Since I’ve gotten into reading again and specifically have started reading fantasy again I have grown frustrated by the recommendations I receive.

While social media and booktok type of content are the biggest contributors to this, I feel like the top recommendations I receive are the same 20 or so books. It’s always the works of John Gwynne, Brandon Sanderson, Robin Hobb, and Joe Abercrombie. They are obviously amazing writers and the books are definitely worth reading, but I can’t remember the last time I was scrolling social media or a book was recommended that I haven’t heard of before.

At this rate I feel like I’ll have greater success finding a book at a store and judging it by its cover and reading the back flap to find something new. That’s how I found the Keeper trilogy by David Dalgish which is some of the books that got me back into reading to begin with.

Open to similar recommendations akin to my S-B tiers

I got an ebook reader and Libby subscription a year ago and rediscovered leisure reading after an almost 10-year break (during which time I moved countries, switched jobs, started a family). Most of the books I found thru Reddit recommendations, and a few through buddy reads. It seems I like darker stories, interesting character dynamics, as well as YA and some whimsy. I probably have a few controversial opinions, but that's why it's fun to share :)

Open to recommendations for my next read!

I’m about 200 pages into this and it is a difficult read. It is constantly throwing around new names, characters and locations without introducing them or providing context. I feel like I can’t follow the plot because I can’t keep track of who is who. Do I need to start over and make lists of the characters and locations or does it become easier if I keep reading? I hate not finishing a book or series, but this is rough sledding.

Both audiobooks, and both outstanding but good grief are they on polar opposites of the fantasy spectrum and I went in with 0 idea what I was getting into for either of them.

this is every book I have listened to since nov 2025 when I started Elantris and fell in love with audio books. I have a peculiar sense of taste but if yall have some good books let me know I'm looking for something to start. (almost all where listened to as audio books)

list with a small blurb I wrote after reading each
SOME CONTAIN SPOILERS

Dungeon Crawler Carl 1 – 4: 6/10 its decently interesting but it has 2 things I dislike 1 it has the impossible odds problem where there is no way for the hero to win without the author writing some contrived stuff to make them 2 the concept triggers my suspension of disbelieve way to much for me to enjoy not many books do this but this one does for some reason

this ^ is where I started with audio books and it took a year before I started the next one

Elantris: 9.5/10 I love Elantris and maybe its just that its my first dive into the medium but man is it fantastic and its nearly a 10 but the ending left much to be desired I wanted to see more but the climax of the ending was super cool.

Elantris Short story: 1/10 why does he taunt me this way

Mistborn: the Final Empire: 9/10 Mistborn good, I love the setting and the characters and just about everything in this book.

Mistborn: the Well of Ascension 8/10 both best and worst ending great for falling from the sky and slicing father in half bad because the world is going to end and that just so much world to do. Honestly could be a bit lower because the stakes are just so meh like oh no the city is gonna get taken over so sad just meh but its still good despite that issue.

Mistborn: the Hero of Ages 8/10: it was a bit dreary the world ending

The Emperor’s Soul 9/10 really interesting story summarized well

Mistborn: Alloy Of Law 7/10 WHY MISTBORN WITH NO MISTBORNS IT DUMB

Mistborn: Shadows of Self 7/10“it was even funnier the second time!” is now a joke between my friend and I because I told him “yeah God made the mc shoot his wife twice”

Mistborn: Bands Of Mourning 7/10 uh Idk it was fine

Allomancer Jak and the Pits of Eltania 8/10 it was pretty good

Mistborn: The Eleventh Metal 1/10 waste of time

Mistborn: Secret History 9/10 kelsier doing some thieving was cool

Mistborn: The Lost Metal 1/10wayne dies which in itself deserves the utmost distain from me. he and wife lady are the best parts of this series. It makes it so much worse as this is not character development that he sacrifices himself as he would have done the same thing in book one just as much as now, he just started learning to not hate himself and then he goes and explodes himself, yeah great writing Brandon. Another thing is that when the books starts I was really hoping that Brandon would actually subvert the expectations and the vote would pass that could have been really cool to see instead we get a boring bomb chase.

WarBreaker 7.5/10 second half is pretty good But I think brandon is allergic to satisfying endings “don’t worry our ultimate stone warriors will defeat the army” book ends. Also it was extremely cheesy when he said “I was the WarBreaker the whole time!”

