Best Books of 2021!

[@rustage]

I'm planning on starting the Jade City Trilogy after i finish Abercrombie's work! love watching your videos^^

[@WuDiZara]

Didn't expect to find you here but neat... maybe its a sign that its time for some songs for fantasy book series.

[@PetrikLeo]

Yo Rustage, I'm actually listening to your song "Running in Blind" right now! Quite surprised to see your comment on this small channel. Thank you so much for the kind words! Also, how far are you into Abercrombie's books!? He's one of my favorite authors, and reading Jade City after that is like reading greatness after greatness! 😄

[@PetrikLeo]

@@WuDiZara First Law song inspired, imagine Rustage slipping in Abercrombie's iconic saying into the lyrics! 🥳

[@rustage]

@@WuDiZara I made a mistborn rap on my second channel! and i'm planning on doing a Glokta one!

[@rustage]

@@PetrikLeo I'm about a third into "the Heroes" at the moment! so making my way through them! i'm a slow reader though, since i'm so busy with everything else haha

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

I'm doing some catching up here, Petrik, since I was very busy with work until after Christmas, and then I was traveling. What a pleasure to hear about your favorite reads! I hope to read Cornwell's Saxon books someday, and of course I need to return to Richard Nell's world. I've started Daniel Abraham's Long Price Quartet, and I will no doubt want to read more of his work. I'll be reading the Feist and Wurts collab this year, as I hope to read The Greenbone Saga (with much persuasion from you!) in 2022. I have to thank you for getting me to read Dreams of the Dying, and I even had the chance to chat with Nicolas Lietzau -- so, thank you, my friend! The Shadow of the Gods and The Wisdom of Crowds were also among my favorites of 2021, as you might have guessed. My very best to you for another fantastic year in 2022!!!

[@PetrikLeo]

No worries, Philip! It was a busy month. I'm so glad to hear you're going to check out both Riftwar Empire trilogy and Green Bone Saga. The two of them are some of my favorite trilogies of all time! And you're so welcome, Dreams of the Dying will have a sequel this year, I'm so looking forward to reading it myself! I wish you all the best in the year 2022, my friend. Happy New Year! 😁

[@sherwin9432]

Jade Legacy is my book of the year too, it's very ambitious in terms of structure and Fonda Lee executed it really well 👍

[@PetrikLeo]

Exactly! Fonda Lee did such an outstanding job on it! 😄

[@mikeandtaramitchell]

I just discovered this channel 2 weeks ago. You have given me so many great recommendations. Merry Christmas!

[@PetrikLeo]

Ah that's so good to hear. Merry Christmas to you, Michael!

[@Haney7]

Thanks for giving Staveley some props. Can't wait for the next book!

[@PetrikLeo]

Staveley deserves so much more praise! So rare to see his books praised on booktube. 😅

[@nanetteileana6507]

Thank you for the shoutout! I am so excited to start reading more! There're just so many books that sound so good that I just dont know where to start, so this makes me real happy! Hi from Mx 🇲🇽

[@PetrikLeo]

You're welcome! I hope I can lead you to more awesome books, Nanette. And thank YOU for supporting me! 😊

[@Thecatladybooknook_PennyD]

Sword of Kaigen is super high on my list. I'll be reading Wisdom of Crowds starting tomorrow and I'm so excited!! Then there's The Dark Tower from The Dark Tower series and the first 2 books in LPQ.

[@PetrikLeo]

Ohh The Sword of Kaigen is a masterpiece. That was the best book of 2019 for me. Here's hoping you'll love The Wisdom of Crowds! Regarding Long Price Quartet, I really love An Autumn War, too.

[@joel5962]

Seriously, I love Petrik’s videos! Keep up the great work, Sir! I love your enthusiasm! My top book this year was a nonfiction read called Underland by Robert Macfarlane.

[@PetrikLeo]

Thank you so much, Joel! That's very kind of you. I rarely read non-fiction book but I'll write that book down anyway! 😆

[@celestialdemon1316]

I've only read about 30 books this year. My top 5 are: 1. Best Served Cold by Joe Abercrombie 2. Skullsworn by Brian Staveley 3. Sins of Empire by Brian McClellan 4. Jade City by Fonda Lee 5. Heroes Die by Matthew Woodring Stover

[@PetrikLeo]

Great list, James! Loved all 5, they're all in my favorites list, too! :)

[@AbbySalter]

What a list!! I was waiting patiently for Jade Legacy

[@PetrikLeo]

It deserves the number 1 spot! 😄

[@CalebRichardsChannel]

I rarely comment on KZbin, but Merry Christmas to you as well. Thanks for all the great videos this year!

[@PetrikLeo]

You're welcome! Thank you for watching my videos, too. Merry Christmas! 😊

[@myribstellmesheslying]

Anyway, Merry Christmas to you! Keep being awesome!

[@PetrikLeo]

Thank you! Merry Christmas to you, too!

