I totally realize that my meme is Top 5 Tuesday – not 10. But come one! Fantasy is my most read and favourite genre – there’s no way I could narrow it down to just 5!! I tried but there was just no way! Especially since I wanted to feature both YA and adult books. This is a longer than normal post, so I’m just going to get to it!
Top 5 Tuesday is a weekly meme where I explore different topics. If you are interested in participating I would love to have you! Here is a list of my upcoming topics in September – please remember to ping back a specific post of mine so I get a notification and I will add you to the participants list!
First I have the most recent fantasy read which is The City of Brass by S.A. Chakraborty – Review will be posted tomorrow! Everything about this book slayed me! It was so rich and gorgeously written. It’s not the fastest paced book, but if you’re a person who craves details, world building, character building, magic, politics, and everything else in between – this is the one for you! I was sucked into this world so hard that I didn’t want to put it down!
Next is another somewhat recent read – Hounded (book 1 of the Iron Druid Chronicles) by Kevin Hearne. It would take me forever to write out all the reasons I love this book! There’s a hot tattooed druid, a hilarious talking dog, gods, vampires, werewolves, witches…… need I say more? For my full review, click HERE
This series unexpectedly made my list. I absolutely refused to read Every Heart A Doorway by Seanan McGuire. I heard it explained as a magical realism mystery….. two of my least favourite genres. But, after someone with similar reading tastes rated this one 5 stars, I decided to take a look. Ok, yes, it’s magical realism with mystery elements, but it’s so much more than that! These books are tiny (at around 200 pages each) but they pack a serious punch! For my full review, click HERE
This wouldn’t be a top fantasy list if it didn’t include Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi! I was a little nervous going into it because the hype was intense! But it totally lives up to the hype in every way possible! I haven’t stopped thinking of the characters and the magic since I’ve finished it. And I have so many theories about what’s going to happen in the next book! Click HERE for the full review.
Next is another one that was a huge surprise for me! When I first got back into reading, The Wrath and the Dawn by Renée Ahdieh was everywhere! I bought it on impulse, but I had a bit of buyers remorse. I assumed that it would be mediocre…… far from it! I was so obsessed with it that I finished it in a day. After I turned the last page, I sat on the chair and my hands literally shook because I wanted the next book so badly!!
Of course I had to talk about Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor! This was the first ARC that I ever received so it immediately holds a special place in my heart. But, the writing was just SO beautiful! I never take notes while reading because it takes me out of the moment, but with this one I had pages of notes! There were so many lines that stopped me in my tracks and made me reread them. I’m currently reading Muse of Nightmares right now and I’m LOVING it!! Full review to come next week 🙂
This is another book that I heard about when I really came back to reading. I searched for fantasy books and this came up more than any other book. I knew that The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss was going to be a commitment. It’s HUGE! And if I didn’t like it, then pushing through would feel like wading through mud. But I read it way faster than I expected because I loved everything about it!
I had to choose one Sarah J Maas series – and it’s the Court of Thornes and Roses series! I really do love Throne of Glass, but this one was amazing! I’m sure you know about it already, and have seen the hype, so you know why I love it already 🙂
Ah! The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern was absolutely glorious!!! Nothing beats the world building in this book. It was so detailed and so enchanting. I swear I could see the lights twinkling, smell the popcorn, and feel the excitement. Once again, not the fastest paced book (I think I’m sensing a theme here) but the details and connections were so worth every page read!
Last but certainly not least, it wouldn’t be a top fantasy list without my beloved Kristoff. Nevernight by Jay Kristoff is one of my all time favourites. Nothing will ever take him off my list! If you’ve followed me for any length of time, you’re aware of my obsession. This series is my everything!!!!
TOP 5 TUESDAY PARTICIPANTS:
- JW Martin – Storeys of Stories
- Kyera’s Library
- Meeghan Reads and Bakes
- Libby Reads
- Robyn Reads Books
- Malanie Loves Fiction
- The Girl With All The Books
- Reading Under The Blankie
- Diagnosis: Bookworm
- The Bookish Deer
- A Fictional Bookworm
- Birdie Bookworm
- Books and Co.
