SciFi and Fantasy Book Club discussion
Recommendations and Lost Books
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In which order would your rank these books?
Great question! I'll be tracking responses carefully...Of these, I've only read three. The Name of the Wind and The Way of Kings I loved, loved, loved. I also read the first volume in Dark Tower and was seriously underwhelmed, but word is it gets much better.
Haha. Good luck, Vodkaquiet. A difficult task, and everyone has their own favourites. Dune is a classic but still wonderful and epic sci-fi novel with some finely written characters and an extraordinarily well-depicted alien ecology. Everyone needs to read Dune.A personal fav of mine is The Earthsea Trilogy. Many consider them children's books, but I have enjoyed them in greater depth as an adult. Seminal and highly influential series. The first three in particular are just wonderful. The writing is complex and brilliant. By the time you get to the end of The Farthest Shore, you have truly been on an extraordinary journey with the characters, and it all comes together so well. And IMHO Prince Arren (from The Farthest Shore) is one of the finest fantasy characters ever written.
Although I've read many you list, I haven't read them all (yet :D). His Dark Materials is great. Name Of The Wind worth a read. Dark Tower - I got a little bored and dnf'ed. (Sorry!) *dodges hail of peanuts* Finnikin of the Rock I wasn't a huge fan. Or of Daughter of Smoke and Bone. But they all have their aficionados.
You probably can't go far wrong with any of these, actually. If you start one and find you don't like it, you can just swap to something else. Good luck and enjoy!
Mod
I can't list them in order, that's just hurting my brain.
I've read at least part of:
Mistborn - not my favorite of the Sanderson books, but I'm an outlier. I only read book one, but I will try the second eventually. Bonus! The first two trilogies in this world are complete.
Kingkiller (Name of the Wind) - I loved the first one. If you like stories that feel like myths, this is a great one. The second one was also good. Detraction - series incomplete, no word on the final book.
His Dark Materials - This one's a bit bizarre because it feels a bit "younger" but covers really heavy matters, like religion, suicide and death, loss of innocence and what it means to be a person. That said, I love it and it has scenes that have stayed with me coming up on twenty years now.
Six of Crows - fine. I'm mad at it because it ends on a cliffhanger, but if that doesn't bother you it's a really neat world. This one's definitely a bit younger feeling.
Stormlight Archive - I'm with Travis, this is one of the best things I've ever read. Detraction, it's not even halfway done yet, so it'll be at least another decade (probably closer to two) before we have the full story. However, the three and a half books out now are...some of the best things I've ever read.
Dark Tower - Didn't love the first one. I've also heard it gets better, but life is short.
Earthsea - first book was AMAZING!! Second book was forgettable to me. I've not yet read the third.
Gentleman Bastards - fun, silly romp. Lots of cursing and crazy plots. We only have three of the four planned available so far.
Dune - only read the first one. I heard they quickly go down hill after that, but this one is great and well worth a read.
1. Dune2. Malazan
3. His Dark Materials
4. Assassin's Fate
5. Earthsea
6. Mistborn and Way of Kings (Both are very much the same)
7. Wheel of Time (Great, Boring. Sorta OK, Great)
8. Name of the Wind (Only 2 are out and no sign of the third)
9. Gentleman Bastard
I started Six of Crows but have read none of the others. I have only read the Gunslinger and none of the others.
Maybe you should just read the first one of each, your list is filled with goodness...
I think you would enjoy all of them.
Allison wrote: "Earthsea - first book was AMAZING!! Second book was forgettable to me. I've not yet read the third.....Dune - only read the first one. I heard they quickly go down hill after that, but this one is great and well worth a read. "Third Earthsea book is MY FAV!! Fantastic!! But for the full experience books 1 and 2 need to come first.
Second (and maybe third) Dune books are good too, but yeah, after that, don't even bother........
The Name of the Wind ... =Kingkiller Trilogy
Dune - but only book 1 - if you're looking at the series, I'd put it way down the list
The Blade Itself
...=First Law Trilogy
Prince of Thorns
...=Broken Empire Trilogy
Mistborn
Gentleman Bastards
Assassin’s Fate
...=Farseer Trilogy
...=Fitz and the Fool Trilogy
...=The Tawney Man Trilogy
Malazan Book of the Fallen
The Way of Kings
...=Stormlight Archive Series
The Black Prism
...=Lightbringer Series - I prefer Brent Weeks' Night Angel Series
Ember in the Ashes
Wheel of Time
His Dark Materials
Earthsea
Daughter of Smoke and Bones
Haven't Read
...Six of Crows
...Throne of Glass
...Dark Tower
...Theft of Swords
...=Riyria Revelations
...Finnikin of the Rock
1. Dark Materials (there is a new prequel just out)2. Name of the Wind
3. Earthsea
4. Dune
5. Daughter of Smoke and Bones
Haven't read the rest.
I'd read Dune and Earthsea, and toss the rest. Read Hyperion and Guy Gavriel Kay and the Stand, and Stephen R. Donaldson if you're into complicated fantasy.
