How to think about “best” in a fantasy series
“Best” can mean the most influential, the most popular, the best written, or simply the one you will enjoy most. Lists on other sites usually blend these. This guide groups series by style and says plainly whether each is finished, because few things frustrate readers more than a story that stops without an ending.
Status notes below reflect what we are confident about as of writing. Publishing plans change, so check an author’s official site for the latest on any ongoing series.
Quick comparison
| Series | Author | Style | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Lord of the Rings | J.R.R. Tolkien | Classic epic | Complete |
| The Wheel of Time | Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson | Long epic | Complete |
| Earthsea | Ursula K. Le Guin | Classic, reflective | Complete |
| A Song of Ice and Fire | George R.R. Martin | Gritty, political | Unfinished |
| The First Law | Joe Abercrombie | Grimdark, character-led | First trilogy complete, with further books in the world |
| Malazan Book of the Fallen | Steven Erikson | Dense, military epic | Complete |
| Mistborn | Brandon Sanderson | Magic-system focused | First trilogy complete, with further books |
| The Stormlight Archive | Brandon Sanderson | Epic, ongoing | Ongoing |
| The Broken Earth | N.K. Jemisin | Science-fantasy, literary | Complete trilogy |
| The Kingkiller Chronicle | Patrick Rothfuss | Lyrical, framed story | Unfinished |
Classic and epic fantasy
The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien is the usual answer to “greatest of all time”, and it remains a foundation for the genre: a quest, an invented world with deep history, and a struggle between good and evil. Be prepared for a slower, more formal style than many modern novels. It is technically a single novel published in three volumes.
The Wheel of Time by Robert Jordan is a fourteen-book main series. Jordan died in 2007, and Brandon Sanderson completed the final volumes using Jordan’s notes. Readers praise its scale and its distinctive magic and cultures, though many say the middle books are slow. It is a long commitment.
Earthsea by Ursula K. Le Guin begins with A Wizard of Earthsea. It is far shorter than most epics and focuses on themes of balance and responsibility.
Gritty and morally complex fantasy
A Song of Ice and Fire by George R.R. Martin begins with A Game of Thrones. It is known for political maneuvering, shifting viewpoints, and major characters who can die suddenly. It is not finished, and the author has not released the remaining planned volumes, so start only if you are comfortable with that.
The First Law trilogy by Joe Abercrombie, beginning with The Blade Itself, is a cynical, darkly funny take on traditional fantasy. Many readers find it a more manageable length than other gritty sagas. The author has also written further novels and short story collections in the same world.
Malazan Book of the Fallen by Steven Erikson is a ten-novel series with a reputation for density. It drops readers into the middle of events with little hand-holding. It rewards patience but is not an easy first series.
Modern magic and worldbuilding
Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson starts with The Final Empire, set in a world where the dark lord already won. The metal-based magic system is built on clear rules, which many readers enjoy. The first trilogy is complete, and more books are set later in the same world.
The Stormlight Archive, also by Sanderson, begins with The Way of Kings. It is an ongoing series with very long volumes, planned as a larger story. It is popular, but it is not yet finished.
The Broken Earth trilogy by N.K. Jemisin, beginning with The Fifth Season, is a complete trilogy set on a world of violent upheavals. Each of the three books won the Hugo Award for Best Novel. It has heavy themes and an unusual narrative structure.
Character-driven and humorous series
The Realm of the Elderlings by Robin Hobb, starting with Assassin’s Apprentice, is known for intimate, emotionally intense storytelling that follows characters over many years. The books are grouped into several linked sub-series.
Discworld by Terry Pratchett is a long comic fantasy series that is easy to enter at several points, since many books stand alone or belong to smaller story strands. It uses humor to examine real-world ideas. Its witches are covered in our list of witch book series for adults.
Best finished fantasy series
If you want a guaranteed ending, these are good candidates:
- The Lord of the Rings, complete.
- The Wheel of Time, complete, but 14 main volumes.
- Earthsea, complete and comparatively short.
- The Broken Earth, a complete trilogy.
- Malazan Book of the Fallen, complete, for patient readers.
- The first Mistborn trilogy, which concludes a full arc.
- The First Law trilogy, which concludes its core arc.
Series to start with caution
A Song of Ice and Fire and The Kingkiller Chronicle are both unfinished as of writing. The Stormlight Archive is ongoing but actively published. None of these is a bad choice, but you should go in knowing the ending is not available yet.
Best fantasy series right now
“Right now” shifts as new books come out, so a fixed answer would age quickly. Series that readers and bloggers frequently discuss include the Stormlight Archive and Mistborn from Sanderson, plus new releases in established worlds. For genuinely current picks, check recent bestseller lists, awards, and your local library’s new-release shelves.
Which fantasy series is the greatest of all time?
Most lists put The Lord of the Rings first because of its influence, with The Wheel of Time, A Song of Ice and Fire, Earthsea, and others close behind. Popularity and quality are not the same thing, so treat “greatest” as a conversation, not a verdict.
How to pick your first series
- Decide your tolerance for length. A trilogy is a different commitment than fourteen volumes.
- Choose between finished and ongoing.
- Match the tone: classic, gritty, magic-focused, or character-led.
- Try a standalone by the same author first if one exists.
For help matching a book to your mood, read what makes a good fantasy book. If you are newer to the genre and want a map of subgenres, our guide to fantasy stories for adults gives an overview.