The Ultimate Fantasy Series Tier List: EVERY Major Series Ranked
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- Опубликовано: 23 янв 2023
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𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐈𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐝:
Age of Madness (Joe Abercrombie)
Legends of the First Empire (Michael J Sullivan)
Mistborn Era 2 (Brandon Sanderson)
Tales of Bauchelain and Korbal Broach (Steven Erikson)
A Song of Ice and Fire (George R.R. Martin)
The Bloodsworn Saga (John Gwynne)
Book of the Ancestor (Mark Lawrence)
The Books of Babel (Josiah Bancroft)
The Broken Earth (N.K. Jemisin)
Cradle (Will Wight)
The Craft Sequence (Max Gladstone)
Discworld (Terry Pratchett)
The Dresden Files (Jim Butcher)
Empire of the Vampire (Jay Kristoff)
The Faithful and the Fallen (John Gwynne)
The Farseer Trilogy (Robin Hobb)
Fitz and the Fool (Robin Hobb)
Foundation (Isaac Asimov)
Gentleman Bastards (Scott Lynch)
Gods of Blood and Powder (Brian McClellan)
Jekua (Travis Riddle)
Kharkanas (Steven Erikson)
The Licanius Trilogy (James Islington)
Lightbringer (Brent Weeks)
Liveship Traders (Robin Hobb)
Lord of the Rings (JRR Tolkien)
Malazan Book of the Fallen (Steven Erikson)
Mistborn Era 1 (Brandon Sanderson)
Mother of Learning (Domagoj Kurmaic)
Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn (Tad Williams)
The Murderbot Diaries (Martha Wells)
The Kingkiller Chronicle (Patrick Rothfuss)
Novels of the Malazan Empire (Ian C Esslemont)
Of Blood and Bone (John Gwynne)
Path to Ascendancy (Ian C Esslemont)
The Poppy War (RF Kuang)
The Powder Mage (Brian McClellan)
The Rainwild Chronicles (Robin Hobb)
Red Rising (Pierce Brown)
The Rise and Fall (Michael J Sullivan)
Riyria Chronicles (Michael J Sullivan)
Riyria Revelations (Michael J Sullivan)
I, Robot (Isaac Asimov)
Shattered Sea (Joe Abercrombie)
The Stormlight Archive (Brandon Sanderson)
The Tawny Man (Robin Hobb)
Temeraire (Naomi Novik)
The Band (Nicholas Eames)
The Black Company (Glen Cook)
The Tide Child (RJ Barker)
The Burning (Evan Winter)
The Dark Profit (J. Zachary Pike)
The Expanse (James S.A. Corey)
The First Law Trilogy (Joe Abercrombie)
The Five Warrior Angels (Brian Lee Durfee)
The Glass Immortals (Brian McClellan)
The Goblin Emperor (Katherine Addison)
The Green Bone Saga (Fonda Lee)
The Locked Tomb (Tamsyn Muir)
The Sharded Few (Alec Hutson)
The Wandering Inn (pirateaba)
The Wheel of Time (Robert Jordan / Brandon Sanderson)
Witness Trilogy (Steven Erikson)
Silo (Hugh Howey)
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#fantasybooks #bookreview #bestbooks #fantasybooks #booktube #booktuber #books #bookstagram #bookworm #booklover #booknerd #bookish #book #reading #read #booktubers 
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....annnnd when I say "every major series", I meant every major series outside of the one you came to this comment to chastise me about not including.
😂😂😂
😂
Hahahah dude you’re the best 😂😂😂
Well played lol
Is this a Harry Potter joke or nah? Or lotr?
Man usually when I find a new book person I can tell whether our preferences are close or not and i cannot tell with you at all lol some favorites we share and some hated we share but some you love I hate and some you hate are in my opinion amazing. It's all over the place. I love it. Subscribed.
I love that your comment made it seem like you were going to hate my videos but you ended with an "I love it. Subscribed."
Legitimately gave me an LOL
@@MattsFantasyBookReviews hahaha I can see that. No it's interesting to me. Makes me interested in some of the ones you talked about I hadn't read because who knows how ill feel about them since it varies so much in our taste. Worth a try on them at least!
impressed by how fast you tossed all those series right into D with very little remorse. 😆
Yeah sometimes it's best just to rip off the band-aid, you know?
Hey Matt! I’m thrilled that you made this video. I’ve been waiting so long for it. I’ve watched all your top 100 videos, so seeing this video taking all those books in the context of their collective series is great! I’ve picked up Malazan, the five warrior angels, and Farseer from watching the channel. I’ll be diving into them all this year. Love the channel 🤙🏼
I hope you get as much enjoyment out of them that I did! Thanks for the kind words.
