My Favorite Second Books in a Trilogy or a Series

Mike talks about some of the best book 2s in a series or a trilogy.
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
Microphone used in these videos: amzn.to/3IpFSAX
Camera used in these videos: amzn.to/3IqqdBv
------------------------------------------------------
Theme music provided by Infraction
/ @infraction
Music used: Epic (No Copyright Music)
infractionroya...
Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 3.0(CC BY 3.0)
creativecommon...
------------------------------------------------------
#MikesBookReviews

[@joshbracken5450]

Before They Are Hanged is probably my favourite 2nd book in a series. Improves upon everything from the 1st book.

[@Highlite17]

I agree with this completely!

[@davidgarces39]

I disliked The Blade Itself so much that I never wanted to read the sequel... I'm still curious about what will happen but I was son disappointed that I can't bring myself to continue.

[@Darkstar_Dayne]

​@@davidgarces39It's hard to continue if you haven't read ASOIF or anything grimdark before, it's not for everyone, but you should read it again book 2 is amazing and book 3 is really really good

[@julianmeza8061]

I finished it last week and it floored me. Made me appreciate The Blade Itself more as well

[@joshbracken5450]

@@davidgarces39 like I said. The 2nd book improves on all areas. You should persevere. But if it's not for you don't force yourself to read something you don't like :)

[@zn12914]

deadhouse gates from malazan and the drawing of the three are probably my favorite book two’s

[@WordsinTime]

Golden Son and The Drawing of the Three are great sequels! Howling Dark, The Fall of Hyperion, and The Dark Forest are some of my other favorites.

[@PsilocybeJedi]

The Drawing of the Three was one of the most fun reads I ever had... I would literally not do my job at work and bury my nose in the pages like a crack addict

[@FKDotFitzgerald]

Just starting the video but I already know Golden Son is in here somewhere. Going from Lord of the Flies on Mars to the insane, breakneck-pace space opera that defines the rest of the series is just incredibly bold.

[@asfaloth12]

Great list! My favorite second books are: -The Two Towers --Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets -Stone of Farewell -Totally agree with Clash of Kings! -To Light a Candle (The Obsidian Trilogy by Mercedes Lacky and James Mallory) --Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins --The Dark is Rising Thanks for sharing!

[@Dylan13Collins]

Golden Son wrecked my Soul and I loved every second of it!

[@Dylan13Collins]

@ragnarvolorus2925 that hat is the cruelist thing in literature lol

[@Edventured]

Great choices. The Dark Forest is a wonderful expansion of The Three-Body Problem which can be challenging for people to get into. I also hear The Wall of Storms is awe inspiring in the way it builds on The Grace of Kings.

[@S1leNtRIP]

I finished Golden Son on the porch of our book club meeting and audibly shouted multiple times. I walked inside to my buddies goofy grins and rage-played super smash bros and wiped the floor. I was truly the Reaper’s scythe that day. So much emotion. Favorite ending of all time!

[@Leroy510]

In terms of biggest turn-around, or change in quality from book 1 to book 2, I think Drawing of the Three takes the cake. It’s almost like the series really starts there and book 1 is a prequel.

[@darkstarsbookcavern]

I get that too!

[@brentasmith]

I think two that would definitely be on my list would be Howling Dark because it really sold me on Sun Eater being something special and The Warrior Prophet from Prince of Nothing because it's one of the best of the 7 books.

[@goldenspiral6008]

My favourite second books would be: 5. The Tombs of Atuan - Ursula K. LeGuin 4. The Well of Ascension - Brandon Sanderson 3. The Two Towers - J. R. R. Tolkien 2. The Great Hunt - Robert Jordan 1. A Clash of Kings - George R. R. Martin

[@richardrose2606]

👍 The Tombs of Atuan

[@carlwilliams9642]

One of my favorite second books from a (sadly forgotten) series is the Black Cauldron from the Chronicles of Prydain.

