Little different version of a post I put in another sub yesterday, so not exactly a crosspost. Sorry if anyone sees both versions–I got a few good recs yesterday, but still hoping for more.
I know this gets asked a lot, so wanted to tailor it to what I personally am looking for because recs are usually so off for me. I can’t seem to find anything that comes close to Harry Potter. What I love: The world-building, the strong characters who all have clearly-defined traits and flaws and feel like family, each book is a mystery with an overarching mystery linking them all, and perhaps most important, it’s a found family. I love stories where characters bond over shared experience and trauma and become closer than ever. I’m fine with some romance if it happens, but prefer it as a subplot rather than the main. Want to avoid anything very sexual, though, but also not really looking for anything too juvenile. (HP never felt that juvenile to me despite the age range of the mains.) Also tend to prefer fantasy with some kind of connection to our world.
Here’s what’s most recommended to me and how I felt about it.
Likes/Loves:
– Lord of the rings: haven’t read yet but love the movies about as much as HP, for the same reasons–will definitely read at some point
– V. E. Schwab: Really enjoyed everything I’ve read by her so far! Great characters, worldbuilding, and found family stuff to an extent.
– Enchantee by Gita Trelease was enchanting.
– Chronicles of Narnia: have loved since I was a little kid
– anything by Neil Gaiman
The ‘OK’s:
– The Magicians: loved the plotting, read it twice, but the characters were unlikable and annoying.
– Caraval: the first book was AMAZING, but the second two really just devolved into nonsensical plot, poor characterization, and mind-numbing sexual attraction. Romance as a side plot is great if it happens, definitely not necessary, but I want plot first, romance second, not vice-versa.
– The Hunger Games: The plot was interesting enough for a single read, and I enjoyed the amount of suspense, but I didn’t think the writing was intriguing or deep enough and still a little too grimdark
Dislikes:
– ACOTAR: Ugh, just no. Loved the subject matter and premise, but the writing was mediocre and hated the weird sex scenes interrupting the story. I do not want that. I just want a story, no smut.
– The Cruel Prince: same deal as ACOTAR, still too weirdly sexual
– Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo: great creepy premise, obnoxious characters (especially the main one with a chip on her shoulder the whole time preventing any meaningful relationship-building with anyone) kept me from enjoying that at all
– Game of Thrones: Watched the series but didn’t read–way too grimdark, too much sex and violence.
– Twilight: love vampires, but may be the most poorly-written books I’ve ever read
by cutelittlequokka