Top 5 Fantasy Series

I really love the fantasy genre. Between writing dozens of fantasy based stories, drawing my own pictures from scenes from books I like, to watching the newest fantasy epic, I love the fantasy genre. My first fantasy book was the Hobbit. My sister read me the first chapter, but I was so bored with it, I actually walked away. But imagine the irony when it became part of my favorite series.

So, I will list the top five series in my opinion. Feel free to disregard or keep any suggestions for your own lists, and perhaps you will discover a new series to read if you haven't.

1. The Lord of the Rings:

One cannot truly revel in fantasy without bowing to Tolkien.

The greatest series in my mind is the Lord of the Rings. Written by Oxford Professor J.R.R. Tolkien, a veteran of World War I, it became as the author put it "England's very own mythology".

The trilogy surrounds the quest of the halfling Frodo Baggins, who upon learning that his inherited golden ring is in fact the Ring of Power, must travel with a few faithful companions to the land it was made, and cast it back into the fire from whence it was made. Along the way, great battles are fought, dreadful servants pursue his every step, and even faithful companions betray him in a quest for power, and the Ring which can provide them with this power. And all the while, he fights with his own desires for power and the temptation which will surely be his downfall.

If there is one series that "rules them all" it is Lord of the Rings. Since it's first publication back in the fifties, to this day, it has shaped in it's own way every single fantasy novel to come after it. And all fantasy novels are held to the bar established by this mighty trilogy.

While the author detested analogies and parables, it runs in twine with many of the Christian stories and values. Resurrection, forgiveness, temptation, mercy are all themes that can be found. The story has become such a pillar to the fantasy community, that entire volumes have been written about the meanings of the book and what each character and item symbolizes.

The film adaptation is an abomination, which had it stuck more true to the books could have been (besides a much smaller trilogy) would have been able to go more into the epic themes of the books, many lost in the money grubbing of Peter Jackson. It has also stolen England's rightful claim as land of "Lord of the Rings" and bestowed it upon New Zealand, which while it might play the role of Middle Earth, is NOT the homeland of the epic works.

I am currently in my 16th time of reading the series.

2. Harry Potter

A true story that becomes truer by the day

One of the best selling series of all time, J.K. Rowlings' Harry Potter is an international phenomena that still drives a devoted love that has few rivals.

Revolving around the only survivor of a killing curse by the most powerful and evil wizard of his time, teenage boy Harry Potter goes to the magical school of Hogwarts. There, under the guidance of teachers and support of friends, he grows in his abilities and becomes a man every step along the way. However, he is continually threatened by the still powerful wizard who meant to kill him, and it is a continual battle for survival for the young man. But, try as he might, the two wizards are forever linked, heading for a showdown for the very survival of the wizarding community.

Part of the appeal of Harry Potter was always how the writing matured at the same pace that the namesake character matured. It went from light stuff from the innocent views of an 11 year old boy until it was the darker, more adult themes faced by seventeen year old preparing to enter the real world. And with frivolity aplenty, good humor and interesting spins, it was always a series I hungrily digested as soon as the book came off the press and into the public.

I will say that I dislike the movie adaptions of this series. Daniel Radcliff in particular was just a so-so actor, and I couldn't help but feel one was obligated to see the movie because they saw the book. Especially after the original actor for Dumbledore died, there was a decline in the willingness of the movies to stay true to the books.

I've read the series seven times.

3. Redwall

A story to the blind adopted by the seeing

Originally written for the blind by Brian Jacques, the Redwall series is among the most beloved children fantasy stories and for over a decade held a place in the hearts of people that was only overshadowed by Harry Potter.

Redwall surrounds the lives of animals set in a mythical land. These animals take on the roles of characters akin of King Arthur, Roland Le Paladin and other warriors and priests from ancient times. And they fight evil animals who are bent on taking away the freedom of others.

Jacques had a way with words that created a visceral landscape where all the characters felt real, and the idea of talking animals was not ridiculous at all. Some of the greatest books in children literature, and do I dare say, the last twenty years of literature in general come from this series. Redwall and Salamandestron are epic works, with everything one could wish for. And another thing that was of good taste was the fact that while the author tried to keep it family friendly, was not at all deterred from writing of darker themes. Like murder and poisoning.

