The Ultimate Top 10 Fantasy Book Must Reads

[@danh945]

Belgariad series by David Eddings - classic farmboy vs dark lord, but deals with love (family / romantic / self). MYTH series by Robert Asprin - excellent and original comedy fantasy. Magic Kingdom for sale by Terry Brooks - reluctant hero from modern world thrust into fantasy setting. Dragonriders of Pern by Anne McCaffrey - top draw high fantasy. Redwall by Brian Jacques - classic fantasy stories where the characters are anthropomorphised animals, aimed at kids but great for adults.

[@doncharrette6977]

I just wrote that silk is da man

[@stevewambach7637]

I tried really hard to get into Dragon Riders of Pern...... the world building was cool and the characters were interesting but the story......... WAS SO BORING. I got to book 5 and just couldnt go on. It would prob make a better movie or TV series then books (and i never say that)

[@seanbogan7230]

Yeah, I can't take any top 10 list seriously if it doesn't have some of the titles you mentioned in the list. Brooks' Shannarra, Ursula K. LeGuin, Katherine Kurtz's Deryni Chronicles, Michael Moorcock's Elric Saga would be others.

[@KnuthMaestro]

I am so surprised Redwall didn't make the list. I also love the Belgariad and I think it's getting recognized more and more!

[@blueshattrick]

I really enjoyed the MYTH series... as a kid. BUUUUTT... going back to it many years later - yeah, it's pretty rough! Not nearly as good as I remembered. So maybe just appropriate for pre-teens

[@namedropper1975]

Tad Williams’ Memory, Sorrow and Thorn has always been my favorite fantasy series.

[@disgruntled_jedi]

My jaw dropped when this one was omitted. Even George RR Martin references inspiration from this series in interviews. Stone of Farewell is one of the best books I’ve read!!

[@deankittelson2798]

For real. Tad Williams anything. All his books are amazing

[@timm8860]

I thought they were excellent, Robert Jordan or Brando level of world building and writing. Even more so for Otherland

[@markmarchenko]

Exactly, should be included here instead of Rothfuss' books

[@neilvita3230]

I found that one kinda boring I was sad

[@yorobman1]

My favorite fantasy author is Raymond E Feist. His Magician saga, Riftwar saga and other works are so well crafted!

[@iamsuperman10]

100% agree. Talon of the Silver Hawk was my introduction to his work and boy howdy did I immediately go shopping for more. Feist is so good.

[@jaffaholland4039]

Best writer ever

[@SSquirrel1976]

Came here to make this comment

[@boilinwater69]

"There is no magic!"

[@montgomery59]

Plus the Empire series taken over by Janny Wurts.

[@PaulGaffney-c8m]

Micheal Moorcock cannot be left off of this list, Elric, Corum etc classic fantasy at its best

[@markh4473]

Michael Moorcock and Roger Zelazny never get the recognition they deserve

[@iluvpugstoo]

Aye ! Hear hear ! and I agree ! Moorcock was hands down one of the best British Science Fantasy / Sword and Sorcery Authors ever. He raised the bar for writing quality across several genres. Also love The Eternal Champion and Count Brass.

[@willtricks9432]

My first thought, read so much as a youth but now out of "Fashion".

[@Meanne77]

Yeah, i came to see if Zelazny was listed and of course once again he was forgotten :( thanks for your comment@@markh4473

[@willtricks9432]

@@darrenyorston Not read that yet, thanks for the suggestion.

[@KeytarArgonian]

Not just The Lord of the Rings, but the entire Legendarium. The Silmarillion, Fall of Gondolin, Unfinished Tales, Beren and Luthien and Fall of Numenor are all fantastic too.

[@albertito77]

I think you can safely count the entire fantasy "universe" of an author

[@noonehere0987]

I agree, but Lord of the Rings is the standout story of them all. Beren and Luthien, for example, is one of my favorite stories (as told in the Silmarillion, I'm not as big of a fan of variants where Beren isn't a human), but it's still just a story. LotR is a huge epic, where when you break down the parts and how the thing functions on a technical level... it's clearly something beyond the rest, because the rest also serve as a foundation that lets the world as told in LotR feel completely alive without having to read the rest.

[@saketbakshi4235]

Beren and Luthien TwT

[@IlovetheNBA]

Do you think someone should read the Unfinished Tales, Fall of Gondolin and others before reading the Silmarillion?

[@KeytarArgonian]

@@IlovetheNBA I actually think it’s better the other way around. Silmarillion for the overarching story and then dive into the individual story, that’s how I read them though so may be biased.

[@michaelmilbrath2096]

Guy Gavriel Kay, Eric Flint, Jim Butcher, Rothfuss, Modesitt, Mercedes Lackey, Patricia McKillup, Patricia Keneally to name a few!

[@ninabarnes-thomas6128]

glad someone mentioned McKillip.

[@radiantav]

Raymond Feist’s books were what drove me into epic fantasy. Super approachable, easy to follow, great for teenager me. Later read Jenny Wurts which is complete opposite of approachable due to archaic terms and language she uses but still an interesting world.

[@benjiwork4795]

Glen Cook’s The Tales of the Black Company never gets the recognition it deserves.

[@apmartini70]

I’m with you on that.

[@thelawrencewoods2871]

I always describe the Black Company as "Imagine you're reading about a combat medic in Vietnam from his perspective, but it's in the Lord of The Rings type world. And the guys you're reading about work for Sauron." I know it's much more than that but that is basically what it feels like at first. And I'm all for it.

[@sampetrie340]

@@thelawrencewoods2871I had a friend describe it as a group of lawful neutral officers in charge of evil mercenaries working in the service of an epically evil master who is fighting against an even more evil monster.

[@HeeroAvaren]

Glenn Cook is criminally underrated.

[@michaelmurphy748]

I could not get into the black company but I loved "Garret PI" series.

[@lordthundyr894]

If you want something a bit more "old skool": Feist's Riftwar Saga (the first 3 books), anything by Janny Wurtz (especially the Servant of the Empire series she co-wrote with Feist), and Robin Hobb's Farseer trilogy. For "fantasy, but not high fantasy", Neil Gaiman's got your back.

[@althelas]

Oh gosh, the Kelewan Saga is my favourite part of all the Riftwar books. Janny and Raymond created a masterpiece. As much as I love Kelewan and the original Riftwar series, the later entries are mediocre at best. I agree with the first 3 books though, they are amazing.

