The best thing about epic fantasy series is that there’s not a sole character type, role, or plot that any one novel in the series can fall back on. Epic fantasies are not only epic because of the kingdoms and danger. They’re also jam-packed with adventure, mystery, and a whole lot of magic to make reading an epic journey in and of itself.
This list of series offers some of the best entertainment in the epic fantasy genre, so compelling that readers can’t keep away from them.
1) A Song of Ice and Fire series by George R. R. Martin
Capturing the hearts of readers around the globe is the series of interweaving plots, sorcery, betrayals, and the mysterious land of Winterfell, where relentless summers and frozen winters battle for dominance for decades at a time.
In brief, the series features the esteemed Stark family and, at its head, Lord Eddard Stark who rules in the north in allegiance to Westeros’s King Robert. After the mysterious and untimely death of the Hand of the King—Jon Arynn—King Robert travels to Winterfell to join Stark, along with his queen, Cersei, and her brothers, as well as their cruel son, Prince Joffrey. This enthralling series captures a war between kingdoms; a constant battle fought by Lord Eddard’s bastard son, Jon Snow, and the Night Watch to keep the supernatural Others from the Wall; and a troubling betrayal as Prince Viserys Targaryen of the former ruling family uses his sister in a malevolent ploy to reclaim the Westeros throne.
The books in the ‘A Song of Ice and Fire’ series is comprised of 5 novels, so far, with two more to come:
- A Game of Thrones
- A Clash of Kings
- A Storm of Swords
- A Feast for Crows
- A Dance with Dragons
2) The Kingkiller Chronicle series by Patrick Rothfuss
A trilogy where the next story begins where the previous one ends, this epic fantasy series is well beloved by fans. For several years, readers have been eagerly awaiting the release of the series’ final installment.
The Kingkiller Chronicle is a series in which the main character, Kvothe, chronicles his life to a biographer, also known as the Chronicler, in one timeline—the present— marked by a first-person narrative. In another timeline, narrated in third-person, readers are exposed to Kvothe’s past. Drama and adventure bog every step of this astounding journey as Kvothe, grown tough from living orphaned in a troupe of travelers, grows to be a conniving jack of all trades. His story continues as a fugitive on the run in the wake of the king’s murder, from the human world to the magical realm of Fae, a wizard in peril who eventually rises to become a legend.
The Kingkiller Chronicle series includes:
- The Lightning Tree (book “0.5” of the series)
- The Name of the Wind
- Wise Man’s Fear
- The Slow Regard of Silent Things (book “2.5”)
- How Old Holly Came to Be (side story)
3) The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
One of the best-selling series ever written, this adventurous epic fantasy series is an all-time favorite for many fantasy lovers. This unique series is split into two, as The Hobbit, though published after, is a prelude to The Lord of the Rings trilogy.
The series, set in Middle-earth, follows the hobbit, Bilbo Baggins (in The Hobbit), and the legacy he passed on to his cousin Frodo (in The Lord of the Rings): The destruction of the all-powerful One Ring. An epic tale beginning with the creation and abuse of the One Ring by the dark wizard, Sauron, using it to rule over and corrupt the land. Upon defeat and subsequent loss of the Ring, Sauron seeks the ring hungrily… as does the good wizard Gandalf the Grey, for opposing reasons.
When Bilbo, a quiet hobbit, stumbles upon the treasure-filled lair of the dragon, Smaug, and makes a huge discovery that changes the caliber of this humble hobbit’s journey, Middle-earth is thrown into chaos. The legendary One Ring has been discovered and Middle-earth’s assortment of magical beings has been alerted. Throughout the remainder of the series, Frodo, now in possession of the Ring, befriends several creatures and wayward humans, meets a misshapen Gollum, and battles the hypnotic and dark pull of the Ring. Together with his motley crew, Frodo needs to destroy the Ring and rid the world of its evil.
Books included in this series are:
- The Hobbit
- The Fellowship of the Ring
- The Two Towers
- The Return of the King
4) Mistborn series by Brandon Sanderson
A continuously read bestselling series about the determination of young people in a revolt to save a whole race of people in a world swept of vitality and hope. Composed as two series—the original Mistborn series and the following Wax & Wayne series.
