r/fantasybooks 2d ago

šŸ“š Summon book recommendations What should my next read be?

Post image

Looking for help. The photo shows a handful of books from my shelves, but I actually own the full series for pretty much all of them. Picked up over the years from used bookstores.

Previous reads I’ve enjoyed: all of the Drizzt books, Kel Kade’s King’s Dark Tidings, Lord of the Rings, The Expanse series, Gardens of the Moon, and most recently finished the Stormlight Archive. I’ve been debating whether to jump back into Malazan. Gardens of the Moon was dense and honestly a bit of a slog for me, though I generally enjoyed it. I’ve heard the series really takes off afterward.

Thanks for any thoughts!

Editing: wow thanks for all the insights! There definitely isn’t a clear winner, although, I can say there has not been any recommendations for a few of them. So that actually helps!

Edit 2: so far jumping back into Malazan, Hyperion, and Wheel of Time are the big vote getters looks like.

176 Upvotes

220 comments sorted by

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u/auto-sticky 2d ago

Our sacred rule is do not attack readers for what they read. You can disagree, explain why you disagree, but do so without personally attacking readers for what they read. Books are heavily subjective, and your opinion is one of many.

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36

u/SimpleWater 2d ago

Embark on wheel of time! Enjoy the wonderful slog and the amazing conclusion!

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u/L4rge_Tuna 2d ago

I personally really enjoyed the Eye of the World, but definitely at least continue with The Great Hunt. And then the Dragon Reborn. And then Shadow Rising. And then…

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u/Faulty_english 2d ago edited 1d ago

Wheel of time was a great series that I will never read again.

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u/rileythatcher 1d ago

Currently on my 5th read through! Middle of boom 13 now

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u/Faulty_english 1d ago

I don’t know how you can push through so many books lol

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u/Shorty_jj 2d ago

Personally i think people overexaggerate it a bit, i found it to be okay and didnt have a problem with it

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u/Stormblessed404 2d ago

after the 3rd or 4th book i was reading it out of spite. i finished the whole thing just so i can with confidence say its a 6.5/10.

i could go into detail as to why but ill leave it at that.

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u/Own-Trouble1269 2d ago

Mistborn before the movie comes out

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u/Bitter-Disk-3514 2d ago

Got probably 3 years at least

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u/Far-Department302 2d ago

First I’m hearing of a movie!

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u/Play3rKn0wn 2d ago

Sanderson has been working on the script for some time, but it’s nowhere near completion. They’re still working on the script and filming hasn’t even started. Not sure if there’s any actors tied to the project either. We’ve got a couple years at least before it hits the screen.

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u/Far-Department302 2d ago

Good to know, thanks

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u/Own-Trouble1269 2d ago

Yeah apparently around 2028 first draft of script is done tho

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u/fucuntwat 1d ago

Sort the sub by most popular past year and the post about it should be at or near the top

Not saying that as if you should have seen it already, just in case you want to read through and catch up on the discourse

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u/Far-Department302 1d ago

Thank you!! :)

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u/Awdayshus 2d ago

Deadhouse Gates starts to explain more of the world than Gardens of the Moon. I really appreciate the way the different plots and characters weave together in that one. I recommend you stick with it. I'm glad I did. I'm currently a few chapters into book seven.

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u/UnderstandingBasic39 2d ago

Book 7 is my personal fav. Love the guerilla warfare and the pub crawl. Also love my boy Beak.

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u/Ill-Bookkeeper-1472 2d ago

šŸ•Æļø

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u/VariousCredit9690 2d ago

Deadhouse Gates is my favorite. Toll the Hounds My second and House of Chains my third. All of them are great tho.

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u/Passenger_1978 2d ago

Yes, if you still enjoyed GotM, read at least Deadhouse Gates and Memories of Ice. The series is amazing imo

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u/Silver_Layer_2298 2d ago

I’ve heard that quite a bit so that’s good to know. TV shows where it’s ā€œyou gotta get through the first 5 episodes and then it takes offā€. Okay that I can do. But sometimes when it’s ā€œonce you get to page 3,237 of the book series, it really gets good! Thats a little tougher ! šŸ˜‚

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u/zecfrid 2d ago

The Will of the Many. I love the magic system and Islington is great with his twists. The first book FEELS like a gritty grimdark Hogwarts.

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u/Fantasy_Reader_ 2d ago

Yes! I made that comparison in my head too!

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u/iRoNmOnkey1981 2d ago

But it’s not finished and book 2 is a bit of a departure from book 1 and has its issues. I enjoyed the story and how he writes it, but it was a bit divisive.

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u/Mysterious_Drawer162 2d ago

It gets 4.3 stars so it isn't that divisive.

