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Whenever someone tells me they're looking to get into reading fantasy I just recommend they start with the series whose on-screen adaptation they've already liked. Helps when they already know the characters and aren't overwhelmed by names, plus they get to experience so many new layers (and often plotlines) of the same story.
The Wheel of Time is my first ever fantasy book series. I’m currently on book 11 and, outside of the One Piece anime I grew up watching, I’ve never felt so immersed and in love with a fictional world as I have with this story. These books mean so much to me, as they’ve fulfilled that kind of world-building itch I’ve been craving since One Piece. They’ve opened my eyes to the fantasy book genre. To be honest I’ve been struggling a bit over the years with depression. The pandemic really took a toll on my mental health. But reading the WoT and starting to watch booktubing channels like yours and Daniel Greene has been a good escape from all that. Through your channel I’ve learned that there are so many great stories out there that I’ve yet to experience. It’s given me something to look forward to. I really appreciate everything that you do.
And here I was thinking that all the people saying One Piece is the WoT of manga to Daniel were just saying that to get on his good side (as someone who was reading both at the time).
I will always recommend The Lies of Locke Lamora. Watching your videos before fully diving back into fantasy, you mentioned it often, and I picked it up with high expectations. Those expectations were surpassed, and I picked up book 2 and 3 after only about 100 pages of book 1. I'm hoping that Lynch's mental health is his number one priority, but do also hope that he does one day release the rest of The Gentlemen Bastards series.
I never read fantasy and I just finished The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson and I am hooked! I appreciate you doing these videos because I need fantasy recommendations.
I started with "The Rise of Kyoshi" by FC Yee. That was the first book I read outside of my college/school curriculum. Now I'm knee deep in Stormlight, The witcher, and Diskworld. Plus I'm writing three standalone Novels. I'm glad my favorite show got me into reading and writing.
Fantasy is literally what got me into reading. As a kid I was sort of unhappy and naturally drawn to magical stories to escape. The Chronicles of Narnia did it for me.
My favorite fantasy book series is a Japanese light novel series called Ascendance of a Bookworm. It's about a bibliophile college grad who gets reincarnated into a pseudo-medieval fantasy world (with her memories) and basically decides she wants to make books and become a librarian, bringing upheaval to this society in the process. There are different sagas/arcs labeled as Parts, and with each new one, the scope of the world and cast expands on a level that reminds me of One Piece, leaving me absolutely obsessed and floored with all the moving parts the author juggles--in what was essentially her self-insert fanfiction that she published online as a webnovel... If there was a Patreon tier for being able to recommend books I'd immediately upgrade to that because I think you would be enthralled by this series!
@@castellan4880 You're right, and we're equally blessed that the official translation team is equally talented and hardworking enough to bring the English version up to par!
For the Fantasy genre, I would always recommend the Discworld series. Great mix of satire and fantasy that cycles between the handful of main characters and while being self-contained and easy to pick up and jump into any book (I started with the 40th book).
Hey Merphy, on the off-chance that you'll read this, thank you so much! You & Daniel have randomly inspired me to read again, and I finished the first book in 10 years not long ago! (First Law, starting book 3 now and reading 2 other authors concurrently :)))
I'm right there with you. It's been about a year since I first started reading regularly again as a hobby since high school and it was also because of Daniel and Merphy. I'm currently deep into Brandon Sanderson's Words of Radiance.
Reading half of Death Note and stopping there is the best way to read it. Did the exact same thing. Checked out the ending just because I was curious. But the story felt complete to me at the halfway mark
My introduction to fantasy, way back in 4th grade, was The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe. Short, binge-able, and easy to read. I immediately followed that up with The Black Cauldron and the rest of the Chronicles of Prydain.
Just started Lord of the Rings. I'm about a quarter done with the first book. I've been wanting to read outside of manga, and I have friends that love the movies and you seem to love this series, so I figured to start with it, and it was a good decision.
@@satana8157 No, I wasn't sure completely where to begin, and just kinda jumped into the trilogy. I have a basic premise of what happened based on the prologue and the dialog from Gandalf.
Kings of the Wyld is just phenomenal. I loved it so much I had music playing in my head to accompany the scenes in the book. I even actually brought this soundtrack from my head to life and home recorded some of it (antagonists' and protagonists' themes for both KotW and Bloody Rose). It's just a must read for anyone who loves D&D and/or 70s rock.
For a chill read, I've gotten into this subgenre of fantasy cozy mysteries. You know the basic thing - someone "normal" finds themselves in a little town that's unknown in the "real" world and it is populated by fantastical creatures (werewolves, pixies, etc.) and now they wind up solving murder mysteries. I'm currently reading Nova Nelson's Ruby True series. Fun fluff for when I need a break from bigger/heavier things.
@@soof3993 Erin Johnson has a series that begins with Cocoa Curses. Nova Nelson also has another series (Eastwind Witches) that begins with Crossing Over Easy. That series takes place later than the other one and Ruby is a mentor to the main character. I just figured out there are more in that series that I haven't read, so I need to pick those up. Lily Webb has a couple of series but I don't think they are as good as the Johnson or Nelson ones. There are a lot more series out there, these are just what I've read. Search for supernatural cozy mysteries.
The first series I ever finished was David Eddings the Belgariad and honestly I love it so much, probably for the nostalgia but I just love it so much.
