My 10 Favorite Fantasy Books

My 10 Favorite Fantasy Books
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[@fredflintstone1485]

I highly recommend the Assassin's Apprentice trilogy by Robin Hobb. Terrific story . I loved it ! Legend was wonderful. I loved Waylander by Gemmell. I read all of Gemmell and he never disappointed.

[@StephenNotmanlogosinliterature]

Just discovered your channel and devouring your vids. You're a kindred spirit, mate. Similar age, similar bald head and spectacles, and very similar taste in literature. Really enjoying your content, by Crom and Ymir's beard!

[@jasongeis679]

Glad to see you’ve started diving into Malazan. Would love to see you do review videos for each book in the series. There’s nothing else like it. You need to hurry up and get through all 10 volumes so you can get started on your first re-read!

[@bookfantastic]

Thank you for this list. I was a big reader in years of eld, but then I got involved in business and family and other life stuff and now I am getting back into reading again. I enjoyed learning about much of what you presented that is new to me. I have read some Elric, some of the Kane books, LOTR of course, and Dunsany. I was absolutely delighted at your first choice of Conan and I have read The Hour of the Dragon three times. I love everything Howard wrote and I have a nearly complete selection of his works with lots of reading adventures ahead. His prose is excellent. Even the humorous boxing stories are a joy. One book which few have read that I recommend is a short novel by George H. Smith entitled Kar Kaballa. It is the opening of a humorous trilogy about the swashbuckling Dylan McBride. He lives on a twin of earth where science meets magic and the dreaded horde of the Gogs are about to sweep down from the north and conquer the planet. But we have a few earthbound weapons such as Chauncey Depew, a very efficient Gatling gun imported from earth, to fight them off. This week, I ordered the two difficult to find sequels, The Second War of the Worlds and The Island Snatchers. I heartily recommend the first book and I look forward to the rest. A great pleasure. I appreciate all of your reviews.

[@spartaguswoodall3062]

Just found your channel. Love seeing the classics mixed in with modern. And so refreshing to see Conan get the love and attention it deserves. I have only read the Bantam/Ace publications with de Camp but I plan to remedy that soon.

[@arthurodell3281]

Great list (as usual). I love seeing the appreciation and love for older authors that many fantasy booktubers don’t even recognize. By the way, the Hammer film version of She not only features Peter Cushing, but also Christopher Lee and Ursula Andress as She. It isn’t a great movie, but a very solid, enjoyable b-picture that’s perfect for a Saturday matinee with a big bowl of popcorn.

[@shirleyanne6573]

'She and most of the classic Hammer films are still a lot of fun :)

[@irinanka]

Love your Top 10 lists! You could do your top 10 favourite Victorian literature for Victober x

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

Great idea!

[@TheGojiShay]

Hey, I recognize Minya sitting there with you in this thumbnail! Seeing some Godzilla appeciation from my favorite KZbinrs always makes my day!

[@Johanna_reads]

Michael! I downloaded a Conan ebook. I've only read a few pages (which was a whole story and a chapter of another story), and I was so impressed!! I'm so excited you're loving Malazan Book of the Fallen so far. There is a character introduced in Book 4 that MUST be inspired from Conan. So many parallels. He's actually my favorite character in the series so far though it's awkward saying that since he does such horrible things. I cannot wait for you to meet him!

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

I can’t wait to get back to Malazan. Unfortunately it’s starting to look like 2022 but we will see.

[@kulwinderkuls8560]

Good to know about four fantasy novel in this list I have never heard of. Gonna check these out as soon as possible. Thanks for providing this list.

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

You are very welcome! Thanks for watching!

[@DitaSka]

I actually didn't know about Lord Dunsany 👀 For the rest of the books in your list - I have American Gods on my shelf unread. I have read the 1st book in the First Law trilogy long time ago, it is in my plans to reread it and continue on with the series. LoTR - finally need to complete reading the series since there is a small but growing collection of Tolkien's books on my skelves. And finally - Conan has been on my TBR since I first heard about it on your channel, before that I didn't know his story actually originated from book series. Nice list as always with a lot of gems, thank you, Michael!

