14 Days of Discoveries (Part 1)

[Mayim]

Liam wrote: "C.P. wrote: "I've only read A Darker Shade of Magic. I liked it fairly well as I read it, but haven't had a desire to continue. And I tried to read Vicious but didn't make it through. I always get ..."

One of the very few series I abandoned.

[Scott , Karsa Orlong]

I liked the Monsters of Verity series from start to finish.

Shades of Magic I thought book one was flat out boring. Book two got better as it went along and the second half was really good. Book three was good from start to finish.

[Bill]

Exactly Mayim. I am amazed how many more examples have been given just in this thread.

[Mayim]

So the best titles (besides The Lord of the Rings) from me:

Red Rising, The Hunger Games, the Witcher (I know it's a series title, but still how cool is the name?), and Illuminae Files.

[Silvana]

The Blade Itself (Joe Abercrombie)

[Margret, Caladan Brood Face]

Second last day :)

Young Adult/ Middle Grade books to enjoy as an adult

My favorites that I read as a young girl were the Wrinkle in Time books.

Also, although I don't think it should be shelved as such, the Red Rising series was ridiculously good

[Mayim]

Abhorsen! And Howl's Moving Castle!

[Bill]

I'll second Abhorsen and Red Rising.

[Kieron]

I enjoyed His Dark Materials trilogy by Philip Pullman - The Golden Compass

[Angus]

I think The Little Prince is best to read as an adult :)

[Scott , Karsa Orlong]

The first two books in Ember in the ashes were great.

An Ember in the Ashes
A Torch Against the Night

I also loved the first book in Empire of Storms

Hope and Red

[Niki Hawkes, I made it past GOTM... barely]

I'm pretty sure red rising is officially categorized as adult sci-fi in bookstores. Bn, anyway. My pick is Fablehaven by Brandon Mull!!

[Scott , Karsa Orlong]

Niki Hawkes wrote: "I'm pretty sure red rising is officially categorized as adult sci-fi in bookstores!"

Yes calling RR YA would be like saying Broken Empire is YA because Jorg is young.

[Tammie]

The Naming, An Ember in the Ashes, Six of Crows, and of course Harry Potter.

[Liam]

Yeah Red Rising should definitely not be YA haha. Those books have some really mature content in them, even though the writing has the occational feel that a YA novel does.

I have always and will always love The Chronicles of Narnia. Those books makes me nostalgic just thinking about them, and reading them as an adult I have enjoyed them even more than when I was a kid.

[Margret, Caladan Brood Face]

I'm re-reading Narnia right now Liam!

I know our library moved Red Rising to the regular Sci Fi shelves because it was too violent lol..

[Niki Hawkes, I made it past GOTM... barely]

hope and red is also adult... I'm not sure why it's so important to me to point this type of thing out all the time (anal bookseller, party of one). Especially since it can be a matter of perspective. My observations are based on how the publishers categorize them in national book chains.

[C.P.]

The Alcatraz Smedry series, by Brandon Sanderson. These really make me laugh. Thinking I might need to reread them. The series starts with Alcatraz vs. the Evil Librarians.

Also the Artemis Fowl series by Eoin Colfer. These have been favorites for many years. The first one is Artemis Fowl.

[Ahdam]

To be honest I don't think I know since I have problems with YA fantasy and the only ones I found alright or decent was An Ember in the Ashes and Half a King

I think my main problem with them is the romances especially love triangles as it sometimes feel cheesy making it annoying to read sometimes who knows maybe I'll find a gem such as Abhorsen I've only read a bit and I'm already interested

[Ahdam]

Actually that's not entirely true since another book I really enjoyed more than the 2 I mentioned is The Novice which is probably one of the better YA fantasy novels I've read although the publishing company says children book so I don't know still a good book

[Silvana]

Lockwood and Co series by Jonathan Stroud. Middle grade fantasy at its best.

[C.P.]

I also love the Insginia series by SJ Kincaid. It's YA sci-fi. Such a good series.

[Scott , Karsa Orlong]

Niki Hawkes wrote: "hope and red is also adult.."

That must be why I like it. :)

[Margret, Caladan Brood Face]

So what you're saying is you don't like rippling pecs, purple eyes, and appearing-to-be-aloof-but-really-just-misunderstood men?

[Kayleigh]

I'll second His Dark Materials and Howl's Moving castle. :) I also will recommend Graceling by Kristin Cashore. It's YA but it is smart and reminiscent of Tamora Pierce.

[Mayim]

Ahdam wrote: "Actually that's not entirely true since another book I really enjoyed more than the 2 I mentioned is The Novice which is probably one of the better YA fantasy novels I've read altho..."

This made me expand my TBR yet again ;)

BTW I love Six of Crows but I'd never consider any of the instalments YA, too adult for me (and not only in sex department) especially when I compare it with other YA staples like the Lunar Chronicles

[Ahdam]

Margret wrote: "So what you're saying is you don't like rippling pecs, purple eyes, and appearing-to-be-aloof-but-really-just-misunderstood men?"

Pretty much and other tropes in those novels really annoy me hahahaha

[Bill]

I forgot to add Harry Potter to my list

[Tammie]

Mayim wrote: "BTW I love Six of Crows but I'd never consider any of the instalments YA, too adult for me (and not only in sex department) especially when I compare it with other YA staples like the Lunar Chronicles
"

I agree with you, they are more mature which is why I think adults can enjoy them.