Cradle went from something I’d never heard of to one of my favorite series so fast jt was mind blowing. I bought the audiobook version of Unsouled and I immediately bought the entire series and mainlined it over the course of a couple weeks. Travis Baldrees performance couple with Will Wights pacing and the strength of personality within all the characters just made it a joy to listen to and I cannot wait for Waybound.
Also just finished Faithful and the Fallen and was pretty amazed at how it evolved for me from kind a “it was okay” with book one to being something I didn’t want to end by the finale.
So glad you also loved these! And yeah, Cradle seemed such a weird concept to me but almost instantly I just couldn't put them down!
Im so glad i found this channel. I live in switzerland and the only books here that got hyped up are ya storys like cassandra clare or sara j maas books. There are so many in this list i never heard of. I buyed lightbringer today and so far im very happy with it. Will return a lot to this video for new stuff to read. Great list, matt.
I’ve been really enjoying your videos! Happy to be a new fan. And you’ve given me a lot of recommendations to read.
Happy to hear it, thanks for telling me!
Matt, I always enjoy your raw honesty and you're not afraid to share your criticisms. I added Malazan as a reread for myself this year partly due to your influence haha
Awesome, I can't wait to do a re-read myself either this year or next!
Its better second time around!
Another amazing video! Thank you!
You are most welcome!
Great list. I have a lot of recommendations as I'm new to the genre. Just finished Mistborn and I loved it.
So glad it was able to help you out!
Ok. So well done for doing this - now I know what kind of books you like - new subscriber here! Anyone who loves Hobb, Abercrombie, Gwynne and Lee is the man for me! I also agree on the low placing of some of the other well known series.
Hello, I liked your rating, in addition to the fact that there are 2 books that I quite like and I started reading them thanks to your recommendations in the videos. one is The Wandering Inn I'm just going to start volume 5, the other book is Malazan I'm going in book 1 chapter 4 and it's very interesting and entertaining. :)
I'm so glad you are loving these so far!
This is very different from what I'd do but I respect it! Finished Licanius trilogy yesterday and loved it. Malazan on S tier is a big W, love that series. Just started the Bound and the Broken, I hear some good things.
Bound and Broken is real good, hope you enjoy!
Awesome video!!! There’s so much on here that I’m dying to read. 😀
Hop to it Jane! :)
I’m working on it!! These books are HUGE! :-)
Great List. I'm just reading the Realm of the Elderlings books, I'm currently on last book of Live ship Traders. She might just have turned into my favorite writer. Not a lot of action, and that usually might turn me off a series if its too slow, but I just love her writing, and characters.
But the Green Bone Saga, ugh I couldn't. DNF'd it a couple of years ago. Tried to pick it back up got through the first book, couldn't finish the second.
But great channel.
Loved this epic tier list! I really gotta keep going with Hobb and GRRM, and try Durfee, Barker, and Fonda Lee! Where did you get up to with Dresden? You gotta keep going to where it gets epically great!!
I actually finished reading Changes before I quit. I was told that I had to keep reading for that book, so since I didn't love it I quit there.
I didn't hate any of the books, just didn't love them enough to keep on going.
@@MattsFantasyBookReviews ah I gotcha -- if Changes didn't get you revved up then that was a good choice to stop there
Joe Abercrombie has created my all time favorite fantasy character in Glokta. The way he characters is the best I’ve ever read.
I'm reading malazan right now, just finished a reread of gardens. I'm doing a book a month, but may dive back into deadhouse gates, as I didn't finish it Initially.
Memory sorrow and thorn is REALLY worth pushing thru the first book, it's the set up. It's an amazing series
Oh man you HAVE to finish Deadhouse Gates. The ending is unforgettable.
@@MattsFantasyBookReviews I got about 40% of the way through, and put it down, not because I wasn't enjoying myself, but I was having a hard time reading anything at all, so I put it aside. Very excited to pick it back up.
Thanks again for that slide show. So so helpful
@@MattsFantasyBookReviews that prologue was so interesting, I knew I'd love it based off that.
What I read I adored. Can't wait to finish this series this year
You have great taste, Brother. You are the best and thank you for all you do!
Thank so much!
I remember your last series tier list. Sad to see cradle in A and not S this time but it’s understandable. You have some great selections
Cradle really comes down to how good the final book is. If it sticks the landing it will be S for sure.
Very much agree with ship o magic. was a revelation when I read it. Was considering Malazan so now considering it harder
Take the plunge!
Hi, new subscriber here. Love your taste and general notes:)
Thank so much Valera! :)
Awesome Tier list Matt! Surprised you didn't have Warlord Chronicles on here and Harry Potter (not sure if you've read HP). Its a big list and I forget stuff on mine all the time. Im reading 5 warrior Angels right now and loving it, glad to see it high on your list. Discworld could be higher though LOL.
I struggled with it as I'm not quite sure Warlord Chronicles can be considered a fantasy book.
