A former co-worker of mine owned an extra set of The First Law trilogy just to lend out because he wanted everyone to read it. I'm so happy he introduced me to that series.
Was waiting for Riyria to come up. It's always the first series that comes to my mind when I think of just genuinely having a fun time with a satisfying conclusion.
Love the fact that you keep including Conan. Conan the Cimmerian will always be one of my favorite fantasy characters of all time. Congrats to you for turning me on to the First Law trilogy which is now in my top 5 of favorite fantasy series.
I’m reading the second book in the first law trilogy right now! It’s definitely blowing me away. It’s my first foray into grim dark, I was a bit hesitant to pick it up but I’m glad I did
-I completely agree with Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter (yes, I'm in my late 30s and I STILL love it). -Your inclusion of the New Jedi Order brought a huge smile to my face. Was it perfect? No. But, the strongest books were just fantastic and the Yuuzhan Vong were amazing villains. God, the memories! -I still need to finish the Chronicles of Narnia. It's been enjoyable so far. Same with Wheel of Time -Currently working my way through Percy Jackson, and it's been fun so far (apparently, I'm still a big kid at heart). -Most of the rest are already on my TBR since I've heard such amazing things about them. My personal completed series recommendations: 1) Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn 2) The Obsidian Mountain Trilogy Thanks for sharing this!
Mike man when I can't think of something to read your channel has always pointed me to good books I would have never read gone with the wind till I saw your review about it great book. I usually don't take a leap of faith with authors I don't know but I ordered the First book in the faithful and the fallen series I'm 245 pages in malice it is absolutely fantastic John Gwynne is fantastic I ordered the other 3 books today I also took a chance on the first law trilogy got the first book I'm so excited to start it I have heard a lot of people say that Joe Abercrombie is fantastic, I'm a huge Game of thrones fan I have read all the books and watched the tv show I'm so excited for The Blade Itself a lot of my friends have said Joe Abercrombie is very similar to George R.R. Martin here's hopping fingers crossed 🤞 I have needed my game of thrones itch scratched for a while now I have a feeling these books will do it.
Nathan I absolutely loved loved Gywnne’s Bloodsworn, a different world than the banished lands. Another trilogy to read in bewteen Gwynne & First Law is listening to the Warlord Chronicles! First 1/3 of Winter King is slow but then it takes off like a rocket.
You got me into reading Blake Crouch and I just started book 1 of red rising. Also convinced me to give John Gwynne a try(bought most of his books, haven’t started yet)
For the first time I decided to map my reading out for the next three months. I never do a TBR. All about mood. But I started Realm of the Elderlings. For each RotE series I read I am going to break it up with a different series. Halfway thru Assassins Quest right now and then Iam finally jumping into The Bound and the Broken!! Then LiveShip Traders and so on..
I had the same thought process earlier this year, but did Farseer trilogy into The Faithful and the Fallen. On Ship of Destiny at the moment and haven’t decided on next series before Tawny Man. Hope it works well for you!
Long time viewer Mike from the OG crowd. I have read many of these because of you, and not once have I been disappointed. I am finishing Wrath, and if the ending hits, this series goes down as my all time favorite.
My TBR got destroyed this year. I planned out the entire year and was about halfway through the year before I found a new series I liked (Dresden Files) and didn't want to put it down. I'm back on track for spooky season but my books for the last 3 months are sadly neglected!
I know you probably won’t see this. But I would be interested in seeing a video on the best ongoing series too. It’s nice to live in the hype of upcoming books sometimes 😊
@@mikesbookreviewsIf you see all, and you want to show your subbers some minimal respect & appreciation, I’d recommend acknowledging their heartfelt comments more than once. If you’re “seeing all,” it takes zero from you to throw em a heart or thanks, if for no other reason than it’s a really bad look to bigtime your base. 🤔🤷♂️
My teenage boys like Ryiria Revelations the same as the original Mistborn trilogy, and more than the second Mistborn era, and Warbreaker! It really is such an enjoyable trilogy. So happy to see your Wheel of Time love on here, and Harry Potter! Two of my first fantasy series that got me into and obsessed with fantasy! LOTR and Silmarillion was my other obsession.🙌
I started with Malazan recently. Still on Gardens of the Moon, but so far I love it. But! I think because I heard so much about it before I started, I am reading it differently than other books. No more than one of the chunky chapters per day and sometimes I take a break for a day or two to just let it all sink in. It is not my "main book". Works really well so far. If I would try to go through it like I normally read, it would probably be too overwhelming.
