13 Recommended Book Series I'd Like to Read

[@mikesbookreviews]

Hey guys! My fault about miscategorizing Dresden Files. I was always told it was science-fiction. Doesn't change my desire to read it though!

[@jenniferwood144]

Woman fantasy/ syfy. Connie Willis Doomsday Book, Octavia Butler, Janny Wurts, Elizabeth Bear, Elizabeth Moon., all fantasy. For syfy, the recent winner of the nebula,Hugo and other countless awards is Martha Wells. Her MURDERBOT books are just Frakking fantastic. Well written and on the short side, 200 pages. I blew threw the five in 10 days in the dog days of august...her 6th is due next year.

[@mikesbookreviews]

This gets a thumbs up just for using the Frakking phrase...I miss BSG so much! I think this is the third Murderbot mention, so that will definitely get a looking into.

[@Mark-iv6yg]

Doomsday book is a tour de force, in won the Hugo and the Nebula, just powerful storytelling...

[@mikesbookreviews]

@@Mark-iv6yg Sounds great.

[@dpeady78]

If you want a shorter read - The Riyira books are good for that

[@mikesbookreviews]

So happy to hear this. Folks seem to love the author and he's very good at communicating with his fans. I'm a big old softie for authors like that.

[@hayabusa1x]

Fantasy series I've read: 1. The Lord of the Rings 2. Harry Potter Series on my wish list: 1. Everything else

[@shawnlinnehan7349]

No offense, but in my opinion Hyperion is better than Dune. I hold Dune highly and read both many times, but Hyperion blew my mind the first time I read it. I couldn’t stop thinking about it for three days after. Simmons writes all kinds of genres great. The Terror is one of my favorite books ever.

[@ObiWann90]

Hey man, I'd love to see you review some of those star wars books! Star wars legends needs some more love, not enough people talking about them on booktube. Also make sure you read Ryiria Revelations before Chronicles.

[@mikesbookreviews]

I talked about the EU/Legends as a whole and why I loved it here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ioWyk5iZnpmCn7c I might do one for individual series (i.e. Thrawn Trilogy, New Jedi Order, etc.) eventually.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Also, I just looked and I have the 3 omnibus Kindle version of the Riyira series.I believe it has the whole thing on it? Theft of Swords, Rise of Empire, and Heir of Novron.

[@ObiWann90]

@@mikesbookreviews yup, those are the first three, hope you enjoy them! Would LOVE to hear your thoughts on new Jedi order, I have not read that series and it is intimidating lol.

[@mikesbookreviews]

@@ObiWann90 It had its ups and downs. In fact I know a lot of longtime EU fans that quit along the way. For me, it was way more positive than negative. I'd love to talk about it one day.

[@jadapandy]

Trust me, John Gwynne's Faithful and the Fallen series blows almost everything you talk about here. Perfect balance of action, adventure, character development, and as good as Abercrombie.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Wow. That is high praise. I'll definitely move it higher up the list.

[@Gruso57]

2 years later, and hes a huge Gwynne fan now lol.

[@muppet1011]

What I like about this channel is there are no zany antics. Just a real passion for the books.

[@mikesbookreviews]

I try not to do the jump cuts and over the top humor. That was my goal when I started.

[@BungAngus14]

Have you ever read anything by Dan Simmons? If so, maybe a review on it. I just finished Ilium, ( first Dan Simmons for me) and loved it.

[@mikesbookreviews]

I have not, but definitely want to read Hyperion.

[@cadeclunan8981]

Mike's Book Reviews Hyperion is excellent. Absolutely takes you out of this world.

[@maikokirana]

I've read Robin Hobb's books. The books you mentioned (the Tawny Man Trilogy) is a part of several series that in turn belong to a broader cycle called The Realm of the Elderlings (about 15 books in all). If you interested in reading her books, this Realm of the Elderlings series is one she is most known for. Start with The Farseer Trilogy, follow by Liveship Traders series, The Tawny Man series, The Rainwild Chronicles, Fitz and The Fool series. Every events in these series are interconnected and took place in Realms of Elderlings. I love them, she's the only female fantasy author I've read whom I like (so far). It's pure fantasy, not grim dark, but the characters can't be easily defined as the good/bad guys either. Give it a try, you might like it. 15 books though! You just have to be realistic about these things!

[@mikesbookreviews]

I have 15 Hobb books on my Kindle and I've never read a word of hers. Just hasn't found it's way to the top of the list yet. I would never start a series anywhere other than the beginning unless the author says to do so in a particular order. I'm down with traditional fantasy to combat the muckiness of grimdark sometimes.

[@TheDneaves]

Fitz and the fool were my favourite

[@silchasruin1]

Done most of the series you talk about. My favorites would be Malazan and Dresden Files. Malazan requires paying attention as you said. Dresden is much easier, but the start of the series is the authors first books and it shows. The first books are kinda fun, but it gets much better

[@mikesbookreviews]

silchasruin1 Thats why I said I wouldn’t start Malazan until I finish WoT.

[@cup1966wow]

@@mikesbookreviews Weirdly I never found Malazan difficult in that respect. But then again I am reading like 10 different series at once now and never really had the issue or forgetting what happened, so might just be me. Malazan is without doubt my favourite series. I am currently reading WoT, on book 7 and I am finding some characters feel like a massive slog to get through. Malazan I can read straight through easily.

[@Sirchud68]

Man, I know a lot of people look down their nose at tie-in fiction, but if you like grimdark Dan Abnett writes killer books for the Warhammer 40k setting. His Eisenhorn books rule. If you like military SciFi his Gaunts Ghosts books are also really good, IMHO.