I love Discworld, but there are some stinker books in there in my opinion. The highest of highs though on the good books.
@@MattsFantasyBookReviews yeah it is a tough call on Warlord Chronicles. There is magic in there but it was always so vague throughout the books if it was actual magic or trickery. I think thats also why its a masterpiece to have those doubts and questions.
@@TreeBeardBookReviews Yeah, as I finished the book I ended up siding on "trickery", and I would love to re-read the book with that in mind. It actually makes the book all the better for that.
I’m just getting back into fantasy. Started with Redwall series as a kid, moved to LotR, Sword of Truth, Margaret Wei’s/Tracy Hickman, Raymond Feist, and Game of Thrones. Got away from reading fantasy for 10-15 years and getting back into it. Just finished 4th book of Stormlight and loved it. Read the first three Abercrombie books. This makes me feel good that I am starting Malazan!
Malazan can be a frustrating read at times, especially compared to Sanderson or Abercrombie.
@@ste694 yeah, I’m about 100 pages in and I am a little confused lol
Been subbed for a week or two now, binging your videos and loving it. So so many things I want to read now, my poor wallet and bloated book shelf hate you!!
LOL! You're welcome...and I'm sorry!
I have read the "Memory, Sorrow and Thorn" books (admittedly quite some time ago) and I remember that I enjoyed the read, but I cannot remember anything else from them - no plot, not a single character, nothing... and I've read other older series also a long time ago like Elric, Dragonlance, the Drizzt books or Dune and I still remember each of them vividly. I also have fond memories of the Otherland series by Tad Williams.
I always thought that I perhaps should reread M,S&T as everybody seems to love it so much... but now I think I'll rather invest my time in a new series.
Anyhow, excellent tier list and a very entertaining video (als always 😊).
Thanks so much Marco!
I'm sure I would have liked MST if I read it long ago, but in my opinion modern fantasy books are a lot more gripping. This book is painfully slow.
I have never read anything from Robin Hobb but I have heard many good things about these books, looks like you confirm it. Poeple have been telling me that plotwise they are "ok", but they apparently have some amazing characters and are very feelings oriented. I have absolutely loved the original First Law trilogy, so much in fact that I'm kind of afraid to start reading the standalones, because how everything in the originals ended was such a masterwork (like genuinely, the last 100-or-so pages of the Last Argument of Kings were absolutely unputdownable!).
I would really recommend you to read The Chronicles of Amber (a somewhat forgotten gem and one of my very favorite series of all time).
Yeah the Hobb thing you mentioned is true. "so so" plot but INCREDIBLE characters - Robin Hobb is just the absolute best at character writing. And yes, keep a Kleenex handy.
Also while I didn't love the First Law standalones (they were good, not great), the 2nd trilogy is a masterclass.
And I do have Chronicles of Amber on my TBR!
robin hobb is at times a slow trudge... but the highs are so worth it and the character and world building is very, very good.
Oh please, please, PLEASE, read all the Realm of the Elderlings (in order, there are 16 books!) they are just the best ever!
As for the Abercrombie stand-alones, go for it! I think they are wonderful and Heroes is my favourite of all his books! I would seriously, seriously recommend you listen to them on Audible - the voice actor (Stephen Pacey) is the god of voices and narration and just brings them alive.
@@tanja9364 I'm currently in the middle of The Assassin's Apprentice and so far it's ok :). I'm not sure if it will be my thing though, as Im mostly after the fascinating creative fantastical element which, from what Ive heard, this series somewhat lacks, but I've also heard many great things about these books in general and their reputation is very much one of kind as most people don't seem to praise them for their story or their worldbuilding, but rather for the characters and the writing itself. From what I've read so far it kind of reminds me of Earthsea.
As for the rest of The First Law, Im also giving it a try! So many people recommanded it to me, that I just need to give it a try - some even said the the second trilogy is actually better than the original. And thank you for the recommandation! I've heard that Mr. Pacey is a great narrator, but I'm not a native English speaker and while The First Law might not be as complex as let's say Malazan, I still prefer to get and understand every single detail from my readings which does not always happen when I'm listening to auidobooks, especially in English.
@@cerfreferf6600 Oh no! NOTHING like Earthsea. I hated Earthsea! Robin Hobbs books just suck you in, spin you round and round and by the end of the 16th book, spit you out in a messy sobbing lump! I definitely would praise her for her story - when you get to the end and think about all the threads she drew together and you remember the length of time these books were written over and the fact that the first book was supposed to be it, you realise how GOOD the story is. As for the world building - it is extensive, huge in fact. Each trilogy adds to the world, beautifully. PLEASE persevere and keep going, I cannot praise these books highly enough.
