My 20 Favorite Book 1's of a Series

Mike talks about 20 book #1's in a series and why he considers them the best.
Want to send Mike something? You can do so to the below address:
Mike K.
15201 Mason Rd
Suite 169
Cypress, TX 77433
Support Mike on Patreon: / mikesbookreviews
Join Mike's server on Discord / discord
Visit Mike's Amazon Wishlist: amzn.to/2zpHooW
Follow Mike on Goodreads: / mikesbookreviews
Follow Mike on Twitter: / zepp1978
Like Mike's Book Reviews on Facebook / mikesbookreviews
Follow Mike on Instagram / zepp1978
Follow Mike on TikTok / zepp1978
0:00 Introduction
0:43 Categories & Rules
2:02 Science-Fiction
7:25 Fantasy
15:53 Younger Audiences
21:18 Crime, Horror, & Misc.
27:52 Final Thoughts
------------------------------------------------------
Theme music provided by Infraction
/ @infraction
Music used: Epic (No Copyright Music)
infractionroyaltyfreemusic.ba...
Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 3.0(CC BY 3.0)
creativecommons.org/licenses/...
------------------------------------------------------
#MikesBookReviews #Top20 #BestBook1

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Great list, Mike! As an aside, I blinked and you’re suddenly on the verge of 60k. Mike’s Book Reviews is about to smash through another milestone!

[@mikesbookreviews]

It's slow going but always fun to reach a new milestone.

[@billellis2507]

Mike, you should do another one of these, but being the opposite: best series that don’t get great til after book 1 and are worth pushing through. Red rising comes to mind, I’m sure there are others

[@Steve_Stowers]

Stephen King's Dark Tower series was this for me. I hated The Gunslinger, and for years it discouraged me from reading further, but when I eventually read the rest of the series, I ended up loving it.

[@surpriseitsus9622]

Dresden Files comes to mind. I'm glad I kept going with the series, but I almost dnf'ed it. Great idea.

[@parkerjenkinsx]

@@surpriseitsus9622 I got lucky with Dresden , someone gave me book 5.

[@stefanzenky8456]

Gardens of the moon comes to mind

[@mattamant915]

@@Steve_Stowers I'm in the same boat with The Dark Tower series. I just finished Gunslinger a couple months ago and even though I hear it GETS BETTER I'm pushing off on getting to it.

[@TheBookishMom]

Way of Kings is probably one of my top 5 personally! Just so good!

[@mikesbookreviews]

Yeah, it's superb

[@TheBookishMom]

@@mikesbookreviews I think the Poppy War may be up there as well as Queen of Blood.. its hard to pick faves 😂

[@brianl6151]

I love hearing more about your love for these books. I expected pretty much everything that was in this video, but there is one book I was shocked not to see on your list. Malice!

[@AndrewsWizardlyReads]

As always Mike you knocked it out the park. Such a great list of books!!! I see you coming up on another milestone. Onward to 60k

[@cloudbloom]

Ever since I saw you talk about Abercrombie during a chat with an author (can't recall the guys name but you did the dune movie review chat with him, seems like a great guy) those books have been really high on my list I can't wait to read them

[@mmurphy3608]

Great video! Really enjoyed this. Love that The Gunslinger made the list. That book grabbed me from the get-go and made me want to know more about Roland and Mid World.

[@andreamiller3578]

Loved the list.. you definitely have my vote for a video about best opening lines. I can think of a certain Dresden novel right now. And of course several other novels

[@jdw1958]

Pillars of the Earth is a GREAT book. My paperback copy was loaned to so many friends that it eventually fell apart. Every single person loved that book. It has shocking surprises and an evil character that you can't wait to see die. Highly recommended.

[@PinkAmpharos]

After finishing a few books and getting that impression that series tend to get better as the writer gets more experienced, I had this same thought of which books started off strong. KZbin must have read my mind and threw this in my recommended feed the next morning! Great list. Will definitely check some of them out!

[@lucasbertsche3710]

The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe is 100% the reason I got into fantasy! I grew up with my dad reading my sister and I the Narnia books every night and that one was by far my favorite. I was blown away by the world, the characters, the battles, the creatures, and so much more. It will always have a special place in my heart!

