I read 200+ fantasy books and these are the best series

[@jwjohnson4366]

David Eddings- The Belgariad series, The Mallorean series, Belgarath the Sorcerer, Polgara the sorceress

[@josephloscheider]

Yep. Very good.

[@kdpape]

EXACTLY!

[@hfeatherina]

I’ve been rereading it every three years for three decades now. No intention of stopping. A visit with old friends well worth it every time.

[@jobond3317]

I love that series. So did my mum we would discuss the stories.

[@mikedebois2566]

Agreed!!! Sparhawk is quite good as well

[@mmaguire0601]

honestly thank you for leaving lotr as an honorable mention. We all love it. we all get it. I am looking for new stuff.

[@nickcastings1568]

You could try a brilliant series of books that don’t seem to get mentioned, by any of these ‘young reviewers’, probably because they are old, from the 60s, but I have to say the Dragonriders of Pern series by Anne McCaffrey are head and shoulders above most of these books, well actually of the books I have read mentioned in this video, none come close to Anne McCaffrey.

[@Wissenskontor]

Steven Erikson: Malazan Book of the Fallen Eddings: Belgariad, Mallorean, Belgarath the Sorcerer, Polgara the Sorceress Terry Pratchet: Discworld Series

[@SomeJustice19k]

Seriously....how tf do you mention best fantasy series ever and not even mention MBOTF?! It's the best.

[@noooodIe]

@@SomeJustice19kcause maybe he hasnt read them? And its his personal favorites

[@SomeJustice19k]

@@noooodIe thanks, Captain Obvious! '200+' and not one Malazan Book is a crime.

[@marcussoto4645]

Discworld is so fun to read.

[@Caneniah]

The Redwall Series has been my favorite fantasy series for over 20 years. Simple to read, but full of great world building and characters

[@aaronburdon221]

Thank you. It's nice to see that series get some love in the comments. I own all of the books. While the formula is a little bit repetitive towards the later books, the wordplay and characters are really good. Taggerung and Salamandastron are probably my favorites of the series with Lord Brocktree as an honorable mention.

[@Sk1nn3r32]

I find myself wanting to read Redwall again - loved them as a kid, but it has been forever since I’ve gone through them…

[@Abbytoyschannel]

@@Sk1nn3r32 I was just thinking of reading redwall and I haven't since middle school. Now teach middle school.

[@keldaogg2157]

I love Redwall on audiobooks. There also is a cookbook.

[@AB-ee5tb]

Is redwall the animal themed fantasy series? I remember reading several those in 6th grade

[@user-pg3pe4gx4p]

Tolkien’s LOTR is to fantasy as Beethoven’s 9th is to symphonies.

[@odinson6348]

For all that's out there, I think it's safe to say that because of TLOTR, we may already have the best fantasy epic that will ever exist.

[@kemsari9969]

Yes, its the origin of modern fantasy but its by no means the best. Its very slow and very descriptive and i actually call it boring from time to time. And some parts are even not neccessary, thats why i love the movies so much because thats the real story laid out and in perfect pacing.

[@user-pg3pe4gx4p]

@@kemsari9969

[@user-pg3pe4gx4p]

LOTR was voted #1 by Amazon customers as the greatest book of the 20th century. I think the movies, though visually striking, are too slow in pace and don’t capture the “feel” of Tolkien. I’ve read many fantasy authors and still love the elevated language of Tolkien. He is the best. @@kemsari9969

[@user-pg3pe4gx4p]

@@kemsari9969 No, I think Tolkien’s writing is just lovely. LOTR is still the best fantasy ever written. Now the Jackson movies are a real bear to get through. The pacing is way too slow and changes to the storyline are deeply flawed. I’d give his production team credit for some of the visuals though.

[@danjackson2313]

Fantastic video, Johan. Thanks for including The Illborn Saga within such a fantastic selection of fantasy series.

[@libraryofaviking]

It definitely deserves it!

[@T-Flow79]

Love this!!! The Dark Tower is what I read when I got back into reading fantasy again! It holds a special place in my heart

[@AmyLeraje]

finished green bone saga cause you mentioned it several times and absolutely love it - that was exactly what I've been looking for considering so much cliché and repetitiveness in literature or TV these days. definitely a breath of fresh air! Thank you for introducing me to this masterpiece!

[@fredsmith3055]

The last 100 or so pages of Words of Radiance still hit me even after reading it four or five times. SO GOOD

[@eros5761]

It's truly incredible, no book have ever given me chills as the stormlight archive books.

[@Billliamm]

sanderlanche

[@paulp7165]

The Belgariad (Pawn of Prophecy, Queen of Sorcery, Magician's Gambit, Castle of Wizardry, and Enchanter's Endgame) and The Malloreon (Guardians of the West, King of the Murgos, Demon Lord of Karanda, Sorceress of Darshiva, and Seeress of Kell), along with Belgarath the Sorcerer and Polgara the Sorceress. By David and Leigh Eddings. Fantasy grounded in gritty reality. Highly recommended.

[@ed-salinas-97]

Was hoping someone would mention Eddings!!

[@charlestoth3273]

Also the 2 Sparhawk trilogies by David and Leigh as well

[@kdpape]

yep 100% couldn't believe Eddings or Terry Brooks not getting a mention

[@kdpape]

also just realized no Anne McCaffrey/dragon riders of pern!

[@cloudwatcher608]

I’ve noticed Eddings is underrated in the fantasy KZbin commentary I’ve seen

[@barryschwarz]

You must read The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant by Stephen Donaldson. The protagonist starts in our world and when he is taken to The Land he refuses to believe in it. He is the ultimate anti-hero, a jagged presence in a beautiful world full of honour and sacrifice. Because of the starting conceit I've never felt such connection with a main character. The dialogue is poetic and uplifting, the writing has a tremendous sweep, and the inner and external tribulations on our hero's journey are wonderfully crafted. The first book was written in 1977 and the 10th and final book in 2013, making R.R Martin's hiatus look a like a blink of an eye. It's truly worth a visit.

[@cuttermasterson]

I agree. Wonderful series

[@jknightwolf4574]

absolutely.fantastic work. I bought his books so many years ago.still have them. I only read up to the second chronicles, you're right that was some hiatus, will probably check out the final chronicles

[@barryschwarz]

@@jknightwolf4574 You may like to read the first 6 again. before you do. I think the 1st trilogy is probably the best, but finishing the saga was very satisfying

[@EEPhD]

Totally agree. I discovered the first book in 1977 and read everything Donaldson wrote. Mirror of her dreams is a great anthology of short stories.

[@jeromemausling6324]

It took the attempts to get into his first book of Thomas Covenant series but when it finally took, I was enthralled. It's not easy reading and Thomas Covenant is one of the most difficult main characters one will ever encounter in a series. One despises him and loves him...

[@Guyonnn]

So happy to see your #1 choice! I would give anything to reread that series for the first time! It has every genre woven masterfully together in a way no one has come even close to replicating since.

