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A chunky, entertaining epic that wears its fantasy influences proudly - perfect for fans hungry for a new quest with echoes of old favorites, but might not convert skeptics of the genre or those seeking inventive prose.

If you liked The Shadow of What Was Lost, here are the top 100 books to read next:

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Showing 1 - 10 of 100 
  1. #1
    Promise of Blood
    Book 1 in the series:Powder Mage

    Promise of Blood - Powder Mage by Brian McClellan
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    A bold, action-packed start to a unique fantasy trilogy - perfect for fans of epic battles, inventive magic, and political intrigue, but its male-centric cast and dark tone aren’t for everyone.

    'Promise of Blood' by Brian McClellan is set in a world where a revolution has just taken place, led by Field Marshall Tamas, a powder mage with a personal vendetta. The aftermath of the revolution brings about unexpected complications, challenging the characters' motives and loyalties. The story is filled with action, intrigue, and unique magic systems, including powder mages and other individuals with various powers. The plot unfolds through the perspectives of multiple characters, each with conflicting motives, adding depth to the narrative.

    The writing style in 'Promise of Blood' is described as fast-paced, engaging, and with intricate world-building. The magic system, reminiscent of Brandon Sanderson's works, adds a unique touch to the story. The characters are well-developed, and the plot keeps readers entertained with unexpected twists and a mix of action, politics, and magic. Overall, the book sets the stage for an epic fantasy series filled with intriguing characters and a gripping storyline.

    Adamat wore his coat tight, top buttons fastened against a wet night air that seemed to want to drown him. He tugged at his sleeves, trying to coax more length, and picked at the front of the jacket w...
    2013
    600 pages

  2. #2

    The Will of the Many - Hierarchy by James Islington
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    A fast-paced, gripping start to a promising fantasy series - imaginative, addicting, and filled with tension and reveals. If you enjoy smart protagonists, rich worldbuilding, and can't resist an unputdownable read, this belongs on your shelf!

    The Will of the Many by James Islington follows Vis Telimus, an orphaned young man who vows to never let the empire take his Will from him to power their Hierarchy. The story is filled with twists and turns, jaw-dropping moments, and a mix of hope and darkness. Set in a post-Cataclysm world with a Roman-inspired setting, the book delves into moral quandaries, mysteries, and a unique school setup on the isolated island of Solivagus. The protagonist, Vis, is portrayed as determined, sharp, and calculated, with a strong moral compass and a dreamy friendship dynamic with characters like Callidus and Eidhin.

    He is on his stomach, stretched out over the rocky ledge. His muscles are corded. Sticky red covers his face, his arms, his clothes, everything I can see. Yet I know he can pull me up. I do everything...
    May 2023
    680 pages

  3. #3
    The Black Prism
    Book 1 in the series:Lightbringer

    The Black Prism - Lightbringer by Brent Weeks
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    A bold, complex, and action-packed start to a unique fantasy series with standout worldbuilding and magic - but it’s a bit of an acquired taste, especially if you like your stories fast and your magic systems simple. Worth it for fantasy fans willing to push through a dense opening.

    In the book 'The Black Prism' by Brent Weeks, readers are introduced to a world where magic is based on colors, with each color granting specific abilities to its wielders. The story follows Gavin Guile, the Prism, who is the most powerful magic wielder and the Emperor. Gavin discovers the existence of a son born during a deadly war and this revelation sets off a chain of events uncovering long-buried secrets and leading to another war. The plot is filled with twists, complex choices, fascinating characters, and a fantastic magic system that keeps readers engaged and guessing about hidden motives and unusual alliances.

    The writing style of Brent Weeks in 'The Black Prism' is praised for its imaginative world-building and unique magic system based on colors of light. The book is fast-paced, full of intrigue, and features a plot with lots of surprises and cloak-and-dagger scenarios that make it a fun and entertaining read. The characters are compelling, flawed, and well-developed, adding depth to the story and keeping readers invested in their fates.

