Thefantasygenre is known for its epic and lengthy works, with many famous and popular book series including many installments and long page counts. While this can be intimidating and make it difficult for newcomers to the genre to engage with these projects, many novels are much less scary than they seem. Heavy world-building and complex magic systems might seem prohibitive. However,these authors balance the exposition with exciting action sequences and character development,ensuring the reader cares deeply about the narrative. When the audience is concerned with the protagonist’s ups and downs, the story moves quickly.
Many of these works are the start oflengthy fantasy book series worth committing to, as they take the reader on an unforgettable saga of magic and mystery. Within a well-crafted fantasy world, the possibilities are endless for new characters and corners of the story to come to life. Though it takes some time to read these books, the payoff is well worth it, creating a satisfying conclusion that will stay with you for a long time.These books are told from various perspectives in vivid fantasy universes,making them worth exploring, even if they’re on the longer side.
10The Way Of Kings (2010)
Written by Brandon Sanderson
Within the modern fantasy genre,few authors are as well known as Brandon Sanderson, the author behindThe Stormlight Archiveseriesand theMistbornsaga. While both of these projects have been long-running labors of love for the author, this has ensured that every installment of the series is as carefully crafted and intricate as the first installment.The Way of Kings, Sanderson’s premiere work inThe Stormlight Archive, makes it impossible not to keep exploring the world ofCosmere.
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The latest book inThe Stormlight Archive,Wind and Truth, hit shelves in late 2024 and successfully expanded upon many long-running theories and questions that Sanderson introduced early on.There’s no question that it can be difficult to keep track of the many threads of Sanderson’s storyand that there’s a lot of information to be absorbed within the narrative. However, once you understand how the magic system and religions work in relation to the characters, it gets a lot easier to enjoyThe Stormlight Archive.
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9The Eye Of The World (1990)
Written by Robert Jordan
The Wheel of Timeis known for being anambitious fantasy book series that really pays off, as even though there are 14 total books in the primary continuation, the story flies by. Beginning in 1990 withThe Eye of the World,The Wheel of Timedraws from the long tradition of high fantasy novels likeLord of the Ringsand doesn’t shy away from creating a world that takes some time to understand. However, once you’re fully entrenched inThe Eye of the World,it’s easy to see why people stick with the series until the end.
Prime Video’s recent adaptation of Jordan’s work brings the iconic series to life onscreen,and though the show is moving quickly, it still has a lot of ground to cover if it’s going to tackle all the novels. While it would be exciting to see all the books' stories in the show, the best way to experience Jordan’s narrative is to read the books. For readers looking to get into an older, expansive fantasy series that’s been highly influential in the genre,The Wheel of Timeis a great place to start.
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8Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell (2004)
Written by Susanna Clarke
Susanna Clarke is a unique voice in contemporary fantasy, andher debut work,Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell, demonstrates her offbeat but enthralling style.The book is a historical fantasy set in an alternative version of 19th-century England, where magic has recently been revived. Both of the titular characters have access to the magic source of the universe and embark on a journey of bringing magic back to the world, but the many unknown quirks and secrets of their powers complicate their lives and the story.
Though the premise seems straightforward, it’s a surprisingly dense text that winds a complex narrative, slowly revealing how all the pieces come together.
The screen adaptation ofJonathan Strange & Mr Norellis anoverlooked miniseries that deserves more love, as it demonstrates a clear understanding of the tone and visual language within Clarke’s work. Though the premise seems straightforward, it’s a surprisingly dense text that winds a complex narrative, slowly revealing how all the pieces come together. In the midst of the twisting story, Clarke’s characters keep the readers on the edge of their seats. We wonder if these magicians will save the day and recover the happiness they crave.
2004
7The Lies Of Lock Lamora (2006)
Written by Scott Lynch
Readers are still waiting for Scott Lynch’s next installment of theGentleman Bastardseries, which has been in development since the last book came out. However, revisiting the first novel,The Lies of Locke Lamora, is a great reminder of why we can’t stop reading Lynch’s work.Locke is an incredible protagonist with enough roguish charmto convince anyone of his point of view. Though he’s a driving force behind the narrative inThe Lies of Locke Lamora, it’s Locke’s relationships with his friends and allies that give the book an emotional punch.
Though the following books in theGentleman Bastardnovels aren’t quite as strong asThe Lies of Locke Lamora, they’re still worth diving into, as spending time with Locke never gets old. His intricate world of thieves and treachery never gets old, and while it’s daunting at first, you’ll never wantThe Lies of Locke Lamorato end.Getting lost in the streets with Locke is just as much fun as all the action and intrigueof the well-crafted plot.
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6A Darker Shade Of Magic (2015)
Written by V.E. Schwab
ThoughV.E. Schwab is best known for her 2020 novel,The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue,the author has strong roots within the fantasy genre, and theShades of Magictrilogy is a great example of why. Kell and Delilah are the dual protagonists ofA Darker Shade of Magic, which asks the audience to delve into a mystical world where there are different versions of reality stacked on top of each other. Set in London, Delilah’s reality has been sucked dry of magic, but Kell introduces her to a land unlike anything she’s ever known.
Full of brutal villains and bloody action,A Darker Shade of Magicis more violent and fast-paced than the reader might expect.
