100 Fantasy Novels and Collections Everyone Should Read

Between the Harry Potter books and the Lord of the Rings movies, fantasy fiction has seen quite the resurgence in the last decade. But there are thousands, possibly millions, of fantasy novels and short story collections out there just waiting to be discovered by those unfamiliar with the genre. If you’re new to fantasy, the following list would be a good place to start your reading.

For purposes of this list, ancient works of the fantastic are not included. Only relatively modern works from the last century or so will be included. Author’s names will follow the title of the book. My apologies if your favorite book is not listed below.

  1. The Hobbit – J. R. R. Tolkien
  2. The Lord of the Rings – J. R. R. Tolkien
  3. The Hour of the Dragon – Robert E. Howard
  4. Bran Mak Morn – Robert E. Howard
  5. Kull: Exile of Atlantis – Robert E. Howard
  6. The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe – C. S. Lewis
  7. A Wizard of Earthsea – Ursula K. LeGuin
  8. Swords and Deviltry – Fritz Leiber
  9. Swords Against Death – Fritz Leiber
  10. Swords in the Mist – Fritz Leiber
  11. Swords Against Wizardry – Fritz Leiber
  12. The Swords of Lankhmar – Fritz Leiber
  13. Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone – J. K. Rowling
  14. The Sword of Shannara – Terry Brooks
  15. Thieves’ World – edited by Robert Lynn Asprin
  16. Tales from the Vulgar Unicorn – edited by Robert Lynn Asprin
  17. Shadows of Sanctuary – edited by Robert Lynn Asprin
  18. Another Fine Myth – Robert Lynn Asprin
  19. Sanctuary – Lynn Abbey
  20. Lord Foul’s Bane – Stephen R. Donaldson
  21. Split Infinity – Piers Anthony
  22. Chthon – Piers Anthony
  23. On a Pale Horse – Piers Anthony
  24. The Dragon and The George – Gordon R. Dickson
  25. Assassin’s Apprentice – Robin Hobb
  26. Elric of Melnibone – Michael Moorcock
  27. The Sailor on the Seas of Fate - Michael Moorcock
  28. The Weird of the White Wolf - Michael Moorcock
  29. The Eternal Champion - Michael Moorcock
  30. The Jewel in the Skull - Michael Moorcock
  31. The Knight of the Swords - Michael Moorcock
  32. Kushiel’s Dart – Jacqueline Carey
  33. Silver Phoenix – Cindy Pon
  34. American Gods – Neil Gaiman
  35. Anansi Boys – Neil Gaiman
  36. Neverwhere – Neil Gaiman
  37. Titus Groan – Mervyn Peake
  38. Gormenghast – Mervyn Peake
  39. The Colour of Magic – Terry Prachett
  40. Pyramids – Terry Prachett
  41. Gardens of the Moon – Steven Erikson
  42. Deadhouse Gates – Steven Erikson
  43. The Eye of the World – Robert Jordan
  44. Flashing Swords! #1 – edited by Lin Carter
  45. A Game of Thrones – George R. R. Martin
  46. Homeland – R. A. Salvatore
  47. Servant of the Shard – R. A. Salvatore
  48. The Crystal Shard – R. A. Salvatore
  49. Eragon – Christopher Paolini
  50. The King of Elfland’s Daughter – Lord Dunsany
  51. Northern Lights – Philip Pullman
  52. The Book of the New Sun – Gene Wolfe
  53. Soldier of the Mist – Gene Wolfe
  54. Perdido Street Station – China Mieville
  55. The Black Company – Glenn Cook
  56. The Last Unicorn – Peter S. Beagle
  57. Saga of Old City – Gary Gygax
  58. Return of the Sword – edited by Jason M. Waltz
  59. The Dying Earth – Jack Vance
  60. Swords Against Darkness #1 – edited by Andrew J. Offutt
  61. The Mists of Avalon – Marion Zimmer Bradley
  62. The Spell Sword – Marion Zimmer Bradley
  63. Ariel – Steven R. Boyett
  64. Legend – David Gemmell
  65. A Princess of Mars – Edgar Rice Burroughs
  66. The Princess Bride – William Goldman
  67. Midwinter – Matt Sturges
  68. Pawn of Prophecy – David Eddings
  69. Wizard’s First Rule – Terry Goodkind
  70. Nine Princes of Amber – Roger Zelazny
  71. The Guns of Avalon – Roger Zelazny
  72. Darkness Weaves – Karl Edward Wagner
  73. Dark Crusade – Karl Edward Wagner
  74. Bloodstone – Karl Edward Wagner
  75. Midnight Sun – Karl Edward Wagner
  76. Magician – Raymond E. Feist
  77. Dragons of Autumn Twilight – Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman 
  78. Dragons of Winter Night - Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman 
  79. Dragons of Spring Dawning - Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman 
  80. Black God’s Shadow – C. L. Moore
  81. Imaro – Charles R. Saunders
  82. The Quest for Cush – Charles R. Saunders
  83. The Collected Fantasies of Clark Ashton Smith – Clark Ashton Smith
  84. Spellsinger – Alan Dean Foster
  85. The Hour of the Gate – Alan Dean Foster
  86. Watership Down – Richard Adams
  87. The Stand – Stephen King
  88. The Gunslinger – Stephen King
  89. The Dark Tower – Stephen King
  90. The Book of Three – Lloyd Alexander
  91. Magic’s Pawn – Mercedes Lackey
  92. Dragonflight – Anne McCaffrey
  93. Dragonquest – Anne McCaffrey
  94. The White Dragon – Anne McCaffrey
  95. Sabriel – Garth Nix
  96. Redwall – Brian Jacques
  97. Outlander – Diana Gabaldon
  98. Daughter of the Blood – Anne Bishop
  99. Shadowmarch – Tad Williams
  100. City of Rogues – Ty Johnston

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Logical Misanthropy, horror and fantasy author’s blog

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1 Comment

  1. Posted July 24, 2010 at 6:50 am

    Jharmon’s article “100 Fantasy Novels and Collections Everyone Should Read” is the result of very wise reseach. The list of 100 Fantasy Novels and stories is most carefully chosen. Jharmon deserves admiration by all of us. I’m obliged to Triond that I have found some most talented authors like Jharmon.
    I’m unable to increase my earnings. Kindly advise, and read some of my writings on Triond so that traffic to my writings might increase a bit. In future also I shall comment on your articles.
    Santosh Kumar
    Peace poet
    Editor, cyberwit.net

    Read more: http://bookstove.com/fantasy/100-fantasy-novels-and-collections-everyone-should-read/#ixzz0uaxoGnM3

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