The word “epic” takes on a whole new meaning when it comes to the fantasy genre.
It never fails to amaze me how fantasy authors can construct entire worlds — complete with their own politics, religions, languages, and species — from nothing but wisps of imagination. These worlds, and the characters that populate them, are so complex and nuanced that there’s generally no way their stories can be told properly within a single book. Thus, the best fantasy book series are born, with each new entry in the saga leaving readers clamoring for more.
Given how many fantasy series are available to read, it’s difficult to know where to start. Gandalf said, “All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us”; I say, all we have to decide is which fantasy series are worth reading with our very limited free time.
To help you on your journey, here’s a narrowed down list of my top fantasy book series recommendations. Maybe you’ll choose a high-stakes epic fantasy series like Patrick Rothfuss’ Kingkiller Chronicle. Or, if you’re in the mood for a feel-good read, you might opt for cozy fantasy books in the vein of Terry Pratchett’s Discworld.
Whatever you choose, it will be a great story where kingdoms will fall, heroes will rise, and destiny will unfold.
1. The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien (The Lord of the Rings series book 1)
It might be a bit clichéd to start with Tolkien’s iconic trilogy, but clichés exist for a reason, right? Hailed by many as the father of fantasy, Tolkien’s impact on future generations of writers, including the likes of Robin Hobb, Terry Brooks, and Brandon Sanderson, can’t be overstated.
Immerse yourself in the epic fantasy world that is Middle-earth and follow the adventures of dwarves, hobbits, men, and elves as they seek to destroy the Ring while fending off the evil forces of Sauron.
2. The Color of Magic by Terry Pratchett (Discworld series book 1)
Don’t let the zany premise of Discworld (which is that the world is flat and sits on the backs of four elephants as they ride atop the shell of a giant turtle hurtling through space) or its kooky characters fool you. This is one of the most cleverly written fantasy series of all time thanks to Pratchett’s ability to use wit and satire to explore real-world issues.
As an added bonus, this is a completed fantasy series, so you can start knowing you’ll never have to wait in agony for the next installment (cough, cough, George R.R. Martin). With 41 novels available, you have plenty of adventures to embark on with Granny Weatherwax, Rincewind the cowardly wizard, and Death himself.
3. The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis (The Chronicles of Narnia series book 1 (if following publication order))
Lewis’ classic fantasy series is more than just a story of four English school children who find their way through the back of a wardrobe into the wondrous land of Narnia. It’s a timeless masterpiece filled with theological symbolism and important themes of courage and redemption.
The series starts with the children’s first foray into Narnia and follows both their story and the adventures of other children as they assist Aslan the Lion in the battle of good versus evil.
The Chronicles of Narnia helped pique my interest in fantasy at a young age and I find myself revisiting them from time to time even in adulthood. After all, Lewis said it best: “A children's story that can only be enjoyed by children is not a good children’s story in the slightest.”
4. A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K. Le Guin (The Earthsea Cycle series book 1)
The Earthsea trilogy may be meant for teens, but this fantasy romp from the legendary Le Guin is one of her biggest series, beloved by children and adults alike. With its magical school for wizards, fantastical mythical creatures, and coming-of-age quests, it’s easy to get lost in the universe of Earthsea.
Le Guin garnered a number of awards for her high fantasy series, including a Newbery Honor, a National Book Award for Children’s Books, a Nebula Award, and a Locus Award for Best Collection. Additionally, BBC News named the trilogy among the top 100 most influential novels.
5. Sabriel by Garth Nix (The Old Kingdom series book 1)
Nix’s epic fantasy series has it all: a complex world, non-stop action and adventure, a touch of romance, and the main protagonists throughout the books are female necromancers. Although Nix doesn’t shy away from tackling darker aspects of fantasy, he keeps the overall tone balanced.
From the spellbinding adventures of badass protagonist Sabriel to the new generation of heroes featured in later installments, the richly crafted characters of The Old Kingdom have been enchanting readers since 1995.
6. Assassin’s Apprentice by Robin Hobb (Farseer Trilogy series book 1)
With 16 books and multiple short stories available, Hobb’s Realm of the Elderlings series may seem intimidating at first. But rest assured, this is a fantasy series that’s more than worth the time investment. Kick things off with the fantastic Farseer Trilogy, which introduces readers to FitzChivalry, otherwise known as Fitz.
An outcast shunned because he’s a bastard child, Fitz possesses a rare, powerful magic called the Wit. After he’s adopted into the royal household, he must renounce his old way of life and train to become an assassin.
7. The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss (Kingkiller Chronicle series book 1)
Rothfuss took the fantasy world by storm in 2007 with the release of The Name of the Wind. Captivated by its lyrical prose, the seeming boundlessness of the Temerant, and the endearing faults and follies, kindness, and cunning of the legendary Kvothe, fantasy authors across the board (such as Ursula K. LeGuin, Anne McCaffrey, and Robin Hobb) have praised the opening to the Kingkiller Chronicle.
