The Best Fantasy Series: A Definitive Guide to the Genre's Greatest Sagas

I've always thought there's something slightly insane—and wonderful—about a book series that takes up half a bookshelf and a decade of your life. This guide is basically a tribute to those monsters of the genre. We're looking at the books that actually changed the game. Think of George R.R. Martin's bleak, "mud-and-blood" realism or the way Steven Erikson somehow managed to fit an entire universe into the Malazan books. Whether you want the quiet philosophy of Le Guin or you're ready to tackle the heavy psychological baggage of Stephen Donaldson, these aren't just "escapist" reads. They're the stories that stay stuck in your head long after you've put the book down.

A Malazan Book of the Fallen by Steven Erikson

If you ask any hardcore fantasy fan for a 'final boss' recommendation, they'll probably point you toward Steven Erikson's Malazan Book of the Fallen. It is a massive, towering beast of a series that doesn't care if you're confused. Erikson doesn't do hand-holding; he just drops you into a world with 300,000 years of history and expects you to catch up. Because Erikson is an archaeologist, the world feels 'dug up' rather than just made up. You've got everything from gritty soldiers (the sappers are a personal highlight) to gods that are actually quite tragic when you get to know them. The magic system - the Warrens - is genuinely weird and original, but the real hook is how the series looks at the rise and fall of empires. It is a tough, dense read, but if you can stick it out, the emotional payoff is huge. It is less of a book series and more of an endurance test that's actually worth the effort.

A Malazan Book of the Fallen Ordered By Publication Date

• Gardens of the Moon (1999)
• Deadhouse Gates (2000)
• Memories of Ice (2001)
• House of Chains (2002)
• Midnight Tides (2004)
• The Bonehunters (2006)
• Reaper's Gale (2007)
• Toll the Hounds (2008)
• Dust of Dreams (2009)
• The Crippled God (2011)

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A Song of Ice and Fire by George R. R. Martin

Before George R.R. Martin, we all sort of knew the hero would make it out alive. A Song of Ice and Fire changed those rules. It took the shiny, clear-cut morality we were used to and replaced it with a world that's basically a political meat-grinder. There is no "plot armour" here; if a character makes a stupid mistake, they pay for it - usually with their head. What really sticks with you isn't just the shock value, though. It's the way Martin forces you into the heads of people you're supposed to hate. You'll start a chapter despising a character and end it questioning your own moral compass. From the freezing, claustrophobic Wall to the sprawling chaos of the East, the scale is massive, but the story stays grounded in those messy, human impulses that drive us all. It is brutal, frustrating, and occasionally devastating, but it's still the benchmark for what an epic can be.

A Song of Ice and Fire Ordered By Publication Date

• A Game of Thrones (1996)
• A Clash of Kings (1998)
• A Storm of Swords (2000)
• A Feast for Crows (2005)
• A Dance with Dragons (2011)

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The Wheel of Time by Robert Jordan

If you're going to tackle The Wheel of Time, you'd better clear your calendar for the next year. Robert Jordan didn't just write a story; he built a world so dense it feels like you could actually get lost in it. It starts with that classic "good vs. evil" setup we all know, but then it gets weird and brilliant with a magic system split right down gender lines. What really sets Jordan apart, though, is how he handles the sheer noise of it all. He juggles dozens of cultures - all with their own annoying customs and specific ways of dressing - and hundreds of characters without ever losing sight of Rand and the original crew. Whether it's the endless, frustrating head-games of the Aes Sedai or the massive, cinematic battles, this series is the reason modern epic fantasy looks the way it does. It's an absolute beast of a journey, but it's one every fan has to take at least once.

