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I read the Dragonbone trilogy..it was very good..but I felt the ending was dragged out too long..it was one those...the book should have ended a while ago...moments..but I still liked it. 🙂 One of THE BEST series I read was "The Faithful and The Fallen" by John Gwynne...I could NOT put the books down!! 🥰
I learned my lesson from George RR Martin. I’m not reading something unless it has been finished already. Specially when the author has taken forever. The only unfinished things I feel comfortable reading are from authors like Brandon Sanderson or Joe Abercrombie, authors you know are constant on their work
I might Sound horrible saying this...but i Kind of feel Like it Sometimes is still worth it , to Just Accept it and i know this can be hella hard but its Just sad to know that this is why you will miss stuff Like kingkiller Chronicles. I totally Understand so im Not trying to be Rude If it seemed Like that. Sry for the weird spelling im too lazy to Go fix it
@@zainabahmad8546 haha it’s fine. I get it. Hey I’ve enjoyed ASOIAF a lot, but a part of me hates things unfinished. If I am to get to these would be after reading all the finished ones. I will admit this, though, the lies of Lock Lamora is super tempting
@@zainabahmad8546 i think so too. Something so amazing like the KKC is still worth reading even if it is never finished. Sometimes, the theories are really good to read as well. And the book is a masterpiece nontheless, so you will always be missing out
I’m with you. However the quality of the first 3 books is off the charts. Storm of Swords is in my top 3 books I’ve ever read. Finished that mammoth book in under 3 days because I couldn’t put it down. So yeah now I’m weary of unfinished series not written by authors like Sanderson, however if someone asked me if they should read ASOIF, I wouldn’t say no. It’s crazy l started reading WoT and ASOIF at the same time in the late 90s and WoT has been finished for awhile with 7 more books in the series.
@@fy4b230 storm of swords I actually read it in three days as well. That’s how much I loved it. And I know that as you’re reading you are enjoying it. But man the bitterness that comes after hahahaha. Idk if it’s because of my experience with Martin that I hate the attitude he’s been taking lately that I prefer not to go through that again
Excellent choices! One great thing about fantasy is that it’s a genre rich enough to make the task of picking ten favorites painfully difficult. I enjoyed hearing you talk about your current ones.
@@CapturedInWords Have you read Narnia? If so, consider this my hate mail. (Just kidding XD) Also, congrats on your sponsorship! (I haven't noticed any before)
The Way of Kings is definitelly one of my favorite books, the experience of reading that book was AMAZING, and it actually put me in whatever is the opposite of a reading slump, because I just started reading uncontrollably after that book, The Stormlight Archive is definitelly one of my favorite series.
It is a great series and that first book is the ultimate slow burn. It takes a while to get going and some readers feel bogged down and give up on it, which is a pity.
Love to see some Deltora Quest praise. Those books changed my life. I had dyslexia so was not a big reader in middle grade but I saw the covers and they seemed so cool that I made myself read them. It taught me that I could read even though it is hard sometimes and turned me into a lifelong fantasy nerd :) Great list
Wow that's awesome to hear! I'm so happy there's more Deltora Quest fans out there who watch my videos! The covers are definitely what grabbed my attention too, and they were the first fantasy series I read. I love Deltora!
Glad to see so many of us lived the same life. Deltora quest (specifically dragons of deltora) caught my eye in elementary school, then they became my gateway drug to fantasy
@@chainthunder083 Dragons of Deltora... wow that's a throwback! I remember buying the pack of four in 5th grade, loved em (came with a cool necklace too). My gateway into fantasy as well.
I only was able to read the first book, but I have to admit when I was in grade school I’d rather be moving around with my ADHD than reading a book… BUT The Forests of Deltora was one of the first books I sat through and read the whole thing without break. I was immersed. Even tried making a TRPG based on Deltora Quest.
give a try to the Clerical Quintet, Dragon lance saga, The Trilogy of the twins. All good but not on the level of WoT or LOTR. These are stories set a pre-established world. Don't get me wrong, I own the entire Drizzts series and I love them dearly. But it's like going to your favorite Diner or Fancy restaurant. Both satisfying in their own way. They both get you fed but it's not something that should be directly compared.
@@ngcastronerd4791 i feel like the Trilogy of the Twins was more elevated than the rest of the Weiss/Hickman books but ya can't really appreciate the Trilogy w/o the other books and they are a bit more rudimentary to be sure. i really love the (very serious) character development that happens across the board to all the characters in the trilogy and hence why it feels so elevated
Great list. It is very tricky ranking incomplete series or series that you haven't finished. But I appreciate your reasoning for where you ranked certain books and why you put them on your list!
the way you speak about books is such a breathe of fresh air. you get it. your list is amazing and has given me a lot of suggestions. I would suggest The Blacktongue Thief based off your favorites. it's a wild ride and so worth it.
I second blacktongue and strongly recommend the audiobook even for people not always into them, its read by the author and he does a ridiculously good job.
Thanks for plugging Memory, Sorrow and Thorn. The Dragonbone Chair is a slow build in those initial chapters and I think that's been a barrier to entry for many people. Tad has released two books in the sequel series and I am eagerly anticipating the next.
Thanks for this, I'm new to the genre and two of the series I have really enjoyed are on your Honorable Mentions so this pretty much became the fantasy third of my current reading list:) Much appreciated!
Wow, this video has so much more work put into it than a lot of other booktubers videos of a similar kind. Just that intro and honorable mentions part deserves a salute. Well done, champ
So glad to see your appreciation for Earthsea. Despite it having been nominally written for a YA audience, I didn't really get it when I first read it at 14. I thought it was fine, but I was too wrapped up in simplistic ideas of good vs evil to really appreciate it. When I reread it at 28, I positively loved it. Immersing myself in the world and the magic of Earthsea made me feel like I had pulled away one of the layers of veils between my eyes and the real nature of the world. That feeling continued through the entire series, which is rare in my experience. I only regret that I rediscovered LeGuin just after she died. She was a brilliant writer and a wise light for the world. I would have loved to see her speak at one of her many public library and local bookstore readings in Portland.
YES! PLEASE make videos on Memory , Sorrow & Thorn! This series isn't talked about enough. I just finished book 3 and it is one of the best series I've read so far.
Great list! Currently working my way through WoT but I'm looking forward to starting on another of these. If you haven't yet, I highly recommend The Dandelion Dynasty. It's a relatively new series but the author has been pumping the books out quickly and every one has been a fresh and captivating experience. If the final book is as good as the first three it will easily jump into my top three fantasy series of all time
I love lists like this because it gives wonderful inspiration on what to read next. I recently finished Malazan book of the fallen and the first 2 of the Kharkanas trilogy and realized I’ve yet to read LOTR!! Well I have started reading it and am really enjoying the huge change of pace. Loved KK, First Law and SA as well and keep hearing about Hobbs books so they may be next. Again thank you for the video!
I read already some of these series (Earthsea and Percy Jackson), I'm reading others (Locke Lamora and the Cosmere) and others were completely new for me, so I look forward to pick them up! Also, I just discover your channel and I love your editing style, it's extremely well done and captivating
So glad you mentioned Earthsea, I feel like so many people have no idea what it is when I mention it (and I do mention it, every time 😅) such a fantastic and beautifully woven story
I'm always happy to see Le Guin mentioned in these sorts of lists! Her influence was enormous and I'm so glad to have rediscovered her work as an adult.
Amazing list!! I really hope you update it in the future, after you have finished even more series! I just discovered your channel, so congratulations and keep up the great job! For fantasy fans, this is excellent content!!!
