Faouzia's 2024 12+4 Fantasy and Sci-fi challenge

[Faouzia]

That's right, I'm doing a fantasy challenge. It's so unlike my previous lists that I'm still surprised at myself, but I'm looking forward to it anyway. I really need a strong dose of non-reality 😁

The Hunger Games series
1. The Hunger Games 4 Stars
2. Catching Fire 4 Stars
3. Mockingjay 5 Stars
Divergent series
4. Divergent 3,25 Stars
5. Insurgent 3 Stars
6. Allegiant 3,5 Stars
Shades of magic series
7. A Darker Shade of Magic 4 Stars
8. A Gathering of Shadows 4 Stars
9. A Conjuring of Light 4 Stars
The Dark Tower series
10. The Gunslinger 2 Stars
11. The Drawing of the Three 3,5 Stars
12. The Waste Lands 4 Stars

Alternatives
1. Hollow City/ 3,5 Stars
2. Fairest 3 Stars
3. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe 3 Stars
4. The Silmarillion DNF

This year I was very inactive in Goodreads and neglected my challenges, hopefully the coming year I'll be better 😄
Happy reading to all!!

[Ioana]

I'm not a fantasy reader, but I've read most of these, and enjoyed them all. I hope you will too, happy reading!

[Patricia]

Looks like some fun reads. I've read many of these but not all. Look forward to hearing your thoughts.
Happy Reading!

[Bill, Moderator]

I enjoyed The Hunger Games, the first of VE Schwabs, a few of the Gunslingers and others. It's a great challenge you've got.

[Alondra, Moderator Schmoderator]

This is a great list, Faouzia!! Literally, copy/paste

The Gunslinger is very short; but so "far out" that it can be confusing; (plus SK was doing drugs when writing this); but just push through. The 2nd book makes everything make sense.

The Hunger Games is really good; but nothing beats book 1; same with Divergent. In fact; read something else in between the trilogies. Do not read back to back.

Shades of Magic is really good throughout the trilogy; so no duds.

The Silmarillion is hard. I just cannot wrap my head around it. I think I need to start with whatever is the earliest work and try again. There is a huge world and language created by Tolkien and I feel like I am doing a disservice by not reading it and understanding the scope. Stephen Colbert has famously broken down the lore and history; so, if you get a chance; look up his thoughts on it.

Good luck and I really hope you enjoy your choices; I've read most.

[Lea]

I've read every one of the books on this list except Fairest which I do want to read since I loved Ella Enchanted! If we have similar taste in books, you are in for a very fun reading year. Happy reading!

[Jackie]

You have some great books on your list. Good luck.

[Alissa]

Ooh Hunger Games AND Divergent! Nice!

[Lindsey]

Great idea for a list! I could use a dose of non reality myself. So i need to check out some of the boks on your list. I will say Ibread the Divergent series and loved it!!!! I have the hunger games series on my tbr list but haven't read them yet. Looking forward to your thoughts on it. Good luck with your challenge!

[Denise]

Hunger Games and Divergent Series are two of my favorites. Good luck with your challenge.

[Lillie]

Great idea for a challenge! Happy reading :)

[Faouzia]

Ioana wrote: "I'm not a fantasy reader, but I've read most of these, and enjoyed them all. I hope you will too, happy reading!"

Thanks a lot Ioana.
I am not generally a huge fun of fantasy but maybe that's a bout to change :)

[Faouzia]

Patricia wrote: "Looks like some fun reads. I've read many of these but not all. Look forward to hearing your thoughts.
Happy Reading!"

Thanks Patricia. I am also looking forward to reading them :)

[Faouzia]

Bill wrote: "I enjoyed The Hunger Games, the first of VE Schwabs, a few of the Gunslingers and others. It's a great challenge you've got."

it is a challenge unlike the previous ones for me. So i'm really curious how well it will actually go.

[Faouzia]

Alondra wrote: "This is a great list, Faouzia!! Literally, copy/paste

The Gunslinger is very short; but so "far out" that it can be confusing; (plus SK was doing drugs when writing this); but just push through. T..."