    Kip crawled toward the battlefield in the darkness, the mist pressing down, blotting out sound, scattering starlight. Though the adults shunned it and the children were forbidden to come here, he’d pl...
    August 2010
    660 pages

  4. #4

    The Dragonbone Chair - Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn by Tad Williams
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    A foundational, immersive fantasy epic - brilliant for those who love classic high fantasy and deep dives into character and world, but you’ll need patience for its slow build. Worth it for serious fantasy fans!

    The Dragonbone Chair by Tad Williams is the first book in the Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn trilogy, following the story of Simon, a kitchen boy who becomes entangled in a world of ancient evil, mysterious groups, and royal conspiracies. The book is praised for its creative storytelling, character development, and intricate world-building, setting the stage for an epic fantasy series filled with rich details and complex characters.

    ON THIS day of days there was an unfamiliar stirring deep inside the dozing heart of the Hayholt, in the castle's bewildering warren of quiet passages and overgrown, ivy-choked courtyards, in the monk...
    1988
    789 pages

  5. #5

    Malice - The Faithful and the Fallen by John Gwynne
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    An epic, character-driven fantasy that starts slow but builds to a thrilling crescendo - perfect for anyone craving traditional fantasy adventure with a modern bite. Expect to be hooked by the end!

    Malice in 'The Faithful and the Fallen' series by John Gwynne is an epic fantasy novel that introduces readers to a vast world with multiple kingdoms and characters. The story revolves around a growing conflict between various factions, with a focus on good vs evil as the world prepares for a god war. The book is known for its detailed world-building, nuanced characters, and multiple points of view that provide insight into the different perspectives within the narrative. While some readers find the pacing slow at the beginning, the book picks up speed as the plot unfolds, leading to epic battles and unexpected twists that keep readers engaged.

    The God-War has changed all things, Asroth’s scheming, Elyon’s wrath, corrupted and destroyed so much. Mankind has vanished, annihilated or fled these shores, and we are so few, now. We giants, Sunder...
    December 2012
    672 pages

  6. #6
    Furies of Calderon
    Book 1 in the series:Codex Alera

    Furies of Calderon - Codex Alera by Jim Butcher
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    A fun, fast-paced fantasy romp that’s not especially groundbreaking, but delivers plenty of magic, intrigue, and action. A solid pick for epic fantasy lovers and those enjoying a good underdog story - just stick with it beyond the slow start!

    "Furies of Calderon" by Jim Butcher is a high fantasy adventure set in a Roman-inspired empire where people have magical control over elemental furies. The story follows Tavi, an orphan without magical abilities, who unexpectedly becomes a key figure in a time of crisis. The plot includes political maneuvering, epic battles, and well-developed characters, creating a detailed and immersive world that keeps readers engaged from the start.

    The writing style of the book is described as fast-paced, with a mix of action-packed scenes and deeper intrigue that keeps readers invested in the characters and the unfolding plot. The narrative shifts between multiple perspectives, providing a multi-dimensional view of the story and adding layers to the political and magical elements of the world created by Jim Butcher.

    Amara rode atop the swaying back of the towering old gargant bull, going over the plan in her head. The morning sun shone down on her, taking the chill out of the misty air and warming the dark wool...
    2004
    681 pages

  7. #7

    The Eye of the World - The Wheel of Time by Robert Jordan
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    An iconic epic fantasy adventure that’s immersive and rewarding - if you enjoy slow-building stories, deep worldbuilding, and vast quests, this is essential reading. Just be ready for a long, winding journey!

    The Eye of the World, the first book in The Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan, follows the epic journey of two young women and three young men as they leave their small village in the Two Rivers. The series introduces readers to a richly detailed world with a well-thought-out magic system and a diverse cast of characters. The plot is filled with adventure, danger, magic, darkness, and brave deeds, capturing the readers' imagination and keeping them on the edge of their seats.