[@ravenbellebooks5665]

The Series of Unfortunate Events is one that I wish I'd read when I was younger. I picked them up at 14 and by the time I got to the 6th book, the constant dictionary definitions for words and phrases I knew broke me. I couldn't keep reading them. They are great for younger readers though!

[@mikesbookreviews]

Oh for sure, but I did enjoy reading the first 4-5 though.

[@NAFUSO1]

I think the series shows some of the smartest writing I've experienced when considering the target audience. Then the end of season 2 of Netflix show I still think is fantastic (Lemony Snicket defines a cliffhanger, ending the season on a cliffhanger with Violet and Klaus literally hanging on the edge of a cliff).

[@ravenbellebooks5665]

@@NAFUSO1 I think they are absolutely great for the target audience!

[@GMacMuggs]

I've been lurking around here for a bit and finally decided to hit SUBSCRIBE. Thanks for the informed discussion. I'm about a generation older than you appear to be, maybe a generation and a half. My introduction to reading was the usual suspects of the time. Tarzan by Edgar Rice Burroughs PROBABLY turned me into a reader, although Andre Norton's Time Agent Russ Murdock was my real intro to SF which became my favourite genre. Burroughs is a fantasist. Looking through suggestions suggests a recency bias, flipping between the magic age of 12/13 and what you've read over the last 20 years. I think it's perfectly acceptable that you put modern-day long-running series that start life planning to be 'X' number of books while series of the sort I fell in love with, started life with no sequel in mind. I've been a decidedly mixed genres reader for these last 20 years, refusing to read series books exclusively while binging, preferring to switch before learning a writer's tricks and 'knowing' what's going to appear on the next page. The Pandemic DID prompt me to read the Vorkosigan books by Lois McMaster Bujold in time order rather than release order because my dips into her books had not been successful over the last three decades. It seemed impossible for her to win so many awards for books I didn't like. I've since reversed my evaluation although the worst of what she wrote DID manage to win MAJOR awards, so I'm still a mite confused. That is why your videos are worth the time of any reader interested in the genres that prompt readers to gather together and talk books (although the largest group in the niche, romance, doesn't seem to have much traction here). Since your opinions are informed and mostly thought about before turning the on switch to ON, I evaluate what you have to say and then I make the decision to follow your recommendations (or not, as may be the case). And you've turned my opinion around on one writer, and for that, THANK YOU. The hours from the printed page you have provided me greatly exceed the time spent on watching your reviews. It's appreciated to see the multiplier effect. So I ... "Hit that LIKE button, press the bell for notices of new work and then subscribe." Job done.

[@OurRawHeart]

Thanks for this. I've about 20 books, like a squirrel's hibernation nuts, beside the bed ready for winter reading. I've just added Hyperion and Ender's Game (not read it since it came out) to this.

[@mikesbookreviews]

It's always key to be prepared.

[@nothingbetterthanagoodbook8187]

Just finished the first law trilogy and loved it!😍 Today I started the dune series. So excited for it!☺

[@mohisy5029]

I really addicted to your recommendation of book series. LOL

[@mikesbookreviews]

I do love helping others spend their money.

[@dailycarolina.]

Yes to a Best/favorite first lines in books video!

[@h.a.6060]

I LOVED The Gunslinger a lot! It was amazing and a 5 star read for me. The Eye of The World is definitely one of my all-time first books of series too. Actually, the first paragraph of the Eye of the World is my absolute favorite opening in all books.

[@Jane-w]

Great list! I would be very keen to hear your favourite first lines in books - very intrigued!

[@cloudbloom]

Dune is phenomenal, my favorite book as well I've read it sixteen times now. I think reading it as a teenager is what made such a big impact for me, it legitimately changed the way my thought process worked and it made me think long and hard about human potential. I've gotten a lot of people to read it in the last 25 years or so and it's always exciting when one of them shares the same enthusiasm I have for the depth of those novels. Book 4 blew my mind even more, it's tied with the first one as my favorite. Mike when I found your channel right as you started wheel of time I remember you and I had a few conversations in the comments about dune and that was pretty exciting for me, now that you're going through Berserk as well it's like you've read (and love) my greatest hits list haha

[@mikesbookreviews]

I hate that the Dune sequels get dragged. There is some great stuff in 2-4.