Oh gosh! That’s quite an eclectic list. I’d start by separating out the YA from the adult stuff. I can’t really give a ranking, because I’ve only read a handful.I second the notion that The Dark Tower was underwhelming. I still have to read the second and I’ve heard it gets better but I was not all that impressed with The Dark Tower by itself (though I do intend to read The Drawing of Three).
I really LOVE Six of Crows, but also agree with Allison that it ends on a cliff hanger. So if you go that route, you should just grab the second if you decide to read it (or at least put it on hold at your library).
His Dark Materials I haven’t read in 20 years but I did read the whole trilogy and loved them as a child/teen though I think I missed a lot of the things that were going on. (I’m not sure how they’d hold up as an adult.)
Prince of Thorns is excellent, but the MC is a murderous little jerk and it’s quite dark.
The Name of the Wind I haven’t yet finished but is pretty magical if you don’t mind the gentle pacing.
For me:His Dark Materials - some of my favourite books
Earthsea - like, le Guin is one of my heroes
Dune - a classic, superb. Only worth reading the first three
The Blade Itself - I am a MASSIVE Joe Abercrombie fan, such fresh, clever writing
Assassin's Fate - I think the Liveship Traders is her best, but still good
The Dark Tower - never quite managed to finish the series, I find it patchy; but when it's good, it is very good
The Name of the Wind - I enjoyed the first book but didn't really have any urge to spend another 600 pages with characters
Gentleman Bastard - similar, enjoyed the first one but haven't much of an urge to continue
Wheel of Time - barely made it 100 pages in, Hated it.
Gardens of the Moon - Hated it
Not read the others.
Of the ones I’ve read, here’s my list in an attempted rank that would probably change if I typed this on a different day. 1. Assassin’s Fate - This is the last book in a 17+ book series. Did you mean Assassin’s Apprentice? I’ve only read the first 9 books and they were some of the most absorbing books I’ve ever read, but a bit brutal and emotionally draining if you get too invested in the characters. I plan to go back and re-read the first 9 along with the newer books eventually. The series is complete which is, in my book, a bonus.
2. The Wheel of Time – I’m reading this now, on book 8, and enjoying the series a lot. Another complete series.
3. The Blade Itself – I really enjoyed this also. A lot of humor, and characters that you can’t help but like (some of them, anyway) in spite of the fact that they all have some major issues. These aren't your traditional, noble, squeaky-clean characters. I’ve read everything published so far. The last time I checked, he was writing another trilogy set 15 years after Red Country.
4. Earthsea – These are short, fairly light, and more traditional fantasy stories. It’s also another complete series.
5. Mistborn – I remember enjoying the original trilogy a lot when I read it, but that was several years ago and now I barely remember anything except the magic system. The author is still writing in this world although, as Allison mentioned, the first two subseries are complete. I’ll probably go back and read the whole thing whenever they’re all done.
Many of the rest you listed are on my list to read eventually.
RE: The Dark Tower The Dark Tower is really one of those series that you have to push through the first book.
The Dark Tower - which was originally called Wizard and Glass - is Stephen King's magnum opus. It is literally the result of over 20 years of work and planning. It is connected to [almost*] every.single.book in every Stephen King universe. Including the YAs (and my favorite, The Stand).
If you are even remotely a Stephen King fan, you kinda need to suck it up and power through The Gunslinger. I can say that it gets steadily better and...as someone who started reading the series when it was first published... I have to say that new readers don't have to deal with King's ten year hiatus that occurred RIGHT AFTER BOOK FOUR. And FUCK YOU for that, SK!
*Had to put that "almost" because I'm lost in regards to the connections to his newer work(s).
Guuuuuuuys!!!!! I’m so thankful for you all to take your time to give me an honest feedback about some of these series! I’m having so much fun reading everyone’s opinion - sure, it kind of confuses me a bit... when I’m sure about what I’m going to read next, comes someone turning the table upside down. I’m starting on Fantasy to be honest... I know some of these books are high fantasy while others are YA.
I’m very careful about YA... I’m not a teen anymore so I don’t enjoy certain things I once have. Aaaand I’m not the romantic kind... that doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy to read about a relationship of this sort, but not really when it’s the center of the plot.
@Travis Foster : I’m glad you are enjoying this thread and that you may take some recommendations for yourself!
@Jan130 : ikr? Crazy of me to ask fantasy fans to rank so many series! But it’s so fun to read everyone’s opinion on why they love some while they dislike or even hate others. I’ve read Catwings from Le Guin as a child and loved the books... Good to know that Earthsea isn’t solely limited to children’s appreciation!
@Allison Hurd : thank you for your thorough opinion about so many series! Your take on HDM was especially interesting to me because I didn’t know the series handled themes like the ones you have mentioned. This only makes it more interesting!
@Kathy : you are one of the few who managed to rank them :) thank you for partaking in this difficult task!
@CBRetriever : thank you so much for organizing my list! I’ve been using GR from the mobile and sometimes it’s troublesome to write a detailed text.
Thank you for your opinion on each of them! You have read so many of them, wow! Great feedback!!! Aaand what a sweet icon! I love dogs! :)
@Cordelia : thank you for ranking your favorites! And what a beautiful horse!
