Top 10 Best Fantasy Series (2023 update)

𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐥: (I get a commission when you use the links)
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00:00 | Intro
00:40 | Number 10
02:39 | Number 9
04:53 | Number 8
06:48 | Number 7
08:55 | Number 6
11:10 | Number 5
13:15 | Number 4
14:55 | Number 3
16:53 | Number 2
18:51 | Number 1
#fantasybooks #bookreview #bestbooks #fantasybooks #booktube #booktuber #books #bookstagram #bookworm #booklover #booknerd #bookish #book #reading #read #booktubers

[@MattsFantasyBookReviews]

What books did I not include that are on your personal top 10?

[@YashPatel-ez4um]

I have mother of learning, KIngkiller, dresden files, he who fights with monsters, kings dark tidings, sun eater, and reverend insanity in my top 10.

[@hendrik5598]

Lord of the Rings and Wheel of Time

[@douglasdea637]

Chronicles of Amber by Zelazny. Vlad Taltos by Steven Brust. There are others I could name: Pliocene Exile by May (it's sci-fi but reads like fantasy), Death Dealer by Silke, Book of Swords by Saberhagen, The Belgariad by Eddings, Midkemia by Feist... but they are secondary.

[@tyghe_bright]

John Crowley's Aegypt cycle is my favorite series. It does such a magnificent job of weaving in history, a contemporary setting, and magic. It includes stories about Giordano Bruno and John Dee... but above all, the writing is extraordinary.

[@kylepinion]

If we consider it fantasy and not SF, I'd say Book of the New Sun...I guess it's science fantasy! I also really love Lyonesse.

[@TowerBooks3192]

To anyone curious about the wandering inn. The whole novel is free off their site. The Ebook/audiobook version is way behind but I prefer it for convenience and I love the reader for the audiobook. The gap between the the webseries and the ebooks is vast. The latest ebook released is the end of volume 5 while the series is currently somewhere in volume 9. The website just updated and it shows the parity of the ebook/webseries and it helps remove the confusion on where to pickup once you exhaust your ebooks and transition to the website.

[@MattsFantasyBookReviews]

Thanks for this background!

[@whatyouknowaboutthat2546]

Didn't the author also rewrite the earlier part of the series recently? And I think that's only available on the web series.

[@TowerBooks3192]

@@whatyouknowaboutthat2546 I think the rewrite was only for Book1/Volume 1. The author was not satisfied with the initial quality of the volume thus the rewrite happened. I think it was pretty recent. I have no clue how much this affects things if you read the initial release. I also heard about some chapter reshuffling like Wistram Days chapters from the earlier volumes were integrated into the different volumes but I think it was packaged all in one in Book 4. That was the only set of chapters that I know of that got this treatment.

[@sorryman105]

@@whatyouknowaboutthat2546 The re-write was exclusive to the first book and will be updated on Kindle and the audiobook.

[@javierherrera9012]

Starting book 3 of The Wandering Inn. I have you and you alone to blame for this addiction. Keep up the good work Matt! you're a gentleman and a scholar.

[@MattsFantasyBookReviews]

A friend got me addicted, so I figured it was only fair that I get others addicted as well!

[@B.LEE.DbrianleedurfeeREVIEWS]

thanks

[@noname3609]

All my compassion legend. 🙏

[@monkeycap811]

You got me reading the First Law series from one of your previous videos a few months ago. Forgot how great character writing can be. And it's reignited my love of reading fantasy. Just finished the penultimate book today. What a journey it's been. Thank you

[@MattsFantasyBookReviews]

Thanks for telling me, that makes me so happy!

[@MalignantCactus]

My top 10 series, ASOIAF could go up whenever I do reread them one day, but Richard Swan's Empire of the Wolf could easily jump up to my #2 spot if the final book is even half as good as the first two books. 1. Malazan Book of the Fallen 2. The Witcher 3. The Lord of the Rings 4. The Dresden Files 5. The Empire of the Wolf 6. Paternus 7. Mistborn Era 1 8. First Law World 9. Broken Empire/Red Queen's War 10. A Song of Ice and Fire

[@thebrothersgwynne]

We spot some Papa Gwynne here! Great video Matt, you’re such a champion of TFatF and it’s always wonderful to hear your praise for the series. If you weren’t sure, we totally agree! Truth and courage. Ed

[@MattsFantasyBookReviews]

Thanks Ed! Truth and courage!

