Man, our tastes align quite a bit in both Sci Fi and Fantasy. Like I mentioned the on the other video, you've got a great vibe and I'm glad you took the plunge into longer form content here on YT. Not jealous you have more subs in 2 videos than I do in 8 months. Nope, not at all :). Killer video Smitty!!
Project Hail Mary is one of my all time favorites 👏🏽 Just started the Sun Eater series, and now I can't wait to get to Demon in White! (Also I'm here from tiktok and so excited to find your channel here)
@@Smitty1423 I read the first and a little bit of the second book of the sun eater series. I put it on the backburner because it was so slow. I also didn't like how the narrator (the MC) always spoils things lol. "This will be the last time I would ever see her" "Little did I know, his majesty had a surprise in store for me" stuff like that.
I got goosebumps when I saw Demon in White as you #1. I read this back in pandemic days and I was wondering why no one was shouting it out the rooftops. So glad it’s getting the attention it rightful deserves recently. DIW was my favorite until I reached Ashes of Man, the fifth in the series. Ugh wish I can be you so I can experience it all anew!! Keep us posted on your wild journey!
Love the enthusiasm for Howling Dark. Have yet to read any of these, but if you haven't yet, I would recommend trying Foundation by Isaac Asimov and Ender's Game and if you enjoy it, try Speaker for the Dead by Orson Scott Card. They're my favourite Sci-fi of all time thus far.
I was going to come say the same thing, highly recommend doing the second era. I think its better also, the impact of decisions in the first series and the character perspectives chosen for the second era are more impactful then the first era. And the battles are just wild, especially in the most recent book.. Eagerly awaiting the final. Also stumbled onto suneater earlier this year. Couldn't agree more, that series is phenomenal couldn't put it down until I finished disquiet gods.
My top 5: 1. Firestar (first book of the Firestar Trilogy) 2. Time Enough for Love 3. Dune 4. Foundation by Asimov 5. Starship Troopers Honorable mention: The Martian
This was perfect! Added Project Hail Mary and Demon in White (going to jump into the 1st book). My favorite scifi so far is 'Children Of Time' series. Happy to come across your Channel!
I’m currently reading golden son. If I keep my pace I’ll finish it in about 3-4 days. It’s a great book and I already have morning son on stand by. Once I read that because of your recommendations the sun eater series is my next series I want to really read. Thanks to you I got into reading so thanks a lot.
@Smitty1423 Dude you need to get to Kingdoms of Death. Suneater is easily my favorite Sci fi series of all time. Book 6 is the best in the series so far imo.
YES! Demon in White isn’t only my best sci fi book of all time, it just rose to my best book of all time (fiction/non fiction/ contemporary/classic)! A literary marvel to behold!
Great list! If you are a fan of Dune and the Sun Eater series, you would enjoy Hyperion by Dan Simmons. Also the three body problem is some of the best and most unique scifi I’ve ever read and there’s a show out now that’s killing it so far! Definitely also check out more of Blake Crouch’s stuff if you haven’t already
I listened to Project Hail Mary on Audio and was blown away. It is definitely in the conversation as my favorite book ever. I lean more toward scifi so I'm going to be giving some of these a try.
guess it's finally time to start reading sun eater. some else mentioned it but children of time is a must read for some hard sci-fi, it's truly incredible! adrian tchoikovsky also writes a lot of fantasy & i've heard the doors of eden is a great blend of the two genres you might enjoy. love the channel!
