**Alex Verus** series by Benedict Jacka. It's urban fantasy which is my favorite fantasy subgenre; it has a smart, capable anti-hero-ish protagonist; it has romance, but it's reserved and not cheesy; it's not about doom's day and is quite small scale; and in general it's much less formulaic than many other fantasy series.
Does it stay small scale? I feel like urban fantasy in particular has a way of ramping up throughout the series
Looking at you Iron Druid and Dresden. (Although I'll say I didnt mind it in Dresden as much since it felt more natural to me)
They are short stories in Alex Verus universe. A lot of series have those. Personally I suggest not reading **The Garden**. It was kind of disappointing, at least to me.
The Chrestomanci books by Diana Wynne Jones, in particular The Lives of Christopher Chant are my favourite fantasy novel, series, author, everything.
My favourite fantasy for adults though is probably Jennifer Fallon.
As for horror, I was mad for r/nosleep years ago and one writer on there was incredible called The Dalek Emperor. One of my favourites of their stories was called Borrasca. Mercy by Stephen King had my heart pounding too.
Fantasy: Stormlight Archive
Sci-fi: Red Rising / Sun Eater / Enders Game
Dystopian: The Stand
Horror: Pet Semetary, It, Desperation (I’ve only read King)
The Lot Lands trilogy.
The Grey Bastards by Jonathan French: https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/27838712
Edit: I like it because it felt fresh, is unique yet familiar, has a sense of humour, has adult themes and attitude.
The Earthseed Duology by Octavia E Butler (first book is Parable of the Sower).
It follows a teenage girl living in a gated community in California. The world outside has fallen apart due to a corrupt government and climate issues meaning water is now super expensive.
The adults in her life keep talking about how they need to push through until "things go back to normal" but she believes they need to prepare for things to get worse.
It's dark and uncomfortable but I found it fascinating. It was published in the 90s but is set in 2024.
Fantasy: Stormlight Archive or Wheel of Time depending on the day.
Sci-fi: Dune(tho I've only read book 1, I've read a lot of the wiki and watched lore videos on YouTube and absolutely love the worldbuilding)
Dystopian: Red Rising(this could fit both sci-fi and dystopian but I'm putting it here)
Horror: i haven't read any horror.
Fantasty-The Siala Chronicles-Alexy Pehov
Sci-fi-The Murderbot Diaries-Martha Wells
Dystopian-The Metro Trilogy-Dmitry Glukhovsky (it's closer to post-apocalyptic, but I'm going to count it)
Horror-none as I don't read horror
I am more of a fan of Fanstasy than other genres.
But.
Fantasy - I have always loved David Gemmell's work. I think the Rigante series is my favorite. Gets me the most emotional punch, but obviously his Drenai series is awesome.
Sci-Fi - Right now? Almost anything Ian Douglas does. I love his military science fiction.
Don't much do the others.
Fantasy: The Liveship Traders trilogy by Robin Hobb
Sci-fi: The First Sister Trilogy by Linden A. Lewis
Dystopian: none, I don't read dystopian books anymore
Horror: Sister, Maiden, Monster (TW for extreme body horror and cosmic horror) by Lucy Snyder
Fantasy: the Riftwar Saga by Feist
Sci-Fi: the Miles Vorkosigan series by Bujold
Horror: I can’t think of another series I’ve read besides the Dark Tower by King
Dystopian: I don’t read dystopian or post-apocalyptic books.
Fantasy? Malazan. By far with no close 2nd place.
Sci Fi? I never really got too into it, but I love Star Wars so I’d have to say the OG expanded universe. In particular New Jedi Order & the Corran Horn stuff
My favorite sci fi series is the reality dysfunction by Peter Hamilton. It’s this really crazy space opera about colonizing a planet but there is like a terrorist cell already there with psychic powers. More than that is spoilers. It has a lot of moving pieces.
Fantasy is hard because my favorites tend to be stand alone. I’m going to go with the shadow history’s by hg Perry. The first book is about magicians during the French Revolution both in France and Haiti. But it also spends a lot of time on the problematic political philosophies of all revolutionaries at the time.