[@larryhodge3107]

My top 10 list has changed quite a bit this past year or so as well. The top 2 has remained the same but #4, 5 & 8 are all new entries. I also dropped another couple out because it's been so long since I've read them that I don't feel like I can include them until I do a reread. I expect one will jump back in once I get around to it. But here is my current top 10: 10. Deed of Paksenarrion by Elizabeth Moon (this will probably get bumped out once I do a reread of Chronicles of Thomas Covenant; but I reread Paks a couple years ago so it's fresher on my mind even though I've always had Thomas Covenant ranked ahead of it) 9. Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson 8. The Faithful and the Fallen by John Gwynne (I too will be calling this The Banished Lands once I'm finished with Blood & Bone; currently on the 2nd book, I think it might end up moving up a spot or two if that last book is good) 7. The Belgariad/Malloreon by David Eddings (2 years ago this was my #3 series; keeps getting pushed down but still one of my all time favs and one I reread ever few years) 6. Kingkiller Chronicles by Patrick Rothfuss (if it ever gets finished it will move up probably; if it doesn't it will probably move down; that's why ASOIAF is no longer in top 10 nor will be ever again) 5. First Law by Joe Abercrombie (new entry over the last 13 or 14 months; only read the first trilogy so it may very well move up) 4. Malazan by Steven Erikson (just finished the main 10 in February; I don't know if I will combine all the series or not when I read them; don't think I will since it's two authors) 3. Drenai Saga by David Gemmell (been in my top 3 since the 90's; so happy your reading and reviewing it) 2. Stormlight Archive by Brandon Sanderson (really the only series that MIGHT take over the #1 spot by the time it's finished; I've said the same thing about Kingkiller if that last book is amazing but I'm losing hope on that one) 1. Wheel of Time by Robert Jordan & Brandon Sanderson (been my #1 series since 1997 and I doubt it will ever change; maybe in 20 years when Brando finishes Stormlight; or if Rothfuss magically shits out a masterpiece as good as NotW)

[@adamborst]

Gwynne and Abercrombine are great. I finished all of the Banished Lands books and I'm in the middle of the standalones for Abercrombie right now. I enjoy aspects of Malazan, but you said it, it's work. It's probably something I'll need to re-read at a certain point because I feel like I'm missing so much, but I love a lot of the characters, and how so many things are woven together, and all the races and the historical aspect of things. But man can it be work. Still working on Bonehunters, hoping to get to Crippled God by the end of the year, since it sounds like many people really enjoy, but I've heard between Bonehunters and there might be tough. In any case, thanks for the list.

[@incinerativemario]

Ohh! Thanks for adding my Skinner art on The wandering inn section! Nice quick reviews of some great series!

[@MattsFantasyBookReviews]

Thank you for the wonderful artwork. It really is amazing!

[@ladonnareiff4253]

Well, Matt, you got me out of my reading slump. I’ve picked up the first book in the Malazan series, and I can’t put it down. It’s that good! Thank you!!!

[@MattsFantasyBookReviews]

Awesome. It only gets better from there!

[@icetech6]

I hope you are still reading it... that is easily the best series by MILES... it will leave scars though...

[@angehavok]

Hi Matt, I was searching for how to string and tune a dulcimer and your 2023 favorite fantasy book series came up in my feed. I watched it. I never watch book people's channels. They make me feel like a middle school kid sitting in a cramped university lecture hall in the nosebleed section, hearing about the books I can read when I grow up. I am delighted to say that your video made me feel like being invited to sit at the cool kids table while they talk about books they love, taking careful notes so I don't forget a single title or author! Thank you! Hope that makes sense!

[@MattsFantasyBookReviews]

That's super nice of you, thank you so much!

[@NixIsntCrazy]

Enjoyed the video and will absolutely check out some of these I haven’t read! Would love some more objective (obviously spoiler-free) detail of writer prose, story themes, and char arcs though

[@MattsFantasyBookReviews]

Yeah I tried to make this thing about 20 minutes, but I'll try for something like that in the future.

[@Avarn388]

I have to do a top ten at some point, but some of my favorite series in No order: 1) Mistborn Era 1 2) Codex Alera(Hidden gem of a series, Jim Butcher knows his stuff) 3) Cradle series by Will Wight 4) Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn, and 5) Sabriel(Another hidden gem of a series).

[@codymac181]

Love seeing Cradle on a list, it is one of my absolute favorites!

[@noname3609]

This was awesome. Thanks man!!! 🙏🙏🙏

[@MattsFantasyBookReviews]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@BookishChas]

Great list Matt!! ASOIAF is my number one currently. I really want to read Dandelion dynasty too.

[@TomerArmarnik]

Thank you for this great list, plenty of series yet to be explored.

[@MattsFantasyBookReviews]

Of course!

[@asymptoticspatula]

Most of the way through Gardens of the Moon, and I'm really enjoying it so far! Looking forward to my (very slow) read-through of the series.

[@MattsFantasyBookReviews]

Gardens is the worst book of the 10, so if you already like it, you are in for a TREAT with the rest of them!

[@ryanhoffmann4983]

There’s a series that’s not very well known and quite slept on called “The Spellmonger”, and it is the only series I love more than the Stormlight archive. The Spellmonger currently has 15 main books out with a plethora of side novels and such, some of which are quite important to the story- most notably book 2.5 (The Spellmonger’s Honeymoon) The world and characters of the spellmonger are all well fleshed out, the character development is top tier, and the plot is simply breathtaking. It has its issues- but it is impossible to put down. The best aspects are the twists regarding the plot and the world itself- everything changes the more the protagonist learns about the world and I love that. Second is the humour, although it is serious fantasy, the humour is brilliant and breaks the tension at just the right time to leave you feeling refreshed. Thirdly, it’s the politics. The politics of the world and how the characters handle politics is super entertaining. Just wanted to throw that out there :)

[@kurtsloop2462]

I started listening to the Spellmonger a few years ago but when I caught up with the books, I stopped. I guess I should finish them. I really enjoyed them so far

[@markdoucette6828]

Steven Erickson developed the Malazan world with Ian C. Esslemont. And while Ian is not on par with Steven in terms of writing, the whole concept of the Malazan Empire is a masterclass in imagination!