@Jen : thank you for partaking and recommending me other titles - I’ve heard about The Stand (from SKing right?)
@Sarah : what a cute dog! And yeah... I should have organized my post better... I just get impatient when writing on the phone. You have read many, come on! I’m surprised about the feedback I’m getting concerning Dark Tower... I expected a more positive response for being such a long SK series and for getting its own TV (or is it a movie?) adaptation...
nice to read something positive about prince of thorns though! A jerk for a MC may be a nice change! Thank your for your detailed feedback!!!
@Paul Perry : thank you for writing me your opinion to each series. Good to know you have liked many of them. It’s interesting how there’s no one (yet) who has liked all of them. I think I have read something about The Liveship traders series... one more to the list haha!
@YouKneeK : wow what a thorough feedback! Thank you so much! Yes, I meant the first book from the series. Apprentice it is then. Thank you for telling me about interesting aspects about some of them like Assassin’s Apprentice and Blade Itself... Could you tell me what you like about Wheel of Time? Is it something leaning towards A Song of Ice and Fire or maybe Tolkien’s creations? What about it grips your interest?
@MrsJoseph : Finally a good feedback concerning Dark Tower! I’m surprised about people’s reactions to it, seeing how much attention it’s been getting thanks for the TV (or is it a movie production?)
And I wasn’t aware about the series position in terms of importance among SK’s works... Actually I have never read anything by him. Every time I was going to, another book came up. That means, I wouldn’t get the references... and that would be a pitty... maybe I should read some of his stand-alones first?
I will be here waiting for more feedbacks and will be very happy to read your opinion on these series or others you feel like mentioning...
Vodkaquiet wrote: "@MrsJoseph : Finally a good feedback concerning Dark Tower! I’m surprised about people’s reactions to it, seeing how much attention it’s been getting thanks for the TV (or is it a movie production?)And I wasn’t aware about the series position in terms of importance among SK’s works... Actually I have never read anything by him. Every time I was going to, another book came up. That means, I wouldn’t get the references... and that would be a pitty... maybe I should read some of his stand-alones first? "
I think the issue is that The Gunslinger is...written in an old school kind of way. I recall it being a little quiet and introspective - others may say 'dry,' lol. But there is room for that when you think about the sheer size of the series.
The Dark Tower was inspired Browning's Childe Roland to the Dark Tower Came.
Also of note: When I started The Dark Tower, the only King I'd ever read was The Stand and Eyes of the Dragon. Since then I've only read a few more: his fantasy works since I do not read horror. You can totally get into it without the Easter eggs, but I think knowing that it is his Master Work and the connections found within can shed some light on the series as a whole.
Also, I do admit I love Easter eggs. When I was reading TDT and ran across the connections I recognized...OMG so much excitement.
Mod
Allison wrote: "Gunslinger also was initially published as a serial, and it feels that way. It meanders. It's well-written, but the continuity and sense of purpose aren't really present IMO. I assume that's less o..."lol. Suuure you will.
Porcupine
;-)
Mod
-_-
XD
Vodkaquiet wrote: "Guuuuuuuys!!!!! I’m so thankful for you all to take your time to give me an honest feedback about some of these series! I’m having so much fun reading everyone’s opinion - sure, it kind of confuses..."haha thank you! His name is Mickey. He goes everywhere with me.
re: Prince of Thorns is definitely a nice change up. I only mentioned it because it seems to be a very divisive book. Some readers can't get over how evil he is which is totally fine, just wanted to give the heads up.
I didn't mean to make The Dark Tower seem like it was a bad book. I just expected a lot and felt like I got only a little. If you go in with no expectations you might like it just fine.
Vodkaquiet wrote: "Could you tell me what you like about Wheel of Time? Is it something leaning towards A Song of Ice and Fire or maybe Tolkien’s creations? What about it grips your interest?"I haven’t read A Song of Ice and Fire yet because I’m waiting for the series to be finished first. (Yes, really, I’m seriously waiting!) I did read the first book, and I hear it talked about a lot, so based on that I would say it isn’t that similar. WoT has quite a bit of magic and the main characters actually tend to stay alive more often than not.
The first book in WoT definitely seems to have taken some inspiration from The Lord of the Rings, but it starts to differentiate itself more in the subsequent books. The first book of WoT is a fairly simple but entertaining adventure story, but the series grows in complexity with more and more characters, lots of little plot threads to keep track of, adventures, politics, scheming, etc. I enjoy both the characters and the plot, and there’s just enough mystery to keep me guessing and speculating about certain things as I read.
It’s not without its flaws though, and a lot of people have said the middle is a bit of a slog. I’m at the middle now, so the jury’s still out for me, but I’m still enjoying it so far. This is probably not the best series for people to read if they’re in the mood for a tight, fast-paced story. It meanders quite a bit, which is something I often enjoy, but I think that drives some people crazy. Also, the author tends to latch onto certain mannerisms, sometimes bizarre mannerisms, and apply them to most of his characters and get a little repetitive about it.
Vodkaquiet wrote: "I think I have read something about The Liveship traders series... one more to the list haha!"
