Pratchett Dominates Recommendations: Is Earthsea the Undisputed King of Fantasy?
General agreement centers on the high quality of canonical fantasy, specifically naming Terry Pratchett's Discworld and heavily endorsing the Brandon Sanderson Cosmere as major modern series.
People are sharply divided on where to begin. Some strongly push for standalone classics like Ursula K. Le Guin's Earthsea, which jlow rated highly. Others back the immense scope of Malazan, as SpruceBringsteen noted, claiming it refuses to hold the reader's hand. Sci-fi also fractures, with Pholous advocating for *Dune*, while outright alternatives are suggested. Canopyflyer specifically directs newcomers to the Cosmere, citing Elantris or Warbreaker.
The consensus points toward established, dense works. Discworld remains a definitive must-read for many, but the true fault lines are between recommending highly accessible gems like Earthsea and diving straight into the epic, unguided sprawl of the Cosmere or Malazan.
Key Points
Discworld is a definitive must-read cornerstone of fantasy reading.
Bwaz gave Discworld a strong endorsement, viewing it as essential reading.
Earthsea stands out as a reliable, high-quality starting point for beginners.
jlow recommended Earthsea, giving it a significant weight in the conversation.
Brandon Sanderson's Cosmere is heavily recommended as modern fantasy gold.
Canopyflyer provided a detailed guide pointing readers toward the Cosmere's entry points.
Epic, sprawling fantasy demands high commitment and little hand-holding.
SpruceBringsteen championed Malazan for its depth and refusal to guide the reader gently.
Science fiction recommendations are split between classics and contemporary epics.
Pholous pinned *Dune* as the key pick, while others left open space for modern reads like *The Expanse*.
Source Discussions (3)
This report was synthesized from the following Lemmy discussions, ranked by community score.