You guys, I get it. The Witcher on Netflix was AWESOME. Intricate world building. Intense and diverse personalities. The most gorgeous man that has ever graced the earth with the sexiest voice in history. I devoured the first season within a week. And ever since then, there has been a Witcher-shaped-hole in my life. Can you feel my pain? If you answered yes, fear not. If you’re looking for books like The Witcher, below are some suggestions that will help get you through this difficult time until we can see a sword-wielding Henry Cavill again.
The Mistborn Trilogy by Brandon Sanderson
Synopsis: A Mistborn is a rare and powerful person with the ability to utilize all forms of Allomancy magic. When Kelsier, a skilled Mistborn, meets young Vin, he sees her potential and trains her how to use and control her magic. All this is part of his plan to use the elusive eleventh metal to defeat the evil Lord Ruler.
Why You’ll Like It: The main character, Vin, reminds me a lot of Ciri. She has immense power and is trying to figure out what to do with it. Plus her relationship with Kelsier is what I’m hoping Geralt and Ciri might turn into. One of those heart-warming adopted father-daughter relationships. Or, if the magic of the Witcher is what drew you in, no one does magic better than Sanderson. The magic system is unique and well thought out and you get to see great shows of power and ability.
The Kingkiller Chronicle by Patrick Rothfuss
Synopsis: This unfinished trilogy is what I would call a fantasy biography. Books one and two are structured as the main character, Kvothe, sharing stories from his past to a Chronicler. Kvothe, an adventurer and musician, grew up in a traveling entertaining group until he decides he wants to attend a university of magic to develop his own powers.
Why You’ll Like It: The Witcher is an epic fantasy, meaning much time is spent delving into the world building to give the reader a vivid picture of this world the author has created. The Kingkiller Chronicle is no different. It has its own fully-formed mythology and is rich with its own cultural customs, groups of people and tribes. Plus, if you’re like me and crossing all your fingers that The Witcher Season 2 will give us a glimpse at Geralt’s past, this story provides flashbacks of a young Kvothe growing into manhood.
The Wheel of Time by Robert Jordan (and Brandon Sanderson)
Synopsis: Bad news. The Dark One, evil incarnate, is breaking free from his prisoner. But there’s good news too. One of the three youths introduced in the beginning of book one of this series is the Dragon Reborn, aka the prophesized savior. Unfortunately, there’s more bad news. In order to save the world, the Dragon Reborn might also destroy it.
Why You’ll Like It: Not to repeat myself, but once again, Wheel of Time is an intricate fantasy world created by Robert Jordan that is rich in magical details and intriguing characters. What I think might resonate most with lovers of The Witcher though is that like Netflix’s series, Wheel of Time doesn’t just focus on the story of its protagonist. It steps back and gives page space to the larger story of the world’s struggle to deal with the hardships of war and uneasiness of change.
Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
Synopsis: If you were betrayed and forced to spend a year in a hard labor camp at the age of eighteen, then perhaps you’d be as anger as the heroine of the Throne of Glass Series. Celeana Sardothian gets a chance at freedom when she is chosen by Prince Dorian as his champion in the competition to determine the King’s next royal assassin. At least this gal knows how to FIGHT! As she progresses in the competition, she makes friends, allies and enemies. But when one of her competitors drops dead, followed shortly by another, Celeana realizes she’s fighting for more than the winning spot of of competition. She’s fighting for her life.
Why You’ll Like It: Raise your hand if you want to be like Yennefer fromThe Witcher? Yennefer embodies the essence of the girl who overcame all her trials to walk out stronger on the other side. Celeana Sardothian is the Yennefer of the Throne of Glass series. She is feisty, fierce, not afraid to speak her mind, and strong-willed as heck. And it’s an entire series of watching Celeana be her spunky self at inappropriate times and showcasing her power to make sure people know it’s a mistake to underestimate her. If that’s your kind of gal, read Throne of Glass.
The Winternight Trilogy by Katherine Arden
Synopsis: Inspired by Russian folklore, this trilogy is set in a medieval Russian village and begins with the story of a young girl named Vasya Petrovna. Vasya discovers she has a spiritual gift when she begins to see fantastical creatures hanging around her house and the surrounding forest. Vasya must learn to persevere through the hardships life throws at her and to harness her gift in order to protect the people she cares about.
Why You’ll Like It: If Ciri was your favorite plot line in The Witcher, then have I found the trilogy for you. This trilogy lets you follow the journey of young Vasya as she grows and comes into her power, much like what we saw and hope to see more of for Ciri in the Netflix series.
Uprooted by Naomi Novik
Synopsis: In exchange for protecting their village from the evils of the forest it borders, the Dragon, a cold, mysterious wizard, requires a young woman be handed over to him and serve him for ten years, because that feels like a fair trade. When Agnieszka is chosen as that very woman, she learns that the Dragon is not all the rumors make him out to be. Oh, and she learns about how ferocious the Wood is.
Why You’ll Like It: I’m a sucker for a love story in a book or TV show. It’s my favorite part. If you’re like me and fell in love with the love between Geralt & Yennefer, then the beautiful love that develops in Uprooted will be your cup of tea. If you prefer a different type of drink, the magic in Uprooted is as mesmerizing as the magic in The Witcher. The way Novik writes gives the magic a vivid life of its own.
The Stormlight Archive by Brandon Sanderson
Synopsis: Imagine living in Florida during hurricane season and you’ve got the Stormlight Archive world. It’s been ages since the fall of the Knights Radiant, but at least they forgot to take their mystical swords and suits of armor with them. Now, mere mortals can become virtually invincible. They are the kind of prize one would go to war over-and they did. The series isn’t complete yet, but so far it’s a collection of battles and wars fought separately, but against the same enemy. Heroes rise and fall throughout, evil abounds at times, and consequences are steep and costly.
Why You’ll Like It: Epic plots of epic proportions. I don’t think anyone dislikes an unlikely hero rising to power, and that’s what you get with Stormlight Archives. With multiple points of view, you’ll get a well-rounded story and perspective.
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