Fantasy: don’t like, but feel left out. Try again or give up?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Try something that is actually really well written and special, plot wise. I'd suggest Mysts of Avalon.

I liked Mists of Avalon but previously recommended Fourth Wing in this thread.

For Fourth Wing I warn my friends that it’s not for you if you wouldn’t want to read a book with dragons 🤣 But that I think it’s Harry Potter meets GoT meets Hunger Games - and I liked all of those books too.

I haven’t been able to get into ACOTAR yet but I’m going to force myself to read it this year.

One of the smartest people I know told me there’s something to be said about being the know about popular culture - and I don’t disagree. I think I had told him I was surprised to hear he was reading Harry Potter. I liked HP too.

[Anonymous]

Do not beat yourself up over COTAR, it’s not well written— story is fine for some and boring for others but the writing is not brilliant.

Some fantasy that I think is more worthwhile from a literary perspective:

City of Brass (trilogy, Arabian rather than European mythology so, djinn)
Voyages of Amina Al-Sirafi (40-something single mom swashbuckles)
Gideon the Ninth (Start of a series but it stands alone just fine, and is both highly original and flipping hilarious)
She Who Became the Sun (more military, set in a thirteenth century China where ghosts are real)
The Empress of Salt and Fortune (novella length so not a huge commitment, set in a fictional history where mammoths were militarily decisive…)

[Anonymous]

If the issue is FOMO / cultural awareness, you could try listening to podcast recaps of popular books. I've listened to Heaving Bosoms recap ACOTAR, Dragon Reread recap HP, and Wheel Takes recap Wheel of Time and Hunger Games.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks, all.

I was looking to see if I’d get replies such as “Fourth Wing/Court of Roses is SO good you really should read it because it’ll likely become a worldwide phenomenon with a movie and theme park like Harry Potter.”

I didn’t get those replies, so I’m good. Haha.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks, all.

I was looking to see if I’d get replies such as “Fourth Wing/Court of Roses is SO good you really should read it because it’ll likely become a worldwide phenomenon with a movie and theme park like Harry Potter.”

I didn’t get those replies, so I’m good. Haha.

I mean, ACOTAR could because it’s in development and its fanbase is huge. And yes, some of us here actually really enjoy it. It’s not popular on DCUM, but we exist. But you don’t have to read the books to watch a show. And you don’t have to watch a show just because it’s popular if you don’t like the genre.

[Anonymous]

I think people often suggest epic fantasy to new readers because the books are, well, epic. However, they are often very long and have complex world-building. I think books that have historical roots are a little easier to get into. My suggestions are below. The other option is urban fantasy, which is rooted in a recognizable, present day. That's not my cup of tea, but I can make some suggestions there if OP wants them.

Back to some fantasy with mildly historic roots.

1. Rebecca Ross
Her books are usually 350-450 pages and often have settings that are easy to understand. Some duologies, but plenty of standalones. Her "Divine Rivals" last year was hugely popular and is loosely based on WW1 England.

2. T. Kingfisher
Their fantasies are SHORT and there's a great sense of humor. Try Swordheart, Nettle and Bone, or Thorn Hedge (Sleeping Beauty retelling). Also, the main characters are often older, which is a nice change from the coming-of-age stories in fantasy.

3. Olivia Atwater
If you like regency-era books, they are fun. They are a like fairy tales for adults. Some great humor.

4. Heather Faucett
Her Emily Wilde books are great - about two university researchers doing field work on fairies and other mythological creatures. One, the heroine, is neurodivergent and pragmatic. The other, the hero, is party fairy and a bit of a goof. He is crazy for her. Slower pace. Books are written from Emily's point of view and there are really funny footnotes from her research.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks, all.

I was looking to see if I’d get replies such as “Fourth Wing/Court of Roses is SO good you really should read it because it’ll likely become a worldwide phenomenon with a movie and theme park like Harry Potter.”

I didn’t get those replies, so I’m good. Haha.