As for the First Law, oh yes, the second trilogy is just brilliant, so good. Epic, funny, sad and thought provoking. I quite understand about listening to the books, your English is VERY good, maybe you could read the physical book AND listen to it at the same time? The only reason I mention the audio books is because of the voices Stephen Pacey uses - one of the characters is called Clover and he uses an Irish accent - so very apt and brings the character alive.
So dear friend, keep going and enjoy. Kind thoughts.
So I thought I had read a lot of fantasy series but this guys given me a lot of new ones to check out. Super pumped!!
Glad I could help!
Agree with some, disagree with some, you're flat out wrong on others. :) What strikes me is your dedication to your work as a reviewer. You'll grind through books you don't like so that you can have the full perspective on a series. It's really interesting when you say the first couple of books weren't good, but the series got better after that. How many people would continue that long to find out? Thanks so much for your dedication and thorough reviews, and since you are such a fast reader you keep my list of titles to look into full.
btw...one of the things I really like about the Asimov robot series is his level of understanding of the science involved. So many science fiction stories are a lot more fiction than they are science. Asimov knew the science side cold and it really shows in how the contemporary and future blend so naturally.
Thank so much!
Honestly it's been so long since I read the Asimov books that I forget this level of detail. I really out to at least read I, robot again sometime soon.
I've read most of the series listed, and for the most part agree with your assessment. Out of all of them, and I know this will get me some flak, the only series I could not finish was Wheel of Time. I liked the first couple of books, was kinda meh on the next few, then it devolved into endless descriptions of clothing and food and braid-tugging and I could not bring myself to read on. I also found the interpersonal relationships painful to read, just too far on the YA side of things for me. I really felt that some serious editing would have helped the series immensely.
My recommendation for a series that didn't make your list: The Lyonesse Trilogy by Jack Vance.
I do love LoTR, my favorite series of all time. Yes, it was the first series I ever read after reading The Hobbit, my first book ever read. So far, your theory about LoTR lovers is correct!
Yeah I do like it, don't get me wrong. I just can't claim it's better than more other more modern fantasy books.
@@MattsFantasyBookReviews Oj I know. I am just saying that your theory about Tolkien lovers having it as their first ever trilogy is correct in my case haha.
I’m so confused about your taste in books 😂. Which made this fun to watch.
Thanks for the video
You are most welcome! And yeah I like a TON of different kinds of fantasy so it can see all over the place.
Yo this list seems hella legit. Imma take your advice thanks man! I appreciate it. I'll come back to comment once I read some, will be a little while since im on the COunt of Monte Cristo rn which i appreciate. Also i read the way of kings on your s tier I also preffer it much more than lord of the rings!
Awesome, glad it helped!
Fantastic list. I can't poke a singular hole in your logic or taste. You hit the nail on the head with these rankings. Bravo. You gained a subscriber and a loyal one at that. There are a few series on here I haven't read that you ranked very high, so I am incredibly excited to read them. Thanks for the recommendations.
That's so nice of you, thank you so much! You are too kind.
For me, this was mostly helpful in seeing where you have gaps in your reading, since you are not just covering your top hundred, or bottom whatever. Notable absences include Robert E Howard (Conan, Kane, Krull); Michael Moorcock; any Forgotten Realms or Dragonlance; Raymond Feist; David Gemmell; Charles DeLint Newford books; Steven Brust’s Vlad Taltos books; Donaldson’s Thomas Covenant books; The Book of the New Sun; the Dark Tower; Jenny Wurts; Lois McMaster Bujold; LeGuin’s Earthsea books; Dune; Jacqueline Carey’s Terre D’Ange books; SM Stirling (especially the Nantucket and Emberverse books); China Mieville’s Bas-Lag books. And that’s just the beginning of some slightly long in the tooth fantasy/sf that I think is either great or worth trying. (Not mentioning the books I thought were terrible, nor older children’s fantasy like Alice).
It’s hard for me to comment on the nostalgia effect of LotR, but I still think you are wrong. I’ve reread other books that I loved as a kid and found them severely wanting - mostly the re-read confirmed for me what an idiot I was. I’ve reread LotR several times (but not in the last 20 years). Each time, I’ve found new levels within it and been even more impressed with how well it holds up. Not saying that you should like it, but I think you are not universally correct about why others hold it in such high esteem.
Several of those books in your first paragraph are in my TBR for 2023, so I'm getting around to it!
Yeah I don't think my reason for LOTR love is a universally true claim, but I will hold to the fact that for many that is it. Like if someone tried to talk bad about Redwall I would absolutely lose my shit for example.
@@MattsFantasyBookReviews And yet for some reason Redwall didn’t make your list. I kind of liked the first three Redwall books and then simply lost enthusiasm, so maybe you should start losing your shit. Nothing made me want to go on.
The Book of the New Sun is the GOAT in both fantasy and sf. Must read for any fan of those genres who also enjoys "serious" literature (esp. Chaucer
and similar long dead Englishmen). I was blown away by it in my teenage years and enjoyed it even more when I reread it lately (early 30s).