You need to read the three body problem and it’s sequels if you enjoyed dune. It has a lot of the same creative juice in a way, it also is super plot based, and the characters aren’t as bad as people think they are. Book one is like a mystery kind of thing, but books two and three will blow your mind,
Your list honorable mention - Dune - I've read 5. Morning Star - haven't read 4. Ready Player One - haven't read 3. Dark Matter - I've read 2. Project Hail Mary - I've read 1. Demon in White - Haven't read 5 of my favorites in no particular order Dune - Frank Herbert Hyperion - Dan Simmons Children of Time - Adrian Tchaikovsky Starship Troopers - Robert A Heinlein Anathem - Neal Stephenson I want to read all of the books in your list that I haven't read yet. Keep trucking brother
I'm about 75% into Anathem right now, slow start but I'm really enjoying it, and I just ordered the first 2 Hyperion books so hopefully I'll jump into those in August. Also I've heard good things about Children of Time, so on my next haul I may check that out...Good stuff
I think you might be the first person I’ve found who loved Morning Star the most of the Red Rising Saga. Golden Son was a bit too fast paced for me - I couldn’t recover from what happened before something else happened. Morning Star was my Goldilocks book - it was juuuuussssst right.
🙏 You’re giving me life right now. Dark Matter is another favorite of mine! Recursion is AH-mazing and the Wayward Pines trilogy is a great sci fi/horror blend. It’s hard to pick a favorite from Crouch’s work - it’s all unique and good in its own right.
Great video. The only one on your list I've read is Ready Player One. It hit that sweet spot of futuristic and nostalgia. I didn't think it was possible, but here we are.
Dude sun eater sounds amazing I gotta try that! I’m almost done with Wheel of Time then I might skip over to scifi for a little! Love your channel right now!
Hey Smitty. Read Recursion. Whew many twist and turns. Great! Read 1st Red Rising some time ago and loved it. I am inspired to continue series. Probably start over with Red Rising to refresh. I have Dark Matter but haven’t read it yet. Love your channel and style. 👍💚
I just started getting into audio books and so far I have listened to Level Five narrated by Macleod Andrews and Quantum Radio narrated by Ray Porter, both were awesome! Looking forward to listening to Level Six and checking out more of A.G. Riddle books.
It's so funny that I ran across your channel because I've been debating well over a decade about starting a channel about my favorite genre which is sci-fi books. I was looking for some new books to read and I just popped by your channel thank you kid
Golden Son and Light Bringer are my favorite books in the Red Rising saga. I also love Morning Star, but the later books in the series are truly ALL masterpieces. Definitely recommend picking the series back up at some point!
Project Hail Mary was my first 5 star sci-fi of the year I loved it so much! My top 5 includes Illuminae and 4 different Adrian Tchaikovsky books, his sci-fi stuff just hits different, I’d highly recommend The Doors of Eden and Children of Time if you haven’t checked him out yet!
My top 5: Skyward, Red Rising, Mazerunner, Super Powereds, Ready player one. Also first 4 books of Sun Eater are currently free on audible right now if you're a member, I'm definitely going to start listening to those. I only listen to books so not a true book junkie but loving this channel and glad I found it. Red Rising series was a fantastic listen, the amazing narrator helped me like those books even more. Adding many of your books to my future listening list.
Ready Player 1!!!! I LOVED it, my first sci fi book, read it last summer. It put me into a reading slump, in a good way, I didn't think there'd be another book as good as that.
If you enjoy some humor with your Sci fi I recommend Dennis E. Taylor’s series Bobiverse. It’s definitely a lighter read than the ones you have listed but still worth reading.
Project Hail Mary is my #1 Sci-fi book. Its so damn good I've read it so many times since its came out. Definitely recommend audiobook for this one its such a good audiobook! You are right Rocky is such a great character.
Glad to have stumbled across another Sun Eater fan. If Demon in White was emotional, buckle up, the following books are quite the wild ride! Love the channel!
All of the booktubers are talking about the Sun Eater series, and I HAVE to go read it sometime! 😩 I don’t usually read sci-fi, but the Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell is my favorite book of all time.
