THE LISTS
THE GUYS
Best Fantasy Books Reviewers

BEST EPIC FANTASY

THE RUNDOWN

It's a great time to be a fantasy reader. There is an incredible amount of solid fiction out there. Unfortunately, the latest "hot release" lists contain a lot of junk. Even worse is that it is not always fair to judge a book before you've read it from cover to cover, which means you have to invest some serious time that rarely pans out. We created this site to help you find the best fantasy books out there, while avoiding the stuff that has a tendency to give fantasy a bad name. Tastes play a big role in what you like, however. That's where our competing lists come in.

best books swords

Ryan and I have been like brothers since we met as kids. While we don't always have the same interests or views, we both share a love for reading, especially when it's fantasy. We've worked—and fenced—to provide you with two unique lists representing what we believe are the best fantasy books and series. There are no repeats our lists. We dueled for the "list rights" of our favourites.

And, as two lists aren't nearly as much fun without a little competition, there's a poll at the end so you can cast your vote for the one you prefer. You can also read more about us by clicking here, or keep scrolling to just get to the lists already.

THE LISTS
Chris Book Reviewer
Chris's Picks
Ryan Book Reviewer
Ryan's Picks
1

A Game of Thrones

A Game of Thrones

Fans and detractors alike use George R. R. Martin's incredible A Song of Ice and Fire as the measuring stick to compare all other modern fantasy, and when it comes to complex, intriguing characters and plot, all others fall short. If there is a criticism to be had of this series, it is that it can be long-winded. A book can go for hundreds of pages just building backstory or following arcs of characters that, depending on your personality, you just may not enjoy. But those who can stick it out, absorbing the tidbits of historical minutiae and enormous detail, will find themselves rewarded with some of the most shocking moments—sometimes heroic, but often gruesome—in the genre. The unfortunate side effect of this is that it can change you as a reader and make you expect more than many authors...

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1

Fellowship of the Ring

Fellowship of the Ring

Having been voted "The Greatest Book of the Millennium" chances are you are already familiar with this epic manuscript. J. R. R. Tolkien is the grandfather of fantasy as we know it, having invented many of the characteristics popularly associated with fictional races such as Elves, Dwarves, Halflings, and Orcs. Even if this wasn't such a great story (and it is) it would still be near the top of the list due to its sheer influence over the fantasy/high fantasy genre as a whole—not just literary, but games and movies as well. Tolkien himself is interesting to read about. With a background in the study of language, time spent in actual warfare, and a vast knowledge of mythology, he was the perfect mix of knowledge and creativity to give life to our favourite genre.

The story itself is appropriate...

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2

The Blade Itself

The Blade Itself

Joe Abercrombie's The Blade Itself is the beginning of an incredible read. As a single novel, it is not worthy of the rank 2 position, however, Abercrombie's subsequent works that occur within the universe invented in this debut are what earned this book its place.

Similar to Martin, Abercrombie has embraced the sort of conflicted characters that give great grimdark writing its depth and complexity. In stark contrast to series like The Wheel of Time, there is no ultimate evil that needs to be destroyed. Instead, there are unforgettable characters who struggle to make the correct decisions, living and dying by theirs and other's mistakes. If you like gritty action combined with harsh reality, this is a series you need to read. If you like things a bit more on the lighter side, maybe check...

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2

Wizard's First Rule

Wizard's First Rule

Terry Goodkind is a polarizing force in the fantasy world, so much so that I feel the need to defend this being so high on the list prior to receiving any criticism. To the people who do not like Goodkind, I will say this: whether or not you love this book is determined largely based on when you read it. I was one of the lucky ones. I read this book when I was still young. For me it served as a foundation for what our genre could be—an incredible adventure that can also delve into some grotesque violence complete with vivid descriptions. While I do not typically love reading that sort of thing, it serves a great purpose in this book, as it shows just how evil some characters can be. If you have not already been jaded by the typical tropes that the genre can deliver, this could be an incredible read...

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3

The Axe and the Throne

The Axe and the Throne

Blending the best of both complicated and reasonably (if not fast) paced fantasy, M. D. Ireman's The Axe and the Throne is an absolute killer that everyone needs in their collection. It is the start of Ireman's first series, Bounds of Redemption, which has the potential to move even higher on the list if future books continue to impress. This book will offend, frustrate, sadden, and shock you, and then it will reward you.

In the unnamed world that Ireman has created, characters that at first seem ordinary for the genre evolve to become truly epic. From viking-esque warriors, self-determining females, and scheming politicians, the cast is extensive and ultimately very unique—I say ultimately because you will definitely be tempted to think you know the moulds used for some,...

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3

The Name of the Wind

The Name of the Wind

Patrick Rothfuss exploded onto the scene quite recently with the first two books of the Kingkiller Chronicles. This story is probably the most well-rounded on the list, with something for everyone. Whether you love music, magic, engineering, language, romance, you will find it in The Name of the Wind.

