Can we just talk about what a gift it was for you to be able to go into ATLA as an adult without spoilers?!?! So many fans would have killed for that experience 😂
Absolutely trhilled to make the list! Consider my jaw dropped. So glad Songs of Chaos has been hitting for you, and I hope Defiant continues to live up. I've let Phil know 😉Right, better get back to Reckoning then....
I read the free sampler and then immediately requested my local public library order the entire series, to which I am impatiently waiting on the copies coming in
I hope you get a chance to read The River of Silver. It was a nice way to revisit the world of Daevabad, so much so that I listened to the trilogy on audiobook right after.
I watched ATLAB with my kids for our first time ever this year and was AMAZED! My boys loved it, i loved it, and my husband who’s not into nerdy stuff loved it! 💙 the writing was done so well! My kids picked up on things that some adults wouldn’t have. Just chef’s kiss! 👩🍳 💋i also love Arcane and am so excited for season 2!
So excited for S2 of Arcane dropping next month, looking forward to your reactions. Also thanks for recommending Race the Sands, while I found the plot somewhat predictable the characters were so well developed that I thoroughly enjoyed the entire ride. And I requested my local library get a copy of Ascendant after hearing your recommendation, will see if they can get Rise of the Ranger as well.
If you haven't already, I think you should read Dungeon Meshi. it's currently partially animated, but it's manga finished last year and it is exceptional.
Thanks for the Spark of the Everflame rec. It reminds me a lot of how urban fantasy works. It's a genre where connections to other characters really shine. And because the series are often longer, you get to see the awesome cast over many books. Ilona Andrews is one of the best authors at this. Their Innkeeper series is a great mix of cozy and action and awesome cast of side characters (including a resident former intergalactic tyrant). And their Hidden Legacy is a series with great action and magic (best magical battles I've ever read), wonderful family dynamic and red hot slow burn romance. And for more fantasy setting version there's Michelle Sagara's wonderful Elantra books.
soooo glad you picked city of brass back up! i have a what seems to be 100% book taste alignment with you (to the point of searching "book name elliot brooks" before a purchase) and you not continuing my favourite fantasy series was the only contradiction to that until now 😂
Have you tried the book version(s) of The Apothecary Diaries? I'm intrigued by the story, but I just can't decide between the light novels, the manga, and the anime. I prefer to read novels, but someone I know said 'no no no, read the manga, it's excellent!' and then others say 'no no no, definitely watch the anime!' and now I don't know what to do...!
I only just started getting into Apothecary Diaries but my approach is to make it through the manga first and watch the anime up to the manga volume I completed most recently, and if I still feel like it then, I might pick up the light novel once I've fully caught up with the manga. So far, the anime followed the manga pretty closely, but I still think both are enjoyable in their own right. The manga's art style is so neat and it's fun to read about Maomao's thoughts. And it's hilarious to see Maomao's reactions fully animated on screen. So yeah, I'm having a great time with both.
I read Age of Madness early last year and, nearly 2 years later, every time I find a book character I like I still think "But I love Prince Orso so much more!"
Just wondering - since you’ve started branching out into romantasy recently - would you ever consider checking out LitRPG/Progression series one day (like Shadow Slave, Dungeon Crawler Carl, He Who Fights With Monsters, Bastion, The Perfect Run, Mother of Learning etc.)?
+Super Supportive, my current fav Although I would preface *He Who Fights with Monsters* with the warning that while it never stops being interesting, there is a point where you start to see the burnout show and the quality becomes uneven. And I'd also add *The Cultist of Cerebron* because it's pretty solid and an unusual take compared to other litrpgs I've read.
My stand out favorite series of the year have both been series stories on Royal Road of all places. *Mother of Learning* is actually properly collected into ebooks and a precious few kickstarter physical books that I kinda want and might get myself for Christmas. I highly recommend it, although it has kinda ruined Time Loop stories for me for the time being because its just so good the others pale in comparison. I thought that was the best thing I'd read in a long time and then I found *Super Supportive* and I just spent weeks being obsessed. Alien wizards, superheroes, and sooo many loveable characters oh my! It's just so good >_< Come for the world building, stay for the characters, get the rug pulled out from underneath you when the plot takes a turn. To quote Sleyca, "I like danger and alien beverage etiquette." Turns out I do too.