When I first started reading back in 2007 (started with my father drunkenly threw a book at my head (he didn't like it that I was too much into Yu-Gi-Oh back then)), I began with the original Maximum Ride trilogy before I found my true love: Anne Rice and Gothic fantasy (I consider her fantasy because vampire, witches, werewolves, angels, and mummies). When people ask me where to start, the first three Vampire Chronicles would be my pick. The characters are reach, dramatic, sadistic, depressed, and complete b words to each other while contemplating existence. What else could one want? But that's just me.
Currently reading neverwhere and I'm loving it so much! Just finished the graveyard book and loved that so much that I felt like reading another gaiman book lol
Percy Jackson is fun which is why it makes a great entry point, but the story isn’t bad. We have a character who’s beaten down but is given the chance to make something of himself and he’s able to succeed. But it also has side characters with their own goals and motivations and lives. Earthsea is a classic and has a different writing style than what most of us who read modern fantasy but the characters are believable and the world and magic are fascinating. As far as manga goes I’ll add Fullmetal Alchemist. I’ve only watched the anime (Brotherhood specifically) but it was one of the best experiences I’ve had with a piece of media. It has enough manga tropes to get used to but not too many as to be off putting. The world is much more grounded than something like One Piece (though I love One Piece), so it’s much easier to digest. The story and themes are also great. Overall for the complete package I know nothing comparable to it except Avatar The Last Airbender, yes it is that good. If you don’t believe me even Cifu Hickson (Hello Future Me) has said as much.
Sorcery of Thorns or anything by Margaret Rogerson. It’s mostly super predictable but it’s crafted with love and it’s just really sweet vanilla fantasy story - chill, bingeble and stand-alone category.
I recently got into Wings of Fire and have been obsessing over it SO MUCH. It mixes an incredibly fun all-dragon-characters cast in a dragon-dominated world with challenging the classic fantasy tropes we've come to expect and pushing them forward in super fresh and engaging ways. It's young reader appropriate while also being drenched in very thoughtful and mature discussions on a variety of themes as each book follows a new character and their personal challenges while still connecting into focused story arcs. It's extremely character-driven while also being just plain fun and inventive. I can recommend it a lot, and not even JUST to people who love reading about dragons.
Uprooted by Naomi Novik is a good stand alone. If you need to work on your suspension of disbelief muscle, I'd start with urban fantasy like the Mercy Thompson series or October Daye series.
In my opinion, reading the books that tickle your fancy is the best way to get into fantasy, whether it's Mistborn or Malazan. However, some of the books that got me into fantasy are The Hobbit, The Name of The Wind and A Game of Thrones. All very different approaches to the genre, yet all super easy to read.
I'm almost done with The Final Empire and I'm really enjoying it. I'm also reading The Eyes of the Dragon. Love your channel. Was stoked that you started to read One Piece last year as it is my favorite manga series.
Am going to purchase the Final empire's book and I wanna know if the language is accessible and not too hard of flowery as English is not my first language .
If you loved The Final Empire then I encourage you to check out the rest of the trilogy (The Well of Ascension and The Hero of Ages) I'm reading book 3 right now, and book 2 has a hell of an amazing ending which I won't spoil.
@@costelinha1867 yeah am going to buy the entire triology cuz I heard only great things about it , I was just worried if it hard or complicated cuz I lose focus then lol . Thanks tho I will make sure to read it .
@@erenkasa7882 Here's a tip then, buy just The Final Empire, see if you like it, THEN read the buy the rest. Alternatively, Warbreaker which is mentioned on the video, is available for free in Brandon's website among many other short stories and stuff like that. It takes place in the same universe as Mistborn but on a different planet. This way you can at least have a taste of how the guy wrties before commiting to buy any of his books.
damn, i needed this! been on a reader's block for weeks because big books are currently burning me out. like, i want something lighter and chill type of fantasy. thanks!!
I wouldn't say fantasy is tough for me to get into, I'm just picky. I just tried A Wizard of Earthsea & just couldn't get into it. I'm currently going through The School for Good & Evil and I'm just hooked. Also, this Seaweed Brain has read all 15 Percy Jackson Books and now waiting for the next 5.
@@themythosarchives7520 When she brought out the first 5 only, I was like whoa your hands might not be able to hold all 15, but you've got to show them.
I watched this video with goodreads open. Fantasy is my genre but I HADN’T READ A SINGLE BOOK ON THIS LIST! Many were already on my tbr, but I am so excited to read some of these!!!
a short story that reminds me of the wayward children is an online webnovel I read called epilogue, and it is...just that, 4 teenagers, went to a fantasy world for 7 years, learned, adventured, struggled and fought wars, overthrew a kingdom and then our story starts, suddenly at the very end of their journey with all it's excitement and grief they just end up back where they were 7 years ago like no time at all had passed, but one didn't, it's a fascinating story
I always like the Eragon series as a introduction to fantasy, however I'm biased because my first fantasy book as a kid was the Percy Jackson series then my second was the Eragon series. The Eragon series is what solified my love for fantasy.
The first fantasy I remember reading was Belgariad. It was recommended to me by one of my teachers whose name I don't even remember, way back in primary school. I blew through both series and just jumped into a whole bunch of other stuff after, always looking for more, but it all started with him. Also, highly recommend Bone Doll's Twin - such a great read! Also, Ill-made Mute series is so good, too. There's so much great fantasy out there, more and more made every day. It's impossible to name them all. oh god, and anything by Tamora Peirce, especially Alanna.
