Welcome to Book Devourers Anonymous. Please pull up a chair. This is a safe space of no judgement.
I know we all tried our best to pace ourselves and make it last, and then This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me simply took the reins and happened to us. Intentions were noble, but a Horde can’t change its spots.
Your comments tell me we collectively have a serious case of book hangover. Whether you’ve tried rereads, continuous relistens, or have reached the point of “I tried two other books and neither of them took” confessions: you are not alone.
The cure prescribed is hair of the bookmark that bit you: another story, recommended by a fellow Devourer who understands exactly what we are missing.
Maybe it’s the intricate political games, the dangerous people making spectacular decisions, the found family, the competent heroes. Maybe it isn’t high fantasy or portal fantasy at all, and it doesn’t even have any dukes, but it has the same immersive feeling we’re yearning for as escapism.
Bring your suggestions and requests in the comments below, and let’s get each other through the w*it.
A few gentle guidelines
We’ve run enough of these threads now to know they work better with a little structure.
Please remember that the CTRL+F shortcut is your friend for checking whether your recommended author or title has already been mentioned. Here’s how to use the search on your mobile.
- Keep it recent. We have a wonderfully well-read Horde, and previous threads have given our beloved classics a thorough airing. This time, please stick to books released in the last decade. Everyone already knows of the fabulous Tamora Pierce, Mercedes Lackey and Anne McCaffrey. Let’s make room for discovery.
- One recommendation per person. A focused comment is so much more useful to people than an intimidating wall of text. One book, a series, or an author. If someone’s already mentioned your pick, a +1 reply is more useful than a new thread.
I have already removed 10 comments that broke this rule and the post has barely been live for half an hour. 1 book, 1 author or 1 series, please.
- Stay on topic. If someone’s asking for something specific, such as a particular feel, a genre, triggers they want to avoid, please try to match that.
The comments are yours. Help a Hungover Horde: recommend your book cure!
The Murderbot Diaries by Martha Wells! Another new book just released.
I held off on reading the series for a long time because I thought a robot main character couldn’t deliver the feels I was looking for. I was very, very wrong. It’s fun, witty and full of humanity.
I love the audiobooks for this series. I couldn’t get into it when reading but when I listened it clicked for me
+1
The reader is fantastic!
+1
+1
+ 1
im listening to the graphic audio versions right now, really great
+1. My second favorite author. She’s had a hard time lately, too.
OMG !!! I didn’t know they weee out in GA !! Thanks – just bought the whole set.
I don’t know how to plus one the phone app so I will just say single narrator, Kevin R. Free, IS Murderbot. I don’t care for the graphic audio version nearly as much.
+1
+1
Agree!
+1
I couldn’t get into it when I tried to read it, but oh, I loved the audiobooks. Sadly, I no longer have a commute (I retired) so I likely won’t get the new audiobook. And I know I likely would not read the new book since it has been a long time since I read the last.
I get it, having retired as well. Then, I started listening while doing yard work and at the gym.
It really makes the time fly 🙂
+1
I recently gobbled up “Yes, your Serpentine Excellency” by Kate Stradling and thought it was delightful! Lovely writing, cool worldbuilding and a bit of romance. It definitely got me out of my reading slump!
Yes! +1
My +1 was for Serpentine Excellency. It was delightful!
Trying it now, thank you!
+1
Yes, Your Serpentine Excellency is $4.99 on Amazon for the Kindle ebook. I think that’s a sale price: https://www.amazon.com/Your-Serpentine-Excellency-Kate-Stradling-ebook/dp/B0GLD7J518/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1ZFQA1XJ8BJ0V&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.ThDbYskml3RAzxTDd1C6fokKc3IbV904x1Z0bLGaKLPGjHj071QN20LucGBJIEps.Iglnc4aForlcNQeFguAE1aGSGfjkjr1Er2y1RQGUcDA&dib_tag=se&keywords=yes%2C+your+serpentine+excellency&qid=1778547108&sprefix=Yes%2C+your+serp%2Caps%2C147&sr=8-1
Thanks for the reco and link! Nabbed it!
grabbed it thanks!
Thank you! Grabbed it.
Thank you! On my list of downloads!
+1 Got it Thanks
Thanks for the Serpentine Excellency rec – I loved it!
+1
I also love this and read it way to fast!
Ooh! This is also available with Kindle Unlimited. Thanks!
Kate Stradling’s Namesake (2017) is really good too— one of my favorites! Also a portal fantasy.
Today it’s free with Kindle unlimited
+1
+1
It’s out already!? How did I miss that?!
Thank you!
(highly+1, based on everything else she’s ever written)
+1! loved this book!
+1
+1 So good
This premise sounds very similar to the first book in the excellent Thea Harrison Elder Races series – which was going to be my recommendation!
Great series, inmersive world building, complicated politics across the various races and humour, snark and romance.
+1
+1
I loved the Elder Races series! The last 2 or 3 got a little weird IMO, but up until then it was very good
+1
Picked it up based on this thread and finished it in a few days. What a DELIGHT 🤩🤩
Thank you so much! I hadn’t read Kate Stradling before, and now I’m gobbling up all of her books!
Thank you for recommending this! It is just what I needed!
+1 I agree wholeheartedly Aly. Great story lines and so much quiet emotion.
+1 – absolutely!
seeRachel Neumeier, her latest is Bereket, number 12 in the series. I get lost in her world.
+1
YES! Just finished it. Started with Sekharan’s book…new to the world. Reminds me of CJ Cheryth (sp?) Foreigner series which I loved.
+1 for Cherry’s Foreigner series; wonder what happens with it now that she’s retiring
+1, First book in that Rachel Neumeier series is Tuyo. Frequent re-read for me
I love anything by Deborah Wilde. The unlikable demon hunter series and a great Midlife series are my favorites.
Wait, what!!!? A new book has been released? When, what’s its title?
That was for a Murderbot comment
two days ago
Platform Decay
Excellent
+1
+1
I was going to give a straight +1 to murderbot as well, because it’s amazing… but so many people already mentioned them that I should mention Michelle Sagara Cast in Blood (being her new release in her chronically of Elantra series)
+1 for the Cast series! World building, different types of magic, mysteries, …
Love the cast series. Started rereading after finishing This World.
I love the chronicles of Elantra! Excellent world building with many different races and cultures all with a found family vibe for the main character.
+1!! This is an excellent series, fully support this recommendation!
Yes! Highly recommend.
++ for Elentra and Michelle Sagara
+1
+2 since the thread is a little tangled: New Murderbot and new Michelle Sagara (Cast in Blood). I’ve been bookclubbing the Elantra books with my sister for years and she loved TKWNKM despite being meh on Kate Daniels.
Love Michelle Sagara I didn’t know she had a new one out I will def check out
+1 for Murderbot and Chronicles of Elantra!
+1 Elantra
+1
+1
+1
+1 for Elantra and Michelle Sagara/Michelle West/Michelle Sagara West – anything she writes
Plus 1 for Murderbot
+1
Seeing Martha Wells mentioned led me to rereading her all over again. Her newest books Witch King and Queen Demon were great. I’m rereading the older novels now starting with Wheel of the Infinite.
+1
Wheel of the Infinite is an amazing stand alone book. Picture Viola Davis and Chris Hemsworth. With Viola the kick ass hero.
+1 for Viola Davis. I adore her!!!
+1 for Witch King and Queen Demon
+1, AND a new novella (Platform Decay) released this week!
+1
+1
+1
+1
a truly spectacular series read. A series you’ll wish you could make yourself forget so you could read it fresh again!
I like them and aam happy to know there is a new one.
I just read All of them based on your recommendation and really enjoyed them. This is not your typical robot, in any way. thank you for the recommendation.
I came here to say this!!!! I just finished a re-read of the series leading up to the new book release and they are so amazing!!!!!! They are about humanity AND the power of narrative. And also very funny.
First certified 🙂
Weee!!! Thanks Mod R!
Came here for this! It is 100% a comfort read!
Ive been enjoying the Dragon Isle Wars series by Frost Kay
Junkyard cats series by Faith Hunter. I’m waiting for each new book to come out. Love all of Faith’s book, but this series in particular. Very unique storyline.
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I second this. new Murderbot out the other day. I was having ADHD brain and only read 4 books in April (I generally read 8-10 books a month) but the new murderbot book restarted my brain. I’ve read 5 books this week. Murderbot restarted my brain.
+1
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Downloaded and read Platform Decay, the latest Murderbot. Great return to our snarky hero and yay! Three.
Thank-you for title.
I see the first book is on KU so I can test it first! Thanks for the recommendation
+1
Came here to write those exact sentences lol
+1000!
Terrific series and a new volume just came out.
I just put in a hold request for the first book from my local library via Libby.
Same – except I am number 69 in the queue 🙁
And Book 8 just came out!!!! SQUEEEE!
+1
+1
+1
+100
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Traitor Son by Melissa Cave!
+++++++1
+ 1,000,000. The 4th book in the series just came out. An amazing new writer – unparalleled character development & world-building!
+1 read these on the horde’s recommendation on previous thread and loved them! The TV series did not do justice IMO
I loved the Murderbot books but I hated the way the Apple series portrayed the Preservation Aux scientists as idiots.
Ok to me it didn’t portray am idiots so much as people who were extremely out of their depth when faced with carnage (as scientists and researchers, they’re great).
I thought that the tv series went extra hard on portraying them as hippies to align the viewer with Murderbot’s viewpoint of them so that it beomes clearer how much its opinions change over time.
+1!
Love the series
+1
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That’s what I read after This Kingdom. It was the only thing I felt would do. lol
+1 Love Murderbot!!
+1 Agree! Just discovered this series and LOVE it!
+1
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Very good choice
Question? is this the same book series they made into a series on Apple TV? I have not read the books yet however have seen the horde previously recommend it. Wondering if the if you have seen the series and think its worth watching
I got AppleTV for a month just to watch this series because I loved the book so much. Books are better of course, and they changed character personalities a bit, but I did enjoy the series.
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But also, have you guys seen the Apple TV Series? What did you think? I watched the show but haven’t read the books yet and am torn.
I liked the series. It isn’t as good as the books, of course. The human characters are changed some. A couple are removed and kind of combined. The original crew is only 5, rather than the 7 in the books. I liked Alexander Skarsgard in the role of Murderbot a lot. He is tall and strong, which makes him believable as a badass SecUnit. He also has a great put upon expression and sense of comedic timing. It’s an enjoyable interpretation.
I loved the books, liked the series, but I LOVED getting to see bits of Sanctuary Moon-/ that was my fave part of the series
Yes! to Sanctuary Moon. I knew it was probably a pretty cheesy show because of some of the other character’s reactions to his love of it and some of the plots that are mentioned, but I admit I had fallen for Murderbot’s fawning POV of it to some extent. That’s why it cracked me up that the show interpretation was soooo over-the-top soapy and ridiculous.
+1
+1!
Have you watched the live version staring Alexander Skarsgard in Apple TV (I think). Apparently it’s very good.
+1
+1 million
+1 – I just reread all of them last weekend.
Note: read them in order. the newest will make zero sense for quite a while if you haven’t recently read the others.
+1
I’m sitting here refreshing the page like “comeon, horde! give me a fix!!!!”
+1
+1 to Cast series (Chronicles of Elantra)
Yay! I will review and add…heeheehee. Happy Monday!
OK, a series that I have gobbled up since October is Matt Dinniman’s Dungeon Crawler Carl. Very engaging.
+1 Really enjoyed this series! The audiobook narration is a must for me. One of the most talented and varied narrations I’ve ever heard.
The one tiny downside of the audio is not having access to the maps in a couple of the books/ebooks. They’re just one page sketches to help the reader understand/visualize the level they’re on. This downside is easily circumvented by just googling for the image.
+1
Wait. There are maps!?! Off to search now. Thanks!
+1
My sentiments exactly. Latest one in the series out tomorrow! This is the grownup version of Harry Potter, in the sense that it’s got multiple layers to explore under the surface, if you’re up for that.
Or you can just read it for the ride, which is crazy good. I’m halfway through a reread and picking up stuff I was in too much of a hurry to notice the first time around. This series is a true classic, both heartrending and hilarious.
+1
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Carl is a tough guy with a heart of gold.
He goes in the dungeon with a cat and they stick together, no matter what. They are very loyal and team up with the unlikely allies. Later they get a pet, a velociraptor and Donut, the cat, rides him.
But there also is a greater plot, about aliens and intergalactic politics and reasons, why the dungeon is build on earth.
It really is great and the Series is not finished yet.
+1
+1 and the audio is excellent
+1 I recently started this series. It’s a very entertaining read. The audiobook is also good (I listen while mowing the yard).
Just borrowed this to read.
+1 I just started it, it’s not The Inheritance, but it’s good. A little bit more gorie than I would like, but it’s interesting.
+1
+1 for this series. I thought I didn’t like LitRPG, clearly I tried the wrong books. Book 8 dropped today.
+1 from me too! Working my way through the series now. Found family, lots of action. Very fun. Like others have said, it is more gory than I usually go for, but that is also part of its charm.
+1
+1 for Dungeon crawler Carl. came for this comment. Surprisingly deep story. The new one came out today.
+1 “I am not wearing pants, Donut. I haven’t worn pants since the world ended.”
For all those who like Dungeon Crawler Carl, give Live, Love Level by MCA Hogarth a try.
Reminder for any Kindle Unlimited readers – the Carl books are ALL included including the brand new release
+1 love Carl and Donut!
+1
Per your recommendation, I started Dungeon Crawler Carl’s journey!
I’m almost finished with #7!!
I love it!!
I’ve been reading and listening to them. The audiobooks are amazing!! Love them, love them, love them!!
I now even follow Amber, the Irish Persian, who is so like Princess Donut, The Queen Anne Chonk!
I may need to find me a Dolly Donut.
@Pam R- Thanks for steering me true!
Drew Hayes (all his books are great) and series called Beware of Chicken by Casualfarmer!
I love Beware of Chicken by Casualfarmer! Got it on audiobook and my husband is now a huge fan (he only does audio books).
It’s such a comfort read for me.
I’m halfway through the second audio book thanks to you describing Beware of Chicken as a “comfort read”. It’s just what I needed.
Deeply appreciative.
Mine too! And same with Beware of Chicken….it got me into He Who Fights With Monsters and then into Dungeon Crawler Carl!
I second both of these series!!
+1 on Beware of Chicken (whole series!)
+1 to Beware of Chicken
+1 Beware od Chicken, it’s really fun!
Beware of Chicken is just delightful
+1 Fred the Vampire Accountant series is fantastic. The 9th and last book came out recently
+1
Thank you for mentioning this. It made me go search to see when a new Fred book might be coming out and found I had somehow completely missed that there was a release in January. Now I have something to entertain myself with after rereading TKWNKM 3 times and the new Murderbot twice. 🙂
I love Beware of Chicken!!! Very wholesome. There are some extra chapters on Royal Road I think. And I love the Super Powered series by Drew Hayes.
First?
I’m a fan of changing gears completely to deal with hangover.
Thus, my recommendation is the rather fabulous Sarah Pinsker, who writes novels, novellas and short stories – modern sci-fi, asking big questions about technology and human interaction (Song for a New Day, We are Satellites) and personal growth (Haunt Sweet Home, Then there was n+1).
Also in the SF/space opera category, Tanya Huff’s Valor series has a kick-ass competent heroine and one of the more unusual opponents. Little romance, lots of action.
One of my absolue favorites. It got me through a lengthy hospital stay and best of all, despite the use of the “f” word (which I don’t find offensive,plus it’s not used as a constant) you can listen to without upsetting others. I keep hoping for a new book!
+1
I sometimes like to switch gears too. Lindsay Buroker’s Star Kingdom series is a space opera with a lot of depth while also being hilarious, even on multiple rereads.
I have reread the Valor series many many times. Torin Kerr is one of my favorite all time characters.
I also love Tanya Huff’s Enchantment Emporium series.
Great series!
One isekai I found scratched the itch left by TKWNKM is a fanfic on Archive Of Our Own. It’s called Ad Infinitum, by Stormontheocean, in the dragon age fandom. The writing is very IA in places.
Upside: free, complete.
Downside: locked, so you need an AO3 account to read it.
I am sure there are probably others in other fandoms that are just as good, so I would love recs, but I know this one!
Could not found it, if you would be so kind to link it? 😭
Did the author erase it?
https://archiveofourown.org/works/2845277/chapters/6381311
found it. sounded good to me too 🙂
Well, for political intrigue, I’d go with Katherine Addison’s Goblin Emperor (my current re-read) and then her mystery sequels with Celehar. All are wonderful!
Agree!
Came here to say this! Goblin Emperor is all about the political and court intrigue and it is an absolute joy to read. I love this book!
+1
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The Goblin Emperor is one of my all-time favourite comfort reads.
I LOVE Goblin Emperor!
And not enough people realize she expanded this world! The rest of the books in The Chronicles of Osreth are super good as well, Goblin Emperor is followed by Witness for the Dead, Grief of Stones, and Tomb of Dragons. A feast for the hoard.
+1000 ☺️
In addition to just being a wonderful book, the Gobelin Emperor a really interesting take on leadership!
glad I used the funds in page, I’ll whatever number confirm the above about the Katherine Addison books, I just finished book 1 and starting book 2 on the celhar spin off
+1
+1 (billion) for Katherine Addison, for Goblin Emperor and the Tombs series.
+1 my favorite book (sorry House Andrews)
I’m late to the thread, but I hugely recommend Katherine Addison’s The Orb of Cairado (novella, only 101 pages), if anyone who enjoys the Goblin Emperor missed it. It’s set in the Goblin Emperor and Celehar world but is not directly part of the series. The story only happens because the airship Wisdom of Choharo exploded, but has nothing to do with the royal family and takes place in a city not visited in the other books. It’s a gem of a story, currently with a hardcover jacket quote from T. Kingfisher: “As close to perfect as books can get.” It was such a joy to find another story in that world, and I love the author showing us something else the airship explosion caused, meshing with the way Maia/Edrehasivar keeps in mind all the other people who died leaving behind families and friends – – yet at the same time the story is completely unexpected and happens entirely without the Emperor or Celehar.
+1 Love Goblin Emperor!
and for Goblin Emperor fans, may I suggest Hands of the Emperor by Victoria Goddard, which is also all about friendship and kindness!
+1
Try Kelley Armstrong “A rip through time” series. Historical portal fantasy Canadian female cop gets stuck in Victorian Scotland solving crimes. Got some tropes Maggie mentions. A few books out.
It’ll have to do while we wait.
Also first? Probably not. 🙂
But seriously. Thank you to mod R and house Andrews. I’ve been reading your books for the last decade and you always entertain.
+1
+1000
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+1 on Rip through time. It’s a comfort relisten for me
+1
+1 and A Rip Through Time book 5 is out in a week!
+1
Sounds good, thank you. Bought it at once.
+1mAbsolutely.
Read the first book just finished the second.
Which is the last book in the series, does anybody know?
He who fights with monsters by shirtaloon. It’s also a portal fantasy and has a good audiobook.
I love Jason but my take from the reddit litrpg sub is that he is marmite. I have no idea why because I’ve read way sketchier. But readers be warned.
Marmite?
You either really love it, or really hate it 🙂
It’s a yeast based sandwich spread in the UK that’s famous for being either loved or hated.
I went right back into He Who Fights With Monsters after This Kingdom. With respect to marmite- ness….i (50+yr old committed member of the BDH) love HWFWM, my 16 yr old gamer son says it’s his most favorite book ever, and my husband who has not yet read a House Andrews book but loves epic fantasy also loves HWFWM.
Read the first couple, and then the anarchist politics annoyed me too much
+1 really enjoyed this series. The banter is great. Book 11 had me laughing out loud.
I’m in the middel of book 1 and really enjoying it
+1 Esp the audiobooks which are HILARIOUS
+1. HWFWM is a great serie, but warning: not complete and the author has been on a break due to health issues. My last big book hangover before Maggie was that one !
Maggie had the worst cliffhanger ever
aAt lest Maggie isn’t standing on a box with a rope around her neck, waiting to be hanged, Miriam…
“At lest Maggie isn’t standing on a box with a rope around her neck, waiting to be hanged, Miriam…”
Yet…
How about the Demon Overlords’s Retirement Plan, by M. H. Foster? It’s a calming bit of cozy snark, and the start of the A Gentle Apocalypse series. Book three just came out.
It’s a fun detox series;)
It’s about Galornus Prime, a demon overlord who’s stuck in a loop lifetime of battling heroes, and is sick of it. He fakes his death and escapes to become a farmer who battles goats and keeps his head down, but parts of his old life keep finding him. Lots of misadventures. Sally is a hoot!
+ 1 for the Demon Overloads retirement plan. Delightful! And if not mentioned Assistant to the Villian by Hannah Nicole Maehrer
+1 for Assistant to the Villan
+1 for Assistant to the Villain
+1
This has been my comfort read and will be for a while. Just happiness and no worries but really interesting characters
+1 you all introduces me and i’m hooked. I’m goonna start book 3 now. I wish I could pace myself, but hopefully, this thread will help with withdrawal when the time comes.
Murder Bot – I started with the audiobook. I think, maybe I need to revisit it.
As a lot of comments have said it is a comfort read. I think we all need those.
I think it will be ridiculous if I mention Jeaniene Frost here. Because duh !! But I love the point of view of Bones!!
Ann Aguirre – Science fiction, romance, action.
Light novels – Villains Are Destined to Die (Gwon Gyeoeul) [am i repeating ?]
simple romance but oh so good – Abby Jimenez – Part of your World. [3 books]
+1 Rivers of London – Ben Aaronovitch – magic in every day life. The first book is somthing. but lovely series [just did a find search]
Dont Kiss and Spell by Camilla Isley – romance, witches, Magic in a magical town
Shannon Mayer – magic and mystrey. portals, but for travel though. again magic in the real world. can be dark at times.
Jayne Castle – Romance and magic. a new couple for every book. Human’s travelled through a portal, which closed unexpectedly and now are stuck in the new world. They’ve colonised it, and that’s why the story starts.
Love the dust bunnies in Jayne Castle books!
🙂
Jayne Castle, I just found out when I read “ quicksilver” is actually Jayne Ann Krentz/Amanda Quick. Another book recommended by the hood, I think last time.
