Malazan or ASOIAF? Prose or Plot? Manga or Books? - Either/Or Part 1

Malazan or ASOIAF? Prose or Plot? Manga or Books? - Either/Or Part 1
#booktube #eitheror #fantasybooks
Happy to introduce Either/Or Part 1! I posted on my community tab for my viewers to propose either or questions to me and I got so many great questions. Malazan or A Song of Ice and Fire? Prose or Plot? Boxers or Briefs? Be sure to give your answers below in the comments.
Shoutout to the GOAT @LostinDiscovery for the thumbnail!
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[@SuperGainsBrosYT]

It's HAMMER TIME LOL

[@thefantasynuttwork]

🤣🤣🤣

[@brancellbooks]

Comparing Malazan to Berserk is tough for me. They’re both so long, dark, complex, thematically dense-but the hardest part of comparing them for me is the fact that I haven’t read either series.

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Hahaha

[@Yungshamgod]

💀

[@Cieges]

Had us in the first half 🤣

[@BABYSTARZ]

berserk is garbage so dont even bother reading it, you're welcome

[@thehound9638]

🤣🤣🤣

[@epicgamer2727]

One thing you gotta give Erikson props for is the fact unlike most other epic fantasy authors he fully completed and delivered his entire series within 12 years with no real significant breaks or delays. The man gave 10 high quality novels of an enormous size consistently in less time than it has taken George to write just The Winds of Winter.

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Yup, what he accomplished in the time frame, at the quality he delivered at, is unbelievable. It’s maybe the most impressive feat by a fantasy author imo

[@JLchevz]

lmao that's crazy, especially considering it's the same quality if not better than ASOIAF (maybe lacking a little bit in character depth, which is GRRM's specialty).

[@ssj4rit]

@@JLchevzeh after reading Malazan it’s pretty clear they’re messy novels. I can see why GRRM takes so long, there are so many holes in the timeline and plots of Malazan books, not nearly as many in ASOIAF.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Dwarves? Are there Dwarves in The Way of Edan? Oh, you mean Dweorgs! 😁

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Ya ya ya! We get it 🤣

[@mattkean1128]

I do hate how purple prose has almost become an automatic negative in many circles. It's just another dimension for the writer to be creative, and one I appreciate.

[@thefantasynuttwork]

I think there’s a reasonable push back that only purple prose is good, which I support. However, nowadays if you’re not spelling things out for people in the most basic ways it seems to be dismissed as pretentious which I dislike much more

[@jordendarrett1725]

@@thefantasynuttwork Jimmy I could not AGREE with this more! I like plain and purple prose but so many readers I’ve interacted with get frustrated or completely misunderstand something if a book doesn’t take a whole paragraph to explain a concept, emotion, backstory, etc. in the most basic low-grade writing. It makes me wonder if some people can’t understand context clues or subtext

[@thirdspacemaker9141]

Malazan may be a pillar, but ASOIAF is part of the foundation. ASOIAF was the first fantasy that I ever read (after watching the first season of GOT), and I was like “Oh! Is that fantasy is? I’ve been missing out. I need more like this.” That search for great fantasy is what sent me to Booktube. I didn’t realize that I had tasted the best with my first bite.

[@thefantasynuttwork]

I totally understand!

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Television? No one will have television in the post apocalypse.

[@thefantasynuttwork]

That’s a solid point actually lol

[@wherespookie1]

I've always believed that it's not the story that matters, but how you tell it. I don't blame Sanderson in any way but I believe his stardom has catapulted this wave of fantasy that has almost no personality, since his writing is so basic. There are an innumerable amount of great ideas with newer fantasy but it feels like I'm just reading a plot synopsis or a textbook at times. There's no magic or flare to writing nowadays to the point where magic isn't even magic any more, it's basically science with fantasy lingo. Purple prose and soft magic needs to make a comeback.