I’m not entirely sure where to recommend or offer books to read but one of my favorites this year is The Blacktongue Thief - I’m having a blast reading it and I can’t find anyone to talk to about it that’s read it/wants to read it but I’m also not really in any reading circles :o( If anyone knows of like discord communities to meet other readers (especially for fantasy) please lmk cause I’m dying for some people to read with and discuss books.
Imo we live in an age of quantity over quality… especially seen with books, tv, music. I think the quality of our art is just as high as previous generations… but it’s getting buried by a lot of meh.
I can't do it because I was into the manga before it became an anime. From what little I have seen of it, the anime looks fabulous but I'm just wedded to the version I came to know and love first.
Daevabad and Race the Sands were some of my favourites last year! I'll have to check out the others, although indie pub is less likely to be at the library - I'll have to dig around.
I was also very excited about Spark of the everflame, unfortunately I could not get through book 3. I hated the main character (not in a good way) by then. Such a bummer, I thought there was a lot of potential.
I am so sorry for missing your last five weeks of videos due to my mom battling cancer and I am so sad to say that see has lost her battle ❤❤❤love your Aussie family friend John ❤❤❤
I just finished City of brass two days ago and on the fence about getting the next two. Character motivations went a bit awray and the romance came out of nowhere.
I think you'll be happy with the 2nd book (there's no romance in it). It's by far my favorite book in the series!! I didn't like book 3 at all though so :( ... But I think you'd like book 2 if you like the world !
15:44 I have not read that series. I know the feeling. Why do we need "similar". That series is that great, or any other book, because it is its own thing and not a "copy" of something something. Let apreciate that and fact you found it and read it. Simply put I love the books that I love and don't want similar. I am trying romantacy out now and they all look and read the same and use same tropes. If one more FL "tells me" how good looking MC is I am going to wish he dies 😑 like characters in GoT.
I tried reading Rise of the RAnger but it was horrible, I just couldn't stand the very, v.e.r.y. tropy use of the fantasy genre. And when the author switched to a more abercrombie inspired mood - it felt unauthenthic and I just laughed. It had a lot of issues with the prose as well, the setting of the scenes focused on very weird and unimportant details... like where doors that are not used were are located... stuff like that. I heard from other readers that the prose gets better later in the series, but the pastiche style of narrative doesn't. So I gave up. I really did not get it with this one... I would just rather re-read Tolkien than to have Tolkien re-told to me by someone else.
I'd love to hear your thoughts on DanDaDan. Either the manga or the new anime adaptation on Netflix. It's batshit crazy in the best way. And, for all it's weirdness, it's got a real core message of found family, and maybe a budding romance. Plus, a sexy grandma 😂
Can we just talk about what a gift it was for you to be able to go into ATLA as an adult without spoilers?!?! So many fans would have killed for that experience 😂
what's ATLA ?
@ Avatar: the Last Airbender
Somehow I have too, although my husband watched it and loved it. He also didn't know anything about it when he watched it.
Absolutely trhilled to make the list! Consider my jaw dropped. So glad Songs of Chaos has been hitting for you, and I hope Defiant continues to live up. I've let Phil know 😉Right, better get back to Reckoning then....
LOVED the whole Ascendant series. Wonderful dragons and characters ! Loved Rise of the rangers as well. About to start the second book
I read the free sampler and then immediately requested my local public library order the entire series, to which I am impatiently waiting on the copies coming in
I hope you get a chance to read The River of Silver. It was a nice way to revisit the world of Daevabad, so much so that I listened to the trilogy on audiobook right after.
I feel we have the same or very similar taste in books and anime...give Freiren anime a try. Adored Apothecary Diaries, and Attack on Titan.
Hello 👋. Can you recommend me book like Attack on Titan manga. ☺️☺️☺️
I watched ATLAB with my kids for our first time ever this year and was AMAZED! My boys loved it, i loved it, and my husband who’s not into nerdy stuff loved it! 💙 the writing was done so well! My kids picked up on things that some adults wouldn’t have. Just chef’s kiss! 👩🍳 💋i also love Arcane and am so excited for season 2!