I wasn’t a lit rpg reader until Dungeon Crawler Carl which I loved. I then read He Who Fights With Monsters (audiobooks for both) – it feels a lot more laid back and I love the Aussie and Kiwi slang. I didn’t loooove it, but somehow I found myself on book 12. Very more-ish. Laugh out loud funny in places. And found family who would die for each other. I think maybe that’s why I kept going back.
The Tithenai Chronicles by Foz Meadows: diverse & well developed characters, politics, intrique, magic.
+1, I really like them.
Ditto
Not sure if it’s my phone connection, but I don’t see any other comments. I will recommend Elizabeth Hunter. She has multiple series and several are completed. One is her Elemental Vampire series which is urban fantasy and has strong romantic subplots, and another series is actually a trilogy- the Shadowlands series. That one involves portals to a parallel world that can be crossed back and forth.
+1
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I so agree.
+1. Yes! All the Elizabeth Hunter. If you’re having Maggie hangover, then Shadowlands might help. The elemental series can keep you occupied for a bit as well — and it’s awesome.
+1 AGREE! Glad someone mentioned Elizabeth Hunter. I was scrolling down to see if anyone had mentioned her.
+1 love her books!
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I love ALL of her books! She is so underrated!
+1
+1 love Elizabeth Hunter!
+1
Long Live Evil by Sarah Rees Brennan:
It’s another isakai story and Book 2 (All Hail Chaos) releases May 12 (tomorrow!)
I was going to recommend this as well!! Hopefully others see and pick it up, especially if they liked the whole person falling into the start of a book and trying to fix/change things. They’re both SO good and hopefully not a long wait until book 3 🖤
Bride by Ali Hazelwood. Vampire/werewolf love story. Really entertaining and book 2 was just as good.
yes, really good, and there is a sequel with some of the same characters out, Mate, that is also good
I love Ali Hazelwood but that one was especially good.
If Maggie leaves you needinf a respite from its intensity, I highly recommend John Scalze ‘Starter Villain’, it is hysterical.
one technical note, if searching on a Mac it is cmd+f
+1 for Starter Villain
+1 on all Ali Hazelwood books, but especially Bride and Mate.
+1 on Starter Villain, very funny and I’m rooting for the cats
Another humerous light read is T. Kingfisher’s Nine Goblins.
+1 on Bride and Mate
+1 on Ali Hazelwood’s Bride and Mate.
+1 on T. Kingfisher’s Nine Goblins. ^_^
+1 this and the sequel were great
Ooh! I just picked this one up. Happy it’s Horde Certified 😀
+1 nice humor and surprises, some great snark
+1 and bonus points for an excellent rationale for why the MC has fallen into this world and what the story means to her.
I came here to post this! Absolutely a perfect companion read to Maggie!
+1
possibly the closest isakai to Maggie I have read recently, I read it because it was recommended by Jessie Mihalik.
Uummm if you didn’t like Maggie’s cliffhanger, or if you hated certain parts of The Cruel Prince by Holly Black but kept reading anyway, be aware this series might provoke the Horde.
+1 I am obsessed with this series.
I temporarily recovered from Maggie Fever by reading “Project Hail Mary” by Andy Weir. I thought the change to sci-fi would be a good change and it was! I highly recommend it and the movie released a couple of weeks ago.
+1
+1
The audio version is excellent.
+1 – and the movie adaptation is very true to the book.
+1 watched the movie and am almost done with the book
+1
+1 on all Andy Weir books
+1 Was surprised how much I absolutely LOVED Project Hail Mary. Just got the Martian today because I liked his writing so much.
I just finished Rites of the Starling by Devney Perry, which is the sequel to Shield of Sparrows. Rites is slower than Shield, but there is a great payoff at the end!
+1 😊
+1 read, it right after TKWNKM. In short, still emotionally unwell.
+1
+1!
+1 started A friend recommended Shield of Sparrows right after we finished Maggie and I was so happy she did. I loved it. The graphic Audio version of the book is really good too if you like them.
Loved the audio book!
+1
+1
I read this too from my library but had to buy the second and there is clearly going to be a third….
+1
+1 this entire series
Assistant to the Villan series by Hannah Nicole Maehrer. It made me laugh out loud at parts and had an interesting world, magic system, and amazing cast of characters!
+1
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Love this series. Funny & cute.
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+1
+1
+1
How to Become the Dark Lord and Die Trying
Davi is stuck in a Groundhog Day loop: everytime she dies, she wakes up in a pond, where an old wizard tells her she is the only hope to save the kingdom. Each time, she fails, and wakes up back in the pond. Davi’s had enough: she’s done trying to save the kingdom. She’s going to become the Dark Lord, and Die Trying.
Bonus points: Isekai, hilarious, read the title literally, dark, repeat deaths, crazy shenanigans, and the author was one of the ones chosen to promote This Kingdom in publicity blurbs 🙂
Ah!! Just picked this one up too. Loving it so far 😀
+1
Surprisingly good read
+1 very good!
+1 loved both books!
+1
Not the TKWNKM vibes exactly but its very Kate coded books so I figure BDH will like it.
The Ebony Gate by Julia Vee and Ken Beebele. Strong female character, huge world build in Asian Mythology. Its a very well done and satisfying series.
Good reading BDH!
+1!
Ooooh Kate Daniels series is my fav of all time so I will def check this out! Thank you!
+1
Asked my local indie bookstore for high fantasy political intrigue recs for my tkwnkm hangover and boy they delivered. The Raven Scholar by Antonia Hodgson. It’s up for the 2026 Hugo!
Great book!
+1 Yes!! this 10000% The Raven Scholar is brilliant! definitely worth a read: fantasy, mystery, bit of romance, lots of poltical intrigue and twisty plot and some laughs.
Never read anything by Antonia Hodgson before but I went for it and actually this is one of my fave books from last year (I’m really finding it hard to w*it for book 2 though!!).
+1 Yes! Loved this book! Definitely twisty with great characters.
I just finished The Raven Scholar, too. Loved it and looking forward to the rest of the trilogy!
+1
+1 My favourite book of last year!
One of my favorites this (last) year!
+1. Loved the narrator.
+1, loved this book!!!
+1
I absolutely devoured this book. I then recommended it to a friend, who thought he was going to read it over the span of a week — he was done within 2 days. We then held a mini book club where we gushed about this book for two hours straight. So good.
+1
+1 The Raven Scholar audiobook was fantastic. I laughed out loud at points!
Great read, and very fast moving. Also one particular plot point that was very similar to a part of TKWNKM, you’ll know it when you see it! 😉
Jennifer Kropf
High Court of the Coffee Bean series
I coped with my Maggie hangover by changing directions a bit. The Tainted Cup by Robert Jackson Bennett is a fantasy murder mystery that also has great worldbuilding and characters, also a sly sense of humor. The second book in the trilogy, A Drop of Corruption, is also quite good and book 3 is being published in August.
+1
+1
+1
+1
#1
I love these books and have read them twice. Can’t wait til the third is out.
+1 Read the two published books in two days. Unputdownable.
LOVE these
+1
+1
+1
+1
+1
Absolutely! The series is called „The Shadow of the Leviathan“ and I love it!
Helen Harper’s Cat Lady Chronicles
Pros: slightly older protagonist, new magic world
Cons: only three titles currently plus a side novella, short and too easily devoured
+1
+1
+1
The next book will be released on May 29th.
+1
+1
Also Helen Harper has several other series to explore (and some standalones).
+1
yes! I came to recommend these! so much fun. next one is nearly here!
I love her magic power and again fabulous found family.
Love love
I’ve reread them all. Love.
Helen Harper also has other recent series out, Thrill of the Hunt was also excellent.
+1
Love her audio book narrators and their accents!!
+1
Cannot suggest By Blood Shadow and Fire by Orin Steele enough. The feminine rage and magic system made me obsessed.
I wonder why there isn’t an ebook edition …
My eyes won’t allow me to read print anymore 😕
The ebook is on Kobo and in Kobo Plus
I would recommend The Raven Scholar (Antonia Hodgson)
It’s got political intrigue, a main character whose strength is her intellect and knowledge of obscure lore, and an omniscient flock of ravens as a narrator. It has moments of humor in an otherwise grim setting, which does have a hair of the dog quality to it. 🙂
+1 (Raven Scholar)
Nalini Singh, any of the series, but the Archangel series is amazing!
here was how I coped with my hangover! love all her work and guild hunter series just finished in May!
+1
+1 Even though Archangel’s Eternity made me cry since I know this is the last Guild Hunter series book.
+ 1
LOVE! Just finished Archangel’s Eternity too! She said she left little crack for possible slip in haha
+1
The last book was wonderful so much so that I have restarted the series.
+1! I reread the Raphael &Elena-focused ones in preparation for the finale (Archangel’s Eternity), and honestly, this was one of my favourite series ending. It was like meditating myself back to normalcy.
+1
1+ truly had me crying
+ 1- I am so sad these series has come to an end… Such great writing!
+1
I loved this series and the last book is such a gift to readers to wrap up a lot of threads throughout the series. The Psy-changeling series is also excellent and a darker, but with plenty of humer
+1
Seconding the shout outs for Goblin Emperor and Murderbot!
Also by Martha Wells, City of Bones. I just read this for the first time and it’s fabulous and although it’s not a portal story, the intrigue and danger definitely echoes Maggie’s world.
After an immediate reread I managed to get over my book hangover with help from The Will of the Many by James Islington. I love a thick book, so if you are not looking for a long or heavy read avoid this one, but if you like pseudo Roman Empires, political intrigue and interesting moral questions it might be worth a read. The second book recently got released and I finished Will of the Many on a Thursday and by Friday I was walking into a bookshop to get Strength of the Few because there was no way I was going to be able to wait for delivery.
Yes! Both are definitely 5* books, highly recommending.
Islington’s Licanius series is also very good. I recommend the audiobook versions. It’s the same narrator who does Brandon Sanderson’s books.
+1
Sounds good, thank you. Bought it at once.
+1. I was checking to see if his books were already included. Both the Will of the Many and the Licanius series by him are excellent.
Also +1 for TA White’s Firebird Chronicles!
The Elantra Chronicles by Michelle Sagara. The latest in the series, Cast in Blood just recently released. I’m currently rereading through the entire series (plus spin-offs)
one of my favorites. great series.
+@
Doing a reread of the series too!
+1 Starting the new book today!
+1
I also just started my series reread because of the new release!
+1. I’m rereading the last several of these just to make sure I’m not forgetting a bunch of things and where they belong.
+1
+1000 – just bought the new book. need to go back and reset my perspective in anticpation!
+1
This is recommended multiple times by the Horde, I love it.
For a simple breakdown, the series in this world are:
The Chronicles of Elantra (19 books and a prequel)
The Wolves of Elantra (2 books)
The Academia Chronicles (3 books, pick up after book 15 of Chronicles of Elantra)
A good entry point: The Wolves of Elantra, Book 1: The Emperor’s Wolves by Michelle Sagara. (She also publishes as Michelle Sagara-West and Michelle West.) It picks up near the beginning, but the world is already robust, and will give a sense of the world/writing, before you commit to 20 more books. That said, I love everything I’ve read by her.
I see people on here calling The Chronicles of Elantra a slow burn. I would not categorize the series as a romance. Maybe epic high fantasy with politics and mystery? It has, in some books, small romantic moments. But the MC is (so far) focused on personal growth and healing. Her relationships with other characters center on that, more like a coming-of-age story.
Sagara writes a wonderfully imaginative world (dragons, mages, ancient gods, lost worlds, sentient buildings), and her characters undergo emotional journeys while navigating politics and solving mysteries, finding inner strength and friendship. Themes include found family, forgiveness, redemption, sacrifice and duty, self-love, and personhood. This is not a chill read, Horde. Like Maggie, it has dark moments and some mature themes.
+1
This is a good read of the series. I was disappointed that what I thought was a “slow burn” wasn’t going anywhere. Largely solo identity journeys with detective plots.
Heather Fawcett’s Emily Wilde series, starting with Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faerie. So much fun and smart to boot.
+1
Loved these!
These are delightful. She also gets academia.
+1
+1 my sister got them for me for xmas after listening to book reviews on NPR. very wonderful.
Emperors Edge series by Lindsay Buroker – quite a few books in this series and she also has a few other series with dragons, werewolves etc
+1
Heather Fawcett’s newest, Agnes Aubert’s Mystical Cat Shelter, was funny and chaotic and got me unexpectedly in my feels. Definitely helped my TKWNKM hangover.
Agnes Aubert’s has serious Howl’s Moving Castle vibes. +1 on this rec!
+1
Yes! I loved the Howl’s Moving Castle vibes. ^_^
+1
+1
Great series
Love these
+1
+1 💕
+1
+1
This is a Graphic Audio book recommendation, the Leveling Up series, starting with Magical Midlife Madness.
MFC: A regular, average human woman 40’s,recently divorced and taken to the cleaners in the process. Discovers she is the chosen heir to a sentient, magical house and a latent gargoyle.
MMC: A hunky shape shifter who runs the local bar in self-imposed exile.
There is a lot of self-discovery, humor, action, and of course romance.
The house comes with a hilarious cast of characters, including a vampire gardener and ancient butler, who become her new family.
I laughed so much while listening to the wonderful portrrayals that I snatch up each new release – 11 so far.
Magical Midlife is a series on Kindle Unlimited if you want to read them. The first one is Magical Midlife Madness, and it’s about a 40something heroine who develops magic. Great characters, great action, slow-burn romance, and very very funny!
+1
+1
+1 ive re read the last 2 books start last 3 times in the last 4 weeks!
+1 for Magical Midlife Madness and the entire series. Not dark or deep or super complicated, but super fun and laugh ’til I cry funny. I really didn’t expect to enjoy anything with “midlife” in the title, but I love every one of these and have reread multiple times.
+1
Seriously the BEST series. ai have looked like an absolute loon while shopping or being out and about because I have been listening to the audiobook while doing so. It is pee in your pants hilarious! The cast of characters is so out there – I love these books.
+1
+1!
+1000 The voice actors are excellent! The stories are hilarious! I listen with my headphones on and I get these weird looks from people when I suddenly burst out laughing 🙂
Couldn’t agree more!! I LOVE k F Breene – levelling up series is amazing!
I love this series. Highly recommend it also.
+1000
+1. Hilarious series
Her father’s ‘fart blanket’? I have read this series 5 times! The personalities are so clearly encapsulated in these books. The real world disappears, and I dance into an intoxicating world. I read over 300 books yearly for decades. It’s rare that any writers stand out. I highly recommend these books.
I’ve tried to read this series 2 separate times but can’t get past the FMC saying she’s sooo old all the time when iirc she’s like 40 something? Does that get better as the series goes? 😅
@Kah To be fair, when I hit 40 I got stuck in that “I’m so old” mindset. She does move past it, as I did! 🙂
It gets better, I swear! ♥
+1000 for Leveling Up!!!
I adore this series and the Graphic Audio is well done! Definitely one of my comfort reads!!! (and re-reads and re-listens!)
This author KF Breene is one of two I was thinking of recommending. Her Demigods of San Francisco is a really cool series to. I am currently listening to the Graphic Audio version.
+100000
+1
+1
The chronicles of Elantra by Michelle Sagara. Also just had a new release.
+1 but the slow burn finally just made me lose interest rather unforunately
There’s a very good reason for that incredibly slow burn. She’s working through a sh*tload of past history, without psych…
The slow burn has caught me like a fish.
In this final book we’ve got confirmation for one (S) instead of (flower guy), which is awesome.
Now in the next 5 books we might get there!!
Wait ,what, seriously?I need a spinoff for flowers then.
Flower Guy + Lake Lady
(I thought so and I’m glad)
I guess maybe I’ll try to get back in. I’m also rather confused about how back to back the current plots in the books are. And I understand the reason for the slow burn but to me it never feels like we get enough S+K/E time I honestly want more of like their beats and patrols. What is a normal day for them? Where they don’t need to go to x place to talk to x all mighty character.
+ 10000 agreed. I felt exactly the same and lost traction after book 9? but after this thread and hopeful news I’ll jump back in.
I’m 100% slow rolling through the latest – Cast in Blood
my husband got to hear me do lots of Squee-ing when I got to parts that tied back to the Severn Prequel spinoff books
It’s hard to keep track of Lois Bujold’s Penric series since she pretends to be retired so she only writes when an idea comes to her and doesn’t promote in any way as far as I can tell. She just announces on Goodreads that there is a new story and it is out. Then she lets her fans disseminate the information.
The newest one “Darksight Dare” was released in Mid-April.
Very good series. The newest title is intriguing.
+1 I Love these
+1
I recommend reading them in LMcMB’s suggested order rather than publication date.
Love “pretends to be retired”.
+1 to everything by Bujold!
+1. The first story starts rather slowly, hang with it. Also suggest reading in author’s suggested order rather than publishing order.
+1 to all of Bujold’s books, but especially the Penric books!
One of my favorite authors
+1 to this series and all of LMB’s books!
+1
I bought it already, but want to reread at least the last two or three books first. …that sounds weird, but the horse will understand, I trust…
+1 I love this series, great comfort reads.
Weavingshaw by Heba Al-Wasity.
Fresh of the printing press (Feb 2026) – an incredible debut imho.
Fantastic Gothic story that weaves in themes of immigration, class, belonging, with a very slow-burn romance.
Word of warning – first novel of a trilogy and there is a cliffhanger (I personally don’t mind either if the book is well crafted and this one is)
+1 I really enjoyed, different feel. Nice antihero. Great mood. Intriguing.
I recently finished Rise from Ruin by Melissa Olthoff. Leading Dragon Academy cadet gets derailed, has to start over. She perseveres. Fun story that sucks you in (as a former military academy grad, I can say the author gets the feel of that part right). Also, the sequel is due in only a couple months, so no W-word!
+1 Yes! highly recommend Rise From Ruin!
MK Wren – The Phoenix Legacy – great trilogy
Galactic Merc series by Chris Kennedy is an ongoing series about an author that gets kidnapped by aliens and rescued by a mercenary group where in each book he has to Level Up like he is gaming.
Empire of the Stars by Melissa J Cave! The 4th book was just released this month, and book 5 will be released in November. Very intricate political intrigue, incredible world-building, and overall impressive depth to the story and characters.
OMG I just recommended it and need emotional support with the series.
+1!!!
The Retired Assassin’s Guide to Country Gardening by Naomi Kuttner
plus 10! I loved Naomi books. 3rd one due out in November I think!
+1 loved the series so much I gave it to my mom for Mothers Day
+1 These were fun
+1. Cozy light fantasy murder mystery. While the fantasy part is light and probably a spoiler, the characters are funny and there is a cat. Gobbled them up.
Love, love, love this one. We’re reading it for our Book Club this month!
+1
These were a delight, with a cast of characters that spanned the age range. And they all learn from & support one another. I get so sick of people treating labeled generations like some kind of cult.
Thank you for this post! I just started Winter World by AG Riddle. New author for me. It’s a Hail Mary type book with less science. I’m loving it so far! Will be checking back here for more good recommendations 🧐
Anne Bishop’s has published the first book in a new series, Turns of Fate, an Isle of Wyrd novel and it has captured my imagination. Destiny Park is the residence of the Arcana, paranormal beings. Humans meet with the Arcana to make bargains and to change their fate. The main story is about a detective, Beth Fahey who goes to Destiny Park to inquire about a “ghost gun”. It’s a mixture of mystery, dark fantasy and urban fantasy, and now that I’ve told you all about it, I’m going to re-read it.
Agree w/you, Laura. Turns of Fate was excellent!
+1
+ 1 I also love her ‘The Others’ series and associated books
+1
I’ve seen the book, and I love her Black Jewels series. I’ll have to check it out
this was the other book hangover that I had recently! highly recommend +1
Yes, also my other book hangover. Eagerly anticipating the next book in the series.
+1
+1 Anne Bishop is a must-read for me.
+1
The ‘Others’ series
+1
+1
+1
Oh yeah, I could not put this one down.
Yep, I this was a good new world for her. Very much in the style of her Others series, which I also enjoy.
+1
Haven’t started this one yet, but her The Others series (multiples) are great!
+1
+1
This is a great read
+1 I have three authors on my automatic buy list. Anne Bishop is #2 behind House Andrews.
Auto buy list= don’t question world, or type, or new series. Just purchase with full confidence you will enjoy whatever is served.
+1 for anything this author writes, she is in my top five for authors right up there with House Andrews!
+1
+1
So good
Think this is my most re-read book ever!
+1 This is a fantastic book!
I love this author, the Others is one of my favorite series, and I will read anything by her
+1
I have reread The Others series by Anne Bishop many many times. Absolutely love it.
I could not get into her two other previous series. I confess to a lack of understanding what is going on.
But also *1 to Turn of Fate.
+1
+1 yes!
Anne Bishop is an automatic buy for me and yet I didn’t know about the new book!!! Thanks and +1 to anything she writes.
I agree, plus love her Others books as well
Lady Tremaine by R. Hochauser
I read it yesterday, and it is on my reread pile!
It is a retelling of the Cinderella fairy tale from the stepmothers perspective. It has an older FMC who makes decisions that make sense. The book explores the concepts of motherhood. It was a perfect read on mothers day.
A side character has to deal with SA, but it is handled respectfully and not graphically.
Victoria Hanley – start with The Seer and the Sword.
The whole trilogy is excellent, each a standalone that intertwines.
I love this book, it is a childhood fave I have reread so many times!
L.E. Modesitt’s Grand Illusion series — there are currently four books available, Isolate, Councilor, Contraian and Legalist [this one is a prequel]. The final book, Premier, is due for publication release in November. It’s a very interesting look at political landscapes and parties. The characters are engaging and the story moves along on several threads.
Excellent series.
T A White, the fire bird chronicles, The new book came out recently and I’m doing another re read
Oh! Yes, was thinking of rec-ing this series. LOVE it. Wish GA would adapt these.
+1 this was a surprise hit for me and I loved it!
