If you are like me, then you are a huge fantasy fan. It is easily my favorite genre and I have to force myself to read to read other books. But for this list, we will be staying with this genre as we share our list of the 21 must read fantasy books of all time!
They need to add Malazan book of the fallen. Easily my fave fantasy series.
Getting through that first book was sheer willpower
Because of first book most people quit. Thats Malazans biggest weakness. Author throws you in this world without explaining anything and you need to get hold of everything. Gardens of the moon shines in re-read. If you have will try to continue!
I felt very similar about The Eye of the World, even with the glossary. But I am so happy I stuck with it.
I’ve tried both more times than I care to admit and I can’t do it. Malazan I think is doable if it hits me at the right time in my life but Eye of the World drives me right up the wall. Mat is my least favorite literary character in any series I’ve ever read, bar none. I have never wanted to reach through a book to strangle words more strongly than I did when I read Eye of the World and Mat starts up his stupid whiney dumb moronic mouth breather idiot horseshit.
He does get better and there is a reason for it all if that helps.
Unfortunately, it doesn’t. The fact that Mat becomes the authors favorite or whatever does not help me stomach the walking sack of drippy garbage he is in the first book. The fact that a lot of people say it doesn’t really pick up till book 5 or so doesn’t help either. I probably wouldn’t have been able to stick with stormlight archive if the first 3 books were as punishing to read.
The series doesn’t pick up until 5? Or Mat being garbage? The first I don’t really agree with. Egwene’s experience in the second chills and the battle was really great. The third grants Rand his title and
spoiler
Tells Rand who he really is and he starts to embrace it. And sets up his people.
Things do ramp up starting with 5, but I wouldnt say it “picks up”. For the second part, I do agree. Mat is kinda a little bitch, but in 5 he does have an experience that is an awakening or turning point for him.
Edit: “ramp up” and “pick up” are the same thing… I guess what im saying is I dont think it is slow by any means. At least not at that point. 8-10 is kinda going slowly, but it is cool with me because I have become so invested in the characters.
Bud, the foreshadowing isn’t exactly subtle in the first book. Mat being garbage is what stops me from enjoying other characters. 5 books with a centerpiece character I can’t stand is too many. Everything else about the book isn’t bad, if a little derivative. It’s just that I can’t stand how actively shit Mat is with every decision and having the temerity to bitch about the consequences of his own fucking actions.
The huge size scares me tbh.
I found taking a break between each book helped. Refreshed me and made it less of a slog.
I disagree. I think the 300,000 year history is a feat, and the actual world is incredibly diverse, but it’s a huge commitment for what I don’t think has been worth the payoff. I have enjoyed it, but I’d never put it on an essential list.