The Wheel of Time Ordered By Publication Date

• The Eye of the World (1990)
• The Great Hunt (1990)
• The Dragon Reborn (1991)
• The Shadow Rising (1992)
• The Fires of Heaven (1993)
• Lord of Chaos (1994)
• A Crown of Swords (1996)
• The Path of Daggers (1998)
• Winter's Heart (2000)
• Crossroads of Twilight (2003)
• New Spring (Prequel, 2004)
• Knife of Dreams (2005)
• The Gathering Storm (2009)
• Towers of Midnight (2010)
• A Memory of Light (2013)

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The Dark Tower by Stephen King

Stephen King's The Dark Tower is a bit of a mad experiment that shouldn't work, but somehow does. It's not your typical fantasy; it's a weird, dusty fever dream that smashes together Clint Eastwood-style Westerns, cosmic horror, and bits of King Arthur. At the centre of it all is Roland Deschain - a man so obsessed with reaching the Tower that he's basically a walking scar. What's really wild is how King uses the series as a giant magnet for everything else he's ever written. You'll see threads from The Stand or 'Salem's Lot popping up, making the whole thing feel like this massive, interconnected multiverse. But for all the high-concept "ka" and "moving on" talk, it's the 'ka-tet' - Roland's ragtag, found family - that actually makes you care. It's a gruelling, heartbreaking story about the price of destiny, and it's easily the most ambitious thing King has ever put to paper.

The Dark Tower Ordered By Publication Date

• The Gunslinger (1982)
• The Drawing of the Three (1987)
• The Waste Lands (1991)
• Wizard and Glass (1997)
• The Wind Through the Keyhole (2012)
• Wolves of the Calla (2003)
• Song of Susannah (2004)
• The Dark Tower (2004)

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The Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling

It is easy to forget now, but Harry Potter basically rewrote the rulebook for modern fantasy. It wasn't just the wands and dragons that hooked us; it was the fact that J.K. Rowling managed to make a magical castle feel exactly like a real, slightly stressful British boarding school. You get the wonder of flying broomsticks, sure, but it is grounded in things we actually recognize - like bombing an exam or feeling like an outsider in the common room. What really sticks with you, though, is how the characters grow up. Harry, Ron, and Hermione aren't the same kids in book seven that they were in book one; they're scarred, they're complicated, and they have to make some pretty grim choices. Plus, the way the tiny details from the early chapters end up being massive plot twists five years later is still incredibly satisfying. At its core, it is less about "children's magic" and more about the heavy stuff: dealing with death, choosing what's right over what's easy, and why love actually matters. It is a massive, messy, brilliant epic that earned its place on the shelf.

The Harry Potter Series Ordered By Publication Date

• Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (1997)
• Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (1998)
• Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (1999)
• Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2000)
• Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2003)
• Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2005)
• Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (2007)

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The Earthsea Cycle by Ursula K. Le Guin

While everyone else was writing about massive armies and dark lords, Ursula K. Le Guin was doing something much more interesting with Earthsea. It's not your typical "good vs. evil" story. Instead, she looks at the 'Equilibrium' - the idea that magic isn't just a weapon, it's a massive responsibility. The whole magic system is built on 'True Names,' which I've always found fascinating because it makes words feel heavy and dangerous. It was also way ahead of its time; Le Guin pointedly made her heroes dark-skinned back when everyone else was stuck in a Eurocentric bubble. Ultimately, Ged's story isn't about winning a war - it's about a man learning to stop running from his own shadow and finally growing up.

The Earthsea Cycle Ordered By Publication Date

• A Wizard of Earthsea (1968)
• The Tombs of Atuan (1971)
• The Farthest Shore (1972)
• Tehanu (1990)
• Tales from Earthsea (2001)
• The Other Wind (2001)

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The Realm of the Elderlings by Robin Hobb

If you're looking for a series that will absolutely wreck you, Robin Hobb's Realm of the Elderlings is it. Spanning sixteen books, it's a massive commitment, but Hobb's real trick isn't just the scale - it's the way she gets under your skin. Most people start with FitzChivalry Farseer, a royal bastard who gets the thankless job of being the crown's assassin, and honestly, Hobb puts that poor man through the wringer. What sets these books apart is how intimate they feel. While other authors are busy moving armies across maps, Hobb is focused on the quiet, painful cost of being loyal to a throne that doesn't always love you back. You get these fascinating magic systems - like the telepathic Skill or the animal-bonded Wit - but they never feel like "cool powers." They feel like burdens. It's a raw, sometimes exhausting look at what it means to grow old, lose your identity, and still keep going. If you want a story that feels less like a legend and more like a lived-in memory, you need to read Hobb. Just make sure you have some tissues nearby.