[@esmayrosalyne]

Such an amazing list Petrik, I am happy to hear that 2021 has overall been a great reading year for you ;) I am super excited to dive back into the First Law world next year (rereading the first trilogy and then continuing on). And I also need the sequel to The Empire's Ruin like... right now, I loved that book so much. Brian Staveley very quickly became one of my all-time favourite authors this year! Some of my faves this year were The Last Mortal Bond, The Empire's Ruin, The Mask of Mirrors, Words of Radiance, The Name of the Wind, The Atlas Six, The Starless Sea, An Autumn War, A Little Life, Ruin, Stones of Light and Jade Legacy. Can't wait to see what 2022 has in store for us ;)

[@PetrikLeo]

Thank you, Esmay! Reading year in 2021 has been a blast, and wow... your list is crazy! I didn't know you just read The Name of the Wind and Words of Radiance for first time this year! 😅 Your journey in the next part of First Law will be awesome! Let's see whether 2022 can top this year or not.

[@TheShadesofOrange]

I really expected to see Empire's Ruin on your list! I have it on my tbr since your gushing review

[@PetrikLeo]

Oops! Hahaha, there's no way I'm not including The Empire's Ruin on this list! 😂 I hope you'll love it when you read it! Such an amazing book!

[@TheShadesofOrange]

@@PetrikLeo omg I'm blind... I somehow missed it on your list 🤦‍♀️ Good thing I came back for a rewatch to scour the video for recommendations

[@wpsam52]

Just discovered your channel, so I'm a little late but really enjoyed your reviews. Your enthusiasm is contagious.

[@PetrikLeo]

It's never too late. Thank you for the kind words and for watching! 😊

[@benjaminmolina3456]

Tie, Blackest Heart, Gardens of the Moon, A Time of Courage, Golden Son, and the Black Tounged Thief.

[@PetrikLeo]

All superb books. A Time of Courage was the best book of 2020 for me! :)

[@hillary6563]

I'm rereading Richard Nell's books now that his audiobook has been released. I love that there are a few books on here that I haven't checked out! I feel like that's so rare for me. 😅 I'm a bit surprised that Brandon Sanderson's Rhythm of War isn't on this list though. I adored Peter McKean's series! And actually planning on doing a review at some point with all of the euphemisms throughout the book. 😆 I'm so excited that you enjoyed Daniel Abraham's series! It's one of my absolute favorites. The writing is so tight throughout the series. I poured through RJ Barker's phone ships series so quickly this year! I took your advice and thought they were great! I'm also glad to see how much you enjoy Michael Sullivan's novels. I've read everything he's written more than once. 😅 Royce and Hadrian for life!! I don't think we're supposed to like Royce right away. Just like with Hadrian though, he sort of grows on you! I'm so glad to see that John Gwynne, Brian Staveley, and Will Wight also made your list!🥰 I also wasn't aware of the next Cradle book was out! It's going on my TBR immediately. 😅 Staveley really improved his writing with Skullsworn. I was very impressed with his growth as a writer with it and Empire's Ruin. We were so lucky to get a new Abercrombie book this year! 😭 I read the Jade series after your recommendation. They were really fantastic! As always, your reviews are amazing! I hope you have a wonderful Christmas Petrik!!!🎄

[@PetrikLeo]

Thank you so much, Hillary! I'm glad you found a lot of great books through my recommendations. And I'm sure there's still a LOT of books that we haven't checked out! They're just not mainstream. Btw, Brandon Sanderson's Rhythm of War was released last year, and it was on my best books of 2020 list already. 😂 I look forward to your review on Peter McLean's series, to my mind that will be a great idea. And we're really blessed to have a new superb book by Gwynne, Staveley, Wight, Abercrombie, and Fonda Lee ALL within this year!

[@suzannemoore404]

I picked up Jade City based on your recommendation from a previous video (and also so many others speaking about it). Now I am 200 pages in and it is an incredible read. It really draws you into a full world and amazing characters from the moment it starts. Thank-you so much!

[@PetrikLeo]

You're welcome, Suzanne! 200 pages in Jade City means you just passed "the weakest" part of The Green Bone Saga, the rest from here never stops getting better and better, imo. Enjoy! 😊

[@TheBookCure]

Loved watching this, my friend! Hearing you talk about the books you love is always so fun. I think I remember 2021 starting off a little bumpy, so I’m happy that you ended up loving so many fantastic books 🥰

[@PetrikLeo]

Thank you so much, my friend! Yeah, reading-wise, it's great that my reading year kept on improving after such a rocky start! ☺️

[@mikelewandowski425]

After watching so many of your videos I've noticed we have such a similar taste in fantasy. Keep up the good work

[@PetrikLeo]

That's wonderful! I'll do my best this year, too! 😄

[@darbyhardy1118]

You do a great job of talking about books that often go unmentioned by other booktubers. I’ve got a bunch of new books on my TBR now. Subscribed!

[@PetrikLeo]

Thank you, Darby! Hopefully you'll find more awesome books to read here! :)

[@darbyhardy1118]

@@PetrikLeo I’m set for now haha. Just finished all of the First Law books, aside from the book of short stories, and I’m currently on book 10 of the Dresden files. Plus I have Golden Son and Empire of The Vampire on the back burner at the moment too.

