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Best Fantasy (Non-LitRPG)

The best fantasy novels I've read, excluding the LitRPG subgenre.

  1. 1
    Cover of The Fellowship of the Ring

    The Fellowship of the Ring

    by J.R.R. Tolkien

    The greatest fantasy novel ever written. Tolkien created a genre and has never been surpassed.

    A+
  2. 2
    Cover of The Two Towers

    The Two Towers

    by J.R.R. Tolkien

    The middle volume that shouldn't work as a standalone but does. Helm's Deep alone earns its place.

    A+
  3. 3
    Cover of The Return of the King

    The Return of the King

    by J.R.R. Tolkien

    The perfect ending to the greatest fantasy trilogy. The Scouring of the Shire matters.

    A+
  4. 4
    Cover of The Blade Itself

    The Blade Itself

    by Joe Abercrombie

    I loved this book. The set up is just so great. Logan is one of the best characters in modern fantasy.

    A
  5. 5
    Cover of Wise Man's Fear

    Wise Man's Fear

    by Patrick Rothfuss

    Rothfuss is such a great writer. I liked this even more the second time around.

    A-
  6. 6
    Cover of The Midnight Falcon

    The Midnight Falcon

    by David Gemmell

    Pure Gemmell heroic fantasy. His conception of heroes and sacrifice is unmatched.

    A-
  7. 7
    Cover of The Curse of Chalion

    The Curse of Chalion

    by Lois McMaster Bujold

    This may be Bujold's best book. Damaged heroes done right.

    A-
  8. 8
    Cover of Wyrd Sisters

    Wyrd Sisters

    by Terry Pratchett

    Granny Weatherwax is one of the greatest characters of all time. Pratchett was a genius.

    A-
  9. 9
    Cover of The Tainted Cup

    The Tainted Cup

    by Robert Jackson Bennett

    Sherlock Holmes with a genuinely original magic system. Quite well done.

    A-
  10. 10
    Cover of The Book That Wouldn't Burn

    The Book That Wouldn't Burn

    by Mark Lawrence

    Very well crafted. The way the two storylines come together is unexpected and satisfying.

    A-
  11. 11
    Cover of The Lies of Locke Lamora

    The Lies of Locke Lamora

    by Scott Lynch

    Not excellent, but very good. Great twists and strong narrative pull.

    A-
  12. 12
    Cover of The Theft of Swords

    The Theft of Swords

    by Michael J. Sullivan

    The two main characters are compelling. A reliable fantasy adventure.

    B+
  13. 13
    Cover of How to Rule an Empire and Get Away with It

    How to Rule an Empire and Get Away with It

    by K.J. Parker

    Solid, professional fantasy. The ending made me want to read the next book.

    B+
  14. 14
    Cover of Blood Song

    Blood Song

    by Anthony Ryan

    The best fantasy debut in years. Raven's Shadow starts with a master class in character building.

    A
  15. 15
    Cover of The Hobbit

    The Hobbit

    by J.R.R. Tolkien

    Tolkien's warmest book. Re-reading it as an adult reveals layers you miss as a child.

    A
  16. 16
    Cover of Feet of Clay

    Feet of Clay

    by Terry Pratchett

    The best of the City Watch books. Pratchett uses golems to explore identity and free will.

    A
  17. 17
    Cover of The Emperor's Blades

    The Emperor's Blades

    by Brian Staveley

    A strong debut with a genuinely interesting magic system and three compelling siblings.

    A
  18. 18
    Cover of City of Stairs

    City of Stairs

    by Robert Jackson Bennett

    Robert Jackson Bennett's best work. Gods as colonial history is a fascinating premise.

    A
  19. 19
    Cover of Equal Rites

    Equal Rites

    by Terry Pratchett

    One of the best early Pratchett novels. Granny Weatherwax's first appearance sets the template perfectly.

    A
  20. 20
    Cover of Traitor's Blade

    Traitor's Blade

    by Sebastien de Castell

    Swashbuckling fun. The Greatcoats series is the best musketeer-style fantasy written in decades.

