You’re not alone if you want to start a new fantasy series but feel a little overwhelmed by the sheer number of options available. Choosing a fantasy book is a commitment; you’re committing to thousands of pages, innumerable characters, and a world that, with any luck, will occupy your mind for months. The good news is that you can greatly improve your chances of discovering the next epic saga that really captivates you with a few clever tactics.
Let’s start by acknowledging that “best” is a subjective term. What is considered a ground-breaking masterpiece by one person may be difficult for another to comprehend. It’s worthwhile to consider what you genuinely like about a story before you even begin searching. What Sort of Enchantment Sets You Off?
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A lot of fantasy worlds rely on their magical systems. Consider Brandon Sanderson’s Cosmere, where each spell has a well-defined mechanism, if you’re interested in hard magic systems with stringent regulations and restrictions, where magic has a definite cost and social impact. Tolkien’s Middle-earth, with its ancient, almost innate magic, is a perfect example of soft magic, where the rules are more ambiguous and magic serves more to add wonder & atmosphere. Maybe you prefer a hybrid, where rules are hinted at but the general feeling of mystery persists.
Think about Patrick Rothfuss’s magic in The Kingkiller Chronicle; it feels both clearly defined and incredibly mysterious. The core of the narrative is its characters. While epic stories are fantastic, the characters are typically what draw us in.
Do You Think the Underdog Is Better? It is immensely satisfying to read about characters who begin small & develop into powerful individuals. The transformation of Harry Potter from a neglected orphan to a wizarding hero is a classic.
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Consider shows that let you see real growth and struggle. Or the Powerful Already? Examining the lives of people who are already successful or have natural talent can occasionally be fascinating.
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A tale about a strong queen navigating political intrigue or an experienced dragon rider confronting fresh dangers can be equally captivating. How Does Morality Fare? Grimdark fantasy frequently shines here, with flawed heroes and morally dubious villains. Are you drawn to characters who struggle with gray areas, making tough decisions where good & evil aren’t so clear-cut?
One well-known example is the Broken Empire trilogy by Mark Lawrence. Worldbuilding: The Basis of All. A well-developed fantasy world is a living, breathing thing rather than merely a background. Is it intricate and detailed?
Some writers create histories, cultures, and political environments that are remarkably detailed. Look for series that are renowned for their depth if you enjoy losing yourself in complex timelines, maps, and lore. The immersion is frequently unmatched, despite the fact that it can require a significant commitment. Or Looser and More Imaginative?
Other shows might concentrate on evoking a sense of wonder and a powerful atmosphere without overwhelming you with details. Even if a world’s precise mechanics aren’t fully explained, its feeling is crucial. Now that you know what you’re searching for, where can you find these series? Internet communities’ power. Here, the internet is your greatest ally. Fantasy communities are lively, enthusiastic, and enjoy exchanging recommendations.
The Fantasy Hubs on Reddit. Reddit’s r/Fantasy is a treasure trove. They have recommendation threads every week that are based on particular standards (e.g. A g. “recommend me a fantasy with a strong female protagonist,” “dark fantasy series under 10 books.”. They also have a lot of discussions and wiki pages.
It’s amazing how much information there is and how informed people are. Goodreads and StoryGraph. Goodreads and its more recent, data-driven sibling StoryGraph do more than just rate books; they also let you see what other people are reading, identify books that are similar to yours, and investigate tailored suggestions based on your past reading habits. Specifically, StoryGraph provides recommendations based on pace & mood, which can be very beneficial. Websites and blogs dedicated to fantasy. Fantasy literature is the subject of many blogs and websites.
A fast search for “fantasy book review sites” or “best fantasy series blog” will produce a large number of results. Seek out websites that seem to fit your preferences and produce consistently. Even “read-alongs” are available on some websites, which can be a fantastic way to find and talk about a series with others. Getting Around the Physical and Digital Book Store. The bookstore can still be a useful resource even in the digital age.
“If You Like This, Try That” is a section. Numerous physical and virtual bookshops will feature sections that are carefully chosen based on well-known authors & series.
Checking out what they suggest next can be a good place to start if you’ve liked something. Examining the recipients of awards. Award-winning television shows frequently garner critical praise and can be a reliable sign of excellent writing and storytelling, though this is not always a guarantee of personal enjoyment. Consider winners of the Hugo, Nebula, and World Fantasy awards.
