What’s your favorite type of fantasy that no one seems to ever write about? I’ll start : fairytales that use folklore accurate fairies and other creatures that people often associate with children book, even though, if you took the time to look at their lore accurate versions, they’re way much more mature and could be nice for a less younger audience. Oh and also ones without romance, im tired of picking up fantasy books and then seeing romance. I miss when I was younger and authors didn’t do that for my books.

I am an incredibly huge fan of the inheritance cycle, I've read it twice, and I finally got around to reading Murtagh. It was just so good, I adore the world, the characters, the worldbuilding, it is just all phenomenal. I love it so much, I read over half of the book in one night. Any recommendations on books that are similar, or even just near as good? Despite my love for fantasy, I haven't read a whole lot, just David Gemmel, the Inheritance Cycle, and a few other series, and I just don't know where to go next. Any recommendations would be much appreciated.

So while I was rewatching the Secret Saturdays I did an internet search on one of the show's fictional locations: Kumari Kandam. It turns out that this place is based on an actual myth. According to legend, this place is supposedly the South Asian version of Atlantis, a cradle of civilization and a lost continent that was swallowed by the sea.

Just hearing about this place made me wonder if there any works of fantasy Kumari Kandam?

So I’ve recently been reading the nightrunner series for the first time because I desired to read a high fantasy series that focused on an M/M relationship where the relationship was well developed and mostly healthy (the age gap at the start was a bit debatable but that’s not the point of this post)

However before i started reading the series a recommendation warned of an excessively dark tonal shift in book 4 that doesn’t fit with the series.

Now on average I’m not the biggest fan of angst, when Alec was originally captured by the plemeran’s in book 2 and psychologically tortured I wouldn’t say I hated it but it was definitely the low point of the 3 books I’ve read so far. For anyone who’s also read wheel of time though I despise egwene with every fibre of my being the plotline in the great hunt involving the seanchan and the a’dam also makes me rather uncomfortable.

So basically my question is will I likely dislike book 4 based on this tonal change. I know the barebones plot of 4 (slavery, separation, blood alchemy, homunculus) but how dark is it really? I don’t mind spoilers for 4 to explain this (though I’d prefer if spoilers for 3 were kept to a minimum since I haven’t finished 3) but would it potentially be worth skipping 4 (and maybe 5 since I know 5 is a functional duology to 4) or should I just stop at 3?

I don’t want to stop reading this world but a whole 600 page book that’s basically just what happened to Alec in the latter half of book 2 inflicted on both him and Seregil is probably not going to be up my alley.

TLDR: is book 4 too angsty and depressing for someone who’s not a big angst fan

Thanks to u/escapistworld for the rec! This is a gothic magical realism story of love, loss, and ghosts that just came out this year. Set in a Muslim community in South Africa, it tells the story of a girl named Sana who moves to a crumbling boarding house with her widowed father. She becomes determined to uncover its secrets. Photos, diary entries, and flashbacks reveal the doomed romance between the man who built the house and his lover. It also features a djinn, a surprising amount of old lady drama, and mouthwatering descriptions of food.

This book is so beautifully written and absolutely heartbreaking. It weaves together the timelines elegantly, connecting all the dots in such a satisfying way. It's also not afraid to tackle the complexities of grief, guilt, religion/race, and class. My personal favorite bit was how it humanizes everyone and everything—you even hear the house's opinions on matters.

I know he’d probably more typically be in horror but there’s an element of the fantastical in his work no ?

If you’re into him which of his works would you recommend that are less on the intense horror side? I loved Abarat as a teen but I tried to read a collection of his short stories and it was just too much for me . Is there anything in his bibliography that isn’t as extreme body horror ?

Thanks for any reccs you may have !

getting a book recommendation

Hello! As the title says, I’m interested in your recommendations of books where the sidekick (or familiar) is the real hero of the story.

The inspiration for the question is the old movie Big Trouble in Little China in which the film follows the main character (Kurt Russell) but the person who has their act together and does the ‘hero stuff’ is the guy you’re set up to see as a sidekick (Dennis Dun). Thanks!

I see the opinion quite often that people like gritty Grim Dark novels, such as the First Law books or GRRM and claim they are more realistic than other classic fantasy titles. Ones where there is a clear black and white good vs evil and the stoic main character always knows what to do and has just the right amount of luck to pull through. Such as The Lord of the Rings.