[@Ducslider]

Julian May: The Pliocene Exile series. I read them 30+ years ago, and it is still one of the best series ever written. Enjoy!

[@neilfleming2787]

yeah, great series and I love the way he then wrapped he whole thing into a complete rotating saga with the 'modern' end of thins with Intervention and all the rest

[@timheffernan4519]

Agreed its a very unique series.

[@flatebo1]

It's also not a fantasy series. It's a scifi reimagining of Celtic myth. Stephen Donaldson's Thomas Covenant series, however, is fantasy.

[@neilfleming2787]

@@flatebo1 well, sort of, until you read the other part which is sort of the prequel to the Pliocene stuff.

[@flatebo1]

@@neilfleming2787 It's still a scifi series, though, not a fantasy series. Which was my point. The original Pliocene books were based on Celtic myth, but that alone doesn't make them fantasy. Authors often sub in mental powers (telepathy/telekinesis/etc) for magical powers in such cases. There have been many such over the years - scifi glosses on Beowulf, on Lord of the Rings, on Greek and Norse myth, etc. ERB often had heroes with minor mental powers (John Carter, for example) but never had magic in his books. He had some pretty ludicrous "science", but it was always presented as science.

[@RazvanCosti]

Lord of the Rings, The Wheel of Time, A song of Ice and Fire, The First Law are my top choices. And if he EVER got around to finishing it, Patrick Rothfuss’ The Kingkiller Chronice series could very well make the Top 5

[@kaiserofkush]

I don't think kingkiller ever gets finished if hes even started it

[@richardshueydc1529]

Sadly I agree with KaiserofKush. Please prove us wrong Mr Rothfuss! I agree completely with this list, though I would need to include the first law series with the later pre industrial series. It is in my opinion stronger than the first law books. I also believe that Lord of the Rings is likely our version of the Library of the Vikings top three choices because he is younger than I am. We didn’t have Sanderson back in our formative years and wheel of time came out after I was already an established fantasy fan. Those authors did it for him. While LOTR, Zelazny’s Amber chronicles, and the sci-fi Herbert’s Dune books were my formative books that made me into a ravenous fantasy, sci-fi reader to this day.

[@Bobthebuilder1322]

Heard today that book 3 will come out this year. Book 2 fell off at the end. Book 1 was epic

[@DaveTheTurd]

@@Bobthebuilder1322 Actually, it isn't Book 3... he's releasing another stand-alone novella about Bast called "The Narrow Road Between Desires"... Door of Stone is still unannounced....

[@Bobthebuilder1322]

@@DaveTheTurd oh. I'm not surprised. I think it was obvious he was running out of jdeas in book 2

[@amyrlinseat]

The Memory, Sorrow and Thorn series by Tad Williams (starts with The Dragonbone Chair) is consistently underrated. It's one of my favs but I never hear anyone talking about it.

[@invisibelle7590]

I agree! Never hear these mentioned,

[@sethlaw3394]

Just finished dragonbone. Incredibly written!

[@lorenzbuss783]

Really enjoyed the whole series as well. The sequels have also been fantastic so far. (The Last King of Osten Ard)

[@amyrlinseat]

@@lorenzbuss783 I'm looking forward to reading the sequel series when it's finished!

[@invisibelle7590]

@@lorenzbuss783 Squel? Never knew there was a sequel. Noice.

[@LeonAvalos]

The Lord of the Rings is still as good, if you loved it a 14 then you'll still love it today, and maybe even more so as an adult. Yes it's not fast paced, but it's so beautifully written and it feels so real, and it's far better than many of the stuff writers put out nowadays.

[@libraryofaviking]

I really need to reread it!

[@BuergerPT]

Yes! This. And it comes alive even more when you take the time to invest in the lore of the Silmarillion--which, even if you don't want to read it, you can watch so many excellent KZbin channels that bring the lore to life brilliantly. Tolkien is to fantasy what Socrates is to Western philosophy--lots of us build cool things with our Legos, but these guys created the Legos we use.

[@Lilhaer]

I read it every spring to remind me of the change of seasons. Started it at 13-14 now I'm 56.

[@Rainmain667]

Lotr is among the worst books ever written. Who wants to read 6 pages describing a field of grass....

[@BuergerPT]

@@Rainmain667 Yeah, I don't think we arrive at the definition, or lack thereof, of good literature by saying it is too descriptive. Rather, good literature is determined by the cohesion of themes, depth of world-building and character building, and ultimately its ability to connect to the real-life experiences of readers. In these ways, LoTR consistently proves to every new generation an ability to deliver.

[@greggrimes115]

L. E Modessitt, Jr. deserves a top spot on this list. Any of his series will comfortably rise to the top of any fantasy list.

[@TheGlssr60]

The entire Drizzt Do'Urden series by R.A. Salvatore. The Dragonrealm series by Richard A. Knaak. The Thomas Covenant Chronicles by Stephen R. Donaldson.

[@blacalmontie]

Love Drizzt! Definitely on my top 5!

[@BiNumber3]

Salvatore's Icewind Dale series and Cleric Quintet are great too

[@steffanreichenbach3124]

hi i think such series are a little too ´old´ for him to consider, also it seems he is more focussed on the main USA market

[@WendellofIloilo]

I found the Covenant Chronicles to be wayyy too wordy for me.

[@judymoskowitz7510]

Covenant books were awesome!

[@thomascardone4786]

One of my top fantasy series is the Rift War Saga by Raymond Fiest

[@markedmunds1966]

Magician! YES

[@MrJWrizzle]

I read the 3 rift war books then I read the empire trilogy when I was a kid, must have been 15 years ago. There were so many books by Raymond that I didn’t read though

[@thomascardone4786]

@@MrJWrizzle I'm a truck driver. And listen to them through Audible now. But I read most of the series as a kid

[@johnord684]

Great shout ,i'm on to the last 3 books of his Midkemia series

[@moominassasin3258]

Hell yea, and I hear he's letting it be adapted to the screen with him having creative control.

[@colinheslop214]

You need to read some older stuff like David Gemmell , David Eddings , Terry Brooke’s & Raymond E.Feist . Some fantastic reads in there .

[@cloudwatcher608]

I’m loving all the love for Eddings in this comment section, I felt like I was one of the only people who loved his series

[@smokeupsomeG]

Gemmell is criminally underrated. Not seen many fantasy tubers share praise for the Gemm

[@Scotch5ailor]

Well said!

[@mightyactraiser5045]

David Gemmell was one of my favorites. everything he wrote was amazing. One of my personal favorites was Morningstar. Against the Hoard (later renamed Legend) put his name on the map.

[@colinheslop214]

@@mightyactraiser5045 must have read Legend more than ten times . Along with all the other Drenai novels. Really enjoyed the Jon Shannow books as well 👍🏻

[@bradleyyurk5744]

Huge fan of the Malazan Book of the Fallen series. Also love the Prince of Nothing series by R. Scott Bakker. That last one is definitely adults only, and might be too dark for the readers in this comments section, but that one ends in perhaps the most perfect and unexpected way.