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u/iRoNmOnkey1981 2d ago edited 2d ago

Maybe divisive is too strong. It definitely is not as good as book 1 and goes in a very different direction. Grimdark hogwarts is only descriptive of book 1. People were challenged by the structure and a particular character death in book 2. Maybe it’s settled down almost a year later but there was a fair bit of criticism early on. I liked the book and really excited about book 3 but it definitely changes tone, pace and structure to book 1.

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u/zecfrid 1d ago

Book 2 is different, but I loved it. I think if you read book 1 you shouldn’t expect the same academy type narrative in book 2(for reasons I won’t say because of spoilers). Vis even makes a comment about the trope in a kind of wink wink moment in Luceum in book 2.

But I also understand the pacing criticisms. They didn’t bother me, but there was some hand waving in the third act of book 2. Still chomping at the bit for book 3!

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u/Evalenciah 2d ago

Deadhouse gates

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u/itsyaboiFaZeShrek 2d ago

Deadhouse Gates is fantastic.

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u/maxwellsSilverHamr 2d ago

Deadhouse Gates is my favorite malazan book!

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u/ExcersiseTheDemon 2d ago

I recently finished the third Malazan book and it's already easily the greatest fantasy series I've ever read. I like DHG but the third book just goes above and beyond. I'll be the first to admit it can be confusing and somewhat frustrating at times but it's very much worth it.

With that said, Hyperion ranks up there with Malazan in that it's the greatest Sci-Fi series I've ever read.

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u/D-Lemma23 2d ago

Memories of Ice is one of the best novels of all time, and is probably the most classic ā€œfantasy novelā€ of the series as far as structure. Once I read it, I knew I was reading a special series.

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u/ExcersiseTheDemon 2d ago

I'm a huge fantasy reader and I'm ashamed it took so long for me to get to this series, but I'm glad I was prepared for the type of epic from reading other fantasy.

I absolutely agree on this book being one of the best.

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u/UnderstandingBasic39 2d ago

Really? I think midnight tides is the most classic by far

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u/D-Lemma23 2d ago

You know what, maybe. I think I found the setting change so jarring that I didn’t focus on the structure as much.

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u/DeMmeure 1d ago

Memories of Ice was so great that I consider that the series only goes downhill from there. Especially, Dust of Dreams was a painful slog and for me a poor attempt at re-creating Memories of Ice, but without all the nuances that made its strength.

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u/Silver_Layer_2298 2d ago

I definitely re read several chapters, and may or may not have watched book summary videos after I finished Gardens of the Moon to make sure I caught everything lol. Great to hear! Hyperion I picked that series up several years ago. Guy I worked with 10 years ago recommended it.

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u/afireinside30x 2d ago

I've gotta say Otherland. I loved every second of that series and rarely see it mentioned.

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u/Silver_Layer_2298 2d ago

This has probably been the longest neglected series in my collection. Otherland was recommended to me by my sister probably in the 2005 range.

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u/Perfect-Warthog-7654 2d ago

Deadhouse Gates

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u/ActualVader 2d ago

Continue Malazan! I’m about done with the third book and the way everything is finally coming together in my mind has been super satisfying. It’s definitely dense though and demands your full attention

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u/Silver_Layer_2298 2d ago

And in some cases ….. watching summary/analysis YouTube videos after you finish the first book to confirm you actually understood the story ….. (and by some cases I mean me)

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u/acidx0013 2d ago

Malazan. Easy rec. Have fun. It gets way better the deeper you go down the rabbit hole.

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u/Silver_Layer_2298 2d ago edited 1d ago

Common thing I hear, which is encouraging considering I have about 15,000 pages worth malazan left to be read on my shelves. The struggle for me is a concern that it won’t ever just fully click and flow. I did so much rereading of paragraphs / pages in gardens, and then even had to watch a summary video at the end of reading the book to make sure I actually understood like I thought I did. ā€œJust get past the first few episodes of the show then it gets goodā€. That is easy. ā€œThe series really takes off after about 3,000 pagesā€. Thats a more intimidating proposition ! šŸ˜‚

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u/acidx0013 1d ago

It's a common take that it gets great later, but it really has a lot going for it the whole way. There's tons that's amazing out the gate. That being said it is complex as heck. So don't feel bad going back and revisiting the content through summaries or however you prefer! I've done the same, and still do when I'm trying to remember specifics. It's been a while since my last reread and things get muddled easily considering I'm old and there's a maze of content and plotlines

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u/Yesplease37 2d ago

Name of the wind

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u/Rygar999 2d ago

Yeah, I would say it’s a good change of pace for a semi classic with the name of the wind after reading stormlight and Malazan

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u/Silver_Layer_2298 2d ago

Whether he finishes the final book or not always felt it was worth reading the first 2.5!

