I love fantasy and historical fiction novels. When the world seems boring, I can escape to another world. I've read a fair few but I'd like to hear some more suggestions on what I should be reading next!
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Here are a few of my favourites that I've already enjoyed:
"The Kingkiller Chronicle" by Patrick Rothfuss
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This series is amazing and it's hard not to like the main character Kvothe. He's pretty much good at everything. Never have I read a book where I want to hear the songs that are being sung by the characters as much as this one. I hope they make it into a movie one day but they'll have to find someone with an incredible voice. I can't wait until the third book comes out!
"Malazan Book of the Fallen" by Steven Erikson
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Admittedly, this series was difficult to read at first. The world and the characters are so intricate that I found myself a little confused BUT once I learned the lay of the land, I realized that this is a masterpiece. I've reread the series twice now and I'm currently going through another reread. I find myself noticing small details that I skimmed over before.
"The Dresden Files" by Jim Butcher
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I ate this series up once I started. My friend recommended it and at first I was a little skeptical. First, the title isn't all that compelling. Second, the idea of a wizard who is a private detective didn't sound all that interesting. Somehow, Jim Butcher made it all work. I loved the laws and explanations he laid out for all magic beings. Everything was explained and utterly interesting.
"Codex Alera" by Jim Butcher
At first this book confused me a little. I found myself wondering what the hell "furies" were and how they fit into the universe. As I got more used to the idea, I found it fascinating. What an incredible idea. It was interesting how each type of fury had specific abilities attached to them. Fire can invoke anger but water can heal for example. I loved watching Octavian rise up and get better and better as well.
"The Stormlight Archive" by Brandon Sanderson
This was such a great book that proved you can have honor but still be a real A-hole. Kaladin was a guy you rooted for but kind of hated at the same time. Brandon Sanderson really flushed out the different cultures and customs in this book. The idea of light eyes and brown eyes was interesting but even cultures like the shin and their norms were explored. I couldn't find any photos to share but you know it would be of the shardplate and shardblades if I could.
"The Chronicles of Amber" by Roger Zelazny
What can I say. This series captured my imagination. I first started reading this series on the way to China and I passed the book off to Chinese friend. I don't know if she ever read it but I hope so. The idea of shifting through parallel universes and the royal family really intrigued me. I also like how they all had different abilities to be wary of.
These aren't all of the books I've read but I'm sure I'm missing out on a lot of books and series. Give me some suggestions!
I have recently gotten into reading historical fiction, if your interested. I recently finished New York by Edward Rutherfurd and am going to start on Sarum. New York follows a couple families through the rise of the city from the 1700's until the 2000's. It's Interesting to follow people through the history of a city it really gives you a story to follow while Learning. Sarum which I will be starting shortly is the same idea of following a couple families through history but this one is based on England's history. There are a couple books you could almost call expansions to Sarum as well that delve more into specific areas of England and stories of England's past. Another author I have heard of that writes great historical fiction is James Mitchener. I haven't personally read any of his works, but I recently picked up cheseapeak and I'm excited to check it out.
Historical Fiction is one of my favourite genres. I love how authors can take a bit of history and add a bit of flourish to it, making a story that could be believable. Thanks for the suggestions, I'll add them to my goodreads. If you're getting into historical fiction, there are four series I want to recommend to you then. One is about Genghis Khan, the other about Julius Caesar, another about King Arthur and Camelot (well more about his ancestors and how he came to be), and the last is about William Wallace. So first, check out Jack Whyte (he lives in Winfield) - His series A Dream of Eagles is my favourite series ever. It's about King Arthur. Next check out "The Guardian". It's about William Wallace and surprisingly interesting. Nothing like Braveheart at all haha.
Next author to check out is Conn Iggulden. He's the one that writes about Julius Caesar and Genghis Khan. Man does he spin a tale. I think one was called the Conqueror Series (the Genghis one) and the other was called...I actually don't remember.
Just read them. You won't regret it.
I've read a number of those and enjoy them. If you are looking for historical fantasy its hard to beat Guy Gavriel Kay. I would suggest Tigana as a starting point for him, maybe A song for Arbonne, or Under Heaven.
Hmm I've never read any of his books. Thanks I'll check them out!
My favourite two historical fiction authors are Jack Whyte and Conn Iggulden. Jack Whyte writes about King Arthur and offers a plausible explanation for the legend. He also writes about William Wallace and the Templars. Conn Iggulden wrote some incredible books on Julius Caesar and Genghis Khan. I can't recommend them enough.
Edit: I just looked up Guy Gavriel Kay - I added the books you suggested to my goodreads. remember reading "The Fionavar Tapestry" but for some reason its very vague. I remember the character Dave went off and kind of went solo. I'm gonna have to make sure I finished the trilogy. Thanks again for the recommendations.
Yeah, that is actually my least favorite of his works. It was his first and he was trying to be way too tolkien-esque. The others are historical fantasy, though generally light on the fantasy (other than Tigana)
You obviously dont have a problem with bigger series if you read malazan or are starting stormlight, have you tried the First Law trilogy by Joe Abercrombie?
Yeah I remember having some problems with it. Things that didn't make sense.
I love big series. The Chronicles of Amber is huge and so is Malazan. That's funny you ask. I had just finished reading the First Law trilogy when I wrote this post. I went into it and really enjoyed it but by the end I was a little shocked. It's not your typical series that's for damn sure. Not really much of a happy ending.
Have you read the follow ups? There are 3 stand alone novels that continue the story and give you a little resolution on a few of the characters at least.
Follow ups to the First Law Trilogy or The Fionavar Tapestry?
The first law trilogy. There are 3 follow up novels set after the timeline in the original. Best Served Cold, Heroes, and Red Country all are set like 7ish years after one another and are in the same world. Heroes and Red Country both give you more info on some characters from the first trilogy.
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Hi, eitsky! I love to read these kinds of books, but I think my suggestions might be more science fiction than fantasy? I recommend The Neanderthal Paralax, which is a trilogy by Robert J. Sawyer. It's fascinating because a human scientist accidentally trades places with a Neanderthal where in their world the humans were the ones to go extinct. The civilization they've built is incredible.
Another book I'd recommend is Darwin's Radio by Greg Bear. If you haven't read his books, he's incredible.
But, the most shocking and awesome book I've read is called Brain Plague by Joan Slonczewski. It's about sentient colonies of micro organisms.
Science Fiction is great too! I've read some books by Peter F. Hamilton that I really enjoyed and that was Science Fiction.
Thanks for all of the suggestions! I just added them to my goodreads account. I was hoping to get more responses but this is a great start. :D
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