1 - 10 - the Top 100 fantasy books of all time

Top 100 fantasy books - 1 - 10 | 11 - 20 | 21 - 30 | 31 - 40 | 41 -50 | 51 - 60 | 61 - 70 | 71 - 80 | 81 - 90 | 91 - 100

1 The Lord of the Rings by JRR Tolkien

The Lord of the Rings
Overall rating 9.3

J.R.R. Tolkien's masterpiece. The Lord of the Rings is the best known as most enjoyed fantasy book of all time. If you have never read this, or The Hobbit before, then you are in for a real treat!

2 Assassins Quest by Robin Hobb

Assassins Quest
Overall rating 9.2

At the end of Royal Assassin Fitz had taken poison and died. Although we were sure that this was not the end for him, we eagerly anticipated how Robin Hobb might bring him back to life for the final installment of the trilogy. She did not disappoint.

3 The Earthsea Quartet by Ursula Le Guin

The Earthsea Quartet
Overall rating 9.2

The Earthsea Quartet brings together Ursula Le Guin’s four legendary Earthsea sagas for the first time in a single volume.

4 Ship of Destiny by Robin Hobb

Ship of Destiny
Overall rating 9.2

Robin Hobb is rightly classed as one of the finest authors the genre has ever been fortunate enough to have. The Farseer Trilogy established this status – does the Liveship Traders keep the high standard? The answer is yes, the quality of the writing is once again excellent and the characters are full and lifelike. I did enjoy the trilogy but not to the same degree as The Farseer Trilogy. There is something about the characters that stopped me from getting completely behind them. They are undoubtedly well written but also often highly annoying (this may be intended, if it was, then it was done superbly well.)

5 The Hobbit by JRR Tolkien

The Hobbit
Overall rating 9.1

The great modern classic and prelude to The Lord of the Rings. Also known as There and back again, this tale was written for Tolkien's own children and has become one of the most loved children's fantasy's books of all time.

6 Magician by Raymond E Feist

Magician
Overall rating 9.1

The story begins in Crydee, a frontier outpost in the Kingdom of the Isles. An orphaned young boy named Pug becomes a master magician’s apprentice and two world’s destinies are forever changed. The peace that he has known all his short life disappears and is replaced by war in the shape of invaders from another world. A magically created rift in space brings together the two worlds, the world that Pug has always known and the world of the invading Tsuranuanni.

7 Gardens Of The Moon by Steven Erikson

Gardens Of The Moon
Overall rating 9.1

Steven Erikson's Gardens Of The Moon is the first book in the series and is entitled A Tale Of The Malazan Book Of The Fallen. The book was first published in 1999 and marked a sensational, critically acclaimed debut.

8 The Mad Ship by Robin Hobb

The Mad Ship
Overall rating 9.1

The Liveship Traders series continues with the second book, The Mad Ship. Althea Vestrit continues her quest to reclaim her rightful inheritance, the liveship Vivacia. The Vivacia has been seized by pirates led by the enigmatic Kennit, a man who believes that destiny leads him to become King of the Pirate Isles. The Vestrit family are nearing financial ruin which leads them closer to the mysterious Rain Wild Traders who own the ship. Amidst these events the mad ship, Paragon is once again launched despite the history of death and despair that surrounds him.

9 Wolf Brother by Michelle Paver

Wolf Brother
Overall rating 9.1

Torak is now alone and scared. His father is dead, slain by a demon in the form of a great bear. Torak must keep going; his only friend is another orphan, a small wolf cub. Evil stalks the forest and Torak must face a foe that stalks him silently and cannot be shaken.

10 House Of Chains by Steven Erikson

House Of Chains
Overall rating 9.1

In the aftermath of the Chain of Dogs extraordinary destinies are being played out. Karsa Orlong, a tribal warrior from Northern Genabackis descends into the southern lands as part of a raiding party. Adjunct Tavore faces the legions of the seer Sha’ik with an army of raw recruits. Waiting in the heart of the Holy Desert the Sha’ik’s warlords are at each other’s throats and she herself is haunted by the knowledge the her nemesis is her own flesh and blood. So begins the pivotal chapter of Steven Erikson’s spectacular fantasy series.

Top 100 fantasy books - 1 - 10 | 11 - 20 | 21 - 30 | 31 - 40 | 41 -50 | 51 - 60 | 61 - 70 | 71 - 80 | 81 - 90 | 91 - 100

Abebooks.co.uk

Polls

Who is (or will be) the greatest fantasy author of all time?

View Results

News

The recording of the Rings

Jane Morgan directed the BBC serialisation of JRR Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings. She recalls the trials and tribulations of the recording of 26 half-hour episodes. I wish I could claim that it was ...

The making of the Rings

In 1981, BBC Radio 4 broadcast the first episode of the serialisation of JRR Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings. Brian Sibley recounts The making of the Rings. It all began with a rejection letter. I ha ...

Contact details for FantasyBookReview.co.uk

FantasyBookReview.co.uk is always looking for more authors, more books and more interviews to go on the site. PublishersIf you would like FantasyBookReview.co.uk to read and review an author's book, ...

The Duncton Chronicles - inspiration and acknowledgement

Since Duncton Wood was first published in 1979, William Horwood has received thousands of letters from readers asking about the conception and writing of what has become a fantasy classic. He has been ...

The Fellowship of the Ring - the best fantasy audio-books

Sauron, the Dark Lord, has gathered to him all the Rings of Power, the means by which he intends to rule Middle-earth. All he lacks in his campaign for dominance is the One Ring, the ring that rules t ...

Edinburgh to honour JK Rowling's achievements

JK Rowling looks set to be honoured by the city of Edinburgh for her contributions to literature. The fantasy author's handprints will be immortalised in the quadrangle outside the City Chambers and s ...

Terry Goodkind leaves Tor Books

In the US, fantasy author Terry Goodkind is moving from Tor Books to Putnam. Ivan Held, the president of Putnam acquired the US hardcover and paperback rights in a joint venture with Berkley Books - B ...