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1. The Kingkiller Chronicles by Patrick Rothfuss
It’s not an understatement to say
that this is the very best fantasy series currently underway. It’s only
two books in at the moment (well, two and a half), so it’s a perfect
time to jump in and get started. A rich and compelling story of a
brilliant young man’s rise to become a legendary magician, framed by a
present where he is middle-aged and seemingly powerless.
2. The Stormlight Archive by Brandon Sanderson
Another series that only has two
books so far, so now’s the time to get involved. The one issue is that
they’re BIG books, so the two Stormlight Archives feel more like
four books. Luckily, they’re incredible, so you’ll tear through them.
RIYL: really big swords, sorcery, and massive battle sequences.
3. A Song of Ice and Fire by George R.R. Martin
Bantam Books
A Song of Ice and Fire, the series that A Game of Thrones
belongs to, is a modern classic. If you enjoy the HBO show, you owe it
to yourself to read the books. (Just be prepared for this thing to start
real tight and end up sprawling.)
4. The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien
Ballentine Books
If you’re reading a list of the best fantasy books, there’s like a 0% chance you haven’t read The Lord of the Rings books already, but just in case you somehow haven’t, you should. Required reading. Prerequisite for all fantasy.
5. The Lightbringer series by Brent Weeks
Orbit Books
Orbit Books
Solid fantasy books with an intricate
and fascinating system of magic. A little bit like how the power rings
work in the Green Lantern comic books, except set in a fantasy world.
6. His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman
Classic storybook fantasy full of
witches, magic animal companions, and badass polar bears covered in
armor. These books skew a little younger, but are still fun to read for
adults as well.
7. Discworld by Terry Pratchett
Harper Collins
Discworld isn’t a traditional
fantasy cycle, but more of a fantasy-themed and generally humorous
collection of books, short stories, encyclopedias, and maps. There are
40 books in eight different storylines, so it’s quite an undertaking.
Sadly, Terry Pratchett died earlier this year, and the final Discworld book, The Shepherd’s Crown, is expected to hit shelves this fall.
8. The First Law by Joe Abercrombie
Orbit Books
As violent, gritty, and unpredictable as Game of Thrones,
but with more heart, humor, and sense of play. This series will draw
you in immediately and make you fall in love with its troubled,
complicated lead characters.
9. The Sword of Shannara Trilogy by Terry Brooks
Elves, Dark Lords, and quests to
retrieve mythical swords in order to vanquish said Dark Lords. These are
classic, epic fantasy books that feel an awful lot like the Lord of the Rings series at times, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. The Lord of the Rings books are, after all, very, very good indeed.
10. Demon Cycle by Peter V. Brett
A “hero’s journey” told through several protagonists and settings. As its name implies, the Demon Cycle
exists in a complex and fascinating world where humans and demons are
forced to live at constant odds with one another, and explores what
happens when humans finally take a stand.
11. The Riddle-Master Trilogy by Patricia A. McKillip
Del Rey
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Set in a world akin to northwestern Europe, and with royalty disguised as commoners, talkative ghosts, and star-crossed lovers, The Riddle Master Trilogy
feels a bit like a contemporary fantasy equivalent to some of
Shakespeare’s stories. (But with shape-shifting monsters, magic, and,
yes, lots of riddles.)
12. Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson
Tor Books
The heart of this series is in the
intricate and cleverly deployed system of magic that powers it.
Allomancers have different abilities tied to different metals, and there
is a real thrill in watching the characters learn and master their
craft and combine forces as they attempt to overthrow a corrupt and
oppressive regime.
13. Gentlemen Bastard Sequence by Scott Lynch
Bantam Spectra
Thieves, pirates, and a beautifully
planned series of heists that are a delight to watch unfold. This series
is not without its share of heartbreak and loss, but the tribulations
of its protagonists are tempered with a joyful sense of mischief,
cunning, and a fair amount of swashbuckling. Oceans 11 meets Pirates of the Caribbean meets Robin Hood.
14. The Inheritance Trilogy by N.K. Jemisin
A vividly imagined world where gods
are slaves and nothing is as it seems. Author N.K. Jemisin deftly
subverts all the old fantasy tropes in the course of creating a
beautiful, rich world full of intriguing characters and dazzling moments
that will leave you wanting more.
15. Liveship Traders Trilogy by Robin Hobb
Epic tales of the sea and pirate
stories…except all the ships are magical and sentient and sort of have
minds of their own at times. The thinking “liveships” carry with them
generations of collected wisdom and often have as much rich
characterization as the human characters aboard them.
