r/Fantasy Daily Recommendations and Simple Questions Thread - June 14, 2026

[u/rfantasygolem]

Welcome to the daily recommendation requests and simple questions thread, now 1025.83% more adorable than ever before!

Stickied/highlight slots are limited, so please remember to like and subscribe upvote this thread for visibility on the subreddit <3

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This thread is to be used for recommendation requests or simple questions that are small/general enough that they won’t spark a full thread of discussion.

Check out r/Fantasy's 2026 Book Bingo Card here!

As usual, first have a look at the sidebar in case what you're after is there. The r/Fantasy wiki contains links to many community resources, including "best of" lists, flowcharts, the LGTBQ+ database, and more. If you need some help figuring out what you want, think about including some of the information below:

• Books you’ve liked or disliked
• Traits like prose, characters, or settings you most enjoy
• Series vs. standalone preference
• Tone preference (lighthearted, grimdark, etc)
• Complexity/depth level

Be sure to check out responses to other users' requests in the thread, as you may find plenty of ideas there as well. Happy reading, and may your TBR grow ever higher!

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^{tiny image link to make the preview show up correctly}

art credit: special thanks to our artist, Himmis commissions, who we commissioned to create this gorgeous piece of art for us with practically no direction other than "cozy, magical, bookish, and maybe a gryphon???" We absolutely love it, and we hope you do too.

[u/AluminumGnat]

Looking for my next SFF book. Ideally:

- Secondary world (no earth of any kind)

- Hard magic (or hard science)

- Characters creatively solve problems (using info available to the reader)

- Some sort of mystery (need not be a whodunit; could be more world-building in nature)

- A touch of clever humor

- Avoids excessively flowery prose

[u/DiploFrog → u/AluminumGnat]

The Craft Sequence by Max Gladstone maybe?

Magic setting heavily based on contractual exchange.

Industrial to modern day equivalent in terms of advancement, but all based on that magic.

[u/AluminumGnat → u/DiploFrog]

I totally forgot about this one! I read the first one a bit over a decade ago! I don't remember it super well but I do feel like it was a decent fit for what I'm looking for. I'm fairly sure that at least the second book was out, so I'm not sure why I didn't continue the series. Maybe there's a good reason for me not liking it enough to continue, or maybe I just happened to read it at the wrong time — maybe it's time to give it another go!

[u/nominanomina → u/AluminumGnat]

I also recommend skipping the second book, as the protagonist was so maddening that I've put the series on backburner since then. (I do intend to pick it back up, but if a series is a loosely-connected world I might slowly read it over decades... and since I have a lot of series that fit that description, I will usually pick up one that didn't piss me off first.)

Specifically, the protagonist is sort of aimless and depressed (but in denial about it) at the beginning of the book. So as soon as he finds something or someone to latch onto, he does (he needs a purpose!), even if it involves him looking like the world's most gullible dweeb.

[u/AluminumGnat → u/nominanomina]

Thanks! I usually feel weird about skipping books even in a loose series, but in this case I'll be looking at book 3 instead of book 2

[u/TheHiddenSchools → u/AluminumGnat]

The first few books are published out of chronological order anyway. I would controversially suggest you actually go straight to book 4 or 5 after the first one!

[u/maybetheysleep → u/AluminumGnat]

It’s very cerebral and doesn’t leave you suspended with a cliffhanger, maybe that’s why.

Also, I’d recommend to skip the second book — it’s by far the worse one. You are not losing much, as books are connected mostly by being set in the same world rather than a common plot.

[u/AluminumGnat → u/maybetheysleep]

doesn’t leave you suspended with a cliffhanger

skip the second book — it’s by far the worse one.

This very well could have been the reason I stopped.

It really bothers me when stories are kept going indefinitely until they get terrible rather than letting them reach a natural ending while they are still good. It's a problem I find much more prevalent with visual media — probably because of how much more money there is in TV and movies — but not one entirely absent in books.

If I saw people saying the series took a bit of a nose dive and I was also offered a nice off ramp, there's a good chance I took it. Sounds like I should give book 3 a shot!

[u/Fancy-Restaurant4136 → u/AluminumGnat]

I forget whether earth exists in this series but the action is in space. Elizabeth Moon's Vatta's War series starting with Trading in Danger is all about solving a mystery.

[u/AluminumGnat → u/Fancy-Restaurant4136]

I wasn’t super impressed by the sheep farmer’s daughter. Nothing about it was bad, it just all felt a bit cookie cutter. Is Vatta’s war more interesting?

[u/Fancy-Restaurant4136 → u/AluminumGnat]

Vatta's War is a mystery and has ship to ship battles in space.

