20 New Series I'd Like To Begin in 2025...And Beyond

Mike talks about 20 series he won't have time for this year but is highly interested in during 2025.
ℙ𝕦𝕣𝕔𝕙𝕒𝕤𝕖 𝕓𝕠𝕠𝕜𝕤 𝕞𝕖𝕟𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟𝕖𝕕 𝕚𝕟 𝕥𝕙𝕚𝕤 𝕧𝕚𝕕𝕖𝕠:
Chronicles of the Wolf Queen amzn.to/492Jciz
Riftwar Trilogy amzn.to/3IP8Ufr
Age of Darkness amzn.to/3Ps8NdQ
Riyria Chronicles amzn.to/43rZ6Sq
Alex Verus amzn.to/3TqPdzK
The Strain amzn.to/3Trj1Mu
Unwind amzn.to/3IJ313u
Kagen the Damned amzn.to/3vhoFbZ
Commonwealth Saga amzn.to/4amxOiz
The Grim Company amzn.to/3Vjg2IF
Books of Babel amzn.to/49TusUe
Metro amzn.to/49ZZ0nj
Chaos Walking amzn.to/492US4O
His Dark Materials amzn.to/3IKQRXO
Amber Chronicles amzn.to/43mMUlA
Saxon Stories amzn.to/48ZjhIw
Tide Child amzn.to/3TFbbjO
Wars of Light & Shadow amzn.to/3IJLmZB
Outlander amzn.to/3IKkk4s
Earthsea amzn.to/3PrFo37
ℂ𝕙𝕒𝕟𝕟𝕖𝕝𝕤 𝕞𝕖𝕟𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟𝕖𝕕 𝕥𝕙𝕚𝕤 𝕖𝕡𝕚𝕤𝕠𝕕𝕖:
‪@BrianBell7‬
‪@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy‬
‪@jakebishop7822‬
‪@PetrikLeo‬
𝕎𝕒𝕟𝕥 𝕥𝕠 𝕤𝕖𝕟𝕕 𝕄𝕚𝕜𝕖 𝕤𝕠𝕞𝕖𝕥𝕙𝕚𝕟𝕘? 𝕐𝕠𝕦 𝕔𝕒𝕟 𝕕𝕠 𝕤𝕠 𝕥𝕠 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕓𝕖𝕝𝕠𝕨 𝕒𝕕𝕕𝕣𝕖𝕤𝕤:
Mike K.
15201 Mason Rd
Suite 169
Cypress, TX 77433
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0:00 Introduction & Categories
1:36 Sci-Fi/Dystopian/Post-Apocalyptic
6:20 Horror
8:34 Fantasy
20:51 Historical Fiction
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#MikesBookReviews #2025TBR #NewSeries

[@patrickvose2536]

Dandelion dynasty would be my biggest recommendation. Such a great series!

[@TheDragonbornReviewer]

As someone who absolutely adores the Saxon Tales series, grew up with it, and has read all 13 books, here’s what I have to say: If you enjoyed the show, I do at least recommend you read the first 3 books because they’re quick reads and utterly fantastic. The thing about this series is that it is extremely formulaic and gets a bit repetitive as you go on, and by book 8, I think the series starts to lose itself a little bit. Still, I often credit it as my favorite series ever because of how special it is to me. The cast of Uhtred, Finnan, and others is an all-time great.

[@caveman6a]

the whole series is great but yeah the middle section of books get stale due to that formulaic writing, The final 3 or so kept it sorta fresh for me though at the end

[@SolarDragon007]

I actually love Book 8. I think the series ranges from decent to great up through Book 10. The ones after that did feel sort of tired in comparison.

[@StephenAryan44]

Battlemage is definitely a good place to start. I hope you get a chance to start there next year, which is the 10th anniversary of my debut. Thanks Mike!

[@jamielynn1724]

Another FANTASTIC trilogy for younger readers, if you havent tried it, is the Inkheart series by Cornelia Funke. I didn’t discover it until adulthood, but fell in love just the same. Happy reading!

[@BrianBell7]

I'm officially putting "as mentioned in Mike's cold open" on everything I have to sign moving forward. YES on Alex Verus (again). It really isn't Dresden. Alex is for sure more "No More Mr. Nice Guy" than Harry. Thank you for the mention! :)

[@mikesbookreviews]

LOL I thought you'd like that.

