Feist and Tad Williams in the same video! Both series are amazing and I can’t wait for you to read them and talk about them. Memory sorrow, and thorn is the best of the best. Be prepared to have a new favorite author.
Have been reading several series this year, “Old Man War”, “Suneater”, “Licanus Trilogy”, Tower of Babel series by J. Bancroft, Bobiverse, and soon to start Magician series by Feist. All have been just excellent, with the exception of the Bobiverse which is getting weaker is I go along. I like the priority list, now back to reading The Ghost Brigades by Scalzi. Peace.
Wow those Raymond Feist book covers are just masterful! I feel like I'm in the minority when I critique minimalist covers like for "The Faithful and the Fallen" and "Red Rising". Classic fantasy covers are definitely my favorite
I love seeing the Elric books there in the background. I don't think I've seen a video where they have been mentioned or even seen them in the background of anyone sees videos.
I’m psyched for the Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn buddy read! Also so pumped for you to be starting Sun Eater, I have a really strong feeling about that one being a huge hit with you. Hadrian is our lovably dramatic sci-fi Fitz. In terms of the others, I’d say prioritize Green Bone - those books just read themselves!
Yes! I'm definitely excited for the Tad Williams discussions we'll have! I'm really excited for Sun Eater, too. I actually met Ruocchio yesterday here in Austin!
Memory sorrow and Thorne, sun eater, and Book of the new Sun are all absolutely incredible. All have a book in my top 10 all timers. I also need to get into Jade war and some Janny Wurts. Jennifer lyons is also somewhere on my list with the last war trilogy slightly in front since I lean more grim dark. This is a fun video concept-I may have to steal booktubes ideas one of these coming weeks Long price quartet is deep down the line somewhere for me too. So many good books on your list
OMG, I’m so excited for you to read some of these series. And I might have to join you for that read along! I didn’t end up finishing that series because life got in the way and it’s a favourite from what I’ve read. Also, I am reading the Danny Ryan trilogy by Winslow and loving it. Great video, Josh!!
Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn has been sitting on my shelf for such a long time. I think this is the incentive I need to get to it. I guess I now know what I will be reading in January! I also have a few more of your list unread on my shelf so potentially, 2025 could be the year of read along with Josh.
Looking forward to the MS&T read-along. Yess for Green Bone Saga! I’m on the second book right now and enjoying every bit of it. Did not know the final book was divisive. Really can’t wait to get to it now.
I’ve been looking for an excuse to read the Riftwar Saga so will begin with the original trilogy and then catch up with you on the Empire Series and the Crondor Sons duology and the Serpent War Saga; I have already and are getting the first three series from Grim Oak Press Also will be starting Sun Eater series with you (getting TBB books 1-3 soon) and plan to join you on the Memory Sorrow & Thorns read-along ( just like you have the first two books so far) Your video is great timing for me!
Glad you'll be picking up some Feist! I've been really enjoying his works. I'm jealous you'll be getting those all from Grim Oak Press; I have their version of the Belgariad, but they've started to sell books above my price range. :( They do great work though.
First, love the channel. Got Tad Williams on the TBR, and should put Sun Eater. This might be the perfect excuse to dive in. Again, love the channel and keep up the good work ☺️
Love this video (and the concept behind it)! You've got some fantastic reads lined up. Some of which I've read, some have been on TBR Mountain for a bit!
Sounds like you have some fun reading times ahead of you! I am super curious to hear your thoughts on Sun Eater, I keep procrastinating starting that myself haha. Gentleman Bastards, Greenbone Saga and Long Price Quartet get my vote to prioritise! Also, Scott Lynch is publishing 3 bridge short stories/novellas this winter, so hopefully that means that book 4 will come soon as well. He seems to be back in the game! Happy reading, Josh :))
Oh, I didn't know that about Scott Lynch - that's great! It looks like LPQ jumped the queue a bit as I'm going to buddy read that with John from Talking Story probably after Memory, Sorrow and Thorn!