Matt, it's crazy how similar our tastes are, apart from a few outliers naturally. Have you ever read The Book of the New Sun? It's right up there with Malazan for me (although for different reasons)
No but I will be reading it in 2023!
Wow, you've read A LOT. Loved the tier list!
19:14 "I can't really say anything about it though without ruining what it's all about" THANK YOU. I have seen so many 'spoiler-free' reviews/discussions of books that explain way too much about the plot to the extent that they either A) spoil preceding books B) spoil the book being discussed or C) both.
Very interesting!👍👍👍
At least something good today. I've been told left, right and center that I am doing everything wrong today and a person bored me to bloody tears with annoying very private life details until I had enough. Thanks goodness for this video to think about something else for half an hour. 📚
Oh no! So sorry about all that - I hope the rest of your day levels out!
Age of Madness is so good. I'm about to start the final book Wisdom of Crowds. Hope it sticks the landing because the first two books were amazing.
It really, really does stick the landing (for me at least).
it did 20 backflip and landed that MF. seriously good. it will hurt though be ready.
Name of the wind in B is crazy. I loved that book
Yeah when I redo this I'll put it in the A or S. I re-read the second book recently and absolutely LOVED it.
I have fallen in love with progression fantasy like cradle, Arcane Ascension, Stormweaver, and a lot of David Ashura books. Based on this vid gonna try some John Gwynne books.
If you are looking for an amazing profession fantasy with some video game elements, go with "The Wandering Inn". I cannot recommend it enough!
Hi Matt, I noticed that Dune wasn't on this list, and was wondering if you had given it a shot? It might get you into Sci-Fi! Great video!
I actually have but for some reason forgot to put it on my list. I liked it, probably a 4/5. Only read the first book.
I think you should read some of the popular series from the 80s and 90s. Would love to hear your thoughts on Terry Brooks and Raymond Feist to name a few. Then maybe one day you could do a top 10 series by decade or something. ...
Yeah eventually I will get to them! I actually did a video last year where I went over the best book for every year since 1990, I'll probably do something similar when I read more and start at 1980.
😂 love how Malazan is just top. No debate, it’ll never change😂. I’m exactly the same, nothing touches it and never will
Read this carefully: THANK YOU SO MUCH! I am mexican and I am starting to read formally fantasy in english, and you have become my spiritual guide. Don't die soon, I will need you active for some years to come.
I will hold on just for your sake! :)
Great list! Even if Goblin Emperor in D is killing me just a little, lol.
SORRY! Just not my kind of book apparently.
Have you read the Sun Eater series by Christopher Ruocchio? I know you're not huge into Sci-Fi but it leans very heavily into Sci-Fantasy with heavy influences from Name of the Wind and Dune. Its probably my all time favourite sci-fi series of all time, each book is better than the last.
I actually will be reading that book this month!
I love that you hate broken earth as much as i did
A good video (my first from you). I do wish you good luck with your channel. I won’t be watching because our tastes are polar opposite - to put Foundation, Dresden and Tad Williams at the bottom but have a hack like Martin (asoiaf is just a stolen work from Tad Williams) on top just means we have different taste - that’s not good or bad, it just is. Cheers and good luck.
Thanks Scott!
Not a bad analysis… agree with some, disagree with others (and some I haven’t read yet). BUT you can improve this ranking significantly by reversing the positions of Memory, Sorrow and Thorn and Malazan BotF. No charge for the Tier Repair 😉
LOL, thanks for the free advice!
I’m sure you’ve heard this before, but you’ve got to check out The Sun Eater Series by Christopher Ruocchio - top notch writing
Yup, it's on my 2023 reading list - should be later in the year.
Can u do this weekly? Lol I enjoy your videos.
LOL
Fitz and fool in S . Well you got a new Sub
The Green Bone saga was so fantastic
The two first books were some of the best I have ever read. 100% absolutly loved them, and recommended them to everyone. I have never in my life looked forward to a book like I looked forward to Jade Legacy.
Imagine my disappointment when I absolutly hated it. It was a terrible book, and a terrible ending to the saga. I can't for the life of me understand why people love that book. 🤷♂️
41 Discworld books, broken into series: City watch A. Witches B. Death B. Post office B. Wee Free Men C. Rincewind D.
Yeah I can't disagree too much, but I would switch Witches and Post.
Woa, I share a lot of common taste with you, well at least for the S tiers. All of them S are soooo good and I can't have enough of it. 1 more thing though I'm planning to get into the Shadow and Bone, have you read it and if yes how would you rate it here ? Thank you man!
Never read it, but looks interesting!
