The Top 50 Fantasy Books on Goodreads

Huge shoutout to ‪@WordsinTime‬ Im basically copying his video so all credit to him for this one. Be sure to check his channel out. He has given me so many good Scifi reads!
List: / fantasy
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0:00 intro
0:29 Book 1
1:13 Book 2
1:15 Book 3
1:50 Book 4
2:43 book 5
3:01 book 6 7
3:30 book 8
4:46 book 9
5:43 book 10
6:33 book 11
7:08 book 12
7:38 book 13
8:42 book 14
9:10 book 15
9:33 book 16
10:24 book 17
11:26 book 18
11:49 book 19
12:31 book 20
12:49 book 21
13:34 book 22
13:52 book 23
14:24 book 24
15:05 book 25
15:53 book 26
15:58 book 27
16:06 book 28
16:26 book 29
17:00 book 30
17:34 book 31
17:45 book 32
18:44 book 33
19:45 book 34
20:00 book 35
20:30 book 36
20:37 book 37
20:50 book 38
21:00 book 39
21:10 book 40
21:16 book 41
21:31 book 42
21:52 book 43
22:06 book 44
22:23 book 45
22:30 book 46
22:41 book 47
22:50 book 48
23:10 book 49
23:17 book 50
23:28 closing

[@timothyburbage]

Comparing His Dark Materials to Narnia is unintentionally hilarious

[@TomOrange]

It really is. The themes of the books could not be more different lol

[@timothyburbage]

@@TomOrange His Dark Materials is waay more grown up and I would really recommend it.

[@dinocollins720]

Both about religion... but opposite haha

[@Lobosthecrow]

Wasn't His Dark Materials written as a response to the Narnia books?

[@zuzanaochmanova2652]

I respect you so much for saying that you are not the biggest LOTR fan! I share this as well it was good (don't get me wrong), but i do feel like there are so many better stories. Unfortunately, in fantasy community saying that you often get so much hate almost. :(

[@TomOrange]

People are very passionate and sometimes that gets expressed poorly

[@SouravUldyssian]

Percy Jackson can act as a light casual fun read in between heavier books, and if you have at least some idea about Greek mythology, if you have read any version of Ilead or Odyssey, you will love it even more. But even if you have no idea about Greek mythology, it still works great. Best thing about the books is that they are very short, and fast paced. You can get through a book in 2-3 days maybe. So give the first book a chance, if possible.

[@TomOrange]

I may at some point! Just not a high priority

[@tennille9dawn]

You might actually like A Darker Shade of Magic. It's 'low' fantasy that reads very much like 'high' fantasy.

[@TomOrange]

It could definitely make its way onto a tbr at some point!

[@GreenDragonInstitute]

Definitely give Locke Lamora a shot. First one is basically a standalone from what I remember.

[@TomOrange]

That is a series that is climbing the list pretty fast

[@Bellannie15]

100% agree on the LOTR takes. I know I have a bias because I’ve been obsessed with the films since I was a kid, but when I read the books last year I couldn’t believe that the battle of helms deep was just one chapter!

[@TomOrange]

The films do play up the action compared to the books

[@ToddsBookTube91]

Great video Tom. I remember doing reasearch on fantasy novels on Goodreads Years ago. Another well loved fantasy starts with the book Dragons of Autumn Twlight.

[@TomOrange]

I have that on my list to get to at some point!

[@ikariiprince]

Ocean at the end of the lane was a really special (and short) Gaiman book that made me fall in love with his writing. I’d recommend either that or American Gods

[@TomOrange]

I think when I read him Ill start with American Gods

[@christhewritingjester3164]

It's really tough to get to those "important for the genre" books when there are so many current books that everyone is talking about that I want to get to. But I am trying! Great list and rundown.

[@TomOrange]

So many books and never enough time!

