Epic list! I read Elric a few years back, and was blown away. Can't wait to read Spear Cuts Through Water as well! So glad Malazan is on your list, and look forward to hopefully having discussions with you as we make our way through the books!
The HYPE is REAL! I can't wait to hear your thoughts on TDTCB. Thanks for giving it a try, Sam. If, at any point, you get confused about something or have any questions you'd like answered just hit me up or ask away in the Second Apocalypse channel in the Talking Story server. Obviously, I won't be spoiling anything so you need not worry about that at all.
Apologies if I end up with two similar comments, but my first attempt seems to have disappeared into the ether. Anyway, I think you’ll find Age of Madness to be Abercrombie’s most theme-driven work to date. I would advocate for you to nudge Malazan up the list, mainly because I suspect you’ll ending not only appreciating but loving it. And, of course, I’m delighted to find The Prophet of Edan here - I can’t wait to hear Allen’s narration myself!
@@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy Thanks Dr. Chase! I think Age of Madness will have to happen before The Devils is released. Out of curiosity have you noticed a substantial increase in buzz about Edan after the audiobook?
@ I wish! While I’ve heard loads of enthusiastic praise for Allen’s narration among people who’ve given it a try, the sales of the audiobook have been relatively modest so far. But, you never know if that big break will happen!
I loved your list! Bakker's The Second Apocalypse and Erikson's Malazan Book of the Fallen are masterpieces. Bakker's series is a little easier to follow, though it has ample depth and complexity. I think you'll enjoy The Dark Tower conclusion, and hooray for enjoying Song of Susannah! While I did not love my experience reading The Spear Cuts Through Water, I think it's one of the best modern fantasy standalones I've read in recent years. I doubt you'll hate it. The Obsidian Path trilogy is a dark, fun, wild ride. It's not the deepest series, but it reads fast. It could be good to insert between denser books. Age of Madness is First Law at its best, in my opinion! Loved it, and I'm confident you'll have a good time! Elric of Melnibone is classic! I've read the first 6 Elric Saga books (in the recent bind-ups). I think you'd enjoy some of those (I also wasn't crazy about Epic Pooh). Lord of Light was number 7 in my Top 10 of 2023. I cannot predict how you'll feel about this one, but I loved it. The Sunset Limited has a strong portrayal of nihilism. I recommend watching the film with Tommy Lee Jones and Samuel Jackson. It's the exact script in the book. The Prophet of Edan has my favorite elf scenes in the trilogy. It will be exciting with Allen's narration! Happy reading!
Thank you! I actually saw the Fletcher books on sale and saw that you’d reviewed them, which definitely helped the thought of buying them. You know The Spear Cuts Through Water could be a book that’s just not for me, but it sounds really out there so I’m excited. And yeah despite the recent McCarthy news I still want to read some more of his books and I’ve meant to go through Sunset Limited for a while. I’ll definitely check the movie out!
I would definitely recommend beyond redemption.. black stone heart was very average and I sadly dnf the second book “she dreams in blood”. Beyond redemption is absolutely amazing
@@iSamwise 3 main books and a stand alone, Ive read 1 and 2 which are great but haven’t got the other 2 yet. I heard book 3 isn’t as good because all the characters are new but I will still give it a read as the world and magic system is just so great
I've also got Elric and Lord of the World on my tbr! The latter is more of a dystopian. I'm shocked that more publishing houses haven't picked it up. It was written in 1907 so it predates 1984, Brave New World, and We by Yevgeny Zamyatin. I had no idea that Christopher Ruocchio recommends it too! That makes me eager to pick it up sooner. Highly recommend The Spear Cuts Through Water and a Scanner Darkly as I've read both!
Okay, so, Gardens of the Moon. I think this is an amazing and under-rated book. However, it can be tough on a first read (I just re-read it in August.) So just take it nice and slow and don't sweat confusion about the worldbuilding - focus on the characters and plot. Erikson will give you everything you need to follow those. By about book 3 you will have a solid handle of the very complex world. In Gardens, just enjoy it. And bunch of the rest of these are on my own TBR as well.
