Terry Pratchett once said this about Tolkien, and it seems directly relevant: "J.R.R. Tolkien has become a sort of mountain, appearing in all subsequent fantasy in the way that Mt. Fuji appears so often in Japanese prints. Sometimes it’s big and up close. Sometimes it’s a shape on the horizon. Sometimes it’s not there at all, which means that the artist either has made a deliberate decision against the mountain, which is interesting in itself, or is in fact standing on Mt. Fuji."
Diana Wynne Jones is a highly under-rated fantasy writer in my opinion. Everyone talks about Howl's Moving Castle but the Crestomanci novels are phenomenal.
I loved LOTR when I was a teenager sometime in my 20's it became a book I kept because of how much I loved it. Sometime in my forties I picked it up again and rediscovered how much I loved it but I appreciated it levels I couldn't when I was younger. In my mind that is one of the things that make it such a great book.
So I was actually gifted the His Dark Materials series as a young preteen, but for some reason never got around to reading them until this past year. I’m 25 now. The books were beautiful. I did not expect to be impacted by them the way I was. Admittedly, I didn’t really “get” the series or start to really enjoy it until the 2nd book, but it’s now one of my favorite fantasy series of all-time, as well.
I'm delighted to see Beowulf on your list, Jared! It's my favorite thing to teach, and I view it as more of a lament than an epic. Assuming the poet was a Christian looking back at his pagan ancestors, it is a poignant examination of the fleetingness of life and the ultimate futility of the pagan heroic code, as admirable as it was. Earthsea and Lord of the Rings are two of my favorites as well. I'm glad to hear you're enjoying Malazan so far!
Thank you, Philip. I'm really enjoying Malazan - would love to chat about it once I'm done with Gardens. If you have a way to get in touch, maybe send me an email (my email is in my profile)?
"Assuming the poet was a Christian looking back at his pagan ancestors, it is a poignant examination of the fleetingness of life and the ultimate futility of the pagan heroic code" The pagan heroic code is not futile though. If anything it's the opposite; meaning the more futile thing would be converting to the insane cult of Christianity.
@@folksurvival You and I feel that way, but the 8th century Christian poet of Beowulf had a different perspective. Considering how hostile (for the most part) the newly converted Anglo-Saxons were to the old gods, the poet was remarkably tolerant, largely presenting his pagan ancestors in a positive light (though expurgating specific references to the old gods).
Great video! I agree that sharing Earthsea with a child would be a wonderful experience. I'm up to book 8 in the Malazan Book of the Fallen, and one of the things that astounds me about the series is how well-realized the cultures and history are. I find it comparable to wheel of time in this aspect, although structurally they go about achieving the effect in very different ways. Also, good to see another nod to Piranesi. That book stayed in my thoughts for a long time after reading.
That's not even a debate to be honest. You can ask existential questions do things in fantasy and sci fi that you can't do in realism. Esp fantasy since in fantasy you're not beholden to any rules (aside from the ones you set for yourself) while with sci fi you're still stuck with physical limitations and laws. E.g. in fantasy a man or woman can lose their loved ones and go on a journey to get them back from the underworld or something etc etc.
It's SO nice to hear someone talking about Guy Gavriel Kay!! He is the one author I will read anything from. Also, I think that was a great list... Please tell us your opinion about the Malazan. I read the first book many years ago but not the rest of them and I'm willing to give it another try
If you want grand epic on the big scale with humour, philosophy and more characters you can keep track of (almost) then dive in. Each book reveals more about the world and characters but it’s one you have to commit to but it’s worth it. Totally worth it imho.
Agree with everything on your list, especially Piranesi, which in my opinion is one of the best books I've ever read. I was excited that you mentioned Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell too! Terry Pratchett's Discworld blew me away because despite the fantasy setting and the humour, there were a lot of deep topics covered. Every time I reread one of the books, I discover something new. Those books are just precious!
Thank you for the shout-out for Equal Rites. My favourite book. Doesn't always get the attention it deserves in Discworld just for having come early in Pratchett's oeuvre.
That craze of reading a book and finding out what happens before anyone else spoils it (which is now replaced by TV series ) is something which I and everyone of my age around me has only experienced during the Harry Potter books. Its the only time I have seen a waiting queue of people in front of a bookstore . Sadly I don’t think we will see that kind of phenomenon again.
This was such an awesome phenomenon to live through. I remember having loads of conversations around if Snape was good or bad, who would die and who would live, and who the next year’s Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher would be. It was such a fun thing to be a part of and I miss all of the buzz around the movies, the LEGOs, and the like. It was a fun time to be young.
I'm glad you're reading Malazan. Personally I've read up to book 4 and it's already one of my favorite series. It can be a bit overwhelming but that's part of the charm!! Loved this video :D
For me the best thing about this video is that you are looking forward to reading to your son. A friend of mine had to go and put his children to bed one time when I was visiting. When he came back we had a game of bridge (four of us of course). It was quite a wait for him to come back. Why? because he was reading a chapter (one per night) of The Hobbit to his son and daughter before turning out the light. What a great Dad.
Great to see The Once and Future King in your list. It's oone of my top ten books in all genres. I have read it so many times and it still brings me to tears.
I don't know if counts as Fantasy 🤷♂ but since I see Beowulf and Tolkien on the list I am going to recommend "Kalevala" a compilation of a finnish creation myth by Elias Lonnröt, another of the biggest Tolkien's incluences. Top tier 🙌
I feel validated seeing Equal Rites get a shout out as a Discworld favorite. I have read 9 so far and it is for sure my favorite as well. Granny Weatherwax is absolutely hilarious throughout this book.
If you haven't read the Realm of the Elderlings by Robin Hobb, highly recommend it! Hobb has a way of making you fall in love with her characters and feel so strongly for them in a way that I haven't experienced with any other writer
The first couple of Steven Donaldson 's The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant series and the superb character development and language in the works of Tad Williams , esp. Green Angel Tower.
Great list. I read a lot of Fantasy in High School and College. The pace of my world is much faster now but you have made me think of picking up a book again. Regarding Beowulf: Like many, I read when I was in High School and along side that, our teacher had us read Grendel by John Gardner who tells the story from the "monster's" viewpoint.
I loved the book Grendal. Gardner really captures the monster's persepctive and almost convinces the reader that Beowolf is the bad guy in this epic tale. In the vein of Beowolf, I also recomend Michael Crichton's "Eaters of the Dead." This is a retelling of a historical manuscript by the 10th-century traveler Ahmad ibn Fadlan.
Great selection! I'd be quite interested in hearing your take on George R. R. Martin's "A Song of Ice and Fire"-series; that series would definitely be in my list somewhere.
@@canishma If it ever got finished I'm sure it would qualify for an honorable mention, but when you have a series where most people agree that the first three books are great, the 4th is pretty meh, the 5th is merely ok and 12 years later there's still two more unwritten...
Please do a solo review of wheel of time series, showing why one should read it etc. But regardless I really enjoy your videos to the fullest content. Very insightful
I am currently obsessively re-reading Piranesi. I put it back on the shelf, and then two days later I'm reading it again. What a journey it is! I don't know if it qualifies as fantasy, but one of my favorites is The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde. The series weakens near the end, but the first two books are enchanting.
