NPRs top 100 scifi and fantasy books.
Books
Book reader community.
I cannot for the life of me get that image to load at a readable resolution. Imgur how far you have fallen...
Should get out of that habit.. Hopefully this is better.
https://pixelfed.social/p/thelastknowngod/624885702810365387
The Eragon series? It's not that heavy fantasy, but the world is pretty nicely built IMO.
Also, on the wizardy side, I can recommend the Bartimaeus books, too, if you liked Discworld. Again, nothing super serious, but they are fun reads. (Best to read from physical books, they are heavy on footnotes and I found it reading on e-readers kinda awkward)
I'd recommend David Eddungs' Belgariad. Got me into fantasy genre. Then there's Robin Hobb, Trudi Canavan, Raymond, E Feist (brilliant), Jonathan Stroud's Bartimaeus Trilogy. So many good things out there. If you enjoyed Discworld you'll enjoy these too even though they're not comical like Pratchett novels are.
There is a book anthology called Rogues, complied by Phyllis Eisenstein. It is a compilation of short stories from various writers across many disciplines. While there is a lot of different stories, they all come back to a character who is deceitful in character you can't help but root for them a bit.
Mistborn is great, less dragons and more alchemical science. Begins with a satisfying tale of overthrowing the government, and then tackles some of the “okay… now what” with tons more interesting stuff along the way
I've read it an it's not my cup of tea. The worldbuilding and premise were solid, but the characters fell flat and so did the plot by end of the book. I finished it and felt relieved it was finally over. I think I might try other authors before reading Sanderson again, that's why I've listed him as a please don't recommend.
Sorry m8 didn’t expand the read more to see that. Good luck
One for the Morning Glory by John Barnes
The King of Elfland's daughter, by Lord Dunsany
The Dragonbone chair it has the politics and war but the world also has quite a few different types of races that are not your typical Human/elf/dwarf.
I am enjoying the first book and it is series.
I came to recommend this. I love that series and never see anyone talking about it.
Tad Williams is the author.
Check out dungeon crawler Karl and he who fights with monsters! Can also find them in audio book format 👌
Dungeon Crawler Carl was great, I'm waiting for the next book. Lol. Haven't read He Who Fights, why is it good?
Have you considered Kate Elliott novels? Jaran was amazing if you like sci-fi/fantasy crossover, or King's Dragon if you like pure fantasy. If you prefer easier reading check out the Dragonriders of Pern series.
You say fantasy, but while technically sci fi, I'd like to suggest the galactic milieu series by Julian May. It starts out sci fi and I guess constantly has sci fi elements but leans pretty heavily into bridging the gap to fantasy (elves, dwarves, shapeshifting monsters, magic etc)
Irene Radford The Dragon Nimbus series. I read it ages ago and have fond memories.
You should get on goodreads and look up books you loved to see what else is recommended from people who also read that book. I find great ones that way!
Otherwise I absolutely could not put “Forth Wing” down by Rebecca Yarros! The second book (five are expected) comes out in a week or two. A friend recommended it and it was so good I fell into a slump afterwards trying to find something as exciting.
you started way too high the quality list imo
Assassin's Apprentice trilogy by Robin Hobbs
It's very polarizing, as in some people love it and some people absolutely hate it, but Stephen Donaldson's "Thomas Covenant" books are among my favorite. Not so keen on the later volumes, but the first two trilogies are amazing.
I know he said specifically no heavy politics, but Thomas covenant is pretty heavy and dark. The tale is good, it can be hard reading in parts though given the protagonist. If you like the exploration of the antihero, the gap series by Stephen Donaldson is pretty solid too.