@@VoyagesIntoImagination sounds good! I’ll keep that in mind about characters. I think being lost in the world will be fine if I can follow the characters through the book.
I think I’ve recommended it to you before but Fitzpatrick’s War by Theodore Judson is one of my favorite books of all time. It’s a post apocalyptic steam punk sci fi novel with heavy Christian and Catholic themes. It’s extremely expensive nowadays for some reason but if you even happen to see it for a reasonable price I definitely recommend snatching it up
See I looked into this a bit more and…YOURE RIGHT! It’s insanely expensive these days and I can’t figure out why (other than maybe they only printed a small number). But thanks for the recommendation and hopefully I can find a copy sometime.
Age of Madness is fantastic, I'd definitely bump that up. I've got Gardens of the Moon and Darkness That Comes Before here to start over the christmas break
I had a super long comment typed up and then accidentally backed out of RUclips and it disappeared. 💀 Let’s see what I remember lol. Happy to hear the Song of Susannah love! Super underrated in the DT community. I also have a Lewis planned for 2025! Till We Have Faces. I’ve been interested in his Space trilogy, but hadn’t heard much on it. Glad to hear you recommend! Never heard of The Failures, but blurbed by Ruocchio and inspired by Dark Tower? SOLD. PKD is also on my list for next year. Don’t know if I want it to be The Man in the High Castle or Do Androids Dream, though. 🤔 The Moorcock joke. 😂😂😂 Never heard of Andrew Klavan, but I LOVE crime fiction. Where should I start? Ordinary Grace is one of my favorites. I read it last year and it left such an impression on me. WKK is amazing!! Still need to get to Dr. Chase’s books. Soon!! Happy reading, my friend!!
Tills we Have Faces is fantastic! Somewhat challenging but fantastic. Lewis space trilogy is my favorite work of his! That Hideous Strength (book 3) is one of my favorite books of all time. If you want to read Klavan doing fantasy his trilogy Another Kingdom is another personal favorite. If you want a crime standalone his book True Crime is unironically a masterpiece thriller. Also his Cameron Winter detective series is a good starting place.
Loads of good stuff! I finished «The Prince of Nothing» Trilogy this Summer: I was surprised how naturally took in the prose, given the infamous reputation of the series, but that is more a matter of the (very dark from the very start, not gonna lie!) material, I much more easier visualized the story and atmosphere then say, Malazan. Loads of philosophical, religious and historical references, and even if I don’t agree with everything Bakker suggests, it is well presented and food for thought! And also I quickly clocked Achamian as very much a John le Carre Spy Pov! I had not before heard of «The White Horse King» (or that terminology about King Alfred, again interesting from the (generally) Saxon White Horse symbol Tolkien used for the Rohirrim! Will definitely check out that one and excited for your thoughts of it! «Elric» is fun, but can also recommend the brilliant Julien Blondel Graphic Novel Adaptation, as well as the «Corum» novels by Moorcock! Just finished «Lord of Light», great fun read, extra fun knowing was used as material in the real-life «Canadian Caper» CIA Operation! Enjoy your continued journey into «Edan»! 