Kingdom of copper was my favorite book in the series, but book 3 was soo good! And rewatching AOT bc your videos got me excited again haha
every time I hear “I’m watching attack on titan for the first time” I get so jealous 😩 oh someone erase my memory and put me on aot again
So excited for S2 of Arcane dropping next month, looking forward to your reactions. Also thanks for recommending Race the Sands, while I found the plot somewhat predictable the characters were so well developed that I thoroughly enjoyed the entire ride. And I requested my local library get a copy of Ascendant after hearing your recommendation, will see if they can get Rise of the Ranger as well.
If you haven't already, I think you should read Dungeon Meshi. it's currently partially animated, but it's manga finished last year and it is exceptional.
Seconding this, I think you'll love it!
I'm so glad that were able to watch AtLA as a fresh experience/ no expectations!
Arcane is also one of my favorites. So excited for season 2!
Thanks for the Spark of the Everflame rec. It reminds me a lot of how urban fantasy works. It's a genre where connections to other characters really shine. And because the series are often longer, you get to see the awesome cast over many books.
Ilona Andrews is one of the best authors at this. Their Innkeeper series is a great mix of cozy and action and awesome cast of side characters (including a resident former intergalactic tyrant). And their Hidden Legacy is a series with great action and magic (best magical battles I've ever read), wonderful family dynamic and red hot slow burn romance.
And for more fantasy setting version there's Michelle Sagara's wonderful Elantra books.
Off topic…sitting here admiring your hairstyle in this video and realized I love all of your hairstyles ❤ 2:11
soooo glad you picked city of brass back up! i have a what seems to be 100% book taste alignment with you (to the point of searching "book name elliot brooks" before a purchase) and you not continuing my favourite fantasy series was the only contradiction to that until now 😂
I really like spark of the everflame but the third book took a turn I didn't do much like. Anxiously awaiting the next book
Great Video!
Have you tried the book version(s) of The Apothecary Diaries? I'm intrigued by the story, but I just can't decide between the light novels, the manga, and the anime. I prefer to read novels, but someone I know said 'no no no, read the manga, it's excellent!' and then others say 'no no no, definitely watch the anime!' and now I don't know what to do...!
I only just started getting into Apothecary Diaries but my approach is to make it through the manga first and watch the anime up to the manga volume I completed most recently, and if I still feel like it then, I might pick up the light novel once I've fully caught up with the manga. So far, the anime followed the manga pretty closely, but I still think both are enjoyable in their own right. The manga's art style is so neat and it's fun to read about Maomao's thoughts. And it's hilarious to see Maomao's reactions fully animated on screen. So yeah, I'm having a great time with both.
I absolutely LOVED the Daevabad Trilogy! Definitely an underrated series
I absolutely loved Race the Sands. 🔥. I think I’ve read most of her works, now I just need the new one!!
I read Age of Madness early last year and, nearly 2 years later, every time I find a book character I like I still think "But I love Prince Orso so much more!"
Just wondering - since you’ve started branching out into romantasy recently - would you ever consider checking out LitRPG/Progression series one day (like Shadow Slave, Dungeon Crawler Carl, He Who Fights With Monsters, Bastion, The Perfect Run, Mother of Learning etc.)?
Upvote because plzzz, I want her to read some ProgFan or LitRPG
😮😮😮 I know only Carl by book cover and all other are "wait what!" what are this books all about!
@@stanloona000 same!! If she does I hope she likes them but even if she doesn’t I always tend to find her commentary on books interesting
+Super Supportive, my current fav
Although I would preface *He Who Fights with Monsters* with the warning that while it never stops being interesting, there is a point where you start to see the burnout show and the quality becomes uneven. And I'd also add *The Cultist of Cerebron* because it's pretty solid and an unusual take compared to other litrpgs I've read.
My stand out favorite series of the year have both been series stories on Royal Road of all places. *Mother of Learning* is actually properly collected into ebooks and a precious few kickstarter physical books that I kinda want and might get myself for Christmas. I highly recommend it, although it has kinda ruined Time Loop stories for me for the time being because its just so good the others pale in comparison.
