I read the entire series in April/May and feel confident in saying Malice is probably the least best of them. The series is that good.

@JARHuygebaert

3 жыл бұрын

You made me buy another book. Damn it

@ReallyGoodandKind

3 жыл бұрын

Eyyyy Mike good to see you. When you reading Malazan?

@bbthrashcan4857

3 жыл бұрын

@@ReallyGoodandKind he's starting on January 2021. He has a video on his channel about it so people can get to read along him.

@mikesbookreviews

3 жыл бұрын

@@ReallyGoodandKind Channel read along begins January 1st.

@ihab2002ahmad

3 жыл бұрын

Tell me if you've heard of prince of nothing otherwise you have to check it out. It's very grimdark, and especially the later books get very lovecraftian. I think you'll like it.

*Daniel gives a positive review to another fantasy book* My amazon cart : Don't you dare, don't you fu****g dare. Me : *Add to cart*

@a_blitz

3 жыл бұрын

*Wallet screams in anguish*

@visheshaneja4600

3 жыл бұрын

worth it.

@atharvadeshpande4749

3 жыл бұрын

Your Amazon cart (In CJ's Voice): Ah Shit! Here we go again!

@robertdickson3619

3 жыл бұрын

7.55 on Kindle..... Yup, good enough for me

@gnamhcir

3 жыл бұрын

@@a_blitz more like my bookshelves... speaking of which I need another... again

"Pretty tropey high fantasy." Say no more I'm sold.

The lighting looks really good in this video!

I’m so glad you got to Malice. To me they only get better and better. His follow up series is terrific as well. It’s definitely ok to take things already done and just do them really well. I love his books

@ryan_17295

3 жыл бұрын

Totally agree. It builds and builds and then gut punches. Author cruelty is definitely right

@halion4487

3 жыл бұрын

John Gwynne is amazing at building for 90% of the book, then the massive release of everything going to shit and things go wrong in the last 10%. It’s a great feeling. However, I feel the sequel are weaker in characters, mainly because they don’t change over the course of the series. Bleda is still quiet and contemplative, Riv is still hotheaded and rash, and Drem is still, well, Drem. The combat and plot are still superb, but the characters are much less developed imo

FINALLY!!! John Gwynne is one of my favorite Authors. He is an automatic buy. He also does a lot of reenacting and weapon collecting. He is very involved with understanding the weapons and strategies he chooses to use.

Really appreciate the lighting! It's looking so crisp

He picked up that book and I only wanted Daniel to spank it. I miss his DGPDBAB series

@davidpo5517

3 жыл бұрын

I would argue it's actually more of a PDGDBAB series... because I'm that guy right now.

@atharvadeshpande4749

3 жыл бұрын

@@davidpo5517 Lol I was about to do the Same because I am that guy too.

@reading_faerie

3 жыл бұрын

Yeah I want Daniel to spank books... too

@voices4oppressed

3 жыл бұрын

@@reading_faerie mhm! Seems like someone must be fantasizing not just spanking of books 😁😂 (fun intend)

We judge the pacing of all other media, but when it comes to fantasy books it seems us readers are expected to just deal with 10, 20, 100 pages that could have been cut because we've been taught that epic fantasy is supposed to challenge the reader. I think this status quo is actively harming the genre and I'm always really excited to hear of a book that's clearly been edited down for good pacing.

@GrapplingBook

3 жыл бұрын

I'm glad people are vocal about this.

@gavasiarobinssson5108

3 жыл бұрын

@@GrapplingBook Why? Cant there be different styles?

@YourBlackLocal

3 жыл бұрын

Honestly i don't think it's because they think it's challenging, i think it's just they don't want to get rid of these things they feel are unique to their Stories, even if they don't add anything.

@GrapplingBook

3 жыл бұрын

@@gavasiarobinssson5108 It's not about different styles, this is about fantasy books tending to be unnecessarily long when it could have been cut down to a much lower page count.

