Nolyn: Book 1 of the Rise and Fall Trilogy discussion

I've been introduced to most of my favorite books through recommendations from readers with similar tastes. So, in the interest of finding my next binge-worthy series (and helping others do the same).... What are you reading while we wait for Nolyn? Or alternatively: what is your favorite series/author (besides MJS) that you think everyone absolutely has to read?

I'm currently listening to the audiobook of Katherine Arden's "Winternight" trilogy. The series follows a girl in medieval Russia with the Sight to see supernatural creatures. It is heavily influenced by Russian fairy tales and almost feels like one itself. If you've read and enjoyed Naomi Novik's most recent novels, I heartily recommend picking up this series as well.

I'm not one to limit myself to just one book at a time, so I am ALSO rereading one of my favorite series: "The Green Rider" by Kristen Britain. In this series, a runaway schoolgirl inherits a dying messenger's deadly quest to deliver a vital message to the king before his enemies kill her too. The first book is a rollicking fun adventure, filled with humor and absurdities. The themes of her following adventures in the later books gradually become darker, but the absurd humor never entirely vanishes. (Bonus: there is a soundtrack for the first book, and a crowdfunding campaign is underway to make one for the second as well.)

The Faithful and the Fallen series by John Gwynne. l loved this series.

I'm listening to the Rhythm of war form Brandon Sanderson. I backed the Nolyn ebook, but I will purchase the audio book once it's out. I enjoy Michael's books much more with Tim Gerard Reynolds' narration.

I'm usually reading 2 or 3 books simultaneously, with one or 2 usually non-fiction/educational (music theory, photography, computers, learning how to learn) basically anything to gain knowledge or learn knew things.

Currently these titles are Music Theory for the Bass player by Ariane Cap and Exam Ref AZ-303 Microsoft Azure Architect Technologies.

On the fiction side, my preference is what I generally classify as fantasy. For me this encompasses a LOT of genres/classifications including YA, Urban paranormal, epic and classic fantasy.

Current favorites are pretty much anything by Sarah J. Maas - Throne of Glass and A Court of Thorns and Roses are both fantastic series. I'm also diving into the Grishaverse by Leigh Bardugo. The Shadow and Bone trilogy has been made into a Netflix series starting later this month and really looking forward to it, as well.

Currently I'm listening to House of Styx by Derek Kunsken, which is a prelude to the Quantum Magician trilogy. It's a hard scifi heist novel. On paper I'm reading Orphan X by Gregg Horowitz, which is a thriller. On my Kindle I'm reading Alien Night on Union Station by E.M. Foner, which is a light hearted slice of life sci-fi series on Kindle unlimited.

I usually do an audiobook and 1-2 physical books depending on the mood I’m in. Right now I am almost caught up on Cradle by Will Wight (amazingly underrated) and getting ready to start Dagger & Coin by Daniel Abraham.

Lindsay wrote: "I usually do an audiobook and 1-2 physical books depending on the mood I’m in. Right now I am almost caught up on Cradle by Will Wight (amazingly underrated) and getting ready to start Dagger & Coi..."

I really need to try the Cradle series. I own all the books and started book 1 but couldn't get into it. Maybe I should give it another go as many seem to love that series

Brian wrote: "Lindsay wrote: "I usually do an audiobook and 1-2 physical books depending on the mood I’m in. Right now I am almost caught up on Cradle by Will Wight (amazingly underrated) and getting ready to st..."
I’d definitely recommend giving it another shot! Unsouled is an okay start, but the series grows quickly into something fantastic by books 2&3. I’m currently on Wintersteel (#8) and I think it might be one of my new favorite series!

