Book recommendations

Naomi Novik’s book *Spinning Silver* has it all: it’s a dramatic fantasy that weaves together several fairy stories, including Rumplestiltskin, Koschei the Deathless, and the Grimms’ Cinderella. You weave through multiple characters’ first-person narratives, which may take you aback at first, but it’s so well done that it’s a quick adaptation. It was one of the books that got me back into reading regularly, and I love recommending Novik whenever I can.

There’s such a vast array of great books, it’s hard to know exactly what author/style you’ll enjoy, so I’ll just rec a few fantasy/sci-fi favorites that are all completely different from each other!

Assassin’s Apprentice by Robin Hobb is a beautifully-written, melancholy, epic fantasy novel, the first in her larger series The Realm of the Elderlings. Rich world building, complex characters, strange magics, and a compelling story that encompasses multiple epic trilogies (though you can easily check out just the first). It follows Fitz, the bastard son of a dead prince, who is taken in by others in the royal court and raised to become the King’s assassin.

Red Rising by Pierce Brown is a fast-paced, action-packed, dystopian sci-fi/fantasy, revenge story. Great characters, great world building, and a twisty story that’ll keep you engaged till the end.

If you’re in the mood for something sarcastic and cynical, endlessly quotable, filled with seedy characters, violence, and dark humor, check out The First Law series by Joe Abercrombie, starting with The Blade Itself. Dark, gritty, character-driven fantasy filled with highly-flawed, villainous people you’ll come to love. The audiobooks are particularly great and really elevate the writing too, imo, narrated by Steven Pacey. 10 books in total, all excellent.

Abercrombie’s newest book, The Devils, is also a lot of fun, and a standalone separate from the First Law, so might be a decent way to see if you like his style. It leans a bit more into the comedy than some of his other stuff, but all in all it’s filled with the great characters you’d expect, lots of great moments. In an alternate history, fantasy Europe, the child Pope assembles a team of supernatural villains for a top secret mission to the legendary city of Troy.

The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss is a beautifully written epic fantasy novel, with lots of mystery, rich world building, and interesting characters. A legendary fantasy hero in hiding tells his life story, and how it all went wrong…

You might also enjoy Piranesi by Susanna Clarke, a strange and mysterious little fantasy novel that’s unlike anything else. It starts off fairly abstract but soon comes together into quite a compelling story. Her other book, Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell, is also excellent, and a lot longer. It tells the story of two rival magicians in 19th century England.

You might also enjoy The Tainted Cup by Robert Jackson Bennett, a sort of Holmes/Watson type murder mystery in a strange and unique fantasy setting. It’s a lot of fun and the sequel is excellent too.

The Troupe is another fun Robert Jackson Bennett book, set during the days of Vaudeville, with mysterious and supernatural happenings going on behind the scenes.

For a novel that’s unlike any other, dark, weird, and wild, check out The Library at Mount Char by Scott Hawkins. Urban-fantasy/horror about a woman who works for a mysterious and seemingly powerful, esoteric organization hidden among normal everyday society.

Look into What You Can See From Here by Mariana Leky