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While Science Fiction books and series often garner a lot of attention and generate numerous discussions across various lists, it seemed like the right time to explore some exceptional Fantasy series. Fantasy is a literary genre that prominently features magic and supernatural elements in its plot, themes, and settings. It stands apart from science fiction and horror by avoiding technological or eerie themes, though there’s significant overlap between these genres. The key criterion for inclusion in this list is that the series must be complete, with no more books expected. Below, you’ll find a list of series that will truly stretch your imagination, taking you to worlds filled with knights, dragons, monsters, mythology, magic, damsels in distress, good vs. evil, prophecy, desire, and gods manipulating humanity like mere pawns. Feel free to add your own picks to this list, as this is unlikely to be exhaustive, or even a definitive “top 10.” Enjoy the adventure – hope you find these as captivating as I did.
10. His Dark Materials Trilogy by Philip Pullman
The “His Dark Materials” trilogy consists of three award-winning fantasy novels: “The Golden Compass,” “The Subtle Knife,” and “The Amber Spyglass.” The trilogy follows the journey of two children, Lyra Belacqua and Will Parry, as they travel through a series of parallel worlds, all set against a backdrop of world-changing events. This series includes fantasy elements like witches and armored polar bears, and delves into concepts from physics, philosophy, theology, and spirituality. The trilogy is partially a reimagining and inversion of John Milton’s “Paradise Lost,” offering praise for humanity’s pursuit of wisdom and knowledge, rather than the condemnation seen in Milton’s work. Because of its approach, and its critical portrayal of organized religion, the series has faced backlash from some religious groups and individuals.
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9. The Bartimaeus Trilogy by Jonathan Stroud
The protagonist of the series, Bartimaeus, is a five-thousand-year-old djinni, a mid-level spirit with significant but not overwhelming power. There are five primary ranks of spirits, ranging from imps to foliots, djinni, afrits, and marids, with more potent beings like Ramuthra and Nouda existing above these categories. The story is presented from the perspectives of three central characters: the magician Nathaniel (also known as John Mandrake), the djinni Bartimaeus, and the commoner Kitty Jones. A brief chapter also offers the viewpoint of a foliot named Simpkin. In the tradition of Harry Potter, this trilogy revolves around a young person navigating a magical world. However, unlike Harry Potter, the magicians here possess the ability to summon spirits to serve them, and the magic itself is more restrained. The unique twist of this trilogy lies in the djinni’s perspective—imagine being yanked from your realm to do the bidding of a child. Although typically classified as children's literature, I believe this trilogy offers an equally compelling experience for adult readers.
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8. The Belgariad and The Mallorean by David Eddings
The series chronicles the journey to recover the Orb of Aldur and follows the coming-of-age story of Garion, a farmboy orphan. Garion is joined by his aunt Polgara and grandfather Belgarath as they strive to fulfill an ancient prophecy that will determine the fate of the universe. Along the way, they encounter various “instruments” or allies destined to help them complete their mission. The Mallorean is the follow-up series that continues Garion, Belgarath, and Polgara’s adventures as they work to complete the prophecy revealed in the Codices scattered throughout the books. This series has been a personal favorite of mine, so much so that my copy of “Pawn of Prophecy” is nearly falling apart. It’s an exceptionally well-written series. One of my favorite details is how each character is given both a “prophecy name/title” and their birth name.
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7. The Riftwar and Serpentwar Sagas by Raymond E. Feist
The vast majority of Feist’s novels are set within the Riftwar Cycle, a captivating fictional universe that includes the planets of Midkemia and Kelewan. On both worlds, human magicians have the ability to create “rifts,” portals that allow them to travel across dimensionless space and connect distant planets across different solar systems. These rifts also enable other creatures to move through this void. The stories of the Riftwar Cycle follow the adventures of the inhabitants of these varied worlds. After the events of the “Riftwar Saga,” comes the “Serpentwar Saga,” a four-book series that focuses on the next generation—specifically, the children of the characters from the original saga. Though the books “Prince of the Blood” and “The King’s Buccaneer” are not technically part of these two series, they are well worth reading, particularly between the two sagas, as they help to link them more seamlessly. This series is a fantastic read, full of fascinating characters that you’ll find incredibly hard to put down.
