Epic Fantasy Watch

Fantasy is one of those genres that, when done right, can be mind-blowingly awesome. Right now for instance, I'm in the middle of  a Game of Thrones obsession. I love the show and it's gotten me desperate for more awesome fantasy. I found a list on Goodreads and here are some highlights from this list that you might want to check out. Keep in mind that these are not all strictly YA books, but if I enjoy them I'm pretty sure other teens do too. Or if you've already read of these books, let me know what you think. 

The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss

Goodreads Summary: 

Told in Kvothe's own voice, this is the tale of the magically gifted young man who grows to be the most notorious wizard his world has ever seen. The intimate narrative of his childhood in a troupe of traveling players, his years spent as a near-feral orphan in a crime-ridden city, his daringly brazen yet successful bid to enter a legendary school of magic, and his life as a fugitive after the murder of a king form a gripping coming-of-age story unrivaled in recent literature. A high-action story written with a poet's hand, The Name of the Wind is a masterpiece that will transport readers into the body and mind of a wizard.

Why I want to read it: WIZARDS! Harry Potter has instilled in me an unnatural excitement when it comes to reading about wizards and magic. Plus this book seems to have a school of magic. And there is the murder of a king which means, hopefully, that there will be a lot of court politics. I'm genuinely excited to read about this book. It doesn't hurt that it has an insane 4.56 star rating from over 110 000 readers on Goodreads. I did notice some 1 star reviews, but the vast majority of readers enjoyed The Name of the Wind which is good enough for me!

Mistborn: The Final Empire by Brandon Sanderson

Goodreads Summary: 

For a thousand years the ash fell and no flowers bloomed. For a thousand years the Skaa slaved in misery and lived in fear. For a thousand years the Lord Ruler, the "Sliver of Infinity," reigned with absolute power and ultimate terror, divinely invincible. Then, when hope was so long lost that not even its memory remained, a terribly scarred, heart-broken half-Skaa rediscovered it in the depths of the Lord Ruler's most hellish prison. Kelsier "snapped" and found in himself the powers of a Mistborn. A brilliant thief and natural leader, he turned his talents to the ultimate caper, with the Lord Ruler himself as the mark.

Kelsier recruited the underworld's elite, the smartest and most trustworthy allomancers, each of whom shares one of his many powers, and all of whom relish a high-stakes challenge. Only then does he reveal his ultimate dream, not just the greatest heist in history, but the downfall of the divine despot.

But even with the best criminal crew ever assembled, Kel's plan looks more like the ultimate long shot, until luck brings a ragged girl named Vin into his life. Like him, she's a half-Skaa orphan, but she's lived a much harsher life. Vin has learned to expect betrayal from everyone she meets, and gotten it. She will have to learn to trust, if Kel is to help her master powers of which she never dreamed.

Why I want to read it:  There's something that interests me about rebellion, and this book seems to center about that. Plus, everyone seems to have some sort of magic powers, which is alluring again. Even from reading the synopsis I'm interested in Vin. She's young and damaged, and I'm curious to see how she begins to trust the world. Also, apparently something really crazy happens and I'm dying to know what after having read Palice Pottle P.P. Pepper's review.

Tigana by Guy Gavriel Kay

Goodreads Summary: 

Eight of the nine provinces of the Peninsula of the Palm, on a world with two moons, have fallen to the warrior sorcerers Brandin of Ygrath and Alberico of Barbadior. Brandin's younger son is slain in a battle with the principality of Tigana, which the grief-stricken sorcerer then destroys. After sweeping down and destroying the remnants of their army, burning their books and destroying their architecture and statuary, he makes it so that no one not born in that province can even hear its name. Years later, a small band of survivors, led by Alessan, last prince of Tigana's royal house, wages psychological warfare, planting seeds for the overthrow of the two tyrants. At the center of these activities are Devin, a gifted young singer; Catriana, a young woman pursued by suspicions of her family's guilt; and Duke Sandre d'Astibar, a wily resistance leader thought dead. Meanwhile, at Brandin's court, Dianora, his favorite concubine and--unknown to anyone, another survivor of Tigana--struggles between her growing love for the often gentle tyrant and her desire for vengeance. Gradually the scene is set for both conquerors to destroy each other and free a land.

Why I want to read this book: Okay, I admit the cover drew me in. It looks all epic-like so while I was scrolling through the list, this book stood out. Upon further examination, Tigana sounds genuinely intriguing. There's been a huge war and some people are trying to overthrow tyrants. There is also a prince, which I seem to enjoy reading about. I like that the story seems very large and follows the lives of many characters. I like intricacy, and this book seems to promise something, well, epic. 

These are just a few from the list I found. None of these titles are YA, but they all intrigue me and I'd love to hear your recommendations or comments on these books.

-P.E.