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Flash man by George McDonald Fraser is the best series”lies of lock lamamora is better then lord of the rings also were was the First law series by joe Abercrombie in this book line up that one is also probably better then lord of the rings”
I'm desperately trying to keep all me vids between 10-20 minutes. I kinda feel I'm talking to fast in some and too slow in others. I'm still working on this youtube thing
@@B.LEE.DbrianleedurfeeREVIEWS Don't worry about talking fast. Most people on the booktube talk so damn slow like they're talking to a group of 'tards , even at x2 its stupidly slow. I don't fucking get it.
40. Kings of the wyld 39. The way of shadows 38. The prince of thorns 37. The baker's boy 36. Off armageddon reef 35. Legend - david 34. The last of the renshai 33. V.e schwab series 32. The dark tide 31. The mirror of her dreams 30. Shadowmarch - tad williams 29. Shadow and claw - gene wolfe 28. Thieves world 27. Black sun rising - 26. Chronicles of the cheysuli 25. Dragon prince 24. Kings dragon 23. The Golden Key 22. Michael moorcock series 21. Deryni rising - katherine kurtz 20. Nevernight 19. Robin hobb series 18. Jhereg - steven .. 17. The book of three - lloyd alexander 16. Dragons of autumn twilight 15. Harrypotter 14. Tigana 13. Magician apprentice 12. Lord foul's bane 11. Pawn of prophecy 10. The forgetting moon 09. The lies of locke lamora 08. Gardens of the moon 07. The name of the wind - patrick 06. The way of kings - brandon 05. The sword of shannara 04. The eye of the world 03. A game of thrones 02. The drangonbone chair - tad williams 01. J . R. R. Tolkien
Several I haven't heard off(including Brian), probably a 3rd I have heard off but never read but all the ones I have read I did like. Huge Eddings fan back in the day but I don't think they have aged very well.
First time I see someone with my same 1 and 2, Tolkien (The Lord of The Rings and Silmarillion in my case), and Tad Williams (Memory, Thorn and Sorrow, four books, The Dragonbone Chair is just the first one, The Last King of Osten Ard, the continuation, the second part of the saga, another four books, and The Heart of What Was Lost, the linking books between the two parts). And the third, is dispute in my case between Song of Ice and Fire (Martin) and the Geralt of Rivia saga by Sapkowsky or Elric of Melniboné by Moorcok, and Olvidado Rey Gudú, I do not know if it's translated into English, I think it isn't, the tittle would be Forgotten King Gudú, by Ana María Matute a Spaniard author.
I know I am really late on this vid but just wanted to say thank you for mentioning The Belgariad. No one ever talks about it and it's one of the best fantasy series of all time. Also, your books sound great, looking forward to getting and reading them soon.
A fabulous series, I have read it a few times. However, when you say no one dies you are incorrect. In actuality one of the main characters is killed by Belgarion himself and that would be Ashrak aka. Chamdar. He was burned alive when Garion found out that Chamdar killed his parents. Also, Ctuchik killed himself when he tried to unmake the Orb. I have only read about 1/2 of the books on your list and some I have never heard of but will be looking them up. However, I feel there are 2 series that should have been on the list and those are Jack Chalker's Well world series, and not just the original 5 but all of the well world books, and Ed Greenwoods The Elminster series
Great list! Some other standout authors that could have been included: Ursula K. Le Guin, Mervyn Peake, Roger Zelazny, Robert Silverberg, Lois Mc Master Bujold, Terry Pratchett, Neil Gaiman, Anne McCaffrey, Mercedes Lackey, R.A. Salvatore, C.S. Lewis, Fritz Leiber, Robert E. Howard.
The advantage of a more 'mature' reviewer is that you've included many of my favourite series of the 80s and 90s that many of the good younger reviewers haven't discovered yet. Btw not all of Guy Gabriel Kay's works are standalone. Also some of his standalones are set in the same world but different eras.
I want to be a Green Knight type Paladin. I love the David Eddings love. To this day, he is still one of my favorite fantasy authors. IMO, the Elenium trilogy is better than the Belgariad. The Elenium is one of the few series where the protagonist is a middle age adult. And one who is a successful warrior at the start of the series.
Thank you for putting Tad Williams so high on your list. Haven't read Memory, Sorrow & Thorn for a long time but its stays with me as being one of the most amazing book journeys I have taken.
I knew from book 40 that The Lord of the Rings was gonna be number one. And I knew that if I got it wrong I was gonna throw myself out of my window lmao.
No Terry Pratchett; shame on you! Other than that omission this was a great video. I read many of these series and agree with you, and this may help finding new stuff to read. Thanks for the Belgariad shoutout; I have read the entire series every two year and have done so since the 80’s. I feel like I am visiting friends when I open these books.
The BEST list I've seen. Okay, part of that is because I agree with you - thanks for mentioning so many of the books I read in the 70s and 80s. David Eddings - I've re-read so many times I've had to repurchase the books. And Thieves World!!! Alexander Lloyd. David Weber.
Bravo for not being ashamed to do self promotion, I will have to check out your series. For the most part I agree with your choices, but no such list is complete without Chronicles of Amber by Roger Zelazny. If you haven't read it, drop everything and get on it.
Props for putting Sword of Shannara on your list. Lotta fantasy readers like to bash Terry Brooks, especially Sword of Shannara. Sure, it's a straight rip of LOTR, but when it came out in the 80's it was the first things I found and read and went YES, finally something in the same vein as Tolkien, epic, fun, a total blast to read. I didn't care that it was basically the same story, it was great, and the sequels, even better.
I just bought JV Jones’ Baker Boy. And I’m continuing my Dragonlance read. I plan on picking up Melanie Rawn’s books too. This list is like a shopping list for fantasy novels. Love it!
I agree J.V. Jones has some great novels that a lot of people don’t know about. Bakers Boy was one of my favorite stories of hers! Some really sick and evil plots & great heroes! Absolutely loved it!
