The Tough Guide to Fantasyland: The Essential Guide to Fantasy Travel

If you like fantasy and have a sense of humor, get this book. Diana Wynne Jones knows whereof she speaks, and she hits many nails on the head. This is a delightful send-up of fantasy conventions and if you don't laugh out loud you will at least smile a lot.In view of the current resurgence of LOTR (thanks to the movie)this book should be sold in conjunction with Bored of the Rings by the Harvard Lampoon, which I hear is being re-issued after many years. The two would make a nice gift set.Like another reviewer, I am sorry that even more items were not included--such as Knights--but one author cannot think of everything and the book -is- 300 pages long.It is fun to imagine what particular authors Ms. Jones might have had in mind as she wrote the different entries (although I don't suggest she is always being "author-specific".) In my own case, I am as it happens finishing up Elizabeth Moon's DEED OF PAKSENNARION, and the entry for "Female Mercenary" really had me chuckling. Hello, Paks!I hope someone sends copies of this masterpiece to R.J., T.G., and several other people who badly need to read it.

Very funny take on generic fantasy plots/devices. Why are meals alway stew? Horse pollination. Why are there few chilblains? Most of the writers live in California. The writer went on to incorporate a lot of this humour into two very good novels, ‘The Dark Lord of Derkholm’ and ‘Year of the Griffin’. This book should appeal to Terry Pratchett fans or perhaps those who liked Mary Gentle’s ‘Grunts’

The information inside this book will help you with your story to make events and situations more believable and accurate. This book can also help you build on your ideas or even aid you correcting things within your story that may be contrived, (melodramatic or hokey). When creating your characters and events the information in this book can give your scenes the extra edge they need to help move your story.Inside this book, I can find most everything I need to create events, points and all the problems I hope I never encounter. The different items listed like an encyclopedia, in alphabetical order, accurate and to the point.I recommend this book for writers, gamers and anyone who wants to read accurate information that will give them a laugh.I do however wish this book were in Kindle edition, I would not have to replace it when the notes I add inside get too much for me to read the book, the spine would not become weak and the pages would not fall out.

This is an older printing of the Tough Guide to Fantasyland but I love it and after having read The Dark Lord of Darkholm and The Year of the Griffin, I wanted more. And it turns out this book is actually suggested as a prop in the other books. In essence this book features a bit in the Dark Lord of Darkholm as it's the guide the tourists are given as they make their way though the manufactured fantasy setting.Written much like any other Tough Guide this book is really nice as a collectable of Jones' work. But as a tour guide style book, it's not really meant to be read as a typical book. It's more like world-building material, but with the snark and sass that I have come to love from Jones. Really, it would make a great functioning prop in any fantasy tabletop RPG, but with a slightly playful/comical aspect.I really wouldn't suggest this book for kids. Not because of the material. The material is suitable for young adults. But it's the format in which it's written. It has more appeal for people who are familiar with travel and are fans of fantasy; more or less adults.

This was the first Tough Guide I've read. When I saw it as a recommended book about writing stronger fantasy novels, I was thinking it would be more along the lines of a regular book on writing craft. However, this is literally an A-Z "Guidebook" that is written as if in earnest, but really is a warning against stereotypes, cliches, and other things to avoid when writing fantasy, via a snarky and hilarious guide to Fantasyland--ie, whatever fantasy novel you're currently reading or writing. It's not so much a cover-to-cover read, but more of a reference or something to read a bit at a time. As someone who writes fantasy, this book is a top pick for me now.

This book is a humorous guide to all the stereotypical fantasy books, which the author assumes take place in the world called Fantasyland. This is a great book for those want to write fantasy, as it lists a lot of what is overdone and predictable. Other readers of fantasy may also enjoy this book, as the authors funny, slightly sarcastic tone makes it an enjoyable read. Those who have read her book 'Dark Lord of Derkholm' will notice the similarities. I especially enjoyed the map, and the entry on HORSES.From reading other reviews:No, this is not a comprehensive book. There are a lot more thing she could have put in, but this was not intended as a dictionary. Besides, it would probably be to heavy to lift.I did not notice any mistake in spelling or grammar in this edition, it says that it has been 'revised and updated' at the top.