Totally agree on Six of Crows with the age thing, in my head I just decided they're in their 40s and disregarded their actual ages lol. Some in their 30s maybe. It's more reasonable that way 😅
For me, the characters were amazing, the journey of character growth between the 3 books is delightful, but i understand why people don't like green bone saga. The tone is weird something, the pacing is kind of awful in the first book and Hilo is an idiot hahaha
I didn’t like Jade City, and at the time I read it it felt like everybody on UA-cam loved it. I’m glad to see I’m not alone now tho! Haha. Normally I agree with you about not liking the “with the gods” feeling but with Grace of Kings it actually worked for me, to where I ended up feeling like I was feeling similarly to them and rooting for certain chess piece players. Strange the Dreamer is probably my all time favorite book at this point in my life ❤
I have read jade city and jade war and I struggled to get through them. Elliot really sums it up well with how it sounds like I should like it but I just really have a hard time with the characters and the way they all act and their choices. Idk, there’s so much anger and hate and I’m not the fondest of the drug aspect and the seedy underbelly which is weird I guess because I loved six of crows. Can’t wait to start strange the dreamer! I bought it last month and it’s next up in my reading schedule after I finish a few books this month!
I found your thoughts on Red Rising fascinating. I am personally in the "meh" camp for that one. I heard lots of good things but didn't really care for it. Unlikable main character and despite it being "action packed" I felt like nothing happened. It's a set up for such a large scale plot, and then it stays so small. I haven't picked up the second yet though, so I am curious if that will shift my perspective or will just make me drop the series altogether. I also agree with Six of Crows. I had very high expectations that were not quite met, even though I did enjoy it. I'm currently reading Crooked Kingdom though and I'm realizing how happy I am to be back wit these characters, so Six of Crows definitely did something right! Murderbot is S tier for me personally. That's another one where being with the characters just makes me happy. I think I'm seeing a pattern here. Maybe I am more of a character reader than I realized lol Plenty more on the list I haven't gotten around to yet, so we'll see how I line up with you once I get to them :)
@@2185wisai I think in large part that was the point. He was smart, strong, etc but most importantly, he was daring. He did things no one else would think to do because it was risky. That's how he would come out on top (if you're talking about Red Rising that is).
It was funny when you talked about Six of Crows and their ages. I had a similar feeling about Red Rising. I rated sort of mid and plan to continue on with the series, but I was sitting and thinking ... that was what I thought of Red Rising :) Thanks for your always great reviews.
I LOVED the audio of Strange the Dreamer ❣️💯. I did not at all enjoy Mistborn. I pushed through but sold it the second I was finished. Now I hesitate to read Sanderson….🤷♀️
Booktube convinced me that The Gentleman Bastards was an incredible book and I found it.. ok. I was so relieved to find your review of it and that at least one of the book tubers I watch was also not enthralled by it. Another one booktube got me to watch which I found disappointing was Red Sister.
I DNF'd Tchaikovsky's Children of Time and I know that's a BookTube darling SF book. It's funny, I loved Jade City but as you were naming the characters I couldn't remember a thing about them... I also can't wait until Fury of the Gods (Bloodsworn trilogy) comes out. October 22nd!
I was just googling yesterday about whether there was something new coming from Laini Taylor. It seems like maybe she handed in the draft of something earlier this year... so fingers crossed something is coming!
I don't know if you're supposed to completely love the characters in Jade City. They're flawed, and those flaws have consequences because of their place in the society. That being said, I don't care much for Hilo either, despite loving the trilogy as a whole.
Oh, I so feel you regarding Guns in the Dawn...unfortunately, I didn't enjoy the book for the main part (I liked it in the beginning then it decreased for me a lot). And I feel that everybode likes it so much and ranks it so high 😅
"At least I've got chicken." Ah, Leroy. 😂 Also, THANK YOU for Guns of the Dawn. I've tried to read it a couple of times, and I just can't get interested. I don't get it, either.
