The Best Fantasy Books of 21st Century

[@libraryofaviking]

Huge thanks to my amazing Patrons for helping me pay for the editing of this video and helping me stay consistent with my content! ❤ www.patreon.com/libraryofaviking

[@mikesbookreviews]

When you're on the thumbnail and you're curious what the answer is...

[@libraryofaviking]

Haha! I am actually doing an AB test with two very different thumbnails so your face is only being shown to half of the audience!

[@unpretentious_book_talk]

I saw Mike on the thumbnail

[@AndrewFrancisIlyrian]

Mike: how closely are you related to your wife?

[@albinorhino83]

I saw Mike as well!

[@616Haggard]

​@@AndrewFrancisIlyrian lol. What's this comment about? Made me laugh regardless of the context.

[@kendalli2002]

I'm sad that Sir Terry Pratchett didn't get a mention here. My personal favorite would be Night Watch by Pratchett. A classic in every sense of the word. His whole Disc World Series is absolutely fantastic.

[@RedFuryBooks]

I enjoyed your predictions and reactions to the video - thanks again for taking part! And I look forward to seeing you make your way through Realm of the Elderlings.

[@libraryofaviking]

Thank you for putting such a great video together! I can't wait to read the last books of RotE!

[@Shelf-Esteem]

Love the reactions to these choices, and thanks for the shout out man! I recently read The Lions of Al-Rassan based on a rec by Josh (my first GGK as well), and it’s a great place to start imo!

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

To answer your question about whether you should try Malazan again . . . Well, since you asked . . . Yes! 😁 But no pressure!

[@libraryofaviking]

Haha! I am tempted and your are fully to blame for it!

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

@@libraryofaviking Blame accepted! 😊

[@unpretentious_book_talk]

@@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy I read GotM a couple years ago and liked it, but I don’t remember a ton of detail about it now. Would it be a mistake to jump straight into Deadhouse Gates, or am I kneecapping myself by not being super fluent with the story?

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

@@unpretentious_book_talk You could read a summary of Gardens of the Moon somewhere like the Malazan Wiki, but be careful of spoilers if you click on anything else there. Best wishes for the journey!

[@myself2noone]

I don't like the action, I don't like the theam, I don't like the characters. I find the story repetitive, and predictable. I'm good.

[@thebetterthird6402]

Go for Malazan! What I would recommend though, is to read big chunks at a time. It helps getting into the “flow” of the stories. Also, there is a big leap forward in quality from the second installment on, so just hang on reading GOtM.

[@westmanpl]

If we are including Urban Fantasy, then I would say Changes - Book 12 of the Dresden Files by Jim Butcher is easily one of my favorites. Now it isn't really a stand-alone, as it emotionally relies heavily on all the prior books in the series, so that's a Dresden Files honorable mention as the whole series.

[@Mr.RobotHead]

You should absolutely read Guy Gavriel Kay. The best thing is that most of his books are standalone, so you can start wherever you'd like. Since you are a Viking, I recommend starting with _The Last Light of the Sun_ since it has viking analogues.

[@nathancooper22]

Was expecting to see a lot of expected selections for this and ended up with a heap of books I have not really heard about to now go and check out

[@_Abra_Kadabra_]

I loved the Baroque Cycle!

[@daviddorsey6460]

I think part of why they picked a SoS is that the first three books of ASoIaF are almost universally loved and SoS was the only one of those released in the 2000s. I think it and GoT are pretty equally popular among fans

[@heidi6281]

Yess!! Song of Ice & Fire must be read ASAP!

[@farstrider79]

Meh. Considering that the series will never be finished, I don't think it's a must read.

[@Fr0st1989]

11:49 god I remember how far the lines stretched away from book stores on day 1 of the release of Deathly Hallows, it was unreal. I was so glad I was able to pre-order it, did not fancy the presumably hours long wait in queue. 😅

[@random_reader11]

Sanderson’s my favorite author but Spear Cuts Through Water is my favorite book of the century so far, so I'm really glad to see it slowly getting more love even though it wasn't popular when it came out.