Thanks a lot for the tips Alondra!
You really made me laugh about SK. I think i added the series to my TBR after one of your reviews. So i'll stick to it ;)

The Silmarillion have been on at least two of my previous challenges and i never got to read it. I hope this will be the year for it. The world of Tolkien is wonderful, and since i've reread LoTG lately, i think i am ready for it.

[Faouzia]

Lea wrote: "I've read every one of the books on this list except Fairest which I do want to read since I loved Ella Enchanted! If we have similar taste in books, you are in for a ver..."

That's very good to know Lea. i also loved Ella Enchanted a lot, and looking forward to reading Fairest :)

[Faouzia]

Jackie wrote: "You have some great books on your list. Good luck."

Thanks Jackie :)

[Faouzia]

Alissa wrote: "Ooh Hunger Games AND Divergent! Nice!"

Thanks Alissa!

[Faouzia]

Lindsey wrote: "Great idea for a list! I could use a dose of non reality myself. So i need to check out some of the boks on your list. I will say Ibread the Divergent series and loved it!!!! I have the hunger game..."

Thank you Lindsey.
I heard so many good things about Divergent, so i'm looking forward to it.

[Faouzia]

Denise wrote: "Hunger Games and Divergent Series are two of my favorites. Good luck with your challenge."

Thank you Denise.

[Faouzia]

Lillie wrote: "Great idea for a challenge! Happy reading :)"

Thanks Lillie. Happy reading for you too :)

[Faouzia]

So it is already 2024. I still need to wrap my head about, i feel like i'm stuck somewhere around 2019 lol!

But the good thing is that there is a nice list of books waiting for me, and i am starting this challenge with The Hunger Games!

[Alondra, Moderator Schmoderator]

Faouzia wrote: "The Silmarillion have been on at least two of my previous challenges and i never got to read it. I hope this will be the year for it. The world of Tolkien is wonderful, and since i've reread LoTG lately, i think i am ready for it..."

I think the same thing. Maybe I should reread LoTR and then go to one of the earlier works. I need to try and be in the mood for it.

The Hunger Games is fast-paced; so, you should get through it quickly. Good luck

[Faouzia]

4 stars

Nothing surprising here, I already knew that I would love the book. I watched the movie before so I knew the story. But I enjoyed the book much more than I expected, and I liked that it was told from Katniss's point of view. Peeta of the book was, for me at least, so much more likeable than he of the movies.

[Faouzia]

3,25 Stars

Probably it wasn't a very good idea to read immediately after the Hunger games as there were so many parallels and I couldn't help making comparisons. But I enjoyed it all the same and looking forward how the story will continue.
I should all the same put a distance of a couple of months between this series and the Hunger games.

[Faouzia]

3,5 Stars

I read to first book a few years ago and honestly as I started this one I could barely remember where the story stopped and what happened previously in details. But as I read, I started coming back to me and I remembered why I loved it.
One thing for sure, it won't be long before I get the rest of the books and read them.

[Faouzia]

2 Stars

Well, the rating kind of says it all.
It's the lowest rating for a Stephen King book I ever gave and I think I still was very generous. The beginning was a serie of nonsense for me. A small part in the middle was enjoyable but I was just pushing myself to get through these 230 pages, just to see what happens next.
In my copy, there was an introduction by King, apparently it was a new edition from 2003 where he revised the first parts of the series when he wrote the remaining parts. He said that readers should persist and everything would make sense later.
He made me laugh, and it was this (and your advice Alondra) that kept me going.
So let's see what happens now. I had part two ready by my side and started it immediately after. I hope I'll enjoy it.

[Alondra, Moderator Schmoderator]

Faouzia wrote: " 2 Stars

Well, the rating kind of says it all.
It's the lowest rating for a Stephen King book I ever gave and I think I still was very generous. The beginning was a..."

You will love The Drawing of the Three, simply because it makes book 1, make sense! Book 1 is crazy and mind-bending, to say the least. It is not until you continue on that things fall into place. It is such an excellent fantasy series with sci-fi elements.

