Books I love-and a reminder about Bonds of Truths!
Hey everyone,
My world is still about the same. I’m still trucking along on A Glory’s Heart, book 2 of The Eternal Ephemera. As before, I’m posting chapters every month over on my Patreon account.
Also, the audiobook for Bonds of Truths, book 4 of Instrument of Omens releases on June 20th. Nick Podehl is still narrating, and I’m so excited to have this released out into the world. I know book 3 was controversial. I feel like I say that a lot, but I honestly think Bonds of Truths is the best book I’ve ever written because it takes those controversies from A Necessary Heresy and turns them into strengths. Plus, it was so nice not having to write Cinder and Anya at each others’ throats and get back to… well, I won’t spoil any more.
And as the title of this post mentions, here is a very partial list of the fantasy books I’ve loved over time:
I’ll start with the obvious, which is Lord of the Rings, which pretty much started my love of reading.
Actually, that’s not true. I started out reading Hardy Boys. That’s the series that started my love of reading, and the first books I read that were strictly sci-fi/fantasy were Dolphin Island by Arthur C. Clarke, Arm of the Starfish by Madeleine L’Engle, and Wrinkle in Time, also by Madeleine L’Engle. Those are largely YA, but I love them.
Next came books from the seventies with Sword of Shannara and the far superior Elfstones of Shannara.
Thomas Covenant is likely dated, but it still holds a special place in my heart, but my favorite from that era is Riddlemaster of Hed.
Jumping far forward, there is the Magician series by Raymond Feist, and the Empire series, which he wrote with Janny Wurts (I like it better). An under-appreciated gem is the Chronicles of the Kencyrath by P.C. Hodgell, which did a lot to define early stories about a thieves guild, a dark city with fantastical gods, and a plucky heroine.
More: The Sunset Warrior Trilogy by Eric Van Lustbader (might have a typo in his name) must have been an inspiration for Sila. The first few Elric novels are bizarre and wonderful, but never could get into his Corum novels.
Another favorite is the stories of Tiger and Del. In fact, Del is definitely an inspiration for Jessira.
Moving forward again, and I know I’m leaving out a TON, there is another obvious one in Wheel of Time. A Song of Ice and Fire (Game of Thrones) also gets love, but George has so much marketing, he doesn’t need my help.
Jim Butcher’s Codex Alera, which was written on a bet (look it up) was an automatic binge read. And come forward, Phil Tucker’s Chronicles of the Black Gate would have been a massively influential series had it been written in the 80s or 90s. Paternus by Dyrk Ashton is easily the most epic urban fantasy series of all time. There is also Cradle by Will Wight, which is absolutely addictive.
I’ve got a lot more, but I’d love to hear what others have to say.
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Funny you mentioned Hardy Boys they were my first loves also, lol. My first real book was The Stand by Stephen King which led my to all his works. My absolute favorite was his gunslinger series! I then went to mystery with and detective stories continuing my Hardy Boys idea, lol. Gresham was my goto.
Then I found Ann Rice and fell in love with her work, from Lestat to
the Mayfair Witches.
Then I stumbled upon Feehan, I picked up a book at a used book store at random. It was all about the Dark Immortals and Vampires and I was like this is good. I realized later I read book 9 and so I wanted to read the series. My absolute shock and dismay I couldn’t find her anywhere, lol. No fantasy, SciFi, Thriller…etc come to find out I evidently like Romance novels, lol.
I found KU and now my author list is long as are the number of books I read. I will point out that this is where I found one of the best authors I’ve ever read…Davis Ashura.
While I wait for his next inspiration my current reading revolves around litrpg and paranormal action with some harem thrown in.
I also fallback to the classic now and again.
Which version of The Stand did you read? I read the original published version, and then King comes out with some 1600 page monster. How does he write so fast and generally so well? My favorite of his was either Misery or The Green Mile.
I never could get into vampires. I was too busy with other work, and by the time I could come up for breath, the fad had transitioned to Twilight, which I read-at least the first book, and what I learned is that I’m not a teenage girl, lol. But the funny thing is that I like romance novels. If nothing else, I find myself genuinely impressed by how well the writers really nail the characters from the very first page. It’s amazing, and I sometimes read them just to study how to express characterization in just a few paragraphs.