Wow, the memories, I was introduced to Tolkien in high school; the toughest, and best read ever to this day, but I also started with Salvatore and the companions have grown with me from high school to my age of 50 and they are like family to me. As well as Dragonlance, the fun I had growing with Raistlan and Caramon. I had trouble with Stephen Donaldson in the Covenent series, but the Mirror of her Dreams took me by surprise and I could not let that book down, read the two when I was in London. The Belgariad, though, bout that series in Germany when I was going on a week maneuvers, to this day one of the greatest reads ever. I just picked up Belgarath the Sorcerer and Polgara the Sorceress thrist shop and looking forward to diving in that world again. Finally, Jordan and Martin, still reading them and cannot wait to see how Sanderson wrapped up Jordan's books, and maybe just get me hooked on Sanderson himself than. Thanks for sharing and helping me relive my reading through the years.
Love your taste. I like how you like all kinds of fantasy and are not snobby about it. You like complex stuff and simple fun fantasy that has tropes. Too many people on goodreads seem to knock anything with tropes or that isn’t dark and complex. I already have read many of these and have many on my to-read list . Now I’m adding the ones you mention to my list. I’m loving this channel , you seem to have the same taste as me. I’m going to have to check out your books . I’m going to buy the forgetting moon ASAP. Oh , and so glad to see ShadowMarch on here it’s so underrated and doesn’t get mentioned enough
"Too many people on goodreads seem to knock anything with tropes or that isn’t dark and complex." - you know what the hallmark of a good book is? If you enjoyed it. That's it. That's all.
Man, I thouroughly enjoyed this video Brian! It feels like I opened a magical chest and discovered glimmering treasures inside. I love how you highlight the cover artists as well, thank you!
So I found your channel because I am trying to find some new series to read. I have enjoyed Eddings, Feist, Weis & Hickman, J.K. Rowling, Jim Butcher, and am now enjoying Sanderson's Mistborn series. I don't like super dark stuff... life is dark enough as it is, I want a good fantasy where good triumphs in the end... Is there a particular author you might recommend? Otherwise, I have noted several from your video and have purchased their first books... thanks!
@@B.LEE.DbrianleedurfeeREVIEWS Thanks for responding! I read Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn years ago and reread the series last year. I have not read any of Tad Williams new stuff... I have read all the good Eddings books, and just reread The Belgariad and The Malloreon... I still need to read Belgararth the Sorcerer, Polgara the Sorceress, and The Redemption of Althalus. Had a hard time getting into Sanderson for years but then recently picked up Elantris and devoured it. I may need to go back to Terry Brooks. I read The Sword of Shannara back when it first came out and enjoyed it but have not read much else by him. Sounds strange but it's hard to find new authors... I've been spoiled with Feist, Eddings, and company... those are the classics from when I was growing up. I'd just like some "new" classics... lol. Thanks again for your time!
People should pay attention to this list! Brian, I am impressed that you put Kathryn Kurtz's Deryni Chronicles on your list. This is a great older series that a lot of younger people will not know about. Also, you are correct that anyone that is into fantasy needs to read "the Lord of the Rings" and Michael Moorcock's "Elric of Melniboné" series. Another older series that is also excellent is the "Xanth" novels by Piers Anthony, starting with "A spell for Chameleon". A newer series that is only on Kindle and Audible is "the Spellmonger" series by Terry Mancour and it is fantastic.
My 2 favorite authors are Terry Brooks and Stephen R. Donaldson! The Shannara series and The Magic Kingdom series by Brooks and The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant series by Donaldson were truly magical for me!
Can you do another list but only for the non-dark stuff? I love me a bit of fantasy but I’m tired of every book I pick up being filled with rape and torture, especially because it’s almost never important to the story and is certainly not what makes it great. I love The Belgariad, The Kingkiller Chronicles, The Riftwar and Vlad Taltos, but it’s so difficult to find other stuff so I inevitably end up going to Sci-Fi instead.
Great to see Eddings in your list. Well deserved. I am surprised that Dune did not make it, but not surprised that Heinlein's Lazarus Long stories are missing. However, Tolkien Rules! First read the three books in 2.5 days I was so focussed on the stories.
The Elric Saga was my introduction into the fantasy genre. I was curious about Moorcock because he was listed as co-writer on some Blue Oyster Cult songs. He is still one of my favorites. Great to hear someone give him credit.
Elric was mine too (though the cover art shown is NOT how I imagine him!). I picked up bits of various Moorcock series (Elric, Hawkmoon, Corum) from a pile of books in my uni halls social area (30+ years ago). Didn't click to the link between them all until I read Pheonix in Obsidian though...
I remember as a teenager lying on my bed reading the very end of the series when the power of the sword was revealed. I threw the book up in the air and rolled off the bed! Blew my mind!
Renshai! YES! and the thumb of Belgariad is what pulled me in to view your video - underappreciated! I feel the same about Shannara. It was one of my first (I think I read The White Dragon before it (not knowing that it was the third book in a trilogy!). There is only one series that I felt belonged on your list, probably top 20, that is The Chronicles of Amber by Roger Zelazny. Let me know if you agree/disagree/haven't read. If the latter I can virtually promise you, based on your other books on this list that you will love it!
Man, thanks so much for this list, and for remembering things that were written before 2000! You're sending me back to all-nighters of magic and nail biting. I'm not debating you! I'm not debating you! Okay, I am debating you on Eddings and Zelazny, and Gavriel Kay has a trilogy, but that's not really debating, is it. It's just agreeing some more. Thanks for remembering Friedman and Kurtz! Nobody talks about them anymore. That's it for me. I'm subscribing :)
Agree with you about David Weber’s Safehold series still going strong after 15 books. Sorry you forgot Anne Mcaffery’s Dragon raiders of Pern series which last3 over 30 years with help from her son. Just great with so many plot twists and thins and surprises. Fire-Breathing, Telepathic, teleporting Dragons. What could be better
@@carriejones6099 if you don’t know the real reason the people are on Pern (which you only discover late in the series). It’s very much more a fantasy series just like “Safehold” is Both are about Earth colonies that have changed due to special forces within the physical or social structure of the system
Glad to see Steven Brust and J.V. Jones on this list. Sad you didn't include: Death Dealer by Silke and Franzetta. Empire of the East by Saberhagen Book of Swords / Lost Swords by Saberhagen.
