vudumommajuju
35567
750
13
I tend to stick to fantasy books. My other favorite book series is the Dresden files. If you send me decent recommendations I'll kiss you on the forehead ... Also let's be good read friends
MV edit: you guys are awesome. I'll be reading for years with all of your suggestions
MoralRectifier
The Vlad Taltos series by Steven Brust.
JacobKnipper
Yeeeeees!
bingtittletittlebong
Do you have a moment to talk about our Lord and Savior: The Expanse series
ugopb4me
Haha nice! Great sci-fy series, loved the Audiobooks.
ugopb4me
https://media1.giphy.com/media/v1.Y2lkPTY1YjkxZmJld2VlYjAzazZodGkxbG1xNGFkbDEweGo0ZnJtYWx0enBwc3liNDNxayZlcD12MV9naWZzX3NlYXJjaCZjdD1n/2AK1Y9ecT3LPJT5kkO/giphy.mp4
randomthoth
https://media2.giphy.com/media/v1.Y2lkPWE1NzM3M2U1cHJnMnhwYnUzMmUzMXBzY2RmbHgwZDZ1Y2FwamlydTM5aTQ0ajhsZiZlcD12MV9naWZzX3NlYXJjaCZjdD1n/Ae7SI3LoPYj8Q/200w.webp
Pokedthebear
Have you ever read the saga of Drizzt do Urden?
electronicbovine
"He who fights with monsters" is a pretty great litrpg
GameMasterMobius
“It’s kind of my thing…”
Wgafayihyd
Spells, Swords & Stealth series by Drew Hayes. First book is NPC's, starts out with a group of adventurers dying and the local NPC's have to take their place. Turns things around the stereotype characters. Don't want to give away spoilers. Plus there's a secondary plot around D&D gamers. Fun series.
AwkwaBen
If you like dragons, my mom has been obsessed with the Pern series for like, my entire life, and I'm in my 30s.
ugopb4me
Wow! That brings me back!
killernat
Try expeditionary force series by Craig alanson
tyrelie
Lots of fun.
dootdootiamgroot
All 50 of em lolol
itxtalone
really went downhill after second book. just soooo formulative. skippy is dumb/mean, they have a problem that skippy is is 100 % impossible nothing can be done, joe says try something dumb, omg thats sooo stupid it will never work. try it anyway, 50/50 it works omg, your sooo dumb but it worked, or it fails, ok well your dumb but you tried. then joe wanders around the ship doing human stuff and he figures out a new ever dummer plan, and gets mocked by skippy, ends up working, repeat forever
Jacksmashsteel
And Joe has no experience and is dumb but also knows about everything and has the experience of 30 years in the service
hughmannequinskywalker
Reader beware: Most of these novels, while somewhat entertaining, are one hundred percent filler. I mean ffs, he FINALLY finished the series around book 15 but then decided he wasn't done milking it.
LSandman24
Hold my beer
killernat
First book is Columbus day
RobErtE87
That first one is even free on audible. Not sure if for everybody or only for members, but at least I don't need to spend extra to buy it. Listening to it now to give it a try
jridley
Especially in audiobook. Skippy getting all excited, and the Jeraptha ship names and scams, so good.
Alurkerforcedtologin
Very good recommendation.
Trelis
Hardly fantasy, but it is a good series, and Craig writes fast. I listen to the audio books, and the voice actor is great.
Spartan9365
He writes fast but its also a lot of filler. I gave up on this series because of the drawing it out when he tried to end the series like three times.
chronozoan
I second this. I'm currently re-reading them all as a bit of a refresher for the latest book that came out. Exceptional.
zzxcvb
I'm sorry all? There's like 20 in the mainline series.
chronozoan
Yes? Not really sure what other answer you want here lol
chronozoan
Oh I am skipping the Mavericks books. Never really enjoyed those since it's like the mainline series without the two things that make it unique.
chronozoan
They're not exactly long books.
Iampectar
He Who Fights With Monsters!!!
KingOfTheImgurians
Reading this is kind of my thing.
notsurewhattocallthis
Seconded!
ugopb4me
Turded!