[@Granitetron]

I just finished Lev Grossman's The Magicans Series and I thought the second book (the Magician King) was my favorite. The addition of Julia as a major POV character brought fresh new life into the series. I found myself rushing through Q's chapters to see what was going to happen next with Julia.

[@MrOpotamus]

Fully agree. That was a great book 2.

[@nazimelmardi]

If you didn’t see the TV series, this is the one when you should watch it. It’s just fantastic. Low budget maybe. But a fantastic acting and story they made there.

[@nazimelmardi]

Speaker for the Dead in Ender series. It’s one of the best 2nd book. Tai Pan in Noble House. Player of Games in the Culture by Banks. Endymion is a good book after Hyperion. The 2nd book in Dark Tower is wow. The 2nd book in 3 Body Problem. Just some…

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Excellent picks here, Mike! I expected the entries from First Law and Dark Tower (book six of the latter isn't too bad either! 😁), but I enjoyed hearing about your love for all of them. All the best!

[@mikesbookreviews]

Song of Susannah is the second to last book in the Dark Tower? That's the incest thing I can say about it.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

@@mikesbookreviews 🤣🤣🤣

[@jenniferm.2142]

This is good to know about the Pines series. I read book one and it was fine but I haven’t felt motivated to pick up book two yet. I’m glad to hear that it may actually be better than book one and definitely has more twists and turns. I’m excited for it now!

[@sebaf74]

Loved the video. I was surprised not to see "The Well of Ascension" on the list, since IMHO that is an outstanding second book (my favorite in the Mistborn trilogy).

[@4LegCrotch]

For sure, I think it's one of the best books Sanderson has ever written. It's just so tight, and it's probably the most consistently good in the Cosmere, although some of the Stormlight reach higher heights but are less consistent

[@NatsTown]

I recently read The Wandering Fire by GGK which is the 2nd book of the Fionavar Trilogy and it blew the first book out of the water and instantly became a favorite

[@EmberJune]

100% agreed about Nevernight Chronicles. Book 2 was my fav as well. Loved that series and the audiobooks of them are really good.

[@PsilocybeJedi]

I know Expanse isn't a trilogy but Calibans War is what truly sucked me into the series and made me fall in love, even though there's no Miller 😢 also, The Two Towers was easily my favorite of the LOTR trilogy.

[@richardrose2606]

LOTR is not a trilogy.

[@PsilocybeJedi]

@richardrose2606 definitely is. It was released as 3 separate novels lol. It wasn't Tolkiens intention, but it's what he had to do.

[@ryhmetravila8085]

Oh yeah this is a hot take. I love words of Radiance. It's pretty solidly my least favorite Stormlight book. Still better than the best book in a lot of series.

[@morethanaveragejoe8224]

Hey Mike!! Thanks for the Bernard Corwell tip. I love the Arthurian legend stuff. I had no idea Cornwell explored it.

[@obijuan-kenobi5117]

Excellent list! Have read many of these, and what I haven't is on the TBR. You mentioned Terry Brooks as being derivative, but I would argue he could be on this list as well. I thought the first Shannara book was just ok and too much of a LOTR clone, but I absolutely loved the 2nd book Elfstones of Shannara.

[@BlueArcStreaming]

Yeah i was surprised with Lestat, excellent second book!

[@liviajelliot]

I agree with Before they are Hanged! Excellent book and that relationship you mentioned is so great! I agree that Words of Radiance is good, but I'm of the unpopular opinion that Oathbringer is the best (among those released as of know), but I'm also certain it's out of pure personal preference. Excellent video, and it was so much fun to view!