[@terrilabeth]

It takes me so much convincing to get someone to even try “Outlander” but the ones I have convinced are hooked. As I am. My only warning is stick with the first few chapters of the first book and then it will take off. It drives me crazy when people put this series in the “Romance” category, it spans a whole lifetime with these characters so there will be some of that? But it isn’t the focus. I call it a backwards survival story, going back in time and learning to survive and thrive. They are massive books but it is a great series on so many levels. T ✌🏻

[@bethbaskett3]

Excellent series!

[@beaufloyd]

Feist, Wurts, Barker, Aryan and LeGuin would all be good choices. Hopefully some if not all make it on the TBR. Curious to hear your thoughts on them!

[@mikesbookreviews]

I hope so too!

[@esmayrosalyne]

Oooh yes, I love me some series planning!! I mean, you can never go wrong with Ryiria, Royce and Hadrian's backstory is sooo good! And I absolutely adore everything by RJ Barker, you should totally prioritise The Bone Ships. Two series that are not on your list but which I'd highly recommend are John Palladino's Tragedy of Cedain and Ken Liu's Dandelion Dynasty, truly amazing stuff!

[@dailycarolina.]

I LOVE *Outlander* , I'll be reading book 8 this spring/early summer. I'm glad you're giving this series a shot. And It's NOT just for ladies just because it has romance in it. There's also war, suspense, violence, time travel, family related themes, and much more. I hope you enjoy these long books as much as I do !!!

[@philippburnett6045]

You’re probably one of the few who reads it. Most would agree outlander is for ladies. As nearly every fantasy reader I know that is male not reading it

[@dailycarolina.]

@@philippburnett6045 Well, books should not be gendered. Literature is for everyone 🤷🏽‍♀️

[@philippburnett6045]

@@dailycarolina. and yet, men readers don’t go for outlander for some reasons

[@arabellawillow]

Earthsea and Outlander 😍 i'd love to hear your thoughts on both! I was so surprised that you haven't read Earthsea then so surprised that you were considering Outlander 😅

[@Omnidoom]

Not the first time I've begged. Probably not the last time either. Read Senlin Ascends!

[@marianneguevara8279]

I second this 100%!!

[@Mast3Rav3n]

I don’t get the hype. I’ve read 1 and 2. DNFd 3

[@BooksWithBenghisKahn]

Right with you on wanting to start the Saxon Tales, Books of Babel, Tide Child, and Wars of Light and Shadow. I'm three books into Alex Verus and having a great time with them, and they do indeed serve as perfect palate cleansers. The general worldbuilding set up and style of narrative is similar to Dresden, but Alex himself is so different from Harry that the tone is entirely different too, plus the future sight magic is new and incredibly engaging to spend constant time with.

[@laurenthompson2404]

I started reading the Outlander series last fall, now on book 7/9. As you said, they are LONG and sometimes feel like a slog. However, the characters are wonderful and I always miss them when I finish an Outlander book and read other things for a palate cleanser. I know how much you enjoy great character development, so you may enjoy this series very much.

[@edanmaor]

Pandora's Star is a very interesting book. I read it and thought it was good, not great - a bit too long for my taste. But somehow, it's become one of the books that I think back to the most. Some of the characters and the storylines have stuck in my head for years. Amber Chronicles - must-read IMO.

[@jenniferarmstrong7722]

I really trust your opinion with book series so I am looking forward to your opinion about the Outlander series. You have some really good picks for this year! Going to be a good reading season. 😊

[@chucklitka2503]

I enjoyed the original Amber books a lot. Outlander, was okay, but its proper ending came halfway through the book. I have no desire to continue on with the series. Suggestions; for a fun fantasy read, try Glen Cook's Garrett PI series - a classic private eye in a fantasy world. For historical fiction, Ellis Peters' Cadfael books, set in 12 century England, have Cadfael, a monk, solving a murder mysteries set against an ongoing English civil war. Lots of historical background, making them so much more than a garden variety murder mysteries. The Cook and Peters books are older and much shorter books than books today, so each can be read in a day or two. I would also have highly recommended Patrick O'Brien's Jack Aubrey and Maturin books, but they're historical naval books, and well... And lastly, there's the Flashman books featuring military campaigns of the Victorian era, by George MacDonald Fraser; they're great fun with a keen eye on historical events, though I suppose we're now talking about your 2030 TBR.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Thanks for the recs! I will look them up on Goodreads.