@@justinhight235 I hope so! I came across it on Goodreads, noticed with some digging that authors I love (Donaldson and Hobb) are fans, and just bought it. I'm currently on book ten of Wheel Of Time. I plan to read it after that!
I love that you show such love to those who came before. Most UA-cam channels now a days only talk about what " new and hot" and it's so tiring. When I see people go I can't find any good fantasy to read I send them to your channel and their minds get bloen
Seeing how high you put the Belgariad on your list automatically makes me trust your judgement. David and Leigh Eddings were my introduction to fantasy and i haven't looked back.
Thanks for putting this list together. It puts recommendations into better perspective when you have a better understanding of what the recommender really likes. Plenty to add to my purchase and reading list, including yours.
Hello, I am from Iran. Many of the books you introduced are unfortunately not translated and available in Iran. Thank you for your complete and high-quality video.
I’ve watched a lot of your videos and this is your best one. Heavy hitting, enthusiastic recommendations. I’m in awe of your geeking out over books I’ve loved, ones I’ve seen, and some I’ve never heard of. Amazing collection and I’m jealous. I want to return to reading Feist and brooks now. I really loved Feist collaboration with wurts, daughter of the empire series. I was fully immersed. I like that you put your work at 10. I’ll buy the audiobook and physical copy. And you inspired me to finally read Crispin’s solo story. Excited for that. If you haven’t read ravens shadow series by Anthony Ryan, it’s great. First book is phenomenal. I need to grab more 80s fantasy novel. You made me love their covers all over again. Thank you!
Yup pawn of prophecy is amazing. I love your channel. When i was given these books i read the mallorean first. Didnt know what else was in the big box of books. I think it was my first Fantasy
You're missing out. try the Fafhrd and the Grey Mouser series by Fritz Leiber, The Dark is Rising series by Susan Cooper, The Black Company books by Glen Cook, and the Conan the Barbarian stories by Robert Howard (and others). Also, the fantasy novels by Poul Anderson like The Broken Sword and Three Hearts and Three Lions, if you're including stand alone novels.
In my own top fantasy series off all times Lord of the Rings is always number one too. But very close to it, almost on the same level of greatness is Wizard of the Earthsea (all bloody 6 books of it). As a teenager I did not understood 4th book, but later when re-read it as 30 years old man with rest of the series... Oh, my God! What Le Guin did with "Earthsea" series is just incredible. It effects me as a reader in much deeper way than any other book ever did. So I was little surprised not to find such series in this list at all. Even other books I love are included in plenty ☺️
If I did a top 50 it woulda been like 55 or 56. I might do a larger list in a few years. I think Abercrombie would slip into my top 40 after rereading all his stuff recently
Thank you for writing the series, Jennifer. And also The Lady Of The Forest which I consider the best Robin Hood book ever written. And Tiger and Del are awesome too
OMG, you're on youtube! I just want to say thank you for the really wonderful times your books gave me as a teenager, for all the fun I had reading them, the great memories, and making my school days so much more bearable! Thank you so much, Jennifer, I'll always treasure those books and hope you'll write many more! ❤
Amazing top.Wasn't expecting lotr on 1st place though.Thought it's gonna be either game of thrones or the way of kings and I had no ideea you are such a great author yourself. 😁
I appreciate you shedding light on mainly book series before my time. (Born in 2000.) I'm still surprised Narnia, Percy Jackson or The Sea of trolls series aren't in the top 40.
So crazy, I came into the comments to say the same thing, but after scrolling down for ages to see if anyone had already pointed it out... I could find no one else mentioning it but you. I find it very strange, his list hit most of the standout amazing fantasy books I've personally read and Death Gate is literally the only one missing (other than maybe Dragonriders of Pern? But I think I saw people comment on that one). If we all have such similar tastes in Fantasy, it would be shocking if only 2 people noticed such a popular and amazing series missing from such a huge list.
SO glad to see this list! I was yelling "YES!" at the TV screen when you mentioned the Mordant's Need duology ("Mirror of Her Dreams" is the first book) by Donaldson, Melanie Rawn, Jennifer Roberson, etc. Oh, and Katherine Kurtz's Deryni books - no one ever mentions them and they are SO GOOD. I'd also recommend her Adept series if you haven't read those - really terrific! So many of my favorite authors, including these, seem to be missing from Booktube these days. It was awesome to see them finally get a mention! If you ever expand the list - can I recommend Andre Norton's "Witch World" books? Your SF list was great, too!
I'll throw a few in. The First Law Series- Joe Abercrombie Conan series- Robert E. Howard The Chronicles of the Black Company- Glen Cook The Chronicles of Amber- Roger Zelazny The Dark Elf Trilogy- RA Salvatore (Not a fan of most of his stuff but these are gems) The Dark Tower saga- Stephen King The Kane series- Karl Edward Wagner And these are short stories but I'll also include The tales of Zothique by Clark Ashton Smith.
I've never heard anyone else really mention this, but The Broken Empire was far less disturbing than The First Law series. I read Abercrombie prior to jumping into Lawrence's world and I honestly felt that it was far more tamer when it came to all things disturbing -- some of the descriptions of Glokta's torture methods still make me shudder.
George R.R Martin better then Robert Jordan? in what world? Jordan LITERALLY is the protege of Tolkien is George better at writing political entrigue...yes...but better writer..no...
