15 Best Fantasy Books of All Time in 2024
When journeying through the best books of all time fantasy, we seek top gems that whisk readers away to magical lands. Our focus lies on captivating stories, unforgettable characters, and the spellbinding worlds that leap off the pages. Handpicked with joy, these books promise epic adventure and a sprinkle of humor. From classic tales to modern marvels, we guarantee a thrilling escape into fantastic realms.
On this list:
- The Hobbit
- The Name of the Wind
- American Gods
- The Eye of the World
- Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone
- Mistborn: The Final Empire
- A Game of Thrones
- Good Omens
- The Lies of Locke Lamora
- The Last Unicorn
- The Blade Itself
- Wizard’s First Rule
- The Way of Kings
- The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
- The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
15 The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
Ah, ‘The Hobbit’. The book that made us dream of second breakfast and a life full of adventure. With talking dragons and gold-loving dwarves, this book sets the stage for Tolkien’s epic tales. It’s short enough to finish before your coffee gets cold, but long enough to transport you to another world.
14 The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss
Kvothe might be a jack-of-all-trades, but this book is a masterclass in storytelling! Follow Kvothe as he narrates his own legend, mixing mystery, magic, and music in one irresistible tale. We even tried learning the lute after this one, with hilarious results.
13 American Gods by Neil Gaiman
If you mix mythology with road trips, you’ll get ‘American Gods’. Gaiman’s work is always a head scratcher, but in the best way possible. You’ll find old gods competing with new ones, and it will leave you questioning your phone’s true power.
12 The Eye of the World by Robert Jordan
Start of an epic journey through the ‘The Wheel of Time’. If you like long walks and even longer books, you’re in for a treat. Be prepared for some name juggling, though; trust us, your tongue will get a workout.
11 Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling
The book that got millions into reading, including us. It’s more magical than late-night pizza. Join Harry as he discovers there’s more than just cupboard living and learns about magic, friendship, and which broom is best for Quidditch!
10 Mistborn: The Final Empire by Brandon Sanderson
Sanderson’s magic system blew our minds! Allomancy, where you gain powers by ingesting metals, is just as intriguing as we sound. It’s got twists and turns that will keep you guessing faster than you can down a goblet of wine.
9 A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin
Even if winter isn’t coming for us, you’ll want to brace yourself for this sprawling epic. Full of political intrigue and dragons (because we love dragons), it’s a page-turner like no other. Just don’t count on your favs lasting long.
8 Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett
Ever seen an angel and demon team up to stop the apocalypse? It’s as wild and funny as it sounds. If you need a good laugh with some supernatural spiciness, ‘Good Omens’ is what you want!
7 The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch
Con artists in a fantasy world are better than real ones. Locke Lamora will charm you while attempting the impossible. This one had us wanting to pull our own heist, but we settled for episodic binge-watching.
6 The Last Unicorn by Peter S. Beagle
A unicorn in search of her lost kin, this story pairs whimsy with wisdom. It’s short, sweet, and full of heart. It made us question if our pets are really mythical creatures in disguise!
5 The Blade Itself by Joe Abercrombie
Ruthless characters and gritty tales come together in this raw fantasy. ‘The Blade Itself’ is not for the faint-hearted. The humor is darker than our last batch of coffee, and that’s saying something.
4 Wizard’s First Rule by Terry Goodkind
Step into a world of magic where rules are made to be broken. It’s a fantasy with a philosophical twist and packed with enough action to keep our popcorn refills frequent.
3 The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson
Epic is an understatement in this sprawling saga. Sanderson crafts worlds as bread makers do loaves. You’ll need two bookmarks: one for reading, another for tracking characters!
2 The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis
This was the book that made us jump into wardrobes, hoping for Narnia. C.S. Lewis gave us a story that combines adventure with lessons. It’s a family’s favorite, just like turkey dinners.
1 The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien
The pinnacle of the best books of all time fantasy. Tolkien captures an epic quest where friendship, bravery, and a really dangerous ring take center stage. Our group reread this every year and still find something new. This book sets the foundation for modern fantasy. Tolkien’s language crafts a world so detailed you’d think he was Sauron’s proofreader. That’s why this tops our list, a timeless tale for every fantasy fan.