[Angela, I'm Silverfox lost]

I quite liked Angelfall (Penryn and the End of Days) series by Susan Ee.

[Margret, Caladan Brood Face]

Helloooooo everybody! Today is the last day of part one of the challenge! I'm hoping you've all been far beyond pleased with the results like I have, I'm very proud of what a great positive group we have. Every day on this challenge has been like chatting with friends :)

So for our last day I'd like to ask TWO questions!

1. What was your favorite topic proposed during the challenge?

2. Name some (or even just one) books that you've resolved to read because of the discussions we've had in this thread.

I've had a great time! Will complete listing asap so you can just look at the top thread!

[Ahdam]

I've enjoyed this challenge so much thank you Margaret for starting it since I've found out some interesting books that I need to have a look at.

My favourite would have to be the Atypical fantasy because I've always wanted to explore stuff outside the general European inspired stuff so I found some good books there

However a book series that this has motivated me to start is the malazen series because I hear good things about it and hearing it for a lot of answers just made me more curious as well as some of the books in the atypical fantasy topic and of course stormlight archive

[Bill]

1. Awesome worldbuilding - really love getting to explore a world so this was the perfect topic for me.

2. No new books but the discussions made me want to reread The Dragonbone Chair and finish the series.

Thanks for doing this Margret it was a lot of fun.

[Tammie]

My favorite topic was hidden gems and I decided to read The Cry of the Icemark after it was listed there.

[Jenna, I'd be free if not for Temper & Edgewalker]

1. Coming releases you are excited for. This reminded me that The Infernal Battalion is coming out in January which I am really looking forward to.

2. Nothing jumps out at me right away because I am trying to knock out my incomplete series, but I will definitely be checking out the hidden gems section for some new recommendations.

[Margret, Caladan Brood Face]

List is updated now. You can easily find all the books mentioned throughout the challenge there :)

[Margret, Caladan Brood Face]

I now want to read

Inda
The Screaming Staircase
Where the Waters Turn Black
The Princess and The Queen, or, The Blacks and The Greens
City of Thieves
Reap the Wild Wind

Since a lot of the other books I've already on my to-read pile...

I've definitely been convinced to move up Malice and the Dragonbone Chair (maybe it's just because those two series seem to check a lot of boxes for Ahdam, so it's been brainwashed into me ;))

[Ahdam]

Yes I've finally mastered the Jedi mind trick now I can take over the world (maniacal laugh) oh did I say that out loud

To be honest I don't think I've read as much as everyone else's here so I haven't got a huge arsenal in my hands hahahaha

[Jenna, I'd be free if not for Temper & Edgewalker]

Margret wrote: "List is updated now. You can easily find all the books mentioned throughout the challenge there :)"

Thanks for doing this! It's an awesome list and a very fun challenge.

[Ahdam]

Also I'm convinced in reading chronicles of the unhewn throne series soon as well thanks to Scott

[Liam]

No new books, because I'm trying to finish the ones I already have haha, but I loved the questions!

Thanks for doing this Margaret, it was fun =].

[Margret, Caladan Brood Face]

I can't decide on my favorite day either.. it's a close tie between Animal Bonds, Sea Voyages, and Hidden Gems

[Kieron]

Great challenge, that as produced a very impressive list of books. Favourite topic was Hidden Gems which made me want to check out a book Samir recommended City of Thieves

[Mayim]

This has been an awesome idea, loads of fun and a killer for my TBR Margret. :)

PS Can I add one hidden gem (I joined the discussion too late to do it on time)? The Goblin Emperor is definitely one worth your while.

[Scott , Karsa Orlong]

1. What was your favorite topic proposed during the challenge?

2. Name some (or even just one) books that you've resolved to read because of the discussions we've had in this thread.


1. Author you would like to get drunk with. Funny topic to ponder.

2. Re-Read Malazan. :) and read Twelve Kings in Sharakhai and The Gunslinger which have been on my TBR for a while but I keep hesitating.

[Margret, Caladan Brood Face]

I'm glad you all enjoyed yourselves as well :)

[Silvana]

I like the sea voyage topic the most and would add The Lions of al Rassan & The Scourge of the Betrayer in my evergrowing TBR.

Thank you Margret for this challenge and the extensive list.

[Jenna, I'd be free if not for Temper & Edgewalker]

Silvana wrote: "...and would add The Lions of al Rassan & The Scourge of the Betrayer."

Two fantastic books that I would highly recommend!

[Angela, I'm Silverfox lost]

This was such a great challenge. My favourite question was the hidden gem one. I added a lot of books to my TBR that day.

[Chris]

As someone who is rediscovering fantasy all over again this topic was amazing! It's everything you could have asked for in a group poll and is opened the doors for me to explore so many authors and the worlds that they've created.

My favorite: ALL OF THEM (that's my honest Canadian answer)

Which book am i going to read?: How can i limit it to just one? My TBR list is already 125 deep, some of these titles are already there, but many are unknowns, which is great! Now I have somewhere to go for my own recommendation page where i got the input from a pool of 1000 people. That's just awesome so, thank you!

Scott and others have really turned my attention to the Malazan series though, if i had to pick one!