We’ve rounded up a list of the best fantasy books that will take you to another world. With intricate world-building, compelling characters, and epic battles, these series will leave you wanting more.
Paladin of Souls steers clear of the usual “hero finds his destiny” trope by following a middle-aged queen. This gritty fantasy takes place in a world that shifts from medieval to industrial and back again.
The Lord of the Rings
Tolkien’s epic, replete with dragons, trolls, and dwarfs, is a fantasy for the ages. It’s also an important historical book, drawing on Norse sources, especially the apocalyptic imagination of their mythology and sagas, to speak to the anxieties of his own era, when empires and kingdoms were collapsing during and immediately after World War I. Its central symbol, the Ring, draws on the legend of a magical ring forged by Odin that could multiply and consume all the things it touched. In fact, the whole story is rooted in Norse culture and history, from the name of Frodo’s companion, Sam, to Gandalf’s name, which references Odin’s staff and cloak of wisdom.
The Lord of the Rings is significant for its depiction of the struggle between good and evil. The books redefine heroism by allowing ordinary people, like Frodo Baggins and his friends, to become heroes in the face of great conflict. They also depict the conflict between industry and the natural environment, which Tolkien modeled after the conflict between Thornberry and Treebeard in his version of Middle-earth.
The incredible richness of the lands and peoples that Tolkien created, which Peter Jackson faithfully captured in the films, is one reason for the trilogy’s enduring popularity. Tolkien himself was fascinated by the relationship between art and mythological history, and the way in which a fictional universe can create its own reality. This is what he called ‘sub-creation’, and the way it can be experienced by readers, who enter his cosmos as characters on the journey to Mordor.
The Wheel of Time
A sprawling series that spans generations, The Wheel of Time offers a glimpse into what it means to be human. It is also one of the most epic fantasies in history, with an incredible amount of world-building woven into its story.
The world that Jordan created for his characters is full of magic and reincarnation. His use of a Wheel symbolizing the never-ending passage of time is on point, and he also drew heavily from eastern philosophies like Yin and Yang in his depiction of good and evil. It all works together beautifully, creating a world that feels lived in without overwhelming the viewer.
With a plot that spans multiple eras and generations, The Wheel of Time is about the battle between a hero known as the Dragon and an evil entity called the Dark One. This is a cycle that is repeated over and over again, generation after generation, with the Dragon always being reborn to face the Dark One. The books cover a wide range of subjects from politics and war to societal issues. They are all worth reading, and they’ll introduce many readers to fantasy for the first time.
When it comes to fantasy, there are few that are more epic than Robert Jordan’s The Wheel of Time. The series’ 15 hefty tomes took 29 years to complete, and Jordan died before finishing the final three. Steeped in fathoms-deep lore and enough plot threads to knit a scarf around the M25, this is a series that demands to be seen.
But for all of its grandeur, The Wheel of Time is ultimately dragged down by its own weight and attempts to twist itself into a Game of Thrones sequel. Whereas Thrones was a deeply human story of intrigue, incest, and treason with dragons and White Walkers kept on a low flame, The Wheel of Time wears its fantasy credentials on its wizardly sleeves.
The Inheritance Cycle
One of the most popular fantasy books ever written, The Inheritance Cycle is a tetralogy of epic novels that follow Eragon, a farm boy who discovers an egg that hatches into a dragon. With his new partner Saphira, he sets out to defeat the evil king Galbatorix and free his home land of Alagaesia from his tyranny. The series is known for its intricate world-building, well-developed characters, and thrilling action sequences. It was even turned into a movie, though the film version was widely panned by fans and critics.
The books are set in a magical world populated by humans, dwarves, elves, and dragons, among other races. The author has also created a made-up language, the Inheritance tongue, which adds to the charm and makes it easier for readers to get into the story.
Paolini wrote the first book in the series at age 15 and self-published it before landing a publishing deal. The Inheritance Cycle went on to become an international bestseller and has sold more than 35 million copies worldwide. The series has even been translated into more than twenty languages. It is a must-read for any fan of high fantasy.
Despite the high expectations that surrounded Inheritance, it was not as good as the other three books. It was not because of lack of surprises, but rather because much of what happened was foreshadowed and predicted in the preceding books.
Still, it is a great conclusion to a fantastic series. It has some excellent battle scenes, sets the stage for future stories, and introduces a whole host of wonderful characters. It also has some strong parallels to other classics, such as Star Wars, with the Dragon Riders reminiscent of Jedi (down to the unbreakable swords). Paolini has stated that he plans on writing another book set in Alagaesia, but it won’t be a sequel to the Inheritance Cycle.
The Shadow King
The story begins with the titular character Hirut, a woman who rises from lowly servant to proud warrior. This is a book of relationships—a tangle of lust, loyalty, jealousy, and resentment—but it’s also a story about war. Hirut is armed with a Wujigra, an ancient weapon “designed to deliver a single lethal shot with consistent accuracy.” It’s her most prized possession, and it becomes even more valuable when Mussolini invades Ethiopia in 1935.
Mengiste’s novel is a celebration of Africa’s forgotten heroes and their epic struggle against European colonisers. It’s also an important historical text. Few – if any – western nations have faced up adequately to their imperial past, and the level of collective amnesia in Italy is particularly severe.
As a result, The Shadow King’s depiction of the war is an invaluable reclamation of a lost history. But it is also a compelling exploration of the centrality of women to conflict. In her characters, Mengiste shows how women can fight willingly, despite the fact that conflict kills the men they love and depend upon. She also demonstrates how they can fight against domestic manifestations of patriarchy as well as the invaders.
During the invasion, one of the key members of the Ethiopian resistance is a peasant whose name translates directly to nothingness: Minim. But when Hirut notices his resemblance to Emperor Haile Selassie, who has left for England, Minim becomes the figurehead of Ethiopia’s reclaimed glory. Mengiste’s ambitious canvas stretches to include colliding perspectives, but her story remains gripping throughout. She celebrates the heroism of soldiers written out of history while exploring what it means to be a woman at war. Her lyrical prose is unputdownable.
The Bard’s Blade
The Bard’s Blade is a portal fantasy set in a world of musicians and winemakers. Lem is an immensely talented musician and Mariyah runs her family’s vineyard. They live a simple life in the town of Vylari, which is protected from the outside world by magic. However, a stranger arrives from Lamoria with a message that may change their lives forever.
It was easy to connect with the characters in The Bard’s Blade. It was refreshing to read a fantasy novel that didn’t have any over-the-top villains or unrealistic relationships. Lem and Mariyah are both intelligent, caring individuals that readers will find themselves rooting for throughout the story. The author also did a great job of showing the effects that music can have on people. Music is used to soothe, comfort, and distract from the constant violence and chaos that the characters are exposed to throughout the book.
This is a good entry into the portal fantasy genre and it’s definitely worth reading. However, it doesn’t really stand out from other books that have been written on this subject. This is mainly due to the fact that the idea of one world being kept magically separate from another is something that’s been done before.
If you’re interested in reading more about portal fantasy, check out the following books. The Wizard of Earthsea Trilogy by Ursula K. Le Guin. Catwings by Ursula K. Le Guin. Gifts by Ursula K. Legumin. Gathering Blue by Lois Lowry. All these novels explore similar themes of otherworlds and the impact that they have on our own. You’re sure to find one that resonates with you! Enjoy!