Having just finished the 260th book review for this blog, I think it's time to do something like a 'top 20', in that, based on those reviews, what are the top 20 books that I would recommend? For each book, I will give a brief overview of why the book is so great. Keep in mind that I read mostly children/young adult fantasy and adventure novels, so if you're into those genre too, then have a look to see which ones you haven't read :).
1) Percy Jackson and the Last Olympian by Rick Riordan
This is the last book that wraps up the first Percy Jackson series, and it does it spectacularly. While on your first reading, you might think it is nothing special, but reread again, and again. Each time, you will start to admire the way the author had dealt with the issues, and pick up a lot of things that wasn't evident before. One word I would describe this book would be 'elegant'. This is one of those rare books that will hit you emotionally, as things pan out and the fate of Olympus, and demigods, are decided.
2) Percy Jackson and the Titan's Curse by Rick Riordan
The third book in the Percy Jackson series, this takes you on a grand adventure in a classic 'damsel-in-distress' quest, but with the Rick Riordan twist. While some of the new characters introduced are unlikable from the start, by the end, you will feel sadness in your heart at their fates. The author had revealed the character's past bit by bit, and evolving them perfectly, where you feel really attached to them, even though they were only introduced in this installment. A vital character is also quick introduced here and then disappears, so if you're following the series, don't read it out of order!! A wonderful and emotional tale, with more zeal than you'd expect of a children's book.
3) Percy Jackson and the Battle of the Labyrinth by Rick Riordan
Sorry, this is the last Percy Jackson book on this list, I swear!!! Being the fourth book, some might complain it's more of the same, and getting a bit stale, but that's not true! It provides a completely different experience. You can't help but feel pride at the titular battle right at the end of the book, where the demigods group together, and through teamwork, repel the invaders. You get that feeling because the author builds it up piece by piece throughout, so it's not just a random plot element where everyone somehow works together, you see the blood and sweat that went into it. This book also provided some of the best and highest variety of Greek mythology 'updates', which is always the draw of the Percy Jackson books.
4) Twilight by Stephenie Meyer
No matter how much flack the series gets for its writing or being overrated, you can't deny that it provides a good read. Sure it's not for every, but you owe it to yourself to see at least what the hype was about (and at least have an arguable position, you cannot say it's bad when you haven't even read it), and who knows you might get sucked in. That said, the vampire lore created and the relationship between Edward and Bella is interesting, and the pages just fly pass. There's even an exciting bit at the end.
5) Rowan and the Travellers by Emily Rodda
A stunning series, made even more impressive by it's relatively short length (of around 200 pages). The amount of excitement and suspense the author had managed to cram inside its pages is nothing short of astounding. The writing is impressive, and when the book sheds it's final revelation, you will be impressed, shocked, amazed etc. Afterwards, you'd feel there's a deeper understanding and underlying tone that the author had set. Brilliant.
6) Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer
A purely ingenious book. The lure here is the way the protagonist, Artemis, creates and executes his delicately engineered plans. It's made even better when he has a cocky rival, and we all know how satisfying it is for a cocky person to be outsmarted. The author has woven common fairy mythology into reality, by representing them as an advanced civilisation living under the earth. With each new gadget they use against the siege of Fowl Manor, the more you want to see of what else the Fairies have in their arsenal. An engaging read, although you can't help but feel you're extremely unintelligent compared to Artemis Fowl.
7) Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling
What's a list of top fantasy books without at least a couple books from the Harry Potter series on it? While I wouldn't say the last installment is the best in terms of content, it does one hell of a job wrapping the series up. While the book drags on for too long during the middle, and the quest of the Horcruxes just seem to finish quicker/'easier' than expected compared to all the trouble before, you would be hooked onto every word. That's not including the many shocking deaths, and the final revelation of some of the most anticipated secrets that the author has kept until now.
8) Inkdeath by Cornelia Funke
This is a massive book... thankfully, it's a good one. I felt that Inkheart and Inkspell were somewhat lackluster, at least the final book in the series manages to pick things up. I'm not really a fan of this series, mainly due to how grounded to reality it was. Inkdeath does away with most of it, and while there are some 'filler' type events, you would get a lot of enjoyment from the complex plot.
9) Angels and Demons by Dan Brown
The first adult fiction on the list, and I loved the story. Maybe it's due to how the plot centered around anti-matter and had a higher element of physics or what, but I enjoyed it very much. The chase was intense and when the antagonist was revealed, you would be more than just a little bit surprised. While you probably wouldn't be able to figure out the clues for yourself (especially if you don't have a deep historic background), it's still fun and impressive when the main character solves it.
10) Artemis Fowl and the Eternity Code by Eoin Colfer
Oh, how sad I was when I finished reading this. It wasn't because the story was sad, but because I thought the series was over. I did not see how Artemis was going to get out of his predicament. Anyway, the book is a huge ride, the number of gadgets and advanced equipment just soars through the roof. Then there's the enjoyment of a good plan playing out just as you intended. My favourite in the Artemis Fowl series, and you should read it too, no prerequisite required, it's easy to pick up even if you haven't read any others.
