I am quite a fan of fantasy novels and series. Over a period of more than 8 years now, I have been continuously reading a lot of fantasy authors, old and new. So I thought I'd go ahead and point out some of the best, and most unforgettable fantasy works that I have read.

NB: These are purely my opinions and reviews, which, I must admit, are influenced by a lot of factors, including but not limited to the following: Inebriation, humor in writing, mindset at the time of reading, addiction to the book, age, etc. Also, these are not in any particular order, except that of my discretion.

1. Lord of the Rings by J. R. R. Tolkien: Easily the best work of fantasy ever, this book follows the adventures of Frodo Baggins and Samwise Gamgee, two hobbits, as they undertake a journey of epic proportions in a quest to destroy Sauron's Ring of Power. Splendidly narrated, this book takes the reader to a world full of orcs, ents, humans, dwarves, wizards, elves and many other such races and characters.
Why it is Unforgettable: One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them, One Ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them.

2. Bartimaeus Trilogy by Jonathan Stroud: Jonathan Stroud is a relatively new writer, and he came up with this amazingly humorous trilogy, starring Bartimaeus (a djinn) and his master, Nathaniel. This trilogy follows the tale of Nathaniel as he struggles to become a powerful magician, and his relationship with a very witty, sarcastic and nearly powerful djinn, Bartimaeus. The story is narrated in two ways - one, a third person, neutral view point of Nathaniel, and two, a first person narration by Bartimaeus.
Why it is Unforgettable: Bartimaeus has a multidimensional thought process, as a result of which, in between the narration of the story, he has several witty anecdotes to share with the readers, which take the place of footnotes in the book. Makes a reader want to get to the next Bartimaeus chapter really quickly.

3. Percy Jackson and the Olympians by Rick Riordan: This fantasy work is a 5 book, unputdownable journey to the land of the Greek myths, wherein the author takes all the stories we love, and shakes the cobwebs out of them in a very humorous, and yet a very gripping manner. It revolves around Percy Jackson, who is the son of Poseidon, the Sea God. All our favorite mythical characters, including the Minotaur, Hydra, Cyclopes, etc. are included. And not to forget, all the amorous, treacherous, and yet favoured Gods of Greek mythology too, including Zeus, Poseidon, Hades, Apollo and more.
Why it is Unforgettable: My Maths teacher just turned into a hag with talons and claws. (How many of us felt this even in reality?! :-))

4. The Sword of Truth series by Terry Goodkind: There have never been protagonists more likeable or admirable than Richard Rahl and Kahlan Amnell. You literally fall in love with their characters. This series (of over 10 books) follows the tale of Richard Rahl, a woodsguide-turned-wizard, and Kahlan Amnell, the Mother Confessor (read the novels to find out what a Mother Confessor is), as they fall in love, and fight every evil that is thrown their way.
Why it is Unforgettable: Richard Rahl, Kahlan Amnell, Zeddicus Zu'l Zorander, and the Wizard's Rules.

5. Harry Potter series by J. K. Rowling: The whole world fell in love with this beautifully constructed series of books, which followed the life of Harry Potter, the boy who lived. J. K. Rowling got everything right in this - the narration, the characterization, the plots, the climax, the settings, everything. Not to mention, it has one of the most well-described villains ever in the form of Lord Voldemort.
Why it is Unforgettable: Lord Voldemort, Harry Potter, Dumbledore, Hermione and Ron, Hagrid, and Expelliarmus! :-)

6. The GameWorld Trilogy by Samit Basu: The first Indian writer to enter the SFF (science fiction fantasy) category of writing, Samit Basu utilises all available resources at his disposal to make this trilogy an absolute page-turner till the end. Not only does he include many Greek and Roman mythical creatures like the Sphinx and the Manticore, he also involves many characters from Indian mythology in the crux of the story. Many known characters lke the Vanars, the Garuds, etc. are involved, and there is ample humor in the story-telling.
Why it is Unforgettable: Danh-Gem, a character is named the opposite of Meghnad. Akarat is a demon character too, the opposite of Taraka. Some really subtle humour, and a very thrilling plot. And of course, the very fact that even Indian writers have started entering the fantasy scene.


That's about it for now. There are quite a few books that I have enjoyed reading, but have not mentioned here. Will keep posting about other books. Till then, Happy Reading!!!

Ten Greek mythology stories that I find enchanting:

1. Ariadne helped Theseus out of a Labyrinth and away from the Minotaur by handing him a string to mark the way. Why didn't the Minotaur see the string and follow it?

2. The only item remaining in Pandora's box is Hope, as Hope was not ready to leave mankind to its fate. Go Misery, Suffering and Pain!!!

3. Prometheus is bound to a rock where everyday an eagle comes and eats his insides, which heal overnight again. (Eternal Torment #1).

4. Sisyphus drags a rock up the hill everyday, but the rock slides down by nighttime. (Eternal Torment #2).

5. Tantalus had his moment of satisfaction and revenge against the Gods. But he too stands in a pool whose water he cannot drink and under a tree whose fruit he cannot pluck to eat. (Eternal Torment #3).

6. Kronos was cut down by his own sons into a gazillion pieces and his remains were scattered throughout the Underworld and Erebus. Since he is immortal, the pain too is eternal. (Eternal Torment #4)

7. Daedalus escaped from the prisons of Minos by making wax wings for himself and his son, Icarus. However, Icarus was dumb enough to fly too high to the sun, and the wax melted. How can the son of a genius be such a total idiot?

