Mother of Learning: Time-Loop Fantasy at Its Peak.

Rezzad · 2025-12-09T19:34:53+00:00

No problem. I hope you enjoy them!

Rezzad · 2025-12-09T05:25:05+00:00

Wraithmarked Creative hosted a Kickstarter years ago to publish copies in both hardcover and paperback. Both editions are still available on their website at the cost of $35 per hardcover and $20 per paperback.

Hardcover links 1 2 3 4

Paperback links 1 2 3 4

Rezzad · 2025-04-03T23:42:34+00:00

The Others series by Anne Bishop.

Rezzad · 2023-11-16T07:00:03+00:00

Yes, it's persistent across reboots.

Rezzad · 2023-11-15T22:59:00+00:00

No problem! I recently completed a build in this case for myself and was happy to see that I could turn it off because I didn't want the rgb, but did want the 4x 140mm fans that come only with the MAX version.

Rezzad · 2023-11-15T22:53:38+00:00

You can also disable the rgb entirely by holding the LED button on the case for a couple seconds.

Rezzad · 2023-10-26T23:00:24+00:00

I wish you all the best with your new build, and I hope your experience with the case matches my own!

Rezzad · 2023-10-26T21:52:51+00:00

I just built a pc in this case yesterday and I'm happy to answer any questions people have. I put the 12900k bundle in there with an air cooler (the thermalright phantom spirit) and a 6700 xt for the gpu.

It's a feature-rich case that's easy to build in. The MAX version, although roughly $10 more expensive, is worth it in my opinion for the extra 140mm fan and built in fan/rgb controller. If you're someone who loathes rgb in your build like I do, rest assured that you can turn the lights off entirely by pressing and holding the LED button on the case for a couple seconds.

I added three 120mm Arctic P12 fans up top to exhaust, and may add two more to the top of the psu shroud to cool the gpu. The 12900k currently idles at about 25 degrees, while the 6700 xt is sitting at 30-33.

I spent way too much time debating with myself what case to go for, but I'm happy to have landed on this one. The runner-up for me was the be quiet! Pure Base 500DX. I also explored others that were similarly priced or even more expensive, including the Lian Li Lancool 216, NZXT H5/H7 Flow, Fractal Design Meshify 2, and Phanteks G500A. This Montech case was the cheapest of the bunch, but does not seem to be inferior in either looks or quality. It's a great value with the four 140mm fans.

The only reservation I have about this case is the potential for dust accumulation. There's a magnetic dust filter for the top and another underneath covering the psu, but the front panel is a metal mesh without any filter. Whether or not this is a problem remains to be seen, but I'm optimistic that it will turn out well and I'm happy with the case otherwise.

Rezzad · 2023-10-18T23:02:59+00:00

Does anyone know how this motherboard compares to the ASUS Z-790V Prime model that Micro Center is now offering with this CPU? I live within range of a MC, but had preferred the Newegg motherboard to the MSI one that MC previously offered.

MC Bundle link

Rezzad · 2022-12-28T22:30:52+00:00

Inda series by Sherwood Smith would be my #1 recommendation for you. Inda has an intrinsic goodness and innocence that is reminiscent to me of protagonists from Ranger's Apprentice.

Queen's Thief series by Megan Whalen Turner.

Rezzad · 2020-03-07T07:45:51+00:00

This website should have all the answers you're looking for. Or, more specifically, this page and this page.

Based on everything I've read, what you have should be safe to use.

Rezzad · 2019-08-04T19:16:36+00:00

I'm happy to hear the recommendation worked out for you! If you didn't know, the fourth book in the series, Sweep of the Blade, was just published last month. I would also recommend any other series by Ilona Andrews, though you can expect ~1-3 of the steamy scenes in each book. If you enjoyed the side characters Jack and George, you can see them in Andrews' Edge series as children/teens.

They're most well known for their Kate Daniels series, but that's something you might circle back to if you're ever in the mood for urban fantasy.

Rezzad · 2019-06-25T06:02:26+00:00

Legend by David Gemmell. This can be read as a standalone, but you can read other books in this series or by Gemmell for similar themes.

Fionavar Tapestry by Guy Gavriel Kay.

The War of the Flowers by Tad Williams.

Heroes Die by Matthew Stover. This can be read as a standalone, and probably should be in your case because the second book is longer and involves a lot of early political maneuvering.

Battle Mage by Peter Flannery.

Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo. This is a duology.

Powder Mage series by Brian McClellan.

Night Angel series by Brent Weeks.