Just to clarify on Liveship Traders, that is a subseries in the same series as Assassin’s Apprentice already on your list. It’s the second trilogy in the larger series. This link will take you to the series page that has all the books in the larger series.
dune, the blade itself, the name of the wind, mistborn and those other books in no particular order.
This is a great thread. I will give my opinions, and as you can see everyone has been different.You actually have 3 of my favorite series on here and I don't even know how to rank them, so they will be in no particular order.
Wheel of Time. This is a huge, epic series. People complain about it being boring in the middle, and I see where they are coming from, but it is necessary to tie in everything that needs to happen in the later, more exciting books. There is still plenty going on, but instead of moving the story forward, there are a lot of side stories that get added. It sometimes takes 2 or 3 books for a character to complete a task they started because they keep getting sidetracked. The magic system is well defined and easy to understand, unlike a certain other series I will mention.
Mistborn - Brandon Sanderson actually finished off the last books in the Wheel of Time series when Robert Jordan died. I thought he did such a good job that I bought the original Mistborn trilogy, and it became one of my favorites. It has a very unique magic system, and has a few twists and turns that kept my eyes glued to the page. The new trilogy is a little more lighthearted, but just as well written, and with new aspects of the magic system that take it to a new level.
Malazan Book of the Fallen - Now this is an epic fantasy. It makes A Song of Ice and Fire look like a YA novel. You think GRRM kills off characters, but he's got nothing on Erikson. This is a pretty dark story with a lot of terrible things going on in the world. Lots of blood and gore and unimaginable horrors going on, interspersed with a surprising amount of humor and characters you love and root for. Fair warning, you will be confused for at least the first half of Gardens of the Moon. The world, gods, and magic system is just too complicated. Each book gets progressively better, especially once you start to see the full scope of the powers at play here. There are a ton of characters to keep up with, but it is worth it. The magic system is all over the place. When you think you understand it partially, a new aspect or type of magic is thrown in the mix. Basically, there is a ton of crazy powerful magic thrown around throughout the whole series, and I don't even know how one person could create all of that in his head.
Next we have one series I've read most of, and a few where I've only read some of the series.
Assassin's Apprentice - I have read all but the newest trilogy, and I liked each and every one of them. The one downside here is that the main characters have to go through a lot of bad things throughout each series. It gets a little depressing, but it is great writing.
Dark Tower - only read 2 and a half books. The first one was pretty good, the second one was amazing, and the third one bored me to tears so much that I couldn't finish it. It just felt like nothing was accomplished. I'm sure it turns around eventually, but I'll have to come back to it later.
His Dark Materials - read the first book and enjoyed it. Then saw that abomination of a movie. I always meant to read the rest of the series, but just never got around to it. I did enjoy the first book.
Prince of Thorns - read the first book and really liked it, but as others have said, the main character is not a good person. You may even like him, but he does terrible things, so it gets morally confusing sometimes. I will definitely read the rest of the series, but I got distracted by other books.
As for the rest, some I'm aware of and plan to read eventually, and the rest I'll have to check out and will probably plan to read eventually.
I love ranking things although I am certain the rank will change day to day (just like YouKneek said)The Black Prism - clear number 1 for me, I can't wait for the next book
Prince of Thorns- I love all Mark Lawrence, somewhat dark
Dune - Must read, but only read the first book, but you must read the first book! Too many references in sci-fi culture to miss out.
The Way of Kings - epic, maybe too epic
The Golden Compass - Y.A. but the story is great and some bigger ideas to ponder
Six of Crows - also Y.A. but the characters are good, the story is good, no big questions to deal with
The Final Empire - I loved the first book but the next two went downhill for me, overall a decent enough series
A Wizard of Earthsea- classic, easy read, great adventure story
The Eye of the World - I read all 14 books, the first 5 were awesome, the next 5 were not awesome and the finish was good.
The Name of the Wind- epic, doubt it will ever be done, the second book was better than the first for me
Assassin's Apprentice- These are beloved books that I loathed, yet I finished all three because my library had the audio versions. I just couldn't get past some elements but overall this is a very well received story.
Series I have only read one or two books in.
The Lies of Locke Lamora - great! I am definitely planning on reading others
Theft of Swords - good but it didn't excite me enough to read the rest.
The Blade Itself - I loved the first book and not sure why I haven't read the others but it seems unlikely. Part of it is that I read Red Country before reading the others in the series and I didn't enjoy that one much.
Gardens of the Moon - This one is tricky. A couple of my goodreads friends absolutely love this book and the rest of the series. The first book requires some effort to get through the, initial lack of knowledge, confusion and I didn't do it. I think if you can get into the first book you will be a convert and love the series.
The Dark Tower - excruciatingly boring
An Ember in the Ashes - way too Y.A., angsty, romancey for me.
Feel free to ignore me, as I'm generally the odd one out:Mistborn - Never read it, though I've been told I need to. I've read other Sanderson stuff and, frankly, find him overrated.
The Name of the Wind - Did not like. Kvothe is such a Gary Stu, and the whole dragon bit at the end was way too long.
Ember in the Ashes - Never read it, but it sounds interesting. I'd be willing to do a Buddy Read on this.
