I read a lot, but it's what I read is tropey webnovels on my phone or PC, usually translated Chinese or Korean. In an attempt to get out of the house more, I got a library card (a short trip to the library before going back home counts, right?), but first time I got there I ended up getting no book because I was overwhelmed with choice.
When I'm looking for a new webnovel to read, I usually go through a bunch of them, reading a few chapters, before I find one that keeps my interest. I can't do that with library books, so when I was there, I kept thinking, "what if I grab a book and I end up not liking it? That'd be a waste of time." So in the end I ended up not getting any. But I'm going to try again tomorrow.
Anyway, that's the backstory. Any suggestions on what to do? Or perhaps specific book recommendations?
It has to be fantasy or scifi fiction. Character driven (so less about sweeping epic plot lines, and more personal) I really enjoy romance too, but I want the romance to be an important part of the book but not necessarily the main focus of the plot, meaning no pure romance, but not an afterthought that was added because an editor demanded it either.
About the characters, they make or break a book for me. I'm not a fan of the characters 'losing' or facing setbacks, or are otherwise weak. I'm the weird one who actually like a Mary Sue or Gary Stu protagonist, as long as it's done well. But on the flip side, I actually really enjoy protagonists that have tragic or awful beginnings, being abused or struggling with life, as long as they become strong and achieve success, getting revenge, and turn everything around.
So… any help?
by DigiAirship