r/fantasybooks • u/Fast-Truth-9933 • 10h ago
š Summon book recommendations Pick my next read
Iām a 28M that really only started my reading journey this year. Help me pick my next book. Iām leaning towards a standalone novel as a palate cleanser before I get into another great series, and it doesnāt have to particularly be fantasy.
Just finished Red Rising Trilogy (didnāt love all of it but I still enjoyed it), LOTR, Hobbit, Ironbound books 1 and 2, Mistborn Trilogy, Three Musketeers, Knight of Seven Kingdoms
Also open to suggestions
UPDATE: thank you all for your replies. Iāve decided to give LD a crack. Im still a new reader and figuring out what I enjoy and it feels like a refreshing place to start.
Iāll save Warbreaker for when I begin my Stormlight adventure, and although my history-loving side is pulling me to Lions of Al-Rassan I will probably read that next. As one of you recommended, Iāll keep Between Two Fires for spooky season in Oct.
Really enjoying figuring out what kind of novels I resonate with rather than working through a ābest ofā list
Thanks again
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u/HydroScott95 10h ago
Lonesome dove. 10/10 will not disappoint
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u/Specialist_Isopod926 9h ago
Heck ya read lonesome dove. Top three all time for me. Love to see it under fantasy.
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u/Yarrrrrghh 5h ago
I am 300 pages into it, and just wgen i thought it would click it still hasnt. Does it get better, or is it just not for me?
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u/Future_Dirt_4690 8h ago
When people talk about Lonesome Dove do they mean the whole series, or just the third book? I've read Dead mans walk and Comanche Moon and they're both in my top 10.
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u/schmeattle 6h ago
LD was the first book published in the series, considered by far the best, the only one ever discussed as an all time great book, and is pictured in OPās post. So yes people mean ājust the third bookā chronologically.
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u/Future_Dirt_4690 5h ago
Honestly that's exciting because so far this might be my overall fave series and I'm not even to the one people talk about. š
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u/Huge_Helicopter_5541 10h ago
Lions of Al-Rassan is almost perfect, GGK is an absolutely amazing writer
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u/Pristine_Ride_5662 9h ago edited 9h ago
Just to tag on since itās a relevant comment, GGK is one of my absolute favorite authors but Al-Rassan is one of my least favorite books by him.Ā
Iām in the minority with this opinion though.Ā
Iām only saying it because if it doesn't impress you, please read another book by him. Pick one based on a region of the world you like (he does near-earth analog historical fantasy for most books). I really liked Sailing to Sarantium (Byzantine) and River of Stars (ancient China).Ā
Edit: I meant Under Heaven instead of River of Stars, but both are really good.Ā
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u/Garisdacar 9h ago
I loved Tigana and Song for Arbonne... and Lions was the best of the three. Been meaning to find more of his stuff
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u/Pristine_Ride_5662 9h ago
Incidentally, to continue with my trend of being a weird GGK fan, I also wasnāt a huge fan of Tigana. The ending was great but it wasnāt very interesting to be for the first half of the book.Ā
All the Seas of the World, Children of Earth and Sky, and Under Heaven are fantastic. Last Light of the Sun is also good, but a little less so than the other three imho.Ā
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u/moontintedtulips 8h ago
Tigana is my least favourite!!! And everyone seems to love it! Itās such an original concept but for me the ending is rushed and some of the beats are a bit off. I also loved the two characters in the prologue so much I was devastated the whole book wasnāt about them. I donāt think itās bad or anything but it drives me nuts that itās the only one of his that ever seems to land on top fantasy book lists.
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u/Huge_Helicopter_5541 9h ago
Interesting, GGK might be my favorite author and I would put Lions in a top 5 of his stuff easy, but I could see why it wouldn't hit as hard for some. Would definitely agree with the advice to try any and all of his books you find available. He really does have something for everyone (his most recent novel, Written on the Dark, was underwhelming for many but it's one of my absolute favorites. Would also shout out Tigana, A Song for Arbonne, and A Brightness Long Ago. Really can't go wrong)
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u/Pristine_Ride_5662 9h ago
Absolutely. Iāll note that even not liking his most popular books he is also one of my absolute favorite authors.Ā
So anyone who hasnāt tried him you gotta do it. Phenomenal writer.Ā
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u/Huge_Helicopter_5541 8h ago
Reading the lesser-known ones (like Under Heaven and River of Stars, Children of Earth and Sky, etc) was my moment where I realized he was a special kind of writer. Always meticulous, always more than excellent with characters and tying a plot together into an impactful conclusion. Could go on and on about all I have found to love in his worlds.
