Ranked · Culture
Best fantasy novels of all time
The ten best fantasy novels of all time, from The Lord of the Rings and A Game of Thrones to The Fifth Season, with what makes each one worth reading.
Bitezine Editorial TeamRankings, reviews & guides 9 min read
AI generatedThe best fantasy novels of all time build worlds you can almost walk around in, with their own histories, magic and politics, and use them to tell stories about power, friendship and loss. The ten books below shaped the genre, from the founding epics to modern award winners, and they remain the titles readers recommend most often.
We compared best fantasy books lists from critics, libraries and reader polls, checked major awards such as the Hugo, and weighed each book's influence on later writers, films and television. We looked for books that are still in print and satisfying on a first read, and we aimed for range: epic fantasy series, a comic novel, literary fantasy and a few classic fantasy books for younger readers.
At a glance
#1 · Best for Epic fantasy fans
The Lord of the Rings
The foundation of modern fantasy
Frodo Baggins sets out to destroy a ring of terrible power while the free peoples of Middle-earth face the armies of Sauron. Tolkien built languages, maps and histories for his world, and that depth set the standard for epic fantasy. It is often published in three volumes but was written as a single novel.
- Defining epic fantasy
- Richly detailed world and languages
- Published in three volumes
- Adapted into award-winning films
- Author
- J.R.R. Tolkien
- First published
- 1954–1955
- Length
- Very long (about 1,200 pages)
#2 · Best for Readers who like intrigue
A Game of Thrones
Political fantasy with real stakes
Noble houses scheme for control of the Iron Throne while an ancient threat gathers beyond the Wall. Martin tells the story through many characters, and nobody is safe, which gives it the tension of a thriller. It is the first book of A Song of Ice and Fire and the basis for the HBO series.
- Multiple point-of-view characters
- Morally complex politics
- First of A Song of Ice and Fire
- Basis for the HBO series
- Author
- George R. R. Martin
- First published
- 1996
- Length
- Long (about 700 pages)
#3 · Best for Thoughtful readers
A Wizard of Earthsea
Short, wise and beautifully written
A gifted young wizard named Ged releases a shadow creature through pride and must spend years confronting it. Le Guin's island world, where magic depends on knowing the true names of things, is one of the most original in fantasy. The book is short but carries real emotional weight.
- Magic based on true names
- First of the Earthsea Cycle
- Influential wizard-school story
- Quick, lyrical read
- Author
- Ursula K. Le Guin
- First published
- 1968
- Length
- Short (about 200 pages)
#4 · Best for First-time fantasy readers
The Hobbit
The perfect entry point
Bilbo Baggins, a comfort-loving hobbit, joins a company of dwarves on a quest to reclaim their treasure from the dragon Smaug. The tone is lighter than The Lord of the Rings, and the story moves quickly. It works as a family read-aloud and as an introduction to Middle-earth.
- Standalone adventure
- Prequel to The Lord of the Rings
- Suitable for younger readers
- Classic dragon story
- Author
- J.R.R. Tolkien
- First published
- 1937
- Length
- Medium (about 300 pages)
#5 · Best for Readers wanting something new
The Fifth Season
Bold, modern and award-winning
On a continent wracked by catastrophic seismic events, a woman searches for her daughter while the world ends around her. Jemisin uses an unusual structure, including second-person narration, to tell a story about oppression and survival. It won the Hugo Award, and so did both sequels.
- Hugo Award winner
- First of the Broken Earth trilogy
- Inventive narrative structure
- Original geological magic
- Author
- N. K. Jemisin
- First published
- 2015
- Length
- Medium (about 470 pages)
#6 · Best for Lovers of lyrical prose
The Name of the Wind
A gripping fantasy memoir
Kvothe, now a quiet innkeeper, tells the true story of his life as a musician, student of magic and legend. The prose is polished, and the university chapters are some of the most loved in modern fantasy. Be aware that the trilogy is unfinished: the third book has not been released.
- Story told in Kvothe's own voice
- Magic school setting
- First of The Kingkiller Chronicle
- Series still unfinished
- Author
- Patrick Rothfuss
- First published
- 2007
- Length
- Long (about 660 pages)
#7 · Best for Fans of action and systems
Mistborn: The Final Empire
A fantasy heist with a clever magic system
In a world of falling ash ruled by an immortal emperor, a street thief joins a crew planning to overthrow him. Its magic, Allomancy, lets people burn metals for specific powers, with clear rules that make the action easy to follow. It is a popular entry point to Sanderson's connected Cosmere universe.