    A-
  21. 21
    Cover of Hard Magic

    Hard Magic

    by Larry Correia

    Correia takes noir detective fiction into a 1930s alternate history with magic. It works brilliantly.

    A-
  22. 22
    Cover of Red Country

    Red Country

    by Joe Abercrombie

    Abercrombie does a western. The First Law world remains the best in modern grimdark.

    A-
  23. 23
    Cover of Half a King

    Half a King

    by Joe Abercrombie

    Abercrombie writing YA is still better than most adult fantasy. The twist earns it.

    A-
  24. 24
    Cover of Son of the Black Sword

    Son of the Black Sword

    by Larry Correia

    Larry Correia writing epic fantasy. The caste system world-building is genuinely original.

    A-
  25. 25
    Cover of The Aeronaut's Windlass

    The Aeronaut's Windlass

    by Jim Butcher

    Butcher's steampunk fantasy is pure adventure. The cats are the best part.

    A-
  26. 26
    Cover of The Rage of Dragons

    The Rage of Dragons

    by Evan Winter

    A stunning debut — brutal, fast-paced, and emotionally gripping from page one.

    A-
  27. 27
    Cover of Waylander

    Waylander

    by David Gemmell

    Gemmell at his most intense. A morally complex antihero story that lingers.

    A-
  28. 28
    Cover of The Blinding Knife

    The Blinding Knife

    by Brent Weeks

    Weeks's Lightbringer series hits its stride here with jaw-dropping revelations.

    A-
  29. 29
    Cover of Across the Nightingale Floor

    Across the Nightingale Floor

    by Lian Hearn

    Lian Hearn's feudal Japan-inspired fantasy is hauntingly beautiful.

    A-
  30. 30
    Cover of The Final Empire

    The Final Empire

    by Brandon Sanderson

    Sanderson's Mistborn opener is a masterclass in magic system design and plotting.

    B+
  31. 31
    Cover of The Eye of the World

    The Eye of the World

    by Robert Jordan

    The Wheel of Time begins here — epic scope and a world that feels lived-in.

    B+
  32. 32
    Cover of Words of Radiance

    Words of Radiance

    by Brandon Sanderson

    The Stormlight Archive second volume delivers on every promise the first made.

    B+
  33. 33
    Cover of Kings of the Wyld

    Kings of the Wyld

    by Nicholas Eames

    A love letter to classic fantasy with the best band-of-brothers energy in the genre.

    B+
  34. 34
    Cover of The Blacktongue Thief

    The Blacktongue Thief

    by Christopher Buehlman

    Buehlman's voice is unlike anything else in fantasy — darkly funny and beautifully written.

    B+
  35. 35
    Cover of Senlin Ascends

    Senlin Ascends

    by Josiah Bancroft

    The Tower of Babel premise is wildly inventive and Bancroft's prose is exquisite.

    B+
  36. 36
    Cover of Prince of Thorns

    Prince of Thorns

    by Mark Lawrence

    Lawrence's brutal, morally shocking opener redefines grimdark fantasy.

    B+
  37. 37
    Cover of Gideon the Ninth

    Gideon the Ninth

    by Tamsyn Muir

    Like nothing else in the genre — necromancers in space with a voice that crackles.

    B+
  38. 38
    Cover of Elantris

    Elantris

    by Brandon Sanderson

    Early Sanderson, but the magic system and political intrigue are already top-tier.

    B+
  39. 39
    Cover of The Shadow of What Was Lost

    The Shadow of What Was Lost

    by James Islington

    Islington's debut is dense and rewarding — one of the best recent epic fantasy starts.

    B+
  40. 40
    Cover of The Will of the Many

    The Will of the Many

    by James Islington

    Roman-flavored fantasy with a razor-sharp protagonist and a gripping mystery.

    B+
  41. 41
    Cover of Jade City

    Jade City

    by Fonda Lee

    Godfather-style clan warfare with a brilliantly imagined Asian-inspired setting.

    B+
  42. 42
    Cover of A Deadly Education

    A Deadly Education

    by Naomi Novik

    Novik's dark magical school is fresh, funny, and genuinely dangerous.

