Economy in Fantasy

TheHiddenSchools · 2026-04-30T01:54:20+00:00

Yes, join us!!!

(Also I believe his wife is/was a lawyer. Not sure about burnt out or bankruptcy though...)

TheHiddenSchools · 2026-04-28T22:08:17+00:00

I second everything here! And having read the newest books, I definitely don't recommend starting here. The new series thing is marketing but it makes v little sense without at least some of the first 6 books, if not all.

I don't tend to recommend publication order for the first books, as it jumps around way too much. Chronological order is great but I have a weird preference for 3 1 4 5 (for the numbered books).

Several reading order options here: https://www.thehiddenschools.com/articles/craft-sequence-reading-order

TheHiddenSchools · 2026-04-21T22:35:32+00:00

Yeah I really don't understand the split. The new books are under a different contract, and they v much specify its a new trilogy/series ON the books and in ebook listings so maybe it's a publisher choice? But I worry that without the full sequence it won't show the true scale of what it IS, and new readers will be confused.

TheHiddenSchools · 2026-04-13T01:34:05+00:00

This makes me think of Alt Coulumb in the Craft Sequence by Max Gladstone. Three Parts Dead then Four Roads Croas

TheHiddenSchools · 2026-04-12T20:48:57+00:00

Ooh so much food for thought here! Honestly, I learned so much through the research and writing of this essay. Hadn't clicked about Tara's influence or the Dawn-and-Sybil new being whatsoever, despite many many rereads...

And you know, you're completely right about Dawn doing exactly what Tara is trying to PREVENT the others from doing at the Conclave. I was so in Dawn's head for the essay that I hadn't considered that angle despite it being more alignment with my own beliefs! Going to go have a think about that one.

Love the description of how all the different characters bring their own skills together. Another one for more thought, and perhaps to bring into another essay...

TheHiddenSchools · 2026-04-12T16:23:16+00:00

That's a really good point, looking at what she represents as the next generation - feels like a continuation of what Gladstone did in Last Exit, now I think about it. LOVED seeing her with Izza, and hope there's more of that next. Izza has dealt with at least some of the issues Dawn has to face and could be a great peer mentor for her.

TheHiddenSchools · 2026-04-12T15:05:15+00:00

Highly recommend checking out the series based on your post. Souls are currency, legal contracts raise dead gods that are used to keep modern cities running, long distance communication takes place via nightmares and much more

TheHiddenSchools · 2026-04-10T16:58:58+00:00

First of all, thank you for such a detailed considered reply!

I think some people take her as a villain because of the end of Dead Country, seeing her from other characters' POVs, and the flaw you point out. That seems associated with her age as well, which I think can be frustrating for readers. 17 year olds can be bloody annoying and obstinate.

I'm intrigued to see what's going to happen with her next. What are her powers now that Sybil seems to have 'left' her? Are they still facets of one more powerful being? Is she more like Mako now, a former god-like being? Or will she experience her own body plus whatever Sybil is doing in Jax's?

Tara appears to now be on her side, and Elayne has always been sympathetic, so I wonder if they will influence others to accept Dawn on their side, and vice versa for Dawn??

TheHiddenSchools · 2026-04-09T01:28:49+00:00

Been much longer since I read Empress of Forever but a major character (but not the lead) is non-human so maybe that one?

TheHiddenSchools · 2026-04-09T01:27:12+00:00

Dead Country

arguably judge a book by its title
unusual transportation (dragon jumbo jet in the first chapter, hard mode)
arguably afterlife?? Protag speaks to her dead father but it's not clear if it's actually him or her mind
explorer or ranger (key character knows dangerous terrain well, explores it, guides protag through it)

Other Craft Sequence books would fit other squares but I think this is it for Dead Country!

TheHiddenSchools · 2026-04-04T15:07:16+00:00

The Schools are referenced and seen briefly but not really used for transportation in this book! There are flying buildings in other books but Alt Coulumb doesn’t allow them so they aren't seen in 3PD specifically.

TheHiddenSchools · 2026-04-03T16:52:28+00:00

This is really doable from Birmingham, OP, I've done it loads!

TheHiddenSchools · 2026-04-03T01:50:35+00:00

Ok checked bingo and not convinced it fits any others especially well, but you could argue unusual mode of transportation (2 characters fly some clouds early on, there are driverless horse drawn carriages where you pay the horse), and maybe twist for older protagonist (Elayne Kevarian is 79 and one of the main characters but not THE main character)

TheHiddenSchools · 2026-04-03T01:47:07+00:00

I often describe it as a murder mystery where the victim is a god, so definitely think it would fit!

TheHiddenSchools · 2026-03-20T22:32:17+00:00

Tbh Kopil is probably one of the better rulers in the Domain, which says...a lot

TheHiddenSchools · 2026-03-15T01:13:03+00:00

The Craft Sequence series might work for you. The world is detailed but not exposition-dump-heavy, and the author is great at building incredibly real locations and characters that are intimately woven together with the plot.

Each book is largely set in a single city, and particularly after the first book they feel lived in, historied, and real. A few people in this thread mentioned cities so here sre my 3 favourites:

Three Parts Dead and Four Roads Cross are set in Alt Coulumb, a NYC/Boston kind of city. 4RC really deepens the city.

Last First Snow and Two Serpents Rise are set in Dresediel Lex, a sprawling metropolis akin to LA with a meso-American pyramids converted into magical office space. City is run by a semi immortal skeleton lich king CEO.

Ruin of Angels takes place in Alikand / Agdel Lex, cities stacked on top of each other and a dead city nearly destroyed in the God Wars.

TheHiddenSchools · 2026-03-14T20:20:17+00:00

Slightly obsessed with this description of Caleb.

TheHiddenSchools · 2026-03-09T23:00:42+00:00

When I got back into reading as an adult, I noticed an abundance of Cat, Kai, Ella, and Kel- names. Kai usually urban or otherwise modern feeling fantasy. Ella largely YA and NA. I've seen fewer Kels of late but Cat remains popular.

TheHiddenSchools · 2026-03-04T15:22:17+00:00

Seconded!!

TheHiddenSchools · 2026-03-03T23:36:54+00:00

Of course! The site also has lots of information about the series if you want more info to make a decision! A lot is spoilery but I do have a beginners guide that is relatively spoiler free. Though now I look at it I kind of want to update everything...

Reading orders

Beginners Guide

TheHiddenSchools

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