[@lordthundyr894]

@@althelas Agree! Feist (co)wrote 6 fantastic books (Riftwar and Empire). The rest are just bog standard, unfortunately. I think this is only natural - it's pretty hard to keep coming up with new ideas, characters and plots when you've already examined a world in detail (as with Midkemia/Kelewan). I find I just get bored of longer series' as well for the same reason - Robert Jordan, Terry Goodkind etc. All start out with a bang but by book 5 or 6 all the lustre is gone.

[@althelas]

@@lordthundyr894 i had the same problem with Outlander. The first 3 books were amazing, but then they felt drawn out. I own them but never felt the urge to read further, maybe one day I'll do. Dragonlance has the same problems and as you've said, it is a common problem and I often think that authors should tell their editors to f**k off when they want more of the same world. It can't be very fullfilling for an author to rehash the same world over and over again, just for the sake of making more money from the same old things. I hope Naomi Novik finished the Temeraire stories with the last book (haven't bought it yet) because she too suffers from the same thing, while I have to admit her premise for Temeraire was very unique when the first book came out.

[@kimhorton6109]

I went thru a period of frantic reading by Robin Hobb. Great author.

[@shawn6669]

The Riftwar books are just a bad ripoff of M.A.R Barkers "Tekumel" world.

[@gunslingersymphony5015]

When people talk about epic fantasy, Sir Terry Pratchett tends to be overlooked. Some of my best memories are of rainy days, reading about the witches of the Ramtops. Thank you for mentioning Discworld.

[@DS-cf1zc]

I loved the books, and thought he was one of the more funny, creative authors. I only wish for a few more.

[@gunslingersymphony5015]

@@DS-cf1zc I think that, because he was so funny, he's not often given the credit he deserves as an epic world builder and character creator. He was so good at both that the universe he built stood as a character in its own right, shaping the very human people he imagined up with which to populate it. He brought epic fantasy home for many of us in much the same way Douglas Adams did for science fiction, making it accessible to those with no patience for long passages about a fictional world history. I definitely also wish there could be more.

[@cindilouwho8681]

My ex introduced me to Terry Pratchett, good dude after all.

[@jumhed994]

Not really 'epic' though is it?

[@gunslingersymphony5015]

@@jumhed994 How is it not epic?

[@nicholasreceveur1134]

Absolutely. I’d put Ursula le Guin in there; the original A Wizard of Earthsea trilogy might be short by epic standards, but read it again and you will realize that the prose might seem simple, but it’s deep (Jenny Wurts is the reverse IMO). Also, I’d say the original Thomas Covenant Unbeliever trilogy hits like an emotional steam train.

[@lindax911]

The First Chronicles of Thos. Covenant were excellent. Couldn't really get into the 2d set.

[@Gazbeard]

Major upvote for mentioning the Thomas Covenant Chronicles. p.s. - it's a trilogy of trilogies (9 books) ... Lord of the Rings was only 3 books.

[@nono7105]

Ah, the reluctant hero, and white gold wielder. Loved it. I also love Stephen Donaldson's other works. The Gap series is excellent, Mordant's Need is great, and his short stories are just brilliant.

[@steelmongoose4956]

LeGuin is one of the most lyrical writers I’ve ever encountered. Even when I don’t her narrative direction (which only happens occasionally), the prose itself is simply beautiful.

[@RaiderFanDanTheMan]

The word for world is forrest was great

[@sherribugd3799]

I have always loved the Dragonlance Chronicles. There are a ton of books by other authors in the works, as well as additions by the original authors, but if you stick with the original 3 it’s excellent.

[@apmartini70]

My favorites. I wish they would make a movie trilogy of the first three books, but I am also aware that it would probably be written by, directed by, and acted by people who never read the source material and wouldn’t bother trying to bring it to life. It would be something else.

[@wakaralightcloud3628]

Raistlin .... love his character and is my #1 fantasy recommendation.

[@joshuatempleton9556]

read them all over the years, can't wait for new dragonlance to come out.

[@joshuatempleton9556]

@@apmartini70 they are making a tv series out of dragonlance, it's going to be an original story written by an actor that has played dragonlance for 30 years.

[@davidbonar5190]

the original 3 plus the lost chronicles, filling in the gaps :)

[@10thcharacter36]

Dragonriders of Pern is my favorite. I read the books that existed twice before the author Anne McCaffrey passed away. After that I think it was her son, not so much. BUT, there are many books before her passing that I loved.

[@jeffswarm2527]

I am old, I know very few of these. I suggest The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant by Stephen R Donaldson.

[@samuelfriday8447]

I have read the wounded land, it has a really complicated language structure, might almost be considered dense, but it's a great story with even better world building, I will be reading the second book soon

[@paulthomassen5007]

I agree, it's better than everything on this list

[@zok1492]

40 years ago I enjoyed the some of The Shannara series by Terry Brooks, and Dragon Riders of Pern series by The McCaffreys.

[@TheCrow938]

Terry Brooks and the Shannara series is my favorite series. So many good books and such amazing world building.

[@limegecko5673]

I read Shannara some years ago and it wasn’t my favourite tbh, but I definitely see it as an important earlier contribution to the Fantasy genre.

[@clintonstrampel1403]

The Shannara series is like 35 books long now and I found it got better as it went along

[@sylvanaire]

I discovered the Dragonriders of Pern series in college & go so wrapped up in the stories I actually skipped class to keep reading, lol. I just finished re-reading the whole series on audiobook last month, really top notch story telling!

[@secretagent86]

Dragonriders of pern were great young adult books

[@markwilkes4318]

I don't understand why R.A.Salvatore never gets any credit. Drizzt Do'Urden is one of the best characters ever written. His description of sword fighting is the best I've ever read and I've read a lot. I know it's DnD based but he brings the world to life and his character development is world class.

[@bronwynecg]

Even though I've heard of the series for decades (it was way too intimidating) I've just recently started reading it and OMG I got sucked right in 😁 I don't know why I was so nervous about it! (The printing errors could use a bit of fixing but overall it's very enjoyable so far....)

[@tugboatsvideoemporium6476]

I always felt like his characters were just too damn over powered which made me read them with skepticism. I knew his main characters would survive and so I felt like I knew how situations would turn out before I completed the chapter. I don't have a strong position here, it's just how i felt while reading his work.

[@joshuatempleton9556]

@@tugboatsvideoemporium6476 except all the main characters die some more than once lol

[@damodeevan3306]

It's for kids how pretentious are you I am 50 years old read the Lord of the rings at age 9 and have read all kinds of fantasy and Salvatore is as good as any

[@joshuatempleton9556]

@@susiederkins6612 forgotten realms is not for kids, i started reading drizzit in my late teens in the 90s and i am 43 and still read them.