I got back into reading last year, and I've been really enjoying watching all of your recommendation videos! Rereading some of my favourite series is what got me back into reading - I reread LotR and the Old Kingdom series (and caught up on the newer releases), and I'm so excited/overwhelmed by how many amazing series are out there. I'm currently reading The Hero of Ages and The Eye of the World, and I'm especially excited to read The Stormlight Archive. Thanks for all the recommendations! ✨
The first three books are great, as are the daughter of the empire books, but the later ones are chock full of tropes and just generally poor writing. There is a significant drop in quality in some of his writing
I am re-reading his Riftwar Saga (currently "A Darkness at Sethanon") after some 10 years or more and, sadly, it's not as good as I remembered. I still like the magic depiction of Elvandar and some characters, e.g. Jimmy the Hand, Prince Arutha or Laurie, but I am greatly disappointed. Apparently Feist's books may seem good for teenagers, but when you get to know some better literature, they are quite bland. I also liked "Prince of the Blood" (Author's Preferred Edition with some added content) or "The King's Buccaneer", but now I am afraid to read them again lest they turn out to be underwhelming. Was Squire James and Gamina's first encounter in PotB described as well as I remember? I'm afraid not. His Serpentwar Saga was even worse when I read them originally and I haven't even tried to read anything after "Shards of a Broken Crown".
Yeah I never finished all of the books bcos the drop in quality just really got to me. I really enjoyed magician, and silver thorn and darkness at Sethanon to a lesser extent but after that it just sort of ruins it for me
I read this almost 20 years ago, and have started rereading it. I have bought all 30 books and an at the tail end of mistress of the empire. Of course 20 years ago there were fewer books. I have heard how the series starts out great and then just bottoms out. So far it is on my top favorites list, but we'll see how it goes.
Wheel of Time is definitely in my top 3 favorite fantasy series, and I am glad to see it so high on your list. You are in for a real treat as you finish the series.
Try out the wars of light and shadow or the malazan book of the fallen. If you want to go old school then Thomas Covenant the chronicles of the unbeliever are epic and the first examples of grim dark.
Brandon Sanderson finishing the wheel of time series is what led me to recently starting the storm light archives. So far I just started book 2 and im totally hooked into it.
Nice list. I'm glad to see Earthsea, Kingkiller, Wheel, and LOTR all made your list. One of my favorite series, from when I started reading fantasy my senior year in high school (1979), is The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant. Stephan Donaldson is an amazing writer. And of course the Shannara series from Terry Brooks.
I ready Thomas Covenant, and when he started writing again, I picked those up. On the second one, I realized something was wrong, and after reading a couple of reviews, I realized most people recommended to just read the first three and stop...Donaldson really got long winded in Fatal Revenant, so I stopped there....first three books were great though.
Of course Donaldson made you dislike the hero on purpose. But it made you identify with him because he hated himself more than you could ever hate him. But the contrast between him and the beauty of the Land made you love the Land even more.
First fantasy series that I ever read, and also the best to date. I was somewhat surprised that it wasn't mentioned, and was going to mention it prior to reading your comment. Perhaps he hasn't yet read it?
ahhh thank you for this amazing list. i'm very new to fantasy genre and i only read king killer chronicles but i think it's gonna be my favourite fantasy series doesn't matter how many books i'll read in the future! added these books to my tbr list can't wait to read them !!
I’ve read 8 out of 10 of your selections. The passage from Return of the King where they confront the Witch King is one of the most exciting pieces of prose I’ve ever read. That being said, Stormlight seems to have a moment like that every few hundred pages.
i’ve recently found your channel after reading the name of the wind and i love your videos! can’t wait to finish the second book and watch all of your kkc videos ❤️
It's great, I have discovered new series that I want to read and expand my borders and discover more worlds. Thanks for the recommendations and joining us part of the journey
two series that were fantastic for me: Belgariad (three trilogies altogether), and the Elric sagas that depending on which printing you got, may be 3 or more books. and of course i am curious how the Shannara Chronicles did not make the top ten, or Dragonlance.
I read the Belgariad in early High School after having read Tolkein and Donaldson's two Thomas Covenant series. Loved the the first series of the Belgariad but honestly, Eddings should have left it at that single series - the following books felt like an attempt to simply cash in on the first work.
I scared the living hell out of my wife thanks to Elric and his friend, Mr Stormbringer. I used to talk in my sleep, she didn't know I would often quote memorable lines from books. I always kill those I love must have struck a nerve lol
Thank you for sharing your joy in reading! I have finished all of Robin Hobbs books the story grows more with each series and the final Trilogy joins the stories in my opinion the most masterful engaging and fulfilling to all of the story ever written. She is a must read and every book in order to appreciate her amazing writing abilities.
I'm definitely going to save this video for when I need some book recommendations! I love the series you've put on here that I do know, and am intrigued about the ones I don't! That said, I'm afraid I am one of those who stopped the video after Stormlight. I really respect the LOTR's books for how they have shaped fantasy, and I love the world and the characters (I absolutely have done the extended edition marathon with the films), but the books were written over 100 years ago, and you can tell. For me, that made them a very difficult read to the point where I prefer enjoying that world through other media instead. Full respect to you for enjoying the books though, thank you for the list!
Great list, gave me some new books to add my to read list. I actually just finished The Wheel of Time today, what a journey. Highly recommend the audio books.
@@CapturedInWords I used to fly mini-copters in Rust while listening to the audiobooks. It took no real thought, so I could give 99% if my attention to the audiobooks while also doing something fun in the background. So if you can find some mindless task or thing to do in a game that might make the experience better too
Must read: Michael Moorcock-Champion Eternal books: Elric, Corum, Hawkmoon, Erekose, Jerry Cornelius, its huge, and dark…sword & Sorcery prototypes but also some modernity one of the original multiverse milieus.
@@stephenfulton5385 I meant exactly what I said. Parody does not always involve humor. Twisted Sister was a parody band, but they were also a great hard rock band. Several years ago I read an interview with Michael Moorcock where he stated very specifically that he had created Elric as a parody of Conan the Barbarian. In the mystery field, Rex Stout's series hero Nero Wolfe is a deliberate parody of Dashiell Hammett's Sam Spade from the Maltese Falcon, and other hard-boiled detective characters. But they also stand completely on their own as great mysteries. Stout did such a good job at that I'd been reading Nero Wolfe mysteries for five or six years before I realized what he'd been doing. So I will state again Elric is a parody of Conan.
Great list! To be honest too many great points to address. I always love these kinds of videos as it really helps viewers know if their tastes align. (Ours mostly do). Great work as always!
Thank you! Haha and I love Mistborn, I recently made a big video on 'Why You Should Read Mistborn', but for this list I wanted to try and give other authors their time in the spotlight, otherwise Sanderson would fill up a lot of spaces lol. But I would probably rank Mistborn in my number 5 or 6 spot 👍
What got me into the fantasy genre and still one of my favorite reads is the Dragonlance Chronicles. I really enjoyed the development of the characters and the fine line between good and evil.
Glad you mentioned that you interviewed the audiobook narrator for First Law. I've been digging into new series/books via audiobook from the library before purchasing recently and it's a great way to get into stuff. I enjoy the list. Maybe I also need to see if the Eames books are at the library too. As far as my list, not sure how I'd order it, but these series would be on it: Hobbit/LotR, Dresden Files, Wheel of Time, Stormlight, Red Rising, Malazan (not finished yet), Faithful and the Fallen, Greatcoats, The Expanse, Earthsea, and probably Gentlemen Bastards. That's just off the top of my head. I may need to do some swapping, but those are the quick list. Thank for the great content!
I never get tired of seeing praise for Earthsea. They're so engrossing, and Le Guin is vastly underrated. It makes me sad that some people wont try Earthsea because they're "for young readers". Read The Tombs of Atuan, and tell me there's not some really dark and grown up themes explored there. Earthsea is easily in my top ten as well. Great list!
I believe that only the first book in the series is YA. As soon as the third & fourth books come around the subject matter changes so vastly that you wonder if you'll grasp it one go.
1. Gentleman Bastard Sequence 2. The Kingkiller Chronicles 3. Harry Potter 4. The Lord of the Rings 5. The Fitz and the Fool Trilogy 6. Farseer Trilogy 7. The Tawny Man Trilogy 8. All of the Grishaverse books 9. The Books of Beginning 10. The Mistborn Saga Honorable Mentions: Kings of the Wyld, Magnus Chase and the God's of Asgard, The Winternight series, the Alvin Maker series, and The Nevermoor series. Really the mentions could keep going. Thanks for introducing me to at least 4 of the books on my list!!