[@feixue1005]

Oh thank god, I was scared I was gonna be the only malazan fan in the comments 😅

[@Barlyn66]

@@feixue1005 First in, last out!

[@aidankirwan9904]

Prince of Nothing was very surprising, good if you like philosophy and complicated characters. It's an odd one, and difficult to follow at times, but I enjoyed it a lot

[@karlhuber3780]

​@@Barlyn66 Always an even trade!

[@Serenity7907]

I'm thousands of fantasy books in and Malazan still can't be topped, Sanderson is getting there maybe with Stormlight but he needs to finish it before it becomes a contest.

[@les4767]

I like "His Dark Materials" trilogy by Phillip Pullman, "The Magic Kingdom of Landover" series by Terry Brooks, "The Dragonriders of Pern," and "The Harperhall Trilogy" by Anne McCaffrey, "The Harry Potter" series by J.K. Rowling, "The Heroes of Olympus" series by Rick Riordan...and I'm saluting your #1 pick, "The Dark Tower" series by Stephen King was phenomenal!

[@brentgarlick9605]

Yes someone else likes Magic Kingdom of Landover. That series to me is very special Sadly very few people even know about it and for me I like more than Shannarah. It's just a simple cozy fantasy series.

[@bee-l-zee-bub4298]

Gemmell, ,,,,, Druss, Waylander, Skiillgannon, all in the Drenai series. The Rigante, the story of Troy, and the Jon Shannow series. All of them, truly great books.

[@krg1605]

Wow! How could we forget Jon Shannow? The mention of that series just bought back so many happy memories!

[@bee-l-zee-bub4298]

@krg1605 for sure, Shannow was the first book I read of Gemmel, then Druss.

[@gufrias7192]

Some of you might shake your heads at this, but to me the Discworld series was a gamechanger. Suddenly almost every otther fantasy series seemed boring and predictable. The crazy comedy, the weird world building, the personalities of the characters, the way Pratchett plays with the language, and not least the way he mirrors the oddities of our own society... marvellous. I also want to mention Ben Aaronovich's series Rivers of London. Why shouldn't you build your story in modern day London, and create plots around the mythology and traditions that so many og us are familiar with?

[@kathykuecker]

Discworld is in a class of it's own.

[@natalebabbo-gunplaanddioramas]

I strongly recommend the Winter of the World trilogy written by Michael Scott Rohan. It’s three books arem The Anvil of Ice (1986]; The Forge in the Forest (1987); and The Hammer of the Sun (1988). It’s a “tolkien style” fantasy with an excellent world building, very interesting characters and a unique magic mixing metalworking with songs and poetry. Worth a reading.

[@symbolguy3609]

Ooh, tell me more!

[@LiveMadelen]

I have read hundreds of fantasy books and really love the genre. Some of my favorits are ALL the Raymond E. Feist books, The Name of the Wind, Dark Tower series, all the Robin Hobb books, Abercrombie books, Sarah J. Mass books, Stephen King, and so many more... to many good books and to little time. Great list!! I will check out some of the ones I've missed.

[@kyndread71]

The Riftwar Cycle from Feist was outstanding!

[@USMCArchAngel03]

The Name of the Wind is one of my favorite books of all time. Amazing book.

[@DawnOfMutilation]

@@kyndread71 have an orange .)

[@mary-ellendowning8388]

Rodger Zelazny's Amber series, both parts. Anne McCaffrey's Dragonriders of Pern and its supplemental books. The classic C. S. Lewis The Chronicals of Narnia and of course Ursula LeGuin's Earthsea trilogy and the stand alone book The Left Hand of Darkness.

[@johnsampson2544]

I have read all of the Amber books 3 times (and I think I'm due for another reading). I also love the Pern books. Another great universe of stories is the Katherine Kurtz Deryni series. I love those books. Many years ago I was lucky enough to attend a reading/Q&A that she had at a local university. I still have a signed copy of the short story that she wrote for the event. It is one of my prize possessions.

[@krisztianunpronounceable]

The Death Gate Cycle is my all-time favourite!

[@Zazzaro703]

Just made them audio books on audible as well.

[@monsoon0704]

Love that duo of Weis and Hickman.. plus their other series the Dragonlance chronicles...

[@AllNighterProduction]

Used the handle Haplo the Hand for years

[@CryptikConstruct]

Magician by Feist had to be there No Obernewtyn by Carmody? Two of the top fantasy series ever written.

[@rac6046]

Agreed regarding Magician with potential for adaption to a TV series which is far more epic than recent tv fantasy series we’ve seen.

[@danab3099]

I really liked Obernewtyn too!! I have read through book 3 in the series and need to finish it.

[@1827641]

Over the years, I have tried to read it three times Magician by Feist and have never been able to finish it.

[@giants9833]

I'd have to say that the first 6 Thomas Covenant books by Steven R Donaldson, The Belgariad series by David Eddings, The Shannara Chronicles by Terry Brooks, and the Tales of Alvin Maker by Orson Scott Card were some of my early favorites

[@krg1605]

Wow! The Thomas Covenant saga! What a bitter sweet series...excruciatingly different. my abiding memory of TC is the ending to the One Tree. Only Donaldson could get away with such a devastatingly downbeat ending. Memorable.

[@cuttermasterson]

I agree. Wonderful series

[@Michael_L_Morrison]

The Dark Tower is my absolute favorite series of all time. I'm surprised and happy to see it in your top 3!

[@Furuss]

Did You have a chance to read other S.Kings books? You can really get so much more from Dark Tower if You read "Salem" or "Insomnia. I higly reccomend it.:)

[@Michael_L_Morrison]

@@Furuss I’ve been reading King since I was about 10, and I’m 54 now. He is my favorite author.

[@dechain1927]

Long days and pleasant nights, sai

[@Michael_L_Morrison]

⁠@@dechain1927And may you have twice the number.

[@bomafett]

Jim Butcher has 2 great series - The Dresden Files and The Codex Alera - and the start of a third. Brent Weeks' Lightbringer series is another great one.

[@kevinlee2738]

Just stumbled across Light bringer myself. The guys is talented. Very unique magic system. Flawed characters etc. Really like it.

[@mediumbob4735]

The story of how codex Alera came to be is just awesome. He was teaching a writing class, he told the class to write a paper and base it on two things/ideas that were random to each other. The class whines and says it’s too tough and can’t be done. So he says to the class ok I’ll show you, pick me two random ideas. Pokémon and the lost Roman army were the ideas thrown at him. I think he did pretty good

[@Graffight]

Dresden Files is legitimately my favorite series of all time it absolutely belongs on any top 10 list

[@michiroblreiter4172]

​@@mediumbob4735Amazing series, all of butcher is gratis.

