In my literature related internet journeys I’ve seen the same scenario time and time again. People have finished reading “Harry Potter” or “Lord of the Rings” or are simply just getting into fantasy and are looking for something interesting, asking for advice from the more experienced fantasy readers. Unfortunately the names they are given are always the same:
- Jordan (“The Wheel of Time”)
- Martin (“The Song of Ice and Fire”)
- Goodkind (“The Sword of Truth”)
Don’t get me wrong those are all great authors and great series, but there are many other series and authors that get overlooked when august names such as those start getting thrown around.
I love reading fantasy and science fiction I’ve read dozens of different series and hundreds (or possibly even thousands) of individual books. So, I thought I’d make a small list of series’ that never seem to make it into other top 10 lists despite being well written, entertaining, different and in some cases no less epic than “Lord of The Rings”, “Wheel of Time” and others.
So, strap yourself in for my list of less well known and under appreciated fantasy series’. Some commentary is included to whet your appetite :).
10. “Farside” by John Dalmas
I had to put this in since it almost never gets mentioned by anyone and it certainly should. The story is mainly about Curtis Macurdy who we meet for the first time as a young boy in pre-depression US. We follow Curtis on his journey to another world where he fights a war and then back to ours where he eventually gets involved in WW2.
I don’t want to give away the plot, but here are a few teasers :). There is magic, but noone ever has god-like powers, all magic is believable and in many ways subtle and blends in well with our world and the other world that is involved in the story. The story has a very low entry barrier, the plot is fairly uncomplicated, the good guys and bad guys pretty well defined (although there are some surprises). The books draw you in almost from page 1 and make you comfortable with the storyline very quickly. I’ve read the series twice, once when I was only getting into fantasy and again very recently. I enjoyed it both times :).
9. “Stones of Power” by David Gemmell
David Gemmell is a brilliant author, in my opinion. Say what you will, but he always tells an excellent story, fun from the very first word and always with plenty of action. This series is like 2 series in one, all five books are tied together with a common theme (i.e. the stones of power), but the first 2 books and the last 3 stand alone as separate series.
The last three books are a real treat as far as I am concerned. They tell the story of Jon Shannow a.k.a. “The Jerusalem Man”. It is set in a post apocalyptic Earth and there are guns involved, but the books are nevertheless well and truly fantasy. I found Shannow to be an extremely likeable protagonist, someone you always find yourself rooting for. Once again the barrier of entry is extremely low and the books draw you in from the very first page, highly recommended for budding fantasy enthusiasts as well as veterans.
8. “Incarnations of Immortality” by Piers Anthony
These books are not your average fantasy series. The main idea is that there are certain concepts in the world that have guardians that are the human “incarnation” of that particular concept (i.e. Death, War, Nature etc.). Each of the books in the series deals with a particular person and how they become an incarnation of a particular concept. The first book for example is about a man and how he becomes the physical incarnation of Death by replacing the previous holder of the office. Book six is about a man becoming the incarnation of Evil (i.e. the devil).
The premise of the books is extremely clever. The world is not your typical fantasy world, but is a mirror of our world where things developed differently. As you go through the series you start to meet protagonists from previous books, already holding the offices that they obtained in their volume. Thoroughly enjoyable, but the barrier of entry is a little higher, the books don’t draw you in for a while so you have to give them a chance (i.e. don’t give up in the first few pages).
  On A Pale Horse |
  Bearing An Hourglass |
  With a Tangled Skein |
  Wielding a Red Sword |
  Being a Green Mother |
  For Love of Evil |
  And Eternity |
  Under a Velvet Cloak |
7. “Tales of Alvin Maker” by Orson Scott Card
An excellent series by the man who brought us ”Ender’s Game”
The story’s main character is Alvin, who was born the seventh son of a seventh son, which is extremely auspicious as you might imagine :). Alvin has extremely powerful knacks, and the books are about his journey to fulfill his destiny as a Maker. Along the way he meets many historical figures of that period (such as Abraham Lincoln). I found this series to be a real page-turner, it is worth reading simply to experience the authentic language used throughout the books. Be warned though, this series is still unfinished, and will leave you with a massive case of “wanting more” :).
  Seventh Son |
  Red Prophet |
  Prentice Alvin |
  Alvin Journeyman |
  Heartfire |
  The Crystal City |
Master Alvin (Upcoming) |
6. “The Deed of Paksenarrion” by Elizabeth Moon
Another trilogy that I’ve never heard mentioned along side the greats and it certainly deserves a place. This is more along the vein of traditional fantasy (i.e. swords and sorcery). There is not a lot of “sorcery” in these books as most supernatural powers are divinely bestowed (the books have a highly developed pantheon of deities and saints).
The story follows the journey of Paksenarrion Dorthansdotter. We meet Paks as a country girl escaping an arranged marriage to join a mercenary company. We stay with her as she becomes a veteran soldier and continues on her way to becoming a paladin.
The books are page turners from the very first page and I found it extremely rewarding for some reason to see Paks develop from a virtual country bumpkin into an educated and confident warrior for good. In a refreshing twist to books where the protagonist is a girl, there is no handsome price that sweeps our hero off her feet at some point in the series. Two thumbs up.
5. “Lion of Macedon” by David Gemmell
This is almost not a series as it is only two books, but I simply couldn’t resist including it even if it meant that David Gemmell makes a second appearance on the list. In usual Gemmell style, the action starts from the word go and doesn’t let up. These books are the story of Parmenion, a boy who grows up in Sparta and eventually becomes one of the most trusted generals to Alexander of Macedon.
As you might have gathered, this is a historically based series; it nevertheless falls firmly into the realms of fantasy. The interesting thing about this series is that the “Stones of Power” from the other Gemmell series that I mentioned on this list, also make an appearance a few times in these books. It is pretty awesome how two unrelated series can be tenuously tied together like this. A cool hero to root for, plenty of action plus all the other trappings of an excellent fantasy series, this is one you shouldn’t miss.
4. “Soldier Son” by Robin Hobb
Unlike some of the other series in this list, this one has a much higher barrier of entry. It is not really one that draws you in from the first page, but then none of Robin Hobb’s books are. Having said that, if you do stick with it for a while, you will discover an author and a series that you will fall in love with. Hobb’s characterisation and narrative are second to none and this series is deep and engaging. It is different in that the “good guys” and “bad guys” are not really well defined. The main character is not “super-human” and in some situations is at the mercy of events (which is a lot more like real life).
The story is about Nevare, who is the second son of a “new” lord. In this world, the second son of a lord is destined to become a soldier and Nevare looks forward to this as he grows up. However events beyond his control conspire to keep him from this goal, but his journey is no less interesting for the lack of fighting.
If you want a series that makes you think, where the world is not black and white and where even main characters are fallible and all too human, this series is definitely for you.
3. “Codex Alera” by Jim Butcher
There was a point where I thought that I had surely tried every flavour of fantasy that could possibly exist and then I discovered this series :). In these books just about all people have some control over elemental powers that are called “furies”. The only person who seems to be weak and powerless in a world of mages is the hero, Tavi. We follow Tavi as he uses his ingenuity to get along in the world without any supernatural abilities, but will he be this powerless forever? I just can’t help but root for the underdog :).
This series drew me in straight away and I found myself reading continuously until I finished the first book (this doesn’t happen often to me any more). The world Butcher paints is vibrant and alive (even if it is based on Rome which is pretty standard fare for fantasy). As you can imagine the magic in these book is particularly well thought out and integrated into the fabric of the world.
The only disappointing this about this series is that it is unfinished with 2 more books still to be written. I for one can’t wait.
  Furies of Calderon |
  Academ’s Fury |
  Cursor’s Fury |
  Captain’s Fury |
Princeps’ Fury (Upcoming) |
(Upcoming) |
2. “Prince of Nothing” by R. Scott Bakker
I had to include this one because once again I don’t often hear it mentioned along with others that are considered great, and in this case I really don’t understand it, since it is easily as good if not better than most. Fair warning, this is not for those who are expecting an easy read. I started the first book of this series twice before I got into it as it doesn’t really draw you in until well into the story. But once it does, it is absolutely unbelievable.