Malazan - Never read, no interest
His Dark Materials - Not a fan. Liked some ideas in it, but thought the characters were fairly one-dimensional and annoying, and the whole anti-Church thing felt belabored to the point of distracting from what actual plot exists.
Throne of Glass - I've thought about giving this one a shot, but never quite got around to it.
Wheel of Time - Never read, no interest
Six of Crows - I enjoyed this one a good deal - probably one of my best reads from last year. I agree that you may as well get both books and read them together, as it's really all just one story.
The Way of Kings - See above about Sanderson
Dark Tower - Dark Tower is an excellent series with a questionable ending. I do agree Gunslinger can be a bit tough - though I enjoyed the whole thing. If you do pick it up, I'd make sure you get a revised version, because it ties in better with the rest of the series than the original. I think 'Drawing of the Three' is the strongest of the series, so I'd read at least the first two in the series and if the second book doesn't catch your interest, then call it a day
The Blade Itself - Read the first in the series, and never bothered to continue. For all the praise of it's realism (i.e. graphic violence), I found the overall plot to be a rather basic "gather your party" story.
Earthsea - Never read, no interest
Assassin’s Fate - While I did think "Assassin's Apprentice" was better than Liveship Traders (ugh), I never got around to continuing the series
The Black Prism - Never read. I enjoyed 'Night Angel' a good deal on original reading, but was less enamoured upon a reread.
Gentleman Bastards - Like Name of the Wind, one of those popular books I seem to kind of hate. Actually, I think I like Locke & Co more than Kvothe, but it annoyed me that he never seemed nearly as clever as we're repeatedly told he was. Read the second in the series, and bailed thereafter. I'd wait until more books in the series are actually written before bothering starting.
Daughter of Smoke and Bones - So much wasted potential beneath a terrible insta-love, star-crossed lover romance with creepy tendencies. (Think Edward Cullen level creeping.) Started the second book in the series because of the potential, but couldn't even force myself through it
Theft of Swords - Decent enough action-adventure story, but not great. I gave the first two books in the series 2 stars, and never finished. I might go back and read them if I get free copies, but I'm not willing to pay for them.
Finnikin of the Rock - Never read, no opinion
Dune - Dune is interesting one for me. I'd seen the movie and mini-series before I ever read the book, and it's one of my husband's favorite books, but even he agrees that it's kind of sloggy and dry. Some interesting philosophies and treatises, which I think I would've liked better if I'd read it when I was younger and they were knew to me
Prince of Thorns - Nope, nope, nope
colleen the convivial curmudgeon wrote: "Feel free to ignore me, as I'm generally the odd one out:Mistborn - Never read it, though I've been told I need to. I've read other Sanderson stuff and, frankly, find him overrated.
The Name of..."
Colleen, get out of my brain, lol.
I am SO WITH YOU on Kvothe. He drove me bananas and once I put down that book...never again will I torture myself. And the OMG! Kvothe being the bestest in all the things ever just...was complete and total overkill.
I was not impressed with Locke, either. Everyone kept telling me how it was a fun romp with great characters but I just thought Locke was a smarmy asshole(and not as smart as we're told he is).
MrsJoseph wrote: "I am SO WITH YOU on Kvothe. He drove me bananas and once I put down that book...never again will I torture myself. And the OMG! Kvothe being the bestest in all the things ever just...was complete and total overkill. "and on the flip side, I loved the Name of the Wind and read it 6 times in a row one summer (I only had two books with me on a trip to France (this was before Kindles). It is beautifully written (and even more beautiful in French as they know how to turn a phrase).
I haven't read quite a lot of the books on your list, although most of them are on my TBR pile - but here are my opinions of the ones I'm familiar with:Mistborn: One of my favourite series' by one of my favourite authors, highly recommend. The first book is the best but the others are also very enjoyable
The name of the wind: Another of my favourite books, although prepare to join everyone in Endless Torment waiting for the third book in the Kingkiller Chronicles. Again highly recommend
Ember in the Ashes: Haven't read - heard good things
Malazan: Haven't even heard of
his dark materials: YA but very strong and enjoyable as an adult read too. Will take you much less time to read than many of your other choices
throne of glass: Haven't read but heard it's very stereotypical YA so bear that in mind
wheel of time: Takes forever to read and a lot of time to get going, with many of the later books better than the earlier ones (apparently - I've only actually read the first four because the fifth has never turned up in the library. I enjoyed the four I've read)
six of crows: Highly recommended by most of my friends although I've never read it
the way of kings: Can't recommend the Stormlight series highly enough. The Way of Kings is amazing, Words of Radiance is somehow even better - really looking forward to reading Oathbringer once I've finished Edgedancer
dark tower: never read
the blade itself: never read
earthsea: I've read Earthsea, but years ago and I can't really remember it. I think I enjoyed it enough at the time but clearly not enough to think much on it after
assassin’s fate: haven't read it
the black prism: on my tbr. Apparently a bit of a marmite book with regards to style?
