FYI, I'm breaking my recommendations journal into sections because it's ridiculously long. And not even in the fun way.

This section will contain dead-tree books, online novels, and a webcomic or two.

Newest: The Shadow of the Templar series by M. Chandler and The Hyperion Cantos by Dan Simmons.

Dead-Tree Books
11.15.09
The Hyperion Cantos by Dan Simmons...
...Or, at least the first half of it, Hyperion and The Fall of Hyperion.
Wow, has it really been almost a year since my last dead-tree entry? Anyway, these are intense, awesome, classic science fiction. Set thousands of years after humankind has branched out across the universe, these novels tell the story of seven pilgrims, thrown together on the backwater world of Hyperion, as their civilization is crashing in the stars overhead...The worldbuilding in this duology is fantastic, and I was thrown by more than one of the plot twists--and it takes a really good writer to catch me off guard. Seriously. If you want some intense hardcore reading, check these out.

12.14.08
The Realm of the Elderlings by Robin Hobb
Including...
Assassin's Apprentice
Royal Assassin
Assassin's Quest
Ship of Magic
Mad Ship
Ship of Destiny
Fool's Errand
Golden Fool
Fool's Fate
There are books I read. There are books I enjoy. There are books I really love--and I still go through them like wildfire and move on immediately. Not this series. When I finished Fool's Fate, I actually felt a little lost. Like, I couldn't believe it was over. I didn't manage to read anything else for nearly a week. That's a long time for me. Hobb's characters, plots, and worlds are on a whole different level of writing. They become real. You know the characters inside and out. Out of ten stars...eleven.

The Nightrunner by Lynn Flewelling
Including...
Luck in the Shadows
Stalking Darkness
Traitor's Moon
Shadows Return
Forthcoming: The White Road
To get it out of the way with, I'll answer the most commonly known thing about this series: Yes, they are gay. Yes, they are adorable. But that's really a small part of the plot. Just two men that happen to fall in love. What I like about the series is that it managed to take all my favorite cliches and turn it into something original: We have the country bumpkin out seeing the world for the first time, the handsome young rogue, the wise old mentor, magic, and intrigue. Yeah, but so does every other fantasy novel. I'm not going to reveal the story, but Nightrunner just pulls it off, and ends up something different. Really different. Original, funny, and fresh.

11.15.08
The Chosen by Ricardo Pinto
To be honest, I wasn't sure if I wanted to recommend this book or not....It's very hard to read. For several reasons. The story is highly setting based, and consists mainly of imagery. It's not something that you can skim and get the gist of it...it's intensive reading, simply to understand what's going on. Also, many of the concepts presented are...disturbing. You know how, in history, there were those people who were regarded as gods-on-Earth? It's hard to imagine someone like that these days...but this book is told from the point-of-view of one. The utter disdain for human life is...something to think about. Anyway, I probably will read the sequel. It was most definitely good enough for that.

9.16.08
Feast of Souls by C. S. Friedman
Secret's out, I love dark-themed books. I also love fantasy...and I really love it when the two are combined. This was a great beginning of what's certain to be an epic trilogy, and very original (although similar to the same author's Coldfire Trilogy, of which I've only read the first). This book did something that is rare, though: it scared me. And not in a "boo" way....but in a way that made me think of my own mortality.

Elantris by Brandon Sanderson
I actually got this on a whim, simply because it was on sale and it looked interesting enough to spend a couple of dollars on...One of the better choices I've made, regarding literature. As far a single-volume fantasy novels go, this was....outstanding. The cultures were rich and deep-rooted, without seeming fake...the imagery was excellent and the characters wonderfully complex....my only criticism is that Raoden seems too perfect. Other than that, the book is just amazing. I am entirely content with the fact that Mr. Sanderson will be writing the final WoT book.

