5 Modern Fantasy Books You MUST Read

[@CapturedInWords]

Get yourself some tee's here: intotheam.com/CAPTUREDINWORDS use the coupon code CAPTUREDINWORDS for 10% off! Also let me know your book recommendations!

[@remero_0]

day 2 of asking you to review the webnovel lord of the mysteries a book that has some of the best world building ever

[@asmrglow]

The Blacktongue thief looks so interesting! I don’t think I’ve seen a lot about it on booktube so that’s awesome to see something new

[@DrunkenGyarados]

It’s a decent book, but nothing amazing. Feels a lot like a worse version of Kings of the Wyld, if you’ve read that.

[@loudfunstrawberry4127]

This is an excellently edited video. Suddenly, I am interested in all these worlds. You made this video very exciting.

[@CapturedInWords]

Thank you, I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[@JennHernes]

Nothing in a review makes me want to read a book more than 'I wish I could read this again for the first time'. Definitely going to check these books out, they sound amazing!

[@cloudlights2643]

the sword of kaigen is my favourite stand alone fantasy book! really recommend it

[@misternegative4918]

Will of the Many and The Book that Wouldn’t Burn were my favorite books last year. Currently starting my Sword of Kaigen too!

[@undeadnedstark8330]

I always love the editing so much

[@Books_BrewsandBeyond]

I will be diving into The Will of the many next month. The book that wouldn't burn sounds intriguing. You explained each book brilliantly- and those effects chef's kiss!.

[@iNeedScissors67]

The Book That Wouldn't Burn was my favorite of the 36 books I read last year outside of the Dungeon Crawler Carl series. It's really, really fascinating.

[@gachafiedstreams]

It’s a month later. Have you read twotm? It’s incredible

[@neutral_narr]

How is it?

[@SuperDoctor9]

The Will of the Many and The Book that Wouldn't Burn went straight on my TBR when i first saw them, still need to get around to them. If you loved the Sword of Kaigen you have to read Blood Over Bright Haven, one of the best books I read last year and I can't stop recommending it to people

[@CapturedInWords]

Hope you enjoy them as much as I did! Wow sounds like I will definitely need to read Blood Over Bright Haven soon!

[@AlexNitsu]

This video is how I know I'm subscribed for the right booktuber for me - 2 books I read and enjoyed, 2 books I already bought abn planning to read, and one that is absultely new to me, so I'm adding to my tbr.

[@jesseclive5093]

Can't lie, this channel is the best I've seen that gives you detailed recommendations without spoiling anything. I love the special animations used to explain the book mixed in with some music to give the vibe of the book!! 100% W

[@Valkrill]

Almost done with my 1st draft of my first book, on track to become one of your next favorites!

[@CapturedInWords]

Awesome, keep up the writing!

[@Integral888]

Great to see you recommending The Will of the Many and The Book That Wouldn't Burn, my top 2 books of last year. TBTWB drew me in so much that I went and listened to the audiobook after I finished my read. Guess I have no choice but to read The Blacktongue Thief given the main characters name!

[@helena-fe8rw]

The will of many is ready good! Thank you for recommendations ❤

[@LimeymanZero]

The Will of the Many is great, I'm so excited for The Strength of the Few too! I have The Book That Wouldn't Burn, not read it yet but I'm going to start it soon. Where is Jade City? That book really belongs in this video!

[@azu7495]

I love how you edit your videos, it makes me want to read the book immediately.

[@Greenman4890]

I didn't expect you to sell most of these to me, but you totally did lol. My list grows

[@CapturedInWords]

Hope you enjoy them!

[@zynpkrdg]

Yes i agree with everything you said about The Sword of Kaigen! It's my favorite standalone book and made me bawl my eyes out but it's also very satisfying, mature, meaningful, and makes you think about it even long after you've finished it. Truly a wonderful story, very well done in every aspect.

[@SarahAsYouWish]

I highly recommend Between Two Fires, which is a standalone fantasy with some horror elements by Christopher Buehlman. The writing, wit, and character work are all top-notch.

