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I love fantasy books and these, by far, are the best fantasy books I’ve read.
Before going into my list of the best fantasy books out there, I’ll share with you first why I love fantasy books.
Why I Love Fantasy Books
I love reading fantasy books because they take you to different worlds and make you experience things that are out of the ordinary. You get to immerse yourself in these worlds where magic, mythical creatures, and other wonderful otherworldly elements exist, which is truly awesome and just the perfect escape from reality.
I believe that fantasy books are in a league of their own. Authors who write fantasy books not only have to deal with creating a good plot and developing engaging characters, but they have to build a new world on top of everything. Not a small feat, you know? Especially when they manage to create a world that completely sucks you in.
What Makes a Great Fantasy Book
Not all fantasy books are created equal. While many are fantastic, there are those that just plain disappoint, on the other hand.
So what makes a fantasy book great? This article is good in discussing what makes an excellent fantasy book. In essence, it lists stimulating and absorbing content, the ability to draw the reader to the world of fantasy, and amazing magic, among others, as some of the factors that elevate a fantasy book to the level of greatness.
And these fantasy books listed below tick off most of those criteria. These books have awesome world-building, captivating plots, multidimensional characters, breathtaking magic, and more. They certainly draw you in and never let go even after you’ve turned the last pages. They’re simply awe-inspiring. So, here you go.
The Wheel of Time (TWoT)
One word: Epic! TWoT is a series of 14 books and one prequel. It follows the lives of three farmboys from a small, remote town as they discover and develop their powers and proceed to change the world (while trying not to get killed along the way). Our trio soon found out that they were some sort of reincarnations of great historic men who held powers beyond measure.
In their journey, they were assisted, and sometimes hindered, by different groups of women within the organization called Aes Sedai. These women could channel the One Power, not unlike the way Jedis can use the Force in the Star Wars universe. Hence, they can be an awesome friend or worrisome foe. The trick was to figure out which one is which.
I’ve read many high fantasy books, and this one tops my list. The magic system used in the series is powerful. While Jedis in Star Wars can only do limited things with the Force, channelers of the One Power have few limits. Another nice thing about the magic system here is that it is not far detached from fringe science. After all, Robert Jordan, the author of these books, was a physics major.
The world-building in the series is just jaw-dropping. There are different races, nations, beliefs, cultures… it’s huge! It’s as if Jordan rebuilt reality! There is a reason why there are 14 books, you know. Fourteen! The world is expansive, and you are placed inside that realistic world.
The Wheel of Time Books in Chronological Order:
- New Spring
- The Eye of the World
- The Great Hunt
- The Dragon Reborn
- The Shadow Rising
- The Fires of Heaven
- Lord of Chaos
- A Crown of Swords
- The Path of Daggers
- Winter’s Heart
- Crossroads of Twilight
- Knife of Dreams
- The Gathering Storm
- Towers of Midnight
- A Memory of Light
The Lord of the Rings (TLotR)
One ring to rule them all! A very powerful ring. And as we know, absolute power corrupts absolutely. Hence, the best (and sometimes the only) way is to be rid of such power. The book tells a tale of an unassuming, simple creature who was tasked to destroy the Ring. It’s about a lively adventure that starts from the lovely Shire to the place where the Ring was forged. “Lively” if being chased by dragons and fearsome creatures is your thing.
At first glance, it may sound boring. You know, a bunch of guys traveling from point A to point B with a dash of mini-conflicts along the way. But when you come to think of it, isn’t that just what life is?
TLotR tells an engaging story. But that’s not all. It tells it in the most beautiful way possible. The whole thing is almost like poetry. I’m not sure if you can choose better words and arrange them in better order. It may not have the breadth of TWoT, but the color it paints will forever stay in your mind.
The Lord of the Rings Books in Chronological Order:
- The Fellowship of the Ring
- The Two Towers
- The Return of the King
Get them here.
The Kingkiller Chronicle (TKC)
This series is supposed to consist of three books: The Name of the Wind, The Wise Man’s Fear, and The Doors of Stone. At the moment, though, we’re still waiting for the last installment. It is expected to be a stunner!
Our main character is a simple innkeeper who has a mysterious past. For whatever reason, he is trying to hide his identity from the local townsfolk. But then, trouble came knocking, and, slowly, we are given a glimpse as to who this simple person really is.
He is said to have stolen princesses, burned towns, escaped situations where mere mortals would lose their sanity or their life, trodden paths by moonlight that others fear to even speak of during daylight, talked to gods, loved women, and written songs that make the minstrels weep. Apparently, he is not someone who merely serves drinks to local farmers.