[@terryfloyd3505]

Piers Anthonys Incarnations of Immortality and the Xanth series are my favorites. Black Company is underappreciated as well. The Necroscope series maybe should be there as well although its maybe more fantasy/horror

[@jsedbe0624]

The Black Company is one of my favorites, even if you shouldn’t get too attached to most of the main characters. As I have gotten older, the last section of the entire series resonates with me more and more.

[@baccydemon3489]

Anthonys Apprentice Adept series was his best I think but the others are good also

[@KJ-of6lf]

Loved the Anthony books, and Necroscope is just plain amazing.

[@d.wayneharbison8691]

@@jsedbe0624 I much prefer The Garret Papers to The Black Company.

[@gregchappell6462]

I love the Xanth series! One of my very first series I ever picked up, way back in 1988.

[@willtricks9432]

Ursula Le Guin, Anne McCaffery, Moorcock, Tad Williams, Jack Vance, Fritz Leiber. Are on my list. Thanks for your insight

[@TheLeebo1962]

Wasn't Leiber a sci-fi writer?

[@jimmitchell694]

OK, great list. However, my all-time favorite fantasy series is the Dragonriders of Pern ny Anne McCaffery.

[@silverdye7424]

Agreed Dragon Risers is my favorite of all time

[@bronwynbeistle8317]

She thought her series was science fiction, not fantasy.

[@eddietaylor5677]

Finally! I’ve been scrolling down just hunting for someone who mentions McCaffery.

[@tankicat]

Dragonriders of Pern is science fiction not fantasy, even the "dragons" are bio-engineered by the original colonists to be that way.

[@silverdye7424]

While I agree it is Science Fiction, The Fire Lizards that dragons are bio engineered from are Fantasy. So, in my Opinion there an element of fantasy to the series

[@waynepurcell6058]

Dragon Riders of Pern and The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant. I know some people hate the Thomas Covenant series, but I never really understood why myself.

[@mwells219]

I think it has something to do with the rape....

[@A11Father]

@@mwells219 Yes. The protagonist was a horrible human being. Made it hard to care about the story. Wonderful world building though.

[@bcatcool]

Maybe my heart was hard.. my friends and I read the first 6 Thomas C. Heart breaking conflicts. Crazy fantasy.

[@waynepurcell6058]

@@mwells219 Yeah but at the time that happened it was an absolute Miricale that he could feel any touch again on top of the fact he thought he was in a dream/ delusion for God knows how long. He never thought it was real when it happened. It wasn't like he was some serial rapist or something. Jesus, give the guy a break.

[@jmeslo]

Tolkien will always be my most favorite of all time, but credit for so much of what we now have as fantasy, in many genres, can trace some bit of influence to Frank Herbert and Dune. It’s quite an extensively detailed world and character series. I don’t know if this isn’t quite the same as the fantasy theme you are listing, it might totally be considered sci-fi only, but I thought I could throw it out there. Thank you for the reading ideas.

[@perrydixon344]

i wholeheartedly agree... Dune is a masterwork that is only rivaled by WoT.

[@roberteckert9152]

Great list and I will check some of those recommendations out! I would certainly have Raymond E. Feist, Magician and, particularly Rift War and Stephen R Donaldson, particularly, the first Chronicles of Thomas Covenant on my list.

[@ashpete21]

Conan the Barbarian, Harry Potter and The Chronicles of Narnia make all the historical lists. I enjoyed The Hedge Knight books very much as well

[@KeytarArgonian]

I love the Conan stories, I have this huge tome called the complete chronicles of Conan. I read it cover to cover its brilliant.

[@jeffreytimmons9544]

All three would be in my list as well. Narnia is burdened by its Christian allegory; so many fantasy enthusiasts find that offputting.

[@Tharia1981]

I love Harry Potter and I am so upset that these great books are not mentioned any more. I mean, 2 unfinished series are mentioned here, series that will probably never ever be finished, but Harry Potter isn't. And I think terms from Harry Potter are the most used by people, like muggles, for example.

[@GregSole]

Nice list. Very glad to see Robin Hobb made the cut. Another personal favourite is Katherine Kerr and what starts as the Deverry series.

[@elric58]

The Chronicles of Amber (Roger Zelazny), The Elric of Melnibone series (Michael Moorcock), Dragon Riders of Pern (Anne McCaffery)

[@Moldyvort]

Amber isn't on this list? Well, no need to even let the ads finish.

[@kevbrown3760]

Oof, I still cringe today at the fact I actually read that. A bunch of obnoxious over privileged princes galavanting across the kingdom. Not one likable character. Only snobs. Edit: about Amber

[@elric58]

@@kevbrown3760 Interesting take. I've read through all the books at least twice and never got that vibe from it at all.

[@kevbrown3760]

@elric58 actually, what I find interesting is you listed Amber, AND Elric. I love Moorcocks work. I'm a huge fan of Elric. More often when I hear hot takes on Elric it's "that series only appeals to teenage boys". To which I go, that's my age when I started. Anyway, best when "bestfantasybooks" website had an active forum, there were a few debates on Amber, and Elric. For either, amongst those with an opinion, the majority hated either. And amongst those defending one, there was zero overlap with the other. Ie, those few that loved Amber, either hated or had no opinion on Elric. Those that loved Elric, either hated or had no opinion on Amber. This is all purely anecdotal, as is my opinion, and your opinion. I just thought it was interesting. In the end, we can agree on Elric, and a passion for reading. Cheers.

[@malindarayallen]

Dragonriders of Pern - Anne McCaffrey

[@Iso20227]

I highly recommend the Belgariad series. Fantasy books are really good, I love them, and the Belgariad got me started on that. Guess what. Farm boy who gets thrust into the unknown under the threat of a dark enemy. Despite the common trope, it’s such a good book. Book 1: Pawn of Prophesy Book 2: Queen of Sorcery Book 3: Magician’s Gambit Book 4: Castle of Wizardry Book 5: Enchanter’s Endgame

[@ClarenceObert]

Also by the same author (and his wife), the Elder Gods series, the Mallorean Series and the Elenium (my favorite) Series. It seems like most of these "top 10" fantasy lists only lists recent books, with the exception of LoTR. So many great ones (older) out there. From Zalazny's Amber series, Ann McCaffery's Dragon Rider series, Feist's Riftwar series (30 books in all), to Terry Brooks Shannara series most lists leave these off. Not putting down the newer fantasy series, but to leave some of these authors off these lists, shows that the commentators aren't really immersed in the fantasy realm IMO.