+1
+1 ❤️
Echos of Insurrection by TA White is the latest “Edge of your seat” exciting installment with ongoing follow-up GUS snippets/chapters on the blog website-totally worth it.
thanks, I hadn’t realized there was a new book in the series, I have to read it
+1000! Any of her series are fabulous and they are such different worlds. Firebird Chronicles is my favorite, but followed closely by her Pathfinder series.
+1000 Love all of her books. There are hints she is starting a new world/series soon too. Also I love her pathfinder and alien travers series too.
+1000! I came here say this. Bad ass heroine, strong, sexy male lead who is perfectly content with letting her handle herself. I got KD/Beast Lord vibes after I read the first few books.
++++1
+ 1 – have loved all of her series
I came to say this, too!! The Firebird Chronicles hit all my favorite notes of Kate Daniels, while also being their own thing. They’ve been added into my regular reread rotation, which is a high bar to clear!!
+1! Love and have re-read The Firebird Chronicles, and enjoyed the main 3 books of The Broken Lands. I wasn’t able to get into Aileen Travers.
+1
love the firebird chronicles.
I love her fire bird series, can’t wait to June for her Gus novella. I also love her Broken lands and Dragon Ridden Chronicles
+1
+1
I haven’t read the new book in the Fire Bird Chronicles, but it’s on my to be read list. The earlier books were great.
For anyone looking for isekai + fan, I’ll recommend the webcomic For My Derelict Fave. She’s thrown into her favorite novel as a nobody and watches the book play out, only to see everything go horribly wrong after the Happily Ever After. She is given another chance as time rewinds to save her favorite character, the secondary love interest, by asking for his hand in marriage.
Super funny, lovely artwork, and Hestia plays politics all while defending her fave until he’s ready to get back on his feet. Very charming and highly recommend!
I was scrolling trying to figure out if recommending a webtoon would be okay, glad I’m not the only one who deals with book withdraws this way.
My Derelict Fave is really funny! I’d like to suggest The Knight Only Lives Today. It’s a fantasy world setting wherein the main character is a talentless warrior embroiled in an ongoing war. He wants to be better, to be a great knight, but doesn’t have any natural skills. He ends up with what most people would consider a terrible curse, but uses it to his advantage.
Omg I love this one I’m kinda sad it’s over with just side stories tho
I highly recommend The Dark Lord’s Guide to Dating (and other War Crimes) by Tiffany Hunt.
Be warned book#2 (The Dark Lord’s Guide to Honeymooning(and other Villainous Deeds) doesn’t come out until Sep 8 2026. sigh.
+1
+1
Elizabeth Wheatley, author.
+1
Note that Elisabeth Wheatley’s books release first on her own site and then eventually to Amazon, B&N etc. A quick check shows that her most recent release (Oath of the Wolf) is currently available on the standard sites. I think she has another book due for release in a few months.
Love
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I have greatly enjoyed her “Wrath and Weeping” series so far! (Tears of the Wolf, Oath of the Wolf) I grabbed both the ebooks and audiobooks directly from her website. I cannot wait for her to publish the next one!
+1
+1
While waiting for Maggie to come out I found Empire of the Vampire by Jay Kristoff. One of a trilogy of 3 huge books, earth adjacent, snarky hero, lots of unexpected twists, totally new type of vampire book. Myself & my husband both loved it!
This was recently recommended to me and I have it in my queue to read next. I’ve heard so many good things about Jay Kristoff’s books!
The Incandescent by Emily Tesh – magical boarding school, as told by the teacher in charge, rather than any of the students. The writing is lovely. Every time I thought I knew where the story and worldbuilding was going it would shift and reveal a new layer. And following the story from the eyes of the grown up at school who has to teach and manage a bunch of teen wizards, maintain the ancient school infrastructure no one has the money to replace, and manage departmental squabbles, while preventing major demonic incursions, makes for a really fun and unique view.
+1
One of my fav books that I’ve read in 2026!
+1 this was probably my favorite book of 2025, I re-read it several times
I highly recommend Melissa J Cave’s: Empire of the Stars books. I am being intentionally vague with names and the plot so you can have the experience for yourself. I tried not to give spoilers.
It is wonderfully written with mystery and intrigue, royal and noble court manipulations, flawed characters making bad judgments and regretting them, but then rectifying them for the better. Lots of humor and POV’s. Lots of smart decisions and very cool world building.
The First Book is Traitors Son which sets the scene with a 17 year old squire of an extinct house (note the word Conspiracy, and pay attention when it is brought up) getting a boon from the king and he claims a vast region of land, a river (its cool when you realize why he names the river in his boon) and the king’s daughter ( sad reason but smart). The king agrees, but gives his bastard daughters hand in marriage and there are underlying issues between her family and the male main characters’ family that have to do with the events of the Conspiracy.
One caveat: I am an urban planner, and I absolutely love seeing the foundations of the city of Tressingale built with all its problems and solutions figured out in the books. It really adds a lot of depth and emotional meaning into the series.
The level of planning and logistics is something just not seen in other books. As the author is a military brat and veteran herself, I have to wonder is she was involved in military logistics.
I was wondering if she took sociology or urban studies potentially because her city problem solving skills are amazing. and I like some of the creative and funny solutions.
ex: lets measure the capital cities blocks at night while drunk to see how much space each house needs.
ex: there will be no bad section in my city.
I also stayed up way to late thinking of the politics and how I hope I can replicate them so well and deviously.
I love this series. +1
I’m obsessed with this series. I discovered it last year. I just read the fourth book and that ending! Thankfully we’ll get the next book in 6 months.
Yes, the endings for three and four kept me awake at night. I was not expecting what happened either time, although there were hints.
I love how authors hint at things, and it comes together, and you are like wowww I should have known or OMG.
Steven Brust’s Vlad Taltos series are a comfort read for me…
+1
I’ll add Vanessa Nelson. If you like TA White (Firebird Chronicles), I think you’ll also enjoy Vanessa. Really nice world building. She’s got a number of completed series out. Taellaneth and Grey Gates are my favs so far — although I’ve enjoyed all of them. I’m waiting on the last book of her most recent series before glomming it — err, I mean reading at a sedate pace.
Love, love love all her series.
+1
+1
+1. Grey gates is a favorite!
+1 I loved Grey Gates but Taellaneth is a go to re-read. Nelson’s female protagonists often struggle, frequently with not knowing their own self-worth. They fight on for what they believe in and earn the respect, support and affection of those around them. Nelson’s world building is terrific and her development of her characters is wonderful.
I so agree!
+1
Yes! Found her earlier this year and has great world building and characters. And Mod R thanks for the snippet of how to find on mobile phone. That was as good as anew author selection 🙂
+1 for Vanessa Nelson. I love how each series is so different to the others in world-building
Yes +1 to Vanessa Nelson! I’ve read the Taellaneth and The Hundred and liked both series!
+1 love all her books
+1
++++1 I love everything she writes
Yes!
Talleneth is my absolute favorite of hers. I’ve read all 5 books and listened to all 5 books. It is a slower pace, but she does a great job world building. Her books have magic with an underlying mystery that the lead has to solve. I recommend the Fracture Conclave (with the 6th and final book out later this year) or Ageless Mysteries. Each book’s mystery is resolved, but there is an over arching storyline that runs through all of them.
I endorse Vanessa Nelson as well.
I really like the “Magical Midlife” series by K.F. Breene. 12 books and counting so if someone needs a longer series to help with the w*it, this might do it. I also appreciate the protagonist is in her late 30’s early 40’s! Very funny characters and read.
+1 I love KF Breene, and this series is one of my faves! ♥
100%
Linzi Day. An independent author like HA, and a fun series of books to gobble up!
I love the midlife recorder series.In my opinion it has some similarities to innkeeper. I also love that the character is in middle age instead the 18 to 24 demo.
+1
I have been rereading K M Shea’s Magiford books.
+1
+1 very new take on magical factions
+1
+1
Magic on Main Street and Night Court series are my favorite. She recently paused hiatus to publish a new book!
+1 Love K.M. Shea’s Magiford books! I have reread them multiple times. Currently, there are 5 interconnected trilogies. So fun!
+1 Reading these right now.
+1 I have read all of her Magiford books. They are so great!
+1
K.B. Wagers “A Pale Light in the Black” (2021) first in the NeoG series.
Military SF with found family, mystery, fantastic characters, sword fights and snarky dialog. Very Firefly vibe.
Maxine Carmichael is the new XO on Zuma’s Ghost, part of the space coast guard that helps out stranded spaceships and apprehend smugglers and the like.
Sword fighting is a must skill because bullets + spaceships = decompression = bad.
Max is trying to be herself separate from her powerful and controlling family who wanted her to join the space navy.
There’s an intense mystery and lots of awesome characters that you will love. So far 4 books so binge via your library or favorite book seller.
+1 Yes, love this series!
Adore this series, then went back and read their older series and loved those, too.
I discovered Dick Wybrow’s Kane this year. It is the opposite of the werewolf. He is a wolf were. Born a wolf but bitten by a werewolf so he turns into a man. He has a very unique view of humanity.
Strange Animals by Jarod K. Anderson. It’s a quick read, and it is so beautifully written (after reading it, I was not surprised to discover that Anderson has also published poetry). Beauty was not something I expected from a modern fantasy about choices and cryptids.
+1 with enthusiasm. The audio is good, the animals are very strange and I was caught up in the world. The writing is lovely and every time I thought we were appro+1 with enthusiasm. The audio is good, the animals are very strange and I was caught up in the world. The writing is lovely and every time I thought we were approaching a tired old trope, the story would twist away from it. aching a tired old trope, the story twists away from it.
The Dark Lord’s Guide to Dating and other War Crimes
I’ve been rereading the October Daye series by Seanan McGuire (there’s…. 19 total so far? I’m rereading the 17th at the moment). I love the characters, and the world building, and the relationships – I highly recommend them to anyone! fantasy, some mystery, political drama… it’s all great.
+1
+1
+1. They have a lot of adventure, politics, danger, a pinch of romance and a strong found family theme with very likeable characters.
Only problem is only part of the series was released in Australia super frustrating
+20 – Toby and all her found family are awesome!
+1
Here to VEHEMENTLY recommend Mask of Mirrors by M.A. Carrick and the two follow ups, a COMPLETE TRILOGY as far as I can tell though I’m not quite done yet (together, Rook & Rose). Found them a week or two ago on a reddit post for worldbuilding like IA after the original poster finished TKWNKM.
Genuinely, first brand new author I’ve been this excited about in a long time. The series is so fun, great worldbuilding, great group of characters. I don’t want to spoil anything except to say I struggled with maybe the first 50 pages or so while I was feeling the world out, and it’s been such a fun ride from there.
+1000
I’ve read and re-read the trilogy and am currently on another read for my book hangover. It has political intrigue, a female main character pulling a con, a masked vigilante, and divination. One of my favorite series outside of House Andrews’ catalog.
Read a sample on Libby and just bought the trilogy. Thanks for the recommendation.
+1 definitely!
Absolutely LOVE this trilogy. I browse a lot of “best of” lists and never see Mask of Mirrors, so I was going to post it here for sure. It’s such an intricate story, with great characters and world building. And yes, a COMPLETE TRILOGY (no people left hanging 😉 I wish there was more by this author.
+1 So much yes. Intricate well imagined world, smart sensible characters, humor, slow burn, satisfying ending to trilogy. Will reread while I w*it for Maggie 2.
The Pun Farmer by Autumn Dawn, not as good as IA but nonstick read of character dropped into another world/game
Loved both books in that series but also loved The Goblin General series by Autumn Dawn
+1
Try Precise Oaths, by Paige E. Ewing. The FMC is “Spider-kin” and a Seer and also neurodivergent but expands her friends, family and romantic relationship over 3 books so far. Fae Colonel who’s also a Fae Prince, wolf-kin, etc. in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Excellent series.
Sorry ModR. It should be “ TRY Precise Oaths “
The Things We Water by Mariana Zapata (May 2025) will definitely appeal to the Kate & Curran crowd. It is a thick original fantasy set in the modern world but with mythical gods and shapeshifters. The protagonist adopts a demon puppy who needs to be hidden from the normal world because the tip of his tail is a fire hazard. Re-read it soon after to savor the experience and appreciate the storytelling.
Absolutely 💯 anything by Mariana Zapata is a great read. 🙌🏼
+1
Mariana Zapata is in my top “authors I auto-buy” list.
How did I miss this new release by Zapata?!! Thank you in triplicate for clueing me in!
+1. Was just coming here to add this. I’ve loved all of her books.
With the same vibe as this kingdom will not kill me (both in length and genre) I’d recommand “The wandering inn” from pirateaba : it starts with the same premise as TKWNKM but focuses more on the impact you’ll have over it and how it’ll change you.
It’s big and you can try it for free on the author website
It’s a portal fantssy with levels and everything. a completely different vibe than IA. But both me and my husband are big fans.
+1 The Wandering Inn is a lovely series, with 18 volumes on Audible, and more available on the site if you read the web serial. There is a lot of entertainment available (it’s long and ongoing). For portal fantasy/isekai lovers that don’t mind multiple story threads ongoing at the same time.
+1 i’ve returned to the wandering Inn over and over again over the years. I think it’s over like 20 million words at this point so it’s hard to read straight through. Better to pick it up, Read for a while, Put it down when you want to move onto other things and then return again and again.
+1 if you aren’t reading The Wandering Inn series you’re missing out on the best world and character building currently being written
The legend od William OH by Macronomicon. It’s funny romp thru Tower world.
Also we know William OH never met Chuck Norris. Such a meeting would have had unprecedented consequences. The world would have split and be remade better. If they fought then they would have never stopt becouse there couldn’t be a winter. And if they become friends they would destroy all evil together.
Magic and the Shinigami Detective. The Case Files of Henri Davenforth. Honor Raconteur. Excellent series.
+1
+1 definitely!
+1
A wonderful portal series with mysteries!
+1
+1
All the Raconteur series are satisfying reads, for me.
+1 I love the series, but the first chapter of The Shinigami Detective was hard for me to read, in terms of violence. If I had known, I might have skipped it. The rest of the story is wonderful, as is the series (I’m on book 11). Great characters, delightful humor, found family.
+1 Yes to all of the Davenforth books
+1
And her other series too.
The Wizard’s Butler and The Wizard’s Cat by Nathan Lowell.
Not my usual cup of tea, but it hit the spot perfectly.
Oh wait, is that the author that wrote the Quarter Share series?
Nothing ever happens in those books, but it’s SO damn satisfying to my ADHD brain, it’s like the literary equivalent of white noise, because he does a lot of cleaning and inventory.
I will have to give these a go and hope for the same effect!
They’re wonderful but no big happenings. Just a fine explanation of how you live with a wizard.
Yes. A magical House. Found Family. A Veteran who finds new purpose. Competence. What‘s not to like?
Yep, same one. He also wrote the Tanyth Fairport series, which was amazing as well.
+1000
The Wizard’s Butler books are great! Mod R’s description of the Trader’s Tales books is spot on. Never thought of the connection to my ADHD, and why I find the series so satisfying.
+1
+1
i like everything I’ve read by Nathan Lowell. It’s like cosy sci-fi (or cosy fantasy, in The Wizard’s Butler’s case!)
I love all Nathan Lowell, but especially the quarter share stories. After cancer treatment and recovery, Nathan is writing again. yay!
+1 I LOVED The Wizard’s Butler! I didn’t expect to like it so much!! The 2nd book was good, too, but the 1st one is wonderful!
EMPHATIC +1
+1 on both both books and lots of pluses for the Golden Age of the Solar Clipper series. I have fallen in love with Nathan Lowell’s writing style.
+1❤️
+1
The Legends & Lattes series by Travis Baldree. A series about starting over, making a new life. Enjoyable
+1
+1
+1
Seana Kelly – The Slaughtered Lamb Bookstore & Bar and her Sea Wicche Chronicles. Absolutely love both series. Slaughtered Lamb is about Werewolf Sam, the booknerd in charge. She runs her business by one simple rule: everyone needs a good book and a stiff drink be they demon, wicche, fae or vampire. No wolves though, never ever wolves… she has her reasons..
The Sea Wicche is about Arwyn, a cassandra Wicche who can read objects by touch. She is an artist with a strong affinity for water. She gets roped into murder investigations by police so desperate to catch their culprit they would even turn to a so called psychic…
Both series are full of adventure, fantasy, stong female heroine and slow burn romance (comparable to build up of romance in Innkeeper series).
+1! I’m a little behind on these, but really enjoyed the ones I’ve read.
+1
+1000. And she has a couple of novellas about Orla, an Owl shifter (but a BIG type), in which Arwen shows up. Wonderful and you see Arwen from a different perspective.
+1 Love these characters!
Definite +1 and A favorite
Sea Wicche are my favorites of her connected series
+1 Warning: The series’ are so delicious they causes their own hangover.
Loved these!
I have thoroughly enjoyed Christina Dodd’s A Daughter of Montague series. The heroine is Rosie(Rosalind) the sensible eldest daughter of Romeo and Juliet (they bumbled the suicide attempts in the tomb). There are 2 books and 2 novellas and the third comes out in June. They are funny and very engaging. Totally different from TWWNKM and help with withdrawal symptoms we all are experiencing.
OMG YES!!!! Christina Dodd is hilarious ,the retelling of Romeo and Juliet where they don’t die and have umpteen children because they can’t keep their hands off each other…..so funny.Great comedic murder mystery with some slow burn romance. The whole series is excellent. +1000
+1
It’s a completely different genre, but I loved Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt. It’s about family, found and otherwise, friendship, and the human experience. I loved it and devoured it in one day. It’s definitely worth a read!
The movie is really good as well starring Sally Field. It’s out on Netflix.
I’m reading ”A rip through time”- series by Kelley Armstrong. About Mallory, a Canadian detective who are in Edinburgh visiting her sick grandmother. On a jog one night M gets attacked and when she wakes up she is in a the body of a 19 year old Victorian house maid. Her boss is a very interesting man rich, a bastard, POC and an undertaker/forensic scientist with a detective best friend and a chemist sister . She tries to figuring out how to survive in this strange new body and world, find out how to get back from 1869 to 2019 while also solving a murder.
It’s a great series, fun to see Victorian Edinburgh and Scotland through modern eyes, the slow burn is slow burning to the max!
I love this one too, especially once they finally confirmed that slow burn 🙂
Sometimes after a book like that I need a change of pace and one of my recent favorite series is by Megan Bannen, first book is The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy- it is fun fantasy with a unique world, zombies and maybe dragons! (And the second book has older mc)
+1
+1
There are a lot of authors I would recommend, but since Mod R is only letting us choose 1 author for the post, I highly recommend Jennifer Estep’s Galactic Bonds series. The series starts with Only Bad Options.
The series is about two people creating a truebond while fighting for their lives. When they find out about the bond, they try to reject it, only to find out that the bond is alive a well. There are other interesting situations in the series that I won’t spoil it for anyone.
The next book in the series, Only Bright Destines, will be out February 16, 2027. House Andrews also recommends this series. They did a review on the first book. 😊
It should be alive and well. I left off the “nd”. My brain is fried today. 🤦♀️
Yes! Galactic Bonds and her Section 47, both of which are newer series.
Galactic Bonds is fun. Section 47 has a really good twists!
+1 +1 +1
+1
I haven’t tried that one but I like her kill the queen series a lot.
If the horde is craving a little more romance with their adventure, highly recommend Kacey Ezell’s Magelight series!! First two books are out. Think D&D adventuring party with a Why Choose romance 💙🔥
A Plague of Magic by Marisa Wolf is a gritty adventure tale of a thief who finds a cursed treasure in a post-magical-apocalypse world. She thinks her life is about to change forever…and she’s right, but not in the way she thinks.
I could. not. put this one down.
Oh my gosh, YES!
Archangel’s Eternity by Nalini Singh. Sigh, the final book in the Guild Hunter series. Very satisfying but hoot not the end
I’m sad this series is ending too. Thankfully her Psy/Changeling series is still going strong.
+1- It was so good!
I am going to toss in John Scalzi – he’s more sci-fi than fantasy.
I have read many of his stand-alone books and enjoyed them all. I think When the Moon Hits Your Eye is my favorite (timeliness of idiot rich men going into space probably) but all of them are worthy.
I have only read book 1 of his Old Man’s War series but I will be continuing that as they come up on my TBR.
The Old Man’s War series is fantastic. I enjoy his other books, but not as much as this series.
Yes
I enjoyed the travel by bullet novellas….i think they were included in audible subscription
+1! I laughed so hard at parts of the Kaiju Preservation Society that I couldn’t read it in public.
+1
The Scholomance series by Naomi Novak- a total change in series type but I could not put it down. Like a cross between Harry Potter and a Series of Unfortunate Events, written for adults. Also, it’s a complete trilogy, so no waiting!
+1
+1
+1
Yes! Just finished these today. Very dark but satisfying and realistic.
+1
+1000
+1 to anything by Novik 🙂
+1 great author
yes!
This is what I was going to suggest. Such a completely original take on a magical school.
Yep yep yep
Annette Marie
Three Mages and a Margarita
That’s such a fun one!
+1
Annette Marie’s Three Mages and a Margarita series wrote several other series intertwining in that world, so something like (off the top of my head) 25 books in four or five series, each with a different main and secondary characters that make cameos in the other series. Great fun. Another one just came out.
Wonderful series she’s penned. Favorite is Demonized series which ties into the other one.
I loved all of these intertwining series but I don’t feel like these were her best work. Some of her earlier works were super stellar.
+1 The Demonized series is my absolute favorite of hers!
+10000 I love her books, and the guild codex series is actually several intertwining series with different main characters. Plus her Spell Weaver series is also good.
I really loved “Hench” by Natalie Zena Walschotz and the sequel, “Villain” is out soon. Extremely snarky and less cozy than “Assistant to the Villain” – think “The Boys” (show).
I really enjoyed Assistant to the Villain also. I really liked the humor of the author in these books.
Highly recommend the New Protectorate series by Abigail Kelly. Start with Fragile Beings (a collection of 3 short stories) and Book 1: Consort’s Glory.
+1
+100%!!! I’ve devoured everything Abigail Kelley writes—and her fabulous art—it’s one of my most reread authors. Incredibly different world-building, lot of change in character growth, romance and spicy times—liked her books so much I joined her Patreon and get new books early, serialized. Love her! 💜💜💜
Recently discovered her and definitely hidden gem.
