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Original poster

I haven't read a good fantasy in a long, long time

43 replies

QwertyWitch · 05/07/2023 11:50

I don't mind good sci fi either but I'm looking to go to another world for a while with adventure and a bit of romance thrown in.
No medieval type worlds please. I don't really want to go there.
Please recommend me something

OP posts:
Ihatewinding · 09/07/2023 18:23

Hidden Legacy trilogies by Ilona Andrews, don't be put off by the covers a la Mills&Boons.
Great magic, female leads and heavy family themes, and with slow burn romances between the main characters around which each trilogy are based (there are 2).
Really enjoyable reading, I re-read both trilogies every few months!
They (it's a husband/wife duo as authors) have other good series as well.

Fairislefandango · 09/07/2023 18:24

I second the Kingkiller series by Patrick Rothfuss. The first one (The Name of the Wind) is my very favourite book of all time. I wouldn't call it mediaeval, but it's not a modern setting. Amazing world-building and storytelling. Very immersive. Every time I read it I just want to turn back to page one and start again!

Pashazade · 09/07/2023 18:27

Anne Bishop's Others novels and World of the Others set, brilliant and a bit different.

Puddlewoman · 09/07/2023 18:36

3rd for mistborn I'm only half way through the first book but it's the 1st one I've been able to actually read for a long time

reabies · 09/07/2023 18:54

LuciferRising · 05/07/2023 15:10

Liveship Traders - Robin Hobb. I've heard her other series are good too but not read them yet. Maybe more on the medieval side. Some romance but not dominating.
Strange the Dreamer - Laini Taylor. Loved this duology, unique worldbuilding, nice romance. Maybe leaning towards YA/NA. I also loved her Daughter of Smoke and Bone series though that is definitely more YA.

Liveship Traders is one of my favourite trilogies and isn't medieval, strangely enough it is set in the same world and similar time to the Assaian books which do feel more medieval - but they are well worth reading - and in the correct order to get the full benefits of the world.

I really enjoyed Strange the Dreamer and The Muse of Nightmares too. I found them unusual.

@LuciferRising I know not really medieval in a strict sense but it's a bit olde worlde - I never know whether people use medieval to mean anything where people wear leather and use swords and visit brothels 🤣 as opposed to actual literal medieval. I guess anything more modern day sits under urban fantasy? I'm never sure.

But agreed it's a fantastic series! I tried I think assassins apprentice but didn't find it as engaging and DNF'd the second in that series but I know people rave about them. Might have to give them another try sometime.

reabies · 09/07/2023 19:00

QwertyWitch · 09/07/2023 17:46

I started Empire of The Vampire and am really enjoying it. Thanks @reabies
So many more good books too.

@QwertyWitch glad to hear it! I raced through it in day or 2 while on holiday, it absolutely gripped me. I think he has a few more series if you enjoy his writing, though I've only tackled Nevernight as mentioned.

I'm reading Blade and Rose by Miranda Honfleur at the moment and it's ok, wouldn't say I'm fully loving it but managing to get through it. I also second Fourth Wing which has been mentioned upthread, that's another one I ploughed through in a couple of days

FighterLoser · 10/07/2023 08:23

reabies · 09/07/2023 18:54

@LuciferRising I know not really medieval in a strict sense but it's a bit olde worlde - I never know whether people use medieval to mean anything where people wear leather and use swords and visit brothels 🤣 as opposed to actual literal medieval. I guess anything more modern day sits under urban fantasy? I'm never sure.

But agreed it's a fantastic series! I tried I think assassins apprentice but didn't find it as engaging and DNF'd the second in that series but I know people rave about them. Might have to give them another try sometime.

Show quote history

I'm on 9th in the series - Fool's Fate and am in love with the main character. I admit they can be slow with action while the author develops the characters but I think he is the best protagonist I have ever read about.

Timetoflower22 · 10/07/2023 08:40

The invisible life of Addie Laroue!

CornedBeef451 · 10/07/2023 09:07

I'm reading the Sarah J Mass Court of something series and I am enjoying it but I think I prefer the Throne of Glass series. Both series have strong female characters, humour, romance and adventure.

I quite like the Meghan Doidge Cupcake series, there's loads of them in the same world but focusing on different characters. They're based in this world but there's witches, werewolves and vampires, all quite funny with some romance thrown in.

The Vampire academy books are quite fun too.

My favourite SF is Player of Games by Iain Banks but not really any romance in that, excellent world building though.

PenCreed · 12/07/2023 14:07

IcakethereforeIam · 05/07/2023 22:15

The windowing flames trilogy by Jen Williams (I think the first book is called the Ninth Rain). Really enjoyed that. As with pp anything by Robin Hobb.

She has a new one coming out in a couple of months - I had an ARC and it's really good!

IcakethereforeIam · 12/07/2023 14:13

Eek! And eek! 'Winnowing' ffs autocorrupt!

Can you remember the title?

Passerillage · 12/07/2023 14:20

Gideon the Ninth was astounding. Absolutely brilliant. I was BEREFT when I finished it and reading Harrow probably made it worse. I'm afraid to start the next one.

DaisyWaldron · 12/07/2023 14:20

I'm reading A Taste of Gold and Iron at the moment, and am really enjoying it. The protagonists are both men, but it's set in a matriarchal society with some really interesting women characters - the novel starts with the Sultan giving birth to her daughter, and it's nice to see a clever and competent ruler carrying a baby around while doing the business of running the country.

hilariousnamehere · 12/07/2023 14:25

I'm really enjoying Shanna Swendson's Enchanted, Inc series at the moment - set in modern day New York and sits somewhere between magical realism and fantasy, I'd say. But would definitely recommend!

PenCreed · 12/07/2023 14:39

IcakethereforeIam · 12/07/2023 14:13

Eek! And eek! 'Winnowing' ffs autocorrupt!

Can you remember the title?

Talonsister - I should have said that in the first place!

IcakethereforeIam · 12/07/2023 14:57

@PenCreed Thank you! I enjoyed the suspense 😁

PurpleParrotfish · 21/07/2023 14:21

Just found this thread and wanted to add my own recommendations:
Naomi Novik, Temeraire - set in the Napoleonic wars, but with dragons.
Her Scholomance trilogy has already been mentioned, the setting is based on an American high school but very much not like Harry Potter!
Uprooted and Spinning Silver are set in Eastern Europe, maybe a bit ‘mediaeval’ but probably not in the way you’re thinking. I love Uprooted.
Also
NK Jemisin, The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms
VE Schwab, A Darker Shade of Magic trilogy
A City of Brass trilogy, SA Chakraborty. Worth reading the whole thing as it really comes together in the final book.
Winter of the Witch trilogy, set in historic Russia
Sorcery of Thorns was fun
I also enjoyed The Black Witch and The Iron Flower, YA, lots of allegories about fascism and tolerance - but I started reading the third book and hated it, I’d recommend to stop after the first two!
Now off to check out some of the other books recommended…

HonoriaLucastaDelagardie · 21/07/2023 14:51

Not strictly fantasy or sci fi, but plenty of adventure, quite a lot of humour and a little bit of romance - Jodi Taylor's Chronicles of St Mary's. Book 14 has just come out, plus short stories and spin off series, so there's plenty to get stuck into.

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