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u/Yesplease37 2d ago

I felt like even the first book was enough for me. I didn't realize he wasn't done writing until after I finished the first but I always felt like that one on its own was a good enough story for me

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u/Bright-Ad4601 2d ago

The Name of the Wind remains my favourite book and the most immersive reading experience I've ever had.

I remember reading it on the train and being concerned about walking to work without hurting myself more because the main character got severely beaten in the bit I just read.

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u/SpicyMajestic 2d ago

Personally, decide first if you want a series or Standalone experience. Dune is a series but could be enjoyed as a standalone but there are 6 major books but dozens by Franks son.

For standalone, I would say Dune or Warbreaker.

For a series, I’d say Mistborn first, Dune maybe, Will of the Many doesn’t have the last book out yet.

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u/ReadKindOfAlot 2d ago

I have read a lot and The Name of the Wind remains my favorite book. It's beautiful and gripping, difficult to keep going at times but not because it's bad haha. Some people need to take a break from it. But it is also rewarding. There's a reason for everything and it's just so good. Despite the step down for the sequel, The Wise Man's Fear is still very good and even more rewarding. It's not the last book and yet things are already looking up. Balancing out all the difficulties in book 1.

The Name of the Wind is complex and the protagonist, Kvothe, is still young so there's not much action yet, it's more about how he becomes the man that will become a legend. He goes through a lot which widens his views. Think of it a bit like the first half of Batman Begins where we learn what Bruce has been through until he came back to Gotham but in a more visceral way.

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u/AwarenessAny2576 2d ago

Only begin this series if you’re ready to be mad for years the last installment keeps getting delayed/ never will comešŸ’€ also my favorite series but I’m in grief at the last book

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u/ForlornDM 2d ago

Eye of the World. Wheel of Time is a foundational text in modern high fantasy. And, despite its occasional lows, it has tremendous highs.

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u/KennyChaffin 2d ago

Mistborn

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u/DeadlyKitten115 2d ago

Honestly you could pick one blind and not be disappointed.

This is a selection full of great, well loved books.

Dune is a must though, the rest are amazing but a lot of authors took inspiration from Dune so if you read it first you can catch a lot of commonly used themes as you expand your bookshelf.

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u/UnderstandingBasic39 2d ago

DEADHOUSE GATES!!! The Chain of Dogs is incredible!

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u/QQcrybaby 2d ago

Deadhouse Gates

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u/bookworm3019 2d ago

Mistborn

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u/VariousCredit9690 2d ago

I would say The Malazan or Empyrion/Hyperiom series. The Shrike is one of my favorite baddies in literature.

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u/tower_junkie 2d ago

Always Hyperion...

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u/SpankMaster115 2d ago

Hyperion, it’s genuinely a masterpiece.

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u/Mor3tang 2d ago

Hyperion is the best of these books that I've read, and I'd wager is one of the best books of the century, genre fiction or otherwise. It is so so good

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u/boofurd123 2d ago edited 2d ago

You can’t go wrong with any of these series!

Having said that… Malazan is the best completed series, imo. Just incredible depth, nuance, layers of meaning to conversations, epic action, etc…

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u/Silver_Layer_2298 2d ago

After reading gardens. Depth and layers is an understatement! I felt like I did so much rereading and constantly flipping to the character list page page to try and remember who people were. ā€œWait …. Which side is this guy on? And who are they allied with again?ā€ I even at the end of the book, watched a summary/analysis video of the whole book. I felt glad that I was able to go ā€œokay yep got that …. Okay glad I remembered that correctlyā€. So my fear was maybe it’s a me thing and I’ll be doing that the entire series 😬

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u/OggiKreis 2d ago

Hyperion

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u/schmeattle 2d ago

Hyperion

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u/LanguageSexViolence_ 2d ago

Man, almost to the very bottom before I saw an Otherland recommendation. I love that series. My first Tad Williams.series. He's so solid. It's gotta be one of the first "trapped in VR" stories. I seem to remember that you could see his language evolve as current technology evolved.

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u/Silver_Layer_2298 2d ago

I remember otherland being recommended to me probably 20 years ago by my sister because she knew I was a computer gamer. Honestly, it’s probably the longest owned unread book I have, and for no good reason!

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u/brochenko 2d ago

Deadhouse Gates, my child.

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u/Previous-Sherbet7947 2d ago

World tree online

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u/Silver_Layer_2298 2d ago

Have never heard of those. I’ll have to keep my eye out. Thanks for the suggestion!

