10 Great Fantasy Book Series
Published on September 3, 2008 - 271 Comments
Science Fiction novels and series seemed to get a lot of comments and attention on several lists. I felt it was time to see some truly great Fantasy series make their appearance. Fantasy is a writing genre that uses magic and other supernatural forms as a primary element of plot, theme and setting. Fantasy is generally distinguished from science fiction and horror by the expectation that it steers clear of technological and macabre themes, respectively, though there is a great deal of overlap between the three. The big stipulation for making it to the list is that the series must be complete with no more books forthcoming. Below you will find a list that truly challenges your imagination with worlds of knights, dragons, monsters, myth, legend, magic, damsels in distress, good versus evil, prophecy versus desire and gods playing with humanity as if they were pawns of their will. Please feel free to add your own recommendations to the list as well as this is likely to be far from a complete or even a “10 greatest” list. Good reading to all - hope you enjoy them as much as I did.
His Dark Materials, a trilogy of fantasy novels (some of which have won awards) comprises “The Golden Compass,” “The Subtle Knife” and “The Amber Spyglass.” The trilogy follows the coming-of-age of two children, Lyra Belacqua and Will Parry, as they wander through a series of parallel universes against a backdrop of epic events. The story involves fantasy elements such as witches and armored polar bears and alludes to a broad range of ideas from fields such as physics, philosophy theology and spirituality. The trilogy functions in part as a retelling and inversion of John Milton’s epic, “Paradise Lost.” Pullman commends humanity for its attainment of wisdom and knowledge rather than condemning it (as in Milton’s poem). Because of this and of other elements such as the negative portrayal of organized religion, the series has drawn criticism from some religious individuals and groups.
The title character, Bartimaeus, is a five-thousand year old djinni, a spirit of approximately mid-level power. There are five basic levels of spirits, in order of increasing power: imps, foliots, djinni, afrits and marids. There also exists a variety of subclasses in each level. Above these levels exist even more powerful entities, who are rarely summoned. Most notable of these entities are Ramuthra and Nouda. The story is told through the viewpoint of three characters, the magician Nathaniel (or John Mandrake), the djinni Bartimaeus, and the commoner Kitty Jones. There is also one short chapter featuring the viewpoint of a foliot called Simpkin. Similar to the vein of Harry Potter, this is again a story of a child growing up in a world of magic. Unlike Harry Potter, the magicians’ magical abilities are limited to summoning of spirits to do their bidding. This trilogy has a completely different take on magic and is unlike any of the other series in this list as it’s set in a relatively modern time and the magical abilities are limited. The most interesting perspective of this trilogy is obviously Bartimaeus’. How would you feel if you were ripped from your dimension to do the bidding of a kid? Although you will find this trilogy in the children’s section of most bookstores, I personally feel it’s equally good reading for adults.
The series tells the story of the recovery of the Orb of Aldur and the coming of age of Garion, an orphaned farmboy. Garion is accompanied by his aunt Polgara and grandfather Belgarath as they try to fulfill an ancient prophecy that will decide the fate of the universe. Along the way, various “instruments,” or helpers, of the prophecy join their quest. The Mallorean is the followup series continuing the tale of Garion, Belgarath and Polgara as they complete the prophecy outlined in the various Codices examined in the novels. I have thoroughly enjoyed reading this series a number of times, so much that my “Pawn of Prophecy” has fallen apart. It’s a fantastic series, very well written. One of my favorite aspects of the novel is that each of the characters has a “prophecy name/title” as well their given birth name.
The overwhelming majority of Feist’s works are part of the Riftwar Cycle, a fictional universe featuring the planets of Midkemia and Kelewan. Human magicians on the two planets are able to create “rifts” through dimensionless space that connect planets in different solar systems. Other creatures are able to move through this dimensionless space as well. The novels and short stories of “The Riftwar Cycle” record the adventures of the people on the various worlds. The follow up to the “Riftwar Saga” is the “Serpentwar Saga,” a series of four novels following, interestingly enough, the children of the characters from the “Riftwar Saga.” Although two books, “Prince of the Blood” and “The King’s Buccaneer” are technically outside of these two series, I recommend reading them as well and particularly in between the two sagas as they tend to link the series’ together better. Again, this is a fantastic series with interesting and compelling characters that is just incredibly difficult to put down.
“Incarnations of Immortality” is the name of an eight-book fantasy. The first seven books each focus on one of seven supernatural “offices” (Death, Time, Fate, War, Nature, Evil and Good) in a fictional reality and history parallel to ours, with the exception that society has advanced both magical and modern technology. The series covers the adventures and struggles of a group of humans, called “Incarnations,” who hold these supernatural positions for a certain time. Incarnations uses its premise to ponder questions regarding the nature of life.
As each character goes from a mortal life to the “office” of an Incarnation, they are forced to contemplate their actions on a daily basis. Each Incarnation may use their office, within limits, as they see fit. This system humanizes what would otherwise be impersonal forces, leading to both extensive considerations of the effects of the incarnation’s work and the impact it has on humans. I found this series to be particularly interesting due to the strong religious and philosophical overtones. Not only are there modern religious implications, but many ancient religious philosophies and mythological ideals are contained within this series as well. I found the idea that a human takes on the mantle of a great aspect of nature completely fascinating and reading how each of the humans deals with their new “office” was completely engrossing.
The 15 books of the series describe the changing, often confrontational, relationship between two technologically advanced cultures, some representatives of which have been marooned on an alternate world and have been forced to regress to primitive technology. All of the novels take place in the same fantasy universe, spanning a period of approximately 2,000 years. Within this universe, all matter is made up of two competing forces, called order and chaos. In their natural state, these two forces are equally matched, in a condition called Balance. These two forces can be seen as fantasy representations of the natural entropy (chaos) that occurs in matter, balanced by the various molecular forces (order) that bind matter into structured forms. These forces are known at a basic level by all inhabitants of the world, typically referenced by the colors white for chaos and black for order. This is explained in the first published novel as white being the chaotic combination of all wavelengths of visible light in the spectrum and black as the absence of this light.
Certain individuals within the universe possess the innate ability to manipulate one or both of these forces. For example, chaos users (”white” mages) can draw the natural chaos from the surrounding area and focus it into bolts of flame; order users (”black” mages) can infuse additional order into metal and wood, making them unnaturally strong. This is by far one of my most favorite fantasy series ever published. I have read it several times and always found it difficult to put down at night. Despite the author’s recommendation to read the series in the published order, I highly recommend reading it in the chronological order. The regular jumping around of the timeline is rather confusing at times. I have just finished reading it chronologically and found it much easier to follow as characters overlap for several novels in the middle of the series.
Harry Potter is a series of seven fantasy novels chronicling the adventures of the adolescent wizard Harry Potter, together with Ron Weasly and Hermione Granger, his best friends from the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The central plot concerns Harry’s struggle against the evil wizard Lord Voldemort, who killed Harry’s parents in his quest to conquer the wizarding world, after which he intended to subjugate the Muggle world to his rule. Since the release of the first novel, the books have gained immense popularity, critical acclaim and commercial success worldwide. The series has spawned films, video games and Potter-themed merchandise.
As of June 2008, the book series has sold more than 400 million copies, has been translated into 67 languages and the last four books have consecutively set records as the fastest-selling books in history. The seventh and last book in the series, “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows,” was released on July 21, 2007. Publishers announced a record-breaking 12 million copies for the first print run in the United States alone. There are several reasons I absolutely love this series. First, it made reading a cool thing to do for kids again. Kids who won’t pick up a text book to save their lives will read Harry Potter. Second, I like the consistency of the novels. They always start on/about Harry’s birthday and end with him leaving Hogwarts for the summer. Third, although the first two novels are a bit juvenile, readers get a rare chance to see an author suddenly take off with a hidden talent for writing. About 100 pages into “Prisoner of Azkaban” Rowling discovers her style, leaves the nest and simply takes off as a writer with her descriptive ability to tell a story. Fourth, it’s just a really great story.