Have you read the Prince of Nothing trilogy? “The Darkness that Comes Before” is the first book and it’s excellent. The series is by R Scott Bakker, a Canadian philosopher, and seems like it would be right up your alley. I’d highly recommend it.
Some good choices on this list. I'll have to look up Piranesi, but I'm glad that they're not all modern books which most lists like this so often are, because so many great books are lost that way.
I like how Brandon bookends your list, I really love the Cosmere, and I’m trying to read the Wheel of Time, but man is it tough. If the ones I’ve read on your list, I generally agree with you (other then the Cosmere is amazing imo)
First Law series by Joe Abercrombie is a great grim-dark low fantasy series. I've read the first trilogy and it's one of my top reads. I'd suggest if you can pick it up after Malazan!
I just got done with the three standalones following The First Law trilogy and those are awesome. Starting The Age of Madness trilogy in a few days. Cant wait!
I can see why it's popular but I competed the trilogy confused why I pushed myself to finish it. I've only been left with that feeling 1-2 other times.
I didn't make time to read fantasy during my working years. Finally starting to read new fantasy and started with the WOT. It wasn't for me. It felt like epic-ish okay YA fantasy but I was expecting something as good as LOTR but bigger. I'm looking forward to reading some of the other modern fantasy writers that might be more to my taste. Dark Tower next and then maybe Hobb, Erikson, and Abercrombie. Great video! Thanks!
This is a very awesome and unique list, especially when you included Beowulf and The Once and Future King. I've really wanted to read both of those works for so long it's not even funny lol. And I definitely think you've motivated me to finally get back to reading The Wheel of Time as well. Even though The Eye of the World can indeed feel a little bit like a homage to Fellowship, it has intrigued me enough to want to keep seeing what wonders that world has! :)
@@_jared It did pick up in the great hunt, but i still very much enjoyed the first books too. Maybe because i read the series right after reading the hobbit and lotr which i also loved.
I’m reading the Wheel of Time…on book 10. I just can’t understand why this book is so loved. I try to love it, but I just can’t. Maybe Sanderson will change things for me
I love all the books on your list with Piranesi being the exception. I read it, thought I missed something, so I read it again and still feel pretty meh about it. Thankfully it's incredibly short so I only gave up a few days.
Thanks for such a kind journey through your list! Just finished rereading WoT and i dont think anyone will make an artwork of any sort that tops it for mine. Of course it's riddled with flaws but it has to be to be such a bold and generous masterpiece.
Just found your channel, love the list. I don’t entirely agree with your comments on Tolkien, and wonder who has surpassed him or his work but respect your perspective.
I enjoyed watching the video, thanks. 🙂 I have never been a prolific book reader but I am now trying my best to catch up on lost time. One series I did read when it was first published and one of my favourites, is the initial double-trilogy ‘The Chronicles Of Thomas Covenant’ by Stephen Donaldson. I found it interesting and intriguing but also frustrating and annoying to have a central character that was so easy to dislike and yet so hard to ignore and walk away from, much like Hugh Laurie’s depiction of Dr House in the tv series of the same name! Despite my annoyance with the main character’s seeming lack of backbone and fortitude, I was drawn in and eager to see where the story would take him? Your description of WOT is also intriguing, and I think I will dip my toe into Book 1 and see how far I get? Thanks.
Solid list. I am SURE you don’t need any reading recommendations, but I’m going to give one anyway: the Thieves’ World series edited by Robert Lynn Asprin and Lynn Abbey. They are a collection of short stories written in the 80s using a shared world, each told by a different author. The first three titles in the series are the best. It’s the only body of fantasy work that is well-written that I could recommend. You’ve already read many of the other “classics.” Glad to see George R. R. Martin missed the cut.
I've read Lord of the Rings, of course, and it is kind of in the nostalgia category since I read it so long ago, but I have actually not read any of the other books on your list, with the exception of Beowulf, which I read quite recently and wholeheartedly endorse. I read the Seamus Heaney translation. I would be interested in further exploration of classics that might be better characterized as "mythology" or as precursors to the modern fantasy genre, such as Beowulf and The Once and Future King, and (included from my own reading) such great works as Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Ovid's Metamorphoses, and even some of Shakespeare (A Midsummer Night's Dream), and Homer (The Odyssey). Possibly some of the fairy tales, like the Grimm Brothers (I'm currently reading the Pullman selections), or Tales of Hoffmann. Big topic!
While i was reading wheel of time i found Ian Irvine and Robin Hobb and i have yet to find anyone who can come close to these three. There have been several very close but these three are my absolute top. I have added your list of books here to my reading list for this year and look forward to seeing their worlds.
One of my nostalgia reads is the Dune series. In particular loved Dune Messiah, which is not everyone's favorite, but it illustrates the limits of power. Also liked the Robin Hobbs series with the Farseer multi=book series. The strongest were the first 3 books.
If you like Arthurian tales, The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley comes highly recommended. I loved Lord Valentine’s Castle (and it’s sequels) by Robert Silverberg back in the day.
I loved Taigana. The Lion of el Rasaan was even better, again using another culture other then medieval England. I never could make it through Eye of the World. I may have to give it another shot.
Currently on book 10 of the WoT. Can say that EoTW is very different from the rest of the story. The end of Book 1 was the catapult of what the story actually is. Book 2 is when you officially launch off. Who knows, it might not be your cup of tea. With my current experience I can say reading books 2-7 were an absolute delight.
Yes to LOTR!! Surprised that it was number 2, but you have always been thoughtful so I was intrigued to hear your reasoning. I am going to suggest your number 1 pick to my son...! Thank you, brother!
Spanish reader here: i knew you had good taste when you said that Sanderson's book weren't that good, and then you mentioned my favourite fantasy books of all times, all the Discworld. They're the books i go back to everytime i need to cheer up, they're funny, cozy, and amazing. In my opinion any good reader of fantasy that creates a ranking of fantasy books, lord of the rings should be at least in the top 3.
I have read the 1#cosmere, 2#realm of the elderlings and 3#wheel of time and I would rank them in this order. I didn't enjoy The Wheel of Time as much as I thought I would, I was annoyed by a good portion of the cast and how they acted towards others that didn't do anything wrong, also most of the events in this series were grand but not epic but it got better towards the end. On the other hand, I absolutely loved the royal assassin, mistborn, stormlight, warbreaker and others.
This was great to watch. I never realized you were this well-read in the fantasy genre. If you're looking for recommendations, I would suggest The Bas Lag books by Chinal Mieville; particularly The Scar. It can be read as a standalone novel and can be read in a week. Mieville has a great and vivid imagination, and his worlds are truly unique in the genre. His characterizations are solid, as are his prose and work with themes. But his world building is where he truly shines.
I threw the 4th book of "Wheel of Time"across the room. They were way too wordy, It would never be in my top ten. That was the last "new" series that I started. The complexity and all the different characters in the Wheel of Time made it really difficult to keep everything connected. It seemed to never go anywhere. I couldn't handle the anxiety of not going anywhere, In a way, it reminded me of TV soap operas.
