Book 3)

The Rain Wild Chronicles have developed into a superb continuation of the Liveship Traders trilogy and I highly recommend that you join the Lords of the Three Realms in the City of Dragons and expe...

Published: 2011

The Wise Man's Fear by Patrick Rothfuss (The Kingkiller Chronicle: Book 2)

Okay, I didn't enjoy this as much as The Name of the Wind but that is just saying this is excellent while the other is sublime. But it does improve on re-read and this may just be because I'...

Published: 2011

The Neon Court by Kate Griffin (Matthew Swift: Book 3)

If a book is able to leave you feeling at once saddened and emotionally drained as well as leaving you wanting, no, needing more, than in the end the author has obviously done something right. With...

Published: 2011

The Silly Solar System by Kevin Price

There is something in this picture book for everyone, be they young or old, male or female. Younger kids will enjoy learning about the planets and their names and older kids and parents will be sur...

Published: 2011

One of our Thursdays is Missing by Jasper Fforde (Thursday Next: Book 6)

It is a time of unrest in the BookWorld. Only the diplomatic skills of ace literary detective Thursday Next can avert a devastating genre war. But a week before the peace talks, Thursday vanishes. ...

Published: 2011

At The Gates by Tim Marquitz (Demon Squad: Book 3)

At The Gates is an entertaining read that exceeded my high expectations and is by far the best book in the series. The humour and sexualism has been slightly toned down in the face of some impossib...

Published: 2011

Deathless by Catherynne M Valente

Child of the revolution, maiden of myth, bride of darkness. A handsome young man arrives in St Petersburg at the house of Marya Morevna. He is Koschei, the Tsar of Life, and he is Marya's fate....

Published: 2011

Runelight by Joanne Harris

I can say that Runelight is an awesome book in which Joanne Harris really has proven herself a fine author once again. I was already pretty pleased with Runemarks but with Runelight she has really ...

Published: 2011

Snuff by Terry Pratchett (The Discworld Series: Book 39)

Finished reading Terry Pratchett’s new book, Snuff. Utterly brilliant. We need a new rating system dedicated to him. I had Snuff finished in just over a day from when it arrived. I took it sl...

Published: 2011

Hard Magic by Larry Correia (The Grimnoir Chronicles: Book 1)

Hard Magic has by far one of the best cast's for a fantasy story in recent memory. Jake Sullivan is the slow speaking WWI veteran whose immense mental capacity is at odds with his external appe...

Published: 2011

I Don't Want To Kill You by Dan Wells (John Cleaver series: Book 3)

I Don't Want To Kill You is a great conclusion to a brilliant debut series. The final demon was the most monstrous of all, the characters reached the end of their arcs, and it felt like series ...

Published: 2011

Awakening by William Horwood (Hyddenworld: Book 2)

When Hyddenworld: Spring - the first book in the Hyddenworld series - was released in February 2010 it was met with a largely positive response. Most loved it, many liked it, some thought it was OK...

Published: 2011

The Sacred Band by David Anthony Durham (War with the Mein: Book 3)

All in all, this is an excellent end to an often overlooked trilogy. For me it is the equal of many out there and fully deserving of a read by lovers of fantasy. It contains many elements one expec...

Published: 2011

Resurrection by Tim Marquitz (Demon Squad: Book 2)

This is one of the best supernatural books that I have ever read, it is set in a world that really appeals to me and has characters that are consistently able to make me laugh. Marquitz has signifi...

Published: 2011

Bringer of Light by Jaine Fenn (Hidden Empire: Book 4)

Again, it’s a mix of something akin to magic and technology that raises it above most scifi, with wonderful descriptions and well-crafted characters that entice me to want more. I cannot wait...

Published: 2011

This Dark Endeavour by Kenneth Oppel

In this prequel to Mary Shelley’s gothic classic, Frankenstein, 16-year-old Victor Frankenstein begins a dark journey that will change his life forever. Victor’s twin, Konrad, has falle...

Published: 2011

Paths of Intimate Contention by Walter E Mark (The Sixth World of Men: Book 2)

In conclusion, I found the second novel most entertaining. The storytelling is far crisper and the characterisation, now there are more parties, has also improved. There is also an appendix which a...

Published: 2011

The Scholar's Tale by Reggie Oliver (The Dracula Papers: Book 1)

Bram Stoker's immortal Dracula told us about Count Dracula as an undead vampire. But how did this come to be? Who was Dracula in real life? There has always been speculation, but The Dracula Pa...

Published: 2011

The Amulet of Samarkand: A Bartimaeus graphic novel by Jonathan Stroud

This graphic novel should appeal on all seven planes, from those familiar with the books to complete newbies. Where I think this may well come up trumps is with a reluctant reader – a youngst...