Look up “best fantasy series award winners” quickly and see what comes up. Imprints from publishers. Fantasy-focused imprints from major publishers are common. Sometimes you can find a steady stream of writers and series that have a similar style or quality by looking into these imprints.
Now that you’ve identified a possible applicant, it’s time for a trial run. Take a test on “Page One.”. Don’t feel compelled to dedicate yourself to a full series right away. Many writers have a hook that captivates you in the first chapter. It’s acceptable to put it down if you’re not interested by page 50 (or even page 20 for some). Too many amazing books are waiting.
Seek Out Prominent Writers (and Their Early Works). Starting with a known quantity is sometimes a safer option. A good place to start is with writers who have a history of producing enjoyable television shows. Don’t be afraid of more recent writers, though, as they frequently push the envelope and offer novel viewpoints.
Even though their earlier pieces aren’t always as polished, they can occasionally have an extremely captivating raw energy. Examine Online Sample Chapters. The majority of online stores provide free sample chapters. This is a great, low-commitment method to gauge a series’ writing style, pacing, & initial plot engagement. It functions as a complimentary taste test prior to purchasing the entire meal. Knowing what to avoid, or at least approach cautiously, is just as crucial as knowing what to look for.
The effect known as “Drowning in Exposition.”. Some fantasy series can become bogged down in describing every little detail, particularly those that are older or have extremely complex worlds. Although lore is significant, you may be in for a slow burn that never ignites if the first 100 pages consist solely of historical context & geographical descriptions without any character or story development.
Tropes that are repeated without a twist. There are clichés in every genre. However, a series can feel stale if it relies too much on well-worn clichés without providing a novel viewpoint or a deft subversion.
The “chosen one” trope, for instance, is widely used. It may not be the best use of your time if it is carried out in a predictable manner. Excessively complicated prose that becomes a barrier. Even though some literary fantasy has complex prose, it might not be the best choice for you if the language is so dense and complex that it actively prevents you from understanding and enjoying it after a few chapters.
Having a challenge is one thing, but feeling like you need a dictionary & a decoder ring to get through it is quite another. Fantasy novels can be lengthy. incredibly long. Think about this before you jump right in. The Epic Saga vs. series that stands alone.
Are you hoping for a satisfying plot that ends in a manageable number of books, or are you looking for a multi-decade commitment with a lore so deep it rivals real-world history? Epic Sagas: Consider George R.R or Robert Jordan’s The Wheel of Time, which was finished by Brandon Sanderson. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire. These are significant projects. You are committing to a big chunk of your reading life when you begin one.
Immersion can be a huge reward, but there is no denying the time commitment. Self-Contained Series: Trilogies, quartets, or even just duologies make up a lot of great series. These provide a full storyline without the dedication of an expansive epic. Good examples are television shows like Scott Lynch’s The Lies of Locke Lamora & Brandon Sanderson’s Mistborn (first era). They usually provide a complete story in three to six books, complete with beginning, middle, and end. Release Time.
Take into account the author’s history of book releases if you’re launching an ongoing series, particularly a lengthy one. While some writers are renowned for moving at a steady but slow pace, others have had long intervals between works. If you detest waiting years for the next book, you might be better off sticking to finished series. When a series is finished, you can read it nonstop, which is a very different experience. Your Personal Reading Patterns.
Tell yourself the truth about how much time you actually have for reading. The sheer amount of time needed to finish a 14-book epic could be frustrating for a casual reader. However, if you are an avid reader, the longer the series, the better!
This is arguably the most crucial piece of guidance. If a book or series isn’t appealing to you, it’s acceptable to stop reading it. It doesn’t involve any shame.
You have valuable reading time. It’s probably time to move on from a series if it starts to feel more like a chore than enjoyable. Life is too short to push yourself through something you’re not enjoying, and there are so many incredible stories out there. Although many people feel bad about “DNFing” (Did Not Finish) a book, it’s an essential skill to have in the world of fantasy series because of the high level of dedication. It gives you the opportunity to discover the best series—those that will stay with you long after you’ve finished the book.
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