The Lord of the Rings
The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien is a durable book or series choice, recognized for world-building, influence, storytelling and long-term readership.
The top 50
Fantasy novels and series of all time
Fifty researched picks for the fantasy novels and series of all time, selected for world-building, influence, storytelling and long-term readership.
How we choseWorld-building, influence, storytelling and long-term readership. Rankings balance consensus with lasting ownership value and current buyability.
Why it belongs →
Earthsea Cycle
Earthsea Cycle by Ursula K. Le Guin is a durable book or series choice, recognized for world-building, influence, storytelling and long-term readership.
A Song of Ice and Fire
A Song of Ice and Fire by George R.R. Martin is a durable book or series choice, recognized for world-building, influence, storytelling and long-term readership.
The Broken Earth Trilogy
The Broken Earth Trilogy by N.K. Jemisin is a durable book or series choice, recognized for world-building, influence, storytelling and long-term readership.
The Name of the Wind
The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss is a durable book or series choice, recognized for world-building, influence, storytelling and long-term readership.
A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire, #1)
A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire, #1) by George R.R. Martin is a durable book or series choice, recognized for world-building, influence, storytelling and long-term readership.
J.R.R. Tolkien 4-Book Boxed Set: The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings
J.R.R. Tolkien 4-Book Boxed Set: The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien is a durable book or series choice, recognized for world-building, influence, storytelling and long-term readership.
The Name of the Wind (The Kingkiller Chronicle, #1)
The Name of the Wind (The Kingkiller Chronicle, #1) by Patrick Rothfuss is a durable book or series choice, recognized for world-building, influence, storytelling and long-term readership.
The Way of Kings (The Stormlight Archive, #1)
The Way of Kings (The Stormlight Archive, #1) by Brandon Sanderson is a durable book or series choice, recognized for world-building, influence, storytelling and long-term readership.
The Eye of the World (The Wheel of Time, #1)
The Eye of the World (The Wheel of Time, #1) by Robert Jordan is a durable book or series choice, recognized for world-building, influence, storytelling and long-term readership.
The Chronicles of Narnia (The Chronicles of Narnia, #1-7)
The Chronicles of Narnia (The Chronicles of Narnia, #1-7) by C.S. Lewis is a durable book or series choice, recognized for world-building, influence, storytelling and long-term readership.
Mistborn: The Final Empire (Mistborn, #1)
Mistborn: The Final Empire (Mistborn, #1) by Brandon Sanderson is a durable book or series choice, recognized for world-building, influence, storytelling and long-term readership.
His Dark Materials (His Dark Materials #1-3)
His Dark Materials (His Dark Materials #1-3) by Philip Pullman is a durable book or series choice, recognized for world-building, influence, storytelling and long-term readership.
Assassin's Apprentice (Farseer Trilogy, #1)
Assassin's Apprentice (Farseer Trilogy, #1) by Robin Hobb is a durable book or series choice, recognized for world-building, influence, storytelling and long-term readership.
Eragon (The Inheritance Cycle #1)
Eragon (The Inheritance Cycle #1) by Christopher Paolini is a durable book or series choice, recognized for world-building, influence, storytelling and long-term readership.
The Lies of Locke Lamora (Gentleman Bastard, #1)
The Lies of Locke Lamora (Gentleman Bastard, #1) by Scott Lynch is a durable book or series choice, recognized for world-building, influence, storytelling and long-term readership.
The Gunslinger (The Dark Tower, #1)
The Gunslinger (The Dark Tower, #1) by Stephen King is a durable book or series choice, recognized for world-building, influence, storytelling and long-term readership.
Wizard's First Rule (Sword of Truth, #1)
Wizard's First Rule (Sword of Truth, #1) by Terry Goodkind is a durable book or series choice, recognized for world-building, influence, storytelling and long-term readership.
The Blade Itself (The First Law, #1)
The Blade Itself (The First Law, #1) by Joe Abercrombie is a durable book or series choice, recognized for world-building, influence, storytelling and long-term readership.
The Silmarillion
The Silmarillion by J.R.R. Tolkien is a durable book or series choice, recognized for world-building, influence, storytelling and long-term readership.
Gardens of the Moon (Malazan Book of the Fallen, #1)
Gardens of the Moon (Malazan Book of the Fallen, #1) by Steven Erikson is a durable book or series choice, recognized for world-building, influence, storytelling and long-term readership.
The Princess Bride
The Princess Bride by William Goldman is a durable book or series choice, recognized for world-building, influence, storytelling and long-term readership.
The Belgariad Boxed Set: Pawn of Prophecy / Queen of Sorcery / Magician's Gambit / Castle of Wizardry / Enchanters' End Game (The Belgariad, #1-5)
The Belgariad Boxed Set: Pawn of Prophecy / Queen of Sorcery / Magician's Gambit / Castle of Wizardry / Enchanters' End Game (The Belgariad, #1-5) by David Eddings is a durable book or series choice, recognized for world-building, influence, storytelling and long-term readership.
Magician: Apprentice (The Riftwar Saga, #1)
Magician: Apprentice (The Riftwar Saga, #1) by Raymond E. Feist is a durable book or series choice, recognized for world-building, influence, storytelling and long-term readership.
The Mists of Avalon (Avalon, #1)
The Mists of Avalon (Avalon, #1) by Marion Zimmer Bradley is a durable book or series choice, recognized for world-building, influence, storytelling and long-term readership.