Athelmar42
The Rivers of London series is a good one, both books and comics. By Ben Aaranovich.
vegivamp
Oh, absolutely seconded!
os10
*Ben Aaronovitch
Strategicgnomer
Cradle Series by Will Wight, it's fast paced and fun mixing Chinese mythology and Western mythology, very addictive and the series just finished so you can plow through the whole thing.
glittalogik
+1 Cradle was my introduction to progression fantasy, definitely sets a high bar for the rest of the genre.
Kieteld00d
This one agrees
TheMadDutchman
Mogworld by Ben "Yahtzee" Croshaw is one I keep coming back to.
Spartan9365
Yahtzee's an acquired taste. He writes like he speaks and sometimes that's not a good thing. Also he really should have someone else narrate his books.
Chrondeath
I don't read a ton of LitRPG, but I liked the Arcane Ascension series by Andrew Rowe (first book is "Sufficiently Advanced Magic"). Reminded me of Brandon Sanderson, in that it played a lot of tricks with a crunchy magic system and had some "spot the references to the author's other series". Dresden-files-wise, Arcane Casebook (by Dan Willis, first book "In Plain Sight") and The Chronos Chronicles (by Shami Stovall, first book "Time-Marked Warlock")
gaynorvader
Brent Weeks has some great series, I particularly enjoyed the Night Angel trilogy
dootdootiamgroot
I liked the lightnringer series too both were good
Zraxus
As an older reader, I prefer lightbringer. His writing really improves, and it doesn't lean into the grimdark edge thing. Controversial ending though.
Equinox13
Does it improve from book to book? I enjoyed the Night Angel books because it felt like they were intentionally over-the-top and meant to play to certain tropes, but I gave up after the first Lightbringer book because it felt cheaper and forced, like a kid trying to convince me it was definitely one of the grown-ups by throwing in some adult topics to try to hide cliches. Might just be a me thing.
Eveythingistaken
Night angel got me to Lightbringer. I definitely enjoyed it. There’s points of ridiculousness. But it’s an enjoyable part of the story.
Equinox13
Oh, I didn't mind the ridiculousness! It was more of the way I felt like I was being told over and over certain characters were smart, skilled, wise, etc. but never actually saw it in the narrative except at a few points where it didn't feel like it had any support just so the author could have five people point out that the character was ____ quality. Maybe I just need to reread it with a less critical eye (or reread Night Angel with a more critical one).
Eveythingistaken
Over told can definitely be a problem. I haven’t read it in ages and probably forgot. But I enjoyed it in the moment.
theorigin2000
It does, you can tell a clear difference by the end of the lightbringer series compared to the night angel start. I haven’t read the more recent night angel book though
Equinox13
I never heard about the 2023 one! Looks like my booklist is getting longer today - the next Lightbringer and the latest Night Angel. Thanks!
GreyKnightTemplar666
The Lightbringer is also really good!
gaynorvader
Definitely agree!
PowerPedant
Jim Butcher's other series, the "Codex Alera" books, are a light but fun read too. And are you already aware of Jasper Fforde?
SmergBlaerghl
Fforde's books seem interesting. How familiar should the reader be with all the works referenced in the Thursday Next series, to enjoy it?
PowerPedant
It definitely helps to know some of the works from the classical English literature canon to get all the jokes – but the worldbuilding, characters and stories don't depend on it.
SmergBlaerghl
Thanks!
scrumtrilescent
I was going to suggest Butcher's other series, The Cinder Spires, although the last book isn't due until January 2026. And I second Jasper Fforde - creative and hilarious. The Thursday Next series is fabulous.
PowerPedant
A plus about "Codex Alera": It's a finished series.
cenfou2tout
naught101
Just finished The Wee Free Men again, and loved it just as much as the first time. I think it might have been his peak, for me. They're all good though.
Timmaaayyyy
I agree. Only on book 7, but it is great and keeps you entertained by changing main characters and exploring more of the map between books.
circlebreaker
circlebreaker
ChooseViolence
For someone like me who hasn't read either, would you recommend starting with Thieves' World or Discworld?
cenfou2tout
Yes
afambelafonte
The Cradle series (first book called Unsouled) by Will Wight is the best fantasy series I've read in decades.
