You Don't Love Fantasy If You Haven't Read These Standalones

These 25 fantasy standalones are considered the best, must-reads, modern classics that you can't miss! Throughout the video I will be sharing the top 25 books from the Fantasy subreddit "top standalones books 2024" .. And I would like to present you a challenge, let's count how many of these books have you read! How many points do you accumulate!
The rules are simple, 2 points for a series that you've read (if it's very long and you've read more than half, let's count it)! and 1 point if you either own the series or you've read the first book!
Note that you will find some sci-fi books also present in this list, but it's definitely a minority!
🪶 Thank you so much to my Patreons! Your support means the world to me. If you want to join us and enjoy our monthly book club, game nights, and reading sprints, check it out here: / funfantasybooks
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📜 Original Reddit post with the complete 100 books: www.reddit.com/r/Fantasy/comm...
Timestamps:
00:00 Challenge!
00:40 Top 25
01:37 Top 24
02:32 Top 23
03:50 Top 22
05:12 Top 21
06:33 Top 20
07:52 Top 19
08:57 Top 18
10:17 Top 17
11:00 Top 16
11:59 Top 15
12:57 Top 14
14:04 Top 13
15:04 Top 12
15:59 Top 11
16:14 Top 10
17:42 Top 9
18:30 Top 8
19:48 Top 7
20:47 Top 6
21:33 Top 5
22:30 Top 4
24:02 Top 3
25:01 Top 2
25:44 Top 1
27:44 Thank you for 15K!

[@caitlinl2750]

45!!🎉🎉🎉library of mount char is on my tbr!

[@FunFantasyBooks]

Oh wow!!! That is absolutely incredible! Well done!!

[@alusarmiento]

Ok, The Sword of Kaigen: no pressure, but pressure. NOW: The Hobbit: no pressure, but pressure!!!

[@FunFantasyBooks]

Hahahahaha I know!!! But yes! No pressure but pressure!!

[@binglamb2176]

Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell was a 5⭐read for me. It is so clever and mesmerizing. Invest the time and you will be amply rewarded!

[@FunFantasyBooks]

Yeah?? Oh yay!!! I will pick it up then, I need to stop being scared about it haha

[@nathancroft]

I adored Piranesi but I really really did not get along with JS&MN. I had to force myself to finish it.

[@TheUkuleleFool]

I am adding so many books to my shopping list. I love supporting you on Patreon. You give so much to your supporters.

[@FunFantasyBooks]

Ahh Lisa! You are the best! Thank you so much for everything 💕

[@zem_fm]

17 points for me, that's a lot better than I did on the series video, and only 3 points are from unread books on my TBR! I'm super late so at this point I can say congrats for 15.5K, you go girl!

[@Knighthawk92]

Fun video. I scored 17 points, which majority are books I have and are on my TBR. You inspired me to try get to some of these quicker, so thanks for that. :)

[@FunFantasyBooks]

Yesss!!! I am so happy to read that!! It brightens my day!!

[@danlupo4665]

Only 17 for me! I'm not super surprised as I tend to gravitate toward series vs standalone - but definitely have a bunch of these on my tbr now!

[@spoorthisudini9173]

Love your recommendations!

[@FunFantasyBooks]

Thank you so much! That makes me happy!!

[@mckenzie1603]

I got 17 points! I few of these I’ve never heard of so I will definitely be adding them to my tbr!

[@FunFantasyBooks]

Solid rating!!!

[@CarolineMolyneux4491]

12 points! Even lower than I thought I'd get. That really wasn't the list I was expecting!

[@FunFantasyBooks]

Hahaha likewise!! 🥲!! Although I added a lot to my TBR!!

[@redqueen4944]

Hi, I love your videos and recommendations, they are amazing. I just wanted to ask do you read sci-fi? I love guardians of the galaxy and I am looking for books that resemble them that have a beautiful well written found family, a good romance subplot, characters with heartbreaking stories, misunderstood villains and pure villains who enjoy hurting others. Ever since I watched GOTG I was looking for recommendations like it. Thank you ❤

[@LeeAnnaRoseReads]

Hey Isa!! I just started my Booktube channel, and I am so excited to be a part of this community!! Any tips and tricks??