@confusedwhale

3 жыл бұрын

@@gavasiarobinssson5108: You can think of it as an act of self gratification on the part of the author. Droning on and on and on and on and on and o--- Think of the editor as a surgeon cutting necrotic flesh to prevent sepsis setting into the patient. So to does the editor expertly slice extraneous passages from the text to let the greater whole survive. At the end of Elantris, Brandon Sanderson talks about cutting a rando that was introduced too late into the book that would have muddied the whole if it were to be kept. The others talk about having an editor that wasn't as merciless as he/she should have been, or a publisher that required a higher word count than the author could fulfill without it feeling like an utter slog. So, it's not about style. It's doing the job. ... And no one wants to see the author masturbating on the page.

I genuinely did not know about the whole lighting for good/bad books thing, now I'll be looking for it in future videos.

@llamallama1509

3 жыл бұрын

Glad I'm not the only one

Yeah I like the new "This is like:" section. Sets up comparisons and contrast discussion. Bet you that you'll love the slower paced beginning of malice on a re-read. Beginnings often struggle with pacing.

0:00 you had us fooled there for a second XD

That intro was funny.

My novel The Forgetting Moon gets compared to Malice almost more than any other book.

@lordphinix3

3 жыл бұрын

I've enjoyed the first 2 books of that series. Waiting on book 3.

@benjaminmolina3456

3 жыл бұрын

Hopefully, next moth I´ll get the sequel.

@MrShaiya96

3 жыл бұрын

hey, brian. we need the next book, yesterday

@B.LEE.DbrianleedurfeeREVIEWS

3 жыл бұрын

@@MrShaiya96 i turned it into my publisher back in January. then Covid19 hit and slowed everything in publishing waaaaaay down

@lipeeefl

3 жыл бұрын

@@B.LEE.DbrianleedurfeeREVIEWS nice, haven't read yet, but it's always a good thing to know how it's going

Daniel: MALICE! Me playing BotW: where?

I don’t understand peoples distaste with tropes. All books have some tropes. It doesn’t bother me at all. I like fantasy tropes, it’s one of the reasons I read fantasy. Chosen ones, good vs evil, and all that delicious stuff is part of what I love about fantasy. Malice blew me away. It’s so well done and the tension was unreal. This is a masterpiece, in my opinion.

The quality of your videos is ever increasing and I love the effort you put into each video. Keep up the good work man! And that intro was funny as hell😂

Fantastic review, I can definitely notice an improvement in your execution of them! I've had my eye on this series for a while now, I guess you've convinced me to bump it up in my TBR queue.

I read Malice a while ago, enjoyed it, and didn’t really pick up the sequels because the audiobook didn’t have any at the time. Now I have read Valor and am on Ruin. They do such a good job at delivering the promises of the first book so far. The characters feel more alive than ever to me and the action is still as stellar as ever.

Thanks. I'm gonna put this on my TBR. Sounds great. Also I really want to say I appreciate all the effort you put into your videos. Also prose is a non-countable noun.

I just started this, and I'm really struggling with the beginning, so it was good to see this review today and get some renewed optimism that it will be worth it.

Really enjoyed the last portion that you added in about the "if you like this, then you will like this". It really helps me decide whether or not I should bump it up higher on my reading list. So thank you for that!

Definitely like the recommendations segment at the end, keep em coming! Also, really enjoy the prevalence ratings, helps me understand what I'm getting into if I pick up the book

I held my breath until you said you liked it. It’s my favorite completed fantasy series that I’ve read. Malice is seriously focused on character development and some world building on the front end, but the rest of the series is action. I can’t wait to see what you think of Valour - it’s chock full of action, maneuvering and STRATEGERY!

Great review! You are in for a ride when you continue the Faithful and The Fallen - it ranks among some of my favourite fantasy series and glad to hear you enjoyed this.

"There's some author cruelty to the readers.." I'm in!

@Noxturne09

3 жыл бұрын

The Masochist in all of us jumps for joy

Love the segment at the end where you compare it to other books. I think that's great and will help me a ton personally making decisions

really like the segment comparing books to other books - helps put the review in context!!