[@CapturedInWords]

Thank you for the recommendation! I'm definitely going to check this out, it sounds like just what I'm looking for

[@kpax2066]

I just got my copy of "The Will of The Many" delivered last night from Amazon. I started reading it before I went to bed and despite only getting to around page 40, I can tell that I'm going to enjoy this book! Thank you for the recommendation! When I finish it, I will let you know what I thought.

[@forthemusic9875]

Thanks for the recommendations, I will give them a read. I have just finished the Sailing to Sarantium/ Lord of Emperors duology by Guy Gavriel Kay. It was an absolute knock out. Seriously, at the end of it ,I had tears in my eyes, I was so sad to be leaving the world the writer created. On the surface it perhaps doesn't sound a thrill a minute. A mosaicist is called to the fabled city of Sarantium to complete the mosaic ceiling of a huge temple the Emperor is building. But the mosaicist is soon embroiled in a unique adventure, with loads of action, sensuality, a touch of magic and also a bit of philosophy. It really is a great book.

[@ladyfox6705]

Sounds interesting! Another for the TBR then📚 ...just looking it up atm, and see he's written quite a few books, including a series about a tapestry!

[@cameronduetsch5491]

Will of the Many sounds like the Red Rising trilogy but in Fantasy... is that a wrong assumption?

[@CapturedInWords]

I would say that's a good comparison, it does feel a bit similar to Red Rising with some of the magic systems from Brandon Sanderson, especially Warbreaker.

[@abicook1928]

Wonderful video! Thank you very much and thank you for recommending Jen William's Winnowing Flame trilogy. Absolutely loved these and think they need more recognition. One of my favourite trilogies I have read.

[@spookxvi1188]

Your recommendations are always fire. I can't wait to check all of these out! your last recommendation I followed was Kings Dark Tidings and it's one of my new all time favorites!!

[@CapturedInWords]

So happy you enjoyed Kings Dark Tidings! Hope you enjoy these ones too! 😀

[@thalita.carvalho]

I started reading The Will of the Many because of this video and I can say I don't regret it at all. I'm in chapter X and totally into the story!

[@CapturedInWords]

Awesome!! So glad you're enjoying it!

[@caitlinl2750]

I’ve read these all!! The daughter’s war is coming out soon which is a prequel to Blacktongue thief! I read the arc and it’s amazing!😊

[@ladyfox6705]

I just got The Book That Wouldn't Burn (my first Lawrence read), and the Sword of Kaigen looks interesting. Love the sound of the world-building in The Ninth Rain, and the background images you've used are fantastic!

[@CapturedInWords]

Awesome!! Both are really great! Enjoy the read!

[@eric8841]

Definitely adding some of these to my TBR list! Thanks

[@CapturedInWords]

Hope you enjoy them! 😄

[@wiebsche]

Jay, if you enjoy ancient civilizations and uncovering artifacts and stuff like this, I highly recommend the Lady Trent Books, starting with A Natural History of Dragons :) The greatest discoveries come later in the series, but the feeling of "there's something here that has been forgotten" is there from the start.

[@CapturedInWords]

Ooooo I will definitely add this to my list of series to check out, thank you! Sounds very cool!

[@chestersnap]

Aside from The Book That Wouldn't Burn (which I'm only currently reading - and oh boy that twist I got to this morning), I've read all of Lawrence's books. I really like his writing and love the way he interconnects all of his series. It's all clearly related, but most likely as alternate universes to each other, which gives you the chance to spot cameos and create your own ideas of the overarching history of the multiverse he created without requiring him to keep track of every connection and potentially opening things up to huge plot holes. It gives you a bigger mental space to interact with the multiple series and so you can spend a lot more time with the characters and worlds even outside of the writing. You can tell the Broken Empire series was done when he had less experience, though. I suspect that one scene at the start that establishes the absolute trash being that Jorg Ancrath (of Crath City - the city the library from The Book That Wouldn't Burn is set in) is was written in after beta readers read the first book and said they like Jorg. It just stands out to me compared to everything else he does and it's on like page 8.

[@kels4650md]

Just picked up 2 of them from the library - thanks for the recs!

