Fantasy is the activity of imagining unrealistic, impossible or improbable things, creatures, or worlds. Fantasy world, an imaginary world takes inspiration from real world.
Fantasy literature has high number of readers. It is one of the most favorite genres for book readers and authors. It is very extensive genre in books. It covers wide-range of themes from epic adventures to magical worlds.
Fantasy books offer the readers and authors to escape into the world where nothing is impossible. Whether you are avid reader or beginner, there a lot of fantasy books for everyone to dive into the world of fantasy.
We have compiled a list of best fantasy books. You can find best fantasy books of all time, exploring the subgenres and recommended must-reads. We have also compiled top authors in this genre.
Top 15 Best Fantasy Books of All Time
The following list are the 15 best fantasy books of all time that you must read. These books have captured the imaginations of millions of people.
1. The Hobbit
The classic bestseller behind this year's biggest movie, this epic deluxe hardback edition of J.R.R. Tolkien's legendary first book of a lost era of Middle-earth is a collection to be treasured. This version also features Tolkien's enchanted original drawings and vivid full-color pictures, including the elusive “Mirkwood” piece, together with a carefully revised text and a special introduction by Christopher Tolkien.
The authors of The Silmarillion are J.R.R. Tolkien and Christopher Tolkien. J.R.R. He was an English author, poet, philologist, and academic. He is best known for his high fantasy work The Hobbit and The Lord of the Ring. The release date of the book is February 15, 2012. William Morrow publishes the book. The book has approximately 386 pages.
Length: 386 pages per book
Formats: Kindle, Hardcover, Audiobook, Paperback
Latest Version: 75th Anniversary Edition
Ratings: 4.7 out of 5 stars
2. The Lord of the Rings
In the ancient world of Middle-earth, the Dark Lord Sauron is the creator of the One Ring. He poured his power to master all the other Rings of Power made by the elven smiths. Taken from him, lost for millennia, the One Ring finally came to the hobbit Bilbo Baggins. Sauron's influence rose from his stronghold in Mordor, and he searched the One Ring assiduously to rule all.
The Lord of the Rings traces the story of Frodo Baggins and his epic journey with the members of the Fellowship of the Ring, including the great Wizard Gandalf, the battle-torn warriors Boromir, Gimli, Legolas, and the friend and counselor of Frodo, Sam and the three others up to the land of Mordor. This new edition includes the fiftieth-anniversary fully corrected text setting and an extensive index from the book's author, J.R.R. Tolkien, with a letter written by Tolkien and a not simply written Author's Note.
J.R.R. Tolkien was an Oxford professor and author. The novel was released on November 2, 2021. William Morrow publishes the book. The book has approximately 1875 pages.
Length: 1875 pages
Formats: Kindle, Paperback
Latest Version: 50th Anniversary Edition
Ratings: 4.9 out of 5 stars
3. The Chronicles of Narnia
Discover the whole enchantment of C. Presenting all seven books. The main books include The Magician's Nephew, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. Moreover, some others are The Horse and His Boy, Prince Caspian, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, The Silver Chair, and The Last Battle. This version introduces a different behind-the-scenes viewpoint with an introduction by Lewis's stepson, Douglas Gresham. Discover the magical beginnings of Lewis's imaginative world with Boxen. It is a collection of his childhood tales accompanied by his and his brother's original charming illustrations. Also, it offers a fascinating look into the early creativity of one of the most beloved writers. It is also the precursor of epic storytelling, memorable characters, and grand themes that have enchanted readers for over fifty years.
Clive Staples Lewis, writer and scholar, was known for his children's fantasy series The Chronicles of Narnia. He is also renowned for his non-fiction works, including Mere Christianity. The book was published on November 5, 2013. The book has approximately 1494 pages. The publisher of this book is HarperCollins.
Length: 1494 pages per book
Formats: Kindle, Paperback
Latest Version: Released in 2013
Ratings: 4.8 out of 5 stars
4. The Once and Future King
Legendary fantasy classic, a moving story of adventure, romance, and magic that has enthralled generations, H. White's deft rereading of the King Arthur narrative is Under the mysterious sorcerer Merlyn's tutoring for an impossible destiny—to become Arthur, King of the Britons—the story tracks the path of young “Wart.”
Terence Hanbury White, known as T. H. White, is most famous for his Arthurian novel The Once and Future King. His output is rich in humor, tragedy, and astute observations of power and human nature. The book was informally published on November 1, 2011. Ace publishes the book. The book contains around 654 pages.
