I read the first one i thought it was "fine," it is how i learned about the concept of "turkish delight." In terms of fantasy novels i enjoyed growing up there was "the enchanted forest chronicles" by Patricia Wrede which is about a princess named Cimorene who is fed up with princess nonsense and goes to be the maid of the future king (female) of dragons (unfortunately i went back and found these books not satisfying for an adult reader) and then later Jonathan Strange and Mr Norell.