The Realm of the Elderlings Ordered By Publication Date

• Assassin's Apprentice (1995)
• Royal Assassin (1996)
• Assassin's Quest (1997)
• Ship of Magic (1998)
• Mad Ship (1999)
• Ship of Destiny (2000)
• Fool's Errand (2001)
• Golden Fool (2002)
• Fool's Fate (2003)
• Dragon Keeper (2009)
• Dragon Haven (2010)
• City of Dragons (2011)
• Blood of Dragons (2012)
• Fool's Assassin (2014)
• Fool's Quest (2015)
• Assassin's Fate (2017)

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The Chronicles of Narnia by C. S. Lewis

C. S. Lewis's 'The Chronicles of Narnia' remains a cornerstone of the fantasy genre because of its profound ability to blend high-concept allegory with accessible, childlike wonder. Unlike many modern epics that rely on dense lore, Lewis prioritises the "atmosphere" of Narnia - a land where animals speak, mythology is tangible, and wardrobes serve as gateways to the divine. The series is amazing because it respects the emotional intelligence of children while offering layers of theological and philosophical depth for adults. From the snowy lamppost in 'The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe' to the cosmic scale of 'The Last Battle', Lewis explores themes of sacrifice, greed, and redemption with a clear, resonant voice. His prose is deceptively simple, yet it manages to evoke a sense of "sehnsucht" - a bittersweet longing for a world that feels more real than our own. It is a masterclass in world-building through imagination rather than just exposition.

• The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (1950)
• Prince Caspian: The Return to Narnia (1951)
• The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (1952)
• The Silver Chair (1953)
• The Horse and His Boy (1954)
• The Magician's Nephew (1955)
• The Last Battle (1956)

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Discworld by Terry Pratchett

It's easy to pigeonhole Discworld as just "the one with the giant turtle," but that's doing Terry Pratchett a massive disservice. What started as a clever parody of fantasy tropes ended up becoming one of the sharpest, most human things I've ever read. Pratchett had this incredible knack for taking the utterly ridiculous - like a literal-minded Death who loves cats - and using it to poke a finger in the eye of our own world's prejudices and politics. Look at Sam Vimes: he's not just a cynical copper; he's the vehicle for the "Boots Theory," which is probably the most honest explanation of poverty ever put to paper. Pratchett's world isn't just about the laughs (though they're constant); it's about the anger at unfairness and the belief that people can be better. If you haven't read him, you aren't just missing out on a great story - you're missing a better way to look at the world.

• The Colour of Magic (1983)
• The Light Fantastic (1986)
• Equal Rites (1987)
• Mort (1987)
• Sourcery (1988)
• Wyrd Sisters (1988)
• Pyramids (1989)
• Guards! Guards! (1989)
• Eric (1990)
• Moving Pictures (1990)
• Reaper Man (1991)
• Witches Abroad (1991)
• Small Gods (1992)
• Lords and Ladies (1992)
• Men at Arms (1993)
• Soul Music (1994)
• Interesting Times (1994)
• Maskerade (1995)
• Feet of Clay (1996)
• Hogfather (1996)
• Jingo (1997)
• The Last Continent (1998)
• Carpe Jugulum (1998)
• The Fifth Elephant (1999)
• The Truth (2000)
• Thief of Time (2001)
• The Last Hero (2001)
• The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents (2001)
• Night Watch (2002)
• The Wee Free Men (2003)
• Monstrous Regiment (2003)
• A Hat Full of Sky (2004)
• Going Postal (2004)
• Thud! (2005)
• Wintersmith (2006)
• Making Money (2007)
• Unseen Academicals (2009)
• I Shall Wear Midnight (2010)
• Snuff (2011)
• Raising Steam (2013)
• The Shepherd's Crown (2015)