[@thefantasynuttwork]

I am a fan of purple prose and soft magic as well. Commercial viability doesn’t always mesh with me

[@Chance.Dillon]

It’s comin

[@R1glet]

malazan is deep down your favorite series of all time but i’ll let you go today…

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Hahaha I appreciate it! Good to see ya btw

[@archlectoryarvi2873]

Totally agree with your answer on the mid hero vs mid villain question. A good example of this is what happens in the Ajin manga. The protagonist Kei is nothing special but the main villain is basically what would happen if you put John Wick, Wolverine and the Joker in one body. Said villain changed what could've been a boring, forgettable experience into one of the best scifi action thrillers I've ever read.

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Yeah that’s my thought as well!

[@marianamasbooks]

When it comes to plot vs. prose, my answer is always secret option number 3: characters! 😝 This was a fun video, I’m glad there’s a part 2 :)

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Hahahaha good pick!

[@esmayrosalyne]

Oooof, some real tough choices here. Loved hearing all your answers and reasonings though :))) I saw all the Allen vs Philip questions and was wondering how you were gonna handle that one, but I think you nailed that answer hahah. Also, I feel you on being an endings person. I can forgive a lot if the ending is absolutely outstanding! Looking forward to more of these types of videos 🤩

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Thanks and thanks for the great questions!

[@Shaad2321]

Great video! It was a fun video! I look forward to the next part!

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Thanks my friend!

[@safinan8008]

A great video! Happy reading to you!! 😊😊

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Thank you! You too!

[@Dwish305]

This was awesome! Thanks

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Glad you liked it!

[@phen0menos]

Great video idea and great execution! Good jobby jimmy

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Thank you so much!

[@AnithaGadeReads]

Great answers. My favourite is your reason behind picking mid hero.

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Thanks friend!

[@adamborst]

In the spirit of GRRM, this was content as it aught to be presented. Thanks, really enjoyed the idea!

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Hahah thank you Adam!

[@thedrownedkingdomsaga7847]

Amazing video Jimmy! Yes, purple prose for me is not overwritten, nuanced villains, ASOIAF rules, and for me physical books forever!

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Let’s gooooooo

[@Dean-cz6dn]

This is a good Either/Or content. You have fantastic choices. Jimmy Nutts is one class act .

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Appreciate that!

[@thebrothersgwynne]

Quality questions. Great video mate. Ed

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Thanks Ed!

[@brettwaddingham3296]

Super fun video Jimmy!

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Thanks Brett!

[@ColinsCornerYT]

Hahah bring out the hammer 😂 love this idea man, great video. Can’t wait for part 2

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Thanks brother!

[@TomOrange]

Really fun video! What kind of weightlifting do you do? i do powerlifting myself

[@thefantasynuttwork]

I’m full blown meathead body building. I do frequency training because I’ve found that it’s easier for me to progressively overload that way.

[@marinac444]

Lol I love your little huge world of fantasy which you created behind you Btw, about that question villain or hero as a main character--are there're any fantasy books where the villlain is the main character?

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Haha thanks!

[@ADudeWhoReads]

Love this format. So much to unpack. Unfortunately, you’re wrong about Macho Man vs Stone Cold. ;)

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Hahaha my bad!

[@tannersturgeon2448]

Great video! Can I still suggest either/or’s?

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Yes sir, do it on my community post so I have it somewhere accessible

[@fantasyfanatic6038]

Hey! Don’t do my WoT like that, Jimmy! 😆 Great video and I look forward to the next part!

[@thefantasynuttwork]

All in good fun! Haha

[@xlnfraction]

Hope dunking on the 20k youtuber doesn't come back to hurt you! This is gonna be a fun series of videos, already excited for the next one :D

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Bring the heat 😂

[@mrsduncanthetall]

Omg Jimmy!!!!! You have got to seek Hobb i need this in my life ❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@MrHehj]

Fun watch!

[@thefantasynuttwork]

🙏

[@Paul_van_Doleweerd]

Good answers. 😁. You said you had a story that you wrote, I'm curious as to how much you did, words or pages.