Length: 654 pages
Formats: Kindle, Paperback, Audiobook, Hardcover
Latest Version: First Edition
Ratings: 4.5 out of 5 stars
5. Earthsea series
Set off the first voyage into Ursula K. Le Guin's renowned Books of Earthsea with A Wizard of Earthsea, the narrative of Ged, who in youth was the relentless Sparrowhawk, Earthsea's most potent sorcerer. Driven by a voracious appetite for information, his careless experimenting with prohibited secrets sends a terrible shadow over the planet. This gripping story chronicles his complex challenges in learning to control strong words of power, facing an old dragon, and even traveling beyond death to bring balance.
Le Guin is an acclaimed American author. He is best known for her speculative fiction. The work included the Hainish Cycle and the Earthsea series. Moreover, her work has themes of anthropology and feminism.
Formats: Kindle, Paperback, Audiobook, Hardcover
Latest Version: Kindle Edition
6. The Last Unicorn
Celebrated by The Atlantic as “one of the best fantasy novels ever.” It is a masterpiece of Experience Peter S. Beagle's The Last Unicorn. It features a lone unicorn leaving the protection of her lilac wood to search for others of her kind. She meets the bumbling wizard Schmendrick and the determined Molly Grue along her path, learning the spectrum of life and love before meeting her fate in the palace of a sad king and battling the creature responsible for the almost extinction of her species. Millions of people around the globe have been enthralled with Beagle's moving story of love, grief, and magic.
Peter Soyer Beagle (born 1939) is an American author celebrated for his lyrical fantasy novel The Last Unicorn, a poignant tale exploring themes of magic, loss, and the search for belonging. He gave great storytelling. Also, his enduring characters have solidified his place in contemporary fantasy literature.
Formats: Kindle, Paperback, Audiobook, Hardcover
Latest Version: Kindle Edition
7. The Silmarillion
The Lord of the Rings on Amazon, J.R.R. Tolkien's mythopoetic masterwork, is essential reading for everyone. Time notes that this magnificent work offers readers a great cosmology, medieval romances, fierce fairy tales, and epic wars, so narrating the creation of the world and the events of the First Age—a history that shapes the backdrop for The Lord of the Rings and includes characters like Elrond and Galadriel. The Elf Fëanor created three brilliant jewels with the Light of Valinor. Following the destruction of the Two Trees by the first Dark Lord Morgoth, they become the only receptacles of this pure light—form the major story's focal point.
John Ronald Reuel Tolkien was a British philologist and author. Also, he is best known for his seminal high fantasy works, The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. His output is rich in humor, tragedy, and astute observations of power and human nature. The book was published on February 15, 2012. William Morrow publishes the book. The book contains around 481 pages.
Length: 481 pages
Formats: Kindle, Paperback, Audiobook, Hardcover
Latest Version: Reissue
Ratings: 4.8 out of 5 stars
8. The Book of the New Sun
The Book of the New Sun is a scientific fantasy epic akin to Tolkien and Lewis. His path continues in The Claw of the Conciliator as he searches for his hidden destiny. Also, he sets out on an epic hunt for an ancient item. Severian's voyage is followed in The Sword of the Lictor as he completes a terrible mission far from home, resulting in the horrific end in The Citadel of the Autarch, whereby he faces the Autarch in a last reckoning that will permanently alter Urth. The story continues in the sequel, The Urth of the New Sun. Where Severian, now the Autarch, leaves Urth on an alien spacecraft to meet his ultimate test over time and distance.
Gene Wolfe was a celebrated master of speculative fiction. He's a great one for detail and was famous for his complex plots. The book's publication was on October 15, 1994. Orb Books publishes the book. The book has approximately 500 pages per book.
Length: almost 500 pages per book
Formats: Kindle, Paperback, Audiobook, Hardcover
Latest Version: Reissue
Ratings: 4.8 out of 5 stars
9. A Song of Ice and Fire
This immersive collection includes many novels. That consists of A Game of Thrones, A Clash of Kings, A Storm of Swords, A Feast for Crows, and A Dance with Dragons. That plung readers into a world where the ominous warning “Winter is coming” signals impending conflict. A mystery death at King's Landing attracts the royal court, including the Lannister siblings. It draws Eddard Stark under control for King Robert Baratheon to Winterfell. Using his sister Daenerys as a tool in his desire, the banished Prince Viserys Targaryen simultaneously schemes his comeback to the Iron Throne across the Narrow Sea. Read the book for more epic reading.
George R.R. Martin is an acclaimed American author. He is celebrated for his series of epic fantasy novels. This whirlwind series was transformed into Game of Thrones on television. His intricate world-building and morally ambiguous characters have redefined modern fantasy literature. The book's publication date is September 10, 2012. Random House Worlds publishes the book. The book has approximately 5765 pages.