[@martlec]

very interesting video. Thanks. For Guy Gavriel Kay, my favorites are the two books from the Sarantine Mosaic (Sailing to Sarantium and Lord of the Emperors). Very original and well written.

[@DooDooDaddyTV]

So glad to see The Fifth Season on this video. One of the greatest books/series I have ever read. So absolutely amazing and impacting.

[@MissLilRedRooster]

Yes to The Fifth Season, that trilogy was mind blowing.

[@Journeyman2585]

Glad I'm not the only one who loved it. Most book tubers trash it.

[@Digger-Nick]

Most people say its trash lol

[@Already-Overbooked]

Another banger of a video. Always killing it

[@libraryofaviking]

Thank you!

[@spongem8118]

Under Heaven or Lions of al-Rassan are good places to start with Guy Gavriel Kay! Jake Bishop has a whole video dedicated to where to start on GGK if you want some more info (Where to start Guy Gavriel Kay || A Comprehensive Guide)

[@RekindledReader]

What an awesome reaction video! Great idea!! I’m glad you agreed with my pick of Lies of Locke Lamora!! I almost picked A Storm of Swords but I knew others would pick it and I also think it was written just before the 21st century, TECHNICALLY😂 although I’ve seen conflicting years of publishing. Great video, man!

[@libraryofaviking]

Thank you! Lies of Locke Lamora is absolutley incredible so glad someone gave it a shoutout!

[@someokiedude9549]

It's not often a BookTuber of this calibre talks about something I've done. But when it does, I feel the need to thank them. So thank you.

[@Talking_Story]

Ok this was awesome so happy to see my pick among the top!

[@libraryofaviking]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@leonardolazarooterogarcia]

I also recommend the Malazan Book of the Fallen. I am in Love. Specially Memory of Ice 🎉🎉🎉❤❤❤. By the way, thanks for the videos

[@dentdon19]

Honestly, if it was me answering I’d say The Shadow of the Gods: John Gwynne. It feels like a modern LOTR to me. If I’m being basic I’d say A Storm of Swords

[@farstrider79]

It was good for sure. I liked Hunger a tiny bit better though. Fury comes in at third place unfortunately. Too rushed at the end.

[@dentdon19]

@ yeah I actually haven’t read fury yet and haven’t even finished Hunger completely because people have been saying it’s definitely the worst of the 3 which makes me want to just read other series I’m into like Malazan or cosmere books

[@farstrider79]

@pepjacklent It was still good, I enjoyed all three. One blood is superb, one is excellent, and the other is really good. None are bad.

[@PALLAVIKUMARI-re4pc]

The notification of your new video brings a HUGE smile to my face, every time! Love your videos ❤🎉

[@libraryofaviking]

Aww thank you so much!

[@PALLAVIKUMARI-re4pc]

@@libraryofaviking thoroughly enjoyed this video 🥰

[@LegCramps1]

For guy Gabriel Kay, I'd definitely recommend Tigana. That's a great book. I've read a couple of other and not enjoyed them so much.

[@NICKREADSFANTASY]

The WizardKnight! Not popular, but hands down the greatest of the 21st century. Great video!

[@momo_genX]

This was reaally cool. As I moved from authorTube platforms to BookTube, videos like this remind me why I prefer BookTube to authorTube. I am subbed to most of these friends of yours, and have hung out and laughed with most of them in live stream chat as well. I still think that hands down BookTube is one of the best loving and supportive communities of the KZbin niche.

[@libraryofaviking]

I don't know much about authortube but I can definitely say BookTube is amazing! I love this community so much!

[@GenuinelyCurious120]

J.K. Rowling is the whole reason I'm a reader. She created magic with those books. I still reread them sometimes, they're my comfort books.