This series is epic in every sense of the word. The world is truly enormous even if it doesn’t seem so at first and the scale of events that takes place is truly mind boggling. There are many characters who are central to the story but the main character would have to be Anasurimbor Kellhus, a Dunyain monk descended from a line of kings who is in search of his father. For centuries the Dunyain monks have been bred for intellect and trained to predict the effect of their actions and manipulate those around them in any way they wish. This makes Kellhus as near to superhuman as someone can be.
At the same time, a Holy War is called in the city of Momemn, the Consul – an ancient evil is once again stirring, the sorcerous schools and the church are manoeuvring to gain advantage. I have to stop :), there is too much going on to easily describe in a short paragraph. Suffice to say that this is fantasy not for the faint hearted. If you really appreciate events of epic scope, political intrigue and a profusion of character viewpoints, you will appreciate this series, I certainly did.
1. “Saga of Recluse” by L. E. Modesitt, Jr.
I had to put this series in first place for it truly is a saga. It currently stands at 15 books and there may be more forthcoming. Don’t be put off by the length however, this series is not chronological and doesn’t follow the same characters. Rather, this series is set at different stages in the history of the same world. What ties this series together is the set of natural laws that govern the world where it is set. This series is in fact multiple series as well as several stand-alone books that are all set in the same universe. However, the world is so rich and well represented in every book that it well and truly becomes another character and this is what makes all of these books a series and ties everything together so well.
The idea is that there exists a world where two natural forces are in constant opposition, Order and Chaos. Order very loosely represents “good” and Chaos “loosely” represents evil, order is black and chaos is white, which turns your thinking topsy-turvy for a bit until you realise that, there is no good and evil since order and chaos are just natural forces. Order and chaos acts in the world through mages that have control over the powers of their particular natural force, as well as through foci, who are extra powerful mages.
The books are not written in chronological order and jump back and forth in the timeline of the world to tell the story of significant events that have happened. The books can be read in chronological order as well, but the author recommends reading them in the order they were written and so do I.
This series is truly brilliant, with every book read you get more and more of an appreciation of how detailed and well thought out the world actually is. In addition the characters are all likeable and you can really identify with their story no matter what their affiliation, order or chaos (although you do lean towards favouring order :)). Modesitt has a very distinct writing style that I for one find extremely appealing. Not only do you get to look at the characters from their eyes, but also from the eyes of those around them as well as those far away who are affected by what the characters set in motion. I can’t recommend this series highly enough.
Well, I hope you pick up some of these great books and give them a go; I promise you won’t be disappointed. The only thing I feel bad about is all the authors and series’ that didn’t make it on this list (there were many), perhaps another list is in order simply to give them a fair go.
Do you know and a love a fantasy series that is perhaps not well known or under-appreciated by the rest of the world? Do leave a comment and tell me what it is and perhaps it may make it onto the next list, or even bump one of the entries off this list :).
You can now see my list of 10 MORE Awesome Fantasy Series That Are Not Potter or LoTR.
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{ 206 comments… read them below or add one }
What About Xanth???
That’s what I’m saying! Over 30 novels! I’ve only read 12 of them. I need to get back on that.
I agree! The Xanth series was excellent.
I also was looking to see the Dragonriders of Pern Series by Anne McCaffrey. I loved those as well.
Just wanted to show my appreciation for your inclusion of the “Deed of Paksenarrion” in the list. As you say, its very rarely mentioned in any list of fantasy books, which is a great shame.
The first book I had to force myself through, but the following books were excellent.
I wholeheartedly agree with Adam. Xanth should appear on this list. In fact, you should make the Incarnations of Immortality entry into just about anything by Piers Anthony.
You forgot David Eddings and R A Salvatore. Good list though. I’ll have to try some of the ones I haven’t read.
The “Herald’s of Valdamar” series by Mercedes Lackey is also a good read for anyone who enjoys stand alone trilogies within a set universe.
No Discworld? seriously?
no piers anthony?? no terry goodkind?? no R.A. Salvatore??
your list fails sir!
No “A Song of Ice and Fire” series by George R.R. Martin? Wonderful characters and fantastic story line.
Hey thanks for this. I read Seventh Son a long time ago and had no idea that it was part of a series!
I’d add David Brin’s uplift wars to the list as well. The first trilogy at least.
Adam, I’m going to make a guess about Alan leaving out Xanth. I think it’s because it simply is not on the same level as all the rest of these books. I’m not a Xanth hater. I personally was reading JUST Xanth books at one point due to loving them so much, but they are more brain candy than anything else.
I was personally thrilled to see Incarnations of Immortality on this list. That, in my mind, is a much better example of Piers Anthony’s talent. That series, as a teen, turned my world around.
Another good Piers Anthony series you might want to check out is Geodyssey. It follows a set of characters throughout the ages of human development in a style that is very different.
I appreciate this list, gives me some new ideas on reading!
I’d also like to through a shout-out book-wise to Mark Anthony, author of “The Last Rune” series.
Let’s not forget Terry Pratchett and his Discworld series as well as the Tiffany Achin trilogy; The Wee Free Men, Hat Full of Sky and Wintersmith. Fantasy, humor and one hell of a sharp observer of the human condition. Can’t go wrong with them.
no shannara series????
“Dragonlance”, “Sword of Truth”, and “The Wheel of Time” are my favorite series
i guess since i skipped the intro paragraph, i shouldnt have mentioned SoT or WoT. But Dragonlance (the core story by Weis & Hickman) is interesting because of the interactions between the warring gods and mortals… much like greek mythology in a D&D world
Is it dumb that I think Wheel of Time should be #1?
You have hit on many good but often overlooked series. There are a few here that I have not read but will take a look at now. To offer a few alternates you may want to check out Anne McCaffrey’s Dragonriders of Pern series or Mercedes Lackey’s Heralds of Valdamar series.
Just had to say that you’re missing Steven Erikson. If you liked Prince of Nothing(thanks for including it, it’s totally fantastic)you’re also going to like A Tale of the Malazan Book of the Fallen Series. Going on 8 books now and there hasn’t been a terrible one yet.
My favorite unknown fantasy series is the ‘Chronicles of Thomas Covenant, the Unbeliever’ by Donaldson. What happens when a real person ends up in a Tolkien-like place, but he doesn’t believe the place really exists? Unforgettable characters in this series, too.
Andy (above) noted the Shannara series, but any of Terry Brooks series are spectacular! He writes novels that are almost on par with Tolkien. http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw/105-0949009-4510014?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=terry+brooks&x=0&y=0
I second Song of Ice and Fire, by George RR Martin. And come on kids, no His Dark Materials? Two of the greatest series I’ve yet come across. SoIaF manages to get the fantasy thing down without clear-cut “good guys” and “bad guys”. You can tell which characters have selfish objectives and which ones less so, but neither “side” is entirely “nice” or entirely “mean”. Magic is also not all-encompassing. His Dark Materials is just an all-around awesome series that is generally placed in the kids’ section of bookstores but that I (20) still enjoy today.
What about the Dark Tower series by Stephen Kind? Personally its one of the best series ive ever read. Although i do have to agree about A Song of Fire and Ice. That was also an excellent series.
Don’t forget that his last name is KING! Not kind. Yes the dark tower series is great but the last page of the last book is somewhat disappointing. I just reread all of the series in 2 weeks! An engrossing read! much recommended.
I recently got it as audio book, gonna listen to it in the car on the way to work :)
I also recommend the Death Gate series. Incredibly wonderful books – I simply could not put them down.
Chronicles of Amber by Roger Zelazny. The Riftwar Saga and all its sequels by Raymond Feist. Joel Rosenberg’s Guardians of the Flame. Micky Zucker Reichart’s Bifrost Guardians. Stephen Brust’s Vlad Taltos books. The God Stalker Chronicles by PC Hodgell. The Belgarian and Sparhawk series by David Eddings. Terry Brooks’Angel Fire East books. Christopher Golden’s Shadow Saga. Laurell K. Hamilton’s Anita Blake and Merry Gentry books. Oh, and Piers Anthony’s Virtual Mode books. (Can you tell I read a lot too? :)I could go on, but you get the idea :) )
I liked the Harry Potter books, but both Jordan and Goodkind lost me about halfway through the series. They both could’ve finished their respective storylines in about half the time if they’d dispensed with the excessive minutia and stuck to the point. And if you liked Robin Hobb’s Soldier Son books, you’d love her Assassin’s Quest and Liveship ones as well.