[@MattsFantasyBookReviews]

Yeah I really love the Esslemont books as well, even more than some of the other non-book of the fallen books.

[@safinan8008]

Happy reading to you!! 😊

[@MattsFantasyBookReviews]

Thanks Safina!

[@LovelyDray]

I feel like the Codex Alera series by Jim Butcher is really underrated, I never see it on any of these lists, even though all 6 books were great imo. I should really give Malazan a try but the sheer scope of it seems scary 😅

[@markdoucette6828]

I’ve been hoping for years he’ll continue this series!

[@tonyfrance4100]

I started Malazan a couple of months ago after hearing how much praise it gets from booktubers and holy crap, it is a LOT to take in from the very beginning. It's not an easy series to start but the payoff for making it through the first two books is so worth it.

[@MattsFantasyBookReviews]

I keep hearing people tell me about it - I'll have to check it out!

[@randomguy9084]

In the 1st book of this series the main character is given a tip to drink a lot of water if he wants to wake up early because he'll have to pee in the morning I tried this and I still do this to this day when I have to wake up early for something

[@olorin3815]

@@randomguy9084 whenever i drank water before goin to sleep as a kid i just pee in bed LOL, anyway i think codex alera is decent and worth a read but not rly greatest of all time material

[@akraken4906]

Love to see respect for the Wandering Inn! There are a few great gems that started as web serials. My favourite among those is 'A Practical Guide to Evil' by ErraticErrata. It's an incredibly unique series of fantasy books where fantasy meta-tropes are a part of the world and characters are aware of these tropes and manipulate them constantly for their own ends. For example, one of my favourite Villains in the series will immediately abandon any battle where it looks like they have an overwhelming advantage against 'Good' characters because they know the world will even the scales to give the 'Good' characters a high likelihood of winning. There are 'Dread Emperors' that start plagues of sentient man-eating tigers, Heroes that are eaten alive and cut themselves out of giant monsters, and a banquet where every dish is poisoned and attendees are expected to have ingested the appropriate antidotes prior to coming. I can honestly recommend it to the ends of the earth, the prose is delightful, the characters are varied and have depth, the world is incredibly refreshing AND its complete - with the books only improving as time goes on. One of my favourite series of all time. It also SAYS that its YA, but it rapidly matures as the books go on. I also love Worm by Wildbow, which is a 'realistic' kind of dark take on superheroes but I think APGTE would slightly appeal to the people here more.

[@MattsFantasyBookReviews]

Great info, thank you!

[@reaper2r]

Haven’t read Malazan yet, but I know I’ll love it because your argument for it is my exact argument for Dark Souls. So grim, but beautiful and inspiring. It just throws you right in and you have to trust that things will work out.

[@MattsFantasyBookReviews]

Yeah it has a LOT of similarities. Also check out "Eleventh Cycle" by Kian Ardalan, it's VERY dark souls and wonderful.

[@reaper2r]

@@MattsFantasyBookReviews will do👍🏻

[@jayrocs]

You know I wasn't subscribed to you but after watching this. Your top 10 closely aligns to my taste more than other booktubers. So I'll be watching more of your vids from now on.

[@MattsFantasyBookReviews]

Thank you!

[@andreabknight]

I've just started realm of the elderlings- taking it slow as the prose is quite detailed, and enjoying so far

[@MattsFantasyBookReviews]

Yeah you gotta take that series slow for sure!

[@lioneart19]

I didn't read the Five Warrior Angels series, but when you speak of it and its connection to religion, it reminds me of the Second Apocalypse by R. Scott Bakker, which also deals with religion in unique ways (it centers on a sort of version of the crusades). It is very good and very underrated. But my choice for most underrated would be The Masquerade by Seth Dickinson.

[@NevsBookChannel]

I have soooo many books to read... Great list!

[@MattsFantasyBookReviews]

Thanks Nev!

[@hyrumtanner5584]

I like how you don't include the obvious titles, though there are some older ones that I wonder if you don't know about/forgot about/or just haven't found the time to read. The Thomas Covenant Chronicles, for example. Seems like every video I see mentions Malazan. I'm getting hyped to read it but also worried that it's maybe too hyped at this point. Anyway, keep up the good work.

[@andybarker8787]

The wandering inn audiobooks are phenomenal. I love this series.

[@MattsFantasyBookReviews]

Yeah I just don't have enough time listening to audiobooks to listen to 50+ hour books! lol

[@andybarker8787]

@@MattsFantasyBookReviews I got a great deal when I bought the kindle version so I can sync the reading and listening. I drive 15 + hours a week for work so it’s brilliant to be able to switch between the two with whispersync.

[@MattsFantasyBookReviews]

@@andybarker8787 That's awesome!

