Grendel
by John Gardner (1971)

A retelling of the 8th century Anglo-Saxon epic poem Beowulf from the perspective of the monster Grendel. The story follows Grendel's twelve-year war with the Danes. Following an episode of loneliness an encounter with a dragon leaves him both angry and powerful. Eventually Beowulf arrives, but plays a relatively minor role in the story. A novel of great sensitivity and compassion.

Night's Master [S1]
by Tanith Lee (1978)

Intelligently written fantasy laced with Lee's complex philosophies and feminist viewpoints. This book became the first in the Tales From the Flat Earth series focusing on the Underearth prince of daemons Azhrarn. A regular World Fantasy Award winner, Lee's work is both thought-provoking and intellectually challenging.

The Gunslinger
by Stephen King (1982)

Noted heavyweight of horror King's Dark Tower series is his most fantasy-oriented work. The first and most popular in the series can be read as a stand-alone - a brooding dreamscape of good versus evil. At odds with each other is the eponymous Gunslinger and the evil Man in Black. There is no doubting King's writing ability.

Seventh Son
by Orson Scott Card (1987)

One of sci-fi's hottest writers proves he is no slouch in the realms of fantasy. The Tales Of Alvin Maker series is about a man who lives on the frontier of an alternate early 19th century America. Alvin is gifted with the power and is pitted against dark forces. A girl with second sight holds the key to his salvation. Everything we have come to expect from this terrific writer.

Magic's Pawn
by Mercedes Lackey (1989)

Perhaps the most important book in the gay fantasy sub-genre, this is the story of a young man who is a failure in his father's eyes. He undergoes a somewhat painful coming-of-age in the ancient kingdom of Valdemar. Heralds in the kingdom have psychic abilities. Beginning of the Last Herald-Mage series, but works well as a stand-alone for those who are just curious.

The Sum of All Men (aka The Runelords)
by David Farland (1998)

Although a series ensued, this inventive first outing is a fine standalone. In a standard high fantasy setting Farland constructs a unique social system based on "endowments", where personal attributes (e.g. good looks, intelligence) can be traded like currency. In the process the Runelords become supermen, the trade-off being that they must care for those from whom they acquire.

The Scar
by China Miéville (2002)

While also set in the world of Bas-Lag introduced to readers in Perdido Street Station, this novel is a fine stand-alone that leaves little doubt as to Miéville's status as the rising star of fantasy. A ship of slaves and prisoners, some pirates, a city constructed from the hulls of pirated ships and some science gone astray. Mind-bending fantasy not to be missed.

His Majesty's Dragon [S1]
by Naomi Novik (2006)

The first book in Novik's Temeraire series, so named for the noble dragon that is its main character. Set during the Napoleonic wars, dragons are basically the air force. When a British naval officer manages to acquire the egg of a normally un-obtainable Chinese dragon he forms a strong bond with the hatchling. A cut above the standard noble-dragon adventure and rich in historical detail.