Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.
This week’s topic is: favorite genre reads! I went with fantasy (surprise, surprise) and it feels a little redundant- because I’m sure I’ve mentioned these books a bunch already, but I also don’t know if I’ve ever tried to pick a top ten and put them in one list. These are in no particular order.
Six of Crows Duology by Leigh Bardugo – These will always be a favorite because of Kaz Brekker, but I love the whole SoC crew.
Greatcoats Quartet by Sebastien de Castell – If the author had kept writing these books, I would have kept reading them. I was so disappointed to learn Tyrant’s Throne was the final book. I mean- I guess Falcio has earned his rest, and he’s going out with dignity, but I can hope for prequels or… something… right?!
The Queen’s Thief series by Megan Whalen Turner – This is a series I don’t talk about enough. Technically there are two more books that I haven’t even read yet, but the draw for me here Eugenides (you know, The Queen’s Thief?). And he wasn’t in enough of book three for me, and then it seemed like he’d be in even less of book four. I’ll probably try to get them read anyway before book six releases in 2020.
Fever Series by Karen Marie Moning – My mother recommended me Dreamfever one day and after I devoured that, I immediately devoured the rest of her books, and ever since then my mom and I shared these books as they released, so they hold some sentimental value too.
The Wolf in the Whale by Jordanna Max Brodsky – I saw someone today mention in a review: “Have you ever finished a book and then immediately wanted to go back and read it all over again?” Yes. Yes I have. It was this book right here. I had to talk myself out of the ridiculous immediate re-read.
Kingfountain Series by Jeff Wheeler – This is another series I probably don’t mention enough. I probably never would have read them, except I got approved for The Hollow Crown’s e-galley, and realized it was technically the fourth book. So I went back and bought the first three on a Kindle deal, and I’m so glad I did. The Queen’s Poisoner is almost a historical retelling- imagining if King Richard hadn’t lost his head to Henry Tudor on Bosworth field. I am a huge history buff- so recognizing the parallels as I read was like finding an easter egg in a video game. But their true value comes from their characters- there isn’t a single one of these books that didn’t make me cry. I’m ashamed to say I haven’t read any more of Wheeler (even though he has an awesome looking new series out).
Thessaly Series by Jo Walton – What happens when the greek god Apollo meets the philosopher Sokrates and together they thwart all Pallas Athene’s carefully laid plans? Gold. Gold is what happens.
Prince of Thorns (Broken Empire) by Mark Lawrence – Have I confessed before that for some extremely inexplicable reason I haven’t finished this series? I think I’m scared Jorg experiences some kind of redemption, and I can’t stomach the thought. I’ll get to them.. soon. I hope.
The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien – I guess you’ll notice The Lord of the Rings is not on this list. The Lord of the Rings is too effing long. The Hobbit takes every wonderful thing about LOTR (dwarves and Gandalf) and delivers it to you in one complete 300 page book.
Circe by Madeline Miller – One of the things that stood out to me about Circe, was the level of hell Miller put her through before the poor girl gets any rest. I loved Circe’s growth throughout and the ending was just perfect.
What are your favorites from your favorite genre? Leave me a link in the comments below so I can come check them out!
I read The Thief a few years ago and really liked it. Circe and Wolf in the Whale were great too.
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If you liked The Thief you should check out The Queen of Attolia! A lot of people felt like that one was the stronger book, but I liked them both.
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You know what’s depressing about this list? I HAVEN’T READ ANY OF THESE BOOKS! On one hand now I know what to read next time I’m stuck, but on the other hand I want to cry because I’ll never catch up😬
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Hahaha! Oh my gosh- really? I didn’t think our tastes were that different. I will say that I don’t think I am as well read in the genre as you are though, so it could just be that you’ve got better favorites I still need to discover!
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It’s not that our tastes are different, it’s that there are too many books out there and I just can’t read everything😊
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The Wolf in the Whale sounds like an amazing read. Thank you for telling us about it. I’m checking my local library’s website now to see if they have that one.
My TTT.
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I hope you love it!
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Woohoo, Prince of Thorns and The Greatcoats! Absolutely love \The Greatcoats series and I agree, if he had continued writing them I would have continued reading them. 🙂 Ha, yeah, poor Falcio, definitely deserves his rest as he sure was put through the wringer!
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I keep hoping he goes back and writes the prequels about the downfall of the King. Then I don’t have to feel bad about taking Falcio’s rest away. lol
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That would be great! Even some novellas or short stories based on The Greatcoats would suffice too.
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Yup- I’d be happy with any of those things. I wouldn’t even mind if he brought in some new characters. I just love the concept- guards who sing their way out of trouble, for some reason I just need more of this in my life.
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So many good books here!!! Love this list.
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Thank you!
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Oooh, so many good choices here! I’ll be reading The Wolf in the Whale this summer, and you make it sound so good that I’m super excited to pick it up now. 😀
“The Lord of the Rings is too effing long” — ahaha, I’m dying, because this is pretty much verbatim what my husband says every time I bring up Lord of the Rings. xD
Here’s my TTT post.
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HAHA! I love that. I think I got about half way through The Two Towers before I said, “Why am I reading this?” and gave up.
I hope you love The Wolf in the Whale! It’s definitely one of my new favorites.
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I actually made a mistake and started the series with the Two Towers. Because I was young and clearly couldn’t read lol. So I was confused. But I enjoyed it much more when I went back and started from the beginning. xD
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Oh gosh- I was confused and I started all the way back with The Hobbit (because I figured if I was reading it I might as well start where it all began). I can’t even imagine trying to get through it without The Fellowship of the Ring!
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See, while I will agree about LOTR being too long, I think it does have one wonderful thing in it that The Hobbit (amazing though it is) does not have: Merry and Pippin. Those two hobbits are wonderful, and I love reading about them. But yes, The Hobbit is a much better length.
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Actually yes- I agree! I loved Merry and Pippin, but I wished there was more of them. I actually loved most of the characters, except for Frodo, which is probably what my issue is, since he’s the whole point.
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Good point, Frodo was the least likable character in the LOTR books. They did a better job with him in the movies, but he’s still nowhere near my favorite character.
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I actually do remember loving the first LOTR book, but it just isn’t complete without the other two. I do want to give them another try someday, but I know right now I wouldn’t get very far.
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I remember struggling to get into Prince of Thorns. So glad I didn’t let it put me off trying Grey Sister. Just half way through the third book in the series ‘Holy Sister’. Easily one of my fantasy faves 😍
You also reminded me that I’ve only read the Greatcoats first book. I’m so far behind.
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You should make time for them! He has another series too I need to catch up on called Spellslinger.
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Never heard of Spellsinger. I actually finished Prince of Thorns when it first came out. Just could never follow what went on. Maybe I just wasn’t a competant reader way back when.
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Maybe.. I actually do not remember the plot of Prince of Thorns very well, I just know I love Jorg and he wants to take the throne from his dad. So maybe it’s not you at all.
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Its the plot I can’t remember either 😦 I have since paid attention more. So there’s that at least.
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I’m a lover of Fantasy, like you! I’m not taking part in TTT (yet!) but my favourites so far have got to be TOG series, White Stag, and HP!
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I am ashamed to say I have not read any of those (and I’ve not heard of white stag). But also- feel free to start Top Ten Tuesday any time! Be sure to link up your post with That Artsy Reader Girl. It’s a good way to start meeting other bloggers who have similar interests!
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