Lists: fantasy

When a solitary unicorn learns she may be the last of her species, she goes on a dangerous quest to learn what became of her cousins. This is one of my favorite books in terms of sheer writerly beauty. Beagle doesn't waste a single word. And it's a great story, too, for all ages.

Will Stanton's eleventh birthday brings surprises. He learns he's not a normal human, but the last of the Old Ones, an ancient race of the Light that fights to keep the world out of the clutches of the Dark. Now the Dark is rising, and it's Will's job as Sign Seeker to find, protect, and join the six elemental signs that will keep the Dark at bay.

I love rereading this book in December. Starting with Midwinter's Day and ending New Year's Eve, The Dark Is Rising perfectly captures the magic of the year's darkest and merriest days.

Arguably, Over Sea, Under Stone is the first book in The Dark Is Rising sequence. It's a great book, too, but The Dark Is Rising is where I like to start. Reading level is about grade 4 and up.

Eric "Cat" Chance has always been the stupid one in the family, compared with his magically gifted sister Gwendolyn. Not to mention that he seems eternally unlucky; he keeps suffering near-fatal accidents. But when Gwendolyn calls upon the world's greatest enchanter, the Chrestomanci, Cat learns he has powers far beyond anything he ever imagined.

This is the first of Jones's Chrestomanci books, and probably my favorite of the series. They're all pretty terrific, though. They all take place in a series of parallel worlds, whose magic is regulated by a nine-lived enchanter called the Chrestomanci. The books are not fast-paced, but if you're willing to take your time, you'll find them full of humor and surprises (both delightful and chilling). Reading level is middle schoolish, but younger kids will appreciate it as a read-aloud.

In the Old Kingdom, the dead don't always stay dead—not when there are Necromancers about. It is the job of Sabriel's father, the Abhorsen, to return the undead to Death. But when he becomes trapped in Death himself, Sabriel must take up the battle against the dead and the great Necromancer who has raised them and imprisoned her father.

Nix has created a unique and darkly beautiful world in the Old Kingdom. The imagery of Death as an icy river, the different bells that ring the dead back to Death, the binding of Free Elementals—it really is pure magic. The story continues in Lirael and Abhorsen. Lirael is my favorite because the main character begins her journey as a librarian and her companion is known as the Disreputable Dog (two details near and dear to my heart).

As far as Tiffany Aching knows, her main talent is making cheese — until such time comes as she needs to wollop an evil water monster over the head with a frying pan. Turns out Tiffany's got the makings of a good witch!

When the Queen of Faerie steals her younger brother away, it's up to Tiffany to save him, helped along by the Nac Mac Feegles, a mystical race of tiny, blue-tattooed men whose main occupations are drinkin', fightin', and stealin'. Oh, yes, and by an enchanted toad who used to be a lawyer.

In typical Pratchett fashion, The Wee Free Men is well-written, thoughtful, and a downright hoot. Tiffany's story continues in A Hat Full of Sky and Wintersmith. Wintersmith is probably my favorite of the three by a smidge, but this is a series best read in order. Reading level is junior high and up, but it would make a good read-aloud to slightly younger audiences, too.