[@mikesbookreviews]

I’ve been recommended those on several occasions.

[@robpaul7544]

Several WH40K writers are great, and that universe has a lot to offer.. but yeah, Dan Abnett is a must-read.

[@ChiannaNycole]

Jacqueline Carey's Kushiel's Dart is a fantastic peice of literature. Go in knowing there is a lot of sex though, luckily it didn't ruin it for me.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Yeah, sounds terrible. Heh. I'll add it to the Goodreads list.

[@robpaul7544]

Yeah, love - love! - that series.

[@rpbandz3533]

Love the videos, man! I’m currently on Book 10 of the Wheel of Time, and I also like to split up long series with other shorter books...Definitely check out Robin Hobb’s Farseer Books 1-9 (it is three, three book series); the first book is good and a little slow at times, but the rest of the series is incredible and one of my favorite reads of all time ... keep up the great content!!

[@mrt9043]

Ursula K LeGuin's Earthsea is awesome. The Darkover books by Marion Zimmer Bradley are another female author to check out if you haven't.

[@robpaul7544]

Malazan the greatest ever for me. Jay Kristoff books are good fun too. Tad Williams blows GRR Martin out of the water for me. Couple female writers I love aside from Hobb, who is amazing; Jacqueline Carey , Elizabeth Haydon , Tanith Lee, Anne Rice, Vivian Shaw

[@mikesbookreviews]

I read Anne Rice's Vampire Chronicles religiously up until about Merrick. I'd like to try RF Kuang, Anna Smith Spark, and a few others soon. My brother has been telling me since I first discovered A Game of Thrones back around 2001 that they were just a rip off of Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn.

[@robpaul7544]

@@mikesbookreviews Yeah, the Vampires lost it after book 4, wholly agree. But I also like the Witching Hour series and Servant of the Bones by Rice. Kuang is also on my tbr 😁

[@custarddavidson8104]

Robin Hobb’s Farseer Trilogy is definitely worth a read! The pacing is often VERY slow but the development of characters, particularly the main one, is great!

[@mikesbookreviews]

I have no problems with a slow start if the payoff is worth it.

[@xXTwinFusionsXx]

Check out the Bobiverse it's amamzing and all 3 of the book are around 300 pages and they are really easy fun reads I highly recommend!

[@mikesbookreviews]

I want to say I had "We Are Legion" on my iPad at one point. I'll look for them.

[@xXTwinFusionsXx]

@@mikesbookreviews I think you would enjoy them :)

[@nemoonbekend2483]

Only recently stumbled across your channel, but have enjoyed your reviews enough to subscribe; and will now haunt your comment threads from time to time. Well done.A few quick thoughts:The Dresden Files are not in any way sci-fi. They are very entertaining though and rather than getting long in the tooth I think the series has actually only improved with each book.The first couple of books are a little too lightweight for my taste. Butcher is a good storyteller and I used to use Dresden novels as a sort of palate cleanser.Malazan Book of the Fallen is flat out brilliant on every level. It can be a bit overwhelming at first to a lot of readers (you have no doubt been forewarned already). People either seem to love it or loathe it. I hope you get around to reviewing it sometime; I am curious to get your take.Both Erickson and Abercrombie have credited the Black Company series as inspiration and of course Glenn Cook is a kind of godfather to the grimdark genre. I read them as they were published over the years and enjoyed them all. Water Sleeps and She is the Darkness are the standouts for me.Ursula LaGuin's sci-fi is even better than her fantasy works.If you're looking for great women sci-fi authors read anything by Connie Willis or James Tiptree Jr.Hyperion Cantos resembles Dune in absolutely no way! (except quality).Am now going to go watch some more of your content. (I just finished A Little Hatred, and I will see what you made of it).

[@mikesbookreviews]

Thanks for jumping on board. I love all comments, especially those that differ in opinion (that's how learn from one another). It sounds like a lot of book series have been sold to me incorrectly based off people knowing how much I like Dune and Ender's Game. In the end, I just love good sci-fi; it doesn't have to be "like" another book at all. I mean, there's nothing quite like The Expanse and I think those are brilliant.

[@joshuahogberg1212]

The hack you are thinking of is Terry Goodkind. And trust me, the rate at which he releases new novels is the least of his vices. Just casually look him up on Google, his Facebook, Reddit, read any big piece of news somehow related to him. He is absolutely despicable.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Oh. I've been made aware. Only read one of his books as a teenager and don't even remember it.

[@dionshaewishum4179]

I couldn’t think of one female fantasy author that I have read in over 20 years. I crawled down my memory and remembered a Sword Singer and Dancer trilogy by Jennifer Roberson that I enjoyed. The first time I could recall an author had characters who routinely went into the bushes to piss and would watch each other’s back while they did. Great trilogy.

[@meganlove5240]

The Nevernight Chronicles are adult fantasy. Even if jay kristoff writes YA aswell. He has a very unique style of writing and the world building is all in his footnotes at the bottom of each page.

[@mikesbookreviews]

That's a neat idea. Like I said, I hadn't even heard of him until the release of the 3rd book in that series recently. The Fantasy Reddit and Goodreads couldn't stop talking about it, so I added it to the list.

[@xavimartin7173]

If you are still looking for female authors and you enjoy Robert E Howard you might like to check C. L. Moore.