Rothfuss is a master of poetic prose, and his characterization is excellent. Though he makes use of some clever tropes and hooks—introducing you to the reluctant hero in the beginning and making you wonder what has caused this man's huge shift in disposition—he does it so artfully that you cannot fault him for it. Another criticism is that the main female in the book is a bit, well, simplistic if not whorish. I don't agree. Rothfuss took a risk making her the way she is, and I don't think...

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4

Gardens of the Moon

Gardens of the Moon

Steven Erickson is an author who marches to the beat of his own drum. Whereas other authors may try to appeal to the widest audience by simplifying their tales for mass consumption, Erickson said, "F@#$ that, I'm writing exactly what I would want to read: a fearless epic with unbridled depth and complexity." Then, he did it.

The Gardens of the Moon is the start of a series that takes epic to another level. The Malazan Book of the Fallen follows a large cast of grey characters, ranging from normal men to demi-gods. These characters go through sensational trials, often being changed forever, and the sheer scale of the conflicts that take place is mind bending.

Some people have criticized the series for ending weakly, but I do not fully agree. This is dark fantasy with incredible realism, and with dark...

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4

The Eye of the World

The Eye of the World

Robert Jordan's The Wheel of Time series is one of the first true epic fantasies of the modern era. Similar to Goodkind's work, the time in your life that you read this series is important. It is not right to judge it against modern, more contemporary works, which so strongly borrow from and adapt the themes put forth in this very series (The Name of the Wind certainly does so), as it will make the series itself seem less inspired than it truly is. No one can deny, however, that Robert Jordan was a craftsman, who meticulously created an incredible world massive enough to house the enormity of this epic arc.

The Wheel of Time is part adventure, part coming of age, part Sword and Sorcery vs. pure evil, and altogether just powerful and legendary. With over a dozen books in the series, this is a lengthy one—too...

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5

The Magicians

The Magicians

Typically I do not go for books centered around school-attending protagonists, but Lev Grossman's The Magicians is a story of a different kind. Possibly best described as a hardcore Harry Potter (GRRM is quoted, "The Magicians is to Harry Potter as a shot of Irish whiskey is to a glass of weak tea") this story has incredible emotional depth that will leave you breathless at times.

Clearly, with an average rating on Amazon lower than any other book on this list, The Magicians is not for everyone. If you get frustrated when the main protagonist makes bad (albeit realistic) decisions, then you may want to look elsewhere for entertainment with a bit more cheer. If you love the sadness that can accompany true realism, however, make sure this book and the sequels are at the top of your pile.

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5

Mistborn

Mistborn

As readers of Brandon Sanderson have come to expect, Mistborn is packed with enough excitement to please any reader. This book sets up an awesome series which is constructed with grace and beauty. There are unique twists and plot points that make it stand out amongst other series that are merely retelling those same stories that appear higher on the list.

As one of the most prolific writers in the genre, Sanderson has become a true expert of exposition. The vivid setting comes alive with his words, and you get to follow characters who face progressively difficult challenges in action scenes that are top notch. There's no excess in gore or violence, but it's gut-wrenching all the same. Add to that a completely unique magic system, and it is easy to see why Sanderson is so beloved.

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6

The Lies of Locke Lamora

The Lies of Locke Lamora

The Gentleman Bastards is a great series by an author destined to be forever remembered. Scott Lynch's stories are full of mystery, intrigue, and historical minutiae, and it makes for an intricate web of both truth and mistruths. He also nails the dialogue, which is something that even some of the best authors in the genre struggle with.

If you like gritty characters who fall short, purposefully, of hero status, then this is the book for you. The young Locke has to avoid death and slavery, resorting to thievery. He ends up with a band of like-minded men, where he is tutored and grows to be infamous himself for his deeds and misdeeds. The transitions between past and present are done quite well, and you learn to love a character that some people might despise.

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6

American Gods

American Gods

Neil Gaiman's American Gods is an epicly original tale that mixes new and old into a delicious, cerebral soup.

With myth and metaphor, Gaiman explores the human condition, specifically the American one, through a dirty lens. This book is a mixture of creepy and scary, and its many stories will pull you in until you are cocooned in awe and emotion.

The overarching premise is how the old gods that have been brought to America by immigrants via myth and legend are truly alive and among us. But because American culture has no appreciation, they are slowly withering away, forced to inhabit the darker corners of society. The new gods, however, those of technology and the media, are constantly growing stronger, and they have decided there is no room for the old anymore. What is worse, they might have the...

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7

The Black Company

The Black Company

Glen Cook's The Black Company is a story about a group of soldiers, and as such it strays somewhat from the typical genres on this list, being so specifically military. However, this is not only a great read, but it is a novel that has influenced many of the others on this list. Glen Cook was one of the leading purveyors of grimdark, where the line between good and evil is always blurred.

Don't like it when your hero cries himself to sleep after he kills a bad guy? This is the sort of book that will make even you wonder if the protagonists are perhaps too cold. But the brutality of their setting explains their reasonings, and their rationales are always with merit. This series is the type that kicks sand in your teeth as you read it, and if you can stand the taste, you will be rewarded with an incredible novel,...