Not me out here absolutely questioning if I've been pronouncing Malazan wrong for years. Overall solid list, and don't really disagree with the rankings for the ones I've read.
Fourth Wing was released during a reading slump for me. It lifted me out of it and that boosted my opinion. I am a mood reader. The Will of the Many also gave me something fresh and new that I needed at the time of release. Please read "These Burning Stars" by Bethany Jacobs. It is her debut novel and is GREAT! The sequel comes out in November. You will like it. It is do underrated. Hey to Luna...🐕🐾
I read Fourth Wing too, during a time when my Mom had knee replacement and rehab facility for 3 weeks. Many trips back and forth to hospital and facility. It was an easy read for me to mentally escape. I loved the dragons!
Yes, I agree. It was what was needed at the time. Not taken critically ...just a new world to retreat too with dragons that you can pet and ride! 🐲I read it really early before the hype erupted.
I agree, the main characters in Jade City are quite boring. I still think the villains were much more interesting. But the worst part is still the magic system IMO. I still haven't read book 2 and 3 but I heard they were better... 🤔
Hi guys! Please help! I’m wanting to get back into fantasy and I want to jump back in to stormlight archive. Ive already read books 1 and 2, but it was a pretty long while ago. Not sure if I should just pick up book 3 and hope to get it, or re-read 1 and 2. Its just that they are sooo long, I’m quite little afraid that by the time I’m done 2 and 3, I’ll need a break again and I’ll never finish. What do you think? Do you guys ever take breaks from high fantasy?
I would re-read, depending on how long it's been since you read them. I defo take breaks and read diff genres, I find crime to be a nice break from the intricacies of high fantasy
The main reason why I don't like a lot of these lists is that they are literally different from person to person. You love books that I don't like, and you hate books that I do like.
I enjoyed WoT early on, the first 6 books, but after that and especially "the slog" of books 8-11 killed my desire for the series. Eventually I'll go back to finish it off. Soooo glad to finally see someone recognise Rage of Dragons as not a good book. I dont understand the love for it. All tell, no show, and no freakin' dragons?? Plus you nailed it, the lead is unlikeable (much as Rin is in The Poppy War, which i also didn't care for). The unlikeable characters in Abercrombie's books are at least intelligent.
I liked the will of the many until the stupid ending, yeah rage of dragons is crap DNF, sorry but I don’t get the Brandon Sanderson love ‘WarBreaker’ is the only good book
It's so interesting to see that Jade City is a C for you and it's the favorite series for another UA-camr I enjoy. But now I don't know if it's worth it for me (it doesn't sound that interesting).
I did not enjoy Jade city that much give it 3 stars but figured I’ll just continue maybe it gets better and it really does lol the best 2 books are god tier books for me now I’m scared to dnf because of it 😂
The library borrow the book and read it. It doesn't cost you anything, because everyone has different taste just enjoy the book your reading and if you don't like it ,it didn't cost you anything.
The comment type what you want and people read it. It doesn't cost you anything, because not everyone will read it, some will read your comment and reply, but if no one likes it, it didn't cost you anything.
I have dnf’d TWotM - it’s such a pretty book but man! It’s so tedious already! I’ll try again but the book itself has smaller font, it’s not a comfortable reading experience because it’s cumbersome and then I heard it’s super vague at the end- so I’m just going to wait and try again next year. 😄
I've gotta say I disagree on Rage of Dragons - given the world they live in and the things going on, I think I understand the MCs recklessness and I thoroughly enjoyed the revenge arc. I get it's not everyone's thing though 🤷
Respectfully disagree about Jade City. Hilo isn't aways the most likeable, but he has so much growth over the series. Reading is subjective, I' m not gonna die on any hills, either😊.
