Nominations & Poll Links for Series to Start August 1, 2025

[Kathi, There’s no such thing as too many books!]

As we head deeper into summer (in the northern hemisphere), it’s time to think about our next series. Our current series will wrap up at the end of July 2025. That means it’s time to open nominations for our new series, which will start August 1, 2025. What would you like to read and discuss with the group? Nominations are now open! Please read the rules carefully so your nomination will not be disqualified!

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY
Rules for nominating a series:
1. The series must be complete (as far as we can reasonably tell).
2. The series must be fantasy (I know, seems obvious).
3. The series should not be targeted mainly for middle school or a YA audience.
4. The series must not be one the group has already read. Look through the list of discussions or the group bookshelf to see if we’ve read it before.
5. Each member may nominate one series. Please tell us the name of the series, the author, how many books are in the series, and the name of first book in the series. If you want to add more information, please feel free.
6. Nominations do not need a second to move into the polling as long as they meet the other guidelines.
8. Nominations will be open through Saturday, June 21. Preliminary poll will start Sunday, June 22 and run through Friday, June 27. Final poll between the top 2 vote-getters will run from Saturday, June 28 through Saturday July 5, allowing a little extra time over the US holiday period of Independence Day.

Please post nominations in this topic thread here on the group page, not by responding to the broadcast message sent to your Goodreads inbox.

Nominations are open! Let’s go!
Kathi, Moderator for FBCS

Nominated:
Empire of the Wolf, 3 books by Richard Swan, starting with The Justice of Kings
The Rise and Fall, 3 books by Michael J. Sullivan, starting with Nolyn
The Song of the Shattered Sands, 6 books by Bradley P. Beaulieu, starting with Twelve Kings in Sharakhai
Collegia Magica, 3 books by Carol Berg, starting with The Spirit Lens

Nominated but disqualified:
King’s Dark Tidings by Kel Kade, starting with Free the Darkness—see Rule #1. The series must be complete (as far as we can reasonably tell).

[Christina]

I would like to nominate Empire of the Wolf trilogy by Richard Swan.

[Michael]

I checked the rules carefully, and I didn't see anything about no self-nominations, so I'm going to throw my hat into the ring, particularly because this group has read two of my four series The Riyria Revelations & Legends of the First Empire). If recommending my own work is not okay, feel free to remove this post and the nomination. Okay, here goes:

Name of the series: The Rise and Fall
Author: Michael J. Sullivan
How many books: 3
Name of first book in the series: Nolyn

Other information:
I sometimes call this my "bridge series" because it links the Legends of the First Empire series to the Riyria novels. You don't need to know anything about those other books to enjoy this self-contained story, but for those who have read my other work, there will be some recurring characters and plot points that are interwoven.

The first book of the series was a New York Times Bestseller and an Amazon Editor's Pick (not sure if anyone cares about those things - but I thought I should at least give it some credentials.

Oh, and I should also mention, that the 2nd book of the series is my all-time favorite of the 21 books I've published so far, especially for people who have read Legends of the First Empire.

[Kathi, There’s no such thing as too many books!]

Michael wrote: "I checked the rules carefully, and I didn't see anything about no self-nominations, so I'm going to throw my hat into the ring, particularly because this group has read two of my four series The Ri..."

You are correct that the rules don’t specifically forbid self-nominations. As you are a long time group member who did not join just to promote sales, and since you have participated in our discussions of your books in the past, I am allowing the nomination. Thanks!

[Tash]

I would like to nominate The Song of the Shattered Sands series by Bradley P. Beaulieu. It is a six book series with the first book being Twelve Kings in Sharakhai.

[Tristan]

I would like to recommend Vega Jane, by David Baldacci first book The Finisher. Four books in the series, I don’t think I saw this book in past discussions but if it is I’m sorry and please disregard. Thank you

[Tristan]

Nevermind it’s YA.

[Kathi, There’s no such thing as too many books!]

Tristan wrote: "Nevermind it’s YA."

You’re right, it is primarily a middle-grade to young adult series. Please feel free to nominate something else!

[Tristan]

This should be a adult fiction. The kings dark tidings- Kel Kade first book name Free the darkness 6 book series. Thank you for considering this option.

[Kathi, There’s no such thing as too many books!]

Tristan wrote: "This should be a adult fiction. The kings dark tidings- Kel Kade first book name Free the darkness 6 book series. Thank you for considering this option."

Tristan, thanks for the nomination. However, it appears this series is not complete. The author wrote in February this year, “The main KDT series will be more than three books and will continue to follow Rezkin's story. I also have plans for several side tales, which will be about some of the supporting characters.”

Our rule #1 states The series must be complete (as far as we can reasonably tell). So I’m afraid I have to disqualify this nomination. Please feel free to nominate something else. Thanks!

[Kathi, There’s no such thing as too many books!]

I’m going to nominate the Collegia Magica series by Carol Berg, 3 books starting with The Spirit Lens. I have enjoyed the other books by her that I’ve read—interesting characters and worlds, plus intriguing plots and themes. I’ve had this on my shelf for a while and would enjoy reading and discussing it with others.

[Kathi, There’s no such thing as too many books!]

Nominations are closed and the preliminary poll is open. The poll will be open through Friday, June 27. Please vote!

Preliminary Poll for Series Starting 8/1/25

[Kathi, There’s no such thing as too many books!]

Only a couple more days to vote in the preliminary round!
The poll is open through Friday, June 27.

[Kathi, There’s no such thing as too many books!]

Last day to vote in the preliminary round!

[Kathi, There’s no such thing as too many books!]

The final poll is open to choose our next series, which will start August 1, 2025. The poll is open through July 5, 2025.

Final Poll for Series Starting 8/1/25

Please vote!

[Kathi, There’s no such thing as too many books!]

Only a few more days to vote in the final round! Poll is open through July 5, 2025.

[Kathi, There’s no such thing as too many books!]

Voting closes tonight at midnight PDT! Last chance to vote, or change your vote!

[Kathi, There’s no such thing as too many books!]

Thanks to everyone who voted! Our next series will be The Rise & Fall by Michael J. Sullivan.

Here’s our schedule:
August 2025: Nolyn
September 2025: Farilane
October 2025: Esrahaddon

Since the author is a member of our group & has joined our discussions in the past, I’m hoping he will again join in to offer insights and answer questions!