I’ve read some of the other books you have up, although some of them are out of print, and therefore difficult to find. I know the Amber and God Stalker books have been released as anthologies.
so glad to see someone else appreciating david gemmell (R.I.P.) and the wholly underrated elizabeth moon ( try her space books also brill) – others i might have added is mcCaffreys pern books and crystal singers, marion zimmer bradley’s darkover novels, robin hobb writing as megan lindholm and her windsinger books and finally katherine kerrs daggerspell books – we are lucky aren’t we – so many fantastic authors !
*Gasp* I can’t believe you left out Tad Williams Dragonbone Chair series. No list is complete without that.
Melanie Rawn and David Eddings would be great additions!
It’s great to see all the wonderful suggestions from everyone, just so everyone knows, I started out with a list of over 50 series that I really liked that I had to cut down to 10, so you can imagine how tough that was. So my apologies if your favourite series didn’t make it, I will probably do another list or two just to showcase some of the other less well known series out there.
Having said that, there is a reason why Martin’s “Song of Ice and Fire”, or Pullman’s “His Dark Materials”, or “Wheel of Time”, or “Sword of Truth” etc. didn’t feature (I mentioned it in the first paragraph of the post :)) and that is because I consider these to be pretty well-known and I wanted to make a list of less well-known series.
I can however make a list of the “Extremely Well Known Fantasy Series” and then all of those would certainly appear as would “Malazan Book of the Fallen”, “Dark Elf”, “Dark Tower”, “Riftwar Saga” … looks like I might have to cut that one down as well :).
By the way to reader Webpilgrim, thanks for mentioning Chronicles of Thomas Covenant, I was wondering if I should include it, but it was actually pretty well known in its time, it has just been a while since it was written, and for some reason it is not getting much attention these days, maybe I should showcase it since it is definitely a great series.
Should have put A Song of Ice and Fire series by George RR Martin
Decent list. You should do one for science fiction also. Also, I disagree that you should add Xanth, but like your choice of his immortal series, and the order and chaos one, too.
Wheel Of Time most notable for several reasons. Series was more indepth than any before. Surpassed Tolkien. A movie series is being created for Wheel Of Time. And like Tolkien, Robert Jordan is now dead. He died last year. Honor a great writer.
Wheel of Time is a great series but as i explained not one for this list. It is a shame that Jordan passed away not having finished the last book in the series, I do hope they finish it as a tribute (there were some rumours of that).
I hope they’re not making a movie but a mini-series or even a series of films, since no 2 hour movie can do justice to the scope of Thw Wheel of Time.
I have heard that there will be small screen series/movies of the Sword of Truth and Song of Ice and Fire, hope they don’t stuff it up, but they probably will :).
You do realize that Ender’s Game is the first novel of an incredible series. I think you picked Card’s worse series for this list. I would have chosen the Homecoming series before the Alvin series.
really? WoT is a must for this list, complete or incomplete. Also, you completely missed His Dark Materials, another sick series that deserves a nod.
A great list and given me some new books to look for when I finish Wheel of Time, but if you liked Solider Son (Robin Hobb) you must read her Farseer and Tawny Man trilogies they are both far and away better than Solider Son, which is very good.
They have who I think is one of the best main protaganists of any books I’ve ever read. I have read them both atleast twice a year for the past 5 years or so and have never gotten bored of them.
I third Discworld. Especially the Watch portion of it. Incredible characters, stories, and setting, and the writing is so joyful and witty.
The Long Price Quartet, by Daniel Abraham, is another great one; it’s got a great, original fantasy setting that you’re just not going to see anywhere else, and well rounded characters of both genders – also not often seen in fantasy sagas!
The Coldfire series.
Trudi Canavan’s Black Magician Trilogy
Chris Wooding’s ‘Braided path’ trilogy (the weavers of Saramayr, the skein of lament and the ascendancy veil), is a great take on fantasy, twisting the standard medieval Europe style setting to something very different.
and what abt BARTIMAEUS trilogy??????it kicks potters ass and makes it look like mills and boons
I second the recommendation for the Deverry series. Brilliant, creative and involving. Katharine Kerr is a top-notch writer of fantasy and sci-fi, definitely worth a look.
Two words: Terry Pratchett
Terry Pratchett, for his Discworld (of which the Aching Trilogy is a part), especially Going Postal and Making Money.
Tamora Pierce, for her entire Alanna – Daine – Keladry Series (Three Quartets)
And I second Philip Pullman, even though America ruined the book by calling it the Golden Compass. There is no compass! It’s an alethiometer, a ‘truth-measurer’. Also, as a side, the Americans mucked up Rowling as well. A philosopher (ie The Philosopher’s Stone) is not the same as a sorcerer, by any means. Also, her books went downhill from the third (Azkaban) onwards, I’m afraid.
Ahem. That is all.
You are all beginners and all these names you mention are as nothing compared to the 21 volumes of “The High History of Dom Manuel of Poictesme”, by James Branch Cabell. He provided the inspiration for many of the biggest names in science fiction and fantasy. For a real taste of fantasy as Literature, he has no equal. Unfortunately for all of you, you will actually have to search to find all his titles.
What about anything by Patricia A. McKillip? She has some seriously amazing books! “The Tower at Stonywood”,”In the Forests of Serre” and “Od Magic” are truly marvelous and melodic!! Also, “Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell” by Suzanna Clarke is excellent!
I feel kinda stupid asking this, but… didn’t anyone liked anne bishop’s Black Jewels Trilogy? It’s my favourite just next to robert jordan’s Wheel of Time…
Ok I know its been said before…but srsly? No discworld or goodkind?
If you like unusual magic systems, check out Brandon Sanderson. The third book of his first trilogy (Hero of Ages) comes out next month. He’s also the one who was chosen to complete the final Wheel of Time book.
And the excellent comments just keep on coming, there have even been a couple of series that i haven’t even heard of, let a lone read, which is excellent, always looking for new stuff to read :)
@Mark, I do know that Ender’s Game is part of a series, however that series is firmly science fiction and aside from that while Ender’s Game is almost universally considered a great book, the other books in that series have had a very lukewarm reception. Some people consider the brilliant, others hate them, I personally was expecting something in the vein of Ender’s and was disappointed in that regard.
@Jaxra I have read both the farseer and tawny man series, i love them, but i would consider then a lot more well known than solder son and so i decided to put soldier son on this list instead, since I think it too is great series.
@Alex Black magician was under consideration for the list :)
@xen so was bartimaeus
@Dim I did consider black jewels, and while I think it is certainly worth a read, I don’t believe it is on par with the other series mentioned, but then again that is just my personal opinion :)
@JURGEN I know Cabell, but I think Dom Manuel is more an aquired taste rather than something that would have mass appeal
Thanks again everyone for all the great comments
not a bad list, but you forget about michael moorcock, steven erickson, glen cook, and many others i would have recommended over every single one of those in your list, especially moorcock and erickson, those should be on the top of everyone’s great fantasy list that no one’s really read…or at least the potter’s and frodo’s realm of fantasy readers.
This list has given me a lot of library digging to do. Thanks for that. However, I have to add: Glenn Cook’s ‘Black Company’ saga. Fantasy + Noir = Yes.
How about Glen Cook’s “Black Company,” or Sharon Shinn’s 12 Houses books? Jennifer Robeson’s Del and Tiger series. Feist’s Riftwar Saga, Tanya Huff’s Quarters novels, Anne Bishop’s Black Jewels (my favorite fantasy series EVER, btw), The Chronicles of Amber, Mercedes Lackey’s Valdemar series (particularly the Queen’s Own trilogy and Oathbound and Oathbreakers), not to mention Holly Lisle’s Fire in the Mist and its companions, as well as her new Korre novels. THen there’s the YA fantasy of Tamara Pierce, as well as the YA science fantasy of Diane Duane’s Young Wizard series (which, if you ask me, deserves ALL of the accolades Harry Potter has received, but should have earned them first)Lois McMaster Bujold’s awesome “Curse of Challion” and its sequel “Paladin of Souls.”