Faith Hunter the jane yellowrock series
Black arts is the best
I know we were suppose to keep it recent so I want to point out that it has a Spinoff (Book 1 Unpredictable Magic) series coming out July 14 so the perfect time to start the series if its new to you and get all the background intime for the new release
+1. Been following Jane Yellowrock for many years.
Looking forward to the spin-off
+1 love but DNF after a while maybe i will reread at some point
The Ashen series by Demi Winters. It’s set in a Viking-esque world and full of great warriors (the Blood Axe Crew!) and female characters who aren’t conventionally strong but are wonderful. The audiobook narrator is incredible.
+1. It takes some wild twists and turns!
+1
I really like the Jacky Leon series by K.N.Banet.
+1
+1
I’m going to suggest B.R.Kingsolver. The Crossroads Chronicles is the series that came to mind in Mod R’s post.
This is a wonderful innovative series!
Alice Degan who also writes as A.J. Demas. All her books are quite good, but I particularly liked her Boukos novels: One night in Boukos and the Sword Dance trilogy.
Kind of cozy mysteries with MM romance, though On Night has an MF couple as well, that take place in a no magic alternate world based on Ancient Greece and Rome.
**** Soooo Hear me out****
Sometimes when I have book hangovers I go back to old faithfuls. Because of my ADHD I need something super engaging (maybe chaotic) but with strong plots and lots of possible theories for my brain to track and think about.
After searching the thread I have not seen this series nor the author listed. So without further ado, I humbly suggest the following.
****Kresley Coles – Immortals After Dark Seris****
A contemporary urban fantasy based in New Orleans following the world of preternatural beings that live amongst humans undetected..ish. Fall into the chaotic shenanigans of the Valkyrie, “business ventures” of the witches and general hilarity and heart that follows in these stories.
There are currently 25 books in the series, with the last book “Shadow’s Heart” being published last year. We are currently pending a supporting spin off book this summer.
Each book can be read as a stand alone but benefits from reading the series. All books have their own complete plots, with a focus on the FMCs overcoming both internal and external battles. FULL DISCLOSURE – These are fairly smutty books, that being said if you’re not into it skipping those scenes does not overly impede the plot.
Happy Reading – sending love to all during our book hangover slumps.
Great series
+1 Thanks for bringing these books up, its been a while and I didn’t realize there was a new one out – going to get it now!!
+1000!
IAD is FANTASTIC! When I am feeling spicy, these are my go-to.
Each book is standalone, but they are all threaded together nicely if you’re into that. You can skim past the spicy bits and not miss anything important. Excellent story telling and lore. ♥
Yes +1
The Queen’s Thief series by Megan Whalen Turner is my absolute go to for political intrigue (and romance in later books). The first book came out in the nineties, but the final one came out in 2020, so hopefully it counts.
Wonderful series!
One of my favorites! Such an amazing series, the plot, the characters, the worlbuilding, the author used of narrator in each book…
Funny thing, my first reading was after “A Conspiracy” was published. Since then I done several rereding, always finding new stuff. Only a couple of years ago I found out there are two more books. It was the complete opposite experience than Maggie had reading Kair Toren.
I first read them after King of Attolia, and I thought that was the final book! Very exciting when she wrote more.
Oooh definitely!
Love it!
+1
Truly absorbing series
Raiders of the Arcana series by Jacquelyn Benson.
It’s a combination of the classic Amelia Peabody series by Elizabeth Peters and the Indiana Jones movies with a bit of magic thrown in. It’s a lot of fun.
There are three books in the series with a fourth due to be released in 2027.
1. Empire of Shadows
2. Tomb of the Sun King
3. Arrows of Fortune
4. Mountain of Songs
I have the first one in audio waiting to queue it up soon. good to know it might be as good as i hoped it would be
I highly recommend Rise From Ruin by Melissa Olthoff! Griffins and dragons, oh my!
The Wren in the Holly Library by K. A. Linde
Enemies to lovers romance, political intrigue, immersive unique world, monsters, magic, ties to folklore, heists, and a door stopper of a book! The second one comes out next month, and there is also a prequel series. The audio production is also good.
This one got me through the worst of the book hangover after my third time through TKWNKM.
https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-wren-in-the-holly-library-deluxe-limited-edition-an-enemies-to-lovers-romantasy-in-a-post-monster-war-new-york-city-k-a-linde/8cc4e5a8f68761e7
+1 this was good! I need to finish the rest of the series – thanks for the inadvertent reminder 🙂
Eh. I’m going to -1 this one. The editing (or lack thereof) really kept interrupting the flow of the story for me. It’s an interesting premise and overall storyline, but the editing was a glaring distraction for me.
Jennifer Estep – Galactic Bonds series.
Brainy female lead, smart characters, crazy good space adventures, one or two out of five for spice. 🚀📚
(Books #1 – 5 out now, #6 coming in February 2026.)
+1 to this – certainly Scratches the itch
Love her work and her other fantasy series are a must read.
It’s amazing!! Her Kill the Queen series is also superb.
Agree I liked the kill the queen series
“Dungeon Crawler Carl” it’s a crazy story about a guy and his ex girlfriend’s cat! I laughed, I cried, I screamed and I can’t wait for more! (Btw, if you’re into audiobooks, this one is an absolute gem)
I’ve read about eight books since Maggie but the first one that really gripped me was Alchemised by SenLinYu. Different vibes entirely – the main characters meet during the war where the ‘good’ side is hopelessly loosing. The story is set against the background of fighting for a lost cause, revenge, war trauma, manipulation. It’s long but I thought it works well for the plot – as a reader you really feel caught up in the atrocities of the war and feel hopeless just like the main characters do. Do read trigger warnings though as there is some seriously dark sh*t happening.
+1 I really enjoyed that one plus I love the cover. Definitely an impulse buy based on the cover alone. I’m just glad the book was actually worth the read!
I enjoyed Alchemised, but it’s very dark. Not something I’d recommend to everyone.
Silver and Blood by Jessie Mihalik
– Fantasy, Magic, Romance, and political intrigue…. Book 2 in the duology comes out In December and I have it preordered already
+1
+1
This was another recommendation I was thinking about earlier. 😁
+1
+1
+1 Thanks! I was going to suggest this one and ANYTHING by her, I love all her series but Polaris Rising is still my all time favorite.
I agree, Polaris Rising is the best
+1
+ 1 found family and fae
This round I will go with The Deathmade Prince by Lisette Marshall.
It’s on kindle unlimited. 1st in the series. 2nd comes out in October. I read it last year and somehow it kept scratching at the back of my head to read it again – rarely happens. Just reread it and was irritated that I didn’t double check the second one was out because it left me in another book hangover before I even recovered from Maggie.
Great character arc, slow burn with some spice, interesting dual magic system – rune/fire based, and enough world building to be interesting and seed the wider world for future books.
+1
+1 It was a good read and I liked the take on necromancy / powers
The demon overlords retirement plan by M H Foster – it was nothing like this kingdom but was really funny.
Answers that age old question, what would happen if a demon overlord got bored of taking over the world and decided to become a turnip farmer…
+1
+1 There are now 3 books in the series and each one builds beautifully on the last.
+10! love this series. cozy, found family, cool kids and animals included!
+1
Loving this series!
+1
+1
If you are looking to get in on the ground floor with a new author/series then I can absolutely recommend Witch Queen Rising by Savannah Stephens. Its not out long and I stumbled into reading it after TKWNKM and was very very pleasantly surprised.
There’s witches, vampires, shapeshifters and fae all in an alterna-New Orleans, so classic urban fantasy vibes (rather than romantasy). Our heroine is equally powerful and despised/denigrated (with all the angsty emotional baggage). Lots of family drama as well as drama-drama. Much like the first Kate book 1, plenty of action and world building, not so much romance (but some possible future options). Its not a perfect book but I consumed it in one go and will be keeping an eye out for the next one.
+1
I recommend The Witch Roads duology by Kate Elliott for fellow fans of House Andrews. The first book is The Witch Roads, and the sequel is The Nameless Land. It’s an adventure fantasy with magic, lots of world-building and a dash of romance.
Transcendent Green by Mati Ocha.
LitRPG that’s very light on mechanics.
A miscalculation puts Earth in the way of another planet’s ascension, and the entities in charge of all that assume it will probably destroy humanity due to lack of maturity as a species. Drama ensues.
The magic system rewards community over individual leveling, and it leads to some of the most emotional scenes I’ve ever read. I’m not a crier, especially for joy, but this series moved me to tears.
Main character is a Scotsman with a kitten, primary support character is a Scottish lady with a claymore (the sword). Major found family vibes. Not really funny, but relatively light. Minor romance with zero on-screen intimacy.
Not a book, but finally watched my first C-Drama, Pursuit of Jade on Netflix per IA’s recommendation, and am completely obsessed. Only thing that cured my TKWNKM hangover. Of course, now I need to cure my POJ hangover!! I know IA did a post on C-Dramas and K-Dramas a while ago, but I can’t seem to find it (Mod R plz help!)
Yes, Pursuit of Jade has me in a choke hold right now. It’s so good, even though I was confused by a lot of the political stuff.
OMG. Loved Pursuit of Jade😄! It’s made history with its popularity.
Splendid Match is a new cdrama. Not quite to the level of POJ but good.
For something that’s a ton of fun with good action, humor, and endearing characters, which are all things I love about HA’s writing, Jim Hines’s Janitors of the Post-Apocalypse series is great (Terminal Uprising is the first book). Sci-fi, set after an apocalypse nearly wiped out humanity, where the human janitors of a space-ship have to save the galaxy. I’d also rec Hines’s other adult works (I haven’t read his middle-grade books, but I really liked his adult fantasy), but the Janitors series is great to cure a book hangover 😀
*Terminal Alliance is the first book. Uprising is #2.
Oh, this reminds me I need to read book two. Book one was a lot of fun.
+1
Bookwise, Winternight Trilogy by Katherine Arden (Bear and the Nightingale, the Girl in the Tower, Winter of the Witch), are really really good. Historical medieval Russian fantasy, kick-ass female character, high stakes plot, with an intriguing slow burn romance (it’s definitely not a romance but the sideplot is there!) Similar to Naomi Novik’s Uprooted and Spinning Silver.
The 10 book series by Delemhach starting with The house witch git me over my tkwnkm slump.
Its 3 trilogies and 1 stand alone and follows the Ashowan family. Its a fantasy series with a cozy vibe.
The audiobooks are also very good
+1000 The audiobooks are fantastic.
+1 Yes Delemhach is one of my favorite authors.
I’ve also enjoyed Delemhach’s books
+1 Fantastic interconnect trilogies with a Kraken trilogy to come.
“The Firebird Chronicles” by T.A. White. I love all her series but this is my favorite. It is an ongoing series with the most recent book release this past January.
1. Rules of Redemption (2019)
2. Age of Deception (2020)
3. Threshold of Annihilation (2020)
4. Facets of Revolution (2022)
5. Trials of Conviction (2023)
6. Echoes of Insurrection (2026)
+1
+ whatever number we’re at for The Firebird Chronicles by T.A. White.
Except series! The Broken Lands series and Dragon Ridden are fun too. She’s also posted a serial on her site for side character GUS AND WILL be publishing that Firebird novella soon
Excellent series
+1 I love all of her books. I also recommend the Aileen Travers series, a very different urban fantasy featuring vampires.
Excellent series
+1 came here to say this. Currently re-reading and it’s totally helping with Maggie hangover. It had the world building, found family and witty dialogue that fits right in with House Andrews.
+1000. Amazing serie and can’t wait for the next one. Brilliant world building and character development.
+1000 only frustration is the series is still being written too.
I meant Firebird Chronicles by T.A. White.
The romantic fantasy book series that I was able to get into after this Kingdom is from Helen Scheuerer called Legends of Thezmarr. It has four main novels and two prequels (a short story and a full-length novel) in addition to a spin-off trilogy called The Ashes of Thezmarr. Found on Kindle Unlimited.
I recently got this series, haven’t read it yet but I’m glad you recommended it here. Hopefully I’ll enjoy it too 😊
Yes! I second this one!! Love her books
Cinder House by Freya Marske is the most original Cinderella retelling I’ve read in years. I devoured it in one sitting, and was unsurprised to see it up for a Hugo this year. It packs a lush fantasy story into a compact page count.
It was really good!
+1
Autumn Dawn – Convergence series, she has other series as well.
I suggest “Five Broken Swords” by Mai Cortland. 5 con artists set out to steal a crown and kill a king….This story has multi-
POV that balance violence with humor and empathy. The plot twists keep coming. I was never sure who was being conned. It is a very fun story.
Sue Wilder – Faded Lands series – Malice Moon and Wicked Wind so far.
Not a portal fantasy, but I am fighting my Maggie hangover with the Saint of Steel series by T Kingfisher.
I looked for T. Kingfisher before I posted my comment, and then we both recommended the same books a minute apart. (Saint of Steel/Paladin series is the same thing, for those not familiar.)
+1000
Exactly what I’m doing.
+100 Anything by T. Kingfisher is great.
+1
I love everything I’ve read by T. Kingfisher! I also enjoy her kids books written as Ursula Vernon. ^_^
T. Kingfisher’s books set in the Temple of the White Rat. Start with the Clocktaur Duology, then Swordheart (the sequel comes out later this year,) and then the four books out so far of the Paladin series. This strokes the same neural pathways that IA does, and they all stand up to multiple rereads.
I’m so glad Daggerbound is coming out this summer! +1 to all of this
+1! There’s something similar about the writing style to me – really clean prose, descriptive but not overwrought, good balance between small, personal detail and larger scale worldbuilding. T. Kingfisher is one of the few other authors whose book releases go in my calendar.
+1 yes!! T Kingfisher (these series) 😁
agreed, I read the first ine and then devoured the rest.
+1! esp Swordheart (and I presume Daggerbound) if you are in the mood for romance, snark and effortless worldbuilding. Also, this may not be for you, but I loved Kingfisher’s The Twisted Ones which is a cozy horror Appalachian folklore girlfriend caper featuring a a stinky doofus of a coonhound. Gives a whole new meaning to being a “ride or die” friend. Doesn’t just pass the Bechdel test, Kingfisher writes like that concept doesn’t exist. High creep factor, low gore and only a few disturbing images (like much of Kingfisher there is one really horrible scene but it is critical to the story and pays off).
Love the Paladin series. I need to go back and read the Clockwork books, which I didn’t realize I needed to read first! I discovered T. Kingfisher when I read Nettle & Bone, which I recommend. I just finished Wolf Worm, which I did not really enjoy, tbh.
What got me out of this particular slump were the two Captain Kit novels by Chloe Neill
– The Bright and Breaking Sea and
– A Swift and Savage Tide.
They are magical Napoleonic war naval adventures about a steadfast and (a bit) cheeky sea captain and her crew that gets settled with a veteran duke and go on missions by the Queen.
For me the way the main character is principled, but resourceful, stern but kind and very protective of her crew pulls strong parallels with Maggie and several other IA main characters.
+1
Less than a year old (just), but I devoured “The Grimoire Grammar School Parent Teacher Association” by Caitlin Rozakis yesterday afternoon as it was raining and I couldn’t go and garden!
I stumbled on it looking for teaching/school related stories in the fantasy genre (and having devoured the Naomi Novak already mentioned, not going to recommend that one again!) and it’s refreshing to see it from the parents perspective…
Essentially, the mother is the POV character, and her five year old has been recently bitten and become a werewolf – cue move to a magical kindergarten (albeit it with subsequent school years also included), with a vampire who trained/wrote the Montessori system when it was first developed; a mysteriously retired headmaster who the new head doesn’t come up to the same level (according to members of the PTA), and a desire from the mother to make her mark – she’s a competent accountant who is taking a career break to sort daughter Aria’s werewolf-ness and naturally becomes the PTA treasurer!
Naturally joining the PTA is only the start of the adventure – cue town-ending prophecies, potentially poisoning other children by accident with chocolate at a pot-luck, and a talent show that brings the roof down…
Definitely from the parents viewpoint, so no lessons for the children etc. and as 5-year olds, they’re present but not main characters.
As someone who loves competent hero/heroine, I loved all of our Authorlords works, plus Modesitt, Weir etc. already mentioned, so this was a new author to try, and I’m happy to recommend it to the horde immediately -it’s refreshing, enjoyable, and I’d love to know if PTAs are really that cut-throat in the US – the one at my own school seems positively tame by comparison.
Now I just need to find a fantasy school/education book from the teachers perspective and I’ll have completed the set – student, parent & teacher!
There was one mentioned in this thread.
The Incandescent by Emily Tesh – magical boarding school, as told by the teacher in charge, I came across this in an earlier post😃
Brill thank you both I must’ve missed that – I’ll go and check it out!
I’d love to know if PTAs are really that cut-throat in the US – the one at my own school seems positively tame by comparison.
I read the book to be able to answer your question, Tom, and am glad I did — good reco!
That horror is not an American thing as such. Certainly that wasn’t my experience, whether in an American upper-middle class, suburban public primary school (kindergarten-6th grade) or in PTAs in a church preschool in Germany (ages 3-7 years) or the private and expensive American-curriculum International School of Brussels (preschool-12th grade). Basically, as with all mostly-female environments, the interpersonal dynamics depend on whether the founding Queen Bees are competitive bitches or happily cooperative.
Both in Brussels —where American mothers set the tone, but the second largest population, for some reason, was Japanese — and in the suburban American public school, the mothers had a high proportion of professional women who had either retired permanently to rear their children or had paused their careers, so were highly trained and professional in their dealings with one another and with the teaching staff. No drama, no games. The German preschool was also no-drama, because that’s how German housewives roll, bless ‘em. Also, that was just teacher-led mom-and-kids activities on Wednesday afternoons, not parent-led support for the teachers and classrooms; I offered to help the way we Americans do, which confused the headmistress utterly — “If we need that kind of thing we will engage a full time aide at standard wages,” she told me.
Not really any of that craft nonsense, either: both schools had a parent-run publishing group that turned the kids’s stories into little printed, bound books that they could illustrate and keep or give as gifts, to encourage them to write; the American school parents had also got a grant from Toyota to stock and provide lesson plans for a science lab after some of our engineer-moms noticed a 6th grade class was being taught direct current/indirect current physics wrong, so the parents (the PTA moms at that time included engineers, doctors, nurses, an architect/city planner, a number of CPAs, a research lab technician, and a sculptress) persuaded the principle (headmistress) to let the parents teach all the science units in a dedicated lab classroom instead, while the teachers concentrated on keeping their students in order. At the same school I was in a subcommittee with a master gardener and a house husband-former Eagle Scout that inventoried and took care of a five acre nature preserve (woods, meadow, vernal equinox breeding pond, bird houses) that the PTA had financed and installed; we collected a thick binder of lesson plans that met the state’s curriculum goals for each grade and subject, allowing the teachers to take advantage of a special resource not available to most schools without any extra effort on their part. The inventory had a computer data base of about 250 animals, plants, and fungi with key information and photos taken on site by the time my younger daughter moved up to the higher school.
Jessie Mihalik. Butt kicking heroines, brooding not-heroes and royal politics in space. Always a comfort read for me.
+1!!!
+1
+1
Yep!
I met Martha Wells at Cosine. Great lady and love her books. However, she is second to my love of your books. I love reading the snippets on your blog . I am concerned that some of Hugh’s have disappeared from the previous blogs. Is there hope that this indicates another book about Hugh?
Judicator Jane by Brian Rouleau. A Literary Role Playing Game adventure. Seven novels in the series so far, with the 8th due out in September. Jane wakes up in a desert in another world and gets to assign status points to different attributes and she chooses to put all 630 of them on luck.
While I love isekai stories, I am not a big fan of LitRPG ones, but Judicator Jane holds its own and is worth a read.
‚Stars Die‘ by Jenny Schwartz starts the Caldryn Parliament Series.
An underdog who becomes a powerful wardkeeper for a parliament that governs a wide sector of the universe, murder mystery, found family, political intrigue, magical worldbuilding. Leadership. And you get a whole lot of Jenny Schwartz‘s backlist to dive into.
+1000 on this. Was going to be my recommendation as well.
W*aiting for the next book!
+1
Absolutely love the Caldryn Parliament series and cannot wait for the next. +1 from me as well!
+1 yes, w*iting for the next one. Love her books!
+1
bonus: she has other, finished series that are great too
I was going to say Caldryn Parliament too. Like everyone else, I’m waiting for the next book which is coming out around the end of June. But Anna mentions other series just above, and since Caldryn Parliament is already mentioned, I’ll add that I’m currently reading Schwartz’s Adventures of a Xeno-Archaeologist books, and liking them a lot. Hopefully this doesn’t violate the one-series-rule, since Caldryn Parliament was already “taken”. I’m on the fourth book of five in Xeno-Archaeologist, and it’s supposedly a complete series, so almost done.
Totally love her backlist as well
I’ll recommend the “Demon Accords” series by John Conroe! Heaven and Hell, Elves and Aliens. Magic and Action aplenty!
+1.
I wish we had this blog posting earlier. I read alot of different stuff. I saved Theo of golden to read after highly anticipating it. I dragged myself to the end. So I reread tkwnkm. I then read or dnf 8 more books before I was back to normal. I never had such a hangover before. Needs a warning label I think.
p.s. Libby only lets you hold 40 books. I had to make a new tag, want to read. thanks for the suggestions!
I went for a reread of Sebastien de Castell’s greatcoats series. No serious romance but I love swordplay, intrigue and the dark and witty humour of this author’s books.
I love the Greatcoats. And Sebastien de Castell’s newest book Our Lady of Blades (set in Greatcoats world) just dropped today. According to the info it has the same work count as TKWNKM, so will keep me entertained.
A tainted cup by Robert Jackson Bennett – fab fantasy murder mystery
Definitely agree with this. The blurb says it’s an Agatha Christie knock-off, but it’s really much more Nero Wolfe/Archie Goodwin, at least in the first book – the author says so himself in the notes at the end. The second book does have some allusions to Christie and other golden-age mysteries, but you don’t need to follow mysteries to enjoy it from a fantasy perspective. There’s a third book coming out in August.
edit: “knock-off” was the wrong word choice on my part for sure. Not a knock-off, a nicely done pastiche…
Ooh, I got a fabulous series that was brand new to me. I got the first two books for Christmas and I have now read the 8 book main series, 5 book spin off of one character, the first book an another 4 book spinoff and the first book in a 3rd 4 book spin off of another character. The Series is called the Queen’s Chair by Chloe Garner. The first book is called The Queen’s Chair.