[@michiroblreiter4172]

​@@kevinlee2738Brent Weeks shadiw whatwver series is far better, lot of Bad boys, asassins, crazy gids and stuff, i love them soo much

[@jessed7240]

These 3 series were my first series I’ve ever read. Anyone else read these as a kid or recently? Brian Jacques redwall series R.A Salvatore legend of drizzt Terry goodkind Sword of truth

[@kharilane1340]

I liked the first three books of The Sword of Truth series, and the Drizzt saga is an all-time favorite.

[@kanpur8745]

Does anyone else read Tepper, Bujold, Czenerda, Cherryh, Briggs, Lackey, Kristen Smith? Of course the older authors Norton, Heinlein, Asimov. There are so many others none of which were on the list.

[@mtncreekdawn]

Bujold's current series (Pen & Des) is a joy!

[@simonleach6632]

Terry Pratchett's diskworld series is easily my favourite fantasy series ever, of course ive read other stand-outs like Joe Abercrombie's first law books, but the diskworld books are a breath if fresh air compared to any other fantasy series out there, the characters are fantastic, the world itself is hugely varied and utterly unique and it takes Tolkien style classic fantasy and just turns it on its head in a way that no other series has ever managed, whats more is it has injected humour into a genre that often falls into the trap of taking itself too seriously while the diskworld books offer pure escapism and an otfen light hearted tone which sets them miles appart from the rest of the genre in my opinion

[@bertjanveenstra92]

Totally agreed

[@jonashansson2320]

It seems like Elizabeths Moons "Deed of Paksenarrion" is criminally underrated. One of the few fantasy series where I have thought "This seems realistic". Way to many are unrealistic in some ways, the logic falls short, everything happens too fast or the people act wrong. Most are "neutral" in that they work fine, but you don't really have a sense of that this is how it should be. The deeds of Paksenarrion stands out in the positive way. And also. I'm happy everytime I run across a series that is not about saving the world from an evil god or saving humanity from a mad sorcerer/demon/whatever that wants to conquer the world. :)

[@davidemarzoli4815]

Love Deed of Paksenarrion

[@nnanna0013]

About to pick this up Please let it be good ;)

[@jonashansson2320]

@@nnanna0013 I have already said it is, you don't trust me? ;) Let us know what you think of it. :)

[@Calabresito1]

Good list, I liked the video. Dark Tower is an absolutely fantastic series, it was an interesting surprise to find it at #1. All the work by Erikson and Esslemont (Malazan Book of the Fallen + Malazan Empire + others still coming) should at least be considered, but I understand it's a somehow difficult reading for most people (I personally love it). Also, Rothfuss' Kvothe saga may deserve a little praise, though missing the damn third book!!

[@clgarret73]

There is nothing else like Malazan. Period. Once people have read enough standard fantasy, like Cosmere, Wheel of Time, and Lord of the Rings everyone should at least give Malazan a shot. It's well worth the effort and once you 'get' it you will be in awe of the entire project.

[@karlhuber3780]

​@@clgarret73 Agreed, Erikson is king! Hard to read, very complex, but the scope, the characters, the races, the world! Best of the best! All time favorite! First in, first out! ❤❤❤

[@justenchambers4127]

The Dark Tower started my passion for fantasy as well! Now I’m checking out all these other writers and series. Thank you for the detailed recommendations.

[@Griezz]

I would love to know what you think of THE FIONAVAR TAPESTRY by Canada's Guy Gavriel Kay. It starts on the campus of the University of Toronto but quickly takes readers on a journey through high fantasy, Celtic mythology & the Arthurian cycle. It has been my favourite fantasy series for decades!

[@jimmymcdonald-jones6132]

Brent weeks the night angel trilogy is a beautifully violent and gripping series. West of west trilogy by Angus Watson is absolutely hilarious and so well paced. Anthony Ryan the ravens shadow has my favourite protagonist in fantasy, Valen Al Sorna. The audio books narrated by Steven brand are captivating. And when the third book of the bloodsworn saga comes out, it could possibly be the best series I’ve read. The first two are flawless. Special mention to the king killer chronicles. Unfortunately the series will never be finished, but the way Patrick Rothfuss writes…. It’s just beautiful the way he uses words.

[@SpartanChaos1]

Night angel trilogy is my all time favorite. I'm currently reading it again so I can start the new one

[@JoaoSilvaWrites]

I finished the Age of Madness trilogy in August. Listened to 8h of Wisdom of Crowds audiobook in a row (not kidding). Still haven't got over how insanely amazing it is.

[@libraryofaviking]

It is SOO good! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Anwar-AT]

Hey man, am almost done with A Little Hatred, but don’t know if I should continue with the series as I feel like it’s slow paced and not that magic involved. What do you think?

[@JoaoSilvaWrites]

@@Anwar-AT if you’re not viving with it and would like more high magic stuff, then this series might not be one for you!

[@awsomeman350]

@@Anwar-AT is it the first first law series you’re reading? Because the original trilogy has more magic, but even then it’s a very low magic setting

[@ShyFly1000]

If you read Abercrombie, I strongly suggest you listen to an Audiobook. Not that I don’t love normal reading them, but Steve Pacy is soooooo good that even ones own imagination cant help but fall short. the series is soooo good i could go to sleep i was so excited for what happened next.

[@gregr28]

Yes yes yes, I LOVE Robin Hobb. Every time I recommend her to someone I always talk about how incredibly deep her characters are. She is by far the best character writer that I've read.

[@sammy7424]

I'm so happy to see The Dark Tower at number 1!!!! Its my all time favourite series and blew my mind as well and I wish more people would give it a chance 😊

[@harunkucukcelebi1594]

If The Dark Tower had a well made movie, it would have been higher up.

[@gordonschroeder1]

I’m sorry, the ending was weak for me.

[@dechain1927]

@@gordonschroeder1 "Should you go on, you will surely be disappointed, perhaps even heartbroken." and yet, you read on

[@TheSwedeMcCoy]

You missed some all time greats! Discworld - Terry Pratchett The Empire Trilogy (part of the Riftwar Cycle) - Ratmond E. Feist/Janny Wurts The Midkemia series (27 books divided in sub-series and part of the Riftwar Cycle) - Raymond E. Feist Deverry Cycle - Katharine Kerr

[@rac6046]

Absolutely, after reading many fantasy novels the rift war series are still the best in scope and content in my view. Especially the 3 empire novels, fantastic and I have all 3 signed by Mr Feist himself !

[@TheSwedeMcCoy]

@@rac6046 Yes, High-End Fantasy doesn't get any better than the Rift War Cycle and the Empire trilogy is really masterful. I also love the fact that we get to experience the stadium event from two very different viewpoints....

[@jakeb4136]

I was not expecting to see The Dark Tower at number one, I totally agree. So unique.

[@holy_marijuana]

Next time put "spoiler alert" first. Someone like me get's excited with these lists.

[@holy_marijuana]

Forget it everyone basically put the entire list 🥲

[@tyrussleightholme7261]

What a spoiler of a first comment 😂

[@MagusMarquillin]

@@holy_marijuana If you don't like spoiling the surprise of a top ten list, I suggest staying out of the comments until the video's over. 🙄

[@biggideal]

It’s not his fault his comment got a lot of up votes !