So glad you loved this. It's one of my favourite series. I loved how John Gwynne played with the prophecy trope and how we grew with all the characters. I still think he has the coolest author photo of all time with his axe and his big dogs. I recently read The Gutter Prayer by Gareth Hanrahan and really recommend as a high fantasy that plays with god tropes but in ways I haven't seen before. I don't know if you've read it but highly recommend if you haven't.

I like the segment at the end. Can tell what vibe the book will give you. I bought this one recently, looking forward to starting it

Yeah, I'm glad that a big booktuber is shining some light on this series. It's absolutely awesome and has a follow up trilogy around 130 years into the future which is as good as this series. I hope the fandom of the Faithful and the Fallen and John Gwynne will grow as a result

Love the »if you like [x] ...« segment. You are allowed to keep it.

I really like the "if you like X, you'd probably enjoy this" section. Could you maybe do a whole video focusing on the most popular/famous fantasy series and recommend ones with a similar "vibe" to them? Thanks for all your hard work, your reviews are definitely among my most-trusted on KZread. So many reviews on here are just spoiler-filled book talks and give little to no explanation of whether or not I should pick up the book.

I’m so glad you’re reading this!! I read it along with Mike from Mike’s Book Reviews, and it was 🔥🔥🔥 sooo good. The series as a whole was one of my favorite reads of the year!

@madisongoodyear5040

3 жыл бұрын

And yes, it only gets better from here

this is the only book review I've seen I actually enjoyed. I'm glad to have found your channel! I saw your tier ranking fantasies and was glad to see someone with similar tastes after years here not finding anyone. I'm gonna have to get Malice.

Great review !! Cannot wait till you get into the series !!! It seems like he really listened to criticisms that the first book received, the overall quality rose dramatically for the second book. Im confident that you'll be binging the rest of the series !!!

Daniel: "More giants in fantasy please!" Me, an intellectual: *THE LEGEND NEVER DIES*

@cokeMONSTERps3

3 жыл бұрын

It's an old one sir, but it checks out.

Loved the review, very insightful. Keep the content rolling!!

This series is one of my favorites. I can't wait for you to finish and review them as a whole.

You managed to slip in Oldboy in this video??? Bravo/10. I saw that you were reading this on Instagram around the same time I started it. Glad to see you enjoyed it about as much as I did. A lore video would be great because like you said, some of the beginning was a little confusing

I keep meaning to get to this one cause so many of my friends love it and hearing you say that its tropey but not in a bad way makes me more inclined to get to it, just been burnt out on some of the classic fantasy angles lately

Just read that series a few months ago. Thoroughly enjoyed it. Kinda weird I just ordered the 1st book of his next series and here you are talking about malice. I heard it described as Wheel of Time lite. Not 100% sure of that....but was a very good read. And I also read the 1st 2 books of the Poppy War because of you. Thanks!! Really well done series.

Your visual quality just keeps getting better and better

You stopped mah hart in the beginning seconds haha! Just finished this series and Sir Gwynne is an instant favorite for me. It is tropey for sure, but he does it so well. The books keep getting better and better too. They've made me cry, laugh, and roar in excited praise. Can't wait for more reviews from the Banished Lands!

One of my all time favorite series. It only gets better and the battles are amazing throughout.

@christinacarter5018

3 жыл бұрын

Same, I love this series. I, also, enjoyed the next series that takes place in the same world.

@MrMustache-yn4zm

3 ай бұрын

Its a knock off of asoiaf

@GallowglassVT

3 ай бұрын

@@MrMustache-yn4zm 1, didn't ask, 2, don't care.

@MrMustache-yn4zm

3 ай бұрын

Its not even hiding how much it copies, its honestly embarrasing@@GallowglassVT

@GallowglassVT

3 ай бұрын

@@MrMustache-yn4zm did you miss my reply?

Yay! So glad you got around to this one! Personal opinion make it thru all first 4 books! Book 4 makes the seires! I koved each book but after the masterful wrap up in Wrath it was elevated to my favorites all time! John write some of the most intense battles!

Oh boy here I go adding to my TBR again

I’m thrilled you review this it’s such an awesome book and deserves all its praise and other people need to read it and enjoy its gloryiness

Good review. This is on my TBR this month.