Definitely agree with not having Gardens of the Moon be your main book. I thought I could read the entire MBotF in about a year. Lol, nope! After speeding thru the first 2.5 books and feeling like it was work, I went back to the beginning and re-read books 1 and 2 at a snail's pace. Lots of breaks and with different books in between. Absolutely loved them the second time around! Starting book 3 soon because now I miss the characters and the world and I want to know what comes next. I might read one book in the series per season or one per year. Doesn't matter, it's not homework.
I feel like LOTR is too much of a classic (as well as others) that you shouldn't skip over it. I am working on The Two Towers currently. Tried reading The Hobbit back in school but never got much farther than that. Glad I've given it another shot. I should have the main part of the series finished by the end of this month. Also working slowly on the WoT series, only on book 2 but I'm enjoying it. I also very much agree with reading Mistborn the trilogy! I just got into Sanderson a few years ago and so far, I think it's one of my favorite series. Definitely worth breaking your TBR for!
I recently finished The Riyria Chronicles and followed up with The Rise and Fall series and it made me re-read Riyria Revelations. I'm currently on the last book.
Thank you Mike for being honest about LoTr. There is weird pressure to downplay it’s quality online that I do not understand. I can relate to the ‘needing a challenge’ feeling in fantasy. I have taken to reading challenging classics like War and Peace and The Brothers Karamazov to get my fix. It is great to hear that Malazan can give us that challenge in our favourite genre. I cannot wait to begin Book of the Fallen in January 🫡
First Law is great if you like interesting characters, moral ambiguity, and black humour. The narrative is a bit cryptic and doesn't coalesce until the final book; and the world building is nowhere near as good as in ASOIF or LoTR. Still great. I've read the trilogy 3 times already.
The person who introduced me to Narnia as a child was Sikh and had no idea about the Christian references. I noticed them right away as a culturally Christian but pretty agnostic kid and it didn’t take away from how engrossing the stories were. I also imagine if you are Christian it is a neat way to explore your faith. Win for everyone.
Finally going to be starting the Star Wars EU. Never read a single book but will be reading Heir to the Empire before the end of the year. Here's to hoping it lives up to the hype.
I have a feeling if/when you read Dandelion Dynasty by Ken Liu that will appear on this list. If someone tells me they love ASOIAF the first thing I would recommend would be Dandelion Dynasty. Incredible politics and characters and insanely high body count; there is no plot armor. You will lose characters you love, and lots of them.
Currently at the end of The Veiled Throne, I'm pretty new to reading only read the witcher years ago and finished asoiaf this year. I've read the first two books of riyria, farseer trilogy and the expanse but when I started the dandelion dynasty I was hooked. It felt the most comparable in the way asoiaf made me feel, the world is so huge and everything about the world is full of life. I consider The Grace of Kings the best book I've read in my life so far. I loved asoiaf but because I watched the show first it took away from some of the shock because I knew most of the things that happened so the feeling I am getting from the Dandelion dynasty is different because it is the only introduction I've had to the world
Just started Malice this week. I'm about halfway through and enjoying it. It's not the best writing I've ever seen, especially in the wake of MS&T, but it makes for much quicker & straightforward reading, which I appreciate.
