Yeah. Melissa says she lucked out. She found someone who eventually broke through and does Netflix voice over work, but because she considers Melissa one of her breakouts, still works with her. Her 16th book just came out this week, but I think she’s only on 14 audiobooks.
we're already in a race, and I'm quite sure you'll win haha working on it! still quite far from being done hey thanks!
Haven't found too too much in searching here, but any thoughts on Janny Wurts? It just crossed into my feed as a 'if you LOVE Robin Hobb, read this' and I'm really intrigued by it, especially if the prose is Robin Hobb levels of good. I am going to add it further down my list and knock out some more fun and brief series, but I think I'll at least give this a go. Anyone read at least a good chunk of it? IE - didn't drop an 11 book series after a book or 2. I have found I'm generally okay with reading several books unless it's something REALLY bad or offensive about a book. A slow start, weird quirks, etc. won't have me DNF'ing.
I have only ever heard good things about her work. Book one has been sitting on my shelf forever. Seems like 110% my type of thing, I'm just waiting until I'm ready to fully dive in haha. That's not helpful to you but there you have it.
I agree with @OwainGlyndwr. Booke one of Wars of Light and Shadow is also on my shelf. I would love to dive into the series (completed as of 2024) as it's been recommended for fans of Malazan. She also co-authored the Empire trilogy with Raymond Feist, which is also sitting on my shelf, also highly acclaimed. Not sure if you're into audiobooks, but they should be on Libby. If you asked her, she might tell you to start with her debut, Sorcerer's Legacy. It's a low-stakes fantasy story on the shorter side. The Master of Whitestorm might also be a good start since it's a standalone. She has actually answered this question a few times on Goodreads: Janny Wurts answers your questions — Ask the Author She's probably the author I want to read the most, but I just haven't gotten to her yet. Fun fact, she painted all the covers for her Light and Shadow books, which are all beautiful. She was self-taught!
3 fantasy books for the price of 2 at my local place today. got Piranesi, Strength of the Few and The Martian, last one a birthday present for my friend
I know I'm super late to the party, but I'm about ¾ of the way through The Will of the Many and it's absolutely incredible so far
I can't wait! I've been reading shorter books and even novellas recently, and I was a bit intimidated by the size of this puppy when I picked it up at the library, but I've found it incredibly addicting and I've been absolutely flying through it
Man I really hope I like it as much as others, the first one just didn't do much for me. Maybe the multiple POVs I've heard discussed will help my enjoyment on this one.
I think Strength is at least three times better than Will. In seriousness, I'd call Will a five-star read and Strength a six-star. Just absolutely loved both, but the sequel—as you'd hope they always be—was a serious step up.
Book two definitely requires more trust from the reader, but I was into it. I'm also easy to please (most of the time) when it comes to fantasy
Alright... quick final thoughts on Shadows Upon Time (I'm a slow reader). Finished it, loved it, no real complaints. Any complaints I do have, are long standing characterization issues and writing quirks. But for me, the ending to the journey was well worth it and what it left open, is just stuff to ponder. I like a series where the world goes on without us, and you know interesting things are happening, but don't feel robbed of a conclusion. Despite it being 97% Hardian POV, how much I connected with side characters is a real feat for me and why I put it up there with Robin Hobb. Lorian / William / Khan Sagara / Alexander... the last goes on for me of real fleshed out characters, both friend / foe and sometimes both. Seeing all this talk of Islington means I'll probably get around to the sequel soon. I have to reread 1 because 1) i don't remember much and 2) i want to. The final game / trial / test - whatever you want to call it was so well written and exciting and then the ending was just sort of a bonkers reveal that hopefully sets the tone for book 2. I did start Silver blood promise though and that seems fun and breezy and a good palette cleanser so I will finish that first.
I finished Will of the Many today and also just got the email notification from my library that Strength of the Few is ready for me to pick up!
love it when that happens. I've got a hold on the audiobook for The Trials of Empire which should hopefully be ready just in time for me to finish listening to The Tyranny of Faith.
It’s infuriating and damn amazing at how good DCC is. It’s truly something special. I’m so happy I discovered it when I did, and also that it’s taken off so amazingly since then. It’s the type of series I could only dream of writing.
It’s just like. How did he manage to write something so ridiculous yet beautiful about what it means to be human? How is something so hilariously absurd also so scathingly political? Why am I cry laughing and also heart sobbing?
what's even crazier is, from what I remember him saying in an interview, he doesn't have a lot of what happens planned out.
I agree as it sounded extremely stupid, bro-ey and cringe to me, and I'm still not sure when I put all those notions aside to just give it a shot - probably a lot of you guys around here, but it really is a special series to me. There's so much heart, tension, social commentary, and palpable stakes that I did not think was possible in a 'ex coast guard dude and his talking cat level up through an intergalactic space dungeon' package. It's also really outside the box from what I typically read except for I like character relations and all my favorite books I like mostly for how the people in the story interact and change each other. And the ability to be a gardener or pantser or whatever, is super cool to know as there are so many call backs to old threads that I'm shocked aren't intentional, and there are so many juicy threads still out there that I'm excited to see the conclusion to conjured up. No idea how we will get so much story in just 3 more books. Trying to be vague about what that means but you guys who've read it know what I mean. Also I'm excited to be caught up to read on release date and unlike the last couple I still read months later, this will be a day 1 read and personal things will be moved to accommodate.