16. The Harry Potter books by J.K. Rowling
You’ve probably never heard of these
little-known books from British author J.K. Rowling. But this well-kept
secret is actually a wonderful series of books that deserves much more
recognition than it gets. OK, let’s be real: If you are the one person
who hasn’t read these yet, just do yourself a favor. Read them now.
Right now. No more excuses.
17. The Sword of Truth by Terry Goodkind
Tor Fantasy
Less a fantasy series and more a complex dedication to world-building. The Sword of Truth
series is 14 books, all of which are designed to be stand-alone
stories, totally independent from the others. (Except for the final
three books, which are a traditional trilogy.) They follow several key
protagonists all grappling with the same antagonists bent on world
domination.
18. The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis
Like reading the Bible, if the Bible
was set in a fantasy universe. OK, that’s an exaggeration, but the books
are pretty heavy on the Christian allegory. The seven novels (the
reading order of which is a little controversial) are shorter than
standard fantasy books, and written for younger readers, so they’re
incredibly fun, easy to get through, and definitely worth picking up if
you had the extreme misfortune of not reading these as a child.
19. The Earthsea Cycle by Ursula K. LeGuin
A classic of the genre from one of its all-time masters, Ursula K. LeGuin. The Earthsea
saga confronts the great themes of life and death with its wonderful
cast of magicians, priestesses, and dragons. Elegiac in tone and epic in
scope, the books in this series will make you think and grow as you
delight in the adventures of its characters.
20. The Fionavar Tapestry by Guy Gavriel Kay
Penguin Putnam
From the great Guy Gavriel Kay (see also, the stunning Tigana), The Fionavar Tapestry
is a high fantasy tale of princes and princesses, dragons and warriors,
with an intriguing foothold in the contemporary world. Follow the
adventures of five students from our world who find themselves in the
middle of an epic battle in the magical Fionavar, in this riveting and
deftly realized series that draws from Arthurian legend, Norse and Welsh
mythology, and the very best of the fantasy traditions established by
Tolkien and C.S. Lewis.
21. Raven’s Shadow by Anthony Ryan
Anthony Ryan
In the vein of Name of the Wind, the first book of the Raven’s Shadow
series more than does justice to a hero’s journey with a compelling bit
of world-building and enough action and adventure to keep you
completely hooked. Follow the adventures of Vaelin al Sorna as he weaves
his way from his apprentice training in the harsh military “Sixth
Order” to worldwide renown as the fearsome “Hope Killer.”
22. The Broken Empire series by Mark Lawrence
A little more adult than many of the selections on this list, the Broken Empire
series is aimed at the cynical fantasy fan. The world in which these
books take place is violent and brutal, and their protagonist is not
particularly sympathetic. This series feels a bit like a fantasy story
told from the perspective of the vile and power-hungry evil king who
would usually play the part of the villain.
23. A Land Fit For Heroes by Richard K. Morgan
An exuberant twist on some standard dark fantasy tropes, A Land Fit For Heroes
is almost gleeful in its violence, sexual themes, and cynical outlook.
Author Richard K. Morgan brings some of his science fiction chops (see
in particular the brilliant Takeshi Kovacs novels) to add color to a
fantasy world full of magic, destiny, and so, so, so much violence.
Also, the hero is gay, which is a refreshing change.
24. Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon
Part romance novel, part historical fiction, part fantasy, the Outlander
series takes the best parts of each genre and makes its own unique
narrative, which begins with a 20th-century nurse who’s mysteriously
time-warped to 18th-century Scotland. These books are full of intrigue
and romance and are extremely readable, and also feature a female
protagonist, which is rarer than it should be for fantasy novels.
25. The Wheel Of Time by Robert Jordan
Tor Fantasy
The first three books in this iconic
series are a classic exploration of the themes of good versus evil and a
template for almost all of the high fantasy that follows it. After
Jordan’s death in 2007, the extremely talented Brandon Sanderson (see
also The Stormlight Archive in this list) has finished off the
series to great acclaim from fans. But there are 14 books (of, frankly,
varying quality) to read before the grand finale, so you better get
cracking now.
26. Malazan Book Of The Fallen by Steven Erikson
“Epic” doesn’t even really begin to
describe this 10-volume series, with its sweeping plot, its multiple
storylines, and its intricate, ambitious world-building. This is the War and Peace
of high fantasy literature, but obviously way better, because it has
assassins, magic, and dragons – three things Tolstoy never thought to
include in his magnum opus, to his great detriment and (presumably)
lasting regret.
27. The Black Company by Glen Cook
You won’t read a review of The Black Company
without seeing the word “gritty,” and that’s because Glen Cook
basically singlehandedly brought the idea into the world of fantasy.