[@marivealthabecebrian6757]

Hi Tom! What a nice idea! HP and Percy are classics, I would like to begin with Sanderson, so I'll check where I should begin. I haven't finished The Narnia Chronicles and I have a similar feeling, it too fairytalish for my age and I stopped reading A Song of Ice and Fire because I was kinda dissapointed with the series. I absolutly loved His Dark Materials and Neil Gaiman althought not a fan of American Gods, he is an absolutly fantastic author you should definetly give him a chance! And I have a soft spot for Twilight because those were the ones which got me into reading 🤣

[@TomOrange]

I think Mistborn Era 1 is a great starting place for Sanderson. If you want a standalone I would say Warbreaker is also a good option!

[@WordsinTime]

Thanks for the shout out! Glad you enjoyed the video idea. I’m focusing on sci-fi for now but I will catch up on some fantasy one day!

[@TomOrange]

Thanks for the inspiration! You have given me so many Sci Fi recommendations

[@dinocollins720]

Great video! Thanks!

[@TomOrange]

Thanks for watching

[@HeidiBrown-hh5gy]

Before stating that you aren’t interested in reading the books, you might actually enjoy them. I have read all 50 books as an adult, some were re-reads. I actually enjoyed most of the YA in between more dark fantasy.

[@TomOrange]

Glad you enjoyed them! Its possible that I could enjoy them but with how I feel about them I don't have much interest in trying them.

[@TheNerdyCowgirlReads]

A lot of men have been pressured into reading ACOTAR and actually enjoyed it! Maybe not the first book but the series as a whole!

[@TomOrange]

I dont really mind romance so maybe I should give it a shot.

[@TheNerdyCowgirlReads]

@@TomOrange it’s probably my favorite series at the moment! So i definitely recommend! 👍🏼

[@laurablakeauthor]

Fun video! I ended at 34!

[@TomOrange]

Thanks! Thats a good total

[@AnonymousAnonposter]

8:21 I'm a completionist, but I am increasingly believing that in many cases a saga may benefit more from remaining incomplete, especially when it comes to fantasy.

[@TomOrange]

I think there is a certain mystique to an unfinished master piece. Personally I would rather they all get finished but I totally understand what you mean!

[@AnonymousAnonposter]

@@TomOrange Yes, see for example ASOIAF. I doubt George Martin can deliver something that will satisfy the expectations and all the theories that have been accumulating for decades. He will never complete the last two books and this will actually continue to generate discussion and theories in the future, when a conclusion, especially with a bad ending, would greatly kill the legacy and interest. I haven't read The Name of the Wind yet, I have the first and second book and from what I hear, many fans are also embracing the idea that the author will be unable to meet their expectations.

[@markolepotan]

Loved Mistborn, loved the warbreaker, but first book of the stormlight archive was soooo boring and I really feel bad, because I really wanted to love it, because so many people do, but for me it felt like a torture. Probably because one of the main characters is going through an actual torture… might get back to it….

[@TomOrange]

I struggled with the first half of the book but then it started to work for me. It may just not be for you and there is nothing wrong with that!

[@PrimaryLateralSclerosis]

How long do we have to wait for you to rack up enough King books for a similar King video?

[@TomOrange]

That's a good question. I am currently only on my 4th King book

[@OnlyTheBestFantasyNovels]

Really cool idea. I'm at 37 of those. Bit surprised it was that much, given the dominant demographic on Goodreads.

[@TomOrange]

Better than me! I also expected to have a lower number

[@jan2bratt]

We have read most of the same books, again. I tried Percy Jackson and Sarah Maas but won't continue. Have read some Neil Gaiman but they are just so so for me. I watched Omens and didn't get that excited about it except for the wonderful interactions between the two main characters, loved them! Lets see, what else...oh I started the Philip Pullman series and want to get back to it having only read Compass. Watched the TV show and enjoyed it a lot. Eragon? another so so read, been a long time since I read it. I have an urge to reread all the Sanderson books but it will be awhile.

[@TomOrange]

I kind of have an urge to re read all of Stormlight before book 5 comes out but will probably hold off

[@kumaransubramaniam5566]

How is Words of Radiance not in this list?

[@TomOrange]

That’s a great question

[@Korrale]

Goodreads members are predominantly female. It is also why authors like Leigh Bardugo, Holly Black, Rebecca Yarros and Sarah J Maas are so high on the list.

