Best Epic Fantasy Novels 2025: Top 5 Must-Reads
We picked the top epic fantasy novels for new readers. These tales have magic, battles, dragons, and all the adventure you want.
Here at our humble book nook, we know how hard it is to choose between all the epic fantasy novels out there. When we build our list, we focus on books that whisk you off to wild worlds, have epic heroes, and pack enough magic and mayhem to make your head spin. We also check for plots that keep us up way past bedtime (our coffee bill can confirm this). Whether it’s dragons, deep lore, or unforgettable characters, these picks stand out as epic fantasy novels that set the bar for adventure.
On this list:
5 The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson
We chose this one because it slaps you in the face with epic fantasy right out the gate! The world is massive. We lost count of the characters, and someone always has a secret. There’s so much going on, sometimes it feels like Sanderson has a bet to see how many plots he can juggle at once. On the downside, the book is chunkier than our Christmas fruitcake and just as hard to swallow if you ain’t ready. But if you want to feel clever for figuring things out, this is a solid bet.
4 The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss
We had to include this because Kvothe’s story is like sitting with your grandpa—except he has cool magic and way wilder stories. Rothfuss’s writing is smooth and poetic, like butter on warm toast. But, warning: you may find yourself stuck on a cliffhanger, because book three is taking as long as our buddy Dave’s promise to return our lawnmower. Still, this is a classic of epic fantasy novels.
3 A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin
We picked this classic because, let’s face it, you can’t talk about epic fantasy novels and leave out dragons, politics, and enough backstabbing to make a salad. The cast list reads longer than our grocery bill, so you might want to keep notes. But be warned: Martin isn’t shy about offing your favorite characters. We recommend not getting attached to anyone, except maybe the direwolves.
2 The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon
We chose this for its fresh take on epic fantasy novels. Shannon mixes dragons, queens, and magic in a bright and bold world. The female leads run the show, and the story is wrapped up in one book. On the flip side, it’s longer than most folks’ bucket lists and the names can get twisty. But if you want something different, and epic, this is a great pick!
1 The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien
We saved the best for last because Tolkien invented the rulebook for epic fantasy novels. Seriously, we still have the battered old copy we read as teens, and it smells like nostalgia and second-hand smoke. Tolkien’s world is so thorough, he put maps on maps and invented languages we still can’t pronounce. Yes, sometimes the walking scenes are as slow as our Uncle Ed at Thanksgiving dinner. But the sense of adventure? Unmatched. The cast of characters—from hobbits to wizards—makes us want to pack a backpack and go hiking (until we remember there’s actual hiking involved). If you want to start with the theme that started it all, this is the gold standard. The only downside is that you might be tempted to talk like a wizard after reading it, which is not as cool as you think at parties.