Awesome list! And I'm happy I helped Introduce you to some 😄 I want to read the Magnus Chase books soon, I just started a reread of Percy Jackson today so plan on reading through all those first
I have read about all of the Rick Riordan series but Percy Jackson. I need to just do it, greek mythology was the only mythology I had any knowledge of, so I went with the ones I wasn't as familiar with to pick up some new points of interest. Once I finish The Wise Man's Fear ( because someone put out a Bast character deep dive, and I wanted to go back to that world for a little bit), I will give it a read through!
I love that you have LOTR as number 1. It’s still mine as well. Earthsea and Stormlight are deserving as well. I’m glad you’re enjoying Broken Earth. I can’t wait for you to finish it and hear your thoughts.
The Deltora Quest Series was a HUGE throwback for me. I’ll be 30 in Jan and remember the series from when I was in elementary school and used to get books from the Scholastic Book sales. My little brother had picked this up but I was already reading the Inheritance cycle so I didn’t get into them much but just to hear it brought up by someone else is a huge nostalgia trip
So many beautiful works of fiction in this list! You have an unique lists and while many of the staples are in there, you seem to have made the list your own! I especially made me happy to see Deltora Quest have a mention, those were some of my favourite childhood books! :D
Fun video. Nice to get some insights into unfamiliar series. I did miss one series though, the Song of Ice and Fire. Not in your top 10?! For me, the top 10 also include Mistborn, the Moontide Quartet, the Unhewn Throne and the Dagger and Coin.
Correct.. We know at this point bashing on Martin for still not finishing asoiaf is totally a meme.. However no one can deny asoiaf is one of the best epic fantasy series around... A Game of Thrones is one of the best book 1 of any series.. It is so well written and rich, upon re reading it you realize how martin had the whole asoiaf legends and myths figured out and sprinkled here and there through the book... Truly genius writing.. Definitely deserves a spot on any serious list
1. Wheel of Time 2. Strange the Dreamer 3. Stormlight 4. Kingkiller 5. Discworld 6. Mistborn era 1 7. Poppy war 8. Shades of Magic 9. Dresden Files 10. Earthsea as honourable mention. Just one book in and that is (depending on the day) my fav fantasy book
Really great list! I still need to read Dresden and Poppy War! Heard some good things about strange the Dreamer too so maybe I'll read that one at some point
love the channel. dont know why it took me so long to subscribe. I especially appreciate your kingkiller speculation videos. I took your word and got the stormlight archives books. lets hope they hold up!
Thanks so much for you suggestions. One of you videos got me into reading the storm light archive. It maybe thick, it certainly does read fast because it focuses on dialogue and character interaction. (Almost every time I open the book I can at least see a line of dialogue) Which reads faster than descriptions and such.
The Shannara books are what got me started reading fantasy when I was a kid. and there were others by Eddings. these are of course also very old series but my all-time favourite is really one that is a mix of sci-fi and fantasy due to the time frame type of stuff. Dragon Riders of Pern. I realize its beginnings are sci-fi based but when You look at the world that McCaffery built it is very much fantasy inspired. and has my all-time favourite character the Master Harper of Pern. He is on par with Gandalf in my mind. i won't lie I have tried and failed to read the LOTR books. I simply can't get into the writing style though the story is epic.
I read The Sword of Shannara before I read all of The Hobbit and LotR. So I ate it up. Elfstones came out right after I finished Sword. So, yeah, I had to read Tolkien after that. I was not disappointed.
@@FreyaWarr the. first time i heard about dragon ride rs it was on a bus to the library in germany. the guy told me he took a yearly vacation to pern ::laughing::
Just want to say that I appreciate this list, I’ve read about half of these, currently reading a couple, some have been on my radar for awhile, and some were new to me. Seems to strike a good balance!
Wonderful Top 10 list! The Lord of the Rings is such a beautiful story, and the end is like no other in all of fantasy. I loved your reasons for choosing each series, and look forward to this type of video as an annual thing!
1) Stormlight 2) Dresden 3) Riyria Revelations/Chronicles 4) The Greatcoats 5) Lord of the Rings 6) Farseer Trilogy 7) Wheel of Time 8) Threadlight 9) Lightbringer 10) Mistborn I only count series if I have read everything that's been published.
Awesome list! I've never heard of Threadlight, I'll definitely have to add that to my list! I also plan on reading The Greatcoats at some point too, I've heard a lot of great things about it
@@CapturedInWords Threadlight is a self pub trilogy by Zach Argyle. The first book was a solid debut novel, and then the 2nd book improved in every way and is simply fantastic. The magic system reminds me of Mistborn and Adam Gold's narration is beautiful. And as a bonus, they're relatively short books (as far as fantasy goes) so not a huge time commitment.
This makes me excited as Stormlight and Dresden Files are my favourite series so far. Saying that the only other series i have read is everything in the cosmere, the first law trilogy and the books of babel
1) Stormlight Archive- I have the first oath of the knights radiant tattooed on right forearm and the Bridge 4 crest on my left. Any book that can cause you to make permanent changes to your body is kinda #1 by default. Plus one of my childhood friends tragically passed away before RoW came out; he got me into the series and we talked everyday about the series. 2) LotR- only 2 because of the reasons above. 3) Asoiaf- I know the show soured many people, but the books have been brilliant 4) Kingkiller- best prose I think I’ve ever read. You could tell how painstakingly crafted every word was. 5) The Burning- military fantasy at its finest. Fast paced and brutal with an extremely satisfying training arc 6) The Witcher- Probably the most difficult series I’ve read. Sapowski throws you in the deep end (similar to Sanderson) but his storytelling isn’t nearly as accessible. The world of the Witcher is one of the best in fantasy and Geralt is awesome. 7) Mistborn- didn’t connect with Vin at first… but she definitely grew on me as the series continued. The magic system is incredible. 8) Wheel of Time- currently only on the 4th book. I fully expect this series to shoot up the list as I go on. 9) Harry Potter- will always have a soft spot in my heart for these books. 10) Percy Jackson- incredibly fun, fast paced books. My tbr is too long but includes Malazan, Gentleman Bastards, Poppy War, Jade Trilogy, all Abercrombie and many more lol
So true re: Witcher. If you haven’t read it again I can’t recommend enough to read it again … that’s where I really fell in love with it, shot up to # 1. Too bad the show is so bad.
@@dreamyphil I certainly do plan to read the series again! The friend I mentioned in the original post, his favorite series was the Witcher, and he said the same thing you, that it gets better and better each read through.
I am not sure if you have heard of them, but the Midkemia Chronicles by Raymond E. Feist is a wonderful read. It holds up well, and contains over 30 books. Also, the 6 book series Guardians of the Flame by Joel Rosenberg is a great read. It is about a group of RPG players who get transported to the world they play in as their characters, and then what happens afterwards as they try to find a way back home.
@michaelxz1305 the character who ties the complete saga together is Pug. However, each smaller series in the saga has different main characters, so I can understand some confusion there.
I’m very curious about The Books of Babel series. I recently removed it from my TBR after reading quite bad reviews about the later books, but now you and also Peruse Project spoke so highly of it that I still want to read it.
My list: 1. Malazan 2. The first law world 3. Cosmere 4. Wheel of time 5. Realm of the Elderlings 6. The Banished Lands 7. Green Bone Saga 8. The Dresden Files 9. Discworld 10. Redwall (Lord of the Rings isn't included as then it would only be a top 9)
Malazan is first by a good margin in my book. So much better than some of those mentioned here. Dresden and Iron Druid. Mistborn is good. The Painted / Warded Man books. Mark Lawrence has some good stuff. I enjoyed Gemmell as a kid. And the Forgotten Realms novels. Not high fantasy, but Conn Igguldun's Empire series is great and with a look imo.
You sir have good taste. I remember when I read the last book of malazan, I had to immediately reread the entire series. Every time you read or listen to it, you pick up something new.
@@nathanschinigoi5298 It almost feels an actual history is being retold, rather than a fictional story. The depth is insane. Pity Erikson and Esslemont don't do a Critical Role type show. Or Critical Role doing modified 5e with Malazan overlay. That would be sick. Grog could have been Theolomen Toblakai (sp?).