The author has a very interesting take on monarchy, women’s roles and magic elements. Clearly, it got me and I look forward to trying her other series types once I am finish with this one.
Love Chloe Garner—but started her Sci-Fi first! Carbon Chronicles, which is crazy original world building. Love bet characters too! Gotta try her fantasy next
Rachel Neumeier just released Bereket, which is book 12 of her Tuyo series.
Neumeier’s books always have a strong moral theme. The protagonists are people who make the effort to think about right and wrong, and try to make the best morally just decisions they can in complicated situations.
If you like romantic subplots Marag is another book in the Tuyo series that can stand alone. I’ve reread it several times.
+1 (or 2?) for Rachel Neumeier!
Tuyo is wonderful (and Marag is probably my favourite single book in the series), and I can recommend her Black Dog series in urban fantasy as well.
Artifact Space by Miles Cameron (3+ books in the series)
Military/trading sci Fi with a great character set and AI and the story is just so good
So hopefully this is allowed. I cured my hangover with a Royal Road web serial called Super Supportive. It’s does have a teenage MC, but doesn’t read as YA. Set in a world where humanity traded a small portion of the population into servant contracts in return for advanced magical technology. The servants are selected randomly and are given a rank and class which makes them different levels of super heroes. These heroes are strictly controlled and segregated on their own island continent and are only allowed off under contract with specific governments. In addition they can be summoned for pretty much any reason by the alien magic users that created the agreement, including to fight a mysterious chaos. It is a LitRPG, and really slow burn power progression, but the writing is fantastic and it has amazing emotional highs and lows.
+1
I just finished The Faraway Inn by Sarah Beth Durst and it felt similar to but distinctly different from our own Innkeeper. It’s more YA, it’s a standalone (I would assume), and it has a cozy, single home feel over a galactic spanning mystery.
I’ve liked her other cozy fantasies, and this one was good enough to get me out of my funk.
+1
+1
+1
The Enchanted Greenhouse by Sarah Beth Durst is also lovely!
so many good books here!
My rec is for a series called A Tale of Stars and Shadows by Lisa Cassidy. A grief-stricken military warrior dealing with the death of her partner is send on bodyguard duty to a foreign country under odd pretexts. She finds her way personally and politically through the four books, relearning to trust her intuition and the people around her. If you like political intrigue you’ll love these – I consider myself well versed in keeping track of characters and their motivations, and I was still thrown off by several twists.
+1 I loved the story lines and plot twists
+1
My all time favourite pick:
*Beware of Chicken by casualfarmer*
It is magical, hilarious and I love the POVs. This will definitely help with the hangover. I’ve never had one like this from any other HA book, ever.
❤️❤️❤️
I agree. It’s always mentioned in blurbs for other authors new books. Great series.
I think no one has mentioned Patricia Briggs latest, Blind Date With a Werewolf. It’s a series of related stories revolving around one of her minor characters. I liked it.
+1
However, you almost need to read pretty much all the Mercy Thompson series to understand why these dates were set up. Otherwise the person who set them up was interesting to find out.
Try Patricia Briggs older stuff like Wolfs bane and masks, sianim books, and her Solsenti/ raven mage books. I enjoyed them more so then her mercy Thompson series which is good just I lost interest. I feel like I unfortunately out grow book series sometimes which is sad.
Love wall of Patricia BRIGGS WORKS
Oooo! This one is on my list! Patricia Briggs is one of my favorite authors.
Agreed Patricia Briggs Mercy Tompson and the Alpha & Omega series are great!
Mercy Thompson series is one of my top 5 series but unfortunately been around awhile so I don’t know if I would consider it recent. I can’t recommend anything because I can get away from my favorites that are 15-20 years going 😂
+1. She writes Asil so wonderfully.
For countless years I have searched for anything new by Patricia Briggs. I have read everything, and hope she keeps writing, so I can keep reading. This goes double for Ilona Andrews!
Australian pick, Touchstone series by Andrea Host. Starts with Stray. An Australian 17yr old walking home from school finds herself in another world, ends up joining a team of psychic space warriors. Competence fic, found family, romance, and even a pet.
+1 from me really enjoyed this series
+1 so underrated!
I will also recommend her other books. Touchstone is a great intro. My favorite book of hers is Pyramids of London. Amazing alternate world building, and some of my favorite characters of any books.
The City Between series by W R Gingell (on KU) Aussie urban fantasy, starts with Between Jobs.
+1
++all in the series, excellent fun but also lighthearted humor for dismal times
+1
Sarah Painter’s “The Crow Investigations” series. Book 10 just came out. She also has other series and I can believe I just found her! Highly recommend!
*can’t
+1 Love this series.
Nathan Lowell Wizard series. I had 1 book signed at Cosine. I stayed up all night to read the current 2 books in the series. I want to tell him to hurry up with the third book. I not going to bother him because I want to restrict his creativity.
Would you mind sharing the title of the first book in this series? Having a hard time finding it. Thanks.
@Kayjay – the first book is The Wizard’s Butler. 2nd is The Wizard’s Cat. I started the audio of the first one today and it’s quite soothing.
The Utterly Uninteresting and Unadventurous Tales of Fred the Vampire Accountant by Drew Hayes is helping me get past the dreaded book hangover. Several books in the series with an interesting take on vampires and other paranormals.
Love this series as well. His Supers series is also amazing.
Stay for a Spell, Amy Coombe. Its very cosy, and written for book lovers.
Just finished this book, very cozy vibes and got me out of a reading slump.
The Checquy series by Daniel O’Malley. The first one came (The Rook) out a little over 10 tears ago anf the fourth (Rowal Gambit) has just been published. Set in a secret British government agency with the responsibility for dealing with paranormal ‘incidents’. Strong characters and a dry wit that really speaks to my sense of humoue.
The first of these, The Rook, is just spectacular — and a great audiobook!
Hell’s Library trilogy by A.J. Hackwith, I love this trilogy.
New Mark Lawrence series (Book of the Ancestor) called The Academy of Kindness. First book is Daughter of Crows, just out and lots of fun.
I definitely recommend Rachel Gillig’s duologies, The Shepherd King – One Dark Window; Two Twisted Crowns – and The Stonewater Kingdom – The Knight and the Moth; book 2, The Knave and the Moon, comes out in September.
Loved the writing, the stories, the fmcs, the surrounding characters (Bartholomew…)!
Medieval gothic fantasy, perfect reads while awaiting for Maggie’s and Breach Wars second books.😘
+1
+1 I absolutely devoured these books. And the first book of her other series. I loved the magic system and the story lines.
Victoria Goddard’s (www.victoriagoddard.ca) The Hands of the Emperor. The main character is a country (islander) bumpkin at the imperial court but that doesn’t do justice to the gorgeous complexity of the world he inhabits, especially how fiercely he holds onto his culture.
Also this is a doorstopper of a book. And there are seeeeeeeequels and spin-offs! Multiple!
Wonderful books. She is a great writer!
+1
I love this book. The complexity, the subtle things that are said and unsaid, the cultural differences and emotional depth, just wow. It all begins with this (description from Amazon):
“A simple act of friendship can change the course of history.
Cliopher Mdang is the personal secretary of the Last Emperor of Astandalas, the Lord of Rising Stars, the Lord Magus of Zunidh, the Sun-on-Earth, the god.
He has spent more time with the Emperor of Astandalas than any other person.
He has never once touched his lord.
He has never called him by name.
He has never initiated a conversation.
One day Cliopher invites the Sun-on-Earth home to the proverbially remote Vangavaye-ve for a holiday.
The mere invitation could have seen Cliopher executed for blasphemy.
The acceptance upends the world.”
+1
Yes this is the author I wanted to recommend. And def start with the hands of the emperor. And because not only is the book looong but most of her other books are intertwined there is a loooot of reading material.
The Hands of the Emperor is a great book, and one that you can never fully recapture the joy of reading for the first time. Highly recommended!
+1000! absolutely delightful and having 59 cousins is a bonus
I found The Tainted Cup by Robert Jackson Bennett to have incredible world building. It is fantasy/mystery so a bit different but just as engrossing. There are two books out now and the series finishes in October.
So good!
a dragon riders guide to retirement by Julia huni. cozy fantasy if that’s a thing? found family. low stakes but lovely characters. romance but plot would still just about hold together without the romance. it was a great palate cleanser. I then went on and read all her other books and enjoyed them too. number of different series
Starside by Alex Aster. It’s basically a quest with lots of monsters and action. Like TKWNKM, it ends on a not-quite-cliffhanger. The very last sentence of the book, the FMC delivers the best closing one-liner I have ever read!
So for something completely different… I have been enjoying Heated Rivalry and other similar type books. (M/m hockey romances)
Yesssss +1 there are some interesting drama wave clips available too but the subscription is expensive. I fell down the rabbit hole of m/m romance Saturday because I was bored. No regrets.
A more SciFi recommendation – Columbas Day by Craig Alanson
Rip in Time series by Kelley Armstrong. protagonist is a detective that ends up in Victorian Edinboro. very nice read.
https://a.co/d/06mY5C4D
I’m going to suggest an obscure author, Julie Midnight!
Found this absolute gem of an author on wattpad of all places, and she’s finally self published the first four books in her Monstrous Hearts series.
Alice goes through some serious stuff, and the magic in this world is very interesting. There’s some spinoffs that I hope get published someday too, they are that good. Highly recommend
(1) Wolf’s Wife
(2) Wolf’s Bane
(3) Wolf’s Kin
(4) Shadow’s Kiss
I recommend a series by Mackey Chandler, that begins with the book Family Law.
Read April first, Family Law ties in later.
The Everlasting, Alice Harrow – 5/5!
Doh – autocorrect Alix, that is!
+1. Braintwister but it pays off.
Turns of Fate by Anne Bishop
I was able to pull out of TKWNKM book hangover reading Lauretta Hignett “Welcome to Midlife Magic” Series. I have since read several of her other series because the strong FMC, fab MMC, great support characters, and literal laugh out loud moments throughout. If you try her other series and meet Dwayne, he will make you want a pet goose.
For Whom the Belle Tolls by Jaysea Lynn. Fair warning it is spicy in parts.
+1000! I have read and/or listened to it three times since I bought it in January of 2025, and each time I enjoyed it as much as the first time! You will laugh and you will cry, guaranteed!
Absolutely, this book……!
+1 million! This is the only book that had me laughing and crying multiple times while reading in recent memory.
I was coming here to recommend his!
Contracts & Cats by Toni Binns (Subtitle: MEOW: The Magical Emporium of Wares)
Our lovely MC is hired to run what seems to be a combination bookstore and coffee shop. There are rules:
Do Not Upset the Cat
The Cat is Always Right
Do Not Go Behind the Counter
Do Not Upset the Cat
This is important. You do NOT want the cat mad at you.
Michelle Manus’ Guardian series on Audible is very addictive
In my post TKWNKM phase I found the Collegium series by Jenny Schwartz. The first book is “Demon Hunter”, which I found on Hoopla. A fun paranormal romance series in an alternate earth with magic, weres, and demons. Their are 6 books in the series that felt like novellas, for quick fun reads.
Ben Aaronovitch, Rivers of London series. Truly delightful. Crime and magic, thrill and humour. Great ensemble. The Audible reader is magic.
+1
+1
A giant +1 for this series, it’s so engaging and I loved the world building and the scientific approach to magic.
+1
The Sunbolt Chronicles by Intisar Khanani. Her Dauntless Path series is also amazing.
+10 yes such an underrated series! I like Sunbolt so much, and it’s so good, and yet so few have heard of it.
Her writing is very reminiscent of Tamora Pierce
A song to wake a thousand sorrows by Michelle Manus. It’s the first of the duology but it’s incredible and I can’t believe there aren’t more reviews for it
I recommend ‘The Phoenix Feather’ series (4 books) by Sherwood Smith. I’m really terrible at summarizing, so here is what Amazon says:
“In the grand tradition of martial arts fantasies, The Phoenix Feather begins twenty-five years after a pair of lovers ran for their lives from an angry prince and washed up on an island where they adopted new identities—and found themselves blessed by an omen promising great things, a single golden phoenix feather.
Their eldest child, a natural martial artist like his father, seems destined for those great things. The second son, an artist and a dreamer, has no desire for greatness—he wants to be left alone to paint. And the youngest, a daughter, used to wearing her brothers’ castoffs and trotting at their heels, is the least promising, always scamping her studies in favor of sword lessons and play.
All three vowed to keep their parents’ dangerous secret. But in this first volume, Fledglings, the family learns that sometimes children must follow their own paths…”
It has adventure, romance (slow burn), flying swords, pirates, political intrigue, and so much more. Slow to start, but worth it.
I loved this series too!
Graceless Heart by Isabel Ibanez
I have a love hate relationship with the Libby app. It seldom has authors I search for (currently have 54 on the Notify Me If Library Ever Gets This setting). But it does force me to branch out into other things.
This book was a surprise. Set in an alternate of renaissance Italy, where magic wars with church. Slow enemies to friends with a couple of series twists. Even a man-in-the-garden type character
Nuns in space! Lina Rather’s series, Our Lady of Endless Worlds, follows the Sisters of the Order of St. Rita as they travel around space helping people by doing things like performing marriages, baptisms, dealing with medical issues, etc. Because of the distances, they are allowed to perform rites previously limited to priests.
Several decades earlier, the Four Systems had revolted against governance from earth and won. Now, Earth is trying to regain control. The books show how the political issues affect the sisters’ and their work, and how their faith (or lack of it) affects everything they do.
It’s also fun watching them deal with a living spaceship.
There are currently 2 novellas:
Sisters of the Vast Black
Sisters of the Forsaken Stars
I recommend the Empire of Stars series by Melissa J Cave. The first book is Traitor Son. Complex world, found family, rich side characters, tons of political intrigue. Much more spice. Heroine is not like Maggie, however! Ophele is painfully shy and does not really gain confidence until later in the series.
The Dark Lord’s Guide to Dating (and other war crimes) by Tiffany Hunt. Humor, snark, and sarcasm. Also, a woman who claims her power.
Loved it!
Sarah Hoyt: No Man’s Land: Volume 1 (Chronicles of Lost Elly)
Really long — she had to break it into three books, released two weeks apart last fall. Two more volumes are promised. And since she is self-published, there isn’t the wait to fit the publisher’s marketing schedule.
I bought it because I really enjoy the author, despite being skeptical about the premise, but she exceeded expectations. Heroics, found family, very unexpected love, baking. Also the writer who sent me here as a book reco, so I am forever grateful.
The blurb, because I’m not good at describing stories:
Sufficiently advanced science is indistinguishable from magic.
On a lost colony world, mad geneticists thought they could eliminate inequality by making everyone hermaphrodite. They were wrong. Catastrophically wrong.
Now technology indistinguishable from magic courses through the veins of the inhabitants, making their barbaric civilization survivable—and Publius Cornelius Scipio Africanus Kayel Hayden, Viscount Webson, Envoy of the Star Empire—Skip to his friends— has just crash-landed through a time-space rift into the middle of it all.
Dodging assassins and plummeting from high windows was just the beginning. With a desperate king and an archmagician as his only allies, Scipio must outrun death itself while battling beasts, traitors, and infiltrators bent on finishing what the founders started: total destruction.
Two worlds. One chance. No time to lose.
MaySage is a wonderful prolific author. I recently read her newest series To the Cruel Gods and enjoyed it immensely. Laugh out loud banter and great cast of characters. They are written in duets which was a plus for me.
I am a big fan of Ink Blood Sister Scribe by Emma Torzs. Modern day with magic. Might seem like a better next read for Inkeeper fans than for Maggie fans, but it somehow has the same “tough world with people making it right” vibe to me. A unique magic system, interesting exploration of family bonds, really bad bad guys, intersecting plots, tragedy, danger, and a bit of romance.
+1, really enjoyed this book as well. also, great title!
If you liked the Innkeeper Chronicles, check out the Kennedy Rain series by Sandy Williams.
I am a huge fan of a portal fantasy, and I have been absolutely spoiled with the sheer amount of transmigration books that Seven Seas has published under their danmei selection. Thrice Married to Salted Fish quickly catapulted to the top of my favorites list thanks to the slow burn romance underscored by the transmigration aspect…it made me cry so unexpectedly, but it was genuinely so very touching. The final volume of the English translation is set to be published later this year.
As an aside, after devouring TKWNKM along with the rest of the horde, I went back to my roots to read from The Edge through the Innkeeper Chronicles and remember just why I fell in love with Ilona & Gordon’s writing in the first place. I can’t tell you how many times these books have saved my life and given me hope again over the past 15 years of reading them on the blog and in print. I’m so happy that Maggie finally got her time to shine after starting from a seed of an idea here and blossoming under all of our encouragement and love for the imaginations of our beloved author duo. I’ve grown up with your books and my whole world is irrevocably changed by them in the best way. Truly these stories keep me going each day and it is a gift and a treasure to be a part of the BDH. I just wanted to say thank you from the bottom of my heart for that, and a thousand congratulations for every success y’all have found with Maggie and her own beloved author’s world. All of my love to Mod R for your years of dedication to the blog as our most cherished BDH standard bearer. Also, happy belated mother’s day! May you enjoy the relaxation and contentment y’all deserve for everything you do.
+1 on Thrice Married to a Salted Fish. Can’t wait for the next 2 books to come out.
I also really enjoyed Seven Sea’s The Disabled Tyrant’s Beloved Pet Fish by Xue Shan Wei Hu. All 4 books are out.
When Li Yu falls asleep reading a webnovel about a ruthless, mute tyrant falling in love with a dainty male concubine, he doesn’t expect to wake up inside the world of the novel–especially not as a fish!
Li Yu soon finds himself adopted as Prince Jing’s pet carp, tasked by a less-than-helpful Magic System with preventing the prince from becoming a cruel tyrant. If he can accomplish this mission, Li Yu will regain his human form. Yet how can he succeed from inside a fish bowl?!
Well said, Diana Prince!
The Dresden Files, Jim Butcher.
The series started many years ago and it’s taken several years for him to get back to it but the lates novel (Twelve Months) and novella (Outlaw) are entirely worth the wait and read.
+1 !!! 🙂
Rules of Redemption (The Firebird Chronicles Book 1) by T.A. White has everything I feel like BDH would like. World building, powers and ethos. I think you’d all gobble up the whole series.
I’ve also greatly enjoyed this series.
+1
+1
+1
+1
The Poison Daughter – Sheila Masterson
From Amazon KU description, a stand alone novel:
To err is human. To avenge is Divine.
Every person Harlow Carrenwell kisses dies immediately, and that’s the way she likes it. The poison-lipped youngest daughter of Lunameade’s magical founding family has used her power to annihilate their opposition.
Her first husband is in the ground. Her new betrothed is next.
But the merry widow has a secret. When she’s not acting as an assassin at her parents’ whims, she moonlights as a vigilante for abused women in their walled-off city.
Meet a man. Lure him in. Kill him with a kiss. Until one night Harlow kisses a mark and he doesn’t die.
Worse, her invincible partner in passion is her new betrothed, Henry Havenwood, and now he knows about her double life. Instead of selling her out and bringing the rival families to blows, he does something much more sinister—whisks her away to wed in his wild mountain fort.
Harlow doesn’t trust Henry, but the only way to protect her family and the city of Lunameade is to figure out what his family is planning.
Cursed with a husband she can’t kill and trapped in a fort miles of vampire-infested woods from home, Harlow’s survival requires her to do the impossible: Make the man who knows she’s a killer fall in love with her anyway.
This was so good I couldn’t put it down.
The last quarter of this book will tear your heart out. It’s definitely one of the most gripping books I’ve read in a long time. My only issue is that it’s almost like they tied a great fantasy novel and a bdsm/kink erotica together. Sometimes it works, but sometimes it doesn’t. I can love some heavy spice, but it has to work — and I wasn’t sure it always did. I also resent that I can’t recommend it to some people, because they’d find it very off putting. BUT, IF YOU CAN HANDLE IT, IT IS FABULOUS, INCREDIBLY GRIPPING STORYTELLING.
+1 extremely well written. I want a sequel. Also the plot twists and character development was phenomenal.
Impact winter audiobook is mindblowing. It’s an amazing production, with crazy good actors including Holliday Granger (Cormoran Strike series) and Liam Cunningham (Game of Thrones). Pretty much the gold standard for me when it comes to audiobooks.
The storyline is all about this cataclysmic event that plunges the world into darkness. Vampires take over with the few surviving humans in hiding.
And the first season is free on prime and youtube.
Honestly, I’d highly recommend it.
This is season one trailer, the whole vibe is so good..
https://youtu.be/79×63-Gbmxg
I’ve been enjoying the Practical Guide to Socery series by Azalea Elllis. The first book is A Conjuring of Ravens.
I have been searching and searching. Without the old, wonderful true authors, I would be lost. I try to read so many new authors to support them, but how can the poor people compare to Ilona Andrews? They have some good ideas, but poor development. The characters have promise but turn into cardboard. Tropes are like AI quicksand instead of sailing on the Sea of Ingenuity and Creativity.
AI is NOT A MUSE!! We desperately need true Muses, editors, and publishers to step back into the fray.
So, I am Finally rereading Maggie for the first time. I really tried, BDH!
I decided to write this cold turkey. I thought, “If I can’t remember an author or book title without looking it up, then it isn’t BDH quality.” Everything that comes to mind is either HA or older that ten years. Now, to read the comments. Hopefully I can +1 or find new treasures.
Thank you, thank you, Mod R, for understanding.
I really love Michelle Diener and her Series “Calling the Change”, its Fantasy Romance mixed with Aliens. It has a strong Heroine and great World building.
Oops, the Series is called “Sky Raiders”, Calling the Chane is a Book Title in the Series.
+1! Yaassss… her Class 5 series is one of my favorites. And don’t even get me started on The Rising Wave!
For political intrigue, murder mystery, and k-drama lovers, read Sophie Kim’s The God and the Gumiho.