[@zelpazz]

She’s a bigoted terf though that donates 70K and god know what more to anti trans funds //A persons who’s childhood was filled with HP

[@GeraltOfArabia]

I can't describe the feeling I get when I'm reading the Harry Potter books. Every time I try to just peek at the first pages I end up finding myself a few chapters in half an hour later.

[@iggydaking9117]

@@zelpazz She donates thousands of dollars to foundations that support female victims of abuse.

[@pmurphy18]

The hate for it is so absurdly overblown. The books are amazing and they have helped me and my younger sister on our reading journeys.

[@kimmycupreacts]

Absolutely you should read A Game Of Thrones series again. I read it years ago and have been meaning to reread it!

[@theholtacious]

Personally, I think Malazan is AWESOME! I too put it down after trying to read GotM for the first time, but then I came back to the universe starting with the Path to Ascendancy prequel series as a way to prepare myself better for the main MBotF series; I know this is perhaps a controversial choice, but it worked for me! I'm about to start Toll the Hounds (book 8 of the main series) and have already read various other Malazan novels, and what a wild ride it has been! The series is still confusing sometimes, and there is definitely at least one book (*cough* HOUSE OF CHAINS *cough*) that I just straight up did not enjoy very much, but overall it's such an epic series which I love.

[@MacScarfield]

Well, with you taking “Dandelion Dynasty” and Benghis Khan taking “A Brightness Long Ago”, I feel very confident with choosing “Under Heaven” by Guy Gavriel Kay as my pick! 😊I genuinely believe “Under Heaven” should be taught in Literature Classes next to “War & Peace” and “Les Miserables”! Jake Bishop has a whole video dedicated to where to start on GGK: There are very few bad answers, though with your love for Asian-inspired Fantasy, "Under Heaven" would perhaps not be a bad place for you, but "A Song For Arbonne" (a complete standalone) or "The Lions of Al-Rassan" (standalone, but set in shared universe with "The Sarantine Mosaic" and "A Brightness Long Ago") are good choices too. I personally started with "Tigana" (also a complete standalone, and prehaps the most High Fantasy of his standalones) and loved it, but it is more divisive than most of his stories, so prehaps a good book nr.2-3-4 on your GGK readthrough! Cheers Brother!😃

[@arlissbunny]

I wouldn’t say that Stephenson’s Baroque Cycle is my favorite but his books are all insane. I wasn’t the same person when I finished Snow Crash or Cryptonomicon as I was when I started those books. To chose a favorite I would have to decide between Wall of Storms by Ken Liu or The Citadel of Weeping Pearls by Aliette de Boddard…or the book that always makes me laugh, What Abigail Did That Summer by Ben Aaronovitch.

[@farstrider79]

Anathem was my favorite by far, but Cryptonomicon and Snow Crash are superb. I've stayed away from Baroque Cycle because everyone says it's mostly people standing around talking.

[@jennieturner-collins6881]

Guy Gavriel Kay is wonderful. I think "Under Heaven" is (arguably) his best work, my favorite anyway. Great video!

[@AlinaTheGoblin]

If you do end up rereading A Song of Ice and Fire, I'll definitely do a reread of my own! Would be awesome to hear your thoughts years with a fresh revisit. It's been 10+ years since I read it all the way through (back when A Dance with Dragons had just come out). I could finally use that as an excuse to read the extra novellas and Fire & Blood too.

[@epicgamer2727]

I would say any Malazan book of the fallen novel would fall into this category (barring gardens of the moon which was published in the 90’s)

[@nathantowns1999]

This really depends on where we set the boundary for 21st century. If we include 2000 and above: A Storm of Swords, but as Arthur C Clarke pointed out, 2000 was really still part of the last century/millenium. So it wouldn’t count in that formulation

[@RRW276]

Ah, I would love to meet Scott Lynch and get my books signed. Definitely a strong bucket list of mine that’s realistically not achievable. But one can wish!