[@Lothric.Knight]

Yea, post videos lol

[@Sarcasma100]

I scored 36 and it was a bummer that the Lions of Al-Rassan barely got a mention. I am a sucker for stories about divided loyalties and this one has it in spades. It's my favorite standalone. I'm also surprised A Song for Arbonne didn't make the list. Guy Kay is the master of standalones in my opinion. I didn't enjoy Piranesi, but I read it in Spanish and may have lost something in the translation.

[@cindywitte5052]

I got 15 points. A lot of these are on my TBR. I loved ' 'The Goblin Emperor '

[@FunFantasyBooks]

Well done!! Ahh I need the Goblin Emperor another try!!

[@vickilimbocker2505]

Sword of Kaigen is one of my favorites just brilliant.

[@T-Flow79]

17! I got a lot of reading to do! Three of these I have acquired, but have yet to read (they are on my 2024 thr list though!)

[@FunFantasyBooks]

Haha then that counts!! I hope you enjoy those books!!

[@dorkwithstyle73]

I got 17, plus many more added to the TBR

[@Dugrath]

The library at mount char is one of the best books I've ever read. an easy 5/5. One of my bookclub books that I chose is This is how you lose the time war and I'm excited about starting it. A different bookclub, we are reading Sword of Kaigen and I'm pumped to get into it finally. Piranesi I'm reading right now...and I honestly am halfway through the book and I really am not enjoying it, but I'm waiting to finish it to give it any final rating.

[@DoctorL444]

Anyone else loving Piranesi? I'm so intrigued by the House and the main character's unique perspective.

[@ladansemakabre]

not really into standalones but Piranesi is so good! glad it's so loved

[@FunFantasyBooks]

Absolutely agree!! So happy Piranesi is getting love!!

[@OnlyTheBestFantasyNovels]

37 pts! And I've read 48 of the 62 on the shortlist. Given how many SF picks there are listed there, I'm surprised it's that much in both cases. I have Project Hail Mary but haven't gotten around to it yet. Some of their picks are definitely parts of series, ha.

[@FunFantasyBooks]

37 points!!! Amazing!! 👏! Oh man, you need to read Project Hail Mary! It is such a great book!

[@OnlyTheBestFantasyNovels]

@@FunFantasyBooks I really do, waiting to be in the mood for SF so I can enjoy it as much as possible!

[@deadpoolm]

liked the list read most of these books and loved them, don't understand the love for sword of kaigan, but maybe i should give it a 2nd chance becase i think i am 1/3 in and it is indeed very very slow

[@ellyra412]

22 ! I didn't know what to do with the 2 books that I tried and DnFed so I counted 1 point for each. I found it funny that they are both on the top 3

[@JeantheSecond-ip7qm]

I got 14. I’m calling that a respectable score considering I lean more towards horror and science fiction these days.

[@laku_u]

31 points for me! I had to check that Guns of The Dawn was included somewhere in the complete list, and it is, just barely, so I can rest happily. I was shocked the most to see Emperor's Souls so low and The Hobbit beaten by Piranesi, though I'm curious if it will last past the recency bias in future years' lists.

[@FunFantasyBooks]

31 points!!! EXCUSE ME MISS! How outstanding!! Well done! 👏! Particularly i don’t believe Piranesi will keep its place, but only time will tell! 🔮

[@Micmezle]

well, I cheated a little bit and gave myself a half point if it's a book I plan on borrowing on Libby or KU, and with those I got a whole 8 points!!! :p There was a few books mentioned that I'm curious about but I'm not sure if I will read them.

[@FunFantasyBooks]

Haha that’s fair!! Honestly I believe we should give us half points if it’s on our close TBR!! Will change the rules for the future 🌝

[@Kialas]

I have read 3 of those 😂 But dnf many with intention to pick them up later. As many library books. 2 weeks is just so short time.

[@FunFantasyBooks]

Haha I agree 2 weeks is very short!!

[@CleverClarkCreations]

6points and a huge list to read!