Length: 5765 pages per book
Formats: Kindle, Paperback, Audiobook, Hardcover
Latest Version: Box
Ratings: 4.7 out of 5 stars
10. Harry Potter series
It is a story about an orphan boy. Who receives an unexpected invitation to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. That exposes Harry Potter's hidden identity as the revered “Boy Who Lived. That further upends his daily life. Also, this starts an incredible journey where Harry, with his unwavering friends Hermione and Ron, finds the astonishing power of truth, love, and hope. There are strong themes of belonging and the resiliency of good. They are full of fun and magic, love, and friendship. Harry Potter eBooks captivate readers across generations and provide ongoing solace and escape. These classic stories are the perfect introduction to the wizarding world for readers of all ages.
J.K. Rowling is a British author. She found fame creating the Harry Potter series. It's the fairy tale story of a boy wizard. That became a global phenomenon in books and on the big screen. Beyond Potter, she has written adult fiction under her name and Robert Galbraith's pseudonym. The book's publication date is December 14, 2015. Pottermore Publishing publishes the book. The book has approximately 4129 pages.
Length: 4129 pages per book
Formats: Kindle, Paperback
Latest Version: Slp
Ratings: 4.9 out of 5 stars
11. His Dark Materials trilogy
His Dark Materials is a trilogy by Philip Pullman. That is now available in a single volume. It comprises the magical realm. That includes The Golden Compass, Subtle Knife, and The Amber Spyglass. The drama has many famous stars. That includes Dafne Keen, Ruth Wilson, James Mcavoy, and Lin-Manuel Miranda. It is acclaimed as a modern fantasy classic. Also, it is a bestseller across many esteemed lists. Readers are invited to consider the very fabric of their reality. There are exciting adventures follow the entwined destinies of Lyra and Will. They are two normal children who embark on a dangerous journey across eerie parallel worlds and encounter witches, armored bears, fallen angels, and soul-devouring specters, holding the fate of the living and the dead in their hands.
Philip Pullman is a celebrated English author. His great accomplishment is an excellent novel, His Dark Materials trilogy. It is a thought-provoking fantasy series exploring many themes. That includes religion, morality, and the nature of consciousness. He offers compelling storytelling. That is rich in imaginary worlds. That has earned him critical acclaim. The book's publication date is January 25, 2012. The book has approximately 946 pages.
Length: 946 pages per book
Formats: Kindle, Paperback, Hardcover, Mass Market Paperback
Latest Version: Kindle Edition
Ratings: 4.7 out of 5 stars
12. The Wheel of Time series
The Wheel of Time, Robert Jordan's #1 New York Times bestselling epic fantasy series, has the mysterious Moiraine Damodred arriving in the peaceful Emond's Field on a vital mission to find the prophesied person destined to confront the evil Dark One as the cyclical nature of time brings forth ancient legends anew. Moiraine persuades Rand al' Thor and his allies to embark on a dangerous voyage into a large and hostile planet full of hidden threats after a horrific attack on their tranquil home by terrible creatures hunting their master's rival.
Robert Jordan created the expansive and beloved The Wheel of Time fantasy series. He is known for his intricate world-building. It has a vast cast of characters. However, he passed away before its completion. So Brandon Sanderson finished the series based on his extensive notes.
Formats: Kindle, Paperback, Hardcover, Mass Market Paperback
Latest Version: Kindle Edition
Ratings: 4.2 out of 5 stars
13. Mistborn series
Renowned for its world-building, innovative, and unique magic system (Allomancy), and compelling characters, Brandon Sanderson's Mistborn trilogy is a tale of an unforgettable epic fantasy. Starting with “The Final Empire,” the series expertly mixes elements of high fantasy with heist-like stories, exploring matters of oppression, resistance, and the complex interplay of power and morality within a richly detailed world where ash falls from the sky, and a dark king reigns.
Brandon Sanderson is an American fantasy and science fiction author known for detailed worlds and systems of “hard magic,” such as in the Mistborn series and his Cosmere universe. He was also brought in to finish Robert Jordan's The Wheel of Time series, cementing his legacy as a significant voice in contemporary epic fantasy.
Formats: Kindle, Paperback, Hardcover, Mass Market Paperback
Latest Version: Kindle Edition
Ratings: 4.7 out of 5 stars
14. The Name of the Wind
The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss Unassuming innkeeper Kote may seem a long way from being the greatest mage ever to exist, but that's because you don't know his life in the meantime. Rothfuss's prose is rich, his world-building intricate, and Kvothe's pantheon of peers — from Ambrose to Elodin — feed the interwoven stories of Kvothe's path, beginning with a preternaturally talented musician through a storied magic school and up to his zenith. Advised for its poetic language, complex characters, and novel system of magi. It transforms readers into an expertly woven world.
Patrick Rothfuss is the US-based author famed for his brilliant, captivating Kingkiller Chronicles, which were written and started with the now legendary prose of The Name of the Wind and the mysterious storytelling of Kvothe. For all the lack of an ending, his world-building and his story have created an enthusiastic fanbase. The book was published on March 27, 2007. DAW publishes the book. The book is around 718 pages.