[@bardsandbooks]

Looking forward to your thoughts on The Spear Cuts Through Water! 🤘

[@redgiant970]

I'm still early in my Malazan journey, I just finished Deadhouse Gates a few days ago and while I can understand why some people might not like it I'm already completely in love with the series. I generally pretty stingy with giving 5 stars to books, for me they're only for the absolute best of best cream of the crop but Deadhouse Gates got 5 stars from me which was only the 2nd 5 star I've given to a fantasy book and 7th to any book period.

[@StevBerryessa]

Great choices, but the lack of Wizard Knight by Gene Wolfe is a MASSIVE omission.

[@Foobymaster1]

Im actually so happy to see the spear cuts through water on here twice. Also, the fifth season deserves the hype imo.

[@mtverv]

The fact that no one mentioned Changes, book 12 of The Dresden Files by Jim Butcher is freaking heresy lol. Oh well lol…

[@RRW276]

I loved Harry Potter! It was something my kids and I did together-we were those nuts you saw on TV dressing up when we went to get the books at Chambers on release day. I miss that so much, and doubt we’ll ever see anything quite as impactful as HP. What a gift the legendary JK gave us, she’s as awesome as they come and with such a brilliant and clever mind!

[@chokog2446]

Neil Stephenson and GGK are amazing!!!

[@AndrewsWizardlyReads]

Lord of a shattered land rules! Thanks for the shoutout

[@libraryofaviking]

I am so intrigued! You are the first booktuber I have heard mention it so thank you for bringing it to my attention!

[@AndrewsWizardlyReads]

@@libraryofaviking it’s such an interesting book. Unfortunately the author was recently diagnosed with terminal brain cancer.

[@theh00man32]

In my opinion, the best Fantasy series (that I've read) has got to be either Lord of the Mysteries or Reverend Insanity. Both series have such amazing characters and the worlds are so in depth. Both of them are solely Webnovels, so you have to read them online. In Lord of the Mysteries, it is a world with Eldritch aspects in an early industrial revolution(?) era England, where the wrong information could corrupt you and destroy your mind. As you get stronger, the easier it is to fall to the corruption. The religion in this world is really fleshed out, and it has some of the most terrifying villains you will read. The main character, Klein, is easily one of the best characters I've ever read and is character arc is amazing. This series is the #1 novel series in China currently and is getting a donghua (anime) for it in 2025. Reverend Insanity, however, takes place in an interesting world made up of 5 continents. The power system in this world is based around two things: these things call Gu, which are usually some sort of animal, and the Cultivation system. Gu are what you use to use powers, whereas cultivation is the Rank of strength you are from 1-5 being mortal and 6-9 being Immortal. Power system aside, the main character, Fang Yuan, despite starting out as a (sorta) edgy villain, grows to be one of the greatest villainous protagonist you will ever read, and you'll be supporting him regardless of his actions. The characters in this series is easily the selling point of the series, with most characters being very in depth. Reverend Insanity has some of the greatest antagonists I have ever read, and the character dynamics are wonderful. The only problem is the series has been BANNED by the CHINESE GOVERNMENT, so it is unfinished at one of the best parts in the entire series.

[@zacharylawrence]

Lord of Emperors is my favourite GGK as well. Maybe favourite book period

[@SheWasOnlyEvie]

The last trilogy in the Realm of the Elderlings is my favorite of the sub-series, and Assassin’s Fate is my second favorite novel-behind The Spear Cuts Through Water-ever. So much so that I re-read the last trilogy within 12 months after finishing the Realm of the Elderlings, just so that I could experience Assassin’s Fate again.

[@libraryofaviking]

Wow, that is high praise! I finished Rainwild Chronicles last week and I can't wait to start the last trilogy!

[@tanja9364]

I did that too! When I’m not in that world I miss it terribly and think about it all the time. I’m due my 4th read through! The Realm of the Elderlings is in my soul.