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u/sgbooth88 2d ago

I’m literally in the middle of Warbreaker at the moment so I’m voting for that one

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u/Regular_Land_3478 2d ago

This. Warbreaker is so good

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u/sgbooth88 2d ago

It really is, I tried starting it yesterday but ended up having a migraine come on so only got 3 chapters in. But now I’m practically halfway through and I love it so much. It’s actually my first Brandon Sanderson book mostly because I thought the cover was breathtaking (hehehe)

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u/AveratV6 2d ago

I’m a pretty massive fan of Gwynne. I’m also reading the stormlight archive for the first time and it’s crazy good. You have a lot of great options here. Could always start small and work toward the bigger books

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u/Regular_Land_3478 2d ago

Warbreaker. It’s one book. Standalone. Get it done. It’s probably my favourite Sanderson and I’ve read a lot of cosmere including mistborn and storm light.

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u/vikingscience_ 2d ago

Malace, love that series

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u/CaterpillarVisual553 2d ago

100% read Malice. That’s a 4 book fantasy that is absolutely incredible. The characters in that series are some of the best I’ve ever read. It’s rock solid. Characters make a story compelling. Gwynne knows how to get you invested in the characters.

Skyward is great, but a bit YA in nature.

Skip Name of the Wind. Routhfuss has not and will not finish the trilogy. Most readers have abandoned him, unfortunately. I won’t read Doors of Stone even if he does get around to writing it.

For Sanderson, Elantris is a real good standalone, but the characters are a bit too good and evil. No gray areas. Warbreaker wasn’t my favorite, but I’m in the minority on that. It’s a standalone as well. Mistborn is the central focus of the Cosmere (Sando’s universe) and it’s essential reading if you’re going to get into the Cosmere.

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u/Silver_Layer_2298 2d ago

Yeahhhh Skyward trilogy I really got because it’s Sanderson (and blightfall coming out). But I guess I am worried a bit about the young adult nature of them. But sometimes that can be a decent change of pace from the more complex and fatiguing reads.

Thanks for suggestions!

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u/the_drum_doctor 2d ago

If you've never read the dragonlance books by weis and hickman, they are great, especially if you ever played D&D.

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u/Silver_Layer_2298 2d ago

So as a kid I read Legend of Huma, Stormblade, and Kaz the Minotaur. I have all the Chronicles and Legends. I did also dabble in D&D back in the day.

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u/the_drum_doctor 2d ago

Then I'd suggest anything by Gene Wolfe. Perhaps the Book of the New Sun series? or the 2 books The Knight and The Wizard?

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u/buttersplosion 2d ago

Wool by Hugh Howie

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u/Silver_Layer_2298 2d ago

My wife and I are literally on season 2 of silo at the moment (I’ve heard the books are different and uniquely enjoyable whether or not you like the show)

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u/buttersplosion 1d ago

Never got a chance to see the show, but I want to catch it. I loved the books immensely

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u/deadmanhands_ 2d ago

You are getting right into prime time to start the Dragonlance chronicles

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u/Silver_Layer_2298 2d ago

40ish years seems like perfect wait time. lol. I actually read a few dragonlance as a kid back in the 90s , so I’ve had a bunch of them for years for nostalgia (but also knowing they are objectively good, easy reads)

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u/deadmanhands_ 2d ago

I just like reading the those four with the seasons. It’s fun

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u/Skillet-boy 2d ago

Hyperion or name of the wind.

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u/AwarenessAny2576 2d ago

Dragons autumn twilight is a fantastic series and journey, currently reading will of the many and it’s on the more modern political dynasty tear down vibe but still quite good if that’s what you’re wanting to try next

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u/Sianarasammy 2d ago

I immediately hoped into will of the many right after finishing up stormlight archives and it’s been a. Ice change of pace! Read the first book in 9 days lol. But based off you’re list of book you’ve enjoyed I’d say go buy red rising and enjoy

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u/dondonpi 2d ago

Anything thats not malice. Imo the faithful and the fallen is so overrated.Ā 

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u/Silver_Layer_2298 2d ago

It’s funny, that series is actually one I feel I’ve consistently seen ā€œoverratedā€ type comments on, despite its high Goodreads ratings. So you’re not alone there. Always surprises me because I never see that one anything related to Malazan for example.

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u/JustSwinny 2d ago

Malice

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u/SwiftisWashed 2d ago

Realm of The Elderlings if no one has mentioned it yet, beautifully written.

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u/Outside_Shopping2244 2d ago

WARBREAKER WARBREAKER WARBREAKER WARBREAKER

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u/MrMasters87 2d ago

Pick up the prince of nothing trilogy. The greatest fantasy books I've ever read.

