Ever finished a book and wished the world inside it would just keep going?
Maybe you’ve wanted to explore a land full of magic, big battles, and brave heroes. If so, you are in the right place. We are going to talk about a special kind of story. These stories are called epic fantasy.
Finding your first epic fantasy book series can feel like a big task. There are so many of them. Some are huge, with ten or more books. But do not worry. This guide is here to help you. We will look at the most popular epic fantasy books available and find the right starting place for you.
This blog will be your map for best choice. We’ll show you the huge worlds and the amazing adventures that are waiting. We will cover the big, famous books and also look at epic fantasy short stories for a quicker read.
What Makes a Fantasy Book “Epic”?
So, what is the big deal about “epic” fantasy? What does that word even mean?
It is simple. “Epic” just means big. Really big. Think of it as the blockbuster movie of the book world. An epic fantasy book series is not just a simple story. It is a huge adventure.
These books often have a few key things.
First, they have huge, new worlds. These are world-building fantasy novels. The author did not just create a town. They created whole new planets. They made new maps, new countries, and new histories. It feels like a real place you can visit.
Second, the story is big. The fate of the whole world is often at stake. It is not just one person’s problem. A dark lord or a big evil force might be trying to take over. Our heroes have to stop it. This makes them long-form fantasy sagas.
Third, there is magic. This is a big part of what makes these books so fun. The rules for the magic are often very detailed. This is what fans call magic systems in fantasy. It makes the magic feel real and believable.
So, an epic fantasy book series is a big story. It is set in a big new world. And it has big problems for the heroes to solve.
Classic Fantasy Literature
If you want to start reading epic fantasy, it is good to know the classics. These are the books that started it all. They are the “grandparents” of all the other fantasy books.
When you look for high fantasy book recommendations, these two names will always pop up. They are the big ones. They are series like LOTR and series like Wheel of Time.
The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien
You have probably heard of this one. “The Lord of the Rings” is the most famous epic fantasy book series of all time. It was written by a man named J.R.R. Tolkien. He was a very smart professor. He created a whole world called Middle-earth.
He did more than just write a story. He created new languages. He wrote thousands of years of history. He drew maps. This is the ultimate example of world-building fantasy novels.
The story itself is pretty simple at its heart. A small, humble hero, a hobbit named Frodo, has a big job. He must destroy a powerful, evil ring. If he fails, the bad guy, Sauron, will rule the world.
Frodo goes on a long journey with a group of friends. They face great dangers. This story set the rules for almost all classic fantasy literature that came after it. It is a must-read.
The Wheel of Time by Robert Jordan
This is another huge one. “The Wheel of Time” is an epic fantasy book series with 14 books. It was started by Robert Jordan. After he passed away, another writer finished it. That writer was Brandon Sanderson.
This story also starts in a small, quiet village. A young man named Rand al’Thor lives there. He finds out he is a very special person. He is “The Dragon Reborn.” This means he is the only one who can save the world from the Dark One.
This series is loved for its size. The world is huge. The history is deep. The magic systems in fantasy are very well planned. It has a giant cast of characters. If you want a story to live in for a whole year, this is it. It is one of the best fantasy series you can find.
Popular Epic Fantasy Books Right Now
Now let’s talk about what is popular today. These are the books you will hear people talking about. They are modern epic fantasy.
These books are written by new fantasy authors. These authors grew up reading Tolkien and Jordan. Now they are writing their own huge stories.
The Stormlight Archive by Brandon Sanderson
Remember Brandon Sanderson? The man who finished “The Wheel ofTime”? Well, he is now one of the biggest fantasy authors in the world.
His main epic fantasy book series is “The Stormlight Archive.” It is set in a world called Roshar. This world is always hit by giant magic storms. The animals and plants are all different. They are like hard-shelled crabs to survive.
This series is a great example for the series like … Stormlight Archive idea. It has amazing world-building fantasy novels. The magic is based on oaths and light. It is very creative. This series is planned to be 10 books long.
If 10 books sound like too much, you can start with his other series. “Mistborn” is a great fantasy trilogy to start with. It is a complete story in three books. It is one of the top fantasy novels for new readers.
A Song of Ice and Fire by George R.R. Martin
You know this one as “Game of Thrones.” This epic fantasy book series changed everything.
It is a bit different from “Lord of the Rings.” It is not a clear story of good versus evil. It is more grey. The magic is more in the background.
The best part of this series is the people. These are very character-driven fantasy stories. You get to read from many different points of view. You see heroes do bad things. You see bad guys do good things. It feels very real.