[@AnonymousAnonposter]

@@Korrale You will be called an incel for telling the truth.

[@Korrale]

Something else that contributes to the popularity for books by Yarros, Maas, Black (I haven’t read Bardugo’s fantasy books yet) is that they are Romantacy books. Since Romance is the largest selling genre there are a lot of people that have crossed over from that genre to read ACoTaR, Cruel Prince, Fourth Wing and even The Red Queen. For some romance readers it is the only fantasy they will ever read. For others they are gateway series. Words of Radiance is a book in such a heavy series for one new to fantasy. So I can see why it isn’t on the list. Quite a shame too. I have been trying to get my Romantacy reading friends to go deeper into fantasy. No such luck yet.

[@kumaransubramaniam5566]

@@Korrale true that

[@mohammedhassan662]

I red fourth wing quite recently after tiktok made it clear I should buy it. The fantasy element and hunger games like plot was very interesting, the thing that ruined was the romance and spice stuff, I feel like this book was hyped up alot from horny girls.

[@TomOrange]

I dont mind romance but im not sure im really looking for the spice in my reading.

[@wrustria]

robin hobb ruined reading books for me😭, it was so good everything else pales in comparison, i hope you enjoy assassins apprentice!

[@TomOrange]

I hope it hits me that hard

[@isabelabrescia4850]

Knowing tha you liked twilight i would say you would really enjoy acotar Its fun in the same guilty pleasure kinda wat

[@TomOrange]

Maybe! I read twilight many years ago so not sure how I would feel about it now.

[@MrRorosuri]

I barely read any 😂. I read YA a lot so of course i read the YA on it

[@TomOrange]

And the tbr always grows

[@MrRorosuri]

❤❤

[@Silvio67]

please do asmr

[@TomOrange]

I have no idea how anyone listens to me. I hate my voice lol

[@nodrarb140]

23 read and not interested in 27😅

[@TomOrange]

lol it happens

[@jace76ful]

Props for at least not giving twilight a hate filled review like a lot of the drones do. The setting of the books connect with me. Forks has that fall time get cozy read a book pumpkin spice feeling to me. I also love the movies music. Very relaxing to me, idc what haters think.

[@TomOrange]

Everyone has there own thoughts. Im glad its something that connects with you so well!

[@wheelz1325]

If there's anything I've learned in my 37 years on this planet, is most people are sheeple. They don't have their own opinions on things. They just follow the herd in fear of being ridiculed. I'm going to be reading the Lord of the Rings for the first time this summer. I really hope I like it. because I don't think most people are honest with their opinions on it. they just want to be part of the group. So we'll see. I actually appreciate when people say they don't like popular things. Because at least I know they're being genuinely honest.

[@TomOrange]

I hope you enjoy it! It does have some great charm to it but there are other reads I enjoy a lot more.

[@AnonymousAnonposter]

Things come and go. In certain circles it is common to see people hating The Lord of the Rings just for the sake of hating it. Even if you don't like it I recommend giving Children of Húrin an opportunity.

[@didixtar2863]

You said you respect LOTR even if you don’t like it, yet the first third of the video is you 💩 on LOTR 😂. That doesn’t sound like respect IMO. If you think the books are bad just say it! Definitely a hot take, but still better than this half-assed kitten jabs

[@TomOrange]

You should hear me talk about a book I actually don’t like if you think I was harsh about LOTR lol. Like I mentioned I think they are fine and had a decent time with them. I just don’t have them on a pedestal like many do

[@didixtar2863]

@@TomOrange two wrongs don’t make a right, you can trash as many books as you like, doesn’t change the fact that you’re being dishonest about your opinion on LOTR. It’s OK to have any opinion about it, wether you adore it or you hate it and everything in between, just be honest and upfront about it, don’t pretend to “respect” something and then proceed to trash it. It’s true that a lot a people tend to be very protective of certain titles, myself included, but that goes with the territory, you know what they say: if you can’t take the heat ….

[@TomOrange]

@@didixtar2863 at no point was I being dishonest about my LOTR opinion.