Thing about Dune is it might be the greatest, yes, but once you've read Dune Messiah and Children of Dune (God Emperor should be read as well) it takes several steps forward and makes Paul maybe the best character ever written as he's explored post Jihad. Each of those first four could be a contender for best in the series. Have Empire of Silence on my shelf waiting to be read, I'm so stoked. Just have to finish Guy Gavriel Kay's Tigana first (then a quick Zito Madu's The Minotaur at Calle Lanza)
My dip into scifi is Halo. I have the first book but going thru what im on right now before i start it, but ik ill like it already because loved the games growing up.
Cool to see a new booktuber with similar tastes! I would recommend continuing with Red Rising series, I think Darrows journey into the future of ruling is fascinating. Also, I’ll make a plug for a classic that’s one of my all time favorites, Hyperion!
Great video! I added Project Hail Mary to my tbr list from your 6 star vid on tiktok. I'll check it out before the movie comes out. Is there another Sci-fi book you would recommend to someone for their first Sci-fi book that wasn't on the list or should I go ahead with Project Hail Mary? Also starting Mistborn today!!! :) Happy reading Smitty!
1. The Book of the New Sun by Wolfe 2. Speaker for the Dead by Card 3. A Fire Upon the Deep by Vinge 4. Ender’s Game by Card 5. Dune by Herbert I respect our difference in opinions, but for me Project Hail Mary doesn’t come within a mile of Dune, even if it is highly entertaining. TBOTNS raised the ceiling I didn’t realize I’d set for how great I thought stories could be. Wolfe was the man.
Well done on your rapid channel growth! I read Red Rising earlier this year, like you I thought it was ok. But i have heard before that it gets better and better. Ready Player 1 gets a lot of shit for being basic, but I enjoyed it mainly for the 80s nostalgia. I read Dark Matter a month or two back, it was a fun airport thriller type of thing, i blew through it an afternoon. The sci fi elements i thought were cursory but i didn't really care. I loved PHM last year, had a blast, I loved Rockie and the bromance. His 2nd book was pretty bad tho. I am a recent convert to Sun Eater, i finished Demon in White last month, it's a contender for my book of the year. The first three were a 9, 9.5 and 9.5 for me. I'm half way through the 4th book and so far it's less great than the first three. I was lucky to have a chat with Ruocchio on my channel a few weeks back, enjoyed talking with him. 👍📚🚀👽🎬
loved your video!! I always try to get people to read my favourite sci fi and favourite book in general of all time because I never see anyone even knowing that book. And it’s Metro 2033. this one got me into reading as an adult and it really will forever be my favourite, just the atmosphere and bleakness are so heavy and because of this book I always get a little uneasy travelling by the subway or metro. The main character really goes through quite heavy stuff as well and the uncertainty if he could make it through the next chellange at all just really hit the nail. it’s more post apocalyptic than your 'typical' sci fi but I really hope that at least one person may find it interesting and gives it a try :)
Check out the works of Andre Norton; she has both sci-fi and fantasy, and lots of books that combine them both. From the Witch World series, which begins as essentially an isekai, through several great space-faring series, and tons of collaborations with other great authors. I haven't rear the Dark Matter book (yet) but I did watch the tv show, which was pretty great. The parallel worlds made me think of The Chronicles of Amber, by Roger Zelazny.
This vid just popped in my feed. Great list. Ive read all but RP1 & agree with your thoughts. Like others here, Id recommend The Expanse & after that, if you enjoy mind blowing scifi concepts, check out Alastair Reynolds. Start him with Eversion & then roll right into Revelation Space. Also, Hyperion will be an instant all timer.
I loved Project Hail Mary and Dune, but haven’t read the others on your list (yet). I’d highly recommend checking out Ender’s Game as an easy read to mix up the pace. It’s a quick and easy read that really surprised me with its depth and themes.
Sci-Fi is my second favorite genre as well. I just finished Dark Matter a couple of weeks ago and it was amazing. I'm in the process of acquiring the Sun Eater series (I have books 1, 4, 5, and 6, I prefer hardcover books and I'm having a hard time finding books 2 and 3 at a reasonable price) but I'm really excited to read it. I haven't read any of the other books on your list but Project Hail Mary is definitely on my TBR. My personal favorite Sci-Fi is Ender's Game.