A few things. Sun Eater is 🔥 and it only keeps on getting hotter. Tad Williams is a read from my TBR I’ll be tackling within the next two months. Third, I just built a 12x20 building strictly for recording video, my book collection, and my wife’s graphic design studio. I tell you this simply because your bookshelf is speaking to me…talking dirty, actually. I know have my inspiration for my custom bookshelf build
I think anyone who loves Tolkien will appreciate Fionavar. Kay wrote it not long after working on The Silmarillion and was strongly influenced by Middle Earth.
I might have to join the read-along. I have my own priority series, and Memory Sorrow and Thorn is on that list. I also need to read more Suneater. I'm on book 3 now. Then I'm trying to read the Kingsbridge series, and I'm about 300 pages into Pillars of the Earth. And I'm also 2 books into the Dagger and Coin series by Daniel Abraham. I think you're gonna love LPQ. It's a good comparison to Robin Hobb in some ways.
I've heard many positive comparisons of LPQ and Hobb - definitely enough to have me very intrigued! Hope you can join us for the Tad Williams read - I'm really excited to finally get to this one.
That's a pretty great list of books. I need to try Sun Eater myself, and I want to get to Fionavar before the year's out; I'm hoping to read all the remaining GGK I haven't gotten to as yet, actually. Hopefully they work out well for you!
I’ve read/listened to some of the books/series: Sun Eater (awesome but book 1 is a slow burn), green bone saga, the Dragonbone chair, and Locke lamora. All good stuff. I’ll check out Don Winslow and Raymond Feist. Since I use my local library, they don’t have Janny Wurts audiobooks, I’ll have to wait to read her books.
Thanks! I've read the first two books and first two novellas and am enjoying it so far. Not putting it in the best ever category quite yet, but have enjoyed my time.
I agree with your top 3, but the one author you should prioritize ? Gene Wolfe.... I've only read The Fifth head of Cerberus, but I enjoyed it greatly, and with just that one book, I can tell that Gene Wolfe has that something special... But I also didn't know about that trilogy from Janny Wurtz, so thank you for that !
When you start Cycle of Fire so will I, I have it on my shelf. After many months of writing Dragonbone Chair as a write in vote in your TBR polls it is finally happening! I hope Darko & Ben join you in the live discussion! I think you will absolutely fall in love.❤ So going forward I will put Shadow of the Gods as my write in vote. Please put all 3 Bloodsworn trilogy books on your wish list!! I hope you slot it in for early 2026…😀 After reading the Baroque trilogy it might be exactly what you need, the most fantastical story that is a page turner with Tolkeinesque & Cornwellian moments!!
That's awesome, Heidi! I do need to get Cycle of Fire first to prioritize it! I'm pretty sure both Ben and Dark-o will be joining in the read along and discussions. I'm really excited. Thanks for helping push me to the starting line! :)
Hi Josh. Priority series include ASOIAF which I'll continue with Book 2 this fall. I also need to finish the Babel series by Josiah Bancroft. I also want to read The Baroque Cycle and novels by Christopher Roccio, but I don't know when.
Would love to do Tad Williams with you but I am starting WoLaS in January. If you want I would love to read either Green Bone or Long Price or the GGK with you. Just let me know when you wanna start. Great list!
I’d like to see you prioritize the Gentleman Bastard sequence, Green Bone Saga, and The Fionavar Tapestry selfishly because I already own these books and await a reason to pick them up and read them
My priority series currently are: 1. Wheel of Time (on Book 5, with a goal to get through Book 6 at minimum by the end of this year, but possibly through Book 8) 2. Memory, Sorry, and Thorn (would be my first Tad Williams. Bought all of these, so they're just waiting for me to read them. Not including the sequel series as I'm going to let some time pass before going to those) 3. Stormlight Archive 4. First Law Trilogy 5. Realm of the Elderlings
I loved Suneater and Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn and I think you will enjoy those series as well. I have been reading through The Echoes Saga and recently started the first book in The Wars of Light and Shadow. Of the seven, I would be curious about The Cycle of Fire. I read the Jade City and Fionavar Tapestry and enjoyed both, but I wouldn’t call them all time favorites. I have no regrets reading them though. On a side note, as a result of your praise for Dennis Lehane, I picked up and read Moonlight Mile last week. As I was reading the book, I felt like I was supposed to already know the characters. After doing a quick check I realized it was the sixth novel in a detective series. I had already invested some time in it so I went ahead and finished the book but I’m pretty sure it ruined the plot for one of the earlier books. 🤦🏻♀️ I picked up two more books of his and I think they are standalones or a first book but will check before beginning this time. 🙄 A favorite mystery series for me is the Longmire books, and I highly recommend them if you enjoy modern day mysteries with a western touch. They are fast reads too. The Audible narrator did the Dark Tower series, and the books are currently free for Audible members. Anyway, I look forward to your thoughts on these series, and I’m glad to see you continuing with Malazan.