[@rrgodhorus]

Regarding the writing quality of Wandering Inn Volume 1, the new rewritten V1 is miles ahead in terms of prose. The plot remains the same for all intents and purposes. It just fixes a couple of minor plot holes, expands introduction to some characters and adds in a little bit of new content.

[@whatyouknowaboutthat2546]

Is there a different place to read the rewritten version? I am scared to start because I want to make sure I start on the rewritten version.

[@rrgodhorus]

@@whatyouknowaboutthat2546 The current version on the webpage is the latest one. Older version was archived and can still be accessed...but both are labelled clearly

[@MattsFantasyBookReviews]

Yeah great point!

[@charliepickford8554]

Is the ebook the rewritten version or the old one?

[@MattsFantasyBookReviews]

@@charliepickford8554 Old one. The new one isn't out yet.

[@gregorykontaxis4885]

What a great list! Stormlight Archive is my favorite :)

[@MattsFantasyBookReviews]

Nice. As the series goes on it may go up my list!

[@hannahblackwellbooks]

Currently reading Wall of Storms and loving it!!

[@MattsFantasyBookReviews]

So awesome, I LOVED that book!

[@Heathennation1976]

Great list I'm reading the last book of the five Warrior Angels Trilogy Now,The Lonesome Crown, I'm also reading a book on the side called Seeds of War by Joao Silva, that is an independently published book with a new cool magic system and some great new characters in the new cool Dark World of smoke Magic you would get into it and like it, I've read most of these Series except a couple I've never read any of the Malzan but I have the first three on my shelf and I plan to start Gardens of the Moon sometime this year keep up the cool videos

[@MattsFantasyBookReviews]

I'll have to check out Seeds of War, thanks Johnathan!

[@cameronhall221]

Hell yeah can't believe you put wandering inn on here it's so good just finished book 9.

[@MattsFantasyBookReviews]

That's awesome, I'm reading book 5 later this month.

[@user-iw2md2gl4q]

Finally a 'Top' list that doesn't include spoilers no matter how tiny. I'm new to fantasy and am just starting Mistborn. Been watching a ton of recommendation videos and people always spoil the plot... Thank you so much for showcasing unique books I've never heard of!

[@MattsFantasyBookReviews]

Of course. Happy reading!

[@salkelan9485]

Hussite Trilogy by Andrzej Sapkowski. Bas-Lag Cycle by China Mieville. Terry Pratchett Discworld. P.S.Malazan the best fantasy ever.

[@DaveCremins]

Smashing video Matt

[@MattsFantasyBookReviews]

Thanks so much Dave!

[@JackPoppy]

Been repping the First Law series for years, now. Abercrombie is a master of Grimdark Fantasy.

[@MattsFantasyBookReviews]

Hear, hear!

[@PAKgymnastics]

Love the rankings definitely going to have to check out Brian Lee Durgee and Ken Liu...Gotta say I felt like Faithful and the Fallen was the only one of the books I've read felt too high. What Gwynne did well was done VERY well but all in all I felt like it was a very generic series and the only thing I really remember from it was the amazing battles and the fact I had a BLAST blazing through it but its not a series that really stuck with me.

[@MattsFantasyBookReviews]

Yeah I think a lot of people have that problem with Gwynne. It really resonated with me but I can see why people feel that way.

[@tine272]

i'm so happy that Robin Hobb is this high up on your list! absolutely deserved imo💗

[@MattsFantasyBookReviews]

She's so incredible!

[@andrew4437]

I'm wrapping up Green Bone Saga. I've loved the whole series.

[@MattsFantasyBookReviews]

Love the way that series wrapped up!

[@itsaduck]

So glad Realm of the Elderling was on here, there so many great moments that will make you happy cry and sad cry. "heart of the pack was here and he had never let us come to harm" had me absolutely wrecked with joy haha. I was bawling i tell you!

[@MattsFantasyBookReviews]

Yeah 100%!

[@tkinsey3]

Woo Dandelion Dynasty! Can't wait to see if it moves up after you finish the series.

[@MattsFantasyBookReviews]

You and me both!

[@tyrson4331]

Just reading Abercrombies Age of Madness (it’s blowing my mind) and then I’ll go to Malazan

[@fantasyfanatic6038]

Amazing list, Matt! Here’s my personal top 10: 1. The Wheel of Time - Robert Jordan 2. The Lord of the Rings - J.R.R. Tolkien 3. Realm of the Elderlings- Robin Hobb (currently making my way through this and could well become my #1) 4. The Banished Lands - John Gwynne 5. Stormlight Archive - Brandon Sanderson 6. A Song of Ice and Fire - George R.R. Martin 7. Red Rising - Pierce Brown 8. First Law - Joe Abercrombie 9. Harry Potter - J.K. Rowling 10. Warlord Chronicles - Bernard Cornwell (technically not fantasy but still counting it) Honorable mentions: The Bloodsworn Saga by John Gwynne, Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson and Percy Jackson by Rick Riordan.

[@MattsFantasyBookReviews]

Love it! The only thing on there I haven't read is Harry Potter, but I'm hoping to change that as I'm slowly reading through it as I read it to my 6 year old.