The Chronicles of Narnia is a series of seven fantasy novels for children. It is considered a classic of children’s literature and is the author’s best-known work, having sold over 100 million copies in 41 languages. Written by Lewis between 1949 and 1954 and illustrated by Pauline Baynes, “The Chronicles of Narnia” have been adapted several times, complete or in part, for radio, television, stage and cinema. In addition to numerous traditional Christian themes, the series borrows characters and ideas from Greek and Roman mythology, as well as from traditional British and Irish fairy tales. “The Chronicles of Narnia” present the adventures of children who play central roles in the unfolding history of the fictional realm of Narnia, a place where animals talk, magic is common and good battles evil. Each of the books (with the exception of “The Horse and His Boy”) features as its protagonists children from our world who are magically transported to Narnia, where they are called upon to help the lion, Aslan, handle a crisis in the world of Narnia. Fantastic reading for all ages.
“The Wheel of Time” is a series of epic fantasy novels written by American Robert Jordan. Originally planned as a six-book series, it now consists of twelve published novels. There is also a prequel novel and a companion book available. The author began writing the first volume, “The Eye of the World,” in 1984 and it was published in February 1990. The author passed away while working on the final volume, which was completed by fellow author Brandon Sanderson for publication in late 2009. The series draws on elements of European and Asian mythology, most notably the recursive nature of time found in Buddhism and the concepts of balance, duality and a respect for nature found in Daoism. The series was also partly inspired by Leo Tolstoy’s “War and Peace.” The series is notable for its length, its detailed imaginary world, its well-developed magic system and a large cast of characters. The eighth through eleventh books each reached number one on The New York Times bestseller list. Currently, the series has sold over 44 million copies worldwide and has spawned a computer game, roleplaying game and a soundtrack album. The television and film rights to the series have been optioned several times.
The Lord of the Rings is an epic high fantasy trilogy written by the English philologist J.R.R. Tolkien. The story began as a sequel to the earlier, less complex children’s fantasy novel “The Hobbit or There and Back Again” (1937), but eventually developed into a much larger work. It was written in stages between 1937 and 1949, much of it during World War II. Although intended as a single-volume work, it was originally published in three volumes in 1954 and 1955, due to post-war paper shortages and it is in this three-volume form that it is popularly known. It has since been reprinted numerous times and translated into many different languages, becoming one of the most popular and influential works in 20th-century literature. The title of the book refers to the story’s main antagonist, the Dark Lord Sauron, who had in an earlier age created the One Ring that rules the other Rings of Power, as the ultimate weapon in his campaign to conquer and rule all of Middle-earth. From quiet beginnings in the Shire, a hobbit land which is not unlike the English countryside, the story ranges across Middle-earth following the course of the War of the Ring through the eyes of its characters, most notably the hobbits, Frodo Baggins, Samwise Gamgee, Meriadoc Brandybuck and Peregrin Took.
The lands of Middle-earth are populated by men and other humanoid races (Hobbits, Elves, Dwarves and Orcs), as well as many other creatures, both real and fantastic (Ents, Wargs, Balrogs, Trolls, etc.). The enduring popularity of The Lord of the Rings has led to numerous references in popular culture, the founding of many societies by fans of Tolkien’s works and the publication of many books about Tolkien and his works. The Lord of the Rings has inspired and continues to inspire artwork, music, films and television, video games and subsequent literature. Adaptations of the trilogy have been made for radio, theatre, and film. The 2001-2003 release of Peter Jackson’s widely acclaimed cinematic trilogy prompted a new surge of interest in The Lord of the Rings and Tolkien’s other works. This is it, the grand daddy of all epic fantasy series. Virtually every fantasy author since owes at least some partial credit of their work to Tolkien. Whether it be a direct extraction of a race, the idea of magic, some aspect of a particular race contained with in the trilogy, this is the start of it all. Despite the fact there may have been fantasy novels written prior to the release of LoTR, none has had the same overreaching impact this trilogy has. This is the greatest fantasy series ever written and has stood the test of time.
I hope all of you reading the list enjoyed these series as much as I did. If you haven’t read them, again, I highly recommend it.
Contributor: Heroajax
Related ListsTop 10 Pre-3D Video GamesTop 10 Fantasy Adventure Movies Top 10 Most Influential Science Fiction Writers Top 15 Science Fiction Book Series |
SubscriptionsLike this article? Subscribe to the RSS feed to keep 'em coming, or subscribe via email: |
If you find this site helpful, please leave a donation so you can enjoy the spirit of giving too.
Email This Post
1. zulu - September 4th, 2008 at 2:49 am
Nice list, but I would’ve chosen the Harry Potter series for the second place, though.
2. Tempyra - September 4th, 2008 at 3:02 am
I need to read more fantasy
Cool list Heroajax!
3. Tempyra - September 4th, 2008 at 3:03 am
Oh I miss the days when I could spend peaceful hours at the library and sweet-talk the librarians into letting me take home more than my allowance of 30 books per week…
4. emmstein - September 4th, 2008 at 3:03 am
LotR.. Of course. For the record, Harry Potter is overrated.
5. Spurs143 - September 4th, 2008 at 3:06 am
LOTR Rules!
6. Tempyra - September 4th, 2008 at 3:08 am
Why do my comments keep showing up ‘early’? Comments 4 and 5 were on the screen before I submitted comment 3.
7. Eric - September 4th, 2008 at 3:11 am
I’d definitely include the Chronicles of Amber…
8. Jeremy Foster - September 4th, 2008 at 3:14 am
LotR has to be #1, no doubt about that. I still miss Terry Pratchett’s Discworld …
9. Blondie - September 4th, 2008 at 3:14 am
Stephen King’s dark tower series?
Virtually all of his books have connotations to the series if not being direct sub-plots.
10. Peter - September 4th, 2008 at 3:23 am
The Croniciles of Thomas Covenent the unbeliver
Dune
and for sure the cronicles of amber
11. Hoagy13 - September 4th, 2008 at 3:34 am
What about the trilogy “The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant, the Unbeliever”, the trilogy “The Second Chronicles of Thomas Covenant, and the tetralogy “The Last Chronicles of Thomas Covenant”, all by Stephen R Donaldson.
12. Morgaine - September 4th, 2008 at 3:38 am
I’d include the whole saga of the Dragonlance!
13. Atom - September 4th, 2008 at 3:48 am
No R.A. Salvatore series? Really? The Drizzt series (any of them) or the Demon Wars should have definitely been up there.
14. Tempyra - September 4th, 2008 at 3:50 am
R.A. Salvatore writes fantasy as well? I’ve only read Vector Prime…
15. Atom - September 4th, 2008 at 3:51 am
I also agree with Morgaine, Dragonlance should definitely be up there too.
16. stevenh - September 4th, 2008 at 3:57 am
Heroajax:
This is an excellent and well written list.
I’ve not read many of these (I preferred other genres) but you’ve opened up a wonderful world with youre descriptions.
17. NHNWOMBAT - September 4th, 2008 at 4:00 am
What about Piers Anthony’s other Fantasy Series or is he still writing new volumes, The XANTH Trilogy.
18. abnaxus - September 4th, 2008 at 4:08 am
Once again the Discworld is not included in a list.
