This is the book that kicked off our book club! As a rabid Paolini fan, the news of a brand-new sci-fi series of novels made me froth at the mouth. This book combined the comforting, straight-forward but immersive prose common to Paolini with everything you could ask for in a space opera. It spans such vast distances and explores such beautiful character arcs that I cried when I finished it: I was sad it was over. Its prequel, Fractal Noise, is also very high on my list of books, but this is the one that started it all.

Everyone loves this book. For good reason. As is apparent from the section above, my favorite genre of sci-fi is the space opera by far. PHM is literally the perfect space opera. The riveting plot that slowly unveils information over time, making you work for each important plot point, is highly addictive. I’m pretty sure I read 70% of this thing in one night.

I know, I know. I picked both. I just can’t decide, and I don’t think I should have to. Eldest introduces us to a much wider view of Alagaesia, complete with the addition of multiple new perspectives from dynamic and unique characters. I cry every time Roran rallies the villagers of Carvahall to forsake their homes and venture over the spine, and his reunion with Eragon on the Burning Plains is such a rich character moment for both cousins. Brisingr has so many iconic moments that I can’t choose between. Okay, maybe the forging of Eragon’s rider sword. I’ve literally got it tattooed on my arm.

This is controversial. I know it is. If you’ve read The Dark Tower, you are gaping right now. Stop it. Close your mouth. You’re starting to drool. There’s just something about book three that none of the others really have. The beautiful potential of an adventure just started, the setting of mysterious woods full of odd creatures and robots, and the initial bonds of the ka-tet that set the stage for the rest of the story. I’ll never forget the people of River Crossing, Gasher taking Jake hostage, the city of Lud, the horribly terrifying moment where I really thought Grandpa King was gonna kill this adorable fucking Billy Bumbler by letting him fall off a bridge. There’s just something about this one that really spoke to me. And I get it, Wizard and Glass is iconic and incredible, Wolves of the Calla is a balls-to-the-wall action story with great character nuance, but nothing was truly as fun to read, in my stupid opinion, as The Waste Lands.

Surprised again? While any book in the Stormlight Archive is an easy contender for “best books ever written in the history of mankind and apes”, I had the most fun with WoR. We’re past the initial confusion of the setting up of the story and world, and now we finally get to see these characters interact more directly and often with each other. Who can forget the Shallan classics, “I am a stick” and “Boots!” Those alone give this one extra points. But really, we see Shallan become a much wider character, we see Kaladin learning what it means to take care of others, and we finally uncover the secret of Urithuru. Coolest shit ever.

I honestly don’t know how to talk about this book without just typing *wordless sobbing*. It’s absolutely hilarious (Rambo tattoo is planned), heartfelt, adventurous, tragic, triumphant, and bittersweet. Seriously, you need to read it. Now. Like, go get it. Okay, fine, you can borrow mine.

Yes, that’s right, Duma Key gang, baby. If you’re a real King fan, you agree with me (wink). Never has a setting been built so richly and densely as this little Florida island. The combination of the inherent creepiness of the ocean mixed with the backdrop of a Dali painting makes this thing tingly all the way through. Do the day and let the day do you!

You knew one of these was coming if you’ve read my intro. I’m scandalized to suggest that this may also be a controversial decision, to pick book two over The Name of the Wind, but everyone that hates on book two is just wrong. How could anyone possibly find issue with a book where Kvothe indebts one of the most powerful men in the world to himself, fights off a band of bandits by calling literal lightning down from the sky, learns to be a ninja, fucks an ancient Fae being’s brains out, and murders an entire troupe of rapists in the forest? Seriously. There’s no contest.