Then there’s Mickey Zuckey Reichart’s “Renshei” series.
I agree about the Deed of Paksenarrion, btw. One of my favorites.
first off i just want to say WOW. I just stumbled onto this page and I have not read any of the books on the list you compiled and I’m so glad because I have been looking for some new fantasy to read. I am also interested in some of the books and authors that others have written down. I’m very surprised that no one saw fit to mention Guy Gavriel Kay’s “Fionavar Tapestry” or anything by him really. Also “The Tales of the Otori” is a fantastic series all based on spooky ninjuitsu style “magic”. Another Great one is Ursula K LeGuin’s “Wizard of Earthsea” books, they were my bread and butter as a kid.
Evis you mentioned Chris Wooding’s Braided path trilogy and the only one of his books that i can find is “Weavers of Sarymyr”.
Hi, got to be honest, plenty of new names for me to look up and start enjoying but im with a lot of people saying David and Leigh Eddings, Raymond E Feist, Terry Brooks, Mercedes Lackey, and for more stranger stuff, Dean Koontz. Seems to always touch on weird stuff, maybe for readers who like their mystical stuff a bit closer to home.
Although I still enjoy re-reading Harry Potter at least twice a year. Beats the films handsdown. And Lord of the Rings will always be a classic, groundbreaking fiction for its era if nothing else.
I see alot of good suggestions here, and I’d like to add Stephen Brust and the series about Vlad Taltos. Start out with Book of Jhereg and see if you get hooked!
Personally I recomend Discworld to people that liked Harry Potter, because of the easy language and striking humor. The books about Death (and Susan) are my favorites!
David Erikson ? – Arguably the best fantasy writer ever
(Yes , Better than Tolkien)
The Dying Earth by Jack Vance.
Simply the best fantasy writer of the 20th century.
Dear God what has happened to you people. Didn’t any of you read anything by James Clemens? The man is a genius Fantasy writer.
I see people claiming Feist’s ‘Rift War’ saga to be the masterpiece, but have you forgotten the ‘Empire’ seris? It is on par, if not better, then the Rift War saga.
What about Walter Moers? Granted he doesn’t write seris’ but if you can write a 900 page book about a Blue Bear, get it somehow regalated to the Childrens department and yet still capture the hearts and imaginations of adults all over the Would then you should atleast deserve some praise.
Trudi Canavan’s ‘Age of the Five’ far surpassed anything else she has ever written.
What about The Dark Tower series by Steven King? Best fantasy series EVER!! And Where’s the Terry Pratchett!? Come on man, get it together ;)
Any list of the world’s best best fantasy work that fails to include Terry Pratchett’s “Discworld” series fails. Before J. K. Rowling’s Potter books took hold, the Discworld was the bestselling series in Britain, and is pretty amazing in most of the rest of the world, too. Pratchett is both fantastically funny and amazingly intelligent, and surely deserves a mention.
Robin Hobb bores me to tears. Nothing like reading thousands of pages about stuff that characters didn’t do.
For such avid readers, I am surprised at how many comment-leavers blatantly misunderstand the purpose of this article. Read: Introduction.
I’ll admit I dont’ recognize most to this list. The Recluse Saga is top notch. I also want to point out to others that these are supposed to be authors that don’t typically get the spot light. Which means people like Pratchett, Goodkind, Jordan, Dragonlance especially get more than enough of there own spotlight. Look forward to exploring some of these if there anywhere as good a jewel as The Recluse Series.
lots of good books in the comments… but how about…
Harry Harrison’s – “The stainless steel rat” series.
Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle’s – “Lucifer’s Hammer” and “Beowulf’s children”.
Lois McMaster Bujold – the Miles Vorkosigan series.
Douglas adams – “Hitchiker’s Guide to the galaxy” series.
Steven Brust – Vlad Taltos series.
David Eddings – The Belgariad, The Mallorean, The Elinum… etc..
Hmmm i guess most of these are sci-fi/Fantasy but hey i always lump the 2 together anyway
I’d also like to mention Steven Erikson’s “Malazan Book Of The Fallen”.
This is a massive fantasy work, as yet unfinished, but in most ways superior to other long-running series such as the WoT.
You do get dropped right into the action in the first novel, which can be disconcerting as you learn about the world and it’s characters slowly.
And what characters! This is a cast of hundreds. You’ll follow different groups through the novels, sometimes skipping some characters/settings for a book or two before catching up.
Highly Recommended :)
Also worth noting: Discworld, Gunslinger, and the trilogy “First Law” by Joe Abercrombie. It’s his debut, but it’s awesome: harcore fantasy :P
I agree with your list, but would also suggest Butcher’s other series. the Dresden Files. More of a hard-boiled fantasy, but still an amazing read.
Great list there’s a few on there that I’ll have to check out. Would like the see the top 50 if you don’t mind e-mailing the list to me. On a side note I don’t think Goodkind deserves to be mentioned with Jordan and Martin, probably just my opinion but I think his SoT series was way too drawn out and predictable.
What about the Abhorsen Trilogy by Garth Nix?
What a great post and even greater comments! I read a few series on the list when I was in high school, but haven’t read any fantasy since. It’s making me want to get back into fantasy reading again, and for that my heartfelt thanks!
And I have to agree that the Incarnations of Immortality was one of Piers Anthony’s best and that David Eddings should be somewhere on this list. The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant is also one of my favorites that I haven’t thought about in a long time.
This buried far to deep for many people to read but, nonetheless.
Lois McMaster Bujold, either her Chalion series or her Sharing Knife series deserves a place on this list.
Thank you for including Robin Hobb, however the Farseer trilogy would have been much better to include (in my opinion)
Other than that, excellent list. Thank you for not including either Wheel of Time or any Terry Brooks, both are over rated and Brooks is awful (sorry to those who like him).
The Noun of Noun by Com Onsurn Ame is a great series.
Yeah, XANTH shouldn’t be missed. It’s the series that got me into the Fantasy realm. Peirs Anthony is an amazing author.
wow this is awesome to think that i had thought i had a grip on my fantasy books… I am blown away with what should be a fun winter for me. There was a lot of talk of Orson Scott Card and one that never seems to get talked about (though it is a stand alone book) is Treason. Which I think is by far cards best fantasy book. Also want to give a shout out to my boy Roger Zelazny and his Amber Chronicles. And to the Wot time people his books are good but after Path of Daggers the poor guy just started rambling on. When you spend 100 pages and all that took place was Matt walking around his camp come on its time to end it. I am trully sad to hear that Jordan died though he was a brillant author and will be missed!
No mention of Raymond Feist’s Midkemia books?
BETTER than LOTR in my opinion. Gods that compete with each other by twisting mortals to their needs. Clever concept. They’re gods, but not all powerful & not really in control.
One of the best games ever was created based on part of a book. “Betrayal at Krondor”
I got into Ian Irvin’s “Three Worlds Cycle” Series for a while and found that to be the most enthralling fantasy I’ve ever read. I wouldn’t consider myself to be a fantasy enthusiast by any means, however, I have read excerpts from Harry Potter, all of the LOTR’s, and all of the Redwall series.
The response has been awesome, so many great fantasy series have been mentioned. Infact the response has been so huge that I have decided to do 2 things.
First, I will start compiling a definitive list of great fantasy series. I think all of these suggestions, plus all of the ideas I myself had, deserve to be put into a easy to read list format. I will not be reviewing the series on that list, but will open up the floor for anyone to write a review which i will post up and link to from the definitive list. I will also open the floor up for people to suggest series to be included in the list, and I will include them if they are not already on the list.
Secondly, while I am compiling the list, I will create another list of 10 underrated fantasy series, since the big list will take me a while, another list of 10 will do in the meantime. I think even with all the great suggestions here I can come up with a few great series that noone has mentioned :).
The Cross Time Engineer, by Leo Frankowski is another good series you missed.
This is an excellent idea for an article and I enjoyed your recommendations and descriptions. Bookmarked!
Chronicles of the Cheysuli by Jennifer Roberson.
I do think Xanth should be on this list as well. Yes, they are “pun-ny” but great fantasy nonetheless.
Two series not mentioned in your list nor in the comment string thus far are:
The Chronicles of Blood and Stone Series by Robert Newcomb (Includes “The Fifth Sorceress”, “The Gates of Dawn”, and The Scrolls of the Ancients”). Excellent Series.
