100 Best Fantasy Epic Books of All Time

We've ranked the best fantasy epic books using expert recommendations, sales data, and millions of reader ratings. At Shortform, we know books. Our book guides are the best in the world. Learn why.

The Hobbit book cover1

The Hobbit

J. R. R. Tolkien

5.0
Bilbo Baggins is a hobbit who enjoys a comfortable, unambitious life, rarely traveling any farther than his pantry or cellar. But his contentment is disturbed when the wizard Gandalf and a company of dwarves arrive on his doorstep one day to whisk him away on an adventure. They have launched a plot to raid the treasure hoard guarded by Smaug the Magnificent, a large and very dangerous dragon. Bilb
A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire, #1) book cover2

A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire, #1)

George R. R. Martin and Jeffrey Jones

5.0
Here is the first volume in George R. R. Martin’s magnificent cycle of novels that includes A Clash of Kings and A Storm of Swords. As a whole, this series comprises a genuine masterpiece of modern fantasy, bringing together the best the genre has to offer. Magic, mystery, intrigue, romance, and adventure fill these pages and transport us to a world unlike any we have ever experienced. Already hai
The Name of the Wind (The Kingkiller Chronicle, #1) book cover3

The Name of the Wind (The Kingkiller Chronicle, #1)

Patrick Rothfuss

5.0
Told in Kvothe's own voice, this is the tale of the magically gifted young man who grows to be the most notorious wizard his world has ever seen.

The intimate narrative of his childhood in a troupe of traveling players, his years spent as a near-feral orphan in a crime-ridden city, his daringly brazen yet successful bid to enter a legendary school of magic, and his life as a fugitive after the mur
The Lord of the Rings (The Lord of the Rings, #1-3) book cover4

The Lord of the Rings (The Lord of the Rings, #1-3)

J.R.R. Tolkien

4.9
One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them, One Ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them

In ancient times the Rings of Power were crafted by the Elven-smiths, and Sauron, the Dark Lord, forged the One Ring, filling it with his own power so that he could rule all others. But the One Ring was taken from him, and though he sought it throughout Middle-earth, it remained lost to him. A
A Clash of Kings (A Song of Ice and Fire, #2) book cover5

A Clash of Kings (A Song of Ice and Fire, #2)

George R. R. Martin

4.8
A comet the color of blood and flame cuts across the sky. Two great leaders—Lord Eddard Stark and Robert Baratheon—who hold sway over an age of enforced peace are dead, victims of royal treachery. Now, from the ancient citadel of Dragonstone to the forbidding shores of Winterfell, chaos reigns. Six factions struggle for control of a divided land and the Iron Throne of the Seven Kingdoms, preparing
A Storm of Swords (A Song of Ice and Fire, #3) book cover6

A Storm of Swords (A Song of Ice and Fire, #3)

George R. R. Martin

4.8
An alternate cover for this isbn can be found here.

Here is the third volume in George R.R. Martin's magnificent cycle of novels that includes A Game of Thrones and A Clash of Kings. Together, this series comprises a genuine masterpiece of modern fantasy, destined to stand as one of the great achievements of imaginative fiction.

Of the five contenders for power, one is dead, another in disfavor, and
The Way of Kings (The Stormlight Archive, #1) book cover7

The Way of Kings (The Stormlight Archive, #1)

Brandon Sanderson

4.8
I long for the days before the Last Desolation.

The age before the Heralds abandoned us and the Knights Radiant turned against us. A time when there was still magic in the world and honor in the hearts of men.

The world became ours, and yet we lost it. Victory proved to be the greatest test of all. Or was that victory illusory? Did our enemies come to recognize that the harder they fought, the fierc
A Feast for Crows (A Song of Ice and Fire, #4) book cover8

A Feast for Crows (A Song of Ice and Fire, #4)

George R. R. Martin

4.7
Crows will fight over a dead man's flesh, and kill each other for his eyes.

Bloodthirsty, treacherous and cunning, the Lannisters are in power on the Iron Throne in the name of the boy-king Tommen. The war in the Seven Kingdoms has burned itself out, but in its bitter aftermath new conflicts spark to life.

The Martells of Dorne and the Starks of Winterfell seek vengeance for their dead. Euron Crow's
The Return of the King (The Lord of the Rings, #3) book cover9

The Return of the King (The Lord of the Rings, #3)

J. R. R. Tolkien, Rob Inglis, et al

4.7
Alternate cover edition here.

The Companions of the Ring have become involved in separate adventures as the quest continues. Aragorn, revealed as the hidden heir of the ancient Kings of the West, joined with the Riders of Rohan against the forces of Isengard, and took part in the desperate victory of the Hornburg. Merry and Pippin, captured by Orcs, escaped into Fangorn Forest and there encountered
The Lord of the Rings book cover10

The Lord of the Rings

J.R.R. Tolkien, Dramatization, Ian Holm

4.7
A full-cast dramatization
approx. 4 hours
4 cassettes
J.R.R. Tolkien's
The Fellowship of the Ring
Order the audiobook today before the feature film release this holiday season.
J. R. R. Tolkien's groundbreaking epic of good versus evil, extraordinary heroes, wondrous creatures and dark armies of terror will be presented in a trilogy of feature films.
"The Fellowship of the Ring" - December 19, 2001
"T
The Final Empire (Mistborn, #1) book cover11

The Final Empire (Mistborn, #1)

Brandon Sanderson

4.7
Where ash falls from the sky, and mist dominates the night, evil cloaks the land and stifles all life. Criminal mastermind Kelsier teaches Allomancy, the magic of metals, to another Mistborn, urchin Vin 16. The unlikely heroine is distracted by rich Venture heir Elend. Can Kelsier's thieving crew take on the tyrant Lord Ruler and bring back colour to their world?
A Dance with Dragons (A Song of Ice and Fire, #5) book cover12

A Dance with Dragons (A Song of Ice and Fire, #5)