Stormlight Archives: The Way of Kings 8/10loooots of world building

Stormlight Archives: Words of Radiance 7/10 more world building and boring fight scenes I am not much fan of fight scenes

Stormlight Archives: Oathbringer 3/10 the longest slog I have ever been though for a book. Good ending though

Yumi and the Nightmare Painter 7.5/10 quite good, its interesting and characters are only so-so but good ending(very good for Mr. sand otherwise known as unsatisfying endings McGee) and interesting magic system for that world.

Tress of the Emerald Sea 10/10truly peak not much else to say he finally wrote a good satisfying story (I think sanderson is allergic to satisfying endings he must have been in pain writing this fantastic one)

White Sand 6.5/10 pretty boring but like not the worst thing ever.

Beware of Chicken: A Xianxia Cultivation Novel 1: the greatest work of fiction to ever grace this planet 11/10. while this is the greatest work of fiction to ever grace this planet, I will say that much of the enjoyment is after understanding Chinese tropes and genres around cultivation and such, so it is a somewhat niche the greatest work of fiction to ever grace this planet.

Beware of Chicken: A Xianxia Cultivation Novel 2: 10/10nuff said its peak

Beware of Chicken: A Xianxia Cultivation Novel 3: 8/10the weakest of the books which is still fantastic as it focuses more on fighting but the ending was amazing when joe comes with the big man pants on and puts everyone in their place

Beware of Chicken: A Xianxia Cultivation Novel 4 9/10

Beware of Chicken: A Xianxia Cultivation Novel 5 11/10 yet again I see the peak and it is beautiful

Tree of Aeons 1: 4/10 pretty boring and hard to get invested in anything

Tree of Aeons 2: 8/10 starts to get interesting! The management aspect is much better than I thought, and the fight scenes are not as bad as I thought they would be perhaps I just don’t like fighting when it is drawn out. Only annoying thing is how rude Aeon is to Alexis and the other hero’s ghost honestly he is just being a jerk for the sake of it.

Tree of Aeons 3: 8.5/10 his commitment to keeping the small part that is human is cool, and the ending was a pretty cool send off for jura O7.

Tree of Aeons 4: 8 can’t remember the specifics of books 4-7 but they where all good.

Tree of Aeons 5: 8

Tree of Aeons 6: 8.5

Tree of Aeons 7: 8.5

Chrysalis 1: 4.5 boring just a bunch of fighting nothing interesting I dropped it

Cradle 1: 7alright does a pretty generic cultivation book but it does it well with an interesting protag, I do hope he is not always forever the weakest in the room, but I feel like that’s where its aiming

Cradle 2-12: 9/10 honestly, I did these in very rapid succession so it’s hard to differentiate when one starts and one ended but in total fantastic series and Travis Baldree is now my favorite narrator. Lovable characters, amazing world and story just all around fantastic. Only complaint would be that it did not suck me into the world like some other stories did some just have that spark and this was fantastic even without it.

Beware of Chicken AU soaring Heavens Isle 11/10: once again the greatest author decides to write peak. Guy gets a flying boat too.

Mother of Learning: ?/10 really wanted to start this one, but the narrator was far too British to stand. Dropped (perhaps will read at some point)

We are Legion: 2/10 dropped dumb world does not believe in the afterlife.

Path of Ascension: 3/10 very cool concept but the execution was abysmal, particularly the narrator and certain parts of the world did not make sense. Also, it really annoyed me after coming off of cradle where the mc was fantastic and constantly bettering himself to the mc of this TURNS DOWN learning any hobby besides cooking because they are too “boring” ticked me off.

Return of the Runebound Professor 1: 4/10 interesting enough but man is it slow it just drags on.

Return of the Runebound Professor 2: 4/10 same issue not interesting enough to continue dropped.

Battlemage Farmer: ?/10 world too depressing could be interesting but how do you expect me to care if the world ends or not if the common folk(villagers) are a bunch of pieces of garbage.

Until Death by Andur: 8/10 has everything I like in a story but something about it felt off like I don’t know something stopped me from being interested even though interesting things were happening not finished yet but will.

Scholomance A Deadly Education: 10/10 fantastic honestly one of the best magic systems I have seen almost like harry potter but better in every way. Super cool concept execution and all around this is fantastic.