[@bripost]

Zelazny's Amber series is the perfect palate cleanser. All 5 books in the first arc equal about 1 book of today's fantasy market. Have loved that series for almost 40 years.

[@mikesbookreviews]

They look like much smaller reads since I have all 10 in one paperback collection.

[@thejosh2099]

I've never been one to pester you or recommend you things, but since you asked...I have to throw in for Earthsea. Sales job in bullet point format: - Coming of age! - They are short! The first three books (the three I would call essential) together are like 400 pages or so. - I think the theme work is excellent. - A magic system that went on to inspire things like Kingkiller and Eragon and certain magics of Dungeons and Dragons and countless other works of modern fantasy. - Some really good friendships. - I know you aren't necessarily a prose guy, but it is absolutely beautiful without being too intrusive or long-winded. In fact, Le Guin always shocked me with how she could tell a story so beautifully but in so few words. - Most importantly, dragons. I really hope you decide to give it a shot! I'm curious to see what your opinion on it would be, coming to it so late in your fantasy reading career.

[@jeffhaubrich6121]

I just picked up the first three Outlander books. I would call them adventure novels. There is a sprinkling of bit of everything in there!

[@mikesbookreviews]

Yeah, they seem fun

[@DutchGreyBeard]

Great plans, Mike. Two words about His Dark Materials. READ IT! The third book is just amazing (and one and two also of course)!

[@philippburnett6045]

You should read Cornwell’s Waterloo book. It’s great. Mix of history and novel

[@stuart1346]

100% then Sharpe as it’s superior to Saxon tales

[@philippburnett6045]

@@stuart1346 I’ve been suggesting Waterloo book to Mike for couple years now to no avail haha

[@ulysses17_]

I think it makes more sense for you to start Janny Wurts books with her Empire trilogy that she co-wrote with Feist. It's incredible and I'm sure you'll love it. It's a follow up to the Riftwar trilogy that you mentioned which I also think you'll enjoy.

[@locolima279]

Great video today. I am also looking at a few of those series- Commonwealth, Ryiria Chronicles & continuing Last Kingdom. I'd like to rerec Prince of Nothing. Very dark, very epic.

[@Talking_Story]

The Strain will be your jam! Kagen is grim dark, lovecraftian, sword and sorcery brutal madness. War of Light and Shadow is on my list as well for probably '25. Feist was my fav back in the day such classic vibes there. Senlin, Earth Sea and Amber our lists are so similar. Looks like a ton of great reads coming up in '25.

[@philippburnett6045]

Not sure term grim dark actually exists. It’s more of a minority using it. It’s either dark fantasy or grim , but mostly dark fantasy

[@Talking_Story]

@@philippburnett6045 gotcha. I am cool with that.

[@totallysick88able]

Kagen the Damned was dark. Like Way dark. Some very twisted stuff in that book but I think you will love it. Senlin Ascends is great! Very whimsical and steam punk but it’s a wild ride. I thought the ending was fine.

[@mikesbookreviews]

That's my brand.

[@TMAC_93X]

No last King of Osten Ard? It'll be complete this November

[@petergee7943]

Patrick Ness is a wonderful writer. I loved Chaos Walking and A Monster Calls is great too. I enjoyed the ending of the Books of Babel, although I generally like when authors take risky or divisive choices in later books. Either way, the first book alone is definitely worth it. I always want my favourite booktubers to try Seven Kennings by Kevin Hearne!

[@tylerpeters116]

You always make my day Mike 🙂

[@jaredschmidt8440]

I caught wind Jim Butcher submitted his 18th Dresden Files book to his publisher back in November 2023. Might be coming out end of 2024. Still, that’s a ways away, and it looks like you definitely have plenty to read. Thanks for another great video, Mike. You’re inspiring me to start my own channel, not just read the books you recommend. Makes appreciate the process so much more. Take care!

[@mikesbookreviews]

Obviously that would be a release day read.

[@lissavanhouten6628]

Outlander seems more like a historical fiction than a fantasy despite the time travel element. The best romance/relationship story I've ever read though. (Warning: There's that horrendous scene in the first book, if you know what I mean...and a few others in later books).