[@valliyarnl]

*takes notes* also (16:00) when I think of Goblins I think of Daniel Greene

[@CapturedInWords]

Hahaha, I was thinking of editing a photo of him in when I was talking about goblins and now regret that I didn't lol

[@dewaldtmaritz3372]

Enjoyed this one, looking forward to picking up to the Blacktongue thief!

[@CapturedInWords]

Awesome! Hope you enjoy it!

[@Damon-Is-Alone]

Thanks for this list!

[@CapturedInWords]

You bet! Thanks for watching :)

[@Theprinceofsweden]

Love your videos. Would be cool if you did an analysis video on slow regard of silent things and all the clues scattered throughout

[@CapturedInWords]

Great suggestion! I took some notes while reading it, and definitely intend on doing a video like this at some point!

[@Theprinceofsweden]

@@CapturedInWords cool!

[@davidmoates5277]

The Will of the Many is amazing. Agreed with the must read!!! I can’t wait to reread it.

[@tbc907]

I didn’t enjoy the ninth rain, but I agree that the other books are fantastic. Thank you for giving some underrated books some love.

[@intothepagespodcast]

I am nervous to try the Will of the Many as I didn't like the Shadow of what was Lost 😕

[@Zoe-nq9ke]

Have you read the rest of the trilogy? The books get better. Plus, apparently the first book was self-published.

[@gachafiedstreams]

Twotm is very different then shadow. The licanius trilogy walked so will of many could run.

[@intothepagespodcast]

@@gachafiedstreams Ok sweet!

[@CurieBohr]

Don’t judge a book by its cover, The Will of the Many

[@thebigshep]

It has a good cover though?

[@potionseller2083]

Such an unfortunate cover. Real eyesore

[@grimgonz0407]

It has a great cover reminiscent of the Easton Press editions of "The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire", it's perfect

[@CapturedInWords]

Dang I guess I just learned some people don't like the cover 😅 the cover is actually what initially got me interested in this book, I love the pillar on the spine and the clean simplicity of it

[@DanExploresBooks]

I love this cover! A big reason I gave it a shot.

[@rukbat3]

Many of these are on my TBR already. I hope I have time to get to some of them soon! A recent fantasy book that I would recommend is the one I have just finished reading: To Shape a Dragon's Breath by Moniquill Blackgoose. It takes place in an alternate universe version of the US in the 1800s where there are dragons. The main character is from an Indigenous tribe living on an island off the coast of New England (called something else in the book). They used to have dragons, but haven't for a long time. When the book begins, she finds a dragon egg and bonds with the dragon when it hatches. Then she has to go to a school on the mainland to learn to be a "dragoneer" and deal with prejudice and racism while trying to prove herself worthy to keep her dragon. It's excellent, and I think it will eventually be the first book in a trilogy?

[@StephenAryan44]

The Blacktongue Thief by Christopher Buehlman was his first fantasy novel. He's primarily a horror writer. It was one of the best fantasy novels I've read in the last 10 years for sure. It's excellent and has so much packed into it. Can't wait to read the prequel. I'd recommend The Suicide Motor Club or Between Two Fires to try.

[@CapturedInWords]

It was such a great book! I think I will likely read Between Two Fires next

[@jamesrichardanthonywoodwri6797]

My high fanastay book series, The Artistocracy Chronicles, will go on the list! When I have finished editing book 1 I am writing book 3

[@OlgaCurious]

Want the first two books. And price Jorg is one of my favorite characters in fantasy. I wouldn't say he's terrible but terrifying. And mesmerizing too

[@jacobsivden8017]

The only one I read on the list is The Sword of Kaigen, but I highly recommend it as well! It's an emotional rollercoaster with so many great moments. The characters are done really well. M. L. Wang's other standalone book, Blood Over Bright Haven, is also a great read too. It's different in many ways, but it has a lot of those similar emotional punches.

[@DanielsBookNook]

I recently finished The Will Of The Many, and loved it.

[@CapturedInWords]

Glad you loved it as well! Definitely a new favorite of mine

[@shirleynelson9301]

The Sword of Kaigen was amazing!