Assassin’s Fate. Last book of RotE just really ruined the whole series for me. And honestly maybe a bit indecently angry. 😂. The entire waste of the Wit to shove the Skill down the throat of the readers when it was never really explained- I don’t mean that I need to know every detail but the entire series is set up for over 15 people who are using and searching for the origin of the Skill! And when the original magic - The Wit- is the first introduction to the world magic and was the initial reason why I and I’m sure many others-we’re so enamored with the series-basically vanished when it could have been utilized in so many ways. And the sheer lack of any growth of Fitz, the downward spiral of the Fool, the irrationality of text-message-like death announcements of MAJOR CHARACTERS and last but not least - the fact that even after we all were there, rooting for, crying for and spending time with a character who had been used by literally every single other character still alive at the end (except Bee & Nighteyes in as much we can say “alive”) - he STILL couldn’t have autonomy over his own “going away” party. Thank God for Nighteyes and Bee. Because literally every other character and the shoddy end of that series can go f… well I think you get my point. 😂😂😂 It’s why I loved Red Rising! I needed to root for someone the author writes as if they actually LIKE THEM and respect their readers. Ok ok. I’m good now. Phew. Had to get that off my chest. 🙌🏼😊😂
I'm reading Assassin's Quest right now. And I had to do a spoiler search to see Nighteyes' fate, because really, he's the best and I don't need to be sad about it. Yeah, Elliot said in a video that Fitz as a character lacks agency, and boy does he ever. So I guess I don't need to read more, although I read the Liveship Traders trilogy first and loved it.
Bout a third way thru the video, but for me, I don't much care for heavy politics and like school stuff. What's it called? Scholastic. No. Academia. Politics and academia. And that's in a lot of these.
I struggled with it. I'm an avid reader. I can read a 500 page book in a day if it holds my interest. I think the Final Empire took me about a week to finish 🫣. I read it maybe 2 months ago. I haven't read any other books from Sanderson but omg I struggled. I really want to get to Way of King's but I want to finish the 1st Mistborn trilogy, Elantris, Warbreaker, and some of the stories in Arcanum Unbounded before I read those but after the Final Empire I don't have the motivation
I liked it when I first read it. But, I tried to reread it a couple years ago and had to DNF because it was such a slog. It’s why I like to reread books I liked to see if they are truly enjoyable or was it just the story getting me through.
@@Kesy03Yes, I’m caught up on that series. I preferred the first 2 books. I remember Well of Ascension getting very dark but somehow having a more YA tone. I remember preferring it to The Final Empire (it was less boring), but I haven’t reread it yet.
My friend convinced me to read the fourth wing. He let me borrow his copy. A waste of several hours.
Totally agree on Six of Crows with the age thing, in my head I just decided they're in their 40s and disregarded their actual ages lol. Some in their 30s maybe. It's more reasonable that way 😅
I'm 100% with you about Jade City. Everyone raves about it, but I was completely underwhelmed and didn't like or care about the characters at all.
For me, the characters were amazing, the journey of character growth between the 3 books is delightful, but i understand why people don't like green bone saga. The tone is weird something, the pacing is kind of awful in the first book and Hilo is an idiot hahaha
@@camologeekLoved the Jade Trilogy. Thought it was different and fresh.
I didn’t like Jade City, and at the time I read it it felt like everybody on UA-cam loved it. I’m glad to see I’m not alone now tho! Haha.
Normally I agree with you about not liking the “with the gods” feeling but with Grace of Kings it actually worked for me, to where I ended up feeling like I was feeling similarly to them and rooting for certain chess piece players.
Strange the Dreamer is probably my all time favorite book at this point in my life ❤
I have read jade city and jade war and I struggled to get through them. Elliot really sums it up well with how it sounds like I should like it but I just really have a hard time with the characters and the way they all act and their choices. Idk, there’s so much anger and hate and I’m not the fondest of the drug aspect and the seedy underbelly which is weird I guess because I loved six of crows.
Can’t wait to start strange the dreamer! I bought it last month and it’s next up in my reading schedule after I finish a few books this month!
I found your thoughts on Red Rising fascinating. I am personally in the "meh" camp for that one. I heard lots of good things but didn't really care for it. Unlikable main character and despite it being "action packed" I felt like nothing happened. It's a set up for such a large scale plot, and then it stays so small. I haven't picked up the second yet though, so I am curious if that will shift my perspective or will just make me drop the series altogether.
