11 Essential Fantasy Books & Authors

[@WillowTalksBooks]

Read the full article for more books and my full thoughts on them: booksandbao.com/best-fantasy-books-ever-classic-and-modern/

[@annabanana8845]

I really like the way you talk about books. You're really engaged in these books and the way you talk about them shows you understood the themes and intentions and what makes them so special compared to others, and not just a brief surface-level of understanding. And besides that, those were top-level recommendations

[@alexissomethingrose]

i felt soo so validated when you talked about the Discworld, and Addie La Rue, and Neil Gaiman’s urban fantasy! these are books that give me life 🤩💜 also, “wholesome and heartfelt” is how i feel about your channel! thank you for these awesome recs, Willow! 💜

[@WillowTalksBooks]

You’re so kind, thank you 💜

[@yonathanasefaw9001]

You got me even writing the genre! I am working on a fantasy novella you know! Thanks for the book recs as well! Hopefully I can read Legends and Lattes! I am currently reading Warbreaker by Sanderson.

[@RichardCharter]

I have to echo that Tales of the Ketty Jay was absolutely one of the best read of the last two years for me. Both my partner and I absolutely devoured all four books and we'll be coming back to them again and again. And, it was thanks to your recommendation, thanks as always!

[@1book1review]

Had the same experience with Sanderson, been avoiding him for years for reasons, one of which thinking I wouldn't like his writing, and then I gave him a try last year nad now I have to read all his books *help* LOL

[@jstamps9578]

Willow, you are costing me a small fortune (heart emoji) buying all these books in genres I've either never read, or not read in years. In videos like this I find myself pausing, and then going to buy before I forget the title(s) or authors name(s). Honestly I can say you've never started me wrong. Thumbs up emoji!

[@WillowTalksBooks]

Hahaha this is some serious flattery, thank you 😌💜

[@ishan3251]

love the earrings

[@ABookFiendNamedMel]

Based on the fact that the books in this video that I have read are some of my favourite books ever, I will definitely be adding the others to my TBR. Thanks for an awesome video

[@maheen8869]

from what i generally know about your reading taste, and especially from the books you've mentioned in this video, i'd really recommend A Song of Ice and Fire to you! it's so well written, and the characters are incredibly complex and nuanced, the world-building is immaculate, and the themes are rich and thought-provoking. it talks so much about how corrupt monarchy and feudalism is, about gender, about the challenges faced by characters living in a patriarchal, medieval society. i think you'd really like it! also, amazing video as always! i'm so tempted to read robin hobb now.

[@WillowTalksBooks]

I’ve actually read all of them! When the show first aired, I read each book between seasons. I didn’t include them here because they’re the second biggest fantasy books ever, after LOTR :)

[@Calcprof]

Jonathan Strage and Mr., Norwell is incredible. I also really liked Christelle Dabos's work, it's now a series of 4 books.

[@SheWasOnlyEvie]

The entire Realm of the Elderlings is wonderful. If I had to rank the subseries from my most favorite and least favorite (but still amazing!):Fitz & the Fool, Liveship Traders, Farseer, Rain Wild Chronicles, Tawny Man. I would highly recommend the Winternight trilogy, starting with The Bear and the Nightingale, by Katherine Arden if you haven't already read it (I can't remember if I've seen you mention it before!). Also, Josiah Bancroft's Books of Babel, starting with Senlin Ascends, is such a joy to read.

[@WillowTalksBooks]

I have a friend who recommended me the Books of Babel recently! I’ll get to them soon :)

[@ChronicVillainy]

Adding Retribution Falls and Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell to my TBR. I already read the others you mentioned so I should definitely try these! And I agree, so many awesome changes to the fantasy genre. I think you might like The Green Bone Saga by Fonda Lee if you haven't read that one yet.

[@marcjohnson5991]

Thanks for the excellent recommendations. I love that retribution falls and the tales of the Ketty Jay is on this list. I agree they are pure hidden gems.

[@noeisnothere]

Adding Retribution Falls to my tbr. It definitely sounds like something I would love reading

[@DiegoSalvatore]

Thanks to you my TBR is MASSIVE, greetings from Mexico!