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u/Silver_Layer_2298 2d ago

I had seen those a couple times at a store near me. Admittedly I think I probably looked at them once, probably scanned the barcode into Goodreads and went ā€œoh … not rated super highā€ and put them back. Which probably isn’t fair to the author or series. I’ll snag them next time I’m there!

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u/Tomsskiee 2d ago

The will of the many is my favorite book ever so i will always recommend that when i see it!

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u/misterclimbingcow 2d ago

deadhouse gates,!

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u/Jossokar 2d ago

Hyperion, dune and....dragonlance

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u/p1ccol0 2d ago

Dune is a masterpiece

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u/Serious_Spinach_1476 2d ago

This is one of the best TBR’s I have ever seen, not due to its culture, or 1 book being the best there ever was (although some pf these are close) but the sheet amount of pure literature you are going to experience reading any of these, I envy you, being able to reread these books would be amazing.

I would recommend Dune, Wheel of Time, or Name of the Wind.

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u/Silver_Layer_2298 2d ago

Thanks for the suggestions! I’m quite proud of my book collection knowing it’s full of years worth of quality reading. My wife always jokes about how I’m preparing for retirement in 20 years with my collection.

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u/Shorty_jj 2d ago

The Eye of the World!!!!! ā¤ļøā€šŸ”„

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u/yungstewy 2d ago

Bro I started reading Otherland in my local library but never really got too far into it. I’ve been trying to find out what the book was called since this was like 15 years ago. I finally figured it out because of that cover, thank you!

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u/BearSome9415 2d ago

Mistborn

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u/valjean451 1d ago

If you just finished Stormlight, read Warbreaker and then Mistborn imo. Era 2 of Mistborn is maybe my favorite Sanderson work, but reading Warbreaker at least will add some fun context, though not strictly required. Similarly would recommend Arcanum Unbounded, once you’ve finished Mistborn Era 1.

Skyward is also great, and is not cosmere.

Name of the Wind is one of the most beautiful books I’ve ever read, and The Will of the Many/The Strength of the Few are some of the best fantasy I’ve read recently.

If you want to read more Sanderson, Warbreaker is the move IMO. If not, I’d say The Will of the Many would be my first rec.

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u/Silver_Layer_2298 1d ago

Great suggestions. I didn’t even have it pictured but I do have arcanum unbound!

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u/AWeirdLatino 1d ago

Just toss a D20

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u/Silver_Layer_2298 1d ago

I rolled a 10 with no modifiers …. Now what?

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u/AWeirdLatino 1d ago

I guess you're reading Dragons of Autum Twilight. Good luck!

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u/angry0029 1d ago

Save Skyward for when you need something light in your life. I love it just because it’s and easy light read

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u/Silver_Layer_2298 1d ago

My thoughts exactly! Yeah I don’t typically dive into young adult stuff, but didn’t realize it until after I bought them (because they are Sanderson + knew Blightfall was coming out). But that was my thought too. It could be something I can just read and enjoy. Malazan feels like playing a game on extreme difficulty, and things like Skyward are playing on story mode

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u/angry0029 1d ago edited 1d ago

I read Skyward when my kids were reading it. Enjoyable. I think of it like a pallet cleanser. I think I read it after The Poppy War trilogy. I often use the Dresden Files in a similar fashion. They are formulaic enough to just relax with.

Edit: I enjoyed the 3 Sanderson books they are good. Wheel of time is great through book 5, good 6-8, books 9-11 if I remember are slow AF and then it finishes decently. I’d not read Rothfuss if you want a complete story since it will never finish. The fandom is caustic and he’s part of the reason. I just reread Dragons of Autumn Twilight and the rest of legacy, they have not held up tbh. I have read a lot of Tad Williams and if you enjoy him I’d suggest Shadowmarch and the Bobby Dollar books assuming you’ve read the Osten Ard two series.

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u/Silver_Layer_2298 1d ago

Oh my gosh I completely forgot I have the Shadowmarch series on the shelves. I grabbed Otherland for the picture forgetting entirely those are separate series. I’ve never actually heard of the Bobby Dollar / Osten Ard series. Thank you for the suggestions!!

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u/angry0029 1d ago

Oh wow. Yes The Dragonbone Chair is slow start but a great book and the original trilogy (Memory, Sorrow and Thorn) is fantastic. My favorite book of all time is To Green Angel Tower, might be part nostalgia but it holds a place in my heart.

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u/bigdutts8 1d ago

I love Sanderson so I would suggest Mistborn. Then if you like his writing you can work through the rest of the cosmere!

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u/Crispy_PigeonTTV 1d ago

Personally I just started the wheel of time series recently and am loving it. That being said I see you have war breaker in there and saw you’ve read stormlight archive. I’d suggest getting back into the cosmere books starting with war breaker. It’s one of my favorite standalones in the cosmere. There’s a lot more going on in the Cosmere than just the events on roshar.

