Brandon Sanderson-esque books

[DSC01 he/him]

There is lots of extreme violence, including sexual violence, in The Second Apocalypse. There is no way for me to explain what I mean without using language more graphic than is acceptable on this site. I would absolutely not recommend it for anyone as young as 12. I know that's likely to only make you want to read it more, but honestly, I don't think much of the philosophical meandering that characterizes the series would be all that interesting to a 12 year old. That's not to denigrate any age group's intellectual capabilities--many young people are interested in subjects that adults dismissively assume to be beyond them--but some subjects are just going to be more interesting to someone in their 30s than to a preteen. Add graphic violence, language, and sexual situations to such subject matter, and I really think you should stay away.

[Orlion Blight he/him]

Here's how I look at it: readers can make their own choices, no matter their age. If they want to read The Second Apocalypse or some other "adult" series? Let them. One of three things are likely to happen:

1) They won't understand what is going on, get bored and move on to something else.

2) They will understand some of the things but decide it's not for them and move on.

3) They'll read it and form their own opinion

People develop their reading tastes at different rates and different paths. Though it's good to let all know what they are getting into, that's far different from saying "such and such group should not read".

[Guest]

3 hours ago, DSC01 said:

There is lots of extreme violence, including sexual violence, in The Second Apocalypse. There is no way for me to explain what I mean without using language more graphic than is acceptable on this site. I would absolutely not recommend it for anyone as young as 12. I know that's likely to only make you want to read it more, but honestly, I don't think much of the philosophical meandering that characterizes the series would be all that interesting to a 12 year old. That's not to denigrate any age group's intellectual capabilities--many young people are interested in subjects that adults dismissively assume to be beyond them--but some subjects are just going to be more interesting to someone in their 30s than to a preteen. Add graphic violence, language, and sexual situations to such subject matter, and I really think you should stay away.

It wasn't interesting to me as I am much older than 12...  While Baker has its fans, it definitely isn't for everyone: it is a very particular story. The sexual situations I read in the first book truly aren't suitable for a younger audience: there are things you seriously do not need to read as a teen. Even as a grown-up, they are traumatizing and not exactly 

Baker is something I would recommend to a mature reader who has read plenty of other books and is looking for something out-of-the-box dealing with a more philosophical approach while featuring older protagonists (nobody young in there that I remember, but I only read the first book). I wouldn't recommend it to someone standing at the beginning of his journey within the world of fantasy, not when there are so many other great books, or to character driven reader such as myself who thrills with in discovering endearing sympathetic characters. 

Quiver mentioned the Old Kingdom and I second. It is a fun well written story which tackles necromancy: suitable and enjoyable for readers of all ages. It also stays away from the most common tropes found in many fantasy novels which is actually interesting. 

3 hours ago, Orlion Determined said:

Here's how I look at it: readers can make their own choices, no matter their age. If they want to read The Second Apocalypse or some other "adult" series? Let them. One of three things are likely to happen:

1) They won't understand what is going on, get bored and move on to something else.

2) They will understand some of the things but decide it's not for them and move on.

3) They'll read it and form their own opinion

People develop their reading tastes at different rates and different paths. Though it's good to let all know what they are getting into, that's far different from saying "such and such group should not read".

I disagree. Certain situations can be badly interpreted and/or traumatizing for younger readers and what Baker has to offer definitely fall within this category. There is a reason why good parents block their teens the access from certain websites: because they aren't suitable and young people may not have the maturity to decipher in between the virtual and the real life. It gives wrong impressions and I could talk at length about it, but certain things are best left to be discovered at an older age. 

I cannot, in all good will, recommend something as heavy as Baker to an under-aged reader. Of course, said reader can still pick it up, but at least I will have issues a waning about it.

Of course, reading maturity doesn't always coincide with emotional maturity and luckily, there are plenty of very good, very adult complex series to pick out there which may offer a rich reading experience without the violence/sexual content someone like Baker enjoys putting within his work. If our young reader wants to read something more grim with adult content, he could go for Abercrombie which isn't exactly suitable either, but at least it doesn't feature the kind of stuff you'd rather not read and it is moderately entertaining.

 

[Orlion Blight he/him]

2 hours ago, maxal said:

Bakker is something I would recommend to a mature reader who has read plenty of other books and is looking for something out-of-the-box dealing with a more philosophical approach while featuring older protagonists (nobody young in there that I remember, but I only read the first book). I wouldn't recommend it to someone standing at the beginning of his journey within the world of fantasy, not when there are so many other great books, or to character driven reader such as myself who thrills with in discovering endearing sympathetic characters. 