gentleman bastards: YA, haven't read it
daughter of smoke and bone: Haven't read it but I have read some of the authors other books and enjoyed them. I do believe it's quite YA romance-y
theft of swords: haven't read it
finnikin of the rock: haven't read it
dune: I haven't read this but I feel like it's one of those fantasy-must-read books that everyone will read at some point
Prince of Thorn: haven't read it
MrsJoseph wrote: "Colleen, get out of my brain, lol."I like it here. I'm special. ;)
1. Duneuuuuhhhh....yeah, that's all I've read there. I do have the first Earthsea book, though!
CBRetriever wrote: "and on the flip side, I loved the Name of the Wind and read it 6 times in a row one summer (I only had two books with me on a trip to France (this was before Kindles). It is beautifully written (and even more beautiful in French as they know how to turn a phrase).."Ha! I did something similar with King's The Stand (unabridged, of course). Had a summer internship out of state and could only bring 2 books with me. Ended up hating the 2nd one...but loved The Stand. The beginning terrified me - the part with the initial spreading of the virus - as I'd never had to use mass public transportation before (we don't have things like Metro systems where I'm from). I freaked out every time someone coughed, lol
I do think [The Name of the Wind] is well written. In all honestly, that's what got me through 50%. The writing, simply by itself, is quite lovely. It's what he's writing about that kills me. Before I attempted The Name of the Wind, I read a short he'd written and it shone like a diamond surrounded by gravel.
colleen the convivial curmudgeon wrote: "MrsJoseph wrote: "Colleen, get out of my brain, lol."I like it here. I'm special. ;)"
lmao
Very nice question and not so easy to answer, because I think most of these were 5-star ratings for me. Well I’ve tried anyway and this would be my current list:1. The way of kings (probably the best book I’ve ever read)
2. Wheel of time (read the whole series twice, still love it, will probably re-read it again)
3. Assassin’s fate (including liveship traders and the latest trilogy: all are excellent)
4. Gentleman bastards (great fun, still waiting for those final books though…)
5. Daughter of smoke and bones (YA, but it was beautifully written and transported me around the world)
6. The name of the wind (loved the first, liked the second, have been waiting forever for the last)
7. Prince of Thorns (dark but refreshingly original)
8. Mistborn (I liked it, but honestly, I don’t remember much of it, as soon as the last of the new quartett is out, I’ll be re-reading this one)
9. Theft of swords (this one gets better with every book)
10. His dark materials (read this one way back, but still remember it, so it must have been good)
11. Six of crows (typical heist with enjoyable characters, not fully up to Gentleman bastard, but still great)
12. Earthsea (I think I waited too long to read that one, so it did not really meet my expectations)
13. Malazan (I only read the first one, it was okay and revealed a lot of potential, so I’ll probably get to the others eventually)
14. Dune (I did not really like it)
I did not yet read: Ember in the Ashes, throne of glass, dark tower, the blade itself, the black prism, finnikin of the rock. Although I can’t wait to start the black prism.
@mrs Joseph: I like Easter eggs too! I forgot to say I was quite shocked to know SK had taken 10 years to publish a sequel to a book... have you waited that long? If yes, then have you re-read them? It’s a long time! :o
@sarah: concerning prince of thorns, someone has said something about it being morally challenging... this sounds interesting to me, different from heroic mcs... ;)
@youkneek: thank you for sharing about your enthusiasm about wot with me! It’s so exciting to read your comment about it and what makes you enjoy it so much! Starting this serie isn’t a ordinary decision I reckon, with the number of books and their length...
@don Dunham: thanks!!!
@bobby: wow you have read many of them! Thank you for telling me about them and for taking your time to be so thorough! Your enthusiasm about them is contagious and was fun reading your opinion! Feel free to go on about them if you feel like it! And a special thanks for being so elaborating about Malazan... your comment was the first one to not only mention but to give me details about.
@hank: woah! You have read most of them! At least the ones that seem to be more directed to adult readers... I myself am hesitant about ya, but these I have mentioned were recommended to me quite a few times, so... thank you for your input! Do you already know which (fantasy) book are you going to read next?
@colleen: at least, from those options I presented, dune saved it for you :)
@fail fish: thank you for your comment! Reading comments like yours about WOT make me want to read it!
@sabrina: oh man, it was a joy to read your comment! You have read almost all of them... I think you are the one to have read the biggest number (of those I have mentioned) among the lovely people who have commented. Youkneek, bobby and hank being close behind. Thank u thank u thank u for taking your time and comment on each one of them!!! And with the exception of dune, they are all so positive that they gave me a good vibe! On gentleman’s bastards, do you think it will take mighty long for this series to be complete? I have actually started reading this one... was the one I had at home, along with mistborn, so... and how do you remember the events from the book you have read when you read the sequel 2 years later? Thats something I wonder... maybe it’s just my memory that leaves me hanging...
MrsJoseph wrote: "RE: The Dark Tower The Dark Tower is really one of those series that you have to push through the first book.
The Dark Tower - which was originally called Wizard and Glass - is Stephen King's ma..."
As a fan of this series and faithfully, Stephen (Sai) King; I completely agree with you.
The length of time between books probably makes GRRM giggle, but only as an afterthought.
