Best Fantasy Books of 2004

Below you will find a list of the fantasy books published in 2004 that we enjoyed most. Click on a book title to read the full review.

The Spook's Apprentice by Joseph Delaney (The Wardstone Chronicles: Book 1)

Thomas Ward is the seventh son of a seventh son and has been apprenticed to the local Spook. The job is hard, the spook is distant and many apprentices have failed before him. Somehow Thomas must learn how to exorcise ghosts, contain witches and bind boggarts. But when he is tricked into freeing Mother Malkin, the most evil witch in the Country, the horror begins…

"You could say that if Ursula Le Guin and The Sixth Sense merged then the outcome may be as good as The Spook’s Apprentice. I would heavily recommend The Spook’s Apprentice to young adults looking for a fantastic series. Chilling, memorable, full of wonderful characters and written in a fluid style that makes the narrative accessible to all ages."

Published: 2004

Midnight Tides by Steven Erikson (A Tale of the Malazan Book of the Fallen: Book 5)

After decades of internecine warfare, the tribes of the Tiste Edur have at last united under the Warlock King. There is peace – but it has been exacted at a terrible price: a pact made with a hidden power whose motives are at best suspect, at worst deadly.

Published: 2004

Something Rotten by Jasper Fforde (Thursday Next: Book 4)

There is so much detail to be found in these novels that it is sometimes hard to convey how special these stories are. There are so many layers which keep you reading, that also remind you of parts previously mentioned in the other books and you are never sure where the story will take you next or where the journal will end. There are not many authors out there who can achieve this, especially when they are also taking you not only into their stories but through previously written well known fiction from across the ages.

Published: 2004

Wolf Brother by Michelle Paver (Chronicles of Ancient Darkness: Book 1)

Torak is now alone and scared. His father is dead, slain by a demon in the form of a great bear. Torak must keep going; his only friend is another orphan, a small wolf cub. Evil stalks the forest and Torak must face a foe that stalks him silently and cannot be shaken.

"Wolf Brother is a book for all ages; parents will enjoy reading this to their children almost as much as the children themselves enjoy hearing it. It is action packed, very fast moving and an instant connection is made with the reader. You are fully behind Torak from day one and the beautiful illustrations by Geoff Taylor combine to create the perfect package."

Published: 2004

Shadowrise by Tad Williams (Shadowmarch Quartet: Book 3)

This is an epic story which has many twists and turns, which put the characters in peril time and time again and yet is so gripping you have to continue reading just to know if they will survive. We learn more about the treachery that has been so well orchestrated by different sides that it is still affecting the lives of other characters who may not have been directly involved in the first place.

Published: 2004

Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke

Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell is a genuinely original story, beautifully told. The Telegraph succinctly says it all with 'an elegant and witty historical fantasy which deserves to be judged on its own (considerable) merit'. It is unquestionably one of the finest historical fantasy books ever written.

Published: 2004

A Hat Full of Sky by Terry Pratchett (The Discworld Series: Book 32)

One of the great character templates in literature is the often dim-witted, often humorous sidekick who is allowed a moment of center stage wisdom. If done poorly, it can be nothing short of horrible. But when it is done well, there is seldom anything that can beat it. And in a series of more than 30 books that are all pigeon-holed into the fantasy/comedy genre, Terry Pratchett has made attempting this template into an art form.

Published: 2004

Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell

This is a book for those who like to think, who like being challenged, who enjoy having their imagination stretched. David Mitchell is fundamentally a great story-teller and in Cloud Atlas he beautifully weaves a tale of six lives brought together in time and significance by convergent fates.

The novel features six characters in interlocking stories, each interrupting the one before it: a reluctant voyager crossing the Pacific in 1850; a disinherited composer blagging a precarious livelihood in between-the-wars Belgium; a high-minded journalist in Governor Reagan's California; a vanity publisher fleeing his gangland creditors; a genetically modified dinery server on death-row; and Zachry, a young Pacific islander witnessing the nightfall of science and civilisation. The narrators of CLOUD ATLAS hear each other's echoes down the corridor of history and their destinies are changed in ways great and small.