 

There's a bit I disagree with on your previous post, but that's all off topic 

I certainly think the above quoted is a good and fair answer to the question, "Is The Second Apocalypse something I would like to read?"

[fievelgoespostal]

Malazan Book of the Fallen is a great series. I didnt think the 1st book was all that great, but it gets much better after that.

 

 

What is everyones opinion on RA Salvatore's series?

[Ammanas]

12 hours ago, fievelgoespostal said:

Malazan Book of the Fallen is a great series. I didnt think the 1st book was all that great, but it gets much better after that.

 

 

What is everyones opinion on RA Salvatore's series?

Love the Malazan series as well, but its definitely not for everyone. Have you read Fall of Light? It was the first malazan book that I have been dissapointed by.

R.A. Salvatore imo, like Terry Brooks and Eddings, is a great intro to fantasy, but not something I would read as a adult.

[fievelgoespostal]

2 hours ago, Ammanas said:

Love the Malazan series as well, but its definitely not for everyone. Have you read Fall of Light? It was the first malazan book that I have been dissapointed by.

R.A. Salvatore imo, like Terry Brooks and Eddings, is a great intro to fantasy, but not something I would read as a adult.

Thanks for the info on R.A. Salvatore

 

I haven't read any of the new Malazan stuff yet. As much as I enjoyed the series, after 10 books I needed a bit of a break lol

[Orlion Blight he/him]

1 hour ago, fievelgoespostal said:

Thanks for the info on R.A. Salvatore

 

I haven't read any of the new Malazan stuff yet. As much as I enjoyed the series, after 10 books I needed a bit of a break lol

Only ten books? You haven't read all the "old" Malazan books yet! 

[fievelgoespostal]

8 hours ago, Orlion Determined said:

Only ten books? You haven't read all the "old" Malazan books yet! 

I know!!! I will get to it at some point

[Vyree he/him]

I second "Bloodsong"  by Anthony Ryan. I loved this book so much however the sequels didn't grip me as much... 

There's always David Gemmell's books. "Legend" being my personal favourite. 

[MrMistborn he/him]

It isn't fantasy, but a series that is similar to Sanderson in that it's exciting, interesting, and fast-paced, is the Endgame series by James Frey. Though, however in the vein of some of the other options in this list, it can be fairly violent at times, and there is a large amount of death, in fact the entire series is hunger games-esque where a group of people try to kill each other, though this time it's all around the world and a lot more sci-fi. I would rate it VERY highly.

[Guest]

3 hours ago, MrMistborn said:

It isn't fantasy, but a series that is similar to Sanderson in that it's exciting, interesting, and fast-paced, is the Endgame series by James Frey. Though, however in the vein of some of the other options in this list, it can be fairly violent at times, and there is a large amount of death, in fact the entire series is hunger games-esque where a group of people try to kill each other, though this time it's all around the world and a lot more sci-fi. I would rate it VERY highly.

This actually sounds interesting. I have a very soft spot for the Hunger Games.

[MrMistborn he/him]

12 hours ago, maxal said:

This actually sounds interesting. I have a very soft spot for the Hunger Games.

It's a LOT better, the cast of characters is incredibly diverse and interesting, with pretty much every single ethnicity represented in quite a non-stereotypical way (Except for the Australian) and there's even hints hidden throughout the book which are all clues to the real-world location of some treasure!

[Straw he/him]

Given your age I would recommend The Lightbringer (Starts with The Black Prism), The First Law (Starts with The Blade Itself), and The Malazen Book of the Fallen (Starts with Gardens of The Moon). Don't worry about Gardens of The Moon, it gets better at the end of the book and Deadhouse Gates is fantastic.

[blakcat]

Can agree with those that recommended Nix's Old Kingdom trilogy and the Codex Alera.  Also, though the writing itself isn't very similar to Sanderson's, I HIGHLY recommend the Inheritance Cycle (Eragon).

Also, someone mentioned the epic fantasy list on goodreads.  The list of books with interesting magic systems might be of interest as well.  Finally, there's a reddit thread with suggestions of books with the best magic systems with a spreadsheet containing a tally of all the votes.  Frankly, Sanderson's books were rated the highest, and a number of the other top-rated series were also suggested here too, but there's still a bunch there to look at.

