Book reviews
Epic fantasy
Tomi Adeyemi
Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi: when magic returns, power refuses to hand it back quietly
Scott Lynch
The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch: robbing the rich works until someone worse shows up
N. K. Jemisin
The Fifth Season by N. K. Jemisin: the world breaks again, and Essun has to find her daughter
R. F. Kuang
The Poppy War by R. F. Kuang: passing the exam was the least of Rin’s problems
J. R. R. Tolkien
The Fellowship of the Ring by J. R. R. Tolkien: a dangerous mission and far too many people trusting a ring
Brent Weeks
The Black Prism by Brent Weeks: even light has politics, and Gavin’s secret will not stay under the rug
Samantha Shannon
The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon: a queen, a spy and dragons with more unresolved business than my family
J. R. R. Tolkien
The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien: a quiet home, a very rude wizard and one trip that should have come with a risk form
George R. R. Martin
A Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin: in Westeros, ruling sounds like an invitation to be betrayed
Robert Jordan
The Eye of the World by Robert Jordan: five young people leave home and the map stops asking permission
Patrick Rothfuss
The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss: Kvothe tells his legend, and you believe him until you ask how long this is going to take
Brandon Sanderson
Mistborn: The Final Empire by Brandon Sanderson: overthrowing the Lord Ruler is not an afternoon errand
Brandon Sanderson
The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson: a thousand pages, several problems and one back to carry them all