[@kevins4254]

Quick comments on the books and authors you mentioned: Dresden Files- Read the first few books and couldn't get into them. The ultimate Mary Sue series. Malazan- I really want to start the series but I back out every time I check out Gardens of the Moon at the library. The series is just so big and complex. Totally agree with your comments on it. Female authors- Robin Hobb's Farseer Trilogy is solid. Earthsea is good, too. NK Jemisin is awful IMO. The Black Company- Excellent grimdark. Very similar to the First Law series. Hyperion- Loved it. Very unique. Can't be compared to any modern sci fi/fantasy books. Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn- Loved it. Awesome series. Riyria- I enjoyed the first book and will eventually continue the series. Conan- I haven't read any of the books but you've got me interested in them!!

[@mikesbookreviews]

That's depressing to hear about Dresden, as that's a trope I'm just sick of in this current generation of creators thinking their protagonist has to be perfect in every way. I get what you mean about Malazan. I've been saying I was going to tart it since 2010.

[@brucewayne547]

The Iron Druid and The Alchemist Nicholas Flamel. Probably late to the party but both series are good reads.

[@thefett4207]

The Dresden Files is a great series.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Facts.

[@thefett4207]

@@mikesbookreviews well funny thimg about this was that right after making this comment a video of you talking about the series pops up in my feed. Glad you decided to check it out and i hope you enjoy it.

[@Mark-iv6yg]

I have a lot of the same books on my TBR list, looking forward to your thoughts ( Dresden gets better and better, with each book, really! ) Malazan IS work. It will wreck you. It will have you questioning how you see the world, yourself, and everything you read afterwards. It will shred your soul to pieces a dozen times over, without ever bothering to put it back together. Really, Malazan will wreck you. But it’s such an extraordinary journey of resilience, compassion and forgiveness. “Always an even trade...”

[@mikesbookreviews]

Wow. Sounds like how I felt when I read Dune and it changed my life and made me question my reality and purpose in the universe.

[@brucewayne547]

Agree with Malazan comments it's a dedicated read. Big world building lots of characters but a great read.

[@nicholasgerdak1672]

Did you ever read the Hyperion Cantos?? I loved Hyperion and the Fall of Hyperion, I want to know your opinion

[@mikesbookreviews]

It’s on the schedule for next year!

[@nicholasgerdak1672]

Mike's Book Reviews everyone has that first book they read that opened them up into sci-fi/fantasy, mine was Hyperion! I’ve read more since then and I still think it’s good, but it’s special to me because it’s the reason I read to this day. Please don’t go in with expectation like dune. I’ve since read Dune and the only similarity is that they’re both amazing, that’s it

[@theriddler2277]

how have you not read malazan... bad boy is bad! go get your mind blown.

[@mikesbookreviews]

I plan to. Just want to finish Wheel of Time first. I feel like if I start another long series like that prior, I’ll never finish either of them.

[@kevinwarden2450]

I'd love to see your reviews on The Dagger and the Coin. Definitely my favorite "unknown" fantasy.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Kevin Warden if they’re half as good as Abraham’s work on The Expanse is, I’m sure I’ll love it.

[@kevinwarden2450]

@@mikesbookreviews Dagger\Coin is my first Abraham work, and it makes me want to read The Expanse. xD

[@mikesbookreviews]

@@kevinwarden2450 They're definitely worth the investment. Incredible world he and Ty Franck have built.

[@kevinwarden2450]

@@mikesbookreviews I look forward to reading them!

[@seanoconnell1380]

1st thing... you have the best comment section in youtube. Everyone really knows their books. Theres no nonsense. And the fact that you always reply is amazing. Keep it up. Anyway I just finished part one of oathbringer and I'm really into it. I know it's taken you awhile to get through but so far I'm not at that point where you were picking up other books. One last thing because I saw one of your replies mentioned mixed reviews about ryria. I watched a video that Stephen king had a good quote about reviews of his books. He said when the negative reviews are all saying the same thing he knows he probably didnt do a good job. When they are all negative about different things or really mixed as to why it was bad he knows he probably did a good job. Obviously everything he puts out has negative reviews it's just the nature of the internet. But that's something I like to keep in mind when I hear "mixed reviews". So I would go into Ryria with a open mind and ready to enjoy it.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Thank you, I appreciate the kind words. The whole point of this channel is to start a discussion, so I aim to reply to every comment, and not just with stock answers. The whole reason I took a break on Oathbringer was just Stormlight Archive burnout. I didn't read the first two when they were released. So I read 2.5 of them back-to-back-to-back and just ran out of gas. Then so much time passes that I just started Oathbringer over. It's a good book. Definitely my least favorite of the SA, but only because WoK and WoR are incredible. As for mixed reviews, I'll always take that over universal acclaim (i.e. Kingkiller) because it sets my expectations too high. Very much looking forward to Riyria.

[@anthonyleighton6018]

Robin Hobb is phenomenal!! start with assasins apprentice and read through at least royal assassin

[@sametkan3487]

I am not a huge fan of JK Rowling so Robin Hobb is my favorite female author. I like every series set in Realm of the Elderlings. Liveship Traders Trilogy is as good as The Farseer Trilogy

[@mikesbookreviews]

I mean, she hasn't been putting out books this long without any bad criticisms because she's a bad writer. Certainly looking forward to Farseer. I loved Harry Potter, but I never pretended that Rowling had amazing prose or anything.

[@invaderzod8092]

Make an in depth review / discussion of Dune please.

[@mikesbookreviews]

This is on the schedule next year, leading up to the release of the new film adaptation. Trust me, I'm frothing at the mouth to go all in talking Dune.

[@joeportelli5557]

Mike's Book Reviews & Geek Media Corps Podcast YESSS. Do lore videos, do reviews, do EVERYTHINGGGG. I wanna hear you talk about Dune for daysssss

[@jtlivin]

Thanks for some great recommendations to add to my list. And I love the shout out for Basil Poledouris' score from Conan the Barbarian. Some of the finest music written for film!

