Top Ten Tuesday

#TopTenTuesday: Intimidating Fantasy Series on my TBR!

Dini @ dinipandareads48 Comments

We’re back with another Top Ten Tuesday, a weekly meme hosted by Jana @ That Artsy Reader Girl.

This week’s topic is a: Genre Freebie (Pick a genre and build a list around it. You could do historical fiction featuring strong female leads, contemporary romance set in foreign countries, mysteries starring unreliable narrators, lyrical fiction books in verse, historical romance featuring pirates, Gothic novels with birds on the cover, etc. There are so many options!)

I had a tough time deciding on what to do for this genre freebie but I’ve decided to take it somewhat easy on myself and highlight fantasy series that intimidate me but that I still want to read!

The Dandelion Dynasty by Ken Liu

Reasons:

  • They are absolute chonksters.
  • What if it goes over my head?

The Radiant Emperor Series by Shelley Parker-Chan

Reasons:

  • The hype is intimidating!
  • What if it goes over my head?
  • What if I don’t love it like everyone else?

The Broken Earth Trilogy by N.K. Jemisin

Reasons:

  • The hype is intimidating!
  • What if it goes over my head?

The Stormlight Archive by Brandon Sanderson

Reasons:

  • The hype is intimidating!
  • They’re absolute chonksters.
  • What if I don’t love it like everyone else?
  • There are more books to come…

The Library Trilogy by Mark Lawrence

Reasons:

  • They’re absolute chonksters!
  • What if it goes over my head?
  • Note: I did start the first book in 2024(?), and while I was interested while reading, it was a little overwhelming… Not sure if it was my head space but I put it down and plan to come back to it at some point.

The Drowning Empire Series by Andrea Stewart

Reasons:

  • The hype is intimidating!
  • What if it goes over my head?
  • What if I don’t love it like everyone else?

Gentleman Bastard Series by Scott Lynch

Reasons:

  • What if it goes over my head?
  • Not sure if this will be too dark for me? Maybe?
  • What if I don’t like it like everyone else?

Mercy Thompson Series by Patricia Briggs

Reasons:

  • The hype is intimidating!
  • There are so many books… It’s a big commitment!

The Temeraire Series by Naomi Novik

Reasons:

  • There are so many books…
  • What if I don’t love it like everyone else?

The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien

Reasons:

  • The hype is… Next level.
  • It’s such a classic… What if I don’t love it like everyone else?
  • A confession: I read The Hobbit in 2012 after watching the movies and loving them, and I can still remember how keenly disappointed I felt after reading the book. I don’t know if I’d feel differently now, but wow, I did not expect to feel so bored and to have it be so different from the movies!

Have you read any of these or are they on your TBR? If you’ve read them, which would you recommend picking up first? Do you get intimidated by fantasy series? Which ones would make your list on this topic?

Blog signature that reads: Let's Chat! xoxo, Dini

48 thoughts on “#TopTenTuesday: Intimidating Fantasy Series on my TBR!”

  4. A lot of these are on my list as well!

    I tried the first Mercy Thompson book last year and I wasn’t super impressed. It felt kind of dated to me and not in a nostalgic way either. Maybe give it a go and if you don’t like book one at least it’s off the list hehe.

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    • Ooh, really? I think part of me does fear that I just won’t get the hype about some of these books. That’s always a bummer though—I’m sorry it didn’t entirely work for you! I guess some of these older books really don’t age well, eh? Thankfully I do only have the first book in this series, so maybe I should just bite the bullet and go for it so I’ll at least know if it’s for me or not 🤭

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      • Absolutely! I was trying it in a bit of a slump from Ilona Andrews – whose recent books and 20 year old books are both still excellent – and unfortunately it just didn’t wow me and then I did some more research and decided it was a bit iffy and not to continue!

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  7. I hoped to be able to disawao you of being daunted by these books but I have to say the Fifth Season is daunting and so I haven’t even attempted the sequel. Some books just aren’t meant for me. That is one.

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    • Hehe, no worries. I gotcha! 🤭 I totally get that some books aren’t for everyone. I think I just really hope that I do love it, and that probably adds to the intimidating factor. But hey, at least you tried it!