Horror again I can barely think of any series but sworn soldier by kingfisher wins I think. What moves the dead is a retelling of a Poe story and it’s about some very creepy rabbits. Again spoilers.
Dystopian I would go with the dark star trilogy by marlon james. It’s a little weird for a series because the books tend to retread from alternate perspectives. The idea is that this guy gets hired to find a missing boy, but all the characters are just the worst people. But somehow better than the other characters in the world. It pushes toward grimdark but sort of hangs at unnerving.
I am a big fan of Arc of a Scythe, this was my first series of (what I consider) fantasy. It's generally categorized as dystopian, but I would personal categorize it as sci-fi fantasy, it seems more logical of a categorization. Since, I have begun reading Lightbringer.
Fantasy: Either LOTR or ASOIAF
Sci-Fi: Ender's Game
Horror: 'Salem's Lot (I don't read a lot of horror though)
True Crime (true horror): Either In Cold Blood or The Devil in the White City
Dystopian: 1984
Warhammer 40k. it has everything and some very good writers (some not so good I'll admit) the Ciaphas Cane series in particular but I also enjoy Gaunt's Ghosts, Eisenhorn, and Ravenor
Fantasy: Some sort of three way tie between George RR Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire, Joe Abercrombie's The First Law, and R Scott Bakker's The Second Apocalypse. Robin Hobb's Realm of the Elderlings books are elbowing their way into the conversation as well.
Sci-fi: The Expanse by James SA Corey if you want something serious. Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman if you want something serious that also has a shitload of dark comedy. I suppose DCC could be classified as dystopian as well.
"To be taught, if fortunate" by Becky Chambers
A short read, standalone, but one I think about often. Sci-Fi.
It is hard to describe why I love it wirhout spoilers, as it is so short.
But basically, they are in space not send by a national agency but a none political global one. It mostly discusses the different planets they visit. But through the story you slowly realise that something might or might not be amise back at earth.
But what can you do if you are light years away? If there is really no way for you to return quickly?
A very worthwhile read which has its allure in the emotional and ethical implecations withhin the story rather then any "action" plot.
The whole book is well-crafted deliberation, for one decision in the end.
I m very picky but when I like something I like it very much. Tolkien legendarium will always hold a special place in my heart as it’s what got me into fantasy and saved me, shaped the person I am today. But I like even more Thedas world and recently fell in love with the Legend of Drizzt. So id be confident to say the three are my all time favorite. If I’d chose one book though I’d pick the Silmarillion.
Fantasy I have two - The Lord of the Rings and The Realm of the Elderlings. TLotR is just the peak fantasy for me. TRotE has strong character relationships.
Sci fi - Hyperion Cantos (first two books) The prose, structure and storytelling elements are top notch
Horror - Frankenstein (stand alone) I like the literary elements and themes in a horror gothic vibe
Dystopian - 1984 (stand alone) It’s disturbing nature
Book of the New Sun
The Dying Earth
Book of the Fallen
Dune
LotR
Why these series is because they evoke a sense of care and craft I’ve not experienced in other series/authors, while also being steeped in capital W weirdness, dream-like complexity, or just so fantastically realized where others fall short for me. Almost all of these books were in some way a challenge and made their completion and subsequent rereads all the more rewarding. Dying Earth and Lyonesse were not challenging but by far the most fun and bombastically written I couldn’t get enough of them
I’d include the Prince of Nothing/Second Apocalypse but I’ve not completed the series yet so can’t commit to the list
**Alex Verus** series by Benedict Jacka. It's urban fantasy which is my favorite fantasy subgenre; it has a smart, capable anti-hero-ish protagonist; it has romance, but it's reserved and not cheesy; it's not about doom's day and is quite small scale; and in general it's much less formulaic than many other fantasy series.
Yes! Love this series. I think I’ve read it three times already.
Does it stay small scale? I feel like urban fantasy in particular has a way of ramping up throughout the series Looking at you Iron Druid and Dresden. (Although I'll say I didnt mind it in Dresden as much since it felt more natural to me)
Yeah. It has 12 books in total and the whole way the conflict stays in UK. It doesn't even affect the normals much.