[@alynam82]

Does Lestat sing a Korn song in the book, too? (Just Kidding... I remember what you said in your Vamp Chronicles review) I 💯 agree with Great Hunt and Drawing of Three, they're some fantastic followups from their previous. I look forward to seeing your reaction to Robert McCammon's Queen of Bedlam, as that's my favorite book 2 in Corbett series. And there's no pirates, either!! Just dudes wearing tricorn hats 😄

[@jimmyallen8210]

Totally agree on Sanderson not reaching the same heights again (yet), and yet his “average” books are still fantastic. Also, I appreciate all this effort you make in general. You put a lot of work into this and this allows me to see books I would otherwise probably never encounter or consider until I hear about them on here. Thanks for what you do!

[@Zydlik7]

2 that really stuck with me are Golden Son and Dark Forest.

[@Jeff-fr4ts]

Of darkness and light is a great second book! The bond and the broken by Ryan Cahill starts with much of the same as dozens of others in the genre. The second book explodes into a lane of its own! Don’t stop reading after the first book and make sure to read The Fall.

[@mattjones4415]

Love Drawing of the Three. Eddie Dean is my favorite character too. How about a video of favorite characters in fantasy/ sci Fi? Characters that stay with you

[@locolima279]

Good list. I liked Golden Son. But, my only issue is book reviewers always talking about the ending. Not saying what happened per se. But, that it is shocking. So, it didn't hit as hard for me because I was expecting SOMETHING. I had the same issue with a certain Jim Butcher book. This is the reason I do not watch videos on books I plan to read. This is probably just a me thing. I'm sure most folks don't mind. It just ruins the surprise for me.

[@MrHehj]

Enjoyed this, cheers Mike.

[@pillarmusic1641]

Love you list videos. Make more. Top ten First Law Characters! Top ten modern classic Top ten Phillip chase moments

[@e.matthews]

The Warrior Prophet by R. Scott Bakker is a great second installment. It elevates the series in every way, and adds way more "candy" for the reader. That scene with a certain doll...

[@cipriansirbu3699]

I have a few favourite seconds books:The Howling Dark,The Two Towers,Royal Assassin,Finders Keepers,The Trouble with Peace.

[@brycedouglas620]

I'm actually surprised you didn't put Howling Dark on the list. I just finished it and it was amazing. Can't thank you enough for putting us on to that series.

[@X-FAct0R]

This was my pick.... Glad to see it represented in the comments

[@s.p.8508]

Off the top of my head: Words of Radiance, Deadhouse Gates, Valor, Hunger of the Gods, The Great Hunt, Licanius 2, Golden Son.

[@guitearist]

The Elfstones of Shannara blew me away so hard that I DNF'd the 3rd because it couldn't stand up.

[@carenome1]

My goodness! All these books are huge tomes!

[@kimgarcia6629]

Yes!! I feel the exact same way about the Stormlight archive! Words of radiance ruined me for the rest of the series because I was expecting that excitement and build up and pay off that we got in words of radiance. Amazing book

[@geauxreadbooks]

Between Enemy of God and A Fool’s Hope, I’m not sure which the better Book Two is. Both were awesome!

[@seanbester1465]

Dragonfly in Amber (Gabaldon) might be my fave book 2. The attempt to foil the Scottish rebellion and change history was riveting.

[@robd9413]

Sir Terry Pratchett's Discworld Witches series. Some people consider Equal Rites the first of that series, some people consider Wyrd Sisters first (since there was only one of the 3 witches in Equal Rites). If you go with the latter (I do) then the second book is Witches Abroad. IMO one of the best Discworld novels of all (picking favourites on that list is hard at the best of times.) In this one, the Witches go up against a Fairy Godmother intent on giving the people a happy ending - whether the people want it or not.

[@tannersturgeon2448]

Before They Are Hanged and Trouble with Peace, Wall of Storms by Ken Liu, Arm of the Sphinx by Josiah Bancroft, Drawing of the Three by Sai King. Just a few of my favorite book 2’s

[@LoganardoDVinci]

Yes, The Trouble with Peace!