Thank you! I will for sure

Ok So I started reading this series which I thought was maybe 4 books! Nope seems it is 6 books. I'm almost finished reading it thought and it is rather good. The series is The Black Gate Series by Phil Tucker. And after I finished up reading this I will move on to The Paternus Trilogy. This is the Trilogy that Michael brought to my attention through the suggestion of another book Kickstarter that would be worth backing. BTW Michael thanks so much for that wonderful worthwhile suggestion!!! So that is what I am reading in the evening. During the day I am reading/listening to books that deal with Skills to understand and strengthen Executive Functioning with Adult ADHD! And Understanding the Role of the 8 Key Executive Functions of the Mind and the effects these can have on the ability to Organize and Structure your life when an Adult has ADHD. And I am also in the middle of selling my house, packing up, and trying to find a new house and decide where I want to move to for the last time!! This is my retirement move after all!! And let me tell you I am so sick of looking at houses that are for sale! Right now it is a seller market and this makes the market really crazy price-wise!!! So that is what I am reading as I am trying to be structured and organized, during the day! Then at night Relaxing and reading as much as I can before I drop into a dead sleep!!! LMAO!!!

BTW I was listening to my books at night because I have all my books in audio so I can take them in my vehicle if I want to. But that was really frustrating for the next evening when I would return to listen to the book even when I set a timer and bookmark. I could never remember where I fell asleep during the audio. So I would have to go through the book reading a few lines to see if I remembered that part of the story!! Way too time-consuming when you're so tired and just want to read and RELAX!!!

Lindsay wrote: "I usually do an audiobook and 1-2 physical books depending on the mood I’m in. Right now I am almost caught up on Cradle by Will Wight (amazingly underrated) and getting ready to start Dagger & Coi..."

I do the same, l listen to an audiobook and read another book on my kindle in the evenings. We recently re-watched the Warehouse 13 with my wife, and the next day I found out that I purchased an W13 ebook long time ago, but never got to read it. So now I'm making up what I missed.

Usually, I'm reading 2-4 books at a time.
1 print, 1 audio, 1 ebook and maybe an short story anthology.

At the moment thats Babylons Ashes (Expanse #6, in German) as print, Emerald Storm (Graphic Audio version) and Mythic Journeys (anthology).
The next ebook will be Nolyn.

I am super impressed with anyone who can read two fiction books at the same time!!! Honestly! I cannot do that! I just do not have the capacity in my brain to keep all the characters separated and then keep track of each storyline!! I can read two or more technical non-fiction at the same time with no problem. But non-fiction! No Way! That skill is truly an impressive one!!! I am PEA GREEN WITH ENVY!!! LMAO

Alex wrote: "Katherine Arden's "Winternight" trilogy"

Such a great new author - I've only read her first one so far, but I'm hoping to get into the rest of them when I'm not bogged down with writing/editing!

Julius wrote: "I backed the Nolyn ebook, but I will purchase the audio book once it's out. I enjoy Michael's books much more with Tim Gerard Reynolds' narration."

TGR really makes me sound better than I am. Sometimes when I'm in the car listening to him read one of my books, I almost forget it was me who wrote them, and I think to myself, "man that guy is good." And by "that guy" - I mean Tim ;-)

Beverly wrote: "Gamma reading Nolyn and going slow and enjoying it. Even though I read it twice in beta, I find it much more enjoyable this third time because the beta reading was critiquing the plot, characters, etc., and looking for major mistakes. This time I get to just read without the heavy analyzing."

So glad to hear that. And yeah, although we love the beta readers and what they do, we also know it comes at a cost. You can't read the book the same way when beta testing. But being away from it, and coming back with "pure reader" eyes is definitely a welcomed way to experience it again.

Lindsay wrote: "Right now I am almost caught up on Cradle by Will Wight (amazingly underrated)."

I'm so glad to hear you mention Will. He's a good friend, and Robin and I have been mentoring him and his team (father and brother) with some things and helping them get the audio deal they recently did. We keep pushing them to do Kickstarters, and I think they will in the future. I'm sure if they did, it would be knocked out of the park.