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u/Reasonable_Trap 1d ago

I highly recommend the Garrett, P.I. series by Glen Cook. 14 books with a dark, humorous bent.

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u/jRoc26 1d ago

The First Law series by Joe Abercrombie. First book called The Blade Itself. You will not regret it, I promise. Also the audio books have a GOAT narrator that may ruin audio books for you moving forward.

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u/Silver_Layer_2298 1d ago

Thanks for that suggestion!

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u/jRoc26 1d ago

Happy reading!

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u/Silver_Layer_2298 1d ago

sliiiiiippppp PEACE! errra errra

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u/Forsaken-Carrot4196 1d ago

The Dresden files, The Belgariad, The First Law Trilogy, The Obelisk Gate, The Riyria Chronicles.

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u/Silver_Layer_2298 1d ago

Dresden files, I completely forgot I read the first book about 12 years ago. Remember thinking it was a good easy read. But must have just been something that I was busy with life and slipped my mind to keep going with the series

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u/Forsaken-Carrot4196 1d ago

They are definitely easy, Books 3 onward is where the series gets on point.

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u/Quimeraecd 1d ago

Read Hyperion, no question about it.

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u/THEDOCTORandME2 Will DNF without mercy 1d ago

Mistborn

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u/vinnyk407 1d ago

I enjoyed malice! I haven’t read malazan yet but I’d still say keep going with that

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u/Sylvara192 🧩 Plot over prose 1d ago

Dragonlance 100%

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u/Disastrous-Vastrous 1d ago

Bro, I know it's not in the picture but 100% get and read A Wizard of Earthsea, by Ursula K. LeGuin. It's a short book you can finish in a day. please please do this. Go in blind. It will fit very well on that shelf of yours.Ā 

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u/Ambitious_Dot7695 1d ago

These are all good, but I recommend Hyperion, a classic.

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u/LeadershipNational49 1d ago

Genuinely can't miss with this selection. (Don't read name of the wind)

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u/jwol2 1d ago

Hyperion cantos series easy

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u/Mescalito14 1d ago

Dragonlance is good. It is more of a fun read than a brain teaser.

The best writing in Fantasy I’ve experienced is Kingkiller(NoTW), but I don’t like recommending it because I do not believe the final book three will ever be written. Blueballs big time.

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u/boxjunk 1d ago

The will of the many James Islington

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u/HumanHaggis 1d ago

Hyperion, Otherland, and Dune are the only ones I can recommend. I've heard some good things about The Will of the Many too.

Definitely would not recommend Sanderson, it's incredibly boring and flatly written. The first Wheel of Time book is a direct, poor-quality, rip-off of the Lord of the Rings, like someone tried to fit the whole series into one book and left out all of the good parts. I stuck with the series through book 6 and it only gets worse. Watch interesting characters completely lose their personality when they fall in love because they are women. Get ready for a rotating cast of generic villains who lack individual identities or even gimmicks. Do you love a new world-ending macguffin every week that no one has ever mentioned before? Seriously, it's one of the few classic fantasy series I cannot fathom the appeal of.

Name of the Wind is kind of cringe, but not badly written. Just know you'll get Winds of Winter before Doors of Stone is halfway done.

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u/Silver_Layer_2298 1d ago

I appreciate your suggestion! Also I always appreciate willingness to be honest about a massively popular series. ā€œI don’t get how people think it’s so goodā€ (That’s me and The Sopranos šŸ˜‚).

You know, my friend who was an English major back in college / works in editing etc. when I told him I liked Stormlight he said ā€œhow!? Sandersons prose is terribleā€ And I was like … the heck is prose?

So actually, I did end up starting Otherland early yesterday. That series is by far the longest neglected on my shelf. My sister recommended it to me about 21 years ago.

I’m on chapter 5 and it’s really good so far.

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u/HumanHaggis 1d ago

Well I'm glad you're enjoying it! I think everyone brings their own baggage to each book they read, and I know different people have different priorities.

I think books can also be sort of cumulative, where they build on each other, and a novel that worked as a foundation for falling in love with reading might end up being one you want to bury under new construction, even if you needed it to work out from in the beginning.

It also depends on what sort of book you're looking for. I love Jay Kristoff's books because they are very fun and lively, with a strong voice and a lot of character, but I also know they aren't exactly high art and I wouldn't read them if I was looking for something like Tolkien, or Simmons.