Length: 718 pages per book
Formats: Kindle, Paperback, Hardcover, Audiobook
Latest Version: Kindle Edition
Ratings: 4.7 out of 5 stars
15. The Broken Earth trilogy
In the exciting new BROKEN EARTH series, a sequence of catastrophic catastrophes includes simultaneous volcanic eruptions in Iceland, and the destruction of the Azores sets off global devastation and the sundering of the Atlantic Ocean, so killing millions of people. The story centers on retired Army Ranger Will Stone, who must save the Magnetosphere from collapse; whistleblower Max Ungle, driven to reveal the disaster's source despite facing ridicule and danger; and former USGS geologist Ben Stone, whose Armageddon preparations are overwhelmed as mankind faces this apocalypse. It is a riveting story reminiscent of Extinction and The Day After Tomorrow. They race against time to fight a dark scheme threatening to eradicate humanity.
N.K. Jemisin is a groundbreaking American speculative fiction writer. Also, she is best known for her Hugo Award-winning Broken Earth trilogy. Which powerfully explores themes of race, class, and environmental upheaval. Her work is celebrated for its complex characters and innovative world-building. It has an unflinching examination of social issues. The book's publication date is December 23, 2024. The book has approximately 922 pages per book.
Length: 922 pages per book
Formats: Kindle, Paperback, Hardcover, Audiobook
Latest Version: Kindle Edition
Ratings: 4.6 out of 5 stars
Best Fantasy Books by Sub-Genre
Fantasy literature is filled with different subgenres that appeal to a wide variety of readers. Here are some of the most popular subgenres and recommendations for each.
1. Epic Fantasy
Epic fantasy features large-scale stories with grand world-building and often a battle between good and evil.
Recommended Books
- The Inheritance Trilogy by N.K. Jemisin
- Riyria Revelations by Michael J. Sullivan
- The Green Bone Saga by Fonda Lee
2. Urban Fantasy
Urban fantasy blends fantasy elements with modern-day settings, often featuring magical creatures or supernatural events in cities.
Recommended Books
- The Dresden Files by Jim Butcher
- American Gods by Neil Gaiman
- Sandman Slim by Richard Kadrey
3. Dark Fantasy
Dark fantasy incorporates grim or adult themes, often with morally complex characters and a darker tone.
Recommended Books
- The First Law Trilogy by Joe Abercrombie
- The Witcher Saga by Andrzej Sapkowski
- The Coldfire Trilogy by C.S. Friedman
4. High Fantasy
High fantasy is set in entirely fictional worlds, often with complex systems of magic and a heroic quest.
Recommended Books
- Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn Trilogy by Tad Williams
- The Stormlight Archive by Brandon Sanderson
- The Malazan Book of the Fallen by Steven Erikson
Best Fantasy Books for Different Age Groups
Fantasy books aren’t just for adults—there’s something for every age group. Here are some recommendations for various age ranges:
1. Fantasy Books for Kids
- Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones
- The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster
- The Spiderwick Chronicles by Tony DiTerlizzi & Holly Black
2. Fantasy Books for Young Adults
- Sabriel by Garth Nix
- An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir
- Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo
3. Fantasy Books for Adults
- Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke
- The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch
- The Curse of Chalion by Lois McMaster Bujold
Top Fantasy Authors You Should Know
If you’re a fan of fantasy literature, you’ve likely heard of some of the genre’s most influential authors. Here are a few you should definitely explore:
J.R.R. Tolkien
- Known as the father of modern fantasy, Tolkien’s The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings remain cornerstones of the genre.
George R.R. Martin
- Creator of the A Song of Ice and Fire series, which inspired the TV show Game of Thrones.
J.K. Rowling
- Author of the beloved Harry Potter series, which brought fantasy to a new generation of readers.
Brandon Sanderson
- Known for his intricate magic systems, Sanderson is the author of the Mistborn series and The Stormlight Archive.
N.K. Jemisin
- Winner of multiple Hugo Awards, Jemisin’s The Broken Earth Trilogy redefines the genre with thought-provoking social commentary and rich world-building.
Further Reading
If you’re looking for more recommendations or deeper dives into specific aspects of fantasy, check out our detailed articles on:
Reading fantasy books provides, at last, a special chance to escape the monotony and enter worlds of infinite imagination. These tales inspire creativity, improve critical thinking, and offer insightful analysis of the human condition, enhancing our lives.
Happy reading, and may your next fantasy adventure be as thrilling as the worlds you discover!
If you loved this list, make sure to check out our other top book lists in different genres. From science fiction to romance, we’ve got all the recommendations you need!