[@jonraymond]

Reread ASOIF by GRRM. To me, it is the ultimate series, even unfinished. Can't believe you don't remember it and haven't gone back!

[@weregretohio7728]

Quite a fascinating range. Even a couple I never heard of. And for me, I'm just over here trying to figure out how you pick one thing even when you're able to exclude all you haven't read and without picking entire series, ha ha. Harry Potter would be an elegant choice for my age range just because of what it represents, author excluded.

[@libraryofaviking]

I was surprised by the wide range of books mentioned!

[@holydissolution85]

Gene Wolfe : " Wizard Knight "

[@ithrahmunchswallow468]

Crippled God is why I will finish Malazan 😠 I love Spear Cuts Through Water. Working my way through Hobb and Liu now. Not sure I'll ever start GRRM but I love Abercrombie. Picking one is evil 😉 If urban fantasy has a place on this list then I'll say Changes - book 12 from the Dresden Files, The Golem and the Jinni, and Jade Legacy. More traditional fantasy: I'd have to agree with Evie and Bards and Books 😉 or Sword of Kaigen. Really fun breakdown and fun to see four books tied 🤪

[@markofascribe9528]

Jonathan Strange… Mr Norrell… are you in there? (but hey, I know I’m not especially in tune with booktube😉)

[@erikwirfs-brock2432]

That would be my pick as well,

[@OnlyTheBestFantasyNovels]

I would not argue with anyone who says GGK's the best living fantasy author, ha. Lions of Al-Rassan is the best starting place to try his stuff!

[@libraryofaviking]

I really need to read some of his work!! Oh thank you for the recommendation! Will add it to my tbr!

[@granthoffman315]

@@libraryofaviking For another option, I would definitely recommend Tigana instead. I adored Tigana but DNF'd Lions of Al-Rassan. No shade, just offering my two cents.

[@kyotojabami2508]

For what it’s worth, The Spear Cuts Through Water is my top read of the year so far. 💕

[@libraryofaviking]

I keep hearing so much praise for it!

[@anangryscorpion5838]

I'm surprised to see so many people pick Assassins fate as their favourite Hobb book. I mean, it's Hobb so it's obviously brilliant stuff but it's honestly so middle of the road when it's stacked up against the rest of the series.

[@scottv5587]

This was a great video idea

[@libraryofaviking]

Thank you!!

[@nicodemogawronski2052]

My TBR got longer, thanks

[@yaakovs6135]

Also suffering through the rain wild chronicles 😂

[@wtfserpico]

I've never been more disappointed in a series than I was after finishing Gentleman Bastards book 3. The series nosedived so hard after the Lies of Locke Lamora. You really need to go back to Malazan. IMO nothing else compares.

[@YaFeya13]

If you are going to check out Guy Gavriel Kay, please, please please start with the Lions of Al-Rassan…. It will blow your mind.

[@Journeyman2585]

If you try Malazan again I'll give it a second shot lol.

[@jttavares]

Jake Bishop has a great guide to Guy Gavriel Kay in his channel. 😉

[@MrArgman]

Neal Stephenson is old guy stuff now? dang...

[@arlissbunny]

I thought the same thing! I mean I’m old but Stephenson writes at the leading edge so I never think of him that way.

[@EskiZagra]

I did not like books 8 and 9 of Malazan, felt like a chore to go through because there are so many of them...! But, the Crippled God turned out to be the best...? Not sure how that happened...😮

[@playermartin286]

I wonder what Harold Bloom would make of all of this...

[@ronniefranco512]

I love Captured in Words, but that choice.....

[@Journeyman2585]

It did win a Hugo award...

[@ronniefranco512]

@@Journeyman2585 yeah, and Bad Bunny has Grammy awards...

[@Journeyman2585]

@@ronniefranco512 it's almost like opinions on literature are incredibly varied and diverse, just like music.

