[Hemingway]

The title basically emphasizes the subject I’d like to introduce, post your favorite fantasy novel. Also include why you believe this novel deserves the title of: The greatest fantasy novel. I’d also like to have a healthy inclusion of rigorous debate of why you feel someone’s choice of a favorite novel is a poor choice, or why you agree with someone's choice.

If you’ve read any of my highly opinionated posts you may already realize I would choose the conglomeration of The Darktower Series by Stephen King, but since we are doing single novels I will choose one in particular, the most recent and best one yet I believe, just ousting out Drawing of the Three.

THE WIZARD AND GLASS- by King of course.

The originality of this series is a daunting pinnacle of writing prowess. Gunslingers set in a medieval apocalyptic world (“That has moved on” so they say). Characterization of immense complexity, Roland’s inescapable romanticism in a world gone mad with deterioration of the very fabric of matter, and dwindling remnants of life, Cuthbert’s immaturity, yet clear perception of the immediacy necessary for the matters at hand, Alain the mediator of the feuding conflagration searing the trio’s friendship apart in Roland’s blindness for his love Susan Delgado. This trio will sew a fondness in your heart long after reading this unforgettable novel. I loved peering into the earlier life of Roland, and finally seeing the heavily scarred heart wading underneath this mans emotions, which appeared to be chiseled from stone throughout much of the series.

The blistering action sweeps the reader into an enveloping world where your mind may drift with this amazing novel so much that you will cease to be cognizant to the world around you. From witches, to wizards, to gun-slinging shootouts, romance, tragedy, ancient remnants of haunted maniacal machinery (oops that’s the previous book before it), a witty repartee of untouchable dialogue, this is a masterpiece.

So what are the other choices for the greatest novel out there, and why have you chosen them?

[milamber_reborn]

I would have to say Game Of Thrones by Martin.

A great introduction to my favourite series. Of course I liked the sequal Clash of Kings better, but GOT set up the plot and the characters beautifully.

[Hemingway]

Really a Game of Thrones? That's the book I chose to introduce me to Martin but I found it so difficult to get into. The characters just didn't provide any elements of likability in my opinion. But it's good to see a book that most likely won't bare as many reciprocal answers.

[Rhaegar]

I would have to say GRRM's A Storm of Swords. I could also easily nominate A Game of Thrones as well. Having read virtually every fantasy book out there I have never read any to equal ASoIaF. There were moments in ASoS where I literally had to put the book down.... moments so wrought with emotion and tragedy that I felt drained. Powerful writing by an author at the height of his powers.

Hemingway, you seem a bit surprised by how highly regarded this series is. Perhaps you should give the series another try to see what all the fuss is about.

Based on past polls on this website, Martin is probably the most highly regarded fantasy author going these days.

Although there are a few Martin-haters about these parts. ;)

[Aik Haw]

The best one I have to say is "The Garden of the Moon" by Steven Eriksson. This one book blew my entire perspective of fantasy into dust!!

[Lucky Joe]

The Greatest Single Fantasy Novel,

That is a huge call. I certainly could never claim to have read every novel of any particular genre, but then I don't get to read as much as I would like too. And I'm not so sure I could read every one - there's a lot of crap out - anyway.

I could name several that are the worst (IMO), but I don't want to offend so I'll steer clear of that particular pitfall.

The one book that I think I've enjoyed more than any other would have to be Royal Assassin, I really enjoyed Hobb's style of writing and if I'm remembering it right this was the book when things really got going before the anticlimax of Assassin's quest.

However the greatest? I'll get back to you in another lifetime or two when I've had a chance to read more.

[kater]

I'll go with Legend by David Gemmell - it was the first book that truly drew me to the fantasy genre and Druss is just the epitome of what a heroic character was to me, the emotion Gemmell created at the end of the book has yet to be equalled or beaten by any of the hundreds of books I have read to date.

[horribleman]

A few months ago I'd have said a Game of Thrones or a Clash of Kings, but now I think I'd say The Claw of the Concillator by Gene Wolfe.

[juzzza]

Originally posted by kater
I'll go with Legend by David Gemmell - it was the first book that truly drew me to the fantasy genre and Druss is just the epitome of what a heroic character was to me, the emotion Gemmell created at the end of the book has yet to be equalled or beaten by any of the hundreds of books I have read to date.

I second this notion, closely followed by 'Waylander' because the main character is the very essence of walking the grey path.

[Cadfael]

I will go with Hemingway... partly. For me it would be The Wastelands, book 3 of the Dark Tower series. A very very close second would be The Talisman, which King wrote in collaboration with with Peter Straub.