The 10 Best Fantasy Novels and Fantasy Series Books

The 10 Best Fantasy Novels and Fantasy Series

dragolite dragolite 48,132 views 10 items
Why fantasy stories? Why list the best fantasy books if movies are probably being made about all of them? Yeah: a crime/thriller novel might have danger and chases, a fiction story might tell of human struggle and a biography might give insight into someone in history. Can any of those characters cut down five orcs with a single arrow? Can they slay a dragon with just a blast of spell-fire? Can they defeat an ancient evil threatening to spread over the world with nothing more than determination and a magic sword? No? Didn't think so.
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  1. 1
    A favorite of mine. Yes, it has singing and long stretches of nothing happening. However, this helped to spawn the fantasy genre. As well as being the inspiration for many many more fantasies that have come out since. Without this novel (and I mean novel, not novels. The story was suppose to be one long book not chopped into three.) the fantasy genre would be a shadow of what it is now.

    BUY @ amazon
  2. 2

    Tigana - Guy Gavriel Kay

    I thought that all fantasy was about warriors and wizards. Then, I was blown away by the story of Tigana. A minstrel and his band fight evil sorcerers to bring back a forgotten land. It is a complex and eye opening novel. An amazing read.

    BUY @ amazon
  3. 3
    After Tigana, I read some stuff that wasn't good and I was worried that Kay was the only one who I could go to. Yes, Wheel of Time was good, yet there were some things that were dragging it down. I was worried. Then, I read this mammoth book. Complex and engaging, with a magic system that is astounding and original, this is a fantastic start to an amazing series.
    I never thought that military fantasy was my cup of tea, then I joined up with Whiskeyjack's 7th Compnay Sappers--the main group of characters--and I never looked back.

    BUY @ amazon
  4. 4

    THE RING OF WINTER - James Lowder

    Sometimes I want serious fantasy with world-building and great stories. And sometimes, you want just a good romp in a well-treaded world.
    This was just a fun read. Set in the D&D world of Faerun, an adventurer seeks a relic in a land of dinosaurs with magic, adventure and goblins.
    I could say more about the story or about Faerun, but I think the big draw can be summed up in one word--DINOSAURS!

    BUY @ amazon
  5. 5
    You think Pirates of the Caribbean was good, wait until you read this! Time Powers is one of the best fantasy writers I have ever read. And, that is why he is on here twice. Also, the story is a great read.
    And, it has pirates in it! Come on, PIRATES!

    BUY @ amazon

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  1. Jackson Stadden
    The 10 Best Fantasy Novels and Fantasy Series at 10/15/2012 4:30 AM
    Nice top fantasy novels, man.
  2. Rod Galapon
    The 10 Best Fantasy Novels and Fantasy Series at 9/27/2012 9:30 AM
    Nice Best Fantasy Series, bro.
  3. zsamuel
    The Lord of the Rings at 4/17/2011 10:07 AM
    No contest here. One of the finest books ever written.
  4. Stunspot
    The 10 Best Fantasy Novels and Fantasy Series at 11/28/2010 5:14 PM
    What, no Glen Cook? Black Company? Garret? How's about some Zelazny love? I mean, really -- best fantasy - Amber = contradiction.
  5. Pusit
    The 10 Best Fantasy Novels and Fantasy Series at 10/17/2010 11:11 PM
    Yes, The Wheel of Time by Jordan, I am still waiting for the conclusion, sad...
    Terry Goodkind's Sword of Truth was also a good read, the story completed.
    Also, still waiting for GRR Martin's installment, I hope this will completed by the author.
    But then, how about Raymond Feist (Riftwar Saga), Terry Brooks (The Sword of Shannara), Piers Anthony (Incarnations of Immortality) or Orson Scott Card (Alvin Maker series).... They are legends!!!
  6. Chris
    The 10 Best Fantasy Novels and Fantasy Series at 9/16/2010 10:40 PM
    I was a huge fan of the Dragonlance Series from TSR. Especially, the triology of Dragons of Autumn Twilight, Winter Night, and Spring Dawning.
  7. Hayley
    On Stranger Tides at 8/03/2010 1:26 AM
    WHERE IS HARRY POTTER!!! I THINK TWILLIGHTS OK BUT CAN UNDERSTAND WHY ITS NOT ON THE LIST BUT HARRY POTTER??? THE BEST FANTASY NOVELS IN THE WORLD??!!!
  8. John
    The 10 Best Fantasy Novels and Fantasy Series at 3/24/2010 7:48 PM
    Okay, Tolkien's LoTR is definitely first, followed by WoT by Jordan, followed closely by Martin's "Game of Thrones".
    You should have completely left off Goodkind's "Sword of Truth " series as it is too predictable, too trite, and now a Saturday night TV show based on Kahlan called the Seeker. Bad sign for an even worse series.
    You might try Silverberg's "Lord Valentine" series and LeGuin's "Wizard of Earthsea". These put many of the others shame. Thanks for the tip on Erickson's books. I've never heard of this one.
  9. Anonymous
    The 10 Best Fantasy Novels and Fantasy Series at 2/26/2010 11:12 AM
    Wheel of Time as number 7?! Sacrilege. Should be much higher up.
  10. Anonymous
    The 10 Best Fantasy Novels and Fantasy Series at 2/04/2010 4:08 PM
    okay robert jordan is ten times as good as Martin's books! Martin's books became rather tedious and as i got through the third books i decided i didnt even care any more. started out great and ended horribly
  11. Anonymous
    The Lord of the Rings at 1/22/2010 3:24 AM
    [User deleted their comment]
  12. analise.dubner
    The 10 Best Fantasy Novels and Fantasy Series at 1/21/2010 8:24 PM
    I'm a little shocked that Martin's book was listed after Jordan's... and even that Jordan's was mentioned on a list at all. I know its a personal taste thing when it comes to fiction, but Jordan's books were painful for me. Martin's on the other hand, I feel comfortable recommending to non-fantasy readers, simply because of the quality of prose, plot and character.
  13. Anonymous
    The 10 Best Fantasy Novels and Fantasy Series at 1/13/2010 12:58 AM
    good list.I like your list very much
  14. Anonymous
    The 10 Best Fantasy Novels and Fantasy Series at 12/26/2009 4:08 PM
    The Wizard's Rule books by Terry Goodkind, are just as good as the Wheel of Time series. I love both of them, and I'm glad that you had both series on here!
  15. Fantasy Reader
    The 10 Best Fantasy Novels and Fantasy Series at 12/19/2009 7:29 PM
    Nice best fantasy books list - you have given me a few ideas!
  16. Mark
    The 10 Best Fantasy Novels and Fantasy Series at 11/13/2009 5:25 PM
    i couldn't even get through a LotR movie without dozing off for a few minutes, how am i supposed to get through the books?

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