Top Five Fantasy Series

I haven’t made a top five post in a minute. I know I’ve read several all-time favorite series since I’ve done my last one, so it just feels right to update it. I promise I won’t turn this into the Brandon Sanderson show. Here’s my top five fantasy series.

A Song of Ice and Fire

I really debated on adding this because I know the series technically isn’t complete. However, A Song of Ice and Fire is the reason we’re here. I read this in my pre-blog college days, and it has shaped my reading habits for my entire adult life. I’m constantly striving to find a fantasy series that I enjoyed as much as this one. Ultimately, it was the world building that drew me in. I hadn’t read a series of this magnitude at this point, and I couldn’t believe the depth he built. And obviously, I loved all of the drama and political machinations too.

The Stormlight Archives

Ok. I know I said I was going to try not to make this the Brandon Sanderson show but you know I have to include The Stormlight Archives and Mistborn. Again, they have shaped the way that I read. I’ll be honest when I started The Way of Kings, I considered dnfing it. While I had read Mistborn I was still relatively new to Sanderson’s writing and I didn’t know what to expect. And then Kaladin happened. I say it constantly. Sanderson is a master at character work. I became so engrossed in Kaladin’s point of view that I stuck around for the povs that I hadn’t fallen in love with yet. And next thing I knew I was equally as interested in all of the plotlines and concepts.

Mistborn

While I had to warm up to The Stormlight Archives, I immediately fell in love with Mistborn. Again, great characters, but I was more interested in the entire concept of this one. I wanted to see what he meant when he said, “what if the bad guy wins.” So, I stuck around for this fun heist story full of fun characters and fantasy creatures long enough to have my heart ripped out and then put back together. And I’m referring to Era 1 and 2. Even though honestly, I think I loved Era 2 even more.

The King Killer Chronicles

The King Killer Chronicles is everything I look for in a fantasy. The characters are great. The world is immersive. But the writing is what stole the show with this one. Rothfuss has a lyrical, mystical way of writing. I savored every sentence. The prose was addictive. It’s a shame that this is yet another favorite series without an ending.

Miss Peregrines Home for Peculiar Children

It might be a stretch to call this fantasy, but I think it fits. This is probably the most unique series I’ve ever read. Ultimately, the author found all of these old weird photographs and built a world around them. I love the creativity that went into this story. Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children isn’t for everyone but it’s one I think about often even though I read it nearly ten years ago.

So those are my top five fantasy series. I’d love to know a few of yours in the comments. And be sure to drop by next week because we’ll be talking about my favorite horror/thrillers.