11) Dragon Mage by Andre Norton and Jean Rabe
Supposed to be a sequel to Dragon Magic, it serves as a good standalone book too. It gives you a rich adventure. You have a sense of connection with the main character, when she is thrown into the world unexpected and she slowly explores and adapts to the surrounding, while saving the world of course. There's nothing outrageous or over the top here, which is refreshing.
12) Artemis Fowl and the Lost Colony by Eoin Colfer
Sorry, another Artemis Fowl book have somehow sneaked onto the list. Artemis rivals against another teenage genius, and you feel that there should be sparks created between those two. While Minerva isn't as smart as Artemis, for a human, she's pretty good. I really like the ending where Artemis uses the time loops to his advantage, and the special touch where Artemis swaps his eye with another certain potential love interest (not that love was ever given much priority). Of course, there's the obligatory execution of a genius plan, and as always, it's a pleasure to read and visualise about.
13) Rowan of Rin by Emily Rodda
You'll probably see a trend, but this book is once again (surprise surprise) focused upon a quest. What makes this different to other adventure type stories is that the protagonist isn't truly special in any way, at least, not the ways you'd expect. It's not at all obvious what he's good at, and Rowan's afraid of everything. However, I love how the author had proved that it isn't whether your physically strong or mentally smart, since Rowan was the only one out of the group that managed to succeed in the quest. You loved the feeling when the least likely person 'won' and saved the village. There are many top-notched rhyming puzzles, and the obstacles the group faces are very interesting and imaginative.
14) Rowan and the Keeper of the Crystal by Emily Rodda
I loved the puzzle solving quest element of the plot, it was ingenious and really fun to read about. The puzzles/clues were clever and relevant, they weren't arbitrary or forced (unlike many books that try, but comes off as being lame and a 'try hard'). You get to see the character develop into a slightly more confident character, and once again, the 'weakest' of the village saving the world once again. What's interesting is that there wasn't really a clear antagonist, you get the threat of the Zebaks invading unless Rowan finishes what he does by the time limit, but there's no singular evil person.
15) Airman by Eoin Colfer
A standalone by the author, and more grounded to reality than some of his other works. It has an excellent and elaborate plot, with a theme of flying. This is a classic treason plot, and the character is out to save the princess. The motives are clear and justified, and twists and turns are everywhere. I loved how the character grew to adapt and take advantage of his surroundings, even when he was so disadvantaged in the first place. He had sustained a massive fall, yet he manages to stand back up again, and right what was wrong, a classic hero. You'll be left breathless by the end of it.
16) Deltora Quest 2 by Emily Rodda
I cheated a little bit here, since Deltora Quest 2 is comprised of three books, but I reviewed the compiled version. You can treat it as one story anyway. It's an excellent fantasy adventure, given a new sense of urgency when compared to the first series. Again, the author shines in her writing, with the mystery surrounding the Pirran Pipe, and the race of people that keeps it safe. As each piece of information is revealed about them, you're left in wonder and want to find out more about them. There are plenty of climatic moments, sighing in relief when everything works out as if you were the one that were performing the actions.
17) Rowan and the Ice Creepers by Emily Rodda
First thing's first, the titular ice creepers are freaky, and scary. The author has created a great sense of fear of the monsters, and a sense of urgency in the quest. It's packed with the classic rhyming riddles that foretell dangers, and that you can only understand after everything's happen (that's always the best part). Amazingly, this final book in the series ties back a lot of lore from earlier books. The impact of the events of the books are stunning, and you're just left in wonder at how perfectly everything slots together. One of the worst things about this book is that its the last book, by the end of it, you want more adventures of Rowan!
18) Artemis Fowl and the Time Paradox by Eoin Colfer
While it doesn't really have the classic Artemis Fowl plan executed in perfection, a majority of the fun here is how cleverly the author had woven time travel into the story. It's so cleverly done, and everything fits together so perfectly. You'll find that there were clues scattered throughout the whole book, a lot of time that is only picked up once you've read it before and have the hindsight. Personally, I don't really like it when characters have to travel back in time and have a deadline to meet otherwise they can't come back, but it was well done here and didn't have any contrived obstacles that you would normally expect.
19) Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling
A tournament in which a champion of each school competes to win, you would have expected Harry Potter to be the one representing Hogwarts but... the conditions the author placed would have banished your thoughts. So it was a really nice surprise to find out that someone managed to trick Harry into becoming one of the champions, creating a threat in the process. Then there's the Quidditch World Cup in the beginning of the book, you don't know why, but it's just exhilarating reading and seeing it pan out. There are many unexpected moments that the author pulled off very well. However, Harry's character (particularly his stubbornness) becomes more annoying in this installment.
20) Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling
This was an addictive read, and it had an ending that was truly shocking. It was totally unexpected and unbelievable (not to mention it created a massive cliffhanger). I loved how the author revealed the reason behind Voldemort's immortality. While you might get frustrated and seriously annoyed at Harry's behavior and decisions, the other elements more than made up for it.
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Now, before you start firing at me and insulting me about my selection, this is based entirely on the ratings I gave for them in my book reviews, and these were just the top 20. While they may not agree to you, I probably haven't read many of the books you have read, so I have no idea if they're great. This is just a list that out of the books I have read so far in these last two years, what I believed were the best books.
If you would like to read more of my book reviews, you can click on this link, and if you want to know more about the format in how I review things, check out this post here.