George R. R. Martin

4.7
In the aftermath of a colossal battle, the future of the Seven Kingdoms hangs in the balance—beset by newly emerging threats from every direction. In the east, Daenerys Targaryen, the last scion of House Targaryen, rules with her three dragons as queen of a city built on dust and death. But Daenerys has thousands of enemies, and many have set out to find her. As they gather, one young man embarks
The Eye of the World (Wheel of Time, #1) book cover13

The Eye of the World (Wheel of Time, #1)

Robert Jordan

4.6
When their village is attacked by trollocs, monsters thought to be only legends, three young men, Rand, Matt, and Perrin, flee in the company of the Lady Moiraine, a sinister visitor of unsuspected powers. Thus begins an epic adventure set in a world of wonders and horror, where what was, what will be, and what is, may yet fall under the Shadow.
The Two Towers (The Lord of the Rings, #2) book cover14

The Two Towers (The Lord of the Rings, #2)

J. R. R. Tolkien

4.6
The Fellowship was scattered. Some were bracing hopelessly for war against the ancient evil of Sauron. Some were contending with the treachery of the wizard Saruman. Only Frodo and Sam were left to take the accursed Ring of Power to be destroyed in Mordor–the dark Kingdom where Sauron was supreme. Their guide was Gollum, deceitful and lust-filled, slave to the corruption of the Ring. Thus continue
The Wise Man's Fear (The Kingkiller Chronicle, #2) book cover15

The Wise Man's Fear (The Kingkiller Chronicle, #2)

Patrick Rothfuss

4.6
There are three things all wise men fear: the sea in storm, a night with no moon, and the anger of a gentle man.

My name is Kvothe.
I have stolen princesses back from sleeping barrow kings. I burned down the town of Trebon. I have spent the night with Felurian and left with both my sanity and my life. I was expelled from the University at a younger age than most people are allowed in. I tread path
Words of Radiance (The Stormlight Archive, #2) book cover16

Words of Radiance (The Stormlight Archive, #2)

Brandon Sanderson

4.6
From #1 New York Times bestselling author Brandon Sanderson, Words of Radiance, Book Two of the Stormlight Archive, continues the immersive fantasy epic that The Way of Kings began.

Expected by his enemies to die the miserable death of a military slave, Kaladin survived to be given command of the royal bodyguards, a controversial first for a low-status "darkeyes." Now he must protect the king and D
The Hero of Ages (Mistborn, #3) book cover17

The Hero of Ages (Mistborn, #3)

Brandon Sanderson

4.6
Tricked into releasing the evil spirit Ruin while attempting to close the Well of Ascension, new emperor Elend Venture and his wife, the assassin Vin, are now hard-pressed to save the world.
The Great Hunt (The Wheel of Time, #2) book cover18

The Great Hunt (The Wheel of Time, #2)

Robert Jordan

4.5
The Wheel of Time turns and Ages come and pass. What was, what will be, and what is, may yet fall under the Shadow.

Let the Dragon ride again on the winds of time.
The Well of Ascension (Mistborn, #2) book cover19

The Well of Ascension (Mistborn, #2)

Brandon Sanderson

4.5
Vin, the street urchin who has grown into the most powerful Mistborn in the land, and Elend Venture, the idealistic young nobleman who loves her, must build a healthy new society in the ashes of an empire. Three separate armies attack. As the siege tightens, an ancient legend seems to offer a glimmer of hope. But even if it really exists, no one knows where to find the Well of Ascension or what ma
The Dragon Reborn (The Wheel of Time, #3) book cover20

The Dragon Reborn (The Wheel of Time, #3)

Robert Jordan

4.5
The Dragon Reborn—the leader long prophesied who will save the world, but in the saving destroy it; the savior who will run mad and kill all those dearest to him—is on the run from his destiny.

Able to touch the One Power, but unable to control it, and with no one to teach him how—for no man has done it in three thousand years—Rand al'Thor knows only that he must face the Dark One. But how?

Winter h
The Shadow Rising (The Wheel of Time, #4) book cover21

The Shadow Rising (The Wheel of Time, #4)

Robert Jordan

4.4
The seals of Shayol Ghul are weak now, and the Dark One reaches out. The Shadow is rising to cover humankind.

In Tar Valon, Min sees portents of hideous doom. Will the White Tower itself be broken?

In the Two Rivers, the Whitecloaks ride in pursuit of a man with golden eyes, and in pursuit of the Dragon Reborn.

In Cantorin, among the Sea Folk, High Lady Suroth plans the return of the Seanchan armies
Assassin's Apprentice (Farseer Trilogy, #1) book cover22

Assassin's Apprentice (Farseer Trilogy, #1)

Robin Hobb, Michael Whelan, John Howe

4.4
In a faraway land where members of the royal family are named for the virtues they embody, one young boy will become a walking enigma.

Born on the wrong side of the sheets, Fitz, son of Chivalry Farseer, is a royal bastard, cast out into the world, friendless and lonely. Only his magical link with animals - the old art known as the Wit - gives him solace and companionship. But the Wit, if used too
23

The Fires of Heaven (The Wheel of Time, #5)

Robert Jordan

4.4
The fifth book in Robert Jordan's internationally bestselling epic fantasy series, THE WHEEL OF TIME, now reissued with a stunning new cover design.

The bonds and wards that hold the Great Lord of the Dark are slowly failing, but still his fragile prison holds. The Forsaken, immortal servants of the shadow, weave their snares and tighten their grip upon the realms of men, sure in the knowledge tha
24

Oathbringer (The Stormlight Archive, #3)

Brandon Sanderson

4.4
In Oathbringer, the third volume of the New York Times bestselling Stormlight Archive, humanity faces a new Desolation with the return of the Voidbringers, a foe with numbers as great as their thirst for vengeance.

Dalinar Kholin's Alethi armies won a fleeting victory at a terrible cost: The enemy Parshendi summoned the violent Everstorm, which now sweeps the world with destruction, and in its pass
Wizard's First Rule (Sword of Truth, #1) book cover25

Wizard's First Rule (Sword of Truth, #1)

Terry Goodkind

4.3
In the aftermath of the brutal murder of his father, a mysterious woman, Kahlan Amnell, appears in Richard Cypher's forest sanctuary seeking help . . . and more.

