If I said this — the fifth book in an immense, complex fantasy series — was a great starting point, would you believe me?

It’s honestly true; this book takes place on the opposite side of the world from the previous books and features almost an entirely new cast of characters.

Midnight Tides is also just as mesmerizing and powerful as Erikson’s other books — so, either start here or start with Gardens of the Moon, but try his books. This is epic fantasy turned up to eleven, with the reverb blasting and the house rocking.