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.
- The Hobbit – J. R. R. Tolkien
- The Lord of the Rings – J. R. R. Tolkien
- The Hour of the Dragon – Robert E. Howard
- Bran Mak Morn – Robert E. Howard
- Kull: Exile of Atlantis – Robert E. Howard
- The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe – C. S. Lewis
- A Wizard of Earthsea – Ursula K. LeGuin
- Swords and Deviltry – Fritz Leiber
- Swords Against Death – Fritz Leiber
- Swords in the Mist – Fritz Leiber
- Swords Against Wizardry – Fritz Leiber
- The Swords of Lankhmar – Fritz Leiber
- Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone – J. K. Rowling
- The Sword of Shannara – Terry Brooks
- Thieves’ World – edited by Robert Lynn Asprin
- Tales from the Vulgar Unicorn – edited by Robert Lynn Asprin
- Shadows of Sanctuary – edited by Robert Lynn Asprin
- Another Fine Myth – Robert Lynn Asprin
- Sanctuary – Lynn Abbey
- Lord Foul’s Bane – Stephen R. Donaldson
- Split Infinity – Piers Anthony
- Chthon – Piers Anthony
- On a Pale Horse – Piers Anthony
- The Dragon and The George – Gordon R. Dickson
- Assassin’s Apprentice – Robin Hobb
- Elric of Melnibone – Michael Moorcock
- The Sailor on the Seas of Fate - Michael Moorcock
- The Weird of the White Wolf - Michael Moorcock
- The Eternal Champion - Michael Moorcock
- The Jewel in the Skull - Michael Moorcock
- The Knight of the Swords - Michael Moorcock
- Kushiel’s Dart – Jacqueline Carey
- Silver Phoenix – Cindy Pon
- American Gods – Neil Gaiman
- Anansi Boys – Neil Gaiman
- Neverwhere – Neil Gaiman
- Titus Groan – Mervyn Peake
- Gormenghast – Mervyn Peake
- The Colour of Magic – Terry Prachett
- Pyramids – Terry Prachett
- Gardens of the Moon – Steven Erikson
- Deadhouse Gates – Steven Erikson
- The Eye of the World – Robert Jordan
- Flashing Swords! #1 – edited by Lin Carter
- A Game of Thrones – George R. R. Martin
- Homeland – R. A. Salvatore
- Servant of the Shard – R. A. Salvatore
- The Crystal Shard – R. A. Salvatore
- Eragon – Christopher Paolini
- The King of Elfland’s Daughter – Lord Dunsany
- Northern Lights – Philip Pullman
- The Book of the New Sun – Gene Wolfe
- Soldier of the Mist – Gene Wolfe
- Perdido Street Station – China Mieville
- The Black Company – Glenn Cook
- The Last Unicorn – Peter S. Beagle
- Saga of Old City – Gary Gygax
- Return of the Sword – edited by Jason M. Waltz
- The Dying Earth – Jack Vance
- Swords Against Darkness #1 – edited by Andrew J. Offutt
- The Mists of Avalon – Marion Zimmer Bradley
- The Spell Sword – Marion Zimmer Bradley
- Ariel – Steven R. Boyett
- Legend – David Gemmell
- A Princess of Mars – Edgar Rice Burroughs
- The Princess Bride – William Goldman
- Midwinter – Matt Sturges
- Pawn of Prophecy – David Eddings
- Wizard’s First Rule – Terry Goodkind
- Nine Princes of Amber – Roger Zelazny
- The Guns of Avalon – Roger Zelazny
- Darkness Weaves – Karl Edward Wagner
- Dark Crusade – Karl Edward Wagner
- Bloodstone – Karl Edward Wagner
- Midnight Sun – Karl Edward Wagner
- Magician – Raymond E. Feist
- Dragons of Autumn Twilight – Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman
- Dragons of Winter Night - Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman
- Dragons of Spring Dawning - Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman
- Black God’s Shadow – C. L. Moore
- Imaro – Charles R. Saunders
- The Quest for Cush – Charles R. Saunders
- The Collected Fantasies of Clark Ashton Smith – Clark Ashton Smith
- Spellsinger – Alan Dean Foster
- The Hour of the Gate – Alan Dean Foster
- Watership Down – Richard Adams
- The Stand – Stephen King
- The Gunslinger – Stephen King
- The Dark Tower – Stephen King
- The Book of Three – Lloyd Alexander
- Magic’s Pawn – Mercedes Lackey
- Dragonflight – Anne McCaffrey
- Dragonquest – Anne McCaffrey
- The White Dragon – Anne McCaffrey
- Sabriel – Garth Nix
- Redwall – Brian Jacques
- Outlander – Diana Gabaldon
- Daughter of the Blood – Anne Bishop
- Shadowmarch – Tad Williams
- City of Rogues – Ty Johnston
Related links
100 science fiction novels everyone should read
100 books to read before you die
Logical Misanthropy, horror and fantasy author’s blog
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