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

Thanks for watching! Conan is fantastic.

[@michaelalley214]

Thank you for time and time again showing readers that REH & Conan is the best. I agree with you entirely. I am interested in other choices you have that I have not read.

[@LiamsLyceum]

So much to read that I feel I’ll never get to, such little time. Just subbed, nice top 10. I need to read more Conan, since I’ve just started. I’ve read the first Drenai and Elric books so far!

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

So glad you found my ridiculous channel!

[@Friedlandbe]

Hello from Belgium ! Legend from David Gemmel is my favorite book of all time.

[@jeremyfee]

I really really really really really enjoy your Top 10 series. I'm looking forward to these each weekend. I also like to share my conflicting opinion with what you rate. While Lord Dunsany is certainly a classic and a huge influence for Lovecraft and for the makers of D&D, I don't think he'd make my top 10. I want to hear more about Karl Edward Wagner. I love your comment that you're not sure Joe Abercrombie knows what grimdark is; I felt the same way because of all the humor in those stories. This video is just full of great lines: "The special effects were better in the book." LOL. Conan is a wonderful #1.

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

Thanks! I’m glad you enjoyed it! Conan!

[@stews9]

Great list, including some I've promoted for years. Been reading Elric since the 1970s for instance, and Gormenghast, whoa. I knew you're number one, as well. Guess I'm paying SOME attention.

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

Ha! I guess my #1 was pretty easy to predict.

[@BookBlather]

Been traveling for work, so have been missing all of my booktube… the perfect video to return me to normalcy! Really interesting list… some unexpected ones on here. Never heard of Dunsany and Haggard. Love these top ten lists.

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

What!!?? Work getting in the way of BookTube?! Work can be so lame. Glad to have you back!

[@revenantreads]

Loved seeing Conan top the list. I’m going to try to check out a few of these other authors next year. Great video!

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

Nobody beats Conan!

[@stevco17]

@@michaelk.vaughan8617 Hi, i am watching your chanel everyday lately, it is really great! I want to start reading Conan, and can you give me a suggestion with a list of books or stories to start with? I will be resding on a Kindle though. Thanx!

[@justinthyme2666]

Dang dude! Spoiler much? 😂

[@stevengentry9396]

That is a great list. Mine would be a little different, but all of yours are excellent picks for a top ten. I love Conan and Lord of the Rings, but it was a treat to see things like American Gods and Elric on your list. You're right that Elric, who was big back when I first read those, seems to be set aside these days, which is a shame. I really enjoyed your video.

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

Thanks so much for watching!

[@ernestschultz5065]

I read, well actually I listened to the whole First Law trilogy based on your recommendation and just absolutely loved it and yes all the characters are fantastic and yes Glokta is my favorite. also the guy who did the reading for the audiobook was just incredibly good.

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

I’m so happy to hear that! I’m glad the audio version was so well done.

[@MsReadsAlot]

Shocked to find that I have read 2 of your top 10 since I don’t read a lot of fantasy. Can you guess the 2? Great list! Gives me a perfect place to start if I want to pick up more fantasy

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

I’m betting Lord of the Rings has to be one of them. Uuuuhhhhhh. Errrrrr. 🤔 ummmm….She?

[@londonlemons]

I would love to hear your options on Brandon Sanderson! I actually really dislike the Stormlight Archive series although I did enjoy some of his other works. His style is just not for me personally but he is so popular now.

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

I still haven’t read any Sanderson. One of these days.

[@richardrose2606]

I would recommend the Earthsea trilogy by Ursula Le Guin. She is a great writer. There are other books in the same setting but I think it's best to stop after the first three. It's sometimes labeled YA but it's really for everybody. She's best known for Sci Fi. The Left Hand of Darkness and The Dispossessed are both classics.