The cartoon adaption they created for this was wonderful, and the segment they made to introduce you to the real animals the characters were was very informative.

I've read this series three times.

4. Inheritance Cycle

The story that could have been epic

Chritsopher Paolini brought us a delightful story with elements of Star Wars and Lord of the Rings in such a unique way, we didn't realize just how willing he was to lift from those stories until the last book. Especially the fans, who were willing to overlook his youthful errors as just coming of age work.

Originally set to be a trilogy, the Inheritance Cycle follows young Eragon, a farm boy who discovers a dragon age. His discovery will have surprising consequences as he discovers he is the best hope of overthrowing the evil Empire and it's wicked dragon-riding king. Thus begins a tale of dragons, demon possessed warriors and a war for liberty from tyranny.

This series had the opportunity to become of the greatest adventures to come out in the past two decades. The author's way of words was nice in drawing out rich lands and great scenes. Like book three, which was a colossal work, that was the set up for what could have been an epic conclusion to a cycle that was simply superb. But, sadly, it all comes down to "might have beens" and "could haves". Paolini stumbled at the end, falling back so heavily to Star Wars and Lord of the Rings to inspire him, that he ended up using them to create the last act of his otherwise well done work.

The movie adaption for this was so terrible, I am afraid to admit that I have watched it. The movie is so unlike the book, the should do a remake so it!

I have read this series twice.

5. Codex Alera

A very fun work to read

Jim Butcher, author of the Dresden Files, gave us the six part Codex Alera. Sadly, while not as well known as the other four on this list, I would say it actually would and could beat Inheritance Cycle by a long shot.

Codex Alera follows Tavi, a unique boy that unlike evryone else, has no mastery over the elements. It follows his trials to be accepted and respected by those around him, and his fight to overcome his own limitations. The results are surprising.

Jim Butcher gives us a great story about basically Rome supplanted in a magical land where the barbarians are either crazy people or great talking beasts. I found this a very enjoyable series, that unfortunately I've only managed a single reading of. But unlike some other books on this list, it doesn't rely at all upon LOTR, Star Wars or any other big name series to give it a breath of fresh air and to keep the story going.

I wish that they'd make a movie for this series. But....I'm sure they'd muck it up.

With that said, there are many series out there that are worthy to read. So go out there and read them!

Thank Goodness for the Day Off!

The Problems of Fantasy Realms

As an author, I spend a ton of time coming up with story ideas in my head. From my LOTR Parody to my Alternative History of the Civil War (which both are on sale on Lulu.com), there are hundreds of ideas that swim through my brains and dozens of stories that litter my laptop, desktop and PC tablets. Most of my published works, which I've done through the self-publish website Lulu.com, are of a historical nature as I stated in the second sentence of this post.

Too bad my name isn't a bit easier to read on the cover.

Only a tad easier to see on this cover. Oh well. Perhaps next time.

My main focus of my writing has sadly shifted to fanfiction. Don't get me wrong, I love it to death. Exploring my own ideas of how series should have gone or what would have happened in my mind after the movies were over. All one has to do is read my eight-book Babylon 5 Alternative Universe series on Fanfiction.net to see that.

But the true measure of an author is the ability to create their own worlds. And when it comes down to it, I rise to the occasion in the realm of fantasy. I also fall hardest in it.

A Series Like Another

In the fifteen years I have been a writer, I have explored a diverse amount of fantasy worlds. Fantastic Earth which became Masse Aaddee is perhaps the greatest one I explored. Too bad though it was nothing more that Middle Earth. I wrote a whole parody series of Lord of the Rings, one which received mostly bad criticism but got some good reviews, especially by my co-students in high school.

I even followed up the original series by creating a sequel that took place seven hundred years in the future. But it became a parody of the Inheritance Cycle, which was in itself a parody of Lord of the Rings and Star Wars. Heck, he even makes a Doctor Who reference in the third book!

Don't believe me? Reread the last book. Then tell me I'm wrong.

I even once attempted to take the best (actually original) ideas of the two stories and make a more original story. I eneded up having a story about a halfling who is taken from his family, after his uncle returns with a magical diamond that is full of evil and the dark lord of the land pursues it, to reclaim it. Yeah, in summary, still a Lord of the Rings knockoff.

