See, I knew Buffistas would have plenty of suggestions!
If I had to guess, I'd say no to dragons but who knows? Magic is a definite yes. Her comfort listen is famous Brit actors reading the Narnia series (that she got from me ages ago and which she periodically loses the files for and asks me to resend them to her). Robin McKinley is the type of author I was thinking of (i.e., someone I've heard of but wouldn't come up with on my own). I suspect Georgette Heyer is perhaps too old-fashioned for her. Though my idea is to get one "starter" book for a few different authors so I think a variety of genres/styles would be good.
ETA: She studies organic agriculture so something with an environmental bent would be appealing I think.
For what it's worth, I wouldn't have said I was into either dragons or Napoleonic wars, and I have really enjoyed the Temeraire books.
For an environmental bent, the best Robin McKinley to start with might be Rose Daughter.
Maybe the Sharon Shinn series Elemental Blessings would appeal? The first one is Troubled Waters. It's fantasy with a pretty big romance element, actually structured a little like Bridgerton in that each book follows a character in what could be considered a family. Some of the magic is environmentally linked.
EtaContext - I had never heard of Sharon Shinn until I read a review of The Shuddering City a few months ago but she's been publishing since the 90s or maybe 80s and has won awards so maybe more well known to people who aren't me.
For what it's worth, I wouldn't have said I was into either dragons or Napoleonic wars, and I have really enjoyed the Temeraire books.
This is the first thing I've read that makes me want to pick up Naomi Novik again (after abandoning
Uprooted
years ago).
Woot!
I will say, I think I don't like SFF in general, but I always like the authors/series that are specifically handed to me.
I will say, I think I don't like SFF in general, but I always like the authors/series that are specifically handed to me.
The Math Greek gave me the
Neuromancer
trilogy for my birthday and I started it but... let's just say my current nightstand is Agatha Christie and Dorothy Hughes.
Maybe Ursula LeGuin's Earthsea books? I don't remember how much the environment comes into play, but there's a lot of emphasis on balance and not changing things in one place that will screw up stuff elsewhere. At least that's how I remember it - it's been a Really long time.
That makes me want to recommend The Word for World is Forest, although I do not actually remember what it was about, but the title is awfully good. So take that for what it's worth.
Honestly, if she's in organic agriculture, I'd give The Martian to her. SF not Fantasy, obv., but gripping.