🙌 My own SFF/Historical Fiction 2025 TBR list: «Doom of Destiny» (Sundered Nation #3) by Vaughn Roycroft (Epic/Historical Fantasy inspirert by the Historical Ancient Goths and the Rohirrim of Tolkien, with a dash of «Dune») «Alamut» by Vladimir Bartol (Philosophical Historical Fiction, set among the Order of Assassins Sect during the Crusades, with parallels to the growth of Fascism in Bartol’s own 1930s) «Mannen som bar solen» («The Man Who Carried The Sun») by Kristian Bang Foss (Historical Fiction set in the Nordic Bronze Age) «Hengist» by Sean Poage (Historical Fiction, set during the Anglo-Saxon Invasion of Britain) «All the Horses on Iceland» by Sarah Tolmie (Historical Fiction/Fantasy about an Medieval Icelander’s Journey to Central Asia) «Bloodstone» & «Dark Crusade» by Karl Edward Wagner (Both in the «Kane» series, S&S/Proto-Grimdark) «Lancelot» by Giles Kristian (Arthurian Fantasy/Historical Fiction) «Sun Eater» 3-6: «Demon in White», «Kingdoms of Death», «Ashes of Men» & «Disquiet Gods» (Space Opera) «Navola» by Paolo Bacigalupi (Political Fantasy inspired by Renaissance Italy & «The Godfather») «Carthage Ascendant» by Mary Gentle (Book of Ash #2, Alt-Historical Military Fiction inspired by the Mercenary Wars of the Renaissance) «The Blood Dimmed Tide» by Stephen Aryan (Historical Fantasy inspired by the Mongol Conquest of Persia) «Firelord» by Parke Godwin (Arthurian Historical Fiction) «Women of Troy» by Pat Barker (Historical Fiction take on the Iliad, from the perspective of Achilles’ and Agamemnon’s «War Bride» Briseis) «The Crystal Cave» by Mary Stewart (Arthurian Fantasy from the perspective of Merlin) «The Wolf Den» by Elodie Harper (Historical Fiction set in the, eh, «Red Light District» of Ancient Pompeii) «Informocracy» by Malka Older (Cyberpunk) «Brothers of the Wind» by Tad Williams (Prequel to «Memory, Sorrow & Thorn», Epic Fantasy) «The Folding Knife» by KJ Parker (Political Fantasy) «Pompeii» by Robert Harris (Historical Crime Fiction, set against the Destruction of Pompeii) «The Bright Sword» by Lev Grossman (Arthurian Fantasy) «Augustus» by John Williams (Epistolary Historical Fiction about the Eponymous Roman Emperor’s Life) The “Aspect Emperor» series by R. Scott Bakker (Epic Dark/Grimdark Fantasy, sequel series to «The Prince of Nothing» Trilogy) «Written in the Dark» by Guy Gavriel Kay (Published in 2025, Fantasy inspired by Medieval France) Cheers, Mate! 🙌
That’s quit the TBR! I’m actually finishing up Stoner by John Williams now so that’s cool that you’ve got Augustus on the list! Also can confirm that Sun Eater 4-6 is amazing. Disquiet Gods is the best in the series in my opinion.
@ Yeah, I am very excited to get back into «Sun Eater» Universe! Also, didn’t know you were from Minnesota, just as BellTube, how fun! As I am sure you already know, there are loads of Scandinavian-American Connections to Minnesota: «Uffda» & «Lefse»! 😄🙌
I got a decent way into The Failures by Benjamin Liar and couldn't make it any further for the exact same reason. I was listening to the audiobook and was physically cringing at the dialogue so much I probably harmed my body in some way.
So thrilled to see Malazan on your list! I hope you enjoy it.
Thanks Tori! I’m looking forward to experiencing it!
Me too! I am reading it now (Toll the Hounds after Wind and Truth) and it's amazing.
Epic list! I read Elric a few years back, and was blown away. Can't wait to read Spear Cuts Through Water as well! So glad Malazan is on your list, and look forward to hopefully having discussions with you as we make our way through the books!
@@Shelf-Esteem thank you very much!
The HYPE is REAL! I can't wait to hear your thoughts on TDTCB. Thanks for giving it a try, Sam.
If, at any point, you get confused about something or have any questions you'd like answered just hit me up or ask away in the Second Apocalypse channel in the Talking Story server. Obviously, I won't be spoiling anything so you need not worry about that at all.