[@fantasyfanatic6038]

@@jacksonjacobs4098 I plan to read it at some point!

[@Bettyp08]

Can you to a video on mafia recs across all genres? Currently reading the godfather and I read green bone saga last year :) thanks!

[@MattsFantasyBookReviews]

I actually haven't read any more than those.

[@dndfest]

On my favorites is the Black Company series by Glen Cook. Dark, Gritty. Love them!

[@dndfest]

I'm going to dive into The Wandering Inn series. Sounds interesting an I love long epic stories

[@mitchday5771]

Hey Matt, do you have any resources on Malazan recaps? I read Gardon and Deadhouse about 3 years ago and want to get back into the series but didn't know if I should reread or just do a recap.

[@MattsFantasyBookReviews]

Yup! Read this, and check out the links for the other books on the 2nd slide: docs.google.com/presentation/d/1GLRmiaFcxe_cGc93ckE5UItRq5rYsfeU0BhvqcaNq9E/edit#slide=id.i0

[@evaander]

Wow first time hearing the wandering inn in a list🤩

[@briani8785]

Love the idea of the wandering inn and am very interested but I may just wait for it to finish some day lol. 3-4x the size of WOT is a gargantuan commitment. Took me so long to finish WOT

[@MattsFantasyBookReviews]

Don't wait, just dive right in!

[@MagusMarquillin]

What if it never finishes? It's a serial, so it likely is better to be read with each release, almost like how Dickens or Doyle used to be read. By the time the author is done, especially if they die of old age, reading it all together might seem insurmountable. I stopped reading Wheel of Time after book 5 because I thought it'd be easier all at once when Jordan finishes, and I'm still struggling to rekindle that fire. I'm thinking of starting the Wandering Inn soon though to try something different, read along in short installments with whatever else I'm reading.

[@SodoMojo22]

Same on Stormlight Archive - emotional connection throughout.

[@jessehol2721]

I dont know why but I love this thumbnail pose everytime I see it on one of your videos

[@MattsFantasyBookReviews]

Starts the day off with some excited energy lol

[@groofay]

I'm about a third of the way through Deadhouse Gates, and Malazan is already far and away my favorite series. And I still have 20-something-and-counting books to go. This is going to be a life long journey.

[@MattsFantasyBookReviews]

If you already love it, you are in for an AMAZING journey. Even in that book, the ending is something that you will never forget for the rest of your life. Enjoy!

[@groofay]

@@MattsFantasyBookReviews I've had people talk up the end of DG for a while now, so I'm really looking forward to it. If Erikson lands the ending as hard as you and others have said, it's easily my read of the year. No question.

[@tonyfrance4100]

The ending to DG is something I will never forget. It's legitimately the most gut wrenching fiction I've ever read.

[@bradguzman1931]

Matt thank you bro for another certified classic🧌Keep crushing✊

[@MattsFantasyBookReviews]

Thank you Brad!

[@duck9215]

I agree with all of them (at least the ones i have read) but you should really read the Gunmetal Gods series. It would definitly be somewhere in the top 5. So good

[@MattsFantasyBookReviews]

Yeah I have plans to! The author very kindly sent me the audiobook so I'll get to it soon.

[@helgestrm9670]

I can't WAIT for your 'The Veiled Throne' review. I am gonna be shocked if you like that book :p

[@MattsFantasyBookReviews]

Uh oh!

[@TotallyNotFunny]

i finally decided to pick up book one of malazan. wish me luck

[@MattsFantasyBookReviews]

You got this! Pop into the discord server if you have any questions about the series! :)

[@amy_harboredinpages8272]

So many great series! I can hardly wait to begin Malice later this year!

[@MattsFantasyBookReviews]

Good luck, it's a wonderful series!

[@Nathanvphotos]

I’ll be starting it after First Law and the 3 other Stormlight books I need to read. Can’t wait!

[@darrenrouselle180]

When can you order the Wandering Inn series in book form I would love to have it on my shelf.

[@MattsFantasyBookReviews]

You can't yet. But that's in the future plans I believe! Maybe a kickstarter.

[@Leo-zl8xv]

I would add Kingkiller on my list, even if its only two stories, I loved both of them above all others, I just love how rothfuss writes, otherwise would agree completely!

[@MattsFantasyBookReviews]

Yeah he's a masterful writer, that's for sure!

[@kurtsloop2462]

​@@MattsFantasyBookReviewsI'm waiting for Rothfuss to die so that Sanderson can finish the story. I don't wish death on Patrick but if he suffers untimely demise, the fates will have spoken

[@brandonlynch4437]

Nice list. Im going to have to dheck out the battle angle never heard of it. Got to disagree i greatly enjoy john gwynne, but i cant agree in anway where he tops robin Hobb. My current live is the powder mage by McClellan he doesnt get enough love

[@MattsFantasyBookReviews]

Yeah I really like Powder Mage. That was on last year's version of this video, but slipped a little due to some other addons since then.