Scholomance The Last Graduate: 9/10wow really just more peak I love the protagonist how I can almost feel her emotions along with her every step of the way not that she is always right but the writing makes me I don’t know I can’t put it into world it just sucks me into the world it’s great.

Scholomance The Golden Enclaves: 8.5/10man the gay sex came out of nowhere really drags down the book so I’m going to rate it as if that did not happen. Really its so good like man the twist with how the enclaves are made quite literally made my jaw drop its crazy. And the foreshadowing was amazing some might say it was obvious, but I had no idea so it paid off really well I love when foreshadowing you can look back and see all the little pieces fantastic. And the ending was great I loved the final confrontation, and the happy ending was kind of contrived but I’m willing to look past it for a happy ending.

So i started reading this year and the book/novel that made me fall in love with reading is Red Rising. I stumbled across a reel and well I completed the trilogy in 2 weeks. After that i picked up The Maze Runner and these are all the books I have read till now. Btw first tier list i have ever made.

I forgot to add the current reading slot. :- The fellowship of the rings, Harry potter and then half blood Prince & shadow slave volume 2. That's what I'm currently reading.

As I’m writing this my unfinished physics homework is glaring at me. Yet every part of me wants to start Furysong😭😭😭 I NEED to know what happens next! WTH was that cliffhanger! If you’ve already read the trilogy and have any words of encouragement or warnings they would be much appreciated—but no spoilers please!

Here’s my review:

World-building: 10/10
Plot: 15/10
Character development 9/10
Romance: 6/10
Overall: 10/10

I actually read Fourth Wing before this series and can safely say, after only reading two books, that the Aurelian Cycle is better. It’s like Fourth Wing but on intellectual crack. And I’ve only heard good things that the third is equally as good if not better than the first two books. I’m so excited to read it!!

I loved the world building of the story: the history, the carefully crafted political scene, the references to famous dystopian fiction classics. As someone who loved my 10th grade Honors Lit Dystopia unit, this was like candy for me. Then it got better. The character development is interwoven with the political landscape, with different characters exploring different schools of thought at different points of time. And because they each believe so strongly in what they’re doing, you get to weigh the pros and cons of each idea until even you don’t know what the right thing means any more. Then the author will slam you back down to earth and remind you what’s really important. I can’t even begin to imagine the amount of planning and editing and writing skill that requires.

I usually struggle with multiple POV books—especially when I have to switch from a cliffhanger from my favorite character to a character I don’t like as much—but the plot is genuinely just so interesting from each point of view that I didn’t struggle with it as much. There were definitely still 1 or 2 moments where turning the page from Annie’s conviction to Lee’s brooding pmo, but, overall, I enjoyed the multiple POVs. I, personally, found it really hard to empathize with Lee and the decisions and evolution of his thought process he went through. However, one thing I could appreciate from all his backtracking was that it drove the ambiguity of war home.

I also wasn’t able to enjoy the romance because I simply didn’t like the type of person Lee brought out in Annie up until now. In book one he’s struggling to change his mindset about seeing her as a peasant to control, and in book two, all I could see of their conversations was Annie having to clean up the messes the Lee, Cor, and Megara made. As opposed to Power, who I genuinely really enjoyed watching the relationship between him and Annie unfold. With him Annie had a clear purpose that she could pursue. I also just have a bias toward female rage in books, and I appreciated the direction that Power brought to her fury and drive. I get that Lee is the MMC, and I get that Power’s pragmatism overstepped, but I will maintain that, given the opportunity for a well written character arc, Power would have been a better MMC for Annie. IDK I might have issues, sue me🤷‍♀️. While I am hopeful that Lee is done experimenting with ideologies and that Annie and Lee’s relationship won’t be as imbalanced, I’m afraid I won’t be able to let go of my bias for power and enjoy Annie’s relationship with Lee.

Overall this was a ten out of ten books. I might have to buy a physical copy to annotate now!

hey everyone,

I want to read Grave Empire. It has been on my reading list for awhile and next month my partner and I (who are primarily horror nerds) will be checking out fantasy books.

Despite not reading too much fantasy , I loved The Lord of the Rings and the Hobbit as a kid and I also enjoyed ASOIAF. I would argue that LOTR probably had a more profound impact on me compared to any other series (regardless of genre).