[@janetfleishman2723]

I just found your channel today and have explored a few of the episodes. I had to answer your question about what book(s) do you wish you could read again for the first time, and for me it’s Megan Whalen Turner’s Queen’s Thief series. The first one is The Thief, which was originally intended to be a standalone, but when MWT’s editor read it, she asked her to continue, as she wanted to know more. The Thief is a quest but not completely a traditional quest. There is no real magic, no magic swords, no dragons, elves, or goblins ect. MWT set her world in a Mediterranean like setting and created her own pantheon of gods and goddesses, but they don’t feel real to the characters. The series continues with The Queen of Attolia, but since I don’t want to add any spoilers, I will just say, this is my absolute favorite series of all times (and that’s saying a lot as I have been a LotR fan for umpteen years!)

[@BooksRebound]

Oh if you've read so little Lawrence, you HAVE to pick up Book of the Ancestor. It's his Magnum Opus in my opinion and nothing he's written since has lived up to Red Sister and its sequels. Though BtwB is approaching the greatness of Book of the Ancestor.

[@Sabondemont]

Couldn’t agree more. The book of the ancestor is the absolute best of Mark Lawrence. It would make an incredible tv series. I tried listening to The Book That Wouldn’t Burn but I couldn’t get past the narrators performance and I’ve been slow to pick up a kindle/paperback copy.

[@BooksRebound]

@@Sabondemont I'm with you on both counts! I'd loooove to see an adaptation. Also I wasn't that keen on it either. For the majority of the book I was only gonna give it 3.5★, but then I got to the end and it recontextualized the whole story for me and bumped it up to make my top 10 books of the year video (which this just reminded me I have to edit and post lol)

[@themearkat]

Picked up The Blacktongue Thief after watching and I loved it. Immediately picked up The Daughter's War.

[@ithrahmunchswallow468]

MURDER BIRDS!! Buhelman's audio performance is one of my Favorite audio performances too 🙌🏼 I'm reading Galva's story now 🤫 Buhelman is in my top 3. Between Two Fires is brilliant and Necromancer's House is underrated. I love all of his stories. Kaigan is completely unique. I'd have to put The Windup Girl, Frankenstein in Baghdad, and The Spear Cuts Through Water. (I haven't read the others 😉🤪) Fun vid 🙌🏼

[@instantrulz]

Sorry if this was already discussed, but when are you continuing the in depth summary videos for the second book from the king killer chronicles? Btw great job on your channel 😁

[@fortnite88146]

5. The Will of the Many by James Islington 4. The Book That Wouldn't Burn by Mark Lawrence 3. The Ninth Rain by Jen Williams 2. The Sword of Kaigen by M.L. Wong 1. The Blacktongue Thief by Christopher Buehlman

[@callmeal4183]

I've read and really rate Jen Williams' Winnowing Flame Trilogy. I have all the others on my TBR.

[@sondosgs9633]

Finally someone talked about the book that wouldn't burn!! It was my fav book last year

[@OnlyTheBestFantasyNovels]

Interesting picks! The only one I've read is Mark Lawrence's, but the others keep coming up. I'll take your video as a sign :)

[@Matthewwithers33]

My two favorite authors/series/books are both ones I found by accident 7:22 I would love to live in that library 😂

[@melaniechristina7361]

Great recommendations, wow!

[@CapturedInWords]

Thanks, glad you enjoyed!

[@Zoe-nq9ke]

I just finished reading The Licanius Trilogy by James Islington and I really enjoyed it! Especially the second and third books! I'd like to hear your review someday. This trilogy left me thinking for hours afterward. Haven't read the author's new book yet but it's on my list!

[@beyondredemption5369]

I loved Licanius! I feel like his new book is everything I loved about the first series ramped up. I feel the prose is so much better in the new series.

[@CarolineMolyneux4491]

I love The Ninth Rain - The Winnowing Flame is my third favourite trilogy (Liveship Traders and Mistborn Era 1 being the first and second favourite, respectively)

[@marcochen9117]

The only thing I didn't like about will of the many atm is the "twist" of some sort, not sure the direction they are going to go with that

[@safinan8008]

Thank you so much for the recommendation!! 😊

[@CapturedInWords]

You're welcome Safina, glad you enjoyed! 😊

[@Abken.]