[@thefantasynuttwork]

I’m struggling to remember but I think under 20k words

[@Paul_van_Doleweerd]

@@thefantasynuttwork I'm writing something right now, but work is really not helping, I'm lucky to do a page a day. At least this is new and I don't have to worry about Doctor Fantasy's cape fetish and latent cannibalism... 🤣

[@blacknbluecollarreader]

I am big Bakker fan and even I would want Winds of Winter before No God. STOP!!! Hammer Time 🕺🕺🕺. Starting my Manga Journey this month with Uzumaki. I'm in the middle of Unholy Consult and I need a break from the Meta/Abstract....my brain hurts. lol Excellent video man.

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Appreciate ya bro!

[@CNavo.TheNextChapter]

ASOIAF bring on Winds!. Ouch the Hammer thats rough 😂. This was a great idea for a video. Ill have to think up one for your part II. Cheers!

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Cheers man!

[@CNavo.TheNextChapter]

Also looking forward to your manga channel though only read 3 volumes of Vinland. But I'm looking forward to reading more.

[@thefantasynuttwork]

@@CNavo.TheNextChapter we are excited for it too!!

[@EricMcLuen]

Prose is a tough one as it also relies heavily on the story. Imagine Bakker writing Lions or GGK writing Great Ordeal. And I do agree a fleshed out villain makes a better hero. Wanting to destroy everything just because they are evil doesn't always work.

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Yeah I think I should have spent more time exploring the plot vs prose question tbh

[@HistoritorJimaldus]

Malazan or ASOIAF? Second apocalypse 😊

[@thefantasynuttwork]

A great compromise

[@crystalsingh7325]

Will you ever do your fav fantasy series list Jimmy? 😊

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Absolutely! It’s one I want to do well, more editing like I did my top 10 this past year

[@thirdspacemaker9141]

“In a post apocalyptic situation…which is how I rank all my friends.” 😂Same.

[@thefantasynuttwork]

😁

[@maggythestray6869]

YEEES ! This was the right answer :) I also love Dwarves :)

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Phewwwww!

[@tia_lenay]

dwarfs are so awesome!!

[@Lila_S.]

Omg, I couldn't possibly make definite decisions between Malazan and ASoIaF, because..::takes out the all the charts and lists and essays on the subject::

[@thefantasynuttwork]

It’s a tough one!

[@TheLiteraryApothecary]

YESSSS Love the WWE Rep here! Currently reading a book on WWE 😅

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Hahaha nice

[@thomasc9036]

The problem with the nuanced villain is that authors must delve into the complexity really well. I find that many or not most writers fail to do so and leave us with shallow and unsatisfying works.

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Yeah I was choosing with the idea of it being done at its best execution

[@jakebishop7822]

I would like to hear your evaluation of me in a post apocalyptic situation? How do you balance if one person might be really good in one specific situation, but bad in most, compared to someone who is pretty good at everything?

[@thefantasynuttwork]

It would depend on the likelihood of the situation they be good in I think

[@Paul_van_Doleweerd]

​@@thefantasynuttwork Allen is the zombie bait, confirmed 😂

[@Paromita_M]

What a great video!

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Appreciate it!

[@Paromita_M]

@@thefantasynuttwork Could I still put in my questions in your community post (no obligation to answer of course, I just love this idea! Will play with my other Bookish friends!)

[@thefantasynuttwork]

@@Paromita_M yep absolutely

[@BookishChas]

Great video Jimmy! ASOIAF and GRRM for the win always. This was a fun idea.

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Thanks Chas!