Malazan Book of the Fallen replaced The Wheel of Time as my favorite fantasy series. Malazan gets even better on re-reads. Beowulf is a nice surprise. Reminds me I haven't read that in years and it is due for a re-read. I haven't read Tigana or Piranesi yet, but I agree with the rest of your list. I didn't realize Susanna Clarke had released a new book, so I have that to look forward to. I really enjoyed Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell.
Jared, I heard your chat with Steve, and I think it's so funny that you mention that discussion about leaving LotR off the list. Nice choices here--I'm particularly pleased to see Piranesi on your list. Instant classic.
Wonderful list! I'm excited you're reading Malazan Book of the Fallen and am curious if it will earn a place on your list further down the road. Seeing Tigana on your list makes me excited to get into Guy Gavriel Kay's books!
It is strange that in most best-of-lists Malazan isn't even mentioned or on a rank which is far behind others with no reason. What Jared says about Wheel of Time is just not all-embracingly true. Malazan does that all a thousandfold more complex. History, politics, philosophy, battles, intentions, characters "their own reasons", sometimes not even clear to the characters themselves, cities built on cities upon cities, many many civilizations with there own culture, there own "World War II experience". And all of that culminating in a fitting ending. Erikson is master of 600-page-buildup and 300-page-payoff, almost in every single of his 10 tomes. Wheel of Time unmatched? Malazan is way ahead of that. There are many weaker entries in the Wheel of Time series, which you cannot say for Malazan. Maybe it is too hard to read and to keep track with those unending many characters, gods, ascendants, peoples. Maybe the first book is throwing the reader in cold water, too much for a casual reader, in the midst of a battle no one can understand by reading it only one time. There is rarely a series which rewards more with a second and third read of the complete series. Maybe there are other authors which are not mentioned here, Abercrombie, Bakker, Weeks, Lawrence, Martin. Maybe all of those are too gritty, too adult, too philosophical for standard fantasy. To me, the concept of a hero, of chosen ones, is just boring. Donaldson's Thomas Convenant also does not fit those clichés. Noone mentions his chronicles. Not fitting in Jared's arsenal of "easy" fantasy stories :)
Wheel of time is by no means my favorite but I certainly agree the ending was satisfying. I think I still got to say my favorite series is Lotr or Once and Future King, followed closely by the Realm of the Elderlings
Talking about having to stop watching His Dark Materials (one of my favorite series) is how I felt watching Bridge to Terabithia- I started crying when Jesse left to go to the museum with the teacher b/c I knew what was coming.
I love the opening chapters of LeGuin's The Tombs of Atuan. There is something about the effortless complexity of the prose and the way the world envelops you as a reader - oppressively so, with the quenching, stifling silent darkness so thick I always feel that i can taste it - that reminds me of Golding's Lord of the Flies. I am so glad you included Beowulf - and even happier that you spoke so intelligently and astutely about the poem! Have you ever read Spenser's The Faerie Queene? Our generic categories don't really work well for Renaissance literature and I don't know whether this incomplete allegorical religious epic is just too darn riotous and rich to fit in the 'fantasy' slot. But some episodes are indelibly etched into my brain, and since you mention you affection for the characters of Arthur and Lancelot et alia, and FQ does feature the once and future king a fair bit.
I enjoyed the Witcher series, but more as a simple fun read. I think its at its best in the volumes that are collections of short stories featuring Geralt like a western or samurai travelling from town to town to deal with the "monster of the week." I haven't read everything in Jared's list, but I'd agree with leaving the Witcher off the list. It isn't something you'll be thinking about for week or months after. But fine light reading next time you need to kill a few hours.
You should try reading the Farseer books by Robin Hobb. She's one of the best fantasy authors, and it seems like people do not give her the credit she deserves.
@@_jared Personally I didn't love the Farseer trilogy, and think its overhyped. That said, however, based on you liking Once and Future King and Beowulf, and the prose of a story, I think you will appreciate Farseer.
If you love the Arthurian legend, can I suggest you make sure you read Jack Whyte's Skystone series of 9 books. It is a spin on the classic tale based from a historical fiction perspective. Set over 3 or 4 generations in Britannia beginning at the time the Roman's leave and the dark ages begin. My favourite series of books along with Malazan.
Rothfus' writing being annoying: Yep. I got through the first book by skipping bits. Got to the end and realized there was a cliffhanger of sorts, and that was that. Haven't read anything else since. Absolutely uninterested. Discworld: Love the night watch and Vimes and Carrot and Vetinari and Angua - so fun. Love the Moist Von Lipwig series. SO good and funny. My husband loves the golems: his fave is Feet of Clay.
I appreciate most of the list! Personally I think Asoiaf has got to feature. Additionally I’d put witcher in my top 2 along side Lord of the rings (not sure on which triumphs). It’s tricky because so many people are either extremely hot or cold on the Witcher. If you gel with the characters and moral themes and the wry sense of humour, it clicks so well. But if the characters don’t land with you I can understand why it’s “bland”. Personally, there aren’t many characters that rival those of Geralt, Dandelion and Regis and the rest of their group, but I can see why you and many others aren’t so keen
Glad that ASOIF didn't even get to the caveats section :) For me the most imortant thing in fantasy is if the author pays proper attention to cosmogony and eschatology of the world and how the world's deity interacts with the world and the characters. Of course, interesting cultures, locations, histories and characters are great, but without eschatology the world will inevitably lack the ultimate goal and all adventures of the story will feel boring. It's sad that most fantasy writers pay too much attention to magic systems but don't focus on metaphysics enough (if at all). Tolkien did great job for his world in this aspect, and WoT has quite defined metaphysics as well, so I totally agree with them being at #1 and #2 spot (although I'd personally have LOTR on #1).
It’s unfortunate you were not a fan of Kingkiller, it’s the first book since LotR/WoT that really sucked me in, and I re-read it every year! :). Oh well, more copy’s for me! As for LotR and WoT, they flip-flop between one and two depending on my mood. It’s hard to not feel inspired by LotR, but it’s hard to not feel envious at the world building Jordon accomplished. I hear everyone talk about the slog, but I never experienced it. Maybe it had to do with the fact that I was doing twelve hour shifts in a secure building and couldn’t have electronics. But I was engaged from start to finish. I’m working through The Stormlight Archive right now, and have been enjoying that immensely! I keep seeing Ursula K Le Guin from you and others so maybe that’ll be my next fantasy series
I just want to thank you for this response. I'm not a fan of Kingkiller, and I worried about talking about not liking it would cause some problems. I usually stay positive on this channel. But I'm glad a KKC fan could still enjoy the video.
I loved the wheel of time, but I hadn’t read it for a very long time. After seeing so many people online bash the, I decided to go through it again. I’m actually enjoying more the second time around. Completely agree with the placement, it’s right up there with malazan for me.
Wheel of Time is very curious as a number 1 to me. I was looking into it, curious, but the amount of negativity I found in reviews and online discussions-much of which came from fans!-led me to assume it's a bit meandering, has that infamous slog, and perhaps was closer to the sort of old school "pulp" style of fantasy, which I'm less interested in. Your comment on it blending history is intriguing to me, and I wonder if it's real world history (which would be fascinating) or if it's fantasy history. Regardless, I'm surprised it made it to number 1, and am curious if it overcomes what I've read about it. Perhaps the payoff really is that good! Kudos to Sanderson.