[@SlytigerSurvival]

Man, I just wrapped up ASOIAF. Wow. I don’t think I’ll ever like a fantasy series as much as GOT. Looking forward to Winds of Winter. I had to restart Wheel of Time because I stopped midway in the series when I went into the Army.

[@mikesbookreviews]

I read Storm of Swords when it was a new release and at the time I remember thinking it was the greatest fantasy book I had ever read, so I definitely get the excitement.

[@jadapandy]

Hands down, in this order, you MUST read: John Gwynne's Faithful and Fallen series. Jay Kristoff trilogys. Brian Lumley's Necroscope series.Lumley Casca the Eternal Mercenary series. Brian Lee Durfee's The Five Warrior Angels series, The Forgetting Moon & The Blackest Heart.

[@mikesbookreviews]

I have the Faithful and the Fallen and the first couple Blood and Bone books. Also, I have the Nevernight. The rest I haven't even heard of, so I'll look into them. Thanks for recs!

[@coleton7048]

Oh shit a shout out even in the thumbnail! Haha Nice! Conan really is badass.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Hey, there you are, man! I gave you a shout out (sorta, your name slipped my memory) in the book haul video when I picked up the collection. 3:30 mark kzbin.info/www/bejne/oWW2l6F_bayca9E

[@turtleanton6539]

I really love Conan too!

[@coleton7048]

@@mikesbookreviews Hell yea man. You'll really enjoy them I think. Also I'll say that I adore Robin Hobbs Realm of the Elderlings series. Very melancholy and slower paced, much more of a deep character study than most fantasy I've read. Highly recommend them as well!

[@mikesbookreviews]

@@coleton7048 I have 16 of books on my Kindle. I'm kind of running out of excuses ha ha

[@coleton7048]

@@mikesbookreviews Robin Hobb's Liveship Traders Trilogy is one of the most vivid, sprawling, epic, unique and masterfully crafted stories I've ever experienced. You have to read the Farseer trilogy before it but goddamn... Liveship Traders is a fucking diamond jewel hidden within the fantasy genre. It's an absolutely remarkable trilogy.

[@the_only_bunny]

If you're looking for a good fantasy female author then you could read A DARKER SHADE OF MAGIC by Victoria Scwhab. Its a trilogy.

[@mikesbookreviews]

I’ll add it to the list. Thanks!

[@MrTofy1974]

If you want a good SciFi series read Yoon Ha Lee's Machineries of Empire....just amazing....I have the whole Malazan series (21 books) set to be read in 2021 or 2022...depending on when I finish WoT...hopefully end of 2020.....as for a good female writer you should read The Temeraire series by Naomi Novik.....but you can't go wrong with Robin Hobb or Ursula LeGuin....you can also try Sarah J. Maas, but she is a YA writer (which I've read and enjoyed)....Jay Kristoff is also a YA writer, just so you know

[@mikesbookreviews]

Lots of mentions of Novik in here, so that'll get a peek from me. I hope you start Malazan before me so you can give me feedback.

[@Rajathon]

I like Robin Hobb her books get better second trilogy is my favorite. Sara Douglas is a good female author too. She did wayfarers redemption. I really like Dave Duncan too but I feel I'm the only one.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Haven't heard of Sara Douglas, but I have heard the name Wayfarers Redemption before. Is it getting adapter for film/TV? Is Duncan the 7th Sword books? If so, my brother had those, too.

[@Rajathon]

@@mikesbookreviews Yeah Duncan did the Seventh Sword. I liked the Fairy Lands Forlorn series he did best. I don't know about Wayfarers getting adapted.

[@mikesbookreviews]

@@Rajathon I must have heard about it from Goodreads or something. I'll keep it in mind.

[@nemoonbekend2483]

You're not the only one. The "Man of his Word" and "Handful of Men" tetralogies were great. Dave Duncan doesn't get enough attention.

[@sgtslick7]

I don't really do YA either and I heard nevernight was good like you and from memory, it is indeed YA - so im hesitant. What about www.goodreads.com/series/136308 licanius triology, im super hyped for 3rd book coming in December, you might dig it imo.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Haven't heard of it, but those covers are sexy. I'll keep them in mind.

[@papige0ne]

nevernight is not very good. it is more for teenage girls and a bit cringy

[@SlytigerSurvival]

I picked up the 3 Stormlight books, Gardens of the Moon, and a Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. I am looking forward to the Kingkiller Chronicles, too.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Sounds like your next year is booked. Pun intended.

[@artbyandia]

Robin Hobb is my current favourite author so here it goes! Her most well known series is the Realm of the Elderlings and it starts with the Farseer trilogy. The first book is called "Assassin's Apprentice" and I liked it but it didn't grab me right away. I was hooked after the 2nd book and I didn't read anything else and didn't rest until I finished the entire series. Nighteyes, the best fictional wolf ever, appears in the 2nd book, some characters develop more and there is more plot and more about the world is revealed. The series has some ups and downs but I love the characters so much that it didn't bother me. It is very character focused and it can be slow. The magic feels like it's part of every day life. There isn't any complex magic systems and stuff like that. The world building is fantastic and very magical even though the map is not that big. I would read anything she decides to write in this world but everything is so slowly revealed that only reading the entire series will give a complete grasp of it all. My personal favourite trilogies are the Tawny Man and the Liveship Traders, but reading in order is a must to understand characters and plot and not be spoiled for future events. The last trilogy in the series, Fitz and the Fool trilogy, is darker and sometimes reminded me of grimdark fantasy but the others have a nice balance of dark and fun moments for the most part. Everything is very sad though. Most characters don't have a happy story here and I cried in every book. That's it for Robin Hobb ahahah I don't know if it will be to your liking (especially because Fitz can be a downer), but you should try it. I only read 2 books by Ursula K. Le Guin, but those were science fiction, from the Hainish Cycle "series", and I enjoyed them both. I have her fantasy series on my list to try. I am trying to find more female fantasy authors too. The Lies of Locke Lamora is amazing and one of my favourite books. The second book wasn't as great for me, but I still want to read the 3rd one.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Thanks for this. You really sold me on Hobb, for sure. As far as not liking books for being a "downer," Joe Abercrombie is my favorite fantasy author working today. So I like to think I'm seasoned in that department. Heh.