I also agree with Six of Crows. I had very high expectations that were not quite met, even though I did enjoy it. I'm currently reading Crooked Kingdom though and I'm realizing how happy I am to be back wit these characters, so Six of Crows definitely did something right!
Murderbot is S tier for me personally. That's another one where being with the characters just makes me happy. I think I'm seeing a pattern here. Maybe I am more of a character reader than I realized lol
Plenty more on the list I haven't gotten around to yet, so we'll see how I line up with you once I get to them :)
definitely felt like he pulled shit out of his ass, especially further in the series
@@2185wisai I think in large part that was the point. He was smart, strong, etc but most importantly, he was daring. He did things no one else would think to do because it was risky. That's how he would come out on top (if you're talking about Red Rising that is).
I feel so much better about putting Red Rising down for now. 😊
Just finished The Tainted Cup last night. Loved it. Can't wait for book two.
The Grace of Kings, like The Fate of The Fallen & The Wheel of Time, starts slow but gets faster and better later on.
It was funny when you talked about Six of Crows and their ages. I had a similar feeling about Red Rising. I rated sort of mid and plan to continue on with the series, but I was sitting and thinking ... that was what I thought of Red Rising :) Thanks for your always great reviews.
I LOVED the audio of Strange the Dreamer ❣️💯. I did not at all enjoy Mistborn. I pushed through but sold it the second I was finished. Now I hesitate to read Sanderson….🤷♀️
Mistborn was painful! I wanted to like it because I’ve heard so many people rave about it, but I agree with you, it just wasn’t it!
Booktube convinced me that The Gentleman Bastards was an incredible book and I found it.. ok. I was so relieved to find your review of it and that at least one of the book tubers I watch was also not enthralled by it. Another one booktube got me to watch which I found disappointing was Red Sister.
If you like the grit and humor of Joe Abercrombie I think 'The Blacktongue Thief' by Christopher Buehlman tickles a lot of the same fancies.
I DNF'd Tchaikovsky's Children of Time and I know that's a BookTube darling SF book. It's funny, I loved Jade City but as you were naming the characters I couldn't remember a thing about them...
I also can't wait until Fury of the Gods (Bloodsworn trilogy) comes out. October 22nd!
I was just googling yesterday about whether there was something new coming from Laini Taylor. It seems like maybe she handed in the draft of something earlier this year... so fingers crossed something is coming!
I'm still trying to slog through Mistborn. Am I just not getting it? 😅
I am terribly underwhelmed by Sanderson myself. His writing always felt paint-by-numbers to me. I gave up on him years ago.
I’m starting strange the dreamer next month and I’m so excited! I’m finishing map of the other lands and red rising this month
I don't know if you're supposed to completely love the characters in Jade City. They're flawed, and those flaws have consequences because of their place in the society. That being said, I don't care much for Hilo either, despite loving the trilogy as a whole.
Oh, I so feel you regarding Guns in the Dawn...unfortunately, I didn't enjoy the book for the main part (I liked it in the beginning then it decreased for me a lot). And I feel that everybode likes it so much and ranks it so high 😅
"At least I've got chicken." Ah, Leroy. 😂 Also, THANK YOU for Guns of the Dawn. I've tried to read it a couple of times, and I just can't get interested. I don't get it, either.
Off topic but i saw Richard Swan has a new book coming next year as well as R.S Ford Engines of War :)
Lol at “she’s so dumb” 😂 I get it though 30:59
Not me out here absolutely questioning if I've been pronouncing Malazan wrong for years. Overall solid list, and don't really disagree with the rankings for the ones I've read.