[@FunFantasyBooks]

That’s awesome!!!

[@emilydoll6824]

My opinion on Uprooted (DNF'ed ~90%): I wish I could get the part of my life back that I spent reading it. The ML is abusive, the FL is unlikeable, the plot is stale, the love scene was random, and I just didn't care anymore. I only read as much as I did bc it is hard for me to DNF books and I literally forced myself to continue reading until I couldn't take it anymore. Sad but true. On a more positive note, thank you for your videos/ recommendations! They're great!

[@FunFantasyBooks]

Hahaha so sorry to read it was such a bad read! That’s precisely why I haven’t picked it up 🙈. Those comments scare me 👀

[@emilydoll6824]

@@FunFantasyBooks lol you are better off never even glancing at it!

[@miyayume_eclectic_dream]

I love to see how our tastes in books aline AND then suddenly don't. I love Goblin Emperor 🥰 It is 7✨️ out of 5. Yes, I am aware the math is not being done correctly.

[@liezllovesbooks]

I loved the sword of Kaigen the audiobook is amazing

[@SilverScribe85]

I've read BOTH American Gods and Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman (and love both books immensely)

[@FunFantasyBooks]

Ahhh!!! Should I read American Gods then!!

[@SilverScribe85]

@@FunFantasyBooks Already did and the ending left me wanting MORE

[@Frostbite33]

Just FYI, “Top 25” refers to the entire list of 25 things together. If you are referring to a single item from the list, then you say “number 21” or “number 7”. If you say “top 21” or “top 7” it sounds like you are referring to all 21 or all 7 items at the same time. If you say “number 21” then you are talking about the single item that is number 21 on the list. It’s a minor thing but I wanted to mention it in case you make another video like this. It’s a great video and lots of books for me to look into!

[@FunFantasyBooks]

Thank you for letting me know! Always here to improve! So happy you enjoyed the video!

[@Frostbite33]

@@FunFantasyBooks Watched the rest and you started saying “position number x” later on which is perfectly fine too! I think you only said the other way a couple times.

[@gigglingchicken8444]

I dont own any books so I am at a major disadvantage here. But if I havent read them most are on my tbr list!

[@FunFantasyBooks]

That SHOULD count!!! TBR at least gives us half a point!

[@SimplementInefable]

26! I think I scored higher than for the series one!

[@kellycolby222]

Only read two, so four points for me. That's pretty sad. I'd read The Hobbit and American Gods. I'm definitely more of a genre series reader. The things you learn about yourself.

[@FunFantasyBooks]

Hahaha it is not sad at all!! Standalones are definitely not that known / usually recommended! If it’s any consolation I truly thought I was going to make more points lol

[@zachreads]

I got 23 points, they should really limit it to 1 book per author.

[@Mxe00.]

Have you read Voyagers of hell. You must try it if you want to read something original in fantasy genre.

[@FunFantasyBooks]

I haven’t!! Thank you for the recommendation!!

[@alusarmiento]

Lol, can I add points if I've been meaning to read them/buy them? hahaha

[@FunFantasyBooks]

Hahaha I feel at least half a point should be given if it’s in our close TBR

[@bobkeane7966]

I got 12 points, always like a challenge.

[@FunFantasyBooks]

That’s a solid scoring! Congrats!!

[@CarolineMolyneux4491]

Got the same and consider myself fairly well-read in the fantasy genre. Must say, I prefer a longer series, preferably with big, chunky books, over a standalone!

[@bobkeane7966]

@@CarolineMolyneux4491 Some of my favorites on this list were the science fiction. I think sci-fi developes ideas and doesn't lend it self to the sequels as well as the fantasies that build worlds and characters to drive the stories.

[@CarolineMolyneux4491]

@@bobkeane7966 Yeah, that's a good point. So, er Isa love, we're gonna need a different list!!

[@twiceborn_by_grace]

You talking about Kindred made me think of when I was a kid. I had always wanted to grow up in the 1950-60s. And now that I’m an adult, I have rethought that. Since I’m biracial, my white mom also would have been threatened, beaten and/or killed.