[@Rogue_VI]

@@mikesbookreviews I like 2 and 3, but I'm one of those who hates 4. I like 5 and 6 much more.

[@derekd.4156]

Just read dune and it might have my favorite mc of all time

[@nickwhite4168]

You are the best on Booktube!! Love your videos !

[@LesMartin]

I have the coffee cup: "The man in black fled across the desert..." Great vid, sir.

[@mikesbookreviews]

I want one.

[@Scientist_Salarian]

Nice shirt, man! And the list is great, too.

[@buckfozos5554]

Looking forward to Ender's Game and Jurassic Park, picked up on your (prior) recommendation. With Crichton you said it held up nicely on a re-read, so you're telling me you're not nostalgic, then give me another word for it, you who are so good with words. :) Rock on Mike!

[@tiananesbitt7156]

Excellent List. Love Love Love Love 5:33! Still looking for my copy of Abercrombie!

[@mikesbookreviews]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@raullarapitti9813]

That "something I like to do" had that much energy attached to it that jumped when suddenly heard it hahaha, I was sleepy but no more, Thanks Mike I needed energy.

[@gabrielerajauskaite3822]

Best first line - great video idea, you should definitely make this😊

[@mikesbookreviews]

I think it'll certainly happen.

[@joeymarchesi]

Can’t wait till you do The Lord of the Rings!!! I’m currently reading ‘The Hobbit’ for the first time & this will also be my first ever fantasy read-I must say, I’m LOVING it 🤍 I was just scrolling through all of your playlists, I think, literally on Monday… I was trying to find The Lord of the Rings reviews & was wondering why you had none! 😩 so excited to see that series Mike! Make it longgg! Do all sorts. I got the box set, so I’m reading all of them, period. 🙏🏼🧙🏼‍♂️🧝🏼‍♂️

[@jeffhaubrich6121]

Great list, I would add The Witching Hour by Anne Rice, The Crystal Shard, R.A Salvatore, Horus Rising by Dan Abnett, first book in the Horus Heresy 40K universe. A book that is somewhat forgotten and the series apparently was re-written(if that is actually a thing) is The middle kingdom by David Wingove. It was a sci-fi epic/alternate history series. The first book was great.

[@KalleVilenius]

I very much agree with what you said about Pillars of the Earth and the effort of building things. If I ever write a fantasy novel, it will be about people building a tower for a wizard. Like that Rainbow song, Stargazer.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Any Dio reference gets an auto thumbs up from me.

[@JolienReads]

Hooray, I also voted for this option! 🌟 YES for ASOIAF. I'm going to reread the series soon because it really was sooo good and I somehow forgot that over the years since I read it. One of the best firsts in a series ever in my opinion. Stormlight Archive is on my 2022 TBR. You're making me even more excited!

[@Morfeusm]

Stormlight is so good! ♥️♥️♥️

[@mikesbookreviews]

When I read AGoT I became obsessed. Couldn't think or talk about anything else. God, what a time.

[@jttavares]

Will you make your favorite middle and final books in a series videos? 😁 Always great content in your channel. Thank you!

[@mikesbookreviews]

I could probably do a shorter "Final Books in a Series that Stuck the Landing" type of thing eventually. I want to finish a few long series I'm currently working though first.

[@jttavares]

@@mikesbookreviews that's perfectly fine. Sorry for the delay. 🙂

[@carolinec3951]

Love your content! Perhaps your family would enjoy a series that I LOVED as a child. I even remember part of the poem that was in it from 40+ years ago. The Dark Is Rising series by Susan Cooper.

[@maryzultevicz2378]

Would love to see the best opening lines! Very cool idea! As a Follet reader, "The Fall of Giants" in the Century Trilogy is AMAZING! Think you would really dig it.

[@mikesbookreviews]

"It was a dark & stormy night."

[@thakurs]

Love the list, most of my favorite Number 1 books are on it. In my list is also The Black Company by Glen Cook

[@thomassears1432]

No one ever mentions the All Souls Trilogy by Deborah Harkness, but it’s one of my favorites. The first book, A Discovery of Witches, would be on my list of best first books in a series.

[@mikesbookreviews]

I've heard of it a couple times but have yet to check it out.