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  9. Great post and I definitely feel very similar about most of these! The only one I’ve read is The Lord of The Rings, which I loved, even if it was so intimidating. A few years later I did try to read The Hobbit and DNF’ed it halfway… so maybe this means you could also have better luck with LOTR than The Hobbit? I hope so 🙂

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    • This is what I’m hoping and I’ve had a few people tell me over the years that they think the LOTR books are much better than The Hobbit so I’ll likely enjoy it more. I really hope that’s the case for me because it’s a series that I feel like I want to love, you know? I’m glad to hear you wound up loving them though, Lindsey!

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  11. I think hype can really spoil books for people. Your fears are real, what if I don’t love it like everyone else, Dini. Chunky books also intimidate me. I’ve not read any of these, but that’s because I don’t read a lot of fantasy.

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  12. What an interesting post. I loved learning all your reasons as to why you are intimidated by those books. I used to worry when I didn’t like something that everyone else seemed to love, but now I don’t care. I do care about being disappointed though, so hyped books are worrisome for me.

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    • Yeah, I think it’s the hype that sets me up with that fear of not being able to enjoy it as much as everyone else. Of course, it’s fine to not love the book the same way, but the hype always makes me want to love it the same way (if that makes sense, lol).

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    • I feel like, aside from the length of the Mercy Thompson books, the hype is holding me back! I do only have the first one in the series so far, so maybe I should just dive in so I’ll finally know if it’s for me or not 🤭 I hope you enjoy the books that are still on your TBR!

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  14. Why are so many fantasy book absolute chonksters, LOL!

    Would definitely recommend the Library Trilogy, although you do have to be in the right frame of mind to concentrate a little bit!

    I’m not sue I would say Locke Lamora is any darker than your average epic fantasy. It’s certainly not all fluffy bunnies and rainbows, but it’s not setting out to be deliberately dark and scary. There’s quite a bit of fun and humour.

    Also, I am very much feeling the ‘What if I don’t love it like everyone else?’ about the Stormlight Archive right now…

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    • LOL my thoughts exactly! Must they all be absolute chonks!? 🤣 I do feel like one of the main reasons I put it down when I started it was because my focus was absolutely shot and I couldn’t retain anything that I was reading, even though I was finding it fascinating when I was reading it in the moment (if that makes sense, lol).

      I love a fantasy that’s got fun and humour. Have you read all the books in that series? Actually, is the series complete? I can’t remember now!

      I hope you enjoy the Stormlight Archive books if you ever get around to reading them! 😊

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      • I have read all the Locke Lamora books that exist, but unfortunately we are in a bit of a George R.R. Martin situation with the series, so it depends on whether you want to do that to yourself, LOL!

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  15. What a fun list! I love the Mercy Thompson series so much — I’d say give it a try and see how you feel about it! I’ve had Temeraire on my to-read list for ages now and just haven’t gotten around to it, although I keep telling myself I will eventually. 🙂 I’d like to read the Broken Earth trilogy too. I’m actually doing a reread of the Lord of the Rings trilogy with my book group right now, and while I’m really enjoying it, it’s definitely a lot of work to get through!

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    • After going through my comments today, I think maybe I will check out the first Mercy Thompson book at least. Then I’ll know if it’s for me or not 🤭 Temeraire is one that I don’t see a lot of people talking about actually but I’ve had it on my TBR for ages too. Ihope we both enjoy it if/when we get around to reading it!

      Ooh, I feel like LOTR would be a great book to read with others. At least you know you’ve got company through the read and have others to talk to about it (cos I feel there’d be lots to talk about? Maybe? Lol). I hope you continue enjoying your re-read!

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  16. Oh wow these are all on my TBR too, besides The Bone Shard Daughter which I’ve already read and loved. It has a fantastic animal companion and the world was fascinating. I think you’d understand it all too 🥰 although ‘What if it goes over my head?’ Is definitely what I think when it comes to a few complex sounding fantasy or sci fi worlds 😂

    Totally with you on Mercy Thompson, I desperately want to read it but how are we ever meant to catch up?? And your boredom mentions regarding The Hobbit are my great fear with picking up Tolkein 🙈 I want to love it but I’m scared it won’t grip me.