The whole set is quite unique. It is a story within a story. You might think that’s confusing, but thankfully it is not. It is well-designed, actually. The plot is interesting, engaging, and well-woven.
If you like antiheroes, you need to take a look at this. The main character’s imperfections are actually quite charming. And very relatable. There were even times when you’d suspect whether the author might actually have been writing about you. Probably just your imagination, but…
The Kingkiller Chronicle Books in Chronological Order:
- The Name of the Wind
- The Wise Man’s Fear
- The Slow Regard of Silent Things (Book 2.5)
- The Doors of Stone (Coming Soon)
A Song of Ice and Fire
The first book in this series is called A Game of Thrones. That sets the tone for the entire series. You see, scheming is a major theme in this series. It seems like everyone is scheming all the time—playing a game of winning the throne. If you are big on fantasy war and politics, check this one out. Were it not for the supernatural white walkers and wights, though, I’d hardly consider this as fantasy.
You are brought to a kingdom where the king just died and everyone (including their dogs) wants to be king (or queen). Clearly, this isn’t a pretty sight. It’s a recipe for treachery, bloodshed, and endless battles. And as the human armies fight each other, an army of the undead is setting up for a solid and scary march against all that is living.
While the books don’t have the poetic feel of TLotR, they make it up with simple and elegant prose that is in no way inferior—only different. Be warned though that there is not much magic if that’s what you’re looking for. But for the crowd that this series appeals to, they’d likely love it.
A Song of Ice and Fire Books in Chronological Order:
- A Game of Thrones
- A Clash of Kings
- A Storm of Swords
- A Feast for Crows
- A Dance with Dragons
- The Winds of Winter
Get them here.
The First Law
This is another interesting trilogy: The Blade Itself, Before They Are Hanged, and Last Argument of Kings. If you prefer more politics, scheming, and regular battles (where armies clash with each other) rather than magic, then this could be your cup of tea. It is similar to A Song of Ice and Fire in this regard. There is a bit of magic, but magic takes a somewhat more minor role.
The characters aren’t as lovable as those in TWoT, but they’re more real. They can even be sometimes annoying, but then again, that’s how real people are, aren’t they? I really do love the transformation of the main character, though. Makes me want to read about that narcissistic brat a second time.
Basically, if you love A Song of Ice and Fire, you’re most likely going to want to read this. If your taste is more in high fantasy and magic, then TWoT and TKC might suit you better.
Get them here.
Related Readings:
A Court of Thorns and Roses (ACoTaR)
A Court of Thorns and Roses is a series of books written by the talented Sarah J. Maas. In these books, she has created a world where humans coexist with faeries, albeit not always harmoniously.
The female lead is a human who finds herself accidentally thrust into the faerie world and thus has to find ways to survive. Her journey is astonishing, awe-inspiring, and ultimately, epic. You can relate and sympathize with her character. The male lead is just as amazing with awesome powers and a splendid personality. Both come together to create a powerful alliance that’s a force to contend with and also one of the most beautiful and epic romances in the history of fantasy books, if not in the history of the world of fiction.
The magic in this book series is cutting-edge and just breathtaking. There is also plenty of action and suspense, and twists and turns. You’ll be on the edge of your seat, turning page after page wanting to know what happens next because you just can’t put the books down.
The series has 4 published books to date, with two more coming in 2021. While the first book starts a bit slow, the second book was truly amazing and such a game-changer—one of the best epic reads of all time, in my opinion. The third book ends with a bang—just satisfying. And if that’s not enough, we’re treated to a beautiful happily ever after in the fourth book (a novella) that also sets the stage for the fifth book.
A Court of Thorns and Roses Books in Chronological Order:
- A Court of Thorns and Roses
- A Court of Mist and Fury
- A Court of Wings and Ruin
- A Court of Frost and Starlight
- A Court of Silver Flames
Throne of Glass
The Throne of Glass is another book series written by Sarah J. Maas. While I didn’t love this series as much as I did The Court of Thorns and Roses, it is still a great fantasy book series, overall. And judging by its huge fan base and following, many do agree. It has Ms. Maas’s signature awesome world-building and intricate plot and combines magic, action, mystery, and romance.
It tells the story of an assassin girl who was imprisoned in a difficult camp. In exchange for her freedom, she was offered to compete to become the king’s assassin. She agreed and went to live in the palace where she faced action, adventure, intrigues, and romance. That would be the start of a journey that leads her to a fate she never imagined possible.
This book series spans 7 books with several prequels and is full of twists and turns. It was gripping, incredible and unputdownable. It was quite a ride from those prequels to the last book since it never stopped being engaging and enjoyable.