[@artbyandia]

@@mikesbookreviews You're welcome. Ah yes. Abercrombie is another one of my favourites. Him and Hobb have very different styles but I love how both of them write complex characters.

[@mikesbookreviews]

@@artbyandia I always say a book is only as good as its characters. If you don't care about them, you won't care what happens to them.

[@artbyandia]

@@mikesbookreviews Definetely true for me. Characters are what I care the most about any book. I have read books that had interesting ideas but the characters weren't developed at all and I still liked them, but those never became my favourites. I also read books with weak plots and excellent characters and I loved them. If I like the characters the author already got me and the only way they can disappoint me is if the characters don't act like themselves or their evolution isn't done in a believable way. Otherwise they can do whatever they want with the plot. It doesn't even need a plot sometimes.

[@mikesbookreviews]

@@artbyandia I'm with you 100%.

[@tylerblack301]

A series I plan on reading soon is The Chronicles of Prydain by Lloyd Alexander. It’s a shorter book series in length, I think 5 books at about 200-300 pages, so a quick series. I’m also adapting the reading style of reading a few books in a big series and then taking a break and reading other books before going back to the big series. Phew that was a lot! So thank you for giving me that idea! Also regarding The Wheel of Time, please don’t go into books 7-10 with the idea of it being a slog. The nickname slog was given by all of the original readers who didn’t like the fact that the plot lines and main story slowed down. There are huge events that still happen, the pace just isn’t fast like the first 6 books. And ignoring the slog idea comes from someone who almost gave up on the series last year because of the slog mindset.

[@mikesbookreviews]

I feel like I'm mentally prepared for those WoT books to a point where I'll be fine. Also, the best way to avoid the burnout is to switch series. I read WoT 5 & 6 and then read the Red Rising trilogy before moving to Broken Empire and Demon Cycle. Keeps everything fresh.

[@thomasburk871]

I have read books 1-10 of Realm of the Elderlings thus far which includes Farseer and Tawny Man trilogies. It also includes the Liveship Traders trilogy which are my personal favorite. Cannot recommend Hobb more highly, she is fantastic, and I find I connect more deeply with her characters than pretty much anyone else. Another great female author who you hadn't mentioned is Lois McMaster Bujold. Most of her books are in the World of the Five Gods and there is a longer trilogy as well as a few novellas that you can burn through pretty quickly. I found some similar black company books a while back and once I am caught up on Joe Abercrombies books(reading the Heroes now) I am planning to dive into those. One other book you may consider is Kings of the Wyld. It's a quick read and doesn't take itself super seriously which might make it a good book to break up a long series read in between tomes.

[@mikesbookreviews]

I'm glad to hear so much positive feedback on Hobb. Sounds like it'll be a worthwhile investment. I'll add Kings of the Wyld to my "interested" list. Thanks!

[@igotissues1386]

I've been chomping at the bit for Gentleman Bastards, Riyria and Broken Empire series. I'm reading Powder Mage and the Joe Abercrombie standalone books atm but I've had those on my list for years. I also really want to read The Witcher and finish the WoT. Far too many good series.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Indeed. It's awesome knowing that I'll never run out of things to read, but it also seems daunting with how many great (or supposedly great) series are out there.

[@MrBroncolife]

Some of the lastest audiobooks that I liked a lot are Kings of the Wyld, Chronicles of the Black Gate, Expeditionary force, Bobiverse and the Gentleman Bastards series.

[@mikesbookreviews]

I got the Bobiverse books after the numerous recommendations for it in this thread.

[@Hadrian1616]

Hi Mike, glad to hear your making your way through Oathbringer. I hope one day I get to smash the button on a Mistborn notification from your channel. One day right? Dresden Files will be fun little reads immersing you deeper in Butcher's world. Riyria Revelations - OMG Michael J Sullivan hooked me into the world of Elan. I'm not hyping it beyond its means, it just holds a dear place to me similar to Ender's Game/Dune/Steven King to you. Sullivan is the self-published king of fantasy according to wikipedia. Lies of Locke Lamora - Scott Lynch has crafted a fine world with a mysterious backstory, some lovable characters you'll die to protect, and a sense of humor in his prose you can't help but chuckle along with. To keep myself from getting burned out in Fantasy, I make sure to keep some Sci-Fi/LitRPG handy to break the monotony if needed. Brandon Sanderson praises Jane Yolen's books during the formative years of his literary journey. Good luck Mike, have a sensational day. Tried to watch all of the other video with Danny, but it was too long and a podcast length video was too long at that moment.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Happy to hear your Riyria opinion. Seems folks are mixed on them, but they only have great things to say about Sullivan. I saw he did a kickstarter to release the last few Age of Legends books independently and he hit his target goal in less than a day, so the fandom is definitely rabid. Yes, always have to mix in some sci-fi/horror to keep myself from burning out on fantasy, especially with the ones that dedicate so much time to world building like Sanderson and Jordan. As far as Mistborn, when I decide to dive into the Way & Wayne books, I'll likely do a retrospective of it.