Rodolph
.
KingOfTheImgurians
Those first couple of books nearly had me stop, but book3+ is just awesome.
afambelafonte
I was hooked after chapter 10 of the first one.
zombrowildblaze
Amazing series and one of my favorite narrators
GameMasterMobius
Whole heartedly agree!
DarkartistSTY
Apologies, but this one humility ask you to start with the book Cradle and end with Waybound, the bloopers are funny too. We like Eithan, we all decided/voted, he’s the best.
IronicMudae
I'm just gonna drop this here if you haven't seen it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9FEayZdH-nk
Chronomechanist
I have never enjoyed anime before, but holy fuck would I watch the shit out of that. Cradle is my favourite ever series
Carnivoracious
Reading Waybound now, holy crap I'm sad to be so close to finishing the series. Nobody does Chekhov's Gun like Will Wight, everything feels properly foreshadowed and all the payoffs are super satisfying
nowinsituation
Bobiverse series by Denis E. Taylor. No question about it. Sci Fi, but with humor and insight and it is a trip, just like Carl and Donut.
mercyPandaRunner
I do love the concept and i did love the series, but i grew more tired of the popculture reference big bang theory style of writing from book to book. I think he overdid the "quirky" part a tad bit.
Still well worth it, as long as it carries for you. I made it to the 4th one, but won't continue.
RobErtE87
We are bob!
KingOfTheImgurians
I am still sad about Homer.
timmargh
Dude! Spoilers!
causality
I read them all on release but you've honestly got to be in the right frame of mind. I'm too judgy. I get too frustrated when a super smart person misses a blindingly obvious solution or I can tell the author deus ex machina'd something just because they were tired of writing about it.
causality
"My name is Bob and I can build rocket engines but I'm scared of gunpowder. Also I've never heard of the concept of putting a sharp edge or stabbing implement on a machine so I'm going to waste a miniature cruise missile every time I wanna kill a monkey."
Sensiblyinteresting
Loved this series! Cannot recommend it enough. It's funny and very sciency BUT it's all very probably science stuff it doesn't sound like made up junk
Goldensands
Yh great sci fi recommend. Andy Weir is another similar style option.
itxtalone
100% will fit in very will with dungeon crawler carl less serious style.
MathNotEvenOnce
If you want to keep to LitRPG stylings try NPCs by Drew Hayes (really ANYTHING by Drew Hayes).
MathNotEvenOnce
The first book is short but there are four or five in the series currently and they get bigger
Skeevethegreat
Agreed, Drew Hayes is amazing!
joeyecho101
David Wong - John dies at the end, this book is full of spiders, what the hell did I just read
vudumommajuju
I enjoyed those as well!
Schadwen
Also his Zoey series
Equinox13
Reading this without the context of those being his actual book titles made me laugh until there were tears in my eyes. Now I need to read them.
joeyecho101
That's great. The books themselves are very good and will also probably laugh until you have tears in your eyes.
ItsMoreComplicatedThanThis
Terry Pratchett is always a good pick.
lordmaxwell
Dungeon Crawler Carl presents a broken universe that MIGHT get better. Discworld presents a world that is ACTIVELY improving. There's never true hopelessness.
throwblip
Mayherestinpeace
lordmaxwell
Dungeon Crawler Carl presents a broken universe that MIGHT get better. Discworld presents a world that is ACTIVELY improving. There's never true hopelessness. GNU Sir Terry Pratchett.
Tarelgeth
There are a thousand books I could recommend as deep stories, enjoyable reads, good messages. None of them do any of the three as well as Pratchett.
Shickzilla
GNU Terry Pratchett
Ay666nos
GNU Sir Terry
GetOffMyLawnYa
GNU Sir PTerry
Ijustsigneduptoupvotethis
I want to start with his books. Which one would you suggest for a first time reader of his books?
ItsMoreComplicatedThanThis
https://www.discworldemporium.com/reading-order/
There are several ways to go about it, chronologically, following certain characters, or similar.
