Z.B. Steele's Videogame-based Recommendations
Twelve Book Recommendations based on videogames
I’ve been playing video games and reading books for about as long as I can remember. They’re two of my favorite things in the world and if I spent the bulk of my free-time on them, I’d consider it a good life.
Sometimes after finishing a game, I’d be filled with sadness that the journey is over. I got to thinking “it’d be nice to spend that yearning for more on a book with a similar feel”. I made this list with that in mind in the effort to make TBR’s swell up with perfect recommendations!
If you like God of War (2018)...
The Shadow of the Gods by John Gwynne - Listen, this is the recommendation for this game. Nordic setting, larger than life entities, and badass, rageful humans throughout. It also hits on themes of a single parent raising hell and raining down blood for their children. With Fury of the Gods, the final book of the trilogy, coming out soon, now is the time to get into this trilogy.
Kings of Ash by Richard Nell - This is technically book two of a trilogy, but it’s too perfect to ignore. The book comes from the series Ash and Sand, a severely underrated, First Law-esque trilogy that centers on two POV’s: Ruka and Kale, two young men living vastly different lives - Kale in the tropical islands and Ruka in the bitter arctic. Kings of Ash focuses mostly on Ruka, who’s rage keeps him alive against cold lands and colder people.
Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman - A collection of retellings of famous nordic stories. It was very interesting to see these stories and compare them to their God of War counterparts, as well as just being an enjoyable retelling.
If you like The Last of Us…
Between Two Fires by Christopher Buehlman - A setting where the apocalypse has only recently started, so some vestiges of society remain. A bitter old man guards a young girl who may be the key to saving the world. While this book is set in the 1400’s and the apocalypse is from Satan, it hits all the notes and works just as well as The Last of Us.
The Road by Cormac McCarthy - Another tough read from Mr. McCarthy, but one that is similar to Between Two Fires in the way that it hits the themes generated in The Last of Us. Dark, depraved, and oddly hopeful along the margins, this is a book that people with a strong stomach should read.
The Bone Spear by Alexander Layne - Eldritch gods from space have invaded Earth in the medieval ages. Humans went to war against them and humans lost. On the brink of extinction, only pockets of humans stay alive. An old general, similar to Joel at the start of the game, is given a spear and a purpose by a god with questionable motives. A young woman, similar to Ellie in TLOU2, leaves an abusive home life and begins training to survive in this changing world.
If you like Red Dead Redemption 2…
Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry - Typically lauded as the greatest western novel of all time, Lonesome Dove stands tall. A large book populated with rich character work, beautiful scene setting, and more than a few “oh fuck” moments, it’s hard to argue against this being the best western novel ever written.
For a Few Days More by Z.B. Steele - In the interest of transparency, I wrote this book. It has similar themes about self reflection after a violent life, the pursuit of freedom, and redemption. Some of the characters are directly inspired by the characters in RDR2 (namely Arthur, Sadie, and Dutch), and while I think it’s a great fit, if you’re looking for a fantasy book recommendation where the author doesn’t have a vested interest in recommending the book, I’d recommend Red Country by Joe Abercrombie, Low Country by Morgan Shank, or Cold West by Clayton Snyder.
Blood Meridian by Cormac McCarthy - Darker than black, this book places you squarely alongside one of the greatest villains ever written, The Judge. Cormac’s writing style in this one is challenging, as well as sickening, but he spices in beautiful passages and an awe inspiring journey. If you liked the darker parts of RDR2 and traversing the west under nighttime skies, this is the book for you.
If you like Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice…
Never Die by Rob J Hayes - We start off collecting fallen legends and recruiting them to an ambitious cause: assassinate the emperor. With a similar aesthetic to Sekiro, and the same amount of death, Never Die is my go-to recommendation for fans of the game.
Musashi by Eiji Yoshikawa - An absolutely epic book about Miyamoto Musashi, possibly the most famous Japanese swordsman of all time, centers around a man rising in fame while he always strives to be better: both as a man and a swordsman. Combined with revolutionizing a fighting style and philosophy, it just fits for fans of Sekiro looking for a bit of a meaty, more grounded novel.
Undead Samurai by Baptiste Pinson Wu - If the title alone doesn’t sell you, I don’t know what else will. If you still need convincing, then let me tell you that it’s partly fantasy, partly horror, and full on fantastic. Seriously, if you like the game, I dare you to read the prologue and then put it down.
