Poll: Help Deciding Which Series to Read Next

[Jolly Co-operator]

My fellow Escapists, I'm feeling a little restless, which is odd, considering that reading is often thought of as a relaxing hobby. I just finished book two of The Kingkiller Chronicle today, and am now left in a rather unpleasant and unfamiliar situation. Up until now, the fantasy series I've read have already been finished before I started them (with the exception of The Dresden Files). I'm not really used to waiting for a book to come out, and now I'm looking for another fantasy series to read so I can fill this gaping void in my heart (Okay, maybe I'm being too dramatic, but only by a little bit). Anyway, I need something else to read so I don't go crazy while waiting. Feel free to leave suggestions besides the ones listed in the poll.

For reference, I've enjoyed The Malazan Book of the Fallen, The Wheel of Time, The Dark Tower, the first three Discworld novels, The Dresden Files, and, obviously, The Kingkiller Chronicle. That's what I remember off the top of my head at the moment, but I'll add a few more if I think of them. Thanks to all for your votes and / or recommendations.

 

[tippy2k2]

Welp...I have not read any of those books.

I do however absolutely ADORE "The Dresden Files" and therefore I will vote for the other Jim Butcher series because...uh....reasons?

Yeah, let's go with that.

If it helps, "Monster Hunter" by Larry Correia is very similar to Dresden so can I put that in as a Dark Horse recommendation? Well I hope that's OK because I just did it! Take THAT!!!

 

[skywolfblue]

Mistborn

Mistboooooorn!

MIIIIIIIIISTTBOOOOORN!!!

What, me biased? Pffft! It's "Dark and Depressing" done right, while being movingly hopeful. The unique magic system is a very refreshing turn from standard fantasy.

But seriously, mistborn!

 

[Little Woodsman]

Well as always when this topic pops up I've gotta throw in a suggestion for the late Robert Asprin's Myth and M.Y.T.H. series'. Of a sillier bent than most of what I've seen being suggested here, which is part of why I love them so much.

Also not really a series, but any of the 'Newford' books by Charles DeLint. Have to say that in general DeLint is better at short stories and novellas than full length novels, but he has plenty of anthologies and novellas to choose from. And his 'novel' Jack of Kinrowan is actually two novellas taped together and it's amazing.

 

[Thomas Barnsley]

I don't know any of those... I'm just going to recommend Ender's Game, His Dark Materials, Metro 2033, and anything by Michael Moorcock (specifically the Knight of swords). Good books, though quite popular so you may have already read them.

 

[SpinnokDurav]

I second the notions of the Mistborn and Codex Alera series, I really enjoyed both. I also liked the Abhorsen series by Garth Nix, the First Law Trilogy by Joe Abercrombie and the Empire trilogy by Raymond E. Feist and Janny Wurts. In fact, the Wars of Light and Shadow series by Janny Wurts is also excellent, though not finished yet.
These are only fantasy novels, if you like a mix between historical fiction and sci-fi try the Safehold series by David Weber. Only drawback is that it is also not finished.

 

[Jolly Co-operator]

I second the notions of the Mistborn and Codex Alera series, I really enjoyed both. I also liked the Abhorsen series by Garth Nix, the First Law Trilogy by Joe Abercrombie and the Empire trilogy by Raymond E. Feist and Janny Wurts. In fact, the Wars of Light and Shadow series by Janny Wurts is also excellent, though not finished yet.
These are only fantasy novels, if you like a mix between historical fiction and sci-fi try the Safehold series by David Weber. Only drawback is that it is also not finished.

Just out of curiosity, as a fellow Malazan fan, what do you think of Ian C. Esselmont's novels? I've read the first two, and I'm considering starting Stonewielder.

 

[Queen Michael]

I recommend The First Law. I don't read a lot of fantasy, but that one I did read. It was too good to resist. And the author's a nice guy, too.

This is the book for you. Start here.

 

[Blow_Pop]

I suggest the First Law series. I've only had time for the first one but I adored it. I look forward to eventually having time for the rest of it just after I finish this stack of books I have next to me. And as they're all library books, they're all priority.

I haven't heard of any of your other options but really it's up to you and what sounds interesting to you. I'm very particular on my fantasy series so for me to recommend that means I actually really liked it. I haven't had a chance to get into the Dresden files yet(afforementioned stack of library books is preventing me) as well as Wheel of Time(though we do have the first book here so when I get some free time I can steal it off my brother who didn't enjoy it and read it at my leisure). I haven't had the opportunity for Discworld and couldn't stand the first Dark Tower book(then again I can't stand Stephen King period so take that as you will). Your other two you mentioned I've never heard of so no real comments for me.

 

[Compatriot Block]

Codex Alera, son. There is only Codex Alera.

It's a great series on its own, but since you liked the Dresden Files series I can recommend it even more.

 

[JaredXE]

I voted for The Night Angel trilogy, but I also have to recommend the Acts of Caine series by Matthew Stover. Good fantasy, plenty of ass kicking and quotable quotes.

