OVERRATED FANTASY

[@animeisthewayhaha]

I think another reason why Sanderson might be talked about so much is because he interacts with his readers, a LOT. So not only do people like the books but there is that deeper connection because readers might feel like they "know" him. Also the sheer number of books he releases is insane so that also probably has something to do with it too.

[@ebnovels]

Yes, he has SO many books, and the fact that he has books in middle grade, ya, AND adult also contributes!

[@Ialliac]

@@ebnovels Adult!? Really!? Stormlight Archives should be rebranded as YA...I'm only like a third of the way through 'Rhythm of War' but I'm fairly certain Shallon and Adolin have never consummated their marriage.

[@genghisgalahad8465]

@@Ialliac that’s book 5: The Rhythm of Love.

[@melkerahtagadatsoin-tsoin6016]

@@Ialliac because OF COURSE adult=s*x. That's the definition.

[@tgibridays]

@@Ialliac does there have to be explicit sex for a book to be adult? Would you say the Lord of the Rings is YA? Haha

[@MrGreyseptember]

In my country, every book from the Wheel of Time series was divided into three books. And because I used a local library (I lived in a small town at that time and we had only one library) it was a real pain in the ass to find all of them on the shelf. Like, read all 14 books is a huge quest but when you must read 42 of them...

[@entropicprinciple9276]

Same for me and GOT But if I hadn't I may have never gotten into reading as much so I m grateful

[@andrewhallam237]

I do find the Stormlight Archives a bit boring sometimes but it's so worth it. It might take 1000 pages to get to one of those moments, but boy when it does eventually come, nobody does it better.

[@EE12345]

I find I can get through the boring parts easily because I like the characters and enjoy their interactions. But for other series like KKC, the characters are unlikable so I don't enjoy reading while nothing meaningful is happening in the story.

[@ducky36F]

Yeah if there’s one thing Brandon does like no one else it’s how he writes those big moments. Every book has a moment where we just see these broken people he’s written rise to insane levels awesome. It never fails to get me.

[@entropicprinciple9276]

My theory is that you have to me a little bit of a masochist to enjoy Stormlight Archive I mean I am and I do....LoL

[@andrewhallam237]

@@entropicprinciple9276 Yep, I think you hit the nail the head :)

[@ostrichreads7715]

I'm just so happy every time you post even though I haven't read most of the books you talk about. I just like to listen to you ☺️

[@ebnovels]

Well thank you!

[@ashleyelisabeth4]

Same, but it's because I have wayy too many books on my TBR 😂

[@ostrichreads7715]

@@ashleyelisabeth4 me too 🙈 but I think I figured a way out I might finally actually *read* the books instead of adding more 😂

[@ashleyelisabeth4]

@@ostrichreads7715 I'm doing that and the books still keep piling up 😂😂

[@ostrichreads7715]

@@ashleyelisabeth4 "luckily" I don't currently have the budget to buy many new ones, on the other hand I now have access to my e-library 😱 too many options! 😭

[@AlcheonArt]

While Stormlight Archive is my FAVOURITE work from Sanderson (I've also read Elantris, Warbreaker and Mistborn era 1), i do agree that "sanderfans" can be a little obnosious sometimes in pushing it to other people because they love it so much. I don;t do it because I understand not everyone wants to engage in so many 1000+ pages tomes, but yes people are really pushy about it

[@michellebowman5568]

I personally wasn't a fan of Mistborn but I get your point about the length. I love Stormlight but I feel 1000 plus pages per book is too much . *cough* Oathbringer *cough* 😅

[@ebnovels]

As my husband always says, how many times do we need to watch Dalinar make Skype calls? 😂

[@AyceMcGee]

Elliot "It's a circle, it's a cycle I should say" My brain "Well, I guess I'll make my own way , it's a circle, a mean cycle, I can't excite you anymore"

[@sitcomboobs]

Yep. Paramore stays on my mind.

[@giuliakenway6500]

Exactly what came to my mind too xD

[@kaitlynslucher9257]

The invisible life of addie larue was extremely overhyped for me.

[@peehurasotra9498]

totally

[@HummingbirdG6843]

I very much agree. I did not like it at all.

[@bry4212]

I HATED THIS BOOK

[@luizalavie8780]

I dnf it i couldn’t keep going on

[@haylievu]

I agree

[@jazsminlyon6884]

I loved The Name of the Wind dang it 😂 Also Joe Abercrombie has to be some of the best character writing ever. Period.

[@rayedjualidan1504]

It is really weird how much tastes differ.

[@ebnovels]

Agreed. I’m grateful though; it’d be so boring if everyone was basic like me 😂

[@JLchevz]

you know what would be weird? if everyone liked the same

[@csd8204]

So true.

[@ducky36F]

I’m a little surprised to not see A Song of Ice and Fire on here. I suppose the end of the show may of changed how it’s ‘rated’ (probably unfairly) though 😂

[@ebnovels]

People mentioned it! I just haven’t read it, so my commentary would’ve only been based on the show 🥴

[@Luke-nn4pm]

ASOIAF is properly rated. My sales pitch to read it is, it's so good that youtube theories are still going strong after ten years without a book.

[@ducky36F]

@@Luke-nn4pm oh yeah I only bring it up because it’s talked about a lot, so there will naturally be people who get sick of hearing about it and therefore feel it is overrated

[@Luke-nn4pm]

@@ducky36F yeah for sure, sorry if you felt I was opposing you I just wanted to add that while people may feel that way, IMNSHO it is not overrated

[@similarrose5811]

@@Luke-nn4pm I feel like if there was no show it wouldn’t be as popular as it is. So I would say it’s overrated and it’s theories popularity kinda proves that. Each to their own of course.