[@localabsurdist6661]

I just found your channel and I love how much our fantasy tastes are alike! Terry Pratchett is one of my all time favorite authors!!

[@parkerbrown-nesbit1747]

Prachett's Young Adult novels are really wonderful too. Very satirical as well (also part of the Discworld).

[@FredHMusic-gr7nu]

Several of these are already on my reading list. Can’t wait to get them. Although The Books of Earthsea by Ursula K. Le Guin will forever be the greatest fantasy experience I ever had.

[@eliotopian]

the night circus: its like an alternate story using the two magicians from Jonathan strange and mr norrell. one believes in studying magic, one in natural talent. and they train students in their methods, and set them up in a circus to "battle"

[@Michelle777-l2w]

I'm glad you included Sanderson, he's great. I also have to respect people who can admit their mistakes and be accountable. I think he's an interesting guy with a lot of talent, and to his credit, although he's a mormon, he has written non-religious and atheist characters convincingly and in a way that suggests to me that he is open-minded and more accepting than he might seem. Thanks for the recommendations. I've never read Abercrombie before, I will check it out.

[@tweegerm]

I was heartened by Sanderson's long journey toward acceptance too, though I don't think it's quite done yet. Still got my copy of Way of Kings secondhand so I'm not paying any part of his tithe to the Mormon church's questionable antics around LGBTQ struggles. More motivated to finish his tomes with all you guys chiming in about how good an author he is though.

[@FullyBookedMelissa]

I've gotten back into fantasy the last couple of years as well. I've only read assassin's apprentice so far, but excited to give into more Robin Hobb

[@rachel1021]

I just placed a library hold for Retribution Falls. Your recommendations are always so great. 😊

[@DrawingABlanka]

If you haven't read it yet I would read clarkes short story collection ladies of grace adieu. It has some real gems. I started reading the night circus and fella away because I was reading to much but I really enjoyed what I read so you have inspired me to go back to it and finish.

[@shalryma]

I never considered myself to be a fantasy reader, but vast majority of the books you mentioned I've either already read or are on my TBR :O I was so happy to hear some old faves of mine mentioned, I honestly think more people need to read Christelle Dabos' books, cause they just pure fun! The Black Magician's Trilogy maybe isn't top notch in hindsight, but I have huge nostalgia for it, as when I was younger I didn't have access to many new books, so I re-read those many, many times.

[@tweegerm]

I got Retribution Falls out of my library a couple days ago after watching a video where you and two others explained it as airship Firefly so your evangelism is working! Not far in yet but I'm liking the glimpses of the war and economy in the setting as well as the surprise daemon stuff. Was not expecting magic but who doesn't love a dancing sword?

[@katpablo]

There are so many great recommendations here! 🫶🏽 I have owned the first Mistborn book for months and I’ve yet to read it or anything by Sanderson. I’m so reluctant but I think I’m ready now. I’ve never heard of Retribution Falls. OMG it sounds like a must read. Thank you Willow 🌸 Have a lovely weekend

[@sarah-roadworthy]

I'm not a huge fantasy reader. I often read the first of a series and don't feel super compelled to read on. I can only think of two series I've finished in the last 10 years. Robin Hobb's first trilogy and Anthony Ryan's Raven's Shadow series that starts with Blood Song. Although different in tone, these books are as much about characters and relationships as plot. I also loved American Gods. I know I need to try Broken Earth but I'm fearful of being disappointed.

[@dalblauw]

Yeeeessss, fantasy is one of the main genres I love to read so while I already knew most of these books (never heard of the Ketty Jay series before tho, will def check it out now hehehe) this was still such a fun video.

[@sweetyagrawal1549]

I just adore your videos Love listening to your views on books Lots of love 😊😊😊

[@badfaith4u]

I bought The Colour of Magic by Terry Pratchett based on your recommendations.