Thank you for this. I've just finished the epic Shannara series by Terry Brooks and was interested to see what else is out there. It seems a huge investment of time getting involved in a series, so getting as much information is good.
@@ObsydianShade Yeah, let's face it, the Sword of Shannarah was a shameless LoTR ripoff, but Brooks really found his voice after that. The Heritage of Shannarah was his masterpiece, IMO. Also enjoyed his Magic Kingdom for Sale series, but it's not an all timer.
absolutely thrilled to see deltora quest in honorable mentions! its my favorite series from my childhood ^^ I only recently got back into reading after falling off of it for...a decade? most of these are on my to read list! super excited to read them :)
Nice list, a number of my favorites, and a couple that I never heard of before and will soon be reading! My personal top 10 Favorites series in no particular order: WoT, Farseer/Live Ship/Tawny Man books, Sword of Truth, Saga of Recluce series, Stormlight Archive (and other Cosmere books), Shannara family of books, Corean Chronicles, Dragon Knight series, and the Mistborn family of books.
So good! I will admit though, it took me a while to fully get invested while reading The Dragonebone Chair since it takes a loooong time for things to pick up. But I agree, from what I've read so far this series seems so underrated and I'm surprised more people aren't talking about it
@@Ollie-ge1jg Otherland is an interesting series. IMO, it is better than Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn. I think it is overlooked by many fantasy reviewers because it falls in the cracks between Fantasy and Sci-Fi. It can also be a bit slow at times. However, I find it incredible how Tad Williams "predicts" technology considering Otherland was written in the 90s (near the birth of the internet). @Captured in Words Otherland is definitely worth a read and definitely in my top 10.
Very excited you mentioned Deltora Quest. It was the series that got my daughter reading. Now she has 3 boys and picked up those books, along with Goosebumps and Captain Underpants. She can't wait to share these books with her boys.
Ascendant trilogy by Craig Alanson was a welcome surprise.. a 'must read' for fantasy book lovers!! Also, Knights Ransom and the rest of the First Argentines series by Jeff Wheeler.
The Riyria Revelations by Michael Sullivan is a must read. It's a trilogy, and he's gone back and done prequels. (Definitely read the Revelations books first.)
I’m glad to see someone mention that big Earthsea book! (I bought it a while ago not knowing anything about it, just thought it looked like a fun book to read, lol)😁
I just finished Wheel of Time series for the first time and it's definitely my fave fantasy series. The first 3 books do feel heavily inspired by LOTR, but the characters, the plot, the NARATION are all absolutely perfect to me. Seriously the best audiobooks I've ever heard. EDIT: 10 months later and I've now finished Stormlight, Realm of the Elderlings and Malazan. WoT still the GOAT
I really liked this video. The very first series I read as a young adult is one that is still very dear to my heart. The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant. The Unbeliever. By Stephen R. Donaldson. The Old Kingdom books are on point as well.
Great video, definitely earned a like. Only series I think this list is really missing is Malazan; while not for everyone it is probably the most detailed and fully realized fantasy world I've ever read (including LotR, WoT, and Stormlight). I really enjoyed Name of the Wind but A Wise Mans Fear REALLY turned me off to Kingkiller. Still, I'm sure I'll read book 3 in 20 years when Sanderson ends up finishing it for Rothfuss :)
Hope you read One Piece, Berserk or Malazan some day! Here's my top 10 fantasy stories currently: 10. Jojo 9. Stormlight Archive 8. Hunter X Hunter 7. First Law 6. Kingkiller Chronicle 5. The Wheel of Time 4. The Lord of the Rings 3. Malazan 2. One Piece 1. Berserk
I always loved the dragonriders of Pern books! An old favorite I've reread several times. But not nearly as gritty as some of the newer series. In the midst of The Witcher saga.
Pern is absolutely deserving of a spot on the list! My mother read every single one to me when I was younger, and when I read them for the first time recently it was like coming home.
Great List, thank you. I would add The Riddlemaster series by Patricia A. McKillip. I have read all three of them dozens of times since the 1980s. More than worth the read.
Reading the Dragonlance books was what really got me into the fantasy genre. I loved those books. You can dismiss them because they are part of D&D, but I think they were a great trilogy and should have been on the list. I also love the Harry Dresden books. I have read (listened to the audiobook), some of the books on your list and I have liked them also. I think RA Salvatore should get a mention. Even if you don’t like the Drizzt books, The Order of the Coven trilogy by him is very good.
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Why did Stephen King's dark towers series not make your list?
I read the Dragonbone trilogy..it was very good..but I felt the ending was dragged out too long..it was one those...the book should have ended a while ago...moments..but I still liked it. 🙂 One of THE BEST series I read was "The Faithful and The Fallen" by John Gwynne...I could NOT put the books down!! 🥰
@@paysonfox88 the last books werent so good, sadly 🥺
Love the Elric saga and the Incarnations of immortality by Piers Anthony
I just haven't read it yet
I learned my lesson from George RR Martin. I’m not reading something unless it has been finished already. Specially when the author has taken forever. The only unfinished things I feel comfortable reading are from authors like Brandon Sanderson or Joe Abercrombie, authors you know are constant on their work
I might Sound horrible saying this...but i Kind of feel Like it Sometimes is still worth it , to Just Accept it and i know this can be hella hard but its Just sad to know that this is why you will miss stuff Like kingkiller Chronicles. I totally Understand so im Not trying to be Rude If it seemed Like that. Sry for the weird spelling im too lazy to Go fix it
@@zainabahmad8546 haha it’s fine. I get it. Hey I’ve enjoyed ASOIAF a lot, but a part of me hates things unfinished. If I am to get to these would be after reading all the finished ones. I will admit this, though, the lies of Lock Lamora is super tempting
@@zainabahmad8546 i think so too. Something so amazing like the KKC is still worth reading even if it is never finished. Sometimes, the theories are really good to read as well. And the book is a masterpiece nontheless, so you will always be missing out
I’m with you. However the quality of the first 3 books is off the charts. Storm of Swords is in my top 3 books I’ve ever read. Finished that mammoth book in under 3 days because I couldn’t put it down.
So yeah now I’m weary of unfinished series not written by authors like Sanderson, however if someone asked me if they should read ASOIF, I wouldn’t say no.
It’s crazy l started reading WoT and ASOIF at the same time in the late 90s and WoT has been finished for awhile with 7 more books in the series.
@@fy4b230 storm of swords I actually read it in three days as well. That’s how much I loved it. And I know that as you’re reading you are enjoying it. But man the bitterness that comes after hahahaha. Idk if it’s because of my experience with Martin that I hate the attitude he’s been taking lately that I prefer not to go through that again
Excellent choices! One great thing about fantasy is that it’s a genre rich enough to make the task of picking ten favorites painfully difficult. I enjoyed hearing you talk about your current ones.
Thanks for watching Philip!
@@CapturedInWords Have you read Narnia? If so, consider this my hate mail. (Just kidding XD)
Also, congrats on your sponsorship! (I haven't noticed any before)
Yes I love the Narnia books, I've read them lots growing up and..... how could I forget to mention them 😂😂
@@CapturedInWords I started reading them at 20, but they seemed too simple. When I read them in my 30's they seemed profound.
The Way of Kings is definitelly one of my favorite books, the experience of reading that book was AMAZING, and it actually put me in whatever is the opposite of a reading slump, because I just started reading uncontrollably after that book, The Stormlight Archive is definitelly one of my favorite series.
It is a great series and that first book is the ultimate slow burn. It takes a while to get going and some readers feel bogged down and give up on it, which is a pity.
@@SardonicALLY well then i disagree, i loved the pacing and did not get bored once lol. i guess it's the different preferences.
This is a fantastic list. Would love to see a video like this every year!
Love to see some Deltora Quest praise. Those books changed my life. I had dyslexia so was not a big reader in middle grade but I saw the covers and they seemed so cool that I made myself read them. It taught me that I could read even though it is hard sometimes and turned me into a lifelong fantasy nerd :) Great list
Wow that's awesome to hear! I'm so happy there's more Deltora Quest fans out there who watch my videos! The covers are definitely what grabbed my attention too, and they were the first fantasy series I read. I love Deltora!