Follow the adventures of this morally questionable group of mercenaries
as they hack their way through a dark, war-torn world full of death,
misery, and, occasionally, a chance at redemption.
28. Elemental Logic by Laurie J. Marks
Tor Fantasy
The Elemental Logic books are a
fascinating look into what it’s like being on the wrong side of a
hostile occupation, and all the politics and betrayal that comes along
with it. Complicated characters play their stories out in a richly
imagined world, and the lines between good and evil often become blurred
throughout the three books.
29. The Chronicles Of Amber by Roger Zelazny
A man wakes up in a hospital with no
idea of how he got there. His attempts to find out lead him through a
series of other worlds and into a tumultuous confrontation with the
members of his family who rule over the one true world.
30. The Avalon Series by Marion Zimmer Bradley
The Mists of Avalon and its
decades-spanning series of sequels and prequels all tell the familiar
tale of the Arthurian legend, but with characters such as King Arthur
and the Knights of the Round Table playing secondary roles. Instead, the
series follows the lives of the women in Arthur’s court, and explores
the Matter of Britain from a more feminist perspective.
31. The Merlin Quintet by Mary Stewart
William Morrow
Another set of fantasy novels
retelling the Arthurian legend, but this time mostly through the
perspective of a Welsh boy named Myrddin Emrys, who grows up to be the
powerful wizard Merlin. The series follows Merlin as he grows up, raises
Arthur, and eventually becomes the young king’s trusted ally during the
part of the Arthurian legend that most readers will be familiar with.
The series is a fascinating take on a familiar tale.
32. The Dark Elf Trilogy by R.A. Salvatore
TSR, Inc. / Penguin Books / Wizards of the Coast
Although The Dark Elf Trilogy
was originally written as a prequel trilogy to another series, the
popularity of the protagonist, a dark elf named Drizzt Do’Urden, has
made this the stand-out series among all the D&D books out there. If
you’re a fan of the world of Dungeons & Dragons, or just need a fix
between play sessions, look no further.
33. The Elric Saga by Michael Moorcock
Elric VIII, the 428th Sorcerer
Emperor of Melniboné, is a weak and frail introvert. But his sword,
Stormbringer, is anything but. It brings Elric the strength he needs to
survive, at a cost: It feeds on the souls of its prey. Michael
Moorcock’s subversion of what he saw as the tired tropes of fantasy
established by Tolkien and others make for a powerful read that is, to
this day, a seminal influence on the genre.
34. Redwall by Brian Jacques
Redwall is a fantasy series for older
children set in a world full of talking animals. The 22 books span
centuries within the world, with some familiar characters from earlier
books returning only as legends in later books. Despite being a
childrens’ series, the world of Redwall is rich and complex, and it manages to be engaging despite the expansive nature of the books.
35. Temeraire by Naomi Novik
For anyone who ever felt that the
Napoleonic wars were all well and good but didn’t have nearly enough
dragons, this fun and compulsively readable series will permanently fix
that problem. This is basically Hornblower meets Dragonriders of Pern, and it’s a perfect combination. Naomi Novik is a true delight to read, and you should also check out her excellent new novel, Uprooted.
36. Inheritance Cycle by Christopher Paolini
Knopf Books
Eragon and its sequels are entry-level high fantasy. They’re thematically similar to fantasy classics such as the Earthsea novels or the Wheel of Time
books, but written to be accessible to modern kids and young adults.
The book has everything you’d expect: dragons, ultimate evil, and a farm
boy thrust into the role of the hero. All in all, they’re a great
introduction to the genre.
37. The Riyria Revelations by Michael J. Sullivan
Orbit
The Riyria Revelations follows
two unlikely heroes across three novels written as one long ongoing
tale, rather than as a series of sequels. The heroes are accused of
regicide in the opening pages, and they spend the rest of the books in
over their heads as they try to clear their names. Unfortunately, they
have their hands full, because they’re going to need to solve the
mystery of the king’s death and battle against evil wizards all at the
same time.
38. Prince Of Nothing by R. Scott Bakker
On the surface, the Prince Of Nothing
novels are everything you’d expect from well-written fantasy novels: a
good magic system, a full and complex world, and well-rounded
characters. But anyone who took a Philosophy 101 class will recognize
some key principles of academic philosophy and human psychology at play,
which makes for a challenging yet interesting read.
39. Dragonlance by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman
Wizards of the Coast
Dragonlance was one of the first independently produced modules for Dungeons & Dragons,
and it was so well-written and engaging for fans that it became the
setting for the game’s first foray into the world of novels. At this
point, there are over 200 published Dragonlance novels, but if you’re
looking for the core experience, the original Chronicles Trilogy and the Legends trilogy are your best bet.