Also not mentioned are any of the series of one of Australia’s leading fantasy writers, Sara Douglass. Her Wayfarer Redemption Series is also well done. ix books in all but an easy read and has a bit of everything.
I will add this string as a favorite so I can check back for more ideas as ny reading queue drys up. Thanks.
What about
Brian Jacques Redwall series great books I’ve always had a really fun time reading them.
Also, A darkness forged in fire: Book one of the iron elves by Chris Evans only 1 book out of it but really good and really enjoyable. Great article, Thanks
Another amazingly good saga is the Malazan Book of the Fallen by Steven Erikson. Truly epic and an original and fully realized universe. Gripping prose and great action as well as some of the best character development I’ve seen. Check it out. 8 books published so far of a planned 10 and every one of them worth reading at least twice.
I really enjoyed the “Incarnations of Immortality” series by Piers Anthony; thanks for including it! I do however, disagree that these books don’t draw you in for a while! I was hooked just reading the lead-up to the major event that happens early on. With that said, I found most of the other book in the series better. Piers Anthony’ books and amazingly imaginative and seductive!
Another series that I enjoyed was The Dark Is Rising by Susan Cooper. Although technically more “young adult”, I reread them in my 20’s and found them great!
Thank you for this great article. Many of those series I haven’t yet read and I think putting up a general list of great fiction would be a great idea!
Thank you
Good list – some I have read some I haven’t, but now shall.
I don’t understand all the people who criticize your list – or anyone else’s list of “best” something. It is your list and your opinion. Therefore, there is nothing missing from it and nothing in it that shouldn’t be there. It would be better to just suggest others to you, as some have, and not tell you your list is wrong or incomplete.
My list would be different from yours, but it would also include those in yours that I have read. Once I read the others, my list may change. :)
In your new list you need to add Terry Brooks and his Shannara series.
It consists of 17 books in 5 different mini-series’s.
His Genesis of Shannara series is kinda a link between his Shannara series and his The Word and Void series.
It is a prequel on how the fantasy world of Shannara was made….takes place a little in the future, but still counts as fantasy to me.
How about Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever by Stephen Donaldson or Tad Williams either Otherworld series (science fiction with strong fantasy elements) or Memory, Sorrow and Thorn books
i second anne bishop’s Dark Jewels series..they’re fantastic!
i LOVE robin hobb, but some of the previous commenters were correct in saying that you should have mentioned her previous books instead ^__^
thanks for the list..i’ve been searching for a new series, and now i’ve found 9 ~~
I’m very surprised Wheel of Time is not on there.
I have to agree with several of the posters…Discworld definitely needs to be added. I believe it is an important series of books because of satirical mirror it holds up to modern society. I mean a world that legalizes, regulates and unionizes the ills of society…murder and theft etc. I would suggest Small Gods a discworld book that had a profound effect on me. It is about a large rich organized religion that has thousands of faithfuls. But because this is discworld, the physical manifestation of a god is in direct correlation to his true believers. This grand religion’s god manifested itself as a turtle. He surprised a simple monk who was hoeing his garden who happened to be his only true believer and they set about toppling the religion and gaining new true believers. I read this book during my study abroad semester. I took the book with me backpacking through Europe and had the good fortune to sit in St. Peter’s square and read the book. Never was the irony and satirical genius of Terry Prachett ever more evident.
I think that Robert Jordan, R.A Salvatore would make my list and be at the top.
Wow – No Gregory Keyes – His new series The Kingdoms of Thorn and Bone, is amazing! If you haven’t given it a read, your missing a great one!
All excellent series! Another great one is the Kushiel series by Jacqueline Carey, starting with “Kushiel’s Dart”. Each book draws you in and before you know it, you have been reading all night!
Ann Bishop’s Dark Jewel series…so different …
I appreciate the information of ‘new’ (to me) authors…was stumbling when I found this site…great concept
@ Alan Skorkin: the last of Jordan’s wheel of time books is being completed by Brandon Sanderson, it will be available Autumn 2009
Yeah, and we should definitely include Anne McCaffrey’s Dragonrider Saga in here!!
I’d have to suggest C.J.Cherryh’s “Chronicles of Morgaine” (four books). Definitely a hint of SciFi, but overall a Fantasy series.
The series remains on my re-read list after at least three readings.
the simoqin prophecies… of the GameWorld trilogy… by an Indian author Samit Basu.. seriously guys its awesome… try it.. the concept is just stunning…
I think “The Gormenghast Novels” by Mervyn Peake should have been on the list…
Great selection of books, however you should include Robin Hobb’s Farseer Trilogy which was simply amazing. Great choices though!
I have read much of the Saga of Recluce and have found that they are quite a nice read, however another series has my eyes reading there every page right now. That is Steven Erickson’s Malazan Book of the Fallen. The “Book” of the fallen is actually an ever continuing series of books, each with amazing scope and many characters. There is always 1 main character, but not nearly so much as many other books. Following many people, at least 20, and having extremely complicated storylines. Each book is amazingly unique, interesting, and quite vivid. Not an easy read in any way, but still an amazing series. Some characters make reappearances in later books, especially the Bridgeburners. Just read the books, you wont regret it. They are also pretty long so you wont finish it before you feel like you’ve started. Anyways, I just love the series.
What about Terry Pratchett? His Discworld series is brilliant, funny, and extremely entertaining and mor-ish.
What? No Michael Moorcock?
dude
The Wheel of Time.
WoT.
robert jordan freakin roXrZ from teh grave.
Excellent list; I need to catch up on my reading!
I personally recommend the Dragonlance series, and the Darkover books by Marion Zimmer Bradley. Hard to make a list of just 10!
One author that hasn’t been mentioned is J.V. Jones. Her first books (Baker’s Boy and such) were pretty good, but her new series, Sword of Shadows, is simply amazing. Great world and characters.
Love the list it has given me some ideas about what to read in the future.
I know people have mentioned both authors before but I’ll make mention of them again;
Terry Brooks and David & Leigh Eddings – Fantastic.
Look forward to future lists! :)
How about C.S. Freidman? Not sure if you have heard of her or not, but the Coldfire Trilogy is absolutely amazing. I highly recommend it. I would also include Gemmell’s Drenai Series, Legend is a singular masterpiece. I appreciate the inclusion of the Alvin Maker series. I would label it as more of an alternate history with some fantastical elements. And Raymond Feist’s entire catalogue of literature is one giant series. I would include something from Feist as well. Overall, a nice list.
then assume their opinion is in anyway valid. The author made it clear in the first couple paragraphs that the WoT was excluded for being very well known and always recommended. His purpose was to toss out some names that were less known into the mix to allow people to see some other material/great works. If you would have taken 30 seconds out of your life to read the piece you would have seen that, but you were too busy scrolling through the list as fast as you can. Heck, after scrolling the list you could have ran a search for Wheel and found the same information, not only in the original piece, but throughout the comments section. Just goes to show that the internet and the ADD generation should not be put together…
Of course, I am not sure why I even bother to write this… with people writing things like, “robert jordan freakin roXrZ from teh grave,” I am pretty sure it goes without saying that the person’s opinion is completely and utterly worthless.
I didn’t notice any mention of Jeffrey E. Barlough, and his Western Lights Series. I was awe struck after reading the first book in this series, ‘Dark Sleeper.’ I couldn’t wait for his next novel, ‘The House in the High Wood.’He has since produced two more in this series, and is due for book number five. The setting for his books is a fanastical place along the Western coast of North America after some world wide catastrophe has occured. where Saber toothed tigers, and Wooly Mammoth still roam on the edges of a vast forested and unknown area to the east that has cut the inhabitants off from the rest of the world. Barlough draws fully realized characters who live in towns reminicent of the Victorian era. All seems normal on the surface of this fanasy world, if it were not for the creeping feelings of impending horror and mystery that unfolds – straight from the tradition of Gothic horror. I would highly recommend this series for anyone who loves fantasy and wants to completley immerse themselves in another world and another time with exceedingly believable characters.
I was about to say Chronicles of Amber by Roger Zelazny but Zylana beat me to it. So I’ll throw in Michael Moorcock’s Elric of Melnibone series.