[@traqnhristov960]

I was 13 or 14 when i read Hyperion. Didnt get what was going on at all. Never picked it up again. Still i dont remember it being like Dune. P.S. Have you read Deathworld series by Harry Harrison? Easy to read Sci-fi for between long series.

[@mikesbookreviews]

I've heard since this video it is NOTHING like Dune. So not sure where that person was coming from.

[@nexishadow]

You might like The Last Saxon series by Bernard Cornwell. Also a show on Netflix.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Love the show! I have the first 8 books on my Kindle but don’t know when I’ll get to them.

[@jadapandy]

Fellow Texan, how could you not have tried Conan the Barbarian novels, or MY Best-selling author Jay Kristoff trilogys?!

[@mikesbookreviews]

The Jay Kristoff stuff I just heard about for the first time a month ago. As for Conan, I read some paperbacks as a kid and I enjoyed them, but I was mostly waiting to find a good hardcover collection. Now I have that, Kull, and Solomon Kane.

[@ves138]

I know im late but I just discovered your channel and I gotta say you have sky rocketed to my top 3 fav booktubers (alongside Murphy and Daniel)! Huge Lawrence fan btw, i feel about Lawrence even stronger then how you feel about Abrecrombie. So to clarify it for you if you havent found out yet; Red queens war takes place in the same universe as The Broken empire but different protagonists, arguably alot better written and the protagonist is just hillarious. Not quite as dark as TBA due to the protagonist but it still gets pretty dark. It fleshes out ALOT the world and the events that would happen in TBA. The Book Of The Ancestor is a teilogy set in its own world, completely seperate from these first 2 trilogies and its the most accesible work of his, and according to Daniel and most people it is his best work when it comes to writing skill and technicality. A quick summary would be following a girl since she is a kid to adulthood, and she was trained in a nun school as an assassin (nuns are bassicly assassins in this world). The Impossible Times is a scifi trilogy which is also its own thing and it takes place in 1980s London, following a group of DnD players. Apperently it has some cool science in it and written extremely well due to Lawrence having a degree in Physics and PhD in Engineering. He was a scientist all his life and a pretty succesfull one if i recall correctly. Anyway I only read his first 2 trilogies and I am starting Book of the ancestor soon, hope this cleared everything up.

[@mikesbookreviews]

I'm very into Mark Lawrence even though I've only read 2 books. I've heard so much about Book of the Ancestor, but realized I needed to read the Red Queen trilogy first. I have all 4 series on my Kindle that you mentioned. Bought the last Impossible Times last Tuesday.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Also, thank you so much. I can only hope to one day be as consistent and well-informed as Merphy and Daniel.

[@ves138]

Mike's Book Reviews & Geek Media Corps Podcast I’ve been on a marathon of your videos so you’re def doing alot of thing s right! I especially agree with your views about putring agendas and politics in fantasy books (especially YA) as of late. I myself agree with most of left views but that shit even annoys me because it is so unnecessary and forced

[@mikesbookreviews]

@@ves138 Right. When I say stuff like that people accuse me of being a "MAGA Head" or whatever. I really could care less about all that. I just like my fictional worlds to stay fictional. If you're just stumping in your fantasy novel, it kills the immersion for me.

[@ves138]

Mike's Book Reviews & Geek Media Corps Podcast exactly. I read for escapism, not to be thought what political views are “right” and what I should think. It makes rhe world feel like a cop out for some writer to express his politics in it. Im glad im not the only one here with the same views, i like to keep my fantasy movies/tv shows/books without any politics, that is why i am not a huge fan of the new SW, even tho mosr of that is due to dumb plotholes TLJ created

[@fairytail4lifenalu86]

Ring Katharine kerr, her Deverry series is amazing

[@mikesbookreviews]

I remember seeing those books when I was a kid. Is the series still going? It was about 10+ last time I looked.

[@fairytail4lifenalu86]

Still going strong, the main series has 15 books I think, the first 8 particularly are excellent, but all are good

[@xXTwinFusionsXx]

I can understand why people say Hyperion is like Dune but I just think it is because of the writing style and not the actual stories, you can tell when you read them that they are classic science fiction iam just about to finish the second book in the Hyperion cantos and I would recommend it !

[@mikesbookreviews]

The Dune comparison aside, I have heard NOTHING but great things about those books.

[@robmcbride4576]

It keeps trying to recommend Nevernight to me, as well haha!! I have heard its one of those kinds of books that you can either get into and love or you end up not finishing. Also, glad to hear your fitting in the witcher. Those books helped me get back into reading after I got out of my second round of college. I like the games so much I decided to check them out and it got me back into the book consuming habit. I know your not the audiobook type, but, if anyone is asking, the voice actor for those books does a good job. The Steven Pacey performance on the First law books is still my favorite but, Peter Kenny is not far behind.

[@mikesbookreviews]

I'm only a book and a half into the Witcher books, but I'm really enjoying them. Can't wait for the Netflix series. I'm way more optimistic about it than I am the Wheel of Time series.

[@danielfreitas8196]

I don’t know if anybody answered you already or not but the Red Queen’s War is in the same World as Broken Empire. They take place almost at the same time except the Wheel of Osheim takes place before the events in Emperor of Thorns. His prose is magnifique all the way through. Now, book of the Ancestor takes place in another World called Abeth. There is not proof they share the same universe. And the next book that’s coming out The Girl and the Stars (part of another trilogy) will take place in Abeth as well although, exploring others regions of it ! Hope that helps.

[@b_rayme]

Ever read any Salvatore?

