Fantasy Buddy Reads discussion

Interesting topic that came up in one of the group reads. Middle books definitely get a knock as being inferior and just a bridge to the first and last especially in trilogies.

Two things you can name here. One where middle books shined as bright or brighter than the other books. Or you can go the other direction and point out a particularly crappy middle book.

Where the middle book was the best:

The Crimson Campaign Powder Mage Trilogy. Only book in the series where I gave it a 5*.

The Providence of Fire Unhewn Throne Trilogy. Book one was 3.5*, book two 4.5* and book three 4.25*

A Gathering of Shadows Shades of Magic. I really liked the conclusion as well but this was the best book of the series for me.

The Rose Society easily the best book in the series.

Books where the middle book was as good as the rest of the series:


Firefight Reckoners.

A Betrayal in Winter An Autumn War The Long Price Quartet all four books were amazing and book 3 a middle book by definition may have been the best.

The Two Towers All three books great.

Golden Son book one was the weak one in this series.

Rise of Empire while book 3 was the best of the series this was on par with book one.

The Well of Ascension All three books were on par.

Last Argument of Kings I liked book one the best but two and three were still terrific.

Series where the middle book was subpar to awful:

Royal Assassin almost made me quit the series.

Blood of Innocents again almost made me quit the series.

In progress series for me where book 2 was as good as book 1.

Bane and Shadow Empire of Storms is just a great series.

The Obelisk Gate This read like part two of book one. I know a lot of people disagree with me on this one but because I had the second person present tense worked out it was even more enjoyable.

I loved Golden Son, An Autumn War, the Great Hunt and Deadhouse Gates

Margret wrote: "I loved Golden Son, An Autumn War, the Great Hunt and Deadhouse Gates"

I didn't go in for the longer series such as the last two. Technically the middle books for Malazan were HoC, MT and TBH. The second two were great but HoC was tied for my least favorite. The middle books for WoT where the worst of the series. Valan Luca sucks!

Middle book was the best

The Broken Eye (Lightbringer #3). First three books were amazing. Book 4 The Blood Mirror let the previous 3 books down by being subpar. Hopefully the final book will end the series well.

ASOIAF isn't really over yet, but I think that, of all that have come out so far, A Storm of Swords is the best. It's focused enough, with lots of action and intense moments. The previous books are good, but in a smaller scale, and the latter two are a little overcomplicated with political intrigue.

Going purely off of trilogies, my best and worst examples are--

Best:
Before They Are Hanged, the middle book in the First Law Trilogy, was the best book in a great series. Awesome.

Worst:
City of Blades, the middle book in the Divine Cities Trilogy, was a very mediocre book that happened to be book-ended (pun kinda intended) by two absolutely ah-MAZE-ing books in City of Stairs and City of Miracles. I know I've read worse middle books than City of Blades, but it stands out because books 1 & 3 are among my all-time favorites, while book 2 is a resounding 'meh.' Had it been on-par with the other two books, then Divine Cities would probably be a top 3 series for me.

I found City of Stairs and Blades to be pretty even but then Miracles was a major step up.

I'm outing myself with an unpopular opinion here, but I think the Two Towers of the Lord of the Rings trilogy is the best of the whole bunch.

Pendra wrote: "I'm outing myself with an unpopular opinion here, but I think the Two Towers of the Lord of the Rings trilogy is the best of the whole bunch."

I love it but unfortunately I've also read it a half dozen times, seen the movies countless including the old 70's cartoon version.

Scott wrote: "Pendra wrote: "I'm outing myself with an unpopular opinion here, but I think the Two Towers of the Lord of the Rings trilogy is the best of the whole bunch."

I love it but unfortunately I've also ..."

I think it's also the strongest one of the three movies because of the Battle of Helm's Deep. ;)

Pendra wrote: "I think it's also the strongest one of the three movies because of the Battle of Helm's Deep. ;) ."

I would agree.

Pendra wrote: "I'm outing myself with an unpopular opinion here, but I think the Two Towers of the Lord of the Rings trilogy is the best of the whole bunch."

I agree that it's the best movie, but I think the first one is still my favourite for the books.

Cursor's Fury was my favorite book in the Codex Alera series, and it's book 3 of 6. I liked it because that's when the worldbuilding and backstories really came together and the stage was set for the coming apocalypse. Other people have liked the later books better for being more badass, but STRATEGIC USE OF LIMITED MAGIC KNIGHTS is totally my kind of thing.

Pendra wrote: "I'm outing myself with an unpopular opinion here, but I think the Two Towers of the Lord of the Rings trilogy is the best of the whole bunch."

I agree as well. I thought both book 1 and 3 had parts that couldn’t keep my interest and could have been skipped. Book 2 didn’t have this problem