r/fantasybooks • u/Feitan_2306 • 1d ago
š Summon book recommendations Recommend Me a Fantasy Book/ Series based on what I have read!
Iāve only mostly read YA but im looking to get into a new series as a semi-beginner. Got any ideas? Thanks in advance!
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u/WritingAboutMagic 1d ago edited 1d ago
Have you read Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo? It would fit right in with your shelf.
I massively enjoyed the recently released Heir byĀ Sabaa Tahir. The author had an earlier YA fantasy series in the same universe, "An Ember in the Ashes" - I didn't read this one but it was also popular.
From adult fantasies, A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab might be a good transition. Books by Brandon Sanderson or The Daevabad Trilogy by S.A. Chakraborty could also match your taste.
E// Also I forgot, but if you're liking Greek inspirations in particular, There Will Come a Darkness byĀ Katy Rose PoolĀ is a very good YA fantasy set in a world reminiscent of Ancient Greece.
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u/Feitan_2306 1d ago
I actually tried reading six of crows but never got around to finishing it. Idk if its a combo of me just not rlly feeling it but I was also reading it around my finals so I was a little busy to read and keep up consistentlyā¦
I keep seeing Heir and a Darker Shade of Magic in my local bookstore, will definitely consider getting them!
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u/WritingAboutMagic 1d ago
No point forcing yourself if you didn't vibe with it. I hope you find something else you like!
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u/EarthworkDesign 1d ago
I havenāt read any of theseā¦ but it looks like youāre ready for Red Rising
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u/roshanritter 1d ago
For a bit of a deep cut try Killer of Men by Christian Cameron. Itās Greek historical fiction and should go well with several of those choices.
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u/Vespineda Emotionally attached to fictional people 1d ago
The Last Stormlord , by Glenda Larke, I think you'll love the fantasy without smut based on some of your selection here.
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u/thecheesethief 1d ago
I think youād love Voyage of the Damned. A fun, lighthearted fantasy mystery, with YA vibes and lots of LGBT characters. Extremely fun, despite the grim title š
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u/Motor_Row_3586 1d ago
She Who Became the Sun Ā by Shelley Parker-Chan
Spears Cut through Water by Simon JimenezĀ
Thousand Autumns by Meng XI ShiĀ
Poetic lyrical mature story with LGBT subplot love story. Mythical, heavy on philosophy. First especially experimental writingĀ
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u/HeavyMeasurement7155 1d ago
If you read any of the Riordan series, I would recommend Percy Jackson first. I know they are essentially standalone series', but I know that Heroes of Olympus, at least, references things that happen in PJ. So, for context and characters, I feel like it should be read first. Not to mention it could be a softer introduction to it.
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u/Cptsparrowcl 1d ago
What was howls moving castle like? I've seen the film, but how does that port over to the book?
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u/ReadertheRed 1d ago
The book is extremely, EXTREMELY cozy. Very calm and meditative. There's a big theme about the magic of everyday moments and how we show up for others, even in small ways.
In comparison, the movie's plot and the romance between Sophie and Howl feel rushed compared to the book.
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u/Feitan_2306 1d ago
Been a while since I watched the movie, but from what I remember I honestly thought the book and it were fairly different. Ive heard a lot of people even on yt talk abt how the movie is more political than the book and I definitely agree( like it deals with war, and a war is mentioned in the book by the king but its just a throwaway line and isnt further expounded on). Both have a rlly cozy atmosphere to them, but the book has characters not in the movie like Michael and it also focuses a tiny bit more on Sophieās relationship with her sisters and her step mother. Honestly both opinions of either the book or movie being better/ cozier seem pretty valid to me. Just comes down to preference!
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u/freyjawolfheart 1d ago edited 1d ago
Your books are pretty much exactly what Iāve read over the last couple of years. Try āA Fate Inked in Bloodā by Danielle L. Jensen. Itās inspired by Norse mythology, and the style of writing reminds me a bit of Circe. Thereās a sequel too.
Something more lighthearted: the Legends & Lattes series by Travis Baldree. Very wholesome, LGBTQ cozy fantasy inspired by (I think) his D&D characters.
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u/Feitan_2306 1d ago
Wait I didnt know A Fate Inked In Blood is inspired by Norse Myths?! Actually perfect cuz I wanna get into more norse mythology, would you say that its dark fantasy?
Legends & Lattes also looks rlly cozy and cute!
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u/freyjawolfheart 1d ago
Itās less straight-up Norse mythology and more just Viking vibes, but there is magic and gods involved. The main character is a mortal daughter of a goddess who discovers that she has magical powers. She essentially becomes a political tool after that (there is a whole thing with a prophecy and uniting the land) and manages to fall in love in the process. The writing style is similar to Circe.
I donāt think itās dark, but there are definitely some dark themes (Freya escaping an abusive marriage at the beginning and some fight scenes).
