Apparently the old thread was lost. Figured I might as well start it up again since I just finished a really great first installment to what seems like it's going to be a really, really good one. The Shadow Of What Was Lost - James Islington A lot of reviewers are comparing it to the early books in Wheel of Time, but with better pacing and female charcters who don't act like total cunts. Personally, I couldn't put it down. The characters are all interesting, there is a rich world history, and it constantly keeps you guessing with a few great twists. Apparently the goal is for Book 2 to be out by the end of the year. http://www.amazon.com/Shadow-What-Lost-Licanius-Trilogy-ebook/dp/B00ME5G3DM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1430856482&sr=8-1&keywords=james islington licanius trilogy book 2
Description does sound a great deal like WoT. I will probably wait to see reviews of sequels, but I'm at least interested. Spoiler It has been twenty years since the end of the war. The dictatorial Augurs - once thought of almost as gods - were overthrown and wiped out during the conflict, their much-feared powers mysteriously failing them. Those who had ruled under them, men and women with a lesser ability known as the Gift, avoided the Augurs' fate only by submitting themselves to the rebellion's Four Tenets. A representation of these laws is now written into the flesh of any who use the Gift, forcing those so marked into absolute obedience. As a student of the Gifted, Davian suffers the consequences of a war fought – and lost – before he was born. Despised by most beyond the school walls, he and those around him are all but prisoners as they attempt to learn control of the Gift. Worse, as Davian struggles with his lessons, he knows that there is further to fall if he cannot pass his final tests. But when Davian discovers he has the ability to wield the forbidden power of the Augurs, he sets into motion a chain of events that will change everything. To the north, an ancient enemy long thought defeated begins to stir. And to the west, a young man whose fate is intertwined with Davian’s wakes up in the forest, covered in blood and with no memory of who he is…
Think there is a new Mistborn type book out by Sanderson. I need to check into that. Everyone already knows to read WoT and ASOIAF. Mistborn, The Kingkiller Chronicles (can't believe it's been 4 years since the last one), The Gentleman Bastards (new one should be out this year), The Stormlight Archive, I'm sure I' missing more.
Also if Martin wrote like Sanderson, ASOIAF would have been finished years ago. Just look at Sanderson's wiki for finished and planned books. Dude writes like a maniac and I've throughly enjoyed everything I've read of his so far. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brandon_Sanderson#Mistborn_series
The Blackfish recommend me a new series to start along these lines. I have at least one Alloy of Law book to read as well.
I'm reading the Malazan Book of the Fallen right now and loving it. I started a thread on it a few week or so ago, the first books throws you right in the middle of the world with little explanation as to wtf is going on, but you pick it up as you go. Definition of epic fantasy. Erikson is a really good writer as well.
There are other books published that take place in the same universe, I posted the suggested reading order if you want to read everything in the thread I started, or just read the main 10 books. 100% chance you will be lost while reading the first book. Everyone is, it's okay. Come in the thread and post questions you have and people will help you out without spoiling, or just keep going and you'll understand everything eventually.
Can't fucking wait for The Thorn of Emberlain (Gentleman Bastards Sequence #4). Scott Lynch may be my favorite writer going.
Sell me on Gentlemen Bastards. The reviews are all very positive, but the book description has me a little meh. It seems to revolve around a thieves guild, and those fantasy books usually don't do anything for me. Please keep in mind I only looked at the book description for the first novel in the series, in case I decide to pick it up.
I have really enjoyed it. The thieves guild is a big part but there is so much more. Magic, good action, political intrigue, etc. You skills definitely give it a try.
I started Sanderson's the way of kings a month or so back and I am about half way through. So far its pretty good.
Ravens Shadow series is pretty awesome. Last book in the trilogy comes out in July so Im bout to start my reread
I saw a lot of reviews that were disappointed in the second book. I thought it was just as good as the first.
It had a very different feel so I can see how some people didn't like it as much but I thought it was great. Really excited about the third book.
I started a preview of Mistborn but the sample didn't pull me in so probably not going to buy. Starting The Way of Kings tonight which hopefully lives up to expectations.
Dude Mistborn is amazing. You would probably be the only person that posts here that didn't like them. Think you should give the whole book a shot. Not that Way of Kings is bad at all.
I wasnt a real big fan of the Mistborn series. I thought the first book was great because of Kessler but it went downhill after that. Might be because of my irrational hate of Elend
I have preview of Mistborn and Way of Kings on my ipad - in your opinion - which one is better / should I read first?
I can't believe I forgot to recommend these. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temeraire_(series) Temeraire... really cool combination of history (Napoleonic wars) and fantasy (air corps use dragons).
I really enjoyed the Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn series. I couldn't make it through the second book of Otherland.
I am about 1/3 of the way through The Dragonbone Chair. I had read that it started slow and then turned into a good series. I think I will like it. Started catching my interest in the last couple of chapters. Never really see anyone mention Tad Williams, though, so was a little nervous I may be wasting my time. Glad to see you enjoyed the series.
