OKAY! Your top two series of the year, I did not see that coming AND they’re both on my TBR. I knew i wanted to try Stephen Graham Jones in 2025, but you’ve also bumped up Abby Jimenez too.
Okay didn't know how much I needed to hear that little rant about Wind and Truth. I was getting to the point where I was starting to think I had just gaslighted myself into loving it, but it really was just such a fun read, even with its flaws 🤩 Also, HECK YES for Part of Your World!! I finished 20 series last year, and I think my top 3 would be The Book of Astea by Zammar Ahmer, Mistborn Era 2, and Of Empires and Dust by Anna Smith Spark! 🔪
I didn't find any new series to love last year which was so disappointing. I did reread stuff I loved and some of my favorite series had new releases so that's a light in the dark but it's been rough out there lately. I will be picking up the Terra Ignota series on your recommendation this year though, so I hope to love it as much as you do!
Good to hear you enjoyed the Indian Lake trilogy! I'm not usually a slasher fan but just read I Was a Teenage Slasher and loved it so I've been more tempted to pick up at least My Heart is a Chainsaw. My favorite series I finished in 2024 was definitely Teixcalaan, it took me forever to finally get to Desolation because I was worried it wouldn't hold up but I adored it.
I read The Inheritance trilogy (plus novella and book of short stories) last year on your recommendation! It was definitely one of my highlights for 2024
I think because I was so aware of how Clocktaur War was split, I was able to read them together so my experience was just like reading one big book, lol. But I think I had the opposite feeling in that because I already loved the character build up in the first book, I was ready to go and wound liking the second a little more. There was definitely some pacing issues, but it had all the vibes I wanted (aka I read it right after seeing the Dungeons & Dragons movie, which I loved). But now I'm tempted to reread it even though I told myself I really need to get to the Paladin series this year!
I was also very aware and don't think the split negatively affected me but book 2 took me 3 times as long to read and I remember really not vibing with the "third act" conflict at all but I can totally see it working better for someone!
I still need to read All the Hidden Paths or whatever...whoopsies. The Burning Kingdoms needs more love, yes the ending wasn't fully a hit for me, but that trilogy is still so good. Also your random aside about Ken Liu reminds me I still need to read books 3 and 4 of Dandelion Dynasty....I really need to actually do the work to update my list of what series I have started/finished/etc. The 1 stars and push back on Renarin and Rlain make me so annoyed.
@@LiteratureScienceAlliance Ooh interesting I didn't know they were getting new audiobooks. I just need to finish the series because I wasn't having a bad time I think they just slipped through the cracks when I focused on making sure I finished Malazan and RotE. xD
I also loved Just For The Summer and the rest of that series. Abby Jimenez is a new favorite author of mine. Most of my series reading was keeping up with cozy mystery series, especially several paranormal series by Amanda Lee/Lily Harper Hart.
Ooh fantastic ! I really need to read The 100 Thousand Kingdoms books. I think our first ever big difference is over Tithenai haha because I would easily read book 2 haha I think its my fav of the two (because I like the other couple also). But its a hard choice because book 1 is also magical. Totally agree with the Burning Kingdoms, loved 1-3 but I think 1 is my fav, and it got slightly worse as it went on. I need to get to book 2 of Terra Ignota, keep saying this for months but I will read it this month haha. So happy to see Indian Lake in n01 and I really need to finish that trilogy, just not ready to say goodbye to this world.
My favorite series (started and finished) this year was the Liveship Traders series, and yes, I know I'm decades behind the times. But I've never read Robin Hobb before, and I loved it! Then I read the Farseers trilogy and I was tense the entire time worrying about Nighteyes and I don't think I can stand to read more in the world lol (because I had to spoil myself before I could go on). Second favorite series (finished) was the Bloodsworn trilogy by John Gwynne. But the third book, which came out in October 2024, was a slog. Really, really focused on the final battle, and while well written, too many battle scenes just get to be too much. I think 2/3 of the book was battle. But the ending was satisfactory, so there's that.
