I’m new to the fantasy community, but I’m glad to see it here on Lemmy as well! I would say my favorite novel/series so far has been Mistborn, but it’s kind of the only one I’ve read so far (although it was fantastic). I’d like to gauge all of your responses too!
The Powder Mage trilogy by Bryan McClellan. Its world is set in the middle of an industrial revolution where you have some more traditional mages running around, but also a new breed of mages that consume gunpowder to do all sorts of interesting things. It’s not a very “deep” story but I enjoyed it nonetheless.
The Lightbringer series by Brent Weeks has a very good hard magic system. It explores themes of identity, the problems of adhering to dogma, and has a likeable main character.
The Gentleman Bastard series by Scott Lynch is a kind of swashbuckling adventure style story. Its world is very well developed (for the few locations the story takes place in) and have some of the most memorable characters I’ve ever read. This is one of those books that made me laugh out loud at some of the situations.
The Demon Cycle series by Peter V. Brett also has a great world setting. The world used to be very technologically advanced before demons started to invade from the underworld and nearly wiped out humanity. The world regressed to a more medieval style society with small cities and villages surviving only by the use of runes along their perimeter to keep the demons away.
Read all of the First Law series last year and man… Its good stuff. I think Logan Nine-Fingers is one of my favorite characters ever.
Its definitely more dark and grimey than a lot of the fantasy I’ve read, but I think the characters are more interesting because of it.
Love to see some First Law praise here!
I don’t think I’ve read an Abercrombie book that I haven’t loved, his characters jump off the page and his style of writing is visceral and hilarious. People criticise the worldbuilding (or lack thereof) but that’s because the Circle of the World isn’t a character in these books, it’s the backdrop. Besides, if you’ve read all the books, you’ll realise that there’s actually a shit ton of worldbuilding in there!
Also, Abercrombie is extremely fortunate that he has Steven Pacey narrating his audiobooks. The literal GOAT of audiobook narration (Steve Coogan as Alan Partridge aside).
The first Mistborn trilogy is probably my favourite. I wasnt too much a fan of the second era stuff.
If you like longer stuff then Stormlight Archive is really good. Also obligatory WoT insert… there was a bit of a slump somewhere in the middle, for me, but overall Id always recommend sticking to it!
And then Stuff not related to Sanderson… Im currently on the Black Company and im digging it so far, although it might not be everyones cup of tea.
The first black company arc (the first three books iirc) was amazing, but I couldn’t make it through the next book after that.
The first black company arc (the first three books iirc) was amazing, but I couldn’t make it through the next book after that.
Some of my favourites are the farseer series by Robin Hobb, Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson, the magic series by Mercedes lackey and the accidental mage books by Karen Miller.
Edited to add: war for the oaks by Emma Bull, which probably is my favourite urban fantasy
Malazan! But dear god don’t start it when you’re new. Other favourites I haven’t seen mentioned here yet include The Dying Earth by Jack Vance and Fafhrd & the Grey Mouser by Fritz Leiber. Also Discworld!
Shadow and Bone and all the books in that universe is really good. Every three books follows a different set of characters. They’re great.
Despite really struggling when I read it for the first time (a long time ago with limited English skills), it’s still Tolkien’s Silmarillion. Nothing I’ve read since managed to feel quite as “real”, and I still tear up a bit when reading the last paragraph.
The Wheel of Time and Mistborn (I have only read the first trilogy so far) are definitely up there for me.
Earthsea by Ursula K. Leguin - in addition to interesting plots and well-developed characters, Earthsea spends a lot of time philosophizing on the conflicts that arise from human nature and how better moral systems might improve life. Lots of deep thought here.
Discworld by Terry Pratchett - another philosophizer here, but this time with humor. Most of the books stand well on their own, so don’t feel like you have to commit to a 30 book series to enjoy them.
Lord of the Rings by J. R. R. Tolkien - the standard that modern fantasy is measured by. Not much to say here that hasn’t been said before. A classic.
The Curse of Chalion by Lois McMaster Bujold - a broken man recovers himself as he investigates a mysterious threat. May appeal to Kaladin fans (Stormlight).
Stormlight Archive by Brandon Sanderson - my favorite of the Cosmere books so far. If you like Mistborn, this is the obvious follow up.
The Girl who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill - Aimed at younger readers, but well-written enough for adults to enjoy as well. I love the deep care expressed by the protagonists, and how it pushes them to reexamine the assumptions they grew up with.
Digger by Ursula Vernon - a graphic novel that deservdly won the Hugo and yet hardly anyone knows about. You can even read it for free online at http://diggercomic.com/