I need some help on Fantasy...

OK, so I need some help and advice from any of you who may have read more fantasy than I have, because I am struggling. I am 300 pages into the fifth book of A Song of Ice and Fire, which have been (mostly) excellent thus far, but I am dragging because so much of this series (and the other fanatasy novels I have read) is about people trying to get somewhere and getting waylaid en route.

I talked to a friend of mine who is a HUGE fantasy nut and said exactly that-- "It's all people trying to get somewhere, but getting re-routed over and over by stuff" and he looked at me with a puzzled expression and said "Shauna, that's what fantasy IS..."

I do not in any way want to pass negative judgement on a whole genre, because I have enjoyed what little I read, but I am losing steam on the epic journey theme. Those of you who have read Max and Menna, or even most of the stories in Listening In, know that I am temporallly challenged. I cannot tell a story in chronological order, so this is a bit out of my comfort zone to read for so long.

So, you fantasy buffs out there, help me out. I love the writing style, the characters, the plots, etc., but can't jump into any more "journey" books. Have you read great fantasy that don't include the journey theme? Can you recommend some?

Prince Caspian and Fantasy

As I type this, I am watching the Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian. I love, love, love this movie for three reasons:

1. I love the series and I think the movie is a really good representation
2. I love a fantasy world so seamlessly constructed that you feel enterring the real-world again is jarring, and that is exactly how I felt after I saw this movie for the first time
3. I have such a massive movie-star crush on Ben Barnes. I'm for serious. He is so dreamy!

But, the thing this movie also does for me is remind me of how jealous I am of good fantasy writers. I cannot tell a lie... I watch more fantasy movies than I read fantasy books, and it isn't a genre I naturally gravitate towards in either form, but when it is done well, I am green with envy and love, love, lover it!

  

I am in awe of people who effectively create a whole world with new rules, new creatures, and (usually) really complex and sophisticated back stories or political alignments, etc.. For example, I watch the Harry Potter movies frequently, and just watched the Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring again on Easter and both movies (and all of the accompanying books) blow me away. To have that kind of imagination, to build something that rich.

 

I've written two novels and dozens of stories. I do not consider myself to be lacking in creativity, but I am astounded and in awe of strong fantasy writers.

 

So, what are the strong fantasy novels you've read/movies you watched. It's a prolific genre for sure, and one that I am suddenly re-inspired to delve into a littl more thoroughly.