Dissapointing.
19. SodaPop - September 4th, 2008 at 4:10 am
what about robin hobb and her Farseer trilogy ?
20. The-dude - September 4th, 2008 at 4:22 am
No Dune!
21. Ghidoran - September 4th, 2008 at 4:26 am
No Twilight or Eragon? Well, I guess unfinished serieses don’t count. Also, love that you included Bartimaeus. Also Dark Materials.
22. Angharad - September 4th, 2008 at 4:32 am
No. Way. Piers Anthony’s Immortality books? Really? Did you read them? What about the scene in… I think the Gaia book, where two chicks were a-questin’ and one turned into a man and immediately tried to *rape* her companion? And then got turned back and went “oh gee! I had no idea men lived with such compulsions! wow! men are so much stronger than li’l me!”
Just… wow. I’ll definitely agree that watching each character settle into their Incarnation role is interesting, and I like the Death book especially because it’s a neat setup, but a “great fantasy series” it is not. It’d have to be written better and also much less… uhh… I guess I’ll go with “misogynistic.”
I like almost all the rest of the entries (WoT is the exception) but the Anthony really soured it overall. Fly in the ointment.
23. White Satyr - September 4th, 2008 at 4:38 am
I miss Stephen King’s Dark Tower series, and Tad Williams’ Memory, Sorrow and Thorn series.
But I got a few tips for new reading material here, thanks a lot!
24. Spocker - September 4th, 2008 at 4:44 am
I third the Thomas Covenant Chronicles by Stephen R. Donaldson.
25. Mom424 - September 4th, 2008 at 4:50 am
And I forth it. Definitely worthy of inclusion. Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever was wonderful.
Great list otherwise.
26. rushfan - September 4th, 2008 at 5:13 am
Not just Donaldson’s fantastic Chronicles of Thomas Covenant series, how about the Gap Cycle series? I was blown away. Also, the Sword of Truth series by Terry Goodkind.
27. mitchsn - September 4th, 2008 at 5:33 am
Very surprised to not see George RR Martin’s Song of Ice and Fire on this list.
28. Elizabeth - September 4th, 2008 at 5:40 am
Zulu,
I would have to disagree with you. While Harry Potter was a decent series, the Wheel of Time series is just so much more detailed, and its characters (with the exception of almost every woman except as Aes Sedai falling in the love with Rand) are a bit more believable with their personalities and individual ticks.
Currently I’m waiting for the newest book to be released, so in the meantime, I’m rereading the series. I finished the Eye of the World (again) yesterday and I’m starting the Great Hunt today.
Zulu, if you haven’t read this series yet, I encourage you to do so! It’s wonderful!
29. iota1184 - September 4th, 2008 at 5:46 am
What about the OZ books. They predate all of these books and are much better then most.
How about the Dragon Riders of Pern?
As for Dune, (my favorite book series) they are clearly science fiction not fantasy.
30. JB - September 4th, 2008 at 5:47 am
puah! that stings
Harry Potter up there???
Where’re Discworld, Dragonlance, Song of Ice And Fire, The Death Gate Cicle, The Dark Tower, Elric Chronicles, and of course all Forggoten Realms sagas (Ed greenwood, RA salvatore, etc)?
And much more shall be just under LOTR I can even recall!!
Another time another list about “things that I presume to be good, even when I don’t know anything about the topic”
31. Ducky423 - September 4th, 2008 at 5:49 am
May I suggest The Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon. It is science fiction (time travel), fantasy, and historical fiction all wrapped into one. Gabaldon is a truly sensational writer and storyteller.
32. JKups - September 4th, 2008 at 6:04 am
I agree with Song of Ice and Fire and The Forgotten Realms, also, even though they were made for younger people, I’d add the Prydain Chronicles. I would also add the Fionavar Tapestry and the two Terry Brooks’ series Shanara and Kingdom of Landover.
33. asp - September 4th, 2008 at 6:19 am
Not that those series aren’t great, but I notice a distinct lack of female writers (and deficit of main female characters). Marion Zimmer Bradley, Mercedes Lackey and Anne McCaffrey are all popular and decorated writers with great series. Is this a personal bias for male writers?
34. ForestsGuardian - September 4th, 2008 at 6:21 am
I think the list is ok, but wanted to correct an error. The Wheel of Time series is _not_ finished. Brandon Sanderson is in the process of finishing it now. As of the time of my comment, his website says he is 56% finished with the first draft of the entire novel and 50% finished with the rewrite of the first quarter. The entire novel draft is based on a completed wordcount of 400k words, which may not be accurate. Fortunately for readers, Sanderson has said he is using Robert Jordan’s materials whenever possible.
35. Cedestra - September 4th, 2008 at 6:23 am
I’m pleased that I’ve read half of these series. I do intend to read a couple of others.
In response:
21. Ghidoran- Technically, Twilight is done. It was announced by the author yesterday that her last book was leaked to the internet and she’s protesting the action by not finishing the series.
13. Atom- Actually, R.A. Salvatore’s Drizzt novels don’t hold water to the rest of these series. All the books are are “Drizzt Drizzt Drizzt…oh, let’s throw a little plot in there”. I stopped reading them after a few ’cause I got so bored with the Drizzt parade.
To all you nay-sayers, J.K. Rowling is one of the best authors I’ve ever read. I support the Harry Potter series on this list and only wish it was higher. Hell, I’d put it above J. R. R. Tolkien (blasphemy!), definately above Robert Jordan. BTW, wasn’t that series unfinished and/or ghost written because he died?
Forgotten Realms = cheap writing. I consider it on par with science fiction writing (Bradbury came up with some amazing plot ideas, but couldn’t write for shit).
36. miki - September 4th, 2008 at 6:29 am
harry potter sucks
37. Cedestra - September 4th, 2008 at 6:39 am
you suck, you ninja
38. oose85 - September 4th, 2008 at 6:56 am
For those advocating for the discworld, Terry Prachett is still writing and ading to the series it therefore does not qualify:
“The big stipulation for making it to the list is that the series must be complete with no more books forthcoming.”
That being said the riftwar series, etc. by Raymond E. Feist is not yet complete, he is in the middle of writing the Darkwars saga
39. oose85 - September 4th, 2008 at 6:57 am
Cedestra - 10 points
40. oose85 - September 4th, 2008 at 6:58 am
I second the call for the Pern Series by Anne McCafrey. Great books
41. Wini - September 4th, 2008 at 7:00 am
I love Harry Potter - overated because it deserves to be.
42. Carol - September 4th, 2008 at 7:00 am
No Dark Tower AGAIN?
43. warningdontreadthis - September 4th, 2008 at 7:05 am
His dark. should be higher on the list, or lower. Well better then harry potter anyway.
44. PirateXxEsque - September 4th, 2008 at 7:05 am
Numbers 10 - 7 are frigging epic. Anyone who hasn’t read…. Well, you’re missing out.
I like your taste Mr Jamie.
Bartimeaes is the funniest lil chap ever.
And David Eddings is a fantastic writer (though I must confess, I read the Sparhawk series first, so I like it much more =P)
And you really should have used the original covers to illustrate (there’s bound to be more of them around).
And used the cover of Magician for the Raymond E Fiest one - Darkness at Sethanon was the third one…
45. Adorabelle - September 4th, 2008 at 7:06 am
Am I the only person who thinks LotR doesn’t count becuase it was intended to be a single volume work? It was only printed in 3 volumes because of paper shortages after WW2, but was written as one book. Tolkien is probably revolving in his grave right now.
46. PirateXxEsque - September 4th, 2008 at 7:07 am
And yes, The DArk Tower Series (Stephen King) is also highly recommended.
