Today we want to give a big welcome to the awesome Bree, one half of the awesomeness that is Moira Rogers. To learn more about Moira Rogers and their books, head on over to their official website.
When the Bookpushers asked me to write a post about my favorite fantasy books, I thought, Pshaw, that’ll be easy. I could list a dozen off the top of my head.
Warning: if you can list a dozen favorite anything off the top of your head, writing a book about your favoritest of favorites will not be easy. In fact, it will leave you torn by indecision and staring listlessly at a blank page, wondering where on Earth to start.
Of course, that’s just the thing. It’s not about Earth at all, is it? It’s about those books that take you to another world and wrap you in all the magic of what if…? while whisking you off to fantastical cities to battle terrifying monsters with breathtaking magic.
My journey with fantasy started when I was twelve years old. I stumbled across a book with a bright cover in the library, but what held my attention was the fact that there was a couple on the cover—and the woman was the one with the sword! Hey, I thought excitedly. I knew girls could have adventures too! 
And so they could. Mercedes Lackey’s By the Sword introduced me to a world of fantasy authors who were all too ready to trample on the assumption that a fantasy novel has to start with a boy going on a journey. I read about Del taking on the Tiger in Sword Dancer. I read about Alanna switching places with her twin brother to become the realm’s first new female knight in Alanna: The First Adventure.
I trampled through the library, reading everything I could get my hands on. I read the Terry Brooks, the David Eddings, the Robert Jordan. But the books that stuck with me were the ones that told the stories I desperately wanted to read—the stories where the women were fierce and independent and so much more than just sidekicks or damsels who trailed along while the hero had the adventure.
And they had swords. Swords, zomg!
Over the years I’ve had a lot of favorites come and go. I’ve read and loved Mercedes Lackey, Tamora Pierce, Jennifer Robberson, C.S. Lewis, Anne McCaffrey, Sharon Shinn, Tanya Huff, Robert Jordan, David Eddings, Guy Gavriel Kay, Madeleine L’Engle, Philip Pullman and many more. But the two authors who have long held dominion over my favorite fantasy authors list?
Melanie Rawn and Anne Bishop. More specifically, their Dragon Prince and Black Jewels trilogies.
These two series stand out for me as having some of the most vivid, unique and beautifully terrifying worlds I’ve ever seen. In particular, the flavors of magic are endlessly fascinating to me. The Black Jewels series takes you to a dark, fractured world where twisted Queens hold dominion over those who dream of a better time, and the power you wield is measured by a jewel.
The Dragon Prince series introduces witches who literally weave sunlight, riding the beams of light with their minds to communicate—and spy—while dragons stalk the deserts and the High Prince seeks to destroy everything in his thirst for power.
These series are very different from each other. They’re very different from everything else I’ve read, which is one of the reasons I think they’re special. And they’re so special to me that I asked the Bookpushers to let me give away a copy of the first book in each series. (Open international, and I will do my best to get you your choice of ebook or print, wherever available and possible.)
All you have to do to enter is tell me which of the two you’d like to read and why!
I’d love to try Rawm (pretty cover!) Lol. I do love fantasy covers, it’s a weakness But I have heard good things and I saw a new book from her, or maybe it was a re-issue. She sounds good
I’d love to try Anne Bishop – I’ve heard so many amazing things about her but I’ve yet to read any of her books (which is just embarassing, really).
I choose Daughter of the Blood by Anne Bishop because my library system doesn’t have it!
You’ve mentioned Anne Bishop quite a bit on Twitter, so I’ve been meaning to give her a try. 🙂
I am not entering, but have you been spying on my bookshelf *looks suspicious*? I love the list of authors and books you have mentioned. They have given me HOURS of adventures :).
I wouldn’t mind winning either…because I haven’t read either of them, at all. For shame! 🙁
I’d love to get the Melanie Rawn book. I have meant to try her, but somehow never get to it. Having a recommended series would be a plus 😉
I would love to read both series. They sound very good. Please enter me in contest. Tore923@aol.com
I’d love to read Alanna – it’s the only that I haven’t read. I’ve all the others!
Thanks for a great post!! I’d have to say that my gateway into fantasy was in junior high when I read Anne McCaffrey’s Dragonsong (Harper Hall Trilogy) from the library. I *loved* that series. I’ve also read Anne Bishops Jewels series and I agree with you that they are awesome!
I’d love to try the Rawn series since I haven’t read them. Thanks for the lovely giveaway!
P.S. The books by Moira Rogers aren’t bad either 😉
Very nice post. I’d like to read Dragon Prince and Daughter of the Blood because they sound very intriguing and fascinating. Thanks for the giveaway.
I would love to read either Melanie Rawn or Anne Bishop. They both look amazing. I know my daughter would enjoy these as well.
Oh By The Sword, what a great book. And you were so right, the chick has the sword! I loved that. Girls can have and be able to use swords too =)
I haven’t read either series, Anne’s or Melanie’s. So of course I had to go look them up! They both sound great and had to add them to my TBR list. They each sound great in their own way, hard to compare. Dragons, yes please! Anytime! But the characters in Anne’s books sound intriguing, evil witches, prophecy, world changes. Each time I read about one I think, yes that one! But then I go read about the other and think, oh wait that one! hahaha!
Thanks for the tips on some good reads. Not to mention your whole list of books! Wow, another author to add to my TBR list. Especially Moonshine, I love the sound of this hot shifter tail (hahaha). I have added this to my TBR list too!! Help, it’s growing!
I would be very interested in reading the Dragon Prince and the Black Jewels trilogy. I love magic and dragons.
I actually just started reading a library copy of Daughter of the Blood. So far it’s really intriguing. I’ve heard a lot of great things about Melanie Rawn, but I haven’t tried anything by her myself. I wasn’t really sure where to start with her stuff so thanks for mentioning (and giving away) Dragon Prince!
I already read each installment in the Black Jewels world twice or even thrice: I really like how Anne Bishop succeed to convey feelings and atmosphere, and how her characters are so vivid. I think she’s more able to portrait the evil ones than the good ones: the corrupted Queens and their followers don’t have even the smallest sliver of goodness in them, they are capable of inuhman things but at the same time they remember us of the worst human behaviours and push you to think.
I was a bit disappointed by how she handled the last installment ’cause I felt my two favorite characters (Daemon e Surreal) weren’t themselves anymore, but well: I still have 8 books and a half to enjoy!
Since I already know and own all the BJ books, I’d like to try the Dragon Prince.
Thank you for suggesting so many interesting titles!
The Black Jewels series sounds intriguing. I like the dark tone – it sounds full of conflict and excitement.
Thanks for bringing back a whole host of memories. These are some of my favorites. I even recognize the half-cover from the book at the top!
I’m not entering, but I want to wish whoever does win a marvelous journey of discovery.
These are all awesome stories. (Moira Rogers’ too!)
by the sword & daughter of blood – they sound fantastic and I haven’t read them so I would love to win them so I could
My first foray into fantasy was Piers Anthony. My mother was.. not impressed with my choices (I was 6 lol)
I’d love Daughter of the Blood — I’ve actually had my eye on it for a while but my library doesn’t have it so I wasn’t able to get it 🙁
Thanks for the giveaway!!