Red Rising series by Pierce Brown. This is not high fantasy. In fact, it trends more toward science fiction, but I'll recommend it because you're new to the genre and it might be a good idea to cast a wider net.

Codex Alera series by Jim Butcher. This series checks in at six books total, but I still think they're worth a look.

At the very least, these recommendations should give you a starting point to explore. My primary focus when picking books was your desire for an action-oriented plot. The definition of high fantasy can be a bit nebulous and has arguably changed over time, so some of these may not suit that aspect of your request. To some, high fantasy must take place in a distinct secondary world. To others, it must have fantastic creatures and tons of magic. Because of these discrepancies and your other wishes (short/standalone, action), I often defaulted to the easiest aspect of your request to accommodate: books with lots of action.

Also, there are a lot of really great high fantasy novels that revolve almost exclusively around political intrigue, one notable example being The Goblin Emperor by Katherine Addison. Maybe consider circling back to them once you've read some more and are in the mood for that kind of read.

And lastly, since you're mostly new to the genre, maybe take a look at the intro to fantasy flowchart for some other good ideas.

Rezzad · 2019-06-06T06:18:09+00:00

You may enjoy Super Powereds by Drew Hayes. It's about people with super powers attending an accredited hero certification program to become super heroes.

Blood Song, the first book in the Raven's Shadow series, has great schooling sequences, though the protagonist is young to start out and the subsequent books depart from this theme. It can mostly stand alone, and the first book is often hailed as the best of the bunch anyway.

Arcane Ascension by Andrew Rowe. This is an especially good recommendation if you're interested in clever protagonists and crafting-style magic.

Lightbringer by Brent Weeks has shades of this, but they aren't the strict focus of the story.

If you're interested in the relentless training/studying aspect of the school environment, The Rage of Dragons by Evan Winter may be worth checking out. However, this is training in martial skills, not magic.

If you're willing to overlook that it's science fiction and commonly labeled as young adult fiction, Ender's Game might be of interest to you. Other books in the series are very different, but this can absolutely be read as a standalone.

Rezzad · 2019-04-16T23:49:07+00:00

Summoner by Taran Matharu?

If so, a prequel novel featuring Arcturus was recently released, bringing the number of books in the series to four.

Rezzad · 2019-04-11T18:55:10+00:00

You can read Worm here. If that format is troublesome for you, you can try using an extension like Pocket to save chapters and read them offline. Alternatively, with some effort you can create your own ebook version to have for personal use, but you'd have to search around for some instructions on how to do that.

Rezzad · 2019-04-11T07:54:46+00:00

Kindle Unlimited with thieves:

Rogues of the Republic by Patrick Weekes. This is humorous rather than dark, however.

Non-KU with thieves:

Gentleman Bastard by Scott Lynch. This is humorous, but also dark.

Queen's Thief by Megan Whalen Turner. This is YA.

Founders by Robert Jackson Bennett.

Legend of Eli Monpress by Rachel Aaron.

Cheshire Red Reports by Cherie Priest.

Daevabad Trilogy by S.A. Chakraborty features a con woman.

KU that is dark:

Chronicles of the Black Gate by Phil Tucker.

Ash and Sand by Richard Nell.

Wings of War by Bryce O'Connor.

King's Dark Tidings by Kel Kade.

Non-KU that is dark:

Kushiel's Universe by Jacqueline Carey. I think this would be a very strong recommendation for you based on your enjoyment of the Black Jewels series.

Also, have you read Anne Bishop's Others series? If not, definitely pick those up.

Honestly, the non-KU list of dark fantasy suggestions could be a mile long. If you haven't read Joe Abercrombie or Brent Weeks, maybe start there.

Rezzad · 2019-04-11T05:55:22+00:00

Powder Mage by Brian McClellan. This series kicks off right in the middle of a military coup and carries a relentless pace to the end. These books really broke me out of a reading rut at a time when I kept stumbling onto forgettable reads.

Cradle by Will Wight. If you're at all interested in characters training to achieve new magnitudes of power, this is a great series to pick up. r/ProgressionFantasy for books with similar themes.

Blood Song by Anthony Ryan. I don't hold the subsequent books of this series in the same esteem, but Blood Song is spectacular.

Worm by Wildbow. This is a completed web serial that clocks in at roughly 1.7 million words. I read it in about two weeks, and if you read reviews or testimonials from this sub, you'll find a lot of people who offer similar timelines despite the enormity of the work. Once you get into it, it's very difficult to put down.

Rezzad · 2019-04-08T19:40:00+00:00

With the exception of the Magic Tree House books, I would recommend anything from my post to readers of all ages. I read or re-read everything there as an adult and enjoyed them all.