His world, his very beliefs, are shattered when ancient debts come due with thundering violence. In a dark age it takes courage to live, and more than mere courage to challenge those who hold dominion, Richard and Kahlan must take up that
The Blade Itself (The First Law #1) book cover26

The Blade Itself (The First Law #1)

Joe Abercrombie

4.3
Logen Ninefingers, infamous barbarian, has finally run out of luck. Caught in one feud too many, he’s on the verge of becoming a dead barbarian – leaving nothing behind him but bad songs, dead friends, and a lot of happy enemies.

Nobleman Captain Jezal dan Luthar, dashing officer, and paragon of selfishness, has nothing more dangerous in mind than fleecing his friends at cards and dreaming of glor
27

The Gathering Storm (The Wheel of Time, #12)

Robert Jordan, Brandon Sanderson

4.3
The Wheel of Time turns and Ages come and go, leaving memories that become legend. Legend fades to myth, and even myth is long forgotten when the Age that gave it birth returns again. In the Third Age, an Age of Prophecy, the World and Time themselves hang in the balance. What was, what will be, and what is, may yet fall under the Shadow.

Tarmon Gai'don, the Last Battle, looms. And mankind is not r
28

Lord of Chaos (The Wheel of Time, #6)

Robert Jordan

4.3
In this sequel to the phenomenal New York Times bestseller The Fires of Heaven, we plunge again into Robert Jordan's extraordinarily rich, totally unforgettable world:

On the slopes of Shayol Ghul, the Myrddraal swords are forged, and the sky is not the sky of this world ...

In Salidar the White Tower in exile prepares an embassy to Caemlyn, where Rand Al'Thor, the Dragon Reborn, holds the throne --
The Lies of Locke Lamora (Gentleman Bastard, #1) book cover29

The Lies of Locke Lamora (Gentleman Bastard, #1)

Scott Lync

4.3
An orphan’s life is harsh—and often short—in the mysterious island city of Camorr. But young Locke Lamora dodges death and slavery, becoming a thief under the tutelage of a gifted con artist. As leader of the band of light-fingered brothers known as the Gentleman Bastards, Locke is soon infamous, fooling even the underworld’s most feared ruler. But in the shadows lurks someone still more ambitious
30

Warbreaker (Warbreaker, #1)

Brandon Sanderson, Alyssa Bresnahan, et al

4.3
This is the story of two sisters, who happen to be princesses. Theirs is a world in which those who die in glory return as gods to live confined to a pantheon in Hallandren's capital city. A world transformed by a power based on an essence known as breath. Using magic is arduous as breath can only be collected one unit at a time.
A Memory of Light (Wheel of Time, #14; A Memory of Light, #3) book cover31

A Memory of Light (Wheel of Time, #14; A Memory of Light, #3)

Brandon Sanderson, Robert Jordan

4.3
‘And it came to pass in those days, as it had come before and would come again, that the Dark lay heavy on the land and weighed down the hearts of men, and the green things failed, and hope died.’ – From Charal Drianaan te Calamon, The Cycle of the Dragon.

In the Field of Merrilor the rulers of the nations gather to join behind Rand al’Thor, or to stop him from his plan to break the seals on the Da
The Last Wish: Introducing the Witcher (The Witcher, #0.5) book cover32

The Last Wish: Introducing the Witcher (The Witcher, #0.5)

Andrzej Sapkowski

4.3
A special collector's edition of the New York Times bestselling novel that inspired the international hit video game: The Witcher.

Geralt of Rivia is a witcher. A cunning sorcerer. A merciless assassin.

And a cold-blooded killer.

His sole purpose: to destroy the monsters that plague the world.

But not everything monstrous-looking is evil and not everything fair is good. . . and in every fairy tale t
Eragon (The Inheritance Cycle #1) book cover33

Eragon (The Inheritance Cycle #1)

Christopher Paolini

4.3
One boy...
One dragon...
A world of adventure.

When Eragon finds a polished blue stone in the forest, he thinks it is the lucky discovery of a poor farm boy; perhaps it will buy his family meat for the winter. But when the stone brings a dragon hatchling, Eragon soon realizes he has stumbled upon a legacy nearly as old as the Empire itself.

Overnight his simple life is shattered, and he is thrust in
Pawn of Prophecy (The Belgariad, #1) book cover34

Pawn of Prophecy (The Belgariad, #1)

David Eddings

4.3
A magnificent epic set against a history of seven thousand years of the struggles of Gods and Kings and men - of strange lands and events - of fate and a prophecy that must be fulfilled! THE BELGARIAD

Long ago, so the Storyteller claimed, the evil God Torak sought dominion and drove men and Gods to war. But Belgarath the Sorcerer led men to reclaim the Orb that protected men of the West. So long as
35

Furies of Calderon (Codex Alera, #1)

Jim Butcher

4.3
For a thousand years, the people of Alera have united against the aggressive and threatening races that inhabit the world, using their unique bond with the furies - elementals of earth, air, fire, water, and metal.

But now, Gaius Sextus, First Lord of Alera, grows old and lacks an heir. Ambitious High Lords plot and maneuver to place their Houses in positions of power, and a war of succession loom
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone book cover36

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

J. K. Rowling

4.3
Harry Potter has never been the star of a Quidditch team, scoring points while riding a broom far above the ground. He knows no spells, has never helped to hatch a dragon, and has never worn a cloak of invisibility.

All he knows is a miserable life with the Dursleys, his horrible aunt and uncle, and their abominable son, Dudley - a great big swollen spoiled bully. Harry’s room is a tiny closet at t
37

Towers of Midnight (The Wheel of Time, #13)

Robert Jordan, Brandon Sanderson

4.3
The end draws near....

The Last Battle has started. The seals on the Dark One’s prison are crumbling. The Pattern itself is unraveling, and the armies of the Shadow have begun to boil out of the Blight.

The sun has begun to set upon the Third Age.