[@dougsundseth2303]

I really recommend Amber, especially the Corwin arc (the first five books, starting with Nine Princes in Amber). The books are individually quite short and they're very quick. Corwin and his siblings are among the best characters in fantasy. Also, the books are not much like anything else I've read. I'd add Steven Brust's Vlad Taltos books (starting with Jhereg). Excellent heist fantasy with very memorable characters. For historical fiction, you might consider Lindsey Davis's "Marcus Didius Falco" series (starting with Silver Pigs), set in Rome, starting in AD70 (the first year of the reign of Vespasian). Mystery/Crime novels with a strong historical component. You get a very different feel of Imperial Rome than in many other books and they're quite well written. For Cornwell, I prefer the Sharpe series to The Last Kingdom, but they're both quite good. I would normally suggest the Aubrey/Maturin series from Patrick O'Brian, but you said you don't much care for naval fiction. These are brilliant (if a bit slow-moving) historical adventure books, quite reminiscent of the Hornblower series from C.S. Forrester. They're better on the history than Forrester's books, but not quite as fast-moving.

[@mikesbookreviews]

That's a good pitch for Amber. Thanks!

[@sirswag7788]

The last book in the Books of Babel is excellent. Some people just don’t like some of what happens in it.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Endings rarely work for everyone.

[@grandadmiralmanatee]

Unwind is genuinely an amazing book! It had its issues but the concept and execution is sublime

[@mikesbookreviews]

Great to hear!

[@Viksbelle]

Chronicles of Amber is a trippy series. I lucked out on finding the entire series plus a companion book with character profiles and a floor plan of the castle at an estate sale a few years ago. 😊

[@briankregg6329]

Tad Williams, Shadowmarch

[@JustinFatfingers]

YES! Finally! Another Shadowmarch fan!

[@jimave]

The Last Kingdom is a great series. Thanks for this video because I’m always looking for new authors and books to read.

[@chrisbutterworth3063]

Gotta get you some Uhtred Mike!! Glad 2 c you looking well again. Pointing u in the direction of Robyn Young. 2 complete historical trilogies. Brethren and Insurrection. One based around the Crusades and 1 about Robert the Bruce. If u get on with the rest of Kingsbridge u will love these. Best Regards from a very wet Cumbria..It has rained 114 days out of the last 125. #praying for a dry spell! UK Chris

[@kirstendickinson1361]

I read the first Outlander book years ago. Loved it, but decided I was good with how it ended and didn't feel the need to continue the series. 🤷‍♀️

[@TomOrange]

Wars of Light and Shadow is an amazing series. The characters are next level Wurts is a master at her craft.

[@akellerhouse83]

I would love it if you'd read Outlander. I don't think many booktubers cover it, and that's a shame. I consider it historical fiction with slight sci-fi elements. It's so good.

[@KyleMcGee4772]

Hope u do The strain,I enjoyed the TV series but gotta read the books myself.

[@PreppinShootinLivin]

At the pace I read, which isn't fast(around 30-40 books a year)...I could not add a single new book to my TBR and it would still take me 5 years or so to complete my TBR...but oh yeah...there ARE ALWAYS new books being added or that could be added....it's a sickness....

[@jellevanbreugel325]

Join the club 🤣

[@writerfox]

If you’re wanting Bernard Cornwell and have any interest in the Napoleonic Wars, you can’t go wrong with “Sharpe.” I’d also say if you liked the idea of Brent Weeks’ assassin books, but not the rest of it, check out “Darkblade” by Andy Peloquin.

[@NevsBookChannel]

Feist Riftwar cycle is my vote. You should be reading it THIS year! Re Dark Materials, I finished the first book last night - it’s very inventive and well written but I’m not so sure about the last 3 chapters - I was thinking 5 stars but now I might go with 4

[@lightningtiger7721]

I think you’d really enjoy Chaos Walking and how Patrick Ness uses the Noise in his story. Magician Apprentice and Master are also good to get under your belt.

[@dragonrambles]

Strong recommendation for Wars of Light and Shadow. I started reading it when it first came out, age 15, and it quickly became (and stayed) my favourite series of all time. I've heard some people saying that they have trouble with the prose. I never did. Sure, I had to look up the definition of some words some time, but I actually like when that happens when I'm reading. I always have. I do know that Wurts has says she writes in a style meant to slow readers down (and discourage skim readers). I'm a slow reader, reading every word inside my head as if I were reading aloud, so maybe that's why I never had a problem. Riftwar also gets my vote. I read it when I was 15 too, and have read it a few times since. His Dark Materials you can easily skip. Book one was ok. Book two I had to force myself to finish. I then gave away my set of anniversary editions without reading book 3. From your wife's reaction, sounds like I made the right call. Earthsea would also get my vote though I've only read book one. I do plan to go back and continue as I've heard great things about later books - at the time, it was required reading in school at a time when I was reading adult fantasy, so it didn't really grab my interest as much as what I was reading outside of class.