[@MooseyFate]

The Lessons Never Learned by Rob J. Hayes, and Ravencry by Ed McDonald! Two of my favorite series of all time, both emotionally compelling yet dark af, these books are slam dunk 10/10s for me.

[@yellowcityflyfishing]

The Warrior Prophet by R Scott Bakker is probably my overall favorite book 2 of all time.

[@Paul_McSeol]

I think I’d have to go with Dune Messiah, Drawing of the Three (so happy you included that!), Startide Rising, and Well of Ascension. Have an awesome day!

[@markb3534]

This is a cool idea... especially for people who may have been iffy on book 1 in a series.

[@michaelshaffer3339]

"The girl who played with fire" by Steig Larsson was a very good second book as well

[@marcusmusings]

it's my favorite of the trilogy

[@BooksWithBenghisKahn]

YESSSSSSSSS you got a bunch of my own fav Book 2s on here like Clash of Kings, Golden Son, Jade War, the Great Hunt, and Enemy of God-so good!! And I'm thrilled to see Valor get some well-deserved love as welI! I'm right with you on that Maquin storyline being top tier. I also love getting pumped to try Licanius, Dark Tower, Bound and the Broken, the Last War, and Nevernight, and knowing book 1 isn’t the peak is always very appealing. Some of my own favs not on here would be Mad Ship, Howling Dark, Caliban's War, and maybe most of all Dragonfly Falling (book 2 of Shadows the Apt by Adrian Tchaikovsky -- a series I think you'd really love!)

[@giants8585]

Awesome video. I’m reading Jade War right now, I feel like I could never turn on Hilo. Excited to see what happens. Agreed on Valor also, absolutely loves that book.

[@brightwatcher3757]

This is such a great and specific prompt! I enjoyed hearing your thoughts on all of these. Question: I am on the fence about continuing The Faithful and the Fallen series. And I listened to audio so I want to double check, you’re saying “Maquin” right? As in Kastell’s friend? Because if you say Valour has more Maquin I will HAVE to at least read book 2 because he was my favorite of book 1. (And a book 2 that I love is “King of Thorns” by Mark Lawrence. My favorite of the Broken Empire trilogy!)

[@mikesbookreviews]

Yes, I say it as Maa-Qwin. I don't audio so I could be saying it wrong.

[@brightwatcher3757]

@@mikesbookreviews Yay thank you! :D

[@diegoarmando5489]

If you haven't already, you should play through the Trails series. It's longer than reading books, but I think you'd like it. And it's not like you have to play quickly.

[@chasehowells8803]

I cried at the end of valor soo emotional. No spoilers

[@bigaldoesbooktube1097]

You absolutely nailed this video 💪 I thought your thoughts on; Clash of Kings, Before they are Hanged and The Great Hunt were spot on 👌

[@johnneeley1740]

I think Drawing of the Three is my favorite book 2 of all time.

[@AlexNitsu]

I liked book 2 of the Expanse way more than the first one. Also in Michael J. Sullivan's Rise and Fall, book 2 is by far the best in the trilogy.

[@kiannachantel6669]

Love your videos and I alway trust your insights!! But, Can you do a review on To sleep in a sea of stars? It’s by Paolini. Been wanting to read it for awhile but on edge about it

[@luanamendes4767]

Hey Mike have you ever thought of doing a “Best Classic Books” list? Maybe include some books that you rarely ever talk about. That would be very interesting to see. Thank you!!

[@DanExploresBooks]

Great list. Still need to keep going with Red Rising and get to Golden Son. It just sticks on my TBR.

[@eburns-nc]

Cursed by Benedict Jacka (Alex Verus Series) and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets are the two that occur to me.

[@Talking_Story]

Such a well thought out list as always.

[@ozzyf6304]

I came here hoping to see Wayward on the list, and I was very happy that it made it. That book was awesome!