Yes, Moonlight Mile is definitely not a good entry point to Lehane! I would circle back to A Drink Before the War or one of the stand alone novels. I have a Lehane reading guide coming out later this year (probably not until December), but that might not help you at this point haha
Tad williams and 2nd series of robin hobb for me next year you have to good choices, ggk I hear you talk highly of him I have 3 book just waiting to get to him great vid 👍
Snap! I just read Shadow of a Dark Queen and loved it. Re Neal Stephenson, I love his stuff but I’m not sure Quicksilver is very representative. I found it too meandering. Ymmv because you like historical fiction. Just encouraging you to not be put off him if you don’t like this first dip into his fiction!
If you love Robin Hobb I can't imagine that you won't also love Memory, Sorrow & Thorn. Just re-read it recently so won't necessarily join for the read along but I do look forward to any discussion videos. I'm currently working my way back through the first 3 books of the sequel series in anticipation of the final book coming out in November. Of your unprioritized books, I would recommend The Fionovar Tapestry (mainly because it's the one I've actually read, though it's been a while, and you simply can't go wrong with GGK even if this trilogy is very different from his later works). I'd be up for a read-along for that one as my over-priced pretty versions of them come in from Grim Oak Press. I'd also be interested in your thoughts on the Gentlemen Bastard's series...I seem to recall having read the Lies of Locke Lamora a while ago but I don't recall many details...and I almost got in on those Broken Binding editions myself. :)
"You can't go wrong with GGK." Indeed! He's 7 for 7 for me. And I agree with your thoughts with Grim Oak Press - I used to love them (still do), but they've priced me out of buying anything from them. Luckily Broken Binding is filling that void!
@@RedFuryBooks I hear you! Agree that Broken Binding has some really beautiful (and much more affordable, even with shipping from the UK) editions, Their proposed artwork for The Dragonbone Chair is gorgeous, but I don't know if I can make it on to their Fantasy subscription list in time. Would love for them to do an edition for something like The Sarantine Mosaic (since I believe they do duologies periodically).
@@michelemartin7673 I have my fingers crossed for Broken Binding to do Sarantine Mosaic. They're doing Memory, Sorrow and Thorn in 4 volumes late this year and said they'll do a shorter series to get back to their 4 trilogies a year model. I don't know many fantasy duologies, so I hope it's Sarantine!
I read the Gene Wolf books back when I was in high school. (I'm 55) and I remember thinking they were weird. Not bad or good. Just weird. I'd probably feel differently now but I'll wait for your opinion before I try to start a reread. I'll echo what you've probably heard from other folks when it comes to The Gentlemen Bastards stuff. I loved the first one, liked the second and thought the third was nothing special. I assume there is more to come in the series and I doubt I'll prioritize it when it is released. The Fionivar Tapestry is far from GGK's best but its definitely worth your time. I read it when it was first published and have no regrets. I'm excited to here that GGK has a new novel out in May! I always worry that his latest release will be his last so I'm stoked that he has at least one more to come. Right now I'm rereading the first two books in The Black Company series by Glen Cook. I just finished Port of Shadows which is an interquel which chronologically takes place during the six-year gap between the first two books and the third. It came out in 2018 and I wanted to refresh my memory on the events that came before it. I had forgotten just how fantastic those first two books were. Amazingly good. I know Erickson was heavily influenced by Cook's work but Malazan just pales in comparison. His writing is just so dry. Cook breathes life into his characters and his world in a way that makes you feel just how small a company of tough as nails, hard ass soldiers are compared to the dark sorcerers that they work for and against. So much more enjoyable than the grind that Malazan can feel like at times. Give those first couple of books a shot. If you like Malazan at all then you should love The Black Company. Also, The Black Tongue Thief by Christopher Buehlman. I can never say enough good things about it. Read it! Just read it! (sorry this is so long, I tend to get carried away when it comes to books) :-)
No worries about the comments length - I can think of many worse things than to get carried away by books! I've heard a lot of great things about both Buehlman and Glen Cook and definitely want to read them in the future. Going into Fionavar with more muted expectations is fine with me - I want to read all of his works because I do love pretty much everything I've read so far! I'll be finishing the Sarantine Mosaic probably tomorrow and it's been rather remarkable.
