Good fantasy books to start off with?

Excellent post, I'm going to have to check some of that out.

 

I'll second the recommendation for the Earthsea series. I've just read the first 4 novels straight through in less than a week. The fourth novel is very different in tone from the others, mostly taking place on a much more mundane level and dealing with issues of female empowerment vs patriarchy, though thankfully not using those precise words.

And do check out the earlier, pre-Tolkien stuff; you shouldn't miss out on the likes of Lord Dunsany and George MacDonald.

 

Black Jewel Trilogy is good. I don't read much fantasy but I liked those. Anne Bishop is the author, I believe.