- Rule-based metal magic
- Heist-style plot
- First of the Mistborn series
- Satisfying ending of its own
- Author
- Brandon Sanderson
- First published
- 2006
- Length
- Long (about 540 pages)
#8 · Best for Young and family readers
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
The book that made millions of readers
An orphaned boy learns he is a wizard and starts at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The mix of school story, mystery and magic made it one of the best-selling book series in history. In the US it was published as Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone.
- First of seven books
- School and mystery plot
- Grows darker as the series goes on
- Ideal for younger readers
- Author
- J.K. Rowling
- First published
- 1997
- Length
- Short (about 230 pages)
#9 · Best for Patient, literary readers
Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell
Literary fantasy in Regency England
Two very different magicians revive English magic during the Napoleonic Wars, and their rivalry has dangerous consequences. Written in the style of a 19th-century novel, complete with witty footnotes, it is slow but richly rewarding. It won the Hugo Award and was adapted by the BBC.
- Hugo Award winner
- Period style with footnotes
- Standalone novel
- Adapted for BBC television
- Author
- Susanna Clarke
- First published
- 2004
- Length
- Very long (about 800 pages)
#10 · Best for Readers who want to laugh
Guards! Guards!
The best way into Discworld
The drunken, underfunded Night Watch of Ankh-Morpork must deal with a secret society that has summoned a dragon. Pratchett uses the setup to satirise power, policing and heroism, with jokes on almost every page. It begins the much-loved City Watch storyline within the Discworld series.
- Comic fantasy and satire
- Starts the City Watch books
- No prior Discworld needed
- Warm, memorable characters
- Author
- Terry Pratchett
- First published
- 1989
- Length
- Medium (about 350 pages)
How to choose
Decide how big a commitment you want. The Lord of the Rings, A Game of Thrones and The Name of the Wind open long epic fantasy series, and in some cases the series is not finished. If you prefer something complete, A Wizard of Earthsea, The Hobbit and Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell work as standalone reads, and Mistborn: The Final Empire ends in a satisfying way even though sequels follow.
Match the tone to your taste. For fantasy books for beginners, The Hobbit, Harry Potter and Mistborn are fast and welcoming. For books like Game of Thrones, with politics and moral grey areas, try The Fifth Season. If you want funny fantasy books, Terry Pratchett's Discworld is the obvious place to start.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best fantasy novel of all time?
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The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien is the most common answer and tops many reader polls. It set the template for epic fantasy. A Game of Thrones and A Wizard of Earthsea are also frequently named.
What fantasy book should I read first?
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The Hobbit is a short, gentle introduction to Tolkien's world. Mistborn: The Final Empire and Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone are also popular first picks because they are fast-paced and easy to follow.
Is the Game of Thrones book series finished?
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No. George R. R. Martin has published five novels in A Song of Ice and Fire, and the final two books, The Winds of Winter and A Dream of Spring, have not yet been released.
Will The Doors of Stone ever come out?
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Patrick Rothfuss has not announced a release date for The Doors of Stone, the planned third book of The Kingkiller Chronicle. The first two books, The Name of the Wind (2007) and The Wise Man's Fear (2011), are available, and many readers still enjoy them despite the wait.
What are good books like Lord of the Rings?
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The Earthsea Cycle by Ursula K. Le Guin, The Wheel of Time by Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson, and Mistborn are common recommendations. They share large invented worlds and a sense of history.
Which fantasy series won the Hugo Award three years in a row?
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N. K. Jemisin's Broken Earth trilogy is notable because all three books won the Hugo Award for Best Novel in consecutive years, starting with The Fifth Season in 2016. She was the first author to achieve that.
Where should I start with Discworld?
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Guards! Guards! is a popular starting point because it begins the City Watch storyline and needs no prior knowledge. Discworld books are loosely connected, so you do not have to read them in publication order.
The Lord of the Rings remains the foundation of modern fantasy, but every book on this list offers something different, from Le Guin's quiet wisdom to Jemisin's bold structure and Pratchett's satire. Try one classic and one modern pick, and you will quickly find which corner of the best fantasy books suits you.
How we research: We compare each product on the same criteria, using makers’ documentation, independent reviews and owner feedback, and re-check the list when products change.
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Bitezine Editorial Team
Rankings, reviews & guides
Our editors research every piece from makers’ documentation, independent tests and owner reports, and update it when products change.
