Any worthwhilefantasyseries will take readers on an immersive and epic adventure, but not all of them are gripping from beginning to end. Depending on how large and complex a fantasy narrative is, it can be difficult to maintain the tight pacing and payoffs that keep readers hooked. This is even true for titles that are otherwise impressive. With large swathes of world-building and casts of characters to contend with, it’s inevitable that things will lull in places. Some of the best fantasy book series of all time have chapters or entire installments that are considered low points.
Of course,there are also incredible fantasy series that manage to keep readers engaged the entire time, delivering on plot momentum, character moments, and twists without significantly hurting their pacing. Some of thesefantasy book series even boast 10/10 installmentsall the way through. They’re well worth picking up, especially for those who love the genre but aren’t looking for a story that takes time to simmer before getting good.
8Mistborn
By Brandon Sanderson
Brandon Sanderson knows how to grab readers and keep them flipping the pages, even when he’s writing 500+ page stories likeMistbornorThe Stormlight Archive.AndMistbornEra 1 is compulsively readable. The original trilogy kicks off with ascene that begs to be adapted in aMistbornTV showor movie. Things only pick up from there, with Sanderson unraveling the series' complex magic system and corrupt world through the fast-paced plot. There’s plenty of action and banter, ensuring an engaging time throughoutThe Final Empire.
It’s safe to sayMistbornEra 1 is one of those fantasy series you just never want to put down.
This doesn’t stop after book one, either, even ifMistbornnever quite tops its first installment. Despite Vin’s success at the end ofThe Final Empire,Sanderson manages to up the stakes inThe Well of AscensionandThe Hero of Ages.He also uses well-placed plot twists to guarantee that readers will pick up the next installment. And asThe Hero of Agesends with a bang, it’s safe to sayMistbornEra 1 is one of those fantasy series you just never want to put down.
7An Ember In The Ashes
By Sabaa Tahir
Sabaa Tahir’sAn Ember in the Ashesmay have debuted 10 years ago, but it holds up exceptionally well — and it’s incredibly easy to fly through.The beginning of book one,An Ember in the Ashes,throws readers directly into the action, driving home what a horrible world its heroine resides in. As Laia’s family is torn apart by the Martial Empire, she vows to find and free her brother, even if it means venturing into the heart of this oppressive regime.
The series evolves from there, with Laia becoming wrapped up in much larger matters — and falling for one of the more conflicted children of the Martial Empire. As things get darker and the stakes get higher, Laia and Elias' story becomes more and more interesting. Indeed,it feels impossible to put Tahir’s series down until you know what becomes of these characters, as well as her incredible supporting cast.
6The Shades Of Magic Trilogy
By V.E. Schwab
Any V.E. Schwab book is a great choice for fantasy lovers, butthe author’sShades of Magicseries is one that will keep readers hooked. Its premise alone is enough to turn heads, with the story unfolding in a world where there are multiple parallel versions of London.A Darker Shade of Magicsells that setup from the start, and its introduction of its two main characters — Kell and Lila — is certain to get readers invested. These characters are lovable from the beginning, and the urge to know where their stories go only gets stronger in books two and three.
A Conjuring of Lightproves a fantastic finale to the series, ensuring that readers will be impressed all the way through.
The pacing in theShades of Magicseries works well, and book one delivers a story that feels equal parts pressing and lighthearted. Of course, Schwab elevates the stakes from there.A Gathering of Shadowssuccessfully avoids middle-book syndrome while building on the world and characters. AndA Conjuring of Lightproves a fantastic finale to the series, ensuring that readers will be impressed all the way through.
5The Burning Kingdoms
By Tasha Suri
Tasha Suri’sThe Burning Kingdomsis another fantasy series that deserves more love, and it’s one that won’t leave readers questioning if they should pick up the next book.The Jasmine Thronemakes for an engrossing start to the story, introducing two complex and sympathetic heroines setting out to save their empire from a tyrant. The moral complexity of these characters and their desperate circumstances will pull readers in. And as their journeys continue into books two and three, things only get more emotional and tense.
As Suri expands the scope of the world and digs deeper into the characters residing in it,The Burning Kingdomsbecomes easier and easier to immerse oneself in. And the series' ending is a powerful one, wrapping things up just as impressively asThe Jasmine Thronekicks them off.
4The Poppy War
By R.F. Kuang
The Poppy Warfeatures dark and difficult themes that might require readers to take a break at times. However,each installment of R.F. Kuang’s history-inspired fantasy trilogy manages to grab readers and pull them in, with the devastating nature of this world and its shocking turns amounting to a gripping ride.The Poppy Warmay lull readers into a false sense of security at the beginning, when it seems like Rin will have a typical fantasy school adventure, but the novel soon drives home how ruthless this story is — and it’s nearly impossible to look away from.
Kuang’s approach to the gruesome realities of war is powerful, and Rin’s development into a morally dubious lead is fascinating.The Poppy Warand its sequels do get incredibly dark in places — it’s worth looking at trigger warnings — but there’s a reason this series is so highly regarded. It finishes as strongly as it starts, too, so those who find themselves engaged in book one are bound to appreciate the sequels.
3The First Law
By Joe Abercrombie
Joe Abercrombie offers a different approach to brutal world-building and morally dubious characters, buthisFirst Lawtrilogy is a must-read for fantasy lovers who haven’t dug in. It isn’t particularly fast-paced, especially at the beginning, but the unique and complicated cast of characters is more than enough to draw readers. This is especially true for those who love character-driven narratives, though the ending ofThe Blade Itselfsets the stage for even grander events and action sequences in its sequels.
AndThe First Lawbooks get better and better, with Abercrombie’s signature writing style and humor standing out against other fantasy offerings. The author knows how to raise interesting conversations with his story, givingThe First Lawbooks layers that elevate them significantly. They’re difficult to put down once you’ve invested in the characters and world, explaining why they’re such lauded additions to the genre.
2The Green Bone Saga
By Fonda Lee
An urban fantasy series focused on crime syndicates,Fonda Lee’sGreen Bone Sagadeserves all the hype surrounding it.Jade Cityrevolves around the use of jade and a gang war that breaks out because of it. The book delivers on the action from the beginning, driving home the nature of Lee’s world and the stakes of the conflict of book one. The magic is unique and compelling, the characters are intriguing, and the pacing is solid. Andthose who appreciateJade Citywill find it easy to keep going, asJade WarandJade Legacyare somehow even better.
Jade Legacyalso givesThe Green Bone Sagaa fitting ending, which can’t be said of every fantasy series. With real emotional weight and thrilling action,Jade Legacyproves that Lee’s series is great from start to finish. If anything, the latter books build on what makesJade Citytick and capture those elements even better.
1Shadow And Bone
By Leigh Bardugo
Leigh Bardugo’sShadow and Bonetrilogy is among the best YA fantasy offerings out there, and while it isn’t groundbreaking in terms of archetypes and tropes, it’s fun and engaging all the way through.Shadow and Bonequickly tosses readers into Alina Starkov’s story, thrusting them into the world of the Grisha alongside her. Bardugo wastes little time revealing Alina’s ability to wield light or tasking her with ridding Ravka of its Shadow Fold. There are twists and turns, along with great character moments, making book one a fast and easy read.
The stakes get even higher afterShadow and Bone’s reveals, and the tensions between Bardugo’s prominent characters ensure readers will want to plow throughSiege and StormandRuin and Risingnot long after. WhileRuin and Rising’s ending is a bit divisive, it boasts plenty of action and emotion. This makes the trilogy afantasyseries that maintains its momentum from its first chapter to its last. And Bardugo’sSix of Crowsduology is even better, if you can believe it.