And I can obviously see why Books like the Lord of the Rings are unrealistic. And let's be clear, when I say "realistic" I'm obviously not talking about the fantasy elements. Obviously elves and orcs and magic are by definition unrealistic. I'm talking about the characters and the circumstances and the stories.

But IMO many of these grim dark books are just as unrealistic, but in the opposite way. IMO it's not realistic for characters to always get the shit end of the stick and to always be making bad decisions and for them to go from one shit situation directly into the next one over and over and over. Yeah, people have bad luck and many people can have strings of bad luck. But generally most people have average luck.

In the Lord of the Rings it's like the characters can predict the coin will land on the right side 9/10. But in some grim dark novels the characters will only be able to predict the coin 1/10. Its TOO unlucky.

Also, while yes LOTR's view of the world is obviously too black and white. In the real world many people are shades of grey.

But in grim dark that needle is once again pushed way too far in the other direction. Suddenly EVERYONE has some morally ambiguous past with shady decisions and mental problems. Everyone is fucked up. In real life you'll get a lot of people who are ducked up or morally grey, but most people just want to be people and are generally good despite all the shit that happens in the world.

My favourite styles of fantasy are the ones that are more a middle ground. Like The Wheel of Time by Robert Jordan. If LotR is a 1/10 and First Law is maybe like a 9/10 on the grim scale, Wheel of Time is probably like a 4/10.

I like Sanderson's style too but I would probably put his books on like a 3/10 on the grim scale. I tend to prefer less grim, more hopeful stories. Like maybe there's an overwhelming powerful foe and it's a bad situation, but the characters have a plan at least. They're working on it.

It's not that I DONT enjoy grim dark. It's just it gets on my nerves when things are just unrelentingly grim and every character is like opaque grey in morals. I need to take breaks just because I start reaching a point where each new bad revelation makes me roll my eyes instead of being aghast or scared like the author intends for me to be.

Edit: I probably could have picked a better poster book for "Anti-grimdark" than Lord of the Rings on second thought. If you want to substitute like Chronicles of Narnia or even like a Disney movie or something that's fine. The point is the Grim Dark. LotR was just a counter example that came to mind but not really the point of the post.

Obviously the story's content matters but do you prefer a first person POV like in the Red Rising series or something third person POV like The Dark Tower series? I feel like the first person helps you connect to the protagonist better but sometimes leaves out information just because the MC doesn't know it.

I would love to read a fantasy book which is in a thriving world, not some war torn or post apocalyptic one.

Also, I'd love it if the main characters have rather mundane or grounded goals (not trying to save the world or stop a war or something on that scale). Something where the main character travels a lot would be great too.

Any recommendation is appreciated!

I remember watching some Netflix show Love, Death and Robots where an interstellar Space Spider eats intelligent life by putting them into a dream state.

I was wondering if there are any other versions of this concept? Maybe a mythical monster or demon? It sound familiar but I can't put my finger on it. Its different from a wish contract where the devil offers you wishes in exchange for your soul in hell, because it's fully voluntary. You know you're making a deal with the devil. In this case it may be involuntary or deception.

I saw this post on GoodReads, but here's a link to the author's page, by Holly's daughter:

https://hollylisle.com/about-holly/

Apparently Holly Lisle died in August due to complications of cancer. I've only read a few of Holly's books, but I really liked them. She seems to have been a hugely prolific author but never got a lot of attention.

Finally, finished this behemoth of a book after a month. Here are a few of my thoughts .....

I really enjoyed Tyrion's chapters in the book and I liked the route Martin took; having a major chunk of the book revolve around him. He was one of the best characters in the first book and in this book he is even better my heart leapt with joy whenever I saw his name as the title of the Chapter.

Apart from this I really enjoyed Jon's journey too it has taken a rather interesting turn with him joining the Wildlings as a double agent although I thought he was given less time in this book compared to some other characters.

Surprisingly I found Theon's chapters to be very interesting I like how he is conflicted about hating ned stark and simultaneously trying to become like him. You also feel a bit bad for him when things start slipping away from his hands. Also he saved a few of Bran's chapters as well (more on this later)

Davos chapters were good too he is our only POV for whatever is happening with Stannis in this book. His chapter with the red woman was one of my favourites from the book. (When he realises what a monster Stannis has become)

Arya's chapters were good too. Her initial chapters with the Yoren and her hand in bringing Harrenhal down. There is also this revenge thing being built around in her chapters which may be explored in future books.