This series is for older readers. It has a lot of fighting and politics. But it is one of the most popular epic fantasy books ever written.
Other High Fantasy Book Recommendations
There are so many other great books. This fantasy book list could go on forever.
“The Farseer Trilogy” by Robin Hobb is a great choice. It is a very sad and beautiful story. It is one of the most character-driven fantasy stories you will ever read.
You should also look for award-winning fantasy books. “The Fifth Season” by N.K. Jemisin is amazing. It won a big award three years in a row. It is a very unique story about the end of the world.
These books show what modern epic fantasy can be. They are full of new ideas.
Why Are We All Reading Fantasy?
Why do we love these big books? It seems like more and more people are reading them.
And it is true. The numbers show it. People are buying more fiction books than ever. The market for fiction books is set to grow even bigger. It is worth over 11 billion dollars in 2025. That is a lot of books.
I think we love them because they are an escape. They take us away from our daily lives. They let us be heroes.
The famous writer Dr. Seuss once said, “Fantasy is a necessary ingredient in living.” I think he was right. We need to dream of other worlds. It wakes up our brains.
These long-form fantasy sagas give us a place to go. We can explore. We can fight dragons. We can learn magic. For a little while, we can be part of something epic.
Not Ready for a Saga? Try Epic Fantasy Short Stories
Okay, so a 14-book series is a lot. I get it.
Maybe you do not have that much time. Maybe you just want to try the genre. If that is you, then you should start with epic fantasy short stories.
These are small stories set in big worlds. You get all the magic and adventure. But you get it in a smaller package. It is a great way to find new fantasy authors.
You can find great epic fantasy short stories in collections. Look for books by authors like Neil Gaiman. He writes amazing short fantasy.
You can also find great stories from new authors. For example, some writers like S. F. Shaw build amazing worlds in smaller bites. It is a great way to get a taste of epic fantasy.
These short stories are perfect for reading on the bus. Or before you go to bed. They prove that a story does not have to be 1,000 pages long to be epic.
How to Find Your Perfect Fantasy Book List
So, you are ready to start. How do you find the right epic fantasy book series for you?
Here is a simple plan. This is your own fantasy book list mission.
First, ask your friends. Ask them what must-read fantasy series they love. People who love fantasy love to talk about it. They will be happy to give you ideas.
Second, read reviews online. But be careful. Do not read spoilers. Just look for what people say about the feel of the book. Is it fun? Is it dark? Is it full of action?
Third, try a sample. Read the first chapter of a book. You can do this at a bookstore or online. See if you like the writer’s style. Do you like the main character?
Finding a new book is an adventure. Do not be afraid to try something and then stop. If you do not like a book, put it down. There are thousands of others.
The best fantasy series for you is out there. You just have to find it.
If you love deep world-building fantasy novels, you might want to check out the work of S. F. Shaw at sfshaw.com. It is a great place to find a fresh, new voice.
Big Adventure Starts Now
You are now ready. You know what epic fantasy is. You know the classics. You know the modern hits.
You have a plan to find your perfect book.
The world of epic fantasy book series is waiting for you. It is a world of magic. A world of heroes. A world of big adventures.
All you have to do is turn the first page.
So go on. Pick a book. Your big adventure starts now.
FAQs
I get a lot of questions about this topic. Here are the answers to the ones I hear the most.
What is the difference between epic fantasy and high fantasy?
This is a great question. It is a little confusing. The simple answer is that they are very close. “High fantasy” is a term for any story set in a whole new world. “Lord of the Rings” is high fantasy. “Epic fantasy” is about the size of the story. It is high fantasy, but with a world-ending problem. Most of the books we talked about are both. So, you can use both terms.
What is a good epic fantasy book series for a beginner?
If you are brand new, a big 14-book series can be scary. I have two recommendations. First, read “The Hobbit” by J.R.R. Tolkien. It is the prequel to “Lord of the Rings.” It is short, fun, and a perfect start. Second, try Brandon Sanderson’s “Mistborn: The Final Empire.” It is the first book of a fantasy trilogy. The story is complete in three books. It is a great story and a perfect introduction to modern epic fantasy.
What are some must-read fantasy series?
This is a hard one. It is like asking “what is the best food?” But if I had to pick, here is my list of must-read fantasy series.
- “The Lord of the Rings” by J.R.R. Tolkien
- “The Wheel of Time” by Robert Jordan
- “The Stormlight Archive” by Brandon Sanderson
- “A Song of Ice and Fire” by George R.R. Martin
- “The Farseer Trilogy” by Robin Hobb
That list will keep you busy for a few years.