Kindle has been a blessing for so many writers-myself included. Without it, I wouldn’t have a career as a writer.
And finally, thank you for those kind words of including me in your list of best authors. It means so much more than you might know.
Sincerely,
Davis
All my favourites over time in you list frim hardy boys as a starter, though to cradle as a recent favourite. Happy to have found your books, with Nick’s excellent narration, with instrument of omens, listening to book 3 at present and then will work my way though your other books.
I love the Hardy Boys. The books meant so much to me. As for book 3, it’s emotional by the end. You might even be upset with me. You’ll see what I mean when you get to a certain place. However, I can also promise you that book 4 is worth all of that hardship. I am so very happy with that book since it takes those emotional turmoils and uses them in a way that strengthens the entire story and the most important relationship in all of my books.
Davis
I loved a series called the Garrett Files by Glen Cook. I still remember picking up a copy from my public library (remember those?!?) and riding my bike back every time I finished one.
Newer Favorites:
Melissa McPhail’s series A Pattern of Shadow and Light
Kel Kade’s Kings Dark Tidings
Andrew Rowe’s Arcane Ascension and The War of Broken Mirrors
Aleron Kong’s The Land
I was always intimidated by Melissa’s books. They are very long. Such a tragedy what happened to her.
I got to meet Kel last year at DragonCon and might have accidentally fanboyed a bit.
I’ve yet to read Andrew’s books, but they’re on the list. Aleron seems to be enjoying life, which is wonderful. I think he needed a break from all the stress of COVID, but I do hope he eventually can get back to writing. I haven’t read his books since I’m not really a fan of LitRPG but lots of people seem to love them.
Melissa was a wonderful person. I actually got to speak with her few times and picked her brain on the amazing world she created. Since Nick Podehl narrated them, maybe listening to them will help you get through them. They are definitely worth it!
We loved Kel Kade’s KDT series so much that our youngest son’s name is Rezkin.
Andrew’s books are great and his six sacred swords series is hilarious.
One I forgot to mention was Deborah Harkness’ All Souls Trilogy. Her uses of weaves are very similar to your world. And the books far surpass the series they made.
I might have to give Melissa’s books a try at some point. Same with Deborah’s. And one of these days, I hope to get to Andrew’s as well. So many good books to read.
I’m going to have to give these a look too! I have read all of your books Davis, just recently the two newest ones after I read the whole Wheel of Time series. Your world and that world are my favorites. I had a dream that both worlds were connected and I ended up talking to Rukh and Moiraine about anchored lines and gateways, the means of travel.
I love WoT so much, and I have so much respect for what Robert Jordan created and how many people he inspired. And that conversation between Rukh and Moiraine would be epic. I’d love to just a fly on the wall for something like that.
Davis
Hey Davis! I just finished your newest book, Steel Sharpens, and I wanted to say that I loved it! It amazes me how you can manage such a connected universe and create these in-depth characters and stories. You are definitely in my top favorite authors, and I am always sadden when I finish one of your books! Of course, I am grateful for the experience of having read it, but it leaves me on the hunt for another series to start, which is why I found myself back to this specific blog. As I mentioned before, I read the entirety of WoT, and have read the latest book of A Pattern of Shadow and Light by Melissa McPhail. That was an excellent read too, and once more, I like to imagine being able to find Rukh, Moiraine, and now Björn! How would they react to each other and their specific ways of power? Cam with his Tangs is also unique!
Makes me want to write something myself, but my lucid dreams and those crazy stories incorporating these wonderful books will have to suffice!
Well, off on the hunt to find a book that fits a similar theme to those two and yours!
Thanks for sharing your worlds!
– Dante
Glad you liked Steel Sharpens! That was such a fun book to write. I wish I could say I’ve read Melissa’s books. I hope the family find someone who can do justice to her world. If not, there are 4-5 very chonky books out there to carry on her writer’s legacy. As for Rukh and Moiraine interacting, that would be fun to watch… from a very safe distance in case something happens, lol.
Davis