[@FATIMAPECHI]

To be honest, I DNF'd The Vampire Lestat the first time I tried to read it.... But I'm sooooo glad I gave it es second chance, because I ended up loving it the second time!!! 😂

[@timmeyer9191]

Sometimes the second film in a series is better than the first. Empire Strikes Back or The Dark Knight come to mind.

[@samofWinterfell]

Hoping to start Words of Radiance this week. I am very excited

[@callum7081]

Words of radiance is the perfect blockbuster book.

[@nordicmaelstrom4714]

I don't care for Martin's writing. I can see how he would appeal to others but for me he falls short. I am actually reading Enemy of God right now! I have about eighty pages left and so far I feel Enemy of God is better than The Winter King. Was quite sad when Tristan and Iseult met their fates. I was so angry at Arthur at that point. I should be finishing up the book Tuesday evening.

[@jeanerasmus7]

Amazing list! Mine are Dark Forest, Clash of Kings, Words of Radiance., Before they are Hanged

[@noname3609]

Dark forest? What is that 😮

[@joshuavincent3515]

The series that have the best second books are. The dagger and coin, The unwind, Red rising, dresden, Alex Verus, and lastly Sword of truth.

[@sarahmcdonald9624]

Ahhhh…. I kinda stopped the second book in Wayward Pines because it didn’t seem like it was going anywhere new. I may have to start it up again.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Highest of recommends.

[@Dillon__Morris]

Big agree with Great Hunt. I’m almost on Winters Heart and Great Hunt is probably still my favorite in the series

[@aldan7812]

Oh my god what is that COVER on Words of Radiance?!?!?!?!?!?!

[@kingzzz6509]

The Great Hunt definitely deserves a spot on this list. Definitely Valor from The Faithful and the Fallen. Personally I think The Well of Ascension is one of the best 2nd books.

[@SpencerDragonMonster]

While we're talking Abercrombie and Book 2, I'd be remiss if I didn't bring up Half A War, the second book in the Shattered Sea trilogy. A bit put off by the first book/Abercrombie doing YA because YA just ain't your thing? Understandable, but don't let that scare you off from Book 2, Half A World, because lemme tell ya, other than still having a primarily younger cast, it's just straight-up pure Abercrombie, with Thorn Bathu acquitting herself as every bit the savage beast of a swordswoman antiheroine as our girl Monza. And due to the trilogy's unique structure, one could probably just as easily read any of the three books in that series as standalones, though they do satisfyingly build on each other.

[@matthewnormand8344]

Omg, future bearkat here and when I saw the Sam Houston mug, I almost flipped out of my seat. Can't wait to attend the university!

[@Cold_Zero_The_Wise]

So my recommendation for your next booktuber is The Shades Of Orange - booktuber. I recently found her channel and enjoy her content mainly for the fact that she does a alot of none cliché and deeply disturbing books reads/reviews.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Rachel has already been on the channel before.

[@Cold_Zero_The_Wise]

@@mikesbookreviews oh ok then I'll go look for the vid thanks Mike

[@Gruso57]

This is a great topic idea since book 2 is usually the worst of the trilogies or series

[@angelaholmes8888]

Here's my picks Catching fire Jade war fonda lee The trouble with peace joe Abercrombie Hellbent by leigh bardugo Words of radiance

[@Gonzalezluis89]

Speaker for the dead. Olson Scott Card

[@Kellen81]

Some great second books that avoid that sophomore slump! Words of Radiance turned me around on Shallan, really disliked her in book 1. Of Darkness and Light started with the pedal to the metal and never let up, excited to start book 3 soon.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Same here!

[@jzerfass04]

Wish it was ranked :(. Thanks for the video though

[@pembie2]

Mike are you going to do a book discussion video for gone with the wind?

[@thecomicreadern4344]

Funny thing,I liked blade itself more than before they are hanged which is my least favourite in the first law trilogy

[@PreppinShootinLivin]

Great video...but if I may put my 2 cents in...I'd like to see a video where the second book makes you continue to read because the first book was kind of "meh", or just ok, but the second book is what makes you love the series/trilogy and the series/trilogy just takes off from that second book on. And then maybe a video where the first book was really good, but the second was crap...or the rest of the series just doesn't hold up and becomes a let down as a whole.