Published: 2011

The Coming of the King by MC Scott (Rome: Book 2)

Scott gives all characters a voice. None within are silent extras, each has a story to tell, albeit quick or long. This is driven home by the small aside in the heat of a coming battle where a sing...

Published: 2011

The Human Race by OC Heaton

Ever had a secret so big that the very knowledge of it consumed you? Uma Jakobsdóttir has one. A huge one. And if it falls into the wrong hands it could obliterate mankind.Unfortunate...

Published: 2011

Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor (Daughter of Smoke and Bone Trilogy #1)

Taylor’s story is an enchanting mix of contemporary gothic and old school fantasy, lovingly married together to create something that I don’t see too often – an author obviously i...

Published: 2011

Rage of Lions by Curtis Jobling (Wereworld: Book 2)

Here’s the short version: If you’re not reading this series, you should be. And now, the long version: The second of Curtis Jobling’s Wereworld novels, Rage of Lions falls into th...

Published: 2011

Manhattan in Reverse by Peter F Hamilton

I enjoyed reading this collection. It’s quite a while since I have read any short stories. So it took me a little while to get into the flow of the stories. I have learnt one thing that I hav...

Published: 2011

Prince of Thorns by Mark Lawrence (Broken Empire: Book 1)

Prince of Thorns by Mark Lawrence was a book steeped in controversy - a book that seemed to have divided the Science Fiction and Fantasy community with regards to what is acceptable for people to l...

Published: 2011

Praetorian by Simon Scarrow (The Eagle Series: Book 11)

Eleven novels in the Roman series give the proof of the brilliance of what the author has achieved. As a reader, Cato and Macro have as much as place in the pantheon of Roman characters as Falco an...

Published: 2011

The Art of the Hobbit by JRR Tolkien

When J.R.R. Tolkien wrote HOBBIT he had become an accomplished amateur artist, and he was keen to contribute visually to the work. The finished book contained eight black and white drawings, five c...

Published: 2011

The Eye of Re by Patricia L ONeill (The Hatshepsut Trilogy: Book 3)

In The Eye of Re, Hatshepsut pushes the boundaries of her reign as pharaoh of Egypt, with an expedition to the land of Punt, to prove her worth to those who still doubt her; Hatshepsut’s cour...

Published: 2011

Nura: Rise of the Yokai Clan‏ Volume 1 by Hiroshi Shiibashi

Shiibashi’s artwork has been praised and claimed to be unique and yes, for sure, I love how even in the smallest panels he manages to show intricate details, which is the main reason I love t...

Published: 2011

Land of Hope and Glory by Geoffrey Wilson (The Land of Hope and Glory series #1)

It is 1852. The Indian empire of Rajthana has ruled Europe for more than a hundred years. With their vast armies, steam-and-sorcery technology and mastery of the mysterious power of sattva, the Raj...

Published: 2011

Redlaw by James Lovegrove (Redlaw series #1)

In the end Redlaw really made my day. Showing again a nice take on vampire fiction but with a full-tilt action (Cindermakers, aqua sancta grenades and Allium sativum bombs, any takers?) and bloody ...

Published: 2011

Seizure by Kathy Reichs (Tory Brennan series #2)

Seizure is truly an adventurous story cleverly written towards the younger readers (but also enjoyable for oldies alike). Where Virals focussed on a more scientific lay-out, Seizure becomes more an...

Published: 2011

The Beginning of Sorrows by Walter E Mark (The Sixth World of Men: Book 3)

With all the different threads combining, a more layered exploration of the Sixth World of Men is developed and a deeper world building and character development follows. Mark creates a stronger, m...

Published: 2011

Have Glyphs Will Travel by Edward M Erdelac (Tales of a High Planes Drifter: Book 3)

Erdelac mixes the Wild West with Jewish Mysticism, Catholicism, American Indian religion, a little Chinese religion, and a lot of Lovecraftian goodness. This is so different to the stuff I normally...

Published: 2011

Yellowcake by Margo Lanagan

Yellowcake brings together ten short stories from the extraordinarily talented Margo Lanagan--each of them fiercely original and quietly heartbreaking. The stories range from fantasy and fairy tale...

Published: 2011

The Wild Ways by Tanya Huff (Enchantment Emporium #2)

Charlotte Gale is a Wild Power, but there’s nothing wild about the life she is living. When her meddlesome aunts start interfering, Charlie ditches her cousin Allie and their grandmother&rsqu...

Published: 2011

A Kingdom Besieged by Raymond E Feist (The Chaoswar Saga #1)

It has taken Feist twenty glorious years to produce a novel of the breath-taking quality of Magician, Silverthorn and A Darkness at Sethanon. Nostalgia aside this latest isn't quite at those le...

Published: 2011