[@knittymama570]

Well hell. I said I didn't want to read Malazan. Now I'm kinda thinking maybe. Yay! Conan. I really really want to get to that very soon. And I loved when you said (regarding LoTR books vs. movies) The special effects are better in the book. 🤣Too true.

[@ramblingraconteur1616]

Another great list, Michael! Dunsany was quite the kickoff. The Kane books are wild! It’s too bad that Karl Edward Wagner’s books are so hard to find in print. It was a Neil Gaiman introduction to an HP Lovecraft volume that cued me to check off Wagner. It has been cool to see how folks on BookTube share the love for Joe Abercrombie. Hope you have a great start to this week! Best, Jack

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

Yeah, I don’t know why Karl Edward Wagner doesn’t show up in paperback, considering how popular fantasy is nowadays.

[@ramblingraconteur1616]

@@michaelk.vaughan8617 I wonder if part of it has to do with his literary estate or the publishers he had. I also really like the Year’s Best Horror anthologies he edited. I have been reading Series X this month.

[@shirleyanne6573]

Thanks for a really interesting list and I totally agree about Tolkien (although the movies left out a lot of the best bits). Wondering about the Narnia series though. I read them all every couple of years.

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

To be honest, I’ve never been a big fan of Narnia.

[@shirleyanne6573]

@@michaelk.vaughan8617 that's ok; totally don't understand, but ok :D

[@turtleanton6539]

Great stuff 😊😊😊

[@culturefan]

I liked Elric a lot. I need to read Fortress of Pearl. Some good suggestions here, which I added to my Pinterest Book pin. Yes, Corum can be interesting too. There was a book released of Elric short stories too by various authors. I give a honorable mention to Tarzan, but there are so many, right?

[@razzamatas]

Only mediocre for me.

[@GuardianKnightoftheRealm]

Great list! I'm embarrassed to say that I've never even heard of Karl Edward Wagner's Kane series before. I'll be giving that a try in the near future!

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

He seems to have been forgotten for a while. More people are starting to talk about him recently though.

[@TheEricthefruitbat]

You blur the line a bit between fantasy books and fantasy series, which I am okay with. I was curious if you had made a top 10 fantasy series video, looked for one and didn't see one. I'll give you mine (actual series and in no particular order). Conan (duh) Lord of The Rings The Dragonlance Trilogy (i.e. the first three books in the now giant saga) The Belgariad The Mallorean Thieves World (an anthology series, I know, but I'm counting it, as they are all related/connected) Fafhrd and The Gray Mouser series Discworld Harry Potter The Fionavar Tapestry Honorable mention: The Dark Elf Trilogy - combine Belgariad and Mallorean, then put this on the list The Odyssey Guardians of the Flame - I read the first 3 or 4; they were good, but the series grew when I couldn't devote enough time to reading The Wheel of Time - was good for a while Dragonriders of Pern - fantasy or sci-fi? Liked it better when I was younger. Shannara - first book for sure, second book okay, third book less okay,... There have been several series that I stopped after the first book. Each first book was good, but didn't pull me for the next. Mostly modern series. I owned the entire Thomas Covenant set of books, but stopped about 40 pages in to the first book, because I couldn't get past "that" scene. It was probably pretty good otherwise. P.S. I strongly recommend Moonheart by Charles de Lint. A single book, and possibly number one in my stand-alone novels.

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

Thanks for the recommendation!

[@ReadBecca]

Should've expected the love for classics, but this was a great and surprising selection

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

Thanks!

[@ABFrank.]

I just started reading David Gemmell but I started in chronological order with Waylander - fantastic!

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

Glad to hear it! I really look forward to reading the rest of Gemmell’s books.

[@jamesfetcho6315]

Good Man.👍

[@ianmartinezcassmeyer]

I still haven’t read Wheel of Time either. 14 books, each as thick as an encyclopedia, just...makes me tired. And Glokta is absolutely my favorite. He's the funniest character in the whole series, imo

[@ItsTooLatetoApologize]

My favourite is The Hobbit. Then Lord of the Rings. Great video.