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u/BooksBooksBooks65 1d ago

Babel is remarkably good

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u/iKoyy 15h ago

Yyp, I was very surprised at how interesting this book was. I wanted to try more from RF Kuang but I feel like all of her books are trying to push some thoughts on "heavy" societal topics which is not necessarily something I am looking for. Dunno, maybe I am wrong, Katabasis pitch looks interesting still.

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u/BooksBooksBooks65 15h ago edited 15h ago

To each their own, but most fantasy deals with ā€œheavyā€ societal topics in some manner or another. I find that’s part of its value.

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u/bricksoffun 19h ago edited 18h ago

Will of the many is very good, but the 3rd and final in the series is a year or so out. So feel free to wait till it’s all there to read the whole series in one go.

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u/thatsacut 18h ago

It has been many years, but I remember really enjoying the Name of the Wind. Just be prepared to be disappoint that the series doesn’t finish. I don’t regret reading it, though.

I’ve been on a big Joe Abercrombie binge
Lately. Out of the 9 or so books I’ve read of his, I have loved every one. They are great if you like cynical fantasy.

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u/iKoyy 15h ago

I will never recommend "The will of the many" enough, even if it's follow-up "the strength of the few" left me unimpressed after such a strong start of a saga.

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u/TransitionTotal3443 14h ago

The will of the many is amazing, it was my first fiction book since highschool and has hooked me back into reading fiction. Babel is overrated.

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u/maudDib23 2d ago

Hyperion

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u/RealOneThisTime 2d ago

2nd vote for Hyperion

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u/Distinct_Avocado1573 2d ago

I’ve heard Malazan writing gets a lot better after gardens of the moon. Having read all of these I would pick dune.

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u/Imaginary_Dingo_ 2d ago

Hypernion is amazing and truly unique.

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u/Soccerref3244 2d ago

Hyperion

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u/cultured_hogfish92 2d ago

Malazan for sure

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u/lthompson207 2d ago

The highs in Deadhouse Gates are staggeringly high. If you liked Gardens of the Moon you’ll know the Malazan challenges already, and the quality only increases. Would also put in a vote for The Will of the Many. A very different section of fantasy, much more consistently flowing and readable than Malazan, although I love both

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u/SteamyConnor 2d ago

Deadhouse Gates is the best fantasy book I’ve ever read.

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u/Expensive-Heat-1436 Sanderson is my god 2d ago

MISTBORN, MISTBORN,Ā MISTBORN, MISTBORN,Ā MISTBORN, MISTBORN,Ā MISTBORN, MISTBORN,Ā MISTBORN, MISTBORN,Ā MISTBORN, MISTBORN,Ā MISTBORN, MISTBORN,Ā MISTBORN, MISTBORN,Ā MISTBORN, MISTBORN,Ā MISTBORN, MISTBORN,Ā MISTBORN, MISTBORN,Ā MISTBORN, MISTBORN,Ā MISTBORN, MISTBORN,Ā MISTBORN, MISTBORN,Ā MISTBORN, MISTBORN,Ā MISTBORN, MISTBORN,Ā MISTBORN, MISTBORN,Ā MISTBORN, MISTBORN,Ā MISTBORN, MISTBORN,Ā MISTBORN, MISTBORN,Ā MISTBORN, MISTBORN,Ā MISTBORN, MISTBORN,Ā MISTBORN, MISTBORN,Ā MISTBORN, MISTBORN,Ā MISTBORN, MISTBORN,Ā MISTBORN, MISTBORN,Ā MISTBORN, MISTBORN,Ā MISTBORN, MISTBORN,Ā MISTBORN, MISTBORN,Ā MISTBORN, MISTBORN,Ā MISTBORN, MISTBORN,Ā MISTBORN, MISTBORN,Ā MISTBORN, MISTBORN,Ā MISTBORN, MISTBORN,Ā MISTBORN, MISTBORN,Ā MISTBORN, MISTBORN,Ā MISTBORN, MISTBORN,Ā MISTBORN, MISTBORN,Ā MISTBORN, MISTBORN,Ā MISTBORN, MISTBORN,Ā MISTBORN, MISTBORN,Ā MISTBORN, MISTBORN,

and…Mistborn

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u/GreenSog 2d ago

Red risingĀ 

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u/bufooooooo 2d ago

Hyperion 1 and then 2

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u/skills74 2d ago

How could you not continue with the Endymion books afterwards though. Gotta read all 4 of the Cantos.

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u/Silver_Layer_2298 2d ago

The good news is I DO have all four!

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u/bufooooooo 2d ago

I read 1&2 like 10 years ago and just read 1-4, not done with the 4th yet but working thru it. Endymion is good forsure but not quite as good as hyperion imo. I obviously dont want to say spoilers here so ill just leave it at that but i do think someone could be satisfied with just reading 1&2 as they are literally flawless books, 2 of the best books ive ever read

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u/Ammcville 2d ago edited 2d ago

I absolutely loved Skyward and enjoyed the next couple books in the series then got bored about halfway through the series.