Sabriel (Abhorsen, #1)
Sabriel (Abhorsen, #1) by Garth Nix is a durable book or series choice, recognized for world-building, influence, storytelling and long-term readership.
Words of Radiance (The Stormlight Archive, #2)
Words of Radiance (The Stormlight Archive, #2) by Brandon Sanderson is a durable book or series choice, recognized for world-building, influence, storytelling and long-term readership.
The Night Angel Trilogy (Night Angel, #1-3)
The Night Angel Trilogy (Night Angel, #1-3) by Brent Weeks is a durable book or series choice, recognized for world-building, influence, storytelling and long-term readership.
Prince of Thorns (Broken Empire, #1)
Prince of Thorns (Broken Empire, #1) by Mark Lawrence is a durable book or series choice, recognized for world-building, influence, storytelling and long-term readership.
The Dragonriders of Pern: Books 1-3
The Dragonriders of Pern: Books 1-3 by Anne McCaffrey is a durable book or series choice, recognized for world-building, influence, storytelling and long-term readership.
The Color of Magic (Discworld, #1; Rincewind, #1)
The Color of Magic (Discworld, #1; Rincewind, #1) by Terry Pratchett is a durable book or series choice, recognized for world-building, influence, storytelling and long-term readership.
Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch
Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch by Terry Pratchett is a durable book or series choice, recognized for world-building, influence, storytelling and long-term readership.
The Warded Man (Demon Cycle #1)
The Warded Man (Demon Cycle #1) by Peter V. Brett is a durable book or series choice, recognized for world-building, influence, storytelling and long-term readership.
Graceling (Graceling Realm, #1)
Graceling (Graceling Realm, #1) by Kristin Cashore is a durable book or series choice, recognized for world-building, influence, storytelling and long-term readership.
Redwall (Redwall, #1)
Redwall (Redwall, #1) by Brian Jacques is a durable book or series choice, recognized for world-building, influence, storytelling and long-term readership.
Kushiel's Dart (Phèdre's Trilogy, #1)
Kushiel's Dart (Phèdre's Trilogy, #1) by Jacqueline Carey is a durable book or series choice, recognized for world-building, influence, storytelling and long-term readership.
Dragonlance Chronicles (Dragonlance, #1-3)
Dragonlance Chronicles (Dragonlance, #1-3) by Margaret Weis is a durable book or series choice, recognized for world-building, influence, storytelling and long-term readership.
Blood Song (Raven's Shadow, #1)
Blood Song (Raven's Shadow, #1) by Anthony Ryan is a durable book or series choice, recognized for world-building, influence, storytelling and long-term readership.
Furies of Calderon (Codex Alera, #1)
Furies of Calderon (Codex Alera, #1) by Jim Butcher is a durable book or series choice, recognized for world-building, influence, storytelling and long-term readership.
The Earthsea Trilogy (Earthsea Cycle, #1-3)
The Earthsea Trilogy (Earthsea Cycle, #1-3) by Ursula K. Le Guin is a durable book or series choice, recognized for world-building, influence, storytelling and long-term readership.
The Dark Elf Trilogy Collector's Edition (Forgotten Realms: Dark Elf Trilogy, #1-3; Legend of Drizzt, #1-3)
The Dark Elf Trilogy Collector's Edition (Forgotten Realms: Dark Elf Trilogy, #1-3; Legend of Drizzt, #1-3) by R.A. Salvatore is a durable book or series choice, recognized for world-building, influence, storytelling and long-term readership.
The Dragonbone Chair (Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn, #1)
The Dragonbone Chair (Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn, #1) by Tad Williams is a durable book or series choice, recognized for world-building, influence, storytelling and long-term readership.
The Black Prism (Lightbringer, #1)
The Black Prism (Lightbringer, #1) by Brent Weeks is a durable book or series choice, recognized for world-building, influence, storytelling and long-term readership.
Fool's Errand (Tawny Man, #1)
Fool's Errand (Tawny Man, #1) by Robin Hobb is a durable book or series choice, recognized for world-building, influence, storytelling and long-term readership.
The Sword of Shannara Trilogy (Shannara, #1-3)
The Sword of Shannara Trilogy (Shannara, #1-3) by Terry Brooks is a durable book or series choice, recognized for world-building, influence, storytelling and long-term readership.
Warbreaker
Warbreaker by Brandon Sanderson is a durable book or series choice, recognized for world-building, influence, storytelling and long-term readership.
Theft of Swords (The Riyria Revelations, #1-2)
Theft of Swords (The Riyria Revelations, #1-2) by Michael J. Sullivan is a durable book or series choice, recognized for world-building, influence, storytelling and long-term readership.
The Neverending Story
The Neverending Story by Michael Ende is a durable book or series choice, recognized for world-building, influence, storytelling and long-term readership.
Alanna: The First Adventure (Song of the Lioness, #1)
Alanna: The First Adventure (Song of the Lioness, #1) by Tamora Pierce is a durable book or series choice, recognized for world-building, influence, storytelling and long-term readership.
The Great Book of Amber (The Chronicles of Amber, #1-10)
The Great Book of Amber (The Chronicles of Amber, #1-10) by Roger Zelazny is a durable book or series choice, recognized for world-building, influence, storytelling and long-term readership.