In brief, the series tells of a young man named Kelsier who is half-Skaa, a race of people who have lived enslaved by the Lord Ruler for a thousand years in a land where ash never ceases to fall. Kelsier seeks to end the suffering by being the greatest criminal the barren land has ever seen. Discovering his powers as a Mistborn, Kelsier draws followers under his wing, including a mysterious girl named Vin who has learned to trust herself over everyone else, and teaches them the skill of Allomancy—metal magic. Throughout a series of trial and error, successes and fails, Kelsier and Vin need to work together to bring down Lord Ruler and be the people’s final hero.
Books in the original Mistborn series:
- Mistborn
- The Well of Ascension
- The Hero of Ages
5) The Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan
A series of 14 novels withstanding the test of time and popularity, fans were given the gift of completion as the series was begun by Robert Jordan and completed posthumously (in the final three books) by Brandon Sanderson, another acclaimed fantasy author.
The Wheel of Time follows the journey of six unique main characters, each equally important to the overall storyline, and tells the tale of one in particular, a man who one day discovers that he has an unbelievable grand purpose: To save the world. As the Dragon Reborn, the reincarnation of the world’s messiah, the previous hero of destiny, Rand must use his abilities as a channeler to overcome the obstacles that challenge him along the way. However, this prophecy might cause the destruction of the very world that Rand is supposed to be saving.
The novels included in The Wheel of Time series are:
- The Eye of the World
- The Great Hunt
- The Dragon Reborn
- The Shadow Rising
- The Fires of Heaven
- Lord of Chaos
- A Crown of Swords
- The Path of Daggers
- Winter’s Heart
- Crossroads of Twilight
- Knife of Dreams
- The Gathering Storm
- Towers of Midnight
- A Memory of Light
6) The Stormlight Archive series by Brandon Sanderson
A captivating series that has kept readers locked in for ten years, set askew by the chaos of separate wars fought against the same enemy raging on in the land of Roshar. Fans are excited for the fourth book, which is set to be released in November 2020.
The series is set on Roshar, a planet struck by frequent storms and inhabited by peoples of many races/ethnicities, as well as injured by years and years of war. Dispersed almost into a status of legend is the Knights Radiant, a famed order once in possession of the Shardblades and Shardplates, mystical military gear able to grant a soldier ten-times his original power. Branching out in distinct directions, the overall series follows Kaladin, a medical apprentice-turned slave fighting to protect his younger brother; Brightlord Dalinar Kholin, an army commander and brother of the late king of Roshar captured by the haunting words of ancient times; and Shallan, a thief hoping to apprentice under Dalinar’s niece, Jasnah, to protect her family and to uncover the truth of the fallen Knights Radiant and their enchanted tools of war.
The Stormlight Archive series includes the novels (so far):
- The Way of Kings
- Words of Radiance,
- Oathbringer
7) Discworld series by Terry Pratchett
A long series containing 41 novels and 7 unique sub-series storylines, reaching through a couple generations of readers and well known for its adventure and hilarious cheekiness, Discworld has earned its mark among some of the best epic fantasy series of its time. This popular series doesn’t even have to be tackled in order!
In brief, the series occurs on a flat land resting on the backs of four huge elephants and moving on the shell of a humongous, floating turtle. It features a strange miscellany of characters and situations, a world of dragons, barbarians, wizards, trolls, and even walking luggage. Most interesting, the series features several compelling themes (such as politics, religion, race and society, etc.) which are cleverly enhanced by wacky entertainment in the form of the useless wizard Rincewind who dominates the series in number of appearances, his chilling interactions with Death who appears at Rincewind’s every near fatal screw-up, among other characters in other storylines.
As there are far too many novels to list, the Discworld series’ storylines include:
- Rincewind
- Death
- Witches
- City Watch
- Wizards
- Tiffany Aching
- Moist von Lipwig
Now that this fantastic list of epics is over, why not snag one that triggers your inner adventurous rebel? A good series can trigger a lifetime of reading satisfaction.
After all, these are some of the all-time bests!
Quick Recap:
These are our choice for the best and the most epic fantasy series ever:
- A Song of Ice and Fire series by George R. R. Martin
- The Kingkiller Chronicle series by Patrick Rothfuss
- The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
- Mistborn series by Brandon Sanderson
- The Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan
- The Stormlight Archive series by Brandon Sanderson
- Discworld series by Terry Pratchett
