So I stayed up way too late last night (as you do) finishing up book 3 of the Licanius trilogy after reading them back to back to back, and am still in a bit of a daze from the sheer scope of what Islington put together, especially the completeness of that ending and the emotional payoffs. I definitely have a book hangover today, which I'm sure many can relate to.

For my next big series, I finally feel ready to take on the Malazan series, and I've got GotM queued up on the Kindle. But I kind of want to settle my spirit back down first with something that's a bit lighter, less of a doorstop in terms of page count, and won't emotionally drain my Essence reserve (sorry).

Anyone have any good ideas or go-to's for this purpose? It doesn't necessarily need to be conflict-free or funny/irreverent - I imagine Pratchett will be a common suggestion here but I'm really just looking for something straightforward, familiar, maybe a bit "cozy" but still in the realm of fantasy.

Bonus points if it's on Kindle Unlimited (or a deeply discounted Kindle version) :)

Whatchy'all got?

**Edit: On the off-chance others (now or in the future) have a similar question, here are the specific books that have been recommended:

  • Lud-in-the-Mist by HopeMirrlees
  • Johannes Cabal the Necromancer by Jonathan L. Howard
  • Aria of Steel trilogy by Steven Raaymakers
  • Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree
  • The Kaiju Preservation Society by John Scalzi
  • Yumi and the Nightmare Painter and Tress of the Emerald Sea by Brandon Sanderson
  • Beneath Ceaseless Skies (short story magazine collection)
  • Fred the Vampire Accountant by Drew Hayes
  • Kings of the Wyld by Nicholas Eames
  • Piranesi by Susanna Clark
  • The Singing Hills series by Nghi Vo
  • The Murderbot Diaries series by Martha Wells
  • The Goblin Emperor by Katherine Addison