Anyway, @Vodkaquiet (oxymoron??); The first book The Gunslinger is pretty short. Just push through and get to the other side. When you get to The Drawing of the Three, it will all make some good sense. Lobstrosities don't understand time, patience or Ka. Did-a-chick???...dad-a-chum???
Good luck with all of your choices though.
The man in black fled across the desert, and the Gunslinger followed. *cries*
I think there are better series but since you asked only to keep it to these, here they are in order from best to worst (of what I’ve read from your list):Dune - My favorite sci-fi! However, on any given day I might choose Ender’s Game as my favorite. This is incredibly epic in scale. I love that its so heavy on religion and prophecy (but in a good way). The writing comes alive in my mind. The way it builds and builds is just so much fun. I re-read (or re-listen to its audiobook) every year or two. I haven’t read any of the sequels though.
Mistborn - Really great series IMO. The first book is somewhat bogged down in romance subplots but still a lot of fun with some great characters. The other two books in the series are fantastic and quite epic. I was surprised how much different they felt than the first book. It sort of makes the first book seem like a prologue.
The Name of the Wind - Awesome two books so far. Characters are fun (mostly). Writing is good. Not very epic in scope so far but just a great tale, and well told. But man, the series isn’t finished, and it is taking forever between books. I don’t see how the series can be wrapped up in only one more volume either, so I expect this wait to go on even longer after the next book eventually comes out. You might wait on this one until its finished.
The Blade itself - Much better than I expected. Very fun and action packed. Great characters too. Its not particularly epic in scale but it is just a fun story. I like how the characters grow.
Way of Kings (Stormlight Archives) - Currently reading this and I am halfway through the 2nd book in the series. Good but a bit overrated. The first book, which everyone else seems to love, was only 1/3 great IMO. There are three main plot lines and only one of them was exciting for me. Every time the story switched to one of the other two plot lines I would get disappointed. The second book seems to be much better so far. Interest is picking up in all the plot lines.
Gentleman Bastards - I’ve only read the first book so far. I’d say it was a fun and fast read. It is somewhat funny but in a good way (the main character has a sharp wit).
Dark Tower - Terrible series. I have no idea why this gets so much love. The first book is ok (very unusual, but in a good way I think). The rest of the series is weird and boring. It feels to me like its trying way to hard to be abstract and wierd. Also, while I enjoyed the actual ending (the very last thing that happens), everything in the last book leading up to it was shit. If you like Deus Ex Machina you’ll love the end of this series. One note though, the 4th book, Wizard and Glass was quite good (its story is very stand-alone from the rest of the series).
Wheel of time - Way Way overrated. The first 4 books are so good. I read them and loved them years ago. However, the next 4 books get slower and slower and are excruciating by the 8th. So much skirt smoothing and braid pulling (inside joke for readers). Recently, I really wanted to try the series again. I’m older, maybe I could power through the boring middle part and get to the Sanderson authored books at the end. Nope, around book 6 I just couldn’t take it any more and went and ready synopses for the rest of the series. Glad I did.
Vodkaquiet wrote: "Mistborn, The name of the wind, Ember in the Ashes, Malazan, his dark materials, throne of glass, wheel of time, six of crows, the way of kings, dark tower, the blade itself, earthsea, assassin’s fate, the black prism, gentleman bastards, daughter of smoke and bones, theft of swords, finnikin of the rock, dune, Prince of Thorns"Havn't read: Ember in the Ashes, Malazan(couldn't finish book 1), Throne of Glass, daughter of smoke and bones
A:Mistborn(1,4,5,6)>Theft of Swords
B:Way of Kings, Mistborn(2,3), Earthsea, Wheel of Time(Early and later books), Gentleman's Bastards, The Fitz & The Fool
C:His Dark Materials, Dune, The Blade Itself
D:The Name of the Wind, Wheel of Time (Middle Books), Prince of Thorns, Dark Tower, The Black Prism
F:Wise Man's Fear
Big note that if you have...money to throw around the GraphicAudio production of Way of Kings is fantastic and with that it was amazing.
"mistborn, his dark materials and the name of the wind!" In a dead heat at the clubhouse turn !
Sure, why not...Lord of the Rings - Hey, it's my list, my rules.
Dune (1-3) - Book 1 is almost the best book out of any below, and I enjoyed the second two... after that I lost my way.
The Name of the Wind - One of the most solid series, if only it was finished.
Six of Crows - I enjoyed this immensely but both it and the next suffered a bit from "is this really believable..." At least NotW acknowledges his unreliability.
Gentleman Bastards - See above.
Mistborn - Good start in book 1 but felt a bit padded at times.
The Blade Itself - The violence put me off but the readability was high.
Earthsea - Fantastic series that then went a bit too metaphysical for me to handle when I read it. Could jump up the list if I re-read it today.
Assassin’s Fate - A good series that drags in parts.
Wheel of Time - See above times by about four.
His Dark Materials - Starts off strong but it felt like it lost its way in the sequels.
The Black Prism - Only read book 1 so far but it was pretty simplistic.
The Dark Tower - Didn't grab me at all.
Dune (4+) - Actively disappointed me.