Perrin Aybara is now hunted by specters from his past: Whitecloaks, a slayer of wolves, and the responsibilities of leadership. All the while, an unseen fo
The Warded Man (Demon Cycle, #1) book cover38

The Warded Man (Demon Cycle, #1)

Peter V. Brett

4.2
As darkness falls after sunset, the corelings rise—demons who possess supernatural powers and burn with a consuming hatred of humanity. For hundreds of years the demons have terrorized the night, slowly culling the human herd that shelters behind magical wards—symbols of power whose origins are lost in myth and whose protection is terrifyingly fragile. It was not always this way. Once, men and wom
39

A Crown of Swords (The Wheel of Time, #7)

Robert Jordan

4.2
The Wheel of Time turns, and Ages come and go. What was, what will be, and what is, may yet fall under the Shadow.

Let the Dragon ride again on the winds of time.
Elantris (Elantris, #1) book cover40

Elantris (Elantris, #1)

Brandon Sanderson

4.2
Elantris was the capital of Arelon: gigantic, beautiful, literally radiant, filled with benevolent beings who used their powerful magical abilities for the benefit of all. Yet each of these demigods was once an ordinary person until touched by the mysterious transforming power of the Shaod. Ten years ago, without warning, the magic failed. Elantrians became wizened, leper-like, powerless creatures
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (Chronicles of Narnia, #1) book cover41

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (Chronicles of Narnia, #1)

C. S. Lewis, Kenneth Branagh, et al

4.2
Narnia...the land beyond the wardrobe door, a secret place frozen in eternal winter, a magical country waiting to be set free.

Lucy is the first to find the secret of the wardrobe in the professor's mysterious old house. At first her brothers and sister don't believe her when she tells of her visit to the land of Narnia. But soon Edmund, then Peter and Susan step through the wardrobe themselves. In
42

Knife of Dreams (The Wheel of Time, #11)

Robert Jordan

4.2
The Wheel of Time turns, and Robert Jordan gives us the eleventh volume of his extraordinary masterwork of fantasy.

The dead are walking, men die impossible deaths, and it seems as though reality itself has become unstable: All are signs of the imminence of Tarmon Gai'don, the Last Battle, when Rand al'Thor, the Dragon Reborn, must confront the Dark One as humanity's only hope. But Rand dares not
The Fifth Season (The Broken Earth, #1) book cover43

The Fifth Season (The Broken Earth, #1)

N. K. Jemisin

4.2
Three terrible things happen in a single day. Essun, masquerading as an ordinary schoolteacher in a quiet small town, comes home to find that her husband has brutally murdered their son and kidnapped their daughter. Mighty Sanze, the empire whose innovations have been civilization's bedrock for a thousand years, collapses as its greatest city is destroyed by a madman's vengeance. And worst of all,
44

The Path of Daggers (The Wheel of Time, #8)

Robert Jordan

4.2
The Seanchan invasion force is in possession of Ebou Dar. Nynaeve, Elayne, and Aviendha head for Caemlyn and Elayne's rightful throne, but on the way they discover an enemy much worse than the Seanchan.

In Illian, Rand vows to throw the Seanchan back as he did once before. But signs of madness are appearing among the Asha'man.

In Ghealdan, Perrin faces the intrigues of Whitecloaks, Seanchan invaders
45

Magician's Gambit (The Belgariad, #3)

David Eddings

4.2
Ce'Nedra, Imperial Princess of Tolnedra, is confused. Everyone knows the tales of the Orb protecting the West from the evil god Torak are just silly legends. But here she is, forced to join a dangerous quest to recover that stolen Orb. No one believes in sorcery, but Garion's aunt and grandfather seem to be the fabled sorcerers Polgara and Belgarath, who would have to be thousands of years old.

Eve
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (Harry Potter, #3) book cover46

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (Harry Potter, #3)

J.K. Rowling

4.2
For Twelve long years, the dread fortress of Azkaban held an infamous prisoner named Sirius Black. Convicted of killing thirteen people with a single curse, he was said to be the heir apparent to the Dark Lord, Voldemort.

Now he has escaped, leaving only two clues as to where he might be headed: Harry Potter's defeat of You-Know-Who was Black's downfall as well. And the Azkaban guards heard Black m
Enchanters' End Game (The Belgariad, #5) book cover47

Enchanters' End Game (The Belgariad, #5)

David Eddings

4.2
THE DRIVE OF PROPHECY

The quest was over. The Orb of Aldur was restored. And once again, with the crowning of Garion, there was a descendant of Riva Iron-grip to rule as Overlord of the West.

But the Prophecy was unfulfilled. In the east, the evil God Torak was about to awaken and seek dominion. Somehow, Garion had to face the God, to kill or be killed. On the outcome of that dread duel rested the d
Royal Assassin (Farseer Trilogy, #2) book cover48

Royal Assassin (Farseer Trilogy, #2)

Robin Hobb, Stephen Youl, et al

4.2
Fitz has survived his first hazardous mission as king’s assassin, but is left little more than a cripple. Battered and bitter, he vows to abandon his oath to King Shrewd, remaining in the distant mountains. But love and events of terrible urgency draw him back to the court at Buckkeep, and into the deadly intrigues of the royal family.

Renewing their vicious attacks on the coast, the Red-Ship Raide
49

Castle of Wizardry (The Belgariad, #4)

David Eddings

4.2
A magnificent epic set against a history of seven thousand years of the struggles of Gods and Kings and men - of strange lands and events - of fate and a prophecy that must be fulfilled!

THE BELGARIAD

It had all begun with the theft of the Orb that had so long protected the West from the evil God Torak. Before that, Garion had been a simple farm boy. Afterward, he discovered that his aunt was really
Blood Song (Raven's Shadow, #1) book cover50

Blood Song (Raven's Shadow, #1)

Anthony Ryan

4.2
“The Sixth Order wields the sword of justice and smites the enemies of the Faith and the Realm.”

