Light Fantasy Recommendations

Discussion in 'TMB Book Club' started by TheGrifter, May 16, 2015.

  1. TheGrifter

    TheGrifter It's a trick. Get an axe.
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    After reading the Dresden Files thread, it's obvious I'm not the only reader who also enjoys something breezy and fun along with the epic and dense novels. Here are a few of my recommendations outside Dresden Files:

    1. The Hellequin Chronicles - Must read if you are a Dresden fan.
    2. The Tapestry Series - A darker Harry Potter. I actually like some of it better than HP.
    3. The Riftwar Cycle - Absolutely fantastic characters.
     
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  2. Damion

    Damion Fan of: Firing Butch Jones
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    Really enjoying the Hellequin series so far. Its like a mix of the Dresden Files and Iron Druid series
     
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  3. TheGrifter

    TheGrifter It's a trick. Get an axe.
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    The Codex Aleria - Jim Butcher

    Really quick read for a six book series. Great pacing.
     
  4. Jax Teller

    Jax Teller Well-Known Member
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    I still think you can't go wrong with the Ender series. Some of the books aren't good but there are quite a few quick easy reads that are pretty good.
     
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  5. TheGrifter

    TheGrifter It's a trick. Get an axe.
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    Hellequin series keeps getting better and better, IMO. Last book was definitely the best in the series.

    Seriously, if you enjoy Dresden Files or Light Fantasy at all, pick up this series. You will not be disappointed.
     
  6. TheGrifter

    TheGrifter It's a trick. Get an axe.
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    Newest Hellequin novel seems like another home run. Apparently there is only one left.

    Sorry I keep hammering this series, but it's really a lot of fun to read.
     
  7. Damion

    Damion Fan of: Firing Butch Jones
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    I enjoyed it alot but I dont think the author can wrap it up in one more book
     
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  8. MORBO!

    MORBO! Hello, Tiny Man. I WILL DESTROY YOU!!!!
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    For anyone who listens to audiobooks, this series has the first four on audiobooks, but the last book of the series is not (and apparently will never be). Kind of frustrating since my time that I would have to myself is usually only in the car, so that's where I end up having to do my "reading." Really need self-driving cars to happen, fam.

    Good series though, pretty entertaining. The 1st book is a bit Harry Potter'ish, but it steps in a difference direction after that.
     
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  9. The Blackfish

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    Caught up with Dresden and am doing Iron Druid right now, will have to check out Hellequin
     
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  10. TheGrifter

    TheGrifter It's a trick. Get an axe.
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    I'd rank them:
    1. Dresden
    2. Hellequin


    3. Iron Druid

    I enjoyed Iron Druid quite a bit, but not nearly as much as the other two.
     
  11. Gonff

    Gonff Prince of Mousethieves
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    I've heard the Riyria Revelations books are solid. Author is named Michael J. Sullivan.

    I've never read them, so it's hard for me to give a full recommendation. They just seem to come up in these sorts of conversations I've had with people. I think they were self-published at one point which is kind of cool.
     
  12. MORBO!

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    I have finished 2 of the first three books, and I'm honestly not that nuts about them. They're decent, but there are just so many massive chunks of the book that feel like they drag on forever. I started the third one, got about 1/3 of the way through and then stopped. I'll probably pick it up again eventually.
     
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  13. TheGrifter

    TheGrifter It's a trick. Get an axe.
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    I am really enjoying Will Wight's "Cradle" series. It's currently at three books, and I've torn through all of them.
     
  14. ned's head

    ned's head Well-Known Member
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    Thoughts on the farseer trilogy or elantris? Trying to decide between these two for my next romp.
     
  15. Gonff

    Gonff Prince of Mousethieves
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    Never read Farseer but Elantris is very solid. It was Sanderson's first published novel. A good introduction to him and a fairly unique concept
     
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  16. billdozer

    billdozer Well-Known Member
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    The final Hellequin book is being released today.
     
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  17. TheGrifter

    TheGrifter It's a trick. Get an axe.
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    Reading it now.

    Love this series.
     
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  18. Shiggityshwo

    Shiggityshwo Well-Known Member
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    The series is only two books deep so far, but I'm really enjoying Awaken Online. Haven't read Ready Player One, but that's what it gets compared to.
     
  19. BayouMafia

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    cross-posting with the 2017 thread because I saw that one first...

    Anyone read the Lightbringer series by Brent Weeks? My wife has been on me to read it so I started last week. I was originally wary because she tends to like a lot of young adult type stuff but this is a bit more mature than that. It's similar to Mistborn (but obviously not as well written because there aren't many on Sanderson's level) except power comes from separating color from light rather than from metals. I'm 2/3 through the first one -- The Black Prism (it's a 5 book series and I think the first three are out) and it's engaging enough that I'll read the next two.
     
  20. JohnCalvinTM

    JohnCalvinTM Well-Known Member

    All the books in the Farseer world are good. All 5 trilogies. Robin Hobb one of the better writers in the genre.
     
