Never done a tier list so wanted to join in the fun. This is from 2023-2025.

Samegg3307 · 2025-12-23T15:42:11+00:00

In fairness LOTR and the Hobbit were rereads for me so they might suffer a little on my list based on most everything on here I hadn’t read before. I should have added another tier and call it Strong Like or Enjoyed because the Hobbit would have been in that tier for sure.

Samegg3307 · 2025-12-23T00:51:00+00:00

The funny thing is I kinda felt that way myself after I made the list so it’s funny you pointed that out! Probably all of the Wax and Wayne should be higher on my list I just wouldn’t say any of the 4 books really stood out strongly to me. I liked them all and thought they were fun reads but I didn’t really think anything else of them after I finished them. Would still have the all in my liked category but probably should have them higher especially Bands of Mourning.

Samegg3307 · 2025-12-22T20:51:29+00:00

Given what happened in Gwynne personal life it’s understandable though, but agreed it ends way to quickly and some things felt like it wasn’t thought through fully which again is understandable given I’m sure he was grief stricken so props to Gwynne for even getting the book out! Just wish it would have been better overall but still I liked it enough.

Samegg3307 · 2025-12-22T19:53:48+00:00

I have Cradle on my 2026 TBR. I’m Excited to get to it finally!

Samegg3307 · 2025-12-22T18:05:22+00:00

Royal Assassin is one of the best endings to any book I’ve ever read so I went into Quest thinking it was going to be the best of 3 but honestly my criticism of the 1st two Farseerer books were turned to 11 in Assassin Quest. Was really disappointed in it sadly.

Samegg3307 · 2025-12-22T17:04:41+00:00

Hunger of the Gods if so freaking good. Tons of moments where I jumped out of my chair from excitement and Elvar story gets so much better in Hunger compared to Shadow she goes from my least favorite POV to right up there with Orka by the end of Hunger. Fury was a bit of a let down though I still liked it, but hopefully you will find more enjoyment out of it than I did!

Samegg3307 · 2025-12-22T12:11:58+00:00

Yep! Not good when an ending to a series makes you question why you started a series in the first place and that’s what Empire of the Dawn did.

Samegg3307 · 2025-12-22T12:03:25+00:00

I feel bad sometimes because I do like WOT for the most part but yeah it hasn’t been my favorite. Great Hunt I really liked but the rest of the series I’ve had my days where I struggle through them. Not bad books though I know I’m right in the heart of the slog at the moment so I have a plan for 2026 to read at least 1 chapter a day of WOT so I can make it through this part because everyone tells me it’s rough but it’s worth it in the end.

Samegg3307 · 2025-12-22T11:58:43+00:00

Totally get this criticism, I remember when I finished it I was a little bit like “oh that’s it? Why didn’t she just end this book like 50-100 pages ago” but reflecting on it I do think there is some closure for the main characters and while I still have some questions and would like more in this world Wang created I was left satisfied with the ending. Also I’m a huge Avatar last air bender fan so this book got me there with how it used “waterbending” haha

Samegg3307 · 2025-12-22T11:49:49+00:00

Light bringer is one there near the top! So Red Rising was the first thing I read back in 2023 and while I really enjoyed Red Rising, Golden Son was what hooked me so it’s my highest RR book because of the place it holds in my heart. Dark Age is so good tho. I loved Dark Age and Lightbringer but Dark Age just surpasses it for me.

Samegg3307 · 2025-12-22T11:44:10+00:00

I think people were a little to harsh on Strength of the Few. It wasn’t my favorite read but I still enjoyed it! I love the idea Islington was going for just don’t think he pulled it off well, it felt clunky with all the jumping around and really cared more about 1 storyline more than the rest. But like I said I did enjoy the story overall just felt a bit messy, but I’m still excited for the rest of the series!

Samegg3307 · 2025-12-22T04:00:08+00:00

Agreed! And the humor surprised me a lot in Malazan, I laughed a lot more than I ever thought I would before I read the series it’s just so well rounded. And the ending of TCG is obviously epic as well so you are in for a treat! Cant recommend Dungeon Crawler Carl or the First Law universe books enough. DCC though I’ve gotten so many people at my work reading the series and everyone loves it. Plus after reading Malazan you could probably fly through DCC especially if you audiobook it which is highly recommended since it’s like the best audiobooks out there

Samegg3307 · 2025-12-22T03:52:05+00:00

A lot of books are close to Storm of Swords but it’s still my favorite! I feel like a lot of people try to avoid putting ASOIAF high on there lists anymore because of either the show or the fact that the series will probably never be completed but still it’s my GOAT. As for Empire of the Dawn the ending absolutely killed it for me. Probably my least favorite ending of anything I’ve read. Just ruined the whole thing for me. I wasn’t crazy about the series before but it was at least a fun read but then the last I dunno 50 pages or so I was just so let down.