Vaelin Al Sorna was only a child of ten when his father left him at the iron gate of the Sixth Order. The Brothers of the Sixth Order are devoted to battle, and Vaelin will be trained and hardened to the austere, celibate, and dangerous life of a Warrior of the Faith. He has no family now save the Order
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (Harry Potter, #4) book cover51

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (Harry Potter, #4)

J.K. Rowling

4.2
It is the summer holidays, and one night Harry Potter wakes up with his scar burning. He has had a strange dream, one that he can't help worrying about...until a timely invitation from Ron Weasley arrives: to nothing less than the Quidditch World Cup!

Soon Harry is reunited with Ron and Hermione and gasping at the thrills of an international Quidditch match. But then something horrible happens whic
A Song of Ice and Fire series: 5-Book Boxed Set book cover52

A Song of Ice and Fire series: 5-Book Boxed Set

George R. R. Martin

4.2
For the first time, all five novels in the epic fantasy series that inspired HBO's "Game of Thrones "are together in one boxed set. An immersive entertainment experience unlike any other, A Song of Ice and Fire has earned George R. R. Martin--dubbed "the American Tolkien" by "Time" magazine--international acclaim and millions of loyal readers. Now here is the entire monumental cycle:
A GAME OF THR
Gardens of the Moon (Malazan Book of the Fallen, #1) book cover53

Gardens of the Moon (Malazan Book of the Fallen, #1)

Steven Erikson

4.2
The Malazan Empire simmers with discontent, bled dry by interminable warfare, bitter infighting and bloody confrontations with the formidable Anomander Rake and his Tiste Andii, ancient and implacable sorcerers. Even the imperial legions, long inured to the bloodshed, yearn for some respite. Yet Empress Laseen's rule remains absolute, enforced by her dread Claw assassins.

For Sergeant Whiskeyjack a
The Silmarillion book cover54

The Silmarillion

J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien

4.2
A number-one New York Times bestseller when it was originally published, THE SILMARILLION is the core of J.R.R. Tolkien's imaginative writing, a work whose origins stretch back to a time long before THE HOBBIT.
Tolkien considered THE SILMARILLION his most important work, and, though it was published last and posthumously, this great collection of tales and legends clearly sets the stage for all his
55

Queen of Sorcery (The Belgariad, #2)

David Eddings

4.2
The Trail of Prophecy...

Legends told of how the evil God Torak had coveted the power of the Orb of Aldur, until defeated in a final battle. But prophecy spoke of a time when he would awake and again seek dominance over the world. Now the Orb has been stolen by a priest of Torak, and that time was at hand.

The master Sorcerer Belgarath and his daughter Polgara the arch-Sorceress were on the trail o
Before They Are Hanged (The First Law, #2) book cover56

Before They Are Hanged (The First Law, #2)

Joe Abercrombie

4.2
Superior Glokta has a problem. How do you defend a city surrounded by enemies and riddled with traitors, when your allies can by no means be trusted, and your predecessor vanished without a trace? It’s enough to make a torturer want to run – if he could even walk without a stick.

Northmen have spilled over the border of Angland and are spreading fire and death across the frozen country. Crown Princ
57

Assassin's Quest (Farseer Trilogy, #3)

Robin Hob

4.2
King Shrewd is dead at the hands of his son Regal. As is Fitz—or so his enemies and friends believe. But with the help of his allies and his beast magic, he emerges from the grave, deeply scarred in body and soul. The kingdom also teeters toward ruin: Regal has plundered and abandoned the capital, while the rightful heir, Prince Verity, is lost to his mad quest—perhaps to death. Only Verity’s retu
58

Theft of Swords (The Riyria Revelations, #1-2)

Michael J. Sullivan

4.2
THEY KILLED THE KING. THEY PINNED IT ON TWO MEN. THEY CHOSE POORLY.

There's no ancient evil to defeat or orphan destined for greatness, just unlikely heroes and classic adventure. Royce Melborn, a skilled thief, and his mercenary partner, Hadrian Blackwater, are two enterprising rogues who end up running for their lives when they're framed for the murder of the king. Trapped in a conspiracy that go
59

Winter's Heart (The Wheel of Time, #9)

Robert Jordan

4.2
Rand is on the run with Min, and in Cairhein, Cadsuane is trying to figure out where he is headed. Rand's destination is, in fact, one she has never considered.

Mazrim Taim, leader of the Black Tower, is revealed to be a liar. But what is he up to?

Faile, with the Aiel Maidens, Bain and Chiad, and her companions, Queen Alliandre and Morgase, is prisoner of Savanna's sept.

Perrin is desperately search
60

The Dragonbone Chair (Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn, #1)

Tad Williams

4.1
A war fueled by the powers of dark sorcery is about to engulf the peaceful land of Osten Ard—for Prester John, the High King, lies dying. And with his death, the Storm King, the undead ruler of the elf-like Sithi, seizes the chance to regain his lost realm through a pact with the newly ascended king. Knowing the consequences of this bargain, the king’s younger brother joins with a small, scattered
The Black Prism (Lightbringer, #1) book cover61

The Black Prism (Lightbringer, #1)

Brent Weeks

4.1
Guile is the Prism, the most powerful man in the world. He is high priest and emperor, a man whose power, wit, and charm are all that preserves a tenuous peace. Yet Prisms never last, and Guile knows exactly how long he has left to live.

When Guile discovers he has a son, born in a far kingdom after the war that put him in power, he must decide how much he's willing to pay to protect a secret that
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (Harry Potter, #5) book cover62

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (Harry Potter, #5)

J. K. Rowling

4.1
Dumbledore lowered his hands and surveyed Harry through his half-moon glasses. 'It is time,' he said, 'for me to tell you what I should have told you five years ago, Harry. Please sit down. I am going to tell you everything.'

Harry Potter is due to start his fifth year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizadry. He is desperate to get back to school and find out why his friends Ron and Hermione
Kushiel's Dart (Phèdre's Trilogy, #1) book cover63

Kushiel's Dart (Phèdre's Trilogy, #1)

Jacqueline Carey

4.1
The land of Terre d'Ange is a place of unsurpassing beauty and grace. It is said that angels found the land and saw it was good... and the ensuing race that rose from the seed of angels and men live by one simple rule: Love as thou wilt.