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The Duncton Chronicles by William Horwood

It sounds a bit mad on paper - a sprawling, tragic epic about a bunch of moles. But William Horwood's Duncton Chronicles is far from a cute children's story; it's more like a Wagnerian opera played out in the dirt. Horwood somehow manages to take high-stakes spiritual warfare and political backstabbing and ground it in the raw, visceral reality of the English countryside. The world-building is incredible, not because it's "immersive," but because it feels old - like he's uncovering a history that's been there all along. It's a brutal, bloody, and surprisingly spiritual journey that tackles massive themes like faith and sacrifice without ever feeling preachy. If you want a series that's dense, atmospheric, and stays with you, Duncton is in a league of its own.

The Duncton Chronicles Ordered By Publication Date

• Duncton Wood (1980)
• Duncton Quest (1988)
• Duncton Found (1989)
• Duncton Tales (1991)
• Duncton Rising (1992)
• Duncton Stone (1993)

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The Chronicles of Thomas Convenant, the Unbeliever by Stephen R. Donaldson

There's nothing else quite like The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant. Donaldson did something really bold here by giving us an anti-hero who flat-out refuses to believe in the magic of 'The Land' to protect his own sanity. It adds this layer of psychological grit that you just don't find in standard epics. The stakes aren't just about defeating some big bad like Lord Foul; they're about the internal battle against despair and the weight of being responsible for a world you don't even think is real. It's dense and it's definitely a slog at times, but for my money, the thematic payoff is miles ahead of almost anything else on the shelf.

The Chronicles of Thomas Convenant, the Unbeliever Ordered By Publication Date

• Lord Foul's Bane (1977)
• The Illearth War (1977)
• The Power That Preserves (1979)
• The Wounded Land (1980)
• The One Tree (1982)
• White Gold Wielder (1983)
• The Runes of the Earth (2004)
• Fatal Revenues (2007)
• Against All Things Ending (2010)
• The Last Dark (2013)

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The Invisible Library Series by Genevieve Cogman

If the idea of a secret agent jumping between worlds to "steal" rare books sounds like your kind of thing, you need to be reading Genevieve Cogman's The Invisible Library. It follows Irene, a spy for a Library that exists essentially between realities. What I love about it is how Cogman just throws everything into a blender - you get steampunk London in one chapter and dragons or fae in the next, but it never feels like a mess. The real hook is how the world works; she has this clever idea that the universe is a constant tug-of-war between Order and Chaos, with the Library trying to keep everything from falling apart. Plus, the back-and-forth between Irene and her assistant, Kai, keeps the whole "high-concept spy" thing feeling human. It is fast, it is funny, and it is basically a love letter to anyone who spent their childhood thinking libraries were hiding something secret.

The Invisible Library Ordered By Publication Date

• The Invisible Library (2014)
• The Masked City (2015)
• The Burning Page (2016)
• The Lost Plot (2017)
• The Mortal Word (2018)
• The Secret Chapter (2019)
• The Dark Archive (2020)
• The Untold Story (2021)

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The Wardstone Chronicles by Joseph Delaney

If you want fantasy that actually feels dangerous, you have to read Joseph Delaney's The Wardstone Chronicles. It's not "high magic" with sparkling wands; it's about the miserable, muddy business of being a Spook - trapping boggarts and dealing with witches in a world that feels permanently damp and haunted. What I love is that Delaney doesn't pull his punches. When things go wrong for Tom Ward, they stay wrong. The stakes feel real because the consequences are usually permanent and pretty bloody. Plus, the dynamic between Tom and his mentor, John Gregory, is brilliant - it's stern, it's heavy, and it's the heart of the whole dark mess.