@@RedFuryBooks I believe "remarkable" is the baseline for GGK. Sometimes he is even better than that and sometimes hes a little worse but he always delivers. I envy you getting to read his stuff for the first time.
Did you pick Malazan back up Josh? I think I remember a video of yours where you'd decided it wasn't for you. Personally, I'm stuck at Memories of Ice, and am having trouble finding the motivation to restart it; especially with all of these other highly rated series loomimg on my horizon as well.
I did give Memories of Ice another shot, and loved it a lot. I'll be spreading the series out and reading 3 a year during weeks when I'm off from work so I have the time to focus on the challenges inherent in a Malazan read.
I hope you enjoy Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn. Just a heads up, it's a slog, like all of Tad Williams' series are. A lot of text is spent on mundane things like day-to-day chores and trekking through the wilderness. Also, the main character can be annoying. Simon is definitely meant to be a more realistic portrayal of a teenager. However, if you're patient and push on, the payoff is so worth it.
Simon is no more annoying than Fitz; in both cases, their behavior is IMO consistent with the situations they find themselves in. And one person's "slog" is another person's "world-building, context setting, and spending time getting to know the characters". I think it's something both Hobb and Williams excel at.
I'm sure this is just me, but I found Fionavar to be a major disappointment. In fact, I DNF'd it halfway through the 2nd volume. It's not in the same league with his other work - very much the work of a beginning writer. My eyes hurt from how much I rolled them...
Am so envious of your starting Memory Sorrow and Thorn. I have it penciled in for 2026 due to Malazan, RoTe, WoT and Stormlight. Why do fantasy series have to be such a time sink 😅🫣
Feist and Tad Williams in the same video! Both series are amazing and I can’t wait for you to read them and talk about them. Memory sorrow, and thorn is the best of the best. Be prepared to have a new favorite author.
I love thinking that I may find a new favorite!
Tad Williams and Robin Hobbs are on my priority list, Gene Wolf too but his books scare me
To be honest, Gene Wolfe scares me a bit too.
Mate I've gotta get on this Sun Eater series, thanks for the reminder. It sounds so good.
Fate works in mysterious ways! I'm so glad you picked that day to visit HPB. You have several terrific series on your priority TBR.
I can't wait!
Have been reading several series this year, “Old Man War”, “Suneater”, “Licanus Trilogy”, Tower of Babel series by J. Bancroft, Bobiverse, and soon to start Magician series by Feist. All have been just excellent, with the exception of the Bobiverse which is getting weaker is I go along. I like the priority list, now back to reading The Ghost Brigades by Scalzi. Peace.
Yessssss LPQ!!!!🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉 you will LOVE them!!
I hope so!
Wow those Raymond Feist book covers are just masterful! I feel like I'm in the minority when I critique minimalist covers like for "The Faithful and the Fallen" and "Red Rising". Classic fantasy covers are definitely my favorite
I prefer the old school covers as well!
I had some Janny Wurts, a good ointment cleared them up.
I love seeing the Elric books there in the background. I don't think I've seen a video where they have been mentioned or even seen them in the background of anyone sees videos.
Yes, those books need more modern eyes on them! I read Stormbringer earlier this year and it'll likely be top 5 for the year for me.
Great video and a lot of good books I need to check out!
Count me in for the readalong!! Can’t wait to join in with you all. Also looking forward to hearing what you think of the marvelous Suneater!
Awesome and awesome!
I’m psyched for the Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn buddy read!