Another banger! Keep it up! I’m personally so excited to start the sun eater series! I’m a bit newer to reading sci-fi, but I’ve read the entire ‘the expanse’ series and LOVED it! I also really really loved ready player one
I don't know about the order of books, but some of my favorites are Nemesis Games by James S A Corey, Ancillary Justice by Ann Leckie, and Requiem Moon by C T Rwizi
Howling Dark is in the middle of the left bundle 😅 had spotted it before you brought it up 🎉 Edit: I had this comment posted before the end of the vid 👍🏻
Dude I don't do Tiktok but love your RU-vid videos. You have the SAME reading taste and in some cases top 5s as me. Looking forward to more of this content!
I typically just read Fantasy... but I'm delving into Sci-Fi now, and have started Empire of Silence... I'm absolutely and utterly hooked on Suneater. I'm being converted into a sci-fi fan..
I started watching you on tiktok, and because of you i started the Cosmere (tysm for this, finished WoR last week), now i want some sci-fi and i find again your video, so i already know the 5 books are bangers, tysm and keep the good work!
Great list! I’ve heard phenomenal things about Howling Dark, so I’m excited to hear Demon in White surpassed that level for you. I don’t know what I’m doing not reading Sun Eater, but I will someday! 😅
Let’s go with some recommendations. One of it is Commonwealth Saga - it’s a duo starting Pandora’s Star. It’s a kind of space opera but… kinda not. First contact, conspiracy theory, murder mystery, how the society handles some stuff, there are some intense war parts with close combat and space battles but mainly character heavy thing. Even has a strange portal fantasy like story element for one storyline. All in 2 books. Oh yes, you are missing Octavia Butler… to be shocked. Parable of the Sower and Parable of the Talents. 👌🏽 Books to meditate on? Banks - Culture. Great example of the series is Player of Games. It’s on the level of Dune. Of course we can’t leave out Ender’s Game and Speaker for the Dead when you talk about Red Rising. We know that everyone says it’s based on Hunger Games and that based on Ender’s Game… Speaker for the Dead on the other hand was the original idea of the author why he wrote it. And that’s a very different story. Both got Hugo and Nebula awards for a reason. And just for a taste from cyberpunk Altered Carbon trilogy. Yes, it has a bit similarities to the Netflix show at least in s1, but that was it, it has awesome action scenes, the main character is crazy as heck (written in first person), it’s not really technology focused it uses only as a tool, so it’s fun not annoying to always listen to the tech speech. You didn’t hear enough the Three-Body Problem? 😁 I chose some books that are not so usual on booktok.
I've been reading SF for way too long to have a top 5, but a few that might make that kind of list: The Moon is a Harsh Mistress, Robert A. Heinlein Trading in Danger, Elizabeth Moon On Basilisk Station, David Weber Quarter Share, Nathan Lowell Star Guard, Andre Norton Janissaries, Jerry Pournelle March Upcountry, Weber and John Ringo Hammer's Slammers, David Drake Forever War, Joe Haldeman Ender's Game, Orson Scott Card Flowers for Algernon, Daniel Keyes Weapons Shops of Isher, A.E. Van Vogt Science Fiction Hall of Fame V. 1, various
Just finished PHM. It’s was great read for me, but it’s crazy how I never see any of The Expanse books on anybody’s top list. I’ve read them all twice through and can’t think of many books I’ve enjoyed more.
Great list! Those are some stellar books! I do highly recommend you continue with the rest of the Red Rising books, the journey gets even more epic. Here are some more recs for you: The Expanse series is amazing. The House of Suns by Reynolds is incredible. Anything and everything by Tchaikovsky (his fantasy series Shadows of the Apt is on my top ten list), but for sci-fi I especially recommend the Children of Time trilogy, Dogs of War, Cage of Souls. I also recommend The Remebrance of Earth's Past by Cixin Liu, especially books 2 and 3 are fantastic.