Oh, and Juliet Marillier is also a pretty writer; she wrote the Bridei trilogy, which is much more recent, and hence less known.
47. PirateXxEsque - September 4th, 2008 at 7:11 am
Oh!!! I remember those Amazing Thor!! They were brilliant…
Also, Jasper Fforde’s The eYre Affair is pretty damn good. Kinda borderline though, but a brilliant literary read.
48. AmazingThor - September 4th, 2008 at 7:12 am
Shouldn’t have narrowed it to just ten. You’re totally leaving out some classics: Song of Ice and Fire by George R.R. Martin and The Malazan books by Steve Erikson. And I could go on
49. Cat Skyfire - September 4th, 2008 at 7:18 am
Need more lists on this one. The Pern series. Dragonlance. Xanth. I’m sure there are even more…
50. Bob - September 4th, 2008 at 7:27 am
“Pullman commends humanity for its attainment of wisdom and knowledge rather than condemning it (as in Milton’s poem). ”
What nonsense is this? Milton does no such thing. To hell with this Blakeian pseudo-Milton crap. It wasn’t right in the 18th century, and it isn’t right now.
51. Steve - September 4th, 2008 at 7:38 am
I agree that Dark Tower should be on there.
Also Brian Jacques Redwall series should get some consideration (although that may be personal preference)
Also I really enjoted Garth Nix’s Sabriel Series
52. lyracle - September 4th, 2008 at 7:39 am
Not sure how actual longtime fans of the fantasy genre view it, but the series that got me to start reading fantasy in the first place was The Sword of Truth by Terry Goodkind. Kinda wordy in places, but really engaging otherwise.
53. segue - September 4th, 2008 at 7:46 am
Heroajax, first off, well done!
During my first semester in Uni, I read the Tolkien series. That was enough fantasy reading to last me a lifetime.
My kids liked the Narnia series in grammar school, but that did it, fantasy-wise, for them.
A question which I have to ask, because it’s killing me not to know, is in the “Incarnations of Immortality”the eight-book fantasy. ” The first seven books each focus on one of seven supernatural “offices” (Death, Time, Fate, War, Nature, Evil and Good)” what is the eighth book about?
Don’t tell me to read it. I don’t have the time. I can think of Love and Immortality.
54. Amy - September 4th, 2008 at 8:01 am
Nicely chosen. But what about Marion Zimmer Bradley’s Darkover series?
55. psychosurfer - September 4th, 2008 at 8:10 am
WHAT!!! No Ursula Leguin´s Earthsea Saga??!!??
For starters Harry Potter is a lighter version of her “Wizard of Earthsea” (Note that I didn´t mentioned the word Plagiarism)
Shame on that “insignificant detail” Heroajax
56. Talanic - September 4th, 2008 at 8:16 am
Huh. Did the Saga of Recluse get good later on? I recall my entire family chucking it after about six books because it got to the point where most of the books were about the same as any of the others, with different names for [male lead] and [female lead] and [villain], as well as [male lead’s special talent/invention] and [bad thing that happens to female lead].
And when variety came to the series, it was by the addition of poetry that I recall as dreadfully boring. Plus it has the worst parts of the Wheel of Time - repeated, unnecessary dialog and description.
57. Jackie - September 4th, 2008 at 8:16 am
I’m so happy that someone else (Steve) mentioned this but the Redwall Series I think is fantastic and I wish it were on this list.
58. Loren - September 4th, 2008 at 8:17 am
I can’t believe no one else has mentioned The Dragonriders of Pern by Anne McCaffrey!!! I grew up wanting a dragon of my own.
59. psychosurfer - September 4th, 2008 at 8:17 am
And by the way, no one has mentioned the RIVERWORLD Saga by Phillip José Farmer which is fantastic.
60. Joe - September 4th, 2008 at 8:20 am
References to Lewis Carroll’s “Alice in Wonderland” and “Through the Looking Glass” continue to pop up everywhere in popular culture. This longevity must count for something. Plus, these are good books with plenty of social satire and drug references. Fun for the whole family.
61. Mystic_Pearl - September 4th, 2008 at 8:34 am
Lovely List!! I’ve been visiting Listverse for ages and have been meaning to comment someday.
Like someone said before me - No Dune?!?! It is one of the best Fantasy series ever and it is a completed one..
HP is a little over rated yes- I remember reading and enjoying the books long before it became ‘fashionable’ to be a Potter fan.
Great suggestions in the list and in the comments - Off I go to the library or to paperbackswap!
62. rolltide - September 4th, 2008 at 8:39 am
GRR Martin’s series is not finished either - He is still working on “A Dance With Dragons”. He will have a calendar out this year though, on par with the classic LOTR calenders!
63. Iâran - September 4th, 2008 at 8:40 am
What? No “Discworld”? No “Game of Thrones”? No “Conan the Barbarian”? No “Farseer Trilogy”? No “Earthsea”?
Strange to leave these out… But nonetheless. Some of those that made the list (and that I haven’t read) sounds intriguing, have to check them out…
64. Iâran - September 4th, 2008 at 8:42 am
Oh, and where’s Michael Moorcock?
65. solensdrottning - September 4th, 2008 at 8:45 am
If you were going to include a Piers Anthony series on the list, I would have chosen the apprentice adept series. Much more engrossing and enjoyable than the incarnations of immortality.
66. rolltide - September 4th, 2008 at 8:55 am
It is probable that Discworld isn’t complete either - Pratchett has hinted he is working on another featuring football at the Unseen University…
67. Hillery - September 4th, 2008 at 8:59 am
Great list, I haven’t read all of them, so now I have reading ideas… Kind of annoyed with the people bashing Harry Potter. It was and still is a tremendously popular series, certainly captures the imagination. I wonder, when speaking of Harry Potter as over-rated or plagiarizing another work, what you think would have happened if they had never been written? Do you think the work the books supposedly plagiarized would have taken its place in popularity? Do you think the boom in reading among children would have occurred without this series? Come on, give it the credit it deserves. I dare you to write something that captivating.
Otherwise, great list. Agree with LOTR at number one, of course. I’m fine with His Dark Materials on there, but was anyone else annoyed at the convenience of the last fifty pages or so?
68. Lynn - September 4th, 2008 at 9:02 am
A wrinkle in time by Madeleine L’Engle is the book that first introduced me to fantasy as a child. The 3 other books in the ‘Time Quartet’ are equally entertaining and worth the read.
Very nice list, thanks for the great details…I believe that I will be busy reading a few new books this winter.
69. Miss Destiny - September 4th, 2008 at 9:03 am
This was an awesome list! I’m glad to see I’m not the only person who would have wanted to see DragonLance on this list! It’s one of my favorite series. However, I’m really glad that Harry Potter was included!
One of these days (probably after I move) I’ll get to the library and check out His Dark Materials. I saw the Golden Compass movie but I’m guessing the book was way better. It usually is!
70. Kreachure - September 4th, 2008 at 9:03 am
Great list! Your nice descriptions have left me quite intrigued by the ones I hadn’t heard of before (which would be several).
I wanted to say something about the LOTR series: Tolkien not only intended for the whole LOTR to be published as a single book, but he also wanted The Silmarillion to be published along with the trilogy as a single massive book, too! The editors obviously had to say no, so the Silmarillion was published as one independent book, and LOTR as a trilogy. Furthermore, the trilogy is divided into six books, although I don’t know why
Even if you don’t consider LOTR a series by itself, you should consider The Silmarillion, The Hobbit (of which LOTR is indeed a sequel) and LOTR as a series. So, no problem there
71. Kraeg - September 4th, 2008 at 9:10 am
Great list, Jamie, but I too would have to add The Thomas Covenant chronicles. Although, I haven’t read them with an adults eye, as a teenager they proved to be very re-readable.
