Explore New Worlds: Top 10 Fantasy Book Series Every Bibliophile Should Read

Nothing is as relaxing as escaping into a masterfully written new book, and if it’s a series, even better! We’ve gathered our top 10 fantasy book series every bibliophile should read at least once. 

Are you a bibliophile searching for the perfect fantasy book series to dive into? We’ve compiled our top 10 fantasy book series every voracious reader should read. From heroes overcoming feats to pure whimsy fun, these series will captivate and delight. Whether you’re reading from your favorite book nook at home or needing an escape while visiting your favorite beach vacation, every one of these series is easy to dive into. Grab your favorite Starbucks drink and explore these fantastic worlds together. 

1. Brent Weeks’ Lightbringer Series

The Lightbringer series is a five-book fantasy series that follows the journey of a young man named Gavin Guile, the Prism, and the most powerful man in the world. But he is betrayed, and the magic that he wields is broken. With the world’s fate in his hands and enemies at every turn, Gavin must find a way to save the world and restore the magic that was once his.

The Lightbringer series is a striking blend of epic fantasy and a coming-of-age story. It is a story about loyalty and betrayal, power and love, and the cost of redemption. With a creative spin on magic and how it can be used, and narrated from multiple perspectives, each book leaves the reader questioning if what they think they know about the main character is true. 

Brent Weeks’ Lightbringer tops our “best fantasy series that every book lover should read” list because of its intricate and compelling characters, who ebb and flow through the novels, and its action-packed plot.

2. Brandon Sanderson’s Mistborn Series 

The core Mistborn series is a three-book fantasy series set in the world of Scadrial, where the immortal Lord Ruler has ruled for a thousand years. A young street urchin named Vin, guided by an unexpected cast of characters, is the only hope to overthrow the Lord Ruler and restore freedom to the oppressed people of Scadrial. 

Brandon Sanderson’s Mistborn series is remarkable because of its twist on traditional fantasy tropes. It features complex characters woven through the books, a thrilling plot, and a unique magic system called Allomancy that has expanded into a spin-off series (that we think is just as good as the first). 

For anyone who loves fantasy, masterfully crafted magic systems, and incredible character building, The Mistborn series can’t be missed. If you’ve yet to read any of Sanderson’s works, this is the best starting point before entering his Cosmere. 

3. Elise Kova’s Air Awakens Series 

The five-book The Air Awakens series is set in the world of Vespera, a world filled with magic and mystery where there’s a huge rift between those who were gifted with magic and those who were not. In this world, a young woman named Vhalla must use her newfound powers of Air Magic to save her kingdom from an ancient evil while discovering who she is. 

Elise Kova’s Air Awakens series is a faster read than the previous two, but the elemental-based magic system is impressive, and the characters develop through the series as the story progresses. 

While not the weightiest series on our list, Air Awakens makes this list as one of the best series for fans of fantasy because of the hopeless romance and thoughtful character development and because it stays firmly planted in the fantasy genre. 

4. Scott Lynch’s Gentleman Bastards Series 

The Gentleman Bastards series is a three-book fantasy series set in the world of Therin. In this world, a group of young thieves known as the Gentleman Bastards must use their cunning and wit to survive in a world of political intrigue and magic. 

Scott Lynch’s Gentleman Bastards series is uncommon because of its blend of adventure and wit. The books read more like a fast-paced, masterfully planned caper plot with a cast of lovable rogues, a thrilling plot, and a unique magic system called Subtlety. 

For any bookworm who needs a break from stoic reading, The Gentleman Bastards series should be on the top of the list of amazing fantasy series for its wily spin of adventure with a raw dose of humor. 

5. Robin Hobb’s Farseer Trilogy

The Farseer Trilogy is a three-book fantasy series set in the world of the Six Duchies. In this world, a young man named Fitz must grow into his talents to save the kingdom from ancient magic while navigating the turns with his ever-present companion, the Fool.

A pillar in fantasy series, Robin Hobb’s Farseer Trilogy is a wonderful read because of its focus on character development. It features a cast of complex and captivating characters and a bloodline of magic that requires both Wit and Skill to navigate as Fitz grows from a bastard child into the man he is meant to be. 

