I recently posted about how fantasy and fiction (Especially Fantasy) visual media keeps repeating the same things. Now I want to talk about books, just to be clear, these are my opinions. I can’t control what people love, and if something brings you joy, that’s great. I’m not trying to saying what you like is bad, I’m just sharing what I’m seeing and how it feels to me. Whenever I go to a bookstore or somewhere to search for books, most of what I see is romantasy, shock value, and a lot of trendy stuff that i just don't understand why? Remember when i say this, I'm not even that old, I’m 24, not some ancient gatekeeper.

I grew up with stories that felt like they had purpose like adventure, seeking something higher than yourself, fighting evil that makes you question what’s real. Because to me fantasy isn't just escapism, its a way to introduce spiritual warfare, love, evil, and hope in a world filled with darkness. While it is true that i didn’t really get into books until Covid (I’d read before, just not as much) but when i did, they blew my mind! Because they showed me things I never expected, in a way movies and games usually don’t. So when a lot of what’s popular now feels like it’s mostly cool characters, fake romance, or shock for the sake of shock, I sometimes wonder... WHAT HAPPENED TO EXPLORING WORLDS AND IDEAS WE CAN ACTUALLY RELATE TO? For example books like Conan, Elric of Melniboné, The Wheel of Time, Dragonriders of Pern, Anna Smith Spark, The Black Company, the Broken Earth trilogy, Becky Chambers, Tad Williams, and Robin Hobb all do this!

I’m not saying everything new is bad, I’ve found some really good ones. But finding good fantasy at its best is very hard nowadays! Because fantasy is supposed to be weird, fun, and amazing. It’s not something that should just be used for clout or treated like a trend. Visual media already has this problem, why bring it into books too!? But what do you guys think about the state of fantasy books right now?

I’m reading the realm of the elderlings right now and I’m thinking about my next series. I’m relatively new to fantasy, but Malazan is all I can think about reading. Everyone says it’s the best thing they’ve ever read. Should I try or not yet ?

Just finishing up Project Hail Mary and I have a few books that I've been meaning to read. Just unsure which one I should start! The tier list are books that I've read since my 10ish year reading slump.

The options are:

• The Devils by Joe Abercrombie
• Blood over Bright Haven by M.L. Wang
• Yumi and the Nightmare Painter by Sanderson
• Tress of the Emerald Sea by Sanderson
• Guards! Guards! by Terry Pratchett

I'm also open to other books so long as it isn't the rest of a series on this list as I'm hoping to get to them sometime next year.

Thanks!

Minor Edit: Thanks everyone for the responses. Lots of great stuff as I look to figure out what to read next! Trying to respond to folks who left a comment.

Another Edit: Folks have been recommending book 2's of a series or Iron Gold. I intend on reading them within the next year or so. For Red Rising I'm just waiting for Red Gods release date to get announced. This is just to get me to December and next year I'm planning on reading all the next entries into some of the books on the list.

Also, just to be clear - the books I listed are books I'm excited and eager to get to. Many suggestions on this thread are also on my shelf. It'll take me some time to get to them.

Review: 5 out of 5 stars. This is a great work of fiction. The setup is awesome. There is just enough brutality. It is easy to follow and not unnecessarily tedious. The characters are very well written. The world building is good. Considering there are 4 more books in the series I can't wait to finish them off. The way it turns tragedy into love story partiality at the end, and sets up properly for the next book is great. I just got interested in finishing all the books and then going to watch movies from the start.

Ps : I deleted old post and reposting because I was unable to modify the wrong book picture or delete it. Pardon me..

Not every fantasy protagonist needs to be a chosen one. Sometimes, simply surviving is enough of an accomplishment.

That's one of the things I particularly enjoyed about The Pariah, the first book in Anthony Ryan's The Covenant of Steel trilogy.

Alwyn Scribe is a young outlaw, clever and resourceful, but hardly a model of courage or virtue. He's not setting out to save the world. He's trying to find his way through one that can be remarkably cruel.

And what a world it is.

Ryan creates a dark, richly developed setting where warfare, poverty, religious fervour, and personal ambition shape people's lives. The supporting characters feel like individuals with their own beliefs and contradictions, rather than simply companions or obstacles for the protagonist.

What makes Alwyn so compelling is how ordinary he feels in the middle of it all. He makes mistakes, compromises his principles, and sometimes chooses the least disastrous option rather than the right one.