Phèdre nó Delaunay is a young woman who was born with a scarlet mote in her left eye. Sold into indentured servitude as a child, her bond is purchased by Anafiel
64

Magician: Apprentice (The Riftwar Saga, #1)

Raymond E. Feist

4.1
An alternate cover edition of this ISBN can be found here.

To the forest on the shore of the Kingdom of the Isles, the orphan Pug came to study with the master magician Kulgan. His courage won him a place at court and the heart of a lovely Princess, but he was ill at ease with normal wizardry. Yet his strange magic may save two worlds from dark beings who opened spacetime to renew the age-old battl
The Alloy of Law (Mistborn, #4) book cover65

The Alloy of Law (Mistborn, #4)

Brandon Sanderson

4.1
Three hundred years after the events of the Mistborn trilogy, Scadrial is now on the verge of modernity, with railroads to supplement the canals, electric lighting in the streets and the homes of the wealthy, and the first steel-framed skyscrapers racing for the clouds.

Kelsier, Vin, Elend, Sazed, Spook, and the rest are now part of history—or religion. Yet even as science and technology are reachi
The Way of Shadows (Night Angel, #1) book cover66

The Way of Shadows (Night Angel, #1)

Brent Weeks

4.1
From New York Times Bestselling author Brent Weeks...
For Durzo Blint, assassination is an art-and he is the city's most accomplished artist.

For Azoth, survival is precarious. Something you never take for granted. As a guild rat, he's grown up in the slums, and learned to judge people quickly - and to take risks. Risks like apprenticing himself to Durzo Blint.

But to be accepted, Azoth must turn h
Eldest (The Inheritance Cycle, #2) book cover67

Eldest (The Inheritance Cycle, #2)

Christopher Paolini

4.1
Darkness falls…despair abounds…evil reigns…Eragon and his dragon, Saphira, have just saved the rebel state from destruction by the mighty forces of King Galbatorix, cruel ruler of the Empire. Now Eragon must travel to Ellesmera, land of the elves, for further training in the skills of the Dragon Rider. Ages 12+.

Darkness falls…despair abounds…evil reigns…

Eragon and his dragon, Saphira, have just sa
Red Seas Under Red Skies (Gentleman Bastard, #2) book cover68

Red Seas Under Red Skies (Gentleman Bastard, #2)

Scott Lynch, Michael Page, et al

4.1
Librarian note: An older cover for this edition can be found here: 31-Jul-2007.

After a brutal battle with the underworld that nearly destroyed him, Locke Lamora and his trusted sidekick, Jean, fled the island city of their birth and landed on the exotic shores of Tal Verrar to nurse their wounds. But even at this westernmost edge of civilization, they can't rest for long---and they are soon back d
A Wizard of Earthsea book cover69

A Wizard of Earthsea

Ursula K. Le Guin

4.1
Ged, the greatest sorcerer in all Earthsea, was called Sparrowhawk in his reckless youth.

Hungry for power and knowledge, Sparrowhawk tampered with long-held secrets and loosed a terrible shadow upon the world. This is the tale of his testing, how he mastered the mighty words of power, tamed an ancient dragon, and crossed death's threshold to restore the balance.
The Bands of Mourning (Mistborn, #6) book cover70

The Bands of Mourning (Mistborn, #6)

Brandon Sanderson, Michael Kramer, et al

4.1
From #1 New York Times bestselling author Brandon Sanderson, the Mistborn series is a heist story of political intrigue and magical, martial-arts action.

Three hundred years after the events of the Mistborn trilogy, Scadrial is now on the verge of modernity, with railroads to supplement the canals, electric lighting in the streets and the homes of the wealthy, and the first steel-framed skyscraper
Shadows of Self (Mistborn, #5) book cover71

Shadows of Self (Mistborn, #5)

Brandon Sanderson

4.1
Shadows of Self shows Mistborn’s society evolving as technology and magic mix, the economy grows, democracy contends with corruption, and religion becomes a growing cultural force, with four faiths competing for converts.

This bustling, optimistic, but still shaky society now faces its first instance of terrorism, crimes intended to stir up labor strife and religious conflict. Wax and Wayne, assist
72

The Seeress of Kell (The Malloreon, #5)

David Eddings, Bk. 5

4.1
Now in the final stages of their quest for his son, Garion and his companions travel to Kell to consult the only undamaged copy of the Malloreon Gospels. For centuries the Seers have guarded this book from the Grolims and even had their wizards put a curse of blindness on any Grolim who tried to enter Kell.

So, as proclaimed in Guardians of the West, Belgarion the Godslayer sets out with those who
Belgarath the Sorcerer book cover73

Belgarath the Sorcerer

David Eddings, Leigh Eddings

4.1
Bestselling authors David and Leigh Eddings welcome readers back to the time before The Belgariad and The Malloreon series. Join them as they chronicle that fateful conflict between two mortally opposed Destinies, in a monumental war of men and kings and Gods.

When the world was young and Gods still walked among their mortal children, a headstrong orphan boy set out to explore the world. Thus began
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Harry Potter, #7) book cover74

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Harry Potter, #7)

J. K. Rowling, Mary GrandPré

4.1
Harry Potter is leaving Privet Drive for the last time. But as he climbs into the sidecar of Hagrid’s motorbike and they take to the skies, he knows Lord Voldemort and the Death Eaters will not be far behind.

The protective charm that has kept him safe until now is broken. But the Dark Lord is breathing fear into everything he loves. And he knows he can’t keep hiding.

To stop Voldemort, Harry knows
Brisingr (The Inheritance Cycle, #3) book cover75

Brisingr (The Inheritance Cycle, #3)

Christopher Paolini

4.1
Oaths sworn... loyalties tested... forces collide.

It's been only months since Eragon first uttered "brisingr", an ancient language term for fire. Since then, he's not only learned to create magic with words — he's been challenged to his very core. Following the colossal battle against the Empires warriors on the Burning Plains, Eragon and his dragon, Saphira, have narrowly escaped with their lives
76

Crossroads of Twilight (The Wheel of Time, #10)

Robert Jordan

4.1
In the tenth book of The Wheel of Time from the New York Times #1 bestselling author Robert Jordan, the world and the characters stand at a crossroads, and the world approaches twilight, when the power of the Shadow grows stronger.

