My Top 10 Fantasy Books Ever!!

[@di3s3l44]

My guy… You might have the most amazing bookshelf ever. I love fantasy and I feel like I could just walk over and grab any book and be happy with where I land

[@OverlyAverageBen]

It's the culmination of both mine and my partners collections lol, our happy place

[@SplinteredLight_]

What an excellent list, glad you included individual books in series instead of the entirety of them, makes for a better list for sure. So many GGK books are on my TBR but I still haven't managed to crack any of his books, maybe I'll start with Lions. Thanks for the list!

[@OverlyAverageBen]

Thank you for the kind words!

[@tiffanycorsello1886]

New subscriber here- really like your descriptions of books! I'm a new fan of Daniel Abraham- found him by first watching The Expanse and loving it- and now reading The Expanse and really really loving it! I bought a bunch of his other books and am eager to try them. So was delighted to see his Long Price Quartet on your favorites! That's where I'll head next after finishing The Expanse. And I added Going Postal to my TBR....

[@OverlyAverageBen]

Thank you so much! And the main thing I would say is to expect a much smaller scale, little action, more character focused series from Long Price Quartet! Yessss for Going Postal

[@jacobsivden8017]

Great list! For me personally, Lions of Al-Rassan is an amazing Guy Gavriel Kay, but the two Under Heaven novels (Under Heaven and River of Stars) blow everything else he wrote out of the water. He really refined his writing style by then. Both of them are based on ancient China, with Under Heaven taking place during Tang dynasty China during the An Lushan rebellion, and River of Stars taking place in Song dynasty China during the Jin-Song wars. However, I know a lot of people love the Sarantine Mosaic a lot as well. A lot of his later books also improves his sex writing dramatically. Jade Legacy is also amazing. I loved every page of it, watching the Kaul family grow up. Definitely one of the books that made me feel the most. And you can't go wrong with any First Law book, all of them are great in their own ways! For me, Last Argument of Kings is my personal favorite because of how everything came together in the end. A couple other book/series that I love are ML Wang's Sword of Kaigen and Ryan Cahill's The Bound and Broken series, especially the third book Of War and Ruin. Sword of Kaigen, while a bit bumpy at times, has some absolute mind-blowing climaxes. The Bound and Broken series is a traditional fantasy series written with a modern lens. The worldbuilding, plot, and characters just really come together in the third book, and I can not wait for more.

[@OverlyAverageBen]

It's fantastic that everyone says a different GGK book which blows everything else out of the water, just shows how incredible he is! Also I've got SoK and Cahill's series! Just haven't gotten to them yet, but I have Blood Over Bright Haven by Wang

[@jacobsivden8017]

@@OverlyAverageBen Yeah GGK is a fantastic writer. A lot of his books are amazing in their own right and definitely worth the read. There's something for almost everyone within his catalogue.

[@BooksWithBenghisKahn]

Epic video!!! I loved all of these except the two I haven’t read yet, LPQ and Going Postal-but they’re absolute priorities now! Red Seas and Words of Radiance are overlaps on my list, and it was fun to see books from the same series as my own favorites (Jade War, Clash of Kings, Ship of Destiny, the Heroes, the Bonehunters). Also even though I loved Lions of Al-Rassan, it was A Song for Arbonne for me from Kay that felt like a personal masterpiece

[@OverlyAverageBen]

Ouuu I hope you love the other two as well! And all of your entries are fantastic books as well, I can understand every single one! I have A Song for Arbonne as my next GGK when I get to it!

[@BooksWithBenghisKahn]

@@OverlyAverageBen oh sweet hope you love it as much as I did!

[@Chance.Dillon]

The Long Price Quartet-I must add it to the ever growing list 😂 Thanks for the video! Love seeing peoples favorites

[@OverlyAverageBen]

Hahaha the one issue with TBR lists, they are ever growing

[@drew8235]

100%, Going Postal is the best starting point for Discworld.

[@OverlyAverageBen]

It's completely true, but I also find it funny to say 'oh, to get into a series? Start with book 33' 😂

[@nathantowns2043]

I’ve been saying Abraham should finish ASOIAF for so long and now having read the first two D&C novels I’m even more confident in agreeing with you

[@OverlyAverageBen]

Now that there are two of us, I'm sure GRRM will listen 😂

[@beach_lion]

Jade Legacy -- alright now I know I can trust your taste 🤣🤣

[@OnlyTheBestFantasyNovels]

Banger list. I only just started watching this, but the fact that you start with Lions . . .I don't need to see anymore 😂

[@OverlyAverageBen]

Hahaha, I started with your number 1? I can understand why it would be up there

[@OnlyTheBestFantasyNovels]

@@OverlyAverageBen it's absolutely a favorite, and GGK's criminally under-read, so the mere fact you had it on there's enough for me 😂 I did watch the entirety of the list though, solid picks! Hard to argue with picks like Going Postal and Memories of Ice being on a list like this, lol.

[@NevsBookChannel]

I just finished Ship of Magic 3 days ago. Amazing character work!