[@brucerobinson3850]

Books Series I like The Cycle of Arawn, & The Cycle of Galand. bye Edward W Robinson It's similar in style to theft of swords aka buddy adventure

[@PinkKitten002]

I'm happy you mentioned memory, sorrow and thorn. It's a fantastic series and I think falls under the "wholesome fun epic fantasy adventure" it doesn't go out of its way to make *everything* "unique" but it's really great still and simon is a super likeable character, it's probably one of my favorites next to Harry Potter.

[@markbaker737]

Hey Mike.. Im wanting to start The Powder Mage Trilogy my Brian McClellan. I have heard nothing but good things about it. I am going to start The Black Company very shortly.. grim dark im there.

[@mikesbookreviews]

I have Powder Mage on my Kindle. I, too, have heard pretty much unanimously great things.

[@kinginthenorth2013]

The dread empire by Glen Cook is good too.

[@spleeenb4uwere551]

I’m here for the wheel of time

[@mikesbookreviews]

And that journey will continue soon.

[@dilluminatilair]

Second Apocalypse by Bakker who is the real Lord Grimdark.

[@Jaeno311]

VE Schwab. She's great

[@mikesbookreviews]

I see Goodreads categorizes her under YA. Would you say that's accurate?

[@Jaeno311]

@@mikesbookreviews I've only read her Darker Shade of Magic trilogy and it's not really YA. I think most of her other stuff is.

[@mikesbookreviews]

@@Jaeno311 Okay, I'll check it out.

[@MrTofy1974]

@@mikesbookreviews I believe VE Shwab writes under a second name when she does YA books? Don't quote me on that though Mike.

[@TheJoshuaborden]

Dan Simmons !!! Nothing like Dune.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Yes, I was very misinformed on that one. I think it was just someone trying to use my love for Dune as a selling point.

[@Edog1337]

Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn not worth it IMO. Feels like generic 80s fantasy, he is more verbose than Robert Jordan. Seriously, he is the master at writing too damn many words, but not saying much. Not worth it, we have so much better fantasy to choose from nowadays. If you want a generic 90s fantasy series that reads better but has the same tone, try Greg Keyes' Briar King series. Or, Lois Bujold's Curse of Chalion stuff if you want an actually fantastic female author, Hugo winning, fantasy from the same era.

[@mikesbookreviews]

I feel like I've talked myself out of M,S,&T the past few months for this very reason. Authors were so scared to step outside of Tolkien style in the 80s and 90s because that's all publishers thought folks would read. Then, the ones that did, spent 50+ pages describing a castle to me. I've heard good things about Briar King.

[@Edog1337]

Ya, from the 50 hours + I’ve watched of you, I don’t think tad Williams is your cat

[@mikesbookreviews]

@@Edog1337 Thanks for the heads up.

[@kinginthenorth2013]

I enjoy it...but you aren't completely wrong. That being said the sequel trilogy to memory sorrow and thorn is actually much better in terms of writing and how dark it gets.

[@merakeengames]

mmm. ok, I have read the Cantos of Hyperion (they are four books, and another short book if I can say so) The first two books tell one story, and the other two books tell a different story in the future, and the last short book is the final story. But they are all connected anyway. I have read Dune and Ender games, and Hyperion is nothing like that. Actually, Hyperion ( the first book) is more like The Canterbury Tales. I liked Dune (although I haven't read the whole series) Ender games was ok for me (I just read the first book). But Hyperion. wow. It is one of my favorite series. Actually, I would dare to compare it with Harry Potter. I know they are different stories and genders. But, if you have read Harry Potter and you have seen that every chapter and every book surprises you with a new discovery, well, that is what I felt by reading Hyperion. I totally recommend it. I wouldn't say that it is as cyber punk world. I don't know. They are not long books, and they are easy to read, except for some words that are invented. But really, please, read it. I totally recommend it. Actually I was trying to reread it, because it was an amazing story.

[@mikesbookreviews]

That's a very intriguing comparison that makes me want to move it up my list.

[@merakeengames]

@@mikesbookreviews Let's say that in the first book, every story gives you a new hint, in order to understand all. Then you finish the book, and you think, that's it, ... what else? Everything was done, but then, you have a second book, and more new things. Then the third book. When I started reading it, I was like... mmm, I think I don't want to read it because it is a different story in the future, then... wow, it was all connected, and then I discovered new things and my mind was blown away. It is like, when you think you have discovered all then sth new comes. Ok, maybe I'm too much fan of these books, but they are really great. At least, read the first book, and then you will see if it is your type of book or not.

[@mikesbookreviews]

@@merakeengames I love a good hook as long as the payoff is worth it.

[@merakeengames]

@@mikesbookreviews I think you will like it

[@seanhall7705]

Here are two female authors that I've really enjoyed recently. One Scifi and one Fantasy. The Murderbot Diaries - Martha Wells Spinning Silver - Naomi Novik The Murderbot Diaries are a collection of short stories. Make sure you get the full collection and not one of the individual stories. Martha Wells has also done a Star Wars novel, but I haven't read it yet. Spinning Silver was such a beautiful story and a joy to read. It's hard to compare to other Fantasy stories. It reminded me a little bit of The Chronicles of Narnia. If you're ever in the mood for some good Scifi, I highly recommend the Bobiverse series by Dennis E. Taylor, and the Expeditionary Force series by Craig Alanson. I was legitimately sad when I finished the last Bobiverse book because I didn't want the story to end. It was that good.

[@mikesbookreviews]

I remember when Wells wrote "Razors Edge" (A Star Wars Legends book I actually have NOT yet read), but it's the first I've heard of Novik. But any comparison to Narnia is going to get my attention.

