Have you ever thought about writing your own fantasy novel? one of the best things you can do is take inspiration from others and get to know your gender. So without further ado, here’s our pick for the 25 best fantasy books ever written.
You are reading: Really good fantasy books
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1. game of thrones george r. r. martin
This fantasy book’s popularity has skyrocketed in recent years, so what list wouldn’t include game of thrones as one of the best fantasy series? If you like multiple, intricate stories, a cast of characters where no one is safe from death, and a world full of lords, knights, bastards, wizards, ladies, and more, then you’ll like this series. it has magic, intrigue, mystery and a lot of romance; in essence, a world unlike any other you have ever known. While the film adaptation has sparked a lot of conversation, the series itself is hands down one of our picks for best fantasy books.
2. the fellowship of the ring by j. r. r. tolkien
One ring rules them all. the dark lord put all his powers into a ring that was taken from him. After years in Middle Earth, Bilbo Baggins ends up with the ring. after turning eleven and one, he disappears and the ring becomes the property of frodo, his cousin. Thus begins the epic quest to destroy the ring and all it stands for.
3. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe from c. yes louis
the land where children come out of the closet, a secret country where only lucy, peter, susan and edmund know each other. Lucy finds him first, followed by Edmund and the others. there they discover magic and aslan, the great lion. and he changes their lives forever. If she is trying to inspire a sense of wonder in her children, then this is one of the best fantasy books to introduce them to.
4. the color of magic by terry pratchett
What if characters in a fantasy world grew up to find they had modern anxieties and problems? what would be the best job for a troll in the city? The Color of Magic explores the answers to questions everyone has but is afraid to ask about fantasy heroes.
5. assassin’s apprentice by robin hobb
fitz is born a bastard of royal blood with a magical bond with animals called wit. When he is finally adopted into the royal house, he must give up his bond with animals and adopt a new way of life and being: he trains to become a royal assassin. assassin’s apprentice has complex characters and an excellent plot; making it one of the best fantasy novels for adults.
6. the lies of locke lamora by scott lynch
Set in a fantasy world of criminals and nobles, The Lies of Locke Lamora is a guide to adventure, loyalty, and survival along the lines of Robin Hood and Ocean’s Eleven. Locke Lamora dodges death, slavery, and more only to fall into the hands of a con man known as Chains.
7. the name of the wind by patrick rothfuss
A coming-of-age story in a fantasy world, The Name of the Wind tells the story of a young man who grows up to become a notorious wizard. With beginnings beginning in a company of traveling gamers, Kvothe eventually enters a school of magic. lots of action and adventure make kvothe a wanted fugitive for murder.
8. flight of the dragon by anne mccaffrey
goodreads description begins: “how can one girl save an entire world?” Lessa, who is thought of by most as an inconsequential cook, determines that it is time to reclaim her birthright stolen from her. but she then meets the dragon queen, forming a fast and strong bond. the dragons and their riders must protect the planet thread, but at what cost?
9. robert jordan’s eye of the world
As the wheel of time continues to turn, the ages come and go leaving behind legends that fade into myths, long forgotten. it is not until the third age, the age of prophecy, that the world and time are balanced. now, what was, what is and what will be can fall under the shadow.
10. the blade itself by joe abercrombie
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abercrombie combines an unlikely cast of characters: a philosophical barbarian who hates to kill, a handsome hero who fears to fight, and a crippled torturer with a heart of gold. This unlikely cast, along with an engaging plot and wizard, draws a line between hero and villain that could cost them everything.
11. the way of kings by brandon sanderson
an epic fantasy where mystical swords and armor transform ordinary men into invincible warriors, win kingdoms and trade for shardblades. An interesting cast of characters from across the fantasy world fight their own battles, sometimes with less than pure motives.
12. gardens of the moon by steven erikson
The fantasy world of Malazan is filled with discontent thanks to countless wars, bitter infighting and bloody clashes. Empress Laseen’s Imperial legions, believed to be accustomed to bloodshed, seek a break. but his rule is absolute, enforced by his feared clawed assassins. As the empress leads her siege into new battles, the gods themselves prepare for a little interference.
why are these books so successful?
We’re halfway down our list of the best fantasy books of all time, but why are these books so good?
all the books on this list fully immerse the reader in their stories. its plots are by no means simple, but they are written in a way that allows its readers to delve into new and complex worlds without overwhelming them with information.
This may sound easy, but it takes a lot of work to produce fancy writing that works. If you have a whole world in your head waiting to spill out onto the page, you may have thought about writing a fantasy book. if you build a world that readers can’t help but want to enter, maybe one day that book will be one of the best fantasy books of all time.
Before we get there though, your writing has to be fantastic. Using an editing tool like ProwritingAid will help you learn as you write, teaching you how to make your writing readable, well-paced, and of course grammatically correct.