I loved the Wheel of Time, for the first 3 books. At the end of that one I discovered we weren't even close to finishing. I read two more weighty volumes as they were published before giving up in frustration and disgust, as they didn't seem to have carried the main story characters on any further, while introducing yet more side characters and side plots. I seem to recall that one of the original four main characters, (was it Perrin?) appeared in just one chapter in one of the books. Even the author wasn't able to finish the series before it killed him. I can't read a book series over 23 years and have all the details stay fresh in my mind.
Great list! Love finding new booktubers to get ideas from; I've read several from your list already and 2 of them are on my own top 10 list. Here is my list: 10. Deed of Paksenarrion by Elizabeth Moon (this is one of my top 4 or 5 most often reread series; I've never put it into my top 10 until recently but I decided to bump out a few that I haven't read in a long while) 9. Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson (I don't combine the Cosmere books yet like you do; I may later but not as of now) 8. The Banished Lands by John Gwynne (this is one I do combine a couple series; Faithful & the Fallen and Of Blood & Bone; this is a new read for me, not finished with it actually, so this placement may change after I've had more time to think on it) 7. The Belgariad/Malloreon by David Eddings (this is a nostalgia pick; was my favorite series back in the early 90's until I discovered my real #1) 6. Kingkiller Chronicles by Patrick Rothfuss (this did work for me, lol. This is one of 2 series that MIGHT have a shot of taking the #1 spot from the current holder; but only if he finishes and it is as good as NotW) 5. First Law by Joe Abercrombie (only read the first trilogy so far; this may change when I read the rest; most likely I will group them all into the same spot) 4. Malazan by Steven Erikson (only read the main 10 so far; I don't think I will combine the different sub series into one as there are 2 authors; but we will see) 3. Drenai Saga by David Gemmell (this was my #2 for about 2 decades; got knocked down a spot a couple years ago but will always be one of my top series) 2. Stormlight Archive by Sanderson (this is the other series that has a shot at #1; Sanderson is probably my favorite living author) 1. Wheel of Time by Robert Jordan/Sanderson (this has been my favorite series since 1997 and honestly I doubt anyone will ever top it; as I said maybe KC or SA but I wouldn't bet any money on it, lol) Love finding other people who share a love of WoT. I love that series so much; and yeah I don't want to talk about the show either, lol. The characters and the world of WoT far far surpasses ever other series I've ever read in my opinion. As you may have noticed I don't have LotR on my list; it would be in the top 15 most likely and as you said I have to acknowledge the effect it has had on modern fantasy. But for me it has been passed by many many works. Still amazing after all these years though; just not top 10 amazing. Others that are hovering around my top 10 are: ASOIAF, Chronicles of Thomas Covenant, Shannara, Rigante, Memory Sorrow & Thorn. It's been decades since I read any of these and my memory of them is faded. I want to reread them all and at the very least Thomas Covenant may very well go back onto my top 10 when I do. I just recently bumped Paks up ahead of it because I realized how much I've forgotten about it. Anyway, great list. I subscribed and will be checking out more of your videos.
The Wheel of Time is the best reading experience I have had so far. Despite that I have not read some classics such as Malazan, Realm of the Elderlings, Dark Tower and Discworld.
Piranesi's ending captured such a beautiful bittersweet mixture: there's palpable loss, but also his endearing will to see beauty. It is not among my favourites, but I am glad for the journey. The last truly great fantasy books I've read include The Price of Spring by Daniel Abraham, and a number from my Malazan reread this year. Abraham achieved something incredible, and I can't wait until he is recognized. Bakker's work also comes up in this comment section often: it is grim, but it is of incredible depth. I look forward to your thoughts.
Great list! I love Ian Irvine’s series too (especially the Well of Echoes), and Erin Morgenstern’s The Starless Sea (I’ll have to give Piranesi a go, they’re often compared)…
What, no "Book of the New Sun"?! 😮 Great list. I long for the escapism of the big fantasy books I used to read as a teenager, but find them harder to lose myself in now I'm nearly 50.
I loved the same ones of SK’s DT books. I also originally thought that Ted Brautigan’s backstory, but I ended up liking Father Callahan’s backstory better.
Not sure if anyone has mentioned yet, but have you read any Neil Gaiman? He's my favorite fantasy author. My top ones of his are Stardust, American Gods, and The Ocean at the End of the Lane.
Terry Pratchett once said this about Tolkien, and it seems directly relevant: "J.R.R. Tolkien has become a sort of mountain, appearing in all subsequent fantasy in the way that Mt. Fuji appears so often in Japanese prints. Sometimes it’s big and up close. Sometimes it’s a shape on the horizon. Sometimes it’s not there at all, which means that the artist either has made a deliberate decision against the mountain, which is interesting in itself, or is in fact standing on Mt. Fuji."
Diana Wynne Jones is a highly under-rated fantasy writer in my opinion. Everyone talks about Howl's Moving Castle but the Crestomanci novels are phenomenal.
Apparently, Rothfuss didn’t think the series was worth continuing either.
😂 funny but painful.
How true!
But he thought recycling a short story was worthwhile...
Too soon😭😭😭
you crazy for that one
I loved LOTR when I was a teenager sometime in my 20's it became a book I kept because of how much I loved it. Sometime in my forties I picked it up again and rediscovered how much I loved it but I appreciated it levels I couldn't when I was younger.
In my mind that is one of the things that make it such a great book.
So I was actually gifted the His Dark Materials series as a young preteen, but for some reason never got around to reading them until this past year. I’m 25 now.
The books were beautiful. I did not expect to be impacted by them the way I was. Admittedly, I didn’t really “get” the series or start to really enjoy it until the 2nd book, but it’s now one of my favorite fantasy series of all-time, as well.
I'm delighted to see Beowulf on your list, Jared! It's my favorite thing to teach, and I view it as more of a lament than an epic. Assuming the poet was a Christian looking back at his pagan ancestors, it is a poignant examination of the fleetingness of life and the ultimate futility of the pagan heroic code, as admirable as it was. Earthsea and Lord of the Rings are two of my favorites as well. I'm glad to hear you're enjoying Malazan so far!
Thank you, Philip. I'm really enjoying Malazan - would love to chat about it once I'm done with Gardens. If you have a way to get in touch, maybe send me an email (my email is in my profile)?
@@_jared Will do!
"Assuming the poet was a Christian looking back at his pagan ancestors, it is a poignant examination of the fleetingness of life and the ultimate futility of the pagan heroic code"
The pagan heroic code is not futile though. If anything it's the opposite; meaning the more futile thing would be converting to the insane cult of Christianity.
@@folksurvival You and I feel that way, but the 8th century Christian poet of Beowulf had a different perspective. Considering how hostile (for the most part) the newly converted Anglo-Saxons were to the old gods, the poet was remarkably tolerant, largely presenting his pagan ancestors in a positive light (though expurgating specific references to the old gods).
@@folksurvivalwhat's the pagan code?