[@mikesbookreviews]

This is also the 2nd rec for the Bobiverse. Definitely going to seek it out.

[@morganziegler7351]

Definitely second Spinning Silver!! The atmosphere that Novik created made me feel the bitter cold forests even when I read the book in July! It felt truly magical reading it. Like a dark fairy tale with developed characters and amazing prose.

[@mikesbookreviews]

@@morganziegler7351 Okay, okay...you guys sold me. It's going on the TBR list.

[@QuirkyQuillify]

I seriously dig your book shelf!

[@mikesbookreviews]

Thanks! It was a labor of love.

[@loriannwhite8384]

QuirkyQuillify I would definitely love to see a book shelves tour.

[@mikesbookreviews]

@@loriannwhite8384 I could do a shelf tour in the future now that I've gotten all my Star Wars books out of storage.

[@dansmith3085]

For female authors try the late Tanith Lee or C.J. Cherryh. Both are good, although Cherryh’s prose can be a little dense. The Conan stories are in some ways atypical Robert E. Howard work. They were written to sell to Farnsworth Wright, editor of Weird Tales magazine. Wright had particular things he always wanted to see in stories. Conan is still great, but I think the Kull and Solomon Kane stories are better myself. In general, I would recommend you sample the writers from the first half of the twentieth century. Fantasy did NOT begin with Tolkien. Read Edgar Rice Burroughs, Abraham Merritt, H.P. Lovecraft, Fritz Leiber, Leigh Brackett, Clark Ashton Smith, etc. A good resource is the Ballantine Adult Fantasy series edited by Lin Carter, from the late 60’s/early70’s. The Broken Sword by Poul Anderson is worth a look as well. Modern stuff- Cirsova Magazine, Thune’s Vision by Schuyler Hernstrom, the Swords and Steel Omnibus from DMR Books (metal musicians write Swords and Sorcery stories). Larry Correia has several current series that are a lot of fun. Hyperion is modeled on The Canterbury Tales. Any Dan Simmons is worth reading. His horror fiction is very good. Check out Robert McCammon- Swan Song or The Wolf’s Hour. Lastly, absolutely avoid Marion Zimmer Bradley and any of the 70’s Feminist writers in her orbit. Bradley was a pedophile monster who raped her own daughter, and tried to murder the girl when she resisted. Look up the book The Last Closet, by Moira Greyland (the daughter) for more info.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Wow, thanks for this! I will certainly add most of this to the list.

[@TheJoshuaborden]

Robin Hobb Farseer Trilogy

[@mikesbookreviews]

It's happening next year! Already on the schedule.

[@turtleanton6539]

I tried the first Malazan Book to and it was very confusing

[@Jaeno311]

There are guides that you can follow that actually make it way more fun. You just have to keep going then it'll all come together. Its so worth it.

[@mikesbookreviews]

I have definitely heard it is an investment with a big payoff if you can stick with it.

[@morganziegler7351]

I'm really glad I buddy-read Gardens of the Moon with a group of people!! It can be a little confusing to tackle on your own, for sure. The Tor readalong is wonderful too "Malazan Reread of the Fallen" on their site. Super helpful if any particular part has you head scratching. It was Erikson's first book and there was about a decade gap in between GoTM and the second Malazan book and it definitely shows. The second installment blew me away with quality. Still an effort to be made, but leaps and bounds ahead of Gardens of the Moon for me, which I also quite enjoyed. I am reading one Malazan book per month until I finish the series. It's a wonderful experience for me and I can't wait until you check it out Mike! I'm holding off on Wheel of Time until I finish Malazan so it's kind of funny for me to see someone doing the opposite waiting on Malazan until they finish WoT. :D

[@mikesbookreviews]

@@morganziegler7351 Buddy reads are super helpful. My wife and I used to do that before she abandoned me for the non-fiction and YA world.

[@fredrikgranstrom6743]

WHAT ABOUT DWARVES

[@mikesbookreviews]

I don't think I'd even heard about that series when I recorded this. But I do have it on my Goodreads list.

[@AozoraZz]

I'm currently reading Assassin's Apprentice by Robin Hobb. It has a slice of life feel to it. It's a slow read at first, but once I got the hang of it, I found myself enjoying it. It's quite different from anything I read before. I still have difficulty describing it. All I can say it's poignant. I found myself relating and caring for her characters. I guess that says a lot.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Sounds like she spends time on her characters. I like that.

[@sametkan3487]

I agree. The best thing about Robin Hobb is that you understand the emotions and motivations of the protagonists very well. This helps you to relate and care for characters a lot

[@mikesbookreviews]

@@sametkan3487 So many authors in this genre focus on world building so much that they forget to make me care about the characters. Love what I'm hearing here.

[@AozoraZz]

@@sametkan3487 I liked RH's prose as well and I found her dialogues immersive.

[@AozoraZz]

@@mikesbookreviews Yeah, funny I find Robin Hobb a bit similar to Joe Abercrombie even though her books are oh so different to Joe's. I can't point out why yet.

[@WMax-rm3ue]

Anyone read Jade city?

[@WMax-rm3ue]

Anyone read Jade city?

[@TheJoshuaborden]

Robin Hobb = fantastic

[@QuirkyQuillify]

I've read all three books of the Riyria chronicles and the two stand alone prequals. I find them entertaining enough. The two lead characters have great chemistry and is easily the strongest part of the whole series. But I find the writing style to be just serviceable. Not great writing. The world building is also just ok. Read them when you want something light and entertaining.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Nothing wrong with that. Not everything has to be a Tolkien-sized universe. Light and airy is fun sometimes.

[@daddystabz]

Robert E. Howard is one of the greatest fantasy authors of all time.