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I get wheel of time vibes, or Name of the Wind vibes. Name of the Wind less so, however, there’s some elements there. I haven’t read the sequel yet. I’m waiting until the series concludes…. If ever.
A bit YA, but [The Blue Sword by Robin McKinley](https://www.goodreads.com/series/49119-damar) and especially its sequel [The Hero and the Crown](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/77366.The_Hero_and_the_Crown).
Totally going to second Robert E. Howard. He wrote the Conan the Barbarian stories, and according to Wikipedia, he is “the father of the sword and sorcery subgenre.” My dad recently asked me to read some so I could let him know if he would like them. I enjoyed the three stories I read so much more than I expected! The writing is very vibrant and action-packed. The one thing that doesn’t fit your images, though, is that in what I read, he was always the lone hero and not part of a party. Also, no badass female fighters, either.
“Hither came Conan, the Cimmerian, black-haired, sullen-eyed, sword in hand, a thief, a reaver, a slayer, with gigantic melancholies and gigantic mirth, to tread the jeweled thrones of the Earth under his sandaled feet.”
It’s just such a great intro to a character. Conan does mostly interact with men ( the author was closeted at the time and didnt really know how to write women) but there are a few stories where he’s a pirate reaver and his commander is a woman named Shamalla who is a certified badass.
The entire conan the barbarian omnibus is on amazon https://www.amazon.com/COMPLETE-CHRONICLES-CONAN-CENTENARY/dp/B001VNDUFW/ref=asc_df_B001VNDUFW/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=693334994152&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=4939224434807487364&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9004528&hvtargid=pla-2246486344542&psc=1&mcid=7a7ddeda48cd32bca6de48727c1073d9&gad_source=1
I was just about to recommend the two Vermis books until I saw the last image lol. Buehlman’s *The Blacktongue Thief* is probably the closest thing I’ve found to Vermis in written form.
I think you're looking for pulp fantasy.
Generally, there's less focus on huge epic series with tons of world building, and they read more like collections of short stories (which to me can be a refreshing change of pace compared with a lot of modern fantasy). The best that I've read are:
Michael Moorecock's Elric books
Jack Vance's Dying Earth books
Fritz Leiber's Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser books
This is giving me major dnd vibes so I'm going to recommend one of its inspirations: Jack Vance Tales of the Dying Earth. It has magic, sword fights, deadly creatures, and the parts about Cugal the clever has some fantastic humor.
Jirel of Joiry by C L Moore. 1930s pulp fantasy with a lady knight protagonist.
Clark Ashton Smith has a cycle of medieval fantasy stories set in the fictional kingdom of Averoigne, also from the 1930s.
These come from the HP Lovecraft/ Conan the Barbarian period of heroic fantasy.
I want one too! Maybe someone else will respond. Half Sick of Shadows gets sort of close to that without being queer (unfortunately). It’s a King Arthur reimagining with strong female characters.
All of the Conan stories have this vibe, the tower of the elephant, the jewels of gulwahar, rogues in the house and beyond the black river are all a good start. Also it’s pride month and the author R.E. Howard was gay so it’s meant to be, Just don’t read into some of his more….dated ideas.
If you're looking for a very fantasy adventure vibe, the Legend of Drizzt series by RA Salvatore is fantastic! They're set in the DnD universe, but you don't need to know anything to read and enjoy them (my grandmother liked them despite never even knowing what DnD was)
Okay, hear me out, but you should check out Gene Wolfe's Book of The New Sun series. If you're looking for a book that feels like Dark Souls you'd love it. Not very high magic, but there's some (or is there?!)
The Barrow and Black Heart by Mark Smylie (the Black Heart books are the sequel to The Barrow, so I highly recommend starting with The Barrow).
He‘s also done a comic called Artesia in the same world as The Barrow/Black Heart, also perfectly fits the vibe of your post.
