Best Reads of 2018 - Fiction

 Part 3 of my list best books of 2018 – Fiction books.

Except for one notable exception, I did not read any truly amazing fiction this year, but I did reacquaint myself to a couple of classic, timeless, fantasy characters.

Oathbringer by Brandon Sanderson.  Sanderson has quickly become one of my favorite fiction writers.  This volume is the third in his Stormlight Archive series.  The plot is intricate with lots of twist and turns and an ending that makes you longing for the next book in the series.  Easily the best fiction book I read this year.

Fool’s Assassin by Robin Hobb.  FitzChivalry Farseer has been the topic of two of Robin Hobb’s previous series.  Here in the Fitz and the Fool series, one of the great characters of fantasy fiction returns.  He is older and slower and has a family to protect, all of which makes Fitz’s adventures and troubles all the more interesting.  Volumes 2 and 3 (Fool’s Quest and Assassin’s Fate) are also recommended.

Gauntlgrym by R. A. Salvatore.  This book was published a few years back, but I am just catching up.  Salvatore is the creator of another of the great fantasy characters – Drizzt Do’Urden – a black elf who became disenchanted with life in the evil Underdark.  Together with his good friends, Drizzt has taken me on some wonderful adventures over the years.  While Gauntlgrym is probably not the best Drizzt book, it was a lot of fun.

The Mongrel Mage by L. E. Modesitt.  Mongrel Mage is another of Modesitt’s Recluce series of novels.  It is the story of a new character, Beltur.  It is classic Modesitt – wonderful world building together with a clueless character that gradually discovers his powers.  Some think Modesitt’s books move too slowly, but I enjoy them.

2^nd Tier reads, still very good, recommended:

The Heart of What was Lost by Tad Williams

Fool’s Quest by Robin Hobb

Assassin’s Fate by Robin Hobb

Hands Like Clouds by Mark Zuehlke

Crimson Shore by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child

An Echo of Things to Come by James Islington

The Royal Wulff Murders by Keith McCafferty

Subterranean by James Rollins

Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas

Legion:  The Many Lives of Stephen Leeds by Brandon Sanderson

Heroes of Tolkien by David Day

3^rd Tier Reads, somewhat disappointing:

The Battles of Tolkien by David Day