[@dasha9460]

So many amazing books that I've never heard about. Awesome video, thank you for sharing

[@PetrikLeo]

Thank you very much! Glad you enjoyed watching it, Dasha! :)

[@matthewbrown1151]

Wow dude, you Jade Legacy cover is gorgeous

[@PetrikLeo]

Thanks, Matthew! The price is pretty gorgeous too. 😂😂

[@MrDaDisha]

@Petrik Leo , Just wanted to say that I found this channel by randomly reading good reads reviews, and this has been the best thing that has happened to my book related things for a few years, love your tastes, your recommendations and your reviews. Keep it up man .

[@PetrikLeo]

Thank you so much! I'm pleased to hear that. I'll keep doing my best this year, too! :)

[@leighmarsden623]

Jade City next for my after The Wise Man's Fear .. TY Petrik always enjoy your reviews friend.

[@PetrikLeo]

Thank you, Leigh! Ah The Wise Man's Fear, I look forward to rereading that book again next year. Enjoy! :)

[@emroyka]

Such a fun and fantastical list Petrik! So glad to spot several favorites and so many TBR picks! I really appreciate the specificity of your comments on each work, it helps me find the books I want to focus on first going forward. Happy Holidays!✨📚✨📚✨

[@PetrikLeo]

Thank you as always! I hope the small commentaries are enough, I sometimes feel like they're too brief or vague, but I also don't want to spoil things for viewers and readers! 😂 Happy Holiday to you, too!

[@BlueTalks]

You and Daniel Greene have convinced me to buy Jade City trilogy. And OH LORD I can't WAIT to get my hands on it 🙌🙌

[@PetrikLeo]

You won't regret it! A unique and masterfully crafted trilogy! 😄

[@BlueTalks]

@@PetrikLeo I'm hyped!!

[@noahswartwood7886]

You have a great voice! This was a lot of fun keep up the great work. :)

[@PetrikLeo]

Ahhh thank you so much, Noah!! 🥲

[@noahswartwood7886]

@@PetrikLeo No thank you! Your enthusiasm is infectious and you've given me several books and series I hadn't been made aware of before to check out for 2022!

[@cilliansands6166]

Merry Christmas, P! (I'm loving Kings of Paradise. You were right, it's mind-blowing that it's self published.)

[@PetrikLeo]

Merry Christmas! The second and third book is even better imo! 😁

[@franckleveneur676]

Hi Petrik. Thank you for all your work and passion you put in your videos recommending books. Just Started “Theft of Swords” M Sullivan and I love it.

[@PetrikLeo]

You're welcome! Glad you like it. The series keeps getting better. I actually want to reread that book next month! :)

[@franckleveneur676]

@@PetrikLeo just read the first book in few days. It was pretty good. Fast paced. Looking forward to reading the rest. I think what would be great is a guide, of all the series you’ve read, represented in a matrix, categorized. Slow paced, fast paced, type of fantasy, ratings, complex or not, etc… I also read the first 2 volume of licanus trilogy, bought 3rd book but have not read it yet. I think I might have to reread them again.

[@PetrikLeo]

@@franckleveneur676 interesting. Never thought of making that kind of video before. I'll definitely consider it! Thank you for the suggestion. And it might be a good idea to reread the first two books in Licanius if it has been a while. The 3rd book require a lot of details and memories from previous books. 😄

[@estelaeva8403]

My book of the year is A Gentleman in Moscow ❤️ Great list Petrik! I have to read so many of these 😭😂 help!!!

[@PetrikLeo]

Thank you, Estela! Wow, I have that book! Seems like i have to read it sooner than I thought! 😊

[@tgwtom]

I’ve read six on your list this year and have pre-ordered Justice of Kings on your recommmend. 2021randoms: Jade Legacy and The Fall of Babel were year end highlights. Blacktongue, just now completing, is a pleasant surprise with a notable richness in the writing, an author i can learn to love. Spinning Silver was excellent. And my secret fav was my kindle read of Lord Dunsany’s The King of Elfland’s Daughter (it waited a century for me to stumble upon). Thank you for your efforts this year, glad you are back to health, and all the best for the New Year.

[@PetrikLeo]

Thank you so much! All the best for you, too, next year! I found Justice of Kings to be very compelling, I hope it will be the same case for you, too, Thomas. I didn't enjoy The Fall of Babel, though... So sad it disappointed me but oh well, it can't all be a hit. But I'm pleased we both love Jade Legacy and The Blacktongue Thief! I look forward to reading Spinning Silver next month. It will be my first read of 2022! :)

[@The92Waffles]

Your copy of Jade Legacy is beautiful. I just started Jade City a couple weeks ago and so far it's very gripping; I'm especially interested in how the clan politics shape the series 👍

[@PetrikLeo]

Yeah! This edition is pricey but I'm pleased with it. Also, you won't be disappointed with the sequels if you love Jade City already! :)

[@chaosmilkshake]

Great video dude! Must add these to my list 😁

[@PetrikLeo]

Thank you so much! 😁

[@cipriansirbu3699]

Great list as usual.Added The Hand of the Sun King to my TBR,I loved The Sword of Kaigen(book of the year for me),and someone told me that The Hand of the Sun King is also Japanese inspired and I love Japanese culture.Also,thanks for the timestamps,very helpful.Happy Holidays.