Video quality looks great, It really improved when you changed you lens

I loved this book! I found the genre tropes very comforting in a way. Unfortunately, I felt the second in the series had too many events happen because the plot needed them to happen and it really turned me off.

I randomly read a short story set in this series and loved it. Looking forward to reading the full-length novels

the new lens is killing it - love the blurred background

Bro that intro scared me 😂 I’m excited for you to read the next books. It’s really good!

I am glad you liked the book. Although it has some tropes, it kind of felt refreshing to me. The sequels are even a little bit better imo, only the first half of the third book can get a little tenacious, but the second half is outstanding with probably one of the best one on one swordfights ever written. You can look forward to that.

Daniel PLEASE DO A VIDEO WHERE YOU TELL US THE MOST ESSENTIAL BOOKS EVER THANKS sorry for shouting

@ShadowWolf1307

3 жыл бұрын

He kinda already did. He made like 5 videos (bc of updates) ranking "all" fantasy series both from his perspective and from magazines etc, presenting and discussing their placement in the ranking system. If you want more information on them, most of them have a "why you should read" video (theres even a playlist on his channel with all of these vids) on a lof og these series. So yea, there you go Just use the search bar in the video section of his channel.

Really love the last segment of “if you like this, then you’ll like this”!

loved the review. it's obvious the amount of work you put into organizing your thoughts. i didn't really vibe with the lighting but i don't really mind that type of stuff and i see others have enjoyed it so keep it up i guess

@ChristmasLore

3 жыл бұрын

He's grown so much in two years. I have difficulties now watching his earlier videos, he wasn't mature enough, nor well-read enough, then, to be taken really seriously. But he's constantly evolving, and since he's gone full time, with way more time to read, the channel has improved consequently. Will be there to follow his upcoming evolution.

Love the light in this video!

I’ve been curious about this series for a couple years, gonna add it to my TBR! If I ever finish WoT.... and then Mistborn...

This video quality, I like what you've doing lately. And God damn that intro... Fooled me, man.

Well, looks like I've found my new book to read for the fall. Thanks, Daniel! :)

You really ‘nailed’ verbalizing my thoughts on this book. For example… didn’t love the beginning and prose wasn’t the highlight… yet the book just is excellent in its own right. Subbed.

(Mini spoiler about a secondary character becoming a main character in the fourth chapter of book 2, not really that surprising but still) I read these books so long ago, but all I remember is... Maquin best boi. One of the few characters in fantasy that made me cry (besides Robin Hobb's characters). And I've heard that the sequel series is even better. Also a thing that I noted, in this series almost every chapter has dramaticesque endings, I remember going 'oooooooo shit' so many times.

@dirkcrafford1814

3 жыл бұрын

Came here to say this. Maquin is a character that will stick with you for a few years. Goddamn

Oh just you wait. This series gets so much better!

@mischarowe

3 жыл бұрын

I hope so. It's now on my TBR. Except for the slower start it sounds like I'll enjoy it very much. :)

This book was close to my introduction into the genre, basically just after eragon. Am glad its as good as I remember it.

Did you get a new lighting setup? Looks good.

Loved this series. Definitely gets better as you move on. Basic premise, but done so well.

Can someone help me choose between reading Riyria Revelations or Powder Mage next? I'm going to read both eventually, but they both seem so good that I'm having trouble choosing which one to start first.

Really happy you reviewed this book. My boyfriend really wanted to buy me the book but I was intimitaded by its size. (I've commited too much time reading books that go nowhere) I can honestly say I'll be picking this one up when I get the chance.

This just made me put this guy on my TBR lists, sounds like something I will definitely enjoy.

Perfect timing! I just started the series and am slogging through the first 1/3 of Malice with the setup. Its tolerable, and hearing you say the rest of the book is a worthy payoff makes it even better!

I started the book today and the first thing I've felt is that lack of internal processing by the characters. up to this point I didn't even realize how much I've been relying on that in books and it feels a bit weird having it lacking to the extent it is in Malice

I honestly feel like I’ve never read a fantasy with giants but have seen them so often in games and movies so excited to dig into this book I’ve had on my shelves for...a year... A lot of action scenes feel repetitive in how they can be laid out and copy pasted from other books so this sounds refreshing. Gimme all the PROPHECIES gimme ALL THE BAD PROPHECIES. Horror fantasy sounds incredible and I can envision the visuals being brutal and raw.

