Fantasy Book Club discussion

Hi,
I am looking forward to start another fantasy series. I would like some recommendations in this regard. I recently read Mistborn series and I found it fantastic. So, the next series that I read should be at least as good as Mistborn. Right now, I have 3 series in mind, The Stormlight Archives, Wheel of Time and Dark Tower. Which one of these should I read? You can also suggest another series that is not mentioned above.

Have you read Riyria Revelations? I haven't read the whole series, but what I have read is fantastic and many here would agree.

Brent Week's Lightbringer series also might be something you are interested in and the fourth one is coming out this fall. Fun magic system that reminded me a bit of Sanderson's Warbreaker (not sure which was written first). Warbreaker is also very good if you want a stand-alone (with a sequel planned).

I've only read the first of the Dark Tower series and while the series overall is highly praised, the first one is quite slow so it depends on what you are looking for.

Stormlight Archives is good - would recommend that series - just be aware that it's nowhere close to finished (at least as far as I know).

Personally, I didn't like Wheel of Time (the first book). I understand the series changes and develops, but it felt like way too much of a Tolkien knock-off to me. It was inspired by LotR, but it was too much of a copy-cat for my liking. Plus I didn't like a single one of the characters. Again, there are lots of people out there who love this series, but personally (and I know I am very much in the minority), I wouldn't recommend it.

Farseer Trilogy by Robin Hobb
First Law by Joe Abercrombie
Shattered Seas by Joe Abercrombie
Malazan by Steven Erickson
Gentleman Bastard by Scott Lynch
Dresden Files by Jim Butcher
Reckoners by Brandon Sanderson
Chronicles of Unhewn Throne by Brian Staveley
Powder Mage Trilogy by Brian McClellan
Shadow Campaigns by Django Wexler
A Song of Ice and Fire by George R R Martin

Of the ones previously mentioned.

Stormlight Archives I like more than Mistborn.

Wheel of time is terrific and it's 15 books including the prequel which is good and bad depending on your view. The first 3 books are outstanding. Then next 8 are great however there are some story lines that didn't need to be in there. Then the last three books are off the charts outstanding.

Riyiria is excellent and there's two trilogies and a 5-6 book prequel series.

First Law if you like dark humor is outstanding.

I didn't make it past the Black Prism in the Lightbringer series.

The first book in the Farseer trilogy was excellent however the second bored me to tears so I haven't read the third.

Game of Thrones is excellent but be prepared for learning a ton of characters many who go by the many names.

Malazan I'm only on the first book and love it however you need Malazan- Wiki to help with the depth of what's going on.

Dresden is Urban fantasy set as a modern day detective who happens to be a wizard. Very humorous.

Gentleman Bastards I've only read the first but it was terrific and I will finish the series. The comparisons some people make to Ocean's Eleven sell this series way short.

If you don't like dark I'd go with Riyria or Stormlight. If you like dark and also love epic and don't mind a challenge I'd go with Game of Thrones or Malazan. If you like dark but easier with a dark humor read with First Law or Gentleman Bastards. If you want epic but simple Wheel of time. Modern fun Dresden.

Ryria is very good.

Farseer is very slow but Hobb's writing is flawless. Read it if you don't mind the slow pace.

First Law and Dresden are one of my absolute favorite. I feel first law is way better than Mistborn in terms of plot and character development. Dresden, as Scott said, is an Urban Fantasy. It is a huge series (15 books so far). If you manage to go past first couple of books (which are not so goo), you're in for one hell of a ride. These are short but full of action books.

Shattered seas is YA series by Abercrombie. Low on romance but high on action.

I have read first two Malazan books and I have accepted that its not for me. But series has a huge fan base. Do try it if you don't mind tomes and tones of characters.

GB sure is fun. I have read all the three books. Read it if you don't mind waiting for new book release in series. Lynch gives a serious competition to Martin and Rothfuss when it comes to releasing new books in GB series.

Reckoners is a YA series. A unique magic system, tons of action and fast pace.

I have read only first book in Unhewn trilogy and it was good. Will finish this series soon.

ASOIAF is just one of the best fantasy ever written. A must read for every fantasy fan.

You can also try Broken Kingdom by Mark Lawrence.

Oh yeah! I forgot to add the Gentleman Bastard sequence. One of my favourite series :)

Manju wrote: " I feel first law is way better than Mistborn in terms of plot and character development."

I agree. I like Mistborn but it's middle of the road when listing all the series in this thread. First Law and Gentlemen Bastards to me are just fun dark books. The humor takes the edge off the darkness and there's a lot less characters to follow and the plot easier to digest compared to Game of Thrones or Malazan.

Broken Kingdom is really dark.

Thank u all for so many recommendations.
After reading all the replies, following books come out on top as most recommended.

Stormlight Archive
Ryria Revealations
First Law
and obviously ASOIAF

I will pick something from first 3 for now.
As for ASOIAF, I m following the TV series and also read the 5th book(though I didnt understand much bcoz I didnt read earlier books). I will read earlier books between breaks from other books. I definitely plan to finish them before Martin releases next book(hopefully that will be in this century).

And what about The Name of the Wind? I have read around 20% of it. I didnt like it much bcoz Kvothe was narrating his past all the time. Events were not happening in present. So, does it get better later or does it remains the same?

Just to be clear I should start with Riyria Revelations not Riyria Chronicles, right?

I DNF name of the wind, a rare feat for me. Usually I finish books no matter how bad they are but NotW was a total disappointment for me.

Theft of Swords, its first book in Ryria.

Finally I have decided to read Riyria Revealtions.

Palash wrote: "Finally I have decided to read Riyria Revealtions."

Happy reading! Make sure to report back :)

Celine wrote: "Palash wrote: "Finally I have decided to read Riyria Revealtions."

Happy reading! Make sure to report back :)"

Yeah. Sure :)

I have finished the first two books of Riyria Revealations, The Crow Conspiracy and Avempartha. First one was good except its ending felt a bit rushed to me. But the second one was awesome. The story has started building up finally.I hope the it gets better with every book.

Wheel of time is my favourite series of all time it's very complex and has great world building. Also I recommend The prince of thorns by Mark Lawrence and the following books the are bloodthirsty and grim but really enjoyable.

From all the book series mentioned above, the only one I dislike is The Dark Tower. I absolutely cannot stand it: the lack of an actual plot, the blank and unrealistic characters, the prose, the pace and most of all how distant from a fantasy it feels.
The Name of the Wind was a bit of a disappointment but I blame the hype culture for that. I've read the second book in the series and found it quite enjoyable.
Huge fan of Michael J. Sullivan's Ryria Revelations and Chronicles!

I would also recommend The Kingkiller Chronicles starting with The Name of the Wind. Just remember, it is a trilogy and it may be a long time before the final book comes out (it already has been a looooong time).