[@Iso20227]

@@ClarenceObert I haven’t read the Elenium yet, and I’ve only read half of the Mallorean. I plan on finishing them soon.

[@ClarenceObert]

@@Iso20227 I highly encourage you to read the Elenium. It's even more entertaining with the banter between the characters than Belgarath/Silk was. Thanks for the reply

[@andreww4751]

Also Elric of Melnibone@@ClarenceObert

[@andreww4751]

I appreciate your comment and will check those out@@ClarenceObert

[@terry9819]

The Riftwar by Raymond E, Feist would be near the top of my list.

[@boomzdaydevice]

This is a series I've been meaning to go through for far too long!

[@lizardman1303]

Pug gets me mad sometimes . But I guess u just have nerf him

[@jeremyspencer1505]

The Drenai Series by the late David Gemmell is my favourite ever. If you like Joe Abercrombie you will like Gemmell - great fight description, less grim dark, but more heart.

[@cpedersenatgmailcom]

Druss is an archetype on the same level as Old Logan

[@jackieking1522]

I have memory fade and have had to read the comments down to here hoping to recover David Gemmell's name. Thank you and now I'll try to have a late life reacquire of them. They were terrific.

[@NevsBookChannel]

Great list. I think the only change I’d suggest is Feist Riftwar saga

[@pcfdenise3576]

Just reread the first three Thomas Covenants after several decades and they still grab me like they did back then. I also like JV Jones books - A Cavern of Black Ice etc. Good to see what else is out there. Sanderson is amazing - what an imagination!

[@steelmongoose4956]

I’m just about to open up the Covenant books for the first time in about 30 years.

[@pcfdenise3576]

I hope you enjoy them as much as I have done!

[@busterandloulou]

Short list of excellent fantasy book series not on your list but should be: Dragon riders of Pern by Anne McCaffrey, Myth adventures by Robert Asprin, any fantasy series by S. M. Stifling, the Divergent series by Veronica Roth…. Even the series Outlander is often labeled as fantasy fiction.

[@SezArrow]

Agree with alot of these - would also suggest some old favourites such as David Eddings, and the Dragonriders of Pern (a fantasy/sci-fi mix)?

[@maryoriosorio144]

Chronicles of Belgarath and Mallorean have always been my top favorites though they are hardly included in this kind of tops.

[@victoriabergesen6775]

I notice that the most mentioned are often the most violent. I thing Eddings' Belgariad series is brilliant and I have lost track of how many times I have read it. Tad Williams Memory, Sorrow and Thorn is beautiful, with permeable layers of reality, again I have read it dozens of times. The Deryni Chronicles do read almost like a 15th century historical novel, but the political realities concern a struggle for power and control between the Deryni with "magic" powers and the humans.

[@andreww4751]

I have the first two in my to read list 😁

[@stevetennispro]

The Belgariad is great! IMO you won't be disappointed. The Redemption of Athalus is a stand alone book by Eddings, that is also a favorite of mine.@@andreww4751

[@davidcoverdale722]

I have a soft spot for the Belgariad (and the Malorian) but I find a certain character so annoying (no guesses as to who she is) it puts me off giving it a top mark

[@jorisschelfhout2348]

You forgot the Riftwar series from Raymond feist. And having a soft spot for dragonlance too❤

[@rhondadavis9191]

Let's not forget Philip `Jose Farmer and The Riverworld Series. My first taste of Farmer hooked me on fantasy. Love the Dragonlance series. Loved Dune.

[@sampetrie340]

Glad to see Riverworld getting nominated.

[@shawn6669]

Riverworld is only nominally fantasy. It's more Scifi.

[@perrydixon344]

Glad to see Dune being nominated

[@AnnaRak423]

Hi, I am not a huge fantasy reader (just a beginner at this point) however I really enjoy your videos for these reasons: 1) I learn a lot about it 2) You have a great accent 3) Love the humour you bring into your videos 4) I think you have a cat Thanks for another great video!🐉

[@the_fools_tale]

Ahaha thank you so much! I can confirm I do have a cat

[@Covenantt666]

An often forgotten and under-appreciated series is Katherine Kerr's Deverry Cycle (and more books) about a land, somewhere not really defined, settled by celts fleeing Gallia after the roman conquest. Its magic system, based on celtic traditions is one of the best I've come across and the story is truly epic in nature.

[@Maria-uv9pd]

I absolutely devoured these books in high school! Thanks for reminding me.

[@dhollongstreet4725]

I found the first book, daggerspell to be very good until close to the end, and into the second book it just started to drag. I skipped the middle and went to the end. Did not even look for any more books by her.

[@sylvanaire]

I read quite a few of those books, and enjoyed them very much but towards the end, they got a little dark and depressing. I felt like there was no way there was going to be a happy ending, so I quit reading. I was big into happy endings in high school!

[@JoeBravoNL]

Absolutely agree, still highly regard it.

[@AzureSky_Music]

I love the Inheritance cycle as well. Also RA Salvatore’s dark elf and ice wind dale trilogy are must reads for me. Glad to see Robbin Hobbs on your list! Some good suggestions for me to try out also

[@marccaron6008]

The Black Company's first trilogy by Glen Cook is in my top ten fantasy list.

[@joshuatempleton9556]

i just bought the omnibus. i love garret files and am finally ready to try my first grim dark series.

[@mholsather]

That is a fantastic series. I’ve probably read all of them at least a half dozen times.

[@xhagast]

Even the clearly inferior last books are pretty good.

[@wetwrks]

Agreed. A top contender on my list as well.

[@ryancastilla8509]

Shadows linger is an amazing book

[@jonathanpayne5588]

The Chronicles of Amber series by Roger Zelazny is one that doesn't seem to get the mentions I think it should.

[@johnwest5107]

My favorite series by far

[@Meanne77]

hear hear!

[@tctc4413]

i think it's cause the first 5 are great , and the 2nd 5 , the merlin set aren't anywhere as good . with Merlin being every thing that Corwin isn't .

[@heatherscompletelackofchil6127]

God, I love those books

[@TheLeebo1962]

Thank you; i remembered this series, but could not remember the title.

[@darkether1170]

The Amber series by Roger Zelazny. Epic.

[@paulhandberg7531]

Katherine Kurtz, Fred Saberhagen, David Eddings, Anne McCaffrey, Raymond E Feist, Stephen R Donaldson, Terry Brooks, Piers Anthony, Patricia McKillip........ Oh, So Many to choose from!!! I would venture that these authors could replace at least 5 on your list. Also, Frank Herbert's Dune.