5.17.08
The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss
I picked up this book at Books a Million, really just because I liked the title and cover, and I needed something to read while I waited for a certain book to become available at my library. I never anticipated how much I would like it.
As the summaries all say, this is "The story of a hero told in his own voice." And I have to say it's one of the few truly good fantasy narratives. The author's writing is crisp, and clear, with great descriptions and a touch of humor that's always facilitated by near poetic flow. As for the story itself, it's imaginative, and quite a step from the beaten track, but it doesn't throw you too far out of your comfort zone. The hero, Kvothe, is incredibly likable without being one of those annoying perfect characters. However, I never did figure out exactly how I want to pronounce his name...
Anyway, I am EAGERLY awaiting the sequel.
Also, what other author has a dA account? ~Kvothe

4.12.08
The Immortals by Tracy Hickman
You probably know Hickman for Dragonlance and other fantasy works, but don't assume that he isn't amazing at other areas. The Immortals is one of the most beautiful, haunting books I ever read. I originally picked it up because the summary reminded me of I am Legend, but I wasn't even prepared for what was within. A dark, dark story that delves into the depths of human nature, and yet manages to reach pinnacles of light and morality. As Hickman himself said, "This isn't a book about AIDS. This is a book about our souls."

2.23.08
Sunshine by Robin McKinley
I really really enjoyed this book. It had one of the most interesting spins on the traditional vampires I've ever seen. The narration really makes the book though--it's sarcastic, caustic, somewhat cynical, and hilarious. One warning, though. If anyone's familiar with McKinley, you probably know she's usually a juvenile author. Well, Sunshine is ABSOLUTELY adult fiction.

The Symphony of Ages by Elizabeth Haydon
Including...
Rhapsody
Prophecy
Destiny
Requiem for the Sun
Elegy for a Lost Star
The Assassin King
I've read every one. Honestly, those were probably the best Fantasy books I've ever read. The story is thrilling, and draws you in from the get-go. The characters are AMAZING, and SO atypical. Rhapsody, the female lead, is no whiny little damsel in distress. She can hold her own and isn't afraid to let you know. One critique is that she's too perfect, although not in a necessarily unlikable way. And Achmed, another one of the three lead characters, is nothing like the rest. I'm a fan of him. XD He's obnoxious, rude, and thoroughly unlikeable. AND HE'S MY FAVORITE CHARACTER LOL.

The Wheel of Time by Robert Jordan
Including...
The Eye of the World
The Great Hunt
The Dragon Reborn
The Shadow Rising
The Fires of Heaven
Lord of Chaos
A Crown of Swords
The Path of Daggers
Winter's Heart
The Crossroads of Twilight
Knife of Dreams
Forthcoming: A Memory of Light
GOSH, the DETAILS. Ah, Jordan is AMAZING. He leaves NOTHING out! The imagery in the series is beyond incredible, and the characters, though incredibly numerous, are always developed and realistic. But this series has OODLES of PLOT. If you don't like intense plot and remembering details, don't go on this ride. If you can handle it, you'll love the series.

The Firekeeper Saga by Jane Linskold
Including...
Through Wolf's Eyes
Wolf's Head, Wolf's Heart
The Dragon of Despair
Wolf Captured
Wolf Hunting
Wolf's Blood
Not your typical fantasy series, either. This one brings a fresh and delightful view into the world of politics, from a feral woman and her Royal Wolf companion. These two end up on a wild ride through the known world and beyond, along with assorted human companions. Linskold is a master storyteller.

Online Novels
11.15.09
Shadow of the Templar by M. Chandler
Including...
The Morning Star
Double Down
With a Bullet
High Fidelity
These are fully free and available online. I read them there. I found them so good that I bought the entire series in paperback. These are hilarious!! I quite literally fell out of my chair laughing more than once. In fact, frequently. Oh, the character dynamics!! All of the main characters have such distinctive and defined personalities, and I love their interaction!! Anyway, this series is about a hotshot FBI agent, his team of "talented but nigh-uncontrollable misfits"...and the snobby British professional thief who, on occasion, helps the Bureau. Half crime-caper, one-fourth comedy, one-fourth drama, I breezed through all four in under two weeks--and they're LONG. I plan on reading them again when my dead-tree ones arrive.
For the record, SOTT is slash, but it's not prevalent--they are ACTION novels, not romances.
LINK: [link]

Webcomics
7.1.09
Metanoia
Okay, let it be known that I'm not really into the whole webcomic scene, but Metanoia was good enough for the founding of this new section within my journal. Basically, it takes all your cliche little goopy comics and beats them up, eats them, throws the back up, and lights them on fire. The story is better than anything I've actually paid money for, and the art is really, really good, particularly in the newer pages. Metanoia's got angels, demons, supernatural beings, and hot gay boys. What more can you ask for?
And the authors/artists people have dA accounts. ~melukilan and ~StarTyrian. The latter of which, I have to point out, is also the author of one of my favorite online written works, The God Eaters...He's awesome.
Link: [link]