 

[Agayek]

My fellow Escapists, I'm feeling a little restless, which is odd, considering that reading is often thought of as a relaxing hobby. I just finished book two of The Kingkiller Chronicle today, and am now left in a rather unpleasant and unfamiliar situation. Up until now, the fantasy series I've read have already been finished before I started them (with the exception of The Dresden Files). I'm not really used to waiting for a book to come out, and now I'm looking for another fantasy series to read so I can fill this gaping void in my heart (Okay, maybe I'm being too dramatic, but only by a little bit). Anyway, I need something else to read so I don't go crazy while waiting. Feel free to leave suggestions besides the ones listed in the poll.

For reference, I've enjoyed The Malazan Book of the Fallen, The Wheel of Time, The Dark Tower, the first three Discworld novels, The Dresden Files, and, obviously, The Kingkiller Chronicle. That's what I remember off the top of my head at the moment, but I'll add a few more if I think of them. Thanks to all for your votes and / or recommendations.

Based on the reading list you've put up here, and the options you've provided, I recommend these two, in this order:

1) Night Angel Trilogy - These really are fantastic books, and if you can get into them, they will make a whole world come alive. I can't recommend it highly enough.

2) Codex Alera - I love this series, but it is very different, stylistically as well as everything else, from the Dresden Files. It's got a fantastic core, but any one book in the series is actually three different books taken apart by chapter and sewed together in a Frankenstein-esque literary effort. The perspective jumps around between three different "sets" of protagonists. One set of protagonists is centered on diplomatic action and the like, another is on espionage and spec ops kinda stuff, and the last is based around action, magic, and military strategy. All of the storylines are fairly tightly related, and they intersect from time to time, but they still may as well be different books. If you can get into all three, Codex Alera is amazing. If not, it's merely decent.

 

[iseko]

Mistborn or wheel of time. But seriously mistborn is a great series

 

[PH3NOmenon]

The most well written one was certainly the First Law series.
The most interesting magic system is in the Mistborn series.
Codex Alera is the runner up on the previous two categories.
The Night Angel series was more easily digestible.
I don't know the Black Company.


Averaging across all categories, the First Law wins it. But definitely read Mistborn too, the setting is superb.

 

[Flatfrog]

I'm reminded of a review I once read of one of David Eddings' series - 'A must for lovers of long fantasy trilogies with silly names'.

I haven't read any of the ones you mentioned, but I can't help wondering why you stopped reading Pratchett if you enjoyed the first three. Keep reading, they just get better. (Then a little bit worse but still great. Then better again. Then not quite as good). Other than than, I'm not a great fantasy reader but here's a few I've enjoyed. They're mostly fairly old:

- Game of Thrones is notably absent from your list - yes, it's unfinished but still great.
- The abovementioned Eddings - by any sensible measure pretty crap but very, very readable, although I wouldn't bother trying anything other than the Belgariad and Malloreon series
- The first two Thomas Covenant series by Stephen Donaldson. Don't even bother starting the third series, it's simply awful. But his two-parter Mordant's Need is very good and much lighter in tone.
- The Saga of the Exiles by Julian May - technically SF rather than fantasy, but much more like fantasy in tone.
- Earthsea by Ursula Le Guin; first three only
- Titus Groan and Gormenghast by Mervyn Peake - more gothic than fantasy (no magic) but amazing. The third book Titus Alone was put together post mortem and is interesting but clearly not finished.
- The Temeraire series by Naomi Novik - a great take on the dragon rider subgenre, set in an alternative version of the Napoleonic Wars.

 

[SpinnokDurav]

I second the notions of the Mistborn and Codex Alera series, I really enjoyed both. I also liked the Abhorsen series by Garth Nix, the First Law Trilogy by Joe Abercrombie and the Empire trilogy by Raymond E. Feist and Janny Wurts. In fact, the Wars of Light and Shadow series by Janny Wurts is also excellent, though not finished yet.
These are only fantasy novels, if you like a mix between historical fiction and sci-fi try the Safehold series by David Weber. Only drawback is that it is also not finished.

Just out of curiosity, as a fellow Malazan fan, what do you think of Ian C. Esselmont's novels? I've read the first two, and I'm considering starting Stonewielder.

I liked them a lot, though Orb Sceptre Throne was a bit of a letdown. However, Stonewielder is quite good, better than OST and NoK (Night of Knives) but that is primarily because of the main character of Stonewielder. Blood and Bone (the latest one) was alright but worse than Stonewielder.
Have you read the short stories of Bauchelain and Korbal Broach? These are rather funny, a bit more like Pratchett than the gloomy main series. Speaking of which, I really enjoyed the Pratchett books about Sam Vines and Moist von Lipwig, maybe you should try them?

I'm reminded of a review I once read of one of David Eddings' series - 'A must for lovers of long fantasy trilogies with silly names'.