Just a whole lot of series I need to start. I read Jo Walton's Thessaly trilogy last year. It was really interesting and stayed away from the fairly typical fantasy tropes.
As someone who has not read any Sanderson and only watches some fantasy-heavy channels, I’m a little surprised so many people seem to be hesitant to admit they loved it on YT, given the hype of the release??! I didn’t finish a lot of series last year but did get caught up on some, like Saga 🔪🔪🗡️
Yay for catching up on Saga! But yea I have been very confused by the Wind and Truth review space, not that there are critiques but just the general vibe is weird
I just finished Rook&Rose yesterday and want to say thank for recommending it - so for every one dumb comment, trust me, your videos are also making people's lives better!
"The Lotus Empire" is actually my favorite book I read last year. I was a little confused where one of the characters ended up but as soon as I understood it, I felt very satisfied by it. I liked how this book still focused on Malani and Prya instead of widening the focus to explain a lot of the big plot and magic. Even the ending where what happened was not really explained worked for me because it hinged on their relationship. Overall the Burning Kingdoms is one of my favorite book series of all time.
I am so so happy it landed that well for you, my world building brain got distracted by wanting more I think, especially with how our antagonistic force responded in the final act
@@LiteratureScienceAlliance I totally get that. For me it worked on an emotional level because their struggles were explored through their own POV chapters.
My other “issue” might be that my conclusion for their relationship is that maybe its a bit unhealthy? So how I feel up their ending is kind of messed up in all that mess 😅
@@LiteratureScienceAlliance I kind of love their unhealthy relationship. I read a lot of romance where part of the point is both parties trying to be in a healthy relationship so reading about characters who love each other but are unhealthy in some ways is a good counterbalance to that. But I only find those kind of relationships interesting in fantasy worlds.
Ooh, I really gotta pick up the Terra Ignota series and the Indian Lake trilogy. After all the talk about the language of the Terra Ignota, I decided to take a look at the preview of Too Like the Lightning and it seemed fine? So I think I'll have a good time with the series. I think my favourite series of 2024 is extremely obvious, it's Malazan: Book of the Fallen. But I also completed a couple of others: the first trilogy of Dune and the Novels of the Malazan Empire. To me, it's M:BotF > NotME > First trilogy of Dune. Which is also pretty obvious, so there we go, lol
Very much looking forward to your Terra Ignota recap/review. That said, I was honestly surprised by you not considering character driven a series mostly told by a first-person unreliable narrator with... issues.
Is it weird that I know so much and yet so little about Mycroft after this read? I actually got much closer to 9A but I wouldn't say it made me feel like other books I love because of the characters so maybe that's why I don't consider it character driven. I wouldn't really recommend this to people who need character work similar to what typical works usually have, if that makes sense?
@@LiteratureScienceAlliance It makes sense. As for "knowing so much and yet so little about Mycroft", I'm entirely convinced the story we get is not all there is about him. But that's best discussed in other places (because of spoilers).
I finished/got caught up on 8 series (9 if we count The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes as catching up to a series 😆). Most of these were duologies. My favorite is probably the Cursed duology by Marissa Meyer, if we aren't counting The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. That is easily my favorite work by Marissa Meyer (somehow, unintentionally, I have read all of her work throughout the years, graphic novels included, with the exception of her 2024 release). I really liked having neither of the main protagonists being primarily warriors and having the male character be amazing in a traditionally female craft and that not be frowned upon 🥰 I didn't manage to finish Labyrinth's Heart nor Loom Saga in 2024, but both of them would have topped the Cursed duology (even tho I have yet to finish Labyrinth's Heart)
i'm not a sanderson reader, but the reviewing space of wind & truth feels so... off, somehow?? people seem so scared to admit that they actually liked it on YT & everyone seems to actively hate it on reddit. oh, and i'll likely be starting terra ignota this year on your recommendation! 🗡✨
I'd heard a rumor that T. Kingfisher is writing a 3rd book in The Sworn Soldier series tentatively slated for Sept. 2025 called What Stalks the Deep. I was so sad to read The Angel of Indian Lake because that meant it was over. I LOVED all three books and agree it was a heavy read but it was as Mary Poppins says "practically perfect in every way." It was my favorite series this year too. I agree that people on the internet can be weird sometimes about what they deem worthy or unworthy of their positive reviews (re: Wind and Truth). I think people just like to make other people feel small so that they can feel superior in their opinion which is the only right opinion to have as you know. I'm glad you liked it. Great video as always. Happy reading. 🗡🗡🗡 For The Indian Lake Trilogy P.S, I finished The Hollow Places by T. Kingfisher and I'd welcome you into my just started cult of lovers of this book. I will proselytize about the book to all who will listen.