[@emilyreads5207]

Yes!!

[@epicgamer2727]

Here is my top 2 of all time: 1. Kings of the Wyld: where the second book never grabbed me kings of the wyld clicked immediately and every time I’ve read it (3 so far) I finish it in like a day. 2. The fifth season: the impact of that novel and the adjustment it forced of the readers to understand the perspective into seeing how the story came together was really amazing. One of the best written books of the last twenty years, the sequels never really met that bar.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Kings of the Wyld just barely missed the cut here. I loved it.

[@milkman2461]

Hyperion is currently on my to read list so hopefully I'll get around to it soon. Can't disagree about Gunslinger, absolutely amazing opening to a brilliant series. I loved The Painted Man and th entire Demon Cycle but those later books definitely showed a number of weaknesses over the opening.

[@mixedbooktape]

This is a great list. Gunslinger is a great book, I got a very western vibe from it when I read it. But it also has all of those other elements like horror and detective in it too. Jurassic Park blew my mind when I read it over the summer. It really does make you think. I just read Dune a few months ago and it has stuck with me. I was so afraid I wasn't going to like it at all but I ended up loving it. So many things again that make you think. Hard agree on the younger audiences books. I read Sorcerer's Stone for the first time after the first movie came out, I was in my 20s then. It's a great introduction to that world. Not my favorite book in the series either, that's Prisoner of Azkaban for me. Again, great list. So many great books on here.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Man, reading Jurassic Park that first time was a revelation to me.

[@pinkscampi]

Some of my best memories are standing outside the co-op on the island I lived on waiting for the store to open at midnight to buy Harry Potter. Seeing all the "cool kids" how I didn't know read there as well 🥰

[@mikesbookreviews]

That was a great time. We will never see the world stop again for a book in our lifetimes, I don't believe.

[@cmmosher8035]

I love the Gunslinger (and the Series as a whole). One of my favourite books one for sure. Theft of Swords was a pure joy to read.

[@CRohrscheib]

I'm a bit of a newb to First Law but Sand dan Glokta is my spirit animal. Does it make me terrible that he's so relatable? On another note, Pillars of the Earth is one of my favorite books of all time. Who knew a story about building a church would be so fulfilling.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Glokta is a role model.

[@kaizacorp]

Say one thing about Mike Say he's good at book recommendations (and reviews) Thanks for getting me into First Law last year Mike, just a quarter into The Wisdom of Crowds now!

[@mikesbookreviews]

My pleasure! So happy you've enjoyed the ride.

[@collegestreetkolkata9669]

Holy shit you said EXACTLY WHAT I THINK of HP! I thought I might be wrong about my opinion on the cultural and historical significance of the HP books.

[@new_mercury5367]

I need to get on Way of Kings. Keep putting it off but it's going to be done soon! I read the first 2 Song of Ice and Fire books before the series and when we watched the first season of the show and Ned Stark meets his fate my wife shouted, actually shouted, at me for not warning her! Haha

[@ericgollings3760]

Narnia, Middle Earth, and Roshar are my favorite worlds to spend time in. Thanks for giving them the hype they deserve.

[@holiday_jeeneewoo47]

This is the only channel where I've seen two books of my fave series - Interview with a Vampire and Pillar's of the Earth

[@Tralala001]

My mom loved Pillars of the Earth, so it's been on my list for some time. Maybe a read along?

[@nothingbetterthanagoodbook8187]

I also loved the witcher series by Sapkowski and 'the lies of locke lamora' by Scott Lynch so so much! And I really liked the complete demon cycle (Brett). But my absolute favourite series of all time (by now) has to be the stormlight archive. 🔥

[@farhad_s]

You got me to read First Law. Can't pick a favourite, maybe Last Argument of Kings. Though I view the trilogy as one story, a bit like Lord of the Rings. Favourite #1s for me include Traitor's Blade (Greatcoats), Gardens of the Moon (Malazan, till I read Bonehunters, and there's still a few to go), Assassin's Apprentice (Farseer), Titus Groan (Gormenghast). Btw, I'm one of those who haven't read any Stormlight Archive yet. Planning to start this Jan.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Assassin's Apprentice was one of my tough cuts. Excellent coming of age story.