[@jknightwolf4574]

Malazan book of the fallen for me has been the greatest fantasy work I've read, for an easier read pretty much any thing else.

[@krzysztofrzeznik2213]

it is masterpiece for me, it is the only one which made me cry, complex of the world, magic, ok i could go on and on, for me it is one of the best journeys in my life.

[@karlhuber3780]

Made a list above, Erikson is by far the uncontested God of fantasy! I'm right now in my second time reading it (Reapers Gale)! Oh boy the complexity, the intelligence!!! ❤❤❤

[@miraclemaker1418]

Just too much rape in that series for me. Most major female characters are victims of it, there's POV character that's a rapist and a whole fucking nation is based on the idea of cannibalism and getting impregnated by dead men?? Erikson is a psycho and I just can't

[@PGLAMB1978]

@@miraclemaker1418 Damn don't read R. Scott Bakker"s Prince of Nothing and The Aspect Emperor series or you might fall into deep depression.

[@BlakeHops]

Currently reading The Wastelands and I’m hooked! The Dark Tower is maybe my all time favorite fantasy series and Kings writing style (even if it get a little weird) is addictive! Never forget the face of your father gunslinger.

[@jaylamp1379]

Can't express just how good The Spellmonger series is in my humble opinion. Currently planned for 30 main series books. Author currently has 15 main series books finished. 8 or so novellas and a spin off series sitting at 2 so far. Its one of those series that i pray i get to finish before i pass from this world.

[@cuttermasterson]

I agree. Wonderful series

[@griff29]

I HIGHLY recommend the Demon Cycle by Peter V. Brett. If you enjoy fantasy, this series will win you over. I've read the 5 books 5 times. Now he's starting the next books in the series. Can't wait for them all.

[@jondale-csd784]

Demon Cycle is legit.I didn't *love* the ending, but so much quality over the five books...

[@griff29]

@@jondale-csd784 what didn't you like?

[@blacalmontie]

I’d add The Dresden Files by Jim Butcher and The Iron Druid Chronicles by Kevin Hearne. Thanks for the recommendations. I haven’t read some of these. Excited to discover some new books.

[@basedbear1605]

Harry was the bomb.

[@michaelliggett2600]

Both of those are in my top 5

[@bertjanveenstra92]

I see so many great series like Discworld, Shannara, Riftworld, etc.. But a series that I reread every year is the Dragonriders of Pern by Anne McCaffrey..... The 5 books around F'lar, Lessa and Jaxom with their dragons are unforgettable for me.

[@neilfleming2787]

I agree the Dragonriders series is stunning, but she has a bunch of other shorter series that re great as well...I have every single one of her books

[@mary-ellendowning8388]

I especially like the doona three books by Anne McCaffrey

[@neilfleming2787]

@@mary-ellendowning8388 yeah, loved the Doona ones as well as the Catteni series, but then I love the ship who sang ones and the Tower and the Hive, can't find a single book of hers or I must admit her son's ones that I don't like

[@bertjanveenstra92]

@@neilfleming2787 Not everything was translated here, been looking for her work in english at the summer book markets, adding things slowly but surely

[@neilfleming2787]

@@bertjanveenstra92 I always wonder how well translated works come across with the nuances in some works. good luck with your hunting for more Anne McCaffrey books

[@esmayrosalyne]

What a great list!! I knew you loved Dark Tower, but I didn't know it was your number 1!! I definitely need to continue that series, Wizard and Glass is up for me next. Also, I am kicking myself for still not having prioritised Aiduel's Sin, because I loved book 1. Loved this video, thanks for sharing!!

[@libraryofaviking]

Thank you Esmay! I hope you will enjoy Wizard and Glass and Aiduels Sin!

[@eugenemurphy6037]

Wizard and Glass is my (and a lot of fans) favorite of the series. Enjoy!

[@esmayrosalyne]

@@eugenemurphy6037 I've heard that a lot, so exciting! Thanks :)

[@tiestomagic6279]

I'm glad to see so many shouting out about David Eddings " Belgariad series", Raymond E Feist's," The Magician, Faerie Tale" , I'd like to mention Stephen P Donaldson's series too.

[@mickenordin6102]

Raymond E. Feist, start with Apprentice and then you have +10 more books to read in the same wonderful world. Heartbreaking at times as you follow a family through generations. My other favorite is David and Leigh Eddings and rounding up the top 3 - J.R.R Tolkien, not only LotR triology but all the middle earth stories. Honorable mentions - Margaret Weis och Tracy Hickman, Dragonlance saga, then we got all the authors and books from the Forgotten Realms.

[@cuttermasterson]

I agree. Wonderful series

[@MartinGorski]

The Liveship Trilogy by Robin Hobb -- I thought this is one of the ost ridiculous premises for a story ever, but after reading it, it is one of the best i have ever read....Agree with placing it with your top five placement.

[@nahqiv]

It's so well-introduced, and the cast of characters is quite gripping. Her worldbuilding really is something else

[@Momsterluv4Ever]

I don't know if you have read the Michael J. Sullivan Universe but they def should be on your list. If you haven't, you are in for a treat. So good, I can't decide if I preferred the initial, the prequel, or the sequel, all self published, indie series.

[@RLKmedic0315]

Yes! So glad someone else here mentioned this series. Riyria Revelations is great fun. I just wish there were more! 6 books just was not enough for me.

[@Momsterluv4Ever]

There are over 20. Right now I'm starting Farlaign. The author said since he isn't young, he's breaking them into trilogies to make sure he doesn't leave stuff unfinished, but they are all connected. I thought, after Riyria as prequels they wouldn't be as good. They were phenomenal.@@RLKmedic0315

[@yanmcrae6106]

I haven't read as much in last 30 years but a few from the past that I loved: Riddle Master of Hed, Dragons of Pern, The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant series, Alan Dean Foster Finx light weight fun, Magic of Xanth Piers Anthony and Apprentice Adept series. Basically anything my brother read and handed down to me. Thanks Bro!

[@lorilemasters9564]

I've always wanted to start reading more fantasy series however I didn't really know where to start. I look forward going through your list and picking 1 to start. Thanks

[@alanaginsberg4166]

Mistborn is what made me start reading again after an almost 7 year break

[@the37thagent31]

I can’t wait for you to continue storm light. Oathbringer is my favorite Sanderson book! Also my favorite series is the gentlemen bastards

[@alliedavidson4175]

Words of Radiance was amazing, and probably one of my favorite fantasy books, but I've really bogged down in Oathbringer. I think the problem is Shallan, I don't like her or her story so whenever I get to her I want to stop.

[@Valorin1976]

Sword of Truth by Terry Goodkind is probably my current favorite in the fantasy genre; has both a strong male and female lead, Richard, the Seeker of Truth and Kahlan, the Mother Confessor but Dragonlance is was what got me started

[@neilfleming2787]

I've done the whole (currently) Sword of Truth series...not clear if there will be more and I know what you mean about Dragonlance stuff...the pure Wiess and Hickman were the best but so many others fill in that whole world...think I have over 20 from that genre on it's own.