You left out the "Valdemar" world/series by Mercedes Lackey, And the "Pern" novels by the the late Anne McCaffrey, And the "Earthsea" novels by Ursula K. LeGuin. Therefore, your list is incomplete. (Downvote)
Apologies for the long list, but here's some you should read: Brian Jacques: Redwall, Carole Nelson Douglas: Sword and Circlet, Elizabeth Moon: Paksennarion/Legend of Gird, Piers Anthony: Xanth and Incarnations of Immortality, Robert Asprin: MYTH, C. J. Cherryh: Dreamstone and Tree Of Sword And Jewels, Roger Zelazny: Amber and Dilvish The Damned, Robert Silverberg: Lord Valentine, Bill Willingham: Fables, Will Shetterley and Emma Bull: Liavek, Phyllis Ann Karr: Frostflower and Thorn, Frostflower and Windbourne, Niel Hancock: Circle of Light, Fred Saberhagen: Dracula and Swords, Terri Wildling: Borderlands, Jessica Amanda Salmonsen: Amazons, Marion Zimmer Bradley: Avalon and Swords and Sorceress, Lynne Abbey: RIvkin and Daughter Of The Bright Moon, Esther Friesner: Chicks In Chain Mail, and the late great Tanith Lee: Birthgrave and Flat Earth, among several other standalone novels such as Kill The Dead, Sabella, Volkhavaar, and Cyrion.
So many (most) booktubers suffer from recency bias, and look down on anything published before 2000. I'm glad to see so many great older books here. Modern fantasy, with a few notable exceptions, is not as good in my opinion. Great list!
My list (only top 10): 1. J.R.R. Tolkien 2. Steven Erikson 3. George R.R. Martin 4. Joe Abercrombie 5. Robert Jordan 6. Brandon Sanderson 7. Robin Hobb 8. Brian Lee Durfee❤ 9. Petter V. Brett 10. Anthony Ryan
I've only heard of like 15% of these, and i loved this video. I will definitely come back to it frequently when getting new fantasy novels. I'm years late on this, I know. But, better late than never.
i used your book selection and i did order some books off the list i havnt read for awile....for fun i'll say 2 books i read a few times Bill Brysons A short history of nearly everything and the six wives of King henry the v111.. pretty good I did get a trilogy with images and whatever they have to mention A MAN ON THE MOON nasa info on the journey to the moon from 1960's
The Book of Three was my first leap into fantasy as a little kid. My elementary school had copies of it at a Scholastic Book sale. That book cover with Taran and the Horned King was just too bad ass for a 10 year old boy to leave on the shelf.
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Flash man by George McDonald Fraser is the best series”lies of lock lamamora is better then lord of the rings also were was the First law series by joe Abercrombie in this book line up that one is also probably better then lord of the rings”
I wish I could do lists this fast. I have to talk about each one for 5-7 minutes. Some good ones on here and a handful I haven't heard of.
I'm desperately trying to keep all me vids between 10-20 minutes. I kinda feel I'm talking to fast in some and too slow in others. I'm still working on this youtube thing
Brian Lee Durfee Reviews I would love to hear you elaborate on these dope ass series a little more! Your enthusiasm is infectious!
@@B.LEE.DbrianleedurfeeREVIEWS Don't worry about talking fast. Most people on the booktube talk so damn slow like they're talking to a group of 'tards , even at x2 its stupidly slow. I don't fucking get it.
Read 24 out of 40. Haven't read anything written after the 90s. Except Potter
40. Kings of the wyld
39. The way of shadows
38. The prince of thorns
37. The baker's boy
36. Off armageddon reef
35. Legend - david
34. The last of the renshai
33. V.e schwab series
32. The dark tide
31. The mirror of her dreams
30. Shadowmarch - tad williams
29. Shadow and claw - gene wolfe
28. Thieves world
27. Black sun rising -
26. Chronicles of the cheysuli
25. Dragon prince
24. Kings dragon
23. The Golden Key
22. Michael moorcock series
21. Deryni rising - katherine kurtz
20. Nevernight
19. Robin hobb series
18. Jhereg - steven ..
17. The book of three - lloyd alexander
16. Dragons of autumn twilight
15. Harrypotter
14. Tigana
13. Magician apprentice
12. Lord foul's bane
11. Pawn of prophecy
10. The forgetting moon
09. The lies of locke lamora
08. Gardens of the moon
07. The name of the wind - patrick
06. The way of kings - brandon
05. The sword of shannara
04. The eye of the world
03. A game of thrones
02. The drangonbone chair - tad williams
01. J . R. R. Tolkien
Several I haven't heard off(including Brian), probably a 3rd I have heard off but never read but all the ones I have read I did like. Huge Eddings fan back in the day but I don't think they have aged very well.
Nice to see a shout out dragonbone chair, great series.
Always loved The Magician by Fiest. Perhaps the 500 follow up books put people off?
First time I see someone with my same 1 and 2, Tolkien (The Lord of The Rings and Silmarillion in my case), and Tad Williams (Memory, Thorn and Sorrow, four books, The Dragonbone Chair is just the first one, The Last King of Osten Ard, the continuation, the second part of the saga, another four books, and The Heart of What Was Lost, the linking books between the two parts). And the third, is dispute in my case between Song of Ice and Fire (Martin) and the Geralt of Rivia saga by Sapkowsky or Elric of Melniboné by Moorcok, and Olvidado Rey Gudú, I do not know if it's translated into English, I think it isn't, the tittle would be Forgotten King Gudú, by Ana María Matute a Spaniard author.
@@CnoacdeTara someone thank me for the list |
Thanks for making this list 😃
man i'm hyped up on caffeine in this video
horses with glowing red eyes?? i am sold sir
I know I am really late on this vid but just wanted to say thank you for mentioning The Belgariad. No one ever talks about it and it's one of the best fantasy series of all time. Also, your books sound great, looking forward to getting and reading them soon.
Thanks
Hear hear!
Gotta love Eddings. The Elenium and the Belgariad were my introduction to fantasy
A fabulous series, I have read it a few times. However, when you say no one dies you are incorrect. In actuality one of the main characters is killed by Belgarion himself and that would be Ashrak aka. Chamdar. He was burned alive when Garion found out that Chamdar killed his parents. Also, Ctuchik killed himself when he tried to unmake the Orb.
I have only read about 1/2 of the books on your list and some I have never heard of but will be looking them up. However, I feel there are 2 series that should have been on the list and those are Jack Chalker's Well world series, and not just the original 5 but all of the well world books, and Ed Greenwoods The Elminster series
Yeah Silk was of the best characters ever created.