For every reading buff, The Farseer trilogy is a must-read of epic fantasy series as you live alongside Fitz as he grows from a forgotten child to the hero the world didn’t know it needed. 

6. Charlie Holmberg’s Paper Magician Series

The Paper Magician series is a four-book fantasy series set in the world of Draul. In this world, a young woman named Ceony must use her newfound powers of paper magic to save the kingdom from a dark force. 

With a wildly imaginative magic system, Charlie Holmberg’s Paper Magician series is notable because it blends fantasy and steampunk in a fun way. It features a cast of lovable characters, a fun plot, and a system of magic around materials and those who have the ability to manipulate them. 

For every book lover who wants something fun and absolutely different, The Paper Magician series should be on the list of amazing fantasy books. It’s clever and imaginative and explores magic in ways no other author has yet to consider.  

7. Robert Jordan’s Wheel of Time 

The Wheel of Time is a fourteen-book fantasy series set in a strange and evolving world. The epic fantasy begins with a cat-and-mouse chase as a young man named Rand al’Thor, and his friends are hunted by servants of the Dark One looking for a young man. They flee agents of the shadow only to enter a journey much bigger than they could have ever imagined. 

Robert Jordan penned 12 of the expansive Wheel of Time books, crafting what has become one of the most famous fantasy stories of our time. Upon his passing, with extensive notes left behind, Brandon Sanderson completed his work with the final books. 

Now an Amazon Prime TV show, along with being one of the best-selling epic fantasy series, The Wheel of Time should be on every avid reader’s list of the best fantasy series for its immersive world with stories that split off and intertwine through the immersive collection. 

8. Martin’s Game of Thrones 

Not yet complete, Game of Thrones is a seven-book fantasy series, with five books currently on shelves, set in the world of Westeros. In this world, families duel over land, and all must use their wits and strength as a dark force from ancient times arises. 

Skip HBO and get the full story of George R.R. Martin’s Game of Thrones. His writing of political intrigue and fantasy is unparallel to any writer of our time. The story features a cast of complex characters, a thrilling plot, and Wild Magic. 

True literary fans should read Game of Thrones not just because of its wild success on television but because of Martin’s ability to spin a story bigger than its characters. 

9. Stephen King’s Dark Tower 

The Dark Tower is an eight-book fantasy series set in the world of Mid-World. In this wild west of a world, a gunslinger named Roland Deschain must use his magical powers to save the world from an ancient evil. Sounds basic, but as with any of King’s novels, it’s not. 

Stephen King’s Dark Tower is distinctive because it blends western and fantasy. It features a cast of captivating characters, a thrilling plot, and a unique magic system called the Prim. Moreso, Dark Tower weaves together King’s expansive body of work, making it fun to connect the dots as long-term fans. 

Between the unique blend of western and fantasy and the work it took to thread King’s huge archive of characters to the thrilling plot, and suspenseful tone, The Dark Tower should be on everyone’s reading list. Even if you don’t think you like fantasy.

10. J.R.R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings 

The Tolkien series is a four-book fantasy series set in the world of Middle-Earth. In this world, a hobbit named Frodo Baggins must use his courage and strength to save the world from an ancient evil. 

Short of setting the stage for epic fantasy, Tolkien’s series is unique because of its blend of adventure and mythology. It features a cast of lovable characters, a thrilling plot, and a unique magic system called the Rings of Power that has proven timeless for generations to come. 

When it comes to Fantasy 101: the Lord of the Rings series is so much bigger on the page than on the screen and should be on everyone’s list just to enjoy truly the art of storytelling. 

With the amazing fantasy books we could escape to, trying to pick the perfect series to read next is hard. But every series on our list of the top 10 has a unique spin on magic, adventure, and storytelling that makes it a must-read. These books involve mystic worlds of magic, adventure, and even romance that are easy to sink into. They are even fun as audiobooks on long road trips.  

So, book lovers, don’t delay. Escape into these fantastic worlds and explore the intricate characters, thrilling plot lines, and unique magic systems.