I had your same experience with Miss Peregrines.... i couldn't remember much, but once I got 1/3 way through the book, it all came back to me.

Kudos with all of your progress, Faouzia!

[Ioana]

Faouzia wrote: " 4 stars

Nothing surprising here, I already knew that I would love the book. I watched the movie before so I knew the story. But I enjoyed the book much more th..."

I enjoyed the book much more than the movie. So glad that you got to read it, hope you will continue the series!

[Faouzia]

3,5 Stars

Well, this is more like the Stephen King I like!
I'm glad I didn't stop after book 1. This second one is very enjoyable and the new characters are simply great.
I enjoyed reading this one a lot. I already got book 3 and I can't wait to read it.

[Faouzia]

4 Stars.

This series just gets better and better.
I enjoyed this second book as much as the first one and I'm glad it kept the same pacing as before. It took barely a couple of days to finish it.
Book 3 is already waiting for me.

[Faouzia]

I didn't think I'd enjoy this challenge this much, actually if I keep this pace I'll be making a second list soon.
I'm going to keep the same theme, problem is I don't have that much fantasy sci-fi books in my TBR , any suggestions? 😄

[Faouzia]

Alondra wrote: "Faouzia wrote: " 2 Stars

Well, the rating kind of says it all.
It's the lowest rating for a Stephen King book I ever gave and I think I still was very generous. The..."

You were 100% right about the second book Alondra! I'm glad I kept on reading and got to book 2 :)

[Faouzia]

Ioana wrote: "Faouzia wrote: " 4 stars

Nothing surprising here, I already knew that I would love the book. I watched the movie before so I knew the story. But I enjoyed the b..."

The series is becoming one of my favourites Ioana, I'm glad I finally decided to read!
I can't wait to start book 3!

[Alondra, Moderator Schmoderator]

Faouzia wrote: "You were 100% right about the second book Alondra! I'm glad I kept on reading and got to book 2 :)..."

I'm so glad, Faouzia. It is a really great series, that really expands on the lore. I also think the graphic novels flesh out the characters more.

Fantasy and Sci Fi suggestions; that depends on how dark or light you want to go.

Light fantasy:

The Lunar Chronicles, starting with Cinder. each book is a fairy tale retelling and they are done really well.

Middle grade, light that gets a little darker with each book; the Artemis Fowl series. Artemis Fowl is book #1.

Grimdark Fantasy (A la; Game of Thrones type books). The Faithful and the Fallen series; starting with Malice.

Also; the Seven Kennings series; with A Plague of Giants. Different magic systems or abilities (??). Giants are the least of everyones worries.

If you want a little danger in your paranormal romance, an often looked over series is Vampire Huntress Legend series; with Minion. Of course, she wants the head guy. To kill him and to sleep with him, but its quite dark.

Urban Fantasy; The Dresden Files will always have my heart. The series starts off goofy and innocent; and then one day you look up and everyone is battered, bruised and/or dead. This is a great series.

Science Fiction: The Swarm. Nature decides that it has had enough and takes out vengeance on man. Oops. LOL

Invasion of the Body Snatchers. This book stands the test of time!

Ender’s Game; The Martian and The Day of the Triffids.

Pines is the first in the trilogy, and sets the tone. This trilogy is excellent from the start. If you read no other Blake Crouch, this is the one!!

Sci-Fi Space Opera: Leviathan Wakes

Hard Sci Fi: The Three-Body Problem

Easy, light sci-fi: Zoo. Nature vs Man

Military sci fi: Old Man's War

I have a ton more; but that can get you started.

[Faouzia]

I knew I asked the right person :D

Pines i already read and mostly enjoyed. you just reminded me of the Dresden Files, i started them a while ago and got only to book 3. this seems like a good occasion to get back to them!
The rest looks very promising indeed! I'm already anticipating the fun of making the second list :)
Thanks a lot Alondra!

[Bill, Moderator]

Alondra wrote: "Faouzia wrote: "You were 100% right about the second book Alondra! I'm glad I kept on reading and got to book 2 :)..."