It would be funny if Brandon Sanderson ends up finishing a song of ice and fire
Threaten me with a good time.
Oh he will. One things for certain, Martin won't.
Unlikely. Martin has said he doesn’t want anyone else finishing his work.
@@jgamer2228 hopefully Martin's editor makes the right choice after he passes without finishing the book.
@@jgamer2228 And Brandon is also very conservative in comparison with GRR.
Great list! Some other standout authors that could have been included: Ursula K. Le Guin, Mervyn Peake, Roger Zelazny, Robert Silverberg, Lois Mc Master Bujold, Terry Pratchett, Neil Gaiman, Anne McCaffrey, Mercedes Lackey, R.A. Salvatore, C.S. Lewis, Fritz Leiber, Robert E. Howard.
What about Julian May?
No way can a Top 40 List exclude Joe Abercrombie! Great work man!
First law is waaaaaaay better than dragonlance 🤦♂️😭
@@bishopsupertramp810it's deffo better than Stormlight imo.
The advantage of a more 'mature' reviewer is that you've included many of my favourite series of the 80s and 90s that many of the good younger reviewers haven't discovered yet.
Btw not all of Guy Gabriel Kay's works are standalone. Also some of his standalones are set in the same world but different eras.
Agree! Guy Gavriel Kay's 'Fionavar Tapestry' is an outstanding series.
Who are the younger reviewers you follow?
Your taste is near perfection. So happy to see 80s/90s fantasy being recognized and recommended. I absolutely adore the Elric saga.
Great video, but what about Sapkowski's "The Witcher"?
Great list but David Gemmell deserves to be in the top 10 IMHO.
Bridge 4
I want to be a Green Knight type Paladin.
I love the David Eddings love. To this day, he is still one of my favorite fantasy authors. IMO, the Elenium trilogy is better than the Belgariad. The Elenium is one of the few series where the protagonist is a middle age adult. And one who is a successful warrior at the start of the series.
I mean, Sparhawk set the template, didn't he?
A middle age dude who hangs out with a loli. /JK. I loved those books too.
Thank you for putting Tad Williams so high on your list. Haven't read Memory, Sorrow & Thorn for a long time but its stays with me as being one of the most amazing book journeys I have taken.
Just found first two books getting ready to read
I knew from book 40 that The Lord of the Rings was gonna be number one. And I knew that if I got it wrong I was gonna throw myself out of my window lmao.
Oh...how high up is your window?
@@B.LEE.DbrianleedurfeeREVIEWS haha let’s say I’m glad I was right!
I know it too and it deserves it. Malazan is my second favorit series.
Very inspirational. Your enthusiasm has caused me to seek out several books on your list. Thank you for putting this together for all of us. 👏
No Terry Pratchett; shame on you! Other than that omission this was a great video. I read many of these series and agree with you, and this may help finding new stuff to read.
Thanks for the Belgariad shoutout; I have read the entire series every two year and have done so since the 80’s. I feel like I am visiting friends when I open these books.
Mirror of her dreams! Wow I don’t know anyone else who’s read it. Great.
My husband and I read Mirror of Her Dreams, Brian Durfee, and you make four who have read it!
Kudos to us!!!👏
The BEST list I've seen. Okay, part of that is because I agree with you - thanks for mentioning so many of the books I read in the 70s and 80s. David Eddings - I've re-read so many times I've had to repurchase the books. And Thieves World!!! Alexander Lloyd. David Weber.
Bravo for not being ashamed to do self promotion, I will have to check out your series. For the most part I agree with your choices, but no such list is complete without Chronicles of Amber by Roger Zelazny. If you haven't read it, drop everything and get on it.
Props for putting Sword of Shannara on your list. Lotta fantasy readers like to bash Terry Brooks, especially Sword of Shannara. Sure, it's a straight rip of LOTR, but when it came out in the 80's it was the first things I found and read and went YES, finally something in the same vein as Tolkien, epic, fun, a total blast to read. I didn't care that it was basically the same story, it was great, and the sequels, even better.
Because you mentioned Lord Foul's Bane, The Belgariad and Magician's Apprentice, I will buy your book!! Thanks for your list!
I just bought JV Jones’ Baker Boy. And I’m continuing my Dragonlance read. I plan on picking up Melanie Rawn’s books too. This list is like a shopping list for fantasy novels. Love it!
I agree J.V. Jones has some great novels that a lot of people don’t know about. Bakers Boy was one of my favorite stories of hers! Some really sick and evil plots & great heroes! Absolutely loved it!
Wow, the memories, I was introduced to Tolkien in high school; the toughest, and best read ever to this day, but I also started with Salvatore and the companions have grown with me from high school to my age of 50 and they are like family to me. As well as Dragonlance, the fun I had growing with Raistlan and Caramon. I had trouble with Stephen Donaldson in the Covenent series, but the Mirror of her Dreams took me by surprise and I could not let that book down, read the two when I was in London. The Belgariad, though, bout that series in Germany when I was going on a week maneuvers, to this day one of the greatest reads ever. I just picked up Belgarath the Sorcerer and Polgara the Sorceress thrist shop and looking forward to diving in that world again. Finally, Jordan and Martin, still reading them and cannot wait to see how Sanderson wrapped up Jordan's books, and maybe just get me hooked on Sanderson himself than. Thanks for sharing and helping me relive my reading through the years.
The moment you had Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn as #2 I knew I had to read all of your work. Haha. So good. Loving The Forgetting Moon so far, Brian!
If you’re including classics like Tolkien and Elric, what about Conan and Fafhrd and the Grey Mouser?
Love your taste. I like how you like all kinds of fantasy and are not snobby about it. You like complex stuff and simple fun fantasy that has tropes. Too many people on goodreads seem to knock anything with tropes or that isn’t dark and complex. I already have read many of these and have many on my to-read list . Now I’m adding the ones you mention to my list. I’m loving this channel , you seem to have the same taste as me. I’m going to have to check out your books . I’m going to buy the forgetting moon ASAP. Oh , and so glad to see ShadowMarch on here it’s so underrated and doesn’t get mentioned enough
Tad Williams is the MAN
"Too many people on goodreads seem to knock anything with tropes or that isn’t dark and complex." - you know what the hallmark of a good book is? If you enjoyed it. That's it. That's all.