Yeah I have no idea where all of these Wind and Truth opinions are coming from. I think maybe Sanderson has hit such a high popularity level since Rhythm of War came out that this minority of fantasy fans feels like they need to be extra vocal about this release. I loved the book, and didn't think the writing was any different from his other Stormlight books.
Please continue to be subjective and biased in your opinions 😄 I’m interested in your thoughts about the book and whether you enjoyed it, found it interesting, learnt something from it etc over any kind of formal analysis
The frustrating the about so much WaT criticism - as you note - is it posits that people who claim to like it don’t actually, and are deluding themselves. It’s ok not to like it! But it’s weird to suggest than no one could have a blast. (Because I did. Promise, everyone.)
How dare you have opinions on a largely subjective platform!!! The nerve. But I enjoyed this ranking. I think Terra Ignota would be higher for me but I also continue to not finish series so I don't even know how long the list would be.
@LiteratureScienceAlliance 🤐... The goals are Jasmine Throne, Dandelion Dynasty, Seige series by KJ Parker, and the Patternist. If I get those done then I've won at 2025.
My theory about WaT is the format threw off people’s expectations and the flow of the story was different than previous books. I had a good time with the book, but I wasn’t a fan of all the plot decisions. There is a lot of negative focus on renarin and rlain. It’s in every comment section of major review videos. People have big mad about 25 pages of a 1400 page book. Renarin being gay made perfect sense to me based on how he was written. The pairing with rlain was a little out of nowhere but I thought Sanderson made it work in WaT. I could go on a rant about this, but with the election I’m seeing people being freer with weaponizing ‘woke’ as a shield to mask bigotry in the guise of criticism. It’s an incredibly disturbing trend.
Its so weird cause in the non internet world, all my friends who I have read stormlight with for years had the same experience as me. I am so glad the homophobia around it hasn't really made it to my corner but its also so disappointing.
OKAY! Your top two series of the year, I did not see that coming AND they’re both on my TBR. I knew i wanted to try Stephen Graham Jones in 2025, but you’ve also bumped up Abby Jimenez too.
Okay didn't know how much I needed to hear that little rant about Wind and Truth. I was getting to the point where I was starting to think I had just gaslighted myself into loving it, but it really was just such a fun read, even with its flaws 🤩
Also, HECK YES for Part of Your World!!
I finished 20 series last year, and I think my top 3 would be The Book of Astea by Zammar Ahmer, Mistborn Era 2, and Of Empires and Dust by Anna Smith Spark! 🔪
Yea its starting to feel like a weird echo chamber around these parts lol
I’ve been avoiding any and all reviews of Wind and Truth for this very reason.
@@WhatCassRead very smart choice imo, hope you enjoy it when you get to it!
I didn't find any new series to love last year which was so disappointing. I did reread stuff I loved and some of my favorite series had new releases so that's a light in the dark but it's been rough out there lately. I will be picking up the Terra Ignota series on your recommendation this year though, so I hope to love it as much as you do!
Good to hear you enjoyed the Indian Lake trilogy! I'm not usually a slasher fan but just read I Was a Teenage Slasher and loved it so I've been more tempted to pick up at least My Heart is a Chainsaw.
My favorite series I finished in 2024 was definitely Teixcalaan, it took me forever to finally get to Desolation because I was worried it wouldn't hold up but I adored it.
Yessss so happy you enjoyed Teixcalaan!
