#13 Top Epic Fantasy Books to battle quarantine
I’ve been a fan of the Fantasy genre ever since I was a kid ever since I read Lord of The Rings (LoTR) for the first time and also thanks to Harry Potter, probably two of the most popular book series out there! Over the last few years, I got back into the genre after a long hiatus (starting with Game of Thrones — which I don’t plan on finishing!) and I’ve rediscovered my love for the genre, more specifically the Epic or High Fantasy sub-genre!
Epic Fantasy is a subgenre of fantasy that is set in invented or parallel world. It is most commonly considered to be the same genre as High Fantasy, since they share many of the same elements, but Epic Fantasy takes the story even farther, in a bigger and more epic way (e.g. the stakes are greater; the land/world is in peril; a great evil threatens the world; the conflict shakes all who dwell in the world of the story). — Goodreads
I keep going back to the epic fantasy genre because of the expansive alternate worlds which are riddled with mysteries and sprawling landscapes, complex and captivating storylines, creative magic systems, bloody wars, heroic quests and a huge cast of polarizing characters whos’ transformation you witness and follow closely. I think you get the drift! I’ll stop droning on and get to my favorite epic fantasy series that I wish I could be reading again for the first time again as I find myself with a bit of extra time on my hands!
- Stormlight Archive- Brandon Sanderson
It might be because I recently finished the latest book in the series, but definitely top of the list because the story, characters, and narratives were so emotionally moving and powerful. Sanderson is a master storyteller who has perfected his art and created a masterpiece that has left me wanting more and eagerly awaiting Book 4 (not a long wait as it is due Nov 20)
First Book → The Way of Kings
Series → Stormlight Archive
2. Kingkiller Chronicles —Patrick Rothfuss
Definitely up there with Stormlight Archive competing for the top spot. Rothfuss is a powerful storyteller weaving a wonderful tale focusing on a really strong protagonist Kvote and who’s a musician. The series brings a breath of fresh air to the genre. The wait for the 3rd book has been 9 years and running but you won’t regret picking it up even if he never ends up finishing the series.
First Book — The Name of the Wind
Series — KingKiller Chronicles
3. Mistborn — Brandon Sanderson
It’s a heist story in a fantasy setting. Read it for the magic system, one of my favorites. It’s extremely creative and fleshed out magic systems. I wasn’t too happy with the ending but it was an amazing series. There’s even a sequel to the series which I have been meaning to get to.
First Book — Mistborn: The Final Empire
Series — Mistborn
4. Lord of The Rings — J.R.R Tolkien
Enough has been said and written about the series for me to add anything of value. Worth all the hype and more! For anyone new to the genre, there’s only one place to start don’t look any further!
First Book — The Fellowship of the Ring
Series — Lord of The Rings
5. Wheel of Time — Robert Jordan
Spanning over 14 books and a whopping 5.5 Million words it’s easily one of the longest epic fantasy series making the others on the list feel short! Definitely a world to immerse yourself and get lost in with the depth of characters and storylines spanning multiple timelines. I’m only halfway into the series and loving it! Planning on going all the way and completing all 14!
First Book — The Eye of the World
Series — Wheel of Time
Other worthy mentions —
- Farseer Trilogy by Robin Hobb
- Night Angel Series by Brent Weeks
That should help you make your time in quarantine more interesting and epic! Share your favorites and recommendations on new series to check out!