Man, I thouroughly enjoyed this video Brian! It feels like I opened a magical chest and discovered glimmering treasures inside. I love how you highlight the cover artists as well, thank you!
Thanks so much for the kind words
So I found your channel because I am trying to find some new series to read. I have enjoyed Eddings, Feist, Weis & Hickman, J.K. Rowling, Jim Butcher, and am now enjoying Sanderson's Mistborn series. I don't like super dark stuff... life is dark enough as it is, I want a good fantasy where good triumphs in the end... Is there a particular author you might recommend? Otherwise, I have noted several from your video and have purchased their first books... thanks!
Tad Williams is good. Not too dark. Eddings is also good. Terry Brooks too
@@B.LEE.DbrianleedurfeeREVIEWS Thanks for responding! I read Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn years ago and reread the series last year. I have not read any of Tad Williams new stuff... I have read all the good Eddings books, and just reread The Belgariad and The Malloreon... I still need to read Belgararth the Sorcerer, Polgara the Sorceress, and The Redemption of Althalus. Had a hard time getting into Sanderson for years but then recently picked up Elantris and devoured it. I may need to go back to Terry Brooks. I read The Sword of Shannara back when it first came out and enjoyed it but have not read much else by him. Sounds strange but it's hard to find new authors... I've been spoiled with Feist, Eddings, and company... those are the classics from when I was growing up. I'd just like some "new" classics... lol. Thanks again for your time!
People should pay attention to this list! Brian, I am impressed that you put Kathryn Kurtz's Deryni Chronicles on your list. This is a great older series that a lot of younger people will not know about. Also, you are correct that anyone that is into fantasy needs to read "the Lord of the Rings" and Michael Moorcock's "Elric of Melniboné" series. Another older series that is also excellent is the "Xanth" novels by Piers Anthony, starting with "A spell for Chameleon". A newer series that is only on Kindle and Audible is "the Spellmonger" series by Terry Mancour and it is fantastic.
I’m happy to see Stephen R. Donaldson included on this list. To me he should be in the top five.
jrr tolkiens works have a huge impact on the filipino folklore. some of his creatures are on the folklore.
Edding's and his wife did time for child abuse, so nah on Pawn of prophecy
I LOVE Memory Sorrow and Thorn and it makes me so happy to see it so high up your list. People don’t talk about that series enough.
Yes great book, I personally wouldn't have placed it so high on my personal list bit excellent never the lesd.
Not nearly enough. I think most people online are two young to remember him unfortunately.
My 2 favorite authors are Terry Brooks and Stephen R. Donaldson! The Shannara series and The Magic Kingdom series by Brooks and The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant series by Donaldson were truly magical for me!
I'm re-reading the Covenant series right now! Great to see people showing Donaldson some love.
@@mnjesu I'm actually also rereading the Thomas Covenant series now.
Love the shameless self promotion. Is in my TBR and is why I'm on your channel
The Black Sun series by C.S. Freidman was one of the most influential series of my youth.
Great series, from what I remember.
Lord of the Rings sucks on the first read, the second and third is where it gets good.
Like the german Poster, but i like the english art better. It is more unic.
Can you do another list but only for the non-dark stuff? I love me a bit of fantasy but I’m tired of every book I pick up being filled with rape and torture, especially because it’s almost never important to the story and is certainly not what makes it great. I love The Belgariad, The Kingkiller Chronicles, The Riftwar and Vlad Taltos, but it’s so difficult to find other stuff so I inevitably end up going to Sci-Fi instead.
Totally agree with you! 👍
Finally a top fantasy books list, with many great books in it.
Great to see Eddings in your list. Well deserved. I am surprised that Dune did not make it, but not surprised that Heinlein's Lazarus Long stories are missing. However, Tolkien Rules! First read the three books in 2.5 days I was so focussed on the stories.
love the Belgariads
Dune is a science fiction not fantasy
Very good book my friend and our friend 17.5
The Elric Saga was my introduction into the fantasy genre. I was curious about Moorcock because he was listed as co-writer on some Blue Oyster Cult songs. He is still one of my favorites. Great to hear someone give him credit.
Cool
Elric was mine too (though the cover art shown is NOT how I imagine him!). I picked up bits of various Moorcock series (Elric, Hawkmoon, Corum) from a pile of books in my uni halls social area (30+ years ago). Didn't click to the link between them all until I read Pheonix in Obsidian though...
I remember as a teenager lying on my bed reading the very end of the series when the power of the sword was revealed. I threw the book up in the air and rolled off the bed! Blew my mind!
Renshai! YES! and the thumb of Belgariad is what pulled me in to view your video - underappreciated! I feel the same about Shannara. It was one of my first (I think I read The White Dragon before it (not knowing that it was the third book in a trilogy!). There is only one series that I felt belonged on your list, probably top 20, that is The Chronicles of Amber by Roger Zelazny. Let me know if you agree/disagree/haven't read. If the latter I can virtually promise you, based on your other books on this list that you will love it!
Agreed on the Chronicles of Amber!
Man, thanks so much for this list, and for remembering things that were written before 2000! You're sending me back to all-nighters of magic and nail biting. I'm not debating you! I'm not debating you! Okay, I am debating you on Eddings and Zelazny, and Gavriel Kay has a trilogy, but that's not really debating, is it. It's just agreeing some more. Thanks for remembering Friedman and Kurtz! Nobody talks about them anymore. That's it for me. I'm subscribing :)
Why do I not see any Jack L Chalker Books ?
Agreed, I re-read The Four Lords of the Diamond about every 6 months. Amazing author.
Love to see Thomas Covenant getting a spot on the list!