I 100% agree with you about The Angel of Indian Lake. That ending was perfection.
I read The Inheritance trilogy (plus novella and book of short stories) last year on your recommendation! It was definitely one of my highlights for 2024
I am so happy!! Thanks for sharing
I read the green bone saga last year, Jade Legacy was my favorite!
So good!!!
I think because I was so aware of how Clocktaur War was split, I was able to read them together so my experience was just like reading one big book, lol. But I think I had the opposite feeling in that because I already loved the character build up in the first book, I was ready to go and wound liking the second a little more. There was definitely some pacing issues, but it had all the vibes I wanted (aka I read it right after seeing the Dungeons & Dragons movie, which I loved). But now I'm tempted to reread it even though I told myself I really need to get to the Paladin series this year!
I was also very aware and don't think the split negatively affected me but book 2 took me 3 times as long to read and I remember really not vibing with the "third act" conflict at all but I can totally see it working better for someone!
Love your opinions so much! This was a really brilliant roundup. Can’t wait to see what series you finish this year. 🥰
Me too! I feel kind of adrift in what I am reading series wise for some reason so need to do a little audit lol
I still need to read All the Hidden Paths or whatever...whoopsies. The Burning Kingdoms needs more love, yes the ending wasn't fully a hit for me, but that trilogy is still so good. Also your random aside about Ken Liu reminds me I still need to read books 3 and 4 of Dandelion Dynasty....I really need to actually do the work to update my list of what series I have started/finished/etc. The 1 stars and push back on Renarin and Rlain make me so annoyed.
Oh yea I would love to see how you feel about the finale of Dandelion Dynasty, and I heard there may be new audiobooks out there to try??
@@LiteratureScienceAlliance Ooh interesting I didn't know they were getting new audiobooks. I just need to finish the series because I wasn't having a bad time I think they just slipped through the cracks when I focused on making sure I finished Malazan and RotE. xD
I also loved Just For The Summer and the rest of that series. Abby Jimenez is a new favorite author of mine. Most of my series reading was keeping up with cozy mystery series, especially several paranormal series by Amanda Lee/Lily Harper Hart.
That sounds like a ton of fun! My equivalent was reading Vorkosigan last year
Ooh fantastic ! I really need to read The 100 Thousand Kingdoms books. I think our first ever big difference is over Tithenai haha because I would easily read book 2 haha I think its my fav of the two (because I like the other couple also). But its a hard choice because book 1 is also magical. Totally agree with the Burning Kingdoms, loved 1-3 but I think 1 is my fav, and it got slightly worse as it went on. I need to get to book 2 of Terra Ignota, keep saying this for months but I will read it this month haha.
So happy to see Indian Lake in n01 and I really need to finish that trilogy, just not ready to say goodbye to this world.
Yes you need to read Indian Lake!!
My favorite series (started and finished) this year was the Liveship Traders series, and yes, I know I'm decades behind the times. But I've never read Robin Hobb before, and I loved it! Then I read the Farseers trilogy and I was tense the entire time worrying about Nighteyes and I don't think I can stand to read more in the world lol (because I had to spoil myself before I could go on).
Second favorite series (finished) was the Bloodsworn trilogy by John Gwynne. But the third book, which came out in October 2024, was a slog. Really, really focused on the final battle, and while well written, too many battle scenes just get to be too much. I think 2/3 of the book was battle. But the ending was satisfactory, so there's that.
Liveship its such a fantastic time! I am so glad you loved it as well
Just for the Summer is so good! I reread it a month after first reading it, and I never do that.
Yea totally get that!
Glad to hear someone else enjoyed wind and truth 😄
There truly are so many of us I swear lol
@ I’m sure there are 😊
Same
Just a whole lot of series I need to start. I read Jo Walton's Thessaly trilogy last year. It was really interesting and stayed away from the fairly typical fantasy tropes.
@@mattkean1128 thanks for putting that on my radar!