I'm so glad, Faouzia. It is a really great series, that really expands on the..."

As always, an excellent suggestion by Alondra.

Here are a few other suggestions

- Piers Anthony is an excellent fantasy author. You might try his Incarnations of Immortality series or the Apprentice Adept
- Linda Buckley Archer's Gideon trilogy is excellent
- Mike Carey's Felix Castor series is akin to the Dresden Files but maybe darker
- Jasper Fforde's Thursday Next is a neat mix of mystery and fantasy.
- China Mieville is excellent; Perdido Street Station, The Scar
- Maggie Stiefvater's The Scorpio Races
- Jodi Taylor's Chronicles of Saint Marys.

[Faouzia]

thanks a lot Bill.
your suggestions are all new to me, so it's gonna be really fun making a new selection.

[Faouzia]

thanks a lot Bill.
your suggestions are all new to me, so it's gonna be really fun making a new selection.

[Alissa]

You are doing great!!!

[Faouzia]

Alissa wrote: "You are doing great!!!"

Thanks a lot Alissa. I'm really loving this challenge

[Faouzia]

Finish 5 Stars

What can I say! It actually surprised me how much I loved the series. I expected and knew that I'd like it, but not that it would actually affect me. It's definitely in the list of my favourite fantasy books.
It's really nice how the story never became boring or less interesting as it went on.
I only watched the first movie, so the story remained relatively unspoiled for me with all its surprises and twists. I'm glad I finally managed to read it.

[Faouzia]

3 Stars

This was a very cute retelling of Snow white , at least for me it sounded so. The Ayorthan Aza had the loveliest voiceband the kindest heart but unfortunately the ugliest face to go with it.
As we follow her adventures amidst the palace intrigues, with the inevitable prince charming we can't help but to really like her. I enjoyed the occasional coin d'oeil to Ella Enchanted.
This story was sweet but I still like Ella Enchanted better.

[Faouzia]

3 Stars

This was another book that took me to long to finally decide to read. Well needless to say that I enjoyed it a lot. It was good to finally get to Narnia and now I won't abandon it again.
The book was actually written by C.S. Lewis for his goddaughter, the dedication at the beginning was really sweet.

[Faouzia]

9 books down! Not bad for a beginning. I think this might be a personal record 😁

[Bill, Moderator]

You're doing great, Faouzia.

[Faouzia]

thank you Bill :)

[Alondra, Moderator Schmoderator]

Bill wrote: "As always, an excellent suggestion by Alondra.

Here are a few other suggestions

- Piers Anthony is an excellent fantasy author. You might try his Incarnations of Immortality series or the Apprentice Adept
- Linda Buckley Archer's Gideon trilogy is excellent
- Mike Carey's Felix Castor series is akin to the Dresden Files but maybe darker
- Jasper Fforde's Thursday Next is a neat mix of mystery and fantasy.
- China Mieville is excellent; Perdido Street Station, The Scar
- Maggie Stiefvater's The Scorpio Races
- Jodi Taylor's Chronicles of Saint Marys.."

Great suggestions Bill. I have some but need to look into Linda Buckley. I haven't heard of that series.

its a shame, but I have all the others physically sitting on the shelf. Yikes! LOL

[Faouzia]

. 3 Stars
3,5 Stars

I actually enjoyed the series more than I expected. Some parts I liked more than others but overall it was rather interesting.
I also liked the change of tone in the last book. It might be actually a hint to how the story end. Part of the end was what one comes to expect from this kind of stories, the other part came as a surprise.
I've seen in many reviews that readers were really angry with it, but I think it kind of made sense.
Anyone, I'm glad I finally got to read it.

[Faouzia]

4 Stars
This series keeps getting interesting and fascinating. I liked Roland and his little group very much, I think they are some of his best characters.
Some arts of the book were a bit confusing and sometimes annoying, but what would be a Stephen King story without that.
I'm definitely not abandoning the series and I'm looking forward to the nest part of the journey.