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I'll be checking out the Boudicca series and Conn Iggulden eventually. Been meaning to try his Conqueror series for years. I got a suprising amount read in January, cuz I shunned larger books for the most part: *DC Comics* Batman Universe Written by Brian Bendis | Art by Nick Derington - So much fun! *Espionage* James Bond 001: Casino Royale - Showing its age in places but I'd a good time. I'll be continuing the series if I need a palate cleanser. *Fantasy* Dagger & Coin 1: Dragon's Path - My favourite start to an Abraham series I've read, tho I was more invested in most of the characters in A Shadow in Summer. This one has a more engaging plot. Earthsea 5: Tales from Earthsea Earthsea 6: The Other Wind - I'm not wild about Fantasy Short Fiction, but its LeGuin, so at worst it was really good but I could've done without most of it. Other Wind was a perfect end to the series, and Firelight was a lovely epilogue. The Heart of What was Lost / Tad Williams - Loved it. Can't wait to start Last King of Osten Ard! *Sci-Fi* Southern Reach 1: Annihilation - Loved it. I will continue the series, but I'm in no rush. Book of the month. *Urban Fantasy* Dresden Files: A Fistful of Warlocks (re-read) Dresden Files: A Restoration of Faith (re-read) Dresden Files 1: Storm Front (re-read) - Did Storm Front on audio, everything else with the eyeballs. While not my absolute favourite, Dresden is consistently the most fun I have with any series. I guess you could call 'em comfort reads as well. I DNFed Brent Weeks' Black Prism (Lightbringer 1) at 60% in. Some alright concepts but with mediocre delivery and with not much nuance or maturity. And that's not even getting into the depictions of women. Also did a fair bit of gaming. After being kinda mixed but still mostly positive on Spider-man 2 in December, I replayed Ghost of Tsushima, which I finished a few weeks ago and still loved it. Then I restarted and finally beat Bloodborne, I loved it. For whatever reason, it just clicked with me on this attempt.

This is probably going to be a tad biased against newer reads, since for favourite characters I'm going by the ones that have stuck with me the longest in my memories. Considering i usually have a terrible memory for remembering names, it seems a good sign if i actually can remember a character for years after initial read. :) Milady de Winter ~The d'Artagnan Romances (it's adventure fiction so close enough to fantasy for me 😅) Elaith Craulnober ~Songs & Swords Moghedien & Nynaeve ~Wheel of Time Kitiara Uth Matar ~Dragonlance Danilo Thann & Arilyn Moonblade ~Songs & Swords Shandril Shessair ~Spellfire Saga Alanna ~Song of the Lioness Verin Mathwin ~Wheel of Time Fizban the Fabulous ~Dragonlance Tessa ~The Magician’s Apprentice Hmm... didn't expect there to be so many antagonists. Not sure what that says about me haha.

Excellent video Niko! Yeah January is hectic and also politically exhausting, so a slow read month for me too : )

I listened to the audiobook and when it got to the last chunk with all the f**ks, i really tried but it was completely unlistenable and I gave up. But I struggled to get through the first part of the book, so for me it just wasn't worth it. Not bad by any means, just not for me.

I also plan on reading this and I think you would really love his Gap Cycle as well! So far my favorite series of his. What people get annoyed by so much is actually why I like Donaldson. He goes so all-in with his themes...

Any plans to try Conn Iggulden's historical fiction at any point? His Emperor and Conqueror series were some of the wildest stuff I read growing up.

Wooo Sword Saint!!! Def excited for trying Boudica too

Ooh man, I can't wait to get into the Boudica books soon! And I hope Lord & King works better for me 😅 Sounds like a great January. Happy reading, Niko!

This is SUCH an even-handed and contextual view of Stephen Donaldson's Thomas Covenant series. I am a big fan, but it is such a hard sell, for many, valid reasons.

These were my favorite novels durring my teen years and I must have read them no less then 5 or 6 times... on subsequent readings you really notice and understand that every detail matters and may not be paid off for hundreds of pages... e.g. Teresa's foot ware when she is translated... the lay out of the chamber when she first is brought before the king. The two novels as sepperate publications are even structured in a way to balance eachother and complement the character arc that Terrisa must follow... there is not character that you do not understand where they are comming from as they are developed... even Argus and Ribuld shine

Read these a while and probably wasn't paying close enough attention to what Donaldson was doing. So more Fonaldson rereads. But in 4th Gap Cycle book so might be enough Donaldson for a while. It is really good but similar to Lord Foul, first book is really rough as it is mainly through 2 character's pov's - essentially the abuser and the abused. But once the story expands beyond them, it gwts a lot better.

These were som of my first read novels when I was around 11. Captivated me then, reread them when I was about 30, they were really good on a reread and my adult mind could latch onto more of the themes abd subtext! Like these lore than Thomas Covenant (only read first trilogy though)

This is a great series! I've read it multiple times. The first book sets up everything and establishes the setting and character and the second book springboards off of that. I also appreciate the fact it's only two books. Short and sweet!

Sanderson pleqse collab with lord grim dark. Cosmere is the disneyland of fantasy

To add to your thoughts of Shakespeare, Donaldson based it on the story of King Lear. Another inspiration he says he must have subconsciously drawn from and I totally see now that he brings it up is Gormenghast, both for the sprawling almost mystical castle and for the scheming going on even beneath seemingly innocent characters.

Fitz is my favourite fantasy character of all time, along with Fool and Nighteyes. I also love Frodo, Jamie Lannister, Sam Vimes and Roland Deschain.

Yeah, I loved both of these (really just a single novel too long for publication since book 2 opens with Chapter 28) and it's nice to see someone highlighting them. I had trouble following up Navigator's Children with anything fantasy last year because it felt like nothing could stack up and Donaldson is the only one who managed. The passive character could be annoying for some but it feels so triumphant once we start to see her not being so passive and pull herself together little by little. I was also surprised that Donaldson can even deliver some well done fight scenes when he wants, not to mention one of the grossest creatures in fantasy.