The rules and magic systems ofA Darker Shadeof Magicmight be the most intricate part of the series, but once you have a grasp of their idiosyncracies, the logic of Schwab’s work is clear. Full of brutal villains and bloody action,A Darker Shade of Magicis more violent and fast-paced than the reader might expect. Though it’s an adult fantasy novel, there are elements that make the work suitable for younger audiences, serving as a transitional book between niches of the genre.
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5Gideon The Ninth (2019)
Written by Tamsyn Muir
The unique voice and charming humor ofGideon the Ninthis what sets it apart from other recent works within the fantasy genre. Tamsyn Muir imbuesGideon the Ninthwith plenty of heart and comedic relief in the midst of a story that toes the line between horror and fantasy. Witha magic system based on death, sacrifice, and bloody battles,Gideon the Ninthboasts a tough titular protagonist. However, Gideon remains fiercely independent and refuses to capitulate to the empire, staying herself no matter what.
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ThoughGideon the Ninthis more emotionally wrought than the reader might realize at the beginning, the journey to understanding what happened to Gideon and how she arrived at her terrible fate never fails to be intriguing. The enemies-to-lover romance at the heart ofGideon the Ninthalso helps to buoy the reader through the darker moments of the text, encouraging the audience to enjoy the brief moments of connection and compassion. AsThe Locked Tombseries progresses,the various protagonists and voices of the story shine.
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4Malice (2012)
Written by John Gwynne
Malicebegins similarly to the epics of the fantasy genre, but John Gwynne’s series quickly proves itself to be an originalall of its own. The protagonist, Corban, doesn’t have an easy life, and the catalyst for his unforgettable journey isn’t easy to read. However, it does ignite a spark of passion and courage inside Corban that he’ll need as he navigates the twists and turns Gwynne crafts throughoutMaliceand the entireThe Faithful and the Fallenseries.
When you first pick upMalice, the sheer amount of information and characters can be daunting.
With four total books,The Faithful and the Fallenisn’t the longest fantasy series out there, but Gwynne doesn’t hesitate to push the reader to their limits throughout the novels. However, it’s the emotional impact of the story that makes it taxing, not the writing itself. When you first pick upMalice, the sheer amount of information and characters can be daunting. Fortunately, the most significant figures become apparent, and Corban’s journey as a character is easy to follow.
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3The Bone Shard Daughter (2020)
Written by Andrea Stewart
The Bone Shard Daughteris agreat fantasy book with a setting not based on Western Europeand a stunning debut from the author, Andrea Stewart. The first book inThe Drowning Empireseries chronicles several perspectives but primarily focuses on Lin, the young heir to the throne who’s forced to develop her magic and power to be considered the rightful ruler. Set on a group of islands,The Bone Shard Daughterweaves together the stories of people living in different corners of the empireand uses sea-faring imagery to engage the audience.
Lin is the titular daughter who learns to use bone shard magic, but she isn’t aware of some of the terrible secrets and brutal costs of running the empire. Though multiple points of view can sometimes confuse a narrative, Stewart doesn’t have this problem inThe Bone Shard Daughter, and the breaks in the action help the reader navigate the longer story. As the series progresses,The Drowning Empiregrapples with the faults of a massive kingdom and touches upon the many perspectives of those who oppose Lin.
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2The Unbroken (2021)
Written by C.L. Clark
C.L. Clark’sMagic of the Lostseries is an underrated addition to the high fantasy canon, with intricate protagonists and a vivid world you can’t help falling into. Following the intertwined journeys of Touraine and Luca,The Unbrokensoftens its intense narrative of warfare and colonialism with a touch of romance that keeps the reader engaged with the relationships between characters. Though it’s on the longer side,The Unbrokentakes its time setting up the action, creating an approachable piece of fiction.
Even as they grow and change, Touraine and Luca are great characters who make the audience want to see the story through to the end.
As the book progresses, the pace quickens and the reader is able to move alongside the characters as the stakes and tension grow with every page. Clark’s sequel,The Faithless, deftly executes the next phase of the story, introducing new challenges for Touraine and Luca as they get what they thought they wanted, but it turns out to be more complicated than they knew. Even as they grow and change, Touraine and Luca are great characters who make the audience want to see the story through to the end.
1The Name Of The Wind (2007)
Written by Patrick Rothfuss
Patrick Rothfuss quickly cemented himself as a contemporary fantasy writer to watch withThe Name of the Wind, the first installment ofThe Kingkiller Chronicle. From the start,Rothfuss lets you know thatThe Kingkiller Chroniclewill tell the entire story of its protagonist, Kvothe,from his early years as a bard to his eventual assassination of the titular king. It’s a long and winding journey, and Rothfuss has yet to publish the highly anticipated final installment, but it’s impossible not to get sucked into the story’s magic.
The Name of the Windis on par with the classics of thefantasygenre in terms of world-building and magic systems, establishing a complex web of characters and kingdoms to keep track of. However,The Name of the Windis well-paced and subtly reminds the reader of important information, ensuring they have all the necessary context to understand every phase of Kvothe’s journey. By the end ofThe Name of the Wind, the audience isn’t just interested in finding out what happens next but is desperate to know.
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