[@ToddsBookTube91]

Todd here. Great video Michael!

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

Thanks Todd!

[@knittingbooksetc.2810]

Well here I am konmariing my clothes and thinking: “Ha, fantasy, I got this covered.” But now you sold me on Lord Dunsany and Robert E. Howard. I started reading The WoT. And I have The Gardens of the Moon, The Blade Itself at the ready. I love fantasy. I want to read all the books. As for Tolkien, he is my hero. I love all his mythology: the Adventures of TB, the Silmarillion, the Hobbit, the LOTR and all the other stuff his son collected and that I’m still reading. I did love the films and rewatched them from time to time, but the books are in another level.

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

You have to let us know what you think of Wheel of Time. Did you talk about it in a video? I might have missed it.

[@DDB168]

Are Karl Edward Wagner's Conan books worth reading ? His other books are rather difficult to find down here. Btw re: LOTR - I do prefer the movies to the book 😉😉

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

He wrote one Conan story that was pretty good and edited three volumes of Robert E. Howard’s Conan stories. As for LOTR….Madness!!!!!

[@grantwallace1882]

I read Moorcock as a teenager. I understood that Elric was his response to Conan, but everything was in reverse.

[@janicecuroso1042]

What a surprise that Conan was #1!!! You should listen to The Duke aka VonRaider. He has good taste when it comes to books...really...

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

True!

[@arekkrolak6320]

If you like fantasy I totally recommend 'Black Leopard Red Wolf' by Marlon James, he got a Booker Prize and I wouldn't be surprised if he gets Nobel one day, this is how good he is!

[@AnneEWilliamson]

Lord of the Rings has to be on every top fantasy list, lol! And interestingly enough, I haven't read anything by Joe Abercrombie despite hearing so many good things about his writing. Someday!

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

Yes, someday! You will be glad you did!

[@LarryHasOpinions]

on booktube i keep hearing about the same fantasy books again and again, it was very nice to hear about some other books that don't usually make the headlines :-D great vid

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

Thanks!

[@kenobi639]

You're my favorite book tuber

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

That’s very kind of you to say. Thanks!

[@TheMediaBunker]

A perfect list... Except for the parts you got wrong.

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

Ha! Thanks!

[@retreatsyndrome8478]

New sub here...between what I've watched and video titles I've so far just read, you're definitely checking off all the boxes for me...true appreciation for genre classics. Forgive me for asking about a couple of authors if you have previously mentioned either of them...but cults have developed around Lovecraft and Howard (rightfully so I might add) but very little gets mentioned about William Hope Hodgson (Big influence on Lovecraft) and Harold Lamb (One of Howard's favorite authors)...would love to hear what you think about "House on the borderland" by Hodgson or any of the "Khlit the Cossack" stories by Lamb. Open letter to any Lovecraft or Howard fans that may read this...Hodgson and Lamb are *must reads* !

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

I have the collected works of Hodgson and plan on reading & reviewing them all in 2022. I really liked House on the Borderland. Have not read much Lamb at all but you have convinced me to change that!

[@retreatsyndrome8478]

@@michaelk.vaughan8617 Looking forward to it...with Lamb I'd recommend starting with "Wolf of the Steppes: The Complete Cossack Adventures, Volume One" Lamb was a historian with an extensive knowledge of the east and one hell of an adventure writer...can't imagine you'll be disappointed.

[@sgriffin9960]

Oh yeah Conan stories rule! I can also recommend Haggard’s Eric Brighteyes. Vikings!

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

I really need to read that one!

[@HeyYallListenUp]

Out of this list I've only read Lord of the Rings. The rest sound great and I hope to get to them some day.

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

I hope so! I would love to see those videos!

[@PaxPanic]

Ah Neil Gaiman! I loved American Gods, but I usually really love any of his stuff. He never seems to disappoint me.