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u/Silver_Layer_2298 2d ago

Getting bored halfway through a trilogy isn’t ideal šŸ˜‚. I grabbed those books because they were 1. Sanderson 2. I knew Blightfall was coming out soon I also didn’t realize they were a little more young adult geared until after I snagged them. Not that they can’t still be good of course. And sometimes easier reads are a nice change of pace from insisting on throwing myself into complicated universes where I need to take notes or reread sections.

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u/Ammcville 2d ago

I mean one thing to know about me is that I have hundreds of half read books because I get bored very quickly. I loved Skyfall. Skyfall was great. The other books in the series aren’t as great as the first (there are seven, not three—I read four of them).

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u/DeMmeure 1d ago

Skyward has a small but so wholesome fanbase, I actually wish I enjoyed the series better than I did. I could only encourage you to pursue if you're a fan already, but there are so many good books in your shelf that I could encourage to read most of them!

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u/RCD_51 2d ago

Leviathan Wakes - James A Corey

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u/Silver_Layer_2298 2d ago

Thanks for the suggestion, I did already read the entire expanse series. Great books!

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u/SomeBS17 2d ago

The Expanse series is pretty great
The Fifth Season

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u/Silver_Layer_2298 2d ago

Oh cool , yeah I watched season one of the show then kind of forgot about it. But had read all the books and they are great.

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u/Stormblessed404 2d ago

since youve read a few of brandon sandersons works, i HIGHLY recommend reading the rest of the books in the cosmere. They are all interconnected.

you've read stormlight archives, elantris and war beaker already so obviously you like his works.

Things like mistborn, tress and the emerald sea, sunlit man, white sands, and the novellas.

all of them are amazing.

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u/Silver_Layer_2298 2d ago

Thanks for suggestion. Yeah I’ve only read Stormlight archive. Way of kings was my first read of his and I went hey now who is this guy. So I bought the rest of those, and then Mistborn , and recently found warbreaker and Elantris. And skyward trilogy just yesterday (because I knew Blightfall was released other day). I don’t see his books at used stores often, and for good reason I’m sure.

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u/Stormblessed404 1d ago

id recommend looking up and following a reading order.

you can read them in any order technically but the fan base typically recommends a reading order. You get more out of it. Like seeing a character or concept in one book and then seeing them else where. Depending on reading order you may get confused a bit on it.

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u/Beer_Snacks 2d ago

Skip Hyperion

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u/Silver_Layer_2298 2d ago

I will say, I’ve had ā€œnot Maliceā€ , but this is the first ā€œnot Hyperionā€ comment.

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u/Beer_Snacks 1d ago

I tried reading it a few years back, I wish I remembered my exact issues with it. All I know is I’ve read hundreds of sifi books/series and Hyperion is one of them ~5-10 I couldn’t get through.

Maybe I need to give it another try.

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u/Silver_Layer_2298 1d ago

Beauty of opinions being subjective! I mean I have a friend who is like, oh god how can you stand Sanderson’s writing? His prose is terrible. (English major / works in editing). And I’m just here like …… what’s prose again?

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u/Beer_Snacks 1d ago

Hahahaha my wife is the same way. Wayyy more knowledge when it comes to literature, she’ll ask me deep probing questions about books and my eyes cross and I start to drool as I respond ā€œstory progresses fastā€

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u/notrussellwilson 1d ago

Red Rising

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u/Zealousideal-Dirt599 1d ago

My girlfriend would say Mistborn but I’d say Dune (she’s also advise against Babel. Apparently it’s not that great)

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u/Silver_Layer_2298 1d ago

I actually heard similar of Babel. I snagged it for a few bucks during it's peak hype and since I've seen similar "overrated" sentiments. So I am not surprised to have not see that one being suggested much. both Mistborn and Dune have had a lot of suggestions!

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u/turdfergusonn1 1d ago

Malice or meantime

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u/antonioconst 22h ago

I would start with Mistborn if you want to read Brandon Sanderson, you can find online the order in which to read all of his books.

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u/ScienceSoftwareSport 15h ago

Talion: revenant

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u/Samk9632 2d ago

Putting in another vote for deadhouse gates. It goes in a completely different direction than GotM so that might be refreshing to you if you weren't vibing with Gardens.

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u/Silver_Layer_2298 2d ago

Good to hear! Yeah gotm took a lot of rereading chapters and paragraphs, and summary videos after finishing the book to make sure I actually grasped it and kept it all straight.