“An impeccable dance of genres... an elegiac, radiant festival of prescience, meditation and entertainment.”  The Times

“A singular achievement, from an author of extraordinary ambition and skill.” Independent on Sunday

“David Mitchell entices his readers onto a rollercoaster, and at first they wonder if they want to get off. Then - at least in my case - they can't bear the journey to end.” AS Byatt

Published: 2004

The Golem's Eye by Jonathan Stroud (The Bartimaeus Trilogy: Book 2)

The Golem’s Eye has great dialogue between characters you begin to care even more about. As witty, entertaining and fast moving as the first book in the series, it cannot be recommended highly enough.

Published: 2004

Flight of the Nighthawks by Raymond E Feist (The Darkwar Saga #1)

Feist is one the finest fantasy authors produced in the late twentieth century and his works on the worlds of Midkemia and Kelewan remain at the peak of the genre. Characterisation is well drawn, we have an excellent mix of old, familiar and lovable characters with new youthful, impetuous ones that engender empathy. Old traditions hover in the background where needed without overshadowing the new bloods making their literary mark. The plot is crisp, the dialogue exciting and the old thrill of looking forward to reading this great Feist series rears its head.

Published: 2004

The Spook's Curse by Joseph Delaney (The Wardstone Chronicles: Book 2)

The Spook and his apprentice, Thomas Ward, have travelled to Priestown to defeat the Bane, a powerful, evil creature that lurks in the catacombs of the cathedral and is corrupting the County. As Thomas and his master prepare to battle with the Bane, they soon realize it isn’t their only enemy in Priestown. The Quisitor has arrived, searching the County for those who meddle in the dark – witches, warlocks and spooks! Can Thomas and his master survive the horror that follows…?

"The Spook and his apprentice, Thomas Ward, have travelled to Priestown to defeat the Bane, a powerful, evil creature that lurks in the catacombs of the cathedral and is corrupting the County. As Thomas and his master prepare to battle with the Bane, they soon realize it isn’t their only enemy in Priestown. The Quisitor has arrived, searching the County for those who meddle in the dark – witches, warlocks and spooks! Can Thomas and his master survive the horror that follows…?"

Published: 2004

Demonstorm by James Barclay (Legends of the Raven: Book 3)

When I first started reading Demonstorm, I was under every impression that it was Barclay’s final say in the world of the mercenary band known as The Raven. The ending of the book definitely gives that opinion as well, continuing Barclay’s well worn killing off of his characters. But before the end comes, Barclay manages to pull off one of the greatest escapades I have ever read. It is exciting, thrilling, and – as much as any fantasy book can be – entirely believable.

Published: 2004

The Dark Mirror by Juliet Marillier (Bridei Chronicles: Book 1)

When Bridei arrives at Pitnochie as a four-year-old, Juliet Marillier lets the reader see the unsure thoughts of the druid Broichan who will mentor and educate him. We get to wonder if this little child will be able to handle all that Broichan has planned for him. The mystery piles on from there.

"For fantasy enthusiasts looking for a clever, multi-layered, well-written story that lets you fall in love with the characters, lets you respect the characters, and gives you time to enjoy the characters and root for their successes, I can recommend The Dark Mirror by Juliet Marillier."

Published: 2004

The Ironwood Tree by Holly Black (The Spiderwick Chronicles: Book 4)

First a pack of vile, smelly goblins snatch Simon. Then a band of elves try to entrap Jared. Why is the entire faerie world so eager to get their hands on Spiderwick's Guide? And will the Grace children be left alone, now that the Guide has mysteriously disappeared? Don't count on it! At school, someone is running around pretending to be Jared, and it's not Simon. To make matters even worse, now Mallory has disappeared and something foul in the water is killing off all the plants and animals for miles around. Clues point to the old abandoned quarry, just outside of town. Dwarves have taken over an abandoned mine there. And the faerie world's abuzz with the news that a creature with plans to rule the world has offered them a gift to join with him - he's given them a queen...

Published: 2004

The Spook's Blood by Joseph Delaney (The Wardstone Chronicles: Book 10)

It was a joy to once again experience the same reading enjoyment found in the first five books. The book was full of twists and turns, both addictive and thrilling and with as many questions answered as raised it left me greatly looking forward to reading the next instalments and reaching the end of this excellent series. Highly recommended - Delaney back to his best.

Published: 2004