I've recently been big into historical fiction and sci-fi. It's been a good long while since I've seriously read fantasy, and I'd like to revisit the genre, and I know that there's a LOT out there that I haven't been exposed to. Here are some that I have read, along with my observations of them:
Game of Thrones -10/10: I don't think I've ever enjoyed a series as much as this one. It's my fantasy GOAT.
Wheel of Time – 9/10: Absolutely loved this, although the "slog" (books 7-10) was a bit tough to get through. I found it slow and boring at times, but still adore it.
Way of Kings – 8/10: Loved the first few books, but started to get kinda lost during Rhythm of War and lost interest. I may need to physically read these books instead of listening to them on audio.
Name of the Wind – 9/10: Had a TON of fun with these and really enjoyed Rothfuss's writing style, which I found to be very fun, witty, and clever. I very much look forward to Doors of Stone (if he ever finishes it), and I think Bast is one of my favorite characters in fantasy.
LOTR – 7/10: A classic, but not as truly engaging and gripping as some of the others I've read.
The First Law – 9/10: Fantastic writing. Reminded me strongly of GRRM's style. I just loved the Bloody Nine.
Night Angel & LightBringer series – 8.5/10: Just loved these books, and I think Brent Weeks is just a wonderful storyteller.
Malazan Book of the Fallen – (?) – I can't score this one yet – I read Gardens of the Moon, and I felt like I needed a reference manual to have any semblance of an idea of what the hell was going on. I seem to recall reading somewhere that the author believes that "exposition is for sissies/lazy readers." I just felt so clueless about what was happening in this book, its political entities, magic systems, races, everything. Just confused the shit out of me. I do hear that it rewards patience, and I may give it another try someday.
I'd really love to read some new stuff, particularly if the writing style, tone, and maturity are similar to GRRM, Joe Abercrombie, and Brent Weeks.
Other (not explicitly fantasy) stuff I LOVE: Kingsbridge series, Red Rising (!), The Book Thief, Swan Song, Aztec, Warlord Chronicles (!), The Last Kingdom, 11/22/63, Hyperion(!), The Night's Dawn, and Children of Time, to name a few.
Can you help me? Thank you!!!
by SaintCharlie
2 Comments
A Discovery of Witches, Word & Void then Shannara series, The Mayfair Witches, Mistborn – some good fantasy series
Glass & Steele series – combo of both fantasy and historical fiction with magic but set in the past
Outlander (some magical elements), Into the Wilderness, Earth’s Children – all good historical fiction series for later
If you don’t mind YA: Hunger Games, Maze Runner, Divergent, The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel, Harry Potter, Eragon, Ender’s Game
I just finished reading City of Last Chances by Adrian Tchaikovsky (as in I just finished reading it less than an hour ago). A fantasy novel, the story follows multiple different characters who fall purposefully or accidentally into the middle of a spark of rebellion within an occupied city. There appear to be follow-up books, but each seems to be standalone with only light references to the prior work (though I imagine I’ll find out for myself soon enough). It reminds me a little of reading Malazan, which I finished many years ago, though relatively less complex thanks to its focus on a single city’s history.
I’d also recommend Jay Kristoff’s work, particularly the Nevernight Chronicles trilogy and the almost-finished Empire of the Vampire trilogy. The first follows a vengeful girl who wants to become a magical assassin, and the second tells the story of the last vampire hunter in a fantasy world overrun by vampires.