Throne of Glass Books in Chronological Order:
- Throne of Glass
- Crown of Midnight
- Heir of Fire
- Queen of Shadows
- Empire of Storms
- Tower of Dawn
- Kingdom of Ash
Get them here.
Fantasyland
The Fantasyland series is a set of romantic fantasy books penned by Kristen Ashley. Ms. Ashley is a romance author known for creating alpha heroes, kick-ass heroines, and redeeming romance.
This book series comprises 5 books, all stand-alone, so there’s no need to read them in the order they were published. Each book has a different world or setting, a different plot, and a different set of characters, although characters from other books appear in some.
The fantasy world in these books may not be as elaborate or complex, and the plot may not be as cleverly inventive as the book series above, but they’re charming in their way and enjoyable too. Plus, the romance is swoon-worthy, so if you’re a romance fan, you’ll surely be in for a treat.
Just to share, my personal favorite in this book series is the second book, but please be aware that there is a trigger warning for unconsented intercourse at the start of the book. It wasn’t long or drawn out, but just know it’s there.
Fantasyland Books in Chronological Order:
- Wildest Dreams
- The Golden Dynasty
- Fantastical
- Broken Dove
- Midnight Soul
Get them here.
Harry Potter
I guess this book series needs no elaborate introduction. With a reported 500 million copies sold worldwide and 8 blockbuster films, I think it is safe to say that practically everyone has heard of this endearing fantasy book series.
But if you’ve only seen the movies, yet haven’t checked the books from which the former were based, then it’s high time you do. That’s because—and this may sound like such a cliché, but true, nonetheless—the books are really way better than the movies. There is so much stuff in the books that you don’t find in the movies that you’d totally miss out when you don’t read them. And if you enjoyed the movies, then it’s guaranteed you’d enjoy the books more.
At any rate, if you have been living under a rock all this time (heh) and haven’t heard of the book series Harry Potter yet, then here’s the lowdown.
Harry Potter is a series of books by J.K. Rowling where witches co-exist with humans in our modern world. These witches though also have their own worlds that only they know and inhabit. Our boy wonder Harry Potter is the hero who fights the evil that threatens both worlds.
Why I Love It
What makes this book series truly special are the fascinating, vivid world that Ms. Rowling has created, the cast of endearing characters that you’ll grow fond of in the span of seven books, the suspense, twists and turns that the story takes you, the secrets that get revealed slowly, and the clever ways the plot unfolds.
The magic performed in these books is quite simple and nothing to write home about (spoiler alert: all they do really is flick their wands and recite a few magic phrases and that’s about it), but what holds these books together and elevates it to the level of being unforgettable are those things I’ve mentioned.
I found the ending underwhelming as I would have wanted Harry to end up as being more, but I guess sometimes you can’t have it all. Harry Potter is actually my first fantasy book series and what an introduction to magic it was. I’m glad it was my first, and to this date, it still holds a special place in my heart.
Harry Potter Books in Chronological Order:
- Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone
- Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
- Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
- Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
- Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
- Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
- Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
Get them here.
Related Reading: Bibliophile Gifts: The Best Presents for Book Lovers
FAQ: What is the best fantasy series?
Some of the best fantasy book series include “The Lord of the Rings” by J.R.R. Tolkien, “A Song of Ice and Fire” by George R.R. Martin, “Harry Potter” by J.K. Rowling, “The Wheel of Time” by Robert Jordan, “The Chronicles of Narnia” by C.S. Lewis, and “Mistborn Trilogy” by Brandon Sanderson.
Final Thoughts
These best fantasy books will take you on an amazing journey through wonderful, rich worlds alongside characters that you can’t help but treasure. We hope you like them.
Additionally, some of these book series have prequels and you can check them out at Goodreads.
If you’ve read them or some, let us know which are your favorites! And if you haven’t yet read any, tell us which you’ll start with. Happy reading!
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Love reading fantasy books! A few of these are new to me so I’ll definitely have to check them out!
Wonderful! Hope you like them, too.
I’ve read a lot of these!! Good choices! 🙂
Great! Thank you. 🙂
I am THE biggest fantasy reader and it’s been my favorite genre since I was 6 years old (when I read The Chronicles of Narnia for the first time), but… I’ve only read a handful on this list. All of LOTR and Harry Potter and the first three ACOTAR books. I suppose I prefer primarily YA and some of the underrated ones, at that. But I love learning what other people enjoy as well!
I like reading YA too, and I especially love ACOTAR. I got curious about these high fantasy books, so I branched out. 🙂
I actually haven’t read any of these series! I tried to read Harry Potter once, but I was borrowing the books from my friend and I stopped reading midway through. I enjoyed it though! I’ll have to add some of these to my TBR.
Didnt know most of them. My favourite ones are definitely Lotr and the hp saga!