New to Fantasy Literature/Genre: Where to Start?

Question

I want to start reading fantasy books, but I know very little about 'standard fantasy conventions' (or, at least, let's just assume as much).

Assume that I am completely ignorant and know absolutely nothing about orcs or elves or halflings, where would you recommend I should start?

Keep in mind, assume that I know nothing of fantasy sub-genres. If you were to ask me what I expect from a fantasy novel I would simply answer "Adventure and Magic with knights and wizards". Really, treat me like a completely ignorant individual who has never even watched a movie or tv series, or played a video game in that genre.

Also, I would enjoy it more if you recommend a series that is part of a bigger world that features many more stories, rather than it being a one-off story in a world that is exclusive to that one adventure.

Thank you so much for trying to help! :)

Oh, and if you really feel like it (and I know this is an outrageous request already because fantasy is such a huge genre and this is all hard enough), you could also recommend me a Sci-Fi book for starters (haha) Again, assume complete ignorance!

Answer 1

There are several excellent suggestions above, so I'll tack on a few more. You might try the Temeraire series by Naomi Novik. It's set in a world where they're fighting the Napoleonic wars with dragons. Another possibility is the Ile-Rien series by Martha Wells. For sci fi, try the Old Man's War series by John Scalzi or A Plague of Angels by Sheri S Tepper.

Answer 2

For fantasy I would recommend Redwall (series) by Brian Jacques; they are basically books about animals (mice,badgers, otters, etc) that go on great adventures and battles. I myself have just started the series and haven't been able to stop. They are for the most part pretty simple reads to fly through.



Also books by Tolkien are great; the classic book The Hobbit is awesome if you haven't seen the movie. It is filled with orcs, dwarves, hobbits and a dragon. In my opinion I like it better than the lord of the rings because of the simplicity and its a bit more imaginative and not quite as dark.



A recommendation for sci-fi would be The Giver (Quartet series) by Lowis Lowry. It is filled with people with special abilities as they try to break away from a utopian society.

Answer 3

Start (and finish) with The Lord of the Rings. It remains the sine qua non.