I saw this featured as part of the Wyrd and Wonder 2020 month and thought I’d also like to take part…
1. What is the first fantasy novel you read?
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis and I mourned for days afterwards, because there wasn’t any way of getting to Narnia at the back of my wardrobe…
2. If you could be the hero/heroine in a fantasy novel, who would be the author and what’s one trope you’d insist be in the story?
It would be by Jo Walton, who would write me as an intelligent, sympathetic woman of a certain age, who was able to magically make everyone able to read and write. I’d had a promising young apprentice who was supposed to be the Chosen One, but when the foolish girl eloped with a passing hedge wizard, the job of being Chosen devolved to me. After all, I wasn’t going to be eloping anywhere…
3. What is a fantasy you’ve read this year, that you want more people to read?
You Let Me In by Camilla Bruce – a fabulous unreliable narrator who may or may not have encountered a controlling powerful fae character. Disturbing and memorable.
Guns of the Dawn by Adrian Tchaikovsky – another wonderful standalone read by an author at the height of his powers.
And the Penric and Desdemona novella series by Lois McMaster Bujold – the eighth book was recently released. Each book is a gem, as Penric, who is ridden by an old and powerful demon, ends up having all sorts of adventures. This series deserves to be far better known than it is.
4. What is your favourite fantasy subgenre? What subgenre have you not read much from?
I’m a sucker for crime fantasy of all sorts, but you won’t find me reading any grimdark or horror. I’m too prone to nightmares.
5. Who are your auto-buy fantasy authors?
Jo Walton, Lois McMaster Bujold, Adrian Tchaikovsky, Kevin Hearne, Melanie Rawn
Sebastien de Castell, Marilyn Messik, Ilona Andrews, Juliet E. McKenna.
6. How do you typically find fantasy recommendations? (Goodreads, Youtube, Podcasts, Instagram…)
Mostly from excellent book bloggers, and Netgalley.
7. What upcoming fantasy releases are you excited about?
The Doors of Eden by Adrian Tchaikovsky
The Obsidian Tower by Melissa Caruso
Afterland by Lauren Beukes
The Empire of Gold – Book 3 of the Daevabad trilogy by S.A. Chakraborty
Mexican Gothic by Sylvia Moreno-Garcia
8. What is one misconception about fantasy you would like to lay to rest?
That it is either a genre weighed down by great big tomes allll about various political factions magically slaughtering each other, or fluffy make-believe. It can be both those things – but it can also be every bit as searing and relevant as anything else you pick up on the contemporary bookshelves, too.
9. If someone had never read a fantasy before and asked you to recommend the first 3 books that come to mind as places to start, what would those recommendations be?
Uprooted by Naomi Novik – a twist on a classic fairy story
The Radleys by Matt Haig – the funniest and most poignant contemporary take on vampires
Tooth and Claw by Jo Walton – Dragons do Anthony Trollop…
10. Who is the fantasy reading content creator you’d like to shoutout?
Tammy from Books, Bones and Buff, Lynn from Lynn’s Books, Maddalena from Space and Sorcery, Mogsy from The Bibliosanctum and the Cap from The Captain’s Quarters.
They are all wonderful book bloggers who provide a steady output of excellent reviews and recommendations and whose opinions I trust and respect. They have all provided me with a lot of cracking reads over the years and are probably mostly responsible for my swollen TBR…
Brainfluff 
I love your answers. I always hoped my wardrobe would lead to a fantasy adventure too but in the end my imagination took over when reality couldn’t cut it.
Lynn 😀
Yes… it’s the reason why I became a writer. I wanted to create those kinds of stories, too…
Ohh, and meant to also say thank you so much for the shout out 😀
Oh you’re very welcome – it’s an absolute joy, encountering other folks who enjoy the same books:)))
Thanks for the shout out. I loved these answers. I particularly like the idea of ye sitting in a wardrobe begging for the door to open. That book was one of me first fantasy series as well. I was so upset that we didn’t have a wardrobe and thought ye could only get them in England. Though when I lived in London, I finally had a wardrobe and there wasn’t a door in there either. Mehaps it thought I was too old.
x The Captain
I’ve always checked the backs of all the wardrobes I’ve encountered ever since – just in case – no luck!
Aww thanks for the mention, Sarah😁 I remember having similar feelings of despair (and hope) after reading books as a kid that magic wasn’t actually real. For me it was the books of Zilpha Keatley Snyder that opened up my imagination and kept me believing 😁
You’re very welcome! I think you single-handedly are responsible for increasing my TBR pile by a significant factor:))). And that sense of being yanked out of a wonderful world and back to the everyday… it’s an indescribable feeling that only other readers understand. We are SO lucky to be living righ now, at a time when we can talk to other readers around the world…
So… I really want to know what happens after the ellipses in question 2. Lol! Love your answers.
Thank you, Zezee:)). I’m now waiting for Jo Walton to get in touch and ask if she can write the story…
Lol 😀
Such a fun tag! The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe was my first fantasy novel as well. Man, I loved that book so much. I read my first copy until it pretty much fell apart on me.
It was one of those life-changing moments. Reading that story made me realise I wanted my fiction with a hint of magic in it…
I do enjoy seeing the different answers to this challenge, and I hear you on the Penric and Desdemona series: one of these days… one of these days… 🙂
And thank you so much for the mention!
You’re very welcome – it’s always a pleasure visiting your site and reading your thoughts:)). And you’ve pointed me in the direction of so many cracking reads!
What a wonderful post.I read very little fantasy, but I did thoroughly enjoy the Broken Earth series by Jemisin you recommended to me. It was a great read–all three books!
Oh, that’s a wonderful classic series, Rae and I’m thrilled that you gave it a go and enjoyed it so much:)). If you have ever enjoyed reading Anthony Trollop, Tooth and Claw is a solid delight.
Putting it on my TBR
:)))
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What a terrific compilation here! I’m going to see if I can get a hold of that Penric series…
Thank you, Jean – I think the Penric series is a real gem and I’d love to get your take on it:))