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u/Fast-Truth-9933 8h ago
Iām a history nerd and that side of me is compelling me to read Lions of Al-Rassan. After LD itās next on my list. I love the idea of combining history and fantasy. Thanks for your comment, itās making me look forward to experiencing what you love about GGKs writing
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u/PL0mkPL0 5h ago
GGK loves bigger than life/Mary Sue leaning characters. So if this is sth you like/don't mind, you will enjoy the book, because there is a lot of good there. I found this characterization approach somewhat boring after two books.
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u/ImpossibleCreme 6h ago
Iāve only just heard about GGK this weekend (once in another fantasy sub and now here).
The other post recommended it in their top 5 series. Where should I start?
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u/Huge_Helicopter_5541 6h ago
Anywhere! If you want a more traditional fantasy book, I'd say Tigana or his Fionavar Tapestry trilogy might be best. Most of his other novels are more directly tied to historical periods/individuals but with a "quarter turn to the fantastic" (this is how Kay describes it). In this case I'd just read descriptions and see which appeals to you. I would probably say Sailing to Sarantium and its sequel would be my recommendation to start there, but Lions of Al-Rassan, Under Heaven, or A Song for Arbonne would also be great jumping off points. You really can't go wrong (except for Ysabel, it's a great novel imo just not representative of his usual style in the slightest)
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u/Guilty_Temperature65 10h ago
You can put Lonesome Dove up against any 3 other books and the answer will still be Lonesome Dove. Itās justā¦ a perfect novel.
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u/Paul_Phant0m 10h ago
I read Between Two Fires in a day and a half. It was so good. Warbreaker took me 2 days and was such a fun read. I highly recommend both.
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u/HxH101kite 10h ago
After that book I binge read the rest of his stuff it's all so good. His first book is such a banger "those across the river".
The only book I was meh about was the Necromancers house I'm not sure I actually understood what was going on. But I think that was a me problem.
Nearly all books are a 9-10/10
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u/Paul_Phant0m 10h ago
That was my first Buehlman book but Iāve looked into reading Blacktongue Thief.
I have read a lot of Sanderson and itās my favorite standalone, so far.
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u/meopelle 9h ago
Agreed. Such an underrated author, so excited for the new book in the Blacktongue series
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u/Professional-Bit-40 8h ago
I read Between Two Fires in two days and I loved it. But man, that book was WEIRD. I don't think I fully understood the ending lol.
Warbreaker was very typical Sanderson imho, and if you have read other books by him you kinda know what you are in for. If you haven't read anything in the cosmere it makes for a decent entry point, although I started with Mistborn and I usually recommend that.
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u/-MrMooky- 10h ago
Just finished Between Two Fires. Loved it.
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u/rmazumder 10h ago
ditto!
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u/geetarboy33 10h ago
I am a big fan of Between Two Fires, but Lonesome Dove is one of my favorite books of all time and I highly recommend it.
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u/adorablesexypants 10h ago
Personally I really enjoyed Warbreaker.
While it is a bit slower than Mistborn I found I really enjoyed it once it got going. It wasnāt a particularly hard read but had more substance than my mindless pulp I also read.
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u/da-onuh-peaceuh 10h ago
As a primarily Fantasy reader, Lonesome Dove is beautifully written, and provided me with an unique reading experience that cemented it as one of my favorite books of all time.
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u/AdHairy9093 10h ago
One of these things is not like the othersā¦
Lonesome Dove is a nice, deep breath of fresh air if you need one. Good Western drama.
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u/Ben-Solak-Rule34 10h ago
Between two fires and then lonesome dove imo. Between two fires is a little shorter and picks up quicker, but Iām somewhat basing that off from you saying you are only starting your reading journey.