    B+
  43. 43
    Cover of City of Brass

    City of Brass

    by S.A. Chakraborty

    Rich Arabian Nights-inspired worldbuilding with a protagonist worth following.

    B+
  44. 44
    Cover of The Justice of Kings

    The Justice of Kings

    by Richard Swan

    A fantasy legal procedural that feels completely original and gripping.

    B+
  45. 45
    Cover of Sixteen Ways to Defend a Walled City

    Sixteen Ways to Defend a Walled City

    by K.J. Parker

    K.J. Parker at his best — the engineer-protagonist solves impossible problems with real ingenuity.

    B+
  46. 46
    Cover of Red Sister

    Red Sister

    by Mark Lawrence

    Mark Lawrence's convent assassins story is dark, atmospheric, and beautifully crafted.

    B+
  47. 47
    Cover of Legion

    Legion

    by Brandon Sanderson

    A novella, but Sanderson packs more ideas into it than most full novels.

    A-
  48. 48
    Cover of War of the Twins

    War of the Twins

    by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman

    Weis and Hickman's Dragonlance at its most emotionally ambitious.

    A-
  49. 49
    Cover of The Mystery Knight

    The Mystery Knight

    by George R.R. Martin

    GRRM's Dunk and Egg novellas capture the warmth and wonder of Westeros before the war.

    A-
  50. 50
    Cover of Before They Are Hanged

    Before They Are Hanged

    by Joe Abercrombie

    The First Law's middle book deepens every character and raises the stakes perfectly.

    B+
  51. 51
    Cover of The Lost Gate

    The Lost Gate

    by Orson Scott Card

    Orson Scott Card's return to fantasy is imaginative and propulsive.

    A-
  52. 52
    Cover of Test of the Twins

    Test of the Twins

    by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman

    The Dragonlance trilogy ends on an emotionally resonant note.

    B+
  53. 53
    Cover of Among Thieves

    Among Thieves

    by Douglas Hulick

    Hulick's debut is a smart, street-level fantasy with a memorable protagonist.

    B+
  54. 54
    Cover of The Other Lands

    The Other Lands

    by David Anthony Durham

    Durham's Acacia sequel expands the world in unexpected and compelling directions.

    B+
  55. 55
    Cover of The Daylight War

    The Daylight War

    by Peter V. Brett

    Brett's Demon Cycle hits peak tension in this third installment.

    B+
  56. 56
    Cover of The Killing Moon

    The Killing Moon

    by N.K. Jemisin

    Jemisin's Egyptian-inspired world is richly imagined and beautifully written.

    B+
  57. 57
    Cover of The Shadowed Sun

    The Shadowed Sun

    by N.K. Jemisin

    A worthy companion to The Killing Moon — emotionally complex and satisfying.

    B+
  58. 58
    Cover of The Last Hero

    The Last Hero

    by Terry Pratchett

    A gorgeous illustrated Discworld tale — Cohen the Barbarian's final quest.

    B+
  59. 59
    Cover of Dodger

    Dodger

    by Terry Pratchett

    Victorian London brought to vivid, charming life. Pratchett at his warmest.

    B+
  60. 60
    Cover of The Hedge Knight

    The Hedge Knight

    by George R.R. Martin

    GRRM's Dunk and Egg tales bring charm and heart to the Westeros setting.

    B+
  61. 61
    Cover of The Sworn Sword

    The Sworn Sword

    by George R.R. Martin

    The second Dunk and Egg novella deepens the world with effortless grace.

    B+
  62. 62
    Cover of The Rithmatist

    The Rithmatist

    by Brandon Sanderson

    Sanderson's chalk-magic system is one of his most visual and inventive creations.

    B+
  63. 63
    Cover of The Crown Tower

    The Crown Tower

    by Michael J. Sullivan

    Sullivan's Riyria prequel is a breezy, charming origin story for a beloved duo.

    B+
  64. 64
    Cover of The Thousand Names

    The Thousand Names

    by Django Wexler

    Wexler's flintlock fantasy debut is a revelation — superb tactical plotting.