+1 loved this book
The Paradise Problem by Christina Lauren. Romance with a very funny start, also is pretty steamy and sweet.
Mark of the Fool, by J.M. Clarke. There’s 10 books, and I believe they’re all in Kindle Unlimited. It’s pure fantasy, no isekai, but a really good series. An ancient evil comes back to a land, and the MC recieves one of the 5 heroic marks… but instead of being useful, he’s marked as the Fool.
I highly recommend The Artificer series by Marcus Cass. This portal progression fantasy takes place in an alternate Russia. Interesting magic system. Book 9 is due out this month. Each book completes a challenging artifact, and there’s an ongoing plot thread. Some humorous moments. A very enjoyable read.
The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune. A YA fantasy book, about found family but still very different from Maggie. It is about an Earth where magical children are housed away from the normals in “orphanages” and overseen by a soulless bureaucracy. Sweet and funny and it’s free this month on Kindle Unlimited; I picked it up because I heard it has been optioned for a TV series by Warner Animation.
Oh, and I meant to say, it has won all kinds of awards! There’s a sequel, too.
+1 for the first book, but I didn’t love the sequel so much. I don’t know if he’s gonna write any more books in the series.
The Unconventional Heroes Series (And Side Stories) by L. G. Estrella – very entertaining series. Helped with my withdrawal symptoms. With a dragon, ninja rats, kung fu cat, pyro elf, a necromancer and shadow master in the picture … what more can you ask for?
+1
For court intrigue in a world with magic, JD Evans’ Mages of the Wheel series is beautifully written and imagined. First book Reign & Ruin.
Yes Yes Yes
+1
+1
Demon Overlord’s Retirement Plan
Book by M H Foster
This series is really funny. The inner monologue had me laughing out loud. I offer this as a third choice as the Murderbot and Dungeon Crawler Carl series as book suggestions are already taken!
Yes this was hilarious and the recent in the series was a brilliant addition
Had to read this while alone, due to my also frequently laughing out loud, just like @Elizabeth above. +1
Two more books in the series out now for a total of three, and there’s pretty clearly another coming, based on the not-too-awful “hill-hanger” (rather than a nasty “cliff-hanger”) at the end of the latest one.
Major bhajan series and dust knights by Catherine Asaro. The down deep city and inhabitants are written about so superbly. Tech , noir , some romance , strong fmc, strong emotions one of my favourite series to re read.
Love the Major Bhajan character and her efforts to improve the people of the Down Deep.
+1
Matt Dinniman’s “Dungeon Crawler Carl” series is my latest obsession. First book, Ch 1 you are like… wait what?!? Also there’s an amazing talking Cat!! 🙂 There are several books and they are all HUGE. Happy reading!!
The Sunbolt Chronicles by Intisar Khanani. This first book is called Sunbolt. It’s an entertaining YA series about a young thief / hidden mage who is a member of a resistance movement. It seems like it will has many common tropes, but is interesting and unexpected, worth a read!
+1 indeed, some lovely surprises!
Priestess (Gods of Tintar) by Kara Voorhees Reynolds
The Space Janitor series by Julia Huni is wonderful.
I really loved this book too!
I don’t know if I am repeating it but Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness was thrilling , a richly woven story with history and romance and of course witchcraft . I loved her descriptive narrative that took you through the ages .
The netflix series the books were based on, was also pretty good 🙂
The series Discovery of Witches came after the books.
+1
+1
John Gwynne’s Bloodsworn Saga that was released in 2021.
It’s Vikings and norse gods inspired!
It took a while to get into it but after that whee!
+1 Absolutely brilliant on audio
I don’t think this has been mentioned yet, but I just finished the audio version of Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir. My bf took me to see the movie and I loved it so I decided to give the book a go.
The Chronicles of St Mary’s by Jodi Taylor. Not pure fantasy, per se, but they feature time travel (with a decent amount of editorializing…ha!), really well written characters, and a lot of hilarious, dry British snark. I’ve reread them nearly as many times as I’ve read all of Ilona Andrews’ books, which is saying something!
+1 yes yes yes! One of the funniest series I’ve ever read, Lots of great historical content, Characters are so endearing, and the author is so talented. Could not recommend more.
+1!
+1
Godswar: A Comedic Urban Fantasy (The Many Travails of John Smith Book 6) Kindle Edition
by Chris Tullbane
I love the whole series and am in the process of rereading all the books after reading the latest book
Anything written by Nalini Singh. She has several series out as well as some stand alone mysteries. I am as passionate about getting her new books as I am about any from House Andrews.
+1
+1 Guild Hunter series (last book came out this month) & Psy-Changeling series
Pursuit of Jade by Tuan Zi Lai Xi. About a pig butcher who found a dying man who turned out to be a famous warlord.
+1
The Inkeeper Series from Ilona Andrews. Sweep of the Blade is my favorite but read them all in order. They’re wonderful!
I’d like to suggest ‘Midlife Recorder’ by Linzi Day. Set in Gretna Green, on the Scotland England border, it is a story of Niki, a woman still recovering from the deaths of a manipulative husband and of her only living relative, her grandmother. She discovers that her grandmother was the custodian of a Gateway into the lost kingdoms of the Celtic peoples and that she is expected to succeed her. Very well written with strong characters and a sense of humour, this is an entrance into a fascinating and well thought out world where Niki faces not only challenges from the rulers of those worlds but also her own struggle to discover her true self.
I love this author, waiting patiently for Half an Orange the next in the series
Yes, I knew this author and series had to be here! +1(000). Highly recommended.
A little different in terms of genre (I’d describe it as a detective series with element of magical realism) but hear me out – the Dr. Siri Paiboun series by Colin Cotterill, the first book is The Coroner’s Lunch.
It’s 1978 in Laos, Dr. Siri worked his whole life as a doctor and is very ready to retire, he is over all of it, especially the Communist regime which took over after the French and was supposed to make things better. Instead, they make him the only coroner in the country and now he has to learn a new job and he is grumpy. And then he realises his clients are sometimes murder victims and, well, noone else would investigate. He happens to be the son of of Hmong shaman and has these strange visions which make things that much more interesting and confusing for him.
Overall, the books are a great read, dr. Siri is like an even grumpier Laos Hercule Poirot.
Jenny Schwartz Caldryn Parliament series new one out in June
Author Name is Delemhach. Book title is The House Witch. (not to be confused with The Burning Witch which is different) The House Witch is the first book and vital to understanding the world. The writing flows very well. The characters, the world, and the plot and sub plots are very well developed. The House Witch is a man who’s Witch power is to make people feel at home. He hides the fact he is a Witch. Goes to work in the kitchen of the King. I love it. Read it at least 4 times. He is a wonderful character! Three books in the series.
I cannot find Heather G Harris being mentioned. Other detective series (haven’t read any other series) I’ve always enjoyed a good murder mystery, be it TV or book and this series is also mixed with fantasy.
I recommend Petra Lord’s queen of faces
my kid says The primal hunter (lit rpg)
Saint Death’s Daughter by CSE Cooney, and its sequel Saint Death’s Herald! The protagonist is a necromancer, and the one kind, nice person in a family of assassins and executioners (and in general awful human beings). There are undead servants, necromantic ghosts, shapeshifters, many gods, and a variety of different peoples and cultures.
The book is funny and gory and heartbreaking, and the worldbuilding is magnificent. I also love the writing, although it can be a bit dense at times. There are many footnotes detailing the deaths and/or exploits of various historical members of the awful assassin family :))
My guilty pleasure are webnovels. Most of them are really same, so I read couple of chapters and then abandon them. But there are some that stand out. One of them is Shadow Slave by Guiltythree.
I just love dystopic worlds and heroes who really are not very heroic 🙂
Slouch Witch: Lazy girls guide to magic – Helen Harper
This makes me smile even when I’m having a miserable time
The Lazy Girl’s Guide to Magic series was my introduction to Helen Harper. Lots of fun. 🙂
Anything by M.C.A. Hogarth. She has written many books and has a quiz on her website to help you pick a starting point that suits your tastes.
Try it!
https://studiomcah.com/
+1000
The House that walked between worlds. By Jenny Schwartz Love all of her series!
Destiny’s Crucible Series by Olan Thorensen. New books released every couple of years.
Forgot to describe. Sci-fi iseki at its very finest. Written by a scientist so a lot of factual, good scientific accuracy, compelling characters facing unimaginable odds and overcoming them through impressive human ingenuity, creativity, and cleverness. Found family, expensive plot universe and two spinoff series that are loosely connected. Everyone I have ever recommended this book to has loved it.
From me, I’d recommend L.G. Estrella’s Unconventional Heroes series is great mix of fantasy adventure, quircky loveable characters and a lot of laugh.
Audiobooks have been great so far.
https://www.audible.com/series/Unconventional-Heroes-Audiobooks/B088WZNJKL
I’m enjoying:
Ship of Magic (Liveship Traders Trilogy Book 1)
By Robin Hobb
It’s about ships made of sentient “wizard wood.” Characters “bond” with their ship — found family, interesting villain, slow burn romance, sea serpents, messy family dynamics. 😊 AI recommended it to me as a book hangover helper.
Expeditionary Force by Craig Alanson. Probably the funniest series I’ve ever read. Sprawling space opera with a human and a snarky AI bromance at the heart of it. Could not recommend more highly for anyone that’s a fan of sci-fi.
HelenHarper’s Cat Lady Chronicles
Love these books. 🙂
+1
Sands of Arawiya series: We Hunt the Flame and We Free the Stars by Hafsah Faizal. I loved the world building and characters.
The Hidden World – AIR series by Amanda Booloodian
Heather G. Harris
Vanessa Nelson
Try one of Ovidia Yu’s “Crown Colony” novels for a good read that’s very different from any fantasy genre. She is a prolific Singapore-based writer, and this series is focused before, during and just after WW2.
I had a bad hangover, so needed something very light and loving.
I stumbled upon The Witches of Scotland Romance Series: Byres Road by Steven P. Aitchison, which came out last year. I then gleefully discovered two prequel series and have been devouring with pleasure.
‘When the Moon Hatched’ by Sarah A Parker came out in 2024, and book two is due next week, so you would be finding it just in time.
It has all the complex world building, dubious morality, and slow burn you are missing.
+++1! I can’t second this recommendation enough. So good!
Once Upon a Broken Heart by Stephanie Garber
Laurence Dahners: the “Ell Donsaii” series (available in KU).
This is sci-fi, not fantasy. It takes place in a near future, where the genius heroine invents some breakthrough technology. It explores how the world would change (for the better), but doesn’t shy away from the less savory aspects, either. It’s become my favorite escapist series.
Some notes: The writing is a bit rough, and the series truly hits its stride around the 3rd book (however, all books are an easy, fast read). The heroine is a quintessential Mary Sue, but also very likable.
+1 Fun escape from book hangover!
Between by L.L. Starling is a really funny, unique story about a kindergarten teacher becoming the Queen of a fairy tale kingdom. Both the dialog and character development are really well done so you feel like you know (and like) the characters. I have re-read Between several times and I still laugh out loud at certain parts of the book. I highly recommend giving Between a try!
+1
I loved this book!! I just wish she would publish the sequel!
Author Linzi Day’s Midlife Recorder series, it’s set in Gretna Green, Scotland. It has a sentient house, a magical gateway leading to other realms, Kings and Queens, a talking cat that might be a goddess, Vikings, Fae and Hobs and a new Recorder thrown into an alternative job/life.
+1 I discovered it because of the sentient house
Dungeon Crawler Carl is fabulous.
Glynn Stewart- Mage Series (Mars). Or actually anything. I’ve enjoyed everything I’ve read of his- thus far.
K.A. Linde – The Oak and Holly Cycle – be warned however – only the first two books are done
The Nyx Fortuna series by Michelle Manus.
+1
+1
I literally just read through the entire response list up to this post’s date&time and I see ALMOST every single one of my “if there isn’t any more new Ilona Andrews and I just finished rereading Kate for the zillionth time so someone else has to fill the gap for the moment” authors mentioned – I am gobsmacked that my top runner up wasn’t recommended by anyone!
Did I miss AJ Aalto’s Marnie Baranuik? How did Jodi Taylor make it but not Aalto? Am I not up on a taboo reason for ignoring her work?
Why do I mention her? Laugh out loud snark, outrageously funny situational humor, fabulous character development, excellent twisty plots and tons of action, totally immersive – as in up all night and can’t put it down until The End – and the shorts in between full books are just as fun. Yes I found it on Amazon (we really need a new competitive dedicated all-inclusive online book sourcing and buying service including reasonable audio options for those of us with eyesight issues).
Two cautions:
1) ok it’s technically Vamp Fic but you’ll be pleasantly surprised and impressed at how untypical it is, there is nothing shiny about it as soon as our heroine gets her heart nicely tarnished a bit and boy is that funny
2) it’s graphic – even the humor is graphic- but I’m not necessarily referring to the occasional romantic adventures (yes, adventures)
For some it may get too real at moments, definitely rated R or even + but I doubt it warrants an X rating.
If you like the narrative tone that I find so wonderfully addictive about all the Ilona Andrews’ series, I feel Aalto is a very acceptable temporary substitute.
My appreciation to everyone for sharing, I am making significant additions to my active reading list today.
The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi by Shannon Chakraborty! Adventure, found family, an amazing magical world sunk deep into (extremely) well researched history and mythology, plus an older FMC with some life experience. Allll the things. Plus, the second book in the series (The Tapestry of Fate) comes out TODAY, so you can avoid the book hangover I got last summer after reading it. My most recommended book of the last two years. (Plus the audio is just :::chefs kiss:::)
+1 — Loved the setting in the Arabian Sea and eastern Africa. I have not read anything else similar to this setteing.
+1
Second one out today!
+1
+1 The tension between the love of and simple domesticity of raising a child and the desire for exploration and adventure of the smugglers life at sea is beautifully realized.
also hilarious!
I love Nalini Singh’s books and her Guild Hunter series released the final book last week, so a full series without a required w@!t for the next book.
+1 love this series!
The Greta Helsing series by Vivian Shaw. The last book just came out! It’s a very fun urban fantasy series about a no-nonsense doctor that treats the supernatural community in London. There’s some mystery, adventure, and even a little bit of romance.
+1 loved them. I wish she’d written more of them
Return of the Runebound Professor by Actus- found family, morally gray mc, light romance, no spice. A man is waiting in line to be reincarnated, escapes at the last second from his memories being erased and ends up in a bad guy’s body in a fantasy world. He can’t die anymore. There are 8 books out, I read all of them, couldn’t bring myself to stop.
Nora Roberts’ The Lost Brides Trilogy. Witches, mystery, ghosts and romance all wrapped up in storyline that kept me glued to the pages. The three books are: The Inheritance, The Mirror and The Seven Rings. The Seven Rings came out last year.
I love anything by Grace Drave. Her Master of Crows has wizards and magic.
+ 1 automatic buy for me lol
I suppose Tanya Huff’s The Silvered is out of date range. (See what I did there? I followed the spirit AND the letter of the law.)
I live Lout of Count. Very different kind of books, but the main character is clever and seems competent despite himself; he just can’t help it. Very bad at louting.
Ooh! And Restarting the Apocalypse. So good! Time travel instead of portal, but otherwise pretty similar feel. Much faster pacing.
I highly recommend the “Alex Verus” series by Benedict Jacka. There are 12 books and 2 novellas.
Alex is a “Probability Mage”, in present-day London, England.
He can see possible futures (like Nicolas Cage in “Next”), has a “Spidey Sense” and Mage Sight.
His magic puts him in the category of “weak” mages, from the perspective of the Elemental Mages, and mages take what they want, especially the “Dark Mages” (though, the “Light Mages” aren’t much better, sometimes).
I tore through this series, the first time I read it. We learn about the Magical aspect of this world very organically, as Alex craftily outmanoeuvers the over-powered members of the Mage Society, who want to use his future-seeing powers for their own devices.
Though he is relatively young, Alex mentors and protects several younger mages, which brings out the Papa Bear in him.
He does it all without compromising his personal values, which is not always easy when dealing with such self-centred, ruthless people.
■ Logical Magic System
■ Selfless, Dashing hero (somewhat unwillingly)
■ Lots of magical and physical battles
■ Character development up the whazoo
■ Engaging secondary characters
■ Impressive world building
+1
I recommend almost all Jeff Wheeler books (except the Dresden Codex series).
Everything else of his is excellent fantasy and is all available on Kindle Unlimited. He’s an underrated author in my opinion.
CE Murphy – multiple series and all are awesome
+1
I started with Urban Shaman and completed that series, then went on to some of her others. She has an extensive catalog, and has also written crossover stories with Faith Hunter. CE Murphy also writes as Catie Murphy (Dublin Driver murder mystery series), Murphy Lawless, and Zoe Chant (both shifter romances). She may have more pen names, but that’s all I can remember off the top of my head. Highly recommended!
Author = Audrey Faye — particularly the Ghost Mountain Shifter 12-book series and the For the Love of Purple trilogy
Oh my god, yes! + all the 1
Seana Kelly – multiple series that link. Wonderful stories with witches, shifters and vampires.
Benedict Jacka’s new series, starting with An Inheritance of Magic. The audiobooks are great.
I should have added details. An entirely different magic system than the Verus books. The hero is a young Drucrafter whose father has disappeared and who doesn’t know his mother or her family at all — initially. We are three books in now, and, since Stephen is trying to find his place in the world and has worked on his Drucraft independently and under constant financial pressure, the series gets the reader quickly invested in him (and his cat). More or less self taught, Stephen makes his own sigls and discovers the British drucraft world at the same tiem the reader does.
Mercy Thompson Series by Patricia Briggs
Fab.
+1. She also writes Alpha and Omega shifter series, in the same world with crossover characters from the Mercyverse, as well as a host of back-catalogue novels set in different worlds. One of the few authors (along with Kim Harrison and Jim Butcher) whose hardbacks are an automatic purchase for me.
Ascendance of a bookworm by Miya Kazuki. TKWNKM brought up the word isekai. I had to look it up and found a whole “nother world of possibilities. This is the one that caught my eye because it was in my library’s hoopla and the cover was not scary for me. A whole new world ….and I got hooked! With weird cultural differences. Furthermore, the series is complete! I couldn’t believe it’s a total of 33+ “light novels”.
Unfortunate my library hoopla account only allows 5 checkouts a month. Arrghh! Oh, wait my husband has a library card…quickly logging out I logged back in with his account…whew. I got to read another five. Darn, but I was now done with my hoopla allotment by the 8th of the month.
I sat down with my husband and told him that “hmmm, I hope you didn’t want to watch any hoopla movies this month” and proceeded to ask “please don’t use your hoopla account for the next 3 months or so.” As I explained, he only laughed and gave me a hug. Best hubby of 46 years!
Unfortunately this means I have been cut off by 8th of the month. Sigh. I only have to wait until next month for another 9 books. Why only 9 when I could have ten? I have to check out the watercolor book so I have something to do for the rest of the month! 19 days till the end of the month is forever!!!
Thanks for all the recommendation, I have already got 4 books dowloaded on my Kindle to keep me going!
One more reco from me is Quicksilver by Callie Heart, book 2 already out and 3rd one should be out in November. Fantasy epic with great world building, plot twists and many layers.
I agree, wonderful read but so folks aren’t confounded searching online – authors last name doesn’t have an e in it.
John Scalzi had a new one come out in the Old Man’s War series – the Shattering Peace.
The Deryni series by Katherine Kurtz – great world building and characters. 16 full length novels! The first book was written in 1972, and the last one in 2014. One of my favorite authors.
The Matthew Corbett Series by Robert McCammon which begins with “Speaks The Nightbird” and runs ten volumes
Laaurence Dahners
I’ve really enjoyed the Valkyrie Bestiary series by Kim McDougall! The first book in the series, “Dragons Don’t Eat Meat” will have you hooked! The characters become part of your own family!
If you’re looking for a dark, slightly obsessive mystery series with some seriously messed up characters, check out the Waverly Jones series by Skyla Dawn Cameron. The main character is a private investigator. Her sister was murdered as a teenager, and now lives as a hallucination in her head. Oh, and she’s still in love/obsessed with the memory of the detective who worked her sister’s case all those years ago. 20/10, creepy/depressing/engaging main character of dubious intention who may or may not be a bit crazy. Multiple books, and the most recent was released today!
I would recommend Ship of Spells by H. Leighton Dickson. loved it and the second book is supposed to be coming out soon.
I’ve enjoyed every book I have read by Rachel Aaron. Her Nice Dragons Finish Last series was an immediate read upon each new release and then I sought out her other books, which cover a great variety of material, something for everyone. I wasn’t sure about her latest, Death Has Joined the Party, which is LitRPG, but I just started it and was surprised that I am staying up late at night to read as much as I can. As a bonus, Rachel wrote it with her husband, Travis Bach.
+1 for Nice Dragons Finish Last – very fun series, with an unusual protagonist
The Scorched Throne duology (Jasad Heir/Jasad Crown) by Sara Hashem
Elizabeth Hunter’s The Elemental Universe series. Start with A Hidden Fire! https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0825/3610/4247/files/The_Elemental_Universe_Printable_Reading_Order.pdf?v=1754529066
It might just be be me, but House Andrews can say “I really like this book” and it’s an instant snooze for me. When one their friends has a book release???!?!! auto buy. I swear any “happy book birthday” post is worth looking into. Awesome authors with odd reading taste but, real talent for collecting other awesome authors. *cough* Jeaniene Frost*cough*
I highly recommend Seana Kelly. She has two series running, the Sam Quinn series and the Sea Wicche Chronicles. Sam Quinn has 8 books and the 9th is out in October. The Sea Wicche has 4 so far. They somewhat run parallel to each other, with characters sometimes crossing over. Great reads!
The Poet Empress, by Shen Tao
Highly recommend S.M. Anderson “Season of Man” (after the apocalypse) and “Eden Cronicles” (kinda sci-fy but way beyond that) . His world building, character development, mastery of dialogue is TOP NOTCH.
+1000 for The Eden Chronicles!