[@cosyreadingtimes8857]

While loving many of these authors, I didn't really vibe with the "Originally inspired by European myths and folklore", as I would argue that many cultures all around the world have always featured magical elements, and while many of the books discussed as the earliest fantasy novels originated there, that speaks, imo, more of a eurocentric perspective than an actual reflection of reality. I take it though, that you only talk here about a very narrow category of fantasy (the medieval, European high fantasy subgenre). Still, I would have expected a more inclusive definition, as you frequently talk about international literature. But even if you don't include magical realism in the wider fantasy genre, I'm still missing names like Ken Liu, R.F. Kuang, or Tasha Suri. That said, the authors you mentioned are some of my favourite ones as well (especially Robin Hobb ofc). I will definitely check out Chris Wooding. Aside from the ones mentioned, some of my favourites include The Spear Cuts Through Water by Simon Jimenez, Kushiel's Dart by Jacqueline Carey, A Master of Djinn by P. Djèlí Clark, the Green Bne Saga by Fonda Lee and the Sword of Kaigen by M.L. Wang. PS: Christelle Dabos' Mirror Visitor is a tetralogy, not a trilogy.

[@josephperkins6625]

Jim Butcher is my Favorite fantasy author. And he's my second favorite author in general. Right behind James Lee Burke. But when it comes to fantasy Jim Butcher Dresdin Files is my favorite fantasy series. His codex alera series is amazing as well.

[@alexandradavies6669]

Oh man, you took me back with that Chris Wooding rec! I absolutely loved Poison and The Storm Thief when I was a teenager and I still think they absolutely deserve more attention. He's one of those reliable writers you know you'll have a good time with, so I'll absolutely check out the Retribution Falls series, thanks for the rec! I've either read or already TBRed most of the others, though I've got to say I DNFed Addie LaRue. 😬 I was wondering if you've read Garth Nix? His Old Kingdom series was excellent for tense, necromantic action and rich worldbuilding. He's also writing a series (I think?) about magic booksellers that sounds intriguing. I also can't recommend In Other Lands by Sarah Rees Brennan enough! It's a portal/Magical Boarding School fantasy set in a parallel fantasy world. Except it's a kind of anti-Hogwarts because it's very queer and the mc studies diplomacy (not magic) in a kind of military academy for the humans who've colonised the fantasy world. It addresses the racism, colonialism, imperialism and misogyny of (eurocentric) fantasy and it's Pratchett-like in that it makes serious points while being very funny. And there are mermaids and harpies and elves and dwarves and found family and an interesting trans allegory and other good stuff! 10/10 would recommend, I think you'd enjoy it, and it deserves more attention! And I just like to gush about it and hear what other people who've read it think. 😊

[@WillowTalksBooks]

Other Lands sounds great, I’ll check it out! Thanks 😊

[@alexandradavies6669]

@@WillowTalksBooks I hope you enjoy it! I enjoyed the mc but I guess he might not be for everyone. And, if you do like it, I hope you'll share your thoughts. I always enjoy your insights. :)

[@oliverharris60]

I was personally really disappointed by Legends and Lattes! I found it really shallow, but definitely cozy!

[@karolineleandro7841]

Hi, Willow! How are you? Firstly, your videos are always a fine companionship during my weeks, thank you so much for that! I was wondering, have you ever read anything by Carlos Ruiz Záfon? I think you'd like his works very much. Lots of love, Karol.

[@wewillrust]

Yay! Thanks so much for this!

[@Nixx0912]

Claire North's "Sudden appearance of Hope" also had a lead who was "invisible" like that, but it's notvurban fantasy. I acctualy have a problem with categorising this book, I can only say I loved it.

[@WillowTalksBooks]

I’ve been meaning to read Claire North for ages. I actually just got Ithaca and I’ll read it soon :)

[@ernabro2723]

Great video, as always! Thank you for the recommendations! I recently read The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern and I REAAAALLY want to read The Night Circus (edit: going to manifest your misplaced copy into my room somehow) (edit 2: LEGENDS AND LATTEEEEEEEEES)

[@akaYu07]

Not sure how you ended up on my recommendation list, but could we get a written list of the books mentioned? Would like to read up a bit on the authors and where I’d start. I really enjoyed The Name of the Wind but it being an unfinished series made me cautious of which books/series to start.

[@WillowTalksBooks]

There’s a link to the full article in the description. It has more books on it, and my broader thoughts on them all

[@akaYu07]

@@WillowTalksBooks thanks for the quick reply, didn’t see that.