    B+
  65. 65
    Cover of The Sheepfarmer's Daughter

    The Sheepfarmer's Daughter

    by Elizabeth Moon

    Moon's Paksenarrion is the gold standard for paladin characters in epic fantasy.

    B+
  66. 66
    Cover of Legend

    Legend

    by David Gemmell

    Gemmell at the height of his powers — the siege of Dros Delnoch is unforgettable.

    B+
  67. 67
    Cover of Divided Allegiance

    Divided Allegiance

    by Elizabeth Moon

    The Paksenarrion trilogy deepens — Moon's world and characters grow richer.

    B+
  68. 68
    Cover of The Great Bazaar and Brayon's Gold

    The Great Bazaar and Brayon's Gold

    by Peter V. Brett

    Brett's Demon Cycle short fiction — essential for fans of the series.

    B+
  69. 69
    Cover of Artful

    Artful

    by Peter David

    Peter David's take on a grown-up Oliver Twist is clever and genuinely fun.

    B+
  70. 70
    Cover of Johannes Cabal the Necromancer

    Johannes Cabal the Necromancer

    by Jonathan L. Howard

    Howard's sardonic necromancer is one of fantasy's great dry-witted protagonists.

    B+
  71. 71
    Cover of The Autumn Republic

    The Autumn Republic

    by Brian McClellan

    McClellan's Powder Mage trilogy lands a deeply satisfying conclusion.

    B+
  72. 72
    Cover of Age of Iron

    Age of Iron

    by Angus Watson

    Watson's Iron Age fantasy is bloody and fun — Asterix for adults.

    B+
  73. 73
    Cover of Twelve Kings of Sharakhai

    Twelve Kings of Sharakhai

    by Bradley Beaulieu

    Beaulieu's Arabian-inspired epic is lush and atmospheric from the first page.

    B+
  74. 74
    Cover of Updraft

    Updraft

    by Fran Wilde

    Wilde's bone-and-silk world is startlingly original — a standout debut.

    B+
  75. 75
    Cover of The Legion of Flame

    The Legion of Flame

    by Anthony Ryan

    Ryan's Draconis Memoria sequel escalates the stakes masterfully.

    B+
  76. 76
    Cover of Off to Be the Wizard

    Off to Be the Wizard

    by Scott Meyer

    Meyer's time-travel/fantasy comedy is relentlessly fun and endlessly quotable.

    B+
  77. 77
    Cover of Knight's Shadow

    Knight's Shadow

    by Sebastien de Castell

    De Castell's Greatcoats series hits its stride — swashbuckling at its finest.

    B+
  78. 78
    Cover of You Die When You Die

    You Die When You Die

    by Angus Watson

    Watson delivers another propulsive Iron Age adventure with real heart.

    B+
  79. 79
    Cover of Blackwing

    Blackwing

    by Ed McDonald

    McDonald's debut is grimdark done with intelligence and restraint.

    B+
  80. 80
    Cover of The Grey Bastards

    The Grey Bastards

    by Jonathan French

    French's half-orc riders are the kind of morally grey crew you can't help but love.

    B+
  81. 81
    Cover of Sword in the Storm

    Sword in the Storm

    by David Gemmell

    Gemmell's Rigante series opener is Celtic-flavored heroic fantasy at its best.

    B+
  82. 82
    Cover of Cold Iron

    Cold Iron

    by Miles Cameron

    Miles Cameron brings his medieval expertise to epic fantasy with stunning results.

    B+
  83. 83
    Cover of Disillusioned

    Disillusioned

    by Robert Kroese

    Kroese's satirical fantasy has a comic sensibility matched by real plotting skill.

    B+
  84. 84
    Cover of Mercury Rests

    Mercury Rests

    by Robert Kroese

    The Mercury trilogy finale sticks the landing with wit and surprising heart.

    B+
  85. 85
    Cover of House of Assassins

    House of Assassins

    by Larry Correia

    Correia's Saga of the Forgotten Warrior keeps the action and invention flowing.

    B+
  86. 86
    Cover of The Knights of Dark Renown

    The Knights of Dark Renown

    by David Gemmell

    An early Gemmell that showcases all his themes — honor, sacrifice, and redemption.

