The Quill #1: Recommended Reads

Among the many book genres that exist within the literary world, there is none that opens our mind to magical worlds, rich characters, and epic narratives quite like fantasy. A good fantasy book is like a portal, a conduit from our own world to another, that connects with each of us in a slightly different way. And for that reason, we have chosen to highlight some of our contributors’ favorite fantasy novels in this issue. Make sure to check these works out when you get the chance!

Are you a fan of epic fantasy stories? The kind that span across 15 novels, including a prequel novel, three companion books, a pair of short stories, and a TV adaptation? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you may be prone to enjoying Robert Jordan’s The Wheel of Time series as much as I have. Released from 1990 to 2013, The Wheel of Time is a coming of age story for protagonist Rand al’Thor, but there is also an underlying theme of grappling with one’s identity as well. At the moment, I am currently reading book two, The Great Hunt. Despite only having recently been introduced to the series, I found that it has become a favorite of mine nonetheless, largely due to it being heavily inspired by J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings.

The premise of the story is simple: Rand, along with a large cast of friends and allies, must navigate the complex, ever-changing, and currently unnamed world where it takes place, all in order to defeat the Dark One, a cosmic force of darkness that threatens to undo the very fabric of reality, only to rebuild it in his own image. This tale occurs from the perspective of 148 characters, some of whom have larger roles than others, but despite their overall impact on the narrative, they each contribute to the reader’s understanding of the world in some capacity.

However, while The Wheel of Time is often praised for its worldbuilding in particular, its most powerful writing can be found in scenes featuring the protagonist himself. Rand is a character who fits into the arguably overdone “chosen one” trope well, but it is the manner in which Robert Jordan presents this role that sets him apart from many other authors who play with the same idea. Rather than receiving all of the power, friendships, and plot armor that most “chosen one” protagonists are gifted with, Rand has to deal with enemies who are constantly hunting him, friends who fear the power he is capable of, and “allies” who wish to use his status to push their own agendas.

All in all, The Wheel of Time is a series that has quickly risen to the top of my favorite fantasy novel series, and if that’s your thing then you should consider checking it out for yourself.

Ever dreamt of riding your own dragon? Diving into Rebecca Yarros’s Fourth Wing is your ticket to an exhilarating adventure! This book kicks off the Empyrean series with a bang, blending military fantasy, romance, and high-stakes action. With its vivid world-building and unforgettable characters, Fourth Wing gets you hooked with just a few chapters. I devoured this book last month, and it has quickly become one of my favorite fantasy reads of all-time.Violet Sorrengail, a 20-year-old destined to be a scribe, was never supposed to be risking her life in the most brutal and deadly program at Basgiath War College. From a condition that affects her bones and ligaments and leaves her in chronic pain (Ehlers-Danlos syndrome), to the unforgiving dragons and merciless cadets, Violet’s odds of survival aren’t looking too good. Enter Xaden Riorson, a brooding dragon rider whose presence is captivating and mysterious — and who Violet is warned to stay far, far away from.

Rebecca Yarros masterfully keeps you on your toes through the book, strategically planning for the end of each chapter to be an unanswered question that drives you to keep reading. She beautifully curates the world of Navarre in such a way that you can almost imagine being there and flying the dragon yourself. The series is yet to be completed, but three of the books (five planned) are available now. Fourth Wing ends with the biggest cliffhanger of all, so I recommend having the second book, Iron Flame, at the ready.

—Katie Frank

Terry Pratchett’s books are funny and light, but also reflect on what it means to be human and the society we live in today. He writes in such a way that you are forced to stop, slow down, and pay attention; it is impossible to read a Terry Pratchett novel quickly. If you like dry humor, quirky characters, witches, footnotes, and mild chaos, you will love this book and probably Pratchett’s entire Discworld seriesAll of the Discworld books are set in the same world and some share the same characters. However, the vast majority can be read as stand-alone novels in any order you would like. Wyrd Sisters is my favorite simply because it was the first book I read in the series and remains the one I have read first and the most times.

Wyrd Sisters loosely parodies the plot of Hamlet. A king is murdered, and his throne is usurped by the man who killed him, who was pushed to do so by his wife. Even as the couple settle into their new positions of power, the old king is not completely gone. Instead, he hangs around and tries to protect his son through the aid of a local coven of witches —Granny Weatherwax, Nanny Ogg, and Magrat Garlick. As the king’s son grows, so does his usurper’s hold over the kingdom. Finally, the three witches must prepare for a showdown between the truth of their world as they know it, and the new king’s use of a carefully crafted narrative to change the world to meet his own ends (and his wife’s). Will the king’s plan succeed and push the witches out of the society they are the caretakers of? And does it really matter what route you take to a good result, as long as you don’t start cackling?