[@Today_I_Want_To]

Kudos. Refreshing, a top list that doesn't follow the main stream. Just a list of what you like. But many thanks for the hell TBR that you have me! 😊

[@OverlyAverageBen]

Hahaha you're very welcome, may your TBR grow ever longer 😂

[@TedMattos]

When I started watching this video, I saw your Fonda Lee books and I thought, "This man has good taste." LOL! I loved the series and I'll be honest. I was surprised how much I enjoyed it. When I read the summary, I thought, "Meh. I'll try it. I'm not sure how much I'll enjoy this Asian-influenced Mafia-esque magical world," but wow, Ms. Lee makes it work! I was so enthralled by her world-building and character development. I admit I got quite sad at the end when I read the fate of one of my favorite characters! Good list, Ben. Thank you for it!

[@OverlyAverageBen]

Yeah, I felt the same! I didn't think it would be for me before I started Jade City, but boy was I wrong!

[@rororeads]

Lot of tasty treats on that list. You’ve given me the nudge to crack on with gentleman bastards. Read lies a while ago, loved it, but yet still haven’t picked up the second. Cheers!

[@OverlyAverageBen]

Yeah I think it's a series that is very easy to do that with, but with Lynch announcing 3 novellas in the world, now is the perfect time for jump back in

[@esmayrosalyne]

Why yes, you have impeccable tastes (and I am not just saying that because many of thes are faves of mine as well lol). You got me to read Going Postal after not loving Guards! Guards! so you definitely deserve the credit for making me believe in the magic of Discworld again!! And heeeeck yes on RotE, Locke Lamora, LPQ, Jade Legacy and WoR 🔥 Also, I desperately need to get to Age of Madness oh gosh 🤩

[@OverlyAverageBen]

We are savants of fantasy culture! Look forward to your thoughts on Age of Madness, put them in discord if you want as you go!

[@esmayrosalyne]

@@OverlyAverageBen Will definitely do so!! I feel like there will be lots to discuss

[@moseshamlett3887]

Thank you for what you said about George at the end. I mostly agree with all your sentiment. I hate that I had to comment on that with everything else going on here. He is one of the greatest writers of all time. And maybe he doesn't finish it. But I think he will. But yeah, people should stop harrasing him and he probably should stop blogging lol.

[@meydelarquier7566]

Of all the books you have presented I only have read 1 but it's always great to watch your videos for your personal point of view and critics. I do find it 'refreshing' to have your personal take while always being respectful. (and I totally agree on the subject of G R. R Martin. Say it louder for the back!)

[@OverlyAverageBen]

Thank you so much, glad you enjoyed, and I hope a couple of the books may have jumped out at you to pick up

[@gayanegasparyan4137]

Great picks Ben!!!!

[@OverlyAverageBen]

Thank you!

[@Ollidor]

I’m happy I found your channel, really really good list… a song of ice and fire is beautiful, if I had to choose only one series to read for my entire life I would easily choose those, despite it not being finished (+ a knight of the seven kingdoms)

[@OverlyAverageBen]

Thank you so much! And I haven't read Fire and Blood or A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms 😱

[@Ollidor]

@@OverlyAverageBen oh my, a knight of the seven kingdoms is such a treat for you then, considering how much you love a song of ice and fire. Fire and blood is also brilliant, but it’s not written in the same narrative style as a knight of the seven kingdoms & ASOIAF. Definitely consider reading a knight of the seven kingdoms though! I’m certain you’ll love it

[@Shelf_Improvement]

Completely agree with you on Abercrombie! As far as Stormlight, I read the first one and stopped solely because of the writing. But if you say it improves in the other books, I'll read the next one.

[@OverlyAverageBen]

Hmmmm, the writing improvements but very much stays in the same ballpark, so if it was enough that you didn't want to pick up the next, I'm not sure it would be *that* much better for you

[@Shelf_Improvement]

@@OverlyAverageBen I did enjoy it, but Sanderson's characters and dialogue seem wooden. I'll probably pick it up anyway, I can always chuck it😅

[@bentheoverlord]

So many excellent books on this list, your taste is impeccable !

[@OverlyAverageBen]

Flattery can get you anywhere lol

[@bentheoverlord]

@@OverlyAverageBen I mean I think I also read a few of them with you also so who’s to say if the reading experience just warped the brain :P

[@YakuToTheMo]

Love Top lists, love to see the later First Law books here! 🥰

[@OverlyAverageBen]

There's no way they couldn't be!

[@cavendar24]

I've only read a few of Guy Gavriel Kay's books, and they were awesome. Tigana, Last light of the Sun, and Song for Arbonne (one of the best books I've ever read). Always looking for another one of his to read that won't disappoint. On that note, can you explain without too much spoiling how The Lions of Al-Rassan is fantasy and not just historical fiction? For some reason I'm thinking it's also part of a series, but I could be wrong.