Fleeing from Ebou Dar with the kidnapped Daughter of the Nine Moons, whom he is fated to marry, Mat Cauthon learns that he can neither keep her nor let her go, not in sa
77

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (Harry Potter, #6)

J.K. Rowling

4.1
The war against Voldemort is not going well; even Muggle governments are noticing. Ron scans the obituary pages of the Daily Prophet, looking for familiar names. Dumbledore is absent from Hogwarts for long stretches of time, and the Order of the Phoenix has already suffered losses.

And yet . . .

As in all wars, life goes on. The Weasley twins expand their business. Sixth-year students learn to Appar
Cursor's Fury (Codex Alera, #3) book cover78

Cursor's Fury (Codex Alera, #3)

Jim Butcher

4.1
The power-hungry High Lord of Kalare has launched a rebellion against the aging First Lord, Gaius Sextus, who with the loyal forces of Alera must fight beside the unlikeliest of allies-the equally contentious High Lord of Aquitaine.

Meanwhile, young Tavi of Calderon joins a newly formed legion under an assumed name even as the ruthless Kalare unites with the Canim, bestial enemies of the realm who
Last Argument of Kings (The First Law, #3) book cover79

Last Argument of Kings (The First Law, #3)

Joe Abercrombie

4.1
The end is coming. Logen Ninefingers might only have one more fight in him but it's going to be a big one. Battle rages across the North, the King of the Northmen still stands firm, and there's only one man who can stop him. His oldest friend, and his oldest enemy. It's past time for the Bloody-Nine to come home.

With too many masters and too little time, Superior Glokta is fighting a different ki
King of the Murgos (The Malloreon, #2) book cover80

King of the Murgos (The Malloreon, #2)

David Eddings, Bk. 2

4.1
In this second book of The Malloreon, Garion and Ce'nedra continue the quest begun in Guardians of the West. In their party travel the immortal Belgarath the Sorcerer, his daughter Polgara the Sorceress, and the little Drasnian, Silk.

Garion knows that it is the mysterious figure Zandramas who is responsible for the abduction of his infant son, and he and his companions journey many miles and encou
Stone of Tears (Sword of Truth, #2) book cover81

Stone of Tears (Sword of Truth, #2)

Terry Goodkind

4.0
In Wizard's First Rule, Richard Cypher's world was turned upside down. Once a simple woods guide, Richard was forced to become the Seeker of Truth, to save the world from the vile dominance of Darken Rahl, the most viciously savage and powerful wizard the world had ever seen. He was joined on this epic quest by his beloved Kahlan, the only survivor among the Confessors, who brought a powerful but
The Curse of Chalion (World of the Five Gods, #1) book cover82

The Curse of Chalion (World of the Five Gods, #1)

Lois McMaster Bujold

4.0
A man broken in body and spirit, Cazaril, has returned to the noble household he once served as page, and is named, to his great surprise, as the secretary-tutor to the beautiful, strong-willed sister of the impetuous boy who is next in line to rule.

It is an assignment Cazaril dreads, for it will ultimately lead him to the place he fears most, the royal court of Cardegoss, where the powerful enem
83

The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms (Inheritance, #1)

N.K. Jemisin

4.0
Yeine Darr is an outcast from the barbarian north. But when her mother dies under mysterious circumstances, she is summoned to the majestic city of Sky. There, to her shock, Yeine is named an heiress to the king. But the throne of the Hundred Thousand Kingdoms is not easily won, and Yeine is thrust into a vicious power struggle.
Demon Lord of Karanda (The Malloreon, #3) book cover84

Demon Lord of Karanda (The Malloreon, #3)

David Eddings

4.0
Captives of His Imperial Majesty...

Zandramas had stolen King Garion's infant son and fled to use the child in some ritual that would make the Dark Destiny supreme. Garion and his friends had followed, but now they were captives of Zakath, Emperor of Mallorea, who, while friendly, stubbornly refused to let them leave.

Meanwhile, a horde of demons was ravaging the cities through which they must trav
The Desert Spear (Demon Cycle, #2) book cover85

The Desert Spear (Demon Cycle, #2)

Peter V. Brett

4.0
The sun is setting on humanity. The night now belongs to voracious demons that prey upon a dwindling population forced to cower behind half-forgotten symbols of power.

Legends tell of a Deliverer: a general who once bound all mankind into a single force that defeated the demons. But is the return of the Deliverer just another myth? Perhaps not.

Out of the desert rides Ahmann Jardir, who has forged
The Keeper Chronicles: The Complete Trilogy book cover86

The Keeper Chronicles: The Complete Trilogy

JA Andrews

4.0
★★★★★ "A mage, a dwarf, and an elf walk into a tavern...
The Keeper Chronicles are everything I want in epic fantasy."




When Mallon the Undying threatened the land years ago, the elves stopped him-and then disappeared.



Now Mallon's followers seek to bring him back to finish what he started.

Only the Keepers-storytellers, historians, and magic-wielders-are left to stand against them.

Alaric, who betrayed
87

Ship of Magic (Liveship Traders, #1)

Robin Hobb

4.0
Wizardwood, a sentient wood.
The most precious commodity in the world.
Like many other legendary wares, it comes only from the Rain River Wilds.

But how can one trade with the Rain Wilders, when only a liveship fashioned from wizardwood can negotiate the perilous waters of the Rain River? Rare and valuable a liveship will quicken only when three members, from successive generations, have died on boar
88

Temple of the Winds (Sword of Truth, #4)

Terry Goodkind, Dick Hill, et al

4.0
Book Four of The Sword of Truth returns listeners to the world of Richard Cypher, a simple woods guide who never dreamed he would be named the Seeker of Truth and become caught up in magic, war, and dangers so extraordinary that the fate of his entire world would hang on his actions and decisions.

