"Epic Fantasy "books

aragorn

The Living Force
FOTCM Member
The past months, I've been reading books from the fantasy genre. It started half by accident, as my daughter wanted me to get her the book Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros (1st book in her Empyrean series) from the library. So, I looked it up, and saw that the series was hugely popular with good reviews. Intriqued, I started reading it also. The wiriting style a bit too juvenile for my taste, but the story was very capturing, and soon I found myself just waiting for the evening to come so that I could plunge into that fantasy world – it felt like a nice escape from the dark times we live in now. Long story short, I then read all three available books in the series (the fourth will be published soon). In sum, the series is quite juvenile, almost cartoonish, in its writing style with some sudden out of place 'raunchy' sex scenes (I guess those were inserted to expand the potential readership). However, the story is quite good with good vs. evil, kings and queens, dragons and evil magicians. I learned that Yarro's books are an example of the genre known as Romantic Fantasy.

I've not before read that much of this type of fantasy literature (I've read a lot of scifi), so this was a pretty new genre for me. It may sound silly, but I found it refreshing to 'jump into' a fantasy world that is so very different from our techno-pathologically spoiled world today. However, the a bit too juvenile style of Yarros made me search for other authors of this genre. So, next I read Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson. This was quite different style of writing compared to Yarros, more adult like, and I liked it alot. The story is quite clever and has twists and surprises. A short synopsis:

In a world where certain people can use metals to gain magical abilities, a young thief named Vin learns she’s one of the rare few called Mistborn. She joins a group of rebels planning to overthrow the tyrant who has ruled their land for a thousand years. As Vin trains to master her powers, she learns to navigate court politics and hidden dangers. The story follows her journey from a cautious survivor to someone who dares to believe in change.

Although I liked Mistborn, I didn't continue with the subsequent books in the series. I found myself wanting an even more archaic medieval fantasy world with swords and magic! Don't laugh, I don't know where that idea came from! 😄

That lead me to the series The Faithful and the Fallen by John Gwynne. I don't know if anyone here has read it but boy what a story! The first book Malice starts the build up quite slowly but as the story proceeds, a lot of things start to happen faster and faster. The series is an epic good vs. evil story (of course!) but to my taste it's very cleverly and meticulously constructed. Reminds me a bit of Lord of The Rings (not as good, though, what could be as good!?). Gwynne is, IMO, very talented in depicting the surroundings, the atmosphere and especially good at giving depth and nuance to the main characters. Now, the only downside of Gwynne's series is that it contains quite a lot of violence – epic battles with swords, knives, wolves, giants etc. A bit too much 'gore' to my taste. However, since it depicts a medieval and rough world, the violence is to some extent justified. In any case, I'm completely swept away by this series and now reading the third volume (Ruin). Here's a short synopsis:

Set in the Banished Lands, the series follows warriors, outcasts, and kings caught in an ancient prophecy tied to the return of good and evil gods. The world is populated by humans, giants, wyrms (dragon-like beasts), and other mythical creatures, all preparing for the coming God War between Elyon, the creator god, and Asroth, his fallen adversary. As old prophecies awaken, heroes and villains alike must choose sides in the battle between the Faithful (followers of Elyon) and the Fallen (servants of Asroth). Through intertwining stories of friendship, betrayal, and fate, the series explores how ordinary people rise to meet a world-shaping conflict.

The way the evil 'fallen angel' Asroth lures and corrupts some of the main characters, and how this evil is hidden beneath an illusion of benevolence and righteousness (the evil ones actuall claim being representing the good God, Elyon) makes me think of today's Zionists and their supporters/minions; for many they appear (or try to appear) as bringers of good, God's chosen people, when actually they are 4DSTS walk-ins, the most evil individuals on this planet.

Okay, just felt like sharing my latest 'book experience', maybe some of you want to check those out. If you ask me, at least Gwynn's series is better entertainment than any film or tv series you can find these days.
 
Then you might enjoy Robert Jordan’s The Wheel of Time series - only downside, there are 14 books! Maybe that’s an upside …
😂
That is an amazing series. Well for me the downside was not the fact that it has 14 books but rather the fact that Robert Jordan did not write all the 14 books since he died before finishing his series. I know, a true fan of him finished the books with the notes of Jordan but nevertheless, we can see the difference in the style and the story would have been different with him for the last 3 books.

But, even with that, it is an amazing series.
 
So, next I read Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson. This was quite different style of writing compared to Yarros, more adult like, and I liked it alot.
If you like his work, there's also the Stormlight Archive, starting with The Way of Kings. I enjoyed that series a lot! More so than Mistborn. But I'll check out some of your recommendations if I eventually finish reading the Wheel of Time series. Only 4 more books left to go...
 
Then you might enjoy Robert Jordan’s The Wheel of Time series - only downside, there are 14 books! Maybe that’s an upside …
😂
Thanks for the suggestion, it sounds promising! I’m going to check that out once I’m finished with Gwynne. 😀 I wonder if, as with the best romance novel authors, there’s some degree of channeling going on with these fantasy authors. As I’m convinced by the idea that the universe has always existed, maybe these worlds and characters have actually existed somewhere at some point in ’time’?
 
Hi @aragorn , first part of Fourth Wing was great, although i couldn't get past beggining of the second part, and also erotic & romance was too much for me. Rebeca Yarros were writing "regular" romance books before she started this Fantasy Romance thins.