[@civoreb]

I dont know if I would recommend someone two books of ASOIAF. Thats 1,700 pages which is longer than the whole First Law trilogy 😂

[@Stoneward_Thug]

Without watching, I am certain that both Golden Son and Before They Are Hanged are on here. Hopefully and rightfully so!

[@karma_uhh7950]

red rising book 2 golden star was so good

[@karma_uhh7950]

*golden son

[@Tinahgirl83]

I read GOT around the time Storm of Swords came out. I was about 16, which (for me) was WAY too young for the amount of violence and adult content. I didn’t enjoy it at all. 😂😂 I was in no way prepared. I should probably try it again as an adult.

[@luisfilipecaldeira]

Hi Mike, could you do a thriller/mystery fantasy book recommendation video? I´ve searched and found no such list on youtube..

[@Hic_Sunt_Leones-o7v]

I bloodydamn love Golden Son but I have to say I found Morningstar just a TINY bit better. On a scale of 1/10 I give Golden Son a 9.5 and Morning Star a 9.7. When I first started the series years ago I only got to read Red Rising a Gave it a 9.5 then now I'd say it's a 7.0.

[@Pandybears]

Not getting into any spoilers, but Words of Radiance is probably my favorite book of all time. I didn't like way of kings that much, the scenes were awesome but I felt very dissatisfied with the ending. (I know I know, please don't kill me.) How the series devloped in WoR was what I was expecting from Way of Kings. For me, endings are paramount over almost everything else in story and I just didn't get what I really wanted out of WoK. (Again, please don't light me on fire.) I also really enjoyed Oathbringer, almost as much as WoR. Right now I'm 400 pages into Rhythm of War and I like it, not as much as 2 or 3 but it's still pretty good. Haunted Mask 2 from the goosebumps series is really important to me for a lot of reasons. Getting older is scary and I feel like time is passing faster than I can enjoy it. Not sure if this counts but in the chronological order of World of Warcraft books. The Last Guardian was one of my absolutely favorite books ever. The introduction to Khadgar is awesome and Medivh is one of my favorite things in fantasy ever ever ever.

[@socialbianca]

I was ok on red rising....wasnt sure if i should continue or not

[@benconlin3557]

I’ve read several of these and they are some of my favourite books ever, particularly Golden Son and Before they are Hanged. I really wanted Vampire Chronicles to click with me but Interview with the Vampire just didn’t work for me. I might try it again someday but something in the writing just didn’t work for me

[@jer2dabear]

Claw of the Conciliator (Book of the New Sun) is the best 2nd book in a series, followed by drawing of the three, Words of Radiance and deadhouse gates. (Great hunt should be there too haha)

[@jamesmabe1350]

Hey I just recently subscribed and I have a book series for you to maybe look into it's called the runelords by David farland I read the first four and they were great and I couldn't get past that so I don't know how the series ends

[@Luxaron]

In my view, a satisfying book 3 cannot exist without a well-crafted book 2.

[@Stoneward_Thug]

I'm trying to think of a trilogy/ series where this isn't so, but I agree!

[@ryerye3147]

Golden Sun totally hooked me to the rest of the Red Rising Series, As far as "The Green Bone Saga," now that I reflect on it, Jade War was my favorite, Jade Legacy just made me sad that the series was over, the series was my first time reading Fantasy, as someone who didn't read for pleasure for the better part of a decade , now I'm hooked lol. I tried getting into Sanderson, I just don't vibe with him yet; lock me up rite? I do enjoy Ryan Cahill, it feels fresh/modern . thanks for what you do mike.

[@TwoStarWarsNerds]

No Dark Force Rising?!