Mercy Thompson books by Patricia Briggs. Ilona Andrews has several series (Kate Daniels, Innkeeper, Hidden Legacy). Darynda Jones’ Charley Davidson books, too. Vorkosigan books by Lois McMaster Bujold. There is a teen MC in a few of those books, but it mostly follows adults.
Rhinemann_Ultra on
The witcher books
meatwhisper on
*No Gods, No Monsters* by Cadwell Turnbull is bizarre and unique, about the paths crossed in stranger’s lives when “monsters” are shown to be a reality. Manages to skillfully blend creepy moments with allegorical political commentary, and features very well written characters.
*Ogres* is an exciting action piece that falls around 100 pages. People living in an old world fantasy setting are under the thumb of giant Ogres who are their landlords and property owners. When they come for tithe/rent a young man stands up for himself, and winds up going down a rabbit hole of conspiracy and violence.
starlessseasailor on
Kushiel’s Dart. Beautifully written and takes what could’ve been a campy premise and plays it really straight and cleverly,
Past-Wrangler9513 on
I really liked the Dragon Heart Legacy series by Nora Roberts. And part of what I loved is that the characters are adults, who act like adults. I don’t think the main character’s age is specifically stated but contextually probably late 20s, early 30s.
TitularFoil on
Main Character in The Fourth Wing is 20 years old.
It’s a very popular book, I’d consider it light fantasy as the concepts aren’t too hard to grasp, which is why I got into it. A lot of new fantasy is too aggressive on it’s rules of magic and hard for me to follow. So I picked the one that is juvenile enough to be easy to pick up while still offering magic and dragons.
The book is well written in my opinion. The main character has some awkward traits that I have a hard time identifying with. I was told this is because I’m a guy, but she spends a lot of time lusting after another character, and her thoughts about it make me cringe. Overall the story was good enough for me to pick up the sequel that came out a few weeks ago. And while that lusting is still a character trait, the story still remains strong in my opinion.
It’s about a girl who has reached an age that she can join a school. There’s the Scribes, the Healers, the Infantry, and the Dragon Riders.
She spent most of her life training to be a scribe, but last minute is forced into joining the Dragon Riders. It’s 3 years of schooling. Each book appears to be covering one year. The world itself and the chosen one type trope keep me reading. I’m not even sure Chosen one is the right way to describe the trope, as she isn’t exactly a chosen one and is actually not that strong, the point is that she is determined and smart.
I’m a 33 year old dude, typically into reading Star Wars novels. But the popularity of this one got me started, and I will admit, it isn’t for everyone.
MattAmylon on
Lord of the Rings! Frodo is 50 when he sets off from the Shire, which is like mid-20s in Hobbit years.
TensorForce on
Hot damn, where to begin?
If you want adventure and action: The original Conan stories by R. E. Howard, The Witcher series, The Ryiria Revelations by Michael J. Sullivan, The Wheel of Time (characters start young but they grow over the course of the story), The Alloy of Law
If you want something a bit grittier: The Black Company, The First Law trilogy, A Song of Ice and Fire, The Shadow of the Gods by John Gwynn, The Book of the New Sun
If you want modern day setting or our actual world: Dresden Files, Neverwhere and American Gods by Neil Gaiman, Greenbone Saga by Fonda Lee (fantasy world with 1980s tech)
If you want something beautiful: Pretty much anything by Guy Gavriel Kay bu especially Tigana and The Lions of Al-Rassan, The King of Elfland’s Daughter by Lord Dunsany, The Lord of the Rings, Piranesi by Susanna Clarke
elemenohpeaQ on
Nettle & Bone by T Kingfisher has a main character that is in her 30s(I think? She’s definitely older, not teens or twenties).
Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree has an older character retiring from mercenary work to open a coffee shop.
quik_lives on
Nettle & Bone by T Kingfisher for a standalone
Broken Earth trilogy by NK Jemisin
Between Earth and Sky trilogy by Rebecca Roanhorse
Books of the Raksura by Martha Wells
Kingston Cycle by CL Polk
darth-skeletor on
Shadow of the Torturer
KingBretwald on
Try T Kingfisher’s World of the White Rat books. Everyone is older. *Clockwork Boys, The Wonder Engine, Swordheart, Paladin’s Grace, Paladin’s Strength, Paladin’s Hope* and *Paladin’s Faith.* She has other books such as *Nettle and Bone, Thornhedge,* and *Bryony and Roses.*
*The Curse of Chalion* by Lois McMaster Bujold. Cazaril is 35. *Paladin of Souls*, Ista is 40. *The Hallowed Hunt*. I’m not sure how old Ingrey is, but he’s past his 20s. Penric is 19 in *Penric’s Demon*, and progresses to his mid to late 30s through the rest of the books. Desdemona is far older than Penric.
*Witness for the Dead* and *The Grief of Stones* by Katherine Addison.
sitnquiet on
The Fionavar Tapestry series by Guy Gavriel Kay. Three of the finest epic fantasy books I’ve ever read – like Tolkien if he was writing today and had a competent editor. Five college kids transported to a fantasy realm, filled with amazing world-building and some of the best-written characters (heroes and villains) I’ve ever seen. Bonus points for Arthurian crossovers.