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

I agree! I should talk more about him.

[@PaxPanic]

@@michaelk.vaughan8617 have you read The Graveyard Book by him? One of my favorites!

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

@@PaxPanic No, not yet! I will though.

[@jamesfetcho6315]

Lord Dunsany I believe inspired most Fantasy writers. 👍 I read Him because I heard David Gemmell talk about Him. LoL. I have not read American Gods, but have read other things By Neil Gaiman. I will check it out. David Gemmell...Yeah👍 I don't know if a passing of an Author bothered Me as Bad as when He passed. 🤷‍♂️ Karl E. Wagner 👍 I haven't read Joe Abercrombie yet. I keep saying I will, but haven't. 🤷‍♂️ I didn't like the Movies, or the Books. I won't say what I'm talking about. LoL. 🤣 Rhonda...on cue.👍😁👍 Don't Have 2 sell Me on Conan. Not a Bit.👍😁👍Best Conan...is Robert E Howard. I've read a few Different Conan by other Authors ...Blah. Now I did Love the Comics, and Magazines, but even My favorites of them are the adaptations of Robert E Howard stories. Great List , but One... LoL 🤣, and Video 👍😁👍

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

Thanks! Yes read Abercrombie! I’ll be getting to a lot more Gemmell next year!

[@jamesfetcho6315]

What Abercrombie should I start with??? I will get 1st thing.

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

@@jamesfetcho6315 The Blade Itself

[@jamesfetcho6315]

@@michaelk.vaughan8617 OK. I will get it.👍

[@Shellyish]

Lord of the Rings is incredible! I must reread it soon. The book IS better!! If you ever do a reread of Conan, I’d like to do a buddy read with you - if you’re interested, of course! ☺️ My claim to fame is the LOTR class I took in college. 😁

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

Buddy reading Conan with you is the best idea ever. I would totally do that. You let me know when you pick up Conan. Del Rey has a great three volume set.

[@Shellyish]

@@michaelk.vaughan8617 Great! I’ll pick up the first of the volumes soon! ☺️

[@ramblingraconteur1616]

We need a massive Conan event!!

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

@@ramblingraconteur1616 The Crom-athon!

[@ramblingraconteur1616]

@@michaelk.vaughan8617 I’ll raise a flagon to that!

[@dg7438]

You have the cutest personality

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

I’m glad someone thinks so! Thanks!

[@AvanToor]

By Crom! I knew it!

[@briandhackney]

Lord of the Rings and Conan are still fighting to the death for my number one spot. No victor yet, perhaps in 40 more years

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

Good luck! That’s a tough fight!

[@StephanieJCohen]

The book is better. :). But i have seen the LOTR series and all the extended editions well over 10 times. It’s a great film adaptation. 😉

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

Ha! I really like the films also, though I haven’t seen them as much as you have!

[@AJDunnReadsandWrites]

I loved _American Gods._ It's my favorite Gaiman book. The people who think the _LOTR_ films are better are just afraid of the language in Tolkien, as well as they think the book goes off on irrelevant tangents. I disagree with them, of course!

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

Of course! Can’t wait to read the Annotated American Gods.

[@GinaStanyerBooks]

Hmmph. I can’t believe LOTR is second.

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

Know, oh princess , that between the years when the oceans drank Atlantis and the gleaming cities, and the years of the rise of the Sons of Aryas, there was an Age undreamed of, when shining kingdoms lay spread across the world like blue mantles beneath the stars.” Nobody beats Robert E. Howard

[@geraldblade1147]

Just saying...wheel of time....after the first book I read another 5???? and felt I was still at the same place. Gave it up

[@reginaltkoralewski2944]

Kraina Kor - super powiesci Haggarda o " Onej " 4 powiesci z cyklu fajny fikm nakręcono z Ursulą Andres 👍

[@nevecatalani8721]

Stop at Lord of Chaos re WoT. The rest are god-awful.