The Encyclopedia of the Dead - Danilo Kis
Kis attempts to dazzle with his showmanship as he restlessly
dons one stylistic mantle after another in this richly inventive
collection of stories. Kis's philosophical musings should delight
readers who enjoyed his countryman Milorad Pavic's Dictionary of the
Khazars.
The Eye of the World - Robert Jordan
Anazon.com says: Set in a world where two kinds of magic exist,
one female and the other male, the Wheel of Time series features
as its hero Rand, who begins the first volume as a simple shepherd.
A visitor soon sends Rand on an epic journey to unite the people of
his planet against the Dark One, who threatens vast destruction.
Rand's quest takes him through a dazzling array of meticulously
detailed alien cultures and such unforgettable characters as the
mysterious and lovely Egwene, the sorceress Moiraine, and Moiraine's
companion, Lan
Bone Doll's Twin - Lynn Flewelling
Amazon.com :
Young Tobin had the misfortune of being born female in perilous
times, in which high-born females of all ages are being murdered
by order of the king, to ensure his son's succession to the throne.
Years earlier, King Elrius usurped his sister's rightful claim to
the throne--an act that abrogated the divine protections set over
his people, bringing plague and war to the land. There are those
who would see the divine prophecies honored, however, and a warrior
queen restored to the throne. Paula Luedtke
The Time Machine - H.G Wells
From amazon.com
Very old fashioned and complex- but beautiful and captivating.
The Time Machine has become an undisputed classic, almost
everyone has read it. Raising legitimate and puzzling questions
about the future of the human race, and illustrating just
how easily humans can be reduced to animalistic behavior
make this book more than just a light hearted adventure story.
The Time Machine makes you seriously think, and takes you on
one hell of an adventure along the way.
Dragonflight - Ann McCaffrey
The planet Pern has been colonized for centuries by humans.
When humans first settled on this world, they did not take notice
of its sister planet, which had an indigenous life form that
attempted to land on Pern when it came within reach. These silver
"threads" fell in a destructive wave on the temperate lands of Pern
once every 200 years, destroying all life they encountered.
To combat this menace, the inhabitants of Pern developed a
species of dragon that could burn these threads out of the
sky before they touched down. Now, centuries have passed between
threadfalls, and the danger of thread is considered a myth.
However, a dragon rider named F'lar knows that the riders
are once again needed.
His Dark Materials trilogy - Phillip Pullman
From amazon.com
"Pullman is a master at combining impeccable characterizations
and seamless plotting, maintaining a crackling pace to
create scene upon scene of almost unbearable tension. Nothing
short of breathtaking"
It is a children's book that will appeal to adults, a fantasy
novel that will charm even the most hardened realist. Best of
all, the author doesn't speak down to his audience, nor does he
pull his punches; there is genuine terror in this book, and
heartbreak, betrayal, and loss. There is also love, loyalty,
and an abiding morality that infuses the story but never overwhelms
it. This is one of those rare novels that one wishes would never end.
Coraline - Neil Gaiman
From amazon.com
Coraline lives with her preoccupied parents in part of a
huge old house--a house so huge that other people live in it,
too... round, old former actresses Miss Spink and Miss Forcible and
their aging Highland terriers and the
mustachioed old man under the roof Coraline contents herself for weeks with
exploring the vast garden and grounds. But with a little rain she
becomes bored.. she discover secret door, sometimes blocked with a
wall of bricks--opens up for Coraline into an entirely alternate
universe...
Jonathan Livingston Seagull - Richard Bach
From amazon.com
"Most gulls don't bother to learn more than the simplest facts of flight--how to get from shore to food and back again,"
writes author Richard Bach in this allegory about a unique bird named Jonathan Livingston Seagull. "For most gulls it is not
flying that matters, but eating. For this gull, though, it was not eating that mattered, but flight." Flight is indeed the metaphor
that makes the story soar. Ultimately this is a fable about the importance of seeking a higher purpose in life, even if your flock, tribe,
or neighborhood finds your ambition threatening. (At one point our beloved gull is even banished from his flock.) By not compromising his higher vision,
Jonathan gets the ultimate payoff: transcendence. Ultimately, he learns the meaning of love and kindness. The dreamy seagull photographs by Russell Munson
provide just the right illustrations--although the overall packaging does seem a bit dated (keep in mind that it was first published in 1970). Nonetheless,
this is a spirituality classic, and an especially engaging parable for adolescents. --Gail Hudson
A Game of Thrones - George RR Martin
From Publishers Weekly
In a world where the approaching winter will last four decades, kings and queens, knights and
renegades struggle for control of a throne. Some fight with sword and mace, others with magic
and poison. Beyond the Wall to the north, meanwhile, the Others are preparing their army of the
dead to march south as the warmth of summer drains from the land...
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