Also so pumped for you to be starting Sun Eater, I have a really strong feeling about that one being a huge hit with you. Hadrian is our lovably dramatic sci-fi Fitz.
In terms of the others, I’d say prioritize Green Bone - those books just read themselves!
Yes! I'm definitely excited for the Tad Williams discussions we'll have! I'm really excited for Sun Eater, too. I actually met Ruocchio yesterday here in Austin!
And I forgot to mention that I’m working my way through Guy Gavriel Kay’s books.
Memory sorrow and Thorne, sun eater, and Book of the new Sun are all absolutely incredible. All have a book in my top 10 all timers.
I also need to get into Jade war and some Janny Wurts. Jennifer lyons is also somewhere on my list with the last war trilogy slightly in front since I lean more grim dark.
This is a fun video concept-I may have to steal booktubes ideas one of these coming weeks
Long price quartet is deep down the line somewhere for me too. So many good books on your list
Ohhh I think I might join for MS&T since I own them🎉🎉
Hope you can join us!
OMG, I’m so excited for you to read some of these series. And I might have to join you for that read along! I didn’t end up finishing that series because life got in the way and it’s a favourite from what I’ve read. Also, I am reading the Danny Ryan trilogy by Winslow and loving it. Great video, Josh!!
That would be awesome if you could join, Theo! And that's great to hear about that Danny Ryan trilogy too!
Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn has been sitting on my shelf for such a long time. I think this is the incentive I need to get to it. I guess I now know what I will be reading in January! I also have a few more of your list unread on my shelf so potentially, 2025 could be the year of read along with Josh.
Oh awesome - join us! I'm really excited to get to these books.
Also, Howling Dark (2nd in the Suneater series) is a fantastic pick for spooky season, its too bad you're actually reading it in December 😆
Looking forward to the MS&T read-along. Yess for Green Bone Saga! I’m on the second book right now and enjoying every bit of it. Did not know the final book was divisive. Really can’t wait to get to it now.
Awesome!
I will join Memory, Sorrow, & Thorn if I’m not too bogged down! I am certain you will LOVE Long Price Quartet! Happy reading!
I hope you can join in MST!
I’ve been looking for an excuse to read the Riftwar Saga so will begin with the original trilogy and then catch up with you on the Empire Series and the Crondor Sons duology and the Serpent War Saga; I have already and are getting the first three series from Grim Oak Press
Also will be starting Sun Eater series with you (getting TBB books 1-3 soon) and plan to join you on the Memory Sorrow & Thorns read-along ( just like you have the first two books so far)
Your video is great timing for me!
Glad you'll be picking up some Feist! I've been really enjoying his works. I'm jealous you'll be getting those all from Grim Oak Press; I have their version of the Belgariad, but they've started to sell books above my price range. :( They do great work though.
You’re right about the trend in prices, I wish it weren’t so, I’m spending more than I’d like to admit
First, love the channel. Got Tad Williams on the TBR, and should put Sun Eater. This might be the perfect excuse to dive in. Again, love the channel and keep up the good work ☺️
Thanks so much!
Love this video (and the concept behind it)! You've got some fantastic reads lined up. Some of which I've read, some have been on TBR Mountain for a bit!
Sounds like you have some fun reading times ahead of you! I am super curious to hear your thoughts on Sun Eater, I keep procrastinating starting that myself haha.
Gentleman Bastards, Greenbone Saga and Long Price Quartet get my vote to prioritise! Also, Scott Lynch is publishing 3 bridge short stories/novellas this winter, so hopefully that means that book 4 will come soon as well. He seems to be back in the game!
Happy reading, Josh :))
Oh, I didn't know that about Scott Lynch - that's great! It looks like LPQ jumped the queue a bit as I'm going to buddy read that with John from Talking Story probably after Memory, Sorrow and Thorn!
@@RedFuryBooks Just heard about the LPQ buddy read in John's video, very exciting! Hope you two both love it!
A few things. Sun Eater is 🔥 and it only keeps on getting hotter. Tad Williams is a read from my TBR I’ll be tackling within the next two months. Third, I just built a 12x20 building strictly for recording video, my book collection, and my wife’s graphic design studio. I tell you this simply because your bookshelf is speaking to me…talking dirty, actually. I know have my inspiration for my custom bookshelf build
Oh that's awesome - glad to have been of help with your bookshelf project! That's amazing! I hope you document it all and share it.