The ad segue was amazing, Merph. also, as someone who's read so much fantasy, I'm surprised a lot of those books are new to me. Thank you for the recommendations. 😍
My first big fantasy series is Malazan. I just finished book 5 and I regret nothing but maybe I should read something easier now for a change of pace so this helps
I consider myself a fantasy reader, but hadn't heard of most of these (and the Percy Jackson books are the only ones I've read). Thanks for helping me grow my TBR list.
Loved your list. Thanks for including books by African American writers. I’ve seen similar videos and many don’t include them. Wild Seed is part of a series where each book takes place in a different time period.
Just got Kings of the Wyld and Legends & Lattes for the Kindle. Looking forward to reading them both. I already have the Lady Trent Memoirs which are on my TBR for the year. It sounds like I have some good reading coming up. Thanks for sharing!
1) I have been using native since 2020, 0 regrets & smells 12/10 2) thanks for book recs :3 Only ones I have read are "Ocean at the End of the Lane" (good, but not my cuppa tea) and "Legends and Lattes" (amazing and beautiful)
I love Native deodorant I have repurchased multiple times BUT careful of their shampoos. They leave a gritty/greasy feel to your hair and your hair still looks dirty. Most reviews of the shampoo says the same thing, so not just me haha
ok, ok I will read my very first fantasy book ....The House On The Cerulean Sea, is what I've ordered . Now you got me so worked up that I cannot wait 🥰
This is the video I need! Fantasy can be such a hard thing to break into for me. It’s almost as if you need a different approach to read the genre. I’m starting with The Dark Tower soon (extended series of 24 books!) I’m excited to dive into it.
Damn, I came to know your channel because of a video like this one that you did with Daniel Greene. I was just curious about fantasy, since I liked the genre but didn't know that there were more mature Fantasy stories, since they aren't that common here in Brazil (since the genre is mostly taken as stories for kids around here). And thus I came in contact with your channel as well as Daniel's channel, and I have been watching both channels since then and loving them... such a long time ago by now... kinda...
I’ve started the Boneshard Daughter and it has yet to prove itself to me and go from good to great but I’m really interested to see how it goes and foresee some big twists. Also Mephi has my whole heart and if anything happens to him I will riot
Harry Potter should be a standard go-to recommendation IMHO. If you want basic, standard fantasy Magician apprentice/master (Feist) is fun and standalone enough but can also be a stepping stone into the Riftwar. Lastly, the name of the wind (Rothfuss) is so easy and fun to read and it just brings you into his world.
I remember a dark fantasy I really liked called Dust City. I don't remember much about the book anymore except the twist ending, but I did really like the twists. I might read it again and see if I still like it since I read it a long time ago. I also read An Unkindness of Magicians last year, and I liked that one. It was a really interesting world. It didn't drag me in like a lot of books used to, but it was really cool to read.
Given how much you like Neil Gaiman and now that you're more familiar with Manga you should his Sandman comic/graphic novel series, I'd love to hear your thoughts on it. It was the first Graphic novel to make me cry
Skulduggery Pleasant is a really easy to read series with fun characters. The Shannara prequel series felt pretty quick and entertaining, too. I believe the first trilogy is called Word and the Void.
Wild Seed is actually part of a quartet. It was the last one published in a four book series. The second book doesn't follow Onyawu (sp?) really, but she's still there. The third and fourth books are completely different though.
Ahhh finally someone recommends Wild Seed!! So freaking good!!!!!! But it is actually part of a duology... the second book is called Mind of My Mind and it is even better.
hi merphy, i have almost finished chronicles of everfall shadow of the conqueror by shadiversity. so thanks to you and daniel greene i am picking up legends and lattes next just to get a break from the world that shad has made. it's a good world it's a easy to understand world, but the magic takes some getting used to. anyway after finishing these last 9 chapters (as of writing this) legends and lattes is orderd so just now just waiting till i have it to read and chill in that coffeeshop. can't wait to get a chill time in that world. because after shadiversity's book you are going to need a book like legends and lattes to relax.
I think a neat category would be political fantasies, that deal with people and motivations. The Goblin Emperor is one of my favorites for that category, but I've also recently gotten into the Craft Sequence books.
I did not realize that the even books in Wayward Children are in their world! I need to give the series another try because I was disappointed in the first book when it wasn’t very magical ✨
I think some great pillars to start with are Lord of the rings, the witcher (my favourite series) and Mistborn. They provide three pretty different series, plus mistborn is quite manageable and quick in comparison (imo) and illustrates a really interesting magic system. Witcher gives a very character and moral focused story that’s very grounded but still laced with very typically fantasy/fairy tale elements. Lord of the rings is the definitive high fantasy. These May help a new person to find their personal sort of interest in fantasy. Either way lord of the rings is a must read.
I think that you will really like Kingdom. It's a war story manga. It's just like every war that have existed, but like no war story that have ever been told
Eragon and percy jackson were the first books that good me to love reading in middle school. Ans b4 that were the secrete stairs case books, and the magic tree house books in grade school
Wow, this video popped up at the perfect time! Im trying to get back into reading (mainly fantasy), but my attention span really sucks nowadays because I’m addicted to my phone. The last book I read was Words of Radiance. That was a few years ago and I forgot what happened 😪 Thanks for these recommendations!