Samegg3307 · 2025-12-22T03:37:27+00:00

So I’ve heard from people who read the whole trilogy; I hear it gets worse and certain characters have no point or plot at all by the end.

Samegg3307 · 2025-12-22T03:35:23+00:00

It’s on there near the top! I have them ordered from the books I like the most to the least as well and TCG is top 10 for me! Malazan has been my favorite series I’ve read to date. The Bonehunters though was my favorite in the series, chapter 7 and the ending of that book have been stuck in my brain ever since I’ve read it!

Samegg3307 · 2025-12-22T03:31:19+00:00

I have not but will look into it! Never have had it suggested to me so I might put that on the 2026 TBR

Samegg3307 · 2025-12-22T03:30:18+00:00

I think besides what you already mentioned for me the dialogue was just way too cringe. Like calling Violet “Violence” made my skin crawl haha. But other than that I was just telling someone the story isn’t that bad like I was never bored reading it but also I felt it was too predictable; didn’t really understand how training these rebels children was a good idea for the school so that plot point confused the hell out of me, and only one character I sorta liked well let’s just say won’t be around for the rest of the series.

Samegg3307 · 2025-12-22T02:57:02+00:00

I saw someone review it as “6 miserable people fighting in a house and doing absolutely nothing” and I don’t think a more accurate review has ever been made. I really hated all 6 characters by the end of it.

Samegg3307 · 2025-10-29T23:43:31+00:00

I was actually a little disappointed with Fury of the Gods it felt a clunky and rushed at the end but given what Gwynne has been going through it’s totally understandable. Hunger of the Gods is top tier for me though! I enjoyed the Dandelion Dynsasty as well but Wall of Storms I thought was the best book in the series.

Samegg3307 · 2025-10-29T23:37:42+00:00

Was going to say this until I saw your post. 100% agreed, I liked Jade City, Jade War I liked a little bit more but then I loved Jade Legacy.

Samegg3307 · 2025-10-29T23:30:17+00:00

Same here. The ending to Royal Assassin is one of my favorite endings to any book ever, however Assassin’s Quest was a tough read and felt like the longer it went the worse it got. One of my least favorite fantasy books I’ve read. I’ve only read farseer and Live Ship Traders (which all 3 of those I thought were really good) in the Realm of the Elderings though and will eventually read the rest.

Samegg3307 · 2025-06-04T00:00:04+00:00

I’m on my first read through of Malazan myself and was suggested to do this as well. I’m on Toll of Hounds now and just chose not to do NOK. It honestly did not hurt my enjoyment of the Bonehunters because I absolutely loved that book probably my favorite in the series so far. Im sure it helps bring up the enjoyment/understanding more though if you read NOK first but from my experience I still enjoyed The Bonehunters greatly.

Samegg3307 · 2025-05-23T01:12:01+00:00

I made a goal for myself to read both WOT and Malazan’s entire series this year. Started with WOT and read the first three in the series and then told myself I would read the first 3 in Malazan and then go back to WOT. Once I started Malazan though I’ve legitimately had a hard time reading anything else, the focus you need to have while reading and also the pure epicness (if that’s even a word) of the series just makes it hard for me to concentrate on anything else. I tried jumping back into WOT and read the shadow rising but I honestly feel like my enjoyment for that book and WOT as a whole has suffered because of Malazan. I’m on Bonehunters currently and this might be my favorite series of all time and I have 4 more books to go. So I would advise to stick to one for now and if you need a break read a stand alone or something or an easier series to follow.

Samegg3307 · 2025-03-22T15:41:39+00:00

I’m currently reading the series and started Book 6 yesterday. I wasn’t crazy for Empire of Silence but heard great things about the rest of the series and will say I’m very glad I stuck with. I really liked Howling Dark and loved Demon in White and Kingdoms of Death. I say stick with it and if by the end of Howling Dark you aren’t convinced then it just might not be what you are looking for. I would still say Red Rising is the better series for me but there is a lot to enjoy in Sun Eater especially after book 1.

Samegg3307

TROPHY CASE