If there is one thing I love about reading fantasy series, it is how immersive an experience it can be. Not only do you follow the same set of characters over three, four, seven, books, but you also get to travel through the land the fantastical tale lives in.
You get to see what they see, feel what they feel, understand the socio-political climate of the spacetime your characters are in, what makes them tick, what their vulnerabilities are and the little things they do that turn them into relatable humans. Especially if the characters are in shades of grey.
Recently, I went on a journey. Quite literally because the book was 1000 pages and it is the first book in a five-part series which may or may not have more books. I am now onto book two and I really wanted to share what it feels like to read something that can take over your entire life. So much so that your family starts to keep tabs on your reading and Kindle-charging habits, asking if you’re done yet and how much more you are going to read.
Reading the first hundred pages are the hardest. If you’re new to fantasy series, you should know it can take up to 150-200 pages simply to set-up the storyboard. There are character introductions, world introductions, plot introductions and keeping all that information in your head without getting distracted by something shiny on social media or getting lost in the details can be challenging.
The next 300 pages or so, by the time you reach 50-60%, are exhilarating. The plot is moving, moving, moving, you have comfortably settled into the world and your characters are not doing so well. This is where there is a climax, a reveal of sorts that gives the last 600 pages you traversed a new perspective.
It’s something I have noticed about fantasy series. They have at least two to three climaxes. After that first climax slash reveal, the story almost stalls, like it is building up to the next crescendo. This is the point I start to feel restless because oh my god will this book never end? I will start dreaming about the characters, irritated that while I’m only 200 pages away from the end, I’m also two hundred pages away from the end.
I also start acting like the characters, talking to myself about what’s happening in the story, patting myself on the back for reaching here. It is indeed a relief to know that I can concentrate beyond the 3-7 seconds, the ideal length for a viral reel on Instagram.
The best part is how my sister reacts. Because when I’m deep into my marathon reading, it is she who decides to take me out of the house to sun and water me. She worries about my sanity, quite unnecessarily if you ask me.
The last 200 pages is when I really go crazy. No, all of the above is not crazy. It’s just determination to read a book with 1000 pages. But the last pages are usually where the most action, revelations, deaths, wrapping up of plot points, set-up for book two and the larger thematic arc happens. Which is why, I will stay up late into the night, ignoring my need for sleep to finish the book immediately. I will check the time left in the book feature on the Kindle to calculate how much sleep I will have to sacrifice and how I will make up for it.
Once I’m done, I usually wait for twenty-four hours, to reassure my family that I am fine before…starting book two. You know you have a great, epic, awesome, astonishing series in your hand when you want to get into another 1000 pages after reading the first 1000.
I know I haven’t told you much about the book I read, The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson. Suffice to say, I’m glad I added it to my 10 most anticipated reads of 2024 and it prompted me to write a word-vomit blog post on how much fun I had reading it.
How about you? Have you noticed any quirks in your reading habits? I’d love to know!
This post is part of Bookish League blog hop hosted by Bohemian Bibliophile.
tales of Suchita 
Let me tell you, Suchita, you have charmed me with your dissection of the reading experience in stages as you cover the pages. I would have included the book you promoted if I were a lover of fantasy books. Even in other genres, a 1000 pages scare me away. I kept the Covenant of Water hidden on my shelf, as it scares me with the mere number of its pages-1000. 🙂
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Yes it is definitely daunting to pick up something that thick. But if the story entices you, it is not so difficult 😀
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Believe it or not, I haven’t read fantasy. But before I get to this 1000 page book, I have planned to start with Harry Potter books next year. Then maybe I’ll watch the movies for the first time.
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Haha that’s a good plan. Hope its enjoyable for you 🙂
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The teenage Manali would’ve pounced at the opportunity of reading a 1000 page book, that too fantasy. Sigh! That world building itself will now me tire out. But I can relate to what you said as the progression of the story happens and how it affects your real-time behaviour. The one very obvious quirk I observe in myself is that I tend to take a day or two after completing one book, to get into another one.
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Hahaha yessss when not done well, world building can get really tiresome. But then Brandon is a master storyteller.
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Fantasy isn’t my cup of tea…so I am rather glad to read your post on that amazing reading experience! You have a real talent for story telling…loved reading the arcs and break down of a 1000 pager fantasy book!
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Thank you Ninu 🙂
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I was chuckling while reading this delightful post. The sentence “I will start dreaming about the characters, irritated that while I’m only 200 pages away from the end, I’m also two hundred pages away from the end.” is so so bang on when I am really really into a book.
Now I am not a very major fantasy person, for the simple reason that yes, good fantasy books are usually long…and I unfortunately being a homemaker do not have the luxury of time. I did start GOT, and then had to give up halfway between book 2 since it was just too many characters for me to handle. Plus, it was easier to watch it than read it, and I also realised that maybe, I have lost the concentration required to read fantasy (me, who read LOTR in 10 days). But that doenst mean I do not read long books, ofcourse I do, but now I veer more towards the lit fic types, aka A Suitable Boy.
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Totally get that. Lit fic that’s more than 400 pages scares me 😆 and I have adopted non-fic with an enthusiasm that’s interesting to witness.
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Fantasy Fiction is tough to write but fantastic to read when well written. The bit about your sister taking you out to sun and water, had me rolling with laughter, but I know the enchantment when you are in the grip of a good book’s pages.
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Very true. And a good fantasy series is the best kind 😅
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Fantasy …. I sometimes get confused as what it targets to mean…. sometimes action fantasy, adventure fantasy, romance fantasy, mythological fantasy….. if there is so much sub category in one genre it turns difficult for me to actually get the authentic flavour of fantasy…. so as of now no to fantasy world
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Well, fantasy like any other genre has a lot of sub genres. You pick up whatever blurb excites you the most 🙂 Thanks for stopping by.
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I love how a good series just transports me into a different world for a time. It can be jarring to emerge from the world created between the pages and realize you’re still actually in this rather mundane world!
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Wow – you captured what I said in 600 words in 1 comment 😀 you’re so so right 😀
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Your sister’s concern made me chuckle—I have a friend who does the same for me! It’s incredible how these books can take over our lives in the best possible way. Thanks for sharing your adventure with Sanderson’s epic. Can’t wait to hear more about your journey through book two!
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I have finished book 2 and now I’m taking a break before jumping into book 3 – for my and my sister’s sanity 😀 😀
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Though I read pretty much, a thousand-page book sounds intimidating especially if it’s fantasy. I don’t think I’ll get into this. Instead wait for your summaries 🙂
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It was an adventure reading a 1000 page novel, that’s for sure.
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Added to my TBR list! must, must read as I love fantasy fiction. However, I agree with all that you have said about the genre, as I tried to read the Lord of the Rings and got so lost initially. I found the movie to be simpler! and that was in three parts. Despite that, it’s good to break away from the banal, the known and the so-called normal and find new territories.
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The movie is definitely superior from the book in this instance. Since you spoke about power, this book explores that subject spectacularly.
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