This list is about all you will need for the next few years. It has every good series that I've seen mentioned on this board and plenty more. http://www.buzzfeed.com/awesomer/fantasy-forever
Thanks for posting. A little surprised to see Lighbringer at 5 or liveship traders above the farseer books but I will definitely use this list.
I stopped paying attention to the rankings when I saw Inheritance Cycle made the list. Also, no Riftwar? Definitely some series I haven't read yet that sound interesting, though.
I actually just started using that article less than a week ago. I'll be making my way through it, slowly but surely. I couldn't believe they included Redwall, too. Those books we're instrumental in developing my interest in reading and fantasy as a kid/young adult. Also, I don't think they're rankings. Just a list of series.
I loved the hell out of the Weis and Hickman Dragonlance books when I was a kid. They're certainly not epic fantasy, but they set their hooks in 10 year old me like no other. Spoiler My room got really, really misty when Sturm sacrificed himself.
Haha yeah. I've probably read the first 20 Redwall books 2-3 times each. I read my favorites many more times. There went a few years where a young RegimentML rarely read anything else. I shed a tear when Brian Jacques died.
I don't think it's a ranked list, but the first 4 I can't argue with. Was glad to see The Sword of Truth in there, definitely one of my favorites. If you are a fan of The Name of the Wind and haven't read Blood Song yet you need to. I'm on book 7 of The Malazan series right now and going to check out The Black Prism next.
Finally finished the Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn trilogy. Took me a while to get hooked on it but well worth it once I did. Anyone looking for something new to read should check it out.
I'm almost through the raven's shadow. I've liked it. After ASOIAF, and the kingkiller chronicles (awesome btw), I'm going to stay away from unfinished series.
You guys need to check out the Traitor Son Cycle series. Book 3 in a 5 book series just came out it was great. Its by the guy that wrote the Tyrant series and The Long War series so the battle scenes are pretty damn awesome imo but srs check it out http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13616278-the-red-knight
Anthony Ryan’s A Raven’s Shadow Series Has Been Optioned for TV Anthony Ryan’s A Raven’s Shadow series could be coming to TV! Deadline has reported that the rights to all three books have been acquired by BCDF Pictures, and a TV adaptation is in the works. According to the outlet, Blood Song (book one) is being adapted by Peace, Love & Misunderstanding’s Joseph Muszynski, who already has a pilot script. “I am very excited at the prospect of my work making it to the screen and delighted that fans of the Raven’s Shadow series may finally get the adaptation so many have been asking for,” Ryan said in a statement to Deadline. “Joseph Muszynski has produced a terrific pilot script that does justice to the story and fully captures the spirit of the books.” Here’s the official synopsis of Blood Song, from Penguin Random House: Vaelin Al Sorna was only a child of ten when his father left him at the iron gate of the Sixth Order to be trained and hardened to the austere, celibate and dangerous life of a warrior of the Faith. He has no family now save the Order. Vaelin’s father was Battle Lord to King Janus, ruler of the Unified Realm—and Vaelin’s rage at being deprived of his birthright knows no bounds. Even his cherished memories of his mother are soon challenged by what he learns within the Order. But one truth overpowers all the rest: Vaelin Al Sorna is destined for a future he has yet to comprehend. A future that will alter not only the Realm but the world. A Raven’s Shadow is one of several fantasy series that have recently been optioned for TV, including Jacqueline Carey’s Kushiel’s Legacy series and Tamora Pierce’s Tortall books.
Awesome although the ending was kinda meh I really enjoyed the first 2 books in the series Hope it doesnt fuck with him writing the Ravens Blade series because I loved the first book
This thread needs some love. I haven’t posted in years but I’m in a serious book slump. I’ve read everything it feels like. What are some good magic systems out there right now? Decent actions scenes in fantasy novels?
What have you read recently. If you’ve read everything, may be very difficult to recommend stuff. Do you follow the Books You’ve Read in [insert year here] threads? That’s where I get a lot of my ideas from
Posted this in another thread, but the Ash and Sand trilogy by Richard Nell was the best thing I've read in some time https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/35994830-kings-of-paradise
Rage of Dragons by Evan Winter. It’s gladiator meets game of thrones in a west African setting. It’s all action all the time. Loved it. Jade City by Fonda Lee. It’s The Godfather meets Kung Fu in a modern Asian setting. Also awesome. Both are newer series that are just 2 books deep. Both were my favorite books i read Last year.
I just finished The Grey Bastards (Lot Lands #1) and it's follow up True Bastards, with the 3rd in the series expected this fall. Really good if you're into kind of gritty, bloody type fantasy stuff. One review calls it Mad Max in a Tolkien universe which feels about right. Prior to that I burned through everything Brandon Sanderson I could get my hands on for the last year+. Trying to start the Acacia series now but it's been a little slow to grab me so far.