@@MattsFantasyBookReviews Thank you, I will try it out eventually
I agree with most of your ‘S’ rankings but Tad Williams would have been up there for me too. I gasped when you put him in the ‘D’ ranking. I am in my 50s though so maybe that is why I like him so much. Lol
Yeah, at least personally speaking Dragonbone Chair is a tough read if you have read a lot of modern fantasy first.
I've read probably half of these books and can agree on most of your placements except for the Kings of the Wyld series which would still be in the S tier.
Yeah I just didn't love the 2nd book nearly as much as the first. But that first book is a top, top, top tier "S" for me.
came to see where abercrombie would sit and see what was ahead of it to put on my pile to read. started well and then he said "do I like ASOIAF more than first law, yes" that hurt... a lot.
Good list nonetheless. There was nothing I haven't put on my list but I might move some stuff around. IMO WoT at bottom of A is bonkers.
LOL! I do have Age of Madness higher than ASOIAF at least!
Where would you have WoT?
@@MattsFantasyBookReviews Honestly that is my biggest dilemma. I think abercrombie edges out WoT but just barely. I think Abercrombie character are better but the world of WoT is so good it almost makes up for it. Both are highest S tier for me.
Now, do not make me rank first law vs age of madness.
‘For some reason I like darker stuff’ - I feel you wholeheartedly.
Maybe it says something about us! lol
I think I could make a strong case that the Little Hatred Abercrombie series isn't really fantasy. Other than a couple of rare scenes it's just a great mideival action drama series
Yeah, but the fact that it's a totally made up world kind of makes it fantasy by default.
And the whole Bayaz thing.
I knew where Poppy War would go 🤣 No bell curve for you!
LOL
I was nodding to most of your rankings more or less. Except Empire of the Vampire, where I loudly gasped. :D That's top of A tier for me with potential to become S if the quality doesn't go down.
LOL. I did give it a 5/5 score, I just can't justify giving the SERIES a super high rating with only one book out. Check out the version I did of this where I ranked specific books, and I gave it an S.
ruclips.net/video/8r5UAMUkSoQ/видео.html
"I liked Empire of the Vampire. A lot. I'm gonna put it in C" 😂
LOL. Yeah I just can't really justify putting a series too high when there's only one book out so far. When I did ratings for individual books it was way higher.
@@MattsFantasyBookReviews yeah I know. Enjoyed the video btw.
I highly recommend the Black tongued Thief
This guy likes and appreciates Abercrombie & Malazan?
Liked
Subscribed
LOL - thanks!
I remember the OG video Matt don’t worry 😂
Yeah you might be the only one! lol
Thank you for allowing me to continue tuning in to your channel by ranking Malazan appropriately. 😈
I'm glad I passed the test!
Are you planning to compare this list to the previous one to see if any series moved to a different tier?
No, but that's a good idea. I'll chew on it!
Man lol I am so conflicted on when to start the Malazan series if it is as good as you say it is. I know I will be depressed once I finish it
It's okay, the series is so huge and complex that re-reads are even more rewarding than the first read!
I just discovered your channel from a thread on reddit and we pretty much have the same taste, the only major thing i disagree with is Robin Hobb Farseer trilogy, i don't think i've ever cheered for the bad guy as i did with these books, FItz and the good guys are literally the dumbest people i've ever read in fantasy haha
And how dare you put Selin Ascends on D haha but yeaa new to your channel,and loving it so far !
LOL. Yeah I did enjoy Senlin Ascends, but the more the books went along the more I realized I wanted more Senlin and more fun adventure stories climbing up the tower. And the less I got of that as I went along.
I like that if you don’t like smthng you put it to D.
It's how I roll!
Wish I could get into litrpg, but I've tried cradle twice, but it's just not for me. I am going to try book one of the wandering inn at some point this year as I got it for like 3 bucks
Cradle and Wandering Inn are very different, it's very conceivable that someone could not like one, but love the other. I hope that applies to you!
cool
Well, I've been an avid fantasy reader since 43 years and I have to say: I absolutely loved "Empire of the Vampire" and think it should be ranked higher. Or it shouldn't be included at all as a single.
Yeah if I didn't include some singles I would have had people saying "what about (x)" so I decided to include them. I'm really looking forward to book 2 later this year!
Dang, how can we agree on so much yet also disagree on so much! I had to stop reading Realm of the Elderlings after book 3 and can't get into it. I cannot stand Malazan and was only able to make it half way into book 2 before being completely bored. Those two would be D Tiers for me but most of the other stuff you listed is pretty spot on for me. I do love Gentleman Bastards slightly above the Bloody Nine; I know... string me up. You should include the Legend of Drizzt in there somewhere next time.
Honestly the first Realm of the Elderlings Trilogy is one of the weakest. The second trilogy is 10x better, and has a totally different tone as it's 3rd person instead of 1st. You might want to give it a shot.