I haven't read any of the ones you mentioned, but I can't help wondering why you stopped reading Pratchett if you enjoyed the first three. Keep reading, they just get better. (Then a little bit worse but still great. Then better again. Then not quite as good). Other than than, I'm not a great fantasy reader but here's a few I've enjoyed. They're mostly fairly old:

- Game of Thrones is notably absent from your list - yes, it's unfinished but still great.
- The abovementioned Eddings - by any sensible measure pretty crap but very, very readable, although I wouldn't bother trying anything other than the Belgariad and Malloreon series
- The first two Thomas Covenant series by Stephen Donaldson. Don't even bother starting the third series, it's simply awful. But his two-parter Mordant's Need is very good and much lighter in tone.
- The Saga of the Exiles by Julian May - technically SF rather than fantasy, but much more like fantasy in tone.
- Earthsea by Ursula Le Guin; first three only
- Titus Groan and Gormenghast by Mervyn Peake - more gothic than fantasy (no magic) but amazing. The third book Titus Alone was put together post mortem and is interesting but clearly not finished.
- The Temeraire series by Naomi Novik - a great take on the dragon rider subgenre, set in an alternative version of the Napoleonic Wars.

I also haven't started on A Song of Ice and Fire, because after waiting for more than 10 years for Wheel of Time to finish I'd much rather read finished series. I've read and re-read the books by Eddings (all of them, Belgarion, Mallorea, Sparhawk, Althalus and the Dreamers) and though they are not very original or exceptionally well written, they are fun. However, that could be nostalgia speaking, since those books were my first English (I'm Dutch) and first fantasy books.
Gormenghast was very nice, though not an action fantasy series like the ones in the OP's list, it is more of an exploratory journey.

Whilst giving my original suggestions I knew I forgot something and I figured it out when reading the poll. I forgot the Black Company! I also really enjoyed this series, there is a bit of a change halfway through the series but it is very nice to read. Only I have to add, don't read it in one go. I've read the entire series in like three days (I had a vacation, shut up) and near the end I became a bit fatigued with the books.
Also the Instrumentalities of the Night by Glen Cook is a nice series. I liked it more than the Black Company, his style is more polished and it also deals with a Romeish culture, just like Codex Alera. Although IofN is far more darker in tone than Codex Alera.

The Nightangel Trilogy is also good, I wouldn't say it is my favourite of the writer that would be the Lightbringer series although that series is unfinished as of yet.

I have read the Farseer trilogy but I was a bit underwhelmed by it. It was presented to me as a fantasy classic but I wasn't very impressed. Prince of Thorns is also enjoyable but a bit dark for the sake of being dark. Finally the Long Price Quartet just didn't gel with me, I tried to read it multiple times but I just couldn't finish it.

Another series you might consider is the Demon Cycle by Peter V. Brett. I personally couldn't get into it but my brother is a big fan of it. I did enjoy the writing so I might try again sometime in the future.

 

[Flatfrog]

I've read and re-read the books by Eddings (all of them, Belgarion, Mallorea, Sparhawk, Althalus and the Dreamers) and though they are not very original or exceptionally well written, they are fun. However, that could be nostalgia speaking, since those books were my first English (I'm Dutch) and first fantasy books.

Eddings has got consistently worse and worse over the years (I've long held a suspicion that it's his wife's fault - the more credit he gives her the worse the books get). I often cite The Redemption of Althalus as the worst book I've ever read - it has the honour of being the only book I've ever given up ten pages before the end, realising that it was just never going to get better and I couldn't be bothered any more.

My biggest problem with Eddings is his inconsistent treatment of good and evil. He never seems to be able to decide whether they are just arbitrary labels like team colours, or actual moral value systems. When his supposedly 'good' characters are cutting people down like cattle just for annoying them, I switch off. Compare that with Tolkein, whose evil characters are clearly and irredeemably evil and therefore a clear and present threat, or with George RR Martin, whose characters are neither good nor evil but all complex and flawed, and it's hard to enjoy him unreservedly.

But for all that, the Belgariad (and to a lesser extent the Malloreon) are genuinely good fun and readable. And like you they come with fond memories for me as I read them as a teenager at boarding school. I remember reading Magician's Gambit one evening from start to finish in the bath, sneaking out after midnight to get back to bed without being caught. To this day I think of them as 'bath books'.

 

[mistahzig1]

The most well written one was certainly the First Law series.
The most interesting magic system is in the Mistborn series.
Codex Alera is the runner up on the previous two categories.
The Night Angel series was more easily digestible.
I don't know the Black Company.


Averaging across all categories, the First Law wins it. But definitely read Mistborn too, the setting is superb.

...are you me????

I wrote the EXACT same list before I decided to check the answers! ;o)


The Black COmpany would indeed fit snugly with the list you've provided.

I personally love Joe Abercrombies' works. Read then all and the Bloody Nine is simply a great character imho

 

[In Search of Username]

You should probably read none of those and go for Book of the New Sun instead. Best fantasy I've ever read, just saying.