@@slay.187 Thanks Slay! I’m pretty hyped myself and you’re definitely who I’ll ask if I have questions or get lost in it. Haha
Apologies if I end up with two similar comments, but my first attempt seems to have disappeared into the ether. Anyway, I think you’ll find Age of Madness to be Abercrombie’s most theme-driven work to date. I would advocate for you to nudge Malazan up the list, mainly because I suspect you’ll ending not only appreciating but loving it. And, of course, I’m delighted to find The Prophet of Edan here - I can’t wait to hear Allen’s narration myself!
@@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy Thanks Dr. Chase! I think Age of Madness will have to happen before The Devils is released.
Out of curiosity have you noticed a substantial increase in buzz about Edan after the audiobook?
@ I wish! While I’ve heard loads of enthusiastic praise for Allen’s narration among people who’ve given it a try, the sales of the audiobook have been relatively modest so far. But, you never know if that big break will happen!
@@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy well you’ve got my best wishes…. And my money. Hahaha
@@iSamwise I appreciate both! 😊
I loved your list!
Bakker's The Second Apocalypse and Erikson's Malazan Book of the Fallen are masterpieces. Bakker's series is a little easier to follow, though it has ample depth and complexity.
I think you'll enjoy The Dark Tower conclusion, and hooray for enjoying Song of Susannah!
While I did not love my experience reading The Spear Cuts Through Water, I think it's one of the best modern fantasy standalones I've read in recent years. I doubt you'll hate it.
The Obsidian Path trilogy is a dark, fun, wild ride. It's not the deepest series, but it reads fast. It could be good to insert between denser books.
Age of Madness is First Law at its best, in my opinion! Loved it, and I'm confident you'll have a good time!
Elric of Melnibone is classic! I've read the first 6 Elric Saga books (in the recent bind-ups). I think you'd enjoy some of those (I also wasn't crazy about Epic Pooh).
Lord of Light was number 7 in my Top 10 of 2023. I cannot predict how you'll feel about this one, but I loved it.
The Sunset Limited has a strong portrayal of nihilism. I recommend watching the film with Tommy Lee Jones and Samuel Jackson. It's the exact script in the book.
The Prophet of Edan has my favorite elf scenes in the trilogy. It will be exciting with Allen's narration!
Happy reading!
Thank you! I actually saw the Fletcher books on sale and saw that you’d reviewed them, which definitely helped the thought of buying them.
You know The Spear Cuts Through Water could be a book that’s just not for me, but it sounds really out there so I’m excited.
And yeah despite the recent McCarthy news I still want to read some more of his books and I’ve meant to go through Sunset Limited for a while. I’ll definitely check the movie out!
I love the variety of genres. I think the only overlap we have is with Lord of Light and The Mechanical. Super excited for both of them.
Yes!!! Those Ian Tregillis novels will be very interesting!
Plenty there to keep you out of mischief for awhile! I hope you get some great stories. One subscriber away from 650!
@@ReadingIDEAS.-uz9xk thank you kindly!
Smart move starting with Bakker-sort of wish in hindsight I did because the 10 books massive epic has taken up so much of my brain😂
Yeah between Bakker, Janny Wurts and Erikson he felt the least intimidating at first glance.
I would definitely recommend beyond redemption.. black stone heart was very average and I sadly dnf the second book “she dreams in blood”.
Beyond redemption is absolutely amazing
@@kingdon1297 alright I will definitely take that into consideration. Are there 2,3 or 4 books in Manifest Delusions? I’ve heard conflicting answers.
@@iSamwise 3 main books and a stand alone, Ive read 1 and 2 which are great but haven’t got the other 2 yet. I heard book 3 isn’t as good because all the characters are new but I will still give it a read as the world and magic system is just so great
@ ok that’s helpful to know! Thank you.
I've also got Elric and Lord of the World on my tbr! The latter is more of a dystopian. I'm shocked that more publishing houses haven't picked it up. It was written in 1907 so it predates 1984, Brave New World, and We by Yevgeny Zamyatin. I had no idea that Christopher Ruocchio recommends it too! That makes me eager to pick it up sooner.
Highly recommend The Spear Cuts Through Water and a Scanner Darkly as I've read both!