[@katieg2449]

I never really understand how people can put unfinished series in their all time favorites list (stormlight, asoiaf, notw) totally agree abt worrying the author won’t stick the landing...but ppl do what they want ig

[@thejustinwestra]

I really loved the first three Gentleman Bastard books, but I’m honestly scared to see if Scott Lynch will stick the landing. I definitely agree that it’s dangerous to call an unfinished series your favorite.

[@jonasschmutzer4910]

I have enjoyed a song of ice and fire far more than anything else i have read (probably because it was my introduction to adult fantasy so I am definitely biased), and even if the last books are terrible or never come out, nothing will change how much fun i had with the first five

[@nikolatasev4948]

True. I loved the Lightbringer series, halfway through reading the 5th (last) book I was wondering why it is not everyone's favorite series.... and then in half a book the author showed me why... tragic, really, the first 4.5 books were awesome. I've seen reviewers put 5 stars to the first 4 books and 1 star for the last, it was a hard read...

[@cbpd89]

Different books for different folks. I want a big, long, thick book. I don't at all mind a slow build and a long series. If that is not you then, yeah, I don't think you'll like Stormlight or Wheel of Time. Doesn't make either of us wrong, just a matter of taste.

[@ebnovels]

Agreed!

[@Matt-sl1wg]

If you watched enough of her videos you know her limit is about... 500 pages?

[@Shelf_Improvement]

I'm afraid to read Stormlight Archive. I'm afraid they'll revoke my library card if I don't like it. I didn't like Elantris, really but that was his first novel. The plot / world building was great but the characters were kind of wooden. Which is kinda how I felt about Mistborn-- but I liked it better. Name Of The Wind and WMF were great. I think PR is in a pickle though, bc he's got to be under so much pressure!

[@ebnovels]

Ohhh, I hope you enjoy Stormlight more, but I also completely see if you aren't interested in picking it up. I do think the characters are better than in Elantris, if that helps :D

[@tomosheax]

I agree with Stormlight being overhyped. I've read the first book, got the second waiting for me, and I certainly enjoyed it -- though it was fairly uneventful -- but I can't help but believe that it's praises are sung to too great a degree.

[@akanjisekoni]

I see Vinland Saga in the background, God Damn you have good taste 😂

[@maliatfirst9]

Ikr. She is also a huge fan of Fullmetal alchemist brotherhood. And also Castlevania.

[@ebnovels]

Have you heard about the stuff with the Castlevania show and the writer?

[@EE12345]

@@ebnovels What happened? I've been meaning to watch Castlevania.

[@akanjisekoni]

@@ebnovels Nope I’ve watched all 3 seasons, but I haven’t heard any news on the show recently

[@Okami164]

it’s always fun to hear different opinions about popular books 😁

[@richieg85]

Poppy War!! Omg Rin is so INSUFFERABLE. Especially for a girl with such a rough childhood

[@marytrece8828]

I couldnt even finish the book 😅

[@sarahgonzalez162]

Yes! I hated her! I actively wanted her to fail and was rooting for everyone except her

[@csd8204]

Stopped after Book 2 and have no intention of starting book 3.

[@JessOwens]

I’ve obviously only read the first 2 Stormlight books and only once but I’m not yet convinced that Stormlight is “best fantasy ever” status

[@ebnovels]

How dare you friend. Can I even call you that?!? :P

[@JessOwens]

@@ebnovels YES, I AM YOUR FRIEND. YOU’RE STUCK NOW 😂.

[@Ialliac]

Book two is a GREAT stopping point!

[@sentient.ball.of.stardust]

Stormlight overhyped? Maybe. But overrated? Nope. I mean to me, it is the best fantasy i've ever read. Granted i haven't read everything, but i have read most of the well known fantasy books and series. And i also understand that is so popular on youtube, because it's popular period so of course youtube will reflect that. The same thing happened with ASOIAF before the show failed. It was everywhere. And yes, of course with it being my favourite i don't really feel a connection with booktubers that don't like it. But i also hate both sides of the spectrum....the ones saying "well if you don't like it you are shite" and the ones saying "well if you like it then you are shite". And i've found in general that there are a lot of people that absolutely love something until it gets popular, and once that happens they do a 180 and everyone that likes this popular thing is now shite, and their dislike of the thing is simply driven by how popular it is. Wow i really went on and on there, sorry, i guess i'm really bothered by people dismissing things because they're popular. 🙈

[@jakerockznoodles]

I hate that, too. I don't ever plan on reading the series, but that's because I saw the first book and how long it was and noped out of there. I'm a slow reader and reading long books in a multi-part series is really not my thing at all. A long one-off or a series of short-medium length novels will do me just fine, thanks 😂. Im never gonna call it overrated because I can't rate it because I know I'd hate it if I read it. But I'll definitely call it overhyped, because even friends who know my tastes still insist on recommending it to me 🙉

[@michael305m3]

Nah the prose is juvenile and the dialogue is cheesy

[@colin1818]

@@michael305m3 - Every time I read a Sanderson novel I have to laugh at how often the dialogue has breaks with "______ shook his head." He says it ALL THE TIME. It's hilarious. It's a drinking game for me as I read a Sanderson book. His characters area always shaking their heads in response to one another. It's definitely one of his crutches he leans on when describing an interaction between two characters. That said, I adore Sanderson. Everything I've read of his has been at least above average with most of it being exceptional. Admittedly, I have not yet dived into Stormlight but plan to read the first book by the end of the year.