[Sunbird she/her]

I don't know if I would call it "Sanderson-esque," but one of my longtime favorite series is Jonathan Stroud's Bartimaeus trilogy. It's got all the snark of Alcatraz and plenty of mysteries to keep you guessing. Two other series with pretty awesome magic systems IMO are the Beyonders Trilogy and the Five Kingdoms series by Brandon Mull. They're usually classified as MG or YA fantasy, but I'm 21 and I love them all the same.

[Doc12]

Anyone suggested Brandon Mull yet? Beyonders was my absolute favorite fantasy series before Sanderson,  and i still love the series. The character development was just. The best. 

Edit:Just seen @Sunbird say the same thing  above me. Nrvermind! And yes, I love Stroud 's Bartimaues and Lockwood books too! 

Edited August 21, 2016 by Doctor12

[Dani she/her]

1 hour ago, Doctor12 said:

Anyone suggested Brandon Mull yet? Beyonders was my absolute favorite fantasy series before Sanderson,  and i still love the series. The character development was just. The best. 

 

His Fablehaven was quite good too!

[Darkness Ascendant he/him]

On 16/08/2016 at 3:04 PM, Sunbird said:

I don't know if I would call it "Sanderson-esque," but one of my longtime favorite series is Jonathan Stroud's Bartimaeus trilogy. It's got all the snark of Alcatraz and plenty of mysteries to keep you guessing. Two other series with pretty awesome magic systems IMO are the Beyonders Trilogy and the Five Kingdoms series by Brandon Mull. They're usually classified as MG or YA fantasy, but I'm 21 and I love them all the same.

Nooo wayyyy, You've read Bartimaeus as well???You too @Doctor12I absolutely loved the books. I'm assuming you've read the Ring of Solomon as well? I haven't read Beyonders or Fablehaven funnily enough, but I read Five Kingdoms and I still sometimes wish I lived there, for reasons yet unbeknown to me :/

Has anyone here read Quentaris?? I haven't read them in years, but from what I can remember it's story and magic system and the sheer quantity and quality of the series can rival Sanderson 

[Sunbird she/her]

@Daniyah Yes! I love Fablehaven! <3 And did you know there's going to be a sequel series called Dragonwatch? IIRC the first book is scheduled for release in fall 2017.

@Darkness Ascendant Yup I read The Ring of Solomon. It was fantastic to see some more of Bartimaeus after the end of the trilogy.

[Stick. she/her]

3 minutes ago, Sunbird said:

@Daniyah Yes! I love Fablehaven! <3 And did you know there's going to be a sequel series called Dragonwatch? IIRC the first book is scheduled for release in fall 2017.

@Darkness Ascendant Yup I read The Ring of Solomon. It was fantastic to see some more of Bartimaeus after the end of the trilogy.

Isn't dragonwatch part of Fablehaven, like a spin-off? Correct me if I'm wrong 

[Sunbird she/her]

@I_am_a_Stick Brandon has said that it will follow basically the same cast of characters that were in Fablehaven after the events of Keys to the Demon Prison. I suppose you might call it a spin-off, but to me that term implies that you have a second cast of characters having adventures at the same time as the original crew but in a different locale. Dragonwatch is just going to be a continuation of the story of Kendra and Seth, plus more dragons.

[Stick. she/her]

7 minutes ago, Sunbird said:

@I_am_a_Stick Brandon has said that it will follow basically the same cast of characters that were in Fablehaven after the events of Keys to the Demon Prison. I suppose you might call it a spin-off, but to me that term implies that you have a second cast of characters having adventures at the same time as the original crew but in a different locale. Dragonwatch is just going to be a continuation of the story of Kendra and Seth, plus more dragons.

Ooohh that's so cool! this whole I was thinking dragonwatch will consist of different characters! Awesome. 

Also, do the Echolands from Death Weavers remind anyone else of the Cognitive realm a bit or is it just me?

Edited August 21, 2016 by I_am_a_Stick

[Dani she/her]

15 minutes ago, Sunbird said:

@Daniyah Yes! I love Fablehaven! <3 And did you know there's going to be a sequel series called Dragonwatch? IIRC the first book is scheduled for release in fall 2017.

@Darkness Ascendant Yup I read The Ring of Solomon. It was fantastic to see some more of Bartimaeus after the end of the trilogy.

Yesss I know! I'm so excited for it. Been waiting for so, so long.

[Sunbird she/her]

@I_am_a_Stick Heh. That hadn't occurred to me before, but now that you mention it, yeah, they do! And speaking of the Echolands, have you read the Beyonders Trilogy?