Malazan definitely is not for everyone, I think people either love it or hate it.
As far as Drizzt, I haven't read it yet! But it's on my TBR.
@@MattsFantasyBookReviews You earned a sub from me for how you responded to my criticism of your favorite series.
The dark Elf Trilogy are some of the best fantasy books ever written IMHO. Many people consider it cheese and Bob's writing isn't on par with some of the best but everything else makes up for it. Reading Drizzt stuff is like watching one of your favorite Disney classics.
@@BaxxDoctor Thanks so much! And yeah I'm really looking forward to Drizzt. I'm planning on starting with Homeland.
@@MattsFantasyBookReviews I cant wait to see what you think!
I'm looking for a rope. Love Locke and Jean to bits but you have to be realistic about these things. both great series, cheers
I knew I found the right review as soon as you reached "The Fifth Season" Great S selection!
Thanks so much!
Do you do book reviews?
That's mostly what I do.
Wow, from all this sub/series, Ive read only LotR, Ice&Fire and the first Black company book.
Too read Asimovs foundation and robot and watchd the Expanse series, but those are scify.
And Ive read, or sometimes watched the movie, of other 81 fantasy books, if I didnt counted bad.
The fantasy sea is so big we can catch very diferent phishes.
Yeah it really is an enormous genre! What are your favorite fantasy series?
@@MattsFantasyBookReviewsHehehe bad counted, actually 87.
Ok, series, not mentioning single books:
-The 7 Witcher books, I loved them.
-4 books of Tramorea saga totally blew my mind. Problems: Is only in spanish. and is a total hybrid of fantasy and scify, and you dont like scify. Seriously, starts as a Tolkien clone based in greek culture, and ends becoming Ilion of Dan Simmons.
-The World Mythology series.
Ive read 9 of 15. About the myths and tales of diferent cultures. Great way to know the cultures in see how they imagine things.
Hehehe, some things are really weird.
-The 7 Harry Potter books are entertaining for a teen, but now that exist the movies, why recommend them?
-The Earthsea series, the first 3 were highly interesting and diferent in their daoist and leftist inspiration. The last 2 were lame.
Problem, if you need action, you wont like those, are more filosofical.
-I find the Tolkien trilogy (Silmarillion+hobbit+LotR) deserving certain love, at least for see how they serve as inspiration for many others who arrived later.
Well, I read them as teen, so I dont know how would be for an adult.
So, I fear none of this will serve you, the only who fits ur taste are the Witcher, and you already marked them in ur list.
Will u do another list, but as single book novels?
@@adamnesico Yeah I actually did that video already where I ranked every single fantasy book I've read!
While I’m not sure our book taste is anything alike (broken earth and the locked tomb are two of my favourites) I always enjoy hearing your spicy and original opinions
Thanks Shannon!
Really unsure if there should be incomplete series or, especially with series that are just one book deep, should have been considered. I don’t know, maybe it’s just me but it makes your list look a bit off balance and inconsistent. Makes it kinda difficult to gauge your taste. ❤
Really hope I didn’t come off as a jerk and this was seen as constructive criticism.
Yeah I hear you - and no you don't come off as a jerk at all! It's hard because I feel like if I didn't include them I would have had 1000 people saying "yeah but what about (x)?!?!?!"
Where would you Rank The Dark Tower by Stephen King?
D tier.
@@MattsFantasyBookReviews Ok, it's one of my personal favorites, but everyone has their Opinions. It's definitely a tonally inconsistent series and has lots of issues, but I do think it has some incredible characters and books
Very Good but i think John Gwynn Bloodsworn is an S, Brian Lee Durfy, Martin A;)
If Bloodsworn has another great book it will DEFINITELY be in the "S" for me.
Strong Disagree:
1) Mistborn Era 2. This is an "A" for me. I enjoyed it at least as much as the first Mistborn trilogy.
2) Dresden Files. I don't love all the books, but there are enough really good ones to absolutely put this into the "A" category.
3) Foundation. At least a "B".
4) Lord Of the Rings. "S" Tier. Why is it "S" tier? I have read and thoroughly enjoyed it at least a half dozen times. Anything that can still enchant me after that many readings has to be "S" Tier.
Strong Agree:
1) The Book of the Ancestor. It was OK. I finished the first book, but I just didn't have the interest to finish the second.
2) Discworld. There are a lot of "A"s in this series. The issue is that some of the arcs just didn't land with me.
3) Stormlight Archive, for Obvious reasons.
For the rest, I either
a) Haven't read
b) Am within a grade of your opinion or don't care enough to write about it, or
c) I stopped reading for personal reasons, often do to the overly graphicness of the material.