[@monicamerle1417]

Overhyped? Definitely From Blood and Ash, Crescent City & The house in the cerulean sea

[@henrywayne5724]

I know Stormlight will come here, won't it? Ha! It was the first one!

[@ebnovels]

Hahaha, it was inevitable 🤣

[@davidwaggoner3157]

I am 43, and for my entire life, any book/movie/tv show/music that gets popular (in whatever context) gets called "overrated" by many non-fans. The term "overrated" is a useless term to me because it implies that there is an objective measurement for artistic creations (outside of morality). All creative works are "rated" exactly where they should be....because there is no "should" to begin with, besides what people like. I wish the term could be retired altogether.

[@ebnovels]

I get what you're saying! I think I feel similarly in a vague sense, but I also like to see people's individual feelings, and in this specific case, I like seeing what books they don't like that usually have mass appeal. To actually go a step further, I kinda wish we would get rid of the rating system all together, but that's a whole other conversation 😂

[@davidwaggoner3157]

@@ebnovels The irony to me saying this, is that I have always appreciated, even when I disagree, literary/film/music critique/criticism. (Thank you for the reply!)

[@Books_BrewsandBeyond]

When it comes to books and reading, everyone has different opinions and having said that I personally loved The Name of the wind and I found Wise Man's Fear to be okay but I can see how Kvothe could be an annoying character to some people when reading the series. The Dresden Files are a fun series of books although it has gotten darker and much more solemn with the two most recent books being Peace Talks and especially with Battle Ground. I am yet to read Mistborn and also The wheel of time but I have heard amazing things about both series so I'll get around to them one day. I would like to see Part 2 to the overrated adult fantasy series for sure.

[@h.a.6060]

I started The Wheel of Time in Jan 2020 when the pandemic hit. Finished it last month. Yes, the slog is painful but man, this series is wonderful and I will always cherish it for the escapism that it provided me in these hard times. I don't have the nostalgia factor because I never read it before but I know living with a story and characters for 18 months means a lot. It will have a very special place in my heart. And Brandon Sanderson did a great job finishing up the series.

[@michaelavail3554]

for dresden and being on lists, u just gotta keep going for it to make sense it definitely becomes more intense of a courtesy although it never leaves that fun feeling you were talking about

[@ridingwilding760]

I see reading (or listening) to a book is like a investment. You invest time and attention and in return you get a literary experience. Poorly written books or books that don’t draw your interest are a “poor investment.” On the flip side those books that capture your interest and draw you into them give a return in entertainment, enlightenment or a mental experience that was worth the time you invested. Sanderson’s books are long and involved. They aren’t light and easy entertainment, meaning you generally can’t skip paragraphs or skip forward on audio books and expect to not miss something integral to the plot. However I find the overall experience of his works worth the time, money and mental investment. Wheel of Time on the other hand I felt wasn’t a good return. It spent so much time on crazy dreams and whining dialogue that I could skim read looking to get past those parts and miss little. I lasted through 3 books doing this and in the end I felt like I was at a deficit in my literary investment. So the idea of continuing to read the series seemed like a horrible waist of time.

[@DaneofHalves]

I think its very fun and interesting to meet people who DON'T like the things I like. Sure, it's great to meet like-minded people in a fandom and share views and thoughts on a favorite series of books BUT it's also fun to meet people who don't see things the way you do about the same thing. It's refreshing. For instance, no popular booktuber I have found even mentions The gigantic Shannara series of books because I think most of them are turned off by the heavily Tolkien inspired first book. But I love the series anyway. I'm ashamed to admit I haven't come close to reading all of them (I think there are like 30 books or so in Shannara now). Good vid!

[@trevorfultz]

Dammmn you’re hyping me up for Mistborn! I read the prologue cuz I’m so excited but forcing myself to finish LotR first. I’m finishing Two Towers this weekend.

[@gothamoracle]

I read The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue because there was so much hype leading up to the release. And I wanted to get on that bandwagon! I love book bandwagon. But I was so underwhelmed by the store. It was very beautifully written and I really liked the beginning. The ending kinda just pissed me off.

[@gothamoracle]

P.s I fraken love Dresden 🤣🤣

[@h.a.6060]

That book was so boring and pointless, to be honest with you. I didn't like it. There is a movie called The Age of Adaline with the same concept which is a lot better.

[@marytrece8828]

@@h.a.6060 true

[@bookshelfbard9873]

*Me, the easy-to-please reader, watching overhyped/overrated reviews for TBR suggestions 😅

[@ThePurpleBookWyrm]

Yes, please do a part II! I had answered in on your IG with The Broken Earth trilogy by N.K. Jemisin - it's soooo hyped and beloved by the SFF community I feel, and I really didn't care that much for it. Not that original (either with its world-building or magic system), forceful theming, hateful child character (😅) and just bits and bobs of overall world-building I didn't vibe with at all. Contrast that to how much I adored The Winnowing Flame trilogy lol.

[@marsrock316]

I've become indifferent to whether the next Rothfuss or GRR Martin books come out or not. I will likely read them both if they appear, but till then.... ehh. I am puzzled by the Mary Sue charges against Kvothe, though. That guy screws up a lot. A lot lot. He messes up all the time. I'll admit that the sex fairy stuff went on too long, and like many guys in real life, both the author (it seems) and character sincerely believed it when a partner told them they are the best they've ever had. But that's gullibility and probable insecurity, rather than arrogance. Also, Kvothe gets his ass kicked by a 10 year old girl at the fighting academy late in the second book. They match his training partner to his ability and that's what he's matched with... and still loses. Then Kvothe throws his graduation match because he's told his opponent, who hates his guts, plans to break his arms. So, uhh, no more lute playing if he actually fights. I always suspect that people who harp too much against Kvothe didn't read or didn't finish the second volume. Some just go along with what they've heard others say.

