Board 8 > I am in need of a new book to read

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CassandraCain
07/17/22 1:59:54 PM
#1:


For the past several years I have been exclusively invested in Sanderson's cosmere. Read through Stormlight Archive two or three times now, and I just finished my reread of the entire Mistborn saga (super hype for the Lost Metal releasing in two months). However, now I'm at a loss since there's no more cosmere works that I need to read through again, so I need something brand new.

Tried getting into Wheel of Time on a few occasions and it just has yet to click with me, I generally have trouble getting into new stories regardless of medium. So I'll probably try again, but I'd also like to know what else is out there.

My main requirements are multiple well fleshed out characters, and satisfactory worldbuilding.

And pleeease include a small summary of some sort for your suggestion, a list of titles does me no good!

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WarThaNemesis2
07/17/22 2:10:01 PM
#2:


The DKC novelization.

If that doesn't sell you on it I dunno what to tell you.

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MacArrowny
07/17/22 2:18:23 PM
#3:


Do you want fantasy worlds only?

The Malazan Book of the Fallen - this may be the opposite of what you want. The worldbuilding is amazing, but it has a tendency to focus on new characters in every book. The characters are still good throughout the series, though. It focuses a lot on armies/soldiers, with stuff like mage companies that use unique strategies to defeat enemy forces. The writing style is pretty dense, so it may be a bit difficult to get into. 10 books in the main series, and it's had some spinoffs.

The Empty Box and Zeroth Maria - takes place in the real world (well, half of it does), with each book focusing on a different supernatural phenomenon. Focuses more on the two main characters than anyone else at first, but the rest of the cast gets great development through the series. 7 short books, with a fairly breezy writing style.

American Gods - one of my favorite standalone fantasy books. Basically tracks the plight of the ancient gods in modern society as they struggle to survive. The construction of the world is really interesting, and the main character is great.

So I'm a Spider, So What - Mostly follows one character at first (a girl who's transformed into a spider), as she attempts to survive in a deadly underground labyrinth. The narration style is a lot of fun, and the worldbuilding is great. Really builds on itself as it goes, but with plenty of foreshadowing, and the cast expands in a good way as it goes along too.

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Mr_Crispy
07/17/22 2:40:39 PM
#4:


sorry currently I mostly read terrible light novels in my spare time which probably aren't what you're looking for.

most of the regular novels I read are staples (by Asimov, Clarke, Pratchett, Dotochevsky, etc.), or somewhat trendy (ASoIaF, Witcher) so you probably wouldn't get any hidden gems out of me.


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ChaosTonyV4
07/17/22 2:40:58 PM
#5:


Neuromancer

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Maniac64
07/17/22 2:59:09 PM
#6:


Michael J Sullivan

Either Riyria Revelations or Legends of the First Empire series

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NFUN
07/17/22 3:01:35 PM
#7:


If you haven't read the Expanse yet, read the Expanse

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plasmabeam
07/17/22 3:27:44 PM
#8:


Have you tried The First Law Trilogy by Joe Abercrombie? I'm not a big fantasy guy, but the characters blew me away.

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Big_Bob
07/17/22 3:38:35 PM
#9:


Grant by Ron Chernow.

I mean, I mostly read history books these days, but I'd say Grant is a "good character" who kicked Confederate ass.

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Inviso
07/17/22 3:39:32 PM
#10:


Given your username, I'm going to assume you enjoy superheroes to an extent. In terms of multiple fleshed out characters and satisfactory world building, I'd personally recommend the Pantheon Saga by C.C. Ekeke. It's seven books currently, with the eighth and final book scheduled for release this October. It's a world in which superheroes exist, and you've got multiple PoVs: a fledgling hero who awakens with Superman-level powers very early in the first book; an older "meta" (I don't remember the exact term, but meta just feels right) who's trying to learn to live with his powers; and a reporter in the vein of a Lois Lane, trying to get the big scoop on various levels of superhero intrigue. Additional characters rise to prominence over the course of the series as well.

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MacArrowny
07/17/22 7:24:51 PM
#11:


Speaking of superheroes, Worm is amazing if you haven't read that. It's about a girl with the superpower to control insects/bugs, and it builds in a fantastic way as it goes along.

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CassandraCain
07/21/22 10:23:38 AM
#12:


Oh I need to bump this, I'm gradually giving each of these titles a shot, reading the beginning of each. I'll jot down some thoughts later.

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BlackMageJawa
07/21/22 4:07:56 PM
#13:


Rosemary and Rue by Seanan McGuire, the first book of the October Daye series.

October "Toby" Daye is a changeling private detective who lost fourteen years of her life (as well as her marriage and daughter) after the person she was tailing turned her into a fish. When the spell broke, she tried to cut herself off from fae society until a powerful friend of hers was killed, after leaving a voicemail containing a powerful gaes that forces Toby to solve the murder or die.

The series is currently about twenty books long, with great background lore, lots of minor details that turn out to be setups for things much later on, and is generally (IMO) fantastic. Seanan writes a whole bunch of other stuff too, mostly various flavours of urban fantasy, as well as medical horror thrillers under the pen name Mira Grant.

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CassandraCain
07/22/22 10:56:47 AM
#14:


So I've given most of these a shot by now, but it takes more than one chapter (many more) to get me invested in anything. I have a general dislike for the beginning of any story, I prefer the meat in the middle.

