You can’t go wrong with the Hobbit. If you like it, then you can delve into LOTR. However, realize that LOTR was written nearly 70 years ago. There are large swaths of the book where little-to-nothing happens. It can feel slow at times, but the worldbuilding is wholly original and literally created a genre to which most books involving elves, dwarves, orcs, goblins, etc. owe credit.
Many consider Robert Jordan’s Wheel of Time series to be a more contemporary example of epic world-building and storytelling, but again, there are parts of later books that are said to drag a bit. If you want a “broken” modern epic that does not drag, sucks you in, builds an amazing world, and is also a page-turner, look no further than Patrick Rothfuss’s Kingkiller Chronicles. However, many believe that book 3 will never be written. For that reason, I consider it a broken masterpiece.
Beyond that, there are many that love George R. R. Martin’s Game of Thrones books–also unfinished and may not be finished. Many also love Sanderson’s Way of Kings books. Hugely epic, not as good prose, drag a bit at times, but the author is so prolific, he will *definitely* finish the series. Book 5 is about to be released and it is rumored to be a 10-book series.
Finally, it may seem obvious, but Harry Potter is probably worth a mention in the top fantasy series of all time.
OinkMcOink on
The most engrossing, thought-invading fantasy book series I have ever read is the Farseer Trilogy by Robin Hobb.
Low-Material-1529 on
NK Jemisin’s The Broken Earth trilogy
Tomi Adeyemi’s Children of Blood and Bone – I’m only done with the first, the third just came out. I wouldn’t call it the best world building, but I’m in love with the fact that it ties into Nigerian/Yoruba culture while saying a lot about classicism and racism.
Wheel of Time by Robert Jordan is really incredible, personally though I only got to book 5 as I’m not THAT big of a fantasy person. But the world building is amazing.
But I think Lord of the Rings still wins.
MattAmylon on
Lord of the Rings is unequivocally the best fantasy series ever, but if you want to narrow to “the best fantasy series in the past fifty years,” I’d reach for *His Dark Materials*.
*A Song Of Ice And Fire,* or the Game of Thrones series, is really up there, and it’s very propulsive and readable, but it has potential drawbacks that you probably know about: it’s an unfinished series with no chance of getting finished anytime soon, and it’s very “grim” and low-magic, with large swaths of it just functioning as a medieval historical fiction series.
For a dark horse pick, I’d also suggest China Mieville’s Bas-Lag trilogy. Consciously “weird” fantasy with a very fun, offbeat writing style.
Renoglodon on
I keep commenting this but just finished Robin Hobb’s Realm of the elderlings. It’s 16 books total, but made up of mostly trilogies so easy to digest.
It’s easily my fav series now. Truly awesome read. Loved every book.
BillyDeeisCobra on
My favorite is the Gentleman Bastard series by Scott Lynch, starting with The Lies of Locke Lamora. Imagine Ocean’s Eleven plus Pirates of the Caribbean in a fantasy Venice with some of the sharpest, most clever writing and worldbuilding that’s *entirely at the service of the characters and the story.* The world Lynch creates is detailed but you never feel like you need a glossary or are learning arcane rules or histories. It’s my favorite book.
local_savage13 on
The Discworld Series by Terry Pratchett. Id start with Mort.
Ealinguser on
Philip Pullman: His Dark Materials trilogy
The Hobbit, the Lord of the Rings by JRR Tolkien, agree with below that the Hobbit has more pace
Wouldn’t go for GRR Martin, slow to the point of tedious. Generally, if there’s more than 3-4 books in any series the quality of the content takes a hit.
Maybe Raymond E Feist Magician, Silverthorn, a Darkness at Sethanon
HotPomegranate3887 on
My top two would be: Lotr or The Expanse (9 great books, plus many novellas, PLUS 6 seasons of great TV)
Lyceus_ on
Tolkien is amazing. If you like world-building, don’t skip The Silmarillion.
Brandon Sanderson also excels at world-building. The Stormlight Archive is a favourite of mine.