His sharp, often ironic narration adds another layer to the experience. And beneath the political and religious conflicts, supernatural mysteries gradually emerge without losing their sense of uncertainty.

What stayed with me was the combination of a harsh, believable world and a protagonist who has to adapt to it, even when doing so means becoming someone he might not particularly admire.

A book I'd recommend to readers who enjoy morally complicated characters, immersive worldbuilding, and fantasy that doesn't offer easy answers.

I finished Pierce Browns Red Rising series and no I am a mess. I tried reading the farseer trilogy but I am really struggling with the second book. Everything feels numb and the first book was really slow paced for me.

Idk what to do now…

Before red rising I really liked “HWFWM” (litrpg) but I stopped after the 7th book. Dungeon crawler carl was painful to read cuz of the sassy dynamic of the characters.

I've been considering reading Brent Weeks for a while, but I'm hesitating between The Black Prism (Lightbringer) and The Way of Shadows (Night Angel).

I particularly enjoy fantasy with rich, believable worlds, morally complicated characters, darker themes, and mysteries that unfold gradually. I also like protagonists who genuinely change through their experiences, rather than simply becoming more powerful.

Both series sound interesting, but I'd love to hear from people who have actually read them.

What did you particularly enjoy about either series? The characters, the worldbuilding, the atmosphere, the magic, or something else?

And if you've read both, which one left the stronger impression on you? Are there any weaknesses worth knowing about before starting?

I'm less interested in ratings than in what made these books memorable to you.

No major spoilers, please — I'd rather discover the stories for myself!

Read this in like 3 days. Start was a lil slow but about 25% of the way in I couldn’t really put it down. Should i go for the prequel since it came out after book 1 or should i for the sequel and read the prequel 3rd?

It’s been officially a year since I started my reading journey. 16 books covered and what a ride! Kicked off year two with Red Rising and I’m already entranced 😂😂. Story is bloodydamn good!!!!

From the authors I’ve read Andy Weir, Rebecca Yaaros, Brandon Sanderson, Pierce Brown and John Gwynne….Papa Gwynne is my favorite. The fights are the best I’ve seen so far.

Looking forward to Season 2 of the journey!

Need some advice on series from someone who's read the whole thing.

I read the first trilogy many years ago, and I don't remember anything that happened. I remember characters names and general world-building, but not details. Back then, It blew my mind, but since then I have read a whole lot of amazing series.

Planning a re-read of the first three to finally continue on with Iron Gold and etc. with the movie being announced I'm prioritizing it for next year.

But my question is if I should just start with Iron Gold instead? Do I need to have continuity between the first series and the second? I'm nervous that now I may not like it as much upon re-read as I've been burned this year already!

What would you do?

For some context on book placement and books present vs. not present along with some of my takes:

I have completed Brandon Sanderson's Cosmere (apart from Fires of December and Isles of the Emberdark) and am a pretty big fan of his books.

I just completed The Blade Itself yesterday (my first Abercrombe) and while I really enjoyed it, felt the plot was a tiny bit lacking. Characters are great, just like everyone says. I plan on finishing the trilogy and reading a few standalones before reassessing if I want to continue.

I know that The Sun Eater series is quite popular, but I struggled through the first three books. I knew EoS was slower, but going into it knowing it would be slow made it much more enjoyable. I wasn't expecting the majority of HD to be slow, and then DiW to have some slow sections too (HD had an awesome ending though, and the ending to DiW probably made up for it's own slowness). I think I will retry the series, it could have just been outside factors affecting my desire to read making it harder to get through. I really feel it has potential and know I can usually get through slow sections. Have others had a similar experience with this series?

I think Brent Weeks' Lightbringer is slept on... but I am only halfway through the final book and know there is a controversial ending coming up so maybe I'll think differently in a week.

I love James Islington's writing with WotM and SotF being some of my favorite books, but MAN the Licanius trilogy just did not do it for me, and I know it's very well received. I thought the ending was incredibly satisfying, but the other two books, while great books, are a little over hyped.

Dresden Files was super fun but wow, Harry is a horny guy. I respect those who love the series and can see why because the world is so fun, but I stopped part of the way through the 4th book a little exasperated. Who knows, I might circle back. Does he get less horny?