A cool standalone I've read recently is called Uprooted, by Naomi Novik. It's about a girl who is chosen to serve under a magician for seven years, and it deals with their relationship and a strange and creepy forest that abducts people.
Hi! Been watching your videos and ik you’re huge into fantasy and I was wondering what you’d recommend for a beginner that has no demons in it- if that’s possible!
If someone wants to start reading fantasy I would recommend Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson, it is one of my favorite fantasy trilogies of all time and the author already announced he’s currently working on the live action
Finally picked up "A natural history of dragons" after hearing you talked about it for so long and ended up binge-reading the first three within one long weekend. Now I'm just terribly sad there's a six weeks waitlist for "In the labyrinth of Drakes" and the 5th book's not even available at my local library. Don't know whether to thank you or curse you for introducing this post-book blues. 😂
I’m always disappointed when I don’t see Terry Pratchett on these lists. His Discworld books are incredible- s so funny,insightful about our world, and so easy to read!
It blows my mind that the nigh angel trilogy almost never appears on these type of lists. Obviously some people won't like it but it's one of my favourite series.
If you're not sure about fantasy as a whole, you want a series that leaves you thinking, and want something more grounded but not grimdark, I would recommend Dagger and Coin by Daniel Abraham. There's lots of intrigue going on but it never gets too complicated with too many factions and hidden agendas. Characters are flawed and really, really human. There's no complicated magic mumbo-jumbo to learn about (it's just 1 specific ability and 1 type of artifact). Only downside is that it's 5 books, but honestly it's a fairly easy read.
I always ask if they’re an accomplished reader first. I read The Hobbit in Grade 6. (1990’s)Then I never touched a fantasy series until I was 28. My mom’s boyfriend was reading the Malazan series and said it was cool. So I grabbed the first book and was absolutely pinned for the entire series. It got me hooked on fantasy hard. I o ow it seems crazy but if you are an accomplished reader, but not a a fantasy reader. Malazan is a great step into fantasy cuz it’s a punch in the face. It also makes reading any fantasy series afterwards a piece of cake. My tip?? Dive right in, Read Malazan first.
I don't know if she wanted to get out of the box and start read Chinese fantasy novel . I recommended Three Lives Three Worlds , there are a show of it called Ten Miles of Peach Blossom. I am really curious with she think about it. For me, it is the most and unique romance story ever told. Completely outside of the box from western fantasy. So many fantasy aspect just breath of fresh air such reincarnation and cultivation.
i found rage of dragon extremely hard to get into. it would not be in my recommendation for beginners to fantasy. it has a lot of different titles, caste and just straight up hard to understand words. (i did listen to it on audiobook so that might be why) it too me forever to actually get in the story which i am used to but a beginners reader might get dishearten. ive read the whole thing and while by the end i did end up liking it i still don't know what the difference between some of the caste except for the most blatant ones. (like the nobble and the lower)
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Native is excellent. Been using them for a year. Aluminum free is important to me.
Whenever someone tells me they're looking to get into reading fantasy I just recommend they start with the series whose on-screen adaptation they've already liked. Helps when they already know the characters and aren't overwhelmed by names, plus they get to experience so many new layers (and often plotlines) of the same story.
Not a bad plan
I could agree on this. 😀
Yeah, it worked for me with Narnia years ago!
Reading a story that you're familiar with doesnt feel the same as starting a new story though 😕
@@adoniscreed4031 Depends on the adaptation. Some are so bad that it basically is a new story
The Wheel of Time is my first ever fantasy book series. I’m currently on book 11 and, outside of the One Piece anime I grew up watching, I’ve never felt so immersed and in love with a fictional world as I have with this story. These books mean so much to me, as they’ve fulfilled that kind of world-building itch I’ve been craving since One Piece. They’ve opened my eyes to the fantasy book genre.
To be honest I’ve been struggling a bit over the years with depression. The pandemic really took a toll on my mental health. But reading the WoT and starting to watch booktubing channels like yours and Daniel Greene has been a good escape from all that. Through your channel I’ve learned that there are so many great stories out there that I’ve yet to experience. It’s given me something to look forward to. I really appreciate everything that you do.
You should read Dresden files series, you will love the series. i do as a one piece and wheel of time fan.
And here I was thinking that all the people saying One Piece is the WoT of manga to Daniel were just saying that to get on his good side (as someone who was reading both at the time).
The Cosmere is up next :) plenty of world building with Brandon Sanderson
I always said WoT was my favorite fantasy series. Then I read Malazan.
I too started WoT ( currently on book 2 )
This is my 2nd fantasy series after LoTR
I will always recommend The Lies of Locke Lamora. Watching your videos before fully diving back into fantasy, you mentioned it often, and I picked it up with high expectations. Those expectations were surpassed, and I picked up book 2 and 3 after only about 100 pages of book 1. I'm hoping that Lynch's mental health is his number one priority, but do also hope that he does one day release the rest of The Gentlemen Bastards series.
I don’t mind if he takes his time. It’d be a shame if this wonderful series doesn’t get finished, though.
I never read fantasy and I just finished The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson and I am hooked! I appreciate you doing these videos because I need fantasy recommendations.
Haha I just did the same. First ever fantasy book
I started with "The Rise of Kyoshi" by FC Yee. That was the first book I read outside of my college/school curriculum. Now I'm knee deep in Stormlight, The witcher, and Diskworld. Plus I'm writing three standalone Novels. I'm glad my favorite show got me into reading and writing.