Glad to see so many of us lived the same life. Deltora quest (specifically dragons of deltora) caught my eye in elementary school, then they became my gateway drug to fantasy
@@chainthunder083 Dragons of Deltora... wow that's a throwback! I remember buying the pack of four in 5th grade, loved em (came with a cool necklace too). My gateway into fantasy as well.
Hell yeah! Way to push through!
I only was able to read the first book, but I have to admit when I was in grade school I’d rather be moving around with my ADHD than reading a book… BUT The Forests of Deltora was one of the first books I sat through and read the whole thing without break. I was immersed. Even tried making a TRPG based on Deltora Quest.
I love the Dark Elf Trilogy and all the books involving Drizzt. Highly recommend!
give a try to the Clerical Quintet, Dragon lance saga, The Trilogy of the twins. All good but not on the level of WoT or LOTR. These are stories set a pre-established world. Don't get me wrong, I own the entire Drizzts series and I love them dearly.
But it's like going to your favorite Diner or Fancy restaurant. Both satisfying in their own way. They both get you fed but it's not something that should be directly compared.
I read those when I was in Seattle. I only just recently started playing D&D with my brothers.
@@ngcastronerd4791 i feel like the Trilogy of the Twins was more elevated than the rest of the Weiss/Hickman books but ya can't really appreciate the Trilogy w/o the other books and they are a bit more rudimentary to be sure. i really love the (very serious) character development that happens across the board to all the characters in the trilogy and hence why it feels so elevated
@@larrychatfield i agree the that the work on the twins was above the rest
R.A. Salvatore is a genius in Sci-Fi/Fantasy his Star Wars books are awesome too.
Thank you for this! Been out of Fantasy for some time and found this very useful for someone wanting to get back into the genre again
Great list. It is very tricky ranking incomplete series or series that you haven't finished. But I appreciate your reasoning for where you ranked certain books and why you put them on your list!
the way you speak about books is such a breathe of fresh air. you get it. your list is amazing and has given me a lot of suggestions. I would suggest The Blacktongue Thief based off your favorites. it's a wild ride and so worth it.
I'm really interested in The Blacktongue Thief! I really need to pick that one up at some point, it sounds amazing
I second blacktongue and strongly recommend the audiobook even for people not always into them, its read by the author and he does a ridiculously good job.
Thanks for plugging Memory, Sorrow and Thorn. The Dragonbone Chair is a slow build in those initial chapters and I think that's been a barrier to entry for many people. Tad has released two books in the sequel series and I am eagerly anticipating the next.
Thanks for this, I'm new to the genre and two of the series I have really enjoyed are on your Honorable Mentions so this pretty much became the fantasy third of my current reading list:)
Much appreciated!
Wow, this video has so much more work put into it than a lot of other booktubers videos of a similar kind. Just that intro and honorable mentions part deserves a salute.
Well done, champ
Thank you! :D
So glad to see your appreciation for Earthsea. Despite it having been nominally written for a YA audience, I didn't really get it when I first read it at 14. I thought it was fine, but I was too wrapped up in simplistic ideas of good vs evil to really appreciate it. When I reread it at 28, I positively loved it. Immersing myself in the world and the magic of Earthsea made me feel like I had pulled away one of the layers of veils between my eyes and the real nature of the world. That feeling continued through the entire series, which is rare in my experience.
I only regret that I rediscovered LeGuin just after she died. She was a brilliant writer and a wise light for the world. I would have loved to see her speak at one of her many public library and local bookstore readings in Portland.
YES! PLEASE make videos on Memory , Sorrow & Thorn! This series isn't talked about enough. I just finished book 3 and it is one of the best series I've read so far.
Loved this series
Loved the recommendations! since I saw some of my favorite books next to new ones I totally feel I need to read them now. Also, love the editing!
Great editing (as always!), perfect list, amazing video!
A supportive angel 💕
I really like that your choices have a lot of personality and diversity! Senlin Ascends is massively underrated by most fantasy fans
Great list! Currently working my way through WoT but I'm looking forward to starting on another of these.
If you haven't yet, I highly recommend The Dandelion Dynasty. It's a relatively new series but the author has been pumping the books out quickly and every one has been a fresh and captivating experience. If the final book is as good as the first three it will easily jump into my top three fantasy series of all time
I love lists like this because it gives wonderful inspiration on what to read next. I recently finished Malazan book of the fallen and the first 2 of the Kharkanas trilogy and realized I’ve yet to read LOTR!! Well I have started reading it and am really enjoying the huge change of pace. Loved KK, First Law and SA as well and keep hearing about Hobbs books so they may be next. Again thank you for the video!
I read already some of these series (Earthsea and Percy Jackson), I'm reading others (Locke Lamora and the Cosmere) and others were completely new for me, so I look forward to pick them up! Also, I just discover your channel and I love your editing style, it's extremely well done and captivating
So glad you mentioned Earthsea, I feel like so many people have no idea what it is when I mention it (and I do mention it, every time 😅) such a fantastic and beautifully woven story
I'm always happy to see Le Guin mentioned in these sorts of lists! Her influence was enormous and I'm so glad to have rediscovered her work as an adult.
Such an incredible video! Your editing continues to astound me, man you really deserve more subscribers. Brilliant list of fantasy books!
Amazing list!! I really hope you update it in the future, after you have finished even more series! I just discovered your channel, so congratulations and keep up the great job! For fantasy fans, this is excellent content!!!
I got back into reading last year, and I've been really enjoying watching all of your recommendation videos! Rereading some of my favourite series is what got me back into reading - I reread LotR and the Old Kingdom series (and caught up on the newer releases), and I'm so excited/overwhelmed by how many amazing series are out there. I'm currently reading The Hero of Ages and The Eye of the World, and I'm especially excited to read The Stormlight Archive. Thanks for all the recommendations! ✨
Magician series by Raymond E Feist, amazing, should be on this list.
The first three books are great, as are the daughter of the empire books, but the later ones are chock full of tropes and just generally poor writing. There is a significant drop in quality in some of his writing
I am re-reading his Riftwar Saga (currently "A Darkness at Sethanon") after some 10 years or more and, sadly, it's not as good as I remembered. I still like the magic depiction of Elvandar and some characters, e.g. Jimmy the Hand, Prince Arutha or Laurie, but I am greatly disappointed. Apparently Feist's books may seem good for teenagers, but when you get to know some better literature, they are quite bland. I also liked "Prince of the Blood" (Author's Preferred Edition with some added content) or "The King's Buccaneer", but now I am afraid to read them again lest they turn out to be underwhelming. Was Squire James and Gamina's first encounter in PotB described as well as I remember? I'm afraid not. His Serpentwar Saga was even worse when I read them originally and I haven't even tried to read anything after "Shards of a Broken Crown".
Yeah I never finished all of the books bcos the drop in quality just really got to me. I really enjoyed magician, and silver thorn and darkness at Sethanon to a lesser extent but after that it just sort of ruins it for me
@@crazyperson1456 The trilogy with Janny Wurts was the apogee for sure.
I read this almost 20 years ago, and have started rereading it. I have bought all 30 books and an at the tail end of mistress of the empire. Of course 20 years ago there were fewer books. I have heard how the series starts out great and then just bottoms out. So far it is on my top favorites list, but we'll see how it goes.
Wheel of Time is definitely in my top 3 favorite fantasy series, and I am glad to see it so high on your list. You are in for a real treat as you finish the series.
Try out the wars of light and shadow or the malazan book of the fallen. If you want to go old school then Thomas Covenant the chronicles of the unbeliever are epic and the first examples of grim dark.
Just found your channel and subscribed as soon as you mentioned Senlin Ascends. I love those books so much and don’t see enough of them.
Mann i need to learn to do thats zooms ands transtition, super dope man good job
Brandon Sanderson finishing the wheel of time series is what led me to recently starting the storm light archives. So far I just started book 2 and im totally hooked into it.