I've never heard about The Blacktongue Thief :0 I love first person perspective for fantasy books! Sounds great

[@CapturedInWords]

You should definitely give it a read! It was a really fun book, and I've heard the audio book is quite good as well

[@willprice7475]

I stumbled across the Black Tongued Thief last year and really enjoyed it. I enjoyed it so much I went looking for more and read Between Two Fires by Buehlman. It was also really interesting and different, but I didn't enjoy it as much as Black Tongue. I also listened to another called The Lesser Dead, which was good too and free on Audible. Looking forward to hearing about the second book!

[@nckhy94]

I just started reading again this year. The first book I read was Between Two Fires which is by Christopher Buehlman, incredible book

[@davidreece2964]

I highly recommend “Between Two Fires” by Christopher Buehlman. Might be one of my all time favorites - think The Last of Us/The Road, but with a knight during the black plague where the war between angels and demons is horrifyingly real.

[@ladyfox6705]

Sounds interesting!

[@CapturedInWords]

Wow this sounds amazing, thanks for the recommendation! I'm definitely going to check this out, sounds like something I would really like

[@5uck3rfr33]

The Dresden Files by Jim Butcher is one of my favorite fantasy series.

[@DarkestElemental616]

I would HIGHLY recommend The Purple Magician, and the Professor Odd series by Goldeen Ogawa. Bouragner Felpz is a Holmes-esque ancient magician who solves mysteries with the help of his housekeeper, and Professor Odd is a wonderful dimension-hopping mix of science fiction and fantasy, featuring the titular Professor, a talking wolf, a young man, and Dave, who is...well. Dave. I also highly recommend Driving Arcana. Same author. Think Supernatural, but approached by a scientist who gets thrown into a world of monsters and angels. All three series cross over occasionally, mostly via Professor Odd.

[@KcGil4300]

Just got The Will of the Many on Audible!

[@CapturedInWords]

Awesome!! I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

[@stanislavstoimenov1729]

Another EXCELLENT video. I truly enjoy this channel's growth.

[@hawk66100]

Dammit. Now I have to add 5 more to my TBR list. 😂

[@BedlamBoy1978]

You HAVE to read the Licanius Trilogy man it's GREAT!!!

[@CapturedInWords]

Looking forward to starting it now!!

[@walternate2914]

The Will of the Many is great. However, James Islington’s first series, the Licanius Trilogy, is a pretty flawed series that blatantly pulls quite heavily from the Wheel of Time. I’d written him off as an author after reading the first book and half of the second. But The Will of the Many is a huge step up.

[@SharpAsRavenClaws]

In the meantime, one of my books has come out, but because it is not available in English, I cannot tell anyone who does not read books in Hebrew to read them, I hope that it and my future books will be available in English for you to read.

[@EldenLord737]

I've ordered Sword of kaigen. I'm so excited to read it 🔥.

[@CapturedInWords]

Ahhh, you're in for an amazing experience! Hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

[@jonasnurnberg5715]

You’ve got to check out some of the Books by Walter moers. Especially ,The 13 1/2 lives of captain bluebear‘ and ,the city of dreaming books‘. They are so well written and the worldbuilding is different than anything else I’ve ever read. It’s almost a kind of surreal world

[@toshirojira]

Dude, I started The Blacktongue Thief and got snagged on the pronunciation of the language so read while listening to the audiobook at the same time and it made a HUGE DIFFERENCE. Buehlman's performance (esp the song sections) was one of my favorites of the year (audio-wise) and I've burned through all Mistborn and Stormlight w/ Steven Kramer. Can't wait for Daughter's War! But mostly, can't wait to listen to it. I hope Buehlman does the performance again as well. 10/10

[@CapturedInWords]

Ahhh now I wish I listened to the audio book, I didn't know Buehlman narrated. I'll make sure to listen to it on reread. I think I will pick up the audiobook for Daughters War once it's out

[@catboypleasepet-jt4ot]

thanks most of these books are in auto format perfect for when I go to work and listen I like when people have some auto books when they talk about books because I like the powerful story's you can only get from books but I don't have all the time in the world to read them when working 55 hour work weeks

[@louisianalevy7484]

Looks like it’s time for me to start some new books! 📚

[@CapturedInWords]

Yessss! 🙌📚

[@caewing85]

You rock. Great video!