Oh starting with Kyoshi Novels as fantasy as well, great.
Fantasy is literally what got me into reading. As a kid I was sort of unhappy and naturally drawn to magical stories to escape. The Chronicles of Narnia did it for me.
My favorite fantasy book series is a Japanese light novel series called Ascendance of a Bookworm. It's about a bibliophile college grad who gets reincarnated into a pseudo-medieval fantasy world (with her memories) and basically decides she wants to make books and become a librarian, bringing upheaval to this society in the process. There are different sagas/arcs labeled as Parts, and with each new one, the scope of the world and cast expands on a level that reminds me of One Piece, leaving me absolutely obsessed and floored with all the moving parts the author juggles--in what was essentially her self-insert fanfiction that she published online as a webnovel... If there was a Patreon tier for being able to recommend books I'd immediately upgrade to that because I think you would be enthralled by this series!
Yessss!
That sounds so cute, will add to my TBR.
It's worth pointing out that the series is far better-written than is the average for Japanese light novels. Just saying.
@@castellan4880 You're right, and we're equally blessed that the official translation team is equally talented and hardworking enough to bring the English version up to par!
I am a big fan of light novels of Japan. I'm gonna look this up. Sounds so interesting!
For the Fantasy genre, I would always recommend the Discworld series. Great mix of satire and fantasy that cycles between the handful of main characters and while being self-contained and easy to pick up and jump into any book (I started with the 40th book).
Hey Merphy, on the off-chance that you'll read this, thank you so much! You & Daniel have randomly inspired me to read again, and I finished the first book in 10 years not long ago! (First Law, starting book 3 now and reading 2 other authors concurrently :)))
I'm right there with you. It's been about a year since I first started reading regularly again as a hobby since high school and it was also because of Daniel and Merphy. I'm currently deep into Brandon Sanderson's Words of Radiance.
Reading half of Death Note and stopping there is the best way to read it.
Did the exact same thing. Checked out the ending just because I was curious. But the story felt complete to me at the halfway mark
Yeah DN kind of slow down at the end
My introduction to fantasy, way back in 4th grade, was The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe. Short, binge-able, and easy to read. I immediately followed that up with The Black Cauldron and the rest of the Chronicles of Prydain.
Just started Lord of the Rings. I'm about a quarter done with the first book. I've been wanting to read outside of manga, and I have friends that love the movies and you seem to love this series, so I figured to start with it, and it was a good decision.
It's a brilliant series. Enjoy it.
I just started it too. I'm halfway through the fellowship part. It is a much easier read than I remember when I first tried a long time ago.
Did you start with The Hobbit? It's a better starting point compared to the trilogy.
I relate! I'm almost halfway through The Hobbit right now!
@@satana8157 No, I wasn't sure completely where to begin, and just kinda jumped into the trilogy. I have a basic premise of what happened based on the prologue and the dialog from Gandalf.
I am once again, appreciative of these beginner videos.
Kings of the Wyld is just phenomenal. I loved it so much I had music playing in my head to accompany the scenes in the book. I even actually brought this soundtrack from my head to life and home recorded some of it (antagonists' and protagonists' themes for both KotW and Bloody Rose). It's just a must read for anyone who loves D&D and/or 70s rock.
Personally I pitched it to my friends as "imagine a world where D&D adventure parties are literal rock stars"
Wonderful story (also the sequel)! Came across it accidentally and it’s one of my favorites!
God DAMN that segway at 1:25
Bravo, Merph. Bravo! 😆
For a chill read, I've gotten into this subgenre of fantasy cozy mysteries. You know the basic thing - someone "normal" finds themselves in a little town that's unknown in the "real" world and it is populated by fantastical creatures (werewolves, pixies, etc.) and now they wind up solving murder mysteries. I'm currently reading Nova Nelson's Ruby True series. Fun fluff for when I need a break from bigger/heavier things.
Any other series like this?
@@soof3993 Erin Johnson has a series that begins with Cocoa Curses. Nova Nelson also has another series (Eastwind Witches) that begins with Crossing Over Easy. That series takes place later than the other one and Ruby is a mentor to the main character. I just figured out there are more in that series that I haven't read, so I need to pick those up. Lily Webb has a couple of series but I don't think they are as good as the Johnson or Nelson ones. There are a lot more series out there, these are just what I've read. Search for supernatural cozy mysteries.
My first was assasins apprentice by Robin hobb and have LOVED every book she's written !!have not stopped reading fantasy since 🥰
The first series I ever finished was David Eddings the Belgariad and honestly I love it so much, probably for the nostalgia but I just love it so much.
When I first started reading back in 2007 (started with my father drunkenly threw a book at my head (he didn't like it that I was too much into Yu-Gi-Oh back then)), I began with the original Maximum Ride trilogy before I found my true love: Anne Rice and Gothic fantasy (I consider her fantasy because vampire, witches, werewolves, angels, and mummies). When people ask me where to start, the first three Vampire Chronicles would be my pick. The characters are reach, dramatic, sadistic, depressed, and complete b words to each other while contemplating existence. What else could one want? But that's just me.