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6. Incarnations of Immortality by Piers Anthony
“Incarnations of Immortality” is an eight-book fantasy series. Each of the first seven books centers around one of seven supernatural “offices” (Death, Time, Fate, War, Nature, Evil, and Good) in a world parallel to our own, where society has advanced with both magic and modern technology. The series follows a group of humans, known as the “Incarnations,” who temporarily hold these supernatural roles. Through these stories, the series raises profound questions about the essence of life.
As each character transitions from mortal life to one of the “offices” of an Incarnation, they are forced to reflect on their actions daily. Each Incarnation has the freedom to use their position, within certain boundaries, as they see fit. This system humanizes what would otherwise be abstract, impersonal forces, encouraging deep reflection on the impact of their work and the consequences for humanity. What makes this series especially intriguing is its strong religious and philosophical undertones. It doesn’t just delve into modern religious themes but also incorporates ancient religious philosophies and mythological concepts. The idea of a human taking on a significant natural force and how they manage their new role is fascinating, and I found myself completely captivated by each character's journey in adapting to their new “office.”
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5. The Saga of Recluce by L.E. Modesitt, Jr.
The 15 novels in this series chronicle the evolving and often contentious relationship between two technologically advanced civilizations. Some of their representatives find themselves stranded on a foreign world and are forced to revert to primitive technology. All the stories unfold within the same expansive fantasy universe, spanning roughly 2,000 years. In this universe, all matter is governed by two competing forces: order and chaos. These forces are typically in balance, representing the natural state of equilibrium between the entropy of chaos and the binding molecular forces of order. The inhabitants of this world understand these forces, which they associate with the colors white for chaos and black for order. The first novel explains white as the chaotic mixture of all visible light wavelengths, while black symbolizes the absence of light.
Some individuals within the universe possess a rare ability to control one or both of these forces. Chaos users, known as “white” mages, harness the surrounding chaos and focus it into fiery blasts, while order users, or “black” mages, infuse materials like metal and wood with enhanced order, granting them immense strength. This series ranks among my all-time favorite fantasy tales. I’ve read it multiple times and it’s always hard to put down. Despite the author’s advice to read it in the published order, I highly recommend reading it chronologically. The frequent shifts in the timeline can be disorienting, but I found it much clearer when reading it in order, as characters reappear and overlap across several books in the middle of the series.
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4. The Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling
The Harry Potter series consists of seven captivating fantasy novels that follow the journey of Harry Potter, a young wizard, and his best friends, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, at the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The main storyline revolves around Harry’s battle against the dark wizard Lord Voldemort, who killed Harry’s parents in an attempt to conquer the wizarding world and ultimately enslave the Muggle world. Since the debut of the first book, the series has soared in popularity, critical praise, and commercial success globally. It has expanded into films, video games, and an entire range of Potter-themed products.
By June 2008, the series had sold over 400 million copies, been translated into 67 languages, and set new records for the fastest-selling books, especially the last four installments. The seventh and final book, “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows,” was released on July 21, 2007, with a staggering 12 million copies printed in the United States alone for its first release. There are numerous reasons why I adore this series. First, it reinvigorated the joy of reading for children. Even kids who avoid textbooks will eagerly devour the Harry Potter books. Second, I appreciate the consistent structure—each novel starts with Harry’s birthday and concludes with him leaving Hogwarts for the summer. Third, while the first two books might feel a bit juvenile, they allow readers to witness the remarkable growth of an author who suddenly discovers her extraordinary writing talents. Around the 100-page mark in “Prisoner of Azkaban,” J.K. Rowling finds her voice and takes off with exceptional storytelling. Fourth, it’s simply an incredible story.