[@MysteriousBibliophile]

I'll add my voice of encouragement for you to read Magician! I read it for the first time this year and I think it concludes well without annoying cliffhangers, similar to how Ender's Game and Assassin's Apprentice conclude nicely on their own. I would be super interested to hear what you think of Chaos Walking, Janny Wurts, & Roger Zelazny and I'm very confident you'll enjoy The Last Kingdom based on how much you've enjoyed reading Cornwell's Arthurian retelling.

[@heidi6281]

After reading Magician skip the other novels and jump right into The Daughter of the Empire, a perfect book. No need to read the rest of Empire either. A one two punch…The Magician/ Daughter of the Empire I would market as a duology!!

[@mikesbookreviews]

I really hope to get to it next year. Finally.

[@DanExploresBooks]

I love The Last Kingdom. You will dig it. And shortish books to get through.

[@asfaloth12]

Very promising list. --Re: His Dark Materials. I had a mixed experience with this series. The worldbuilding is great. I definitely enjoyed the first two books, but struggled to even finish the third book. Your experience of reading The Toll gave me flashbacks to my own experience with The Amber Spyglass. My opinion on the third book is in the minority, but.....I've recently found that I'm not as alone as I thought I was. That said, I strongly recommend you try it out and see how you feel about it. --I've heard such good things about Janny Wurts. Would love to try out her books eventually. --I read A Wizard of Earthsea years ago and enjoyed it. I hope to re-read it and the sequels. Thanks for sharing and happy reading! 📚

[@JesseRad]

Well, hey, if you want to move up The Strain to October spooky season this year, I'd be happy to read along with ya that month. I've had that one on my TBR for a bit.

[@Ninaofthe90s]

very excited what you think of The Last Kingdom!!

[@FreeLatveria]

I picked up an omnibus that has the amber chronicles in it at my local used bookstore. If you read it that might push me into reading it. And currently in the middle of the third book of the saxon chronicles. Really digging it. I started a Fable readalong when i began the first book to keep me moving through them.

[@farhad_s]

Rivers of London is a Dresden replacement set in London I could recommend. I've only read the first three books, but they're definitely different enough. I had a lot of fun reading Books of Babel, and can strongly recommend it. Josiah Bancroft is a very clever writer.

[@PerfectCell9]

Just started the “Under the Northern Sky” series… book one The Wolf is pretty good so far

[@ernstbrehm1135]

I loved, The Books Of Babel. So unique, so well written. I had no problem with the ending. Really give this a try.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Good to hear!

[@gstokker]

For me for Peter F Hamilton the best point to start is a standalone he wrote called Great North Road - it’s a big long door stopper but it helps to see if you like his writing style

[@Mindnbodyexp]

Bernard Cornwells 100 years war series starts with The Archers Tale is phenomenal. It’s a grail quest which I have always loved. Also Stephen Aryan’s Coward duology is really good too. I haven’t read anymore of his stuff.

[@heidi6281]

A fantastic series I use as palette cleanser is the Deathstaker series, 8 books in total! I think it is everything I wanted Suneater to be with the added ingredient of First Law type humor! I sent it to you so when you are in the mood to laugh out loud, you got it!😀 Another fantastic popcorn read reminiscent of Warlord Chronicles is Outlaw by Angus Donald, Robin Hood instead of Arthur.

[@mikesbookreviews]

I've been sent some Simon R Green books. He has quite a loyal audience.

[@thomaskittock2866]

I watched the first few seasons of "The Strain" and read the novel, in the end I think the ideas were unique and exciting, but the execution left something to be desired. The book read very much like a script, fast-paced and light but not a lot of depth. - The Earthsea Cycle is wonderful, highly recommend. I have so many copies of those books! Particularly the Folio edition, which is quite lovely.

[@milan0762]

The Tide Child trilogy is really, really good. Love it to bits.

[@samanthatorres1584]

I love Kagen the Damned! I'm so excited for the 3rd one to come out.

