Fantasy books are some of the best books to read and each book opens the door to new worlds and magic systems. It is no wonder that they are often adapted for movies and television shows. That is why we decided to list the ten best fantasy books of all time!
Choosing only ten books to define the fantasy genre is a bold task that is going to leave a bunch of notable books off the list. But we are up for the task and will be doing just that. These are the books that we believe deserve the title as the best fantasy books to ever be published!
The Ten Best Fantasy Books of All Time
- The Lord of the Rings Trilogy by J. R. R. Tolkien
- Harry Potter Series by J. K Rowling
- A Song of Ice and Fire series by George R.R. Martin
- His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman
- Mistborn series by Brandon Sanderson
- The Way of Shadows by Brent Weeks
- The First Law series by Joe Abercrombie
- The Witcher series by Andrzej Sapkowski
- The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
- A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K. Le Guin
The Lord of the Rings Trilogy by J. R. R. Tolkien
If you love epic fantasy novels, then you have to read The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien. Not only is it an amazing series but it is the formula that many fantasy authors have used to write their novels. If you have read a bunch of fantasy novels, then you have most likely come across troupes that were popularized by Tolkien.
Harry Potter Series by J. K Rowling
A modern classic, The Harry Potter books by J.K. Rowling is a must read. It should come as no surprise that this is the best selling series of all time. Who else wished that they were going to get their letter to Hogwarts in the mail? Rowling’s novels capture the childhood magic as well as making the transition to adulthood.
A Song of Ice and Fire by George R. R. Martin
When I think of high fantasy, a series that always comes to mind is George R. R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire. The world building is detailed and with so many characters, the series should not work. But Martin’s attention to every little thing makes this series one of the best works of fiction there is. And if you have only watched the show, then you are missing out because the novels are even better.
His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman
One of the most amazing fantasy novels I read early on was His Dark Material by Philip Pullman. After reading The Lord of the Rings, being transported to the epic fantasy world of His Dark Materials feels magical. The characters, plot, and worldbuilding make this series one of my all time favorites.
Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson
One of my favorite series on this list is Brandon Sanderson’s Mistborn series. It is a more recent series that pushes the genre forward. It has a multitude of characters and the novel has a time jump as well as in a change of protagonists.
Those are stuff you don’t see in many fantasy novels because it is a lot to juggle and fans aren’t always receptive to such changes. But Sanderson makes this work with ease as well as making the newer books feel fresh.
The Way of Shadows by Brent Weeks
What I love about the fantasy genre is that there is always a new book series that will come along and sweep you away. And in 2008, Brent Weeks did just that with his The Night Angel Trilogy. I was hooked after the first page and loved Week’s approach, showing that the fantasy genre still has a lot to offer.
The First Law Series by Joe Abercrombie
Another one of my favorite series on the list is The First Law by Joe Abercrombie. It is a gritty and bloody series that feels like it belongs on HBO. The characters are interesting and the protagonist has his moments. The world building is what makes this novel special and one of a kind. If you love fantasy novels and want a different spin on the genre, then you’ll love this series.
The Witcher Series by Andrzej Sapkowski
Another novel that many readers including me discovered by watching the show was The Witcher series by Andrzej Sapkowski. The story follows Geralt or Rivia as he tries to navigate a world thrown into war as he tries to protect what he holds dear to him.
Geralt is a Witcher which is a person with superhuman abilities that were created to kill monsters. The Sapkowski series is one of the most fun fantasy novels I have read and still think about to this day!
A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K. Le Guin
When you are talking about the best fantasy novels of all time, you can’t forget Ursula K. Le Guin’s A Wizard of Earthsea. It is the novel that inspired Harry Potter, created a magic system many novels have adopted, and was one of the first to imagine a wizard as someone young and not someone who is old and wise. These are just some of the things that make this a must read and I loved every second of it.
Conclusion
That is our pick for the ten best fantasy books of all time. We will be releasing a full list of all the best fantasy books of all time so comment what books you believe should be on the list or should have made this list. Until then, happy reading!
Why Rothfuss’s books, since he’s never going to finish the Kingkiller Chronicle?
Or are you being optimistic?
😉
That would also apply to Game of Thrones too. It’s more so the impact they have and hopefully they are both completed one day
I label you The Optimist then 😀
Life’s depressing as it is.
What about R.A Salvatores legend of Drizzt saga. Especially the early books in the series. The way he writes out battles makes you feel like you can see what is happening.
No Robin Hobb or Ursula Le Guin? No Terry Pratchett or Rothfuss? No American Gods? Brandon Sandersons Mistborn is good but in no way up in a top 10 – not by either impact or quality
Mistborn over Stormlight?
Wheel of time is better than all of those put together
I agree to disagree.
