Best Fantasy Book Recommendations from Reddit Comments

The Favorites:

• The Hobbit by JRR Tolkien: Original, seminal, brief, and loved for its world-building.
• Lords and Ladies by Terry Pratchett: A unique take on elves with strong female characters and a re-telling of A Midsummer Nights Dream.
• Good Omens by Terry Pratchett & Neil Gaiman: Modern fantasy that immerses readers in a captivating world.
• The Last Unicorn by Peter S. Beagle: A tight story with themes of sadness, loss, regret, and hope for the future.
• The Hands of the Emperor by Victoria Goddard: A book with emotional impact revolving around bureaucracy, friendship with the emperor, and government reform.
• The Lions of Al-Rassan by Guy Gavriel Kay: Slightly fantastical history fiction set during the Spanish reconquest with personal tragedies of war and different ideological impacts.
• Perdido Street Station by China Meiville: Known for extraordinary world-building and good writing.
• The Blade Itself by Joe Abercrombie: Appreciated for its depiction of brutal fantasy situations and realistic characters.

Most Discussed Series:

• Malazan Book of the Fallen by Steven Erikson: Highly recommended for its complex world-building and characters.
• The Stormlight Archive by Brandon Sanderson: Praised for its intricate plot, but criticized for repetitive character struggles and overly modern language.

Honorable Mentions:

• Discworld Series by Terry Pratchett: Appreciated for its humor and unique world.
• The Wheel of Time by Robert Jordan: Popular for its extensive world-building and epic storytelling.
• A Song of Ice and Fire by George R.R. Martin: Known for its complex characters and political intrigue.
• The First Law Trilogy by Joe Abercrombie: Loved for its dark humor and realistic characters.
• The Realm of the Elderlings by Robin Hobb: Recognized for its character development and emotional impact.
• Southern Reach Trilogy by Jeff VanderMeer: Praised for its unique and mysterious storytelling.
• God of the Woods by Olympia and Norbert Zmay: A controversial book with mixed reviews.
• The Empusium by Leif Acharya: Notable for its depth and originality.
• Rejection and Flipped by Brian Schabel: Mentioned for their intriguing stories.

Mixed Opinions:

• Absolution by Olly Delaney: Received mixed reviews for its cover design and readability.
• James by Percival Everett: Some found it unimpressive compared to other classic literature.
• Challenger by Neal Stephenson: Considered a very good book but not universally loved.

Unique Recommendations:

• The Lusty Lizardfolk Maid by Various Authors (Parody): Not a serious recommendation but a fun inclusion from the comments.

Controversial Picks:

• The Mercy of Gods by Random Author: Some found it disappointing and not engaging.
• Martyr! by Pretentious Author: Criticized for sounding pretentious and self-parody.

Remember, personal preferences vary, and it's essential to explore different books to find the best one for your taste.