[@mikesbookreviews]

I've heard great things!

[@ThomasPhillips-ng4ig]

Earthsea and Riftwar sagas, both classics and both a must!

[@larkwyll7351]

I read R. Zelazny's, The Great Book of Amber, what feels like two decades ago. I don't remember much of the story other than I had a great time reading it. I should probably re-read it at some point. If you like reading books with your son, depending on their age, I really enjoyed The Ranger's Apprentice, The Ruins of Gorlan - Book 1, by John Flanagan. My favorite books by Philip Pullman are actually his Sally Lockhart quartet. I enjoyed that series a lot. Has a nice flow and wit to them. They are extremely quick reads as well.

[@mikesbookreviews]

My kid is still on that 'obsessed with Percy Jackson' stage. But I'll keep it in mind for the future.

[@timitnyre5831]

Given your love for Grimdark, you really owe it to yourself to read R. Scott Bakker's Prince of Nothing trilogy. There's nothing else in the genre that's really like it and I'm sure it would grab you and never let go.

[@dpeady78]

Agreed - it’s also very Dune

[@derekleon24]

I was going to read the wars of light and shadows and then heard a lot of people say that is denser than Malazan. That dropped it so far down my TBR.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Yikes

[@No8Named8Shadow]

The Strain was such a fun book with a new outlook on vampires.

[@Noelya16]

I've been hoping for you to get into Ursula Le Guin since I began watching your videos. She's such a wonderful author, I think you will love her. I'm currently finishing Tehanu after reading the first three books of the Earthsea series twice, and I'm completely engrossed in the story. Looking forward to hearing your thoughts on that series when you get to it, they are that kind of books that stay with you forever. Greetings from Argentina!

[@tiffanydaniels3374]

You should read Dry by Neal Shusterman! It’s a standalone dystopian so whenever you need a palate cleanser. Sooo good!

[@DV-ty6yc]

I broke down and read book 1 of Earth Sea based on it being on everyone's list. I do recommend it and it was a short quick read. I did not continue and read the rest...yet. Will be returning to the series eventually.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Yes, I need to at least read the original story.

[@Feelings..519]

Idk if you like I have no mouth and I must scream, but i will happy gto hear any reaction from ya

[@secretfirebooks7894]

Reading Saxon Stories/Last Kindom right now. I'd say its well worth breaking the TBR for. Also, don't let his dislike of Tolkien sway you, Moorcock writes some damn good fantasy. I'd highly recommend his Corum and the Sword Rulers Trilogy. Extemely underrated.

[@nightmarishcompositions4536]

Agreed. I actually like Moorcock much more than Tolkien personally.

[@jordanelizabethborchert]

I read Unwind when I was a kid and thought it was really good, never went on to the other books tho, maybe I need to go back to it

[@alynam82]

The Strain was a chilling tv show, so I'm curious how the novels are. Also, I'm a Maberry fan since his Pine Deep trilogy, so I'll be reading Kagen the Damned this year, it'll be cool to see your thoughts if you do next year

[@dalicieux]

I think you'd love both Verus and Riftwar. Verus scratches the same itch than Dresden, for sure, but it's a bit more serious and even though it's 12 books they are all pretty short. It doesn't reach quite the same heights of Dresden, but I also think it never reaches the same lows. As for Riftwar, I think you'd enjoy it as a palate cleanser much like the Drizzt books. The first trilogy is much more classical fantasy of the 80s, but in the best of ways. Later on, some of the other subseries (just recently finished Serpent Wars) can get pretty dark.

[@bookmarkswithjason9445]

Wizard of Earthsea was really good, but the Tombs of Atuan was one of my top reads of last year. It gave me Legend of Zelda dungeon vibes.

[@mikesbookreviews]

You had me at Zelda.

[@GriffBateman]

All Earthsea books are top tier, but The Tombs of Atuan and Tehanu are incredible.

[@stevenstewart782]

I definitely recommend the Alex verus series by Benedict jacka I read the 1st 2 books and really enjoyed them. Another series I recommend that you did not have on your list is the Iron Druid Chronicles if you have not already read them I think it's a 9 book series .

[@mikesbookreviews]

I've heard about Iron Druid a lot

[@richardcozad1166]

Mike, I got to put in a vote for the Otherland series by Tad Williams. You’ve talked about it in past videos. The series is fantastic

[@timitnyre5831]

Second this. Especially given Mike's love of the broader genre and older works, I think he'd find it particularly amazing.