I’d recommend the Mages of the Wheel series by J.D. Evans! The first book is Reign & Ruin an arranged marriage with a strategic and politically savvy FMC and a dangerous sword wielding MMC. Each book follow a different couple but there is an overarching plot
Michelle Arzû (of the “Undercurrent” Mermen Series)has a new book just out about a vampire who just happens to be a hematologist. He is dying, because something in the food source is slowly poisoning all humankind and he has become alergic to blood.It challenges everything you knew about vampires as well as the stereotypes of who are the good guys and who are the bad guys. I devoured this book in one big gulp, it was that great! It’s called “The Midnight Project”, for reasons that become immediately apparent.
Impact Winter season 1-3 (full cast) Audible audiobook series by Travis Beacham.
So many of my recommendations have already been mentioned, so I’ll leave this one:
“Vegan Vamp Mysteries” series by Cate Lawley. I picked up the first one “Adventures of a Vegan Vamp” free on Amazon Kindle. The title caught my eye and the idea of a vampire who cannot drink blood was so absurd that I had to read it! I devoured this book and immediately bought the entire series of ebooks upon finishing! (sadly only the first 3 books are available as audiobook)
They’re cozy fluffy stories sprinkled with humor and minimal spice. Magic, Witches, Vampires, and Sword Fighting, oh my! It’s a cute series IMO and a comfort read when I need to fight off a hangover, or just deal with “too much” going on in my world.
https://www.catelawley.com/cate-lawley/vegan-vamp-mysteries/
9 ebooks, 3 audiobooks.
Adventures of a Vegan Vamp
The Client’s Conundrum
The Elvis Enigma
The Nefarious Necklace
The Halloween Haunting
The Selection Shenanigans
The Cupid Caper
The Reluctant Renfield
The Hexed Hunt
Plus a 4-book spin off (Night Shift Witch Mysteries) which is adorable if I do say so myself.
Brandon Sanderson – 1st book in a series “The Way of Kings”
Sanderson’s Stormlight Archive is a great series among many fantastic books (starts with TWOK). Five huge books out, five more to come….
Beneath the Dragonseye Moons series by Selkie Myth. Female protagonist, self-aware reincarnation from modern Earth into a LitRPG world. I’m on book 6 of 16 and while there are some technical editing issues (mainly spelling/wrong word used that is similar to intended word) the worldbuilding has been very solid and consistent with many well-developed characters.
I recommend The Second Death of Locke by VL Bovalino. It’s billed as a romantic epic fantasy and features a lady knight partnered with a mage she has to protect.
Knights plus mages plus battles and an interesting magic system.
People have mixed reviews of it (mostly positive!) based on what they expect from a book featuring a lady knight and warfare, but it makes for a great book 1 in a series of standalone books and has great worldbuilding.
No cliffhanger though the overarching story does continue in Book 2, which is not yet out, just a heads up
This is sitting in my TBR pile. 🙂
(Okay, it’s more than a pile.)
Hope you enjoy it (eventually) haha
The Unmaking of June Farrow by Adrienne Young
I highly recommend anything by Shannon Mayer. Her new book is Riftborn: A Post Apocalyptic Urban Fantasy (Of Sorrows and Blades Book 1) Also available on Kindle Unlimited.
+1 love her books
Different genre, but with lots of humour, suspenseful stories, great characters: The Stranger Times by C. K. McDonnell (who also writes hilarious crime fiction as Caimh McDonnell).
+1! Great fun – Slow horses meets Rivers of London with a nice helping of Pratchett.
+1
There’s a fantastic isekai webtoon titled “The Greatest Estate Developer” which is hilarious, a civil engineering student wakes up in a fantasy world and has amazing adventures with his loyal knight and several cute and powerful animal helpers, there is a huge range of fantastic characters (including orcs, elves, mermaids and dragons) and the artwork (especially the ridiculous faces the hero makes ) will have you crying with laughter!
I read my first IA book while trying to treat book hangover after reading The Hurricane Wars by Thea Guanzon. I reread both KD and Hurricane Wars when facing book hangovers now!
yep, a good one is Dire Bound by Sable Sorenson. Read this pretty fast! There’s a sequel, Fury Bound, I’m waiting on from the library. World building is good and seems pretty unique to me.
For Whom The Belle Tolls by Jaysea Lynn her first book working on second.
Favorite of 2025.
Turns of fate by Anne Bishop was delightful.
Helen Scheuerer The Thezmarr Series. Outstanding
Dungeon Crawler Carl, but then you’ll just have another addiction. At least there’s 8 books (of a planned 10) to get through before you run out.
The Linesman Series by S.K. Dunstall
+1 these. I think IA recommended them at one point. The audio version is one of my favourite comfort reads. I keep hoping they will release more books.
I really like D Rae Price’s “The Sundering” series. The first book can be read as a standalone sci-fi first contact book. It’s really good. It’s a different take on the future. No battles. Ships have prayer rooms. But people having to solve life-threatening problems and often the biggest obstacle is people’s egos. It gave me a refreshingly different view of the future and made me think which I like. The second and third books end on cliffhangers but are good as well. The fourth book felt abridged somehow, like the author was trying to finish the series that was originally planned to be 5 books. But I still liked it. Anyway, enjoy 🙂 and thanks for all the other recommendations.
Having just reread everything by House Andrews I went back to Patricia Briggs “Mercy Thompson” series that has installments within the timeframe. I love strong female protagonists.
The Patricia Briggs comment reminded me of another series by her with great narration, the Alpha and Omega series with narration by Holter Graham. I love both main characters.
Turns of Fate (Isle of Wyrd #1) by Anne Bishop. Really, anything by Anne Bishop but this is her most recent and the start of a new series.
+1
Absolutely loved it!
Her The Black Jewels trilogy is one of my top 5 series and to me it has the OG of Shadow Daddies.
If you like world building fantasy and a very large series of books (complete with some focusing on other characters besides the protagonist) then look up Terry Mancour’s Spellmonger series (on Kindle unlimited).
I’m a big fan of the Maya’s Blogs series by Lara McKenzie. Book 6 is just about to come out. First is Espresso Yourself. Written in blog format by a girl who goes to work in a coffee shop serving supernatural population, especially a supernatural quasi-police force. Slow burn romance, good character building and mix of humor and heartache.
Debut novel Thistlemarsh by Moorea Corrigan has been pretty good. BUT NOTHING COMPARES TO TKSNKM. I’m over 60 and I’ve never loved another book more.
Here I felt so old compared to the rest of HA fandom, now I’m looking again at all these posts and wondering about the mean age point!
Charlaine Harris’ recently finished Gunnie Rose series is VERY underappreciated. Alt-history with magic. Kind of dark but a great protagonist who directly faces all sorts of horrible events with aplomb and her six-shooters, trying to protect those she loves and comes to love. Content warning: a few tragic deaths along the way. I re-read this series as often as I read Martha Wells’s and the Andrews’ work.
+1
I loved the whole series right up to the second to last book which sadly really let me down. I felt all the main characters made huge departures from their own personalities. I also got the impression she was just done with the series and wanted it to go away forever, never to be resurrected . . .
Anything by Simon Green though I’m particularly enjoying the Gideon Sable series. Graphic Audio does a full cast version
He has a ridiculously fertile imagination for weird supernatural stuff. Gideon puts together a crew to steal stuff
Leverage meets a really dark and funny supernatural world
Oh man! SRG is one of my favs! Glad he got a call out.
I recommend The Legend of Eli Monpress series. Eli is a flamboyant professional thief (he has a good heart) with unusual sidekicks – one wields an unbeatable sword and the other is a young girl that carries a demon seed inside her body that makes her have unnatural strength and speed while being dangerously unpredictable – good series.
Yes! Rachel Aaron is great. Highly recommend Eli Monpress and her newest Tear Down Heaven series.
+1 for Eli Monpress
Urban fantasy rather than portal fantasy, so consider this a sort of palate cleanser:
I recommend the Rat City Chronicles by Alina Lee. To date, there are three volumes of short stories: “The Case Files of the Five Fold Phoenix,” “Tales From the Mystic of Sage Street,” and “Stories of the Southside Sin-Eater.”
Queer-friendly, minor romance, dirty city politics, ninjas, a talking sword, and a mythology inspired by the spiritual traditions and folklore of east and south-east Asia. So not just vampires and werewolves, but lots of other fascinating beings I usually don’t see in urban fantasy. (Like, a cosmic being whose body is literally a prison for really really bad things no one wants loose in creation. And ninjas who can propel themselves between skyscrapers with sonic booms. And sin-eaters who turn demons into actual food to eat.)
And also kick-ass women protagonists. I really hope Lee takes the various minor characters who appear in these three collections and keeps spinning them off into more adventures. 🙂
Jaqueline Benson , The London Charismatics series
+1000! I also love Jacquelyn Benson’s Raiders of the Arcana series.
The Stariel books by AJ Lancaster. Definitely T rated, but funny, political, romantic. Fae-human relationships.
R rated, sorry.
I have re-read mostly old books, so this comment section may help me get out of a book hole I have not been able to get out for a while. I would recommend the newest books I have read lately were from june hur, they are not necessarily romance (there is a bit of it in some books), mostly mystery/detective in historical korea times, and the author bases her books on real Korean history events, which I find fascinating.
Raiders of the Arcana by Jacquelyn Benson
+1000! I just saw this comment after recommending the same series above! Love this series.
I know the rule was within the last decade, BUT … the only other “portal” story I’ve ever read was the Tredana Series by Joyce Ballou Gregorian (3 book series – The Broken Citadel, Castledown, and The Great Wheel). It’s haunted me all these years as it was SO GOOD, and NO ONE I know has ever read them so I never had anyone to talk to about them. They are long out of print, but I happen across them occasionally at used-book-stores.
I will check them out!
I went through the list and I don’t think anyone mentioned RJ Blain (or any of her pen names – 7 at last count). She writes several series of different genres – different pen name for most. Her books are often laugh-out-loud funny, even when the subject matter is not.
She is best known for the “Magical Rom Com (with a Body Count)” series which is hilarious, madcap and totally off the wall every now and again, but my personal favorite is her “Royal States” (pen name Susan Copperfield) series.
She has taken the “sudden appearance of magic” in a totally different direction from either of HA’s series. Rather than Houses of magic, there are families and rankings, with the country broken into (groups of) States ruled by powerful families. Generally, each royal family has a different specialty. New York has flameweavers. Illinois rulers are shape shifters, Montana has the power to command anyone with voice alone. And the King of Canada can move mountains, well, if he ever wanted to…
Find out why the “New England” states are now named “Maine” and not “Massachusetts” and why the royal family of Texas sometimes rides horses into congressional sessions…
+1 The Susan Copperfield books are reread-comfort books for me. Great group of characters.
Loved This Kingdom and Maggie. Wrote down many suggestions from the Horde and am trying Kelley Armstrong – halfway through A Rip Through Time. Excellent book and will try rest of the series.
Is Robin D. Owns too far back in time? Love the Celta Series with its fams (Familiar Animals).
I am really thrilled to pick up several new authors/series to try. Based on how much I like the recommendations in here that I’ve already read, I’m pretty sure I’ll like some of the new-to-me ones as well. And it’s so hard to find good new series.
With that said, is there any chance that if we pinky-promise to not just make a list, but provide some real background, that we could make one or two more recommendations each? Maybe after the thread has been up for a while, if no one else has already recommended?
I have two more series I’d love to recommend, so far not yet mentioned, but don’t want to violate the rules.
Recently stumbled upon Vanessa Nelson. Her 5book series was promoted by Amazon, immediately finishing the series I bought her new series: Fractured conclave. Female lead whose paternity is problematic, but even outcasts can be (made) useful. Interesting story line, romance, surprising developments in unusual settings.
In my kindle together with the books of Ilona Andrews and Jessie Mihalik.
+1
Chris Tullbane. The Many Travails of John Smith series. Audio version is great. Set in San Diego. I am always looking for books set in real places with paranormal twists. Like most of HA 😁
Celia Lake’s Albion books made a nice TKWNKM hangover remedy for me. Cozy mysteries with a bit of romance set in alternate magical Britain, mostly between the wars +/- 20 years. Political intrigue, found family, good range of nonstandard characters (people of color, neuro-atypical, chronic illness, disability, various colors of the rainbow flag), and very character-driven, plus a meticulously thought-out magic system. Sort of Dorothy Sayers, but with magic and broader representation. There are a couple of free novellas on her website, so you can see if you enjoy them.
I have enjoyed many of her books, having found her recommended on a previous book suggestion blog list here.
+1
The Astral Library by Kate Quinn. A wonderful idea of being able to live within your favourite book but…of course… there is a twist. First time Kate Quinn has written in the fantasy genre. It was amusing and a light read.
Thank you Mod R and my fellow hordlings – I always find wonderful new reads from these posts. I appreciate them hugely! (And I am sure they are a PITA to moderate – so thank you R).
So many of my favorites have already been mentioned (because the horde has awesome taste!) so I will go with an indie author I rarely see mentioned (but have really enjoyed just about everything he has written): try RW Krpoun – start with Grog (The Ebon Blades Book 1)
REQUEST: Where can I find F/SF diplomacy competence porn?
Right now Ilona Andrews is my greatest source (possibly the originator?) and I’ve already re-read them all multiple times!
I guess it could be any genre, not just spec fic, as long as there is someone hyper-competent at diplomacy…
Lois McMaster Bujold’s Vorkosigan Saga has some pretty sophisticated maneuvering amongst the various planet systems-all in the guise of space opera. The foundation of this series is it’s consideration of human values, and that is what appeals to me most about House Andrews as well.
+1
Could you give more context to the genre? I don’t know if I’ve read anything, but if you like court politics and mechanics as well as off-page love, Sherwood Smith is good. I personally like Patricia Briggs Sianim Series, Empire of Stars, Emperor’s Edge by Lindsay Buroker.
I frequently revisit her Fallen Empire series!
Hands of the Emperor by Victoria Goddard has a protagonist who is a hyper competent bureaucrat (he’s the head of the civil service in world government). Diplomacy mostly happens off screen in this book, though, he demonstrates it more in a later book.
Invictus duology by Rachel Neumeier is
is a space opera with lots of political intrigue, strategy and manoeuvring, all with highly competent characters/operatives.
Darynda Jones’ Charley Davidson series.
isekai truck-kun series:
heretical fishing by haylock jobson
mc uses humor to cope with life, and all the heavy deep issues that come with being in a new world alone.
also there’s lots of fishing, fishing equipment and new fish catches, and excitement about going fishing, which rings absolutely true (as a fishing-adjacent person).
5 books, series is complete. definitely a soothing read
Alchemised by SenLinYu is one of the best dark fantasy books I have ever read. The male lead is concerned about one thing and one thing only and he kills thousands to keep it safe. This a tale of necromancy and the walking dead. Like most of Ilona’s books, I have consumed this book, in hardback, ebook, and the audio version.
Sharon Lee and Steve Miller and their fabulous Liaden Universe. I re-read these books constantly and voraciously. There is romance, intrigue, world-building, politics, machinations, clan, found family, and so much more in every book. They are sci-fi with fantasy elements or fantasy with sci-fi elements but however you read them, they are fabulous. The 27th book was out last year but Sharon Lee says the new one should be coming out soon. So, there are more! Plus, Sharon also writes another great series on her own that mixes magic and mystery. I highly recommend all of their output and re-read them as much as I re-read House Andrews and Anne Bishop’s Others.
I’ve been reading the Liaden series for more than 20 years. Ms Lee is currently doing a author re-read of the series and occasionally posting her thoughts on each book. Highly recommend!!
Yes! Found family for the win (giant space turtles included). Also sentient telepathic trees!
That Which Devours by Jer Patch. LitRPG, spaceship crashes into a System planet. The FMC gets a special class. Such a blah description doesn’t do it justice. Really amazing series. I’m really loving it.
P.S. This author is vastly under read. I don’t understand it. The writing is excellent and the story is also. Give it a try
Jenn Lyons writes good stuff. The Ruin of Kings Series, which is complete and a couple of stand-alone books:The Sky on Fire and just recently Green and Deadly things.
Laurell K Hamilton Anita Blake series is great reading!
+100 Great Reading! One of my Faves
Lisa Shearin’s SPI Series is a good choice for immersive stories with found family and competent heroes in a world that accepts ALL kinds of folks. It currently has 8 books in the set.
Try her raine benares books. Swoon worthy paladin….
Brian Rouleau-author
Judicator Jane: A LitRPG Adventure series
I’ll be honest I don’t normally read these kind of adventure series; but I really enjoyed it.
Gah! How to pick just one?!
Okay, well I just recently re-read the whole of Jennifer Estep’s Elemental Assassin series and I can’t recommend it enough! The world building is amazing.
I liked her more recent kill the queen series. The elemental assassin one was a harder read but maybe because it was written when access to entire series were harder so a lot of repetition in the story bothered me.
I do have some of her newest on my the pile tho
+1 G- man and F-man are is ultimate boyfriend goals.
Great series!! +100
So since I don’t see it posted already and we can pick only one, I’d like to recommend anything by “C.L. Wilson” the most recent series of hers I think is the “Weathermages of Mystral series“ but I’d really recommend checking out the others like the tairen soul series too tho it’s older.
I really don’t see her recommended enough on any groups I’ve been a part of.
*I will say original covers are famously bad and not to judge by the cover, I know 🖐️ I do it too but seriously this time 😂
Raine Tairen soul was my book boy friend same with the del’ reysian fey general… I’m glad to see this recommendation.
“We are Legion (We are Bob)” by Dennis Taylor. (book #1). It’s the first in a series of 5 books . It’s funny, interesting, and touching. If you like Murder Bot you will probably love the “Bobiverse”
Also – the great Ray Porter narrates the audio book version. He’s amazing.
As Melissa J Cave and Ann Bishop have already been mentioned, I’d definitely go for CS Pascat’s Captive Prince trilogy. Vivid world building, lots of snarky humour, enemies to lovers. Beautifully written
I very much enjoyed the Captive Prince trilogy. I need to reread it.
K.F. Breene’s the Shadow Realm series. Where vampires feast, lycans love, witches cast their spells and dragons rule the.skies. The world building was phenomenal the action was non-stop and the bad guy was so evil it gives you chills. The love story was one for the ages and there were no disingenuous tropes that would get on your last nerve. Every action and reaction was purposeful and moved the story forward. Best of all the series is complete. Enjoy!
This sounds like my cup of tea! Is the author Brenda K Davies? I couldn’t find under KF Breene….
Jim Butcher’s Cinder Spires series. So far there are 2 books and 1 novella in this series. This series is NOT finished.
+1000!!
Warprize, Warsworn and Warlord trilogy by Elizabeth Vaughn. All the feels!
I’ve been meaning to re-read, I loved them (from 2011!!!). Now I find out there are 3 more offshoot books to that series….
+1
Molly Harper is in my top five author list. A lot of her work is contemporary paranormal romance with delightful combination tension (mystery/drama) and humor. The current series is Moonshadow Cove, the third book is coming out on May 14th.
+1
Milla Vanes A Gathering of Dragons Series: bk 1 – A Heart of Blood and Ashes….
I highly recommend the Big Bad Wolf series by Charlie Adhara – completed series of 5 books, although there’s a spin-off series involving related characters that’s currently in progress. It’s an urban fantasy/mystery/romance series featuring a guy who works for a secret branch of the FBI that investigates werewolf crimes and his developing relationship with his werewolf partner. The writing is sharp and funny, with great character development. the romance is MM and it gets spicy, so consider yourself warned if that’s not your thing.
+1
I read the first one a few years ago and liked it but have never made time for the subsequent titles.
I recommend the Azarinth Healer series by Rhaegar. Great LitRPG and portal series that currently fills that hole in my heart for Maggie!
Loved these! Have re-read twice now.
Assistant to the villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer It will have you snickering while your reading.
All the pretty monsters series by Kristy Cunning. Not my usual type of read, but I ended up binging all 6 books after tkwnkm, and the end of the last book was surprising and unexpected
+1 one of my favourite series.
the Court of Thorns and Roses
I am recommending Orlando Sanchez. He has heroes, magic and fun.
The Devoured Worlds series by Megan O’Keefe (1st book is The Blighted Stars)
Space opera series with a fun romance – lots of worldbuilding and politics going on which is fun! The male lead is a scientist type and female lead a soldier/rebel and they have to team up while stranded on a strange/hostile planet. The way the worldbuilding interacts with the romance is very cool in my mind (people effectively keep their minds backed up to a server and then print bodies that the mind is inserted into).
Conspiracy! Intrigue! (Secretly) Enemies to Lovers!
Jeffe Kennedy’s Bonds of Magic series is a favorite of mine, the first book in particular gave a big book hang over, but the sense of found family and interesting magical systems reminds me of our dear Horde Masters.
Starting with Dark Wizard.
I also enjoy their other series especially the Forgotten Realms which follows 3 princesses with very different personalities.
I finally found a book/series that has grabbed and kept my attention. I am on book 3 in the series.
The series is called Cyber Dreams, author is Plum Parrot and the first book is called Electric Angel.
The series is a dystopian sci-fi type world centered around both earth and the surrounding solar system. First book starts on earth…. current book I am reading is taking place in space.
I have been reading the Ordinary Magic series by Devon Monk: fantasy with romance, and the characters are a mix of humans, gods, creatures and demons. As well as donuts. The series isn’t new, but the books were written within this decade (2016 to 2022) :). I am on book four, and have been enjoying them so far.
+1
+1
For anyone looking for a complete change of pace:The Paris Match by Kate Clayborn is a contemporary romance with complex characters, a beautifully realized sense of place, and a slow burn plot that rewards patience and persistence. Fair warning: the protagonists are not initially likable; the angst belies the cheery pastel cover; the probability of friendly exes can be a ymmv dealbreaker. I love Clayborn’s writing and consider this one of the best books I read this year.
Alchemised by SenLinYu. This book has triggers which it states and it consumed me enough that I stopped my rereads of Maggie.
+1
La autora quiso retratar lo brutal de una guerra y como los verdaderos heroes no son reconocidos (creo que la abuela de la autora estuvo en un campo de concentracion).
Me encanto el final, y creo que compraron los derechos para hacer una pelicula
Green Rider by Kristen Britain. It’s got 8 books so far, and hopefully the 9th will is coming out next summer.