Great video! I agree that sharing Earthsea with a child would be a wonderful experience. I'm up to book 8 in the Malazan Book of the Fallen, and one of the things that astounds me about the series is how well-realized the cultures and history are. I find it comparable to wheel of time in this aspect, although structurally they go about achieving the effect in very different ways. Also, good to see another nod to Piranesi. That book stayed in my thoughts for a long time after reading.
Earthsea was very boring.
Great selection. I think fantasy can do a better job capturing humanity than realism does at times
That's not even a debate to be honest. You can ask existential questions do things in fantasy and sci fi that you can't do in realism. Esp fantasy since in fantasy you're not beholden to any rules (aside from the ones you set for yourself) while with sci fi you're still stuck with physical limitations and laws. E.g. in fantasy a man or woman can lose their loved ones and go on a journey to get them back from the underworld or something etc etc.
Hey I've seen you in a philosophy video! I think it was Overdose.
@@yonathanasefaw9001 author?
@@Charlie0106 I don't remember the video but it was Philosophy Overdose!
forgot to put a 'you' in that comment.
I loved this so much. It wasn’t just a regurgitation of the booktube favorites. The once and future king is also one of my favorite fantasy books.
It's SO nice to hear someone talking about Guy Gavriel Kay!! He is the one author I will read anything from. Also, I think that was a great list... Please tell us your opinion about the Malazan. I read the first book many years ago but not the rest of them and I'm willing to give it another try
If you want grand epic on the big scale with humour, philosophy and more characters you can keep track of (almost) then dive in. Each book reveals more about the world and characters but it’s one you have to commit to but it’s worth it. Totally worth it imho.
GGK 🎉 I haven’t read Tigana yet but a few of his other works have really impacted me! He should be praised far more often imo
Same as you, Tigana is still ahead of me, but The Sarantine Mosaic was splendid.
Agree with everything on your list, especially Piranesi, which in my opinion is one of the best books I've ever read. I was excited that you mentioned Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell too!
Terry Pratchett's Discworld blew me away because despite the fantasy setting and the humour, there were a lot of deep topics covered. Every time I reread one of the books, I discover something new. Those books are just precious!
Thank you for the shout-out for Equal Rites. My favourite book. Doesn't always get the attention it deserves in Discworld just for having come early in Pratchett's oeuvre.
Love how Terry brought it full circle with the final Tiffany book. I’m more a Rincewind fan but do like the Tiffany books.
That craze of reading a book and finding out what happens before anyone else spoils it (which is now replaced by TV series ) is something which I and everyone of my age around me has only experienced during the Harry Potter books. Its the only time I have seen a waiting queue of people in front of a bookstore . Sadly I don’t think we will see that kind of phenomenon again.
This was such an awesome phenomenon to live through. I remember having loads of conversations around if Snape was good or bad, who would die and who would live, and who the next year’s Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher would be. It was such a fun thing to be a part of and I miss all of the buzz around the movies, the LEGOs, and the like. It was a fun time to be young.
i'm so glad earthsea was mentioned ❤
I'm glad you're reading Malazan. Personally I've read up to book 4 and it's already one of my favorite series. It can be a bit overwhelming but that's part of the charm!! Loved this video :D
For me the best thing about this video is that you are looking forward to reading to your son.
A friend of mine had to go and put his children to bed one time when I was visiting. When he came back we had a game of bridge (four of us of course). It was quite a wait for him to come back. Why? because he was reading a chapter (one per night) of The Hobbit to his son and daughter before turning out the light. What a great Dad.
I can't wait for the opportunity to share these stories with him!
My daughter was brought up being read the Hobbit over and over by her Dad. She identifies with Smaug. Not sure that was the aim.....
Great to see The Once and Future King in your list. It's oone of my top ten books in all genres. I have read it so many times and it still brings me to tears.
I don't know if counts as Fantasy 🤷♂ but since I see Beowulf and Tolkien on the list I am going to recommend "Kalevala" a compilation of a finnish creation myth by Elias Lonnröt, another of the biggest Tolkien's incluences. Top tier 🙌
I feel validated seeing Equal Rites get a shout out as a Discworld favorite. I have read 9 so far and it is for sure my favorite as well. Granny Weatherwax is absolutely hilarious throughout this book.
Jared, I’ve been in such a reading slump and your book selections have really put me back on reading. I look forward to your videos!!
Ive picked up the gods of Pegana by Lord Dunsany and am really impressed by his style and proto Lovecraftian sensibility
Very well put on all books. I agree with you on WoT. It's a fantastic, immersive series. I've read it many times and it never disappoints.
If you haven't read the Realm of the Elderlings by Robin Hobb, highly recommend it! Hobb has a way of making you fall in love with her characters and feel so strongly for them in a way that I haven't experienced with any other writer
The first couple of Steven Donaldson 's The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant series and the superb character development and language in the works of Tad Williams , esp. Green Angel Tower.
So glad to see your comments. Donaldson Gets a lot of criticism for Covenant. These impacted me so much as a young person.
I appreciate the editing, really nice.
I am absolutely in love with Wheel of Time. I need to get back to reading the first one again!
I agree with you on Name of the Wine. I couldn’t even finish the first book.
If only it was actually about wine....
Great list. I read a lot of Fantasy in High School and College. The pace of my world is much faster now but you have made me think of picking up a book again.
Regarding Beowulf: Like many, I read when I was in High School and along side that, our teacher had us read Grendel by John Gardner who tells the story from the "monster's" viewpoint.
I loved the book Grendal. Gardner really captures the monster's persepctive and almost convinces the reader that Beowolf is the bad guy in this epic tale. In the vein of Beowolf, I also recomend Michael Crichton's "Eaters of the Dead." This is a retelling of a historical manuscript by the 10th-century traveler Ahmad ibn Fadlan.
Great selection! I'd be quite interested in hearing your take on George R. R. Martin's "A Song of Ice and Fire"-series; that series would definitely be in my list somewhere.
actually blown away its not even in honorable mentions
Maybe he hasn’t read it… or maybe it’s hard to rank because it’s unfinished
@@canishma If it ever got finished I'm sure it would qualify for an honorable mention, but when you have a series where most people agree that the first three books are great, the 4th is pretty meh, the 5th is merely ok and 12 years later there's still two more unwritten...
Please do a solo review of wheel of time series, showing why one should read it etc. But regardless I really enjoy your videos to the fullest content. Very insightful
I am currently obsessively re-reading Piranesi. I put it back on the shelf, and then two days later I'm reading it again. What a journey it is!
I don't know if it qualifies as fantasy, but one of my favorites is The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde. The series weakens near the end, but the first two books are enchanting.
Have you read the Prince of Nothing trilogy? “The Darkness that Comes Before” is the first book and it’s excellent. The series is by R Scott Bakker, a Canadian philosopher, and seems like it would be right up your alley. I’d highly recommend it.
Some good choices on this list. I'll have to look up Piranesi, but I'm glad that they're not all modern books which most lists like this so often are, because so many great books are lost that way.