[@ulrika44]

I will always love Otherland!

[@mickrispy]

RJ Barker is great, I actually like his newer book series starting with "Gods of the Wyrdwood" more than the Tidechild books (Bone Ships). You should include more fantasy humor type books like Orconomics, I had a blast reading that in-between books in a series.

[@kirstenholmes6]

I really enjoyed The Books of Babel. I had heard that the last book was weird but I went for it and loved it.

[@calebmauer1751]

I don't know what those people are talking about anyway, the last book fits perfectly with the series as a whole and is stronger than the second book by a mile, and it ties everything together logically and thematically.

[@Gwenhwyfar7]

I'm currently on Book 7 of Outlander. It's taken me a long time to get through the series, but it's very good and one of the most historically faithful pieces of fiction out there. Diana Gabaldon is a phenomenal writer, storyteller and researcher. I'd say it's in my top 5 favorite series of all time, the books and the show.

[@oldschoolel]

Interested to know how you like Neal Schusterman's Unwind and Metro since both are on my TBR.

[@Ulmo90]

Many unfamiliar ones, but I enjoyed A Wizard from Earthsea last year so try that one out!

[@AGreenG]

I intend on finishing WoT this year and maybe Dresden. I've recently begun The Realm of the Elderlings, so I absolutely cannot add more to my TBR...

[@mikesbookreviews]

Yeah, that's a full schedule right there

[@michaelkibble740]

More cool recamds from Mike he will have us reading till doomsday and it will be fun. Get better man

[@marianneguevara8279]

I 100% recommend you read The Books of Babel!! I'm fully aware that the final book is polarizing but it really is best to base your thoughts on your own reading of the book rather than the opinions of others. You never know if you'll agree or not until you try for yourself. I'm one of those who loved the ending! For the character arcs that Bancroft establishes they have proper and ultimately fitting conclusions. And the very ending fits incredibly well with the themes of the series. Please give this series a go!!

[@calebmauer1751]

The people who didn't like the last book (and this is just my opinion mind you) are idiots.

[@marianneguevara8279]

@@calebmauer1751 I understand people not sharing my opinions on book conclusions but I'm not gonna lie I did find the reception to the last book very frustrating 😅. The conclusion just fit so well with the events and themes that Bancroft was building up. I also feel that the negative views boiled down to personal gripes or how people personally wanted the story to end rather than actual demerits of storytelling.

[@PhoenixBooks27]

Yeah I like to stick to a plan, but its hard because there are so many books I want to read. Plus I've been having fun rereading stuff lately, currently on a Codex Alera reread, but though I haven't planned all the way out to 2025, my next big plan is to really dig into Cosmere Universe. I've read the original mistborn trilogy and most of the era 2, as well some of Sandersons other stuff like The Reckoners, which is so much fun. I know I love Sanderson I've just been putting off digging into it until he gets more into stormlight. Since part 1 of stormlight is done (5 books), I feel like this is the best time. I'm also interested Song of Chaos by Michael Miller because Dragon Riding sounds like fun. After that I'm thinking re-reading Red Rising Trilogy so I can dive into the next books, and then not sure after that. All of these should take me into part of 2025. However, if Butcher announces the next Dresden Files I may have to sneak in some rereads of that series because I have not reread the earlier books in probably 10 years.

[@mikesbookreviews]

That's why I like to make an outline early in the year, finalize it in the fall, but leave gaps for things that will inevitable "cut in line"

[@PhoenixBooks27]

@@mikesbookreviews Yeah I really like this idea, there are so many great books to read its so much better to go in there with a plan.

[@chrisbutterworth3063]

On book 4 of wheel of time And just done Dune 're read last picked up in 1985. Movie was superb! UK Chris again

[@christinepurvis6674]

I think you would like Outlander quite a bit as a mix of genres you enjoy. I remember reading the first arc of Wars of Light and Shadow and really enjoying it, but I have never picked up the rest of the series. And Earthsea, of course, is a must for everyone.

[@mikequist1]

Looks like you’re recovered from The Strain. Good health to you and your family, Mike!

[@mikesbookreviews]

Ha. Vitamin C, D, and Zinc works wonders.

[@black-aliss]

The thing about the Books of Babel is that it starts with certain promises, but not only does it not fulfill them in the end, it ends up becoming something entirely different (and more clichéd, though not less exciting, in my opinion). The tone of the first book is lost as early as halfway through book 2.