Nice list. I'm glad to see Earthsea, Kingkiller, Wheel, and LOTR all made your list. One of my favorite series, from when I started reading fantasy my senior year in high school (1979), is The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant. Stephan Donaldson is an amazing writer. And of course the Shannara series from Terry Brooks.
I ready Thomas Covenant, and when he started writing again, I picked those up. On the second one, I realized something was wrong, and after reading a couple of reviews, I realized most people recommended to just read the first three and stop...Donaldson really got long winded in Fatal Revenant, so I stopped there....first three books were great though.
Great anti-hero series.
Loved the books hated his "hero"
Of course Donaldson made you dislike the hero on purpose. But it made you identify with him because he hated himself more than you could ever hate him. But the contrast between him and the beauty of the Land made you love the Land even more.
First fantasy series that I ever read, and also the best to date. I was somewhat surprised that it wasn't mentioned, and was going to mention it prior to reading your comment. Perhaps he hasn't yet read it?
ahhh thank you for this amazing list. i'm very new to fantasy genre and i only read king killer chronicles but i think it's gonna be my favourite fantasy series doesn't matter how many books i'll read in the future! added these books to my tbr list can't wait to read them !!
The editing in your videos are so good. Can’t wait to see more from this channel
I’ve read 8 out of 10 of your selections. The passage from Return of the King where they confront the Witch King is one of the most exciting pieces of prose I’ve ever read. That being said, Stormlight seems to have a moment like that every few hundred pages.
What were the best ones on the list?
i’ve recently found your channel after reading the name of the wind and i love your videos! can’t wait to finish the second book and watch all of your kkc videos ❤️
Jay and I have a discussion video where we talk about only book 1 as that’s the only one I’ve read, so no book 2 spoilers!
@@thesunshineseekers oh thanks! already watching it😊
@@girlfrommetro hope you like it 😊😊
Your production quality is so top notch!
The editing is great, theses videos are good!
Great list and explanations, Jay! I'll be sure send my friends to this video next time I recommend them one of my favourite books!
Yes! Absolutely make this an annual thing!
I'm glad you summoned the goblins here. I got to add several new books to my tbr :)
It's great, I have discovered new series that I want to read and expand my borders and discover more worlds. Thanks for the recommendations and joining us part of the journey
two series that were fantastic for me: Belgariad (three trilogies altogether), and the Elric sagas that depending on which printing you got, may be 3 or more books. and of course i am curious how the Shannara Chronicles did not make the top ten, or Dragonlance.
I read the Belgariad in early High School after having read Tolkein and Donaldson's two Thomas Covenant series. Loved the the first series of the Belgariad but honestly, Eddings should have left it at that single series - the following books felt like an attempt to simply cash in on the first work.
Definitely, good series
I scared the living hell out of my wife thanks to Elric and his friend, Mr Stormbringer. I used to talk in my sleep, she didn't know I would often quote memorable lines from books. I always kill those I love must have struck a nerve lol
Thank you for sharing your joy in reading! I have finished all of Robin Hobbs books the story grows more with each series and the final Trilogy joins the stories in my opinion the most masterful engaging and fulfilling to all of the story ever written. She is a must read and every book in order to appreciate her amazing writing abilities.
These videos are so aesthetically pleasing!
I'm definitely going to save this video for when I need some book recommendations! I love the series you've put on here that I do know, and am intrigued about the ones I don't! That said, I'm afraid I am one of those who stopped the video after Stormlight. I really respect the LOTR's books for how they have shaped fantasy, and I love the world and the characters (I absolutely have done the extended edition marathon with the films), but the books were written over 100 years ago, and you can tell. For me, that made them a very difficult read to the point where I prefer enjoying that world through other media instead.
Full respect to you for enjoying the books though, thank you for the list!
Great list, gave me some new books to add my to read list. I actually just finished The Wheel of Time today, what a journey. Highly recommend the audio books.
Reading and Kramer are legends
I think I'll definitely continue with the audio books, it will help me get through Wot a bit faster too
@@CapturedInWords I used to fly mini-copters in Rust while listening to the audiobooks. It took no real thought, so I could give 99% if my attention to the audiobooks while also doing something fun in the background. So if you can find some mindless task or thing to do in a game that might make the experience better too
Reading and Kramer did so much work to make that series the best audiobooks I have ever heard.
Consider listening to Rosamunde Pike read TEotW. Jordan was probably writing with an English accent. She’s glorious! 🤩
Must read:
Michael Moorcock-Champion Eternal books:
Elric, Corum, Hawkmoon, Erekose, Jerry Cornelius, its huge, and dark…sword & Sorcery prototypes but also some modernity
one of the original multiverse milieus.
Absolutely awesome body of work.
Moorcock wrote Elric as a parody of Conan the Barbarian
@@richrogers299 Maybe you mean Pratchett's Cohen the Barbarian. Parody generally involves humor and there's not a lot of that in Elric's saga.
@@stephenfulton5385 I meant exactly what I said. Parody does not always involve humor. Twisted Sister was a parody band, but they were also a great hard rock band. Several years ago I read an interview with Michael Moorcock where he stated very specifically that he had created Elric as a parody of Conan the Barbarian.
In the mystery field, Rex Stout's series hero Nero Wolfe is a deliberate parody of Dashiell Hammett's Sam Spade from the Maltese Falcon, and other hard-boiled detective characters. But they also stand completely on their own as great mysteries. Stout did such a good job at that I'd been reading Nero Wolfe mysteries for five or six years before I realized what he'd been doing.
So I will state again Elric is a parody of Conan.
Thank you, man! Books are on my Wish list now!
Great list! To be honest too many great points to address. I always love these kinds of videos as it really helps viewers know if their tastes align. (Ours mostly do). Great work as always!
Dude Im impressed by your editing! This is the 1st time I watch your videos and stop underplaying Mistborn
Thank you! Haha and I love Mistborn, I recently made a big video on 'Why You Should Read Mistborn', but for this list I wanted to try and give other authors their time in the spotlight, otherwise Sanderson would fill up a lot of spaces lol. But I would probably rank Mistborn in my number 5 or 6 spot 👍
What got me into the fantasy genre and still one of my favorite reads is the Dragonlance Chronicles. I really enjoyed the development of the characters and the fine line between good and evil.
I'm so excited it was Deltora's quest that got you into making this channel. That series was my first fantasy series too🥺
I love Deltora Quest!! Always makes me happy to see more people that grew up with them :D
Glad you mentioned that you interviewed the audiobook narrator for First Law. I've been digging into new series/books via audiobook from the library before purchasing recently and it's a great way to get into stuff. I enjoy the list. Maybe I also need to see if the Eames books are at the library too.
As far as my list, not sure how I'd order it, but these series would be on it: Hobbit/LotR, Dresden Files, Wheel of Time, Stormlight, Red Rising, Malazan (not finished yet), Faithful and the Fallen, Greatcoats, The Expanse, Earthsea, and probably Gentlemen Bastards. That's just off the top of my head. I may need to do some swapping, but those are the quick list.
Thank for the great content!
The last four WoT books are some of my absolute favorites.
Yes, Brandon gave it the swift kick in the pants it needed.
He came like the wind, like the wind touched everything and like the wind he was gone.
Gathering Storm is my favorite in the series.
I never get tired of seeing praise for Earthsea. They're so engrossing, and Le Guin is vastly underrated. It makes me sad that some people wont try Earthsea because they're "for young readers". Read The Tombs of Atuan, and tell me there's not some really dark and grown up themes explored there. Earthsea is easily in my top ten as well. Great list!
100% agreed!!! It's just fantastic and I read them back to back to back in like a couple of weeks
I read earthsea but I didn't really like it. I saw so many great reviews so I thought to give it a try but I guess it wasn't for me
I believe that only the first book in the series is YA. As soon as the third & fourth books come around the subject matter changes so vastly that you wonder if you'll grasp it one go.