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3. The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien
The Lord of the Rings is an iconic high fantasy trilogy crafted by the English philologist J.R.R. Tolkien. Initially, it was conceived as a continuation of the simpler children's tale 'The Hobbit or There and Back Again' (1937), but it ultimately grew into a far more expansive narrative. Written in stages from 1937 to 1949, much of it during World War II, the work was originally intended to be one single volume, but was divided into three parts for its publication in 1954 and 1955 due to post-war paper shortages. It is in this three-volume edition that it became most famous. Over the years, the trilogy has been reprinted and translated globally, becoming one of the most significant and beloved works of 20th-century literature. The story's title refers to Sauron, the Dark Lord, who in ancient times forged the One Ring, an ultimate weapon designed to dominate the other Rings of Power and control all of Middle-earth. The narrative unfolds across Middle-earth, beginning in the peaceful Shire—a land akin to the English countryside—and follows the epic journey of the War of the Ring, primarily through the eyes of the hobbits Frodo Baggins, Samwise Gamgee, Meriadoc Brandybuck, and Peregrin Took.
Middle-earth, the setting of The Lord of the Rings, is home to humans and various humanoid races, such as Hobbits, Elves, Dwarves, and Orcs, along with a vast array of both real and mythical creatures like Ents, Wargs, Balrogs, and Trolls. The trilogy’s lasting impact has led to countless references in popular culture, the creation of fan societies dedicated to Tolkien's works, and the publication of numerous books analyzing his stories. The Lord of the Rings has sparked inspiration for a wide range of artistic expressions, including visual art, music, films, TV shows, video games, and subsequent literature. Adaptations of the saga have appeared in radio, theater, and film, with Peter Jackson's renowned film trilogy (2001-2003) further boosting the series' cultural presence. As the defining epic fantasy series, it has influenced virtually every fantasy writer who followed, shaping the genre with its races, magic systems, and rich world-building. While earlier fantasy works existed, none achieved the far-reaching influence of The Lord of the Rings, which has become the pinnacle of the genre.
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I trust everyone reading this list has enjoyed these series as much as I did. If you haven’t yet read them, I strongly recommend you give them a try.
2. The Wheel of Time by Robert Jordan
The Wheel of Time is an expansive epic fantasy series authored by American writer Robert Jordan. Initially conceived as a six-book saga, it has since evolved into a twelve-book series, accompanied by a prequel and a companion volume. Jordan began work on the first book, 'The Eye of the World,' in 1984, with its release in February 1990. Tragically, Jordan passed away before completing the final book, which was finished by fellow author Brandon Sanderson and published in 2009. Drawing heavily from both European and Asian mythologies, the series notably incorporates the cyclical nature of time seen in Buddhism, along with the philosophies of balance, duality, and reverence for nature found in Daoism. Additionally, the influence of Leo Tolstoy’s 'War and Peace' can be observed in the intricate character development and the sprawling narrative. Renowned for its length, richly crafted world, complex magic system, and extensive character list, the series has been a commercial success. Books eight through eleven each reached number one on The New York Times bestseller list. To date, over 44 million copies have been sold globally, and the series has led to adaptations in the form of a computer game, role-playing game, and soundtrack album. Television and film rights have also been optioned multiple times.
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1. The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis
The Chronicles of Narnia is a beloved series of seven fantasy novels written for children. Widely regarded as a cornerstone of children's literature, it remains the author's most celebrated work, with over 100 million copies sold in 41 different languages. Penned by C.S. Lewis between 1949 and 1954 and illustrated by Pauline Baynes, the series has been adapted multiple times, both in full and in part, for radio, television, stage, and film. Alongside its traditional Christian undertones, the series draws on characters and concepts from Greek and Roman mythology, as well as from British and Irish folk tales. The Chronicles of Narnia chronicles the adventures of children who are central to the fate of Narnia, a magical land where animals speak, enchantment is abundant, and good and evil collide. In each of the books (except 'The Horse and His Boy'), children from our world are magically transported to Narnia, where they join forces with Aslan the lion to overcome a major crisis. A timeless adventure that appeals to readers of all ages.
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