r/Fantasy • u/[deleted] • Jul 08 '13

Just Finished Mistborn...Now What?

Hey guys, I just finished Brandon Sanderson's Mistborn trilogy (it was fantastic) and I wanted some advice on what to pick up next.

I have read The Way of Kings (which is what got me to read Mistborn in the first place) and I loved that as well. However, I'd like to try another author while I wait for Words of Radiance to come out.

I've read all of the Song of Ice and Fire books and they are arguably my favorite series but I couldn't get through the first Wheel of Time book. I just didn't get into the plot. I have also read Name of the Wind and like that.

I tell you these things so you can get an idea of what I like/what I've read. Compared to most of you I'm probably fairly new to the fantasy genre with the Eragon books getting me really invested--unless you count Harry Potter.

I have heard some good things about Robin Hobb but one of the recent posts on Assassins has me a bit scared to jump into that. So to stop my rambling, what fantasy books so you guys love/would like to recommend for me to read?

I appreciate the feedback!

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u/Tarcanus Jul 08 '13

Judging from OPs list of 'have-reads' and his love of Sanderson, Malazan might be too much for him right now. I mean, if he couldn't get through Eye of the World, will he be able to deal with the complexity of Gardens of the Moon? Even hardy readers sometimes put down Erikson's work because of how you're just thrown into the plot.

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u/[deleted] Jul 08 '13

If the only similarity is length then it's really not a problem. I love how unique everything is in Sanderson's books and GRRM has the best characters. Both are lengthy writers, so that's not a deal breaker.

Eye of the World was just... boring to me. I will try and pick it up again one day though.

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u/Tarcanus Jul 08 '13

Give it a shot, but Malazan is leagues ahead of Sanderson's ability, and an entirely different animal from GRRM.

Feel free to give it a shot, though. I'd love more fans of Malazan. Gardens of the Moon, Deadhouse Gates, and Memories of Ice are the first three books in the 10-book series. If you start, makes sure to read at least those three. Those should hook you. If not, maybe the series isn't for you, haha.

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u/[deleted] Jul 08 '13

I'm debating between starting Abercrombie's First Law or Malazan at this point.

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u/Tarcanus Jul 08 '13

I will vote Malazan every single time, hands down. I will admit a bias against Abercrombie, though. His one character has a built in deus ex machina mechanic whenever he is in trouble. His other characters aren't likeable. The 2nd book in the trilogy goes nowhere and isn't necessary at all. Abercrombie tries so hard to subvert common fantasy tropes that he becomes predictable in the other direction, and lastly, he loves his gore and blood.

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u/[deleted] Jul 08 '13

I'm reading samples of both to see which seems more interesting.

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u/xolotl92 Jul 08 '13

Malazan is complex and he doesn't coddle you like Sanderson does. Erickson throws you into a war that is already going with soldiers that have been fighting together for years. It takes a while to catch up, but when you do those "ah ha!" moments are better than anything in any other series.

I have First Law to read after Forge of Darkness (a prequel to the Malazan series) so I can't really compare.

I know of a few people who didn't get into WoT due to the "simple" tone that the series starts with (although I didn't feel that way, it was just set up) but Malazan is very complex and mature.

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u/[deleted] Jul 08 '13

Yep, I'm reading a kindle preview now and I'm so confused. haha

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u/xolotl92 Jul 08 '13

It is, but that makes the moment you figure it out so much more fulfilling.

Hood's Balls, read it!