'His Dark Materials' Trilogy
by Philip Pullman (1995)

Highly acclaimed children's book series that is much loved by scores of adults. An intricately plotted fantasy trilogy in which a girl sets out in the company of her daemon to the Far North in pursuit of kidnappers. Set in a superbly developed alternative universe full of shadowy corners, the first book in the trilogy is alternately titled either The Golden Compass or The Northern Lights.

Sabriel
by Garth Nix (1995)

Australian writer Nix rose to prominence on the fantasy scene with this stunning standalone that has since spawned sequels. Sabriel is a necromancer who, like her father, assists the dead to remain lifeless. Although only 18, she journeys through the Old Kingdom in a grim struggle with evil that has seen her father trapped in Death. For ages 12 and up, but not for the squeamish.

Green Rider
by Kristen Britain (1998)

A standard medieval quest fantasy that has won a legion of fans thanks to Britain's highly accessible writing style. Karigan G'ladheon gets tossed out of her highbrow school for roughing up a young nobleman. As fate would have it she runs into a fatally injured Green Rider on her way home and basically takes over his job and horse. Of course, magic plays its part as the story unfolds.

Across the Nightingale Floor
by Lian Hearn (2002)

Having established herself as a popular Australian children's author, Gillian Rubenstein adopted the pen-name Lian Hearn for the wonderful Tales of the Otori series. In a setting based on feudal Japan a young man of 16 who is a religious outcast returns home to find his village in flames. He becomes Lord Otori's ward. Plenty of invisibility, supernatural abilities and magical powers.

Eragon
by Christopher Paolini (2003)

Paolini began writing Eragon (Inheritance Trilogy) when only 15 years old while waiting until he was old enough to attend university. A 15 year old boy finds a blue stone which hatches into a dazzling dragon previously thought to be extinct. When his uncle is murdered Eragon, with vengeance in mind, and the dragon Saphira set out to take on the evil king Galbatorix. For younger readers.

The Merchant of Death [S1]
by D J MacHale (2002)

Bobby Pendragon was a junior high standout… good at just about everything and easy on the eye. Then he learned he is an inter-dimensional Traveler who can ride "flumes" through time and space. He ends up in a medieval world where he learns to be a hero while helping the goodies fight the baddies. Standard male-oriented fantasy for young readers.

The Amulet of Samarkand [S1]
by Jonathan Stroud (2003)

Fabulously funny young adult novel about a magician in training who is sold to the State at age five and placed in the care of a cold-hearted bureaucrat with fairly pedestrian powers. Humiliation leads to a vengeful vendetta, with the boy summoning up the ancient djinni Bartimaeus to help out. The first in a trilogy, Stroud is an inventively intelligent writer that will leave most wanting more.

Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell
by Susanna Clarke (2004)

In 1808 England's only two 'practical magicians' set out to thwart pesky Corsican usurper Napoleon. The stubbornly conservative Mr Norrell and his colourful  apprentice Jonathan Strange eventually take the course of magic in different directions, all the while with a conniving faerie looking on. Full of energy and verve comparable to Rowling's Harry Potter novels.