I really enjoyed Malice, I think one of the biggest things for me was how wholesome it felt for a gritty adult fantasy, it was very refreshing!!

I breezed through the first two books and started reading the third, I put it down and haven't finished it yet, I had enjoyed it but, I moved and put the books in a storage unit. I recently got the books back out and plan on finishing the series. I wasn't sure if I'd like the story at first because of the tropes but, I've enjoyed it so far.

Glad you liked Malice. It's one of my favourite series! His latest series is also pretty great. I know that Gwynne does viking reenactments in his spare time, so I do wonder if his own experiences help him to write such great fight scenes. He's super active on social media e.g twitter, goodreads, IG too

Yes! Glad you’re reading this series. It’s one of the most underrated in the genre, I’d say

Super happy your getting into John Gwynne and had a positive experience with Malice. The Faithful & Fallen series really got me back into reading fantasy a couple of years back. Just the action and the characters were exactly what I needed at the time. I hope you interview Gwynne down the road 😄

I remember reading these in high school and loving them, but I couldn't remember what they were called. I hope you enjoy the rest of the series!

Good review. This book is already in my massive TBR pile, and it sounds promising.

There is a lot of development of those tropes you mentioned, Gwynne continues to keep it different. The Good vs Evil trope sees a lot more exploration in the follow-up series, too.

Holy moly I never realised you did green light for good book reviews I am MIND BLOWN

"......like that one shot take from old boy...." You have my attention o.o

Well I know which book I'm picking up after Elantris & finishing my Witcher books :D - I read all 6 (or 7) of the Stormlight Archive books in two months or so, so sad to wait for the next ones... God that series is just so addictive!

I'm pretty new to reading fantasy. I always thought that fantasy was stuck copying Tolkien. I've been watching your channel for a couple weeks and it has convinced me to give fantasy a try. I'm starting with The Wheel of Time book 1. I have a question though, one of the books I've had on my list for a while is Spine of the Dragon by Kevin J. Anderson. It doesn't seem anyone on BookTube has reviewed it... is he not well regarded?

I really enjoy your videos so in-depth and I can relate to similar tastes, however I was curious on your (Greene) thoughts on Shadow & Bone since apparently now it’s become a popular Netflix series.

I picked up Malice during a sale at my local book store because I loved the cover but I haven't started it yet because of what a Thic Boi (TM) it is, looks like I need to get going.

Read the whole series long ago, one of the best coming of age stories and cleanly written. It asks hard questions yet does not go all expanse beyond the individual.

Your book shelves look amazing. Something for me to work towards.

This series has been on my shelf for a while. Think I'll bump it up my TBR

Corbans perspective gives me huge Fitz (assassins apprentice) vibes. Love this review and love this book.

Woaw. That is a beautiful cover. Me: judging books by their covers, morning, noon, and night.

Another day, another book added to my TBR. Thanks!

I liked this entire series almost as much as I like the Stormlight Archive, and I LOVE the Stormlight Archive. The series really starts slow and builds and gets betters as the books go on. If you like sword fighting, fun world building with mysteries that are explained as you go, and animals you will love this book. The relationships people have with their animals in this series is better written than most relationships between people in other books.

If you read all of his first series, The Faithful and the Fallen, you should definitely read the follow up series. It's a trilogy and it's amazing. The follow up series is called Of Blood and Bone.

damn the lighting and camera quality in this is real good

ahh I can't wait to see what you think about the other books! :D

I've read the first 2 so far and have really enjoyed them both. There's part of the way he's handling one trope he uses that I am really enjoying. (Without getting into spoilers) I don't think I've read anything that does the same thing and it has made me think about what could happen in other books if the same subversion was used.... All the vagueness! Haha

Glad you liked the book, would definitely recommend reading the rest of the series, since some of the problems are dealt with or changed up a bit