Loved this video a lot my dude :) would love more in a similar vein
i am glad ya mentioned the "difficulty" of reading songs in fantasy. sometimes it's just so hard to get through them :)
1. Gentleman Bastard Sequence
2. The Kingkiller Chronicles
3. Harry Potter
4. The Lord of the Rings
5. The Fitz and the Fool Trilogy
6. Farseer Trilogy
7. The Tawny Man Trilogy
8. All of the Grishaverse books
9. The Books of Beginning
10. The Mistborn Saga
Honorable Mentions: Kings of the Wyld, Magnus Chase and the God's of Asgard, The Winternight series, the Alvin Maker series, and The Nevermoor series. Really the mentions could keep going. Thanks for introducing me to at least 4 of the books on my list!!
Awesome list! And I'm happy I helped Introduce you to some 😄 I want to read the Magnus Chase books soon, I just started a reread of Percy Jackson today so plan on reading through all those first
I have read about all of the Rick Riordan series but Percy Jackson. I need to just do it, greek mythology was the only mythology I had any knowledge of, so I went with the ones I wasn't as familiar with to pick up some new points of interest.
Once I finish The Wise Man's Fear ( because someone put out a Bast character deep dive, and I wanted to go back to that world for a little bit), I will give it a read through!
Excellent list!
I love that you have LOTR as number 1. It’s still mine as well. Earthsea and Stormlight are deserving as well. I’m glad you’re enjoying Broken Earth. I can’t wait for you to finish it and hear your thoughts.
The Deltora Quest Series was a HUGE throwback for me. I’ll be 30 in Jan and remember the series from when I was in elementary school and used to get books from the Scholastic Book sales. My little brother had picked this up but I was already reading the Inheritance cycle so I didn’t get into them much but just to hear it brought up by someone else is a huge nostalgia trip
So many beautiful works of fiction in this list! You have an unique lists and while many of the staples are in there, you seem to have made the list your own!
I especially made me happy to see Deltora Quest have a mention, those were some of my favourite childhood books! :D
Fun video. Nice to get some insights into unfamiliar series. I did miss one series though, the Song of Ice and Fire. Not in your top 10?!
For me, the top 10 also include Mistborn, the Moontide Quartet, the Unhewn Throne and the Dagger and Coin.
Correct.. We know at this point bashing on Martin for still not finishing asoiaf is totally a meme.. However no one can deny asoiaf is one of the best epic fantasy series around... A Game of Thrones is one of the best book 1 of any series.. It is so well written and rich, upon re reading it you realize how martin had the whole asoiaf legends and myths figured out and sprinkled here and there through the book... Truly genius writing.. Definitely deserves a spot on any serious list
1. Wheel of Time
2. Strange the Dreamer
3. Stormlight
4. Kingkiller
5. Discworld
6. Mistborn era 1
7. Poppy war
8. Shades of Magic
9. Dresden Files
10. Earthsea as honourable mention. Just one book in and that is (depending on the day) my fav fantasy book
Really great list! I still need to read Dresden and Poppy War! Heard some good things about strange the Dreamer too so maybe I'll read that one at some point
Similar tastes! Have you read any robin hobb? I think you'd like it!
@@alexcarter2964 It's on the TBR! I'll probably get to it next year
@@ariharannatarajan2750 ok I'll try and finally get around to reading wheel of time!
love the channel. dont know why it took me so long to subscribe. I especially appreciate your kingkiller speculation videos. I took your word and got the stormlight archives books. lets hope they hold up!
Thanks so much for you suggestions. One of you videos got me into reading the storm light archive. It maybe thick, it certainly does read fast because it focuses on dialogue and character interaction. (Almost every time I open the book I can at least see a line of dialogue) Which reads faster than descriptions and such.
Pratchett has a way of captureing humans and poltics mixing with comedy in a way i never saw before.
Also great video!
The Shannara books are what got me started reading fantasy when I was a kid. and there were others by Eddings. these are of course also very old series but my all-time favourite is really one that is a mix of sci-fi and fantasy due to the time frame type of stuff. Dragon Riders of Pern. I realize its beginnings are sci-fi based but when You look at the world that McCaffery built it is very much fantasy inspired. and has my all-time favourite character the Master Harper of Pern. He is on par with Gandalf in my mind. i won't lie I have tried and failed to read the LOTR books. I simply can't get into the writing style though the story is epic.
I agree with you. Love those books.
Amazing, the same journey I went on. The Magician was the pinnacle for me.
I read The Sword of Shannara before I read all of The Hobbit and LotR. So I ate it up. Elfstones came out right after I finished Sword. So, yeah, I had to read Tolkien after that. I was not disappointed.
Dragon Riders was also my first fantasy series as a kid! I’ve been wanting to go back and reread it
@@FreyaWarr the. first time i heard about dragon ride rs it was on a bus to the library in germany. the guy told me he took a yearly vacation to pern ::laughing::
You deserve more subscribers. Your editing on these vids is amazing
Just want to say that I appreciate this list, I’ve read about half of these, currently reading a couple, some have been on my radar for awhile, and some were new to me. Seems to strike a good balance!
Wonderful Top 10 list! The Lord of the Rings is such a beautiful story, and the end is like no other in all of fantasy. I loved your reasons for choosing each series, and look forward to this type of video as an annual thing!
I definitely agree, the end is incredible! Glad you enjoyed! :)
1) Stormlight
2) Dresden
3) Riyria Revelations/Chronicles
4) The Greatcoats
5) Lord of the Rings
6) Farseer Trilogy
7) Wheel of Time
8) Threadlight
9) Lightbringer
10) Mistborn
I only count series if I have read everything that's been published.
Awesome list! I've never heard of Threadlight, I'll definitely have to add that to my list! I also plan on reading The Greatcoats at some point too, I've heard a lot of great things about it
u forgot king killer lol. good list tho
@@remensviel2342 I haven't read WMF yet, so it's not eligible. Once I do, It'll probably be around the #5 slot.
@@CapturedInWords Threadlight is a self pub trilogy by Zach Argyle. The first book was a solid debut novel, and then the 2nd book improved in every way and is simply fantastic. The magic system reminds me of Mistborn and Adam Gold's narration is beautiful. And as a bonus, they're relatively short books (as far as fantasy goes) so not a huge time commitment.
This makes me excited as Stormlight and Dresden Files are my favourite series so far. Saying that the only other series i have read is everything in the cosmere, the first law trilogy and the books of babel
I appreciate your choice of sound effects
The editing is top notch 👍
1) Stormlight Archive- I have the first oath of the knights radiant tattooed on right forearm and the Bridge 4 crest on my left. Any book that can cause you to make permanent changes to your body is kinda #1 by default. Plus one of my childhood friends tragically passed away before RoW came out; he got me into the series and we talked everyday about the series.
2) LotR- only 2 because of the reasons above.
3) Asoiaf- I know the show soured many people, but the books have been brilliant
4) Kingkiller- best prose I think I’ve ever read. You could tell how painstakingly crafted every word was.
5) The Burning- military fantasy at its finest. Fast paced and brutal with an extremely satisfying training arc
6) The Witcher- Probably the most difficult series I’ve read. Sapowski throws you in the deep end (similar to Sanderson) but his storytelling isn’t nearly as accessible. The world of the Witcher is one of the best in fantasy and Geralt is awesome.
7) Mistborn- didn’t connect with Vin at first… but she definitely grew on me as the series continued. The magic system is incredible.
8) Wheel of Time- currently only on the 4th book. I fully expect this series to shoot up the list as I go on.
9) Harry Potter- will always have a soft spot in my heart for these books.
10) Percy Jackson- incredibly fun, fast paced books.
My tbr is too long but includes Malazan, Gentleman Bastards, Poppy War, Jade Trilogy, all Abercrombie and many more lol
Yes,and The Way of Kings is all time best book
So true re: Witcher. If you haven’t read it again I can’t recommend enough to read it again … that’s where I really fell in love with it, shot up to # 1. Too bad the show is so bad.
@@dreamyphil I certainly do plan to read the series again! The friend I mentioned in the original post, his favorite series was the Witcher, and he said the same thing you, that it gets better and better each read through.
I am not sure if you have heard of them, but the Midkemia Chronicles by Raymond E. Feist is a wonderful read. It holds up well, and contains over 30 books. Also, the 6 book series Guardians of the Flame by Joel Rosenberg is a great read. It is about a group of RPG players who get transported to the world they play in as their characters, and then what happens afterwards as they try to find a way back home.