@@RedFuryBooks you bet!
I think anyone who loves Tolkien will appreciate Fionavar. Kay wrote it not long after working on The Silmarillion and was strongly influenced by Middle Earth.
Great to know!
MST is on my radar, as well and I thought I'd let you know that Traitor's Knot made it here safe and sound!
Awesome! Glad it arrived - enjoy!
I might have to join the read-along. I have my own priority series, and Memory Sorrow and Thorn is on that list. I also need to read more Suneater. I'm on book 3 now. Then I'm trying to read the Kingsbridge series, and I'm about 300 pages into Pillars of the Earth. And I'm also 2 books into the Dagger and Coin series by Daniel Abraham.
I think you're gonna love LPQ. It's a good comparison to Robin Hobb in some ways.
I've heard many positive comparisons of LPQ and Hobb - definitely enough to have me very intrigued! Hope you can join us for the Tad Williams read - I'm really excited to finally get to this one.
That's a pretty great list of books. I need to try Sun Eater myself, and I want to get to Fionavar before the year's out; I'm hoping to read all the remaining GGK I haven't gotten to as yet, actually. Hopefully they work out well for you!
We're both on a quest to read more GGK!
I’ve read/listened to some of the books/series: Sun Eater (awesome but book 1 is a slow burn), green bone saga, the Dragonbone chair, and Locke lamora. All good stuff. I’ll check out Don Winslow and Raymond Feist. Since I use my local library, they don’t have Janny Wurts audiobooks, I’ll have to wait to read her books.
I know Janny Wurts is working to get more of her books on audible, so I hope that happens!
Since I have been eyeing the Sun Eater series it will be of real interest to me to hear your reaction/assessment.
Thanks! I've read the first two books and first two novellas and am enjoying it so far. Not putting it in the best ever category quite yet, but have enjoyed my time.
@@RedFuryBooks Ah, interesting. Thanks for the 'sneak peek'.
May have to join you on your readalong! I have been meaning to read that series for about a decade, and I recently picked up book one.
That's awesome, Ian, I hope you can join us!
I agree with your top 3, but the one author you should prioritize ? Gene Wolfe.... I've only read The Fifth head of Cerberus, but I enjoyed it greatly, and with just that one book, I can tell that Gene Wolfe has that something special...
But I also didn't know about that trilogy from Janny Wurtz, so thank you for that !
When you start Cycle of Fire so will I, I have it on my shelf.
After many months of writing Dragonbone Chair as a write in vote in your TBR polls it is finally happening! I hope Darko & Ben join you in the live discussion! I think you will absolutely fall in love.❤
So going forward I will put Shadow of the Gods as my write in vote. Please put all 3 Bloodsworn trilogy books on your wish list!! I hope you slot it in for early 2026…😀 After reading the Baroque trilogy it might be exactly what you need, the most fantastical story that is a page turner with Tolkeinesque & Cornwellian moments!!
That's awesome, Heidi! I do need to get Cycle of Fire first to prioritize it! I'm pretty sure both Ben and Dark-o will be joining in the read along and discussions. I'm really excited. Thanks for helping push me to the starting line! :)
I just finished MST the other day and really enjoyed it
Awesome!
I think you're going to love LPQ so I would prioritize that one.
Thanks!
Hi Josh. Priority series include ASOIAF which I'll continue with Book 2 this fall. I also need to finish the Babel series by Josiah Bancroft. I also want to read The Baroque Cycle and novels by Christopher Roccio, but I don't know when.
I hope to reread ASOIAF at some point (waiting on Winds of Winter) as they are so good. I hope you love the continuation of the series!
Would love to do Tad Williams with you but I am starting WoLaS in January. If you want I would love to read either Green Bone or Long Price or the GGK with you. Just let me know when you wanna start. Great list!
Let's plan on Long Price Quartet mid year next year!
@@RedFuryBooks you got it!
I’d like to see you prioritize the Gentleman Bastard sequence, Green Bone Saga, and The Fionavar Tapestry selfishly because I already own these books and await a reason to pick them up and read them
Awesome - thanks!