To Travel to Distant Lands

While I was serving a mission for my church, I first came across Avatar: The Last Airbender cartoon series. Children would watch it when we'd show up, and elements of the story transformed themselves into an original fantasy story idea. I forget the name of the story now, but the story took place on an island continent. Three kingdoms divided the island in peace. The story followed a single family, the Imperial family of the human-run Empire, and after the mother is killed in an accident within the Imperial Palace, the father goes mad and declares war against the "assassins" of the peace-loving Elvish kingdom. The son decided to join the rebels against his father and eventually defeats him and his sister to restore peace to all the lands.

While this story was good, I lost the original three chapters. But not to worry. Other stories awaited me.

There came the world of Adnar. Adnar was the home of five kingdoms, coming out of a long thirteen year war. And it followed four people of two of the kingdoms. The good King of the Kingdom of Poroma. His faithful Chief Captain of his armies. A sell-sword of the rival nation. And a boy from the southern edge of the rival kingdom, who on his wedding day loses his beloved wife to Imperial inquisitors. This story not only got published on Lulu, but I also started working on the second book. But then....it's been roughly two years since I really worked on the story.

Pity too. It had a really strong beginning few chapters.

My latest venture into the realms of fantasy is based in the Kingdom of Vonderhelm. It's one of three kingdoms. It's actually based on two dreams I had. One as a teenager of a fall of a nation to demons and a followup dream when I was 24 of the oldest princess being banished from the realm by the conquering witch. That also has stalled, but not from lack of enthusiasm.

The Difficulties of Fantasy Writing

Part of the problem I find with writing fantasy is just how much stuff is required into building the worlds that these fantasy realms are made of. It's too big a task to do just out of your butt type of thing. Real efforts have to be made, even more so than even sci-fi stories.

Part of Tolkien's majesty when it comes to LOTR is just how much attention he paid to the details. I have read Christopher Tolkiens' History of Middle Earth, which is a massive series which goes into the various stages of the story that became the Lord of the Rings. There would have been no way for the series to be made without efforts being taken to reign in everything.

Let's face it. To create a fantasy realm, you need to create a whole world. These worlds need continents, and whole nations. In these nations there has to be towns, and landmarks. The towns must be filled with people, all with a rich history. And you need to make sure they stay true to what you establish for them.

And that's not even starting on creating languages for the people. Or what type of clothes they wear. Are they magical? Are they religious? Are they not? What types of laws are there? Do they have laws at all?

It's too big a task to do off the fly.

Like the Greek God Atlas, you really have a whole world that is on your shoulders.

Easing the Load

Here are a few things I've learned in my various stories (both history, fantasy and sci-fi). These will help as you go about your writings.

1. Have an encyclopedia. Christopher Paolini has perhaps one of the largest series in recent fantasy history, with thousands of characters. In an interview, he admitted he got so bogged down with names and details, that he forgot what the color of a certain characters eyes were and actually oopsed on it. To fix this, he compiled a list of names and basic information for each name.

Having an encyclopedia goes a LONG ways to keeping you on your toes. I have done two different types of encyclopedias. One is an alphabetical encyclopedia I did for a Star Trek fan fiction series I've been writing for three years. I still add more entries as I go throughout my series, which I am currently in season 3.

Another was a categorical one. I created it in three different categories. Legends, geographical and national. If there is a legend that's spoken, I add it to legends. If my characters approach a river in a certain land, I add that to geographical. If a character talks to a man in a certain kingdom, I add the man to the appropriate nation.

2. Maps. Maps are perhaps the easiest things to do. I have dozens of maps, and I make them in such a way I can add new information to them as time goes by. Especially if you story covers a whole continent, you want a map to keep you oriented to distances.

Don't feel like drawing them? There are several map generators online.

3. Drawings. If you can, draw the items you most certainly want to have an idea of what they look like. Like your swords. Crowns. Castles. Having a visual image can go a long to to not only keeping you from making mistakes, but will also help you describe them. Can't draw? Don't worry. Use images from the internet. They can help form the ideas you need in your head.

The Last Words

Writing fantasy is both rewarding but also challenging. But believe me, it's worth the effort. So go out there and put your mental powers to it.

Thank Goodness for the Day Off!