Fourth Wing was released during a reading slump for me. It lifted me out of it and that boosted my opinion. I am a mood reader. The Will of the Many also gave me something fresh and new that I needed at the time of release. Please read "These Burning Stars" by Bethany Jacobs. It is her debut novel and is GREAT! The sequel comes out in November. You will like it. It is do underrated. Hey to Luna...🐕🐾
I read Fourth Wing too, during a time when my Mom had knee replacement and rehab facility for 3 weeks. Many trips back and forth to hospital and facility. It was an easy read for me to mentally escape. I loved the dragons!
Yes, I agree. It was what was needed at the time. Not taken critically ...just a new world to retreat too with dragons that you can pet and ride! 🐲I read it really early before the hype erupted.
I agree, the main characters in Jade City are quite boring. I still think the villains were much more interesting. But the worst part is still the magic system IMO. I still haven't read book 2 and 3 but I heard they were better... 🤔
Hi guys! Please help! I’m wanting to get back into fantasy and I want to jump back in to stormlight archive. Ive already read books 1 and 2, but it was a pretty long while ago. Not sure if I should just pick up book 3 and hope to get it, or re-read 1 and 2. Its just that they are sooo long, I’m quite little afraid that by the time I’m done 2 and 3, I’ll need a break again and I’ll never finish. What do you think? Do you guys ever take breaks from high fantasy?
I would re-read, depending on how long it's been since you read them. I defo take breaks and read diff genres, I find crime to be a nice break from the intricacies of high fantasy
I'd look for a summary, time is precious and fleeting.
The main reason why I don't like a lot of these lists is that they are literally different from person to person. You love books that I don't like, and you hate books that I do like.
I both enjoyed the dandelion dynasty and had zero desire to continue after book 2 🤷🏼♂️
I enjoyed WoT early on, the first 6 books, but after that and especially "the slog" of books 8-11 killed my desire for the series. Eventually I'll go back to finish it off.
Soooo glad to finally see someone recognise Rage of Dragons as not a good book. I dont understand the love for it. All tell, no show, and no freakin' dragons?? Plus you nailed it, the lead is unlikeable (much as Rin is in The Poppy War, which i also didn't care for). The unlikeable characters in Abercrombie's books are at least intelligent.
I liked the will of the many until the stupid ending, yeah rage of dragons is crap DNF, sorry but I don’t get the Brandon Sanderson love ‘WarBreaker’ is the only good book
Breathe Dustin breathe, this man has just posted 3 things that make you want to rage, breathe.
@@DustinHarrisWHBC😂😂😂
I really want to read red rising but I’ve been putting it off so hard 🥲
It's so interesting to see that Jade City is a C for you and it's the favorite series for another UA-camr I enjoy. But now I don't know if it's worth it for me (it doesn't sound that interesting).
It is definitely not for everyone. It takes an adjustment for Fonda Lee’s style, but for me, I loved it!
I luv the sword catcher but nobody talks about it
Tuned in to see if I’m a darling…. Saw “popular and highly recommended”…. So definitely not me.
Iron Gold would be a D for me, man that book was a slog. I liked pretty much every other book and Dark Age was a big step up.
I did not enjoy Jade city that much give it 3 stars but figured I’ll just continue maybe it gets better and it really does lol the best 2 books are god tier books for me now I’m scared to dnf because of it 😂
Had the opposite reaction, Loved The Grace of Kings, and DNFed 2nd.
Legends and Lattes mystifies me. The premise and the cover do nothing for me and I will never read it because I know it is not for me.
i would put red raising so much lower, c at best. And tainted cup much higher
The library borrow the book and read it. It doesn't cost you anything, because everyone has different taste just enjoy the book your reading and if you don't like it ,it didn't cost you anything.
The comment type what you want and people read it. It doesn't cost you anything, because not everyone will read it, some will read your comment and reply, but if no one likes it, it didn't cost you anything.
OMG YES! I so agree with The Will of the Many! I just could not stand the MC. Oh and Guns of the Dawn as well!
I have dnf’d TWotM - it’s such a pretty book but man! It’s so tedious already! I’ll try again but the book itself has smaller font, it’s not a comfortable reading experience because it’s cumbersome and then I heard it’s super vague at the end- so I’m just going to wait and try again next year. 😄
I feel I'm in the minority when it comes to liking the original Red Rising trilogy over the second trilogy. Haha!
