Best of 2010 - Adult Fantasy

I read more urban fantasy than straight fantasy this year, but there were quite a few straight fantasy or epic fantasy, or just fantasy-like books that I really enjoyed.  You can see them below.

Brandon Sanderson

Elantris (review)

Mistborn (review)

The Well of Ascension (review)

I read a lot of books by Sanderson this year.  Last year I read Warbreaker and loved it.  This year I tackled some of his other books.  Such a great author, I have loved every book of his I have read.  Next year I hope to finish the Mistborn trilogy and start his Stormlight Archives series.

The Labyrinth by Catherynne Valente

Last year one of my favorite books was Palimpsest by Valente this year I read another book by her and loved it.  Her writing is beautiful, haunting, ambiguous, and wondrous.  I just got a couple more of her books to read in the new year!  Here's my review.

Wistril Compleat by Frank Tuttle

This is humorous classic fantasy at its best.  I bought this for my Kindle on a whim and absolutely adored it.  The story of a wizard and his apprentice is hilarious, heartfelt, and well-written (my review).  I look forward to reading more of Tuttle's work in the future and have Anthology 1: The Far Corners on my shelf to read.

Wicked Gentlemen by Ginn Hale

Beautiful description and complex characterization made this a dark and wonderful read.  Absolutely loved the desolate city, the tortured characters, and the hope scattered throughout.  Such a beautiful and entrancing read (my review).

The Codex Alera Series by Jim Butcher

 

Captain's Fury (my review)

A great epic fantasy series by Butcher (better known for the Dresden Files) the fourth book in the series was my favorite.  A great series to read if you are a fan of epic fantasy with solid characterization.

Jig the Goblin by Jim C. Hines

Goblin War (my review)

I loved all of the books in this series but my favorite was the last one, Goblin War.  This was a hilarious, breathtaking, and heartpounding adventure.  Who ever knew you could get so attached to a goblin?  I look forward to reading Hines The Stepsister Scheme next year.

Clockwork Century series by Cherie Priest

 

Clementine (my review)

Not sure if this is really fantasy, it is more alternate histroy, but either way it was really good.  All of Priest's Clockwork Century novels have been spectacular.  You'll probably have to get this from the library though because it was a limited printing run and is hard to get a hold of now.

Johannes Cabal: The Necromancer by Jonathan L. Howard

(my review)

This is a quirky and darkly funny book that I really loved.  I still haven't read the sequel, Johannes Cabal: The Detective, but I would really like too.  If you are into dark comedy with a fantasy edge to it, this is the book for you!