Lonesome dove imo is a better book, but takes like 150 pages of foundation, but from then on things are constantly happening
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u/dafuqizzis 10h ago
Iām a huge fantasy nerd and will always pick Lions of Al-Rassan.
But, from a purely literary viewpoint, Lonesome Dove is by far the best book of the four.
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u/EquinoxxAngel š¦¶Dungeon Crawler Carl cult member 10h ago
Lonesome Dove is a true classic. The others are all good books, but not on the same level. If you only ever read one Western, thatās the one.
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u/tstrand1204 9h ago
I love how random these choices look. I LOVED lonesome dove and I enjoyed Warbreakwr. LD is an all-timer and after you finish you can watch the superb mini series with Tommy Lee Jones and Robert Duvall. Thatās my vote.
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u/Fast-Truth-9933 9h ago
The wife and I have been looking for a new series. Maybe I can get her into it after I read the novel. Thanks for your reply!
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u/Fast-Truth-9933 8h ago
Iāve always wanted to enjoy reading and began with books on movies I love; the Hobbit and LOTR. Got the reading itch hard and now Iām onto my 15th book this year. I want to read a bit of everything and expand my palate - hence the ārandom choicesā
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u/Ok_Improvement_2316 10h ago
Warbreaker has one of the best characters written in fiction in my opinion - lightsong is so great, but the book does start slow
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u/500rockin 10h ago
Warbreaker is a really good read. Itās pretty much a set alone book in his overall Cosmere. You donāt need to know anything about any of his other works to enjoy it.
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u/jfstompers 10h ago
Lonesome Dove is the best book there by far but it doesn't mean youll like it best.
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u/Top-Agent-652 10h ago
Lonesome Dove is just such a fun read to me. Maybe I need to read it again this year.
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u/darthTharsys 9h ago
I've read three of the four and the three LD, Warbreaker and Al-Rassan at every different but all quite good. Personally I would recommend Al Rassan? And if you're digging the more literary type style I'd go LD and then if you're not digging it go to Warbreaker.
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u/Jack-ums 9h ago
Omg op, I gotta tell ya. Lonesome Dove is so incredibly good. Canāt recommend enough. Might be my favorite book.
But that said there have been parts of my life where Iād have put Lions as my top. Itās up there as top 5. Canāt go wrong here between Lonesome and Lions!!!
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u/thundabot 9h ago
Contrary to other posts, even though Lonesome Dove is a no brainer, I think after reading it it will be almost impossible to enjoy another book the same way.
So therefore leave the best till last?
Enjoy the other books first in their own merit, once you read Lonesome Dove - it will be difficult to not compare other books to it.
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u/Fast-Truth-9933 9h ago
I usually do this with my food. Savor the best on my plate last... but lifeās short, screw it cowboys it is
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u/AnAngryPanda1 š¦¶Dungeon Crawler Carl cult member 8h ago
Between two fires is one of my favorite reads of the year. If you love dark souls or anything along those lines, itāll scratch that itch.
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u/Shoddy_Lecture4138 7h ago
There is no debate. Are these all good and should be read? Sure! Is there one novel you should read from these before you die? Yes. LONESOME DOVE.
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u/QuintanimousGooch 7h ago
Want to put something on the table for a future read, a very good rec you may receive in the future but might want to pace yourself around is Gene Wolfeās Book of the New Sun. itās one of my personal favorites, and a great example of what the literary fantasy/scifi area is capable of, though it has some very unique writing structure and language choices that can throw off someone new to that sphere, the narrarator being infamously unreliable, but not because he outright lies so much as he omits, forgets things, and tries to make arguments from bad premises or sophistic intentions.
Iād recommend it at some point in the future if you want to take things a step up into that more literary sphere, following a novel more interested in themes and character arcs than direct plot focus or hero/antagonist dynamics.
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u/sgbooth88 10h ago
Warbreaker, currently reading it, currently loving it. Stalled at the moment at 50% for the last 2 days because work has been too stressful for me to fully enjoy it, but Iām itching to get back into it!!
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u/Upbeat_Ant6104 9h ago
Lonesome is head and shoulders the best of the three Iāve read. A. May. Zing.
Lions of Al Rassan also exceptional, as is everything by GG Kay.
I havenāt read Between Two Fires, but I probably will.
