Recs?

[lirazel]

I've been reading nonfiction and kids' books lately, so it's time for something different.


What adult fantasy should I read? I'm wanting something second world and fairly serious in tone (I'm not in a fluffy, lighthearted mood) with good characterization and worldbuilding. Hit me with your favorites, please!

Comments

[rekishi]

Boo, they should at least have the digital versions at the libraries. Malazan is very good, but god it's long. If you ever give it a try, read Memories of Ice first, I think that's a better introduction than Gardens of the Moon (you can start with any of the first five books, they then start coming together).

Ah yes, Grimwood. But it might be too scifi than what you're looking for. I found it interesting, but I think I read it 15 years ago.

Have you read the Daevabad trilogy? That's also good (it has pacing issues in the third book but super interesting worldbuilding).

[lirazel]

I read the first Daevabad book and it didn't work for me. I did think the worldbuilding was interesting, but I wasn't impressed by the characters.

[chestnut_pod]

I totally understand if you don't feel like giving it a second chance, but I too felt very 'eh' about the first book, read the second book anyway, and was all THIS! THIS IS GREAT! So if you ever feel the urge for second chances, I thought book two was awesome. Much more detailed worldbuilding, more compelling character arcs, and just a general level-up in terms of the mechanics -- often the case with second novels, I find!

[lirazel]

Okay, that is good to know! Because I liked the ~atmosphere~ of the book but felt nothing for it beyond that. Have you read the third one too and does it end satisfactorily?

[lirazel]

Also: the Malazan books don't have to be read in order? I had no idea!

[rekishi]

Re: Daevabad, ah that's too bad but yeah, it's maybe not for everyone.

Re: Malazan, they do.....sorta. So the first five can be read in any order you like (Gardens of the Moon and Memories of Ice have some very minor continuity, but nothing you wouldn't understand), because they introduce different characters and narrative strands that are then started to be woven together starting in The Bonehunters. The groundwork laid before that were it interlinks becomes apparent only later, so even if you don't catch some of the references it doesn't really matter hugely.

I read them all in publication order, because I read them as they were released, but the topic with Gardens of the Moon specifically is that it was written about a decade before publication and also a decade before the others (it was initially an RPG campaign), and while it was edited before publication, the tone and overall vibe is ever so slightly different and I actually like the later books more. If you want to keep that in mind I'd say totally go for correct order! I have friends who also read this in order and were happy with it, but imo Memories of Ice is a good start as well (Deadhouse Gates is an option and a terrific book but for story reasons might leave the wrong impression).

But if you can easily get Gardens of the Moon, go for it!

[lirazel]

Thanks! That's so helpful!