[@OverlyAverageBen]

I believe it's just a standalone. And well the names of places, people, storylines are all completely fictional, but heavily inspired by that era. Same as ASOIAF is fantasy War of the Roses without being historical fiction

[@favrewanab]

We share a series that have books in your top 10; just not the same book, lol. My favorite Malazan book is The Bonehunters, my favorite Stormlight Archive book is The Way of Kings and my favorite First Law universe book is The Heroes (The Last Argument of Kings is in my top 10 as well). I've also got the Long Price Quartet and many books from Guy Gavriel Kay on my TBR. My top 10: 10. The Gathering Storm by Sanderson/Jordan 9. The Last Argument of Kings by Abercrombie 8. The Bonehunters by Erikson 7. The Way of Kings by Sanderson 6. The Heroes by Abercrombie 5. Legend by Gemmell 4. The Name of the Wind by Rothfus 3. Lord of Chaos by Jordan 2. The Fires of Heaven by Jordan 1. The Shadow Rising by Jordan Those top 3 are basically tied for #1. WoT is by far my favorite series ever and it has been for almost 30 years now.

[@OverlyAverageBen]

I can certainly understand Bonehunters being your favourite! Also love to see Legend on there! I need to read more Gemmell

[@jakebishop7822]

What was the scene in Ship of Magic? This was a really interesting list to watch, because I have read nine of them. Only missing Going Postal.

[@OverlyAverageBen]

Spoilers It was when Wintrow says that he's a Vestrit

[@Henry-jp3mc]

Cool choices thanks

[@MrCian47]

Great list, A Storm of Swords and The Trouble with Peace are definitely in my top 3 as well. Storm is an absolute masterpiece. Nice to see Greenbone and GB here too, although I would choose Lies and Jade War personally for my top 10.

[@OverlyAverageBen]

Yeah War and Lies seem to be the more popular selections in those respective series. I look forward to rereading Greenbone eventually

[@dreamer6758]

If grrm doesnt want to give his magnum opus to someone else thats imo totally fine. If he does then thats cool but it wouldnt be the same in my heart. Also I remember hearing that Robin Hobb is writing more ROTE books and Im not ready :) Great list btw

[@OverlyAverageBen]

Yeah, honestly I'm in the camp that I don't really mind if it's unfinished or finished by someone else, come what may I will be content lol. Also, yeah, she tweeted about writing more but it's taking her a lot longer. A terrifying but beautiful prospect, just like every Hobb book 😂 Thank you!

[@LofiLazy-k2m]

I think Age of Madness is Joe at his best, that being said The Heros and Red Country have such a special place in my heart I still love them both more then any of the othera in the series.

[@OverlyAverageBen]

Before They Are Hanged coming so early in my re-entry to reading has that place for me. A special book!

[@jakebishop7822]

That is probably a better reason for knowing it is called the Iberian Peninsula than playing a crap ton of Rome 2 Total War

[@Foobymaster1]

I might have to actually read jade city. I don't know much about it but I've kinda just thought of it as a hype train book that I don't really care about.

[@OverlyAverageBen]

It holds up! I felt the same way until I read it

[@GinaStanyerBooks]

Oh man, Guy Gavriel Kay broke my heart - I hated The Summer Tree so much that I haven't been able to read anything else by him. I want to give him another try (maybe - he may just be bad for me, I can't decide!) Love Robin Hobb!

[@OverlyAverageBen]

Yeah it's unfortunate when that happens! But totally understandable, sometimes an author just doesn't work for you

[@velkykoblyh8065]

Don't wanna by hyping or anything because Toll the hounds is in no way a perfect book, but it might have a potential to resolve the issue of not having anything stand out apart from other Malazan books. It is as of yet the book I respect the most (out of all books) for what it tried to do and it somehow completely changed the way I think about Malazan. I am very vague here because I don't want to tell you how to feel about something, but I am very interrested in hearing your opinion when you get there.

[@OverlyAverageBen]

Oh wow, I appreciate your thoughts and vagueness! Can't wait to get to it, hoping towards the end of the year

[@cuppa.books.]

Is it even a proper fantasy list if Sir Terry isn't on it 😂 I'm just starting my Robin Hobb journey.

[@OverlyAverageBen]

It mostly certainly would not be lol. And ouuuu, I hope you enjoy it!

[@lavenderlady7441]

love your kids.😊

[@OverlyAverageBen]

I will 😂 when I have some

[@HenrieAsconir]

Hi! Good day! I wrote a novel, titled: Archangel world at war. I watched your informative videos and it's my pleasure that someday you will review my book on one of your vlogs. It was not edited yet, nevertheless I published it to major EReading apps like Amazon and Kobo. Thank you in advance. Hopefully I can send you a physical copy in the final format of my book in the future. God bless.

[@meowkat347]

Awesome list! There are so many books on this list I need to read! 🥲 and I 1000% agree with your point on GRRM! Just let the man live… let him write! Bullying him will not make the book come out faster, and it wont get you what you want. Have some human decency lol.

[@OverlyAverageBen]

Always so many more books to read!