Agree with you about David Weber’s Safehold series still going strong after 15 books. Sorry you forgot Anne Mcaffery’s Dragon raiders of Pern series which last3 over 30 years with help from her son. Just great with so many plot twists and thins and surprises. Fire-Breathing, Telepathic, teleporting Dragons. What could be better
I totally agree with you on this!! How could anyone not include Anne McAffery's Dragonriders of Pern books -- totally amazing
Except the Pern series is SF.
@@carriejones6099 if you don’t know the real reason the people are on Pern (which you only discover late in the series). It’s very much more a fantasy series just like “Safehold” is Both are about Earth colonies that have changed due to special forces within the physical or social structure of the system
Glad to see Steven Brust and J.V. Jones on this list.
Sad you didn't include:
Death Dealer by Silke and Franzetta.
Empire of the East by Saberhagen
Book of Swords / Lost Swords by Saberhagen.
Tad Williams at number two makes me SO HAPPY
I love Tad Williams. Check out the swans war trilogy by Sean Russell. It’s amazing
@@justinhight235 funny you mention this trilogy, I bought it in paperback off eBay last week!
@@MichaelSmith-zx5lw it’s frigging great.
@@justinhight235 I hope so! I came across it on Goodreads, noticed with some digging that authors I love (Donaldson and Hobb) are fans, and just bought it.
I'm currently on book ten of Wheel Of Time. I plan to read it after that!
You’ve struck gold with this! If it piques your interest, a book with similar points is a good idea. "Galaxies United" by Olivia Whitestone
I love that you show such love to those who came before. Most UA-cam channels now a days only talk about what " new and hot" and it's so tiring. When I see people go I can't find any good fantasy to read I send them to your channel and their minds get bloen
You’re fucking great man!
Try Garret PI series by Glen Cook. Probably in my top 25-40 section but still a very worthwhile series.
Really loved the reread of the Belgariad I did last summer. Totally scratched that itch.
Seeing how high you put the Belgariad on your list automatically makes me trust your judgement. David and Leigh Eddings were my introduction to fantasy and i haven't looked back.
Great video! This helped me remember some book series I read in the '80's that I had forgotten! Also glad to see Belgariad so high.
Glad u liked the list
Thanks for putting this list together. It puts recommendations into better perspective when you have a better understanding of what the recommender really likes. Plenty to add to my purchase and reading list, including yours.
I love fantasy books so i wanted to make a list. i could have but a few dozen more on the list but my video would have been too long
Wheel Of Time...my personal favorite series
Not my favorite but dam close.
Hello, I am from Iran. Many of the books you introduced are unfortunately not translated and available in Iran. Thank you for your complete and high-quality video.
I’ve watched a lot of your videos and this is your best one. Heavy hitting, enthusiastic recommendations. I’m in awe of your geeking out over books I’ve loved, ones I’ve seen, and some I’ve never heard of. Amazing collection and I’m jealous. I want to return to reading Feist and brooks now. I really loved Feist collaboration with wurts, daughter of the empire series. I was fully immersed. I like that you put your work at 10. I’ll buy the audiobook and physical copy. And you inspired me to finally read Crispin’s solo story. Excited for that. If you haven’t read ravens shadow series by Anthony Ryan, it’s great. First book is phenomenal. I need to grab more 80s fantasy novel. You made me love their covers all over again. Thank you!
I did read the first Anthony Ryan novel. And thanks so much for the kind words. !!!!
I miss sir Robert E Howard overhere,guy writes whole action story packed with bloody poetry in a breakfast time,very dear and heart near author
Yup pawn of prophecy is amazing. I love your channel. When i was given these books i read the mallorean first. Didnt know what else was in the big box of books. I think it was my first Fantasy
Look up David Eddings on wikipedia He is a child abuser
You're missing out. try the Fafhrd and the Grey Mouser series by Fritz Leiber, The Dark is Rising series by Susan Cooper, The Black Company books by Glen Cook, and the Conan the Barbarian stories by Robert Howard (and others). Also, the fantasy novels by Poul Anderson like The Broken Sword and Three Hearts and Three Lions, if you're including stand alone novels.
In my own top fantasy series off all times Lord of the Rings is always number one too. But very close to it, almost on the same level of greatness is Wizard of the Earthsea (all bloody 6 books of it). As a teenager I did not understood 4th book, but later when re-read it as 30 years old man with rest of the series... Oh, my God! What Le Guin did with "Earthsea" series is just incredible. It effects me as a reader in much deeper way than any other book ever did. So I was little surprised not to find such series in this list at all. Even other books I love are included in plenty ☺️
Absolutely Even though Asoiaf is My favourite
I have a Special Respect for Lotr and Tolkien
I don't think anyone can be On his level
my thoughts exactly
@@Luke-nn4pm sure
R Scott Backer??? How can this be out of 40😥
If I did a top 50 it woulda been like 55 or 56. I might do a larger list in a few years. I think Abercrombie would slip into my top 40 after rereading all his stuff recently
No Joe Abercrombie??
Thank you, Brian! That is so cool of you to mention my series. And it's Chey-SOO-li. 8-)
Thank you for writing the series, Jennifer. And also The Lady Of The Forest which I consider the best Robin Hood book ever written. And Tiger and Del are awesome too
OMG, you're on youtube! I just want to say thank you for the really wonderful times your books gave me as a teenager, for all the fun I had reading them, the great memories, and making my school days so much more bearable! Thank you so much, Jennifer, I'll always treasure those books and hope you'll write many more! ❤
@@Maren617 You are very welcome! Thank you for being a fan!
Amazing ranking. This list inspired me to read fantasy even more.
Lmao “I’m the cleric so I can heal your hurt feelings” that’s a mood 🤣
Amazing top.Wasn't expecting lotr on 1st place though.Thought it's gonna be either game of thrones or the way of kings and I had no ideea you are such a great author yourself. 😁
No Ursula K. Le Guin? Really? Biggest influence on Harry Potter than JK still hasn’t acknowledged.
