Recommend a fantasy book

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I'll second that Zelazny motion. Although, they certainly weren't published recently. I can't say I entirely understand Oaz's "must be fairly recent" stipulation.

As for the Sillmarilion...it wasn't intended to be a novel. The Sillmarilion is a compilation of Tolkien's notes and backstories of Middlearth that was published posthumously. I would say it's more akin to a history book or a book of myths. And if diehard Tolkien fan wanted to know everything anyone could ever know about Middlearth, then that person could enjoy The Sillmarilion- but again in the way one enjoys reading history.

 

I'll just state for the record that I think that Roger Zelazny was the greatest SF/fantasy writer ever, any book of his is I think worth reading. I have almost his entire catalogue in my collection I'm missing some of his lectures and essays. I'd recommend

Lord of Light
To Die in Italbar
Creatures of light and Darkness
Isle of the Dead
This Immortal
and my personal favourite Doorways in the Sand

 

Gemmel's Rigante series kept me enthralled.

You could try Trudi Canavan's Black Magician series, they're great. Her new series, Priestess of the White, is good too. I'm on the second book so far.

 

One word, and it's Pratchet. It may be older than you desire, but those books are very good. Both comical and serious, and very well thought out.

 

I recommend the three loosely-related books by Lois McMaster Bujold, called The Curse of Chalion, Paladin of Souls, and The Hallowed Hunt. They are light on the traditional sorcery stuff, but have a fascinating, complex system of divinities who become more and more active as the series goes on. Characters solid, plots surprising, and no "gotcha" moves with magicks you didn't know about. On the other hand avoid her latest, the beginning of a new "sharing knife" series, which was dreadful.

 

The Silmirillion was indeed not to be read as a novel. I liken it more to a collection of short stories rather than a textbook. There are a few good stories in there that I found very enjoyable. One that comes to mind is 'Of Beren and Luthien.'

 

Will definitely check out Lord of Light. I loved Nine Princes in Amber, the rest of the series never quite matched up imo. I also read WizardWorld by Zelazny. Nothing great I'm afraid, but still pretty entertaining.

 

Any random book you find by Jack Vance is likely to be entertaining. Some have the trappings of science fiction, but they are mostly fantasy storytelling of strange peoples and cultures nevertheless. No need of reading them in any particular order.

His latest book is just two years old, but he himself has passed ninety... and knows how to tell a story.