[@trewaldo]

My observations when a fantasy story or series becomes overhyped or overrated in my country: - the book(s) fall under the YA/teen category - a film adaptation triggers the selling of the book - predecessors or more famous titles in the same genre are overlooked - the new fanatics put too much focus on romance part of the movie - the story contains too familiar tropes with other books or movies

[@ebnovels]

I think those are pretty good observations for the overhyped recipe 😮😮😮

[@trewaldo]

@@ebnovels Thanks, Elle! 🥰🤓😍

[@benhillman8384]

It's interesting to see what publishers are willing to put their advertising budgets behind. Many big houses appear to back books like they were stock options and then get disappointed when flooding the market with similar stories doesn't have the return on investment of the breakout hit that started each wave. Recently I had a struggle in my country getting hold of M John Harrison's Viriconium - a book Gaiman cites as being genre defining and formative, by a popular currently writing author (sunken land begins to rise again, etc.). There are many stellar books like this, that just aren't getting reprinted while publishers try to howdie doo fellow kids behind trend things they think they can sell on to netflix.

[@DragonElf01]

I'd love to see a part two or a YA variant. Fun to hear your thoughts as always, Elliot

[@kateg9437]

The Cruel Prince. I listened to the audiobooks of both The Cruel Prince and The Wicked King, but I found them rather "meh"

[@sailorjay]

The writing in the Name of the Wind is so beautiful, but I also want to scream at Kvothe to just such up.

[@genghisgalahad8465]

He’s long...winded. The wind is the wind, does it need a name??Apparently it does...

[@armanisar-feinial1789]

Actually, I haven't heard much of a Name in the Wind at all. Same thing with the First Law, I've heard little snippets here and there but not a whole lot. Reader: You can't keep a reader engaged without plot, especially in a trilogy. Joe Abercrombie: Hold my beer.

[@Theblondebass1]

I agree that they aren't talked about much now but like 1.5 years ago it was all I heard about it felt like

[@MaryJoHeadrick]

(obviously not every fan but) I think a lot of Name of the Wind fans think that they would be as badass and great at everything as Kvothe allegedly is if they were in his world. I feel like a lot of the storytelling is done in such a way that boosts the ego of the reader to make them feel as good as Kvothe, and I can see how that would appeal to certain ...demographics

[@ebnovels]

Haha, it's kinda like the self insert of bland characters with SUPER SUPER HOT love interests 😆

[@britwww]

Patrick Rothfuss himself kinda has a big ego whether he’ll ever admit to it or not so this makes sense to me.

[@Ialliac]

@@britwww Have you ever listened to Rothfuss talk? He doesn't take criticism well. This is why writing (not writing) book three is taking over a decade...it'll need to be a nearly perfect book to justify a 10+ years of work (not work) or his fans will have some proper stuff to say about him. Also, Name of the Wind is probably the best book I've ever read. Just for the record

[@britwww]

@@Ialliac Not sure what any of this has to do with him having a big ego but sure. If anything, you’re just adding to my point. I don’t hate the guy or anything. Glad you like the book best wishes on reading other books xoxo.

[@Ialliac]

@@britwww ego is a fragile thing...hence, my comment of Rothfuss responding badly to criticism. And yeah...your comment was spot on.

[@Canoe64]

I'm still new to fantasy and started First Law because of all positive reviews. The first book was pretty good but I started losing interest during the second book. I got the audiobook based again on reviews. And Steven Pacey does make an average book sound great. I bought the third book in audio version only for my drives to work. It's easy to follow and Pacey makes it very entertaining.

[@jameswashington226]

Sometimes I feel he could drop a couple 100 pages in some of Brandon Sanderson books, the last book I was like man

[@entropicprinciple9276]

yeah definitely overhyped, It's fine

[@Ialliac]

I have a theory Sanderson is actually capable of writing and sleeping at the same time

[@jameswashington226]

@@Ialliac but it’s better than George rr Martin we may never see the end of the series until we go to heaven

[@entropicprinciple9276]

@@Ialliac They say he writes fast And the second law of thermodynamics says you can't do that and write masterpieces

[@michael305m3]

RoW was the weakest of his books I’ve read

[@rozusperelko]

All books from SJM

[@tyel7179]

YES.

[@PetalsAndPlague]

Completely agree.

[@bloodymixtape]

Agree!!!! A

[@yasminlove2920]

Totally agree!

[@cosyreadingtimes8857]

I love "The House in the Cerulean Sea" with my whole heart but all the hype really intimidated me before I finally picked it up😅😍

[@seamusb9012]

Everything after book 6 for dresden is epic with crazy world building and great characters. Book 7 on are all amazing. Can't defend the way women are depicted in the early books though, it gets a lot less cringey later in the series

[@anitaalende1181]

i would really be interested in part 2!!!! sarah j mass omg i tried reading the first book of acotar and i was like really? it felt so unrealistic and just bland idk

[@sreelekshmipushpan3722]

Glokta:I'm in pain "We know" That made me laugh out loud🤣 p.s. I love Glokta 🥰

[@ebnovels]

Haha, I love him too! 😆

[@reginaldforthright805]

He’s an annoying, whiny, weasel, but still the most likable character in the book!

[@chloefranklin5324]

A Darker Shade of Magic is *way* overhyped imo. I DNFed the first book. I found it underdeveloped and thought the author had squandered the potential that the premise had. Plus I *despise* Lila "one of a damn kind" Bard with every fibre of my being 🤢

[@zoranne_]

i definitely would love to see a part 2 and a YA edition!