As far as Piers Anthony goes, I would say that the Bio of a Space Tyrant series is probably his best work by far. It’s not stupid or silly like Xanth and is quite the compelling story.
I don’t trust a fantasy list that doesn’t include Diskworld.
Excellent set of books! I’ve read a few and now have some additional ones to add to my list…
I love Codex Alera and am really pleased that you included it, but I would have to go with Butcher’s Dresden Files series. They are just as much fantasy as Codex Alera, but were so much more enthralling to me. Also, another good series is Dennis McKiernan’s Mithgar books. Very Tolkien-like, but a bit easier to get into and read.
Oops, forgot to mention Mercedes Lackey’s Obsidian trilogy. High fantasy at its best. An excellent story set around great characters
If you haven’t ever come across them, Glen Cook’s Black Company series is nine books worth of pure, gritty joy. Takes a few chapters to get past the first person narrative, but highly addictive and worth every syllable.
What about the Dark Tower series?
He’s been said before, but David Eddings. The Belgariad/Mallorean is just. Too amazing to be missed. Also I think Juliet Marillier is pretty good, too.
No Terry Brooks?
What is this bollocks?
You have not mentioned a lot of authors and series that are fantastical fantasy stories! I am shocked and appalled. As are a fair amount of others as you can see.
I for one think you should repost a longer list of books that encompass a wider range of authors and novels. For instance, there is no Katherine Kerr on your list and she is a brilliant fantasy author, I also agree that there should be R.A. Salvatore, David and Leigh Eddings and all the rest on this list.
UNBELIEVABLE — YOU LEFT OUT PRATCHETT!!!?????? — Fail
What about The Sword of Truth series by Terry Goodkind?
It’s personally one of my favorite fantasy/sci-fi series.
and what about Harry Harrison’s Eden trilogy?
One series that I really appreciate, though it is not complete yet, is the Runelords series by David Farland. It is unique, compelling, and fun.
@Friendly_Bubbles Unfortunately this is only a list of 10 series, so a lot of great authors did go unmentioned. There is however now a second list of 10 MORE series, there is a link to it at the bottom of this post. I also mentioned in one of the comments that I am compiling a definitive list of fantasy series right now, which will contain all the great series that i know plus all the suggestions that people have made and will be open for people to add more to it as well :).
@Joe, the runelords series is mentioned is mentioned in my second list of 10 MORE fantasy series :).
ill tell you whats missing, stephen R donaldson and the Chronicals of Thomas covenant
David Eddings! The Belgariad is one of my favorite series ever, and the Mallorean is amazing too.
May I recommend the Deptford Mice series by Robin Jarvis?
I notice two series missing, likely because David Gemmell is already listed twice. Having not read either of the two you have of him I cannot compare.
I can only say that to date the Rigante series by him is likely my favorite series of books ever.
And his Drenai sagas are spectacularly made and vividly told.
thanks for this list sadly david gemmle die earlier this year so there shall be no more form him dose anyone know of a simmilar writer ?
I wanted to recommend for anyone who’s interested: the Warlord Chronicles by Bernard Cornwell. It tells tale of King Arthur from the perspective of a Saxon boy who’s been adopted by Merlin. Like the Macedon books from the list, it is perhaps a bit more historical novel than fantasy, but a good, satisfying read regardless. Especially if you like vivid battle scenes.
My 2 cents.
Check out the Baen Free Library at http://www.baen.com/library.
The complete unencrypted text of Book 1 of The Deed of Paksenarrion – SheepFarmer’s Daughter is available as a free download.
Currently they have more than 100 books available in several different formats including bookwise/rocket, Mobi/kindle, Microsoft Reader, Sony, and RTF.
Baen has put the first book in several of their author’s more popular series on line as a “first taste is free” marketing ploy.
It’s working; sales of the other books in the posted series are increasing and, surprisingly, sales of dead-tree editions of the free ebooks are also increasing.
Oh shit! I’ve read the incarnations series twice, not once have I heard of Under a Velvet Cloak! I’m going to have to pick that one up.
Hell, I might even start the Xanth series based on the comments I see here…
Xanth is actually the series that made it impossible for me to take Piers Anthony seriously as a writer. Terry Goodkind is pretty good, but my all-time favourite fantasy writer is George R. R. Martin. Oh, and to whoever recommended Mercedes Lackey: she’s really just romantic fantasy…there was too much fluff in her writing for me to enjoy it.
Okay, just because I feel like throwing my hat into the ring :)
Fritz Leiber’s Fafhrd and the Grey Mouser series about a swashbuckling thief and northern barbarian
Terry Brook’s “Magic Kingdom for Sale – Sold” (although I didn’t like the rest of the series nearly as much)
Lawrence Watt Evans “The Misenchanted Sword”, an excellent stand-alone, now available as an e-book, I’m told. Google it and you’ll find the first chapter.
Simon R. Green “Blue Moon Rising” “Hawk and Fisher” “Beyond the Blue Moon” “Drinking Midnight Wine” .. I could probably go on. Good stuff, all around. His Darkside series is also worth a read.
Well, I doubt this comment will get read but I think the vast majority of people commenting on this are daft. If you take the time to READ the intro, the author of the list specifically said that this list was for the less sung but still spectacular series in the literary world. For those in capable of comprehension, that does NOT include SoT, WoT, or any of those. Not to say they aren’t good but they are defacto. They are the bread and butter (or rice if you prefer) of literature. This list is for everything else. The things that a lot less people have read or heard of. In other words, Salvator does NOT belong on this list, nor Terry Brooks, nor Goodkind, etc. Dragonlance is pretty popular and, honestly, so is Discworld (though not nearly to the level of, say, the Drizzt books). I mean come on people. If you’re reading a list for BOOKS the least you could do is READ the entire thing. It’s not even that long!
Anyway, Thank you Alan for your most excellent list. I was very glad to see the Tales of Alvin Maker on there, as opposed to Card’s other works (even though I adore all of his books). Thanks again but for Incarnations of Immortality series instead of Xanth. Everyone has either heard of Xanth or else simply needs to pay more attention to the world of satirical fiction. Again, excellent list.
Echoing what someone else posted earlier: The Death Gate Cycle, by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman. Truly one of the best fantasy series I’ve ever read – the authors invented not just one world for the protagonists to live in, but…. four? five? Crap, I don’t even remember anymore.
The series dealt with some deep philosophical issues and the characters were extremely engrossing. Definitely deserves a mention.
Some great books in this list, and many more mentioned in the comments.
I have to say though, that I am disappointed that no-one has yet mentioned The Banned And The Banished series by James Clemens.
I’d also like to give a shout out to Patrick Rothfuss, author of The Kingkiller Chronicle series. Only the first book, The Name Of The Wind, is available so far but it has left me greatly anticipating the next book.
All I can say is you can’t talk about Fantasy books without mentioning Raymond E Feist…the “Empire” trilogy written with Janny Wurts is of the best fantasy out and anyone interested in fantasy should read them, not to mention the others like Magician and The Serpent War Saga. Also Phillip Pullman’s “His Dark Materials” trilogy is amazing – the movie of the “Golden Compass” based on the first book was terrible, but the books are fantastic. The Eddings books are also fantastic, the Belgariad and the Mallorean.
Woot!!
Dragonlance * Chronicles_(1984)
1. Dragons of autumn twilight
2. Dragons of winter night
3. Dragons of spring dawning
Dragonlance * Legends_(1985)
1. Time Of The Twins
2. War Of The Twins
3. Test Of The Twins
Dragonlance * Lost Chronicles
* Dragons of the Dwarven Depths (July 2006) by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman
* Dragons of the Highlord Skies (July 2007) by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman
* Dragons of the Hourglass Mage, by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman (Due for publication during the summer of 2009. [1] )
Read it!!!
I just stumbled upon this list and read through some of the comments, and I also agree that Xanth should be on this list. Yes, a little “punny” and tongue in cheek at times, but so cleverly written. Piers Anthony is great.
L E Modesitt’s Recluce well-deserves being at the top of this list. It is a thinking person’s world and a thinking person’s read. If you don’t like to think about what you are reading, you will disagree with the ranking.