I was gonna call you out if you had of left off Ready Player One. The audio book is dope. Will Wheaton did a fantastic job narrating. You should try reading Thrawn book one
Loved Project Hail Mary and Dune, and quite liked Dark Matter but didn't really feel the ending was the best. Pierce Brown and Ruocchio are on the reading list, but I am waiting until the final book is finished before I start them. Eagerly anticipating those moments though! Great video!
You popped up in my recommended and I’m glad you did cause you’re dope! You gotta read red rising that shit is amazing. Also for future videos you should level your camera for more aesthetically pleasing framing. Luckily you have that table behind you so you can see if it’s level or not. If you’re shooting on your phone eventually try to switch to a DSLR (or mirrorless) camera and a tripod since nowadays most tripods have a level built in. I can’t wait to see more content from you my guy!
Ive started reading Sci Fi for the first time recently (used to exclusively read fantasy before) and my first sci fi book was Hyperion and man it blew me away! Chapter 1 is the best opening chapter I've read of a book period. Highly recommend. About to finish book 2 then I'm gonna check out Empire of Silence
I've read all the books on your list but your #1. Looking forward to checking it out. If you liked ready player one, you should check out Player of Games by Ian M Banks. It's one of The Culture series. A must read for anyone into gaming. Also, if you liked Project Hail Mary, check out We Are Legion, We Are Bob; excellent sci-fi ride.
Hmmmmmm recommendations..... Don't know about a top 5 but some series I have enjoyed are; Enders Game and the Shadow sequels The Three Body Problem trilogy It's not the best but a fun little sci-fi fantasy mix, Off Armageddon Reef An absolute Banger is, The Knife of Never Letting Go. Also a trilogy but I think the first book is the best for reasons. Also, it's one of those plots that you could give to 10 good authors and get 10 AMAZING stories. It's really good stuff. Sphere from the og Michael Chrichton is a classic. The Destroyermen series from Taylor Anderson is pretty good. One of the only alternate universe stories I can stand. It's gone on a little too long but it's fun.
A Black Dude talking about Science Fiction! I have to subscribe. I started reading Science Fiction before Dune was published. I watched the very first broadcast of Star Trek. I read Dune in the 70s. I am much more into SF than fantasy. It is the reason I decided to go to college for engineering in 7th grade. I started *Empire of Silence* twice. Have not made it to 25%. European medieval with space travel is not a favorite. Haven't even tried to watch the latest Dune movie. Check out: *Deamon & Freedom* by Daniel Suarez It's a single story across two book, like Hyperion & Fall of Hyperion. A much more serious version of *Ready Player One* . Murder by page 5, two Black characters, more reality than virtual. First SF book: *Star Surgeon* (1959) by Alan E Nourse It is free on the Internet now. The title *Blade Runner* came from one of his books.
Oh you gotta continue red rising, the follow-up trilogy is incredible. You should also check out The Stars my Destination by Alfred Bester. Written in 1956 and it was waaay ahead of its time. It blew my mind. it Super short book. I may be wrong but I think it was the first we saw a main character that was actually not a good guy, the all-american hero. The kind of book you have to read multiple times.
I just finished Project Hail Mary! 5 stars for me. My favorite book of the year so far! I absolutely loved Rocky and tbe humor that is seen at moments during the book.
@@LaceyGrace-k8w It amuses me to believe that Andy Wier thought up the "me burgers" concept then invented a great story to deliver them in the last 20 pages. 2 of Wier's 3 books are in my top 20 of all time, Project Hail Mary and The Martian. I enjoyed Artemis too, but it is a clear step down from the other two. Can't wait to read Wier's fourth offering. Hope he publishes it soon.
