The Best Fantasy Series You've Never Read

[@denechron]

According to wiki "On August 8, 2020, Warner Bros. purchased the film rights to the Memory, Sorrow and Thorn book trilogy and production is currently in the developmental planning stages." For me, as long as I read the books first, awful adaptations don't really tarnish them. Have toyed with the idea of reading Tad Williams for a long time, your video gave a strong push :)

[@kutark]

I used to hope that Raymond E Feist's work would be adapted to a tv show, but now i have completely done a 180. I am, in fact, desperately hoping that hollywood will NOT set its sights on it.

[@Asparagua]

Now they will because of Erik's video 😂

[@Asparagua]

And probably due to your comment as well

[@TheRetroGuy2000]

Great to see Tad Williams covered here! As you say, his MS&T series is amazing, and inspired not just GRRM, but an entire generation of other major writers, including Christopher Paolini and Patrick Rothfuss. I absolutely love the ending, and as you say, it's satisfying.

[@CaptainAugust]

My favorite fantasy series. The character and world building is truly among the best in the genre. I also love low mysterious frightening dangerous magic. The prose is also incredible, very elegant and beautiful but still easily digestible. The audio books are also extremely good, Andrew Wincott is amoung the best at what he does and his range is mind boggling.

[@paragoncumulus6636]

I read this series as a kid and kept it. I can't remember any of it. I just know it was important enough to me to keep it my whole life. Time to read it again I think.

[@eatoncw]

Got this series for Christmas after watching this video and just finished it. Thank you, thank you for this recommendation. I think I might have to dive right in to the next trilogy and stay in Osten Ard a while longer.

[@lovecraft7676]

Ordering now. Thanks for the heads up!

[@ErikKain]

You're welcome!

[@lindsaydarlin8265]

It'd on audible gonna give it a go thank you!

[@stuartarmstrong5190]

Sounds like I have a new fantasy series to explore! Thanks Erik

[@samuelleask1132]

Memory Sorrow and Thorn is soooo good

[@tjp4342]

Thank-you for the recommendation. Hearing that it was wrapped up in 3 books made me purchase this for some winter reading. Much like how I first branched out to a new author of the fantasy genre with David Eddings, I am looking forward to entering a new world after sinking so many years in Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time book series. Peace brother from another mother.

[@benvon14]

I have in fact read it when it came out and have loved it ever since. like you I would love to see it adapted, but i would probably hate the adaptation. Would be nice for Tad to get some of that sweet adaptation money though.

[@raymondsmith6870]

That is a good recommendation and I remember reading it in the 1990s and it was quite an excellent series. Around the same time I enjoyed the fantasy series by R.A. MacAvoy called Damiano(Damiano, Damiano's Lute & Raphael) which takes place in Medieval Italy. The Kushiel series from Jacqueline Carey which is the most out there series I have ever read. I am surprised that soft core HBO didn't want to pick up this erotic fantasy series. Though the author in the first book does so much world building that it takes till pg 350 for the story to really start going which should be a disclaimer of the cover as I nearly gave up before getting there.

[@Gamer-wj4qv]

Will check it out. Did read his Shadowmarch and Otherland

[@MrDe4dGuy34]

Thanks for the recommendation. I’ve been itching for a new series and nothing’s been landing for me lately. Hopefully this satisfies my book itch.

[@ErikKain]

Like I said, give it time. It pays off!

[@jasmineroberts6034]

George is the writer of Elden Ring. Its one of my next games I'd like to get ❤

[@halfkinrainbolt7041]

Thank-You so much Erik! After writing yet another sad and disappointed comment about a recent highly anticipated anniversary special, I decided to return to books and jigsaw puzzles for a while. I have the first book on hold at the library, if I really like it, I might purchase them. I have a great little personal library! Thanks again!

[@Conorkc86]

I read through your 7 books everyone should read. Great recommendations, between two fires is great 👍 will check these out!

[@ErikKain]

Between Two Fires is so damn good. I wish there were more like it.

[@Conorkc86]

@@ErikKain It has an amazing atmosphere, creepy but captivating. An absolute gem! Started the dragon bone chair this morning, looking forward to getting into it properly.

[@torq21]

Thanks for the recommendation! Have some credits on Audible that I was trying to figure out what to do with.

[@CaptainAugust]

Andrew Wincott is probably my favorite audio book narrator, you won't be disappointed.

[@mattsimnitt1420]

Excited to check these out.

[@danielcassady4115]

I will have to take a look at these. I'd love to hear your thoughts on Iron of the Innocent.

[@ErikKain]

Haven't heard of this one. It's good?

