This was a new feature I started on my book blog and wanted to continue it here on an experimental basis. Let me know if you enjoy it and want it to become a permanent feature.
Hello and welcome! This is my weekly series, Top Three Thursdays, or, for convenience, TTT. Every week I discuss my top three in any bookish topic. If you’d like to participate, write up a post on your blog and leave a link to it in the comments below.
The topic for today (18/05/17) is: Popular Fantasy Series I Haven’t Read
1. A Song of Ice and Fire by George R. R. Martin
As an avid fantasy fan, it might come as quite a shock to people who know me that I haven’t read these books. I watch the HBO TV adaptation, Game of Thrones, but I’ve never felt compelled to pick up the books. I don’t plan on reading them in the future either because I’ve spoiled myself for all the major plot points through the show. I prefer high fantasy such as Tolkien’s to the gritty and realistic fantasy that is Martin’s style.
2. The Earthsea Cycle by Ursula K. Le Guin
Sara, a blogging friend and fan of the author, has recommended this to me several times. Considered a classic in the genre of fantasy, this is one series that I’m really looking forward to reading. However, I don’t want to begin before having all the books and since I don’t have them currently, I’m yet to get to this one. Wish me luck in finding them all!
3. Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
An immensely popular modern author, Maas has established herself as the current queen of fantasy through this series and A Court of Thorns and Roses. I’m a little unsure about this one because I don’t particularly enjoy romance in fantasy books, but its popularity has made me curious. Maybe I’ll read it in the future, but it isn’t a priority.
Have you read any of these? What would you recommend? Do you agree/disagree with my decisions? Let me know in the comments section below.
Pages That Rustle 
I want to read Throne of Glass! It’s on my never ending to-read list. 😀
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Oh, that TBR pile! I have so many books to get to right now that these three are somewhere at the bottom. But I’m really curious about that series. So many people seem to enjoy, so maybe I will too? Or maybe I’ll find it was over-hyped? I want to know, and soon! 😂 (Calm down, Nandini, you can’t have your books and eat them too.)
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Ugh, there’s nothing more disappointing than reading a book that you thought was going to be so good because of the hype, but then having it turn out to be one of the worst books you’ve read. 😦 Maze Runner was like that for me. I thought it was going to be great because everyone seemed to be reading it, but I ended up being bored through the whole thing. I guess it’s just different tastes. Or maybe once you’ve read so much, it’s harder to impress you. 😀
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I agree with both your explanations. Many popular books have romance as a central theme and most of them have nothing new to offer, so I’m often disappointed. So, that’s the case of having read so much that it’s very hard to impress. I also don’t enjoy the horror genre because I like to have a logical explanation for everything and ghosts just don’t fit the bill. I don’t think I could ever enjoy something like R. L. Stine even though many readers do solely because it’s a matter of taste.
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I’m not a big horror fan either. I don’t like being scared just for the sake of being scared. I also feel like the plots aren’t always as developed in the horror genre, but that might just be me. I haven’t read much horror and when I did it was a long time ago, so I’m going off of a foggy memory. 😛 I remember reading Pet Cemetery by Steven King when I was about 15 or so and wondering why he was such a popular author. 😀
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Eh. To be honest, I read the first book in all three of these series and didn’t like them enough to continue the series. So in my humble opinion, you’re not missing out. :p
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Haha, I might pick these up or not. My TBR is already piled high enough! Let’s see. Thanks for your opinion. 🙂
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I haven’t read Throne of Glass either. And I did read George R.R. Martin, but it was because I had to read it for school. I wasn’t a huge fan.
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You’re in the minority in Martin’s case. Ever since the HBO series came up, a lot of people have been reading and loving it. I don’t really like the subjects the author has in his books (such as violence and sex), so I think I’ll be joining you in that minority even if I do read it one day.
Oh, if you’re planning to read Throne of Glass, let me know! Maybe we can buddy read. 🙂
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I know I am. That’s actually what turned me off was the sex and violence. I’m just not into it.
I do plan on reading it someday, but it’s not high on my list. But I’ll let you know when I do decide to read it!
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Same goes for me. Right now I’m reading The Star-Touched Queen and if I do like it, I’ll move on to A Crown of Wishes. I haven’t planned after that, but I’m not in a hurry to read Throne of Glass either. Sure thing! 🙂
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Once I finish the book I’m reading now, I’m going to read a few mystery novels for Mystery Month in June. 🙂 After that… I’m not sure.
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I didn’t know June was Mystery Month! I’ve been reading so much fantasy lately, I think I can use a break. I really want to finish The Famous Five, a beloved series from my childhood and Agatha Christie’s novels as well. That would give me the perfect excuse to do so. 😉
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Mystery Month is a feature I do on my blog. It’s not a real thing. But I’ll be your excuse if you want to take a break from fantasy! 😉
I have to finish Agatha Christie’s books, too. There’s just so many, lol.
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Oh, I’d love to be a part of that! 😁 And I agree. I’ve read a few and I liked Poirot better than Miss Marple, but I don’t remember most of what I read. Maybe I’ll stick to the Poirot ones and see how much I can read. 🙂
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I’ve only read Poirot (so far) and I love them! Though I’ve only read the first two books, lol.
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Earthsea is one I might try some day. I’ve been roped into Throne of Glass, and it’s…well…not my cup of tea at all. I’m only reading to find out what happens to the characters in the end, but I’m not enjoying it.
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The popular opinion seems to be overwhelmingly positive and fans vehemently attack those who have negative reviews about Throne of Glass. I’m a bit hesitant to pick the books because of that. I’m not much of a romance fan and if that becomes the main plot, I usually end up not liking it. But I also don’t DNF books and try to finish series, so I might continue on despite not enjoying, just like you are.
If you do pick up Earthsea, let me know! Maybe we can read together. 🙂
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I had no idea there was so much tension between fans and negative ToG reviews. I guess it’s a good idea to not review books one doesn’t like, if there’s that kind of backlash.
Sure, I’ll let you know when I pick up Earthsea, and we can read together! Do you have a copy of it yet?
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Not yet, but I expect to have one by the end of June.
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