[@PetrikLeo]

Thank you so much! Oh yesss, The Sword of Kaigen is one of a kind reading experience, imo. I've never read a standalone fantasy as good as that! The Hand of the Sun King has Eastern Asian influences, I hope you'll enjoy it, too! :)

[@JolienReads]

Dark Sea's End JUST arrived (a little gift for myself). I'm reading it somewhere next month and am very much looking forward to it. I read the Ash and Sand trilogy this year and I'm very glad to hear that we have a returning character 👀 There are actually a lot of books on your list that I'm picking up next year! The Justice of Kings (love the Witcher), The Empire's Ruin, and everything in the First Law Universe after the original trilogy. Seems like I have some great stuff ahead of me.

[@PetrikLeo]

Seeing that you've read Ash and Sand trilogy, I think you'll know who's returning there... You're going to love it, Jolien. And I'm happy that you're picking up The Justice of Kings, The Empire's Ruin, and everything in the First Law World! So many great books ahead of you! :D

[@ChaptersWeLove]

I'm currently reading Never Die and seriously so far it looks like it's going to be a top favorite for 2021

[@PetrikLeo]

Never Die is so good!! Not a surprise if it's a top favorite for you! 😄

[@thesmuli83]

Hey Petrik. Really high quality list. My favorite books 2021. Merry Christmas. 1. Rise of the Silvan by R.K. Lander 2. The Blood of the Spear by Mark Timmony 3. Of Blood And Fire by Ryan Cahill 4. Dragontiarna books 8-10 by Jonathan Moeller 5. Memories of Prophecies by Davis Ashura 6. The Tiger’s Imperium by Marc Alan Edelheit 7. A Clash of Fates by Philip C. Quaintrell 8. The Song of the First Blade by T.C. Edge 9. Bloodline/ Reaper by Will Wight 10. Wraithblade by S. M. Boyce 11. The Shadow of the Gods by JG

[@PetrikLeo]

Merry Christmas, Samuli! I've read only three books on your list, I'll get to A Clash of Fates next year! :)

[@thesmuli83]

@@PetrikLeo Great. Try to fit somewhere 2022 Silvan Saga book 1. I think it's fast to read . I read all 5 parts this week🤓🤓

[@uptown3636]

Petrik, you have a special talent for sharing your enthusiasm for the books you love. I have enjoyed several of your recommendations, and I just want to take a moment to thank you for your hard work on this channel.

[@PetrikLeo]

Thank you so much! I'm pleased I can share my enthusiasm for the books I read with all of you!

[@thepussycat66]

I've been waiting for this video for a whole year now, haha. 🎉😍 I trust you and your taste and I immediately put some many of those books on my wish list and tbr. 😍 Great video, Petrik! ☺️

[@PetrikLeo]

Thank you so much, Kari! Haha, I hope this video was worth waiting for! ☺️

[@ChasingForever]

As usual, I've gotten some really good recommendations for my TBR list for 2022. I agree about Jade Legacy, it is the capstone of a wonderful trilogy. I need to get back to the "Age of Madness" trilogy. I'm not a huge fan of close-contact battle scenes, but Abercrombie's humor and story telling can't be beat.

[@PetrikLeo]

I wish more people will give The Green Bone Saga a try, Jade Legacy is as good (or even better) as other iconic fantasy books! ☺️ I hope you'll love Age of Madness trilogy. I think it's superb!

[@safinan8008]

It’s hard to choose top books sometimes lol 😂 have a great Christmas to u and ur family!! ❄️☃️😊

[@PetrikLeo]

That's true! Merry Christmas, too, Safina! 😄

[@ellynbarclay3121]

Thank you so much for your content this year! I have loved all your videos and following along with your reading. As always great list and I either agree with all entries or they are on my tbr for next year! Many of these were my best books of the year but one of the best I read this year which I only finished recently was the self pub book wraithblade which was so surprising and went right to the top of my fav book list! Happy holidays!❤️

[@PetrikLeo]

You're welcome, and likewise! Thank you for following and supporting my YT channel since the beginning. I actually won Wraithblade in a giveaway, that's very high praise. I look forward to reading it! 😄

[@charlesgabriel5569]

Great List 👍 So many good ones this year .. Wish you and your family a Merry Christmas Petrik ! 😊

[@PetrikLeo]

Thank you so much, Charles! Merry Christmas to you, too! 😁

[@afantasybabble6222]

So hyped for Jade Legacy. It's gonna be the last book I read this year! My favorite book I read this year was The Paper Managerie and Other Stories by Ken Liu

[@PetrikLeo]

The Paper Menagerie and Other Stories was so beautifully written. That short story was insanely emotional! And great pick for final book of the year, I hope that will be a favorite for you!

[@Toni-ly9mr]

You just made Dark Seas's End rise in my tbr pile after saying that one of the best charatcers in Ash in Sand is in it. Thank you!

[@PetrikLeo]

Yeah! I think if you've read Ash and Sand trilogy, you'll know who I'm talking about! :D

[@darthandy6161]

Great list! I can’t wait to read Jade War and Jade Legacy early in 2022. Piranesi was my favorite of the year.

[@PetrikLeo]

Niceee! Hopefully you'll love both Jade War and Jade Legacy as much as I did! And Piranesi was surprisingly so good, I didn't expect I would enjoy it that much!