Ok that’s helpful info! Thanks for the recommendation!
Okay, so, Gardens of the Moon. I think this is an amazing and under-rated book. However, it can be tough on a first read (I just re-read it in August.) So just take it nice and slow and don't sweat confusion about the worldbuilding - focus on the characters and plot. Erikson will give you everything you need to follow those. By about book 3 you will have a solid handle of the very complex world. In Gardens, just enjoy it.
And bunch of the rest of these are on my own TBR as well.
@@VoyagesIntoImagination sounds good! I’ll keep that in mind about characters. I think being lost in the world will be fine if I can follow the characters through the book.
I think I’ve recommended it to you before but Fitzpatrick’s War by Theodore Judson is one of my favorite books of all time. It’s a post apocalyptic steam punk sci fi novel with heavy Christian and Catholic themes. It’s extremely expensive nowadays for some reason but if you even happen to see it for a reasonable price I definitely recommend snatching it up
See I looked into this a bit more and…YOURE RIGHT! It’s insanely expensive these days and I can’t figure out why (other than maybe they only printed a small number). But thanks for the recommendation and hopefully I can find a copy sometime.
Age of Madness is fantastic, I'd definitely bump that up. I've got Gardens of the Moon and Darkness That Comes Before here to start over the christmas break
Yessssss!!!!
I had a super long comment typed up and then accidentally backed out of RUclips and it disappeared. 💀 Let’s see what I remember lol.
Happy to hear the Song of Susannah love! Super underrated in the DT community.
I also have a Lewis planned for 2025! Till We Have Faces. I’ve been interested in his Space trilogy, but hadn’t heard much on it. Glad to hear you recommend!
Never heard of The Failures, but blurbed by Ruocchio and inspired by Dark Tower? SOLD.
PKD is also on my list for next year. Don’t know if I want it to be The Man in the High Castle or Do Androids Dream, though. 🤔
The Moorcock joke. 😂😂😂
Never heard of Andrew Klavan, but I LOVE crime fiction. Where should I start?
Ordinary Grace is one of my favorites. I read it last year and it left such an impression on me. WKK is amazing!!
Still need to get to Dr. Chase’s books. Soon!!
Happy reading, my friend!!
Tills we Have Faces is fantastic! Somewhat challenging but fantastic. Lewis space trilogy is my favorite work of his! That Hideous Strength (book 3) is one of my favorite books of all time.
If you want to read Klavan doing fantasy his trilogy Another Kingdom is another personal favorite. If you want a crime standalone his book True Crime is unironically a masterpiece thriller. Also his Cameron Winter detective series is a good starting place.
@ awesome!! Thank you!
Loads of good stuff! I finished «The Prince of Nothing» Trilogy this Summer: I was surprised how naturally took in the prose, given the infamous reputation of the series, but that is more a matter of the (very dark from the very start, not gonna lie!) material, I much more easier visualized the story and atmosphere then say, Malazan. Loads of philosophical, religious and historical references, and even if I don’t agree with everything Bakker suggests, it is well presented and food for thought! And also I quickly clocked Achamian as very much a John le Carre Spy Pov!
I had not before heard of «The White Horse King» (or that terminology about King Alfred, again interesting from the (generally) Saxon White Horse symbol Tolkien used for the Rohirrim! Will definitely check out that one and excited for your thoughts of it!
«Elric» is fun, but can also recommend the brilliant Julien Blondel Graphic Novel Adaptation, as well as the «Corum» novels by Moorcock!
Just finished «Lord of Light», great fun read, extra fun knowing was used as material in the real-life «Canadian Caper» CIA Operation!