[@calebmauer1751]

I love the series, but this is kind of fair. But it does fulfill one big promise so I don't think you're being totally fair. And it fulfills others as well.

[@black-aliss]

@@calebmauer1751 The big promise for me was the multiple, very distinct places to see, all the wonders and the horrors. That took a backseat after book 1 if I'm being ungenerous, and after meeting the Sphinx if I'm being realistic, we mostly got stuck in one place for extended periods. The second promise: the books being about Senlin and Marya. Yeah, no. One other thing, though to be fair this one is almost totally in my head, I expected a whole big ontological mystery that answered my questions about the tower and the world in general, how so much seemed to be borrowed from our world without explanation (still no explanation for all the Biblical themes, but Babel was resolved at least). That's what I mean about the excitement, we got a nice, huge steampunk adventure with very high stakes. But in comparison to what I thought it would be, it felt underwhelming.

[@Day1PC]

Black Company is my forever recommendation, my fav series only second to wheel of time! I see them on your shelves! Please read them, at least the first one 😢

[@mikesbookreviews]

They really got pushed down my list after the feedback I got on my Malazan complaints.

[@kristen7623]

For Dystopian/PA I would recommend The Earth Seed books by black sci-fi queen Octavia Butler…actually anything by her is mind blowing. Also Dry, by Neal Schusterman read very YA during the reading experience…but it really stuck with me and I can’t stop thinking about it! I definitely conserve water in real life more than I used to

[@mmorgan1980]

I'm just wrapping up a Jim Butcher fantasy series that is pretty great. The Codex Alera series? It's a bit older, but it's finished at least. I love his writing style.

[@mikesbookreviews]

I bounced off of Codex Alera in book 2. I didn't hate it, something was just off. But I'm happy you enjoyed it!

[@jackjones7181]

I'd probably have gone with Bernard Cornwell's 'Warlord Chronicles' series first- being my favourite and the authors. But the Last Kingdom is a great read nonetheless.✌️

[@michaeleyler2788]

I’ve read Fated and haven’t continued with Alex Verus. I thought it was a decent book but i just haven’t really had the same desire to continue as I’ve had with other series. I still think I’ll continue eventually, but i don’t know how soon.

[@dukeneverwinter]

Pandora's star is great. It is dense as F. World building to the max. Very slow buildup, and the second book really starts to hammer everything home. I think if it as one giant book split into two volumes. I actually think I read Amber directly after Pandora's Star. It was always a bucket list book that I never got to. It was the perfect pallet cleanser after the Duology of the Commonwealth. And very good to boot. The 1st person view took some getting used to. But it worked.

[@toddwagner369]

When you do read The Strain Trilogy, watch the TV series. Would love a video on what you like and don't like from the series and a "compare and contrast".

[@peterp9918]

I can't recommend the Magician and the early 'Feist universe' highly enough. It reintroduced me to fantasy after about a 30 year break. Bone Ships is also a good read and I'm a huge fan of anything by Bernard Cornwall. Great video my to read list has just grown!

[@michaeltorres2666]

Haha one day I hope you try the magicians trilogy by Lev Grossman. It's a very good interpretation of "if you got everything you wanted would you be happy?" Also deals with darker themes as well. It's one of my favorite series because I read it as a teenager and it was just perfect timing. Not to say that you wouldn't enjoy it at your age, I recommend it to anyone I meet that reads. However there's many people that hate the protagonist because of his personality, but if you could get past that, it's a truly great story.

[@bethbaskett3]

I loved that series!

[@mikesbookreviews]

It's so stupid of me but I remember watching the pilot of the TV adaptation and hating it so much I took the book off my TBR

[@michaeltorres2666]

@@mikesbookreviews haha you're not alone there, I hate that adaptation with a passion, it is not accurate in the slightest. The best thing I can say about it is that it attempted to do it's own thing but truly failed. The books however are much better In my opinion because well, let's just say the events are so vastly different from the show, that you wouldn't believe the producers read the books at all. The books are great, I would even send you my personal copies so you could read them some time in the future but I don't know how I would go about that, also they're a little beat up😅

[@SolarDragon007]

The Saxon Tales books is absolutely awesome. It's a favorite book series of mine.

[@mikesbookreviews]

I expect to love it