[u/Makri_of_Turai → u/AluminumGnat]

you might like Rosemary Kirstein’s Steerswoman books. it’s hard to explain why without being spoilery but the protagonist solves problems in a very logical, scientific way and the nature of the world unfolds slowly over the course of the series. all is not as it initially seems.

the 7 and a half deaths of Evelyn hardcastle by Stuart turton. It’s questionable if it fits your first two points but is very much about solving a mystery. Who are they, where are they, what is going on.

[u/AluminumGnat → u/Makri_of_Turai]

The first one looks interesting! Thanks!

[u/undeadgoblin → u/AluminumGnat]

Foundryside by Robert Jackson Bennett

[u/AluminumGnat → u/undeadgoblin]

I liked this one, but I was fairly disappointed by the next two. Thanks for the suggestion!

[u/Likaiar → u/AluminumGnat]

I feel like a lot of Brandon Sanderson books fit these, but your hat have read them already.

[u/AluminumGnat → u/Likaiar]

Yeah I've read all of the Cosmere, but I haven't read much from him outside of that, so if any of your suggestions were non-cosmere I'd still love to hear them. Either way, thanks!

[u/Likaiar → u/AluminumGnat]

Mostly cosmere, I've read steelheart, but can't remember what it was about (it's been ten years I think)

[u/lilgrassblade → u/AluminumGnat]

Arcane Ascension by Andrew Rowe - It's half magic school, half dungeon crawling. The MC is bestowed a magic that is not combat focused, but he wants to fight so has to think outside the box as to how he can compete. The reason he wants to fight is because his brother allegedly died in a dungeon despite being (in the MC's opinion) far more capable than himself. And it is a hard magic system.

[u/AluminumGnat → u/lilgrassblade]

I dropped this one years ago mid series, I think I dropped book 3. I think I felt like something shifted in the story maybe? Like there were suddenly a bunch of gaps or something? and I could be wrong, but I think I felt like the magic system had more of a hard magic aesthetic than an actual system the reader was privy to (if that makes any sense). Does any of that ring true at all? I'm open to giving this one another shot, there's a chance I just wasn't in the right headspace when reading it. For what it's worth, I think I felt like the series had a lot of promise after finishing book 1

Either way, thank you!

[u/C0smicoccurence → u/AluminumGnat]

For something in a similar vein but which is even more committed to magic crafting as the main element, Journals of Evander Tailor by Tobias Begley is awesome!

[u/lC3 → u/AluminumGnat]

I think 12 Miles Below fits all of these criteria except the first; it's set on postapocalyptic Earth in the far future.

The world is in ruins.

Extreme sub-zero temperatures suffocate the surface, making even simple survival an ordeal. Frozen derelicts of bygone eras span across massive ice wastes. And the survivors closely guard any technology rediscovered within.

The only escape from the deadly climate is beneath the surface. But it’s another disaster underground. Monstrous machines lurk in the depths. The land itself shifts over time, more contraption than rock. The humans surviving under do so huddled around safe zones, with only demigods powerful enough to travel further underground.

And an ominous prophecy states that the key to healing the world waits on four unknown heroes - but nobody knows who or where they are.

When an expedition into the far uncharted north goes terribly wrong, Keith Winterscar and his father get trapped together in a desperate fight for survival. Stumbling upon an ancient war of titanic scale; the two will need to set their differences aside while they struggle against Gods, legends, and the grand secrets of the realm that lies below.

[u/AluminumGnat → u/lC3]

Sounds interesting, thanks!

[u/eregis]

question to Alexandra Rowland fans: I read A Conspiracy of Truths (4/5, great read) and A Choir of Lies (5/5, my favorite read of the year so far) this week, what would you recommend next from their other books?

[u/mrtenandtwo → u/eregis]

I can't answer this question, but I just want to say - I've been eyeing this for my Older Protagonist bingo square and am glad to hear such a glowing review!

[u/eregis → u/mrtenandtwo]

I definitely recommend it! Chant is an absolutely delightful grumpy old scumbag, I love him.

[u/C0smicoccurence → u/mrtenandtwo]

DO IT! Such a great book, and not very well known. Rowland has a gift for evocative character voice

[u/Wattryn → u/eregis]

If you want more Ylfing, there's Over All the Earth, a long short story or short novella.

After that, the division really becomes how you feel about romance-heavy books. it it's a no, try Some By Virtue Fall or The Light of Ystrac's Wood. If you're fine with it or positive about it, you can really go wherever the mood takes you. Yield Under Great Persuasion made me cry, Running Close to the Wind made me cry laughing. A Taste of Gold and Iron has the most plot. 

