Jian - haven't read them. There is/was this trend in Germany, releasing series called "The Dwarves", "The Elves", "The Orcs", ... They're good to get non-fantasy readers to read fantasy and to get young people to start but I always considered them "second class". I never read one, so this may not at all be justified, but still.

Windy - I have the hardcover and I read it about 10? 15? years ago. It's indeed very classical - you could call it fairy tale fantasy. The tropes and the working of the world are party like they are in fairy tales and the descriptions rather poetic (in a good sense).
It was/is critically acclaimed and first and foremost considered a classical and only secondly fantasy (like Michael Ende's Neverending story). I think a lot of people who don't read fantasy read it.
You should give it a go - it's not your typical fantasy book.
Nestat - I read all of them. The first one, "
The 13 1/2 lives of Captain Bluebear", is brilliant too. Even more funny and fresh and inspiring ideas in abundance. The second one, "
Rumo", is more dark but equally good. Those three are the ones you absolutely have to read (and then you probably want to read his others too).
And now all of you get
the City of Dreaming books!