72. antmansbigxmas - September 4th, 2008 at 9:18 am
I’m sure it’s been mentioned, but the Sword of Truth series by Terry Goodkind should be here - maybe if you’d done top 15? The depth and complexity of his universe is remarkable, although I find the majority of the main characters irritating and/or cliche.
73. Anime Princess - September 4th, 2008 at 9:20 am
Good List but I agree with antmansbigxmas that the “Sword of Truth” series should be on this list…I couldn’t put the books down.
74. heatherrr. - September 4th, 2008 at 9:30 am
great list, has most of the classics like narnia!!!! and i once had the incarnations of immortality…piers anthony is great and the xanth series has been going for years and years
75. HistoryDave - September 4th, 2008 at 9:35 am
Great list - and some useful suggestions for my further reading, as if that list wasn’t already a mile long. Ah well.
I would also put in my two cents for Discworld, even though it does not qualify for this list since Pratchett is still writing them. And thank you for including Harry Potter - a great story that is stronger than its writing.
I would have included Sean Williams’ Books of the Cataclysm series (The Crooked Letter is one of the most mind-blowing books out there); K. J. Parker’s Scavenger trilogy and/or Engineer trilogy; and Jacqueline Carey’s original Kushiel trilogy.
76. Heroajax - September 4th, 2008 at 9:39 am
For everyone who has commented on adding a series to this list. Please keep in mind this is a “10 GREAT” not a “greatest” list. I am completely aware there are others out there that are just as well written as the ones I included here. I personally loved the Xanth series. I think “A Spell for Chameleon” was the first fantasy novel I read. Still love it to this day. I don’t think Anthony will ever be done with it though. It’s his bread and butter. Dragonlance was fantastic as well. But where do you stop as far as calling it a series? To my knowledge, there’s like 10 authors and well over 25 books. Do you stop with the dragon trilogy and the last book in the twins trilogy? I dunno.
For all the naysayers about Harry Potter pbbbbbbbhhhhhhhttttt. :-p Please read my description again. It’s not overrated at all. It was awesome. Sure, not as complex as some of the others listed here, but still amazing reading.
@22 Angharad. I wish more women realized that revelation about men. Glad you realized it.
I would tend to disagree with the “mysoginistic” part of your comment. I can see how you’d get that, but perhaps that simply an identification of “what is.” Maybe? Perhaps?
@53 Segue. Last book in series was about Nox. Published in 2007.
@56 Talanic. I agree that’s one criticism of the series. I would agree he definitely has a formula. It’s hard to say “where” it got good for me, but the later published books were awesome for me.
Keep in mind for all, this is a great list, not a “greatest.” There’s tons of out there. Add ‘em if you’d like.
77. Heroajax - September 4th, 2008 at 9:53 am
FYI for the Dune promoters. Dune is a science fiction series which, one, does not fall into the category of this list and two is already covered on two other lists here.
78. smurff - September 4th, 2008 at 9:53 am
Has anybody ever heard about Isaac Asimovs novels. I read 1 or 2 of his books- scary stuff, was there a surperior race on earth before mankind as we know it.
79. Cottonseed - September 4th, 2008 at 9:58 am
“Conan” has been omitted, alhough it combines the writing of the number one and two authors on your list.
I agree with a couple mentions of the Fionavar tapestry- Guy Gavriel Kay is a fantastic writer, severely underated by his near absence in the comments alone…
I love debates based on opinion- everybody’s right!
80. BarbRyan - September 4th, 2008 at 9:59 am
What about The Mists of Avalon?
81. cory - September 4th, 2008 at 10:03 am
i love the comments on lists like this one cuz people always post way more info than just the list its great!
on anotther note death gate and dark tower are not here which i recommend but the list is still a great list
82. Heroajax - September 4th, 2008 at 10:03 am
To my knowledge, Mists of Avalon was a standalone novel? So, I didn’t include it in this “series” list. I do intend to write a standalone/great individual fantasy novel list. I started it, but it’s proven to be much more difficult.
83. lol - September 4th, 2008 at 10:06 am
man, if you people really think harry potter is good ..you need to read more
84. Heroajax - September 4th, 2008 at 10:10 am
@83 lol. Have you read it? I find most people who bash on HP typically haven’t read it. They just bash it because it’s popular. It’s fantastic. The first two books are infantile. I’ll give you that, but 3-7 are amazingly well written. Check it out. Trust me. It rocks.
85. aldi - September 4th, 2008 at 10:12 am
+1 for Earthsea
86. K.Inez - September 4th, 2008 at 10:15 am
Lynn, thanks for mentioning the wrinkle in time series, I was wondering if I would see that in the comments!
87. Lisandro - September 4th, 2008 at 10:20 am
What about NightWatch of Sergei Lukaneynko? It’s better than Harry Potter by a long shot. Maybe Jamie hasn’t read it yet or maybe don’t like it
88. schiesl - September 4th, 2008 at 10:27 am
Shannarah Series gets snubbed again…no one even talks about it, but it is freaking amazing. read all of them (except for the latest little series, cause that one sucks) but the other 4 series of shannarah are amazing
89. Cliff - September 4th, 2008 at 10:28 am
LOTR = 1st
i dont think neone wud disagree
what abt last of the mohicans
90. dustin - September 4th, 2008 at 10:29 am
if the wheel of time is considered finished (which is is obviously not) and is on the list then a song of ice and fire should be on the list too. probably in the first or second spot
91. reveuse - September 4th, 2008 at 10:30 am
i’ve only read 4 of these. I really have to read the others!!
i love fantasy books.
another great fantasy serie is The Edge-chronicles by Paul Stewart and Chris Riddell. It is a incredible universe - air pirates, rebel librarians, creatures like banderbears - and unlikely in fantasy books, there are no magic! It is also amazingly illustrated. Read it
I also like the Alanna-series and Daine-series by Tamora Pierce.
And the series about unicorns by Meredith Ann Pierce!
And The Faerie Wars Chronicles by Herbie Brennan.
And and and
92. oose85 - September 4th, 2008 at 10:38 am
Heroajax - For your standalone list I recomend The Book Of Joby by Mark J. Ferrarri.
A very nice reas, great story. The basic plo is a mix of Christian mythology and aurthurian legend.
Enjoy
93. oose85 - September 4th, 2008 at 10:38 am
sorry read not reas
94. ylekiot - September 4th, 2008 at 11:15 am
Come on the Dark Tower was left off again, other than that great list.
95. The_Snowdog - September 4th, 2008 at 11:30 am
Definitely the Chronicles of Amber by Roger Zelazny should be on this list
96. JayArr - September 4th, 2008 at 11:52 am
I know oose85 already mentioned the tidbit from the first paragraph: “The big stipulation for making it to the list is that the series must be complete with no more books forthcoming.”
Dragonlance (much like Forgotten Realms) is more of a fantasy gaming universe where people keep writing more and more novels about people/events/etc therein. There are a large number of novels/series/sagas that fall into that category, all of which are not eligible for this list.
I agree that Thomas Covenant belongs on the list - fun reading that taxed the imagination! I also liked some of Salvatore’s work, though don’t think it’s top-10 material. McCaffrey’s ‘Pern’ (original series) was excellent, and could be on this list as well.
97. Mr.Graves - September 4th, 2008 at 12:29 pm
Gantastic list! Very well done. Two suggestions, and these are based on my particular ‘taste’ only, not a criticism:
One: I would have segregated the list to be fantasyonly and have a sci-fi only. I know they are intertwined but both genres are large enough now to house a best of easily.