Currently reading neverwhere and I'm loving it so much! Just finished the graveyard book and loved that so much that I felt like reading another gaiman book lol
Percy Jackson is fun which is why it makes a great entry point, but the story isn’t bad. We have a character who’s beaten down but is given the chance to make something of himself and he’s able to succeed. But it also has side characters with their own goals and motivations and lives.
Earthsea is a classic and has a different writing style than what most of us who read modern fantasy but the characters are believable and the world and magic are fascinating.
As far as manga goes I’ll add Fullmetal Alchemist. I’ve only watched the anime (Brotherhood specifically) but it was one of the best experiences I’ve had with a piece of media. It has enough manga tropes to get used to but not too many as to be off putting. The world is much more grounded than something like One Piece (though I love One Piece), so it’s much easier to digest. The story and themes are also great. Overall for the complete package I know nothing comparable to it except Avatar The Last Airbender, yes it is that good. If you don’t believe me even Cifu Hickson (Hello Future Me) has said as much.
Sorcery of Thorns or anything by Margaret Rogerson. It’s mostly super predictable but it’s crafted with love and it’s just really sweet vanilla fantasy story - chill, bingeble and stand-alone category.
I recently got into Wings of Fire and have been obsessing over it SO MUCH. It mixes an incredibly fun all-dragon-characters cast in a dragon-dominated world with challenging the classic fantasy tropes we've come to expect and pushing them forward in super fresh and engaging ways. It's young reader appropriate while also being drenched in very thoughtful and mature discussions on a variety of themes as each book follows a new character and their personal challenges while still connecting into focused story arcs. It's extremely character-driven while also being just plain fun and inventive. I can recommend it a lot, and not even JUST to people who love reading about dragons.
that sponsor transition 🤣 love you merphy 💛
Highly recommend the Fablehaven series, especially for anybody who enjoyed the Percy Jackson series!
Uprooted by Naomi Novik is a good stand alone. If you need to work on your suspension of disbelief muscle, I'd start with urban fantasy like the Mercy Thompson series or October Daye series.
In my opinion, reading the books that tickle your fancy is the best way to get into fantasy, whether it's Mistborn or Malazan. However, some of the books that got me into fantasy are The Hobbit, The Name of The Wind and A Game of Thrones. All very different approaches to the genre, yet all super easy to read.
ItS a SoNg Of ICe AnD fIrE
I'm almost done with The Final Empire and I'm really enjoying it. I'm also reading The Eyes of the Dragon. Love your channel. Was stoked that you started to read One Piece last year as it is my favorite manga series.
Am going to purchase the Final empire's book and I wanna know if the language is accessible and not too hard of flowery as English is not my first language .
@@erenkasa7882 It is every accessible, sando pretty much writes it in plain modern english.
If you loved The Final Empire then I encourage you to check out the rest of the trilogy (The Well of Ascension and The Hero of Ages) I'm reading book 3 right now, and book 2 has a hell of an amazing ending which I won't spoil.
@@costelinha1867 yeah am going to buy the entire triology cuz I heard only great things about it , I was just worried if it hard or complicated cuz I lose focus then lol . Thanks tho I will make sure to read it .
@@erenkasa7882 Here's a tip then, buy just The Final Empire, see if you like it, THEN read the buy the rest. Alternatively, Warbreaker which is mentioned on the video, is available for free in Brandon's website among many other short stories and stuff like that. It takes place in the same universe as Mistborn but on a different planet. This way you can at least have a taste of how the guy wrties before commiting to buy any of his books.
"Do you want to build a snowman"!!! LMAO!! I love your videos. Very cool list with many titles I didn't know. Thanks for the great content!! 👍👍👏👏👏😁
damn, i needed this! been on a reader's block for weeks because big books are currently burning me out. like, i want something lighter and chill type of fantasy. thanks!!
The outro
I use disc world as my in betweens
I wouldn't say fantasy is tough for me to get into, I'm just picky. I just tried A Wizard of Earthsea & just couldn't get into it. I'm currently going through The School for Good & Evil and I'm just hooked. Also, this Seaweed Brain has read all 15 Percy Jackson Books and now waiting for the next 5.
Finally someone else who’s read all 15 in the Camp Half Blood Chronicles!
@@themythosarchives7520 When she brought out the first 5 only, I was like whoa your hands might not be able to hold all 15, but you've got to show them.
I love fantasy and did NOT like Earthsea if that helps lol
@@themythosarchives7520 Also, in the immortal words of Meg, "Yep!"
I am so sad seeing these comments: i love earthsea and Ursula le Guin to death and i am so sad you couldn't get into it
i hardly ever see booktubers talking about cradle! i love that series so much, it was such a surprise to see it mentioned :D
I watched this video with goodreads open. Fantasy is my genre but I HADN’T READ A SINGLE BOOK ON THIS LIST! Many were already on my tbr, but I am so excited to read some of these!!!
That's a wonderful collection of books.
a short story that reminds me of the wayward children is an online webnovel I read called epilogue, and it is...just that, 4 teenagers, went to a fantasy world for 7 years, learned, adventured, struggled and fought wars, overthrew a kingdom and then our story starts, suddenly at the very end of their journey with all it's excitement and grief they just end up back where they were 7 years ago like no time at all had passed, but one didn't, it's a fascinating story
I always like the Eragon series as a introduction to fantasy, however I'm biased because my first fantasy book as a kid was the Percy Jackson series then my second was the Eragon series. The Eragon series is what solified my love for fantasy.