[@bmoneybby]

This is a great list. It naturally follows to think of all those book 2 disappointments as well lol

[@turtleanton6539]

Yes lightbringer has a cool color system.

[@AngelLopez-vi3nr]

Hey Mike. Two book 1s that I highly recommend in your “YA” category are ‘Gregor the Overlander’ by Suzanne Collins and ‘Fablehaven’ by Brandon Mull.

[@JuanMartinez-ib7mz]

Impopular opinion but I'd put The Gunslinger, book 1 in the Dark Tower. I absolutely love that book. I would put Harry Potter #1 in there as well.

[@mikesbookreviews]

I think Gunslinger is brilliant. Will never understand the criticisms of it.

[@alexbigday1587]

I'm still wondering if those who claim that The Gunslinger is a weak book or a tough one to go through have read the same book I did

[@JuanMartinez-ib7mz]

@@alexbigday1587 well that's actually possible, since there're two versions of the book, lol

[@shawngillogly6873]

Love The Gunslinger as well.

[@omaramat4813]

Great to see some love for Pillars of the Earth

[@mikesbookreviews]

It's something I'd love to revisit.

[@ChristiansEntertainmentEcke]

If you want to read more Ken Follett, I can highly recommend Eye of the Needle, it's a standalone WW2 novel with spies.

[@Rogue_VI]

Best opening line would be a great video. I agree with a lot of your choices. You listed many of my favorite books. A Wrinkle in Time is great. Yes, it's a kids book, but it's actually quite mature. Some of my favorite Book 1's include: Fantasy: Black Sun Rising (Friedman) Those Who Hunt the Night (Hambly) The Last Dragon Lord (Bertin) Wit'ch Fire (Clemens) The Tyranny of the Night (Cook) Monster Hunters International (Correia) Gardens of the Moon Taliesin (Lawhead) L5R: Clan War - The Scorpion Sci-fi: A Fire Upon the Deep (Vinge) City of Golden Shadow (Williams) March Upcountry (Ringo/Weber) Live Free or Die (Ringo) A Soldier's Duty (Johnson) Reality Dysfunction (Hamilton) Deathstalker (Green) In Conquest Born (Friedman) Linesman (Dunstall) OK. Didn't mean to post such a big list.

[@nessaarandur7740]

Favourite books ones: "Magician" by Raymond Feist "Daughter of the Empire" by Janny Wurts and Raymond Feist "Hunting the Corrigan's Blood" by Holly Lisle "Valor's Choice" by Tanya Huff.

[@84tand]

Ken Follet also has a series called “The Century Trilogy.” The first book in that series, “The Fall of Giants” is excellent.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Noted! Certainly want to try more of his works.

[@emilyreads5207]

Pillars of the Earth. Phenomenal!

[@PsyKotyK]

Totally agree with you on the blade itself.great book . Another great book 1 was Canticle from the cleric quintet . By none other then RA Salvatore . Give it a go.

[@PinkKitten002]

I haven't read way of kings yet or the first law series, their both on my tbr list, mistborn is too lol I always jump between to many books, currently reading malice by John Gwyn and lies of Locke lamora.

[@syntaxterror9479]

I read the Pillars of the Earth trilogy. The follow up books are pretty good, but after a while fairly cut and paste copies of Pillars. There's also a prequel Follet wrote that has been sitting on my bookshelf for some time.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Oh, that's a bummer.

[@cathsaigh2197]

Another historical fiction novel about building a thing that I'd recommend is Stonehenge by Bernard Cornwell. You'll never guess what they're building!

[@mikesbookreviews]

Definitely want to read some Cornwell.

[@Rendref]

Agree with almost everything on the list. Pillars of the Earth were absolutely amazing

[@angelaholmes8888]

Yeah pillars of the earth was really great it was the first book from ken follett that I read

[@AK-rq1cz]

One of my all time favorites, the sequels are also good.

[@Rendref]

@@AK-rq1cz the first sequel yes. Th third one was alright. Still have to read that new prequel

[@AK-rq1cz]

@@Rendref Yes, World Without End was great, A Column of Fire was really good but not quite as compelling. The prequel is next on my reading list after Rhythm of War.