Two: I don’t disparage the popularity or the technique of the writer, but for me personally I wouldn’t have even had Harry Potter on the list. Rather, something along the lines of The Chronicles of Amber.
Oh, as an addendum: I`m positive you probably haven`t read this series, but if you are a fan of fantasy, you should pick up the `Prince of Nothing` Trilogy, by Robert Bakkar. Everyone I know who has read it says it is the best fantasy to come out since LOTR- it took Bakkar 15 years to write the first book, and it definately belongs on this list.
98. Mr.Graves - September 4th, 2008 at 12:31 pm
Edit above^ The Prince of Nothing Trilogy is complete, but there are more books forthcoming in the ‘world’ Bakkar has created, so I guess it’s a grey zone. Check it out, though.
99. Sue - September 4th, 2008 at 12:33 pm
i know the songs of fire and ice aren’t a complete series yet, but it’s definately a great fantasy series. i admit i’m also at a loss over the lack of the dark tower or any other r.a. salvatore seies. or perhaps even the damia series in which it started out about her mother, the rowan and then the force of the character herself just stole out the whole series. lol
100. Emily - September 4th, 2008 at 12:49 pm
I have read 5 of these series’ and I must say I was angered that The Bartimaeus Trilogy was on this list. I thought those books were TERRIBLE. Not well-written at all. I suppose its a matter of opinion, though. The Wheel of Time books are fantastic, as well as the others I have read.
Overall good list.
101. Heroajax - September 4th, 2008 at 12:50 pm
@MrGraves. There’s already a top 10 Sci-Fi list. Hence the reason I made this list. Give HP a chance. It’s got an amazing amount of detail in the books. A lot of it is rather subtle, but interesting if you know it’s there. Eg. The wood of the wands is matched to the personality of the person. Check it out.
102. Navik - September 4th, 2008 at 12:56 pm
as long as LOTR is first
103. paparazzibuzzkill - September 4th, 2008 at 1:01 pm
I would have gone with Xanth over I of I as far as Piers Anthony series go. Other than that sweet list.
104. Heroajax - September 4th, 2008 at 1:02 pm
I would have taken Xanth over Incarnations too, however, I don’t think he will ever “finish” the series. So, not eligible for the list imho.
105. jayjackpot - September 4th, 2008 at 1:13 pm
i would definitely add the forgotten realms series to this list
106. jayjackpot - September 4th, 2008 at 1:18 pm
at least the dark elf trilogy
107. John - September 4th, 2008 at 1:38 pm
No A Series Of Unfortunate Events?
Should’ve made it.
108. Cedestra - September 4th, 2008 at 2:05 pm
55. psychosurfer: What the hell are you talking about? Just because the main characters spent some time in a school for wizards does NOT mean it’s plagiarism. That plus the curse following the main character and the only two elements I can think of that are unique. Ursula’s writing wasn’t that great, anyway.
“no one has mentioned the RIVERWORLD Saga by Phillip José Farmer”
That’s because it’s so obscure you’re the only one to have read it.
109. Cedestra - September 4th, 2008 at 2:06 pm
107. John-
Short, well written and thought out, but definately not worthy of this list.
110. Cedestra - September 4th, 2008 at 2:08 pm
I actually hadn’t put any work towards the list itself: good job, Heroajax. I support all your decisions, especially Harry Potter and David Eddings.
111. scaramouche - September 4th, 2008 at 2:11 pm
i LOVE The Saga of Recluce! Its my favorite. i also enjoyed a series by Card, but i guess he would be more sci fi. but the series i like i called The Earthborn series, and i heard it was based off of The Book of Mormon, which makes it all that more interesting!
112. Deziner - September 4th, 2008 at 2:47 pm
I vote for the Dark Tower series, the books of Pern, and how about the Shanara trilogy by Terry Brooke.
Overall nice list though, Heroajax. You have some titles here that have piqued my interest.
113. Casey - September 4th, 2008 at 2:50 pm
What about Twilight. The actual series as we know it (from Bella’s POV) is officially finished as of August 2nd. It really should be on here… but LOTR rocks. I love them… though i probably should finish the Hobbit.
114. cliff - September 4th, 2008 at 3:00 pm
very surprised that “the sword of truth” is not featured. they were all very good choices though!
115. CJ - September 4th, 2008 at 3:16 pm
I liked The Belgariad, but with The Mallorean and his subsequent works Eddings’ female characters got so waspish that they were just annoying.
116. jake ryder - September 4th, 2008 at 3:17 pm
Nice list and cannot disagree with any of them.
117. HLH - September 4th, 2008 at 3:45 pm
Great list! I’ve read a few of these, but they all sounds pretty interesting.
I agree that HP is a little overrated, but I’d have to say Twilight series is MUCH more so. I have to say I was relieved to not see it on the list.
118. billyrules! - September 4th, 2008 at 4:06 pm
Holy Crap! I haven’t read any of these!
119. ajobes - September 4th, 2008 at 4:07 pm
#51. Steve:
Glad that someone else here thinks highly of Garth Nix’s Sabriel series. It is by far one of my favorites!! His Key’s to the Kingdom and the Seventh Tower are also quite good. Did you hear that he is making a prequel to the Sabriel series? It is slated to be called “Clariel: The Lost Abhorsen”. He has also stated that he is going to be making a sequel to Abborison. I am excited!!
120. kate - September 4th, 2008 at 4:19 pm
have never commented before but i have to pop these ones in, as if the readers likes the listed they will LOVE THESE as much as i did:
Sara Douglas - the Axis Trilogy and the Crucible trilogy.
Isobelle Carmody - The Obernewton Cronicles (no not a trilogy, and dystopian more than fantasy maybe, but more than worth a read)
Steven Erikson - The Malazan tales of the fallen.
Enjoy
121. ninjajim - September 4th, 2008 at 4:30 pm
#51 and #119- Sariel was awesome, I just read the entire trilogy last month. I’m so happy Garth Nix is going to expound upon the series and I can’t wait until they come out. Also I agree that Redwall should have been on this list as well, great series!
122. ninjajim - September 4th, 2008 at 4:31 pm
#51 and #119- Sabriel was awesome, I just read the entire trilogy last month. I’m so happy Garth Nix is going to expound upon the series and I can’t wait until they come out. Also I agree that Redwall should have been on this list as well, great series!
123. chadster - September 4th, 2008 at 4:40 pm
I noticed many people felt the dark tower series should be included. Personally i loved the first 5 books of the series, but the last two ruined the entire experience for me. I wish I had never read the last two books, If i hadn’t the series would have probably been my favorite.
124. KB - September 4th, 2008 at 4:50 pm
How about the Black Company series? I have read most of the others listed. The Unbeliever should be on the list.
125. Tom Wang - September 4th, 2008 at 5:00 pm
honorable mention should go to “Dragonlance” and “Ravenloft” series for size and fan base alone.