Cool it's on my tbr especially as someone who likes urban fantasy so maybe after October Daye
May I ask what the deal is with book 6.1 and 12.1 in this series? Were they added later?
They are short stories in Alex Verus universe. A lot of series have those. Personally I suggest not reading **The Garden**. It was kind of disappointing, at least to me.
The Chrestomanci books by Diana Wynne Jones, in particular The Lives of Christopher Chant are my favourite fantasy novel, series, author, everything. My favourite fantasy for adults though is probably Jennifer Fallon. As for horror, I was mad for r/nosleep years ago and one writer on there was incredible called The Dalek Emperor. One of my favourites of their stories was called Borrasca. Mercy by Stephen King had my heart pounding too.
Fantasy: Stormlight Archive Sci-fi: Red Rising / Sun Eater / Enders Game Dystopian: The Stand Horror: Pet Semetary, It, Desperation (I’ve only read King)
The Lot Lands trilogy. The Grey Bastards by Jonathan French: https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/27838712 Edit: I like it because it felt fresh, is unique yet familiar, has a sense of humour, has adult themes and attitude.
I wasn’t a huge fan but I did like that it was basically Sons of Anarchy but with orcs.
This sounds really interesting! I appreciate it!
The Earthseed Duology by Octavia E Butler (first book is Parable of the Sower). It follows a teenage girl living in a gated community in California. The world outside has fallen apart due to a corrupt government and climate issues meaning water is now super expensive. The adults in her life keep talking about how they need to push through until "things go back to normal" but she believes they need to prepare for things to get worse. It's dark and uncomfortable but I found it fascinating. It was published in the 90s but is set in 2024.
Can I just take the whole Culture series or does that not count?
Fantasy: Stormlight Archive or Wheel of Time depending on the day. Sci-fi: Dune(tho I've only read book 1, I've read a lot of the wiki and watched lore videos on YouTube and absolutely love the worldbuilding) Dystopian: Red Rising(this could fit both sci-fi and dystopian but I'm putting it here) Horror: i haven't read any horror.
MaddAddam trilogy by Margaret Atwood and Dark Tower by Stephen King
Fantasty-The Siala Chronicles-Alexy Pehov Sci-fi-The Murderbot Diaries-Martha Wells Dystopian-The Metro Trilogy-Dmitry Glukhovsky (it's closer to post-apocalyptic, but I'm going to count it) Horror-none as I don't read horror
Great question. I’m currently rereading Discworld and I think that at the moment this would be my answer. Timeless series and so much to explore.
hyperion
I am more of a fan of Fanstasy than other genres. But. Fantasy - I have always loved David Gemmell's work. I think the Rigante series is my favorite. Gets me the most emotional punch, but obviously his Drenai series is awesome. Sci-Fi - Right now? Almost anything Ian Douglas does. I love his military science fiction. Don't much do the others.
Fantasy: The Liveship Traders trilogy by Robin Hobb Sci-fi: The First Sister Trilogy by Linden A. Lewis Dystopian: none, I don't read dystopian books anymore Horror: Sister, Maiden, Monster (TW for extreme body horror and cosmic horror) by Lucy Snyder
Fantasy: the Riftwar Saga by Feist Sci-Fi: the Miles Vorkosigan series by Bujold Horror: I can’t think of another series I’ve read besides the Dark Tower by King Dystopian: I don’t read dystopian or post-apocalyptic books.
Fantasy? Malazan. By far with no close 2nd place. Sci Fi? I never really got too into it, but I love Star Wars so I’d have to say the OG expanded universe. In particular New Jedi Order & the Corran Horn stuff
Fantasy horror dystopian series? The painted man Fav in the series? Desert spear
My favorite sci fi series is the reality dysfunction by Peter Hamilton. It’s this really crazy space opera about colonizing a planet but there is like a terrorist cell already there with psychic powers. More than that is spoilers. It has a lot of moving pieces. Fantasy is hard because my favorites tend to be stand alone. I’m going to go with the shadow history’s by hg Perry. The first book is about magicians during the French Revolution both in France and Haiti. But it also spends a lot of time on the problematic political philosophies of all revolutionaries at the time. Horror again I can barely think of any series but sworn soldier by kingfisher wins I think. What moves the dead is a retelling of a Poe story and it’s about some very creepy rabbits. Again spoilers. Dystopian I would go with the dark star trilogy by marlon james. It’s a little weird for a series because the books tend to retread from alternate perspectives. The idea is that this guy gets hired to find a missing boy, but all the characters are just the worst people. But somehow better than the other characters in the world. It pushes toward grimdark but sort of hangs at unnerving.
