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My Novel Reads

Noted a few people were interested in that I mentioned finishing a series, so I'll coalesce a number of threads here based on what I've read. Try to keep discussions as replies to specific title threads and avoid spoilers.

Books coming in new posts under this one.
ViciDraco · 36-40, M
The Empyrean series by Rebecca Yaros

Follows main character Violet Sorrengail who had long planned to be a Scribe (kind of like a librarian but with a military bend) like her father, but instead was forced by her General of a mother to join the Dragon Riders, a highly lethal course where more people die in training than make it through.

This series really gets you deep into the main character. I've read few books where the character's thoughts and feelings are so explicit. You learn Violet so well. Also, very much an adult series.

I've finished the first two books. Third hasn't been published yet.

The Fourth Wing - Content Warning: Sexual dialogue. A couple rather explicit scenes.

Iron Flame - More explicit scenes with even greater written detail. If the first book was a bit much, know that this one doubles down.

Personally, I'm really enjoying the story at the moment. Some twists I've been able to predict but others are still surprising me yet make sense in hindsight.
HighlanderJ · 41-45, M
@ViciDraco I read The Fourth Wing but honestly didn't like it. Especially those explicit scenes are too long. But what I see, in general people really loved it. Here is my review about the book: https://bookimov.blogspot.com/2024/05/review-fourth-wing-by-rebecca-yarros.html
ViciDraco · 36-40, M
@HighlanderJ I actually appreciate that the explicit scenes are included. I think there is generally too much censorship around that in fiction. It either doesn't exist at all or it is too much. In this instance, I just felt like it made them seem more human.

I didn't find it excessive in the first book. There is more in the second book though, and I do find myself generally just skipping a couple pages ahead when it happens because it has gotten a little much for me. I wouldn't say it needs to be changed because some might like it and it's easy enough for me to just jump ahead though.

I think one of the things that might drive people away is that you are deep in the mind of a flawed character. You are along for the ride with some really illogical but emotionally charged decision making. For more logical people the thought processes and feelings come across as very strange. I've had a few moments where I was being thrown off by how differently I think I would handle a decision. But then I remind myself that this isn't an insert character. That these are the internal differences between how people think and that is the essence of how conflict arises.

And I remind myself that is one of the core reasons I try to find authors with different life perspectives. There are a lot of female authors in my read list because I've actively challenged myself to find works by women because there are different points of view to be found there.

And this book brings a different perspective and smashes it right in my face. And I find myself better understanding some other people I've interacted with. The main character was actually reminding me strongly of someone I know. I ended up recommending the book to them. She said it was hard to find books she actually liked, but she's downright addicted to these now. She's further along than me, and I had a big head start.


I can definitely see how it might not appeal to everyone though.
ViciDraco · 36-40, M
Robin Hobb - Elderlings Series

These are slow burn heavy world building books. This is the recommended reading order.

These books come in several trilogies, focusing mainly on characters from two parts of the world.

Farseer Trilogy - A prince's bastard is raised as an assassin. But also has a secret magic that often gets people killed for having it. All of this in the face of mounting threats for the kingdom at large.

Liveship Traders Trilogy - In a different part of the world, some families are lucky enough to own special ships made of wizardwood. When someone dies on their decks, they soak in the memories of that person. After three captains of the owning family die on the decks, the ship comes to life. Follow one such family through their internal dramas made all the more wild by conflict with a brutal pirate.

Tawny Man Trilogy - Time has passed and we return to the bastard farseer who has found a quiet life, until an old friend shows up to pull him back into adventure.

Rainwilder Chronicles - can't say too much about this one without spoilers. We're back in the area the liveships originated. For reasons, an expendable crew of youths must venture up the acidic, boat eating waters of the rain wild River in search of a fabled lost city.

Fitz and the Fool Trilogy - The finale. We are once again with our assassin. He's getting old now. But a threat from beyond any maps they have requires him and his old friend to go on a mission of vengeance across the world.
HighlanderJ · 41-45, M
@ViciDraco I have Farseer Trilogy in my reading list.
follow on Instagram if you like reading

https://www.instagram.com/ardentbiblio_roy
ViciDraco · 36-40, M
The Magister Trilogy by C.S. Friedman

Magic in this world requires the spending of life force and those who do so are called witches. An elite order of mages known as Magisters have a way to break that requirement and tap into seemingly endless life and power. However all magisters have been men. It is said the nature of women is not compatible with the mysterious path of the magister.

The world of the magisters is about to change.
ViciDraco · 36-40, M
Deed of Paksenarian Series by Elizabeth Moon - A shepherds daughter rejects an arranged marriage and flees to pursue her dream, becoming a warrior. She joins with a mercenary company and away they go.

Elements of fantasy are more rare in this series at first. Your average peasant may never actually see anything magical. Gradually introduced over time. Another wonderful slow burn book series.
ViciDraco · 36-40, M
A Song of Ice and Fire by George RR Martin

Had left this out before, but I've read it to current. I actually have not watched Game of Thrones past where the books had reached, and from what I've heard that had been a good decision 😅
ViciDraco · 36-40, M
The Last Mythal series by Richard Baker

Dungeons and Dragons novels taking place in Faerun. Follows an elven high mage following an attack by Fey'ri which are kind of like elven tieflings. Read this so long ago I don't remember a lot of specifics.
ViciDraco · 36-40, M
Air Awakens Series by Elise Kova - A library apprentice has a chance encounter with the prince. Their meeting awakens a secret and rare magic that has dwelt deep within her. She finds herself with the choice of joining a magical society she was always taught to fear or have the magic stripped and return to the world of books she has known. This one has a more fantasy elements and more romantic tensions than the others I've mentioned so far, but I enjoyed the series.

 
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