Be warned: Dedicated Rothfuss readers have been waiting over 10 years for the trilogy closer, The Doors of Stone, and there is no firm release date. However, given that this debut novel has been hailed as one of the best epic fantasies of our time, it’s sure to be worth the wait.
8. The Invisible Library by Genevieve Cogman (The Invisible Library series book 1)
Irene Winters has the ultimate dream job: As a time-traveling librarian spy, she embarks on missions throughout the multiverse, rescuing rare books and bringing them back to the eponymous Library for safekeeping.
With the help of her assistant, Kai, Irene faces off chaotic magical beings and must toe the line between her reality and the alternate worlds she visits. Cogman’s urban fantasy is rated as YA but adults will also appreciate the political intrigue, thrilling espionage, and dry British wit present throughout the eight-book series.
9. The Empress of Salt and Fortune by Nghi Vo (The Singing Hills Cycle series book 1)
Just because it’s fantasy doesn’t mean it has to be long! The Singing Hills Cycle is right up your alley if you’re looking for short fantasy books you can read in one sitting.
In a world inspired by East and Southeast Asian history, the wandering cleric Chih recounts stories of empresses and peasants, legendary martial artists, and ancient feuds.
Linked only by Chih, the series can be read in any order; each novella works as a standalone entry in the series. This is a truly unique collection of tales that’s amassed a number of accolades, including the Hugo and Crawford Awards.
10. The Grace of Kings by Ken Liu (The Dandelion Dynasty series book 1)
We’ve all heard the proverb “the enemy of my enemy is my friend.” But what happens once the mutual enemy has been destroyed? You can find out in The Dandelion Dynasty, in which a wily bandit and an honor-driven noble form an unlikely alliance to overthrow the empire. With different ideas of how to rule, the pair lead opposing factions and battle for power and control.
This isn’t your typical fantasy with elves slinging spells left and right. Liu’s reimagining of the birth of the Han Dynasty at times leans more towards historical fiction, with fantasy elements mixed in, the main of which is a realm of gods who indirectly meddle in human affairs.
11. Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo (The Shadow and Bone Trilogy book 1)
Readers have been getting lost in the Grishaverse since 2012, a sweeping world rife with magic, otherworldly adventure, and romance. Since then, the Shadow and Bone series has remained a constant in the science fiction and fantasy genres thanks to a Netflix adaptation and rave reviews on BookTok.
The meteoric rise of Alina Starkov from overlooked orphan to heroic Sun Summoner is nothing short of epic, and Bardugo’s YA fantasy series is full of emotional twists, surprising turns, and relatable side characters to fall in love with. Follow up the original trilogy with its equally charming spin-off, the Six of Crows duology.
12. Prince of Thorns by Mark Lawrence (Broken Empire series book 1)
Sometimes, the road to redemption is littered with dead bodies, and we just have to accept that the protagonist is doing their best. I love a story with a well-written morally grey antihero, and Prince Jorg Ancrath checks all the boxes: a tragic backstory, a set of ethics that’s ambivalent at best, and a (somewhat) good heart buried (deep) beneath a facade.
The trilogy charts Jorg’s arc from runaway prince to leader of a ragtag band of cutthroats as he seeks vengeance against the man responsible for his brother and mother’s deaths. Set against an unforgiving and brutal landscape with plenty of intense violence, Broken Empire is a grimdark fantasy not for the faint of heart.
13. The Black Tides of Heaven by Neon Yang (The Tensorate Series book 1)
The start of Yang’s silkpunk series is just as intriguing as its premise: Readers can start with one of two twin novellas, each of which unrolls like a beautiful silk thread. The mirror stories follow Akeha and Mokoya, twins sent by their mother to live in a faraway monastery. Initially inseparable, the pair begin to take diverging paths as they grow into their magical abilities and individual identities.
In the Tensorate, a world inspired by East Asian culture, children choose their own gender. Yang uses this process to thoroughly explore characters’ relationships with each other, themselves, and the broader world. Their world building is subtle — characters possess supernatural abilities but the magic doesn’t dominate the plot. It’s no wonder TIME named The Black Tides of Heaven as one of the 100 best fantasy books of all time.
14. Lonen’s War by Jeffe Kennedy (Sorcerous Moon series book 1)
Kennedy’s high fantasy series is a page-turner right from the start, opening with a deadly battle that results in an arranged marriage between scions of opposing sides. Oria and Lonen must put aside their mistrust and suspicion to form an uneasy alliance to navigate peacetime and one another.
Narrator Wane uses an impressive range of expressions to strike the right balance between suspense, action, and romance throughout the series.