I've spent the last couple days going back through your videos and picking up some great recommendations! Back in the 80s/90s, when I still had the time, I read a lot of fantasy (read LOTR four times before the movies ever came out!). Since then there has been an explosion in fantasy that makes my head swim! Aside from Robert Jordan, our tastes seem to align quite well and I'm building a TBR. One series I don't see mentioned anywhere, however, is my suggestion for breaking your TBR. Like Conan they're standalone stories that can act as a 'palate cleanser' but they also act as a cohesive series. I'm talking about the Thieves' World series edited by Robert Lynn Asprin and Lynn Abbey. I'm amazed no one ever talks about it, a series of stories all written with the same backdrop by authors such as C.J. Cherryh, Andrew Offutt, Janet Morris, David Drake, Philip Jose Farmer, and so many other great authors contributing characters each of which could be appear in the others' stories. It's not only a great series but also a great introduction to authors you might not otherwise have found an interest in.
Same with wheel of time. I have to take breaks because the content is so dense. I have read 4 of them and sometimes I’m just not in the mood to read such a book with an expansive scope. I need a palette cleanser that allows me to be immersed without so much effort. Like a wrinkle in time, six of crows, or another small series.
You should read The Clock Dog in the the Hickory Dickory Dog Trilogy. It’s about a plastic bag that becomes the President and then shoots little pellets at pigeons on the White House lawn.
Nice thought about waiting vs binging series! Never thought about that. I'm someone who hasn't read that often up until this year and I've only waited for a book to come out once: The Blood of Olympus by Rick Riordan and that was in middle school for me. It's an interesting idea how the wait time and expectations for a piece of media can change your view when you finally get to read it.
Mike, I’m in the middle of Sanderson’s Alcatraz books and enjoying them more than I thought I would. Have you thought of reading them with your kid? You two might enjoy together! I believe there is also one more book to be written, so you can teach him about the “slog” of waiting
I think Sanderson also writes some great lessons into the book for kids, like seeing their potential faults as assets. The fact that he literally makes the “lesson” into the magic system is astounding
Mike, great video! Been watching all of your Star Wars videos. Have you read John Jackson Miller's Kenobi novel? I definitely want to read Star Wars set in the Dark Times.
No Greatcoats? 🤔 Loved the video- some really great series- Dark Tower is on my long term TBR. I'm waiting for the compilation ebook to go on sale again.
I read the Farseer Trilogy several years ago and enjoyed some aspects of it but ultimately felt like it had been overhyped by my friends. But I love reading good books with passionate fanbases, and I ALWAYS hear so much love for the Elderlings series. So as someone who is skeptical but willing and WANTS to enjoy these books… why are they worth reading? What is the payoff? What do fans specifically love about it? Thank you!
I'm planning on starting the 1st Law later this year. To this list I'd add Gormenghast by Mervyn Peak (although it's not for everyone), and Terry Ignota by Ada Palmer.
Two of my favorite completed series that I never see mentioned on booktube are The Low Town trilogy by Daniel Polansky (grimdark noir. Reminds me of a fantasy Carlito's Way) and Tales of Ketty Jay by Chris Wooding (swashbuckling steampunk grimdark. Think Firefly + Fullmetal Alchemist + airships)
As your a Michael Crichton fan I would like to get started in his books, do you have a good read order? Version of each book that would be recommended? Thank you.
Thanks. Finally Malazan makes to the list and it rightly deserves so. I am too on book 8 and I just felt a switch go off in the end. Now I am trying to grow hair on my toes and learn patience with Malazan.
Lord of the Rings never truly hit for me until I read the Silmarillion. The entire saga is the the legacy of it's ancient trees. I also love the bit on world creation (and I'm sure many musicians who encounter it feel the same.)
Can't break something that is shattered and was surreptitiously swept into the corner. Of these, at least I have finished The Dark Tower. Now, I binged it and still had problems with those last few books. Harry Potter was like the only one I kept up with upon release and it's still fun to reread.
Before the video even really starts... No Mike, I really don't want my TBR busted, but I know you're going to do it anyway. You've been doing this to me for years now, hahaha!
Add in Under Northern Sky series. The Wolf, The Spider and The Cuckoo. Not enough people talking about it. Not read anything as good since Joe Abercrombie. Takes time to break in but i have not been left with a feeling like it on ending a book for a long time.
