The 40 Must Read Fantasy Books of All time

I’m always on the hunt for my next great fantasy read—and if you’re anything like me, the sheer number of options can feel overwhelming. With so many legendary series and standalone novels out there, choosing what to read next isn’t easy. That’s exactly why we put together this list of the 40 must-read fantasy books of all time. Keep reading to see which unforgettable stories made the cut.

Fantasy is one of the richest genres in literature, filled with epic quests, magical worlds, and characters that stay with you long after the final page. But no one can read everything. This list focuses on the most influential, beloved, and essential fantasy books ever written—stories that shaped the genre and continue to inspire readers today.

Some of these books will quickly become your all-time favorites. Others may not resonate with you as much—and that’s okay. Every reader’s journey through fantasy is different. Scroll on to explore the full list and discover your next obsession.

The 40 Must Read Fantasy Books of All Time

• The Lord of the Rings Trilogy by J. R. R. Tolkien
• A Song of Ice and Fire Series by George R.R. Martin
• American Gods by Neil Gaiman
• His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman
• Mistborn Series by Brandon Sanderson
• The Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan
• Dune by Frank Herbert
• The Night Angel by Brent Weeks
• The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
• The First Law series by Joe Abercrombie
• The Dresden Files by Jim Butcher
• A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K. Le Guin
• The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
• Discworld by Terry Pratchett
• The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin
• The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson
• Foundryside by Robert Jackson Bennett
• The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
• The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis 
• The Kingkiller Chronicle, #1 by Patrick Rothfuss
• Temeraire by Naomi Novik
• The Gentlemen Bastards by Scott Lynch
• American Gods by Neil Gaiman
• The Farseer Trilogy by Robin Hobb
• The Malazan Book of the Fallen Trilogy by Steven Erikson
• Harry Potter Series by J. K. Rowling
• The Dark Tower Series by Stephen King
• The Chronicles of Narnia by C. S. Lewis
• Good Omens by Terry Pratchett
• The Once and Future King by T.H. White
• Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke
• Perdido Street Station by China Mieville
• The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms by N.K. Jemisin
• The Jade City by Fonda Lee
• Magician by Raymond E. Feist
• Watership Down by Richard Adams
• The Princess Bride by William Goldman
• The Divine Cities Trilogy by Robert Jackson Bennett
• The Golem and the Djinni by Helene Wecker
• Circe by Madeline Miller

The Lord of the Rings Trilogy by J. R. R. Tolkien

Whenever you talk about must read fantasy books, then The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien needs to be on the list. It is a classic fantasy novel that captures the beauty of the fantasy genre. Without Tolkien, fantasy novels and a multitude of books would not exist. 

Frodo is a Hobbit that lives in the Shire and is one day asked by Gandalf the Wizard to take the Ring of Power away from the Shire. Accompanied by his gardener Sam Gamgee and his cousin Pippin Took, the trio leaves the Shire and leave on foot and start their journey.

The group is pursued by mysterious Black Riders that will do anything to retrieve the ring. On their journey, the Hobbits meet Elves, Dwarves, and humans who aid them on their journey and guide them forward.

But the soldiers of the Dark Lord Sauron are persistent and continue to hunt the group. What is the Ring of Power and what does it do? Battles ensue and the put the Hobbits in danger as they continue their journey. But the Black Riders are not the only ones after the ring. Can the Hobbits destroy the ring before it is too late? 

A Song of Ice and Fire

Another fantastic fantasy series that all fantasy fans need to read is A Song of Ice and Fire by George R.R. Martin. This is one of my favorite novels and the success of the showcases the brilliant writing of Martin. However, he has not finished this series and I don’t think he ever will which is tragic.

After Jon Arryn’s death, King Robert Baratheon approaches Eddard “Ned Stark,” the “King of the North” to become the next “Hand of the King.” After discussing it with his family, Ned decides to take the position. But tragedy befalls Bran Stark when he is pushed out the window of a tower after seeing Queen Cersei Lannister having sex with her twin brother Jaime Lannister.

Bran does not remember what happened before he falls and cannot use his legs anymore. Ned travels to the capital city of Westeros, King’s Landing with his daughters Arya and Sansa. When they arrive in King’s Landing, Ned learns that Jon Arryan’s death was not an “accident. 

After learning how bad it has gotten in King’s Landing, Ned uses all his power to try to fix the problems at hand. The King is irresponsible and Queen Cersei is plotting something. Can Ned hold the kingdom together or will it tear his friendship and his family apart?

A Wizard of Earthsea

A novel that should be mentioned along with TLOTR is A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K. Le Guin.  It is one of the best fantasy novels and series that I have read. Considering that this was Le Guin’s first attempt at writing a fantasy novel, it came out pretty well. 

The novel is about a young wizard named Duny as he learns magic. What follows is a journey to learn magic and to correct his own mistake while journeying across the world. Le Guin’s novel introduced the idea of a young wizard and it avoided the usual tropes of a fantasy novel.

Many people have credited Le Guin of influencing Harry Potter but J. R. Rowlin has never publicly admitted it. The idea of a young wizard and a school for wizards are in a Wizard of Earthsea and people have connected the dots.

Le Guin’s novel has influenced many books including creating a magic system based on knowing the true name of a person or thing. One popular work that uses this magic system is Spirited Away by Hayao Miyazaki.

This novel is one of the best books that you will read. If you haven’t read this novel, then now is the time. You can’t call yourself a fan of fantasy books without reading this novel and series!

Fantasy Novels That You Need to Read

If you love 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.  

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.  

My favorite fantasy writer has to be Brandon Sanderson without a question. He has many great fantasy series and all of them have made me a fan. His characters are likable and his world-building is great. The Stormlight Archive and the Mistborn series have made him a star in the fantasy world.  

Conclusion

That ends this list of the 40 must read fantasy books of all time. How many of these fantasy books have you read? What books should have made the list? Let us know in the comments below!

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