    If you fancy a buddy read of any of these to help get passed your intimidation let me know since they’re all on my TBR too. Although I do want to read Mistborn first in regards to Sanderson and Red Sister when it comes to Mark Lawrence (well Red Sister will be second as their upcoming book is actually the ARC I’m picking up next!! 😍)

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    • Yes, I’ve heard a lot about the animal companion in Bone Shard Daughter! I’ve been told that I will enjoy the books/series a lot, so I don’t know why that still doesn’t make me pick it up sooner! 🤭

      I was reading another comment on here and they mentioned they were doing a group re-read of LOTR and I feel like maybe that’d be a good series to read together!? I don’t know, maybe it could be a buddy read or small group read. It does seem like there’d be lots to talk about (and I feel reading it with others might make it less intimidating maybe, haha). Do you wanna do that?!

      I was thinking about reading Red Sister but I’ve heard it’s pretty grimdark and I don’t know why something about it has put me off over the years, although I do have it and Prince of Thorns on my TBR! 🤭 I’ve been meaning to re-read the Mistborn series for years now… Maybe if you’re up for it, another one to add to the buddy read list? Haha, you know I’m always up for buddy reads! 💜

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      • I sometimes find that the longer a book has been sitting on my shelves the harder it is to pick it up. Its like my fear of being let down by it grows 🙈

        It depends when it is but I’d be up for that. I will admit that like you I’m scared that I’ll find it dull but its a series I really want to at least try sometime. And if it doesn’t click I’ll just live in denial of it 😂😂 but yes I imagine there’s lots to discuss within it too.

        Oh yeah I remember you mentioning owning Prince Of Thorns. I havent put Red Sister off as such, I just havent gotten around to trying it thanks to my mad TBR 😂 sure I’d be up for a buddy read of Mistborn. The first arc of it at least is a series I 100% intend to get to this year. We can figure out a date over Instagram 😊

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  17. The Stormlight Archive is WORTH it. You read Mistborn, right? With the SA there’s an overall arc and smaller ones. The books that are out now 1-5 is the completion of the arc with these characters and such. I’m not sure if they will pop up later, but he has said this is like a completed section.

    Bone Shard Daughter is so good. You will LOVE Mephi and you must read it for that alone! haha.

    Mark Lawrence is one that I really want to read. I have heard good things, and have the first two books in the Library Trilogy. Great post! I hope you do give some of these a try. 🙂

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    • Yees, I’ve read Mistborn but back in like.. 2016/17? I remember quite little now after all these years but I’ve been meaning to re-read the series! Ooh, so the Stormlight arc is complete already? Ok… so, not too bad… 5 books to catch up on and they’re absolute chonksters but I’m glad to know there aren’t more just yet 😂

      I’ve also been told the same thing about Bone Shard Daughter the animal sidekick! I really hope to read it this year!

      Also, same about the Lawrence book. I’m determined to at least finish the first book this year. I’m up for a buddy read at some point, if you want (unless you plan to read it like super soon)?

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      • Yes, this arc of characters is complete. He is going to continue, but he said something like in 10 years or something crazy.

        Yes to the buddy read! I have no immediate plans to read it so let’s pencil it in for the future!

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  18. Oooh great list! I have so many of these on my TBR too, but I have read (and loved) Stewarts Drowning Empire series. I’m especially eager to read Temeraire and The Broken Earth trilogy… both have been on my TBR for an age!

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  21. I completely agree with the book length being a huge intimidating factor.

    And for what it’s worth, I did NOT enjoy the first Gentlemen Bastards book. I found The Lies of Locke Lamora too long, too dark, and too filled with characters I didn’t care about. So if you decide to try it and don’t enjoy it, at least you will know you’re not alone! 😉

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  22. I loved She Who Became the Sun but I have yet to read book 2 and now I’m at a point where I might have to reread the first one haha. Honestly, the Mercy Thompson books are so easy, you fly right through them.

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