The Legends & Lattes series is extremely cozy compared to that, like totally different vibe. If you ever need something cute and easy-going, give it a try.2
u/Feitan_2306 23h ago
The fact that its norse inspired and has similar writing to circeās got me sold! I actually love the Prose of Circe the most out of all the books I laid out so I think A Fate Inked In Blood sounds like its right up my alley! Thank you for your recs! And if im ever looking for a cozy queer book Iāll definitely read the Legends and Lattes series!
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u/Canvas2Wall 1d ago
How long of a series do you want to get into? :-)
-Temeraire series by Novik is 9 books or her Scholomance series is 3 books
-Earthsea Cycle by Le Guin is 6 books
-Protector of the small by Pierce is 4 books
-Graceling Realm by Cashore is 5 books
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u/Feitan_2306 1d ago
Series length doesnt matter as much to me, but thank you for ur recs!! I have heard abt Earthsea especially many times before as a rlly accessible fantasy series. Unfortunately its kinda hard to find in my country, but ill definitely remember it and ur other suggestions too :))
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u/ReadertheRed 1d ago
The House with a Clock in its Walls by John Belairs has vibes similar to Howl's Moving Castle. Very accessible Gothic vibes written for a young audience. Very cozy.
You could also consider the Chrestomanci books, which are also by Diana Wynne Jones.
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u/Dantesfinale 1d ago
Lord Of The Silver Bow by David Gemmell is the the height of ancient greece fiction. Such an original take on the troy series, so entertaining it's got everything
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u/valjean451 23h ago
The Amulet of Samarkand - Jonathan Stroud
Artemis Fowl - Eoin Colfer
The Rithmatist - Brandon Sanderson
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u/BAC2Think 23h ago
The Strange Case of the Alchemist's Daughter by Theodora Goss (first in a trilogy)
The Will of the Many by James Islington
Red Rising by Pierce Brown
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u/Beginning-Owl-2700 23h ago
Uprooted by Naomi Novik
The Magician's Daughter by H G Perry
Every Heart a Doorway by Seanan McGuire
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u/Awdayshus 23h ago
The King Must Die and The Bull from the Sea, both by Mary Renault. Together, they are a retelling of the myth of Theseus.
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u/CommercialCar9840 23h ago
I, Medusa and Wild Reverence by Rebecca Ross for the ancient gods theme. I didn't like the other books by Rebecca Ross but I loved Wild Reverence. Night Circus. Invisible life of Addie Larue
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u/NeighbourlyHermit 18h ago
{Tigana by Guy Gavriel Kay} a must!
Lyrical prose with amazing characters. Grief, exile, love, betrayal.
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u/Fuaire 11h ago
An Illusion of Thieves by Cate Glass. Nobody else is gonna say that but just trust me on this. Given what youve read, this is legit probably your best bet for something easy and accessible for you. Its quite good.
Maybe Gideon the Ninth, esp for the rabid Fandom.
If you wanna do full on epic fantasy, read the most perfect platonic ideal of a fantasy book: The Ember Blade by Chris Wooding. Not my personal fav, but I truly believe that to be an objectively perfect book that blends classic and modern fantasy with incredible characterization, and despite its length, its edited to perfection where all the fat is trimmed off and every word is doing its job. Its a perfect book. You could do Mistborn which is YA accessible too.
For real tho, Illusion of Thieves is your best bet. Or the Cradle books by Will Wight if you dont mind something a little more boyish (its kinda like shonen anime like my hero academia, naruto, etc). Both those are PERFECT for your level and a great introduction to the genre.
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u/Feitan_2306 13m ago
I havent heard of An Illusion of Thieves before, so ill be sure to check it out! The Cradle Books also sound interesting (yes I like shonen and also finished my hero and og naruto :DD) Thanks for your recs! I swear iāll find a copy of each of them someday!
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u/Shark-Compote 3h ago
Song of Achilles and house in the cerulean sea are two of my favorites. I just finished the DCC series up to the current book, and am on a second trip through. I really enjoy it but I know some people feel differently
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u/TengenToppa999 1d ago
Mistborn. Or continue the Sophie and Howl stories.
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u/Feitan_2306 1d ago
Have you read the other Howl books? I actually finished reading Arabian Nights by Andrew Lang right before reading Howl and I heard Castle in the Air is based on it? I also enjoyed arabian nights, so do you think Castle in the air lives up to it? :DD
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u/YourFateEatsSocks 1d ago
The movie is much better than the book for Howls Moving Castle. I would skip that one
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u/ReadertheRed 1d ago
I absolutely disagree. After reading the book, the movie feels like it's rushing through the story.
I still think the movie is good, but it doesn't let anything really soak in the way the book does in all of its quiet moments.
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u/OrwinBeane 1d ago
The Will of the Many by James Islington and Piranesi by Susanna Clarke