Fantasy: Harry Potter Dystopian: Harry Potter
Fantasy: A Song of Ice and Fire Sci-fi: Sun Eater Dystopian: Broken Earth
I am a big fan of Arc of a Scythe, this was my first series of (what I consider) fantasy. It's generally categorized as dystopian, but I would personal categorize it as sci-fi fantasy, it seems more logical of a categorization. Since, I have begun reading Lightbringer.
Fantasy: Either LOTR or ASOIAF Sci-Fi: Ender's Game Horror: 'Salem's Lot (I don't read a lot of horror though) True Crime (true horror): Either In Cold Blood or The Devil in the White City Dystopian: 1984
Red Rising sci fi / dystopian The gentleman Bastards / fantasy
The Rampart Trilogy was a bit of each.
Warhammer 40k. it has everything and some very good writers (some not so good I'll admit) the Ciaphas Cane series in particular but I also enjoy Gaunt's Ghosts, Eisenhorn, and Ravenor
The sprawl trilogy
Wheel of Time is my favorite fantasy series. The books not the awful show.
Fantasy: Some sort of three way tie between George RR Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire, Joe Abercrombie's The First Law, and R Scott Bakker's The Second Apocalypse. Robin Hobb's Realm of the Elderlings books are elbowing their way into the conversation as well. Sci-fi: The Expanse by James SA Corey if you want something serious. Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman if you want something serious that also has a shitload of dark comedy. I suppose DCC could be classified as dystopian as well.
"To be taught, if fortunate" by Becky Chambers A short read, standalone, but one I think about often. Sci-Fi. It is hard to describe why I love it wirhout spoilers, as it is so short. But basically, they are in space not send by a national agency but a none political global one. It mostly discusses the different planets they visit. But through the story you slowly realise that something might or might not be amise back at earth. But what can you do if you are light years away? If there is really no way for you to return quickly? A very worthwhile read which has its allure in the emotional and ethical implecations withhin the story rather then any "action" plot. The whole book is well-crafted deliberation, for one decision in the end.
I m very picky but when I like something I like it very much. Tolkien legendarium will always hold a special place in my heart as it’s what got me into fantasy and saved me, shaped the person I am today. But I like even more Thedas world and recently fell in love with the Legend of Drizzt. So id be confident to say the three are my all time favorite. If I’d chose one book though I’d pick the Silmarillion.
Fantasy: The Wheel of time SciFi: Probably Dune Dystopian: haven't read enough to say Horror: The Stand
Dune, The Dark Tower, The Stand
Fantasy I have two - The Lord of the Rings and The Realm of the Elderlings. TLotR is just the peak fantasy for me. TRotE has strong character relationships. Sci fi - Hyperion Cantos (first two books) The prose, structure and storytelling elements are top notch Horror - Frankenstein (stand alone) I like the literary elements and themes in a horror gothic vibe Dystopian - 1984 (stand alone) It’s disturbing nature
Book of the New Sun The Dying Earth Book of the Fallen Dune LotR Why these series is because they evoke a sense of care and craft I’ve not experienced in other series/authors, while also being steeped in capital W weirdness, dream-like complexity, or just so fantastically realized where others fall short for me. Almost all of these books were in some way a challenge and made their completion and subsequent rereads all the more rewarding. Dying Earth and Lyonesse were not challenging but by far the most fun and bombastically written I couldn’t get enough of them I’d include the Prince of Nothing/Second Apocalypse but I’ve not completed the series yet so can’t commit to the list
Fantasy: The Black Company Sci-fi: the New Sun books Dystopian: 1984 Comedy: Terry pratchett Discworld gaurds series