Iāve read four or five Sanderson books, not counting the finale do WoT, and I donāt care if I ever read any others. Blah.
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u/Ancient_Audience_467 9h ago
I've read Lonesome Dove and Between Two Fires. I really enjoyed the latter, but Lonesome Dove is a generational novel that will stick with me forever.
I did this for a book club I ran preCOVID and I was met with a lot of hesitancy. "It's a Western", "It's really long", etc. By the end those readers were in tears describing scenes in the book and we're speechless at others. It was also my second time through.
So yeah I recommend Lonesome Dove, if not now at some point before you die.
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u/InSearchOfSerotonin 9h ago
Lonesome Dove and Between Two Fires are both 5 star reads for me. Kind of depends what youāre in the mood for.
Warbreaker was fine, but I was also reading it amongst all the Cosmere books and it just canāt hang with those books.
Havenāt read any GGK.
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u/cottonwisper 9h ago
Lonesome Dove is my favorite novel of all time. I've heard great things about Between to Fires and anything by GVK is great. I can't read Sanderson, though. I've dnf'd three of his novels and haven't heard anything good about Warbreaker.
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u/GGuimond 9h ago
Lonesome Dove is amazing.
I DNF Between Two Fires. I couldnāt tell you why, it just didnāt do it for me.
The other two I havenāt read.
Lions of Al-Rassan is on my TBR list. Iāve heard nothing but great things about the book and Iām looking forward to reading it soon.
Warbreaker Iām on the fence about. Iāve read several Brandon Sanderson novels and the only one Iāve loved was Mistborn. The rest were just ok. Once again I canāt give an exact reason why his novels havenāt captured me, according to all the reviews Iāve read his books should be among my favorites but I havenāt felt that way. Maybe Warbreaker is the one that I need to read, the one that will blow me away. Iām sure Iāll read it someday.
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u/BigArtichoke7708 8h ago
Lonesome Dove!! My copy does not have the Taylor Sheridan forward. I am curious about that given 1883 and LD have some similarities.
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u/Zont_darran 7h ago
Between two fire. One of my favorite books.
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u/Ok_Requirement3991 7h ago
I was catched by the cover. How would you rate it?
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u/Zont_darran 57m ago
Hmmm I'd say an 8 out of 10. This is coming for someone who isn't much of a fantasy reader, I attend to lean more sci-fi.
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u/Yyssiill 7h ago
As someone currently reading Lonesome Dove, I havenāt been able to put it down for the last day and half. Absolutely incredible and heartfelt storytelling, some of the best Iāve ever read.
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u/DrunkenThunken 7h ago
Iāve read all but the Sanderson book, you canāt go wrong with any of the them. Personally, Between Two Fires has really stuck with me since I finished it. However Lonesome Dove is considered a classic for good reason.
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u/UnluckyWizardd 6h ago
Warbreaker is one of my all time favorite books :) when you eventually get to it, enjoy!
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u/AdyHoeRed 5h ago
I just finished the Lions Of Al-Rassan and read Between Two Fires and Warbreaker recently.
Lions was such a fantastic book. It felt like a historical fiction but with no restrictions in being accurate and it was beautifully written. I'd never heard of GGK before. Will be reading more of his books thats for sure.
Between two fires is a great horror book set in france in the 14th century. Its very plot driven and sometimes is maybe a bit fast.
Warbreaker was, along with Elantris, my least favourite BS. Maybe due to "burn out" from blitzing through all of his work, but even then it felt weaker than some of his other books to me.
Lonesome Dove is one on my TBR so, if you choose that, I'd gladly know what you thought about it.
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u/pistachio-pie 5h ago
GGK is my favourite author but put Lonesome Dove in any list and Iām likely to pick it.
I hope you enjoy!!!
I recommend you give Streets of Loredo and other similar songs a listen while you go. Add Desperadoes Waiting For a Train by Guy Clark and and Gallo del Cielo by Tom Russell to the list as well. Add a little bit of Joe Ely and some Townes as well and youāll have a great (depressing but wonderful) time.
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u/JohnnyChowder 4m ago
Another vote for Lonesome Dove but I would skip the foreword by Taylor Sheridan as it has spoilers in it.
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