I’m currently in the middle of reading Brandon Sanderson’s The Way of Kings, and it is fast becoming one of my favorite fantasy books of all time. Brandon just blows my mind when it comes to world building and clever magic systems. And the artwork in this book is just plain phenomenal. I was fortunate to receive an ARC (photographed), but I didn’t cancel my pre-ordered hardcover. Still couldn’t be happier. I’m savoring the book knowing that the next one is not going to be out for quite some time.
For the blog, I figured it’s time that I should also chronicle my favorite books. I have been passionate about reading since my aunt gave me a copy of “Hardy Boys # 54: The Mysterious Caravan” in Third Grade. I’ve been nothing short of voracious, and very eclectic in my choices – from fantasies, mysteries, histories, dramas, romance, biographies, nonfiction, philosophy, science fiction, comic books, poetry, classics, etc.
So for lists, I have to gather them by category. It’s so easy for me to be scattershot and off-tangent.
I realize that I have been reading a lot of fantasy novels lately. Primarily because I’ve been having a really long commute during the past few months. And a bit of escapism from the daily grind of spreadsheets and documents is what I feel I need to keep my sanity intact.
So here’s my list of favorite recent fantasy novels:
- The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss (Coming in 2011 – A Wise Man’s Fear)
- The Warded Man and The Desert Spear by Peter V. Brett (Coming in 2012 – The Daylight War)
- Elantris, Mistborn Trilogy and The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson
- Acacia and The Other Lands by David Anthony Durham
- Lamentation and Canticle by Ken Scholes (Soon to come – Antiphon)
- Dresden Files and Codex Alera by Jim Butcher
- The Magicians by Lev Grossman
Do check out my lists and reviews over at Goodreads. Lots of other books did not make the cut. If I find time, I will definitely blog detailed reviews of the above books.
So many books, so little time.
Cheers.
Floyd's Blog 
Way of Kings is also awesome! I almost didn’t have time to put the book down. Heralds, Radiants, Rechargable Currency, Bridgeburners, Voidbringers, Oathstones! wooT! Fantastic Worldbuilding.
Btw, judging by the way you like this book, I recommend you check out the Wheel of Time. Brandon Sanderson is taking over Robert Jordan’s unfinished series since last book.
Elantris was GREAT! I hope Brandon writes more books set on that world. Will try Mistborn after the Wheel of Time is finished.
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Yup. I have the complete set, so far. I just bought Towers of Midnight. I’m waiting for my break from work to fully immerse myself in reading. I’ve been a Brandon fan since Elantris, too, and have read all the books he’s released since then (Mistborn, Warbreaker, Alcatraz series, etc.).
According to Brandon’s blog, he’ll be creating a new Elantris novel (this time, with Kiin’s children as the main protagonists). Do read Mistborn. It has a fully realized magic system that I’m pretty sure you’ll love, and each book builds upon the previous one. It’s a masterpiece in worldbuilding.
Enjoy reading! Let me know what you think of Mistborn once you’ve read it.
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TOM has a lot of surprises. Stay away from spoilers, if you can. You have to experience the scenes without any foreshadowing. They can be emotional roller coasters.
Will inform you about Mistborn.
But there’s just this thing I have with starting to read new series. I know I won’t be able to stop at book 1. I do mental calculations of time spent reading and time spent waiting for the next books to arrive.
Still, the reading time is often worth the waiting.
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That’s the great thing about Mistborn. All three books in the trilogy already done. So you won’t need to wait for the next book to come out.
While the trilogy stands by itself, Brandon teases that in his grand plan, Mistborn will be a trilogy of trilogies (9 books in all), but that won’t come into fruition until a few Stormlight books are out.
Thanks for the tip on TOM. Can’t wait to get started. 🙂
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