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Looking for something light-hearted yet immersive, preferably a series


Frozentree

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I am kinda casual reader so I can't give you much examples of what I like, but I'll do my best with what I can.


First, why I say "preferably series" - well, say I don't like looking for new stuff, so I like starting long things that will last me for a while. Don't take it as a rule, if you know some short story that perfectly fits everything else I say, I won't complain.



As an example I'll have to mention Good Omens. I liked its balanced combination of humour and thrill. Due to my age and geographical location, I didn't get all the references, but it brought smile to my face and a few times I even laughed. Yet it still had a very gripping story and I had to stop more often than I wanted to stop. Though I found the conclusion a little disappointing. I found it a rushed, if not forced, way to a happy-end.



What I am looking for is something that likewise has a light-hearted/humorous side without the story suffering for it. I'd rather trade some fun for the story than the other way around. I like big worlds than span beyond the stories. I loathe unrealistic characters; I like to be able to relate to them and to see them evolve.



I heard people praise The Kingkiller Chronicle. Would you recommend it to me? Any other ideas?


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Yes. Discworld is the way to go.

As you sound like my sister I will also through out Rachael Aaron's Eli Monpress series seeing as it is the only recommended series that stuck for her.

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I would NOT recommend Rothfuss to someone looking for fun, big worlds and realistic characters.

Discworld is great, I would like to add some standalone, though:

  • The Gone-Away World: Well written, goofy, funny, and a pure joy to read
  • Lamb: the gospel according to Biff, Jesus' childhood pal. Sounds like a bad bible parody, is actually a funny and awesome story conveying a lot of positive messages and never a parody.
  • The Lies of Locke Lamora. It's fun, it's fast, it's part of a series and it's mostly chzracter-centric: sounds like a winner
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Yes. Discworld is the way to go.

As you sound like my sister I will also through out Rachael Aaron's Eli Monpress series seeing as it is the only recommended series that stuck for her.

Aaron was my first thought, and her Bach books also.

I would also recommend Ben Aaronovitch's Peter Grant Books starting with Rivers of London.

I would NOT recommend Rothfuss to someone looking for fun, big worlds and realistic characters.

Discworld is great, I would like to add some standalone, though:

  • The Gone-Away World: Well written, goofy, funny, and a pure joy to read
  • Lamb: the gospel according to Biff, Jesus' childhood pal. Sounds like a bad bible parody, is actually a funny and awesome story conveying a lot of positive messages and never a parody.
  • The Lies of Locke Lamora. It's fun, it's fast, it's part of a series and it's mostly chzracter-centric: sounds like a winner

Agree about Rothfuss, but did you miss the part about "light-hearted"? tLoLL is far, far from light-hearted.

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Agree about Rothfuss, but did you miss the part about "light-hearted"? tLoLL is far, far from light-hearted.

There is a serious plot, and tragic events, but all in all I do consider it light-hearted in a way most Fantasy is not. If TLOLL is not light hearted, then discworld is not, either, as I see it.
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Did you try other Pratchett? Or Gaiman? Stardust is a beautiful light fairy tale and while American Gods, Anansi Boys and Neverwhere are not as light and funny as Good Omens, especially the last two are not too heavy. These three are more "urban fantasy", though.


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I'll echo the Discworld recommendation (*sniff*), but with one caveat - the early novels are pretty rough. They're not terrible, but they're not great, either; The Color of Magic in particular I found merely meh. They really don't give you the full glimpse of what the series becomes later on. I usually recommend starting with Guards! Guards! or Small Gods, then going back to the beginning of the series.


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The first thing that came to my mind was "Bridge of Birds" by Barry Hughart. It's a collection of famous Chinese myths, all lumped together into a road-trip adventure story line and told with a modern voice. Definitely light-hearted, and so funny I had to put down the book at certain parts, but with genuine emotion underneath the humor. The ending is somewhat bittersweet and deeply touching.



It's part of a series but the follow up books aren't as good. I'd just stick to the first one.


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