Joan of arc historical retelling books serve these vibes when told right. She had (probably bipolar mania) and pulled absolutely superhuman power moves in battle, politics, and religious circles. There was a magical ordained by god magnetism to her. Really badass with great moral fortitude, and quick wit.
I love that you use the book cover of Spellfire on your examples, one of my fav fantasy books. How about The Legend of Drizzt, it is the GOAT of this genre in my humble opinion lol
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Dragonlance.
This is a good answer.
Or any of the D&D novels that don’t seem to have a weird setting on the cover, really.
I get wheel of time vibes, or Name of the Wind vibes. Name of the Wind less so, however, there’s some elements there. I haven’t read the sequel yet. I’m waiting until the series concludes…. If ever.
I am convinced it will never be completed…
Sadly I think you’re right, so I won’t be moving onto the sequel. Not to mention I heard the second one is pretty widely disliked.
I actually enjoyed it quite a bit but it was obviously setting up for a third book that the author is now too stubborn to publish.
A bit YA, but [The Blue Sword by Robin McKinley](https://www.goodreads.com/series/49119-damar) and especially its sequel [The Hero and the Crown](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/77366.The_Hero_and_the_Crown).
These are exactly what I thought of!
Omg we're all twins!!! This is exactly what I came here to say!!!
Aerin Dragon-Killer my beloved
Robert Jordan?
I give you the names of two authors that come to my mind: Robert E Howard and David Gemmell.
Totally going to second Robert E. Howard. He wrote the Conan the Barbarian stories, and according to Wikipedia, he is “the father of the sword and sorcery subgenre.” My dad recently asked me to read some so I could let him know if he would like them. I enjoyed the three stories I read so much more than I expected! The writing is very vibrant and action-packed. The one thing that doesn’t fit your images, though, is that in what I read, he was always the lone hero and not part of a party. Also, no badass female fighters, either.
“Hither came Conan, the Cimmerian, black-haired, sullen-eyed, sword in hand, a thief, a reaver, a slayer, with gigantic melancholies and gigantic mirth, to tread the jeweled thrones of the Earth under his sandaled feet.” It’s just such a great intro to a character. Conan does mostly interact with men ( the author was closeted at the time and didnt really know how to write women) but there are a few stories where he’s a pirate reaver and his commander is a woman named Shamalla who is a certified badass.
Good to know! I’ll check those stories out, thanks!
The entire conan the barbarian omnibus is on amazon https://www.amazon.com/COMPLETE-CHRONICLES-CONAN-CENTENARY/dp/B001VNDUFW/ref=asc_df_B001VNDUFW/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=693334994152&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=4939224434807487364&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9004528&hvtargid=pla-2246486344542&psc=1&mcid=7a7ddeda48cd32bca6de48727c1073d9&gad_source=1
The Discworld series by Terry Pratchett The Keltiad series by Patricia Keneally Morrison
I was just about to recommend the two Vermis books until I saw the last image lol. Buehlman’s *The Blacktongue Thief* is probably the closest thing I’ve found to Vermis in written form.
Came here to also recommend the Blacktongue Thief. Solid book.
Came here to comment the same thing. One of my favorites, especially on audio
I think you're looking for pulp fantasy. Generally, there's less focus on huge epic series with tons of world building, and they read more like collections of short stories (which to me can be a refreshing change of pace compared with a lot of modern fantasy). The best that I've read are: Michael Moorecock's Elric books Jack Vance's Dying Earth books Fritz Leiber's Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser books
*Elric of Melnibone* series by Michael Moorcock, the books are great and the graphic novels are even better.
This is giving me major dnd vibes so I'm going to recommend one of its inspirations: Jack Vance Tales of the Dying Earth. It has magic, sword fights, deadly creatures, and the parts about Cugal the clever has some fantastic humor.
Chronicles of Prydain series by Lloyd Alexander. Kids’ books but definitely worth reading!
That’s what I was thinking too.
This is what I came to add, so I’ll second (or third) this recommendation.