[@Jack_of_Hearts4]

People who think that The Dresden Files is sexist have no idea what a male's inner monologue is like in real life. It's pretty accurate from my experience as a straight man and it's not sexist. My point is that if it's sexist then the majority of the male population is sexist and I don't believe that is the case.... Feel free to disagree with me.

[@RaymondStormbl3ssed]

Having a white male protagonist in fantasy will soon be considered sexist too lol

[@arlopaden9794]

stormlight isn't sandersons best series currently but the reason it is talked about so much is that it has the most unsolved mysteries and it is his latest release so theres just more to talk about

[@EE12345]

What's better? I liked Mistborn era 1 but not as much as Stormlight. Is era 2 better?

[@arlopaden9794]

@@EE12345 I liked mist born era one better but they are very close and i can definitely see myself changing that as more stormlight books come out

[@arlopaden9794]

@@EE12345 an no era 2 is not better not even close

[@EE12345]

@@arlopaden9794 Ya I havent read era 2 cuz I don't like the setting. It's the only setting I'm not interested in out of all his planned Mistborn books. But maybe I'll read it someday.

[@arlopaden9794]

@@EE12345 it's pretty good but not nearly as good as stormlight or era one

[@KistiReads]

I'm still intrigued to get into the Stormlight archives and the First Law trilogy despite other opinions. If you are interested in reading the sequel to FBAA, it is much more interesting (in my opinion) than the first - it also took me a while to get into the story.

[@chandlerholloway3900]

Love your discussion! Patiently waiting for Part 2!

[@TaigaNatsuki]

I’m a huge Brandon Sanderson fan. HUGE. BUT, Shallan from Stormlight Archives makes me cringe so hard. Oathbringer is just her having a huge identity crisis. I skip her entirely in rereads. I prefer W&W, The Emperor’s Soul, Warbreaker and such

[@keshinitiwari5425]

A Darker Shades of Magic Trilogy... book 1 was okay, book 2 is terrible. Doubt I can find the motivation to pick up book 3.

[@valetterenoux2285]

One time I asked for adult fantasy recommendations in an instagram comment section, and the replies turned into a battle about whether or not Name of the Wind is a good book or not haha

[@ebnovels]

🤣🤣🤣 That sounds about right

[@persephonekore7738]

I think it’s one of those the prose is amazing but the content hasn’t aged well 😂 and I love the book but it’s definitely got some wtf moments 🤦‍♀️

[@valetterenoux2285]

@@persephonekore7738 yeah, I've heard some things about how the women are objectified and not written very well, and I can't stand stuff like that so I've s stayed away from that book. But I'd love to hear what you think about that.... Also I love your username!! Do you perhaps read Lore Olympus?

[@Professorkomodo]

Name of the wind has long been one of my favorites, but now that i have read so much more in the years of no more kingkiller, i can not help but agree with your overhyping analysis. I do not want to contribute to the hate on book three not coming out, so let me just end here haha

[@ebnovels]

Aww, I'm sorry you have to wait! Hopefully the fans will get the book eventually ❤️

[@ElDaumo]

Harry Potter. There. I said it.

[@jemofabook]

I'd love to see a part 2! I love seeing people's opinions on this stuff

[@thecaptain3594]

The Stormlight Archive is EXTREMELY overhyped. I had Brandon Sanderson talked up to me like he was the next JRR Tolkien, the next Charles Dickens, the most prolific author of our time, and...yeah, he's not. Not by a long shot. I think I would have liked Stormlight Archive a lot more if it hadn't been so talked up to me. When I got it, I had been told Sanderson was this master author, so when I got into it and found a painfully slow plot, an abundance of storytelling cliches, and extremely overwritten characters, I was like, "wut?"

[@chroniclesofashieldmaiden8409]

A bunch of these books are on my tbr! Currently reading The Final Empire and I'm really loving it. I'm a bit surprised ASOIAF isn't on the list (I love that one, though).

[@ianjohnston1545]

After listening to the first two books of Stormlight Archieve, I missed the writing of the Wheel of Time significantly. Sanderson and Jordan are two different writers, but for me, Sanderson explains too much of what the characters are thinking psychologically instead of painting the picture of the situation and letting your emotions and ideas lead the way. You could see that drip into the last 3 books. He did a good job in his own way, and I appreciated the conclusion of the series. He will always have my appreciation for that.

[@LyyraBat]

I haven't read most of these, but yeah, they are suuuuuper hyped. It's to the point where I at least own the first book of all the series mentioned, because there's this vibe that you MUST read all the popular adult fantasy series to be a true booktuber in this space, which feels kind of ehhhh. I just want to read them so I understand all the gosh darn references people make xD

[@ebnovels]

Ah, see, and that kinda makes me sad! Especially when there are so many other amazing books out there!!!

[@stacymccaskill-lilja2944]

There are things that I could take or leave with WoT, but it is still my favorite after multiple rereads.

[@MLLatUtube]

I thought this was very interesting although I do not read a lot of epic adult fantasy. I would be interested in seeing Vol. 2.

[@sanjithechef]

I love the green bone saga - I cared deeply about the characters and a lot happens there. Lol I still love this channel but it’s my favourite series so I find it funny people didn’t enjoy it

[@cubbeige7104]

Ngl whenever I read a Sanderson romantic scene my brain just shuts down and gets turned off immediately. I wasn't able to finish the entirety of the Mistborn series because I have to power through the Elend and Vin scenes and I just can't anymore. To me it feels like nails on a chalkboard.

