Spencer Steeves's Blog: The Fantasy Collective.

I feel like every author and reader alike has to do one of these at some point. I have read many, many books, but there are several series that still stick out firmly in my mind. There are, of course, still so many books on my to-read list, and there is no telling when this will change, but I'm sure I'll write a new one of these when that happens.

#1 Obsidian Mountain/Enduring Flame, by Mercedes Lackey.
I'm always surprised when I mention these books to people I talk to, and they say they've never heard of the author. I first listened to this book several years ago when I was in the car with my father driving back and forth to play rehearsals. It captured my heart then. Since that time, I've read the series once and listened to it again very recently on vacation. It never fails to excite or capture me. To this day, Jermayan and Ancaladar are legends in my mind, and Kellen, Vestakia, and Shalkan will always be close to my heart. Lackey and Mallory are amazing at building a world and drawing you through it with grace. Their imagining of Elves is my favorite I've ever seen, and I can't wait to read more of their work.

#2 The Symphony of Ages, by Elizabeth Haydon
I found this series one day at a Savers store, and slowly collected all nine books over several visits to various bookstores. From the first page, Haydon captured my heart, and this is probably the best worldbuilding I've read to date. if it weren't for nostalgia and familiarity with the author, this series might be wrestling with Lackey for my number one spot. The world lore in this series was wonderfully deep and inclusive, and the flavorful touches of Celtic lore were fantastic. As a harpist and madrigal singer, Haydon brought her expertise to work in this fantasy tale following Rhapsody, a modest and generous Singer. I'll not spoil any more of the story. Just suffice to say, you have to read it. The lyrical flow of the series is unmistakable, even for someone who is tone-deaf like me, and the characters will leave you nearly unable to put the series down. I read the full thing in half-to three quarters of a year, including the time it took me to find the pieces of the tale I was missing.

#3 The Drizzt Do'Urden Series, by R.A Salvatore.
I'd heard about this series for a long time before I ever actually had the chance to read it. I started playing D&D in my last year of high school and had seen references to Salvatore's wonderful works in so many other books I'd read. I knew it was set in the Forgotten Realms, the primary setting of D&D 5e, and wanted to read it quite badly. Then, one day, while on a tag sale run, we came upon a huge box of R.A Salvatore books, and I scooped them right up. I'm still perhaps twenty books away from finishing the series(especially since he's still writing) but though his books often go by very quickly for me, I love all the characters, and his take on the world. I searching for the Neverwinter trilogy now, and I can't wait to see what comes next in the legacy of the Companions of the Hall.

#4 Falling Kingdoms, by Morgan Rhodes
I was shocked to learn that this was actually a secondary moniker for an established horror novelist. It was amazing to me how she so succinctly picked up the fantasy style and wove such an emotional, compelling tale. Nothing like an exciting story about nobles and peasants alike fighting a king and then the gods themselves to get your blood boiling! The only complaint I really have for this story is that it was over too fast. It got me through a strike at my workplace, but it took me less than two or three days after getting a book in the series to reach the back cover. Another author who has relationships down pat. This book and the first one on my list were two of my primary inspirations for writing my own novel, Everything Under the Sun.

#5 The Dragonlance Series, by Margaret Weiss and Tracy Hickman
When I first picked up this series, I had no idea it was based on a world in the D&D multiverse, and learning that only made the story better. The books weave a compelling story, and follow a huge cast of changing characters without ever seeming clunky or awkward, a feat that cannot go understated. I loved the conclusion, and the character arcs and emotional relationships were well played. I will miss Tanis, Laurana, and Tasslehoff for the rest of my days, I'm sure. The masterful creation of the politics of a dragon cult/army, and the way the authors developed and worked in the histories of various D&D creatures was fantastic. I only wish that the movies had treated it more kindly.

Romance has long been an interesting subject for me. For as long as I can remember, I avoided it like the plague. Due to my own identity as an aromantic male(Someone who doesn't really believe in love, and doesn't plan to get involved with it ever) I never understood the appeal of romance novels. That being said, I'm a huge fan of Fantasy books, and I am hard-pressed to recall books in that genre that haven't involved love in some way, even if it was rather obscure. Before, I found this annoying, but ever since beginning to write my own stories, I've realized its importance, and a few key stories have developed my understanding of that particular element.
As I've come to see it, having characters falling in love, or being in relationships helps make them more relatable to the audience, as it's something they know happens in the real world. And as a writer, it helps you get a better feel of the world too.
One of my all-time favorite book series is the Obsidian Mountain Trilogy by Mercedes Lackey. During the course of that book, the main characters, Kellyn, is placed under an oath of celibacy and chastity for a year and a day. Then, over the course of the trilogy, he is faced with a beautiful woman who saves his life, and immediately makes him question whether he can complete this task, and a burgeoning relationship and temptation by another ally whose life Kellyn saves. This tense relationship, where the characters know they are falling in love, but can't act on it, and are occasionally thrown into situations where their control is limited and their attraction almost costs them the war, was impressively wrought, and taught me a lot about how to write love.
But it wasn't until I started a series I only just recently finished that I really got a true picture of love.
As I mentioned before, I avoided romance stories at all costs. But on my shelf, I had a series called the Symphony of Ages, which was a fantasy tale with a compelling blurb and a beautiful cover. But, I also knew rather quickly that it was a romance tale. Despite this, I decided to read it. I figured that I'd seen enough relationships in stories that I could accept it and move on.
The story was heavily steeped in the love between the characters, and there were quite a few very graphic sex scenes within. While those things didn't appeal to me, the story still dragged me in. The love was weaved into the story with a master's touch, every kiss meaning something for the characters, whether it be salvation or damnation. I loved the series, and it found itself a place as #2 on my top series list(Keep an eye out for that soon.) Before ever picking up that series, I'd read the Grisha trilogy by Leigh Bardugo, which, though on a much tamer level, also dealt with romance, particularly the contest between a childhood friend love interest, and a new, darkly handsome(and slightly murderous) suitor. These series have helped me see love as an important literary element, even if I don't ascribe to the idea in person. While I won't seek out raunchy tales, no longer will I inwardly cringe every time two characters kiss.
Books are the best material for teaching you things you never knew you needed to learn and I thank this wonderful medium for helping me evolve as a person and(hopefully) as a writer.

A bead of cold sweat dripped down the captain's back when those wooden pieces clacked against the wooden board. Never had he imagined a game so stressful. But he stared down the grim specter of death. A captain, the fate of his crew decided by a game of skill, a game he'd never played.
"Soon it will be over, captain," the cold, calm voice intoned. "Soon, you will join the rest."
"How many?" the trembling captain asked, reaching for a piece.
"I lost count long ago. The number is inconsequential."
"And how many have escaped you?" the captain dared to ask.
"One." His voice was so frigid that it felt like the blood would freeze in the captain's veins. "As you should well know."
"What?"
The specter laughed evilly. "I never expect a second chance with a soul. But now you will be the ultimate treasure. The greatest of my acquisitions."