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7

Assassins's Apprentice

Assassins's Apprentice

Adventure. That is what comes to mind when you mention Robin Hobb. Her stories are chalk full of the very essence of fantasy—the journey of both world and self-discovery that is as fun as it is dangerous and scary.

One would be remiss to consider Robin Hobb as just an adventure writer, however. The characters in Assassin's Apprentice are so properly fleshed-out that they will become a permanent part of you . . . that goes for the horrible villains as well. The world they inhabit is as well-described as any, leaving you with the true sense that you have visited there after you are forced to put down the book and eat.

This is a series that should be read both by serious fans of the genre, and by those who just want to enjoy a fun book, with no real caveats.

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8

What Remains of Heroes

What Remains of Heroes

I tend to favour the slower, more introspective fantasies, but What Remains of Heroes was a fun little tryst that starts quite different. Opening with a drunken sexual encounter, I did not expect too much, to be honest. It seemed like David Benem was setting up more of your typical quest fantasy with all action and no depth, but I was pleasantly surprised.

This book does an excellent job of blending both action and intrigue. It is a believably bleak world, with characters to match. It's definitely grimdark, packed full with fighting, sexual situations, less-than-comfortable scenes, and just a lot of fun. The main character is one that is very relatable, in that he is quite honest with himself, much different it would seem than some of the pompous asses (mind you I like them too) that tend to lead other...

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8

Storm Front

Storm Front

Urban fantasy is not even really my thing, but much like the Robert Palmer lyrics, Jim Butcher makes it simply irresistible. Read the intro to this book and tell me if you don't get hooked. Butcher has the ability to craft first-person gut feeling better than perhaps any other author in the genre. His books will have you staying up far too late.

Storm Front is our introduction to the protagonist Harry Dresden, an anti-hero with a serious twist. He's a wizard, and not your Harry Potter type wizard, but rather a dark-humored badass who wears a cowboy hat. Throw in the need for some detective work, some mob boogie men, and a bit of romance, and you've got a recipe that's bound to have an ingredient in it you'll like. I'll be honest: this description makes the book sound terrible to me, but it really works in...

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9

The Way of Kings

The Way of Kings

Brandon Sanderson, the only author to appear on both our lists, has earned that distinction by simply writing so many great and unique series. Personally, I think this series is better than Mistborn, which appears higher up on Ryan's list, but he's an even bigger Sanderson fan than I am.

The story takes place in Roshar, "a world of stone and storms." The characters Kaladin, Dalinar, and Shallan, are all incredibly likable, and their adventures and mishaps get engraved into your memories. Sanderson has become a master of twisting plots, and while those sorts of twists in the genre can sometimes feel a bit contrived, that is not the case in The Way of Kings. Words of Radiance, the second book in the series, is even better than the first. If you haven't gotten your hands on this one yet, it's...

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9

The Color of Magic

The Color of Magic

The recent passing of Terry Pratchett has nothing to do with his placement on the list. His Discworld series, beginning with The Colour of Magic, is some of the funniest, most enjoyable reading you will come across. With elements similar to Alice in Wonderland and The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, this zany series is part satire, part serious, and full of adventure. If there is a Mark Twain of fantasy, it is Pratchett, and his writing transcends mere humour, stumbling deep into whimsical social commentary without ever interfering with the telling of the story.

Readers are introduced to both Twoflower, the tourist, complete with his sentient luggage, and Rincewind, the hapless and hilarious wizard guide. Through their misadventures they encounter, of course, magic, as well as thieves,...

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10

The Way of Shadows

The Way of Shadows

While I would describe Brent Weeks's trilogy as a fast-paced, easy read (comparably), don't take that to mean its content could be mistaken for Young Adult. It is dark and gritty and pretty gross at times, the story starting out describing the cruel reality of the life of orphans living in the city slums. The streets are we meet Azoth and learn exactly why he decides to take on a new life as Kylar, an assassin (or "wetboy" as its named in this series—though the name may not sound as dangerous as "assassin", trust me, they are). The book does hop around to different character POVs, and while sometimes you might feel like the story got interrupted, I take that as a good sign to show how engrossed you get in Kylar's world, not wanting to leave it. Excellent pacing and character development. It will keep...

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10

Legend

Legend

A book where the protagonists don't have to be flawless superheros, David Gemmell's Legend follows an old warrior set in a battle against terrible odds. Druss, a true leader, find himself tasked with the job of organizing, training, and motivating a small army to defend a fortress against an army fifty times their number. The story revolves around the ongoing siege and their attempt at defending against it. The cast of heroes does their best their best to take noble action, protect those in need, and do the right thing, but the line between right and wrong is often blurred.

While Legend is a part of a series, it can be read as a standalone book as it has a definite conclusion, and the books that follow take place well after the first story ends. Filled with battles, strategies and plenty of death, this...

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THE POLL