If you like The First Law by Joe Abercrombie, check out these books! 

Yeah I agree with you on Jezal and Jean-Francois haha. Good point! I’m going to check the ones I haven’t heard of out. HL Tinsley is an author I want to especially read.

Totally agree! Have you read The Builders?

@@bookswithzara Not yet. This was my first Polansky; looking forward to more.

The thing is I know you’re going to love Bujold’s writing!

You're welcome! I think you'll really enjoy Polansky! Not sure about Kristoff though, and to be clear, I think his other books are likely garbage based on what I've read. EotV seems to be the odd one out.

@@bookswithzara Agreed, that's actually why I haven't given EoTV a shot yet. Nothing else he's written seems that appealing to me. Really hoping that series will be the odd one out . . .

Bujold identifies as a woman! She's kinda one of the OG sci fi authors imo. I know you're going to enjoy Polansky once you get to him!

@@bookswithzara Female author, all the better! Will look for her!

Ahhh Josh, both of those are on my list! I'm hoping to read Sarantine Mosaic this year, for sure. I'm hoping to read Strange the Dreamer next year, which is thanks to you as I was originally not planning to read it!

@@bookswithzara Sarantine Mosaic is arguably Kay's strongest work.

@@thatsci-firogue setting the expectations high, Rogue!

I can always rely on you to give amazing recs! I think Abercrombie has mentioned he likes both Cornwell and Gemmell so it's unsurprising that you've mentioned them! Legend is a great rec, I do agree that there are some parallels to be drawn to Abercrombie's writing. I'm especially intrigued by Zothique, the Anti-Matter of Britain novels and Salammbo (which I have on my list from another video you mentioned this one on). As a matter of fact, I just got the ebook of Salammbo as I'm super intrigued! Thanks so much for the recs.

@@bookswithzara Yeah, the mix of grittiness and epic found in Heroic Fantasy and Military Historical Fiction is very fitting Abercrombie’s style. “Zotique” I think suits especially those that are fascinated by the Lore/Mythology of “The First Law” (such as the secret millennial long war between Bayaz and Khalul) and of course those that enjoy the dark humor of Glokta: Unlike his fellow “Weird Tales” alumni Lovecraft and RE Howard, CAS often can be very funny (though often VERY dark humor). Much the same with “Anti-Matter of Britain”, though with a grit and a determinist and critical view of those seeking power not unlike Abercrombie (maybe even harsher!). Salammbo” I mentioned because I feel that a lot of the characters there could have been in the Union Military (especially the Carthaginian Officers!) and the Mercenaries Matho the Libyan and Spendius could (being written in the 1860s) might be the Ur-Example of the “Barbarian and Rouge Duo” Trope found in much of S&S and later D&D: The physically mighty but often melancholic “Barbarian” Matho definitely is a literary ancestor of Logen Ninefingers in my book, while the “amorally entrepreneurial” and manipulative Spendius would not be out of place as a lieutenant of say Glokta, Bayaz or Cosca!

Totally agree! Apparently the second one also functions decently as a standalone. I believe the main commonality is that we're following one of the characters of Chalion but that's about it. I could be wrong though!

@bookswithzara Paladin of Souls, not sure where bastards Paladin came from. Yes, about 3 years after with the pov draling with the after affects of the curse.

Thanks Rogue! I have no idea why I thought he was American hahahah. And you're right, cringe is definitely a more appropriate word. Read The Company first! I think you'd enjoy it more and there is no fantasy in it, so might help you get out of the slump. You are going to really like, and dare I say it, even love Curse of Chalion. I really need to read more Mark Lawrence. I think RQW is up next for me in terms of chronology.

@@bookswithzara Noted! The Company it is. I wouldn't necessarily say slump, but I'm enjoying the lack of commitment to a Fantasy series right now 😎

@@bookswithzara I think you're right about Curse of Chalion, we've similar taste so I trust you. Hopefully I haven't hyped RQW too much for you.

He keeps pumping them out too!

Hey Bobby! I have reviewed the show :) the link is here: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-CRSyKAHcHyA.html I have a second channel, which I recently launched, to talk all things movies/tv/video games/anime.

@@bookswithzara Ah, excellent! I was unaware you had a second channel, so thank you for letting me know about it. I’m about to go to work at the moment, but I’ll definitely watch that video later when I’m back home. 😁

@@Bobbyismetal you’re welcome! I hope you enjoy it :) hope you have a nice day at work!

Yeah I didn’t realise. Apparently they do according to me 😂