  21. Shiggityshwo

    Shiggityshwo Well-Known Member
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    Just noticed the 4th book in this series, well really the 3rd but there's also side story from a secondary character's perspective, is out now :badger:

    Had started on some memoirs of a former spy for the CIA the other day, but I'm gonna put that on hold for now
     
  22. Gritty Badger

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    Battle Mage by Peter Flannery is really good.
     
  23. rv12

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    Damion TheGrifter do either of y’all have an ebook version of the 2nd and 3rd Hellequin books? Will PM you email if yes
     
  24. billdozer

    billdozer Well-Known Member
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  25. rv12

    rv12 Cowabunga
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  26. Damion

    Damion Fan of: Firing Butch Jones
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    Pretty sure I got the whole series in epub format on my old tablet let me check
     
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  27. Damion

    Damion Fan of: Firing Butch Jones
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    Yea I have them if you want them but that site billdozer posted seems legit I just got book Ive been wanting and it opened fine
     
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  28. Damion

    Damion Fan of: Firing Butch Jones
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    If you guys haven't read The Cradle series you should start. 6 books in so far and all have been fantastic. Just a fun action packed series with a little humor mixed in and great character development. Just a really fun series to read and easy to get lost in

    Actually I would suggest reading anything by Will Wight. He is doing something similar to Sanderson by creating his own universe and each of his series exist in it. 3 series so far tied in and all have been great
     
    #28 Damion, Mar 10, 2019
    Last edited: Mar 10, 2019
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  29. Gritty Badger

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    Halfway through the 2nd trilogy. Really really enjoying them.
     
  30. BP

    BP Bout to Regulate.
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    Really enjoyed the Raymond E Feist sagas. Tore thru most of them in a matter of months.
     
  31. The Blackfish

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    Thinking about reading the His Dark Materials books before the HBO show starts so I can complain about how the books are better
     
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  32. Gonff

    Gonff Prince of Mousethieves
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    Read the first one and while it was fine I wasn't interested enough to keep going. I started a thread a while back on it.

    I've been thinking about picking it back up as well, though, because of the show. Would probably be quick reads. Decisions...

    Edit: Talked myself into it. Just downloaded The Subtle Knife.
     
    #32 Gonff, May 29, 2019
    Last edited: May 29, 2019
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  33. TheGrifter

    TheGrifter It's a trick. Get an axe.
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    Have you read The Tapestry series? Can't recommend it highly enough.
     
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  34. Damion

    Damion Fan of: Firing Butch Jones
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  35. RonBurgundy

    RonBurgundy Well-Known Member

    Literally started reading book 1 on Friday. It’s ok so far.
     
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  36. TheGrifter

    TheGrifter It's a trick. Get an axe.
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    Guys, seriously. The Tapestry or Hellequin Chronicles. I promise you will thank me and shower me with likes when you do it.
     
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  37. billdozer

    billdozer Well-Known Member
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    Read both, enjoyed Hellequin better
     
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  38. TheGrifter

    TheGrifter It's a trick. Get an axe.
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    Did you read the series after? I honestly didn’t like moving on to a new character.

    If so, worth reading?
     
  39. billdozer

    billdozer Well-Known Member
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    I have not. He's supposed to get back to the main series next.
     
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  40. TheGrifter

    TheGrifter It's a trick. Get an axe.
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    I saw he is releasing a new Nate novel later this year. This most recent series have moved away from Nate. I self admit it’s a terrible trait of mine, but I have difficulty getting into female-centric novels.
     
  41. The Blackfish

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    I’ve been on a big nonfiction kick lately so haven’t started any new fantasy in a while
     
  42. TheGrifter

    TheGrifter It's a trick. Get an axe.
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    Tapestry and/or Hellequin, my friend. You will thank me.
     
  43. The Blackfish

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    Already added them to my list :thumb:
     
  44. billdozer

    billdozer Well-Known Member
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    I would say they are a step below Dresden. Still enjoyed them for the most part.
     
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  45. The Blackfish

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    Many consider Dresden the benchmark so that’s okay
     
  46. BP

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  47. Damion

    Damion Fan of: Firing Butch Jones
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    I enjoyed both Hellequin and the Tapestry series but liked Hellequin better. Havent read the other Avalon series yet but will knock it out before the next Nate book.

    The Iron Druid series is pretty much in the same mold as Hellequin so if you have read either one of those you will love the other
     
  48. BP

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    Just finished the Evermen series by James Maxwell. Pretty good. Not too many main characters and not a super long for 4 books. Kinda "tropey" and the heroes make it thru some unlikely scenarios. But not bad if someone is looking for something new.
     
  49. TheGrifter

    TheGrifter It's a trick. Get an axe.
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    First book in a new Hellequin series released yesterday. I already finished it. These books are just a blast to read.

    I honestly didn’t read the series in between which shifted away from Nate, but, even though the new character has some POV chapters, I didn’t feel lost at all.
     
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  50. BigRed

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    The Ten Doors of January by Alix Harrow is a short fantasy book that is very enjoyable. One of the best debut novels of the year IMO.
     
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