Im just two books in myself, but I decided for chronologically, so "The colour of magic" first, "The light fantastic" second, and so on.
Ijustsigneduptoupvotethis
Thanks. I'll definitely pick it up.
Dxb105
Yes, seconded. I've been burning through them. On witches abroad now.
lordmaxwell
I really can't decide if I love the Guards books or Witches better. I can put myself in the shoes of the guards, and can't with the witches. Both are ridiculously admirable. I don't remember if Granny Weatherwax and Vimes ever actually butted heads now that I think about it.
OrionRex
Since the Disc isn't split into two pieces, I'm going to go ahead and say they didn't. I think the closest they came would either be Nobby and Detritus meeting Granny Weatherwax and Nanny Ogg in Masquerade, or Tiffany meeting Carrot and Angua in I Shall Wear Midnight.
Magisterpotter
I just started Reaper Man on this read through.
Dxb105
It was very good. Finished it last night and onto Witches Abroad.
nimbusfool
The Dungeon Crawler Carl audiobooks are a masterpiece
ExplodingRobotColon
Neeeeeeeeewwwww achievement!
Abearinthezoo
"He screamed right in my goddammed face"
somecallmetimmmmkay
Reeeeewwwwarrrd!!: whiny bitches don’t get rewards, just be glad you survived!!!
shaeuldur
He who fights with monsters
Abearinthezoo
I'm struggle bussing with that one. I'm finding Jason a bit to pedantic and uncommonly self aware.
shaeuldur
It's a part of his character growth as the series goes on that he realizes he's not as witty and all knowing as he thinks he is. How far into the series are you? And reading it or audiobook?
Abearinthezoo
I finished the third book and I'm listening to them via audiobook. I don't hate on the voice actor, I think the performance is pretty solid. Both Primal Hunter and Welcome to the Multiverse are two pretty similar series that have drawn me in way more effectively.
shaeuldur
Same here for audiobook, Primal hunter is excellent, I haven't heard of welcome to the multiverse. Though, if you like the narrator for he who fights with monsters, then Heretical Fishing is nice. It's very laid back and chill
Coltaine
Tales of the Malazan book of the fallen, for a little light reading.
vegivamp
Oh yeah, those are very much on my list after a friend lent me tower of the moon.
naery
Lol @ "light trading"
mark30132
I almost spit out my Mtn Dew at "little light reading". Great series if you have a few years of time to kill.
redrekkles
The Iron Druid Chronicles by Kevin Hearne have a similar vibe to the Dresden Files (less hard-boiled detective though).
Or if you like Jim Butcher's style of writing I'd recommend Drew Hayes especially his Villain Codex and Utterly boring adventures of Fred the Vampire Accountant.
Amomani
... 📌
Swinesight
I agree with both
Skeevethegreat
100% agree with both suggestions. Drew Hayes' Super Powereds series is also VERY good! I'd say its better than the villan codex series.
Tallcastle
Powereds is also one of my favorites, Did it early in his carrier it badly needed an editor though, still amazing.
lorakaine
Super Powereds was such a sleeper hit for me. I liked it alright in a first read, but it thrives in rereads for me. Feels like hanging out with friends and is my ultimate comfort read.
Spartan9365
Iron Druid is under rated! I loved that series. Larry Correia's Hard Magic series kind of hits both worlds between Iron Druid and Dresden Files in a 1920s-1930s Noir setting.
Skeevethegreat
I love that series but it fell off towards the end... the last book was kinda disappointing tbh, but the series as a whole is still amazing.
MaximilianShade
The Daily Grind by argusthecat. Urban fantasy about an office worker who finds a pocket dimension dungeon in his office. Excellent and mostly uplifting. (mostly).
whywritemythesiswhenihaveinternet
Lol, I just suggested this in a comment before reading this one. I love Daily Grind
MaximilianShade
More than a touch queer, though not exclusively so, if that matters to you.
Alurkerforcedtologin
"Off to Be the Wizard" by Scott Meyer.
"Dead Man's Hand" by James Butcher.
"Convergence" by Craig Alanson.
"Fear The Sky" by Stephen Moss.