[@cstiger4]

Dune is technically Science Fiction. But yes. The world building there is probably the best of all Fantasy and SciFi Books.

[@TheLeebo1962]

The Riddle Master series i read when i was a young man, and had forgotten them until you mentioned Mckillip. Tyvm.

[@alsosean]

Another vote for Zelazny’s Nine Princes of Amber. Also, Moorcock’s Elric of Melnibone series which weaves into his other series’ of the Eternal Champion - the OG multiverse fantasy style.

[@TheLeebo1962]

Well, all the Champions are actually one, just different facets of a die, so when they meet it's always interesting.

[@Murph_.]

Love both of these, and i've reread the Zelazny series multiple times. The way he starts the series has become a classic opening in many good books.

[@williamcapp448]

The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever are quite good. I have only read the first six books, but I consider them a treasure.

[@Trowarr]

The world building is superb. Fantasy stories are mostly stories about black vs white, Lord Foul is vantablack which made Thomas Covenants unbelieving and passiveness in the greater part of book 1-3 so painful to read and a point Stephen Donaldson certainly hammered into the reader. Most Epic Fantasy stories follow "The Heroes Journey" , however in this case Thomas lack a mentor and "the refusal of the call" is taken to eleven. I can see how book 1-3 are not for everyone, however book 4-6 certainly is, Thomas return and this time he and Linden are certainly committed to the call from the very start. The ending was so good that I am still not tempted to read book 7-10.

[@randydickison2304]

The first adult fantasy I ever read was The Hobbit, and the Lord of the Rings, by Tolkien. I read it when I was eleven years old and every year for twenty-five years. I read a lot of fantasy and science fiction over the next two decades. Every other adult Fantasy I read for two decades was always somewhat disappointing until I read The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever.

[@Gazbeard]

@@Trowarr The final trilogy is heavy reading - it's a bit like the middle book of Lord of the Rings in that it's a slog to get through.

[@sampetrie340]

If frequently thinking back to a series that you read almost fourty years ago is a measure of it’s impact, the Chronicles of Thomas Covenant has to be among the greatest of all time.

[@boki1693]

Right there with you my man!

[@MetalProfessor65]

The Conan stories by Robert E. Howard are second only to Tolkien's works in creating the modern fantasy genre. And a strong argument can be made that the Conan stories, with their grit and horrifying magic, are an even stronger influence than LotR.

[@noonehere0987]

I'm not sure how strong of an argument that is, but I'm sure there are arguments to be made. That said, Conan is certainly amazing.

[@federicogiana]

I'm just finishing re-reading the Conan saga (the original Howard stories): I can definitely agree about it being influential, and I believe it should be a recommended read to understand the development of fantasy tropes (together with LotR, obviously). But, heck, it really didn't age well. I'd throw in Fritz Leiber's "Fafhrd and the Grey Mouser" saga, too, if one wants to go full "Influential Sword&Sorcery sagas" They both are fun runs, but no real food for the thought.

[@MetalProfessor65]

Agreed re: Leiber's books! Regarding the Conan stories, I would differ with you a little about the nutrition content (so to speak). Howard's "The Hyborian Age" is a meticulous description of the anthropological and political history of Conan's world. Whereas Tolkien's Silmarillion is stylistically influenced primarily by myths and scripture, Howard's fiction-disguised-as-an-essay takes its cue from historiographical writing, and the depth of lineage that Howard ascribes to the various races (although I really dislike that word) and political structures lend a strong verisimilitude to the Conan saga. What other sword & sorcery works would you recommend? I'm passingly familiar with Brak the Barbarian (by John Jakes, of all people) and the works of Fred Saberhagen, Michael Moorcock, Dave Duncan, and Steven Brust, but I'm sure there must be more that I would love! @@federicogiana

[@masoodvoon8999]

Put Fritz Lieber, Jack Vance and a few others at least as high on the list. Grit and horror were more popular back then in an age where short novels and stories were more popular for fantasy.

[@peterslupek6561]

The Gentleman Bastards series is a fun one! The first book is the lies of Locke lamora. I see you mentioned it right at the end. It is a true page turner! Godfather meets oceans 11 meets renaissance fantasy.

[@anonymous-3695]

its horrible. why would i want a boring heist story, i get that on tv all the time.

[@jannertfol]

Jack Vance's Lyonesse Trilogy is one of the best things I've ever read. He's known more as a sci-fi writer, but this trilogy is pure medieval-flavoured fantasy ...with some of the most intriguing, multi-layered characters ever. And you will NOT be able to predict what happens. Furthermore, his writing style is SO accessible ...just a perfect series. I have no idea why it travels under the radar. It's as good as anything else out there. I also love Phillip Pullman's His Dark Materials, and his near-finished prequel/sequel The Book of Dust.

[@r.awilliams9815]

Absolutely agree. Lyonesse is the perfect fairy tale for grown-ups. I loved it so much I bought a set of the Underwood-Miller first editions.

[@thayerjohnson5654]

Jack Vance always seems to go under the radar. My favorite author. Planet of Adventure (it's not medieval fantasy) but fantasy nevertheless is an absolute blast.

[@SpencerRussellSmithAuthor]

Great video! Wheel of Time is my favorite full book series, Lord of the Rings inspired me to write and compose, Stormlight has a few of my all-time favorite books, and I just finished Assassin's Apprentice, and it might be one of the best books I've ever read. Malazan is also just a beast that stands on its own. It took me a full year to read, but I'm glad I did.

[@davidcoverdale722]

I have read all of the wheel of time and really liked the first 5 books or so. Then the series got very baggy and a greater proportion of the characters became just annoying rather than engaging - so much so I was kinda hoping the black Aja would just kill them off.

[@KeytarArgonian]

It’s Quite old and so probably by todays standard a little tropey, but there’s something whimsical about old series like The Belgariad, short and sweet, a Farm boy to king story. Perfect for reading the winter away under a blanket by lamplight. I call it Comfort reading, and recommend.

[@baccydemon3489]

Julian May's Saga of Pliocene Exile series , The Iron Druid Chronicles by Kevin Hearne and Jim Butcher's The Dresden Files would find a place on my list

[@Goathill]

I really enjoyed the first 3 books of The Iron Druid Chronicles the 4th is ok and after that the series really falls off a cliff, I could not even finish the series.

