Tag: magic systems

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Top 25 countdown of 2019

#2 Stormlight Archive

Stormlight Archive
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Stormlight Archive
By: Brandon Sanderson
Narrated by: Kate Reading, Michael Kramer

Book 1 – The Way of Kings
Book 2 – Words of Radiance
Book 3 – Oathbringer
Book 4 – Release date November 17th 2020

This is by far my favorite epic fantasy series ever and just getting started. Just 3 books into Brandon Sanderson’s 10+ book EPIC series. These are huge books with a audible run time of 45, 48, 55 hours. Also these are the main books to his universe that he created called the cosmere. There are 36 books he has release in the cosmere that span to other series and stand alone books. It is narrated by the best pair in the business Kate Reading and Michael Kramer. Kaladin is one of my favorite characters in any book I have read. Also I have to mention the world building is incredible and I expect nothing less from the master of creating worlds and magic systems, Mr. Brandon Sanderson. The only downside I would give to this series is get though 10% – 20% of the first book. I actually bought this book and read a few chapters then stopped and got a refund. Then my friend Aaron Johnson convinced me to try it again and after a few chapters I put it away. I was pushing my #3 Riyria Revelations to him and we made an agreement that we would read each others recommendations. The rest is history and I am so thankful I got into this series. At #2 I obviously recommend this to anyone and everyone.

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#3 Riyria Revelations

Riyria Revelations
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Riyria Revelations
By: Michael J. Sullivan
Narrated by: Tim Gerard Reynolds

Book 1 – Theft of Swords
Book 2 – Rise of Empire
Book 3 – Heir of Novron

This is my favorite completed fantasy series. The end of this book is exciting and very fulfilling. Many books will rush to the ending leaving you wanting more, but this wraps up the story so very well. Even though this did not influence my decision it most certainly adds to the quality of this series, #9 The Riyria Chronicles is currently 4 books that take place starting 8 years prior and #16 Legends of the First Empire is Michael J. Sullivan’s current series that takes place over 3,000 years in the past. All of this content makes for great world building as everything adds a little more to the world of Elan. The magic in this world is pretty low key and does not take a big part in this story and instead focuses on 2 main protagonists Hadrian and Royce which compliment each other extremely well and makes for incredible story telling. On a side note Michael and his wife Robin are so friendly when I met them. They self publish their books now via kickstarter and have side contracts with audible so that they can use one of the best narrators around in Tim Gerard Reynolds.

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#6 Kingkiller Chronicle

Kingkiller Chronicle
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Kingkiller Chronicle
By: Patrick Rothfuss
Narrated by: Nick Podehl

Book 1 – The Name of the Wind
Book 2 – The Wise Man’s Fear
Book 3 – The Doors of Stone (No release date)

I may get shot for not ranking this book higher, but the fact of the matter is that book 3 is not out yet and really need to read that before truly giving this a final rating. Also it has been 5+ years since I read it and am waiting for book 3 announcement before reading a second time. With that said I still ranked this book #6 due to it being my favorite magic system in any book to date. I also found this book to be unique as the older main character is telling a story about his younger self. Rothfuss’ writing really make you want to root for the main character Kvothe and toys with your emotions up and down throughout the series. Special thanks to my friend John Braverman for the recommendation years ago.

Patrick Rothfuss at Phoenix Comic-con
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#8 Gentleman Bastard Sequence

Gentleman Bastard Sequence
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Gentleman Bastard Sequence
By: Scott Lynch
Narrated by: Michael Page

Book 1 – The Lies of Locke Lamora
Book 2 – Red Seas Under Red Skies
Book 3 – The Replublic of Thieves

First thing I want to say is give this series a try for at least the first book. It does take about 25% of the first book for things to really come together and start making sense and once it does you are in for a ride of a lifetime. I would consider this as a fantasy sub genre called grimdark. Nobody is really honorable, the world is a nasty brutish place, and it is just kind of cynical and dark. This all combines together to make for incredible character interactions and development. The world building is less than what I am used to, but the story just doesn’t need that since you are really caring and feeling for the characters. A must read for anyone who has read a lot of fantasy novels and wants to experience something new. It is not on the same scope of Game of Thones, but if you enjoyed those novels/shows you will probably enjoy these.