[@sannidhiym3573]

The Empire's Ruin, The Hand of the Sun King and The Blacktongue Thief are definitely some of my favourite reads of the year as well 💚💚💚 And most of the other books you've listed are in my 2022 TBR - Looking forward to reading every single one of them🤓😍😍 P.S : Love the JJK shirt💜💜

[@PetrikLeo]

So glad that those three are on your favorite reads of the year, too. I hope you'll love the ones you haven't read yet. And hey, that's a nice catch! I thought no one would find out that this JJK shirt! (I can't wait to watch Jujutsu Kaisen 0)

[@sannidhiym3573]

@@PetrikLeo That font is hard to miss for a fan 😂 And yesss! Waiting to see where the movie is gonna be up so I can watch it asap😍😍💚

[@Michael_L_Morrison]

Great list, Petrik! Merry Christmas! These are my top 10. 1 - Empire of the Vampire - Jay Kristoff 2 - Later - Stephen King 3 - Priest of Bones - Peter McLean 4 - The Rage of Dragons - Evan Winters 5 - Project Hail Mary - Andy Weir 6 - The Blackest Heart - Brian Lee Durfee 7 - We Are the Dead - Mike Shackle 8 - Dark Age - Pierce Brown 9 - Hellmouth: A Novella - Giles Kristian 10 - The Poppy Way - R.F. Kuang

[@PetrikLeo]

Thank you, Michael! Merry Christmas! Also, that's a great list. I've read everything except the top two. I have to get to them! 😁

[@hollysreadingrambles5490]

I’m going to try and read ash and sand series sometime soon as well as priest of bones. I have preordered the justice of kings, cannot wait! I’m really intrigued by cradle! Great video, Petrik! 🥰

[@PetrikLeo]

Thank you so much, Holly! Ash and Sand series and War for the Rose Throne series are soo good. Wise decision on getting The Justice of Kings, too! 😊

[@mvinson8706]

The justice of kings is on my radar. excited for that one! (and hunger of the gods by gwynne). great content!

[@PetrikLeo]

Thank you, Michelle! Justice of Kings was great, and I'm sure Hunger of the Gods will be awesome! 😊

[@miriammichalak8872]

Super list! You've inspired me to just get in with the Bone Ships as I also felt a bit flat after the first - so just started Call of the Bone Ships today. Jade City is sitting waiting for me in Mount TBR :)

[@PetrikLeo]

Don't give up on it! Call of the Bone Ships and the third book keep improving with each book! 😄 I hope you'll get to Jade City soon!

[@miriammichalak8872]

@@PetrikLeo P.S. The Wisdom of Crowds, finished it just recently ...OMG, what a blast!! An amazing set of characters and brilliantly written. Low fantasy/grimdark at it's very best!

[@PetrikLeo]

@@miriammichalak8872 Yesss! An absolutely amazing book. Joe Abercrombie never disappoints. That ending though... 🤯

[@neeru84]

Happy to see The Helm of Midnight in this list... I am so looking forward to the sequel.

[@PetrikLeo]

Same here, Neeru! The Helm of Midnight deserves so much more attention!

[@alexfrederick3404]

Thanks as always, Petrik. Just too many good ones for me to read! I love the cover of Justice of KIngs! Wow, that looks awesome. I'll have to get that one! Best book for me wold have to be A Time of Courage by John Gwynne. I am still finishing Tad Williams' Green Angel Tower, so I guess I can't count that, but it sure is beautiful.

[@PetrikLeo]

You're welcome, Alex! Oh I absolutely agree that The Justice of Kings has a terrific cover art! And great pick for the best book of the year. A Time of Courage was my favorite book of 2020. I still need to get Tad Williams' book, hopefully not too long from now! ☺️

[@anniecochrane3359]

Thank you Petrik for your, as always, full and intelligent reviews. I will use them as a guide for my future reading.

[@PetrikLeo]

You're always welcome, Annie! Thank you for watching my videos, and hopefully they will be useful to you! 😄

[@titojdavis8374]

So interesting you related to Orka and had trouble getting getting into Elvar's story. Maybe it is age difference, but I had the exact opposite reaction. Had a ton of trouble getting into Orka's story, but Elvar's felt relatable and was easy for me to get invested in. Varg's was easiest to get into for me because it felt like a sports team/locker room dynamic, I grew up an athlete, great stuff.

[@PetrikLeo]

Oh really? Orka's story was easy for me to care for, I love reading about badass warrior doing everything they can to save their loved ones. And I have a soft spot for revenge story. I did end up feeling invested in Elvar but only after she reached her home! I definitely agree with Varg being easy to get into as well, though! :)

[@titojdavis8374]

@@PetrikLeo I think her lack of care for the people helping her, those two kids, took me out a bit. She cares about her family, but her heart really only went that far and I just kept wanting her to care for them. They even Deus Ex Machina'd for her once, saved her, and it didn't do much. Did they die at the end I can't even remember her feeling anything either way about their fates?

[@cosyreadingtimes8857]

My personal top3✨: 1. Assassin's Fate 2. Jade Legacy 3. Arm of the Sphinx 3. Record of a spaceborn Few She who became the Sun and The Burning God both made my top 10 as well❤️ Really want to try both Abercrombie and Sullivan in 20222☺️😗

[@PetrikLeo]

Such an amazing top read! Totally understand your ranking, too. I haven't read Wayfarers but the rest you mentioned are awesome books. Glad you're going to try both Abercrombie and Sullivan next year! 😄

[@rubyjreads7503]

Awesome list. Thank you for the many reading suggestions.