I recommend the audiobook of these, but if you prefer to read with the eyeballs instead of the earballs, that's ok too.
DallasGuage
What one would you start with???
Alurkerforcedtologin
I put them in order from most similar to least similar based on OPs post. But I'd recommend the Fear Saga first, followed by convergence. There's many other good books that others have listed. I put these up because others hadn't suggested them.
vudumommajuju
Lol I am an eyeball reader. Thank you for the recommendations!
landofbob
The Magic 2.0 series (Off to be the Wizard) is great but, man... Out of Spite, Out of Mind was a tough one. I think Scott got stuck on the title a bit much and forced characters to act, well, out of character in that one. Still, a very enjoyable series, overall.
Alurkerforcedtologin
I've only finished the 1st of that series so far.
sevenfingerman
The Lies of Locke Lamora
Or
The Murderbot series are both fun
sevenfingerman
Alternatively, you could help me by proof reading a novella that I wrote.
leashley
I'm in. I love editing DM me
sevenfingerman
Thank you!
Magisterpotter
Seconded on both accounts. Murderbot was so fun.
itsmollaby215
Yes! Gentleman Bastards!
maas2908
Ya I was gonna suggest the Murderbot series, every other one is really good, then the not as good ones are still pretty decent.
It's totally trashy fiction. If you want quality there's like millions of opinions, but who wants sophistication? I'd say Orson Scott Card, Ray Bradbury, Issac Asomov
There's a really out of left field contemporary of Issac Asamov who is L. Sprague de Camp who's an excellent writer. I'd say "The Fallible Fiend" is up there with a Terry Prachett book for quality.
vudumommajuju
I LOVED locke lamora. Such a great little series.
Kieteld00d
"Do you know what circumspect means?"
iamlegendinjapan
You don't have it
sydneyg8888
Agree with the first recommendation for sure. And the author did finally progress the story (old news now, but I’m old). I haven’t read the murderbot series yet but I’d recommend the Bobiverse series and He Who Fights with Monsters. 12th book just came out.
sopheset111
I just finished HWFWM 12, the book went too fast :(
xlr82xs
The author has had some health issues and hasn't been writing for a few months, so there may be a bit of a wait.
invaderkong
I'm reading the second book of Lamora right now and loving it!
sevenfingerman
Second book was my favorite, though I am biased. I was a salior for a good long while.
RevengeIsIceCream
huh. I loved the first one, but didn't like the second much at all.
sevenfingerman
Whelp, as I said, I am biased. I use to be in the navy and have a soft spot for ships.
thispleasesimhotep
I sure wish the Locke Lamora author would put out another one!
itsmollaby215
He's been writing novellas about the characters
sevenfingerman
The fourth book seems to be giving him trouble.
thispleasesimhotep
Yes; has been for a while. Hope he can push through- really great stuff
itsmollaby215
Some novellas are coming first!
thispleasesimhotep
Sweet! I'll start looking for those- cheers!
HandBanana1723
Brandon sanderson mistborn or stormlight archive series
Necrothean
I never enjoyed WoT, even though I was reading fantasy in the sweet spot of the 90's: Weis and Hickman writing Krynn novels, WoT, R.A. Salvatore, etc. Sanderson interviewed very very poorly in the 90's as well, full of himself and arrogant. His writing style wasn't appealing to me. I get that people love him to death, but I couldn't fathom the fanaticism.
LordofGoats
I believe you've conflated Robert Jordan, author of the Wheel of Time who died before finishing the series, with Brandon Sanderson, the author who finished the series after Jordan died. Brandon wasn't doing any kind of interviewing as an author back in the 90s, I assure you.
thudain
reading Stormlight isn't a fun activity, it's a career
Desertp1
Mistborn is really good. I never finished Stormlight Archives.
guccigoatz
I wholeheartedly agree. This is what I moved into after this series.
SidonisAntares
Gave Mistborn a try since he wrapped up WoT admirably, first compilation was good, second one I’m having trouble getting invested in.
ChemAtTheSpeedofAwesome
Investitured in?