[@seanhalpin87]

I really really do think that winds of winter is gonna come out around the time of house of the dragon season 2, hes at least 75% done. Also, if you have issues with books 4/5, you can combine them into one (there are a few variations, but boiled leather seems to be the best) that combines feast and dance into one large novel, which alleviates my issues with those books, only getting half the cast in eaxh novel. Worth looking into And yeah, five warrior angels is a top 5 for me

[@MattsFantasyBookReviews]

Yeah I'll take that bet on Winds of Winter!

[@seanhalpin87]

@@MattsFantasyBookReviews i wouldn't put money on it, but it would make a lot of sense marketing wise. I think once winds is released, dream of spring will be a much faster book for George, he wrote himself into a knot, and once he figures out how to untangle it, Hopefully the last book will be much faster I have more hope of seeing those two books than I do doors of stone

[@mikemcmahon7624]

Great list! I went 1. The Wheel of Time 2. The Green Bone Saga 3. Stormlight Archive 4. Mistborn Era 1 5. A Song of Ice and Fire 6. Harry Potter 7. First Law (I’m about halfway through Before They Are Hanged and I can tell this series will be moving up the list) 8. Middle Earth 9. The Dresden Files 10. Discworld I’m one book into Discworld and expect that to be a climber once I read more. Next up for me is The Faithful and the Fallen, then The Tide Child. I’m really trying to rewrite the second half of my top ten, a number of those are mostly there by “default”.

[@randomguy9084]

Remember when reading Discworld not to read them in order the first books kind of suck, the only books in the series I really like are Going Postal and its sequel Making Money they are the funniest books I have ever read.

[@bohannon2692]

No farseer?

[@mikemcmahon7624]

@@bohannon2692 haven’t read it yet! It’s on my list of things I’m hoping to start this year though

[@bohannon2692]

@@mikemcmahon7624 make a video when you do let me know what you think. The first series in the realm of the elderlings is slow but so good it will grow on you and become one of your favorite probably I haven't read the other series in the world but I hear live ship traders is even better then the farseer. Fitz is an amazing character! I'm half way through the second book.

[@kierenvarney2159]

To anyone looking of here for a new series to enter your top 3 best fantasy of all time read: The second apocalypse by R Scott Bakker. The fact I’ve not seen one person have this in there top series shows how underrated the series is. Yes it’s very grimdark but no one can read this series and tell me it’s not up there for best stories ever written.

[@rtd1859]

Id add the Midkemia books by Raymond Feist, 30 or so books ive read several times. but they never make any booktube lists so ive given up looking for them, Feist is a fantasy legand thats being missed.

[@kylepinion]

We're gonna see The Winds of Winter someday, maybe sooner than we think (I'm betting on an announcement by mid-next year). But A Dream of Spring does seem incredibly unlikely...which, that's fine, wouldn't be the first unfinished fantasy series. But I agree with you, like Malazan, I think the books are all nicely distinct units that are worthy of people checking out regardless.

[@MattsFantasyBookReviews]

I definitely would take that bet about Winds of Winter!

[@MagusMarquillin]

Maybe the massive character deaths that result from Winds of Winter will make Dream of Spring 10 times easier for GRRM. At least that's my dream.

[@PreppinShootinLivin]

Good list....I'm actually glad you didn't include the WOT or the LOTR.

[@MattsFantasyBookReviews]

Yeah Wheel of Time was on last years, but it keeps dropping. LotR isn't even close.

[@randomguy9084]

I like WoT and LoTR in the same way I like the first Zelda game. It was good and amazing for its time but now we have better stuff

@@MattsFantasyBookReviews We don't have to agree but your point of view is incomprehensible to me! I just think Tolkiens world building is pure genius, and the writing has higher quality than more recent fantasy.

[@randomguy9084]

My Top 10 series of all time: 1. Stormlight Archives 2. Cradle 3. Shadow Slave (this is a web serial but I don't care it goes on the list) 4. Red Rising Saga 5. Harry Potter 6. KingKiller Chronicles (write the 3rd book damn it) 7. Inheritance Cycle 8. First Law 9. Discworld specifically Moist Van Lipwig arc 10. Farseer trilogy

[@kevinjs26]

Could you do a recommended reading order for Malazan? Would it be publication date or timeline based? Thanks!

[@MattsFantasyBookReviews]

Read all of Malazan: Book of the Fallen (in order). Then you have a choice to make: Do you want to learn about the foundation of the Malazan empire? Read the Path to Ascendancy series. Want to find out what is happening after the series ends? Read "Witness". Want to learn about events taking place in other continents at the same time as the main series? Read "Novels of the Malazan Empire" Want to learn about events that happened hundreds of thousands of years before the series? Read the Kharkanas series. Want some funny little novellas about two necromancers? Read "Bachelain and Korbal Broach".

[@SouravUldyssian]

Definitely publication order. Read the main 10 books of Malazan Book of the Fallen first, then read the Novels of the Malazan Empire by Esslemont, since they pick up lots of unfinished threads from MBOTF and also takes place at the same time. Then read the other series like Matt mentioned. The only exception I think is good is to read Night of Knives from NOTME, after Midnight Tides and before The Bonehunters. That was when it was published, and it helps in understanding a few things better in the main series.