The first fantasy I remember reading was Belgariad. It was recommended to me by one of my teachers whose name I don't even remember, way back in primary school. I blew through both series and just jumped into a whole bunch of other stuff after, always looking for more, but it all started with him. Also, highly recommend Bone Doll's Twin - such a great read! Also, Ill-made Mute series is so good, too. There's so much great fantasy out there, more and more made every day. It's impossible to name them all.
oh god, and anything by Tamora Peirce, especially Alanna.
Man... military fantasy, straight forward, AND a revenge story? Rage of Dragons sounds right up my alley. Thanks :)
Ahhh I’ve been needing another suggestion vid!!!
The ad segue was amazing, Merph. also, as someone who's read so much fantasy, I'm surprised a lot of those books are new to me. Thank you for the recommendations. 😍
Fantasy is so easy to get into. I want science fiction next.
Thank you! I needed this! My husband writes fantasy and I'm NOT a fantasy reader (yet!). Working on it though!
My first big fantasy series is Malazan.
I just finished book 5 and I regret nothing but maybe I should read something easier now for a change of pace so this helps
I consider myself a fantasy reader, but hadn't heard of most of these (and the Percy Jackson books are the only ones I've read). Thanks for helping me grow my TBR list.
Loved your list. Thanks for including books by African American writers. I’ve seen similar videos and many don’t include them. Wild Seed is part of a series where each book takes place in a different time period.
Just got Kings of the Wyld and Legends & Lattes for the Kindle. Looking forward to reading them both. I already have the Lady Trent Memoirs which are on my TBR for the year. It sounds like I have some good reading coming up. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you for all your hard work. Your enthusiasm is contagious. Binge watching your channel after discovering you on Goal Guys. ❤
Legends and Lattes was actually incredible, my number book of 2022 so far
1) I have been using native since 2020, 0 regrets & smells 12/10
2) thanks for book recs :3 Only ones I have read are "Ocean at the End of the Lane" (good, but not my cuppa tea) and "Legends and Lattes" (amazing and beautiful)
That add transition was a work of art
I love Native deodorant I have repurchased multiple times BUT careful of their shampoos. They leave a gritty/greasy feel to your hair and your hair still looks dirty. Most reviews of the shampoo says the same thing, so not just me haha
At the end of my last batch of native deodorant so good timing!
ok, ok I will read my very first fantasy book ....The House On The Cerulean Sea, is what I've ordered . Now you got me so worked up that I cannot wait 🥰
This is the video I need! Fantasy can be such a hard thing to break into for me. It’s almost as if you need a different approach to read the genre. I’m starting with The Dark Tower soon (extended series of 24 books!) I’m excited to dive into it.
Enjoy your journey!
Will you be reviewing every book? I see you just launched your channel yesterday with a trailer. If you do The Dark Tower… I’m in!
@@coffeebreakfiction1765 I am! I’ll review all 24 books. It’ll take a while but it’ll be an epic journey!
Damn, I came to know your channel because of a video like this one that you did with Daniel Greene. I was just curious about fantasy, since I liked the genre but didn't know that there were more mature Fantasy stories, since they aren't that common here in Brazil (since the genre is mostly taken as stories for kids around here). And thus I came in contact with your channel as well as Daniel's channel, and I have been watching both channels since then and loving them... such a long time ago by now... kinda...
I’ve started the Boneshard Daughter and it has yet to prove itself to me and go from good to great but I’m really interested to see how it goes and foresee some big twists. Also Mephi has my whole heart and if anything happens to him I will riot
Thank you so much for this video.
Harry Potter should be a standard go-to recommendation IMHO. If you want basic, standard fantasy Magician apprentice/master (Feist) is fun and standalone enough but can also be a stepping stone into the Riftwar. Lastly, the name of the wind (Rothfuss) is so easy and fun to read and it just brings you into his world.
I remember a dark fantasy I really liked called Dust City. I don't remember much about the book anymore except the twist ending, but I did really like the twists. I might read it again and see if I still like it since I read it a long time ago.
I also read An Unkindness of Magicians last year, and I liked that one. It was a really interesting world. It didn't drag me in like a lot of books used to, but it was really cool to read.
I just love you! Thank you for this.🙏🏼💕
Given how much you like Neil Gaiman and now that you're more familiar with Manga you should his Sandman comic/graphic novel series, I'd love to hear your thoughts on it. It was the first Graphic novel to make me cry
Skulduggery Pleasant is a really easy to read series with fun characters.
The Shannara prequel series felt pretty quick and entertaining, too. I believe the first trilogy is called Word and the Void.
Wild Seed is actually part of a quartet. It was the last one published in a four book series. The second book doesn't follow Onyawu (sp?) really, but she's still there. The third and fourth books are completely different though.
Ahhh finally someone recommends Wild Seed!! So freaking good!!!!!!
But it is actually part of a duology... the second book is called Mind of My Mind and it is even better.
That sponsor transition was smooth Merphy. Very smooth.
hi merphy, i have almost finished chronicles of everfall shadow of the conqueror by shadiversity. so thanks to you and daniel greene i am picking up legends and lattes next just to get a break from the world that shad has made. it's a good world it's a easy to understand world, but the magic takes some getting used to.
anyway after finishing these last 9 chapters (as of writing this) legends and lattes is orderd so just now just waiting till i have it to read and chill in that coffeeshop. can't wait to get a chill time in that world. because after shadiversity's book you are going to need a book like legends and lattes to relax.