Aileen Dodge wrote: "Ok So I started reading this series which I thought was maybe 4 books! Nope seems it is 6 books. I'm almost finished reading it thought and it is rather good. The series is The Black Gate Series by..."

Aileen Dodge wrote: "Ok So I started reading this series which I thought was maybe 4 books! Nope seems it is 6 books. I'm almost finished reading it thought and it is rather good. The series is The Black Gate Series by..."

The Black Gate series was awesome! One of my favorites.

I might take a break on this series for a little while. This series for me seems to be one that deserves a break due to the events that are happening within the story. There are some series I have come across that for me require a little break in reading due to the timeline of events within the story. It kind of makes the whole storyline flow better for me. And since I am not one to spoil a series for anyone. I have come to what I believe is a major turning point within this series that will now take the storyline in a new direction. So I will now start reading and listening to Paternus: The Complete Trilogy! A Kickstarter Michael recommended that I did catch in the nick of time! BTW Thank you, Michael, for that recommendation.

Recommended from Michael on Kickstarter, the Paternus Trilogy by Dyrk Ashton. Very creatively written war between a mix of all the legends, myths, religions, and ancient scientific species since the dawn of time, all blended into a few score "good vs bad gods" in present day, with some epic battles and truly loveable characters. And Dyrk is a really nice guy:)
Excellent series worth reading: Lightbringer Series by Brent Weeks (best series ending ever after Heir of Novron;), anything by Joe Abercrombie, but start with The First Law Trilogy, Brandon Sanderson's Stormlight Archive, Naomi Novik's Temeraire (His Majesty's Dragon) Series, Brian McClellan's Powder Mage Series or Valkyrie Collections, and anything by Will Wight. I'm loving the Cradle series, but the Traveler's Gate books were also fantastic.

Forgot to add Matthew Wolf's Ronin Saga! Also Kickstarted as recommended by Michael. Everything a fantasy series needs... Loveable characters, great world building and magic system, driving plot that keeps you turning pages past your bedtime. Four books in the series now. Book three is a bit of a "bridge" with an unfinished ending that is the groundwork part of the story of book three/four, allowing book four to be jam packed with action. Keep reading after book three. Book four is worth it. Matthew is also a super nice guy!

Like several of the other responders, I'm listening to Michael's suggestion, Paternus: The Complete Trilogy, and am on part 2/6. I had just finished Naomi Novik's A Deadly Education, which I enjoyed. A +1 on Sarah's suggestion of the Lightbringer Series by Brent Weeks and Joe Abercrombie's work. One thing I love about the MJS books is that it usually doesn't feel super heavy and dark, despite what's happening. I used the term "comfort reading" to describe it to my friends, particularly over the last year. (That's not how I would describe the Red Rising Saga by Pierce Brown, but I like that too.) I also liked The Grimnoir Chronicles by Larry Correia. It's been a while since I read it, but one of the protagonists reminds me of Suri, one of my all-time favorite characters.

Hello, these what are you reading sections have been a great place to get recommendations for thing to read it listen to. I am currently powering through everything based in the world of Elan. Every time I read them I make more connections between books and series. I just finished Age of Empyre. After Heir of Novron I plan on reading Paternus based in these recommendations. The Lightbringer series was good, I really liked the Night Angel Trilogy by Brent Weeks also. I also plan to get caught back up with the Cradle series now that the next book just came out.

I recently finished "The Fires of Vengeance" by Evan Winter, and am currently on "Students of the Order" by Edward W. Robertson.
MJS is my favorite author, but other authors I frequently recommend and really enjoy are Edward W. Robertson ("The Cycle of Arawn" and "The Cycle of Galand"), Brian Stavely, Brent Weeks, and Brian McClellan.

Currently going through and reading T. Kingfisher's World of the White Rat series and absolutely loving her books. I finished the Clockwork Boys yesterday and just started the Wonder Engine.