[@lostinabookcase3796]

My overhyped fantasy is LOTR. It was always a struggle to make it past Tom Bombadil for me😅

[@JoshsBookishVoyage]

I'm reading it for the first time and that's my exact thoughts.

[@lostinabookcase3796]

@@JoshsBookishVoyage glad it's not just me!!

[@The92Waffles]

Same. Book 2 during the story of the ent trees I was done with it. I understand its significance but it is not for me

[@IndustrialBonecraft]

'He doesn't romanticise things...' "Fucking men - can never find the right hole!" The Wheel of Time always reminded me of The Belgariad/Molarian (spelling on either of those?) for a slightly older audience. It's in that area of 'fantasy by numbers' aesthetic - intentionally or not.

[@christianelthorp8601]

Same about being worried about SLA. I get that he heavily plans things out ahead but it doesn’t mean it’s easy to stick the landing

[@ottovonbaden6353]

I admit, I'm a big ole Dresden Files fan boy, so seeing it listed there hurts. That being said, different minds, different tastes, opinions, yada yada...I do think that classifying it as just a fun series is a little inaccurate, though, considering just how dark it eventually gets. And while any single book could be considered just entertainment, the series overall asks some intriguing questions about morality and power with the different character arcs, especially considering the Lascial and Molly story lines. I'm making my way through Name of the Wind for the first time, audiobook form, after a self proclaimed Rothfuss evangelist talked me into it. It's my third time trying, and I am actually enjoying it. I don't think it's quite the amazing masterwork everyone who raves about it says, but I haven't finished it yet, so who knows? The First Law trilogy holds a dear place in my heart because it was the first new content I read after a long reading dry spell. The Bloody Nine and Glokta are two fantastic characters. My favorite Abercrombie book is the Heroes, though. Treat yourself and listen to the Heroes audiobook. I have yet to read a single Brandon Sanderson book. I would probably enjoy them, and friends are urging me to, just haven't done it yet.

[@bmoneybby]

When people say Way of Kings is the best and Name of the Wind isn't very good, I'm always thinking to myself, "I don't think we read the same books. Haha

[@XavierRD]

The Name of the Wind reads really prettily, but even in the first one, if you don't like Kvothe (I didn't) , there's very little to hang on, and the ending seemed like really, really rushed to me. Once finished, it feels like what it is: A third of a book. The only parts that I unabashedly loved were the interludes because Chronicler and Bast are awesome, but that's a really small part of the book. Different strokes, I guess.

[@bmoneybby]

@@XavierRD ya, it's always strange to hear people's takeaways that are far from your own. I'm into the physical sciences, and I play music and like poetry, as well as chemistry/alchemical practices. So, for me personally, I guess there's a lot more to latch on to and relate with than some others. I've definitely noticed that the people, like me, who really liked it, really really like it lol

[@XavierRD]

@@bmoneybby If you know alchemy, please teach me 🤣 On a more serious note, it's actually awesome to speak with people with different tastes. It gives you a whole new perspective, I think.

[@ebnovels]

Man, it's so nice to see two people respectfully discuss a series they have different feelings on :D I majored in music, so I did enjoy the incorporation of that in the story, but there are just quite a few other things that don't quite fit my tastes. Different strokes, as Erik said! 😊

[@XavierRD]

@@ebnovels What's great about the current fantasy landscape is that it's as varied and diverse as it's ever been. There's a book (and multiple books, really) for everyone. I admit to being a Sanderson stan because he tickles the exact combination of things that I like, it's like an author handmade for me 🤣

[@Stoneward_Thug]

I get the overhyped of online Stormlight Archives. And while his writing has gotten better I enjoy his Mistborn Era's more so. But the gatekeeping of fantasy does get a little old. Idc if you like Red Rising more than SA or Name of the Wind over WoT. At least you're reading you know? Its already hard enough to find other bibliophile out there without saying their opinion is irrelevant.

[@dr.suezettealoysiaandcarla1664]

We will head over to your Instagram ...we missed the scenario 🌷🤟🏽 Happy Bookish Saturday Friends

[@GeraltOfArabia]

I only see Sanderson talked about on KZbin and the r/fantasy subreddit. I don't see him on Twitter or Insta or TikTok and other social media platforms, within the writing & reading community. But I've talked to people who like Sanderson but when you really talk to them you find out they actually don't read.

[@Loganva]

Personally I don’t think the Cosmere is overrated because it’s definitely my favorite series, but I can see how someone would think it is overrated. I think Mistborn is better than Stormlight tho 😅. I even like the argument that Warbreaker is the best Cosmere

[@nadiajasmine184]

when I started watching this I just knew that Brandon Sanderson would be the first author you mentioned 😅

[@animeisthewayhaha]

Nothing to do with the topic of this video but can anyone tell me the name of the series on the right side, near the edge of the screen, 3rd shelf, that is a bunch of colors, kinda like a rainbow? please 😣

[@animeisthewayhaha]

@@anya2000 ya I looked them up. It’s hard to tell cause I can’t see what the spines look like online 😅. Thanks anyways

[@ebnovels]

I think I answered this in another comment, but yes, Vinland Saga!

[@animeisthewayhaha]

@@ebnovels thank you!

[@dudejuice]

So far Ive read only Mistborn and Im interested in Sandersons other works. Mistborn, as a beginner in fantasy, is a great trilogy for starters. I also want to point out that the endings of Books 1 and 2 are so good and act as set up for the beginning of Books 2 and 3 was mindblowing to me. The consequences of the endings, like the wins of the heroes, results in the dire consequences in the next book. Not sure if thats unique to Mistborn, Im new to the genre. Would recommend to beginners just starting.