Harry Potter will always be solid, the expanse is another start to finish, the gray man series by mark greaney are lots of fun for spy thrillers I think he's writing book 13 or 14 now
My parents finally are watching the Harry Potter movies, but I doubt they'll take the time to read the books. It took us planning a trip to London to motivate them to at least watch the movies. I think it also helped my that my nephews and niece have gotten into them, so glad my sister and brother in-law decided it was time. The oldest had a HP birthday party for his eighth birthday this past summer. My two best friends are also reading the books for the first time. One of them is close to the same age as the characters, but she didn't get into.
gonna catch hate, but I love what Disney has done with Star Wars (mostly). Clone Wars, Rebels, Mandalorian, Rogue One, Andor just to name a few are some of the best Star Wars content imo
Harking back to the New Jedi Order, if you're looking for "grown up" and intelligent Star Wars books written for adults, please look into the Republic Commando series by Karin Traviss. They are hands down the best Star Wars books I've ever read (and I very much enjoyed the NJO / Yuuzhan Vong books), and are quite possibly also the best character driven military sci-fi books I've read.
A former co-worker of mine owned an extra set of The First Law trilogy just to lend out because he wanted everyone to read it. I'm so happy he introduced me to that series.
First Law is pretty awesome. Best Served Cold and The Heroes are both great, too
I actually think the sequel trilogy is even better as well!
I recommend the dandelion dynasty by Ken Liu. 4 epic books that have great characters, world building, plot, and it is a finished series.
Mike you are so bad for my wallet!!! Love your enthusiasm...it's contagious!!! Long live Percy Jackson!❤
***Not complaining!!! Love it!!
Was waiting for Riyria to come up. It's always the first series that comes to my mind when I think of just genuinely having a fun time with a satisfying conclusion.
I feel Mike you missed Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn
I am looking at Green Angel Tower part one and couldn't believe he skipped this series! He must not have read them.
@@mookrules5087 Mike has read memory, sorrow and thorn. He talked about the books in previous videos.
Osten Aard technically isn’t finished, might be why he left it off
Happy to see Percy finally land on one of your lists!
Love the fact that you keep including Conan. Conan the Cimmerian will always be one of my favorite fantasy characters of all time. Congrats to you for turning me on to the First Law trilogy which is now in my top 5 of favorite fantasy series.
I’m reading the second book in the first law trilogy right now! It’s definitely blowing me away. It’s my first foray into grim dark, I was a bit hesitant to pick it up but I’m glad I did
Love the list you have!
Another fantastic video! Thank you!!!
Thanks mike for the dark tower ! Drawing of the three and wizard and glass were masterpieces
-I completely agree with Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter (yes, I'm in my late 30s and I STILL love it).
-Your inclusion of the New Jedi Order brought a huge smile to my face. Was it perfect? No. But, the strongest books were just fantastic and the Yuuzhan Vong were amazing villains. God, the memories!
-I still need to finish the Chronicles of Narnia. It's been enjoyable so far. Same with Wheel of Time
-Currently working my way through Percy Jackson, and it's been fun so far (apparently, I'm still a big kid at heart).
-Most of the rest are already on my TBR since I've heard such amazing things about them.
My personal completed series recommendations:
1) Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn
2) The Obsidian Mountain Trilogy
Thanks for sharing this!
Reading First Law now. He's right. I can't remember ever having read fantasy characters that feel more alive. Abercrombie is a master craftsman.
I read the Dark Tower, got me into Fantasy. Then read LOTR, and now I'm in Malazan. Loving Malazan
I finished malazan 😂❤
Malazan is fecking amaze-balls
Mike man when I can't think of something to read your channel has always pointed me to good books I would have never read gone with the wind till I saw your review about it great book. I usually don't take a leap of faith with authors I don't know but I ordered the First book in the faithful and the fallen series I'm 245 pages in malice it is absolutely fantastic John Gwynne is fantastic I ordered the other 3 books today I also took a chance on the first law trilogy got the first book I'm so excited to start it I have heard a lot of people say that Joe Abercrombie is fantastic, I'm a huge Game of thrones fan I have read all the books and watched the tv show I'm so excited for The Blade Itself a lot of my friends have said Joe Abercrombie is very similar to George R.R. Martin here's hopping fingers crossed 🤞 I have needed my game of thrones itch scratched for a while now I have a feeling these books will do it.