I think a neat category would be political fantasies, that deal with people and motivations. The Goblin Emperor is one of my favorites for that category, but I've also recently gotten into the Craft Sequence books.
Craft Sequence is great! I wish more people would give it a try.
Love your cozy pics(and other categories too) those are 2 wonderful books! Yeah another Merphy book tower!!
Lool, that sponsor transition was perfect, Merphy D 🐐
This is worth its weight in gold! For more, a book with aligned themes is highly recommended. "Twilight Descent" by Olivia Whitestone
Wildseed is part of a series, although it can be read as a standalone.
I did not realize that the even books in Wayward Children are in their world! I need to give the series another try because I was disappointed in the first book when it wasn’t very magical ✨
The ad setup was great haha
I think some great pillars to start with are Lord of the rings, the witcher (my favourite series) and Mistborn. They provide three pretty different series, plus mistborn is quite manageable and quick in comparison (imo) and illustrates a really interesting magic system. Witcher gives a very character and moral focused story that’s very grounded but still laced with very typically fantasy/fairy tale elements. Lord of the rings is the definitive high fantasy. These May help a new person to find their personal sort of interest in fantasy. Either way lord of the rings is a must read.
I think that you will really like Kingdom. It's a war story manga. It's just like every war that have existed, but like no war story that have ever been told
Eragon and percy jackson were the first books that good me to love reading in middle school. Ans b4 that were the secrete stairs case books, and the magic tree house books in grade school
I thought you were going to mention Mistborn as well
Wow, this video popped up at the perfect time! Im trying to get back into reading (mainly fantasy), but my attention span really sucks nowadays because I’m addicted to my phone. The last book I read was Words of Radiance. That was a few years ago and I forgot what happened 😪
Thanks for these recommendations!
You could always try audio books
A cool standalone I've read recently is called Uprooted, by Naomi Novik.
It's about a girl who is chosen to serve under a magician for seven years, and it deals with their relationship and a strange and creepy forest that abducts people.
Hi! Been watching your videos and ik you’re huge into fantasy and I was wondering what you’d recommend for a beginner that has no demons in it- if that’s possible!
If someone wants to start reading fantasy I would recommend Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson, it is one of my favorite fantasy trilogies of all time and the author already announced he’s currently working on the live action
Dragonlance.. Dragons of Autumn Twilight is a good Fantasy series to start with
A Natural History of Dragons has a really good series. It is brilliant and written like an actual natural history book.
Can you please do a “dear author” on how to kill of characters??
Kings of the wyld is 10/10. Its anrollercoaster of a story
Nice sponsor transition 😂
Finally picked up "A natural history of dragons" after hearing you talked about it for so long and ended up binge-reading the first three within one long weekend. Now I'm just terribly sad there's a six weeks waitlist for "In the labyrinth of Drakes" and the 5th book's not even available at my local library.
Don't know whether to thank you or curse you for introducing this post-book blues.
😂
I’m always disappointed when I don’t see Terry Pratchett on these lists. His Discworld books are incredible- s so funny,insightful about our world, and so easy to read!
I ordered The Bone Shard Daughter.
I’ve been searching everywhere for those editions of the big floppy stormlight books you have- may i ask where you got them?
I been looking for a good book video and here u r!
The deodorant ad was a smooth transition
A good easy quick read is the Black Magician Trilogy by Trudi Canavan
It blows my mind that the nigh angel trilogy almost never appears on these type of lists. Obviously some people won't like it but it's one of my favourite series.
If you're not sure about fantasy as a whole, you want a series that leaves you thinking, and want something more grounded but not grimdark, I would recommend Dagger and Coin by Daniel Abraham. There's lots of intrigue going on but it never gets too complicated with too many factions and hidden agendas. Characters are flawed and really, really human. There's no complicated magic mumbo-jumbo to learn about (it's just 1 specific ability and 1 type of artifact). Only downside is that it's 5 books, but honestly it's a fairly easy read.
I always ask if they’re an accomplished reader first. I read The Hobbit in Grade 6. (1990’s)Then I never touched a fantasy series until I was 28. My mom’s boyfriend was reading the Malazan series and said it was cool. So I grabbed the first book and was absolutely pinned for the entire series. It got me hooked on fantasy hard. I o ow it seems crazy but if you are an accomplished reader, but not a a fantasy reader. Malazan is a great step into fantasy cuz it’s a punch in the face. It also makes reading any fantasy series afterwards a piece of cake. My tip?? Dive right in, Read Malazan first.
I don't know if she wanted to get out of the box and start read Chinese fantasy novel . I recommended Three Lives Three Worlds , there are a show of it called Ten Miles of Peach Blossom. I am really curious with she think about it. For me, it is the most and unique romance story ever told. Completely outside of the box from western fantasy. So many fantasy aspect just breath of fresh air such reincarnation and cultivation.
i found rage of dragon extremely hard to get into. it would not be in my recommendation for beginners to fantasy. it has a lot of different titles, caste and just straight up hard to understand words. (i did listen to it on audiobook so that might be why) it too me forever to actually get in the story which i am used to but a beginners reader might get dishearten. ive read the whole thing and while by the end i did end up liking it i still don't know what the difference between some of the caste except for the most blatant ones. (like the nobble and the lower)