I mean, I think ACOTR and Fourth Wing are highly enjoyable books/series to read. I am a huge fan, but I didn’t like fantasy when I was younger so I get that it’s just not for some folks.

And There are so many good books why waste time if you don’t like it? I have never felt like when I pushed through a book I liked it more at the end - I wish I had those hours back when I read Colleen Hoover and Gabrielle Zevin.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Try something that is actually really well written and special, plot wise. I'd suggest Mysts of Avalon.

As a forewarning, the author of Mists of Avalon was a horrible person. I don’t mean she “just” had problematic views or characters or her writing is dated or whatever. She is accused of doing some of the most horrific things a person can do. She has now been condemned by multiple notable fantasy/sci fi authors.

So just be warned. Mists of Avalon was on my to-read list for ages, and then I stumbled across this information. I usually tend towards compartmentalizing the author from the work, but I could not in this instance.

Wow, I had no idea! I loved Mists of Avalon in high school.

I've read Mists several times and enjoyed it. There's some masterful character and world-building in it. But learning about MZB's daughter's accusations really changed how I view the book overall. There are certain scenes and passages that I read in a very different light now, after knowing what the author's been accused of.

I guess in some cases it's possible to separate the artist from their art, and in others, not so much.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think people often suggest epic fantasy to new readers because the books are, well, epic. However, they are often very long and have complex world-building. I think books that have historical roots are a little easier to get into. My suggestions are below. The other option is urban fantasy, which is rooted in a recognizable, present day. That's not my cup of tea, but I can make some suggestions there if OP wants them.

Back to some fantasy with mildly historic roots.

1. Rebecca Ross
Her books are usually 350-450 pages and often have settings that are easy to understand. Some duologies, but plenty of standalones. Her "Divine Rivals" last year was hugely popular and is loosely based on WW1 England.

2. T. Kingfisher
Their fantasies are SHORT and there's a great sense of humor. Try Swordheart, Nettle and Bone, or Thorn Hedge (Sleeping Beauty retelling). Also, the main characters are often older, which is a nice change from the coming-of-age stories in fantasy.

3. Olivia Atwater
If you like regency-era books, they are fun. They are a like fairy tales for adults. Some great humor.

4. Heather Faucett
Her Emily Wilde books are great - about two university researchers doing field work on fairies and other mythological creatures. One, the heroine, is neurodivergent and pragmatic. The other, the hero, is party fairy and a bit of a goof. He is crazy for her. Slower pace. Books are written from Emily's point of view and there are really funny footnotes from her research.

Thanks for these suggestions. Not OP, but I loved 2-4 (read the blurbs for the first and they didn't appeal). Anyone else who loved these have other similar suggestions? I like funny/light fantasy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think people often suggest epic fantasy to new readers because the books are, well, epic. However, they are often very long and have complex world-building. I think books that have historical roots are a little easier to get into. My suggestions are below. The other option is urban fantasy, which is rooted in a recognizable, present day. That's not my cup of tea, but I can make some suggestions there if OP wants them.

Back to some fantasy with mildly historic roots.

1. Rebecca Ross
Her books are usually 350-450 pages and often have settings that are easy to understand. Some duologies, but plenty of standalones. Her "Divine Rivals" last year was hugely popular and is loosely based on WW1 England.

2. T. Kingfisher
Their fantasies are SHORT and there's a great sense of humor. Try Swordheart, Nettle and Bone, or Thorn Hedge (Sleeping Beauty retelling). Also, the main characters are often older, which is a nice change from the coming-of-age stories in fantasy.

3. Olivia Atwater
If you like regency-era books, they are fun. They are a like fairy tales for adults. Some great humor.

4. Heather Faucett
Her Emily Wilde books are great - about two university researchers doing field work on fairies and other mythological creatures. One, the heroine, is neurodivergent and pragmatic. The other, the hero, is party fairy and a bit of a goof. He is crazy for her. Slower pace. Books are written from Emily's point of view and there are really funny footnotes from her research.