[@TommyBo42]

My favorite too. Gone thru that whole series 5 times now. Never gets old.

[@krg1605]

The Goodkind books have a special place in my heart despite also loving the likes of Eddings, Feist, etc. These books are unique in that the writing is so (painfully at times!) descriptive, that it leaves almost a physical lasting impression. Unique and distinctly marvellous!

[@beldin2987]

Both are at least in my Top 5 😃👍 Nr. 1 is still Belgariad/Mallorean from David Eddings.

[@krg1605]

@@beldin2987 agreed! Epic.

[@treyhentz7709]

Surprised no one has mentioned Fionavar Tapestry. Something I really enjoyed!

[@stevealford7943]

One of my favorites.

[@tobhomott]

I was just gonna point out the conspicuous lack of Guy Gavriel Kay in this list. The Fionavar Tapestry wouldn't have been my pick from that author but they definitely deserve some mention.

[@jimmythehand1553]

Kay didn't make the cut? Opinion discarded immediately. Not finishing the video.

[@gypsyboomer]

Been reading for a bit longer, over 1,000 read. Suggest Darkover series by M.Z. Bradley, Amber by Zelazny, Dark Company by Glen Cook, maybe Piers Anthony for Tarot and Tim Powers in The Scott Crane Saga. Read on and enjoy both recent and the classic older stuff.

[@kevinlee2738]

Xanth series by Anthony was a lot of fun but gets repretitive after about book 4.

[@Grimskarr]

*Deed of Paksenarrion* by Elizabeth Moon. Best, most 'realistic' (relateable) development of a raw soldier to hero I've read.

[@jonashansson2320]

Agree. It's my number 1. Considering how few have mentioned it here, it seems to be criminally underrated. One of the few fantasy series where I have thought "This seems realistic". Way to many are unrealistic in some ways, the logic falls short, everything happens too fast or the people act wrong. Most are "neutral" in that they work fine, but you don't really have a sense of that this is how it should be. The deeds of Paksenarrion stands out in the positive way. And also. I'm happy everytime I run across a series that is not about saving the world from an evil god or saving humanity from a mad sorcerer/demon/whatever that wants to conquer the world. :)

[@xan0048]

Also my favourite. I re-read it annually

[@gergelylajko7771]

1. R.A. Salvatore - The Forgotten Realms series Amazing decription of personal struggles and emotions of a pure hearted soul in a world so cruel and dishonest you almost believe it to be a copy of the real world. Combined with hard fought battles. :-) 2. Robert Jordan - The Wheel of Time series Most complex and most logically built world I ever encountered in fantasy. Vast numbers of characters. 3. Tolkien - The Hobbit + The Lord of the Rings trilogy Still the only fantasy series that is simply perfect. But perfect only landed it in top 3 for me! 4. Terry Pratchett - Discworld series Beautifully scary and unbelivably funny at the same time. Seriouly unique, you don't read anything like this ever! 5~29. All the series mentioned by you all, that I haven't read yet. :-) ~30. J. K. Rowling - Harry Potter series Worth mentioning! Satisfying read! Though sadly "basic" compared to ones mentioned above.

[@mrphantom877]

OMGGGGG YOU ARE THE FIRST ONE TO EVEN MENTION THE HARRY POTTER SERIES, LIKE WTFFFFF, and why do you say it's basic. No offense or anything but I would really like to know cause I love fantasy books and that is a MASTERPIECE like I have never ever ever ever read anything better than that

[@gergelylajko7771]

@@mrphantom877 I “devoured” the HP books. I love them. But before that and since then I read some masterpieces that i cannot sincerely place on the same level. I meant basic in a way that she has written it for her children and not for fantasy enthusiasts. It does not contain detailed information about the structure of the wizarding world for example or the wast history, but rather uses the real world to explain all things and even uses it to place the magic world paralelly. Which is of course nothing bad, but keeps it on a basic “understandable for all” level. I like to read about cultures and history unknown, or so shockingly different from ours, it openes the mind in my opinion. HP books are easy to read and thus could be commercialised way too easily. (Movies, games, trinkets… more and more sellables) Again, I love the HP books and they are great pieces of fantasy. “Honorable mention”.

[@Nameless0061]

FINALLY a list with different sagas. Usually, people put the same ones because they don't read much fantasy, but your list probes that you're into it.

[@ohgeorgio8070]

Didn't see mentioned in comments: Stephen Donaldson's Thomas Covenant series. Guy Gavriel Kay's Finovar Tapestry series was pretty good too. I loved the Dragonlance books and some of the Forgotton Realms series from various author's were good too.

[@neilfleming2787]

for me the first three Thomas Covenant books were the best, I'm not clear what Donaldson's idea was in revisiting it all...still waiting to read the last of the Last series

[@VladimierHMAK]

@@neilfleming2787 loved 1, 2 3, 4 and 6. 5 (One Tree) still gets bogged down in middle and I’ve read it multiple times since it was published Don’t bother😀 read 7 abandoned 8 halfway through and 9 is still in the bookshop

[@neilfleming2787]

@@VladimierHMAK yeah, it was starting to get a bit repetitive and easy solutions but my problem is I need to finish things so when I have the money I'll finish this off for good. I've read the 'Last Chronciles' pts 1 and 2, I thought I'd read the third, but dont have the last. I'm reading Foundation series at the moment and that's a struggle, but I'll get there

[@austinmitchell7224]

Cant believe i dont see a mention of Piers Anthony in the comments. Some of the best fantasy/werid sci-fi ive ever read was written by him.

[@RobMacQ]

He's kind of like the American Terry Pratchett, except he gets no respect.

[@boxoffrogs9712]

He had the most wonderful puns.

[@liamraphaelmalecki8669]

I absolutely loved the witcher saga. Sapkowski style is too unique and amazing

[@johnking2740]

Have you ever read the series by John Norman called the Chronicles of Counter Earth, starting with the first book called Tarnsman of Gor ?? Gor is a planet on the other side of the sun in the same rotation as Earth, but is only 70% the size of Earth, so the gravity is also affected, people are strategically taken from Earth to suppliment some of the population of Gor, it not only follows the main character, but sometimes follows others that tell of their capture from Earth and their experiences on Gor, and people are judged on a class system which is designated by coloured cloth. The series was started in 1966.

[@Danhibbert73]

Some great stuff to add to the TBR along with a few of my favs as well, so well done!

[@libraryofaviking]

Thank you for watching!

[@ClaytonBezui]

No Raymond E Feist?

[@ActionMan153]

Thank you, always making my TBR list longer and longer. I truly appreciate it though, I'll always have something to read thanks to people like you :)

[@libraryofaviking]

Thank you for the nice comment :)

[@jimbrown5387]

It was really nice to see you include some self-published series! Thank you.