The Wardstone Chronicles Ordered By Publication Date

• The Spook's Apprentice (2004)
• The Spook's Curse (2005)
• The Spook's Secret (2006)
• The Spook's Battle (2007)
• The Spook's Mistake (2008)
• The Spook's Sacrifice (2009)
• The Spook's Nightmare (2010)
• The Spook's Destiny (2011)
• I Am Grimalkin (2011)
• The Spook's Blood (2012)
• Slither (2012)
• Alice (2013)
• The Spook's Revenge (2013)

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The Mythago Cycle by Robert Holdstock

Robert Holdstock's The Mythago Cycle is a total gear-shift for the genre. Forget the typical high-fantasy tropes; this is dark, shamanistic storytelling that feels like it was dug up from the earth. The setting, Ryhope Wood, is basically a sentient character that feeds on our archetypes and spits out living legends. It is dense, it is psychological, and it's incredibly atmospheric. Holdstock treats folklore as something that can literally haunt you, warping time and space until you're as lost as the characters. It is an intellectual trip, for sure, but it's the grit and the danger that make it a masterpiece.

The Mythago Cycle Ordered By Publication Date

• Mythago Wood (1984)
• Lavondyss (1988)
• The Bone Forest (1991)
• The Hollowing (1993)
• Merlin's Wood (1994)
• Gate of Ivory, Gate of Horn (1997)
• Avilion (2009)

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The Dresden Files by Jim Butcher

There's a reason everyone points to The Dresden Files as the peak of urban fantasy. It's not just the clever magic or the fact that Chicago feels like a real character - it's the way Butcher handles Harry himself. We watch him go from solving small-scale crimes to navigating the terrifying politics of the Fae Courts and the White Council. It's one of the few series where "power creep" actually works, because as Harry gets stronger, his life gets infinitely more complicated and painful. It's witty, fast-paced, and frequently devastating. Honestly, once you get past the first couple of books, there's no turning back.

The Dresden Files Ordered By Publication Date

• Storm Front (2000)
• Fool Moon (2001)
• Grave Peril (2001)
• Summer Knight (2002)
• Death Masks (2003)
• Blood Rites (2004)
• Dead Beat (2005)
• Proven Guilty (2006)
• White Night (2007)
• Small Favor (2008)
• Turn Coat (2009)
• Changes (2010)
• Side Jobs - Collection (2010)
• Ghost Story (2011)
• Cold Days (2012)
• Skin Game (2014)
• Brief Cases - Collection (2018)
• Peace Talks (2020)
• Battle Ground (2020)
• Twelve Months (2026)

• Buy on Amazon

Thursday Next by Jasper Fforde

Jasper Fforde's Thursday Next books are basically what happens if you mix a noir detective story with a library on acid. The world-building is just wild - we're talking about an England where the Crimean War is still going on and "Literary Detectives" are a real thing. Thursday herself is a great lead; she's tough, funny, and surprisingly grounded considering she spends half her time policing the "BookWorld." It's one of those rare series that is actually as clever as it thinks it is. If you want something that's part thriller, part comedy, and 100% original, start with The Eyre Affair.

Thursday Next Ordered By Publication Date

• The Eyre Affair (2001)
• Lost in a Good Book (2002)
• The Well of Lost Plots (2003)
• Something Rotten (2004)
• First Among Sequels (2007)
• One of Our Thursdays Is Missing (2011)
• The Woman Who Died a Lot (2012)

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The Edge Chronicles by Paul Stewart and Chris Riddell

If you want a fantasy world that actually feels "new," read The Edge Chronicles. It's a perfect collaboration between an author and an artist, set on a giant cliff jutting into nothingness. There isn't an elf or orc in sight - instead, you get sky-pirates, bizarre forest creatures, and floating cities. The series follows several generations, so you see the technology and the culture change over time, which is a brilliant touch. It's atmospheric, slightly creepy, and easily one of the most imaginative things you'll ever put on your shelf.