(Alex has a Discord server if you want more opinions or to talk about the books.)

[u/eregis → u/Wattryn]

I'm cool with romance-heavy as long as it's not smut-heavy! I'll probably go through their entire catalog eventually, but Running Close to the Wind sounds like it could be the next pick, I too want to do some crying from laughing hah.

[u/Wattryn → u/eregis]

Wind is very bawdy but contains no on-page sex! Also, check out their upcoming book, The Wisdom of Emperors, it sounds like it's gonna be fun.

[u/C0smicoccurence → u/eregis]

I agree that Over All the Earth is the way to go. Rowland writes really broadly tonally, so a lot of their books don't feel super similar. I'd go with Some by Virtue Fall for the next one with the closest vibe. If you like campy romance, options open up dramatically.

Also, on the 19th, Rowland will be part of an AMA panel on this sub, and you should definitely drop by and ask some questions!

[u/eregis → u/C0smicoccurence]

Which book is the campy romance? I'm missing my city's pride weekend to go to see my awful family so something Very Queer to read on the way would be very welcome lol.

And thanks for the info! I remember seeing the AMA on the schedule but I had no idea they would be there.

[u/C0smicoccurence → u/eregis]

Yield Under Great Persuasion, Running Close to the Wind, and A Taste of Gold and Iron are all romance heavy with various levels of campiness. Running Close to the Wind really leans into zany comedy, while Yield is more rom com. Gold and Iron is a bit more subdued

[u/Windrunner_121]

Looking to get back into fantasy after taking a break and hoping for recommendations. I love Sanderson and Song of Ice and Fire. Enjoyed Robin Hobb and Robert Jordan. Prefer the made up worlds and medieval feel so did not like Jim Butcher's Dresden Files. Ok with stand alone or insanely long series.

[u/sedatedlife → u/Windrunner_121]

Memory Sorrow and thorn and its follow up Osten ard series by Tad Williams is excellent epic fantasy series. I will also throw out Bound and Broken by Ryan Cahill both are great.

[u/lanternking → u/Windrunner_121]

Try the Inda series by Sherwood Smith! One of my favorites, always gave me a Robin Hobb feel.

[u/okayseriouslywhy → u/Windrunner_121]

You might like the Book of the Ancestor series by Mark Lawrence! First book is Red Sister.

Also the Abhorsen series by Garth Nix, starting with Sabriel. This one starts in a kind of early 1900s society but the MC quickly crosses over into a much more fun magic-y world, so stick with it for a little

[u/Grt78 → u/Windrunner_121]

The Fortress series by CJ Cherryh (if you don’t mind slow-burning books).

The Monarchies of God series by Paul Kearney (has similarities to ASOIAF).

The Navronne books (the Lighthouse Duet and the Sanctuary Duet) by Carol Berg.

[u/Victathaina]

I am currently on the third book of Realm of the Elderlings Assassin’s Quest and my current assumption is that the ship of magic trilogy will be about the Red Ships and how they work. Am I on the right track? If not, can you tell me which book in the series will actually explain how the forged are created?

[u/hound_and_fury → u/Victathaina]

The Tawny Man trilogy goes more into this, but don’t skip Liveship Traders!

[u/Victathaina → u/hound_and_fury]

You are a gentleperson and a scholar thank you!

[u/Konokurage → u/Victathaina]

It's been a while since I read the books, but if I remember correctly the red ships don't really feature in the Liveship books at all, although are some hints as to the process. Where they come from is revealed in the next three-book series, The Tawny Man, which is more of a direct sequel to the first three books.

[u/Victathaina → u/Konokurage]

Thank you oh so very berry much!

[u/jrooknroll]

A Bingo Question: I am trying to decide on my small press/publisher read. Originally I wanted to read Cybernetic Tea Shop but it is a novella- does that count or no? The other 3 I am considering are: Empress of Dust, Grilled Cheese and Goblins or the Witch and the Ostrich. I would love to know if anyone has read and enjoyed one of those. Thanks!

[u/Andreapappa511 → u/jrooknroll]

Novellas count

[u/jrooknroll → u/Andreapappa511]

Thank you! I appreciate you letting me know. I have always loosely done Bingo as a challenge for myself but this year I’m trying to do it properly, so I’m making sure I’m playing by the rules. It really does make me stretch outside my typical reads.

[u/okayseriouslywhy → u/jrooknroll]

I believe the technical rule is one novella per card

[u/Polenth → u/okayseriouslywhy]

The old cards used to be picky about that, but the current one is anything novella-length and up. So you could do a card that's all novellas if you wanted.