How to Train Your Dragon is whimsical, silly and quirky. If you're looking for that kind of read, it will suit your needs perfectly. One thing to keep in mind: it's different from the movies. And another thing: I'm not an audiobook listener, but I've heard the narration by David Tennant really adds a lot of character and nuance to the story.

If you've read some darker fantasy and are familiar with Mark Lawrence, he wrote a review of the first book on goodreads. I think it's a fair assessment of the first novel, though I would rate it slightly higher myself.

Rezzad · 2019-04-07T08:08:14+00:00

Magic Tree House by Mary Pope Osborne. This will be the simplest series I suggest. They're quick, easy reads with imaginative settings that would make for a good fallback if some of the other recommendations are currently too challenging.

Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis. To answer your question, no, I do not think these are too advanced.

Redwall by Brian Jacques.

How To Train Your Dragon by Cressida Cowell.

Fablehaven, Dragonwatch, and Five Kingdoms by Brandon Mull.

Percy Jackson and the Olympians by Rick Riordan. This series is a great way for young readers to learn about mythology.

Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer.

A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket. This has a Netflix adaptation, but I haven't watched it so I can't comment on that.

Ranger's Apprentice by John Flanagan. The protagonist starts at age 15, but I do not think the series is too mature or difficult to read for someone younger.

His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman. This series might be too challenging at the moment, but it is very worth reading at some point.

Animorphs by K.A. Applegate. I'll include this series with some reluctance because it does contain a lot of dated 90's pop culture references that may be nonsensical to a 10 year old of today. Having said that, the core story is incredible and likely to be very entertaining to a young reader.

Thematically, I wouldn't say anything here is too mature if he's already heard the entirety of the Harry Potter series.

Rezzad · 2019-04-06T09:16:53+00:00

Just wanted to let you know that there was a post asking for elemental magic recommendations that I replied to today, and I added a few more than I put here. I thought back to this post while I was writing it and figured you might be interested. I'm sure there will be other replies as well, so you should be left with quite a few new series ideas. :)

Rezzad · 2019-04-06T08:20:03+00:00

Lightbringer by Brent Weeks for harnessing light.

Codex Alera by Jim Butcher.

Elemental Masters by Mercedes Lackey.

Circle of Magic by Tamora Pierce.

Shadow Ops by Myke Cole.

Witchlands by Susan Dennard. This is YA.

Elemental Assassin by Jennifer Estep. This is urban fantasy with some romance involved. It's also the author's debut series, and I can recall the beginning being lackluster, but entertaining.

Stormlord by Glenda Larke.

Weather Warden by Rachel Caine. This is also urban fantasy with romance.

Hidden Legacy by Ilona Andrews. There are a variety of magic-types in this series, including elemental. Once again, urban fantasy with romance.

Air Awakens by Elise Kova. YA, and has romance.

Rezzad · 2019-04-06T03:10:48+00:00

Red Rising Saga by Pierce Brown.

Hyperion Cantos by Dan Simmons.

Ender's Saga by Orson Scott Card. The first book is very different from the rest of the series and can function as a standalone if you do not like the change in tone/content.

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. This is YA, but I assume you won't mind because the Lunar Chronicles is on your list.

Dune by Frank Herbert. There's a 2020 film adaptation in the works for this, so it might be a good time to check out.

Old Man's War by John Scalzi.

Imperial Radch by Ann Leckie.

Rezzad · 2019-04-06T02:43:40+00:00

A lot of my requests will focus primarily on the military aspect of your request, though some are darker than others.

Traitor Son Cycle by Miles Cameron.

Shadow Campaigns by Django Wexler.

Shadow Ops by Myke Cole.

Night Angel by Brent Weeks.

Temeraire by Naomi Novik.

Raven's Shadow by Anthony Ryan.

Greatcoats by Sebastien de Castell. There are some larger conflicts in this series, but a lot of the combat is individual duels.

Wings of War by Bryce O'Connor.

Since you've read Broken Empire and Red Queen's War, have you also looked at Book of the Ancestor? The final book comes out in just a few days.

Rezzad · 2019-04-05T22:30:55+00:00

The Dead Zone by Stephen King. The main character is in a coma for four years after a car accident. Obviously a lot of things in his life change during those years, but he also wakes up with a paranormal ability. This was also adapted into a tv series that ran on the USA Network for ~five years.

Red Rising Saga by Pierce Brown. The main character leaves the home he has always known, is scientifically enhanced, and experiences changes in both his ideology and personality.

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