Haven't read yet:
Ember in the Ashes
Malazan
Throne of Glass
Way of Kings
Daughter of Smoke and Bones
Theft of Swords
Finnikin of the Rock
Prince of Thorns
Dune (which I really like, at least the first three) is a hard one to rank with the others since it's SF and the rest are fantasy, but if I absolutely had to, this is the order I'd go with this:Earthsea
His dark materials
Dune
The name of the wind
Wheel of time (I'm not sure I'd actually rank this one at all. It's got some amazing bits but it's very uneven, and wasn't finished when Jordan died)
It isn't on your list, but based on the ones that are I think you'd also enjoy chronicles of thomas covenant, starting with Lord Foul's Bane.
The top of the list is easy...Theft of Swords (made the top of list hands down)
His Dark Materials (Genius)
Mistborn (Still the best thing Sanderson has ever done)
Midlist....
The Way of Kings (very very good but not great)
Assassin's Fate (really any of the Fitz books by Hobb)
Wheel of Time (start of great and then quality falls off)
Not even on a bet would I read this again...
The Blade Itself (I hated this book with a passion that I had previously only felt for Fleetwood Mac and the Yankees)
Scott wrote: "Not even on a bet would I read this again...The Blade Itself (I hated this book with a passion that I had previously only felt for Fleetwood Mac and the Yankees) "
Wow. Why? I have it on my shelf but now am wondering if I should bother!
The wheel of time was absolutely brillaint. Though that is only for those who manage to complete it and can look on it as a whole and not as book 1, book 2 etc. It's a 14 book journey that's simply a masterpiece of character development, world building, lore building etc. As such the Wheel of time is number 1 for me. Then I'd say Prince of Thorns or the Broken Empire Trilogy. Mark Lawrence is a ruthless genius of a bastard and I love it.
Next I would take the MistBorn era 1.
I intend to pick up the King Killer Chronicles next.
Michele wrote: "Scott wrote: "Not even on a bet would I read this again...The Blade Itself (I hated this book with a passion that I had previously only felt for Fleetwood Mac and the Yankees) "
Wow. Why? I have ..."
Personal preference. This was the book that made me realize that I just don't care for grim dark. Nothing wrong with it but it's just not my thing. Most people really like the book.
Nice Blast Scott ! I watched a Video of Fleetwood Mac performing "Tusk" with the USC marching band and it was Awesome! I give them a pass for the rest of their estrogen-infused but by many account ground breaking band. why aren't "The Scorpions" in the R&RHOF anyway? Mistborn by far the best thing Sanderson has written "Elend said".
Michele wrote: "Scott wrote: "Not even on a bet would I read this again...The Blade Itself (I hated this book with a passion that I had previously only felt for Fleetwood Mac and the Yankees) "
Wow. Why? I have ..."
I loved the book if that means anything. I liked the non black and white characters
Well, I've only read one of these fully, but I'll throw it in there anyway. Go with "His Dark Materials" first! :D
Michele wrote: "Scott wrote: "Not even on a bet would I read this again...The Blade Itself (I hated this book with a passion that I had previously only felt for Fleetwood Mac and the Yankees) "
Wow. Why? I have it on my shelf but now am wondering if I should bother! "
It’s competently written, particularly for a first novel, but it’s essentially a 518-page first chapter. My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Don wrote: "Nice Blast Scott ! I watched a Video of Fleetwood Mac performing "Tusk" with the USC marching band and it was Awesome! I give them a pass for the rest of their estrogen-infused but by many account ..."The Scorpions, not in the Rock and Roll hall of fame? Hmm, maybe for the same reason that Terrible Ted and his Ten Fingers of Doom is not in the Hall. (That would be Ted Nugent for those, not familiar...decent guitar player, not so decent a human being. Which by the way has nothing to do with why he is not in the Hall.)
Chyina wrote: "Well, I've only read one of these fully, but I'll throw it in there anyway. Go with "His Dark Materials" first! :D"Ow, I mean seriously just ow.
My personal views of the book aside, it wasn't really as well written as some of the others on the list.
Scott wrote: "Personal preference. This was the book that made me realize that I just don't care for grim dark. Nothing wrong with it but it's just not my thing. Most people really like the book. "CBRetrieverwrote: "I loved the book if that means anything. I liked the non black and white characters"
These two sum up my ambivalence to it. I read the series, managed to finish it and objectively enjoyed it, but wouldn't read anything else by him ever again.
SciFi and Fantasy Book Club
Books mentioned in this topic
The Eye of the World (other topics)A Wizard of Earthsea (other topics)
The Name of the Wind (other topics)
The Doors of Stone (other topics)
The Blade Itself (other topics)
More...
I’m trying to decide a series to start... so I will give you guys some options and ask you if you could rank them based on your experience... please only add those you have read to your list and don’t add new ones.
Mistborn, The name of the wind, Ember in the Ashes, Malazan, his dark materials, throne of glass, wheel of time, six of crows, the way of kings, dark tower, the blade itself, earthsea, assassin’s fate, the black prism, gentleman bastards, daughter of smoke and bones, theft of swords, finnikin of the rock, dune, Prince of Thorns ...
Thank you guys :)