I like how Brandon bookends your list, I really love the Cosmere, and I’m trying to read the Wheel of Time, but man is it tough. If the ones I’ve read on your list, I generally agree with you (other then the Cosmere is amazing imo)
Glad to see Guy Gabriel Kay on the list. He is overlooked, I feel, but I've read and enjoyed many of his books.
First Law series by Joe Abercrombie is a great grim-dark low fantasy series. I've read the first trilogy and it's one of my top reads. I'd suggest if you can pick it up after Malazan!
I just got done with the three standalones following The First Law trilogy and those are awesome. Starting The Age of Madness trilogy in a few days. Cant wait!
@@jeremygunkel That's great! My copy of Best Served Cold arrived and going to pick it up soon.
I can see why it's popular but I competed the trilogy confused why I pushed myself to finish it. I've only been left with that feeling 1-2 other times.
I didn't make time to read fantasy during my working years. Finally starting to read new fantasy and started with the WOT. It wasn't for me. It felt like epic-ish okay YA fantasy but I was expecting something as good as LOTR but bigger. I'm looking forward to reading some of the other modern fantasy writers that might be more to my taste. Dark Tower next and then maybe Hobb, Erikson, and Abercrombie.
Great video! Thanks!
“I don’t want to be so original I say false things.” Struck me profoundly honest and self-aware.
Have you tried any NK Jemisin? I really loved The City We Became in a lot of ways, and should give The Broken Earth trilogy a try.
Piranesi I think has become my favourite book
This is a very awesome and unique list, especially when you included Beowulf and The Once and Future King. I've really wanted to read both of those works for so long it's not even funny lol. And I definitely think you've motivated me to finally get back to reading The Wheel of Time as well. Even though The Eye of the World can indeed feel a little bit like a homage to Fellowship, it has intrigued me enough to want to keep seeing what wonders that world has! :)
The jump in quality from Eye of the World to The Great Hunt is pretty astounding. And it keeps going for quite awhile!
@@_jared It did pick up in the great hunt, but i still very much enjoyed the first books too. Maybe because i read the series right after reading the hobbit and lotr which i also loved.
I’m reading the Wheel of Time…on book 10.
I just can’t understand why this book is so loved. I try to love it, but I just can’t. Maybe Sanderson will change things for me
What a joy again to listen to you talking about my fav books or books that I want to read at some point ❤️❤️
Roger Zelazny,s Nine Prince,s in Amber is one of my favorites
Try Berserk, it’s good to know a new medium!
I love all the books on your list with Piranesi being the exception. I read it, thought I missed something, so I read it again and still feel pretty meh about it. Thankfully it's incredibly short so I only gave up a few days.
Thanks for such a kind journey through your list! Just finished rereading WoT and i dont think anyone will make an artwork of any sort that tops it for mine. Of course it's riddled with flaws but it has to be to be such a bold and generous masterpiece.
Just found your channel, love the list. I don’t entirely agree with your comments on Tolkien, and wonder who has surpassed him or his work but respect your perspective.
Piranesi is definitely on my list of favorite books in general. It's actually the book that helped me to love reading again
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I enjoyed watching the video, thanks. 🙂
I have never been a prolific book reader but I am now trying my best to catch up on lost time. One series I did read when it was first published and one of my favourites, is the initial double-trilogy ‘The Chronicles Of Thomas Covenant’ by Stephen Donaldson. I found it interesting and intriguing but also frustrating and annoying to have a central character that was so easy to dislike and yet so hard to ignore and walk away from, much like Hugh Laurie’s depiction of Dr House in the tv series of the same name! Despite my annoyance with the main character’s seeming lack of backbone and fortitude, I was drawn in and eager to see where the story would take him?
Your description of WOT is also intriguing, and I think I will dip my toe into Book 1 and see how far I get? Thanks.
Have you read the Warlord Chronicles? I’d love to see a video ranking Arthurian books.
Solid list. I am SURE you don’t need any reading recommendations, but I’m going to give one anyway: the Thieves’ World series edited by Robert Lynn Asprin and Lynn Abbey. They are a collection of short stories written in the 80s using a shared world, each told by a different author. The first three titles in the series are the best. It’s the only body of fantasy work that is well-written that I could recommend. You’ve already read many of the other “classics.” Glad to see George R. R. Martin missed the cut.
I don't necessarily need the recommendations, but they are always appreciated!
I've read Lord of the Rings, of course, and it is kind of in the nostalgia category since I read it so long ago, but I have actually not read any of the other books on your list, with the exception of Beowulf, which I read quite recently and wholeheartedly endorse. I read the Seamus Heaney translation. I would be interested in further exploration of classics that might be better characterized as "mythology" or as precursors to the modern fantasy genre, such as Beowulf and The Once and Future King, and (included from my own reading) such great works as Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Ovid's Metamorphoses, and even some of Shakespeare (A Midsummer Night's Dream), and Homer (The Odyssey). Possibly some of the fairy tales, like the Grimm Brothers (I'm currently reading the Pullman selections), or Tales of Hoffmann. Big topic!
Great to see Beowulf get a mention. Happy to have found your channel!
Looking forward to reading some of these I haven’t touched, thanks for the unique recs
While i was reading wheel of time i found Ian Irvine and Robin Hobb and i have yet to find anyone who can come close to these three. There have been several very close but these three are my absolute top. I have added your list of books here to my reading list for this year and look forward to seeing their worlds.
One of my nostalgia reads is the Dune series. In particular loved Dune Messiah, which is not everyone's favorite, but it illustrates the limits of power. Also liked the Robin Hobbs series with the Farseer multi=book series. The strongest were the first 3 books.
I really love Tad Williams fantasy stories, especially Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn and would love to hear / read your opinion about those
If you like Arthurian tales, The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley comes highly recommended. I loved Lord Valentine’s Castle (and it’s sequels) by Robert Silverberg back in the day.
This is a really solid list. My list would include more of the gritty fantasy. A Song of Ice and Fire, The First Law Trilogy, and Malazan.
I loved Taigana. The Lion of el Rasaan was even better, again using another culture other then medieval England. I never could make it through Eye of the World. I may have to give it another shot.
Currently on book 10 of the WoT. Can say that EoTW is very different from the rest of the story. The end of Book 1 was the catapult of what the story actually is. Book 2 is when you officially launch off. Who knows, it might not be your cup of tea. With my current experience I can say reading books 2-7 were an absolute delight.
Yes to LOTR!! Surprised that it was number 2, but you have always been thoughtful so I was intrigued to hear your reasoning. I am going to suggest your number 1 pick to my son...! Thank you, brother!
Spanish reader here: i knew you had good taste when you said that Sanderson's book weren't that good, and then you mentioned my favourite fantasy books of all times, all the Discworld. They're the books i go back to everytime i need to cheer up, they're funny, cozy, and amazing.
In my opinion any good reader of fantasy that creates a ranking of fantasy books, lord of the rings should be at least in the top 3.
I have read the 1#cosmere, 2#realm of the elderlings and 3#wheel of time and I would rank them in this order. I didn't enjoy The Wheel of Time as much as I thought I would, I was annoyed by a good portion of the cast and how they acted towards others that didn't do anything wrong, also most of the events in this series were grand but not epic but it got better towards the end. On the other hand, I absolutely loved the royal assassin, mistborn, stormlight, warbreaker and others.
