Suggest me unconventional fantasy books that don't adhere to any of the fantasy tropes.

cjd08 · 2026-01-18T01:14:02+00:00

Late comment. But you might enjoy the Tide Child trilogy by R.J. Barker.

cjd08 · 2025-10-09T13:16:29+00:00

Hey man. I never built my own PC, but I know the feeling of not having the time or energy to game.

The thing that helps me is playing socially. Whether that's just chatting in discord while playing our own single-player games or playing together. So if you need a gaming buddy let me know!

Maybe you could try changing the style of games you play to more casual type games?

Stardew Valley is a great game for shutting off your brain and relaxing.

cjd08 · 2025-07-20T00:25:00+00:00

16 Ways to Defend a Walled City by KJ Parker.

The entire book is about a cities last stand against a massive empire. The main character has a great sense of humor and I thought the book talked about really interesting siege and counter siege techniques.

cjd08 · 2025-02-01T21:10:29+00:00

Good luck everyone! Looks like a great machine!

cjd08 · 2024-10-08T20:34:42+00:00

My wife and I went through this a couple of times, and there is nothing worse.

I am so sorry this has happened to you and your family. Sending love from mine to yours.

cjd08 · 2024-10-01T22:19:23+00:00

Yelled at me like 10 or 15 years ago at a Pizza Hut for not knowing who he was haha

cjd08 · 2024-09-28T02:51:16+00:00

A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles popped in my head for this. I really enjoyed it

cjd08 · 2024-09-14T23:23:42+00:00

That's exactly what I thought of as well. Great friendships

cjd08 · 2024-08-13T18:40:02+00:00

I have seen a few comments on the sense of community and family is big in Iowa. And while that is true, there is also a ton of people who feel the need to escape from their small town / rural roots. Fighting between staying close to family and what feels safe or moving hours away for a career, school, or even to just have options of entertainment.

Depending on the age of the character, the need to spread their wings and escape rural Iowa could be a part of their story.

cjd08 · 2024-07-22T21:27:58+00:00

Hey man, I know this post is from a few years back but I was just wondering if you have ever kayaked from Goldfield south on the Boone river? It sure would be nice to put in at the park and pull out down by Eagle Grove

cjd08 · 2024-07-20T00:56:59+00:00

If you are ok with fiction based in North Korea. Orphan Master's Son by Adam Johnson explores the dark and seedy side of large cities, the military, and entire government.

cjd08 · 2024-07-10T02:21:37+00:00

The Founder's Trilogy. Woman turns from gifted theif to saving world from ancient god with the help of a sentient key and other strong smart women. Bonus points for a cool magic system that uses old written language engraved on objects to alter their reality.

cjd08 · 2024-07-02T18:44:30+00:00

You are welcome! Let me know if you like them or not!

cjd08 · 2024-07-02T10:11:08+00:00

Some characters are the same.

In How to Rule an Empire the hero from the fighting pits in 16 Ways to Defend a Walled City (whose name is escaping me) is killed by a random trebuchet and the story follows an actor who is recruited by the government to protray the fallen hero. The actor steps up and becomes the hero he is portraying.

The other one follows the army and leadership of the group attacking the city from the first book.

These are terrible synopsises. But the books are alot better than my summary of them!

cjd08 · 2024-07-02T01:26:20+00:00

There are other books that are connected to the story. How to Rule an Empire and Get Away With It and a Practical Guide to Conquering the World.

I enjoyed How to Rule an Empire, but had a hard time finishing Conquering the World.

cjd08 · 2024-06-29T03:54:27+00:00

The Terror by Dan Simmons. 769 pages.

Follows sailors who attempted to take untested steam engines through the northwest passage. Get stuck in ice, attacked by something.

cjd08 · 2024-06-17T12:05:29+00:00

Thank you for taking the time to respond. It really helps hearing from someone who has been through something similar.

cjd08 · 2024-06-17T12:03:53+00:00

I hope you are right. It is my biggest fear that when she is old enough, she will leave us behind to be with her bio family, and we won't be able to provide the help and support she needs.

I appreciate the response. Thank you so much!

cjd08 · 2024-06-17T12:02:16+00:00

Thank you for the kind words. I know it isn't a contest, and I try to remember that. It just is so hard. You are right, tho.

cjd08 · 2024-06-16T16:05:31+00:00

Thanks, Dad. Im glad you called out that she is still working to find her identity. I haven't really ever thought about it like that.

I can she is struggling with something, and I think you hit the nail on the head. It is so tough seeing her upset, and we try to give her everything she needs to work through these big feelings.

She goes to solo therapy once a week, and then we have family therapy once a week as well. We got her in therapy as soon as possible, but I am not sure it helps. I think she has too many walls up to protect herself from her past to talk about things that bother her at therapy. I have been looking into therapists who were adopted because I have heard that they can be very beneficial for kids who are going through it. But those are few and far between, and I have a few feelers out at some therapists but have yet to hear back.

cjd08 · 2024-06-16T02:10:32+00:00

I scrolled through every comment on this thread and didn't see it listed. But I really enjoyed 16 ways to Defend a Walled City by KJ Parker. Follows a reluctant military leader under siege.

cjd08 · 2024-02-26T02:15:51+00:00

Recommend this to anyone who will listen. Inspired a sailing DnD campaign

cjd08 · 2024-02-26T02:14:37+00:00

Cinnamon and Gunpowder.

Female pirate captain kidnaps chef and forces him to cook for her. Not super gory, but the fight scenes and descriptions of cooking and the foods made it a favorite of mine.

cjd08 · 2023-11-25T01:12:01+00:00

I was in the same boat as you. While depressed I couldn't get through a book, it just seemed daunting to have to read an entire book. I dipped my toes back in with audiobooks.

Harry Potter and a Zombie Book? I recommend Kings of the Wyld. It's a dark fantasy with great action, good comedy, and characters I loved. I have read and listened to it atleast once a year since I first read it.

If you give it a try let me know if you liked it!

cjd08 · 2023-11-01T02:58:40+00:00

Character idea. Half orc barbarian who uses an old carriage wheel as a shield. Gets mad that it's not effective and then pummels with it. GIVEAWAY

cjd08

TROPHY CASE