13 Comments
Mercy Thompson books by Patricia Briggs. Ilona Andrews has several series (Kate Daniels, Innkeeper, Hidden Legacy). Darynda Jones’ Charley Davidson books, too. Vorkosigan books by Lois McMaster Bujold. There is a teen MC in a few of those books, but it mostly follows adults.
The witcher books
*No Gods, No Monsters* by Cadwell Turnbull is bizarre and unique, about the paths crossed in stranger’s lives when “monsters” are shown to be a reality. Manages to skillfully blend creepy moments with allegorical political commentary, and features very well written characters.
*Ogres* is an exciting action piece that falls around 100 pages. People living in an old world fantasy setting are under the thumb of giant Ogres who are their landlords and property owners. When they come for tithe/rent a young man stands up for himself, and winds up going down a rabbit hole of conspiracy and violence.
Kushiel’s Dart. Beautifully written and takes what could’ve been a campy premise and plays it really straight and cleverly,
I really liked the Dragon Heart Legacy series by Nora Roberts. And part of what I loved is that the characters are adults, who act like adults. I don’t think the main character’s age is specifically stated but contextually probably late 20s, early 30s.
Main Character in The Fourth Wing is 20 years old.
It’s a very popular book, I’d consider it light fantasy as the concepts aren’t too hard to grasp, which is why I got into it. A lot of new fantasy is too aggressive on it’s rules of magic and hard for me to follow. So I picked the one that is juvenile enough to be easy to pick up while still offering magic and dragons.
The book is well written in my opinion. The main character has some awkward traits that I have a hard time identifying with. I was told this is because I’m a guy, but she spends a lot of time lusting after another character, and her thoughts about it make me cringe. Overall the story was good enough for me to pick up the sequel that came out a few weeks ago. And while that lusting is still a character trait, the story still remains strong in my opinion.
It’s about a girl who has reached an age that she can join a school. There’s the Scribes, the Healers, the Infantry, and the Dragon Riders.
She spent most of her life training to be a scribe, but last minute is forced into joining the Dragon Riders. It’s 3 years of schooling. Each book appears to be covering one year. The world itself and the chosen one type trope keep me reading. I’m not even sure Chosen one is the right way to describe the trope, as she isn’t exactly a chosen one and is actually not that strong, the point is that she is determined and smart.
I’m a 33 year old dude, typically into reading Star Wars novels. But the popularity of this one got me started, and I will admit, it isn’t for everyone.
Lord of the Rings! Frodo is 50 when he sets off from the Shire, which is like mid-20s in Hobbit years.
Hot damn, where to begin?
If you want adventure and action: The original Conan stories by R. E. Howard, The Witcher series, The Ryiria Revelations by Michael J. Sullivan, The Wheel of Time (characters start young but they grow over the course of the story), The Alloy of Law
If you want something a bit grittier: The Black Company, The First Law trilogy, A Song of Ice and Fire, The Shadow of the Gods by John Gwynn, The Book of the New Sun
If you want modern day setting or our actual world: Dresden Files, Neverwhere and American Gods by Neil Gaiman, Greenbone Saga by Fonda Lee (fantasy world with 1980s tech)
If you want something beautiful: Pretty much anything by Guy Gavriel Kay bu especially Tigana and The Lions of Al-Rassan, The King of Elfland’s Daughter by Lord Dunsany, The Lord of the Rings, Piranesi by Susanna Clarke
Nettle & Bone by T Kingfisher has a main character that is in her 30s(I think? She’s definitely older, not teens or twenties).
Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree has an older character retiring from mercenary work to open a coffee shop.
Nettle & Bone by T Kingfisher for a standalone
Broken Earth trilogy by NK Jemisin
Between Earth and Sky trilogy by Rebecca Roanhorse
Books of the Raksura by Martha Wells
Kingston Cycle by CL Polk
Shadow of the Torturer
Try T Kingfisher’s World of the White Rat books. Everyone is older. *Clockwork Boys, The Wonder Engine, Swordheart, Paladin’s Grace, Paladin’s Strength, Paladin’s Hope* and *Paladin’s Faith.* She has other books such as *Nettle and Bone, Thornhedge,* and *Bryony and Roses.*
*The Curse of Chalion* by Lois McMaster Bujold. Cazaril is 35. *Paladin of Souls*, Ista is 40. *The Hallowed Hunt*. I’m not sure how old Ingrey is, but he’s past his 20s. Penric is 19 in *Penric’s Demon*, and progresses to his mid to late 30s through the rest of the books. Desdemona is far older than Penric.
*Witness for the Dead* and *The Grief of Stones* by Katherine Addison.
The Fionavar Tapestry series by Guy Gavriel Kay. Three of the finest epic fantasy books I’ve ever read – like Tolkien if he was writing today and had a competent editor. Five college kids transported to a fantasy realm, filled with amazing world-building and some of the best-written characters (heroes and villains) I’ve ever seen. Bonus points for Arthurian crossovers.