So as described, I’m looking for any well-written book(s) with great characters, intricate world-building, and plenty of adventure intermingled with both action and slower-paced everyday moments and gripping emotional scenes. I’m not afraid of romance & sex, but I’d rather it not be the character’s main focus. If the book somehow manages to mesh in real-life issues like mental illness, occasional harder times, loss, disabilities, and the like, that would be a major bonus.
In general, I’d like the books to inspire a deep curiosity about the world, creatures, and characters, and for the reading experience to feel like an adventure in an unknown world that we are experiencing and discovering, rather than a textbook. I would like the book(s) to make me feel ALL the emotions.
Any ideas?
Please consider me uncultured and unread, and don’t be afraid to recommend books I really should know about.
Also if you don’t mind, I’d love to hear your take on the book(s) you recommend and what makes them great and/or special.
by Snoo-19967
2 Comments
If you’re open to middle grade fantasy, I highly recommend [Nevermoor](https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/6a6d5ca1-b2f5-47be-828c-018144d3bbc7) by Jessica Townsend! It does an exceptional job of building a world that truly feels lived in while still being really whimsical, it has a great cast of characters, and the stories do deal with heavier topics like xenophobia. I’ve reread all three of the current books several times so far (including listening to the audiobooks) while I wait for the fourth book to come out, and I feel like I discover new things with every reread.
I’ve noticed some people downvoting some of my comments where I recommend it, maybe because they think it’s strange to recommend a middle grade book so much, but I just really want more people to experience my favorite series. (And at least two people have reached out to me on here to let me know that they read the series on my recommendation and loved it, so my efforts feel worthwhile 😅)
Perdido Street Station by China Mieville