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r/Fantasy

r/Fantasy is the internet's largest discussion forum for the greater Speculative Fiction genre. Fans of fantasy, science fiction, horror, alt history, and more can all find a home with us. We welcome respectful dialogue related to speculative fiction in literature, games, film, and the wider world. We ask all users help us create a welcoming environment by reporting posts/comments that do not follow the subreddit rules.


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A fantasy novel that doesn't feel like eating oatmeal

Greater specificity: I recently DNF'ed The Shadow of What Was Lost by James Islington, and it definitely wasn't because it was bad, poorly written, uncomfortable, or even snoozeworthy. But...it felt like I was eating a large bowl of fantasy oatmeal. It was solid, stuck to the ribs, but there was nothing unique or flavorful (if I continue torturing this metaphor) to it. I'd be happy to have it for breakfast occasionally, but definitely not all of the time.

So, I'd really appreciate suggestions of something a bit spicier. It doesn't have to be completely outre, just a series that's a bit unique due to prose, author's voice, or character take.

Some examples of things that didn't feel like oatmeal:

Gideon the Ninth/The Locked Tomb, The Goblin Emperor, Temeraire, most of anything by Robin Hobb, Kingkiller Chronicles, The Broken Earth trilogy, Gentlemen Bastards, Dresden Files, Baru Cormorant, Lady Astronaut, Wax & Wayne books of the Mistborn Series specifically

I've read pretty much the entire Cosmere, Lois Bujold McMaster, T Kingfisher, Discworld, Paksenarrion

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