[@neiltaylor513]

Thank god! No name of the Wind I am listening to The First Law on audible, and I am blown away, but do I also get the book or is there no purpose.

[@MattsFantasyBookReviews]

I do like Name of the Wind, but it doesn't come anywhere close to this list.

[@randomguy9084]

I really enjoyed this first law trilogy but I have the same thought as you it feels like there is no purpose or point to it and that doesn't change even when you finish the trilogy if anything that feeling intensifies. But I still read it because Ninefingers and Glocta are so funny

[@christoffersjursen1692]

I’ve read 8 of these ones and I just want to say…. THEY ARE ALL ON MY TOP 10 LIST TOO! The only one I have which aren’t on yours are Lord of the Rings and Suneater.

[@MattsFantasyBookReviews]

I don't love LotR like other people do, and Suneater I've only read the first book and the first novella. But I LOVED them. I could easily see this series showing up on my 2024 version of this list when I catch up.

[@NZAnimeManga]

I wonder who GRRM's Estate will (inevitably have to) get to finish the series from his notes...

[@MattsFantasyBookReviews]

He has said he wants his manuscripts burned in the event of his death.

[@NZAnimeManga]

@@MattsFantasyBookReviews aye, but there’s no guarantee, I mean… just look what happened to The Tolkien Estate after Christopher Tolkien died 😂

[@zachary37]

Green Bone! I adore it, one of my favourite trilogies. I love seeing how the characters, and the world around them, progress over the decades. No other fantasy author besides Joe Abercrombie makes such distinct and interesting characters, imo.

[@MattsFantasyBookReviews]

Yeah I absolutely ADORE the progress over decades. It's a gusty call and it worked out so perfectly.

[@shawnbadger2737]

I have purchased nearly a hundred of books to read this year, many of which you have reviewed. But for some reason I cannot bring myself to pick up the Malazan series. I've read a few epic series (Wheel of Time, Way of Kings, Robin Hobb, etc...), but Malazan intimidates me for some reason. Perhaps its the sheer complexity of the story. Or maybe it's because Amazon has all the large format paperback books available except for book 3. (What's up with that?). Does reading the series feel like hard work? I have limited energy these days.

[@MattsFantasyBookReviews]

It's complicated for sure, but it's easy enough to follow along if you focus. Also if you use this slideshow while reading it will GREATLY improve your experience. docs.google.com/presentation/d/1GLRmiaFcxe_cGc93ckE5UItRq5rYsfeU0BhvqcaNq9E/edit

[@shawnbadger2737]

@@MattsFantasyBookReviews So glad I asked. Thank you for the response. I guess it's time to go pick up the series and try and track down a copy of book 3 at some used bookstores. Ebooks would be ok too, but the physical books just feel more... epic. :)

[@jordendarrett1725]

That's some high praise for Dandelion Dynasty! If you and Petrik like that much, what am I doing not having read it yet??

[@MattsFantasyBookReviews]

I don't know! You need to!

[@Ditchmonkey]

I've been getting back into fantasy in the last 6 months or so and I've read the two books Rothfuss managed to write and so far nine books from Hobbs. The writing from these two authors is phenomenal. I've recently started reading Sanderson's Mistborn books... but I find that going from Rothfuss and Hobbs to Sanderson is really deflating in terms of the quality of the writing. The plots are expansive and fun with good twists, but the dialogue between the characters is often just bad. Does it get better with his later works?

[@MattsFantasyBookReviews]

Nope. You gotta read Sanderson for the plot and the world, not so much the dialogue. Have you tried Malazan yet?

[@Ditchmonkey]

@@MattsFantasyBookReviews I haven't tried Malazan, but I'm inclinded to based on this review. Thanks!

[@randomguy9084]

Sanderson is my fav author but Mistborn is only a C tier series wasn't a big fan of the main characters. But the Stormlight Archive (beginning with The Way of Kings) by Sanderson is my fav series of all time and I have read a lot of fantasy books. Of course there is a good chance you have already read SA in that case I would recommend the cradle series by Will Wight. Absolutely amazing series and the whole series is on kindle unlimited. Cradle is my #2 favorite series. Rothfuss is amazing but I am really annoyed he didn't finish his series. No one warned me when I started reading that he hadn't finished and I still remember finishing the 2nd book and happily looking for the 3rd book online only to find out that it hadn't been released and it had been over a decade since the last book. I read the first 3 Hobb books with Fitz and they were a B tier for me will probably continue the series at some point but atm I play on reading Malazan first

[@madarasoun3018]

I can't believe there is someone putting dandelion dynasty above ASOIAF. I love them both.

[@dinocollins720]

There are too many here that I still need to start or finish 😭😂

[@MattsFantasyBookReviews]

Yeah, it can get overwhealming!

[@richard135]

Bye the way you are so right about the Wandering Inn ....the series is one of my favorite ...LIKE

[@MattsFantasyBookReviews]

Thanks, it really is something special!

[@samuelbarber6585]

Has Sun Eater moved up for you since you posted this? Im on Demon In White and his series just keeps getting better.

[@MattsFantasyBookReviews]

Yeah, and it will probably keep going up!