Sansa's chapters are okay for the most part like the first book there isn't much going on in her chapters apart from the Hound. And Reactions to events that happened in Tyrion's POV.

Catelyn's chapters had some pivotal moments as well from Renly's murder to whatever she is planning to do with Jamie Lannister.

Danearys has a very slow start in this book but the lore dump in the house of undying and her last chapter make up for the slowness of the initial chapters although she has a few chapters in this book.

Bran (rant incoming) has some of the most insufferable chapters in the book most of his chapters are some northern politics, hodor, and him warging into his wolf at the end (this template was followed for most of his chapters) thank god Theon came for Winterfell and also saved Bran's chapters. I think Bran's last few chapters were a drastic improvement from the initial chapters

Overall I loved the book although some unnecessary bits could have been cut to make the story a bit tighter (Bran's chapters at the start could be condensed into one and more time could have been given to any other character Jon maybe ?)

Excited to start A Storm of Swords (which is the best book in this series or so most people say hope it lives up to the hype)

TLDR - Wife likes romantacy, I like most all fantasy specially grimdark/antihero vibes. Help me find a series we can enjoy together without boring her by the lack of romance and character connection, that won't torcher me with poorly written sex scenes for the sake of sex scenes. Looking at you romantacy.

I've ve always hoped my wife would get into enjoying fantasy and sci-fi and bless the smut book gods it's finally happening. She started reading some smut/fantasy books that so many ladies seem to be enjoying these days, however she wants to read something together with better writing and prose than what she has been reading.

Needless to say I am psyched and hope to enjoy a series together. I'll list some of her favorites and some of my favorites and I'm hoping there are some readers here that could toss up a few recs from a standpoint of someone who is familiar with both these worlds.

Some of my all time favorites -

Red rising (she is already listening to this and is enjoying it but it hasn't been the hit i hoped it would be for her.

Powder mage trilogy.

Anything by Joe Abercrombie.

Lies of locke lamora.

Dungeon Crawler Carl (this was very out of my my usual scope but what a dang fun ride).

Some of her favorites -

Acotar.

Quicksilver.

Throne of glass.

I suppose we're actually very open we just want to read something together we'll both enjoy, but I don't think she'd enjoy fantasy/Sci-Fi without heavy elements of romance, and I'd rather put needles in my eyes than read a porn cloaked as fantasy. I'm no prude i enjoy romance in books and a sex scene as much as anyone else, I have just been entirely unimpressed by anything I've seen so far in "romantacy". To be clear I'm sure there are many great books in that genre, I just haven't seen it yet. However my sample size is like 2-3 books in romantacy so my opinion is very likely unfair. I digress.

Anyone have any recommendations based on this post? We both love character development, antiheros, well written romance and fun worlds to lose ourselves in. Thanks in advance for any recs!

I finished the third book today. I’d rate the first three a solid 7/10. I enjoyed the story and characters but felt the magic left a lot to be desired.

Is it worth reading the rest of the books in the series?

David Feintuch's Seafort books have given my hours of enjoyment over the years, from the initial read through and subsequent re-reads. I do thinks it's a sadly underrated/under recognised series of books that deserve wider appreciation.

can anyone recommend me ones like Dreamers throne?

I’m looking for a series to gift my partner for Christmas. She absolutely devoured ACOTAR and Throne of Glass and they have left a big hole in her life. She has asked for both box sets for Christmas, but I would love to find her a new love.

I don’t really read fantasy, I got the non-fiction strain of book addict, and I haven’t got first clue on what makes a good, spicy book. HELP 😭

Ideally, they books would involve women falling in love/ tension/ sex (think Carol), fairies, an element of historical accuracy, and maybe some witches thrown in.

Some books she really liked were the familiars, song of Achilles, Carol, Weyward, and the set mentioned above.

Please throw all of your recommendations at me!

Hi there! Just discovered Lois McMaster Bujold recently, she has an impressive bibliography and best of all most of her books are available on local libraries near me.

What would be you recommendations? Both standalones and series, the first ones to pick a grasp of her writing style

Thanks all!!