[@PetrikLeo]

Thank you, Ruby! Hope you'll love them! 😄

[@wesb2823]

Kings of the Wyld was my favorite read of 2021. Looking forward to Bloody Rose. Have a great Holiday Season and New Year Petrik!

[@PetrikLeo]

Kings of the Wyld is absolutely amazing. One of my favorite books! Have a great holiday, too! :)

[@francoisbouchart4050]

Gratitude for your passion and commitment to sharing your thoughts on the books you have read. Thank you for a great year and looking forward to your videos in 2022. Wishing you the very best for the holiday season and Happy New Year!

[@PetrikLeo]

You're too kind, Francois. Thank you so much. Happy Holiday and Happy New Year, too! I should be able to post one or two more videos before the year closed, we'll see! ☺️

[@stained_edges]

Brilliant list as always, Petrik 🤩 I have at least 10 on my physical tbr already, your videos are so compelling

[@PetrikLeo]

Thank you so much, Lorena! So wonderful to hear that! :)

[@PianoLibra]

Ok no more excuses for me to say “can’t find anything to read!” This video should hold me until next year! 😆 Merry Christmas and Happy New Year my friend!!

[@PetrikLeo]

C'mon catch up and talk to me about these books!! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, too, my friend! (Though I'm sure you'll see me posting a video again at least once before new year) 😆

[@AntonisMatakos]

What an awesome list! I haven't read any of those mentioned in here as I've been reading older books during 2021 but I will get to some of them soon!

[@PetrikLeo]

Thank you, Antonis! No worries, these books aren't going anywhere. I still have a lot of older books I need to read, too! 😆

[@AntonisMatakos]

@@PetrikLeo Yeah, on the one hand it's always tempting to read the newest, freshest and latest books (especially if one is a reviewer), on the other hand there are so many older "classics" of fantasy that remain neglected and forgotten which deserve more recognition. I decided that for 2021 and 2022 I will try to read a few books every year from each decade from the 80s and onwards.

[@PetrikLeo]

@@AntonisMatakos reading older and newer release is something I always try to do! Getting that balance is always nice! 😄 Good luck!

[@blueberrycomics]

I finished Eye of the World today and I absolutely loved it! Now time to read a couple of palate cleansers before getting into great hunt

[@PetrikLeo]

That's awesome! The Great Hunt is even better! :)

[@blueberrycomics]

@@PetrikLeo I have a question, can I watch the show yet? Or are there spoilers for not only Great Hunt but also Dragon Reborn?

[@listi9573]

Jade Legacy also my best book this year, its soooo amazing! Such a masterpiece!!!

[@PetrikLeo]

Totally agree! It's unbelievable how good it is!!

[@curtjarrell9710]

My favorite reading during 2021. I'll list them in the order in which they were read. An R next to a title denotes a re-read. ---Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison ---The Big Sea: An Autobiography by Langston Hughes ---This Is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar & Max Gladstone ---Teatro Grottesco by Thomas Ligotti ---Walt Whitman: A Life by Justin Kaplan ---Dune by Frank Herbert (R) ---What I Talk About When I Talk About Writing by Haruki Murakami ---The Last House on Needless Street by Catriona Ward ---The Green Mile by Stephen King ---The Blade Itself by Joe Abercrombie ---The Prisoner of Heaven by Carlos Ruiz Zafon ---Night of the Mannequins by Stephen Graham Jones ---(Short Story) "Pale Horse, Pale Rider" by Katherine Anne Porter.

[@PetrikLeo]

Thank you for your list! I've read only Dune, The Blade Itself, and The Prisoner of Heaven from your list. I've heard a lot of great things about The Last House on Needless Street!!

[@myribstellmesheslying]

I've commented this sentiment in a lot of different online platforms but I'll repeat it again hoping someone would be persuaded: I've only read 26 books this year, 10 of them were the available books of the Cradle series. That series was just so addictively fun.

[@PetrikLeo]

The word of Cradle should always be spread around. That's good! 😆

[@cabmangray1423]

Currently reading Daughter of the Empire. Mara reminds me so much of Savine Glokta. Both very intelligent and strong.

[@PetrikLeo]

Oh that's a great comparison! Savine is more savage and vulgar than Mara, but both of them definitely have some similar traits, especially in the way they rely on their wits to overcome their opponents!

[@kathleenboyle6285]

I want to read all of these hahah I read Shadow of the Gods as my first introduction to John Gwynne and l really enjoyed it! I own She Who Became the Sun so I should be getting to it soon. I pre-ordered the Justice of Kings, very excited to get it :D I'm 450 pages into Jade Legacy right now (just hit a chapter that made me cry...), it will be my favourite book of the year!

[@PetrikLeo]

If you do pick up The Faithful and the Fallen, I have a feeling you'll love the characters there more, Kathleen! ☺️ I know where you're at in Jade Legacy... the rest of the book still have many heartbreaking and emotional moments, and I have no doubt it will be your favorite book of the year, too!