[@alisham7340]

From the top of my head, my favourite book 1's (not necessarily favourite in the series but still up there from what ive read) are: Gardens of the Moon A Game of Thrones Outlander Kings of the Wyld

[@Lim_Jahey]

It's crazy cause when I went into reading red rising, I was expecting the first book to be complete trash, alot of people ripped it but i loved it. Hahah so idk maybe it's jus me... thanks for the content Mike, keep it up.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Lowered expectations always helps.

[@ducky36F]

I'll never forget the the first time I read A Game of Thrones after the only adult fantasy I'd read was Lord of the Rings and the Magician series. Mind blowing. The Way of Kings and Hyperion also amazing first books.

[@thepapertraveler1122]

Loved this video idea! I read A Wrinkle in Time originally in elementary school and had such fond memories but read it as an adult and unfortunately didn’t feel the same. Five of my favorite firsts are: The Book of Koli- M.R. Carey(loved the whole trilogy) Outlander( currently on the fourth book and have loved every one) Sleeping Giants- Sylvain Neuvel( still need to read rest of trilogy) The Lies of Locke Lamora- Scott Lynch ( although I thought book 2 was even better) Inkheart- Cornelia Funke( my son and I read this together when he was in middle school and we both loved the trilogy)Additional Note: Don’t watch the movie- IT WAS HORRIBLE

[@Lazazia]

I would love if you were to do a Tolkien Universe Read along! I've read The hobbit, LOTR and The simallirion, but that way many years ago and never all at once. I'd love to have space to discuss his Work here.

[@anderskoskinen1306]

I have The Way of Kings on my shelf, but haven't gotten around to reading it yet... sorry to disappoint you Mike.

[@mikesbookreviews]

I'm certainly not disappointed. Hope you get to and enjoy it someday!

[@anderskoskinen1306]

@@mikesbookreviews me too! Cheers! 🙂

[@Rogue_VI]

I have books 1-3 on the shelf, and have for years. Waiting for the first cycle to be finished before I start.

[@laurenm2111]

Best first lines would be awesome - and I think Red Rising is top 3 first lines for sure!

[@OfJaggedRisings]

Pillars Of the Earth has been sitting on my ottoman for months….I need to start it again.

[@alynam82]

Pillars of the Earth was FANTASTIC and I was thrilled to see it added to the list. The entire series was great and you owe it to yourself to read on to the next book World Without End. Honorable mentions: 1 - Robert McCammon's Speak the Nightbird- first entry to his Matthew Corbett series. Historical thriller and horror fantasy, it's hard to categorize but it's my #1 favorite series. He's soon to release book 8 out of 9. 2 - Michael McDowell's Blackwater saga starting with The Flood. This was a charming series, by the guy who wrote the screenplay for Beetlejuice!! You can see it in the characters and setting, sort of a Tim Burton-ish style. 3 - I love historical fiction, and the Civil War -- North and South by John Jakes. Book 1 of 3 massive tomes.

[@mikesbookreviews]

North & South has my interest, for sure.

[@Will.the.book.dragon]

So many to add to my reading lists lol....sir king....would you consider Gwendy button box a good first book? Richard chizmar wrote book 2 and king's coming out with book 3 in February.... pre-order is on Amazon.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Still have yet to read those. Talisman & Sleeping Beauties chased me off from his collaborations.

[@Will.the.book.dragon]

@@mikesbookreviews I'm reading the dark Tower series with a few in-between books that can be considered an expanded tower list persay. I loved the talisman lol...(probably alone in my decision lol). I'm almost done with wizard and glass. But I do see where his collab books are not for everyone. I always heard talisman was just awful but yet I finally read it and was pleasantly surprised.

[@koleary1798]

Great video Mike! Not hating here, just an honest question. Do you regret starting the Malazan read along? It seems like every other video you talk about how the read along has put a damper on your plans to read x y z.

[@gerarquiaFM]

So happy to see the gunslinger here one of my favorites books of all time

[@mikesbookreviews]

There is Ka. And then there is everything else.

[@teksnotdead902]

Want to mention Rage of Dragons by Evan Winter. It’s only a 2 book series so far and I’ve only read that first one, but i found it to be a pretty amazing fantasy revenge tale.

[@suzieirby2137]

The ken Follet book is great!