If you enjoyed this, maybe you will enjoy The Mime Order series from Samantha Shannon. The story is happening in future, where people are divided between those having supernatural powers and normies; supernaturals are eradicated from the society to the "special place" no one in mainstream doesn't know about, but only because there are other wordly creatures secretly governing the world and needing supernaturals for their means.
There is enemies to lovers motifs, lot's of magic and interesting plot in general, happening all over the Europe. I really enjoyed reading/listening, mostly because the writer is putting a lot of historical themes and places in the novel and also the story is just interesting.
 
That is an amazing series. Well for me the downside was not the fact that it has 14 books but rather the fact that Robert Jordan did not write all the 14 books since he died before finishing his series. I know, a true fan of him finished the books with the notes of Jordan but nevertheless, we can see the difference in the style and the story would have been different with him for the last 3 books.

But, even with that, it is an amazing series.
It was Brandon Sanderson the author of the Mistborn series, who finished Robert Jordan's The Wheel of Time series. FWIW.
 
I have been a reader of fantasy since I was a child (starting with kids stuff and Tolkien, of course).

I have not read any Sanderson so far but did get a bunch of his books from a charity shop a while back and hope to start them soonish. I have also heard that John Gwynne is very good - thanks for the reminder.

I can give a few recommendations that are my real favourites:

Wheel of Time (Robert Jordan - talked about elsewhere on the forums). Certainly epic, bit slow in places but with really great themes. These days I think a touch overrated and definitely a bit too long for where it actually goes, but still one of the best and well worth reading at least once.

Malazan Book of the Fallen (Stephen Erickson). Possibly the longest series of fantasy books out there, especially if you include Ian C Esselmont's books as well. Absolutely huge world, deep themes, epic in every sense of the word. Also, very dark in places and can be very hard to get into due to the writing style, number of characters (hundreds), variety of themes and sheer size and depth of everything; just go with it - just be aware of what you're getting into, you won't know what is going on but it's great!

Realm of the Elderlings (Robin Hobb). Beautiful world with five (I think) different series set within it, three of which follow the character of Fitz. Some of the most in-depth characters I have seen in fantasy (especially Fitz who you get from a first-person perspective in his stories). Subtle magic, dragons, pirates, weird 'fey' stuff, human/animal connections that aren't cheesy at all, and some of the most heartbreaking plot twists… Wouldn't say it was too dark, but some of the stuff Fitz and the other main characters go through...

Memory, Sorrow and Thorn / The Last King of Osten Ard (Tad Williams). Could be my favourite. Quite classic fantasy but with some twists. Williams really inspired George RR Martin but is nowhere near as dark as a Song of Ice and Fire (once you have read both, you will see how much Martin copied…). Still classic/epic fantasy set in a world very much based on early medieval/post-Roman Europe with very little obvious magic (much like Middle Earth). A proper heroes journey in Memory, Sorrow and Thorn and a great follow up with The Last King of Osten Ard. Heroes journey, fairly deep characters, politics, 'elves' (just under a different name and probably my favourite interpretation), dragons, battles, epic journeys - all that good stuff.
 
Thanks for this thread, it's very interesting. I want to reread Tolkien and Jordan. But where will I find the time? Right now I'm reading a fantasy series about cats who speak human language and some adults who understand it. It's very good, for those who like cats. As for fantasy books, I'd like to reread "The Mists of Avalon"; I have very fond memories of it.

The Mists of Avalon is a 1983 historical fantasy novel by American writer Marion Zimmer Bradley, in which the author relates the Arthurian legends from the perspective of the female characters. The book follows the trajectory of Morgaine (Morgan le Fay), a priestess fighting to save her Celtic religion in a country where Christianity threatens to destroy the pagan way of life.The epic is focused on the lives of Morgaine, Gwenhwyfar (Guinevere), Viviane, Morgause, Igraine and other women of the Arthurian legend.

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Thanks for this thread, it's very interesting. I want to reread Tolkien and Jordan. But where will I find the time? Right now I'm reading a fantasy series about cats who speak human language and some adults who understand it. It's very good, for those who like cats. As for fantasy books, I'd like to reread "The Mists of Avalon"; I have very fond memories of it.



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Interestingly, Tad Williams first novel, Tailchaser's Song, is pretty much a retelling of classic fantasy a la Lord of the Rings but with all the characters as cats and other anthropomorphic animals - all with their own languages, cultures, songs etc.
 
Interestingly, Tad Williams first novel, Tailchaser's Song, is pretty much a retelling of classic fantasy a la Lord of the Rings but with all the characters as cats and other anthropomorphic animals - all with their own languages, cultures, songs etc.
Interesting, yes. The series I am reading is very very well written, and so good. There is so little information about this writer, Shirley Rousseau Murphy even if she won prices and awards. I think that, like some films, certain authors are somehow "forgotten" for completely mysterious reasons, and that's a real shame. The publishing world is a jungle.

Oh, I am very sad, I just read that she died in 2022. :shock:
 
Then you might enjoy Robert Jordan’s The Wheel of Time series - only downside, there are 14 books! Maybe that’s an upside …
😂
There is actually 15 books to the series as New Spring was added as a prequel to the series. I actually liked the last 3 books that were written after Jordan's death. A bit of humor was added which I always find refreshing. Especially when the series is so serious.

Anne McCaffrey has written quite a few good fantasy books as well as science fiction books. Her Dragon Riders of Pern series is very popular.

There is also Mercedes Lackey who has written a number of good fantasy books. Her Valdemar series are quite popular.
 
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