    B+
  87. 87
    Cover of Dragonslayer

    Dragonslayer

    by Duncan Hamilton

    Hamilton's trilogy opener is tightly plotted and hugely entertaining.

    B+
  88. 88
    Cover of Knight of the Silver Circle

    Knight of the Silver Circle

    by Duncan Hamilton

    The Dragonslayer trilogy concludes with satisfying momentum.

    B+
  89. 89
    Cover of King of Ashes

    King of Ashes

    by Raymond E. Feist

    Feist returns to form — a new world with the scope of his best Riftwar work.

    B+
  90. 90
    Cover of House of Assassins

    House of Assassins

    by Larry Correia

    Correia's Saga of the Forgotten Warrior series hits the ground running.

    B+
  91. 91
    Cover of Paladin of Souls

    Paladin of Souls

    by Lois McMaster Bujold

    Bujold's Chalion companion is a rare thing — a fantasy about a middle-aged woman done right.

    B+
  92. 92
    Cover of Stonefather

    Stonefather

    by Orson Scott Card

    A compact, powerful Sanderson novella set in the Rithmatist world.

    B+
  93. 93
    Cover of The Squire

    The Squire

    by Duncan Hamilton

    Hamilton's Dragonslayer trilogy middle entry maintains the pace and quality.

    B+
  94. 94
    Cover of The Empire's Ruin

    The Empire's Ruin

    by Brian Staveley

    Staveley's Ashes of the Unhewn Throne companion is gripping from the start.

    B+
  95. 95
    Cover of The Great Hunt

    The Great Hunt

    by Robert Jordan

    Wheel of Time's second volume deepens the world and accelerates the plot.

    B+
  96. 96
    Cover of The Grim Company

    The Grim Company

    by Luke Scull

    Scull's grimdark debut has an acerbic wit and well-executed subversive plot.

    B+
  97. 97
    Cover of Servants of War

    Servants of War

    by Larry Correia

    Correia and Lofgren deliver WWI-inspired dark fantasy with brutal efficiency.

    B+
  98. 98
    Cover of The Coward

    The Coward

    by Stephen Aryan

    Aryan's debut subverts the chosen-hero trope with intelligence and dark humor.

    B+
  99. 99
    Cover of The Midnight Falcon

    The Midnight Falcon

    by David Gemmell

    Revisiting Gemmell's Midnight Falcon holds up — the Rigante saga at full power.

    B+
  100. 100
    Cover of The First Binding

    The First Binding

    by R.R. Virdi

    Virdi's debut is an ambitious, layered epic that rewards patient readers.

    B+
  101. 101
    Cover of The Pariah

    The Pariah

    by Anthony Ryan

    Anthony Ryan's Covenant of Steel opener is a masterful slow-burn revenge story.

    B+
  102. 102
    Cover of Seaborn

    Seaborn

    by Michael Livingston

    Livingston blends history and fantasy seamlessly in this Arthurian-adjacent tale.

    B+
  103. 103
    Cover of Tower of Silence

    Tower of Silence

    by Larry Correia

    Correia's Monster Hunter universe expands in compelling new directions.

    B+
  104. 104
    Cover of The Malevolent Seven

    The Malevolent Seven

    by Sebastien de Castell

    De Castell's mercenary mages are darkly comic and deeply entertaining.

    B+
  105. 105
    Cover of A Tide of Black Steel

    A Tide of Black Steel

    by Anthony Ryan

    Ryan's Blood of Ambrose prequel delivers gritty action and strong characters.

    B+
  106. 106
    Cover of A Drop of Corruption

    A Drop of Corruption

    by Robert Jackson Bennett

    Robert Jackson Bennett continues to prove he's one of the genre's best.

    B+
  107. 107
    Cover of The Memory Stone

    The Memory Stone

    by Jeffrey Quyle

    A quietly impressive debut with an original magic system and likeable characters.

    B+
  108. 108
    Cover of Grog

    Grog

    by RW Krpoun

    RW Krpoun's dark fantasy has a rough-hewn charm and genuine narrative ambition.

    B+