Other things I've read recently that I've loved:
- Sword of Kaigen by M.L. Wang
- A Wizard's Guide to Defensive Baking by T. Kingfisher
- The Cradle series by Will Wight
- All of Leigh Bardugo's Grishaverse books
- Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik
- Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones

After I finish reading T. Kingfisher, it'll be back to finding books for my r/fantasy bingo squares again lol

Howl's Moving Castle was excellent! And I also love T. Kingfisher.

Hello! Right now I'm listening to the Codex of Alera series by Jim Butcher. I don't have anything lined up on what to listen to next, so I'm hoping you can offer some suggestions!

What I've read and absolutely loved so far:
* The Belgariad and Mallorean series by David Eddings
* The Riyria and Legends books (obviously!)
* Both Mistborn series by Brandon Sanderson (Actually I discovered the Riyria books after finishing the Wax and Wayne books)
* The Stormlight Archive by Sanderson
* The Lightbringer series by Brent Weeks
* The Codex of Alera by Jim Butcher

I've read and listened to other fantasy books, but the above list are my favorite. They all have well developed and likeable characters, humor, and a good story/plot.

I recently listened to James Islington's Licanius trilogy. The plot was good and the epilogue was epic, but there was something lacking in the characters. The characters felt flat and stiff. The only character that I actually really cared about was Caeden.

I look forward to hearing what other series I listen to along the lines of the series I have listed above! Thank you!

For quite a few years, finding a good book to read has been pretty difficult for me. My problem is, that I like fantasy, but I don't like magic, and I don't like books, in which a naive farmer's son (or something to that effect) has to save the world from the Evil Lord. What I love about fantasy is the adventure of discovering a new world. Kind of what Marco Polo must have felt.
The Riyria series was a big revelation. The heroes were professionals and magic didn't play too big a role. The Legends didn't quite catch me that much. It was still head and shoulders above pretty much anything I've read in the last few years, but they were a bit mor fantastic in their feel, and so I liked the tales of Royce and Hadrian better.
When Michael is not bringing out a new book, I mostly read non-fiction books about history. My special interest right now is post-roman Britain.

There was certainly a conscious decision on my part for making "Legends" different from "Riyria" -- Legends does indeed have more "magic" and is more "traditional fantasy" and, of course, it has a larger cast of characters - of which women have some of the biggest staring roles. "Riyria" was more "swashbuckling" - with a great emphasis on swordplay than magic. It also focused on 2 major characters (both men - or so most would classify it that way) -- but in my mind, it was always a 4 "mains" book (two men and two women) either way - it's a "much" smaller cast with (until the end) smaller "stakes" - whereas Legends occurs at a time pivotal point in history such that it is "epic" in scope from the get go.

Conny wrote: "For quite a few years, finding a good book to read has been pretty difficult for me. My problem is, that I like fantasy, but I don't like magic, and I don't like books, in which a naive farmer's so..."

If you are OK with a little grimdark I can strongly recommend Joe Abercrombie's "First Law" trilogy. There is a lot of humor and Royce like cynicism in it and not too much magic. Another great series is Brandon Sanderson's "Mistborn".

I just finished “Way of the Argosi” by Sebastien de Castell & currently 3 chapters into Nolyn. Am truly enjoying it.

Sarah wrote: "Forgot to add Matthew Wolf's Ronin Saga! Also Kickstarted as recommended by Michael. Everything a fantasy series needs... Loveable characters, great world building and magic system, driving plot th..."
Thank you for your recommendation! I am loving the first book so far!

I’ve been reading the AGE OF THE ADEPT series by Michael G. Manning. Currently finished books 1&2 and they a very entertaining. Great system of magic, very funny and surprisingly brutal too.

I’ve been reading and listening on the kindle. The narration is by TIM GERARD REYNOLDS! There really is nobody better. He makes the characters come to life.

Thank you for this rec - clicking on the sample listen and hearing TGR is just so comforting! He truly is the best.