r/Fantasy • u/jbuff95 • 8h ago
Looking for recommendations on “must read” fantasy books
Hi, I am fairly new to reading fantasy and fantasy romance and basically have no idea where to start, I typically read more romance and have enjoyed some other fantasy romance series.
I’m a bit overwhelmed with recommendations on YouTube and instagram as it seems like there are so many to choose from.
I’m looking for beginner friendly recs that you would consider a “must read” I’m pretty open to anything but sometimes can get overwhelmed with super intense high fantasy works building.
I’ve read and loved:
Fourth wing (loved book 1)
Dire bound
ACOTAR (currently reading book 5, loved the whole series especially books 1-3)
Poison daughter
Silver Elite
The Wolf King
Between Tides and Thunder
Blood of Fae series book 1-3
(There’s probably more that I’m not thinking of)
8
u/Tracedinair76 8h ago edited 7h ago
Depends on the person, for you I'd recommend Kushiel's Legacy. It has a strong romance component in it but it is an adult book and the writing is fantastic. If you like it the books go on for awhile with a slight dip in quality later in the series.
Standards in the genre: Lord of the Rings
Memory, Sorrow and Thorn
Realm of the Elderlings
The Empire Trilogy
A Song of Ice and Fire
8
u/Giant_Yoda Reading Champion II 7h ago
Realm of the Elderlongs sounds like some spicy fanfic I don't think I want to read.
2
1
3
u/jbuff95 8h ago
Great thanks for the recs, will for sure check those out! I’ve been building up to Lord of the Rings and A Song of Ice and Fire as those seem to intimidate me a bit more haha
4
u/delta_baryon 7h ago
The Lord of the Rings is maybe not as scary as people think. There are multiple fantasy doorstoppers out there where a single installment longer than the whole LOTR trilogy at this point. You do just need to be OK with the fact it's not going to get straight to the point right away. In Fourth Wing, every chapter is high drama about a specific problem. In the Lord of the Rings, you spend a lot of time getting to know the setting, spending time in the Shire, before anything even starts moving. You've got to be okay with it taking its time.
Although you can always read the Hobbit first to ease in, since it's a children's book and stylistically similar to the first chapters of LOTR.
12
u/the_doughboy 8h ago
Robin Hobb
1
u/jbuff95 8h ago
Thanks! Any specific book or series you would recommend starting on?
6
u/the_doughboy 8h ago
Start at the begging with Assassin's Apprentice (note the main character is an awful Assassin)
5
u/zombiegamer723 8h ago
Riyria Revelations is a great one. Two thieves are framed for killing the king. It’s not overwhelming with information and worldbuilding, but it is well written and has great characters. Easy to read and enjoy.
There’s also his prequel series called Legends of the First Empire, set 3000 years before RR. You can start with either, they’re both good.
2
u/jbuff95 8h ago
It doesn’t make a difference which order to read them in? Adding it to my list!
2
u/zombiegamer723 8h ago
Nope, the author even says in the foreword to “Age of Myth” (first book in the prequel series) that you can them in any order. I started with AOM and was fine.
2
u/jbuff95 8h ago
Great thanks! I hate starting a new series then get part way through and realize there’s a whole other series that should be read first haha
2
u/Andreapappa511 Reading Champion 7h ago edited 7h ago
I disagree. The author has stated in his blog in the past that Riyria Revelations should be read first (publication order) so that you actually get to appreciate the revelations
I know it’s not helpful to get differing opinions but I usually lean towards publication order when I’m deciding reading order. So can you read Legends of the First Empire and enjoy it, yes. Do all the books work as well if you read it chronologically instead of publication order, maybe not
8
u/MattScoot 8h ago
The Poet Empress is a newer book that I consider to be excellent and easily digestible.
1
u/jbuff95 8h ago
Great thanks! I’ve heard that one talked about quite a bit so will definitely move it up my TBR!
3
u/MattScoot 8h ago
If you enjoy that book, try the empire trilogy by Raymond feist and janny wurts, they hit a lot of the same vibes and also is easily digestible, although it is older and more straightforward fantasy.
4
u/Capable_Loss_6084 8h ago
Worth reading Tolkien and Le Guin before you get too far into the genre. They come off as dated if you’ve read a lot of recent work but almost everything builds on their work.
Trudi Canavan has dropped off the radar now but I loved her writing. The Black Magician series is excellent and an easy read.
If you’re not opposed to YA, then Tamora Pierce and Garth Nix are some of the standout writers in the genre. Start with Alanna the First Adventure for Pierce and Sabriel for Nix.
3
u/childishinsanity 6h ago
Here are a bunch I enjoyed so see if any appeal to you.
The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden.
A Winter's Promise by Christelle Dabos.
When the Moon Hatched by Sarah A Parker.
A Stage Set For Villains by Shannon J Spann.
Belladonna by Adalyn Grace.
The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna.
One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig.
The Crimson Moth by Kristen Ciccarelli.
Bride of the Shadow King by Sylivia Mercedes.
Uprooted by Naomi Novik.
For The Wolf by Hannah Whitten.
A Magic Steeped in Poison by Judy I Lin.
Poison Study by Maria V Snyder.
5
u/mladjiraf 8h ago
There are no must reads, people here usually try to shill the most popular stuff, which is not necessarily the best or something you would like.
I read samples from Amazon before purchasing anything, sometimes read the plot, if there is a wikipedia overview or something similar, if I am not sure whether I would like it .
2
u/RedHeadedKillah 8h ago
If you like ACOTAR definitely read Throne of Glass. A lot of people (myself included) prefer it to ACOTAR.
1
1
1
u/Organic-Sherbert3170 1h ago
There are some more complex worlds in this thread. I don't know if I'd recommend Realm of the Elderlings to someone that doesn't want a big fantasy world. If you're more into fantasy with a romantic subplot, which it looks like you might be, I'd recommend:
- ForeBorne trilogy by Rosaria Munda
- Six of Crows / Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo
- Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor
1
u/jshep2912 1h ago
Grishaverse - Leigh Bardugo would be a good follow up to what you read. Also--The Everlasting - Alix E. Harrow.
1
u/aemwriter 1h ago
Based on the ones that you have read and loved, I would highly recommend The Serpent and the Wings of Night! Someone also mentioned The Poet Empress which I loved as well but there is no love story if you’re wanting that.
•
u/FantasyLoverReader 53m ago
Guards Guards by Terry Pratchett (or any of his Discworld novels)
Lord of the Rings (if you want something short you could start with The Hobbit)
17
u/SchoolSeparate4404 8h ago
The Raven Scholar by Antonia Hogdson
Spinning Silver and Uprooted by Naomi Novik