Piers Anthony’s world of Xanth is over-rated, similar to Terry Prachett. I love to read both of them and they ARE fun to read, but there’s little present in either of greatness. But I haven’t and won’t be re-reading any of them… whereas I go back to Recluce at least once every six months and re-read every one of them that I own.
a series by james clemens, called godslayer chronicles.
as of now, 2 books are out, more will come i hope.
picture a world where the gods have fallen to, and have been limited as a result.
these gods are now the source of magic on the world, magic that is generated with the bodily excritions (tears, eurine, sweat, blood, semen, menses and fecal left overs … yumm).
in short, a world that has been turned upside down by the fall of gods, by the introduction of magic, and the old wars of the gods rekindled.
all is not as it seems, the bad guys are not so bad ?
the good guys are the bad guys ?
the series starts with the slaying a goddess by a monster of the underworld, a disgraced and cripled former knight is blamed for it, as he was the only witness and it just so happens that the goddess as a last act of defiance transfers her powers to him.
he is pursued by gods, knights and other mysterious cults and all the while there is a game with in a game of power, where some of the gods are pawns, some are movers and shakers.
great story, highly original, fantastic characters, realistic setting.
it’s one of my all time best, and only 2 books are out so far !
trust me, it’s great.
the braided path trilogy by chris wooding! get that down you xx
Robert Howard’s Conan, Fritz Leiber’s Fafhrd and Mouser, Roger Zelazny’s Amber, Ursula Le Guin’s Earthsea
I have read about half of these and liked them with the exception of Soldier’s Son…boring series. I am getting some good suggestions of series I have not read by the comments also. For the others that have read all of the major writers I have noticed Jennifer Fallon. Good stories!
I have to put in my comment about the conspicuously missing Covenant series. In my opinion second only to LotRs, for depth and concept… a very different kind of hero in a very vital fantasy. If you’re not familiar with it, you’re missing out… I’ve seen comments that it was written so long ago, but of course, it’s in print, so time doesn’t matter, LotR was written even longer ago… and for those who haven’t thought of it in a long time, I’d like to let you know that Donaldson has reopened the epic with a new 4 volume set (The Last Chronicles of…), two of which have already been released. Exciting stuff.
How can you miss “A tale of the Malazan book of the Fallen” by Steven Erikson?????It’s HUGE:)
1. Dragonlance is awful
2. glad peeps mentioned Terry Pratchett amd Anne McCaffrey
3. a good list of beginners guides to fantasy novels
4. I’ve been reading fantasy and Sci-Fi since the late 60’s so can say with some experience that Harry Potter is s**t but excellent to get the kids reading as, in the same way, I read the Doctor Who novels when I was a youngster (crap books but got me on the road to the better stuff).
5. Shame you didn’t mention HP Lovecroft or Douglas Adams, but I agree, there is only so much you list with just ten and people will always have different opinions. Not the list I would make but it is a good one. Kudos to you.
THANK YOU! Thanks to this list I have read most of the Soldier Son trilogy (waiting for the third book to arrive), and it is amazing. I actually didn’t find it to take that long to draw me in. I only realized at about page 170 that nothing had happened yet :p, but by then I was only 30 pages away from the beginning of the main action. The codex of Alera is also spectacular. I just read Princep’s fury, and am so upset that the sixth book isn’t out yet. Tavi is just an amazing character, in that he is powerful but not too powerful, he is still vulnerable and can be defeated, at least temporarily. Thank you, Alan Skorkin
You have to add to your list Steven Erikson’s A Tale of the Malazan Book of the Fallen. Simply the best epic fantasy series you will ever read!
Salvitore is a hack, you can hear the dice rolling while reading his books.
Terry Prachett should be on this list.
Not sure if anyone know what this guy but:
Steven Erickson’s Malazan Book of the Fallen is the best set of books I have EVER read. Yes Prachett fans, its even better than Discworld (although a totally different genre).
Stop sucking Salvatore’s **** and read something good.
good series. one i cannot remember the name of was about meriad worlds. you accessed them from mirrors. if you accessed a world lower down , in that world you had magic powers. but if you were not careful havok on your original world. the mirrors were guarded
What about the ranger’s apprentice?
a great serries
how about “Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever” series…some of my faves.
I think the Deverry series by Katherine Kerr is brilliant and also the Fionavar Tapestry by Guy Gavriel Kay should be read by everyone.
The Paks books are great and The Dragonbone Chair also.
And also the Thomas Covenant books all good
I would absolutely recommend the Redwall series by Brian Jacques. Excellent story-teller-gone-writer, which is a surprisingly difficult transition to make.
Also the series is a massive saga in the same world with 19 books and counting.
Seconded A Tale of the Malazan Book of the Fallen series by Steven Erikson. Gardens of the Moon is not the easiest introduction to the arguably the best epic fantasy series written today, but if you just persevere through the first 200 pages or so, you’ll be addicted to the whole Malazan universe.
Fans of George RR Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire should definitely try it out, it’s mature, gritty, absolutely devoid of cliche, great characters that actually die, tragic, filled with comedic gold and the world building is equal to none. It’s a ten book series, but don’t worry the ninth book in the series will come out on August, so you won’t have to wait long for the end. ^^
Read it now and see for yourself why so many people adore this epic saga!
And yeah, Tehol and Bugg rivals the funniest character Prachett has ever produced.
great list.
i would like to say that I loved all the books in the ender’s series by Card, but thats fine if you want to add that other series.
Next point: His Dark Materials = great series. screw the catholics and other religious sects.
also i would like to say that Jim Butchers The Dresden Files is another great series, not sure if its to big for your lists but i love it as much as his Furies series. Jim Butcher = awesome author!
also for consideration: the Rangers Apprentice Series by John Flannagan, they are children fantasy but they are still good, i still pick up the new books for it when they come out even if i finish them in about a day. partly becuase of my fast reading and how small the books are.
The Name of the Wind of the King Killer Chronicles by Patrick Rothfuss is insanely great, im waiting for the next book to come out as we speak!
agian to throw a name out there : The Redwall series by Brian Jaques
What about Stephen King’s The Dark Tower series. Major omission there.
thanks for the effort I will try series number 1 (John Dalmas) via ebook – Sony and let you know
Loves instantaneous gratification
Gray
You should add Discworld on the list and:
His Dark Materials
the Abhorsen trilogy
hmm, what else, it’s romance, but Karen Marie Moning’s paranormal time-traveling Highlander series of 7 novels isn’t bad either. But be warned, there is a lot of sex and a lot of romance. However, it is heavily infested with druid and other celtic legend.
Discworld and Dark Materials are fairly well known series (I do agree that they are good ones though :)). But I’ve never heard of the Highlander series (possibly because I don’t read much romance, even paranormal roamance), might give it a go for a change of pace one of these days :).
All lists are personal. I am not an avid fantasy fiction reader (and remain convinced that Harry Potter is worthless dross) but there are a few writers that i consider to be up there with the best of them:
Mervin Peake, Michael Moorcock and especially Neal Stephenson whose historical fantasy trilogy. The Baroque Cycle (Quicksilver, The Confusion, System of the World) is a staggering feat of imaginative writing. More recently, Anathem, though not a series (yet?) is very firmly set in the fantasy tradition.
Oh and Tolkien! Here’s an infamous diss of the great man by China Mieville, another fantasy fiction author, whom i have yet to read.
If you love LoTR prepare to be offended ;)
http://www.boingboing.net/2003/11/02/mieville-on-tolkien.html
I’ve read both Moorcock and Stephenson as well as China Mieville :), I believe it is good to sample all sorts of different fantasy.The larger fantasy genre is divided into so many sub-genres these days, both Tolkien and Potter have a place (although I am not a particularly big fan of Tolkien or Harry Potter), you just pick and choose what you like.
If you’ve never read the Summertree series by Guy Gariel Kay, you are missing a great trilogy.
Uh… No one mentioned Tad Williams “Memory, Sorrow and Thorn”? I’m incredibly dissappointed. Plus, Gemmel’s writing is pretty boring. What about the Lord Valentine series? Or White Gold Wielder? Seriously, there are so many other books series out there that are better than several listed.
Yeah Tad William’s series was great, but it has probably one of the longest waits before you get into it. If you stick with it, you’ll be rewarded, but it is painful going for a quite a while. Not to mention the fact that for most of the first book, the main character seems like a complete idiot :).