Anyways, I noticed that i can only stick with fantasy (and keep track of everything ) with a good map. does anyone know where I can purchase one for Grave Empire (by Richard Swan)? the small one in the paper back does not suffice ! thank you !

Feel free to rip apart!

Hello.

The Lord of the Rings is my favorite fantasy book. Not only due to the world and the characters, but how even in the darkest times, there is hope.

Other posts suggest books like Wheel of Time, but I do not like how male and female characters interact, even though I really enjoy that world.

I admire Tolkien because he made all of his good characters likeable- you rooted for them at each step.

I believe that is due to a strong morality: good vs evil. Modern novels are much greyer now. I miss traditional fantasy.

So with that in mind, can anyone suggest a book series, or standalone, that evokes Tolkien's LOTR in not only the fantasy world, but also in the spirit of his work? Where most of the "good" characters are likeable, noble, and unselfish? Willingly to let go of the ego and put others first?

That is why everyone loves Sam. That friendship, that bond, what true friends are really about- sacrificing yourself, and your comfort, for the betterment of your friend.

And the redemption of Boromir as well. He may have made mistakes but was a good man who tried to make things right at the end.

Thanks...

Just finished the original Red Rising trilogy and absolutely loved it. I already picked up the next three books, but for some reason I'm dreading starting Iron Gold.

It's not that I've lost interest in the story or anything. I think I just get burned out from spending too much time in the same world, even when I'm really enjoying it.

Anyone else get like this? Do you guys binge entire series back to back, or take a break with a different book or genre before jumping back in?

Any hints for someone who likes reading, but is struggling to stay interested in everything they start? I have started the Farseer trilogy, Shadow of the Gods, and a Way of kings all this month, making 100-150 pages into them but feel like I’m struggling to stay interested.

Everyone recommends these books all the time and I just don’t feel pulled in to any of them.

Am I not giving them enough time?

Most recent fantasy series I read were the Keeper series by David Dalgish and Fall of radiance series by Blake Arthur Peel. There were times with those I just didn’t want to put them down and I’m not getting that with my current reading picks that I can see are great and everyone recommends

I’ve just finished Assassin’s Fate last night. Pretty much cried my way through the last 100 pages. What a devastating ending. I’m in need for some recommendations for my next adventure. What do I sink my teeth into next? It’s definitely going to be tough coming off Robin Hobb. Looking forward to some insights

Book Review: Crownfall by Michael Vadney

Magitech & Hope-Fueled Fantasy

Quick Thoughts
Modern fantasy is filled with stories that defy genre norms and do new and interesting things with the medium. Crownfall by Michael Vadney is a tale in this vein, the kind of spin on classic fantasy that has just enough elements to feel familiar for genre faithful while also innovating enough to be something new and compelling. The story blends well-worn tropes like a scheming dark lord and a revenge driven young protagonist with more unique elements like a pacifist magical engineer and a young woman sidled with caring for her family’s legacy and her aging, sick mother. When paired with the magi-tech that feels almost as sci-fi as it does fantasy and a setting characterized by colonialism, you are presented with something truly original.

Alongside it’s very intriguing premise, Crownfall’s story is well paced, tightly plotted, and uses all its character POV’s to deliver an extremely efficient story that offers a glimpse into what feels like a much bigger universe. While this, at times, can leave the reader with unanswered questions and under explored avenues, it reads like something written by a seasoned author, rather than a fresh debut. The action moves quickly, telling an emotional, hope-filled story which leaves the reader feeling deeply satisfied, while also creating more than enough potential for a series or further installments in this world. A perfect pick up for fans those looking for a book with vibes similar to Netflix’s Arcane orBrandon Sanderson’s Mistborn.

For my Full Review, please visit FanFi Addict;
https://fanfiaddict.com/book-review-crownfall-by-michael-vadney/

Yo,. I am new to this Fantasy books infact I've never read one before... but I've watch shows and animes like.. game of thrones, frieren,hobbit,lord of rings,witcher,harry potter,Narnia,Reincarnated as slime, re:zero and vinland saga and Vikings [even though both are not Fantasy but thought I should include em]..