R.A.Salvatore.. robert jordan Brandon sanderson and raymond feist should all be on the list somewhere
Well I dont know what video you watched but Sanderson. First, and Robert Jordan were on the list
@@B.LEE.DbrianleedurfeeREVIEWS sorry i made the comment before you got to the top 10
I appreciate you shedding light on mainly book series before my time. (Born in 2000.) I'm still surprised Narnia, Percy Jackson or The Sea of trolls series aren't in the top 40.
Oh I’m super late but have you read The Death Gate Cycle series? I absolutely love those and nice to see we share quite a few others in common
So crazy, I came into the comments to say the same thing, but after scrolling down for ages to see if anyone had already pointed it out... I could find no one else mentioning it but you. I find it very strange, his list hit most of the standout amazing fantasy books I've personally read and Death Gate is literally the only one missing (other than maybe Dragonriders of Pern? But I think I saw people comment on that one).
If we all have such similar tastes in Fantasy, it would be shocking if only 2 people noticed such a popular and amazing series missing from such a huge list.
@@erickknutz5599 it’s very rare for me to find anyone who even knows what I’m talking about so thanks for replying! It’s such an underrated series!
SO glad to see this list! I was yelling "YES!" at the TV screen when you mentioned the Mordant's Need duology ("Mirror of Her Dreams" is the first book) by Donaldson, Melanie Rawn, Jennifer Roberson, etc. Oh, and Katherine Kurtz's Deryni books - no one ever mentions them and they are SO GOOD. I'd also recommend her Adept series if you haven't read those - really terrific! So many of my favorite authors, including these, seem to be missing from Booktube these days. It was awesome to see them finally get a mention! If you ever expand the list - can I recommend Andre Norton's "Witch World" books? Your SF list was great, too!
I'll throw a few in.
The First Law Series- Joe Abercrombie
Conan series- Robert E. Howard
The Chronicles of the Black Company- Glen Cook
The Chronicles of Amber- Roger Zelazny
The Dark Elf Trilogy- RA Salvatore (Not a fan of most of his stuff but these are gems)
The Dark Tower saga- Stephen King
The Kane series- Karl Edward Wagner
And these are short stories but I'll also include The tales of Zothique by Clark Ashton Smith.
I've never heard anyone else really mention this, but The Broken Empire was far less disturbing than The First Law series. I read Abercrombie prior to jumping into Lawrence's world and I honestly felt that it was far more tamer when it came to all things disturbing -- some of the descriptions of Glokta's torture methods still make me shudder.
Love this list. Loads of books to try? Did I miss Joe Abercrombie or was he not on the list?
Great to see The Renshai Chronicles get some love. I thoroughly enjoyed them.
George R.R Martin better then Robert Jordan? in what world?
Jordan LITERALLY is the protege of Tolkien
is George better at writing political entrigue...yes...but better writer..no...
I absolutely loved David Eddings and the Iron Tower Trilogy as a teenager back in the 80’s!!! I just listened to both series on Audible!
Finally a list without Brandon Sanderson in top 3..I do not get the hype surrounding Mistborn and his other series
You left out the "Valdemar" world/series by Mercedes Lackey,
And the "Pern" novels by the the late Anne McCaffrey,
And the "Earthsea" novels by Ursula K. LeGuin.
Therefore, your list is incomplete.
(Downvote)
Apologies for the long list, but here's some you should read:
Brian Jacques: Redwall, Carole Nelson Douglas: Sword and Circlet, Elizabeth Moon: Paksennarion/Legend of Gird, Piers Anthony: Xanth and Incarnations of Immortality, Robert Asprin: MYTH,
C. J. Cherryh: Dreamstone and Tree Of Sword And Jewels, Roger Zelazny: Amber and Dilvish The Damned, Robert Silverberg: Lord Valentine, Bill Willingham: Fables, Will Shetterley and Emma Bull: Liavek, Phyllis Ann Karr: Frostflower and Thorn, Frostflower and Windbourne, Niel Hancock: Circle of Light, Fred Saberhagen: Dracula and Swords, Terri Wildling: Borderlands, Jessica Amanda Salmonsen: Amazons, Marion Zimmer Bradley: Avalon and Swords and Sorceress, Lynne Abbey: RIvkin and Daughter Of The Bright Moon, Esther Friesner: Chicks In Chain Mail, and the late great Tanith Lee: Birthgrave and Flat Earth, among several other standalone novels such as Kill The Dead, Sabella, Volkhavaar, and Cyrion.
Great list
So many (most) booktubers suffer from recency bias, and look down on anything published before 2000. I'm glad to see so many great older books here. Modern fantasy, with a few notable exceptions, is not as good in my opinion. Great list!
My list (only top 10):
1. J.R.R. Tolkien
2. Steven Erikson
3. George R.R. Martin
4. Joe Abercrombie
5. Robert Jordan
6. Brandon Sanderson
7. Robin Hobb
8. Brian Lee Durfee❤
9. Petter V. Brett
10. Anthony Ryan
So happy to see Eddings get some love, and fairly high too, my personal favorite of all time author. The Belgariad made me a fantasy novel lover.
Pawn of prophecy was one of the first books i read in prison and got me into fantasy novels.
no chronicles of the black company by glen cook?!?! no ratcatchers series by matthew colville?!?!
I've only heard of like 15% of these, and i loved this video. I will definitely come back to it frequently when getting new fantasy novels. I'm years late on this, I know. But, better late than never.
I'm so glad I found your channel.
i used your book selection and i did order some books off the list i havnt read for awile....for fun i'll say 2 books i read a few times Bill Brysons A short history of nearly everything and the six wives of King henry the v111.. pretty good I did get a trilogy with images and whatever they have to mention A MAN ON THE MOON nasa info on the journey to the moon from 1960's
The Book of Three was my first leap into fantasy as a little kid. My elementary school had copies of it at a Scholastic Book sale. That book cover with Taran and the Horned King was just too bad ass for a 10 year old boy to leave on the shelf.
Mine as well near the same age.
A lot on this list I haven't read. Joe Abercrombie is my Favourite Fantasy writer.
Best list so far
Absolutely agree. Number #1 is LOTR. Untill now, there is still no fantasy book which can surpass LOTR.