I thought that was the best thing I'd read in a long time and then I found *Super Supportive* and I just spent weeks being obsessed. Alien wizards, superheroes, and sooo many loveable characters oh my! It's just so good >_< Come for the world building, stay for the characters, get the rug pulled out from underneath you when the plot takes a turn. To quote Sleyca, "I like danger and alien beverage etiquette." Turns out I do too.
City of brass was slow for and I took a huge break from it, but book 2 was great and book 3 was epic!
I’m not entirely sure where to recommend or offer books to read but one of my favorites this year is The Blacktongue Thief - I’m having a blast reading it and I can’t find anyone to talk to about it that’s read it/wants to read it but I’m also not really in any reading circles :o( If anyone knows of like discord communities to meet other readers (especially for fantasy) please lmk cause I’m dying for some people to read with and discuss books.
Imo we live in an age of quantity over quality… especially seen with books, tv, music. I think the quality of our art is just as high as previous generations… but it’s getting buried by a lot of meh.
Chakrorty's writing has an interesting feel I've read 2 from the series and one other stand alone.
Omg I love Apothecary Diaries and have watched it subbed. Definitely recommend people to watch it 😅
I can't do it because I was into the manga before it became an anime. From what little I have seen of it, the anime looks fabulous but I'm just wedded to the version I came to know and love first.
Elliot, are you still planning on reading The Bone Maker by Sarah Beth Durst? I read it really recently and would love to hear your thoughts!
I really enjoyed it!! I love the author’s writing!!
Race the Sands sounds and looks awesome!
Daevabad and Race the Sands were some of my favourites last year! I'll have to check out the others, although indie pub is less likely to be at the library - I'll have to dig around.
I was also very excited about Spark of the everflame, unfortunately I could not get through book 3. I hated the main character (not in a good way) by then. Such a bummer, I thought there was a lot of potential.
Where do you do, buddy reads? On patron? Does it matter what level?
I’d love to see your thoughts on The Legend of Thezmar series!
I am so sorry for missing your last five weeks of videos due to my mom battling cancer and I am so sad to say that see has lost her battle ❤❤❤love your Aussie family friend John ❤❤❤
I’m so sorry to hear this ❤ sending your family comfort during this time
@@nimzipow thank you for your kind words
I haven’t watched ATLA either 😢
I just finished City of brass two days ago and on the fence about getting the next two. Character motivations went a bit awray and the romance came out of nowhere.
I think you'll be happy with the 2nd book (there's no romance in it). It's by far my favorite book in the series!! I didn't like book 3 at all though so :( ... But I think you'd like book 2 if you like the world !
Please finish Queen's theif series. You won't be disappointed
This!
15:44 I have not read that series. I know the feeling. Why do we need "similar". That series is that great, or any other book, because it is its own thing and not a "copy" of something something. Let apreciate that and fact you found it and read it.
Simply put I love the books that I love and don't want similar.
I am trying romantacy out now and they all look and read the same and use same tropes. If one more FL "tells me" how good looking MC is I am going to wish he dies 😑 like characters in GoT.
I tried reading Rise of the RAnger but it was horrible, I just couldn't stand the very, v.e.r.y. tropy use of the fantasy genre. And when the author switched to a more abercrombie inspired mood - it felt unauthenthic and I just laughed. It had a lot of issues with the prose as well, the setting of the scenes focused on very weird and unimportant details... like where doors that are not used were are located... stuff like that.
I heard from other readers that the prose gets better later in the series, but the pastiche style of narrative doesn't. So I gave up. I really did not get it with this one... I would just rather re-read Tolkien than to have Tolkien re-told to me by someone else.
Can someone recommended me book like Attack on titan manga
Elliot
I'd love to hear your thoughts on DanDaDan. Either the manga or the new anime adaptation on Netflix. It's batshit crazy in the best way. And, for all it's weirdness, it's got a real core message of found family, and maybe a budding romance. Plus, a sexy grandma 😂
Sub is almost always better than dub
Arcane S2 was a dud
Hey Elliot!! I wanted to share a book suggestion: The Cavelier / Heroes of the Empire series by Israh Azizi. 🩵💙