[@djsuth7727]

If this was my top 20 favourite number 1 books I'd add "Blood Song" by Anthony Ryan. But, as with your example of "The Warded Man", the subsequent books were forgettable.

[@mikesbookreviews]

So I've heard. That's why I keep kicking Ryan down the TBR.

[@marcusmusings]

definitely an amazing book. I think it was even my book of the year when I read it, and then Tower Lord was like WTF?! I remember even though I gave it four stars, it just was such a letdown still in some ways

[@akashdefonseka]

I'm currently reading ᗪᑌᑎᗴ for the first time and it seems to be pretty damn good. The world building is amazing,with a lot of unique history,culture and lore.I found the character of Paul is so intriguing; so young yet entrusted with so great a purpose.I also love Frank's commentaries on religion and philosophy;I can see it was way ahead of its time. Apart from that, I noticed many similarities between this book and Star Wars, be it story threads, characters, and other subtle ideas.Paul Atreides is much like Luke Skywalker and The Baron reminded me of Jabba the Hutt😆 Obviously I don't need to point out the Game of Thrones similarities ;)

[@mikesbookreviews]

These are things I love hearing.

[@akashdefonseka]

@@mikesbookreviews Overall this seems to be a very genre-transcending book. It's not just sci-fi and technology but also contains elements of high fantasy, political fiction, and even a bit of mystery.The philosophical bits were a nice touch and really set the book apart from even giants like Tolkien. It's got something for everyone, regardless of their taste.I've only read 100 pages so far but I can tell this is gonna be a ride that I will never forget, even if this book doesn't end up being my absolute favourite.

[@epiphoney]

Nice font for DUNE.

[@akashdefonseka]

@@epiphoney Haha thanksss its from an app

[@derekd.4156]

@@akashdefonseka yeah I just finished it and Paul is one of my favorite characters of all time. I kept thinking it was going to fall off, but the book was so dense and packed with ideological commentary

[@shuralmehki]

Go read the Wrinkle in Time quintet! Redwall Abbey also took many seasons (years are not a unit of measure in this world) to be completed, and then later had some repairs and additions. The whole 22 book series revolves around the abbey. Let's do a video on series that didn't really get good until the last book, or series that the last book was the best, and the series ends and you're starving for more. I am so glad I never read LotR until it was released as a single book. In my mind there are The Hobbit and LotR, two books.

[@mikesbookreviews]

I'd certainly be interested in revisiting it.

[@celticwelsh]

Gateway by Frederik Pohl is a fantastic book one. To the point I think it actually works better as a standalone.

[@pugshorty9852]

I do remember giving you a new series to read. See, I got you covered.

[@mikesbookreviews]

I remember the mug, but what series did you send?

[@pugshorty9852]

@@mikesbookreviews The Nightside series by Simon R Green

[@dailycarolina.]

Well, my TBR list has increased. My favorite ones are : Fall of Giants by Ken Follett, Outlander by Diana Gabaldon, The Shadow of The Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón, A Sign of Four by Arthur Conan Doyle and Men who Hate Women by Stieg Larsson.

[@RayBlake]

A Study In Scarlet precedes The Sign of Four.

[@dailycarolina.]

@@RayBlake You're right. I confused the order. Thank you!

[@donaldcreech7782]

You ever gonna do some Sword of Truth content? For such a popular series I feel it's really underrepresented on KZbin.

[@thenarrowpath4363]

Mike, what’s your favorite genre? New to the fiction world. I’ve read a little king and I’m starting dark matter. I heard you talk about how it was fast paced. I have a lot going on in life and don’t get a lot of time to myself, so I can appreciate something that paces well. Any recommendations that fall in that category?

[@thenarrowpath4363]

Not far into it but even through 15 pages I like the way crouch writes

[@murraymoore9013]

Mike, I agree I really liked The Gunslinger .

[@chrisconnors7418]

I'm going to look up your Brent Weeks video. Loved the first book, really liked the next couple, but the fourth was aggravating. I have the fifth, but still haven't read it because I thought everything could have been wrapped up in the fourth book, probably even the third. It felt like he was milking the success, so he extended a trilogy to an unneeded quintology. I'll go see what your thoughts are. I thought The Rook (first book in The Checquy File) by O'Malley was phenomenal. Second book was good too, but it was told from the point of view of another character, and I wanted to hear more from the original character. Also, Robots of Gotham a great first book. True, there is no second book out yet so technically not a "first" book at the moment.