[@romakrelian]

Nice. I I just picked up three of them.

[@CapturedInWords]

Awesome!! Hope you enjoy :)

[@turbokid8719]

I’ll try checking out these books

[@jrpgnation6375]

I judge book by their covers. Yet to be wrong.

[@thellama3239]

I never read any fantasy before, except for American Gods, if you would consider that fantasy. Got Mistborn on Audible because the name was cool and the cover art looked cool. 2 years later, and it’s the Best decision I ever made haha

[@DataDad206]

Such great book recs! Do you have a Goodreads or storygraph?

[@monisharmuk]

New to reading fantasy and absolutely LOVED the will of the many. It was a beautifully written book. However if someone could pleas explain the last bit to me.. it has left me utterly confused

[@AnjaBraun-ce5qg]

T Kingfisher: Clocktaur War or her YAs A Wizard's Guide to Defensive Baking or Minor Mage

[@marklawrence8418]

Many thanks for the BOOK THAT WOULDN'T BURN shout out! Great to see #SPFBO champion The Sword of Kaigen on your list.

[@allenhalsted4895]

I enjoyed James Islingtons The Licanius Trilogy. It is not up there with Name of the Wind or The Stormlight Archives, but it is good just not great. I had been on the fence about The Will of the Many. Thanks for the recommendation. Not sure about Mark Lawrence. I really like the Broken Empire, but could not finish The Red Queen's War. He is good with story and setting but I just can not stand some of his characters.

[@Nearctic]

Do the bad guys win in any of these?

[@ahyesiseeisee557]

Could anyone recommend any other academy type fantasy books please ❤

[@burnsteinz6]

I was on the fence for the Will of the Many for a while. I had to sit on it and go through my thoughts. I liked it a lot, but maybe not as much as it was hyped on book tube. Where we had some people saying it was one of the best fantasy novels they have ever read (some putting it in top 3 etc). The ending (especially the epilogue(s)) specifically got me a little worried about the second book. That has a lot to do with taste though, without getting into spoilers.

[@ladyfox6705]

I always get tentative when books are massively overhyped online. Would you categorise it as Adult Fantasy, or did it read a bit younger? I'd rather avoid YA.

[@burnsteinz6]

@@ladyfox6705 I'd say it's Adult Fantasy, it didn't seem YA in my eyes. It's good don't get me wrong, I just don't think it's a 'best fantasy book ever'.

[@ladyfox6705]

@@burnsteinz6 Gotcha. Thanks 😀, will see if Libby has it.

[@joemathewscomposer4432]

Have you ever read the Mortal Engines books? Really amazing and underrated!

[@stainedart1696]

How many hours do you reed every day?

[@scottstout6836]

I didn't like Will of the Many at first. I couldn't put it down by the end.

[@MegHattingh]

I am a bit late to the game, but the red rising series is one of the best I have read in a while!

[@CapturedInWords]

Red rRsing is insanely good!

[@louisity]

Congratulations! I can see the silver play button. ▶️🥈

[@CapturedInWords]

Thanks so much! 😁

[@azu7495]

How do you find the videos you put in these vidoes ?

[@johndejordy]

Can I recommend my books?

[@jackiesliterarycorner]

I bought the first book, Ninth Reign on Kindle.

[@ourwrld6822]

Book 3 gave me souls vibes I might get into it

[@CapturedInWords]

Awesome! Hope you enjoy!

[@vividee4355]

Between Two Fires by Buehlman is perfect if you are a Fan of Dark Souls or similar vibes

[@ajsepti5827]

I don't know why nobody seems to have read the Golgotha series. The second book is honestly in my top 5 fantasy books of the past few years.