[@jillross6331]

I'd recommend anything by Barbara Hambly. She is excellent at world-building, but her strength is character-based stories.

[@Janisurai]

great content, so easy to watch you. Glad to see dark tower getting the love it deserves

[@predatorshelby5780]

The Death Gate Cycle is the greatest fantasy series of all time. The Prince of Nothing isn't far behind though.

[@00negative]

Hahaha, I was thinking of this series the whole video and was disappointed he didn't mention it. I pretty much love anything from Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman.

[@leirwilson425]

Prince of Nothin and the Aspect-Emperor series go hard. (Tautology 20 years after the events of the Prince of Nothing trilogy)

[@stephenlogsdon8266]

I agree with you on wheel of time, and in my opinion, that imperfection only happened when Sanderson got his hands on it, specifically the last two books. Don’t get me wrong, I will always love Sanderson for finishing it for us, but some of the character motivations were skewed from Jordan’s first books. They were frustrating … specifically Matt’s, but others as well. My only other criticism, and this with Jordan himself, is with his mistimed description. The proverbial elephant walks into the room, and he begins to describe the room, the costumes, and sometimes historic motivations of characters, when … there’s that elephant! Some explosive scene happens, and we are stuck at a cliffhanger until he finishes his description. I recently did the audio version, and realized I just needed patience. And oh, that other thing readers complain about, in book 7 thru 9, that section of dullness, the slog? I didn’t see that in the audio version. I kept waiting for it, and then I found myself in book 11. Excellent read, and I will always be critical of Amazon in investing all that money in Rings of Power (a complete failure), and trashing Jordan’s work.

[@riptrojans7237]

Here's a rule with Wheel of Time to remember. Robert Jordan was given 5 years and he died 18 months later. So even knowing of his reduced life expectancy he couldn't account for that. It's a shame but what can ya do.

[@kharilane1340]

I will never forgive Amazon for the travesty that is The Wheel of Time TV series.

[@kevak1236]

Wheel of Time was great, until about book 6, I think, where it took an entire book to travel about 50 miles (I may be misremembering) and if i was to read "Nynaeve tugged her braid" one more time I was about to gouge out my eyes with a rusty spoon. My all time top has to be LOTR Servant of the Empire trilogy by Raymond Feist (magician by the same author is up there also). David Gemmel's Druss character is one of my all time favourites (Legend was magnificent).

[@cloudwatcher608]

I’m almost done with book 2 of Wheel of Time and while I am enjoying it, I don’t find it to be much of a page turner for me as other series I’ve read, the Belgariad and the Abhorsen series being a couple examples. I think it’s something about Jordan’s writing style that I find just slightly difficult.

[@AIMLESS-NAMELESS]

@@cloudwatcher608if you are struggling I reccomend the audio books. I really do not understand the issue people have with naenieve. I’ve read the series twice completely and you really should finish it. Robert Jordan’s passing did not ruin the ending. He wrote it before he died(this is something I was worried abt)

[@harry180364]

Song of Ice and Fire, The Riftwar and Serpent War by Raymond Feist, Any series by David Gemmell and Pelmen the Powershaper Series.

[@dominik3671]

Found some new books, thanks! King Killer chronicles missing seems illegal though 🤔

[@pvandelft1610]

A name I hardly see in the comments is one of my favorites: Tad Williams. Memory, Sorrow and Thorn is a clasic series I read 30 years ago, and now he's writen a sequel trilogy set 30 years later in the world, so far I'm enjoying the first book. Other series I loved are mentioned a lot more: The deathgate cycle by Weis and Hickman (that series got me into Fantasy), Jordan, Goodkind, Eddings and Feist are also mentioned a lot. But after the Last King of Osten Ard I think i'm gonna try Steven Donaldson...

[@cuttermasterson]

I agree. Wonderful series

[@Tubalcain422]

I struggled with the First Book in the wheel of time so much. My friend said skip it and go on to the second. I did and now I love the series.

[@briane75]

While I love 'The Eye of the World', the change between book one and two in the series is probably the biggest one I can remember from any series offhand. Jordan essentially completely overhauled the magic system, the way he described combat, portions of the lore... it was a very noticeable change between the two books.

[@alispeed5095]

I dropped this series about 5times. At one point even going to an online forum and raising my complaints about how infuriating some characters were😂 The people kept telling me to persevere and in the end it was well worth it. Nowadays l wish l could forget it so l could read it fredh once more.

[@rollingstonesman]

Dragonlance didn't even make the list?! Though i love several titles on this list, I would HIGHLY recommend the Dragonlance Chronicles & Legends trilogies. *chef's kiss*

[@crisurzua]

Great list! Just what I was looking for, thanks!

[@MasterCookies]

I have to say, Brandon Sanderson really gave me the taste of hard magic systems where author more or less is playing open cards with what the characters can do... and it ruined a lot of fantasy for me because i simply can't find the same thrill, in Sandersons Books you can just look at what the character can do... and call shots as to what they will do. Its absolutely amazing.

[@adamnesico]

Hehe some hate that concept saying that if magic has rules, stops being magic and becomes tech.

[@MasterCookies]

@@adamnesico I follow the gospell of brandon sanderson, how well the magic is explained is proportional to the ability of author to solve the problems using magic.

[@adamnesico]

@@MasterCookies can sanderson magic backfire the user?

[@MasterCookies]

@@adamnesico Yes... in fact there were multiple cases in the misborn series when it straight up did.

[@VinyZikss]

@@adamnesico I get that but for me personally, it has to make sense (in a weird fictional way, but still). I didn't really like Harry Potter's magic system for example where there's no clear explanation of what can and cannot happen, it's all "possible" and it just feels like lazy writing sometimes

[@rower41]

I agree with those recommending older series such as Gemmell, Eddings, Feist. I'd add to this Steven R. Donaldson's Chronicles of Thomas Covenant--the original 3 book series. But I'm a little surprised that Game of Thrones did not find it onto the list... maybe because it is unfinished? I think it is the best for political intrigue, original characters and has amazing world building. For some really different fantasy (no Tolkien tropes) I'd recommend Anthony's Incarnations of Immortality or Farmer's Riverworld series. Thanks for your list. I'll definitely check out the books you have mentioned!

[@toddk798]

#1-Mithgar books by Dennis Mckiernan, #2-Dune by Herbert, #3-Wheel of Time by Jordan, #4 Dragon Lance companions by Weiss & Hickman and #5- Druss the legend (Drenai series) by David Gemmell. These are my top 5 not just because they are great series but because they are epic. They are all multi-book, life long projects that start at the beginning and take you all the way to the end. My best score was in 1990 when I left for my first U.S Navy West-Pac deployment. Our 1st overseas stop was Subic-bay Philippines, where I bought Homeland by Salvatore and the first book of Wheel of Time. Both series outlasted my 20 year career. Not to be a downer but I always thought Gunslinger was a mess, and even though I really like King, I think of that series as more Carlos Castaneda than Tolkien. I think he took to long between books and lost his thread, It's like book one was written by Michael Jordan in his prime and the rest were done by Michael Jordan the minor league baseball player. Just my opinion. I read his series later in my life when I was into classics (Dickens and Steinbeck) so that might have influenced my opinion.