[@Jistarii]

You can't compare ASOIAF and Malazan. It's obviously Malazan because it's finished. Even if Malazan is still being fleshed still, at this point ASOIAF will never be finished. The great plot points will never come to fruition. The final character developments will never happen because GRR takes 10 or more years per book. Erikson started Malazan at the same time, i think even a year earlier IIRC. Also Malazan isn't stained by a TV series that was drastically altered and left a huge sour taste with many on the horrible ending choices that were made. It's not even a comparison. The character development, world building, magic, history, lore of Malazan are so far beyond ASOIAF it can't even be measured. ASOIAF had potential, if it had an author that could write in a manner that's acceptable for publishing. It could be unrivaled if GRR is 25 and not pushing 80 years old. Sadly we will never see the end of the series. But we will have a bunch of TV series that will drastically change everything because it became a popculture sensation. It will slowly fade away from any source material and will turn into another politically charged HBO/Amazon series that divides audiences more than unites them. Also I know it's your fave series and that's ok!!!! My post came off more intense than I wanted lol. We all love different things and that's what makes the community great

[@thefantasynuttwork]

It’s all good! I see your points and definitely understand how it would lead someone to choose Malazan. But for myself, even unfinished, nothing quite grabs me like ASOIAF.

[@RedFuryBooks]

Fun topic! I think I disagree with the bad hero or bad villain answer, because I've read a LOT of fantasy in the 80's and 90's with ho-hum villains that were pretty great stories. You could argue that Lord of the Rings falls into this category as Sauron by his nature isn't a great villain, at least by today's standards. (No hate for Lord of the Rings here, just one example!)

[@thefantasynuttwork]

LOTR must suck then!

[@bobbob-cd9yl]

Gonna love watching this after I am chill from all the alcohol my brother bought for me

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Enjoy!

[@rosssims7224]

Wait wait wait what was your wrestling name? I need to do a light googling.

[@thefantasynuttwork]

There are two wrestling videos here on the channel haha

[@jer2dabear]

No TV Mr Chase? What do you point the furniture at. Haha

[@thefantasynuttwork]

😂

[@noelnovels6511]

DYING @ Allen is also combative and loud 😂😂😂😂

[@thefantasynuttwork]

It’s not wrong tho right

[@noelnovels6511]

Not at alllll hahahahaha

[@jer2dabear]

You should read and review Book of the New Sun. Its so great.

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Planning on trying it this year!

[@jer2dabear]

​@The Fantasy Nuttwork nice! If you do, I can't wait to see a review on it if you think it's warranted.

[@thefantasynuttwork]

@@jer2dabear I’m terrified I’m too dumb for it hahaha I recently read Gnomon which lots of BOTNS readers enjoy. It hurt my brain lol

[@jer2dabear]

@The Fantasy Nuttwork no way you won't get it man, just go with the flow, and you won't be disappointed:) Its very dense, and you can pick up things on a second or third re-read, very rewarding. It's my favorite book ( a series of 4 smaller books) of all time.

[@thefantasynuttwork]

@@jer2dabear that’s good to hear! You should check out Gnomon!

[@mrsduncanthetall]

"Careful Ned"

[@ToriTalks2]

I am SO GLAD you mentioned Theon as an underrated character. I think his character arc is one of the most dynamic in the whole series.

[@thefantasynuttwork]

He’s absolutely amazing to read

[@simonkelly1958]

Jimmy r u related to you tuber "the potter collecter"

[@thefantasynuttwork]

I am not

[@myowngenesis]

Being a Malaz fanatic, I will say Malazan is better

[@thefantasynuttwork]

It’s great! Everyone has their own preferences

[@myowngenesis]

@@thefantasynuttwork I agree. Went a little far and said wrong to someone here for preferring Martin to Erikson. Trying to find it so I can delete it hehe. But you're right, not everyone will like malazan, neither is it made for everyone really. Gotta have a stomach of steel to go through it all unmoved

[@thefantasynuttwork]

@@myowngenesis it’s all good, we are all passionate! I don’t even like the idea of either or, but it’s fun to put myself in a tough spot and have to choose. Really they’re both favorites and extremely different stories. I love both

[@civoreb]

My opinion: Malazan is too complex compared to ALL other fantasy series. It is the final boss of fantasy imo. Prose gets better further on. Berserk I stopped at volume 21 because it got too “villain of the week” for me after Golden Age. ASOIAF - well written characters but overall, i only liked reading about 4 of them. Everyone else was like “damn I gotta read this person now 😒” Just didn’t care too much about what most people were doing. Martin has more accessible prose to Erikson.