- Sleepy Sam Reads
- Static Books
- Ally Writes Things
- Caren Rich
- Many Things Bookish
- Perspective of a Writer
- Jillian The Bookish Butterfly
- The Words Gremlin
- Blogger Books
- Junky Writing
- Buried Alive By Books
- Momma Blogs A Lot
- Some Books and Paws
- Kristin Kraves Books
- Fleur-Talks
- Books and Teacups
- The Bookish Unicorn
- Bookishly Rebecca
- Read You Leyre
- Laura’s Little Library (Girl with all the books)
- Beware of the Reader
- Books Are Only The Beginning
- Alexandra Wolfe
- Poetry Books YA
There are my top 10 fantasy books! A super long list but every one of them needs their moment in the spotlight. I CAN’T WAIT to see what’s on the participants lists……. I always need more fantasy!!
Until next time, happy reading!
Excellent list! There are so many on here that I really want to read. I’m ashamed to say I’ve only read one of these (or reading) – I have just finished the first two books in the An Ember in the Ashes series and absolutely adored them! I was the same as you – they caught me completely off guard!
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I still haven’t read the third book in that series but I really need to! I’ve recommended this series to a few people and they loved it!
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I’m so excited to read the third one! I’m not surprised, the series is so good.
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It’s so hard to pick just one, isn’t it? 🙈😂 Great list, though! I haven’t read most of these, but a lot are on my TBR for sure!
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There was no way I could pick just 5. I had a hard time keeping it to 10 😂
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Yass💕SJM on the list 💕
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I totally have those Seanan McGuire books on my TBR!!
What an excellent list… I’m so excited for Muse to come out!! 😀
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Every Heart a Doorway (and follow ups) are quite interesting. I added those to my wish list ❤
The Name of the Wind is one of my faves too 🙂
Heard a lot of nice things about Children of Blood and Bone as well, so i got a copy when it was on sale. Still trying to muster up courage to read it.
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Children of Blood and Bone is well worth it! It’s so atmospheric, and the world building is amazing!
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I’ve been meaning to read Every heart a doorway for ages, but like you’ve said with Children of Bone and Blood, the hype as sort of kept me at arms length. I think I’ll give it ago before the end of year tho. Great list!
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I think that Every Heart a Doorway will surprise you in a good way! The synopsis just doesn’t do it justice. It’s so much more complex and magical! I wasn’t a fan of the second book, but book 3 was my favourite so far!
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Don’t forgot I did mine last week!!!!!
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I won’t forget! I’m just finishing updating the list right now. I’ll add you in a few minutes 🙂❤️
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Okay thanks girl
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Got you added 🙂
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thanks girl
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Hey … what … wait, 10 you picked 10? Dang! I only did 5. Mutter. Mutter.
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Lol what can I say – I’m a rule breaker 😂
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This is such a great list! I have read and loved COBAB so, very much -where is the sequel , I need itttt! and I loved The Wrath and The Dawn duology ver, very much just as well. I can’t wait to read the night circus, it sounds amazing 🙂
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I think you will absolutely love it!
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Great list! Fantasy is my favourite genre and I actually haven’t read a lot of these! So thank you for making my tbr list even longer 😂
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Lol 😂 it’s always a pleasure to make fellow book lovers TBR’s cry!
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Read night circus and think that level is about my threshold for fantasy books.
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I’m so glad to see that Children of Blood and Bone made your list – I’m currently reading it, although it’s taken me over two weeks to get two thirds of the way through it which is pitiful 😂 I’m so glad to know it was worth the hype, though. I’m absolutely loving it and can’t wait to finish it. There’s a few books on your list that I haven’t even heard of and never read so I’m excited to add them to my TBR!
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Children of Blood and Bone is a long one. I think it took me a while to get through it too. Hope you get to finish it soon 🙂
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Every single week I see your list and cannot believe that I forgot to add a book to my own list. How could I forget Every Heart a Doorway!!!!????
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😂 that happens every time with me! I think I’m all clever and thought of everything, then someone goes and proves me wrong 😂
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Unsurprisingly, Jay Kristoff is on your list. He’s your auto-add author, for sure.
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Truth be told, I almost forgot!! #shockingconfessions
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OH MY GOSH!
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I know right?!