That said, I have refined my requirements for a new book:
  • Fantasy world (or at least heavy fantastical elements)
  • Third person (I despise first person narratives)
  • Hard magic system (i.e. magic with defined rules and explanations)
  • Good action scenes (gotta have a healthy dose of violence to get me through)
  • And the aforementioned good worldbuilding and characters (I enjoy multiple viewpoints as well)


Some of the recommended titles probably hit these requirements already, and I will certainly continue trying to read the ones that seem on point. Wasn't determined before if I needed a fantasy type world or not, but some of these are set in our universe and it just doesn't appeal to me, I'm unsure why.

There's me thoughts. If there are books that you think better fit my criteria please do tell me a little about it. Otherwise I will just work my way through the ones that already seem to be a match. Regardless I appreciate all of you

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Denji
07/22/22 5:47:39 PM
#15:


I'll give another plug for The First Law trilogy which satisfies all but maybe the hard magic system, and has some of the best action writing I've read in fantasy along with great characters. It's interesting for its POV characters being at first blush pretty unsympathetic - a feared warrior/mass murderer, a torturer in the inquisition, and a self-involved nobleman in the imperial army.

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NFUN
07/22/22 5:51:14 PM
#16:


just push through and read wheel of time man

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CassandraCain
07/23/22 11:41:57 AM
#17:


Oh I am, forcing myself through at least one chapter a day. Might watch the show soon as well to help me get into the story.

Also reading the First Law, seemed to be a match when I started it a few days ago.

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Seanchan
07/23/22 3:45:09 PM
#18:


If WoT doesnt grab you through the first 4 books, you should drop it. Saying that, its a lot of words to get through to even get to that point. Book 2 is one of my favorites, so if you dont like that one Id also say to drop it.

I dont recommend the show at this point. Yes, seeing some visuals is cool but it makes some fairly significant changes from the books in order to adapt to the screen. I am waiting for the next season with trepidation. It should be covering a lot of Book 2 stuff. More importantly, its quality and ratings will be an indication if Amazon will continue the series for the 6-9 seasons itll take to cover the full story or drop it entirely.

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NFUN
07/23/22 3:54:50 PM
#19:


Seanchan posted...
Book 2 is one of my favorites, so if you dont like that one Id also say to drop it.


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LockesRagnarok
07/23/22 3:55:52 PM
#20:


No one has suggested The Kingkiller Chronicle? Its so,so good

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Maniac64
07/23/22 4:02:54 PM
#21:


LockesRagnarok posted...
No one has suggested The Kingkiller Chronicle? Its so,so good
It's two books of a trilogy with no sign of the third ever coming out.

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azuarc
07/23/22 8:01:03 PM
#22:


BlackMageJawa posted...
Rosemary and Rue by Seanan McGuire, the first book of the October Daye series.

October "Toby" Daye is a changeling private detective who lost fourteen years of her life (as well as her marriage and daughter) after the person she was tailing turned her into a fish. When the spell broke, she tried to cut herself off from fae society until a powerful friend of hers was killed, after leaving a voicemail containing a powerful gaes that forces Toby to solve the murder or die.

The series is currently about twenty books long, with great background lore, lots of minor details that turn out to be setups for things much later on, and is generally (IMO) fantastic. Seanan writes a whole bunch of other stuff too, mostly various flavours of urban fantasy, as well as medical horror thrillers under the pen name Mira Grant.

This seemed good for the duration of the prologue, and then as soon as it came in with chapter 1, I was immediately disappointed. I keep thinking I should go back and give it another try, but it just absolutely stumbled out of the gate for me.

Where UF is concerned, my absolute favorite author is Ilona Andrews. Whether that's Kate Daniels, Innkeeper Chronicles, or Hidden Legacy. (The latter is marketed as romance, but it's fine to read even if you aren't a romance person. Just don't read the "The Edge" series from the start of Andrews's career.)

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#23
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AriaOfBolo
07/24/22 9:53:47 AM
#24:


The Cosm-
Wheel of Ti-
well then good luck I guess!

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CassandraCain
07/24/22 1:33:53 PM
#25:


Seanchan posted...
Book 2 is one of my favorites, so if you dont like that one Id also say to drop it.

No worries, I gathered it would be similar to my experience with Stormlight Archive. First book was a chore the first time through (loved it way more on a reread), then the second book was supreme quality from start to finish.

So I'm prepared for the initial slog of the first book, I'll be focusing most of my reading energy on pushing through.

I should have it beated before the new Mistborn is released

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Isquen
07/24/22 1:50:59 PM
#26:


The Seven 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle. Minimal "magic," though, but some time buggery.

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Obellisk
07/24/22 1:54:37 PM
#27:


Hyperion Cantos, Dan Simmons

Words, Good.

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Isquen
07/24/22 2:02:02 PM
#28:


Also, huh, usually these things are mentioned early. The Dresden Files series. Ticks most of the boxes, but is first person. (Multiple viewpoints come into play from the short stories.)

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Seanchan
07/24/22 4:15:03 PM
#29:


CassandraCain posted...
No worries, I gathered it would be similar to my experience with Stormlight Archive. First book was a chore the first time through (loved it way more on a reread), then the second book was supreme quality from start to finish.

So I'm prepared for the initial slog of the first book, I'll be focusing most of my reading energy on pushing through.

I should have it beated before the new Mistborn is released

The first book isnt bad as much as it is formulaic. You can just see all the Fellowship of the Ring influences. Book 2 is where the series starts coming into its own. And Book 4 is where the series starts to break away for its own formula it follows over the first 3 books.

The bad ones are some combo of 7-10

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