+1 need to catch up at some point. i just got extremely frustrated with the characters.
Try the Midlife Recorder series by Linzi Day, “Midlife in Gretna Green” is the first
Please take a look at the Map Runners by Eva St. John. The first in the series is Flint in the Bones. Very British with a Police Detective sent to track down a magical criminal in walled off Norwich. Bish and her dog are so well worth journeying with.
+1 This is so good. First found it from a recommendation from another favorite, the author of the St. Mary time travel series. Bish is a modern day detective but has an ability to “map run” which is essentially moving through layers of time. There are two in the series and they are both on KU.
The Moon Raven by Grace Draven (really, anything by her) is her newest, set in a new world. It’s the first in (at least) a duology. Not cheery reading, but a strong & persistent woman who gets a second chance. Interesting magic system, great characters.
+1 There was humor in it. I would not mind more books in the Crow Mage series or a sequel to this. At this point, I am satisfied with how the Endilon series ended.
I made sure to search existing posts and no one has mentioned this yet: The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion, Volumes 1-8 (so far, with more coming) by Beth Brower, narrated by Genevieve Gaunt. A+++ writing and narration!
Ooooh thank you for the audio suggestion! I’m on it.
+1 I love this series! Only thing besides TKWNKM that I’ve listened to more than once this year!
Lyn Gala has MM romance/sci-fi, but I like her because she has intricate world-building and very alien points of view for her aliens! Her latest is Broken Hearts in the Heavenly Kingdom
Casefiles of Henri Davenforth by Honor Racenteour – on ku or the audios are included on Kobo+
This will probably be too far down the thread for many people to catch, but Victoria of Many Faces light novels are pretty engaging. The title character is an ex-spy who fakes her own death, creates a new identity in a new country and settles in a third country where she adopts an abandoned child. The head of the spy organization in her new country arranges a marriage between her and a knight in order to protect her from her birth country.
People are researching for future slumps so no one can ever be too late to this kind of party(i.e. thank you for sharing)!
First, thank you to everybody, I have added a ton of books to my wish lists!!
Then…. I love, LOVE, the TOWERBOUND series by Samson Chui (book 8, the final book in the series, is about to be released). I first discovered the series due to the first books being free on Kindle Unlimited. I didn’t t have anything to lose, I was bored, and thought I could well give it a try even though the summary didn’t t seem that great (“They left him for dead. Now he’s back—and he’s bringing the Tower down. Ren Varrow was never the hero type. A quiet alchemist with a talent for potions, he kept his head low while others chased glory. But when a top guild lured him into a lethal dungeon and stabbed him in the back, his story should’ve ended. Instead, it rewound. Thrown back to Day One—before the Tower rose, before the betrayals—Ren knows what’s coming: secret quests, hidden mechanics, and a ticking clock that ends with Earth’s destruction. Armed with future knowledge and forgotten skills, he’s ready to rewrite everything.”)
This is a link to ” Alchemist’s Retribution ” the first book in the Towerbound series so you can read more about what it is about ( Progression Fantasy LitRPG means nothing, this is fun!). It is still free with kindle unlimited: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0F9NRCVDC?ref_=dbs_m_mng_rwt_calw_tkin_0&storeType=ebooks
Hang on for 3 chapters (starts slow gets so good).
Also, another tip: many great authors release their work in progress through Royal Road (https://www.royalroad.com/home ) and it s available there until they are published, at which point I buy the books I really want to have. I discovered Royal Road by trying to find out when the next book of BEWARE OF CHICKEN by CasualFarmer was going to be released. I found it there, but I also found THE PRIMAL HUNTER (Zogarth), RETURN OF THE RUNEBOUND PROFESSOR (Actus), ELYDES (Drewells), NIGHTMARE REALM SUMMONER (Actus), and many others.
+ 1 to all those comments already made supporting Murberbot Diaries, Dungeon Crawler Carl, He Who Fights With Monsters (work in progress also on RR), Elizabeth Hunter s Elemental Vampires, Nalini Singh s Guild Hunter series, Elantra Chronicles by Michelle Sagara, Anne Bishop s The Other series, TA White s Pathfinder and Firebird series, Honour Raconteurs many series (loved all so far), Naomi Novak s The Scholomance series, Jennifer Estep s Kill the Queen series, Schwartz’s Adventures of a Xeno-Archaeologist books, among others.
Somebody recommended the Emperors Edge series by Lindsay Buroker: the first book is free today in Amazon, I just downloaded it!
And … I know it s not a book, but the MARRY MY HUSBAND series, Korean version with a fantasy -go to the past twist, guaranteed happy ending for the good ones. THE REMARRIED EMPRESS is a fantastic webtoon that will be soon released as a Disney + tv series . I also loved PURSUIT OF JADE.
Jeaniene Frost-Learned about the author through Ilona Andrews recommendations and she’s great.
I think one of the best non IA series I’ve read recently is Tao Wong’s A Thousand Li series. A great balance of characters and a fantastic world. Also unlike a lot of other series in the cultivation space the series is complete so you can binge it from start to end as fast as you’d like.
The Witchstone- Henry H.Neff.
Fun wrapped with a pretty pink bow.
This was excellent, +1
Legion by Brandon Sanderson)audiobook especially. Originally written as an idea for a tv series…I’d love to see it actually done!
the invisible library series from Genevieve Cogman
the first book the invisible library is 10 years old this year! the series is complete and there are 8 books and dragon shapeshifters. a bit steampunk, but so very good.
I’m curing my hangover with the Blood Grace series by Vela Roth. It’s high fantasy with politics, a slow burn romance, vampire smut.
I really enjoyed Apothecary Diaries – watched the anime first, got hooked then continued with the light novels. Vol 16 coming out later in May and I’m really looking forward to it.
The House Witch Series: A Humorous Romantic Fantasy by Delemhach. 3 books in the original series I listened to them so many times. It is more than humorous. All the emotions and so much fun. I found it on my Hoopla app by accident and I’m so glad I did.
Dragonfall and Emberclaw duology by L. R. Lam
This one is quite different genre-wise, but similar in feel – The Rook by Daniel O’Malley.
The blurb: The Rook follows protagonist Myfanwy Thomas as she wakes up in the body of an administrator in a clandestine government organization responsible for protecting the U.K. from supernatural threats.
Similar feel of starting from scratch (almost – Myfanwy has the role, but none of the knowledge or memories associated with it), lots of demonstrated competence / girlbossery + humour. It’s almost cozy and doesn’t quite take itself entirely seriously.
Would recommend!
+10000 Excellent series
+1~
I have also read the second book. That is a fun read, but with multiple loose threads & plot holes
I understand, there is a prequel as well
I really enjoy reading Juliann Whicker. I have read all of her Singsong City books. They have great characters and humor, but also have depth.
I agree. So enjoyable
Time Police Series by Jodi Taylor
Sci Du, which works well for me for the TKWNKM hangover. Dry British humour.
“He Who Fights with Monsters”by Shirtaloon. I found this when I went down a rabbit hole looking for a new, LitRPG, immersive, dropped in a new world/isekai story to dig into. This one hits all the spots for someone looking for that kind of book series and it has 12 books already written and waiting, available on Amazon, kindle UL. I am several books in and still enthralled. Good world building, and a bizarre funny off-kilter main character, minor edit mistakes don’t slow it down (and I mean very few and very minor for this type of book). Here is what the summary says online: “He Who Fights with Monsters” is a popular LitRPG (literary role-playing game) and isekai fantasy series written by Australian author Travis Deverell, known online as Shirtaloon. It follows Jason Asano, who is transported to a magical, monster-filled world, where he gains unique, often dark powers and navigates a complex, game-like progression system
Book 13 is finished on Patreon. Very funny, laugh out loud from page one. Jason wakes up bald and naked in a hedge maze.
From Amazon: “Jason wakes up in a mysterious world of magic and monsters.
It’s not easy making the career jump from office-supplies-store middle manager to heroic interdimensional adventurer. At least, Jason tries to be heroic, but it’s hard to be good when all your powers are evil.
He’ll face off against cannibals, cultists, wizards, monsters…and that’s just on the first day. He’s going to need courage, he’s going to need wit, and he’s going to need some magic powers of his own. But first, he’s going to need pants.”
P.S. Book one was just released as a hardcover available in book stores.
A time of iron series by Sarah Rees Brennan!
Its also a transmigrator story, but with a kind of over-the-top dramatic villainous twist.
the second book just came out and I really enjoyed it. If you love to love a villain, its a series for you.
and please please look at the series by sharon shinn…
Thanks for recommending this new author. Looking forward to reading her book collection.
DUNGEON CRAWLER CARL series is beyond excellent
THE IRON DRUID SERIES turned out awesome.
K.D. Edwards, The Tarot Sequence series. Reread a few times.
Excellent, +1
This is not highly related to TKWNKM, but I love a strong first person narrator. Hollow Kingdom by Kira Buxton has such a great voice and understanding what’s going on that the narrator doesn’t is really fun–not a word I usually use to describe a zombie storyline.
I recently discovered fantasy author T. A, White who wrote The Broken Lands series. First book is Pathfinder’s Way.
This is the first author that has really reminded me of House Andrews in action, pace and clever characters. I can’t wait to read more by her.
+1
Both good, but The Firebird Chronicles are by far my favorite of her series. I think I may have found them from an IA blog recommendation.
The Vorkosigan saga by Lois Mc Masters Bujold fits the bill! Great writing, great characters and a whole lot of books to read, each with a satisfying ending. The only problem- I’ve already read them!
Just finished Seek the Traitor’s Son by Veronica Roth. It was REALLY good. Push through the worldbuilding at the beginning. It’s not an isekai fantasy; I’d say more of a dystopian fantasy with some romance and a little sci fi. I’ve heard the audio is good so I’m going to give that a go, too. Got plenty of time to fill before Maggie #2, after all.
I’m enjoying Keri Arthur’s Drakon Kin Trilogy. It’s written in first person, with a strong female lead character. I’m halfway through book 3. The narrator is good.
The st Mary’s series by Jodi Taylor – anarchic, time travelling historians. Very funny – the capture of the dodos is one of the funniest scenes ever written
I’m loving the cozy Telepathic romance series Stars Dancing by Ayela Arcana- free on Royal Road. Psychic powers, gay cast. Kinda like Innkeeper meets Psy-changing, but way cozier!
that might be right up my alley!
I am late to the recommendation party, and I will be combing through enthusiastically! I could use the Horde’s help! I love Kate Daniels with an unholy love. I have read all IA works. Here’s my issue: I can’t find books that fit my parameters and still hold to the high standards the authors have spoiled us with. I adore UF, I like the grittiness and the adventure – it’s a like book form of Jason Bourne movies, but with magic (that’s how my head understands it). I have to have PG-13 content, and it is hard to find the action, relationships, and adventure/fight that I enjoy minus most F-bombs and/or graphic sex all the time. I can read Jane Yelllowrock and Dresden Files, but (due to my own childhood sexual trauma), I have to skim some scenes in Patricia Briggs. That’s my sweet spot. I’d be so grateful if you can help me find some newer authors in this area!!!
Have you read Muderbot Diaries and Skyward. Pretty much everything by Brandon Sanderson is going to fit your specs. 🙂 Also check out Heroes Of Avangard by Astraldude on Royal Road (free) and He Who Fights With Monsters.
Have you tried Kim Harrison / The Hollows series? The first book was published in 2004, but the series has 18 books with the 19th coming next year. UF, FMC is a witch, interesting alternate history United States, with supernaturals part of society. Vamps, elves and demons. Small amount of romance relationship, much less that Jane Yellowrock.
Try Devon Monk‘s Ordinary Magic series. There‘s action and romance, no cursing and no sex scenes.
The Empire of Stars series by Melissa J. Cave, first book is called Traitor Son.
A secret, bastard princess raised in exile is betrothed to a returning war hero who also happens to be the last member of a noble family executed as traitors. What could go wrong?
I adore the characters and world building in this so much. 4 out of 5 books are released, last one comes out Nov 7 (I know how much the horde despises w*iting).
Thomas Perry’s Jane Whitefield series – though the 1st book was published in 1995 the series does continue into the last decade. Jane Whitefield is a Seneca Indian that guides people out of disastrous problems into new lives. 10 books in the series, I’ve read them all
I saw one post that said only ‘Iron Druid Chronicles’. Great series, highly recommend but it is older that our criteria (first book 2011). However, the author, Kevin Hearne, has 2 other series that are more recent, and all 3 series are excellent. I recommend the 3-book series “The Seven Kennings”, the first book is called “A Plague of Giants”. Waaaay better than it sounds. Read the review and descriptions for more info on the story. The reason I think it is a good TKWNKM hangover remedy is that is pulls you in quickly, has compelling characters and world-building, and top-notch writing. It is not isekai, romance, castles or royals, but trust me, that won’t matter after the first 25 pages, guaranteed (and I LOVE those genres!!!).
Ms. Renfield and the Inheritance Trap by Annika Martin – a murder mystery with a vampire overlord and a very slow burn, and several laugh-out-loud moments that are likely to find favor with the BDH.
I recommend Mattie Dunman, particularly Between Truth and Lies which is surprising,but At First Touch also because of the character. Woman of Silk and Stone is hyst fun.
The Faraway Inn by Sarah Beth Durst c2026
“Whimsical, charming, and heartfelt”. I fell for this book and would gladly revisit the Inn anytime! (hint, hint sequel soon?)
+1
Mod R- agh! I totally forgot the rules- reading everyone’s recommendations all morning 🤦🏻♀️
I’ve started the manga novel for Sammy’s children’s day after binging the Chinese BL drama. The lead is also in Pursuit of Jade, which Ilona recommended – I started watching that after her rec. So this might also be liked by the Horde.
The Phoenix Chronicles by T.A. White
Yes, awesome read.
Project Hail Mary, by Andy Weir. Amazing story and seeing the movie just made me love the book even more.
The Cinder Spires by Jim Butcher
I have only listened to the audiobook, and it was wonderful
The Firebrand Series by Helen Harper is really good.
Also kinda similar Accomplishments of A Duke’s Daughter (light novel) , there is also a manga but light novel is further along and more detail.
With all the weaving of politics and trying to by clever in This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me really reminded me on Trickster’s Choice by Tamora Pierce. Highly recommend. 🙂
+1 Trickster’s Duet is great!
+1
I love all of Tamora Pierce’s books! ^_^
The Shifter Lords Series by SE Babin I am really loving.
Just discovered her! I’m in the middle of the Shifter Lords and really enjoying it. Looking forward to the upcoming Fangs and Fur series beginning this fall!
When I have a book hangover, I try to find a book in a similar world–that way it doesn’t feel like I’m leaving the previous one–so I decided to reread Tamora Pierce’s Tortall series. I started with Kel and then finished with Alanna.
Sorry if this is a repeat.
Legendborn by Tracy Deonn. I absolutely loved this book. I tried about 7 or 8 books post This Kingdom and couldn’t quite get into them. Legendborn did the trick.
I have been re-reading Susan Copperfield’s “Royal States” series, (an R J Blain pseudonym) and there is an offshoot series now about “Agents of the Royal States” which continues the story line of the original series.
The Leveling Up series by K.F. Breene helped with my book hangover. Book One is Magical Midlife Madness. Lots of fun and a quirky cast. Available in GraphicAudio.
Wow! I just finished combing through the thread as it stood sometime yesterday – I’m sure there’s more by now! I made a list. It’s long.
Ok, so I have a recommendtion – it IS outside the “last decade” parameters, BUT I’m pretty sure very few of you, if any, have heard of it:
Giti Chandra’s trilogy THE FANG OF SUMMONING, THE BONES OF STARS, and THE EYE OF THE ARCHER. It’s categorized as YA, but well, I’m past fifty and I loved it and reread regularly. Giti is a true word witch and she spins together myth and folklore various cultures, among them Indian/Hindu and Icelandic. Very highly recommend!
Lili saintcrow, all of her stuff is excellent. Adore the Squirrel Terror comedic stories of her back yard battle with squirrels. 🙂 She write a huge range of things, currently supporting her on Paetron. Fantasy, Paranormal, Romance, Comedy are just a few of her genres. My favorite oldie goldie is The Demon’s Librarian, LOL
Reporte de bitacora: dia numero…
¡a quien carajos engaño no se cuantos van!, solo se que la espera se hace eterna y nada llena el vacio, intente, busque, relei, aceche el blog cafa que podia sobre los avances que daban del libro 2 pero nada, ¡nada! es suficiente. Honestamente he llegado al punto de amor/odio por que no eh podido engancharme a ningun libro nuevo y eso es horrible por que leo todos los dias antes de dormir, es mi recompensa por ser un miembro de la horda buena.Es horrible, ¡ayuda!.
Listo, ya me desahogue, ahora volviendo a ser un miembro productivo de la horda, recomiendo “besar a un angel” de Susan Elizabeth Philips, no se arrepentiran.
The Will of the Many is excellent and its sequel The Strength of a Few is a great follow up.
I highly recommend Lois McMaster Bujold’s fantasy novella series Penric and Desdemona. It’s a medieval world with gods, and demons who need a human host to survive. She just recently came out with a new one. Her sharing knife series is also excellent, a post apocalyptic world with magic and combination of a world that’s kind of similar to the maggie world with a western homesteading frontier vibe mixed in. She has other books in the Penric world as well.
Joseph Flynn’s Jim McGill series is not in the fantasy genre, but I loved them. The first book is called the President’s Henchman, and it’s in Kindle Unlimited.
Jeremy Fabiano. Three series. I love the Glyphwright series – competence porn, LitRPG, disappointed parents. Great worldbuilding. The next series is the Keepers of Warden’s Rest series–Magic School that isn’t all what it seems. Janitor turned Martial Arts instructor. and the Series the Aetheric Codex–steampunk.
All have terrific characters who try to do the right thing.
Cradle series by Will Wight is excellent! It is a progression fantasy with some slight sci-fi elements. Great action sequences, and character development with little to no cursing, and no spice besides kissing. The audio is narrated by Travis Baldree, and is an A+ performance!
I got into Sarah Chilson‘s Blood of the Fae series earlier this year. It‘s YA, but so well written. The word building is rich and captivating, the characters are vibrant, and the story grows incrementally to reveal the bigger plot. Downside, now waiting for book 8 to come out at the end of the year.
I recommend the British author Mark Hayden. All books (over 12) with the main character Conrad Clarke (The Kings Watch) are in Kindle Unlimited. The audio books are also very good. Mature Hero, Adventure, Magic and dry British humor.
The Dragon Heart series, Nora Roberts
Bride Ali Hazelwood
For She Is Wrath by Emily Varga (Pakistani romantic fantasy reimagining of The Count of Monte Cristo)
For a total genre switch but fabulous for book hangover, try “The Unselected Journals of EMMA M LION” by Beth Brower. There are 8 so far, about the same length each as the typical Murderbot novella and she is queuing up for total of 24. Think Jane Austen meets Bridget Jones Diary.
I must express my heartfelt gratitude to House Andrews, the blog expert-monitors, and my fellow Horde members!
I had been in a re-listening cycle, not wanting to leave Rellas for fear of the emptiness waiting for me… until this blog post saved me.
The BDH recommendations found here have helped me create the best “To Read” list ever!!
I have been happily devouring Dungeon Crawler Carl’s journey (almost finished with #7), and have successfully waited my turn to be invited to join AO3.
Thank you all for your guidance! Nobody gets me like you all do!! You really know where literary treasures are to be found.
Thank you!!!
The Firebird Chronicles by T.A. White. Love all her books.
Michael J Sullivan’s Riyria Chronicles is a wonderful series. Two unlikely thieves who gets framed for the assassination of a king is asked by the Princess to kidnap the crown Prince and to take him to a magical prison to meet an immortal wizard. The intrigue, comedy, magical encounters don’t stop since then. The characters are rich and diverse and the plotting is clever. Audible has dramatized adaptation as well as regular narration. The series is completed and has other connected series to keep one happy as well.
oh but did I tell u that the thieves are basically human versions of a black cat and a golden retriever. the unlikely pairing is comedy gold.
Anything by T Kingfisher, but especially The Wizard’s Guide to Defensive Baking and Nettle and Bone. You will laugh, you will cry, you might even cry from laughing so hard.
Maria Snyder – Poison Study, Chronicles of Ixia series. Yelena is one of my favorite characters! I recently discovered that Snyder had published companion books from Valek’s perspective so I had to reread the series and insert the new content !!!!
I’d like to thank you for hosting this. I read every comment and updated my wish lists everywhere to include dozens of suggestions. Have already encountered several new authors who I enjoy and no doubt many more to come. Thank you!
I would like to recommend The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels by India Holton. This series pulled me out of TKWNKM withdrawal lol. They are less medieval-style fantasy and more like regency romance novels. Imagine Pride and Prejudice, except all the characters are pirates who pilot magical flying houses instead of ships. Hilarious. I was grinning so much through the first book that my face hurt and books 2 and 3 had me rolling around laughing. Very dry humor, but so, SO GOOD.
+1
I have so much fun reading her books! I just finished reading her most recent book (in her second series), The Antiquarian’s Object of Desire. Sort of a mashup of historical romance with tongue-in-cheek fantasy. They are hilarious!
My recommendation is the Practical Guide to Evil series by ErraticErrata (David Verburg).
It started as a web novel, and I’ve followed it for years. The pacing varied but the author got better with every story arc. He managed to get a publication contract and actually significantly rewrote and improved at least the first book (the only one currently published for money as an ebook and audiobook). I believe it’s been adapted as a graphic novel too. The second book comes out in August. When the books go up on Amazon, they come down on WordPress. So, assuming you don’t mind some dissonance from missing a chunk of the old book 1 in the ebook (likely to be covered in the new book 2 from the blurb of book 2), you can actually get your fix and read the whole series online. Several hundred thousand words. https://practicalguidetoevil.wordpress.com/
But buy it, folks. It’s worth it if you like fantasy tropes, meta-story shenanigans, and roads to hell paved with good intentions paved by spunky female leads.
https://a.co/d/01CVzD1e
Linzi Day’s Midlife Recorder (may also known as the Gretna Green series).
It involves magical sentient cottage, a Gateway to ancient realms and talking cat.
I really enjoyed this series and Book 7 is coming out this October.