[@tekelupharsin4426]

I admit this is apostasy to some, but most of my fantasy reading isn't reading, but listening. I'm an audiobook guy. Maybe it's because I'm a 34yo guy - I don't know - but I can't sit a read a long book. I just can't. So most of the books that I like are absorbed in my mind via audiobook form, which means my opinion can sometimes be tainted by the talent of the narrator... I love fantasy, horror (Lovecraftian type being my favorite), and science fiction (Frank Herbert type). With that said, to me, good fantasy books are books that aren't afraid to be fairy tales. Sometimes we get so obsessed with fantasy books that have complex or out-of-the-ordinary plots that we're afraid to enjoy books about good versus evil or ones that have happy endings. When it comes to fantasy, I find myself drawn to slightly older stories from the 1980s like The Belgaiad series and The Malloreon series by David Eddings. Part of that may be due to the exceptional talent of Camerom Beierle, who narrates them in official audiobook form - he's the best narrator I've ever heard (outside of Edward E French who does small novella readings here on KZbin). I was hugely disappointed with The Name of the Wind - the first hour or so started out so good and exciting, and then the dreaded "story of my life" moment occurred and I almost threw my tablet to the corner of the room. I managed to listen to 18 hours of the Name of the Wind before I finally decided that book was most definitely not for me. Absolutely nothing happens in it at least up to where I stopped. The beginning had such a J. R. R. Tolkien feel, what with the spider thing and all and a sense of adventure. And I was sooo exited when I got home that night so I could continue listening to it in bed... Never, ever, again will I trust the false appearance of review numbers (both quantity and star rating) for any type of book. That proved to me once and for all that group think does in fact play a role in things like this and that mass group-think ratings most definitely cannot be trusted. I have to wonder how many people who who claim they loved The Name of the Wind are just doing so because they feel obligated to. If I actually quizzed them on the plot details, I wonder how frequently I'd encounter people who didn't even make it as far in the book as I did before they gave up on it.

[@jaredg7516]

Warbreaker is my favorite. I wish he would make it into a series.

[@seanmills25]

He is 😊

[@nijinoshita3301]

ok I also have something overhyped: The Liveship Traders Trilogy! every Robin Hobb fan you see out there says it is the best of her books, I wasn't even able to finish it... I put it down in the middle of the mad ship, it just slogged on, and I couldn't get into it at all, now I picked up Fool's Errand yesterday and I am already halfway done with the book (will probably finish it today) that is how it was with the Farseer Trilogy as well, so I know that Robin Hobb is known for being slow, but the liveship traders was just gruesome in that regard for me...

[@gregorycrosby971]

The Farseer trilogy was the best for me.

[@jesse3715]

I think Kvothe as a character is overrated but Rothfus is a stunning writer. Please give me a Denna series, Pat, and I'll be happy. By far the best character in the series.

[@uptown3636]

Elliot Brooks is back in my KZbin recommendations! It's a good day. 😊

[@danielleoliver1734]

Dresden files is a good palette cleanser, they have reached a stage that they are really good books now but they do start a little rough. If you don’t like the humour though your not gonna love the books, it can be a bit boys locker room style especially in the beginning. They aren’t the best in fantasy or even urban fantasy though, there are better books out there

[@ebnovels]

I'd love to see your recs too!

[@danielleoliver1734]

@@ebnovels ok, a lot of the series are getting long and old so I can’t guarantee how the first free books would hold up but the classics would be: Ilona Andrews - Kate Daniels, and Hidden Legacy Patricia Briggs - Mercy Thompson Kim Harrison - The Hollows Nalini Singh - Psy-Changeling, and Guild Hunter Some less popular ones that I think are fun Michelle Sagara - Chronicles of Elantra (this one is in its own fantasy world with heaps of politics and different Magic’s and species, very underrated) Kalayna Price - Alex Craft (raises ghosts, speaks to Death, good cost to the magic) Jennifer Estep - Elemental Assassin (light fun with elemental powers in a gang-run city, plus good food descriptions) Elizabeth Hunter - Elemental Mysteries (Vampires, mysteries, secret books and great atmospheric writing) Jeaniene Frost - Night Huntress (light fun with vampires with elemental powers) Cheating with a few sci-fi with the sesame vibe I look for in most urban fantasy Jodi Taylor - Chronicles of St Mary’s (time travelling chaos - sorry anthropologists - done the best. Lots of British humour and tea as the past is recorded and studied and everything goes wrong. Probably favourite palette cleanser ever, so underrated - highly recommend the audio) Jessie Mihalik - Consortium Trilogy (great characters and action, political intrigue, plus only 3 books) Hopefully there is something in this list that will interest you

[@safinan8008]

Happy weekend reading to you! 📖💜

[@ebnovels]

Same to you!

[@divsunhinged]

CasSandra Clare .....

[@ebnovels]

This was just for adult fantasy-I also am guessing that author will appear in the YA one :)

[@quitabanana3684]

I don’t think the name of the wind is making fun of itself, but it is pretty clear that we should only trust Kvothe so much. I think Pat does a good job of letting Kvothe hype himself up but then show repeatedly how dense he is. Thays what makes Kvothe likeable, is the fact that he is clearly talented but also clearly a moron. I think he knows he is on some level but he also knows the power of a story and he explicitly says he uses that to his advantage.