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Wow, what an epic list! I especially love Children of Blood and Bone and The name of the wind… And a lot of the others are on my tbr!
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There’s so many books on this list that I really want to read. I’ve had an ARC of The City of Brass for ages that I got in a book box, but I never got around to reading it at the time, but I feel like I really need to now! It sounds incredible and I’ve seen so many great reviews about it!
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I didn’t want to read it. The hype was so strong when it first came out and I wanted to rebel and not read it. But when I started seeing so many positive reviews, I decided to give it a shot. So glad I did because it’s one of the best books I read this year!
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That’s so great to hear!
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Bwahahaha who are you and what have you done with Shanah! 10 books? You are totally rebelling LOL Fantastic choices up there! As usual here is my post and I am going to like and comment on the others 😉 http://bewareofthereader.com/101-guide-to-pop-your-fantasy-cherry-and-enjoy-your-first-time-top-5-or-more-fantasy-reads/
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😂 I know! Maybe next I’ll go to a bar, steak a car, get arrested……
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I’m reading The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern right now – beautifully enchanting so far 🙂 Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor is next!
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Oh two beautifully written books back to back!! Enjoy!!
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I am – nearly finished Circus and, as my bag is too small for work stuff and 2 hard backed books – started Dreamer today.
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Technically, I picked over 40 because the majority of the ones that I picked were part of a series…
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Lol same!
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I joined in too! With a Top 5 that is! Hehe xxx thank you for the inspiration Shanah! You are awesome!
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Also! I love all of those books! Great choices!
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A great list filled with a bunch of books I still haven’t read yet. I’ll get there one day, I promise!
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😂 I say the same thing! too many books, too little time!
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i basically LOVE all of these books. the wrath and the dawn is one of my all time favourites and strange the dreamer is just heart eyes. i hope you love all these books when you get to them!
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I’ve read them all already 🙂
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I love that you couldn’t keep to a top 5 for this either!!
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Such a good list!
Children of Blood and Bone and The Night Circus are sat on my book shelf waiting to be read, so I’m hoping I can get round to them soon!
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I have The Night Circus and Children of Blood and Bone too on my list, although I haven’t finished them. TNC is more of a slow burn for me, where CBB is more in my face and I’m in LOVEEE with it right away!! 😆
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Yes the night circus is very slow burn, but a beautiful story in the end 🙂
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Ah, the Night Circus was such a good book. I haven’t read so many of these – I clearly have my work cut out for me!
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Lol 😂 I love to make fellow bookworms TBR’s cry!
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I need to read all of the ones from this list that I haven’t read yet! Haha
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😂 too many books, too little time!
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So true!!! 😂
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What a great fantasy list Shanah! I’ve read most of them… I still need to get to The Night Circus so I’m glad to hear you enjoyed it for the world building. And I just finished Nevernight a couple weeks ago an LOVED it! The world building in that is incredible and I admit Kristoff is swiftly becoming a favorite author for me. ❤️
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Yippee!!! Come to the dark side 😂 Kristoff is hands down my favourite author ever!!
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Children of Blood and Bone, The Night Circus and ACOTAR – definitely. without. a. doubt. some of the best fantasy I’ve read. I usually preorder sequels a month before they’re released but I preordered CVV the moment I could, haha. Can’t WAIT to dive into that one! I neeeeeed more of Adeyemi’s work.
Also really love The Cruel Prince by Holly Black so that one definitely would’ve made my list. 🙂
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I’ve heard some mixed reviews of The Cruel Prince. Some LOVE it and others are just blah. I’ve never read a Holly Black book but I do plan to pick it up sometime soon!
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I’m honestly glad I read it before all the reviews started flooding in. I hope you end up enjoying it though. 🙂
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I hear The Name of the Wind is outstanding and magnificent. I read the goodreads preview and the writing is just how storytelling should be. 🙂
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Exactly!! It’s a slow burn fantasy which is hard for some, but it was right up my alley!
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Hey, Shanah! I’m Vinny and I’m blogging over ArtsyDraft.com. This is such an interesting meme! I just featured this meme on my blogging meme & link-ups directory. I hope you don’t mind! But if you do, please let me know! 🙂 x
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I don’t mind at all! Do you have a link so I can check it out?
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