[@wotist]

As long as we're talking about obscure books written by obscure authors that no one has ever heard about (heh), I very much recommend Terry Brooks "The Void and the Word" - Originally published as a trilogy ("Running With the Demon" first book), it's also published as one book (which is how I read it). The Void and the Word is a Shannara prequel - But completely different, in that it takes place in present time in our world (1997-2012). I've read quite a few of the Shannara novels/series - Though I've never manage to get into/through the first one (Sword of Shannara) despite several attempts. This Prequel series and the one following it are by far my favorite Shannara novels. The main protagonist of the book/trilogy is a reluctant Knight of the Word; A wielder of the Black Staff - (Like other Knights of the word) he is haunted by horrible nightmares of future that will come to pass if he fails in his service to the Word. Working against him are demons in the service of the Void who both confront him directly, as well as try to corrupt him away from his service - Or just cause him to give up. The Knights do not choose service, they are chosen by the Word and are not allowed to leave this service of their own volition. While there are "big" battles of sorts (i.e. battles with directly important events), the battle between the Void and the Word is more than that and relatively "small" things like a school shooting can shift the balance in favor of the Void. 'The Word and the Void' is a complete story - But if you like it, it is followed by "The Genesis of Shannara", which like TVatW takes place in our world, though almost 100 years after the conclusion of the previous series, in a post-apocalyptic/nuclear-holocaust future. Your videos need more dogs. (You posted one video with your dogs some long time ago) - Keep one of your dogs in there with you during filming = Viewer numbers gold.

[@ErikKain]

They're often in the background barking!

[@poneill65]

Ever read Stephen Donaldson's Thomas Covenant Chronicles (the first three books at least)? That had me gripped when I read it long ago. Things in book 1 had me yelling at the character, an engagement I haven't often felt. overall I remember really enjoying the first chronicles (three books), the second was a bit of a slog. The third,... erm, I'll get to that someday!

[@ErikKain]

It's been on my list forever but I've never read it. Thanks for the reminder!

[@HT-jj5sx]

Sounds like a cool read. I'm wondering if you've ever read Pierce Brown's "Red Rising"? A friend described it to me as "Game of Thrones meets Hunter Games in Ancient Rome". Which... is kinda spot on, it's a Sci-fi series based in the future, but it's a terrific read.

[@ErikKain]

I have Red Rising on the (huge) list of things to read but haven't gotten to it yet.

[@HT-jj5sx]

@@ErikKain It's a really good read imo, The first 100 pages are a bit slow, but it's because the writer kinda tried to build the world before making an engaging character to root for, but it's amazing overall.

[@bluemoondm8629]

I've read (listened to) Dragonbone Chair and really liked it, I'm always up for some good old otherworldly horrors! I've pushed Stone of Farewell up on my list, thanks for reminding me! By the way I believe the series is currently on sale on Audible at 50% off for anyone that's interested. I've also been slowly working through Elric of Melniboné (Michael Moorcock,) and like Memory, Sorry & Thorn it's interesting to see what effect these in many ways foundational fantasy series had on future fiction. I see a lot of Warhammer in the Elric series (or vice versa truly,) as well as the obvious inspiration for The Witcher and other contemporary books. It's a shame that these fundamental pillars of the fantasy genre are not as often read as they should be.

[@ErikKain]

Yeah definitely finish the trilogy, it really goes in some cool directions. I've read, I think, just one Elric novel many years ago. Keep meaning to read more.

[@Sealdog]

I read Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn last year for the first time and wept at the end. What a beautiful, epic series. I did NOT like the newer trilogy though as they leaned more into the grimdark/graphically sexual than the originals.

[@ErikKain]

Oh that's disappointing. But yeah, very powerful ending!

[@jonnygadfly]

I've read these, but then again, I'm an old man too. XD

[@ErikKain]

Older, more experienced, wiser, better equipped to deal with the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune. Ain't so bad.

[@jonnygadfly]

@@ErikKain Well said!

[@CheeseWorks-vj4yi]

New music… I like it!

[@ErikKain]

Glad to hear it!

[@seanmurphy7011]

I never got past through the second book.

[@ErikKain]

Noooo!!!! It gets so bloody good you're really missing out

[@robertkruger5744]

I read the first years ago. Was one of my first fantasy books ever. It was fine but it didn’t stick with me. Will try again one day for sure

[@ErikKain]

@@robertkruger5744 you can't just read the first book. The story isn't anywhere close to complete by the end of the first book

[@frankie3041]

Read it back in the day. First book was very good. Second was good too, if i remember correctly. Third was awful.

[@j.d.5626]

I read it back in the 90s and I did not like it, actually I do not remember much of it. My brain just push it aside once I finished it. I remember how slow was the first book, not a trilogy for every one.

[@chaz9808]

Couldn’t get into it it starts way too slow for me

[@ErikKain]

Well you're missing one of the finest fantasy trilogies ever. Sometimes it's worth pushing through.