I am in very difficult situation here... i dont like to read on phone or laptop or any screen so my only option is to buy... but I dont have much money either so i want anything worth my money... so I searched internet and found out 2 books trilogy which are "red rising" and "mistborn" and both are in my budget..gives me 3 books and as far as I've heard they are completed trilogies... but problem is I can but only 1... my budget it 700rs i am buying from meesho... [both book sellers are trusted so on issue of damaged book and sorry piracy is my only option so buying pirated copies]...

So i want your help to choose one between em... or if you have anyother suggestions I'd like to read em too..

I personally think the pure force of the Asoiaf Dragons is just too much.

Just came across a newly released fantasy novel called Aetheria on Earth by G.P. Rice, and wanted to share it with anyone who loves a good magical adventure! 📚✨
It’s got mystery, otherworldly visitors, a cozy winter setting, and that nostalgic, whimsical atmosphere that makes you want to disappear into a book for hours.
Thought some fellow fantasy lovers might enjoy checking it out! 🤍

It’s about a 12-year-old girl named Aisla who’s always dreamed of going on an adventure. She ends up meeting three mysterious visitors from another planet called Aetheria and gets pulled into this whole magical quest to recover two powerful objects. But things get complicated when war starts reaching her little island and she’s caught between helping her new friends and protecting the home she’s always known. And it’s all set on this cozy, wintry island around Christmastime, which I absolutely love! It has that nostalgic, whimsical, almost Narnia-like feeling of getting lost in a magical world, but with mystery and some higher stakes mixed in!

Also the cover 😭

**edited because my sleep deprived self forgot to add the summary 🙄

I’m thinking maybe this is too niche of an ask, but I’m wondering if anyone has any recommendations for a dark fantasy book to get me through a rough patch. I won’t go into detail, but I feel like I’m in a hard place in life that friends and loved ones have a difficult time understanding from the outside and I’d like a story to maybe make me feel less alone. I recently revisited the Lord of the Rings after quite a while and I found that Frodo’s struggle to carry the Ring really resonated with me in a unique way it hadn’t before. I was wondering if by chance anyone would have a fantasy book that was similar in theme and tone? I think anything with themes of punishment, guilt and the struggle to overcome one’s fate would also be greatly appreciated :)

Hi, I recently got into fantasy/sci-fi books for the last year also, and I'm not a native English speaker. So I pretty much read mainstream assessible literatures and avoid complex stuff, I think you can tell from my tier list.

Its own tier: Hyperion, just Sol & Rachel story alone made it into this tier. It hit me hard on an emotional level, being a dad of a young child myself. The reaction of other people in the story was also mine. I had to close the book and looked out the window for a good half a day. I have yet to reach that same level of emotion in any other book.

Fantastic: pretty much self-explanatory. I'm currently about 100 pages in The Blade itself and I'm sure it will stay in this tier. These are the ones that stay made me think about a lot after reading.

Ok stuff: These are the book I found engaging but don't stay in my head for too long after I read them.

Not my taste: probably I won't read the remaining books.

DNF:

• DCC - I find it a bit too casual and the whole RPG/leveling up was not for me. I think it fits other types of media rather book. I might pick it up again on a flight someday.
• Blindsight: started out fantastic but lost me with its overly dense prose. But the concept is brilliant.
• PHM: I couldn't connect with the main character at all. I watched the movie and think it's better as a script instead of a piece of literature.

Reading list: I think I need to finish the remaining books of the current series, but if you have any recommendation, I would love to hear it. I got most of my recommendation from this sub, so thank you all for making my last year very memorable.

I’ll start. I think Dungeon Crawler Carl is a combination of The Matrix, The Hunger Games, Ready Player One, and Dungeons and Dragons.

If you have a better combo for this one, let’s hear it.

What other books or series feel like a combination of other books or series?

I have 2 books that I want to read before 18th Nov but because I do not get a lot time so I can only finish one book as I do not want to read anything for sometime after 18th Nov. The two books I have are The ship of magic and Fellowship of ring. Please help me
Thank you

I just finished Memories of Ice (Malazan book 3), which ended up being one of my favorite books this year. I’m now left at somewhat of a crossroads. Do I make the jump to Shadow and Claw or maybe the safer route with the Expanse. Believe me, I understand how different these two series are. I also understand that the Expanse is Sci-fi and BotNS is scifantasy, yet here we are. Some insight would be much appreciated.