The Fantasy/Sci-Fi Books Thread Book • Page 71

Listening to the audiobook had me regularly checking to make sure the characters didn’t have the same names, so you’re not alone there!

 

I love the term “popcorn (genre)” because I do, in large part, go to books for entertainment and a good time. If a book sets out to do that, and does it well, I’m all in. I’ve tried to make it a positive term for the most part.

 

Not set in stone, they were just being added into my own mix. Licanius is a good one actually. Not read it but it does seem like something i'd like to get into.

I've tried Kuang and Jemisin and something about those series don't sit with me but i've heard good things about Lee. I tried Hobb but still can't bring myself to read anything more than Assassin's Apprentice. I'm in the same boat about Shannara too which is a shame cause it seems a great series but yeah.

 

I loved the Kuang trilogy, but Jemisin left me wanting. Was scrolling through my audible throwing out names.

A lot of my Audible is first books in a series I want to check out that many of you have talked about.

 

I know that feeling. Most of my TBR are books i've seen mentioned but its a struggle :(

 

Michael J. Sullivan is a great recommendation, because he has multiple great series and stand-alone-ish books that can be read separately but also all fit together. They’re all awesome too.

 

Yeah? I might need to look at those too!

 

He’s not *the best fantasy writer* but he’s probably my favourite at this point, his stuff just makes me feel good

 

I get that. Feel-good is exactly what I want from books!

 

I'll recommend a couple of lesser-read authors for your consideration: Tim Akers, Dave Farland, David Gemmell, Katharine Kerr, Brian Staveley, John Gwynne, Ed McDonald, Poul Anderson, Dave Duncan, Ashok Banker.

You've probably read some of these but let me know if you want more info about any of them!

 

Some nice suggestions!! I've added a few to the tbr :)

 

It’s silly how much more clear Deadhouse Gates is while reading. It’s the perfect course correction without sacrificing any of the style or withholding information that Erikson loves.

 

Working to finish The Lightbringer series by Brent Weeks. On the last book now. Anyone read these?

Also, I'm not sure if it's fantasy because I'm going in completely blind but I am so excited for RF Kuang's Yellowface next month. Babel was one of the best books I ever read and I can't wait to see what she comes out with next. Really need to get on Poppy War eventually.

 

I have those Weeks book in my Audible, just hadn't gotten to them yet.

This is how I'm hearing that she has a new book out.

 

Poppy War was one of the first books I bought for Kindle and I still haven't read it. I've heard great things and really want to get to it

 

Thank you all for the suggestions. I've got a few good series now on my TBR!!

I think i'm going with the Sun Eater series by Christopher Ruocchio - its a series i've always had my eye on and it's story, writing etc get rave reviews.

I'm also looking to start War for the Rose Throne by Peter McLean and potentially Michael J Sullivan's series!

 

I'm in the smaaaaaaall minority that didn't like Babel (academia isn't my thing but the writing was great) which might be why i haven't started Poppy War. Yellowface is a completely different type of story!

 

Poppy War and Babel couldn't be more different.

 

Probably speaks more to her abilities as a writer then that all the series are remarkably different.

 

I've read The Black Prism. Really enjoyed it, need to pick the series up again.

 

A Little late but here's a couple more recs

David Gemmell - already mentioned, but his works are all bloody good times. I don't see his books consistently defined as grim/dark but I'd say that he consistently uses the best aspects of that genre. Legend would be the one to read first. Although it's the start of an 11 book series, it's not a normal series at all, you'll get a complete story with each book. I don't want to say the 11 books loosely tie together, because it's a bit more than that, but don't think of it as the start to an entire series if you don't feel like committing yet. He has stand alones, and trilogies, but I still think Legend is the one to start with.

The Traitor Baru Cormorant - A trilogy as of now. Slow and rewarding. High finances mixed with social issues. Very powerful and different.

The Long Price Quartet - You can get all 4 of these books in one affordable and good looking book, so there's no reason not to. It's written by one of the guy's responsible for the Expanse series, Daniel Abraham, who has been mentioned for other his other fantasy series in here, but this is the best. Beautiful and haunting, another slow burn that demands your attention and rewards wonderfully. I think each book is like 11 years apart or something, so it's really epic as hell. This is my "make yourself a better person"/"English class" pick

The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant - This series affected me more than the others. It's brutal, depressing, people do horrendous shit. To nutshell it as basic as possible its a meditation on pain. Unending pain that can never be resolved only learned to live with. It's the conceit I've found in a lot of Donaldson's work. It's not going to be for everyone, the main character does something early on in first book that took me a very long time to get over (not to go into it more detail but I'll just add I never did "get over' said action but understood its place in the narrative). By the end this series was breaking my heart into pieces with every word. If you want some philosophical fantasy, this is the choice.

 

A Day Of Fallen Night was spectacular. If you liked Priory its a must read.

 

Sun Eater is my favorite ongoing series at the moment. Ruocchio hits that perfect mix of sci fi and fantasy and I feel like his writing just keeps improving. Just backed his Kickstarter for Empire of Silence Diamond Edition. Great choice

 

Completely forgot about this thread but currently making my way through Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn series by Tad Williams and absolutely loving it. Also making my way through Shadows of the Apt series by Adrian Tchaikovsky and have been absolutely surprised with how great it’s been, considering it’s not talked about a lot.

 

Shadows of the Apt is sooo good, only gets better and better, the last few books are incredible. (MST also great)