Some great 21st - century fantasy novels include 'A Song of Ice and Fire' series by George R.R. Martin. It has complex characters, political intrigue, and a vast world. Another is 'The Name of the Wind' by Patrick Rothfuss. It tells the story of Kvothe, a legendary figure, with beautiful prose and a captivating plot.
One of the best is 'The Lies of Locke Lamora' by Scott Lynch. It's set in a Venice - like city and follows a group of thieves. The world - building is superb, and the characters are full of charm and mischief. Also, 'American Gods' by Neil Gaiman is remarkable. It weaves together different mythologies in a modern - day America setting.
One great 21st - century Western novel is 'The Goldfinch' by Donna Tartt. It has a complex and engaging plot that follows the life of a young boy who becomes involved with a valuable painting after a tragic event. Another is 'Wolf Hall' by Hilary Mantel. It offers a vivid look into the court of Henry VIII. And 'A Little Life' by Hanya Yanagihara is also a notable one, though it's quite intense, exploring themes of friendship, trauma, and the human condition.
If you want a more emotional and deep read right away, 'Me Before You' would be a great choice. It will make you laugh and cry, and it has a very profound exploration of love and sacrifice. The characters are well - developed and the story is very engaging.
Haruki Murakami's '1Q84' is also a great choice. It's a complex and surreal story set in an alternate version of 1984 Tokyo. Murakami's unique writing style, with its blend of the ordinary and the extraordinary, makes this book a fascinating read. There are themes of love, mystery, and the search for self.
Well, in recent fantasy fiction, 'The Name of the Wind' by Patrick Rothfuss is a must - read for many. It has a brilliant narrative style as Kvothe tells his own story. 'Uprooted' by Naomi Novik is also very good. It has a fairytale - like quality with a strong female lead and an interesting magic - based plot. Additionally, 'Red Sister' by Mark Lawrence stands out. It's set in a harsh convent - like school where girls learn to be assassins and there are elements of dark magic.
Some great fantasy novels from 2018 include 'Spinning Silver' by Naomi Novik. It's a richly detailed retelling of fairytales with strong female characters. Another one is 'Children of Blood and Bone' by Tomi Adeyemi. It has a unique magic system and a story of revolution in a fantasy world.
The novel 'The Famished Road' by Ben Okri won the Booker Prize. It's a magical realist work that tells the story of Azaro, a spirit - child, and it offers a unique perspective on Nigerian society. 'The Line of Beauty' by Alan Hollinghurst also won the Booker Prize. It's a novel about homosexuality and the upper - class British society in the 1980s. 'Milkman' by Anna Burns won the Booker Prize as well. It's set in Belfast during the Troubles and has a very distinct narrative style.
One of the best is 'The Lord of the Rings' series by J.R.R. Tolkien. It's a classic that takes you on an epic adventure through Middle - earth, filled with hobbits, elves, dwarves, and powerful wizards. The world - building is extraordinary.
I would recommend 'Outlander' by Diana Gabaldon. Although it's more of a historical fantasy romance, it's truly amazing. Claire Randall, a World War II nurse, travels back in time to 18th - century Scotland. Her relationship with Jamie Fraser is intense, loving, and full of challenges as they navigate different time periods and cultural differences. It's a long - running series that has captured the hearts of many readers.
I'd recommend 'A Song of Ice and Fire' by George R.R. Martin. It has complex characters and a very intricate plot. There are political intrigues, battles, and a lot of grey areas in terms of morality. Also, 'The Chronicles of Narnia' by C.S. Lewis is a classic. It takes you to a magical world full of talking animals and mythical creatures, and has a strong Christian undertone that adds depth to the story.
One great book is 'Dune' by Frank Herbert. It combines elements of science fiction like advanced technology and interstellar politics with a touch of the fantastical in its unique world - building. The story is set in a far - future desert planet where a young man rises to power and has to navigate complex power struggles.