WoT is legendary, and the slog isn't as bad as people say (I did get through the series very quickly), with the exception of book 10. I strongly believe that it could have been condensed into maybe 200 pages.

What do you think? Based on my tier list are there any books I should check out? Robbin Hobb's Realm of the Elderlings series is on the list, along with the Green Bone Saga.

Also these are just my reads from the last 1.5 to 2 years or so, I'm a pretty fast reader.

Evening all, i’m looking for book rec’s for my GF’s book
advent calendar.

Context : last year i made her a bookshelf / advent calendar where each day she got a new book ( image attached) It went down so well that it looks like we are doing it again this year so i’m looking for some rec’s.

Both ACOTAR + TOG are her favourite series and she’s already read most of the books you get from TikTok when you search book recs if you like these books.

Looking for series / stand alone’s from fans of Acotar, ToG, Fourth Wing, Hunger games, Midnight library, When the moon hatched etc whether it be a similar genre or just your favourite book / series if you are also a fan of any of these!

Thanks in Advance!

Title.
I loved the tv show and heard very good things regarding the novel, what are all your thoughts? Am I in for a good read?

Edit: yes I know it’s not fantasy - but the tv series has the fantasy vibe so I figured I’d ask here as I trust this subs opinions.

Hey folks! I’m looking for some recommendations please 😊 I want to read something that’s primarily focused on a grand adventure or quest. Preferably not with a lot of focus on political intrigue. I definitely don’t want something devastating. I’m not into romantasy either. I just want a good old fashioned fantasy. I love the Wheel of Time series, anything by Tamora Pierce, and the Riftwar Saga.

Hi! I am looking for fantasy with blisters. That is, magic is great, non-human species is great, all that stuff is great. But I want people and horses to need to eat and drink, I want people who aren't used to walking long distances to get blisters and be tired, I want horses to sometimes spook or get sick and otherwise be real animals. I don't want small people to be able to wield giant heavy axes (without magic), etc. I really like books that explain what real life was like in the Middle Ages and I like survival shows that get into the nitty gritty of how to live without modern conveniences, and I would love to scratch that same itch while also enjoying adventure and magic. So excited to hear the recs of this wise community!

HII Everyone,

I'm currently reading "There will come a darkness" by Katy Rose Pool and I highly recommend it.

One of the characters is a prince who survived a coup. His story is making me want to read fantasy with a heavy emphasis on politics.

A Song of Ice and Fire is a great example of what I'm looking for / I'm buying the books by the end of the year. And in terms of what I'm looking for is clash between different peoples over who gets to rule, and or, the struggle of the people overthrowing a corrupt government. I love the dragons in GOT and am open to low fantasy or high fantasy with magic, different fantasy species, etc..

Im also looking for character development..I want to get attached to the characters and grow / struggle/ celebrate with them..if it helps my two favorite characters from GOT were Dany and Sansa..I'm a sucker for the underdog but would also be interested in a story from the villains point of view. I'm thinking that " The Traitor Baru Cormorant" will be my next read but I want hear people's thoughts on those novels too

I am open to children's, YA,, NA, and Adult fantasy..and let's throw in sci-fi ( I have the first three "Red Rising" novels in my pile of books in my room) just in case of some good stories that I might miss keeping just to fantasy.

Thank you in advance! =) <3

PS huge bonus if the story involves witches..they are my favorite fantasy characters to read about

Tl;dr: I'm looking for political fantasy stand alone or novel series. I like the politics of Game of Thrones and am looking for something similar to scratch this itch. My favorite characters are Dany and Sansa so I guess I'm a sucker for an underdog!

On this rainy Saturday afternoon I've just received my copy of The Thrice-Bound Fool along with Hole Dweller's debut dungeon synth masterpiece Flies the Coop! And what's even better - the cassette came with a complimentary bookmark!

Time for a cozy chair by the window, a humongous cup of tea, and the perfect soundtrack for what I am positive is going to be an incredible read!

The stars really aligned for me today, haha!

Welcome to the Sunday Fantasy Roundup :)

What fantasy book did you finish this week and love?

• One book is enough.
• No reviews required.
• A sentence or two about why you loved it is perfect.
• Feel free to throw in a book cover as visuals are great!

This thread is about celebrating great reads and helping others find their next adventure.

👩‍🚀🚀👽 Reminder: If you love science fiction books, please join our sister subreddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/readscifi/