Thanks for these suggestions. Not OP, but I loved 2-4 (read the blurbs for the first and they didn't appeal). Anyone else who loved these have other similar suggestions? I like funny/light fantasy.

For fairy tale retellings, I love Robin McKinley. For funnier fantasy, Tanya Huff is great — Summon the Keeper is one favourite urban fantasy books ever. There’s some excellent children’s or YA books that are good quick reads too Wise Child is one, Every Heart a Doorway another. I also highly recommend the Sandman graphic novels.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think people often suggest epic fantasy to new readers because the books are, well, epic. However, they are often very long and have complex world-building. I think books that have historical roots are a little easier to get into. My suggestions are below. The other option is urban fantasy, which is rooted in a recognizable, present day. That's not my cup of tea, but I can make some suggestions there if OP wants them.

Back to some fantasy with mildly historic roots.

1. Rebecca Ross
Her books are usually 350-450 pages and often have settings that are easy to understand. Some duologies, but plenty of standalones. Her "Divine Rivals" last year was hugely popular and is loosely based on WW1 England.

2. T. Kingfisher
Their fantasies are SHORT and there's a great sense of humor. Try Swordheart, Nettle and Bone, or Thorn Hedge (Sleeping Beauty retelling). Also, the main characters are often older, which is a nice change from the coming-of-age stories in fantasy.

3. Olivia Atwater
If you like regency-era books, they are fun. They are a like fairy tales for adults. Some great humor.

4. Heather Faucett
Her Emily Wilde books are great - about two university researchers doing field work on fairies and other mythological creatures. One, the heroine, is neurodivergent and pragmatic. The other, the hero, is party fairy and a bit of a goof. He is crazy for her. Slower pace. Books are written from Emily's point of view and there are really funny footnotes from her research.

Thanks for these suggestions. Not OP, but I loved 2-4 (read the blurbs for the first and they didn't appeal). Anyone else who loved these have other similar suggestions? I like funny/light fantasy.

For fairy tale retellings, I love Robin McKinley. For funnier fantasy, Tanya Huff is great — Summon the Keeper is one favourite urban fantasy books ever. There’s some excellent children’s or YA books that are good quick reads too Wise Child is one, Every Heart a Doorway another. I also highly recommend the Sandman graphic novels.

Oh and the Penric and Desdemona series of novellas by Lois McMaster Bujold.

[Anonymous]

Going to be cliche but have you tried A Song of Ice and Fire and George RR Martin’s other books? The books in your OP are closer to YA. Not real fantasy IMO. I have my problems with GRRM, but his writing style is generally pretty readable. Good dialogue and character development and not a lot of overly long descriptions of the scenery like Robert Jordan (The Wheel of Time) can get bogged down in. GRRM was/is a TV script writer which I think helps. The only thing is that he’s probably never going to finish the series at this point … but the TV show ending may not be canon at this point either and a lot of later characters were just completely written out of the show.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don’t like fantasy books at all. I DO read what I want and I read often and am happy!

But I feel a bit of FOMO with everyone reading Fourth Wing, Court of Thorns and Roses, Sarah Maas, etc.

Should I try harder: read without quitting?
Am I missing out?

This is me, and it also makes me this weird oddball in my family because everyone but me loves to read fantasy. It just does nothing for me. I prefer realistic fiction. I don't fight it. There is plenty out there to read that suits me.

[Anonymous]

Are you sure it's fantasy you dislike, or just popular fantasy books? I am biased since I self-publish fantasy, but I don't LOVE Fourth Wing and ACOTAR, either. Maybe it's just YA fantasy you aren't into?

[Anonymous]

I don’t love fantasy, but I did enjoy Fourth Wing. It’s the first book in a long time that was a true page turner for me and I couldn’t put it down. If I hear a book is really popular, I usually give it a try because sometimes I end up liking it unexpectedly.