The dangerous, fanatical Imperial Order, under the leadership of the power-mad Emperor Jagang and his
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (Harry Potter, #2) book cover89

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (Harry Potter, #2)

J.K. Rowling

4.0
The Dursleys were so mean and hideous that summer that all Harry Potter wanted was to get back to the Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry. But just as he's packing his bags, Harry receives a warning from a strange, impish creature named Dobby who says that if Harry Potter returns to Hogwarts, disaster will strike

And strike it does. For in Harry's second year at Hogwarts, fresh torments and
Sorceress of Darshiva (The Malloreon, #4) book cover90

Sorceress of Darshiva (The Malloreon, #4)

David Eddings

4.0
The Endless Quest...

Troubles and delays continued to mount as Garion, Belgarath, Polgara, and the company pursued Zandramas across the known world. Possessed by the Dark Destiny, she had stolen Garion's infant son for a ritual that would destroy all that men valued.

She was always one step ahead, taunting and spying on them, flying over in the form of a great dragon. Her armies, led by a Demon Lor
91

The Sword of Shannara (The Original Shannara Trilogy, #1)

Terry Brooks

4.0
Living in peaceful Shady Vale, Shea Ohmsford knew little of the troubles that plagued the rest of the world. Then the giant, forbidding Allanon revealed that the supposedly dead Warlock Lord was plotting to destroy the world. The sole weapon against this Power of Darkness was the Sword of Shannara, which could only be used by a true heir of Shannara--Shea being the last of the bloodline, upon whom
Guardians of the West (The Malloreon, #1) book cover92

Guardians of the West (The Malloreon, #1)

David Eddings

4.0
Garion has slain the evil God Torak and been crowned King of Riva. The Prophecy was fulfilled—or so it seemed. While the strange child Errand was growing up in the Vale of Aldur with Polgara and Durnik, showing only occasional flashes of inexplicable knowledge and power, Garion was learning to rule and to be the husband of his fiery little Queen Ce’Nedra. Eleven years passed.

Then suddenly the Voic
93

Fool's Errand (Tawny Man, #1)

Robin Hobb

4.0
Fifteen years have passed since the end of the Red Ship War with the terrifying Outislanders. Since then, Fitz has wandered the world accompanied only by his wolf and Wit-partner, Nighteyes, finally settling in a tiny cottage as remote from Buckkeep and the Farseers as possible.

But lately the world has come crashing in again. The Witted are being persecuted because of their magical bonds with anim
94

Blood of the Fold (Sword of Truth, #3)

Terry Goodkind

4.0
There is an alternate cover edition here.

Richard comes to terms with his true identity as a War Wizard. The New World, and all the freedom of humankind, is under threat from the Imperial Order after he had brought down the barrier between the Old and New World. The Imperial Order has already sent delegations and armies into the New World. Richard's only option to stop the invasion is to claim his
95

Kushiel's Avatar (Phèdre's Trilogy, #3)

Jacqueline Carey

4.0
The land of Terre d'Ange is a place of unsurpassed beauty and grace. It's inhabited by the race that rose from the seed of angels, and they live by one simple rule: Love as thou wilt.

Phèdre nó Delaunay was sold into indentured servitude as a child. Her bond was purchased by a nobleman who recognized that she was pricked by Kushiel's dart, chosen to forever experience pain and pleasure as one. Phèd
Promise of Blood (The Powder Mage, #1) book cover96

Promise of Blood (The Powder Mage, #1)

Brian McClellan

4.0
Field Marshal Tamas' coup against his king sent corrupt aristocrats to the guillotine and brought bread to the starving. But it also provoked war with the Nine Nations, internal attacks by royalist fanatics, and greedy scrambling for money and power by Tamas's supposed allies: the Church, workers unions, and mercenary forces. Stretched to his limit, Tamas is relying heavily on his few remaining po
97

A Storm of Swords: Blood and Gold (A Song of Ice and Fire, #3: Part 2 of 2)

George R. R. Martin

4.0
The Starks are scattered.

Robb Stark may be King in the North, but he must bend to the will of the old tyrant Walder Frey if he is to hold his crown. And while his youngest sister, Arya, has escaped the clutches of the depraved Cersei Lannister and her son, the capricious boy-king Joffrey, Sansa Stark remains their captive.

Meanwhile, across the ocean, Daenerys Stormborn, the last heir of the Dragon
Kushiel's Chosen (Phèdre's Trilogy, #2) book cover98

Kushiel's Chosen (Phèdre's Trilogy, #2)

Jacqueline Carey

4.0
Mighty Kushiel, of rod and weal
Late of the brazen portals
With blood-tipp'd dart a wound unhealed
Pricks the eyen of chosen mortals


The land of Terre d'Ange is a place of unsurpassed beauty and grace. The inhabiting race rose from the seed of angels and men, and they live by one simple rule: Love as thou wilt.

Phèdre nó Delaunay was sold into indentured servitude as a child. Her bond was purchased by
Faith of the Fallen (Sword of Truth, #6) book cover99

Faith of the Fallen (Sword of Truth, #6)

Terry Goodkind

4.0
There is an alternate cover edition here.

As his beloved Kahlan lies close to death, Richard Rahl, who distrusts prophecy more than anyone, is confronted by a compelling vision - one that bears a terrible price. It would mean taking Kahlan away to safety while abandoning his people to a grim fate.

As savage hordes stand poised to invade their homeland, Richard and Kahlan's devotion, not only to each
100

Heir of Novron (The Riyria Revelations, #5-6)

Michael J. Sullivan

4.0
An alternative cover for this ISBN can be found here

A FORCED WEDDING. A DOUBLE EXECUTION. TWO THIEVES HAVE OTHER PLANS.

The New Empire intends to celebrate its victory over the Nationalists with a day that will never be forgotten. On the high holiday of Wintertide, they plan to execute two traitors (Degan Gaunt and the Witch of Melengar) as well as force the Empress into a marriage of their own de