Nothing enchants us and makes us forget our present reality more than reading a fantasy book—unless it’s a fantasy book series! Indeed, getting to know a magical land with its cast of fairy characters becomes even sweeter when we get to join them on more than one epic adventure.
If you want to binge on a series that takes you to fantasy worlds, we have compiled a list of some of the best series in the fantasy genre.
18 Best Fantasy Book Series to Lose Yourself In
In this list, we have chosen series that have at least three novels in the set to satisfy your craving for adventure and magical elements:
1. The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis
No, don’t write this off as a children’s fantasy book! The author is known for saying, ““A children’s story that can only be enjoyed by children is not a good children’s story in the slightest.”
This perfectly sums up the age-defying qualities of the world of Narnia, which starts with Lucy and her siblings encountering fauns and talking animals, led by the mighty lion Aslan, to take the kingdom back from the White Witch.
2. The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien
If you’re looking for intricately created fantasy worlds, look no further than Tolkien’s Middle Earth, complete with its own language, culture, and history.
The series is a trilogy, but comes with a prequel entitled The Hobbit, which can also be a stand-alone book about some of the most interesting creatures in the series.
3. Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin
This fantasy book series skyrocketed to even greater fame thanks to its HBO series spin-off. Delve into the centuries-long enmity between families as they fight for control on the Iron Throne, complete with deadly winters and supernatural creatures like dragons!
4. Chronicles of Prydain by Lloyd Alexander
In this series, Taran starts off as an Assistant Pig Keeper who must find the sacred ocular pig. Along the way, he struggles with his desire to be a warrior, and discovers things about himself, loyalty, courage, and leadership.
The great thing about this series is that the theme and content of each book seems to grow up along with Taran, finally ending with the book High King.
5. The Dark Tower by Stephen King
Master thriller storyteller Stephen King brings us this dark fantasy series, with elements of science fiction, horror, and westerns.
Roland of Gilead is the final gunslinger who needs to save the universe by getting to the Dark Tower.
6. The Broken Earth by N.K. Jemisin
This series, whose first book won the Huge Award, combines fantasy and science-fiction-slash-climate-fiction elements.
What happens when the world spins into deterioration due to apocalyptic-level climate change that occurs every few centuries?
7. The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang
This fantasy series with elements of historical/military fiction is set in 20th century China, during the second Sino-Japanese war.
As Rin attends the most prestigious military school in the empire, she discovers that she has the gift of shamanism, or the magical ability to connect with spirits.
8. A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
What began as a retelling of the classic fairy tale Beauty and the Beast has evolved into this action-packed, steamy fantasy series.
Hunter Feyre is drawn into a magical land under the accusation of killing a faerie. While there under close guard, she discovers secrets about this strange land and her captor.
9. Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir
This dystopian fantasy series comes in four books, featuring Laia, a slave in the Martial Empire, which is ruled tyrannically and brutally.
What happens when Laia’s brother is arrested? Will she be able to pull off her plans to rescue him?
10. Jade City by Fonda Lee
The first book in this urban fantasy trilogy won the 2018 World Fantasy Award for Best Novel. Follow the Green Bone warriors as they use the power of jade to enhance their magical arts to defend Kekon island. The series is complete with clan wars and a quest to possess and wield the coveted gem.
11. The Shades of Magic by V.E. Schwab
This fantasy series is set in a parallel universe, a magical version of London, which the characters cross through magic.
The series opens with Lila and Kell, two heroes who need to save the world from the dangers of a rise in magical power.
12. Legend by Marie Lu
In this dystopian fantasy series for young adults, June is the Republic’s military prodigy in post-apocalyptic Los Angeles.
When someone kills her brother, everyone suspects Day, the most wanted criminal in the nation, despite his being only 15 years old.
13. Earthsea Cycle by Ursula K. Le Guin
This young adult fantasy series includes six books plus a short story collection entitled A Wizard of Earthsea. Get to know Ged, a Sparrowhawk when he was younger who accidentally released a shadow over the world. Follow his adventures as he tries to correct his mistake, and later see him become the greatest sorcerer in the land!
14. Percy Jackson and the Olympians by Rick Riordan
Readers will relate well to Percy Jackson, the protagonist in this mythology-inspired fantasy series. After all, he was just an ordinary boy—until he learned that he’s actually the son of Poseidon, and therefore a demigod who needs to catch whoever stole Zeus’ lighting bolt.
15. The Folk of the Air by Holly Black
This fantasy faerie series is an intense read, starting with the murder of Jude and her sisters’ parents, after which they’re taken to live in the High Court of Faerie.
Jude tries everything she can to live among—and be counted among—the fey, while navigating the complex emotions she feels for their prince.
16. Sword of Truth by Terry Goodkind
One of the longest fantasy book series with 21 books, the Sword of Truth series is rightly termed an epic adventure.
Although the books can also be read as stand-alone novels, you will get the full experience by reading them in the prescribed order, beginning with Richard Cypher’s investigating his father’s murder.
17. The Outlander by Diana Gabaldon
Who would’ve guessed that Outlander was only Diana Gabaldon’s practice novel? The book soared to bestselling status, which led her to write more books in this romantic historical fantasy series.
Clare is on a romantic holiday with her husband and ends up time traveling to Scotland, where she falls in love with a Highlander.
18. Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling
What started as a children’s fantasy book has since become a world sensation well-loved by all ages! Follow the adventures of Harry, the boy who finds out he’s the son of two famous wizards, and who now needs to defeat the evil Lord Voldemort.
Reading Fantasy Book Series
Reading a series in the fantasy genre is a great way to immerse yourself in magical worlds and get to know these superhuman characters.
If you’ve never tried reading a fantasy book, try reading the first book in one of these series; that way, if you find yourself enjoying it, you can easily proceed to the next books without missing a beat!
Or, if you would like to give a fantasy book set to a friend you know, this list can be a helpful guide of your options, too!
Did you find this post helpful? Let us know in the comments below!
If you enjoyed this post, then you might also like:
- 20 Best Book Series for Adults
- 25 Best Book Series of All Time
- 13 Must-Read Octavia Butler Books
- 13 Famous Books That Were Rejected
Yen Cabag is the Blog Writer of TCK Publishing. She is also a homeschooling mom, family coach, and speaker for the Charlotte Mason method, an educational philosophy that places great emphasis on classic literature and the masterpieces in art and music. She has also written several books, both fiction and nonfiction. Her passion is to see the next generation of children become lovers of reading and learning in the midst of short attention spans.
