Books.org participates in affiliate programs including Bookshop.org and the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. We may earn a commission from qualifying purchases made through links on this page, at no additional cost to you.
Overview
It's no secret that the fantasy genre has undergone a tremendous renaissance since the publication of the Harry Potter books and the recent successes of the film versions of The Lord of the Rings. Fantasy is one of the hottest genres going today, appealing to readers both young and old. This new guide focuses on titles that have come out of the recent publishing explosion in the fantasy arena. The authors organize and describe approximately 2,000 titles, most new to or newly described in this edition. A revised organization reflects the growth and trends in the genre, and all titles (except individual titles within series) are annotated.
Synopsis
It's no secret that the fantasy genre has undergone a tremendous renaissance since the publication of the Harry Potter books and the recent successes of the film versions of The Lord of the Rings. Fantasy is one of the hottest genres going today, appealing to readers both young and old. This new guide focuses on titles that have come out of the recent publishing explosion in the fantasy arena. The authors organize and describe approximately 2,000 titles, most new to or newly described in this edition. A revised organization reflects the growth and trends in the genre, and all titles (except individual titles within series) are annotated.
This guide to approximately 1,000 fantasy titles helps you advise fantasy readers, find fantasy read-alikes, and learn more about the genre and its fans.
VOYA
This addition to the publisher's Genreflecting Advisory Series is an updated, complementary text to Herald's Fluent in Fantasy: A Guide to Reading Interests (Libraries Unlimited, 1999/VOYA December 1999). An introduction to the genre is incorporated into the preface, and a comprehensive table of contents and multiple indexes (author, title, and subject) make it an easy-to-navigate resource. Appendixes covering award-winning titles and humorous fantasy offer additional readers' advisory guidance. The bulk of the text is devoted to annotated lists of books, which are arranged in chapters such as "Epic Fantasy," "Fairy Tales," and "A Bestiary" and in some cases, divided into subchapters (Arthurian legend, Celtic Legend, etc.). Entries include title, author, and publication date, as well as a variety of symbols, which indicate teen interest, related films, audio version availability, and similar items of interest. A chapter on resources provides an exemplary selection of further reading, awards, and conventions related to the genre. The authors' obvious appreciation of the fantasy genre adds life to this text. The well-stated purpose is fulfilled in a straightforward way, and well-documented references help ground this book in both past and present scholarship related to the genre. Thoughtful details about locating fantasy books in nonfiction collections and genreblending will be appreciated by library support staff and new librarians. Although minor editing errors may detract from the overall impact of this volume, it will be a welcome addition to larger professional collections, and library staff from all departments will appreciate the usability of the text. Reviewer: ElsworthRockefeller
Editorials
VOYA -
This addition to the publisher's Genreflecting Advisory Series is an updated, complementary text to Herald's Fluent in Fantasy: A Guide to Reading Interests (Libraries Unlimited, 1999/VOYA December 1999). An introduction to the genre is incorporated into the preface, and a comprehensive table of contents and multiple indexes (author, title, and subject) make it an easy-to-navigate resource. Appendixes covering award-winning titles and humorous fantasy offer additional readers' advisory guidance. The bulk of the text is devoted to annotated lists of books, which are arranged in chapters such as "Epic Fantasy," "Fairy Tales," and "A Bestiary" and in some cases, divided into subchapters (Arthurian legend, Celtic Legend, etc.). Entries include title, author, and publication date, as well as a variety of symbols, which indicate teen interest, related films, audio version availability, and similar items of interest. A chapter on resources provides an exemplary selection of further reading, awards, and conventions related to the genre. The authors' obvious appreciation of the fantasy genre adds life to this text. The well-stated purpose is fulfilled in a straightforward way, and well-documented references help ground this book in both past and present scholarship related to the genre. Thoughtful details about locating fantasy books in nonfiction collections and genreblending will be appreciated by library support staff and new librarians. Although minor editing errors may detract from the overall impact of this volume, it will be a welcome addition to larger professional collections, and library staff from all departments will appreciate the usability of the text. Reviewer: ElsworthRockefellerSchool Library Journal
This update to Herald's Fluent in Fantasy: A Guide to Reading Interests (Libraries Unlimited, 1999) features many titles published in the interim. The organization is quite similar, with many identically titled chapters and others that are expanded from sections in the previous volume. The bulk of this volume is comprised of lists of books by author in categories such as "General Epic Fantasy" and "Alternate Worlds." Brief introductions to each list help distinguish one category from the next. As with any list of recommended titles, users will find lacuna-Lois Bujold's "Chalion" series is here but not her newer "Sharing Knife" series (both HarperCollins)-but the authors include many great selections. Cross-references are made from one list to another, so Rowling appears in "Alternative and Parallel Worlds" with a reference back to the full listing in the chapter on witches and wizards. While Rowling and a few other YA authors appear, this volume is intended to highlight fantasy for or that appeals to adults. Back matter includes helpful indexes by author, title, and subject as well as lists of award winners and humorous fantasy. This resource should prove helpful for anyone looking for fantasy beyond the YA shelves.-Eric Norton, McMillan Memorial Library, Wisconsin Rapids, WI