[@kristen7623]

Oh…buckle UP for Brandy Sandy. I’m beyond excited for you to read more

[@CemetryGates89]

I'm currently getting back into fantasy and loving it. Currently reading Nation by Terry Pratchett. Not like his Discworld books but I'm interested to see where it goes Have you read any China Mieville or Jasper Fforde? I also want to read Priory of the Orange Tree soon 😊

[@WillowTalksBooks]

Ooh yes, I like Mieville a lot! I actually met him once and was so nervous I kept calling him “mate” lol

[@CemetryGates89]

@@WillowTalksBooks that's brilliant 😅 I also may have just ordered a copy of Retribution Falls 🤦😅

[@RoxanneM-]

Thank you! 💗👍

[@thewitchef]

Have you read Uprooted by Naomi Novik? I'd love to hear/read your thoughts on it

[@WillowTalksBooks]

Yeah, it’s pretty good :)

[@parkerbrown-nesbit1747]

Would you consider a video on YA fantasy?

[@davelewis8270]

Is that what Terry pratchett covers look like now? It's very pretty

[@WillowTalksBooks]

Yeah these are the clothbound hardbacks :)

[@badger-1984]

I already had Retribution Falls on my tbr but now you've compared it to Cowboy Bebop I'll have to bump it up the list. How did you know a comparison to Cowboy Bebop was my weakness? 😂

[@Nixx0912]

See you spacecowboy

[@Rumkeez]

every time I see one of these lists and it doesn't include kushiel's dart I shed a tear. sex work as sacred worship, amazing exploration of bdsm, and the books are incredibly, casually queer (and this may be for me and me alone but there's the most intriguing evil villain lady who has the best love-hate sapphic situationship with the heroine). Anyway, highly recommend but do read the trigger warnings before proceeding. I'll just say that Sanderson does tithe to the LDS church so if you're paying for his books a portion of that money is going toward suporting that institution.

[@WillowTalksBooks]

Including Sanderson meant I could sleep at night. When I made a statement about not including him in an article, I couldn’t breathe for all the hate-filled emails I got.

[@Rumkeez]

@@WillowTalksBooks yikes...that blows. if this guy's so chill why is his fandom so nasty? anyway, I didn't mean for my comment to come off as judgmental. I love your content, the way you talk about books has made me want to get back into reading.

[@eliotopian]

mistborn: those books always feel too political and too little action. especially for how well he actually writes the battle scenes. it always feels like 85% of those books could have been a 15-20 page prologue, and then just get to when stuffs actually going to happen. it also reminded me of watching the flash... where the flash is the main star, even tho cisco is a stronger hero, and ur like... why are we watching vin? I mean, the flash.... and the best character is just set up as a background support character... ugh. no. it took 2.85 books to get to the best part. lol

[@TheEndermanNestGPage]

honestly i thought the final empire was soo boring and generic, plus he dosent do anything with language. The whole thing just felt like a crappy super hero movie.

[@eliotopian]

have you read any Mercedes lackey? an ex of mine got me into the heralds of Valdemar series with a trilogy of books based around a major historical figure in their world that was gay. theres a lot of progressiveness going on in the books. also, wraethuthu. an alternate near future world where some humans evolve and become able to swap "genders" (tho its not really gender... I may lack the words here, lol) and form tribes of themselves while dealing with the Homo sapiens still remaining.

[@darkchill34]

It's missing Malazan... therefore your list is most definitely wrong, and I can't trust your judgement at all. 😢

[@WillowTalksBooks]

Oh no! If only I cared 😭

[@fatemakh96]

So these recommendations are based on whether the authors are woke enough for u??? Or if the content is “woke”???? Clicked on this video expecting unbiased good recommendations I think i’m unsubscribing

[@WillowTalksBooks]

Hahahaha that’s fine, please leave. Never trust someone who uses woke like this lol bye babe x

[@anarchybugg]

nobody's making u watch it 😅

[@janethansen9612]

See ya!

[@localabsurdist6661]

Imagine the idea that people want to see themselves and other people be represented in the books they read

[@camiloflores1592]

@@WillowTalksBookshahaha unsubscribe?? why was they even subscribed??