Was recommended The Burning Witch, and House Witch series by Delemhach and enjoyed them, so looking for something similar.

Cozy, with some action and a little romance.

Always prefer Fantasy/scifi. Don’t care about gender or preference. Can be spicy or ftb.

Trying to avoid drowning in “prose” while still reading a well thought out/ fully fleshed out story.

Thanks in advance.

https://preview.redd.it/zi360oxsdwzd1.jpg?width=667&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=2a31416fb09f7d22571cdd8d19e51843da7db6ce

Review originally on JamReads

The Black Hunger is an ambitious queer gothic horror novel, written by Nicholas Pullen, and published by Orbit Books. A story that spawns across the world with an excellent atmosphere that ties together, using an epistolary format, the fates of three men, with elements that remember to the classics of the gothic such as Stoker's Dracula, blended together with historical fiction and a modern touch that will be loved by fans of Elizabeth Kostova's The Historian.

A story that will start with the John Sackville's memory, a gay British Earl in the early 1900s, recounting his life and the horrors that lead to the death of his lover; how his work and the discovery of his relationship with Garrett puts him into danger and forces him into accepting a quest to investigate about an apocalyptic cult formed around apocrypha buddism. In the middle of John's memory, we will also have access to the diaries of Dr. Abravamel, a Jewish psychiatrist who experienced harrowing events during 1876, and Pullen also introduces us to Ian Stewart, a British general that experienced the horror of this cult (and recounts it to his wife) after becoming a prisoner in 1855, in the failed Balaclava's charge. Overall, the three stories are well blended together, and allow us to get a more or less complete picture of what is happening.

The story itself is a great homage to the gothic genre, playing with those elements that became a classic, but with its own touch of queerness, and not exempt from some gory and bloody moments. I was a bit skeptical about the non-chapter structure, but Pullen makes an excellent work, keeping the story flowing without any kind of problem, slowly hooking you into the plot.

The historical setting is also used excellently as a vehicle to discuss themes such as how queerness has been repressed in many moments (we can appreciate how Garrett and John are forced to hide their love, and how they are punished for it) and the impact of colonialism on other cultures. Pullen's writing is incredibly detailed, transporting you with words to Ukraine, to the Tibet, showing the research done to write this novel.

The Black Hunger is an excellent and compelling gothic horror novel, a debut that puts the name of Nicholas Pullen in the list of authors to watch in the future as he has blended the classical with more recent trends to create a novel that can be defined as a perfect approach to the gothic genre. Can't wait to see what more this author has under the sleeve.

Something which does not focus on plot or character (development) but just a world which fills with wonder. Something like Piranesi or Titus Groan, but not those as I read them already.

Any advise from Reddit?

Hello Bingo-ers! I'm here helping u/happy_book_bee today with some Bingo check-ins now that we're nearing the end of the year. How? Where has 2024 gone??

If you have stumbled into here by accident and have no idea what Bingo is, check out this post (and then join us).

First up, we would love to hear your ideas/hopes/dreams for future bingo squares! Anything goes here (we do enjoy some chaos after all), so don't hold back!

We would also like to know how you feel about this year's Bingo.
Are there any squares you really hate or love? Have you found them easy or difficult? Have any surprised you? Any that you want to return? Any and all thoughts are most welcome!

For reference, here is the wiki with all past and present Bingos.

So there's a ton of classic European fantasy worlds, so much so that it is the stock fantasy world. Worlds that look and portray themselves as a pastiche of medieval Europe, tho not actually set on earth. I found myself thinking this happens much less with the classical antiquity. There are tons of historic fantasy stories set in ancient Greece or Rome, or retellings of Greek myths and stories, but I personally can't really think of any unique fantasy worlds that take their primary inspiration from this period, in the same way fantasy does with medieval Europe.

What are some fantasy books you have read that gave you an unforgettable experience? Especially ones that aren't as widely known? I'm looking to read more YA Fantasy books (2022-2024 release) that aren't the big names and bestsellers. Give me hidden gems please! Thank you!

This thread is to be used for recommendation requests or simple questions that are small/general enough that they won’t spark a full thread of discussion.

Check out r/Fantasy's 2024 Book Bingo Card here!

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Literally what the title says, if that alone doesnt hook you in, nothing I say here will. Keep in mind that that while there around 700 pages written yet, it is an ongoing work.