As someone who has not read any Sanderson and only watches some fantasy-heavy channels, I’m a little surprised so many people seem to be hesitant to admit they loved it on YT, given the hype of the release??! I didn’t finish a lot of series last year but did get caught up on some, like Saga 🔪🔪🗡️
Yay for catching up on Saga! But yea I have been very confused by the Wind and Truth review space, not that there are critiques but just the general vibe is weird
I just finished Rook&Rose yesterday and want to say thank for recommending it - so for every one dumb comment, trust me, your videos are also making people's lives better!
I am so so happy I helped you find a series you enjoyed!
"The Lotus Empire" is actually my favorite book I read last year. I was a little confused where one of the characters ended up but as soon as I understood it, I felt very satisfied by it. I liked how this book still focused on Malani and Prya instead of widening the focus to explain a lot of the big plot and magic. Even the ending where what happened was not really explained worked for me because it hinged on their relationship. Overall the Burning Kingdoms is one of my favorite book series of all time.
I am so so happy it landed that well for you, my world building brain got distracted by wanting more I think, especially with how our antagonistic force responded in the final act
@@LiteratureScienceAlliance I totally get that. For me it worked on an emotional level because their struggles were explored through their own POV chapters.
My other “issue” might be that my conclusion for their relationship is that maybe its a bit unhealthy? So how I feel up their ending is kind of messed up in all that mess 😅
@@LiteratureScienceAlliance I kind of love their unhealthy relationship. I read a lot of romance where part of the point is both parties trying to be in a healthy relationship so reading about characters who love each other but are unhealthy in some ways is a good counterbalance to that. But I only find those kind of relationships interesting in fantasy worlds.
Ooh, I really gotta pick up the Terra Ignota series and the Indian Lake trilogy. After all the talk about the language of the Terra Ignota, I decided to take a look at the preview of Too Like the Lightning and it seemed fine? So I think I'll have a good time with the series.
I think my favourite series of 2024 is extremely obvious, it's Malazan: Book of the Fallen. But I also completed a couple of others: the first trilogy of Dune and the Novels of the Malazan Empire. To me, it's M:BotF > NotME > First trilogy of Dune. Which is also pretty obvious, so there we go, lol
Yea I do think of you as my Malazan commenter haha so this is not surprising at all!
@@LiteratureScienceAlliance lmao I am honoured to bear that title. It will be a sad day when I have no more Malazan to talk about
I just finished All the Hidden Paths last night and loved it. I loved the first one too. The second one has some really good political machinations.
So glad you loved it!
Very much looking forward to your Terra Ignota recap/review.
That said, I was honestly surprised by you not considering character driven a series mostly told by a first-person unreliable narrator with... issues.
Is it weird that I know so much and yet so little about Mycroft after this read? I actually got much closer to 9A but I wouldn't say it made me feel like other books I love because of the characters so maybe that's why I don't consider it character driven. I wouldn't really recommend this to people who need character work similar to what typical works usually have, if that makes sense?
@@LiteratureScienceAlliance It makes sense.
As for "knowing so much and yet so little about Mycroft", I'm entirely convinced the story we get is not all there is about him. But that's best discussed in other places (because of spoilers).
lmao "Mr. Snakes"
I believe she's Mr. Scales 😅
Shhhh my memory isn't 100% 🤣
I finished/got caught up on 8 series (9 if we count The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes as catching up to a series 😆). Most of these were duologies. My favorite is probably the Cursed duology by Marissa Meyer, if we aren't counting The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. That is easily my favorite work by Marissa Meyer (somehow, unintentionally, I have read all of her work throughout the years, graphic novels included, with the exception of her 2024 release). I really liked having neither of the main protagonists being primarily warriors and having the male character be amazing in a traditionally female craft and that not be frowned upon 🥰 I didn't manage to finish Labyrinth's Heart nor Loom Saga in 2024, but both of them would have topped the Cursed duology (even tho I have yet to finish Labyrinth's Heart)
I hope you continue to love Labyrinth's Heart!