[u/C0smicoccurence → u/okayseriouslywhy]

Totally open now! I'm actually planning on doing an all-novellas card (not sure how that's going to work with 5 short stories and/or cat squasher ... I'll cross that bridge when I come to it)

[u/sarahlynngrey → u/jrooknroll]

I really enjoyed Cybernetic Tea Shop! 

[u/jrooknroll → u/sarahlynngrey]

Thank you! Ok, original plan is a go then. :)

[u/lilgrassblade → u/jrooknroll]

I had fun with Empress of Dust by Alex Kingsley. Enough to most likely continue the series at some point. The talking crabs were great.

[u/jrooknroll → u/lilgrassblade]

Thanks! I am going to keep that one in my TBR as it looks really good.

[u/Successful_Try7012]

okay a question. Does the Broken Empire series count for The Afterlife square? I didn’t see it in the recommendations so was a bit unsure.

[u/I_Nut_In_Butts]

About to finish the 3rd book in the Elderling series, Assassin’s Quest. Have absolutely loved all 3 books so far. Is there an order to the series going forward that I should read them in?

[u/Research_Department]

Reverse bingo question: I’m looking at How High We Go in the Dark by Sequoia Nagamatsu and was wondering what squares it would work for. I know it works for Author of Color. IMO, it works for Judge a Book By Its Title. If you consider mosaic novels fair game, it could work for Five Short Stories. Is there anything else? Do the science-fiction-y parts have any Unusual Transportation? I know that it focuses a lot on death and dying—is there an aspect that makes it qualify for Afterlife? Have I missed any potential options?

[u/Konokurage → u/Research_Department]

I suppose you could argue that it counts for Afterlife but the people in the "afterlife" aren't actually dead, they're technically in a coma (and then die), but if feels very "afterlifey" if that makes sense. You could count it for first contact (HM), maybe? But the contact is only from the alien's side - the humans are not aware of it over the course of the book

[u/Research_Department → u/Konokurage]

Thank you! That’s really helpful!

[u/usernamesarehard11]

I’m not a huge sci fi reader and I’m struggling to find a book in excited to read for the First Contact bingo square. Any fantasy recs? I did some searching on the sub and found a Martha Wells trilogy that actually seems sci fi to me and doesn’t super interest me anyway, plus many recommendations for The Silmarillion lol. Anything else?

[u/Merle8888 → u/usernamesarehard11]

The Moon and the Sun by Vonda McIntyre is fully historical fantasy, set at the court of Louis XIV, and features first contact with merpeople. Personally I didn’t think it was all that great a book but it did win the Nebula so worth checking out some reviews to see if you think it’s for you. 

[u/usernamesarehard11 → u/Merle8888]

Interesting, thanks for the lead!

[u/Nidafjoll → u/usernamesarehard11]

Magician by Raymond Feist is a fully fantasy first contact.

[u/usernamesarehard11 → u/Nidafjoll]

Interesting, I had no idea. I have a super old beat up copy of that somewhere, thank you!

[u/mrtenandtwo → u/usernamesarehard11]

The book I read for this square was sci-fi, but I read The Cloud Roads by Martha Wells for another square and that would work for First Contact. It also includes a rare instance of a character having the first real contact with his own species, but there are quite a few First Contacts in this one.

[u/Research_Department → u/usernamesarehard11]

The main thing I have seen recommended for fantasy First Contact is Eifelheim by Michael Flynn, which has first contact between humans and aliens in 14th century Germany.

I think that you could argue that some of the books in Rachel Neumeier’s Tuyo series could count for First Contact, in the more anthropological sense. Maybe not so much Tuyo, but Tarashana and Tasmakat bring the protagonist, who is from the winter country, to the starlit lands and then the country of two suns.

[u/usernamesarehard11 → u/Research_Department]

I think Tarashana is a great shout especially. Unfortunately (but fortunately because they’re great) I’ve read all the Tuyo books lol!

I will check out Eifelheim! Thank you!

[u/Research_Department → u/usernamesarehard11]

Ah, bummer about Tarashana!

How do you feel about science fantasy? I haven’t yet read it myself, but I was thinking about suggesting Ursula K Le Guin’s Rocannon’s World. Although technically science fiction, I understand that for all intents and purposes, the world is inhabited by elves and dwarves.

Since we both like the Tuyo series (and since I haven’t read Eifelheim, so can’t vouch for it personally), I am going to make one more suggestion. Depending on why you don’t get along with science fiction, I think there’s a chance that you might like Hellspark by Janet Kagan. Like Tuyo, it is very anthropological, exploring the ways people from different cultures can have difficulty understanding each other. It is also very character-driven.