This was great to watch. I never realized you were this well-read in the fantasy genre.
If you're looking for recommendations, I would suggest The Bas Lag books by Chinal Mieville; particularly The Scar. It can be read as a standalone novel and can be read in a week. Mieville has a great and vivid imagination, and his worlds are truly unique in the genre. His characterizations are solid, as are his prose and work with themes. But his world building is where he truly shines.
These are on my tbr, I read The City & The City last year and loved it.
Wonderful stuff. Great writer.
@@elyse49 I've heard good things about The City & The City. I hope you enjoy the Bas Lag series. Especially the first 2 books :)
Mieville is brilliant. Never disappoints. ❤
I threw the 4th book of "Wheel of Time"across the room. They were way too wordy, It would never be in my top ten. That was the last "new" series that I started. The complexity and all the different characters in the Wheel of Time made it really difficult to keep everything connected. It seemed to never go anywhere. I couldn't handle the anxiety of not going anywhere, In a way, it reminded me of TV soap operas.
Malazan Book of the Fallen replaced The Wheel of Time as my favorite fantasy series. Malazan gets even better on re-reads. Beowulf is a nice surprise. Reminds me I haven't read that in years and it is due for a re-read. I haven't read Tigana or Piranesi yet, but I agree with the rest of your list. I didn't realize Susanna Clarke had released a new book, so I have that to look forward to. I really enjoyed Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell.
Jared, I heard your chat with Steve, and I think it's so funny that you mention that discussion about leaving LotR off the list. Nice choices here--I'm particularly pleased to see Piranesi on your list. Instant classic.
I can’t mention him by name in a video - he’s scared I’ll send him more subscribers!
Clarke is a modern master of the genre. She’s a treasure.
Wonderful list! I'm excited you're reading Malazan Book of the Fallen and am curious if it will earn a place on your list further down the road. Seeing Tigana on your list makes me excited to get into Guy Gavriel Kay's books!
It is strange that in most best-of-lists Malazan isn't even mentioned or on a rank which is far behind others with no reason. What Jared says about Wheel of Time is just not all-embracingly true. Malazan does that all a thousandfold more complex. History, politics, philosophy, battles, intentions, characters "their own reasons", sometimes not even clear to the characters themselves, cities built on cities upon cities, many many civilizations with there own culture, there own "World War II experience". And all of that culminating in a fitting ending. Erikson is master of 600-page-buildup and 300-page-payoff, almost in every single of his 10 tomes.
Wheel of Time unmatched? Malazan is way ahead of that. There are many weaker entries in the Wheel of Time series, which you cannot say for Malazan. Maybe it is too hard to read and to keep track with those unending many characters, gods, ascendants, peoples. Maybe the first book is throwing the reader in cold water, too much for a casual reader, in the midst of a battle no one can understand by reading it only one time. There is rarely a series which rewards more with a second and third read of the complete series.
Maybe there are other authors which are not mentioned here, Abercrombie, Bakker, Weeks, Lawrence, Martin. Maybe all of those are too gritty, too adult, too philosophical for standard fantasy. To me, the concept of a hero, of chosen ones, is just boring. Donaldson's Thomas Convenant also does not fit those clichés. Noone mentions his chronicles.
Not fitting in Jared's arsenal of "easy" fantasy stories :)
Wheel of time is by no means my favorite but I certainly agree the ending was satisfying. I think I still got to say my favorite series is Lotr or Once and Future King, followed closely by the Realm of the Elderlings
So glad to see Wot at the top. I’m with you on that! Love it soo much
Talking about having to stop watching His Dark Materials (one of my favorite series) is how I felt watching Bridge to Terabithia- I started crying when Jesse left to go to the museum with the teacher b/c I knew what was coming.
I love the opening chapters of LeGuin's The Tombs of Atuan. There is something about the effortless complexity of the prose and the way the world envelops you as a reader - oppressively so, with the quenching, stifling silent darkness so thick I always feel that i can taste it - that reminds me of Golding's Lord of the Flies. I am so glad you included Beowulf - and even happier that you spoke so intelligently and astutely about the poem!
Have you ever read Spenser's The Faerie Queene? Our generic categories don't really work well for Renaissance literature and I don't know whether this incomplete allegorical religious epic is just too darn riotous and rich to fit in the 'fantasy' slot. But some episodes are indelibly etched into my brain, and since you mention you affection for the characters of Arthur and Lancelot et alia, and FQ does feature the once and future king a fair bit.
all your picks that ive read i cant disagree at all so excited to check out your recommendations that im unfamiliar with!
I enjoyed the Witcher series, but more as a simple fun read. I think its at its best in the volumes that are collections of short stories featuring Geralt like a western or samurai travelling from town to town to deal with the "monster of the week." I haven't read everything in Jared's list, but I'd agree with leaving the Witcher off the list. It isn't something you'll be thinking about for week or months after. But fine light reading next time you need to kill a few hours.
You should try reading the Farseer books by Robin Hobb. She's one of the best fantasy authors, and it seems like people do not give her the credit she deserves.
It's on the list!
@@_jared Personally I didn't love the Farseer trilogy, and think its overhyped. That said, however, based on you liking Once and Future King and Beowulf, and the prose of a story, I think you will appreciate Farseer.
If you love the Arthurian legend, can I suggest you make sure you read Jack Whyte's Skystone series of 9 books. It is a spin on the classic tale based from a historical fiction perspective. Set over 3 or 4 generations in Britannia beginning at the time the Roman's leave and the dark ages begin. My favourite series of books along with Malazan.
Kinda like the pendragon cycle? I really liked Merlin.
Rothfus' writing being annoying: Yep. I got through the first book by skipping bits. Got to the end and realized there was a cliffhanger of sorts, and that was that. Haven't read anything else since. Absolutely uninterested.
Discworld: Love the night watch and Vimes and Carrot and Vetinari and Angua - so fun. Love the Moist Von Lipwig series. SO good and funny. My husband loves the golems: his fave is Feet of Clay.
I read Piranesi because of your recommendation, and I absolutely loved it!
Can we just get one of these for every genre, thank you
I appreciate most of the list! Personally I think Asoiaf has got to feature. Additionally I’d put witcher in my top 2 along side Lord of the rings (not sure on which triumphs). It’s tricky because so many people are either extremely hot or cold on the Witcher. If you gel with the characters and moral themes and the wry sense of humour, it clicks so well. But if the characters don’t land with you I can understand why it’s “bland”. Personally, there aren’t many characters that rival those of Geralt, Dandelion and Regis and the rest of their group, but I can see why you and many others aren’t so keen
Glad that ASOIF didn't even get to the caveats section :)
For me the most imortant thing in fantasy is if the author pays proper attention to cosmogony and eschatology of the world and how the world's deity interacts with the world and the characters. Of course, interesting cultures, locations, histories and characters are great, but without eschatology the world will inevitably lack the ultimate goal and all adventures of the story will feel boring. It's sad that most fantasy writers pay too much attention to magic systems but don't focus on metaphysics enough (if at all). Tolkien did great job for his world in this aspect, and WoT has quite defined metaphysics as well, so I totally agree with them being at #1 and #2 spot (although I'd personally have LOTR on #1).