My priority series currently are:
1. Wheel of Time (on Book 5, with a goal to get through Book 6 at minimum by the end of this year, but possibly through Book 8)
2. Memory, Sorry, and Thorn (would be my first Tad Williams. Bought all of these, so they're just waiting for me to read them. Not including the sequel series as I'm going to let some time pass before going to those)
3. Stormlight Archive
4. First Law Trilogy
5. Realm of the Elderlings
Some great books ahead! Realm of the Elderlings and First Law in particular!
the dragonbone chair
I loved Suneater and Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn and I think you will enjoy those series as well. I have been reading through The Echoes Saga and recently started the first book in The Wars of Light and Shadow. Of the seven, I would be curious about The Cycle of Fire. I read the Jade City and Fionavar Tapestry and enjoyed both, but I wouldn’t call them all time favorites. I have no regrets reading them though.
On a side note, as a result of your praise for Dennis Lehane, I picked up and read Moonlight Mile last week. As I was reading the book, I felt like I was supposed to already know the characters. After doing a quick check I realized it was the sixth novel in a detective series. I had already invested some time in it so I went ahead and finished the book but I’m pretty sure it ruined the plot for one of the earlier books. 🤦🏻♀️ I picked up two more books of his and I think they are standalones or a first book but will check before beginning this time. 🙄 A favorite mystery series for me is the Longmire books, and I highly recommend them if you enjoy modern day mysteries with a western touch. They are fast reads too. The Audible narrator did the Dark Tower series, and the books are currently free for Audible members. Anyway, I look forward to your thoughts on these series, and I’m glad to see you continuing with Malazan.
Yes, Moonlight Mile is definitely not a good entry point to Lehane! I would circle back to A Drink Before the War or one of the stand alone novels. I have a Lehane reading guide coming out later this year (probably not until December), but that might not help you at this point haha
Tad williams and 2nd series of robin hobb for me next year you have to good choices, ggk I hear you talk highly of him I have 3 book just waiting to get to him great vid 👍
Hobb and GGK are my two favorite fantasy novelists. Thanks for checking out the video!
@@RedFuryBooks really must start reading GGK books
Snap! I just read Shadow of a Dark Queen and loved it. Re Neal Stephenson, I love his stuff but I’m not sure Quicksilver is very representative. I found it too meandering. Ymmv because you like historical fiction. Just encouraging you to not be put off him if you don’t like this first dip into his fiction!
Oh cool! Not many on BookTube have talked about that Feist series! Thanks for the info with Stephenson too!
If you love Robin Hobb I can't imagine that you won't also love Memory, Sorrow & Thorn. Just re-read it recently so won't necessarily join for the read along but I do look forward to any discussion videos. I'm currently working my way back through the first 3 books of the sequel series in anticipation of the final book coming out in November. Of your unprioritized books, I would recommend The Fionovar Tapestry (mainly because it's the one I've actually read, though it's been a while, and you simply can't go wrong with GGK even if this trilogy is very different from his later works). I'd be up for a read-along for that one as my over-priced pretty versions of them come in from Grim Oak Press. I'd also be interested in your thoughts on the Gentlemen Bastard's series...I seem to recall having read the Lies of Locke Lamora a while ago but I don't recall many details...and I almost got in on those Broken Binding editions myself. :)
"You can't go wrong with GGK." Indeed! He's 7 for 7 for me. And I agree with your thoughts with Grim Oak Press - I used to love them (still do), but they've priced me out of buying anything from them. Luckily Broken Binding is filling that void!
@@RedFuryBooks I hear you! Agree that Broken Binding has some really beautiful (and much more affordable, even with shipping from the UK) editions, Their proposed artwork for The Dragonbone Chair is gorgeous, but I don't know if I can make it on to their Fantasy subscription list in time. Would love for them to do an edition for something like The Sarantine Mosaic (since I believe they do duologies periodically).
@@michelemartin7673 I have my fingers crossed for Broken Binding to do Sarantine Mosaic. They're doing Memory, Sorrow and Thorn in 4 volumes late this year and said they'll do a shorter series to get back to their 4 trilogies a year model. I don't know many fantasy duologies, so I hope it's Sarantine!