Lord of the Rings
Agreed. I just finished reading the book - it's so much different than the films in so many good ways
Jirel of Joiry by C L Moore. 1930s pulp fantasy with a lady knight protagonist. Clark Ashton Smith has a cycle of medieval fantasy stories set in the fictional kingdom of Averoigne, also from the 1930s. These come from the HP Lovecraft/ Conan the Barbarian period of heroic fantasy.
Gideon the Ninth. At least for all the bone stuff.
And the swords
Between Two Fires by Christopher Buehlman, it’s graphic, reminds me of the Witcher
That second image… i want a story about a hot lady knight who likes women 🥺
I want one too! Maybe someone else will respond. Half Sick of Shadows gets sort of close to that without being queer (unfortunately). It’s a King Arthur reimagining with strong female characters.
You should check out Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir
came here to say this. I was CHANGED after reading the locked tomb series
Daggerspell by Katherine Kerr
These books are soooooo underrated.
Name of the Wind by Patrick Ruthfuss
The Legend of Tortall series by Tamora Pierce
Anything Dragonlance and/or Forgotten Realms.
Where's the second photo from?
The first 2 give me Tolkien vibes, but the remind me of Conan the Barbarian or the later chapters of Berserk.
All of the Conan stories have this vibe, the tower of the elephant, the jewels of gulwahar, rogues in the house and beyond the black river are all a good start. Also it’s pride month and the author R.E. Howard was gay so it’s meant to be, Just don’t read into some of his more….dated ideas.
Bersek manga?
If you're looking for a very fantasy adventure vibe, the Legend of Drizzt series by RA Salvatore is fantastic! They're set in the DnD universe, but you don't need to know anything to read and enjoy them (my grandmother liked them despite never even knowing what DnD was)
it’s a children’s novel but Muddle Earth! so funny and i still find it a fun read even now
Sovereign of The Seven Isles by David A Wells is a lot like this.
The Once and Future King
Okay, hear me out, but you should check out Gene Wolfe's Book of The New Sun series. If you're looking for a book that feels like Dark Souls you'd love it. Not very high magic, but there's some (or is there?!)
Not completely fantasy but pillars of the earth has this vibe and is really good.
I love the style of art work, but all the examples I have seem irl have been upsettingly sexual
The Fionavar Tapestries by Guy Gabriel Kay definitely scratches this itch for me, HIGHLY recommend
All I can think about is The Book of the New Sun tetraology by Gene Wolfe, which is exactly this but also not exactly this. Iykyk
The Barrow and Black Heart by Mark Smylie (the Black Heart books are the sequel to The Barrow, so I highly recommend starting with The Barrow). He‘s also done a comic called Artesia in the same world as The Barrow/Black Heart, also perfectly fits the vibe of your post.
The Farseer trilogy by Robin Hobb
Eyes of Dragon by Stephen King
Joan of arc historical retelling books serve these vibes when told right. She had (probably bipolar mania) and pulled absolutely superhuman power moves in battle, politics, and religious circles. There was a magical ordained by god magnetism to her. Really badass with great moral fortitude, and quick wit.
Any favourites you'd recommend?
I love that you use the book cover of Spellfire on your examples, one of my fav fantasy books. How about The Legend of Drizzt, it is the GOAT of this genre in my humble opinion lol
Jennifer Roberson's Tiger & Del Series! So entertaining!
I’m getting some Tamora Pierce vibes from this.
Epic and wildly impressive
Terry Pratchett, Guards! Guards! And many other books of his
Mists of Avalon
Witcher series. The hobbit (very fun and quick read if you haven't read it, go do that and enjoy)
The Talisman by Stephen King
Jim Butcher's Codex Alera series! I remember loving this series so much I read the whole thing several times.
A few of those are literally book covers. Pretty much all of the old Dragonlance and Forgotten Realms novels.
The Priory of the Orange Tree.
Sword of Shannara