[@KaoticKaden]

No 2 to ramble is a shame

[@AnonforYeshua77777]

Good video

[@seanogara1695]

How on earth have you not watch Game of thrones?!?!

[@Elizebeth-d6n]

What? Only one Sanderson? And where’s Patrick Rothfuss?

[@LordKingOf]

I think no one says Sanderson is because it’s the easy answer. I’m not saying Sanderson is the best, but saying that he is influential at this point is like saying water is wet. There are other things to talk about

[@Journeyman2585]

If they do they'll get a storm of people telling them it's wrong. Words of Radiance is my pick for the best.

[@iggydaking9117]

This is best fantasy novels, not worst.

[@Journeyman2585]

@@iggydaking9117 everything you comment is always negative. You must be miserable.

[@ranma6908]

Don’t read the spear cuts through water. You will DNF it guaranteed

[@heidi6281]

Oh no please start with GGK’s Lions of Al- Rassan, definitely not Brightness Long Ago that book is just a lesser copy of Lions. I am almost done with The Sarantine Mosaic and it does not come close to Lions.

[@marcweber8509]

And Steven Erikson and The Crippled God with 2 votes each ;)

[@MrArgman]

no Bakker, what a shame

[@vijaywestbroek7861]

Shouldn't this video be made after Wind and Truth? (sorry )

[@wisherevenshade4059]

I dont think George RR Martin belongs here at all. What is a story without an ending? I read Feast for Crows in 2006 as I was finishing high school, I read Dances with Dragons when it released in 2010? 2011? My uncle who got me into fantasy in the 90s passed in 2013 after finishing A Memory of Light by Robert Jordan/Brandon Sanderson... and we are now 11 years on from his passing and that piece of work is still nowhere near finishing even after having his adaptation made into a show and absolutely demolished by Hollywood garbage. If we are really picking Best Fantasy Books of the 21st century so far there are none I craved more of than Sebastien de Castells Greatcoats series or Brian McClellans Powder Mage saga. Also, If we are really pointing at Sanderson I think he dropped the ball entirely with Rhythm of War turning his main character into a whimpering bitch, it was so repulsive I nearly couldnt finish the book and was disgusted by the end.

[@emmanuelnwankwo5521]

Order of the Phoenix

[@AnonforYeshua77777]

The last 3 Harry Potter books are 100% Adult Fantasy are I agree Harry Potter is one of the greatest ever written.

[@AnonforYeshua77777]

Name of the Wind deserves to be here

[@dannyjorde2677]

Lmao no

[@Journeyman2585]

It was too pretentious for me

[@ashappyasiget140]

Thus no female authors in this list. As a female reader who loves fantasy i tend to read more female authors. This list makes me sad

[@MrNoucfeanor]

Not a fan of Sandersons writing. Just me!

[@jonvalett6708]

I'm not sure why you would read ASOIAF. It's never going to be finished. Yes, I am bitter.

[@MrArgman]

better they are never finished than rushed and ruined like the dark tower

[@pixilixy]

Missing a lot of my fave female booktubers

[@RedFuryBooks]

I did reach out to several more, but didn't get responses and/or videos.

[@AnonforYeshua77777]

I personally think Brandon Sanderson is very overratted, and the truth will eventually come out. The Stomlight Archive needs some serious edditing

[@Journeyman2585]

Yea, god forbid someone watch a single video about books without mentioning how they think he's overrated. It's like the current most popular thing to say, meanwhile he continues to sell books people love over and over.

[@AnonforYeshua77777]

@Journeyman2585 really ? I never hear that he's overrated. It's always people's top pick. Thus, why I mentioned it

[@barrymckockinner9292]

No one mentioned the Twilight series? The greatest love story ever told?

[@vealgangains6314]

Ugh Sanderson is for gay men

[@LordKingOf]

I think no one says Sanderson is because it’s the easy answer. I’m not saying Sanderson is the best, but saying that he is influential at this point is like saying water is wet. There are other things to talk about