[@LadyCat183]

Yes on Julian May, I was wondering why it did not make top ten on SciFi as well. Intervention was extraordinary

[@qthedancer4711]

Tad Williams Shadowmarch series is excellent, wonderfully detailed and mysterious; N. K. Jemison’s Broken Earth trilogy is beautifully written, straddling the gap between Fantasy and SF.

[@LancePigford]

I would add the elric of menibone series as well they were my introduction to fanstasy books after reading conan the barbarian comics as a kid and the elric saga is just fantatstic.

[@KeytarArgonian]

Absolutely. I always found the Elric saga to be something of an Anti Lord of the Rings, but written almost the same year, where taking similar inspirations from Tolkien, he just didn’t make Elves bright and beautiful, he kept that tone really dark like they were in mythology.

[@seamusesox8353]

Good list, one or two I hadn't heard of but many I had - might pick up Abercrombie. Just a shoutout for Katharine Kerr - Deverry series - she has 3 or 4 short series of books, they are light reading but beautiful story telling, inspired by celtic lore and very different to anything I've read.

[@dannyboi1975]

I highly recommend Mercedes Lackey and her Valdemar books. It is truly massive and addictive. It has several series in a vast world throughout a very long timeline. My absolute favorites.

[@mmgwife]

Agreed! And the series is still growing all the time!

[@Griffviewer]

The Paksenarrion series by Elizabeth Moon is fantastic. I haven't seen a recommendation for it yet, but it's definitely on my list

[@ohdubwest7533]

Agreed. The first two books in particular are top notch.

[@NPPzGaming]

Brent Weeks is a really good fantasy author, The Night Angel Trilogy was a fantastic story & The Lightbringer Series I'm currently reading on book 2 out of 5

[@exhortationsofanartist8118]

The shanara series by Terry Brooks and anything written by Patricia Mckillip.

[@lizstratton9689]

Raymond E Feist Magician Saga and Mistress Trilogy. Anne Macaffery and the Dragons of Pern - awesome story line. David Edding's and the Belgarard/Mallorian series.

[@tjaace6621]

Those are my top 3. Starting with Anne McCaffrey at #1.

[@neonWHALE002]

This list is much appreciated, I enjoyed coming across a mix of ones I knew and ones I didn't. I figured you were talking about the Malazan series when you started describing it. This year I've read the whole Witcher saga and started Malazan and First Law, it's been a good year.

[@MRK48]

My top 5 authors & series are: 1 - David Eddings - The Belgariad & The Mallorean series 2 - Michael Moorcock - Elric, Corum and Hawkmoon series 3 - Raymond Fiest - The Riftwar entire series 4 - Anne McCaffrey - The Dragonriders of Pern series 5 - Stephen Donaldson - The Thomas Covenant series I read R.R. Martin series, but he never finished it so I got read of those books. I have the Robert Jordan series and have read it 4 times so far. I have also read Tolkien. As for the rest of your top 10, I have heard of some of the authors, but I have not read any of their books. Looks like I have some homework.

[@paulhandberg7531]

1,3,4 & 5 been reading and rereading for decades.

[@MRK48]

@@paulhandberg7531 my mother and my brother both paid me $5.00 a piece to read the first 3 chapters of Pawn of the Prophecy. I have read, reread and listened to the series at least 14 times. I wish the powers that be would make that into a series.

[@randalthor1327]

The Black Company and Legend of the Five Rings are great as well.

[@michaelstuermer3915]

Here are a few series that I think would be worthy of the top 20. Barbara Hambly's Darwath trilogy, Jack L. Chalker's Soul Rider series and Dancing gods series and Piers Anthony with his Xanth series and Apprentice Adept series and Incarnations of Immortality series.

[@XeniaCosmann-ro7vt]

Barbara Hambley should be mentioned in this List

[@cylelle376]

I was looking to see if anyone mentioned Jack L. Chalker. Dancing Gods is so much fun. I'm also fond of the Well of Souls series which has a fascinating premise.

[@dminard1]

Chalker's take on magic as technology really impressed me as a teenager

[@CgGoil]

Personally i love “the Fionavar Tapestry”, by Guy Gavriel Kay. Kay was a very good friend of Tolkien, and you can definetly see similarities in the stories. Its about five young people from our world, that gets taken into another world, where they meet the king of one of the kingdoms in that world. This world is being described as “the first of all the worlds”, and has magic, monsters, kings and elves. Every world is connected(which is what is being called the tapestry), and that means that the key points in history ,the legends and the myths, are being mirrored in the other worlds. Over time, it turns out that the five young people, each has very specific parts to play in these legends. The worlds are threatened by the ultimate evil, Rakoth Maugrim or Sathain(Satan, i presume), who is being trapped in a huge mountain, but of course brakes free at some point in the story. It is a three book series, and i love how different legends are being used. For instance, the tale of King Arthur plays a huge role in the series, but there are also links to different religions, like norse mythology and christianity. It gives more depth if you know a little about religion and legends, but its not something that is required to know a lot about before hand. The character developement is fantastic. It is a very exciting story, and it grows a lot throughout the series. There are places in the books that are very sad, and i cried like a child several times reading it, but there are also lots of romance and some comedy. They are not hard to read, but there are a lot of moving parts and a lot of characters, which sometimes change names when their arc changes.

[@eddietaylor5677]

Kudos! You have excellent taste.

[@CgGoil]

@@eddietaylor5677 , thank you sir.

[@miless544]

Not sure you could describe Kay as a good friend of Tolkien. I don't think he ever actually met JRR Tolkien, but he did spend a considerable amount of time working with his son Christopher compiling The Silmarillion.

[@CgGoil]

@@miless544 , i had the understanding that those two knew each other, but reading up on that i can see that you are completly right. They didnt know each other, but Kays wife had some connection to the Tolkien family, and he was then asked by Christopher Tolkien to help him edit Samarillion.

[@nokindred]

No mention of Magician by Feist, Dragonlance by Weis and Hickman, Eternal Champion by Moorcock, Amber Chronicles by Zelazny. With the exception of Wheel of Time and LotR, most of what you listed was fairly new. Yes, Game of Thrones came out in the 90s, but that series is not finished yet.

[@kevak1236]

David Gemmel - Druss the Legend particularly. Absolute top pick is Raymond Feist with the Servant of the Empire trilogy. Reminded by someone else below - Codex Alera by Jim Butcher Legions of Videssos - Harry Turtledove (roman legion transplanted to a fantasy world)

[@shawn6669]

The Videssos books are awesome!

[@yugantshekhar782]

Best Top Fantasy Book series video I can find on KZbin Great work Andrew!