126. ringtailroxy - September 4th, 2008 at 5:03 pm
wow! amazingly, I had read TLOR trilogy when I was young, loved Piers Anthony’s works (although “Incarnations of Immortality” was not my favorite works of his0…
but, well…
I am very concerned that Madeline L’Engles’ Time Quintet (comprising of “A Wrinkle in Time”, “A Wind in the Door”, “A Swiftly Tilting Planet”, “Many Waters”, and “An Acceptable Time”)is not represented here…
I simply GOBBLED that series up as a child! “A Swiftly Tilting Planet” will always rate as one of my favorite books of all-time (c’mon, intellectual, cute adolescent boy, unicorns, a tesseract…I was only 13 when I read it, and I did actually think boys like Charles Wallace actually existed, just not at my Junior High School…)
if you haven’t enjoyed them, the books follow the story of one amazing family, consisting of a scientist mother, missing scientist father, and their children… mainly Meg, the eldest daughter, and Charles Wallace. it involves fifth dimensions, alternate universes, and time travel, with some natural history thrown in as well…
*sigh*
now, as an adult, I understand not only why I loved these books so much, but why i loved Charles Wallace as well… Charles… Darwin? Wallace… as in Alfred Russel? hmmm… early seeds of my future atheism… at 13? perhaps…
rtr
p.s. it should at least be a fantasy series of special note…hint… hint…
127. jeremyj - September 4th, 2008 at 5:06 pm
2 Words: Thieves’ World. It had 12 great books that had everything a good fantasy series should have. But most importantly it was a collaboration which helped many authors get started.
128. Lizzie - September 4th, 2008 at 5:15 pm
Great list Heroajax. I’m so pleased to see Robert Jordans WoT series on here, and at number 2! I have numbers 4-1 on this list, though I would place HP and WoT at 1 and 2 as my personal favourites. I have re-read both many many times. I got stuck halfway through The Two Towers in the LotR series and have not been able to move forward. Likewise with Narnia. I have also read the David Eddings books and am not personally a fan. However, the rest of the list and the suggestions in the comments have certainly given me something to look out for for future reading.
Thanks.
129. J Sizzle - September 4th, 2008 at 5:28 pm
I agree that Terry Goodkind’s Sword of Truth books are fantastic. They are what got me reading fantasy and I would always await the next novel. I’m super pshyced that they are making the mini series!
Faith of the Fallen is my favorite book of all time. It is beautifully done. Everyone should check it out.
130. zemrestan - September 4th, 2008 at 5:30 pm
I really, really think that the Redwall series should’ve been on this list.
LotR seriously rocks, though.
131. Glitterina - September 4th, 2008 at 5:33 pm
Now, I read many a Xanth novel in my younger days, but how any adult can fail to see that Piers Anthony is a misogynistic twit, I cannot understand.
C’mon… when Chameleon is ugly, she’s smart but a bitch, and when she’s hawt, she’s too stupid to boil water.
And all the snickering about “panties”. Seriously? Did he come up with that when he was in 2nd grade?
Not to mention that the vast majority of his female characters are gorgeous (yet prissy), with heaving cha-chas and flowing locks… BLEARGH.
132. dustin - September 4th, 2008 at 5:57 pm
113. casey, i wouldnt consider twilight a fantasy as much as a love novel. and even if you do consider it a fanstasy, its not well written at all and doesnt stand up to the other series
133. Heroajax - September 4th, 2008 at 6:13 pm
@131 Glitterina, I don’t want to open this can of worms here, but he’s not far off from the truth on that. Is it stereotypical. Ya. No question there, I can’t quite get there on misogynistic. From men’s perspective, that’s not completely out of line in pointing out that VERY BROAD generality. There are many other authors who I clearly would define that way, but there is some amount of truth there. *goes and hides from sticks and stones*
134. jon - September 4th, 2008 at 7:16 pm
not sure about The Wheel of Time beating narnea and harry potter, also william nicholson’s wind on fire triology could do with a mention
135. tyler - September 4th, 2008 at 7:59 pm
i was reading narnia in third grade, and i loved it
136. Anderi - September 4th, 2008 at 8:10 pm
Ok, I have to say it again: You need China Mieville’s Perdido St Station, The Scar and The Iron council in these fantasy lists!
He has taken steam punk, magic and politics and turned it into a truly absorbing and more often than not vicious world.
Picture mid to late 19th century London or New York as a city-state named New Crobuzon, that is rife with thaumaturgy (magic), constructs (steam-bots), non-sapien races (vodyanoi, hotchi, kepri, cacticae and wierder), stir in sub cultures, drugs, gangsters and an iron fisted parliament that regularly deals with demon ambassadors and the like and you have a fantastic trilogy of novels!
Actually the 2nd novel is set on the high seas in a 1 square mile floating pirate city while the 3rd is 20 years later and wild west-esque but each novel is so rich in history and detail and violence…
137. Nelia - September 4th, 2008 at 8:31 pm
Heroajax - i have seen you address some of the other series that were suggested, but I’ve love to know if you have read the Wrinkle in Time series and whether or not you liked it. I am not an avid fantasy reader, but I loved those books. I know this is a “great” list and not a “greatest” list, but since you seem to know a lot about fantasy I was just wondering what your opinion on that series was. Very interesting list, I might have to check out some of the books on here. Not really my genre, but I always try to be open minded and remind myself how fascinating I found Wrinkle in Time and the others of that series.
138. Heroajax - September 4th, 2008 at 8:35 pm
@ Nelia, Sorry, I have not read the Time Quintet/Quartet? Although for some reason I do know at least 3 of the titles. Perhaps I read them when I was a kid and just don’t remember? Not sure, but as several people commented on it. I’ll have to assume it deserves at least some merit.
139. Cedestra - September 4th, 2008 at 9:23 pm
Ringtailroxy, as much as I love Madeleine L’engle’s works as well, they were much too close to science fiction to make the list.
140. Heroajax - September 4th, 2008 at 9:56 pm
@140 … or maybe because it’s a Sci-Fi novel, which has already been covered on two lists and does not fall into the fantasy category?
141. CRSN - September 4th, 2008 at 9:56 pm
Hitch Hikers Guide to the Galaxy - a truly funny and deep sci-fi series, not sure why it wasnt on the list, maybe because its a fairly indepth story line and a little hard to understand for some readers.
142. dustin - September 4th, 2008 at 10:01 pm
its probably not on the list bc its sci fi you dumbass
143. Heroajax - September 4th, 2008 at 10:03 pm
Ok. For some reason my sarcastic reply posted above the one I intended it to. It was directed at 141 which was 140 when I typed it.
144. CRSN - September 4th, 2008 at 10:07 pm
Dustin - dont go abusing poster or i’ll have that last one removed by J.
Putting me down in particular is not a good idea, so if i was you I’d refrain from doing it in future, use the site, dont abuse it!
145. astraya - September 4th, 2008 at 10:33 pm
Where is the dividing line between science fiction and science fantasy, anyway?
146. CRSN - September 4th, 2008 at 10:36 pm
Astraya - i can admit that i was wrong in saying the hitch hikers series, but you bring up a good point, because some fantasy is sci fi orientated, but you cant argue with the intro, its one of the first times in a while that i didnt read it.
147. dustin - September 4th, 2008 at 10:44 pm
if theres space travel involved its probably sci fi
148. CRSN - September 4th, 2008 at 10:53 pm
Well said, but, isnt that kind of space travel a fantasy at the moment? we may be able to land on the moon, but to find another planet with life on it isnt exactly a fact at the moment, more of a fantasy.
thats the problem with the unknown, it’s UNKNOWN!
149. dustin - September 4th, 2008 at 11:00 pm
fantasy entails using magic, interacting with dragons, stuff that happened in the past, stuff that could have happened along time ago in the world but is now gone, sci fi is technology based and futuristic
150. CRSN - September 4th, 2008 at 11:17 pm
BAH! but how about “sci fi” alien species that use magic, couldnt pin point one off the top of my head becuase i’m in the middle of accounts at the mo, but do know that i has happened in text.
ah ha! how about the “force” in Star Wars, wouldnt that be considered magic.
and to descibe Fantasy as something that may have happened in the past is not correct in itself:
Quoted from Webster Dictionary: Fan*ta*sy (plural) -ies 1: imagination, fancy 2: a product of the imagination:ILLUSION
3: FANTASIA-fantasy/a musical composition free and fanciful in form.
think that summed it up pretty well, NEXT
151. Braden - September 4th, 2008 at 11:28 pm
“The big stipulation for making it to the list is that the series must be complete with no more books forthcoming.”