I am so glad you liked this book. I look forward to reading it too and it will be my first Donaldson book. Maybe after Pern…

So glad you are continuing your Donaldson journey! I also really loved this duology and am glad your covering it. Completely agree with your statements about people reasons for not liking the book. Enjoy the next one, it's a great ending.

Great review, Niko! Sounds like a really interesting book. Definitely going to add it to my TBR. I haven’t read any Donaldson yet, maybe I’ll start here.

Brandon,Don't listen to just fans that come to your cons and reddit community

There's an audio book?? Where did you find that or is it US only perhaps?😢 I'd dearly love to reread this duology as it's a favourite. It's by far Donaldson's sweetest series. I think he was briefly happy writing these books 😉. Geraden is such a lovely character. I liked Teresa far more than Linden. Isn't the whole point that she has no self esteem because of her father? The conclusion really ramps things up and there is a point at the end where the reader goes YES 💪💪 It's been a long time since I read it but I still remember that scene clearly.

Whoa this sounds very intriguing. Great point about how a passive character isn’t some inherent fault in writing - it’s just a less common flavor of character in fantasy in particular

I need to get to Donaldson, though probably The Covenant stuff first. I'm getting the Grimdark itch I need to scratch soon. Speaking of Crown of Stars, bought King's Dragon the other day.

80 pages???? Gtfoh

Ooooh yes, I am so excited you are reading Riven Earth! I hope the story inside lives up to the amazing cover for you ;) And I also hope to join for Blood Over Bright Haven, fingers crossed we both enjoy it. Happy reading!!

i finished it - it wasnt great. Maybe my expectations where too high

Excited for you to read Shadowmarch! The series is underrated. For me, it’s floor is a little lower than Osten Ard but it’s ceiling is just as high when the best moments are happening!

I love those whelan covers

I'm so pumped for the new dungeon crawler Carl book!!

I got 60% of the way through Black Prism, and I don't think the series is for me. Some great ideas but with (imo) underwhelming delivery.

I'm reading Brightness at some point in this month as well! I've heard it ties in heavily to All the Seas of the World, which I've read previously, so something to consider once you're done with it. After Brightness, that will leave me with exactly one GGK left to be all caught up with his backlist, which is extremely bittersweet.

Oof I'm nervous!! As an aside, I'm hoping to read Bone Ships this month as well! Hopefully we can sync our reads for it, just let me know when you're starting 🔥 Also, I think you're going to like Brightness 😁

Great video Niko! I’m finishing up the last book in the Shadowmarch series right now. I’m enjoying it quite a bit but I still like MST more. There are just a few things in Shadowmarch I’m not a fan of which are mostly just comes down to personal preference. His writing is still brilliant. Hope you enjoy the rest of your day!

It will be interesting to see if your thoughts of Brightness Long Ago line up with mine or everyone else.😏 You will come across some great scenes but overall out of the 5 books I read, I put it last right after Lord of Emperors. I can say thankfully no cartoon-bafoons in this book, only found that in Sarantine Mosaic. Besides not liking the main characters in Brightness ( no Blaise here) I felt you could have just replaced the supporting characters names with our beloved Lions crew! Maybe GGK did that on purpose? But it irked me!

BONE BOATS! I haven't read It but plan on it in 2046

I think you will like Blood over bright haven honestly not typical dark academia

I’m doing Riven Earth next month

I’m excited for shadowmarch

Hell yeah, A Brightness Long Ago ❤ Top 3 GGK for me easily, alongside Lions of Al-Rassan and Under Heaven. I'm in the middle of too many books 😅: Perdido Street Station / China Miéville River of Stars / Guy Gavriel Kay - A return to Kitai, the setting of Under Heaven. The Company / K.J Parker - Loving it. Its the shortest of the books I've listed, so it's my priority atm After those, I'm thinking of picking up Curse of Chalion, The Witchwood Crown, or The Great Hunt (that'll be a re-read). Dunno what it is, I've been clicking with Classic/Traditional Fantasy a lot lately. I'm normally not drawn to it that often.

Ah the book haul where the Broken Binding feud BEGAN

I enjoy my Easton press three musketeers

Sharon 😭

I wonder if you ever found those hardcovers of Wars of light and shadow 😂

This gem of an opening 😂 2 years later and I love it

I was crushingly disappointed in this book and the hundreds and hundreds of pages regarding self help psychobabble.

Thank you! Great and honest review. Agree 100%.

I love the constructive approach to the criticism, so much of the hate directed at this book is fairly one note, I still love the book but I understand the reservations, I hope that Brandon will listen to the criticism and will be able to pull it back for those falling out of love 🫡

There are very few cosy fantasies that I enjoy. Gam Gam is one of them. I liked The Wishing Stone (Gam Gam 2) and I found it a little darker with more at stake. Other books that gave me a similar vibe: Someone You Can Build a Nest In by John Wiswell (320 pg) - A cute, queer (asexual) romance between a girl and a shape-shifting horror that eats people. Small Miracles by Olivia Atwater (250 pg) - A fallen angel must corrupt a mortal with petty temptations to pay off a gambling debt. This one is less dark and a little more fun. Your Blood and Bones by J. Patricia Anderson (113 pg) - A pair of kids run from home as they painfully mutate into monsters. Less cosy, surprisingly dark, and heartfelt. Hills of Heather and Bone by K.E. Andrews (412 pg) - A necromancer goes on the run with her husband to find a safe place to live. Sweet and sombre with a splash of darkness.

Ooh, this sounds really neat. Thanks for the review, Niko!