Enjoy your continued journey into «Edan»! 🙌
My own SFF/Historical Fiction 2025 TBR list:
«Doom of Destiny» (Sundered Nation #3) by Vaughn Roycroft (Epic/Historical Fantasy inspirert by the Historical Ancient Goths and the Rohirrim of Tolkien, with a dash of «Dune»)
«Alamut» by Vladimir Bartol (Philosophical Historical Fiction, set among the Order of Assassins Sect during the Crusades, with parallels to the growth of Fascism in Bartol’s own 1930s)
«Mannen som bar solen» («The Man Who Carried The Sun») by Kristian Bang Foss (Historical Fiction set in the Nordic Bronze Age)
«Hengist» by Sean Poage (Historical Fiction, set during the Anglo-Saxon Invasion of Britain)
«All the Horses on Iceland» by Sarah Tolmie (Historical Fiction/Fantasy about an Medieval Icelander’s Journey to Central Asia)
«Bloodstone» & «Dark Crusade» by Karl Edward Wagner (Both in the «Kane» series, S&S/Proto-Grimdark)
«Lancelot» by Giles Kristian (Arthurian Fantasy/Historical Fiction)
«Sun Eater» 3-6: «Demon in White», «Kingdoms of Death», «Ashes of Men» & «Disquiet Gods» (Space Opera)
«Navola» by Paolo Bacigalupi (Political Fantasy inspired by Renaissance Italy & «The Godfather»)
«Carthage Ascendant» by Mary Gentle (Book of Ash #2, Alt-Historical Military Fiction inspired by the Mercenary Wars of the Renaissance)
«The Blood Dimmed Tide» by Stephen Aryan (Historical Fantasy inspired by the Mongol Conquest of Persia)
«Firelord» by Parke Godwin (Arthurian Historical Fiction)
«Women of Troy» by Pat Barker (Historical Fiction take on the Iliad, from the perspective of Achilles’ and Agamemnon’s «War Bride» Briseis)
«The Crystal Cave» by Mary Stewart (Arthurian Fantasy from the perspective of Merlin)
«The Wolf Den» by Elodie Harper (Historical Fiction set in the, eh, «Red Light District» of Ancient Pompeii)
«Informocracy» by Malka Older (Cyberpunk)
«Brothers of the Wind» by Tad Williams (Prequel to «Memory, Sorrow & Thorn», Epic Fantasy)
«The Folding Knife» by KJ Parker (Political Fantasy)
«Pompeii» by Robert Harris (Historical Crime Fiction, set against the Destruction of Pompeii)
«The Bright Sword» by Lev Grossman (Arthurian Fantasy)
«Augustus» by John Williams (Epistolary Historical Fiction about the Eponymous Roman Emperor’s Life)
The “Aspect Emperor» series by R. Scott Bakker (Epic Dark/Grimdark Fantasy, sequel series to «The Prince of Nothing» Trilogy)
«Written in the Dark» by Guy Gavriel Kay (Published in 2025, Fantasy inspired by Medieval France)
Cheers, Mate! 🙌
That’s quit the TBR! I’m actually finishing up Stoner by John Williams now so that’s cool that you’ve got Augustus on the list! Also can confirm that Sun Eater 4-6 is amazing. Disquiet Gods is the best in the series in my opinion.
@ Yeah, I am very excited to get back into «Sun Eater» Universe!
Also, didn’t know you were from Minnesota, just as BellTube, how fun! As I am sure you already know, there are loads of Scandinavian-American Connections to Minnesota: «Uffda» & «Lefse»! 😄🙌
I got a decent way into The Failures by Benjamin Liar and couldn't make it any further for the exact same reason. I was listening to the audiobook and was physically cringing at the dialogue so much I probably harmed my body in some way.
I am SO HAPPY to know I was not alone. I want to endure the cringe yet again to see if it pays off but it was definitely……a stylistic choice.
Dude where did you get that single volume of New Sun? I need it
It can be tricky to find. I kept my eye out on eBay and Mercari for it and ended up picking it up for just over $30
Considering that you read and understood The Shadow of the Torturer, you have nothing to fear from Malazan. I think its rep is extremely overblown.
@@FreeLatveria Thanks for saying that! That gives me confidence!