The Edge Chronicles Ordered By Publication Date

• Beyond the Deepwoods (1998)
• Stormchaser (1999)
• Midnight Over Sanctaphrax (2000)
• The Curse of the Gloamglozer (2001)
• The Last of the Sky Pirates (2002)
• Vox (2003)
• Freeglader (2004)
• The Winter Knights (2005)
• Clash of the Sky Galleons (2006)
• The Immortals (2009)
• The Nameless One (2014)
• Doomed Queen of the Riverbend (2015)
• The Lost Barkscrolls (2017)
• The Descenders (2019)

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Chronicles of the Black Company by Glen Cook

Long before everyone was obsessed with "grimdark," Glen Cook was already doing it better with The Black Company. He ditched the shining armour and "chosen one" tropes for a story told by Croaker - a medic who's just trying to keep his brothers alive while working for the wrong side. It feels less like a myth and more like a war journal. The magic is terrifying, the villains are actually interesting, and the "heroes" are just guys trying to survive the mud and the madness. If you want fantasy that feels like military fiction written in a foxhole, this is the one.

Chronicles of the Black Company Ordered By Publication Date

• The Black Company (1984)
• Shadows Linger (1984)
• The White Rose (1985)
• The Silver Spike (1989)
• Shadow Games (1989)
• Dreams of Steel (1990)
• Bleak Seasons (1996)
• She Is the Darkness (1997)
• Water Sleeps (1999)
• Soldiers Live (2000)
• Port of Shadows (2018)
• A Pitiless Rain (Upcoming)

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The Riftwar Cycle by Raymond E. Feist

The Riftwar Cycle isn't just another high-fantasy series; it's the bridge between the old classics and the gritty epics we see today. Raymond E. Feist basically invented a new way to do world-building by smashing two different planets together. The friendship between Pug and Tomas is the emotional anchor here - one becomes a master of alien magic, the other a vessel for an ancient god, but they still feel like the kids we met in the first chapter. It's sprawling, historically rich, and honestly, just a great adventure that doesn't get bogged down in its own complexity.

Riftwar Saga Ordered By Publication Date

• Magician (1982)
• Silverthorn (1985)
• A Darkness at Sethanon (1986)
• Daughter of the Empire (1987)
• Prince of the Blood (1989)
• Servant of the Empire (1990)
• The King's Buccaneer (1992)
• Mistress of the Empire (1992)
• Shadow of a Dark Queen (1994)
• Rise of a Merchant Prince (1995)
• Rage of a Demon King (1997)
• Shards of a Broken Crown (1998)
• Krondor: The Betrayal (1998)
• Krondor: The Assassins (1999)
• Krondor: Tear of the Gods (2000)
• Honoured Enemy (2001)
• Murder in LaMut (2002)
• Talon of the Silver Hawk (2002)
• Jimmy the Hand (2003)
• King of Foxes (2003)
• Exile's Return (2004)
• Flight of the Nighthawks (2005)
• Into a Dark Realm (2006)
• Wrath of a Mad God (2008)
• Ride the Storm (2010)
• At the Gates of Darkness (2010)
• A Kingdom Besieged (2011)
• A Crown Imperilled (2012)
• Magician's End (2013)

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The Rigante Novels by David Gemmell

David Gemmell was the king of heroic fantasy, and if you want to see why, you have to read The Rigante. Most writers try to make their heroes perfect, but Gemmell's characters - guys like Connavar and Bane - are a mess. They're proud, they're guilty, and they make mistakes that actually hurt. The series starts with a Celtic-type tribe fighting a fantasy version of Rome, then jumps forward centuries to a world that feels like the English Civil War. Seeing how the original legends get twisted over time is just brilliant. It's got plenty of bloody combat, but honestly, it's the themes of honour and those "lump in your throat" sacrifices that make this series stick with you.