Me too! It was my medicine after the finishing Realm of the Elderlings series. (Hated the ending. And I really needed an intelligent protagonist! 😂)
I love these videos bc I value your opinion! 💟💟
I've gotta say I disagree on Rage of Dragons - given the world they live in and the things going on, I think I understand the MCs recklessness and I thoroughly enjoyed the revenge arc. I get it's not everyone's thing though 🤷
Respectfully disagree about Jade City. Hilo isn't aways the most likeable, but he has so much growth over the series. Reading is subjective, I' m not gonna die on any hills, either😊.
Assassin’s Fate. Last book of RotE just really ruined the whole series for me. And honestly maybe a bit indecently angry. 😂. The entire waste of the Wit to shove the Skill down the throat of the readers when it was never really explained- I don’t mean that I need to know every detail but the entire series is set up for over 15 people who are using and searching for the origin of the Skill!
And when the original magic - The Wit- is the first introduction to the world magic and was the initial reason why I and I’m sure many others-we’re so enamored with the series-basically vanished when it could have been utilized in so many ways.
And the sheer lack of any growth of Fitz, the downward spiral of the Fool, the irrationality of text-message-like death announcements of MAJOR CHARACTERS and last but not least - the fact that even after we all were there, rooting for, crying for and spending time with a character who had been used by literally every single other character still alive at the end (except Bee & Nighteyes in as much we can say “alive”) - he STILL couldn’t have autonomy over his own “going away” party.
Thank God for Nighteyes and Bee. Because literally every other character and the shoddy end of that series can go f… well I think you get my point. 😂😂😂
It’s why I loved Red Rising! I needed to root for someone the author writes as if they actually LIKE THEM and respect their readers.
Ok ok. I’m good now. Phew. Had to get that off my chest. 🙌🏼😊😂
I'm reading Assassin's Quest right now. And I had to do a spoiler search to see Nighteyes' fate, because really, he's the best and I don't need to be sad about it. Yeah, Elliot said in a video that Fitz as a character lacks agency, and boy does he ever. So I guess I don't need to read more, although I read the Liveship Traders trilogy first and loved it.
🕷️🖤🕷️🖤🕷️🖤🕷️🖤🕷️🖤🕷️
My kind of video 🤩
I got to book 6 in WoT and just. didnt. care. anymore.
If you slogged on through you would have moved past not caring to actively despising Rand. Ugh. Insufferable.
Bout a third way thru the video, but for me, I don't much care for heavy politics and like school stuff. What's it called? Scholastic. No. Academia. Politics and academia. And that's in a lot of these.
I didn't like the final empire AT ALL. I feel like an odd man out 😅
I struggled with it. I'm an avid reader. I can read a 500 page book in a day if it holds my interest. I think the Final Empire took me about a week to finish 🫣. I read it maybe 2 months ago. I haven't read any other books from Sanderson but omg I struggled. I really want to get to Way of King's but I want to finish the 1st Mistborn trilogy, Elantris, Warbreaker, and some of the stories in Arcanum Unbounded before I read those but after the Final Empire I don't have the motivation
I will say I enjoyed the ending..
I liked it when I first read it. But, I tried to reread it a couple years ago and had to DNF because it was such a slog. It’s why I like to reread books I liked to see if they are truly enjoyable or was it just the story getting me through.
@LakaciaLloyd have you read the Stormlight Archive's? I need some type of motivation to get me to read Well of Ascension
@@Kesy03Yes, I’m caught up on that series. I preferred the first 2 books. I remember Well of Ascension getting very dark but somehow having a more YA tone. I remember preferring it to The Final Empire (it was less boring), but I haven’t reread it yet.
Have you read ‘Fourth Wing’ it’s brilliant
Grace of kings... Mid????
Zomg
I was so excited to read The Blade Itself because everyone seems to love the series, but I didn’t like it… 🫣