Nathan I absolutely loved loved Gywnne’s Bloodsworn, a different world than the banished lands. Another trilogy to read in bewteen Gwynne & First Law is listening to the Warlord Chronicles! First 1/3 of Winter King is slow but then it takes off like a rocket.
Yep, you introduced me to the 1st Law trilogy. After I finished Dragon Mage I plan on reading The Age of Madness trilogy. Thanks for all you do.
You got me into reading Blake Crouch and I just started book 1 of red rising. Also convinced me to give John Gwynne a try(bought most of his books, haven’t started yet)
Same love Blake crouch now and just started book 3 in red rising series. Can’t put it down
Really enjoy your channel Mike
Your enthusiasm is contagious
Great video as always Mike. Keep them coming. sometimes you just need to break your TBR for a good book you didn't think about before
New Jedi Order is fantastic! What a great callout. Vector Prime and that gut punch ending, so good. Great list thanks!
Star By Star and Traitor are such pinnacle novels in the Star Wars EU. Amazing reads. What a spectacular finish in the unifying Force as well.
For the first time I decided to map my reading out for the next three months. I never do a TBR. All about mood. But I started Realm of the Elderlings. For each RotE series I read I am going to break it up with a different series. Halfway thru Assassins Quest right now and then Iam finally jumping into The Bound and the Broken!! Then LiveShip Traders and so on..
I had the same thought process earlier this year, but did Farseer trilogy into The Faithful and the Fallen. On Ship of Destiny at the moment and haven’t decided on next series before Tawny Man. Hope it works well for you!
I read the faithful and the fallen about a year ago and loved it@@Jeremy_LeJeune
Long time viewer Mike from the OG crowd. I have read many of these because of you, and not once have I been disappointed. I am finishing Wrath, and if the ending hits, this series goes down as my all time favorite.
Phenominal artwork in this presentation!!
I have read the entirety of Realm of the Elderlings at least five times through, and yes, I also love Kingkiller.
Just started a couple weeks ago. Im halfway thru Assassins Quest now but I am most excited for Liveship based on all the things Ive heard.
I'm making my way toward the Ryiria series. I started with the Age prequels and am having a good time.
My TBR got destroyed this year. I planned out the entire year and was about halfway through the year before I found a new series I liked (Dresden Files) and didn't want to put it down. I'm back on track for spooky season but my books for the last 3 months are sadly neglected!
I know you probably won’t see this. But I would be interested in seeing a video on the best ongoing series too. It’s nice to live in the hype of upcoming books sometimes 😊
I see all :) I think a "best series that aren't done yet" could be a thing.
@@mikesbookreviewsIf you see all, and you want to show your subbers some minimal respect & appreciation, I’d recommend acknowledging their heartfelt comments more than once.
If you’re “seeing all,” it takes zero from you to throw em a heart or thanks, if for no other reason than it’s a really bad look to bigtime your base. 🤔🤷♂️
I was just thinking yesterday I needed to tell you to break your tbr for the saga of the forgotten warrior! Mike it absolutely slaps.
My teenage boys like Ryiria Revelations the same as the original Mistborn trilogy, and more than the second Mistborn era, and Warbreaker! It really is such an enjoyable trilogy.
So happy to see your Wheel of Time love on here, and Harry Potter! Two of my first fantasy series that got me into and obsessed with fantasy! LOTR and Silmarillion was my other obsession.🙌
Excellent choices as always Mike
Great to see PJ on here 😎
I started with Malazan recently. Still on Gardens of the Moon, but so far I love it. But! I think because I heard so much about it before I started, I am reading it differently than other books. No more than one of the chunky chapters per day and sometimes I take a break for a day or two to just let it all sink in. It is not my "main book". Works really well so far. If I would try to go through it like I normally read, it would probably be too overwhelming.