[@chrisconnors7418]

I see my thoughts are quite similar to yours re: Weeks.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Weeks is like Metallica; you get so disappointed because you know he has the talent but he just feels like he has to do something different than everyone else instead of sticking with what works.

[@laguy8181]

I’d love to hear your top series where book two or three won you over. For example I believe you said book two of the wheel of time series was better than book one.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Red Rising would top that list.

[@jzerfass04]

Personally, I prefer you ranking them. Love seeing your opinion! Love the video regardless though!

[@mikesbookreviews]

Perchance I'll go back to it eventually.

[@paulroach2548]

+1 for introducing to Joe Abercrombie, started 2021 reading his books and going to end it reading wisdom of crowds.

[@Josh-hi7tc]

That Judas Priest T-shirt though! Great band.

[@REChronic54]

I still remember when I first read Narnia for the first time as a kid; I think it was my first experience reading a fantasy book. My mom gifted me with a beautiful hardcover version of it and I just took it everywhere with me lol Then I let this kid in 4th grade borrow it and I never got it back 😢

[@mikesbookreviews]

That's both an awesome and a heartbreaking story.

[@JLchevz]

Good idea: Best first paragraph or line in a book.

[@spencercorpuz]

Yes absolutely Netflix did an INCREDIBLY faithful adaptation of series of unfortunate events, even down to the small details.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Harris as Olaf was fantastic.

[@spencercorpuz]

@@mikesbookreviews yeah that was incredibly smart casting!

[@DuckRon626]

Some favorite #1's of mineL Fantasy: While I consider myself new to the genre, I did read The Lord of the Rings trilogy around 20 years ago. When the movies came out. The Fellowship of the Ring was my favorite of that series. I'm in the process of reading the 1st Mistborn trilogy by Brandon Sanderson. The Final Empire is a very good #1 for me. I'm reading Sanderson at a slower pace, so, I haven't finished that series,. Let alone starting on The Stormlight Archive. In fact, at my age, I'll most probably not live long enough to see the end of that series. So, while I've read/heard much good things about it, I'm hesitant to start a series that I'll never be around to finish. Science Fiction: I agree with Leviathan Wakes and Dune as best of their respective series. In the case of Dune, I can't remember reading any SF novel, or any genre, for that matter, that had such an effect on my life. I had read a lot of SF books as a youth in the 50s and Dune just blew my mind. Leviathan Wakes had a near similar effect on me. I hadn't read much SF recently until I read LW. Now, I've finished that series and looking to re-read it. Crime: the Black Echo by Michael Connelly is the 1st Harry Bosch book. I started reading that series around 25-30 years ago. I've read all of the Bosch books to date. Well, not the most recent one, but, every one up to that one. Recently, I re-read The Black Echo and really enjoyed so much more than I had with any of the more recent Bosch books. Rules of Prey is the 1st book in the Prey series by John Sandford. Another series that I've been reading since the 90s. While I do want to re-read it, I do remembe that book very vividly. Another best #1 in my opinion. Historical Fiction: I understand, not a favorite genre of yours. But, for me it is. The Last Kingdom by Bernard Cornwell is the 1st of the Saxon Stories. I haven't finished the series, but, it's the best of the series that I have read to date.

[@thomasgibson7019]

If you do a best first lines ever, for me, it is “Forge of Darkness” by Steven Erikson. Highly recommend it.

[@THX-bz8bi]

My favorite Malazan prologe is in Dust of Dreams.

[@JLchevz]

haha you got me Mike. And everyone agrees (well a lot of people) that TWOK is a fantastic entry into The Stormlight A. and TFE for me isn't as good as the second and third Mistborn books

[@angelaholmes8888]

I love the age of madness trilogy more my favorite book in that trilogy is the trouble with peace 🌟 Words of radiance is my favorite in the stormlight archives

[@mikesbookreviews]

WoR is my favorite in Stormlight, too.

[@gordontheobald]

That cover for Dune reads like it’s titled Joune.