    The writing style in The Eye of the World is described as well-written, fast-paced, and engaging, with a richly detailed world that immerses readers into the story. The book sets the bar high for the rest of the series, delivering a stirring tale of small-town folk who find themselves embroiled in a frightening scenario beyond their wildest imaginations. Despite some comparisons to other fantasy stories, The Eye of the World is praised for being the beginning of a unique series that offers a fresh take on the epic fantasy genre.

    The palace still shook occasionally as the earth rumbled in memory, groaned as if it would deny what had happened. Bars of sunlight cast through rents in the walls made motes of dust glitter where the...
    1990
    814 pages

  8. #8
    The Way of Shadows
    Book 1 in the series:Night Angel

    The Way of Shadows - Night Angel by Brent Weeks
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    A fast-paced and brutal fantasy ride, loaded with twists, flawed antiheroes, and nonstop action. If you like your fantasy dark and don’t mind a bit of chaos, this is a wild first book to a trilogy you won’t soon forget.

    'The Way of Shadows' by Brent Weeks is a dark fantasy novel that follows Azoth, a poor orphaned boy living among thieves who seeks a way out of his harsh life in the slums. He apprentices himself to Durzo Blint, a master assassin, in order to escape his past and embrace a new life filled with intrigue and danger. The book delves into themes of loyalty, growth, and the struggle between innate goodness and the harsh realities of the world.

    The story is set in a complex and corrupt urban world where Azoth, now known as Kylar Stark, navigates through a web of assassinations, lies, magic, politics, and a coup on the throne. The plot moves at a brisk pace, with well-developed characters and a strong emphasis on the master-apprentice relationship between Blint and Kylar. The writing style is described as fast-paced, engaging, and filled with dark scenes that enhance the believability of the characters and the story.

    Azoth squatted in the alley, cold mud squishing through his bare toes. He stared at the narrow space beneath the wall, trying to get his nerve up. The sun wouldn’t come up for hours, and the tavern wa...
    October 2008
    653 pages

  9. #9

    Theft of Swords - The Riyria Revelations by Michael J. Sullivan
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    An ultra-enjoyable, fast-paced fantasy romp starring two lovable rogues - classic tropes, witty banter, and epic adventure. Great for readers craving traditional fantasy fun, but may not satisfy if you want gritty or radically original stories.

    'Theft of Swords' is the first book in 'The Riyria Revelations' series by Michael J. Sullivan, following the adventures of two thieves, Royce Melborn and Hadrian Blackwater. The story is filled with action, betrayal, mystery, and humor, as the duo find themselves entangled in a complex plot involving regicide, political intrigue, and daring escapes. The writing style is described as comfortable and engaging, with well-crafted characters and a fast-paced narrative that keeps readers hooked till the end.

    Hadrian could see little in the darkness, but he could hear them—the snapping of twigs, the crush of leaves, and the brush of grass. There were more than one, more than three, and they were closing in...
    2008
    349 pages

  10. #10
    The Warded Man
    Book 1 in the series:The Demon Cycle

    The Warded Man - The Demon Cycle by Peter V. Brett
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    A page-turning dark fantasy with stellar world-building and high tension - packed with action, heart, and a creative twist on monster-fighting. Not flawless, but a must-try for fans of epic series looking for something new.

    'The Warded Man' in the series 'The Demon Cycle' by author Peter V. Brett is a fantasy novel set in a world terrorized by demons that rise every night to hunt people. The story follows three main characters as they navigate through a dark and dangerous world, with intricate world-building and character development. The plot revolves around the characters' journey from adolescence to adulthood, their struggles, motivations, and sacrifices in a world where demons threaten their existence every night.

    The book is praised for its unique concept of demons rising from the core of the earth every night, the intricate magic system of wards used for protection, and the character-driven storytelling that delves deep into the motivations and struggles of the protagonists. Readers appreciate the strong characterization, interesting plot, solid world-building, and original story that keeps them engaged and eager to read more.

    Arlen paused in his work, looking up at the lavender wash of the dawn sky. Mist still clung to the air, bringing with it a damp, acrid taste that was all too familiar. A quiet dread built in his gut a...
    2001
    539 pages

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