My editor asked me about ASOIF, and it was only then that I remembered it. I've forgotten almost everything about it since I read the last book.
@@_jared Seems to me the author of the book have as well. You're not alone in that.
@@serphenyxloftnor4194 stone cold 😂
It’s unfortunate you were not a fan of Kingkiller, it’s the first book since LotR/WoT that really sucked me in, and I re-read it every year! :). Oh well, more copy’s for me!
As for LotR and WoT, they flip-flop between one and two depending on my mood. It’s hard to not feel inspired by LotR, but it’s hard to not feel envious at the world building Jordon accomplished. I hear everyone talk about the slog, but I never experienced it.
Maybe it had to do with the fact that I was doing twelve hour shifts in a secure building and couldn’t have electronics. But I was engaged from start to finish.
I’m working through The Stormlight Archive right now, and have been enjoying that immensely!
I keep seeing Ursula K Le Guin from you and others so maybe that’ll be my next fantasy series
I just want to thank you for this response.
I'm not a fan of Kingkiller, and I worried about talking about not liking it would cause some problems. I usually stay positive on this channel. But I'm glad a KKC fan could still enjoy the video.
I loved the wheel of time, but I hadn’t read it for a very long time. After seeing so many people online bash the, I decided to go through it again. I’m actually enjoying more the second time around. Completely agree with the placement, it’s right up there with malazan for me.
Wheel of Time is very curious as a number 1 to me. I was looking into it, curious, but the amount of negativity I found in reviews and online discussions-much of which came from fans!-led me to assume it's a bit meandering, has that infamous slog, and perhaps was closer to the sort of old school "pulp" style of fantasy, which I'm less interested in. Your comment on it blending history is intriguing to me, and I wonder if it's real world history (which would be fascinating) or if it's fantasy history. Regardless, I'm surprised it made it to number 1, and am curious if it overcomes what I've read about it. Perhaps the payoff really is that good! Kudos to Sanderson.
Sad to see no Gaiman in this list. But still a fantastic list, I got a few new recomendations I didn't know about.
I loved the Wheel of Time, for the first 3 books. At the end of that one I discovered we weren't even close to finishing.
I read two more weighty volumes as they were published before giving up in frustration and disgust, as they didn't seem to have carried the main story characters on any further, while introducing yet more side characters and side plots. I seem to recall that one of the original four main characters, (was it Perrin?) appeared in just one chapter in one of the books.
Even the author wasn't able to finish the series before it killed him. I can't read a book series over 23 years and have all the details stay fresh in my mind.
Robin Hobb, Farseer books all the way! Check them out if you haven’t.
Name of the wind of my favorite book of all time lol.
I also just started wheel of time!! Loving it so far
Not sure if you consider it fantasy but a canticle of liebowitz is a great story that traverses time.
Love Canticle! He already has it in his sci-fi list though.
Great list! Love finding new booktubers to get ideas from; I've read several from your list already and 2 of them are on my own top 10 list. Here is my list:
10. Deed of Paksenarrion by Elizabeth Moon (this is one of my top 4 or 5 most often reread series; I've never put it into my top 10 until recently but I decided to bump out a few that I haven't read in a long while)
9. Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson (I don't combine the Cosmere books yet like you do; I may later but not as of now)
8. The Banished Lands by John Gwynne (this is one I do combine a couple series; Faithful & the Fallen and Of Blood & Bone; this is a new read for me, not finished with it actually, so this placement may change after I've had more time to think on it)
7. The Belgariad/Malloreon by David Eddings (this is a nostalgia pick; was my favorite series back in the early 90's until I discovered my real #1)
6. Kingkiller Chronicles by Patrick Rothfuss (this did work for me, lol. This is one of 2 series that MIGHT have a shot of taking the #1 spot from the current holder; but only if he finishes and it is as good as NotW)
5. First Law by Joe Abercrombie (only read the first trilogy so far; this may change when I read the rest; most likely I will group them all into the same spot)
4. Malazan by Steven Erikson (only read the main 10 so far; I don't think I will combine the different sub series into one as there are 2 authors; but we will see)
3. Drenai Saga by David Gemmell (this was my #2 for about 2 decades; got knocked down a spot a couple years ago but will always be one of my top series)
2. Stormlight Archive by Sanderson (this is the other series that has a shot at #1; Sanderson is probably my favorite living author)
1. Wheel of Time by Robert Jordan/Sanderson (this has been my favorite series since 1997 and honestly I doubt anyone will ever top it; as I said maybe KC or SA but I wouldn't bet any money on it, lol)
Love finding other people who share a love of WoT. I love that series so much; and yeah I don't want to talk about the show either, lol. The characters and the world of WoT far far surpasses ever other series I've ever read in my opinion.
As you may have noticed I don't have LotR on my list; it would be in the top 15 most likely and as you said I have to acknowledge the effect it has had on modern fantasy. But for me it has been passed by many many works. Still amazing after all these years though; just not top 10 amazing.
Others that are hovering around my top 10 are: ASOIAF, Chronicles of Thomas Covenant, Shannara, Rigante, Memory Sorrow & Thorn. It's been decades since I read any of these and my memory of them is faded. I want to reread them all and at the very least Thomas Covenant may very well go back onto my top 10 when I do. I just recently bumped Paks up ahead of it because I realized how much I've forgotten about it.
Anyway, great list. I subscribed and will be checking out more of your videos.
I haven't read WOT but the culture and world building work in The Dandelion Dynasty by Ken Liu is truly incredible. It's a top ten series for me.
The Wheel of Time is the best reading experience I have had so far. Despite that I have not read some classics such as Malazan, Realm of the Elderlings, Dark Tower and Discworld.
Piranesi's ending captured such a beautiful bittersweet mixture: there's palpable loss, but also his endearing will to see beauty. It is not among my favourites, but I am glad for the journey.
The last truly great fantasy books I've read include The Price of Spring by Daniel Abraham, and a number from my Malazan reread this year. Abraham achieved something incredible, and I can't wait until he is recognized.
Bakker's work also comes up in this comment section often: it is grim, but it is of incredible depth. I look forward to your thoughts.
Great list! I love Ian Irvine’s series too (especially the Well of Echoes), and Erin Morgenstern’s The Starless Sea (I’ll have to give Piranesi a go, they’re often compared)…
What, no "Book of the New Sun"?! 😮 Great list. I long for the escapism of the big fantasy books I used to read as a teenager, but find them harder to lose myself in now I'm nearly 50.
I don't know this list is lacking Jack Vance and Poul Anderson.
The Dying Earth
The Broken Sword
I loved the same ones of SK’s DT books. I also originally thought that Ted Brautigan’s backstory, but I ended up liking Father Callahan’s backstory better.
Not sure if anyone has mentioned yet, but have you read any Neil Gaiman? He's my favorite fantasy author. My top ones of his are Stardust, American Gods, and The Ocean at the End of the Lane.
I have - I like him, but I don't love him. I like his short story 'Chivalry', though, and Good Omens.
@@_jared He does have some really good short story collections. Smoke and Mirrors I think his first is called