LordofGoats
Alloy of Law bored me because I identified every answer to almost every mystery as soon as the mystery was introduced. Really enjoyed the last two books, but the Wax and Wayne series is one which you ABSOLUTELY need to go read some of his other stuff first. It goes HARD into the Cosmere. Like, take a break to go read Elantris and then The Emperor's Soul, bare minimum, but don't touch Arkanum Unbound until AFTER Bands of Mourning.
martentos
I think it's a tough switch if you read them back to back, they are completely different books and themes. I would take a break and read some of the smaller ones and one shots maybe (Elantris, Triss and Yumi are all great) and come back to it then. His world building is incredible.
tinybartender
I struggle to recommend a reading order for Brandon Sanderson's cosmere. There's so much world building you can't really do it wrong.
Blud4BludGod
Yeah, books 1-3 and books 4-8 are veeeeeeery different experiences. I still enjoyed both, but second series is just "this is better than average quality trashy action fiction" and it pales in comparison to the emotional impact and storytelling of the first series.
KawaiiInari
The second book is way more political and has a lot more dialogue, but if you can, push through to the end. The ending is awesome and the third book is *chef's kiss. I wasn't expecting it to end like it did. And Stormlight Archive is simply the best fantasy series I have ever read.
Blud4BludGod
I think they were comparing original trilogy versus Wax and Wayne books, but I am not sure.
KawaiiInari
Ah OK. I thought they meant the second book.
WhatSayYouCitizen
In no particular order: He Who Fights With Monsters series; The Wandering Inn series; The Calamitous Bob series; One Word Kill series; if you want a bit more scifi in your fantasy try The Mad Series (J. Pal) or Bonesetter series (L. Dahners) ,if you want something a bit darker try the BuyMort series or Atrocity Archives; if you want something Russian-dark try the Nullform series or STYX: HumanHive; lighter give ThreadBear or Beware of Chicken series.
Geshtin
Threadbear and beware of chicken are both awesome light series
RevengeIsIceCream
Calamitous Bob is phenomenal! I'm just sad it's over :(
glittalogik
Just started Beware of Chicken, it's great so far! Similar vibe to Heretical Fishing but better written. Really enjoying that Refusal of The Call Progression Fantasy appears to be a whole genre.
kaijacoaster
I love He Who Fights Monsters, I was hoping to see it recommended!
khaoselement
The Wandering Inn is the single worst thing I have ever tried to read in my life. A literal 0/10. After what felt like 26482647472 pages of that girl discovering important shit like "fish have weight" I dropped it and nothing any it says will convince me to ever go back. Actual trash.
Valcondrious
While I wouldn't go that far, it's also the only one from the list that I also bounced hard on. It helped cement in my mind how much I need my protagonists to have some drive and natural talent, instead of just floundering about.
WhatSayYouCitizen
TWR is a multi-protagonist series that starts out with Erin as the backdrop on which to paint the world but then moves to, I would say, at least three main characters per book from books 4-current.
WhatSayYouCitizen
You're entitled to your opinion of course, but that doesn't mean it's right.
Spartan9365
I had heard that some people don't care for it but dude you are mad about a lighthearted lovable airhead being the character as written. Wild.
shaeuldur
Seconded he who fights with monsters
Boatdoctor
Plus they just came out with book 12, all of them are bangers but for right now 11 is my fav
shaeuldur
I loved the interactions in 4 myself, but I think 11 was incredible
rthorsen
I tried The Wandering Inn, but Ryoka made me drop the series.
WhatSayYouCitizen
The entire series and it's gigantic cast of characters is all about personal change and growth. A lot of that is about how individual characters learn that their actions affect others and everything can't be self-focused and selfish, or they will come to regret it OVER AND OVER, and many of their Earth problems were because of how they reacted to their situation, not because of others.
That being said, Ryoka is an annoying, irritating, self-destructive bitch for several books.
rthorsen
I liked the rest of the book and the characters. Just Ryoka was so terrible in that first book I couldn't continue. I can't skip chapters in books or books in a series, and after her fight with the Minotaur, I was done with the character. This was pre- rewrite on Audible; so, I'm hoping the author made her somewhat tolerable in that.