Lord Valentine was not bad from memory, but I am hazy on that one.
There are hundreds of different series and it is very tough to put the in order from best to worst especially if you haven’t read them all. Best we can do is provide a sampling of the more memorable ones that we have read.
It’s ‘A’ Song of Ice and Fire, not The. And it’s number one, you did your list wrong.
I like all of the books on your list I know, especially Lion of Macedon and Codex Alera. But there is one little known Canadian author I rate above all others (except Gemmell): Dave Duncan. His “Man of his Word”, “A Handful of Men”, “Omar” and “Kings Blades” series are simply stunning: innovative, epic, witty.
Beside Duncan there are many more little known authors and books that are – at least in my opinion – better than most of the overhyped mainstream “Greats”. Here are some of them:
Greg Keyes: Kingdom of Thorn and Bone
Jonathan Stroud: Bartimaeus
J.V. Jones: Sword of Shadows
Karen Miller: Empress (the other books of the Godspeaker Trilogy are tripe)
Bernhard Cornwell: Warlord Saga
Patricia Bray: Chronicles of Josan
I agree Dave Duncan is great. I am familiar with most of the others you’ve listed and you’re right, definitely some great reads, especially GregoryKeys.
The only one of the series that I’ve read is the Orson Scott Card one, and only 2 or 3 of those books. Maybe I read the bad ones, but I have to say, not only did that series pale in comparison to Ender’s Game, but it really was pretty bad. I only read more than one because of my immense respect for Orson Scott Card, but he’s definitely not a fantasy writer. Just my two cents.
Huge props for including “The Prince of Nothing” series in this list. I was introduced to it through a University course believe it or not, we read the first book from this series along with Fellowship of the Ring to study great works of fantasy. Some might disagree with LOTR and Bakker’s work being taught side-by-side, but I would say that is simply because he is such a new author. He is outstanding and deserves great praise. I met him, got my books signed and had a beer with him – one of the most interesting experiences and greatest reward coming out of that course was being introduced to him.
Lucky you for meeting him, i bet he would be an interesting person to chat with :)
I laugh at people who can’t be bothered to read the entire post… He DID say that it was a list of LESSER known books… hence why ‘A Song of Fire and Ice’, ‘Wheel of Time’ and others aren’t on there.. Ah well.
Nice list, I’ll have to check out some of those. My only thought is that most of these are Epic Sagas (like most Fantasy series), anyone know of any shorter series? Or single books? Not that epic sagas are bad, but every once in a while you just need a break from reading 8 books to a series. Especially (in the case of WoT) if they’re 800 pages each.
Also, if you’re looking for slightly more modern fantasy, I highly recommend Brent Weeks Night Angel trilogy. That is one awesome series. (The first one’s definitely the best, but the others are awesome too!)
Agreed about Brent Weeks, I haven’t had a chance to do anything more than just glance at his writing, but I will give it a more thorough read at the first opportunity
The Dark Tower! Where’s the justice?
Dragonlance <3
Alan: I (believe I) noticed that you neatly sidestep weighing in on the David Eddings question. Very tactfully done. I like to think that it’s because you found them as painful as I did. While I admit to being a relative neophyte in terms of fantasy and sci-fi, I do know good writing. I’ll paraphrase Mark Twain in saying “Why I go so far as to say that any library is a good library that does not contain a volume by David Eddings. Even if it contains no other book.”
Do have to cast a vote for Earthsea, and admit the Chronicles of Narnia as a sentimental favourite. Also the Sandman series, if graphic novels are permissible.
I have to confess that I read Eddings and enjoyed it, in my defense I was about 13 at the time and it was one of my first forays into fantasy :). I tried reading Eddings again in my early 20s – what a total disappointment, fully agree with you regarding how painful they were. Just proves that you do develop a more sophisticated palate as you go along :).
I’ll second Earthsea, truly a classic, not my favourite mind you but has to be read if you’re at all into fantasy.
I sometimes think that I am the only person in the world who enjoys CJ Cherryh. I think that in the realms of both science fiction and fantasy she has written some brilliant stuff. Does anyone share my feelings on this?
I actually do like CJ Cherryh, some of her stuff is a little old-school but definitely worth a look, I read the Chanur series when I was very green as far as my sci-fi education was concerned (I read some of her other stuff later), I enjoyed it so it is certainly worth a look.
By the way, I just took the past, oh, two months to read every single Robin Hobb book my library had. Very nice recommendation there! Too bad they don’t have her Farseer trilogy, thats the only one left.
She’s one brilliant writers, thats for certain.
Thanks again!
Agreed, takes a little while to suck you in, but once you ARE in … :)
hey………………..da description u have given about ”Saga of Recluse” sounds exactly like the “Magician” series by R. E. Feist. It presently stands at around 28 books(not necessarily in chronological order) and still continuing(expected to end on 30 books). It too centres around the timeline of a world(Midkemia) tellin the story of significant events over a couple of centuries with new characters in almost all books(except its 2 main charactes Pug – A very powerful Magician & Tomas – A Dragon Lord). It too has the concept of Rathar & Mythar(The 2 blind gods of order & chaos) & the concept that neither good nor evil can survive without each other. Order and chaos continually act in the world through mages to gain the upperhand & all such concepts…………………………………
Well spotted, the only difference is, the “Magician” series has steadily degraded over the course of many volumes now, while Recluse has gone from strength to strength in my opinion. I would recommend only the first few series set in the Midkemia universe (i.e. the original magician trilogy, a couple of others after that), the rest of the books are not really worth reading. With recluse, each books can stand alone but can weave a larger story together, and I would recommend any or all of them.
well ya there i hav to agree wid u…………….the latest books in “Magician” series actually gave me a bit of a headache…………..think i’ll try “Saga of Recluse” now. Actually I think I’m sort of addicted to readin books now wid fantasy being my preferred genre & was running outta books 2 read bt thanks 2 u i think i’ll survive for 5-6 months more at the least…………….
Well if you find yourself running out of good series to read after 5 months let me know, I could probably point it at 100-200 decent ones besides the ones I already mentioned and if you want to go stand-alone volumes, well the sky is the limit there :)
I’m so glad that I found this post. I picked up the Saga of Recluse and tore though it, finally finishing the latest book, “Arms-Commander” today. I have enjoyed every book in the saga immensely, and I feel like if not for this list it could have been a lot longer until I had found these books. I have also read the Tales of Alvin Maker and greatly enjoyed those. I understand what you mean about the Prince of Nothing trilogy being hard to get into, I’ve tried twice so far with little success. That could have been partially due to the fact that I had more Recluse books to read… Anyways, great list, I will be working on more of these series later on!
He’s writing a sequel to the excellent Prince of Nothing Series. I forget what its called but the first book just came out recently and is very good.
Now that is good to know, thanks.
If you’re going to recommend Robin Hobb to people, why not her best work? The Farseer, Liveship and Tawny Man trilogies are all far superior to the Soldier Son trilogy.
P.S. Thank you for not mentioning David Eddings. You have taste.
I was trying to highlight lesser known series, Farseer, Livesheep and Tawny Man are reasonably well known (in my opinion) while Soldier Son is less so considering it is newer. Eddings is extremely well known, but I wouldn’t really have mentioned him anyway :).
ok, maybe wheel of time doesn’t count for this, but has anyone actually read it?
(i stumbled this site, so i don’t really know what this is about)
but this series as a read is PHENOMENAL. someone, please invest the time to read it. and appreciate.
This has been mentioned multiple times in the comments but WoT is extremely well known which is why it’s not on this list in the first place. I agree it is a good series, which loses it’s way around book 4-5 unfortunately, but still remains a decent read regardless.
ps – that’s The Wheel Of Time series by Robert Jordan, now passed, and the series is to be competed via his notes and with the novelist expertise of another sci-fi writer…..there IS an online RPG database, but i’ve never been involved…i’m just a fan of the text itself. VERY IMPRESSIVE, more-so (i can say through personal experience) than JRR Tolkien. SERIOUSLY. CHECK IT OUT!
It is being finished by Brandon Sanderson (of Mistborn fame) who is technically a fantasy writer not a sci-fi writer :).