[@kevinviklen3611]

David Gemmell’s Drenai books seem to fly under so many people’s radar. IMO he was one of the best writers of heroic fiction ever. The stories were simple and not overly convoluted or dragged out like so many series but his characters are fantastic. Start with Legend and you will be hunting down the rest shortly thereafter. I loved almost all of his books (The Troy series admittedly didn’t work for me) and have reread them many times.

[@toddk798]

@@kevinviklen3611 Thanks for the support Kevin, cool to see another Gemmell fan. Gemmell and Silke are my two favorite heroic fantasy authors and it seems no one has heard of either. I also don't understand how high fantasy fans can love Tolkien and not like Dennis Mckiernan. Mckiernan is the answer to the question, what if Tolkien wrote another 30 books about middle earth and managed to tie all of them together even though they spanned millennia?

[@joelmaust1691]

Was hoping someone would bring him up. Loved the Mithgar series even tho the first book I read was the last 🤦‍♂️

[@toddk798]

@@joelmaust1691 took me decades to read the series first run through, but I recently re-read all thirty something in a few months.

[@michaelkruschek2130]

I love that you put Dune in here, because structurally it really is a fantasy story, and a really good one.

[@troyrarehale2517]

Raymond E Feist, that's all I'm going to say on the subject. A master class in fantasy.

[@nadiastephens3274]

I was soo pleasantly surprised for The Dark Tower at number one. It’s one of my favorites as well. 😃

[@libraryofaviking]

🙌

[@ChristiantrospectiveGamer]

The entire Drizzt Do'Urden series (somewhere around 30 books now) by R.A.Salvatore and "The Sword of Truth" (starting with "Wizard's First Rule" series by Terry Goodkind.

[@cuttermasterson]

I agree. Wonderful series

[@Andrea-zz8bb]

The Dark Tower is one of my favourite series of all time and honestly I have been putting off finishing it because I don't want it to end😭

[@libraryofaviking]

I can totally relate to that feeling!

[@marchuitt]

.....finish them. Don't have to worry about that ending. Roland is cursed. Forever.

[@zealouswarden7439]

Kingkiller Chronicles: The Name Of The Wind. One of my all time favorites ❤

[@briane75]

The Sarantine Mosaic duology by Guy Gavriel Kay is one of my all time favorites.

[@DoubleDummy]

Anything by Guy is amazing, Lions of Al-Rassan, Tigana and as a 'series' The Fionavar Tapestry is criminally underrated in my opinion.

[@danilegge527]

Love all his books too

[@The-Swift-Kobold]

Thank you soo much been looking for a good fantasy read for a while will give number 11 a read

[@yvkon]

We're talking fantasy series and no mention of Katherine Kerr's Deverry series? Yes they take some getting used to with the jumping between reincarnations and such, but this series is 👍. Also REF's Magician, but I see someone else mentioned that series already and his collaboration with Janny Wurts. W.J. Maryson is also a fun read, but I can't remember if he has been translated in English as he is (well was actually) a Dutch writer. And for a lighter read I love the Pern series by Anne McCaffrey although those are a mix of fantasy and science fiction. Anyway you did mention some writers that are on my to do lists, thanks for the reminder. Time to get to updating my book collection 😅.

[@davediprose384]

I agree, the Katherine Kerr series is very good!

[@donnam5891]

Excellent ideas. Love these authors. Also, anything by Lois McMaster Bujold, who writes SF & Fantasy. I think my first fantasy book would have been the White Dragon by Anne McCaffrey. Not even the first in the Pern series. I picked it up at a railway station on my way home from Uni. Great memories.

[@yvkon]

@Donna M No, really? That was mine as well! I was 12, wandered to the adult section of the library (because all kids books I had read) . Got hooked ever since.

[@sanjithechef]

Seeing The Green Bone saga where it was warmed my heart. It’s my favourite and actually the first fantasy series I’ve ever completed. New reader and I guess I lucked out lol

[@nightmarishcompositions4536]

Awesome to see Dark Tower in 1st place! I’m more into horror and grimdark than traditional fantasy and Dark Tower brings out the best of the genres.

[@libraryofaviking]

It is such a great read!

[@Falco2Itachi]

@Nightmarish Compositions: Hey, could you recommend some horror and grimdark? Have a nice day!

[@marchuitt]

@@Falco2Itachi : There's the obvious Horus Heresy. But that is.... a very long series of books. Some are (way) better than others but on the whole they're a very entertaining story if you can make it to the end. More fantasy, there's a series called the Dwarfs I rather enjoyed, also was another about a guy from our world that was turned into a vampire and then ended up in their fantasy world (where he proceeded to conquer it) but can't remember the name of that series (this was years and years ago). Then there's all the Forgotten Realms, Dragonlance, Ravenloft, Spelljammer, Dark Sun that were a staple for reading back when I was a kid.

[@Falco2Itachi]

@@marchuitt Thank you very much. I will look into them. Have a nice day =)

[@mariareadsssf]

My favorite SFF series: 1."The Dandelion Dynasty" Ken Liu 2."Earthseed" Octavia E. Butler 3."Rook & Rose" M. A. Carrick 4. "The Poppy War" R. F. Kuang 5. "The Broken Earth" N. K. Jemisin 6. "The Winnowing Flame" Jen Williams Honorable mention "The Green Bone Saga" - Fonda Lee

[@DaveTheTurd]

I know everyone has legit GRRM burnout, but still, reading (and re-reading) his Fire and Ice series never disappoints. Granted, the likelihood that we will see the end of the story in print form are slim, but still, the series is phenomenal. I feel the same about "A Storm of Swords" that you do about Gwynne's "Ruin".... one of the best books I've ever read, any genre, any author....

[@briane75]

I disagree here, I've always found ASoIaF to have a reputation well above its station, relying on shock factor to cover some of its glaring issues, which only becomes more pronounced on re-reads when the shock factor isn't there. I feel like GRRM got carried away by the praise recieved for the end of book one and proceeded to kill himself out of a plot, which is why he is struggling to finish the series. That being said, some of my favorite books have their own issues, and I'm glad you have a series that you enjoy so much.

[@seaninness334]

The first 3 books in A Song of Ice and Fire are really good. The last two books suffer in a number of ways but part of it was in the publishing of them and GRRM splitting them in 2 in a disappointing experiment. Still, head and shoulders above a lot of other writers and much more entertaining than the HBO series.

[@snjstr]

I can't disagree with something that is based on perception, but series I would add would be David Eddings' Belgariad and Malloreon, Dennis Mckiernan's Mithgar books, Glen Cook's Black Company and Melanie Rawn's Dragon Prince and Dragon Star trilogies. While not exactly fantasy I am big fan of the first six books of Piers Anthony's Incarnations of Immortality series.