Fantasy is my favorite genre. It’s what I love to read, write, and edit. So I thought today I would share the best fantasy series—in my opinion—and give you some fantasy book recommendations that you might like.
A lot of these books are quite popular, so you’ve probably heard of them and perhaps read them already, but hopefully, there’s at least one you haven’t read for you to check out. Some of the series on this list might be a little basic, but they’re what I love, and there’s a reason all these series are so popular.
Let’s get into my top fantasy series.
My 4 Favorite Fantasy Series
1. Six of Crows
I can’t discuss my fantasy book recommendations without talking about Six of Crows. Can I convey how much I love this series? I don’t think so. I reread it last year, and the reread just solidified my love for this duology.
Kaz leaned back. “What’s the easiest way to steal a man’s wallet?”
“Knife to the throat?” asked Inej.
“Gun to the back?” said Jesper.
“Poison in his cup?” suggested Nina.
“You’re all horrible,” said Matthias.
Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo is part of the larger Grishaverse (Shadow and Bone). It follows six outcasts as they try to pull off a grand heist.
The heart is an arrow. It demands aim to land true.
Incredible characters, fantastic worldbuilding, thrilling plot, gritty, funny, heartfelt—what more could you want. I could go on forever about this duology. I plan to do a full analysis of it in the future, so I’ll just leave this saying read it; you won’t regret it.
When everyone knows you’re a monster, you needn’t waste time doing every monstrous thing.
2. The Infernal Devices
After all these years, this trilogy still makes the list. I first read TID when I was in high school, and while I already had experimented with writing, this is the series that made me want to be an author.
“One must always be careful of books,” said Tessa, “and what is inside them, for words have the power to change us.”
The Infernal Devices by Cassandra Clare takes place in London in 1878. Tessa Gray has traveled there to find her brother. However, she finds a lot more than that—a dark supernatural underworld that includes vampires, warlocks, demons, and the Shadowhunters that offer Tessa her only hope of finding her brother.
“If no one in the entire world cared about you, did you really exist at all?”
Will Herondale. Enough said. But seriously if you read this, you’ll be immersed in a dark 1800s London that feels so vivid. You’ll fall in love with the characters. Tessa is courageous and witty, Will is funny, sarcastic, and broken, and Jem is sweet, charming, and good. And the rest of the cast is great too—you’ll love them all.
“Let me give you a piece of advice. The handsome young fellow who’s trying to rescue you from a hideous fate is never wrong. Not even if he says the sky is purple and made of hedgehogs.”
3. Percy Jackson & the Olympians
My mom gave this series to me when I was young, saying my cousin had read them and really liked them. I devoured the first 4 books and eagerly awaited the 5th book, which wasn’t out yet when I first read them. I was a little obsessed, telling my family all about the funny chapter titles and how awesome Annabeth was.
“Why can’t you place a blessing like that on us?” I asked.
“It only works on wild animals.”
“So it would only affect Percy,” Annabeth reasoned.
“Hey!” I protested.
The Percy Jackson & the Olympians series by Rick Riordan is about a young boy who discovers he’s a demigod—half Greek god and half mortal—and gets caught up in a great war.
“The sea does not like to be restrained.”
My love for this series has recently been renewed by the recent TV show (which you can read my thoughts on here). I love the humor, the silliness, but also the heart of this series. It’s a series that proves that it’s okay to feel different and celebrates our differences. It’s so accessible yet it explores important things like friendship, family, and identity.
She’d also called me brave . . . unless she was talking to the catfish.
4. Harry Potter
Maybe a bit cliché, but how could I not include this series. I don’t remember a time when it wasn’t a part of my life. I grew up with the books and the movies, and they’ve shaped so much of who I am.
“Happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light.”
If you don’t already know (it must be a big rock you’re living under), the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling is about a young boy who learns that he’s a wizard—and not just any wizard; he is the boy who lived, the boy who couldn’t be killed by the evil Lord Voldemort. As he grows up and goes to wizarding school, he discovers his fight with Lord Voldemort has only just begun.
“It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live.”
This series is magical in every sense of the word. Whenever I return to it, it makes me believe in magic. It makes me want to dream and live. Harry Potter taught me about friendship and that it’s okay to love to read and learn. It taught me that I could conquer my fears. When I first read it, I had no idea I wanted to be a writer, but now I can’t separate this story and writing.
“Of course it is happening inside your head, Harry, but why on earth should that mean that it is not real?”
Honorable Mentions
I’m still deciding if the following two series are favorites, but I had to mention them as part of my fantasy book recommendations because I do love them.
The Stormlight Archive
It took me a long time to work up the courage and stamina to read the 4 books in this series and even longer to actually read the books—understandably since they are all 1000+ pages. These books are excellent though, and I’m so excited for the 5th one, which comes out later this year.
“A story doesn’t live until it is imagined in someone’s mind.”
Let’s see if I can describe this series in just a paragraph. The Stormlight Archive by Brandon Sanderson is an epic fantasy set in the world of Roshar where incredibly powerful storms sweep across the landscape. It follows a lot of characters, so I’ll just tell you about my favorite. Kaladin is a soldier-turned-slave forced to carry bridges for an army with a cruel leader who considers Kaladin and his men expendable.
“Brightness . . . I believe you stray into sarcasm.”
“Funny. I thought I’d run straight into it, screaming at the top of my lungs.”
This series is so detailed and complex yet engaging, and I just cannot fathom how Brandon Sanderson not only came up with it but also executes it so well. I only hesitate to put it on my favorites list because I have only read it once (save for the first book), and it is a bit denser than what I usually go for. But this series is amazing, and I highly recommend it, especially if you love fantasy. You’ll love the characters, and you’ll be fascinated by the worldbuilding.
Life before Death.
Strength before Weakness.
Journey before Destination.
Shades of Magic
After hearing about this series for many years, I finally read it last year, and I loved it. It was so fun, and I loved seeing the different Londons—I’m a sucker for a story set in London and this series has 4 different versions of the city.
“There’s Dull London, Kell London, Creepy London, and Dead London,” she recited, ticking them off on her fingers. “See? I’m a fast learner.”
The Shades of Magic series by V.E. Schwab follows Kell, an Antari or magician who can travel between parallel Londons. Kell is from Red London and, as one of the last Antari, travels between the worlds as an ambassador. But he also acts as a smuggler, bringing tokens from one world to another, a hobby that lands him in a dangerous situation. He flees to Grey London where he meets Delilah Bard, a thief who longs for adventure.
“I’d rather die on an adventure than live standing still.”
The first book was a little slow, but the second and third made up for it. I’m excited to read the latest book, which came out last year and is sort of separate from the original trilogy? I’m not entirely sure. Anyway, I love Kell, Lila, Alucard, Rhy, Holland—basically all the characters—and I really liked the magic system. I haven’t put this on my favorites list because I’d like to reread it and read the latest one before I decide for certain.
“What are you?” she asked.
“A monster,” said Kell hoarsely. “You’d better let me go.”
The girl gave a small, mocking laugh. “Monsters don’t faint in the presence of ladies.”
“Ladies don’t dress like men and pick pockets,” retorted Kell.
Her smile only sharpened. “What are you really?”
“Tied to your bed,” said Kell matter-of-factly.
“And?”
His brow furrowed. “And in trouble.”
Thanks for reading the list of my favorite fantasy series. Let me know if you’ve read any of these books and what you thought of them in the comments. And let me know what your favorite fantasy series is (I’m always looking for fantasy book recommendations).