Did you know that your pacing can have a huge impact on readability? You may have every detail of your world mapped out, right down to the types of forks each character uses at dinner, but does your reader need to know all the details at once?
prowritingaid’s pacing report will highlight areas where your writing is a little too introspective or too descriptive, so you can balance it out with some action. Being able to see an overview of your writing allows you to keep track of your novel as a whole to make sure each part is doing the work it needs to put your world in your readers’ heads.
Even if you’re not writing fantasy novels, you can use prowritingaid to check all the writing you produce to make sure your written communication is as effective as possible.
Now back to the list!
13. stephen king’s gunslinger
roland deschain from gilead is the ultimate gunslinger. he is a mysterious figure on a quest through a desolate fantasy world in search of the man in black. Roland is a good man, but he leaves death in his wake. the man in black, on the other hand, can bring the dead back to life.
14. A Wizard from Earthsea by Ursula K. the script
ged is the greatest sorcerer in all the sea, but in his youth he was called a sparrowhawk. It was like a hawk that the terrible shadow was released on the world. Ged must master the mighty word of power, tame an ancient dragon, and cross the threshold of death to restore balance to his world.
15. jonathan strange and mr. norrell by susana clarke
over 800 world building pages, jonathan strange and mr. Norrell tells the story of English wizards who have lost their ability to perform magic. that is, until a lone wizard regains some powers. he is soon sued for his powers and all is well until a rival wizard appears: jonathan strange.
16. philip pullman’s golden compass
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lyra runs to the cold north where clans of witches and armored bears rule, and where children are taken by wolverines, including her friend roger. Lyra’s fearsome uncle Asriel is trying to build a bridge to a parallel world, but Lyra is a little girl. Will he be able to make a difference in this great and terrible endeavour?
17. eragon by christopher paolini
In a world where the king’s wickedness is unending, will Eragon and the fledgling dragon be able to navigate treacherous terrain and vast, dark enemies? Will eragon be able to resume the fight of the legendary dragon riders? Immersed in a world of fate, magic, and power, Eragon realizes that the fate of the empire may be in his hands.
18. the magician’s first rule by terry goodkind
The first in the Sword of Truth series, the wizard’s first rule begins with the murder of Richard Cypher’s father. Suddenly, a mysterious woman, Kahlan Amnell, appears in Richard’s woods. she needs help, and more. Will Richard find the courage to challenge those who hold sway?
19. the former and future king by t. h. white
Who doesn’t love the mystical and magical legend of King Arthur? In The Former and Future King, a young man named “Wart” comes under the tutelage of Merlyn the Wizard to create an amazing future. wart will ally himself with the greatest knights of the kingdom, he will love a legendary queen and unite a country under chivalric values. He will be Arthur, King of the Britons.
20. magician: apprentice of raymond e. fight
In the kingdom of islands, to the forest on the shore comes an orphan, pug, to study with the wizard, kulgan. he may have won the heart of the charming princess, but normal sorcery leaves him cold. however, his strange magic can save two worlds from dark beings who open space-time to start anew an old battle between order and chaos.
21. prince of thorns by mark lawrence
jorg ancrath, once a privileged royal boy raised by a loving mother, has become the prince of thorns, an immoral boy who leads a gang of outlaws. The entire fantasy world is in chaos, and Jorg can rule the living and the dead, but something even more horrible confronts him. he must face the horrors of his childhood and carve out a better future.
22. american gods by neil gaiman
With a cast of gods that are nearly finished, American Gods tells the story of power that rises and falls in the modern age. When the war with the modern gods erupts from his evil head, Shadow Moon meets Mr. wednesday, who claims to be a refugee, an ancient god, and the king of america.
23. the black company by glen cook
the black company was an influence on martin’s song of fire and ice and for that reference alone it deserves to be read. Is the newly risen lady the force that stands between humanity and evil, or is she herself evil? the stoic and hard men of the black company do their job until the prophecy is proven: the white rose has been reborn, embodying good once again.
24. nine princes in amber by roger zelazny
The only real world, amber, casts infinite shadow worlds upon itself that those with royal blood can manipulate. But when the royal family is torn apart by the disappearance of the patriarch Oberon, the crown is at stake and amnesia strikes Corwin, the crown prince of Amber, including the fact that he is the rightful heir to the throne.
25. Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone by J. k. paddle
A discussion of fantasy and fiction books would not be complete without the Harry Potter series by J. k. Remar Harry discovers that he has magical powers and is sent to Hogwarts Wizarding School to develop them. Once there, he discovers a secret object hidden in the castle walls, which Harry must prevent from falling into evil hands.
what are your best fantasy series?
so many other titles should be on the list but weren’t. what is your favorite fantasy novel that we left? Let us know in the comments below so we can get the final list up and running.
note: the links on this page are affiliate links, so if you purchase any of the books, you are supporting the evolution of prowritingaid at no additional cost to you. wow!
Do you want to see what novels are on our other lists?
- the best mystery novels of all time
- the best dystopian novels of all time
- the best science fiction novels of all time
- the best historical fiction novels of all time
- the best horror novels of all time
- the best suspense novels of all time
- the best romance novels of all time
Do you want to know how to build a world that your readers will not forget? download this book for free now:
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