Wheel of time is long winded derivative drivel. Brandon Sanderson is just a cut or two above that. And joe abercrombie is about the same but less productive.
So what would you recommend? I came here looking for something after finishing what Patrick rothfuss has out so far
No. No it’s not.
I’ve read everyone of the books on your list lad.
Lord of the Rings is boring as hell. Don’t shout at me lol. But it is.
WoT should 100% be on there and Sandersons Stormlight series is better than Mistborn.
I think it’s odd that wheel of Time wasn’t included. But I guess that’s just an opinion. What is not an opinion however is that A Song of Ice and Fire is a political drama that happens to have a few fantastic elements. The first book especially has an appearance by the White walkers in the very first part and appearance by dragons in the very last part but in the other 1000 or so pages there is nothing fantastic about that book
Why not the Wraeththu saga of Storm Constantine? It’s spellbi ding and original. Also the Ambergris saga of Jeff Vandermeer
First law trilogy joe abercrombie has to be in the top 10
Honestly, I may have confused that for another book on the list 😅 I loved the series and will be adding it asap.
With one exception, this is a list of men’s best fantasy books, not all time best – and some of those listed just plain hate women. C’mon. It’s 2023. Do BETTER. I’m so tired of this crap…
Do you have a suggestion? Every high fantasy book a woman has ever recommended to me was either Harry Potter, Twilight, or Anne Rice garbage.
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern is really good, thought provoking, and creative. Kristin Cashore is an amazing fantasy author as well! Couldn’t put any of her books down!
Ursula Le Guin, Robin Hobb, N. K. Jemisin, Margaret Weis, Katharine Kerr, Jenn Lyons, just name a few good ones.
WOT didn’t make it? You guys need to be replaced
The Faithful and the Fallen series by John Gwynne might knock something off there. Give it a read!
Harry Potter is for children.
Have you read the Malazan books?
Way of Shadows is not even in the same league as Wheel of Time ( though the show is junk), Malazan, Tad Williams books, Raymond Feist, David Eddings or even JV Jones.
You managed to get #1 right. But big deal that is saying the Beatles are the greatest rock band of all time. I mean tell us something we don’t know.
I couldn’t get through any of those books, but it goes to show, any list is subjective to the reader.
The Malazan series and Robin Hobbs books “Realm of the
Elderlings” would share #1 on my list.
Belgariad and Mallorean series? Or the Wheel of Time series?
The Belgariad and Mallorean series, or The Wheel of Time series?
I think this list is very naive and juvenile. Really. I am busy with WoT at the moment, because every critic out there says it is the no.1 best fanatasy epic. I’m yet to be convinced, but for this series not to make the list shows your homework has not been done. I agree with a ln earlier comment about LotR to be boring as hell!!! The hobbit was better. If you are allowed only one series per author, jus lt saying, mistborn cannot be on this list. I agree mistborn is an epic series – is it the best. I don’t think it is a case of subjectivity – it is not. Brandon Sanderson is my absolute favorite author and there are much better novel he wrote than mistborn. I know Malazan book of the fallen is dark, but Steven Erickson was a genius in writing this Malazan series. So for, WoT and Malazan not making the list. You just wated my time for having to write this comment. Sorry, but it is true. I was exicted to read your article for series I am still missing to read – but your article was a huge disappointment.
I can’t believe no one has mentioned Chronicles of Thomas Covenant by Stephen Donaldson. A truly epic ADULT series
The Sword Of Shanara
Discworld series by Terry Pratchett!
This is a terrible fantasy list. You have the Witcher and ASOIAF, but leave out Narnia, Earthsea, and WOT. What about the Worm Ouroboros, Lilith, and The King of Elfland’s daughter? No Dunsany, Lovecraft, or MacDonald.
This is the list of the 10 best fantasy books of all time, written by someone who hasn’t read a whole lot of fantasy, but instead has a netflix and HBO subscription.
The fact that you’re including entire series’ as one book is a total cop-out
Well, this list should be called “best fantasy series”, that being said, this list is a joke. I have read every book/series on this list and all I can say is, did you put in any real effort or research? Way of Shadows(shouldn’t be) but not Lightbringer(arguably should)!? No Malazan!?!? I say again, no Malazan!? No Wot!? Mistborn over Stormlight Archive!? I get LOTR, I disagree but I get it, but The Hobbit? His Dark materials was great, and The Witcher was really good, however, niether belong on this list. My goodness, you don’t have Earthsea, Realm of the Elderlings, or Discworld. Hell, I’d take Powder Mage over some of these!
Thank you for pointing out Lightbringer! Far and away better than 1/2 the books on this list, even the Way of Shadows
Wheel of Time