Definitely agree with not having Gardens of the Moon be your main book. I thought I could read the entire MBotF in about a year. Lol, nope! After speeding thru the first 2.5 books and feeling like it was work, I went back to the beginning and re-read books 1 and 2 at a snail's pace. Lots of breaks and with different books in between. Absolutely loved them the second time around! Starting book 3 soon because now I miss the characters and the world and I want to know what comes next. I might read one book in the series per season or one per year. Doesn't matter, it's not homework.
I feel like LOTR is too much of a classic (as well as others) that you shouldn't skip over it. I am working on The Two Towers currently. Tried reading The Hobbit back in school but never got much farther than that. Glad I've given it another shot. I should have the main part of the series finished by the end of this month.
Also working slowly on the WoT series, only on book 2 but I'm enjoying it.
I also very much agree with reading Mistborn the trilogy! I just got into Sanderson a few years ago and so far, I think it's one of my favorite series. Definitely worth breaking your TBR for!
I recently finished The Riyria Chronicles and followed up with The Rise and Fall series and it made me re-read Riyria Revelations. I'm currently on the last book.
The Fablehaven series is never mentioned anywhere, and it's pretty good.
This list is super helpful! Thanks! 🎉
Thank you Mike for being honest about LoTr. There is weird pressure to downplay it’s quality online that I do not understand.
I can relate to the ‘needing a challenge’ feeling in fantasy. I have taken to reading challenging classics like War and Peace and The Brothers Karamazov to get my fix. It is great to hear that Malazan can give us that challenge in our favourite genre. I cannot wait to begin Book of the Fallen in January 🫡
Hi 👋 always like watching yr videos!! Happy reading to you!! 🎉
Good video and good list - would have been a great list of it included Memory, Sorrow and Thorn.
I have read a song of ice and fire series and the mistborn era 1 trilogy and really excited to read first law next!
First Law is great if you like interesting characters, moral ambiguity, and black humour. The narrative is a bit cryptic and doesn't coalesce until the final book; and the world building is nowhere near as good as in ASOIF or LoTR. Still great. I've read the trilogy 3 times already.
I recently read the Thrawn Trilogy, and it's incredible how much better it is than Disney Star Wars. I'm excited to get to NJO!
Realm of the Elderlings - YES
First Law and anything by Joe Abercrombie - YES
John Gwynne books - YES
Mistborn - YES
The person who introduced me to Narnia as a child was Sikh and had no idea about the Christian references. I noticed them right away as a culturally Christian but pretty agnostic kid and it didn’t take away from how engrossing the stories were. I also imagine if you are Christian it is a neat way to explore your faith. Win for everyone.
Finally going to be starting the Star Wars EU. Never read a single book but will be reading Heir to the Empire before the end of the year.
Here's to hoping it lives up to the hype.
I have a feeling if/when you read Dandelion Dynasty by Ken Liu that will appear on this list. If someone tells me they love ASOIAF the first thing I would recommend would be Dandelion Dynasty. Incredible politics and characters and insanely high body count; there is no plot armor. You will lose characters you love, and lots of them.
Currently at the end of The Veiled Throne, I'm pretty new to reading only read the witcher years ago and finished asoiaf this year. I've read the first two books of riyria, farseer trilogy and the expanse but when I started the dandelion dynasty I was hooked. It felt the most comparable in the way asoiaf made me feel, the world is so huge and everything about the world is full of life. I consider The Grace of Kings the best book I've read in my life so far. I loved asoiaf but because I watched the show first it took away from some of the shock because I knew most of the things that happened so the feeling I am getting from the Dandelion dynasty is different because it is the only introduction I've had to the world
Just started Malice this week. I'm about halfway through and enjoying it. It's not the best writing I've ever seen, especially in the wake of MS&T, but it makes for much quicker & straightforward reading, which I appreciate.