40. The Chronicles Of Thomas Covenant by Stephen R. Donaldson
Fontana
When the protagonist of the series – a
writer named Thomas Covenant who is afflicted with leprosy – is struck
by a police cruiser, he wakes up in a land of high fantasy and magic.
Was he somehow transported to this new world, or is he lying in a coma
in a hospital bed? He’s never quite sure, and he spends the entire
series as “The Unbeliever,” trying to figure things out alongside the
reader.
41. The Powder Mage Trilogy by Brian McClellan
Orbit
The Powder Mage books are a
little different from the other books on this list because they’re set
in a more modern “Bulletpunk” setting, where swords and sorcery are
replaced with guns and epaulettes. Even the magic system in the books
involves consuming gunpowder in order to access inert abilities. There’s
a lot happening in this trilogy, from gun battles with gods to good,
old-fashioned policework, so there should be a little something for
everyone.
42. The Once And Future King by T.H. White
Published in the ‘50s by T.H. White, The Once And Future King
has gone on to be an enduring classic, and it still stands out as the
very best reimagining of the Arthurian legend for a modern audience.
Psychologically complex and at times devastating, this five-book series
is rightly considered one of the very best fantasies ever written.
43. The Bartimaeus Sequence by Jonathan Stroud
Disney-Hyperion
A young adult series that sets itself
apart with excellent writing and humor. This trilogy by Jonathan Stroud
tells the story of a 12-year-old magician and the lovable but
cantankerous 5,000-year-old spirit who becomes his familiar.
Basically…RIYL Harry Potter.
44. The Gormenghast Series by Mervyn Peake
A gothic fantasy that looms
imposingly in its influence on some of the later masters of the genre,
Mervyn Peake’s deeply weird but masterfully written Gormenghast
series is often described more as a “fantasy of manners” than a heroic
fantasy in the style of Tolkien. These are books of castle intrigue,
romance, madness, and grotesque, brilliant imagination. You’d want
Guillermo del Toro to direct the movies rather than Peter Jackson.
45. The Abhorsen Trilogy by Garth Nix
HarperTeen
A high fantasy series with a
non-traditional subject: A family of necromancers. And a cat named
Mogget. A deeply imaginative series that will keep you reading all the
way to the gripping conclusion.
46. The Dark Is Rising Sequence by Susan Cooper
Susan Cooper’s classic series is for a
younger audience, but it stands up as one of the very best of its kind.
Based on Arthurian legends and Norse mythology but set in the 20th
century, these five books follow the story of 11-year-old Will Stanton,
who discovers that he is the youngest of the Old Ones, and that the fate
of the world rests on his shoulders.
47. The Farseer Trilogy by Robin Hobb
Spectra
Robin Hobb, aka Margaret Astrid Lindholm Ogden, published the first book of her Farseer Trilogy
in 1997, netting her a British Fantasy Award nomination for Best Novel.
The series follows FitzChivalry Farseer, a royal bastard whose nascent
magical abilities and training as an assassin may just be enough to
protect him from the powerful forces that threaten his kingdom, not to
mention the malicious intentions of his dangerous and conniving
relatives.
48. The Traitor Son Cycle by Miles Cameron
The Red Knight and its sequels
read like historical fiction, if medieval Europe had been full of
monsters and magic. The series follows a band of mercenaries and their
captain, known only as The Red Knight, as he and his merry men hack and
slash their way across the kingdom of Alba. The books are prohibitively
thick, but don’t let that turn you off, because they are immensely
rewarding.
49. Dreamblood by N.K. Jemisin
Orbit
Another promising series by N.K. Jemisin, the Dreamblood
series creates a vivid landscape of war, intrigue, and religion, set in
the City of Dreams, where crime and violence are unknown, but
nightmares lurk.
50. The Riftwar Cycle by Raymond E. Feist
Based on a role-playing world originally created to compete with Dungeons & Dragons,
this is classic epic fantasy. An orphan boy discovers magical abilities
within himself and becomes a hero in the world of Midkemia. Rifts open
up between worlds and a huge battle between order and chaos erupts,
spanning 10 novels.
51. The Magicians Trilogy by Lev Grossman
Lev Grossman’s brilliant trilogy is
always referred to as “Harry Potter for grownups,” but a better
description would be “Narnia for the permanently disillusioned.” The
evil forces arrayed against Grossman’s hero, Quentin Coldwater, are not
so much the wizards, monsters, and demons he has to face as he comes to
terms with his considerable powers, but the even more terrifying horrors
of finding a place in the world and learning how not to be an asshole
while you’re at it. This series may break you a little bit emotionally,
but there’s so much fun to be had along the way.
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