A Song of Ice and Fire (GRR Martin) and The First Law (Joe Abercrombie) are other well-developed fantasy universes.
10 Comments
You can’t go wrong with the Hobbit. If you like it, then you can delve into LOTR. However, realize that LOTR was written nearly 70 years ago. There are large swaths of the book where little-to-nothing happens. It can feel slow at times, but the worldbuilding is wholly original and literally created a genre to which most books involving elves, dwarves, orcs, goblins, etc. owe credit.
Many consider Robert Jordan’s Wheel of Time series to be a more contemporary example of epic world-building and storytelling, but again, there are parts of later books that are said to drag a bit. If you want a “broken” modern epic that does not drag, sucks you in, builds an amazing world, and is also a page-turner, look no further than Patrick Rothfuss’s Kingkiller Chronicles. However, many believe that book 3 will never be written. For that reason, I consider it a broken masterpiece.
Beyond that, there are many that love George R. R. Martin’s Game of Thrones books–also unfinished and may not be finished. Many also love Sanderson’s Way of Kings books. Hugely epic, not as good prose, drag a bit at times, but the author is so prolific, he will *definitely* finish the series. Book 5 is about to be released and it is rumored to be a 10-book series.
Finally, it may seem obvious, but Harry Potter is probably worth a mention in the top fantasy series of all time.
The most engrossing, thought-invading fantasy book series I have ever read is the Farseer Trilogy by Robin Hobb.
NK Jemisin’s The Broken Earth trilogy
Tomi Adeyemi’s Children of Blood and Bone – I’m only done with the first, the third just came out. I wouldn’t call it the best world building, but I’m in love with the fact that it ties into Nigerian/Yoruba culture while saying a lot about classicism and racism.
Wheel of Time by Robert Jordan is really incredible, personally though I only got to book 5 as I’m not THAT big of a fantasy person. But the world building is amazing.
But I think Lord of the Rings still wins.
Lord of the Rings is unequivocally the best fantasy series ever, but if you want to narrow to “the best fantasy series in the past fifty years,” I’d reach for *His Dark Materials*.
*A Song Of Ice And Fire,* or the Game of Thrones series, is really up there, and it’s very propulsive and readable, but it has potential drawbacks that you probably know about: it’s an unfinished series with no chance of getting finished anytime soon, and it’s very “grim” and low-magic, with large swaths of it just functioning as a medieval historical fiction series.
For a dark horse pick, I’d also suggest China Mieville’s Bas-Lag trilogy. Consciously “weird” fantasy with a very fun, offbeat writing style.
I keep commenting this but just finished Robin Hobb’s Realm of the elderlings. It’s 16 books total, but made up of mostly trilogies so easy to digest.
It’s easily my fav series now. Truly awesome read. Loved every book.
My favorite is the Gentleman Bastard series by Scott Lynch, starting with The Lies of Locke Lamora. Imagine Ocean’s Eleven plus Pirates of the Caribbean in a fantasy Venice with some of the sharpest, most clever writing and worldbuilding that’s *entirely at the service of the characters and the story.* The world Lynch creates is detailed but you never feel like you need a glossary or are learning arcane rules or histories. It’s my favorite book.
The Discworld Series by Terry Pratchett. Id start with Mort.
Philip Pullman: His Dark Materials trilogy
The Hobbit, the Lord of the Rings by JRR Tolkien, agree with below that the Hobbit has more pace
Wouldn’t go for GRR Martin, slow to the point of tedious. Generally, if there’s more than 3-4 books in any series the quality of the content takes a hit.
Maybe Raymond E Feist Magician, Silverthorn, a Darkness at Sethanon
My top two would be: Lotr or The Expanse (9 great books, plus many novellas, PLUS 6 seasons of great TV)
Tolkien is amazing. If you like world-building, don’t skip The Silmarillion.
Brandon Sanderson also excels at world-building. The Stormlight Archive is a favourite of mine.
A Song of Ice and Fire (GRR Martin) and The First Law (Joe Abercrombie) are other well-developed fantasy universes.