Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together. How it works is that each Tuesday the host assigns a topic and then posts their top ten list that fits the topic. Every blogger can create their own top ten (or 2, 5, 20, etc.) list as well and link to the host’s. The topic for May 14th, 2019 is: Page to Screen Freebie. Today I’m discussing the books I want to see be made into TV shows with a big budget just like Game of Thrones.
1. The Poppy War by R. F. Kuang
This is a historical fantasy set in a world inspired by ancient China during the Sino-Japanese wars. There is a huge cast of characters, non-stop action and superbly crafted magic system, which I think will translate well into TV. This is very much grim-dark with lots of heavy content, so fans of Game of Thrones will definitely enjoy it.
2. A Darker Shade of Magic by V. E. Schwab
The world-building in this series is exquisite, with four parallel Londons with varying degrees of magic in them. The characters are compelling and the plot is fast-paced. The magic system is a spin on the standard elemental magic, which would look superb with if the screenplay remains as faithful as possible to the books.
3. The City of Brass by S. A. Chakraborty
Another historical fantasy, this has political intrigue and plot twists that rival that of Game of Thrones. The world is richly developed and would be a visual treat when translated on screen.
4. The Final Empire by Brandon Sanderson
I love this series for several reasons, one of the main ones being the magic system. It is one of the most unique ones I’ve read about and would look very cool on screen if given a good budget for special effects. There is also rich fodder here to do several spin-off shows based in the same world as Sanderson plans to connect all the books set in the Cosmere universe.
5. Shadow of the Fox by Julie Kagawa
A recent favourite of mine, this is set in a world inspired by feudal Japan. It has wish-granting dragons, a magic scroll, ninjas, an epic quest and most important of all, huge secrets that main characters keep from each other. I couldn’t put the first book down because of its non-stop action and kept visualising the scenes vividly in my head, so I think it would be easy to turn this into a brilliant screenplay.
Do you watch movie or TV adaptations of books? Do you think books are always better than their adaptations? Which book do you wish to be turned into a movie or TV show? Let’s discuss in the comments section below.
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I totally agree with A darker Shades of Magic. We need a TV series! I also would have loved to get a Percy Jackson TV series because the movies were honestly not good at all. And maybe an Infernal Devices TV series? There are so many good books out there that need great adaptations! 🙂
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I believe a PJO TV series is already in the works? Yes, the movie sucked, so we fans definitely need a better adaptation! 🥺 I don’t like TMI but I think a TID show is already in the works as Shadowhunters got cancelled and fans were very displeased. I hope they all get the adaptations they deserve! ♥️
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Oh I didn’t know that. I thought that Riordan had problems getting the rights back? It would be amazing news if TID could get its own show because the ending of the TMI show was pretty great and the fans definitely deserve more of the Shadowhunter world 🙂
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He’s been tweeting about a show but I’m not sure about the details. I’ll have to look into that. Yes, we definitely deserve more! 😍 I’ll watch as long as there’s Harry Shum Jr in it. 😅
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Harry was an amazing Magnus 😁
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I have to admit that I have only read Mistborn and The City of Brass from this list, but I totally agree they would make great TV shows! With GOTs coming to an end, there is even space for some new epic fantasy TV shows out there. 😀
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Yes, absolutely! These would translate so well on screen plus there is a lot of opportunity for representation of minority groups in these stories. I really hope they get adapted! ♥️
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I just put The City of Brass on my TBR today. I’m behind! Great list!
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It’s such a wonderful political fantasy! 😍 I must warn you that it’s really slow though but it’s worth the patience. I hope you love it as much as I do! ♥️
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I haven’t read any of these but I really want to, and the way you’ve expressed them makes me believe that they will be FASCINATING TV shows. So I need them all.
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Of course you need them all! But read the diverse ones first because of the amazing world-building. 😍
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OMG I chose A Darker Shade of Magic too! 🙂 I absolutely devoured that series. Everything about it is so unique. The parallel Londons. The diverse characters. The magic system ❤ OMG. I would completely be onboard with it if they are faithful to the books.
Ooooo I still have yet to read the Mistborn series. I have heard so many people talk about it but i never got the chance to pick it up. Would you recommend it?
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Yes, I agree with everything you said regarding ADSOM! I hope it gets picked up soon. ♥️
I would absolutely recommend Mistborn, but go into it with low expectations. It is definitely unique and engaging but maybe not the best thing ever (in terms of diverse rep and such) in the fantasy genre, you know?
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Oh yah I’m waiting for the day we get some news on ADSOM! Haha
Ahhhh ok! I’ll definitely take your advice and look into it! Thank u!! 💕
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I agree with Shades of Magic! It would be absolutely beautiful! I really want to read City of Brass soon I have heard such good things about it 🙈😊
Great post, Nandini 💛
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Thank you so much! ♥️ Yes, I would pay for any subscription service to watch that! 😅 You HAVE to read it! It’s an excellent book. 😍
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Love this list! I totally agree with you on The Final Empire, Shadow Of The Fox, and The City Of Brass! They’re amazing! I haven’t read ADSOM, and The Poppy War yet but I hope I’ll get to them soon!
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I’m so glad you agree! ♥️ You really have to read Poppy War! I know everyone praises ADSOM, but if you’re looking for dark fantasy, this is an amazing book and I can’t wait for the sequel! 😍
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I would definitely watch ADSOM adaptation! I thought the books were alright, but a show done well could be even better, I think – the visuals could be so rich. I love the Wayward Children series, which is getting a TV adaptation. I hadn’t expected that. I’m excited but I’m not actually sure I’ll watch it because I love the books so much.
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Yeah, I only gave the third book 5 stars I think. But it would translate very well on TV for sure, as you said! 😊 Ooh, I didn’t know that the series was being adapted. I’m excited and nervous as well. I love that suits too! 😍
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