[@kiteflying9317]

My experience with Stormlight Archive... book1 took me 1yr to finish, but when I got to the end it got extra hype. Book2 I finished it in 2wks. Then book 3 took me 2mo and book 4 took me 6 month. I have 1 friend who I introduced into the series had a similar experience but with a different time lapse. I still have not finished Mistborn, been 4yrs... Name of the Wind, been 8yrs since my friend introduced it to me and I'm only 30-40% completed ☹ ... I think I do better with light novels, less investment lol

[@maliatfirst9]

Adaptation work of The Greenbone saga?!! My wish has been granted!!🤩

[@ebnovels]

Yes, from what I've heard! I actually think it'll work really well as an adaptation :D

[@thecontradictorian2225]

I agree so much about Stormlight and First Law. I prefer Mistborn to Stormlight so far, and I’m not a huge fan of the ending of the FL trilogy. It’s sort of... underwhelming 🤨

[@Allenro711]

My favorite Sanderson book is actually The Emperor's Soul and the Legion books. I love them and they get so much done in such a small page count. Oh so Dresden Files actually gets better with the sexism? 5 books seems like a bit much to get through. I only read the first one and just did not understand the hype at all. On a different note, can we get some makeup tutorials where you match your eyeshadows to book covers?

[@ebnovels]

I’m actually planning on doing that video concept at some point...so yes 😄

[@Allenro711]

@@ebnovels Yay! Looking forward to it!

[@tarareads23]

I like the From Blood and Ash series. I’m reading the third book, The Crown of Gilded Bones now which just came out. I like it for what it is. A fun new adult fantasy. I’m with you on the sex scenes. I’m like, where are they? lol You can tell some people haven’t read steamy romance before. Cause it’s pretty tame and the usual from what I’ve read in numerous romance books. I thought the way people were talking about these sex scenes as if people were hanging from the rafters having sex. 🤣

[@proseandcons7730]

A court of thorns and roses and cruel prince were overhyped. Didn’t like them, I wasted my time.

[@laiaal.3324]

You hate Kvothe, I love Kvothe. I hate the First Law characters, you love the First Law characters. We both love Stormlight. And that is why reading is so amazing, for how each people will feel different about the same stories 😊

[@reginaldforthright805]

And I hate all those characters. Give me Drizzt or dragonlance.

[@laiaal.3324]

@@reginaldforthright805 that was very much NOT the point of my comment :( I was just showing how different we can feel about some things but yet equally love others Did you really need to be randomly negative in a random comment? If you hate them all, just ignore it please

[@joekratman1872]

I love Mistborn as much as the next guy and I hold it in very high regard but anyone saying Stormlight is his weakest adult series is just being contrarian IMO. That series contains his best writing and character work BY FAR and it’s not even halfway done yet. But to each their own, and I still have a whole lot of this video to get through 😂😂

[@ebnovels]

I love it personally, but I also (like everyone else) have yet to see how he pulls off the ending of this first arc 😄😄😄

[@joekratman1872]

@@ebnovels given his track record with endings, I’m putting my complete faith in him! That may come back to bite me though lol

[@tillhaeberlen1798]

Are you going to continue with the malazan series?

[@ebnovels]

I don’t plan to, but thank you for asking 😄

[@logennine-fingers208]

Say one thing for Logen Nine-fingers, say he is the best character in First law.

[@ebnovels]

He’s quite lovable 😌😌😌

[@myribstellmesheslying]

I expected Stormlight and Kingkiller here. Not disappointed. PS I loved both of those books to bits.

[@JolienReads]

Ugh yes, WoT. I understand that people like it, but I honestly don't see how people can LOVE it. It's soooo slow. And I love slow, but I need to care about what's going on and I just... Didn't for a lot of the plotlines haha. Also: I see that The Ninth Rain is back on your shelves. Did your friend like it? 😄

[@ebnovels]

Haha, she never got around to it. She still plans to eventually 😂 That’s so sweet of you to ask!

[@nxsardella]

It might be a time and place kind of thing. Wheel of Time was the first adult epic fantasy I read aside from LOTR and I got into it as a teenager, and at the time it blew my mind. Many of its criticisms are valid but for me and many it’s a case where the great far outweighs the issues it has and the nostalgia factor (plus the fact that you just spend SO MUCH time with the characters) means I will always love it.

[@JolienReads]

@@ebnovels Haha, I think everyone who reads a lot can relate, we just have too many books on our TBRs and we want to read everything 'soon'. 😅 I've been wanting to read the second book in that series since November and I still haven't gotten around to it!

[@JolienReads]

@@nxsardella Yeah, I can definitely see that, if you actually went through the entire series you spend so much time with all of the characters that it will always have a special place in your heart. Did you read it almost back to back? I tried to get into it but had a lot of other series that I was in the middle of and was enjoying more, so my focus wasn't on WoT and I found it therefore very hard to follow/be invested in the story. Maybe it's one of those series that needs to be your top priority.

[@nxsardella]

@@JolienReads Yeah, I did read it pretty much straight through. At the time I started all but the last book was out and I caught up a few months before the last one released. I’m sure I read a few other books here and there but for a solid 15ish months (I’m a pretty slow reader) WOT was about all I read which is kind of crazy to think about now. Like I said though, it definitely helped that I was young.

[@wraith.ferron]

There are minute clues in the Kingkiller Chronicles that Kvothe is an unreliable narrator that is making himself and his adventures a bit more grandiose than they really are. My favorite is that he describes every single woman he interacts with as being one of the most beautiful in the world, and eventually Bast gets sick of it and cuts Kvothe off saying "her nose is off-center" when he was describing Denna. I can't wait to discover just how much was true in the third book. I'm not saying this makes it less sexist at times, but it does help put the story into perspective. Though, it is definitely not for everyone, and I completely understand if it is off-putting to some.