[@danzail]

Great to see Malazan getting recognition. I’ve read all but one of your recommended series - and for me, the malazan universe is head and shoulders over them all. Of course the downside is you need to read it three times through 😂

[@karlhuber3780]

First in, last out!

[@poipu425]

haha, that is the most true statement i have ever read, going through my 2nd time right now.

[@kylez9094]

I needed a buddy that already read them to basically tell me “don’t worry, you’re not supposed to know/it get explained later” a dozen times each book

[@noonehere0987]

Malazan is fantastic, but you really need to be comfortable reading a book and accepting that you won't understand good chunks of it. I think that is going to limit the people who get through it and ultimately recommend it.

[@r.awilliams9815]

And even then, big chunks of it won't make sense until you read the Ian Esslemont Malazan books.

[@MrCjalex1]

Joe Abercrombie: The First Law. The reason why readers are challenged to explain the plot is tied to the excellent character development. Many characters take center-stage in various parts of the story and it’s easy to get connected to any or all of them. Great stuff!

[@Zander.and.lightning]

Oh so many series could be on this list. I enjoyed ... L.E Modesitt Jr - Magic of recluse series Terry Goodkind - Sword of truth series and Jim Butcher - Dresden series

[@justafan2135]

I was at the library and picked up the book Blood song by Anthony Ryan and was hooked , now i seem to be chasing similar books but nothing compares , fast ,thoughtful and unpredictable.

[@Exjapter]

Malazan is my favorite of all time, and I always recommend that people read Deadhouse Gates first, rather than Gardens of the Moon, because the story is easier to understand and sets you up better to take on GotM next. They take place on different continents with different characters, who are eventually connected, so reading those two out of order isn't a problem.

[@masoodvoon8999]

Mostly different characters. Personally, even though the magic system threw me for a loop for the first book and a half, I would do GotM first because people love Whiskeyjack, Kruppe, and A. Rake so much. I actually liked DG better my second read through (only read first 4-5 books again) but didn't like it as much the first time. The best thing about Malazan to me was its layered civilization and character histories. The worst was the way he conveyed what he considers the main theme of his books, human suffering. It just seems he is not as grounded in realpolitik and economics as he is in archaelogoy to make some of the conclusions he has. Definitely in my top 10 and have read all in this world except a few newer publications.

[@ErikPT]

I got tired of waiting for Martin and Rothfuss but that is why I love that Canadian's best book. Erikson is a true mastermind at manipulation!

[@xxm1n0rxx]

First Law is my favorite series of all time. Best way to describe it is “imagine if Game of Thrones were written by Quentin Tarintino”

[@michaelme1548]

I haven’t liked any Tarantino after Pulp Fiction and loved the first three Game of Thrones books but have been bored since then. Do you think I would like it?

[@xxm1n0rxx]

@@michaelme1548 For sure. The only reason I say QT is because there is a lot of witty written dialogue. It is still very much a fantasy series along the likes of Game of Thrones and many others. I still think you would like it

[@Alsojepeodiwl]

Yes, I so appreciate your acknowledgement of Tolkien.

[@jsedbe0624]

Add the following to the list, but all for different reasons: 1) The Coldfire trilogy by C.S. Friedman. Wonderful story and one of the best protagonists in fantasy in the form of Gerald Tarrant. 2) The Black Company series by Glen Cook. Gritty story telling throughout all 10 books. 3) The Crimson Shadow series by R.A. Salvatore. Easy reading good swashbuckling style story. Thoroughly enjoyable.

[@wrathchylde9539]

I just picked up the Faithful and the Fallen series and I can't recommend it enough! It's terrific for all ages. So glad you mentioned it on your channel.

[@wakaralightcloud3628]

1. Dragonlance (first 3 books) 2. Lord of the Rings 3. Xanth series 4. Wheel of Time series 5. Dark Tower series 6. Dragons of Pern series 7. Orcs / Stan Nicholls 8. Dune series

[@jawkojawko7094]

I would say Dune is Sci Fi though

[@paulmartin2348]

Crewel Lye: A Caustic Yarn

[@noonehere0987]

Dark Twoer is amazing. It's one of the most unique fantasy series I've read, not just in the crazy world, but in how each book is so different than the rest.

[@mynala110]

My all time favorite is the Michael Sullivan series. Love how the stories intertwine over millennia

[@janvafa9959]

I guess I’m just old but I loved The Witch World Series by Andre Norton…

[@lazaruslazuli6130]

I think you left out a major contender, which is Melanie Rawn's double trilogies: Dragon Prince, The Star Scroll, Sunrunner's Fire, and Stronghold, The Dragon Token, Skybowl Stirlling's Emberverse books of 'The Change' which starts with 'Dies the FIre'. He also has other books that are worth reading. I'd give an honorable mention to Jeff Wheeler's Kingfountain series/books. Also a shoutout to Fred Saberhagen and Book of Swords trilogy and the many other 'Sword' books.

[@em1536]

Dragon Lance original trilogy and the Twins trilogy are some of my all time favorites

[@leithan-fz7ge]

I am deeply dissapointed not seeing Earthsea by Ursula K. Le Guin in the list.

[@timlyons2824]

What are your thoughts on The Night Angel Trilogy? I was completely hooked. I felt the same when I read Rothfuss, hope he does finally get that third book done.

[@KeytarArgonian]

I remember reading it when the third book came out, but I haven’t read any Brent Weeks since. Have you read his other series?

[@shmoppetrocks]

I love it !! I just finished the night angel nemesis !! Sooooooo goooodd

[@alexanderworley5235]

I am so happy to see Malazan on here! I finished it two months ago or so, and man is it worthwhile!

[@MrKlarc19]

It's the only series on the list I haven't read but I've tried so many times.

[@alexanderworley5235]

@@MrKlarc19 its fantastic but I would say it isn't for everyone. Its definitely my favorite series so🤷

[@MrKlarc19]

@@alexanderworley5235 yeah I've gotten halfway through Gardens on the Moon and still had no idea what was going on. I remember a puppet but that's about it. I'll give it another try once I finish Licanius trilogy.

[@alexanderworley5235]

@@MrKlarc19 I'd say that the second half of Gardens is where it gets really good.

[@noonehere0987]

@@MrKlarc19Yea, Malazan is absolutely amazing but you have to be willing to go through it with the understanding that you won't understand good chunks of it until later. That tends to turn a lot of people off, but man, is it worthwhile once you get through it.

[@Alaedious]

Great video! Tolkien is extremely accessible and pertinent in today's world. ❤

[@williammeek7218]

I think that Fritz Lieber’s Fafhrd & Grey Mouser should be on the list.