[@kathleenboyle6285]

@@PetrikLeo Yes I'm really looking forward to reading Faithful and the Fallen, I've owned Malice for at least 5 years at this point, it's time I get to it! And you were right about Jade Legacy, it made me cry at 1AM on Christmas day but I couldn't stop reading 😆

[@PetrikLeo]

@@kathleenboyle6285 a Christmas to remember!! 😂😂

[@angelaholmes8888]

Here's my top 10 best books of this year 1. Crescent city 2. In the ravenous dark by a.m Strickland it's a great fantasy read 3. Best served cold by Joe Abercrombie 4. Wizard and glass by Stephen king 5. The wastelands by Stephen king 6. The kiss quotient by helen Hoang 7. Legendborn 8. the comeback by ella berman 9. Supernatural cold fire 10. A little hatred

[@PetrikLeo]

Thank you for your list. I've read only Best Served Cold and A Little Hatred from your list! I'll check out the rest! 😄

[@angelaholmes8888]

@@PetrikLeo both wizard and glass and the wastelands are books from the dark tower series by Stephen king I finished the series already

[@jamesjahna2372]

I just started the Green Bone Saga because of you! TY

[@PetrikLeo]

Niceee! May it be awesome for you! 😄

[@daltonwsteinert]

Jade Legacy was one of the best trilogy Enders I’ve ever read and I will die on that hill.

[@PetrikLeo]

Don't worry, I'll die on that hill with you! :D

[@sukhvindersingh2579]

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ Great video.. was waiting for it

[@PetrikLeo]

Thank you so much 😀

[@angelaholmes8888]

Glad you enjoyed she who became the sun 😊 I really enjoyed the shadow of the gods

[@PetrikLeo]

Thanks, Angela! I loved both of them! 😊

[@ErikGuin]

I appreciate the recommendations for my TBR Petrik! My wallet doesn't though! 😆

[@PetrikLeo]

Oops! Sorry for that, Erik! 😂😂

[@MetalGildarts]

Finishing my reread of Jade War. I’ll wait I’ll next year to read Jade Legacy cause I’m a little burned out from reading.

[@PetrikLeo]

Understandable, and a good decision to take a break first! I hope you'll love Jade Legacy when you get to it, Marco!

[@MetalGildarts]

@@PetrikLeo fingers crossed! I’ve enjoyed the first two books.

[@AndrewsWizardlyReads]

So many books I want to read here

[@PetrikLeo]

Still plenty of awesomeness waiting for you! 😄

[@alvinmarcus5780]

With the ending in " The Wisdom of Crowds " Joe better be bringing us more. It would be EVIL to leave us like that. 👍😂

[@PetrikLeo]

I know right!?? I mean, it's still satisfying on its own, but that hint of the future he showed us is insaneee! It might be years from now, but I'll wait! 😂

[@alvinmarcus5780]

@@PetrikLeo I'm 66 so I hope it's not too long. Running outta time. 😂

[@PetrikLeo]

@@alvinmarcus5780 don't say that! You'll live until 100! Still plenty of books to read there! 😄

[@EhsJaySaunders]

I'm close to finally picking up some Wight and Staveley...I hope!

[@PetrikLeo]

C'mon! Pick them up! Oh btw, I have a Star Wars books related question. Mainly for Thrawn books. So I'm interested in reading his books, I've done my research, and so there's this Legend books that are now non-canon and there's the canon books now. I've never read any SW books, my question is do you think I can just start with the canon Thrawn books?

[@EhsJaySaunders]

@@PetrikLeo *someone's asking you about Star Wars books, becoolbecoolbecool* My recommendation will always be to start with Heir to the Empire, as, after trying numerous books and movies of the Disney reboot, my investment there is completely gone (Aftermath is the only Star Wars book I've ever DNFed). Admittedly, I fell off the new stuff just before the new Thrawn books were released and haven't read them, but I did see what they were doing with the character on the Rebels show...and was pretty underwhelmed. Though, it's the original creator of the character, Timothy Zahn, who's written the new books, so people do seem to like it better. Apparently Zahn even writes the new stuff so that it could fit in continuity with his Legends/Expanded Universe material...but then also says he's made changes to Thrawn, so I dunno. Even people who've enjoyed the new Thrawn books, though, seem to feel that Zahn isn't really allowed to do much, since the big money's in movies and TV for the franchise now. Anyway, I've just been enjoying going back through the Legends/EU timeline, which ain't perfect, but I find it far more engaging than the Disney era. I'm currently rereading the X-wing series, which leads nicely into the original Thrawn and Jedi Academy trilogies. That stuff is still *my* canon, anyway. And, if you do start with (and enjoy) Heir to the Empire/Dark Force Rising/The Last Command, I'll have numerous other recommendations from the pre-Disney era. But, if you're looking for Disney era recs, probably someone else would be better equipped, as I've only read an increasingly shrinking percentage. Side note: I think I mentioned previously, but if you've enjoyed Matthew Stover's work, his Legends books are some of the absolute best, as well.