@@LiteratureScienceAlliance Thanks! I love what I read so far! 😊
i'm not a sanderson reader, but the reviewing space of wind & truth feels so... off, somehow?? people seem so scared to admit that they actually liked it on YT & everyone seems to actively hate it on reddit.
oh, and i'll likely be starting terra ignota this year on your recommendation! 🗡✨
I hope you enjoy Terra Ignota when you give it a try!
lol I’m also of the unpopular opinion that i loved wind and truth
Welcome to our oddly exclusive club of booktubers lol but I am so happy we both had a blast with it!
I'd heard a rumor that T. Kingfisher is writing a 3rd book in The Sworn Soldier series tentatively slated for Sept. 2025 called What Stalks the Deep. I was so sad to read The Angel of Indian Lake because that meant it was over. I LOVED all three books and agree it was a heavy read but it was as Mary Poppins says "practically perfect in every way." It was my favorite series this year too.
I agree that people on the internet can be weird sometimes about what they deem worthy or unworthy of their positive reviews (re: Wind and Truth). I think people just like to make other people feel small so that they can feel superior in their opinion which is the only right opinion to have as you know. I'm glad you liked it.
Great video as always. Happy reading. 🗡🗡🗡 For The Indian Lake Trilogy
P.S, I finished The Hollow Places by T. Kingfisher and I'd welcome you into my just started cult of lovers of this book. I will proselytize about the book to all who will listen.
Oooo good to know about the Sword Soldier, I do love the audio for those novellas even if they aren't my favorite T. Kingfisher
Yeah I have no idea where all of these Wind and Truth opinions are coming from. I think maybe Sanderson has hit such a high popularity level since Rhythm of War came out that this minority of fantasy fans feels like they need to be extra vocal about this release. I loved the book, and didn't think the writing was any different from his other Stormlight books.
Yea makes me extra glad I chose to consume it with in person friends and not the internet.
Please continue to be subjective and biased in your opinions 😄
I’m interested in your thoughts about the book and whether you enjoyed it, found it interesting, learnt something from it etc over any kind of formal analysis
Oh don't worry I shall continue to have opinions and share them with you all! Twas just a very funny comment lol
Re: That one dumb comment
Angela, how dare you have... opinion **shivering intensifies**
It was a very fun comment to read lol I was legit wondering why she clicked on the video
😂💯
The frustrating the about so much WaT criticism - as you note - is it posits that people who claim to like it don’t actually, and are deluding themselves. It’s ok not to like it! But it’s weird to suggest than no one could have a blast. (Because I did. Promise, everyone.)
Right?? Like it just feels like its not cool to admit if you had fun reading it, and its weird
🗡LOL, isn't your opinion what we come watch you to find out? That's why I watch booktube. 😂🎉
Listen, I never claim to be some literary critic but I guess that’s what she wanted 😂😂😂
How dare you have opinions on a largely subjective platform!!! The nerve. But I enjoyed this ranking. I think Terra Ignota would be higher for me but I also continue to not finish series so I don't even know how long the list would be.
TRULY
What series are you hoping to finish this year?
@LiteratureScienceAlliance 🤐...
The goals are Jasmine Throne, Dandelion Dynasty, Seige series by KJ Parker, and the Patternist. If I get those done then I've won at 2025.
🔪
It feels very weird to leave a knife emoji.
🤺
My theory about WaT is the format threw off people’s expectations and the flow of the story was different than previous books. I had a good time with the book, but I wasn’t a fan of all the plot decisions. There is a lot of negative focus on renarin and rlain. It’s in every comment section of major review videos. People have big mad about 25 pages of a 1400 page book. Renarin being gay made perfect sense to me based on how he was written. The pairing with rlain was a little out of nowhere but I thought Sanderson made it work in WaT. I could go on a rant about this, but with the election I’m seeing people being freer with weaponizing ‘woke’ as a shield to mask bigotry in the guise of criticism. It’s an incredibly disturbing trend.
Its so weird cause in the non internet world, all my friends who I have read stormlight with for years had the same experience as me. I am so glad the homophobia around it hasn't really made it to my corner but its also so disappointing.
🗡