Hanging out with Scott Lynch at Phoenix Comic-con
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#9 The Riyria Chronicles

The Riyria Chronicles
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The Riyria Chronicles
By: Michael J. Sullivan
Narrated by: Tim Gerard Reynolds

Book 1 – The Crown Tower
Book 2 – The Rose and Thorn
Book 3 – The Death of Dulgath
Book 4 – The Disappearance of Winter’s Daughter

These are prequel books that take place 8 years prior to the series Riyria Revelations. Book 1 tells the story of how the 2 main characters Royce and Hadrian (together known as Riyria) meet and eventually star working together. Each book after that are standalone books that represent 1 year of time together. There is still room for 4 more books and Michael J. Sullivan has stated that he will eventually get to these in between other projects. I love these books as there are two main characters that compliment each other well and that makes for great storytelling. I 100% recommend reading Riyria Revelations first!!!

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#11 Magic 2.0

Magic 2.0
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Magic 2.0
By: Scott Meyer
Narrated by: Luke Daniels

Book 1 – Off to be the Wizard
Book 2 – Spell or High Water
Book 3 – An Unwelcome Quest
Book 4 – Fight and Flight
Book 5 – Out of Spite, Out of Mind
Book 6 – The Vexed Generation

Get ready to work out your abs because this book is going to make you laugh. Luke Daniels does some of the best narrations of character voices I have ever heard, so much so I can’t imagine actually reading a hard copy of this book. Get the audio book and thank me later. The “magic” system in this book really is creative. This is a fantasy contemporary series and takes place in present time, but with a very easy to follow time travel element to it which makes it feel not fantasy, but it is fantasy. This is definitely a feel good read and would strongly recommend reading after you finish a long series epic fantasy series.

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#13 The Demon Cycle

The Demon Cycle
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The Demon Cycle
By: Peter V. Brett
Narrated by: Pete Bradbury

Book 1 – The Warded Man
Book 2 – The Desert Spear
Book 3 – The Daylight War
Book 4 – The Skull Throne
Book 5 – The Core

Now we are talking about some pretty serious adult fantasy epic books. The character development in this series is fantastic and you really feel for the characters. The story is great as well and felt like a roller coaster where things would happen that change the course of the entire story. Sometimes it is easy for politics of a story to be overdone and in this series it feels just right. The ending felt quick, but satisfying in the end.

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#14 Harry Potter

Harry Potter
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Harry Potter
By: J.K. Rowling
Narrated by: Jim Dale

Book 1 – The Sorcerer’s Stone
Book 2 – The Chamber of Secrets
Book 3 – The Prisoner of Azkaban
Book 4 – The Goblet of Fire
Book 5 – The Order of the Phoenix
Book 6 – The Half-Blood Prince
Book 7 – The Deathly Hallows


This was the first book I ever read and was gifted to me by my friend Tony Hsu. I had never been interested in reading books and Tony gave book 1&2 to me and said “read this”. I did and instantly fell in love with all the characters. I have since listened to all the books as well this year and came to the conclusion that I like all of the supporting characters more than Harry Potter. My fondest memory is getting book 7 at midnight, reading for 3 hours, then going to work Friday at 6am with 2 hours of sleep. I proceeded to do nothing but read all weekend with the occasional food or sleep break determined to finish the book before work on Monday. Oh and if you think, eh I saw the movies, that is not good enough as the books as always are better than the movies.

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#15 Inheritance Cycle

Inheritance Cycle
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Inheritance Cycle
By: Christopher Paolini
Narrated by: Gerard Doyle

Book 1 – Eragon
Book 2 – Eldest
Book 3 – Brisingr
Book 4 – Inheritance


DRAGONS, Elves, and a solid magic system. This is actually the first book I ever bought myself to read in hardback. I have read each book and listened to them as well. This book is hands down the best portrayal of elves from any book I have ever read. In addition he writes a great magic system that is believable. It is incredible that Christopher Paolini was in his teens when he wrote this book. As a wedding present my friends Mark and Chelsea gave me a hand drawn map of this world with city names replaced by key locations in my wife and my life. I met Christopher Paolini at Phoenix Comic-con, had some drinks with him, and he signed this custom map for me.

Christopher Paolini
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#16 Legends of the First Empire

Legends of the First Empire
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Legends of the First Empire
By: Michael J. Sullivan
Narrated by: Tim Gerard Reynolds

Book 1 – Age of Myth
Book 2 – Age of Swords
Book 3 – Age of War
Book 4 – Age of Legend
Book 5 – Age of Death (Release Feb 2020)
Book 6 – Age of Empyre (Release TBD)

Michael J. Sullivan is one of my favorite fantasy authors. Tim Gerard Reynolds is one of my favorite narrators. This is a prequel epic fantasy series that takes place over 3,000 years before the first series he release in the world of Elan. This defiantly holds it own, but I would recommend his other series Riyria Revelations first. The series is not fully released yet, but the final two books are schedule to come out next year (2020). This series has strong male and female characters, but not full of sex or violence. Most of all, this is just great storytelling.