[@oplenty]

Glad to see Malazan on the list, I really like the other sagas you mention but Malazan is my favorite by a lot. I´m from Mexico and the only bad thing is that Malazan is not well know here and is very rare to see any of the books on bookshops. And I'm still waiting for the Door of Stones damn Rothfuss is taking a lot of time and you missed to speak about the spinoff, see the world in the eyes of Auri was a great experience.

[@korionterivers9995]

I concur. Malazan is amazing. And Rothfuss is taking an eternity to finish his amazing work

[@ErikPT]

Compa he is never finishing. I am still waiting for Martin but... yeah, 11 years. At this point, Sanderson would have 3 new Stormlight books and Erikson another saga and series completed.

[@LucyferWerneburg]

Everything from Licia Troisie or Trudi Canavan or Marion Zimmer Bradley need to be on the list.

[@Peter24601]

I find your lack of David Eddings on this list to be disturbing...

[@timm8860]

Maybe he was only doing good authors?

[@Robin-ve7ck]

Having watched the video, I can confirm that isn’t the case. Eddings isn’t/couldn’t be on there because he’s been gone for too long now, like a lot of authors that people knew in and around the late 80s and early 90s There’s multiple incomplete series in this list which shows it’s more about what is fresh/still in people’s minds now, with unfinished series’ next books that are kong overdue getting mythical status, and giving the older books in those series a sort of rose-tinted specs benefit due to them not actually being complete, and fans long-awaiting that next book

[@timm8860]

@@Robin-ve7ckmaybe he was only doing authors who have objectively well written books. I mean might as well put Ed Greenwood there if you going to put Eddings

[@Robin-ve7ck]

@@timm8860 it’s just the most popular, from what he’d heard after some research, from what he was saying - one or two of the series he’d not even read. Some may be popular for quality reasons, but either way, older books will likely not be as popular nowadays, with a few Lord of the Rings exceptions

[@privatechannel8462]

Maybe he doesn't like child abusers

[@Thurgosh_OG]

David Gemmell, another British author is missing from this list and I can't see any comments about his books either. The Master of Heroic Fantasy, with epic books like Legend and Waylander. The Drenai Series are brilliant.

[@nicowagner2427]

Nice list, I'll sure try some of these titles. What I enjoyed reading was "The sword of truth" from Terry Goodkind.

[@michelehendriks5686]

Yes! I love this one as well and I was surprised I had to scroll through so many comments before someone mentioned it.

[@ProfessorSprouts]

It is good.

[@ThortheMerciless]

LOL. It's dreadful.

[@davecooper1200]

I have been reading SF and Fantasy novels since the early 1950's - yes I'm that old - and reading through these comments I would just like to add a series that nobody else seems to mention, The Morgaine Cycle by C J Cherryh, 4 books (The Gate of Ivrel, The Well of Shiuan, The Fires of Azeroth and Exile's Gate). I think they deserve a place on anybodies fantasy shelf, give them a look I don't think you'll be disappointed.

[@JeantheSecond-ip7qm]

No one ever mentions C.J. Cherryh, which is sad because she’s brilliant! You have discerning tastes.

[@The89sonu]

The Witcher series is worth reading. I personally love it!❤️

[@xhagast]

It is incredible. Lol, the first books are mainly twisted fairy tales.

[@ywainleonis2035]

Definitely on my own list of "Must acquire and read"

[@shannonschram293]

Amazing series

[@annim4207]

Witcher was brilliant, but I got bored at about book 8 and stopped

[@frankrobinsjr.1719]

The Darwath Trilogy by Barbara Hambly. The Iron Tower Trilogy, The Silver Call Duology, or anything from Mithgar by Dennis McKiernan. Chronicles of the Cheysuli by Jennifer Roberson, or her Sword Dancer Saga. Ursula K. LeGuin's Earthsea Saga. Tara Harper's WolfWalker series.

[@voiceover2191]

I love the Chronicles of Thomas Covenant by Stephen R. Donaldson, David Eddings series of The Belgariad and The Mallorean. I'm also missing The Earthsee Trilogy by Ursula LeGuin and how could you miss the Lyonesse series by Jack Vance or his Dying Earth series.

[@ianmason2296]

Thomas Covenant awesome, I remember waiting outside a bookshop when the next book was released. Read through several times

[@Whaleydavey]

While I loved Stephen Donaldson, I can see that he isnt for everyone. The world descriptions can be wordy and the pace a little slow at times, but for his legions of fans, its what gives his books such a concrete realism for themes/plot that are so otherwordly. Another writer in the same vein is Mervyn Peake, whom i also like, he spends the first two pages of book 1 just describing the castle keep and surrounding town.

[@voiceover2191]

@@Whaleydavey Ah, forgot Gormenghast, which of course cannot be excluded. What I liked about Thomas Covenant especially was, that he definitely is a contemporary character from our world and how you could choose his outings inside "The Land" as symbolic. Also the fact that at first he completely rejects the world he ends up in, sort of again looking at it with modern eyes, that would dismiss such an experience as obviously some sort of illusion or delirium, makes it very relatable. His Mordant's Need fantasy series is also not bad at all and also his scifi GAP series were pretty damn good. I haven't read the other books, nor even the third series of Covenant. It's on the to do list

[@DFMSelfprotection]

Reading Stormlight series right now - really enjoying them!

[@xhagast]

How about Glen Cook's Black Company? The Belgariad? The Dragonlance books? Thomas Covenant? Zelanny's? Troy Denning's Dark Sun? I never heard of Patrick Rothfuss, nor of Brandon Sanderson, nor of Steven Erikson.

[@heatherbell1524]

Piers Anthony? Any of his series’ could make this list. Also, Katherine Kurtz has several series’ that would easily make this list😊

[@wardragonprime]

Don't forget The Deryni Chronicles and the Belegariad!!!😀😀😀

[@Adrian.Christ]

Half way through the first Malazan book and I'm already obsessed

[@XeniaCosmann-ro7vt]

Thanks for this List … I missed the Malazan books… now I will start reading

[@noonehere0987]

It gets both worse and more amazing as it goes too! Just know that there's so much you don't understand about the world reading the first book. One of the most rewarding series to get through!

[@mayanscaper]

Judith Tarr's The Hound and the Falcon trilogy, Patricia McKillip Forgotten Beasts of Eld and The Riddle of the Stars, Jennifer Robertson Series about Changlings, Roger Zelazny Chronicles of Amber are classics! They definitely need to be on your list