The Rigante Novels Ordered By Publication Date

• Sword in the Storm (1998)
• Midnight Falcon (1999)
• Ravenheart (2000)
• Stormrider (2001)

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Obernewtyn Chronicles by Isobelle Carmody

I've always loved how Isobelle Carmody handles the 'Great White' apocalypse. Instead of just another wasteland story, she gives us a world that feels old and layered. Elspeth Gordie is such a fantastic protagonist - her growth from an isolated orphan to a powerhouse is one of the best character arcs in the genre. The real heart of the series, for me, is the bond between the humans and the sentient animals. It adds an emotional layer you just don't get in other fantasy series. It's a classic for a reason, and honestly, the way it tackles the responsibility of being 'different' still feels incredibly relevant today.

Obernewtyn Chronicles Ordered By Publication Date

• Obernewtyn (1987)
• The Farseekers (1990)
• Ashling (1995)
• The Keeping Place (1999)
• The Stone Key (2008)
• The Sending (2011)
• The Red Queen (2015)

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The Book of the New Sun by Gene Wolfe

Gene Wolfe doesn't just write stories; he builds puzzles. In The Book of the New Sun, he uses archaic, "forgotten" words to describe a future so distant it feels like a fever dream. Technology is basically magic at this point, but the real challenge isn't the world-building - it's Severian himself. As an unreliable narrator, he's constantly hiding things from you, forcing you to read between the lines to find the reality of his journey. It's a deep, philosophical exploration of memory and identity that treats the reader like an adult. If you're tired of being spoon-fed plots, this is the masterpiece you've been looking for.

The Book of the New Sun Ordered By Publication Date

• The Shadow of the Torturer (1980)
• The Claw of the Conciliator (1981)
• The Sword of the Lictor (1982)
• The Citadel of the Autarch (1983)
• The Urth of the New Sun (1987)

• Buy on Amazon

A Tale of Einarinn by Juliet E. McKenna

I've always loved The Tale of Einarinn because it feels so much more "grounded" than your average epic fantasy. McKenna doesn't bother with the usual tropes; instead, she gives us Livak, a pragmatist who survives on her wits rather than some ancient prophecy. The way magic works in this world - dealing with "aethereal" energy - is fascinating and actually has rules that matter. It's the kind of series where the world feels lived-in and the stakes are real, but it never slows down. If you like clever plots and characters who actually act like adults, you've got to give this a go.

A Tale of Einarinn Ordered By Publication Date

• The Thief's Gamble (1999)
• The Swordsman's Oath (1999)
• The Gambler's Fortune (2000)
• The Warrior's Bond (2001)
• The Assassin's Edge (2002)

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The Drenai Novels by David Gemmell

If you want to understand heroic fantasy, you start with the Drenai. David Gemmell didn't bother with the flowery, untouchable heroes of the old sagas; he wrote about men with bad knees and heavy consciences. Whether it's Druss standing on a wall or Waylander trying to outrun his own shadow, these stories are about that messy line between being a monster and being a hero. It's the "Drenai grit" - that feeling of being absolutely exhausted but standing your ground anyway. These books aren't just about sieges; they're about the redemption you find when you've got your back against the wall and nowhere left to run.

The Drenai Novels Ordered By Publication Date

• Legend (1984)
• The King Beyond the Gate (1985)
• Waylander (1986)
• Quest for Lost Heroes (1990)
• Waylander II: In the Realm of the Wolf (1992)
• The First Chronicles of Druss the Legend (1993)
• The Legend of Deathwalker (1996)
• Winter Warriors (1997)
• Hero in the Shadows (2000)
• White Wolf (2003)
• The Swords of Night and Day (2004)

• Buy on Amazon