I read the Gene Wolf books back when I was in high school. (I'm 55) and I remember thinking they were weird. Not bad or good. Just weird. I'd probably feel differently now but I'll wait for your opinion before I try to start a reread. I'll echo what you've probably heard from other folks when it comes to The Gentlemen Bastards stuff. I loved the first one, liked the second and thought the third was nothing special. I assume there is more to come in the series and I doubt I'll prioritize it when it is released. The Fionivar Tapestry is far from GGK's best but its definitely worth your time. I read it when it was first published and have no regrets. I'm excited to here that GGK has a new novel out in May! I always worry that his latest release will be his last so I'm stoked that he has at least one more to come.
Right now I'm rereading the first two books in The Black Company series by Glen Cook. I just finished Port of Shadows which is an interquel which chronologically takes place during the six-year gap between the first two books and the third. It came out in 2018 and I wanted to refresh my memory on the events that came before it. I had forgotten just how fantastic those first two books were. Amazingly good. I know Erickson was heavily influenced by Cook's work but Malazan just pales in comparison. His writing is just so dry. Cook breathes life into his characters and his world in a way that makes you feel just how small a company of tough as nails, hard ass soldiers are compared to the dark sorcerers that they work for and against. So much more enjoyable than the grind that Malazan can feel like at times. Give those first couple of books a shot. If you like Malazan at all then you should love The Black Company. Also, The Black Tongue Thief by Christopher Buehlman. I can never say enough good things about it. Read it! Just read it! (sorry this is so long, I tend to get carried away when it comes to books) :-)
No worries about the comments length - I can think of many worse things than to get carried away by books! I've heard a lot of great things about both Buehlman and Glen Cook and definitely want to read them in the future. Going into Fionavar with more muted expectations is fine with me - I want to read all of his works because I do love pretty much everything I've read so far! I'll be finishing the Sarantine Mosaic probably tomorrow and it's been rather remarkable.
@@RedFuryBooks I believe "remarkable" is the baseline for GGK. Sometimes he is even better than that and sometimes hes a little worse but he always delivers. I envy you getting to read his stuff for the first time.
Did you pick Malazan back up Josh? I think I remember a video of yours where you'd decided it wasn't for you. Personally, I'm stuck at Memories of Ice, and am having trouble finding the motivation to restart it; especially with all of these other highly rated series loomimg on my horizon as well.
I did give Memories of Ice another shot, and loved it a lot. I'll be spreading the series out and reading 3 a year during weeks when I'm off from work so I have the time to focus on the challenges inherent in a Malazan read.
I hope you enjoy Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn. Just a heads up, it's a slog, like all of Tad Williams' series are. A lot of text is spent on mundane things like day-to-day chores and trekking through the wilderness. Also, the main character can be annoying. Simon is definitely meant to be a more realistic portrayal of a teenager. However, if you're patient and push on, the payoff is so worth it.
Thanks for the heads up! A slow burn has never bothered me -that's one thing I heard often about Robin Hobb's books but I love them.
Simon is no more annoying than Fitz; in both cases, their behavior is IMO consistent with the situations they find themselves in. And one person's "slog" is another person's "world-building, context setting, and spending time getting to know the characters". I think it's something both Hobb and Williams excel at.
@@michelemartin7673 I’m not complaining. Just saying it may not be everyone’s cup of tea.
You definitely want to read Fionavar before Ysabel. I would say Kay's historical stuff is better than Fionavar, but I love Fionavar too
I think I had heard that about Ysabel. My plan was to read those two things last.
I'm sure this is just me, but I found Fionavar to be a major disappointment. In fact, I DNF'd it halfway through the 2nd volume. It's not in the same league with his other work - very much the work of a beginning writer. My eyes hurt from how much I rolled them...
I'm definitely going in with muted expectations.
Am so envious of your starting Memory Sorrow and Thorn. I have it penciled in for 2026 due to Malazan, RoTe, WoT and Stormlight. Why do fantasy series have to be such a time sink 😅🫣
Right? If only epic fantasy weren't so epic in length!