I read the Stephen Erickson book _Gardens of the Moon_ and was not impressed. I purchased it on a recommendation along with some R. Scott Bakker books. I really loved the R. Scott Bakker novels as he really tried to balance his world with reasonable absurdity while dignifying it with his best attempt at high quality writing. It's pretty grim, and certainly has an aspect in it that reminded me significantly of Herbert's _Dune_ but overall, save the very last novel, which was unfortunately rushed, the series was incredibly immersive and imaginative, written with flare, proving the labor of love that it was. Bakker didn't just want to retell his D&D stories, he wanted to explore his actual writing and technique. Erickson's first book failed to draw me in, however. It just didn't do it for me. The writing was very bland and the characters even more so save some dude that flew around in a city in the sky...interesting, but just a small side character. Please, anyone, tell me what it is about these books that are so good. I understand he is novelizing his RPG games, but I'm not interested in slogging through multiple books before I start to hit gold. I do have the second book, but I also got David Gemmel's first novel _Legend_ and I heard great things about the late author's novels.
_Mistborn_ was a DNF along with _Shadows of what was Lost_ . Those books were not for me at all. Bland writing, that failed to immerse me in the setting, unlike, say, Patrick Rothfuss does in _The Name of the Wind_.
And as an aside, the Tad Williams _Memory, Sorrow, & Thorn_ I really enjoyed. Matt, consider revisiting these.
I'm going to for sure be reading Bakkers books later this year, I really can't wait!
@@MattsFantasyBookReviews He has some phenomenal ideas in them but towards the end he starts to rush things. I heard rumors as to why this is the case. I tried to contact him and beg him to continue with the series. They're fantastic if you can ignore some of the warts and certainly the loose draft that stands as the last book.
It seems Malazan gets stronger over time where Bakker's started to crumble. Should I give Erickson another shot?
I'm with you on Gardens of the Moon. I couldn't get into it at all, and in the end, I still wasn't sure who was who.
robin hobb was great, but i just can not finish her second book. I feel so bad.
Honestly skip to the next series (Liveship Traders) to see if that can get you back in the vibe. It's a much better trilogy, and you won't miss much by starting there and then going back if you liked it.
Wow, is Jade City really that good? I tried getting into it like 4 times and couldn't finish it😂. I'll give it another try.
Yeah it's a MUST read. But it's not for everyone.
Matt can you please try this book it really gives you different perspective of world - Reverend Insanity
It is by Gu Zhen Re?
Yes by gu Zhen ren
It is really great book but some people can't handle some things in it if u ignore those its really great
Dude you started off hot but when you brought up LOTR and Memory sorrow and Thorn I cringed so hard. It’s like someone telling me that Zeppelin II was lame and they prefer hoobastank.
Edit: I honestly love your channel dude, added some of your recs to my reading list.
Okay you gave me a legitimate LOL with your hobbastank/zeppelin reference.
I just read these series way too late in life I think.
Hey man, we like what we like and I love that you’re honest about it! I think you have great taste.
Hey man I don't know if it's bunk or not but yesterday on the comment section there's something it says that if I message you I win a prize is that even you or is it a fake account I don't know how I'm supposed to message to get the prize if it's not bumk
Fake account, sorry. But I will gift you happiness for the day, so don't say I never gave you anything! 👍🏼
@@MattsFantasyBookReviews yeah I figured it was thank you for the happiness that's the best I could get
Where is The Dandelion Dynasty Series by Ken Liu?
I hadn't read it yet. Next year it will be at least top 3.
I really need to read John Gwynne. Lol 😂
Mistborn over Lord of the Rings has me rolling over in a grave I'm not even in yet haha.
LOL. Yeah I have a video where I talk in more detail about this. Check out the beginning of this video: ruclips.net/video/rz2Pm66LsLM/видео.html
@@MattsFantasyBookReviews Haha no worries, man! All subjective. I am def a Sanderson fan - especially SA and his WoT work. I liked Mistborn, and I credit it with getting me and many others into Fantasy reading! But Tolkien is SEMINAL to me. He's night and day different from something like Mistborn. Malazan ahead of Tolkien I get, though!
I thought the LOTR books were so dry and boring.
I agree with nearly all of these, but the ones I disagree with I REALLY disagree with! 😂
Mission accomplished!
Which are those !
@@93siguy I like The Dresden Files, but the big one is Mistborn above Lord of The Rings. I have no words.
But everyone has different tastes!
Malazan as #1 -100%!
Love having Malazan fans here!
LETSSSSS GOOOOOOOO YESSSSSS
WOOOOOOO
My heart hurts from your Dragonbone Chair ranking 😭 lol. I think based on that, and how highly you rated Mother of Learning and Brando Sando, despite acknowledging they're both badly written, that you won't like Sword of Kaigen btw. It's got basically no plot and is pretty much entirely about the characters.
I will say that I really did love Realm of the Elderlings, which is also prose/characters > plot - so who knows!
"I swear I like books" lmfao 🤣