My weekly update i finished morning star last night. Bring in book 4
The New Jedi Order will forever be the true cannon. Simply amazing !!! Forever in our hearts !
You haven’t steered me wrong yet, so I must give Dark Tower and Conan a try!!
I've spent the last couple days going back through your videos and picking up some great recommendations! Back in the 80s/90s, when I still had the time, I read a lot of fantasy (read LOTR four times before the movies ever came out!). Since then there has been an explosion in fantasy that makes my head swim! Aside from Robert Jordan, our tastes seem to align quite well and I'm building a TBR.
One series I don't see mentioned anywhere, however, is my suggestion for breaking your TBR. Like Conan they're standalone stories that can act as a 'palate cleanser' but they also act as a cohesive series. I'm talking about the Thieves' World series edited by Robert Lynn Asprin and Lynn Abbey. I'm amazed no one ever talks about it, a series of stories all written with the same backdrop by authors such as C.J. Cherryh, Andrew Offutt, Janet Morris, David Drake, Philip Jose Farmer, and so many other great authors contributing characters each of which could be appear in the others' stories. It's not only a great series but also a great introduction to authors you might not otherwise have found an interest in.
Great list!!
Same with wheel of time. I have to take breaks because the content is so dense. I have read 4 of them and sometimes I’m just not in the mood to read such a book with an expansive scope. I need a palette cleanser that allows me to be immersed without so much effort. Like a wrinkle in time, six of crows, or another small series.
Reading ‘Cradle’ right now, it’s great and 12 books in the completed series
It wasn't for me but I know many many others love it.
You should read The Clock Dog in the the Hickory Dickory Dog Trilogy. It’s about a plastic bag that becomes the President and then shoots little pellets at pigeons on the White House lawn.
Nice thought about waiting vs binging series! Never thought about that. I'm someone who hasn't read that often up until this year and I've only waited for a book to come out once: The Blood of Olympus by Rick Riordan and that was in middle school for me. It's an interesting idea how the wait time and expectations for a piece of media can change your view when you finally get to read it.
Great video
Love the farseer trilogy and can't wait to continue on with the rest of the series.
I need to read Conan. I own Farseer and Ryria, still deciding which series to start this upcoming autumn.
Mike, I’m in the middle of Sanderson’s Alcatraz books and enjoying them more than I thought I would. Have you thought of reading them with your kid? You two might enjoy together! I believe there is also one more book to be written, so you can teach him about the “slog” of waiting
I think Sanderson also writes some great lessons into the book for kids, like seeing their potential faults as assets. The fact that he literally makes the “lesson” into the magic system is astounding
Mike, great video! Been watching all of your Star Wars videos. Have you read John Jackson Miller's Kenobi novel? I definitely want to read Star Wars set in the Dark Times.
No Greatcoats? 🤔 Loved the video- some really great series- Dark Tower is on my long term TBR. I'm waiting for the compilation ebook to go on sale again.
I read the Farseer Trilogy several years ago and enjoyed some aspects of it but ultimately felt like it had been overhyped by my friends. But I love reading good books with passionate fanbases, and I ALWAYS hear so much love for the Elderlings series. So as someone who is skeptical but willing and WANTS to enjoy these books… why are they worth reading? What is the payoff? What do fans specifically love about it? Thank you!
I'm planning on starting the 1st Law later this year.
To this list I'd add Gormenghast by Mervyn Peak (although it's not for everyone), and Terry Ignota by Ada Palmer.
Love that you still love Harry Potter. Iconic!
Will you ever give Legends of the first Empire another shot? Just finished it and thought it was SPECTACULAR.
I’m 80 and I love Harry Potter
Phew.... dodged a bullet here. Everything is in the TBR or it is already read. Well, no surprise, 60% of my tbr is based on your videos :D
Love your fantasy videos❤️
Should I finish Dark Tower, or start Heir to the Empire?
Two of my favorite completed series that I never see mentioned on booktube are The Low Town trilogy by Daniel Polansky (grimdark noir. Reminds me of a fantasy Carlito's Way) and Tales of Ketty Jay by Chris Wooding (swashbuckling steampunk grimdark. Think Firefly + Fullmetal Alchemist + airships)
is there something in the LODR novel that wasnt in the movies?