[@thefantasynuttwork]

All seems fair to me

[@Ribshack2012]

Elves or dwarves is an impossible question. Dwarves are cool but scary elves (how they are in The Way of Edan, at least in the first 150 pages) are unmatched and I'll choose them every time.

[@thefantasynuttwork]

I can get behind that

[@HistoritorJimaldus]

Nonmen are kinda a combination of both but more elf than dwarf

[@lausdeo4944]

The OG Tolkien elves are the best. Looking at your Feanor and the Seven Sons.

[@mrsduncanthetall]

😂😂Hammer time. It will Have to be Bobbys war hammer😂😂

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Great idea hahaha

[@Paul_van_Doleweerd]

I wish I could go back in time with a hammer myself in this case. 😮

[@ReallyGoodandKind]

When comes to magic systems, harder is not better, no matter what the ladies say.

[@thefantasynuttwork]

😂😂😂😂😭

[@thatsci-firogue]

Is it pronounced Data or Data?

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Data

[@demidrek-heyward]

what you are saying l books 1 through 6 aren't the slog? I guess it's hammer time!!! 🔨🤣

[@thefantasynuttwork]

😅

[@IsaaqAttack]

Berserk or Stormlight

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Berserk I think

[@IsaaqAttack]

Jimmy Gutts 👍

[@Thecatladybooknook_PennyD]

Bobby re: WoT. 😅

[@thefantasynuttwork]

He straightened me out right quick

[@patsmythos]

If you have to hit yourself with a hammer instead of reading WoT, just borrow RJ's since it sees a lot of use!

[@thefantasynuttwork]

If he ever gets a break from it hahaha

[@sleeplessbard2519]

how could you ever make a decision like this?????? anyway it's asoiaf for me grrm all day every day

[@thefantasynuttwork]

😂

[@duffypratt]

So let’s see. You think Erikson is the better writer than GRRM. You prefer a strong ending to a strong start. And you would rather miss the first 50 pages than the last. And yet, somehow you still prefer ASOIAF? I’m guessing that if the either/or was nostalgia/recency bias, you would go with nostalgia?

[@thefantasynuttwork]

I think works that have been formative for me have an added bonus for sure. Just my opinion tho, I’d read ASOIAF over anything else, it’s just something I really love

[@duffypratt]

@@thefantasynuttwork I agree about the first three books. They are as good as anything. Feast is a fairly drastic step down, and Dance falls off the cliff (for me). On top of that, I would take a lot of points off because the series is never going to be finished. I know many people feel differently about Dance but I’ve never been able to understand why.

[@thefantasynuttwork]

@@duffypratt yeah I love all 5, AFFC is always my favorite to reread

[@danielgwynne7266]

@@thefantasynuttworkI think the rereading is why you like asoiaf more and their is a very good chance that you would prefer malazan if you reread it.

[@SuperGainsBrosYT]

OBVIOUSLY ASOIAF > Any other fantasy book ever written

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Basically me in a nutshell hahahaha

[@lausdeo4944]

The Legendarium: _Am I a joke to you?_

[@ReallyGoodandKind]

Too bad they’re not finished

[@thefantasynuttwork]

@@ReallyGoodandKind even Fire and Blood isn’t finished yet 😭

[@ReallyGoodandKind]

@@thefantasynuttwork dude I read fire and blood 4 times this year.

[@seanhalpin87]

Head on a stick, bruh

[@seanhalpin87]

Clearly saving the best for last. That's fine

[@thefantasynuttwork]

It’ll be answered hahah

[@seanhalpin87]

@@thefantasynuttwork gotta save the most important and thought provoking ones for last, I get it. Lmao