Hopefully that explains the omission of Pratchett, one of the most popular fantasy series ever.
152. Mortivore - September 4th, 2008 at 11:32 pm
First off, Lyracle: I freakin love the Sword of Truth series, but, sadly, it isn’t finished yet. Or not so sadly, I guess, because that’s one of those series I’d like to see go on forever. XD
DragonLance is another good one, also. I haven’t read some of them, so I can’t really say much about placement, but I would’ve included that.
Mercedes Lackey is also an amazing author. Her Valdemar series had me occupied for… well, only a few months, but that’s because I would finish one every day or two. XD
I love the fact that you included Bartimaeus on the list. I find it to be a very unique standpoint, as far as books go, and Bartimaeus is absolutely hilarious. Amazing series. I still haven’t read the third one, so no spoilers! >.
153. Mortivore - September 4th, 2008 at 11:34 pm
Aww, it cut off like two thirds of my post. T.T Oh well. The jist of it was, this is a great list and you should DEFINITELY check out the Dresden Files. XD
Amazing list, Heroajax. Props to you also, Jamie. I freakin love this site, by the way. ^-^
154. astraya - September 4th, 2008 at 11:55 pm
Sorry, I got slightly muddled, because this list isn’t about *science fantasy*, it’s about *fantasy*, which is different, but the basic point of my question remains. Where is the dividing line? How much science can there be in fantasy before it turns into science fiction? How much fanstsy can there be in science fiction before it turns into fantasy? And where does either turn into *science fanstasy*? According to the definition CRSN quotes, *any book*, being “a product of the imagination” could be defined as a fantasy.
155. Michelle - September 5th, 2008 at 12:00 am
good list! I would have liked to see the Aborhorsen series by Gart Nix. They are for ‘young adults’ but the trilogy is well written.
156. CRSN - September 5th, 2008 at 12:13 am
Astraya - Ok Ok, maybe putting a factual definition was the wrong way to go, i agree with your question but i dont think they could be defined to an exact point (50/50 is a good mix), i guess that it one of those questions we’ll always ask because the is no line drawn in the sand for the definitions of either Sci fi or fantasy, but if you take everything in to consideration thats been said, they both go hand in hand with each other.
157. YashaMaru - September 5th, 2008 at 12:19 am
nice list. but what about tales of the otori?
one of the best book-series ever. narnia shouldnt be here. and definately not above HP.
wheel of time i find better than LoTR, which i find rather overrated. the books had obvious flaws, but its reached a status of untouchable, so i’ll probably be scolded for calling it overrated. XD
158. kinn21 - September 5th, 2008 at 12:21 am
I was shocked at first that A Song of Ice and Fire was left off, then i read the introductory paragraph… Martin is certainly taking his time with A Dance With Dragons
159. Michelle - September 5th, 2008 at 12:55 am
ah i see know that other people agreed, a prequel is exciting. I would love to see a movie done
160. Champiñon - September 5th, 2008 at 12:57 am
what about Terry Pratchet’s Discworld??
161. carpe_noctem - September 5th, 2008 at 1:24 am
Some fantasy series I loved were Clive Barker’s Weaveworld series, and The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant, The Unbeliever. They both provided a fairly unique take to the fantasy genre.
And Dustin, you say that fantasy is historic, and details things that may have been, but aren’t? Quite a lot of fantasy takes place in the present time. If you don’t believe me, check out number 4 on the list.
162. greg - September 5th, 2008 at 1:27 am
His dark materials, the chronicles of narnia and the lord of the rings should be the top 3.
163. CRSN - September 5th, 2008 at 1:28 am
Carpe - hey that was a good point about HP series and to think i didnt pick that up and went through all that crap before.
*CRSN Smacks his head again on the monitor again out of pure frustration at his own stupidity*
Dangor - “clean up in isle 6, the sci fi/fantasy section”
164. k1w1taxi - September 5th, 2008 at 1:42 am
Astraya
Good point you raise about the dividing line. One of my absolute favourite fantasy series is The Chronicles of Morgaine by CJ Cherryh, but it does have the Gates which are definitely science as is the backstory. However the books themselves are very much fantasy in style.
China Mieville’s books are another great example of the blurring. And absolutely brilliant writing.
As to the list itself;
WoT *shudder* all I can say is that Jordan is in even bigger need of a decent editor than L Ron Hubbard.
Personally I would not have LOTR at no 1, but then as the list is *great* not greatest I guess it isn’t really #1 after all.:)
20 years later and I am still wondering why I ploughed through to the end of the Mallorean. Terrible, shallow, cliched series.
Other possibilities
As mentioned (only once, surprisingly) Elric by Michael Moorcock along with most of the rest of the Eternal Champion cycle.
David Gemmell, both Drenai and Sipstrassi series. Whilst the stories follow a formulaic pattern the quality of the writing evinces far more sympathy for the characters than should be possible.
Thomas Covenant. Is this finished? the Last Chronicles have only had two of the four published so far. However if you are separating out the individual trilogies then yes the first one for sure stands up.
Pern. Taken as a whole the series is not fantasy, a fact MacCaffery is vehemently on record about. However the first trilogy and Moreta definitely fulfill the criteria for fantasy. And the writing is actually good unlike so much of her later work.
Cheers
Lee
165. joewatson - September 5th, 2008 at 2:07 am
Heroajax (’n Jfrater) I can’t thank you enough for your effort and timing. I’ve recently found myself with ample opportunity to read at leisure … is there a better thing to find yourself with? (short of a scantily clad listversian of the curvicture persuasion…) and no, ‘moobs’ do not qualify you as curvicture…
but seriously, I just laid down LOTR for the third time and was thinking, “I’ve got to broaden my fantasy horizons”.. but what?..(insert joke your mother would be ashamed of here)
And Lo! Here is “The List” with “a list”…
You truly serve a higher purpose. (ha! just kidding, you’re just another ‘top 10′ crapfest like “Cracked”)
Ha! Got you again! You are anything but. You exude character, intelligence, and above all, class. I think you are the best of what the internet has to offer… interesting and controversial, yet always intelligent and civil. (well except randall..)
keep it up!
166. Peter - September 5th, 2008 at 3:26 am
The Eternal Warrior books by Micheal Moorcock
167. jeremyj - September 5th, 2008 at 6:26 am
How about the Myth series books?
They were funny and maybe a little too short but still enjoyable.
168. Hollis - September 5th, 2008 at 7:29 am
Great list, and I’ll have to check a few of the new ones out. But where was the DragonLance series? If you haven’t read the DragonLance Chronicles trilogy by Margaret Weis and Tracey Hickman, you’re missing out
169. Heroajax - September 5th, 2008 at 8:12 am
@astraya and CRSN. Go back and read the introductory paragraph to the list. That will guide you as to where the difference between Sci-Fi and Fantasy novels is … sort of. With the obvious understanding that some authors simply can’t choose which they’d like to write, so often combine them together.
@k1w1taxi I agree that LOTR is overrated. It took me a very long time to read through it. It seriously lagged in places, violates just about every rule for “proper novel writing.” I loved the movies much more than the novels Even with some of the cinematic omissions, the movies made more sense than the novels to me. However, having said all that. The contribution of LOTR to fantasy novela and literature in general is