Percy Jackson is a fun and low effort read. Perfect books to read in between heavier series as a bit of a break.
As your a Michael Crichton fan I would like to get started in his books, do you have a good read order? Version of each book that would be recommended?
Thank you.
I just picked up malazan
Thanks. Finally Malazan makes to the list and it rightly deserves so. I am too on book 8 and I just felt a switch go off in the end. Now I am trying to grow hair on my toes and learn patience with Malazan.
Just started dune for the first time in my 35 year old life lol I'm excited
Lord of the Rings never truly hit for me until I read the Silmarillion. The entire saga is the the legacy of it's ancient trees. I also love the bit on world creation (and I'm sure many musicians who encounter it feel the same.)
The Book of the New Sun series by Gene Wolfe is fantastic if you’re looking for something on the literary side. Wolfe’s prose is amazing.
Can't break something that is shattered and was surreptitiously swept into the corner.
Of these, at least I have finished The Dark Tower. Now, I binged it and still had problems with those last few books.
Harry Potter was like the only one I kept up with upon release and it's still fun to reread.
Ryan Cahills, the bound and broken is your new series to promote!
Before the video even really starts... No Mike, I really don't want my TBR busted, but I know you're going to do it anyway. You've been doing this to me for years now, hahaha!
Add in Under Northern Sky series. The Wolf, The Spider and The Cuckoo. Not enough people talking about it. Not read anything as good since Joe Abercrombie. Takes time to break in but i have not been left with a feeling like it on ending a book for a long time.
I haven’t started The Expanse show or books yet, but am interested. Which is better, the show or the books?
Great list, I’d also include The Five Angel Warriors Trilogy by Mr. Durfee.
“Have you heard of our lord and savior Joe Abercrombie?” Lol. Great video
Harry Potter will always be solid, the expanse is another start to finish, the gray man series by mark greaney are lots of fun for spy thrillers I think he's writing book 13 or 14 now
Surprised you didn’t mention Drizzt!
I have book 10 of the wheel of time and I can't get into it help Mike
if you made it that far, might as well finish it....... The pay-off is worth it......
I forgot to mention that I only have book 10 of the wheel of time I need help with reading it
Another recommendation for young readers : Prydain Chronicles by Lloyd Alexander. I think adults will enjoy it, too.
My parents finally are watching the Harry Potter movies, but I doubt they'll take the time to read the books. It took us planning a trip to London to motivate them to at least watch the movies. I think it also helped my that my nephews and niece have gotten into them, so glad my sister and brother in-law decided it was time. The oldest had a HP birthday party for his eighth birthday this past summer. My two best friends are also reading the books for the first time. One of them is close to the same age as the characters, but she didn't get into.
I absolutely enjoyed the dark tower series definitely worth a read 😎
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Mike, if you and your son liked Percy Jackson, might I recommend the Fablehaven series by Brandon Mull? Really fun stuff
Mike Mike Mike, always messing up my TBR 😂
I read the chronicles of Narnia series when I was a teenager
gonna catch hate, but I love what Disney has done with Star Wars (mostly). Clone Wars, Rebels, Mandalorian, Rogue One, Andor just to name a few are some of the best Star Wars content imo
Hey, like what you like.
You’re not wrong mike mistborn era 1 is nearly perfect
Harking back to the New Jedi Order, if you're looking for "grown up" and intelligent Star Wars books written for adults, please look into the Republic Commando series by Karin Traviss. They are hands down the best Star Wars books I've ever read (and I very much enjoyed the NJO / Yuuzhan Vong books), and are quite possibly also the best character driven military sci-fi books I've read.
I thought you were actually finished Malazan. I'm currently on book 4 and you definitely need to take breaks between books.
Wrath solidified my decision to read all of John Gwynne's work sooner rather than later.
"Hey there," you put a video out and my tbr gets busted lmao