8. Hercules captured the Erymanthian Boar that was rampaging many villages by driving it into thick snow. What would he have done if it were not winter, or if there was no snow that year?

9. Medusa was killed by Perseus. Perseus was looking at her reflection in a shield, and hecut off her head and then gifted the head to Hermes, who with the help of Athena, made a shield called Aegis for Zeus. Why didn't Hermes, Athena or Zeus turn into stone?

10. Hermes carried a caduceus having two snakes entwined and doctors use the caduceus as their symbol as Hermes is the God of Medicine. Why don't thieves use the symbol too, as he also is the God of Thieves?

Desires

Sometimes it is easier to just sit back and say that life is not fair and that it could treat us better. I know firsthand, because that is exactly what I am feeling just now. Yeah, yeah, you can bitch all you like, "Oh no... He is a whiner. He can't fight for what he wants." But you know what, I really don't care. Right now, I want to whine. Right now, I want to crib. Right now, I want to not fight for what I want or deserve. Right now, I want to simply be laden with all the things that I desire. Thrust them upon me. I'll take all of it with ease, joy and relief. I shall have no complaints once I have it all. I don't want to be remembered as one who got all through hard work and struggle. I'd rather just have everything laid out for me on a platter, with a spoon large enough to take it all up in a single scoop.

I know I sound like a wimp right now. But hey, I think I have been struggling too long for things that do not deserve, or merit such attention and such intense dedication. Simple things. Money, a motorbike, a publishing agent, love... all these and more.

I reiterate. Just put it all in front of me. I'll take it all.

Crack: Episode II

I have been trying for weeks now to get something down on a piece of paper, something. Anything. But NO. Writing is forbidden. It's kind of like chasing butterflies to eat. Forbidden. Bad comparison though. It's kind of like finding time. I just can't seem to find any. If I could, I would have been writing. But writing too is forbidden as of this point of time. So, now, is there any point of finding time? Not really, I guess.

But now I am writing. Something. Anything. And I am glad. So glad. Very glad. MongenGLADbach. LOL (Laughing Out Loud).

Or is it LAL (Lachen Aus Laut)???

Okay, enough.

Done and dusted.

Crack

Is it so easy to run through walls trying to find openings? Or is it easier to simply look for an opening and then barge in? And then barge in into what is the main concerns of this case. This case could be closed if it were easy. How easy it would be to know beforehand as to what awaits on the other side? The side where greener is the grass.

I seriously do not know what I am writing.

Grievances

I just realized that coming home is hardest when I have no one to come home to. No family to come home to after work. Not one sound of laughter reaches my ears to greet me the moment I step inside my home. I am all alone over here. No sister to greet me with a lovely smile, no Jiju to shake hands with, and no Merumagal to express her joy at seeing her Ammaman with laughter. No father to hug me and look into my eyes and show pride on my life. No mother to hug me, and smile at me and show that she loves me despite all that I do and despite all that I am. I sit here all alone. All I have for company is a 21” television, and a 14” laptop, both of which I have started to despise. I wish I were with my family, and share their joys, sorrows, agonies and ecstasies.I wish...

Revelation

I hope that one day I can retire early, and settle down in a plush mahogany chair, with a library behind me, and write. I hope I do not get bogged down by the responsibilities that ensue as a result of simply living life. I have my desires, ambitions and dreams, which I am not ready to let go of. I want to live my dream, pursue my interests and be part of those rare individuals, those few who do what they decide.

But I just realized an important thing yesterday. I work in a drab place, doing a lacklustre job, with a salary that is a bit too disappointing, especially on the 7th of every month. And still, here I am, doing nothing to change my life. I am caught up here in chains.

I need change. Not just to save myself from the nothing that I am turning out to be, but also to prove that man has it in him to dare what he dreams, and do what he dares.

In a pensive mood...

I didn’t feel like playing Counter Strike today. That’s a new high for me. Really. I don’t remember myself say No to Gaming. But it is temporary. I know, tomorrow I’ll be back. So, anyways, I took a walk. I went around the block. Just for kicks. Can’t smoke today either because I will be donating blood tomorrow. Noble Cause. (A friend told me so). So I took a walk, looking to see if I could meet some people I knew and probably gossip and pass time. But the walk showed me more than what I wanted to see.

There was this small child. A girl. Must be 7 or 8 years old. 10 tops. Dirty clothes, disheveled hair. She wasn’t a beggar or anything. But she was there. Noticeable. Tangible. I tried, but could look at no one else in the whole throng of people out there. She must have a mother, who probably works at a construction site somewhere. And she must have a father. One who comes home drunk every night only to beat up her and her mother. But anyways, coming back, I could see nothing else. All I could see was poverty, despair and human indifference. She was just sitting there. She made no complaints. No pleas for money or food or anything. But I could see only misery. I couldn’t do anything for her. I can’t. I’m helpless. I could only hang my head down and walk away. I wanted to give her some money. That was the least I could do. But I didn’t. Human pride is one thing I do not want to put to test by offering her money which she isn’t even asking for. I just walked away. I just… walked away.

I remember Goldblum’s dialogue from the movie, Jurassic Park. “Life”, he said, “will find a way.” Does Life really find a way? Does it? Or is it just another nothing that we say, so that we can relieve ourselves from the conscience, shame and wretchedness that bear upon us when we choose to run away from Life?

I went out there hoping to run into some acquaintances. I came back wishing none would find me.

- (A very depressed) Vinaykrishnan.