One of the best is 'The Knight in the Panther's Skin' by Shota Rustaveli. It's a classic Georgian epic that combines elements of chivalry, love, and adventure. The story is rich in detail about medieval life, with knights, damsels in distress, and complex courtly love relationships.
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is a wonderful medieval romance. It tells the story of Sir Gawain's encounter with the mysterious Green Knight. The themes of honor, love, and the test of a knight's virtues are central to the story. The descriptions of the medieval settings, from castles to the wild landscapes, add to its charm.
Geoffrey Chaucer's 'The Canterbury Tales' also has some great medieval romance elements. While it's a collection of tales, many of them, like 'The Knight's Tale', are full of medieval romance features such as courtly love, jousting, and the ideals of knights. It gives a vivid picture of the different social classes in medieval England.
One of the top medieval fantasy novels is 'The Lord of the Rings' by J.R.R. Tolkien. It has an incredibly rich and detailed world, with various races like hobbits, elves, and dwarves. The story follows Frodo and his companions on their quest to destroy the One Ring. Another great one is 'A Song of Ice and Fire' by George R.R. Martin. It's full of political intrigue, complex characters, and a large - scale world. 'The Name of the Wind' by Patrick Rothfuss is also highly recommended. It tells the story of Kvothe, a young man with a mysterious past and great potential.
Love and chivalry are key. In the best ones, like 'Le Morte d'Arthur', knights are always ready to fight for their lady loves while following a strict code of chivalry. They show honor, courage, and courtesy.
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens is a great one. It's a classic that really captures the spirit of Christmas with its themes of redemption and generosity.
One of the best Xianxia novels is 'Coiling Dragon'. It has a great story with a protagonist who gradually grows stronger. The world - building is detailed, full of various magical beasts and powerful cultivators. Another good one is 'A Record of Mortal's Cultivation to Immortality'. It follows the journey of an ordinary mortal as he overcomes countless difficulties on his path to immortality.
Some great fantasy novels from 2018 include 'Spinning Silver' by Naomi Novik. It's a richly detailed retelling of fairytales with strong female characters. Another one is 'Children of Blood and Bone' by Tomi Adeyemi. It has a unique magic system and a story of revolution in a fantasy world.
Some great Android novels include 'The Martian' by Andy Weir. It's a thrilling story about an astronaut stranded on Mars and his fight for survival. The science and humor in it make it really engaging.
Some of the best Gothic novels include 'Dracula' by Bram Stoker. It's a classic that introduced the world to the iconic vampire, Count Dracula. The atmosphere is dark and foreboding, with a sense of mystery that keeps readers on edge.
I highly recommend 'The Hobbit'. Bilbo Baggins and Thorin Oakenshield have a wonderful bromance. They start off with some differences but as their journey progresses, they develop a deep respect and friendship for each other. It's a story of two very different characters coming together. Also, 'The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn' where Huck and Jim's relationship has elements of bromance. Huck grows and learns from his time with Jim.
Sara Paretsky's 'V. I. Warshawski' novels are excellent. Warshawski is a tough, female private investigator in Chicago. In 'Indemnity Only', she gets involved in a complex case of insurance fraud and murder. Paretsky's books often touch on social and political issues, and V. I. is a strong, independent female character who is great to follow.
One great Scandinavian detective novel is 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo' by Stieg Larsson. It has a complex plot full of mystery and a very interesting female lead. Another is 'Smilla's Sense of Snow' by Peter Høeg. It combines elements of detective work with a unique look at the Arctic environment. And 'Jar City' by Arnaldur Indriðason is also a great pick, with its dark and gritty portrayal of Icelandic society.