[@sumanpani]

You have to read American Gods Isa. It is amazing

[@FunFantasyBooks]

Ahhh really!!!! I am so happy you are saying this to me Suman haha I don’t believe I would have picked up American Gods otherwise!

[@theethicalostrich1388]

Comments on 3 books you haven't read yet. The Hobbit, Jonathon Strange and Mr Norrel, and The Curse of Challion. 1) Jonathon Strange and Mr Norrel is not on my top 25 stand alone list. I read it. It was good enough to finish and I enjoyed the majority of it, but I will never reread it. Anything in a top 25 least needs to be worthy of multiple rereads. 2) The Curse of Challion. I have read this book twice now and will likely read it at least a couple more times. I would definitely recommend it. It absolutely belongs on this list. It is not hard to read. The main character is one of my favorites. 3) The Hobbit. Shame on you for not reading this. I have read it at least 7 times. When you do read it, don't expect a "Lord of the Rings" type experience. The Hobbit isn't some grand sweeping fantasy epoch where the fate of the world is on the line. It is more of light hearted jaunt mixed with a coming of age story. There is still plenty of danger and adventure, but is more of a fun read than some a dramatically epic one. This is one book that absolutely deserves its spot at or near the top of the list.

[@FunFantasyBooks]

Ahh thank you so much for sharing your thoughts here! I really appreciate the feedback!! Will then prioritize Hobbit and Curse of Chalion!!

[@theethicalostrich1388]

Books from this list that I DNFd or are overrated: Uprooted, Left hand of Darkness, and Good Omens. 1) Uprooted. It was an OK read, but when my digital copy was automatically returned to the library, I never bothered checking it out again to finish. I have read several other Naomi Novik books that I liked better. While I wouldn't put them on this list either, I did enjoy them more and actually finished them. 2) The Left hand of Darkness. I am an Ursula K Leguin fan. That being said, this is (at least my opinion) not her best work. It is not even in her top 10. It is still a good read, but many of her other novels would deserve this spot more. 3) Good Omens. This might deserve a spot here. It was just bad timing for me. My digital loan ran out and there was a 4 week wait time to check it out again. I just moved on to other books. It was an good book, it just failed to completely capture me like a top 25 book probably should. I will definitely get back to it in the future though.

[@miyayume_eclectic_dream]

I love Uprooted. Finished it and after I didn't want to read a new book for a week. The blurb of Spinning Silver has not had any effect on me so I never pick it up. I like how tropes are presented and than turned upside down. SPOILER follows.... . . . Pretty early in the book you have one somewhat graphic [and controversial] low spicy scene and still early in the books first third you are confronted with the fact that the dashing prince is [of-page] a rapist... sure reason to dnf the book. I was like " ...- - - oo oo oook let see..." But if you read 80% and gave up on the book...I really don't understand 🤷‍♀️

[@tiananesbitt7156]

😂30 points🎉❤

[@marcus4008]

That's such a youtube title, come on.

[@NatalyaVins-blueflower775]

If DNFs count I got 15 points. I was more than 50 % into Spinning Silver when I decided to DNF.

[@FunFantasyBooks]

It definitely counts! So sad to read Spinning Silver wasn’t for you! But well done for DNF’ing!!

[@zachreads]

I gave American Gods 0☆!

[@wolfme4030]

Unsurprisingly a solidly bad score of 13 😂

[@FunFantasyBooks]

Hahaha it is NOT a bad score!! Hopefully you found good books to add to your TBR!

[@wolfme4030]

I was joking about the bad score, but I have started reading The Sword of Kaigen which was a one pointer for me. Thanks for the vid btw.

[@user-kj8yl6sn2z]

I advise you to read the Qur’an. It is the most read book in the world and is read five times a day by a quarter of the world’s population. You will find many answers to your questions that you did not find an answer to in the Qur’an

[@Eluarelon]

You don't love fantasy if you try to tell other readers what they need to have read before they can call themselves a real fantasy lover. I was a fantasy lover when most books on that list still had to be written yet and putting such stupid titles on your videos just makes me block your channel.