[@samuelbarber6585]

@@MattsFantasyBookReviews it's crazy how good he is.

[@Revienhanar]

Great l! Just btw Grace of Kings is the fall of Qin and rise of Han dynasty, not the three kingdoms period. Three kingdoms is after the fall of Han dynasty

[@MattsFantasyBookReviews]

Ah thanks so much!

[@BooksWithBenghisKahn]

Great list! I’m curious where A Song of Ice and Fire is gonna fall for me after I get through the last two books, but right now it’s looking very high. Same goes for Elderlings (I’m only in the middle of the Liveship Traders trilogy right now). Can’t wait to try some of the others this year like Five Warrior Angels and Dandelion Dynasty!

[@MattsFantasyBookReviews]

Yeah you really need to try 5 Warrior Angels and Dandelion, they are all time greats!

[@Satyaapatel]

If Joe A. doesn’t call First Law ‘grime dark’ then what the holy hell is ‘grime dark’.

[@MattsFantasyBookReviews]

Yeah fully agreed.

[@SPSteve]

I love the Farseer books, but I hated the final 3 books in Fitz's story (books 7,8,9). So for me Fitz's story ends with book 6 Fool's fate.

[@TomOrange]

Every time you talk about the Wandering Inn i want to read it more. Its just soo long

[@MattsFantasyBookReviews]

Don't worry about catching up to it. Just read whenever you want without trying to stress out about it!

[@treysworld9638]

Here is my top 2 fantasy series of all time. 1. Malazan book of the fallen. 2. everything else ..... Seriously I've read alot of fantasy And also sci fi. Malazan is the tip of the top tier. Im a 30 year old man and nothing has ever made my jaw drop, tear up and get so hyped I cant sit still. That's just in 3 pages!! 😂 I'm a Christian Also so the Bible is the best ever BUT Erikson is close 😂😂 so Gods words > Malazan but Erikson definitely made his argument 😂❤

[@MattsFantasyBookReviews]

Lol, that's awesome.

[@garygwong88]

sir ...because of your no 1 choice...I shall trust you and check out the others that I haven't read.

[@MattsFantasyBookReviews]

Awesome, I hope you enjoy!

[@SonOfSeth]

God I hate Malazan, the list was so good and then we got to the top spot. I even finished The Last War in spite of unhealthy anounts of hate reading, but I finally dropped Malazan half way trough book 10. I’ll check out some of your other videos, you seem like a pretty cool and positive guy and it’s impossible to agree with someone on every single point, especially when it comes to taste, but damn, Malazan… I really should continue Farseer, but god damn I started hating Fitz storyline by the end of the third book. Heard great things about the ship arc. Also, checking out The Wandering Inn, sounds exactly like something I need right now.

[@MattsFantasyBookReviews]

Malazan is really a love it or hate it kind of thing. I can't believe you got ALL the way to book 10 though even hating it...that's a lot of hate reading lol Yes, keep going on Realm of the Elderlings. The Fitz storyline DOES get weak in the 3rd book, but massively picks up in future volumes.

[@SonOfSeth]

@@MattsFantasyBookReviews Don't get me wrong, there are some great parts of Malazan, but every time I started to get into it I felt like we were begining a new series of books. Sadly, every time I felt less and less interested in the new characters, with exception of Karsa, Tehol and Bugg. In my mind Eriksson is a great world builder and big picture kind of guy, someone like George Lucas, but I didn't enjoy most of his writing and I wish he had way more ruthless editor. But hey, my favorite is First Law, so we're almost on the same page. Characters first for me, world building and big plot, not so much. Cheers!

[@jayrocs]

Watched your 2022 Top 10 and wow did things change especially for the latter half. I'm betting if John Gwynne ends Bloodsword trilogy 5/5 it'll return to the top 10.

[@MattsFantasyBookReviews]

Yeah I should have compared the two lists. I'll do that next year!

[@anthonyldaniel1]

Haha I just found it funny the first patron is Anthony and then the second is Daniel. It's just me I'm sure cause it's both my first and last name

[@lucagianchino6404]

John Gwynne in the Heart! ❤😊

[@MattsFantasyBookReviews]

He's such an incredible writer!

[@Thefantasybookwarrior]

Broken binding is dropping Malazan books in 2024. Shit myself a little. Finally someone might produce some new hardcovers that are realistic fro most of the fan base to obtain.

[@MattsFantasyBookReviews]

Oh wow I hadn't heard that before. Great news!

[@turdferguson5793]

His name is Steven Pacey.

[@MattsFantasyBookReviews]

I always forget it for some reason!

[@johnsparegrave5996]

Oh I loved game of thrones, such a great series!

[@MattsFantasyBookReviews]

100%!

[@hanak69]

In my opinion, but yeah just my opinion. You cannot put a serie in, that is not finisched yet. :) But thanks for the video, have seen some titles that I will have to check sometimes.

[@RogalDorn-xt9hu]

The first Malazan book was pure torture for me.

[@joshwahls860]

Malazan is beyond words good.

[@Scissors3259]

King Killer Chronicles.... Even if I will probably never get to read the third book