@michaelxz1305 the character who ties the complete saga together is Pug. However, each smaller series in the saga has different main characters, so I can understand some confusion there.
@michaelxz1305 That was my favourite series growing up. Read all 10 books, at least once a year.
I’m very curious about The Books of Babel series. I recently removed it from my TBR after reading quite bad reviews about the later books, but now you and also Peruse Project spoke so highly of it that I still want to read it.
All these are so spot on, don't think I'd change a thing. Great video and you've inspired me to get back to reading a few of these again :)
Thank you! And I'm glad I could inspire you, these books deserve to be reread :)
@@CapturedInWords they definitely do :) thank you for replying!
My list: 1. Malazan 2. The first law world 3. Cosmere 4. Wheel of time 5. Realm of the Elderlings 6. The Banished Lands 7. Green Bone Saga 8. The Dresden Files
9. Discworld 10. Redwall (Lord of the Rings isn't included as then it would only be a top 9)
Really great choices! And good to see Redwall get some love! I need to get to The Banished Lands and the Green Bone Saga soon
@@CapturedInWords yes you should they are both great. Redwall will always be on my list as it's what got me reading.
Malazan is first by a good margin in my book. So much better than some of those mentioned here.
Dresden and Iron Druid.
Mistborn is good. The Painted / Warded Man books. Mark Lawrence has some good stuff.
I enjoyed Gemmell as a kid. And the Forgotten Realms novels.
Not high fantasy, but Conn Igguldun's Empire series is great and with a look imo.
You sir have good taste. I remember when I read the last book of malazan, I had to immediately reread the entire series. Every time you read or listen to it, you pick up something new.
@@nathanschinigoi5298 It almost feels an actual history is being retold, rather than a fictional story. The depth is insane. Pity Erikson and Esslemont don't do a Critical Role type show. Or Critical Role doing modified 5e with Malazan overlay. That would be sick. Grog could have been Theolomen Toblakai (sp?).
Thank you for this.
I've just finished the epic Shannara series by Terry Brooks and was interested to see what else is out there.
It seems a huge investment of time getting involved in a series, so getting as much information is good.
@@ObsydianShade Yeah, let's face it, the Sword of Shannarah was a shameless LoTR ripoff, but Brooks really found his voice after that. The Heritage of Shannarah was his masterpiece, IMO. Also enjoyed his Magic Kingdom for Sale series, but it's not an all timer.
Magic Kingdom for Sale was alot of fun.
absolutely thrilled to see deltora quest in honorable mentions! its my favorite series from my childhood ^^ I only recently got back into reading after falling off of it for...a decade? most of these are on my to read list! super excited to read them :)
Nice list, a number of my favorites, and a couple that I never heard of before and will soon be reading! My personal top 10 Favorites series in no particular order: WoT, Farseer/Live Ship/Tawny Man books, Sword of Truth, Saga of Recluce series, Stormlight Archive (and other Cosmere books), Shannara family of books, Corean Chronicles, Dragon Knight series, and the Mistborn family of books.
Easily in the top 10, "The Deed of Paksennarion" by Elizabeth Moon. Great vid man, appreciate the content.
I love Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn trilogy. The Last King of Osten Ard series as well. They seem so highly underrated.
So good! I will admit though, it took me a while to fully get invested while reading The Dragonebone Chair since it takes a loooong time for things to pick up. But I agree, from what I've read so far this series seems so underrated and I'm surprised more people aren't talking about it
I also loved tad Williams sci-fi virtual reality series. One of my favorite ever.
@@siriactuallysara Is it Otherland series? That's on my backlog.
@@Ollie-ge1jg Otherland is an interesting series. IMO, it is better than Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn. I think it is overlooked by many fantasy reviewers because it falls in the cracks between Fantasy and Sci-Fi. It can also be a bit slow at times. However, I find it incredible how Tad Williams "predicts" technology considering Otherland was written in the 90s (near the birth of the internet).
@Captured in Words Otherland is definitely worth a read and definitely in my top 10.
@@CapturedInWords if you like Memory, Sorrow, and Thon, IMO, Otherland is Tad Williams better series.
Love a list video! Thanks for making it sir.
My pleasure! Glad you liked it :)
Very excited you mentioned Deltora Quest. It was the series that got my daughter reading. Now she has 3 boys and picked up those books, along with Goosebumps and Captain Underpants. She can't wait to share these books with her boys.
Ascendant trilogy by Craig Alanson was a welcome surprise.. a 'must read' for fantasy book lovers!! Also, Knights Ransom and the rest of the First Argentines series by Jeff Wheeler.
The Riyria Revelations by Michael Sullivan is a must read. It's a trilogy, and he's gone back and done prequels. (Definitely read the Revelations books first.)
Yes that is definitely a. Great series
I’m glad to see someone mention that big Earthsea book!
(I bought it a while ago not knowing anything about it, just thought it looked like a fun book to read, lol)😁
That Earthsea Complete Collection book looks amazing! I actually didn't buy it yet myself, but definitely plan to in the future
I love this video, u sold me on all the series
I just finished Wheel of Time series for the first time and it's definitely my fave fantasy series. The first 3 books do feel heavily inspired by LOTR, but the characters, the plot, the NARATION are all absolutely perfect to me. Seriously the best audiobooks I've ever heard.
EDIT: 10 months later and I've now finished Stormlight, Realm of the Elderlings and Malazan. WoT still the GOAT
They were so good !
Micheal an Kate do an amazing job for the narration.
Just finished my 6th read. One of the best series ever
I really liked this video. The very first series I read as a young adult is one that is still very dear to my heart. The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant. The Unbeliever. By Stephen R. Donaldson. The Old Kingdom books are on point as well.
Great video, definitely earned a like. Only series I think this list is really missing is Malazan; while not for everyone it is probably the most detailed and fully realized fantasy world I've ever read (including LotR, WoT, and Stormlight). I really enjoyed Name of the Wind but A Wise Mans Fear REALLY turned me off to Kingkiller. Still, I'm sure I'll read book 3 in 20 years when Sanderson ends up finishing it for Rothfuss :)
Wow,nice top.Im impressed !
Hope you read One Piece, Berserk or Malazan some day! Here's my top 10 fantasy stories currently:
10. Jojo
9. Stormlight Archive
8. Hunter X Hunter
7. First Law
6. Kingkiller Chronicle
5. The Wheel of Time
4. The Lord of the Rings
3. Malazan
2. One Piece
1. Berserk
Berk!
I always loved the dragonriders of Pern books! An old favorite I've reread several times. But not nearly as gritty as some of the newer series. In the midst of The Witcher saga.
Pern is absolutely deserving of a spot on the list! My mother read every single one to me when I was younger, and when I read them for the first time recently it was like coming home.
Great list. Definitely some I was not aware of in there. Some series I can add are the Sword of Truth, the Deathgate Cycle, and the Deryni series.
The final nudge I needed to stop procrastinating on Earthsea tyvm
Great List, thank you. I would add The Riddlemaster series by Patricia A. McKillip. I have read all three of them dozens of times since the 1980s. More than worth the read.
Woohoo! A McKillip fan! Her books are wonderful!
Reading the Dragonlance books was what really got me into the fantasy genre. I loved those books. You can dismiss them because they are part of D&D, but I think they were a great trilogy and should have been on the list. I also love the Harry Dresden books. I have read (listened to the audiobook), some of the books on your list and I have liked them also. I think RA Salvatore should get a mention. Even if you don’t like the Drizzt books, The Order of the Coven trilogy by him is very good.
The halo books are based around a video game and the one halo book that I have read was pretty damn good.
Same here, I started on Dragonlance
Funny how they weren't a d and d book when written. In fact d and d got the rights to them later.
I've read one or two of halo novels, they're written pretty well also
Dragon lance had a few trilogies and a bunch of stand alone books. The Doom Brigade was actually the first Dragonlance I read.
Dropping a comment to say I'm so happy to see somebody even mention memory, sorrow and thorn, one of my favorites.