[@PetrikLeo]

@@EhsJaySaunders awesome! This is very helpful. I think I'll just start from Heir of the Empire and make my way through all the Thrawn books first. From my research, it seems like Zahn has written the canom Thrawn to fit as best as possible with the Legends. Thank you so much for your input, and yes! I remember you mentioned that regarding Stover, I'm sure I'll check them out eventually! 😃

[@EhsJaySaunders]

@@PetrikLeo Good luck, and enjoy! Outbound Flight/Allegiance/Choices of One/Hand of Thrawn also tie into that whole storyline, but Hand of Thrawn is best read after checking out the other books between X-wing and The New Jedi Order, as it kind of wraps up that whole era.

[@bookswithzara]

Most of these are on my list. I personally think The Trouble with Peace was better than TWOC, as there were a few things he did that I wasn't a fan of. That being said, it was still a five stars haha.

[@PetrikLeo]

That's understandable! And hey, it's at least still an awesome 5 stars read! 😊

[@GideonCyn]

Petrik is so cute man, I love his energy.

[@PetrikLeo]

Thank you so much! ☺

[@myribstellmesheslying]

Hilo? I was just starting Jade City and I don't particularly like him right now. 🤣 Well, that hopeful.

[@PetrikLeo]

Hahaha, oops! To be fair, he's a very divisive character, but I think a lot of people agree that Hilo in Jade Legacy eventually won everyone's heart! 😆

[@axtell500]

Yeah I guessed your number one, didnt need to be Nostradamus 🙂. I am really enjoying Brian Staveley books

[@PetrikLeo]

Hahaha I've been talking about this book non-stop for the past two months. I'll definitely ease down on it starting from next month, though. The adventure to find more favorite books continue, and I'm so glad to hear you love Brian Staveley's books. His prose is sooo good!

[@therealbookaholic]

Can you direct me to any of your comments about Jim Butcher's books? What are your thoughts on the Dresden Files? Also, realizing that Rothfuss may never release the third book in his series, can you recommend a couple books that you felt were similar.

[@PetrikLeo]

Dresden Files is one of my favorite ongoing series right now. I have a full spoiler-free review for each book in the series here: novelnotions.net/?s=dresden As for books like Kingkiller Chronicle, but the closest one is the upcoming The First Binding by R.R. Virdi make sure to check that one out!

[@therealbookaholic]

@@PetrikLeo I've read all of Butcher's Dresden Files and I think that he has more action scenes in a book than many authors fit into a series. His writing just gets better and better! I did order R.R. Virdi's book after your review of it in the top books you've read this year. Ps. I am loving your page. Really! I stumbled onto you, I think because of Ryan Cahill's comment on Twitter. I have work to do but keep gravitating back to your reviews. Also, I am afraid I have purchased more books in two days than I have in some time. That is your fault. :).

[@civoreb]

I know you talked about the 5 book curse and it seems Daniel Abraham broke it for you 😁

[@PetrikLeo]

Yeahh!! He did it! One of the rare occassion 🤣

[@pralaygaikwad247]

“Reaper's battle scenes are out of the World”. I see what you did here.

[@PetrikLeo]

Hahahah! Only those who've read it will understand! 😄

[@Truth4peace2025]

My best book was also Jade Legacy!

[@PetrikLeo]

Yessss! :D

[@keanepois2409]

Wisdom of Crowds is the G.O.A.T.

[@PetrikLeo]

Super awesome book! 😊

[@keanepois2409]

@@PetrikLeo btw wanted to thank you for your review of The Empire Trilogy, I got around to reading it the past couple weeks after your recommendation and it blew me away with how good it was, definitely changed my viewpoint of fantasy books from the 80s-90s which previously I didn't much care for after Dragonbone Chair flopped for me

[@LifeasMonae]

i toally knew Jade Legacy was going to come in at #1!

[@PetrikLeo]

Hahah i guess that's not surprising at all! 🤣

[@TheSassyLibraryFox]

"The Blacktongue Thief" sounds very good! I loved the "Gentleman Bastard's" humour! "The Shadow of the Gods" is on my 2022 TBR so I'm definitely ready to read it after all your reviews. *lol* Great list, Petrik! Also I want to wish you a Merry Christmas! =)

[@PetrikLeo]

Thank you! Merry Christmas to you, too! The humor in Blacktongue Thief is really like a mix between Kings of the Wyld and Gentleman Bastard, I think you'll enjoy it! :)

[@aysseralwan]

5:30 I know the meme died long ago but I have to say it: weird flex but ok

[@PetrikLeo]

It's me in a fantasy book, okay!? 😂

[@radudumanovschi3387]

All those books are mammoth books. I don't think I have so much time to read them all in a year.

[@PetrikLeo]

They're indeed big ones, whichever you get to read I hope you'll enjoy them! 😄

[@michaelgierok2689]

Did you Read glukohvksy outpost? What do you think?

[@PetrikLeo]

I've never heard of that book before. :)

[@hasanmir]

You use the word 'seriously' way too often!! Seriously!!!!!!! Nice list!

[@PetrikLeo]

I know that, it's a habit of mine because of my first language! 😅 The word "serius" which is "seriously" is something that I so often use in my first language that it's hard to change.

[@alibaba0428]

Did you say Sherlock Holmes meets Witcher ? Oh hell no I gotta buy this asappppp

[@PetrikLeo]

Yeahhh! I hope you'll enjoy it!