5 Mind-Blowing Epic Fantasy Series
This list is for the geeks and dreamers out there — those who live lives of “what ifs” and wherevers, who don’t need train tickets to escape from the everyday. For anyone bemused by its lofty sounding name, “epic fantasy” is a subgenre of fantasy that’s set in an invented world (just think Lord of the Rings or Game of Thrones). It also happens to be one of my favourite genres to read.
I’ve been on the hunt for more great epic fantasy series, but here are the ones I’ve loved and gotten lost in, and can confidently call my favourites. Mind-boggling worlds, kickass characters, thrilling plots — it’s all there. As always, let me know if you have any you’d add to the list by dropping a comment below!
Mistborn series by Brandon Sanderson
When I’m asked who my favourite authors are, Brandon Sanderson is among the top of the list, and his Mistborn series is what first got me hooked on his writing. A troubled empire faces an unknown evil, its only outward signs the ash falling from the sky and the mist cloaking the land. Its fate rests in the hands of a troublemaker and his unassuming young apprentice. The real juice of the series (and one of Mr. Sanderson’s strengths as a writer) is the incredible world-building, and in particular the intricate system of what one might call “magic” within this world: Allomancy, which is built on equal parts of physics and alchemy. Pair that with clever, complex characters (not to mention a kickass female heroine) and a fast-paced plot, and you got yourself one hell of a ride.
A Song of Ice and Fire series by George R. R. Martin
Trivia of the day: A Song of Ice and Fire is the actual name of the series on which A Game of Thrones was based (the TV show is named after the first book in the series). When I tell people I haven’t watched the show but have read all of the books, I usually get looks that range from shock, dismay to downright disgust. And while I may not be able to attest to how the show lives up to its origins, I can say that the books are, in a word, awesome. Dubbed the fantasy series of our age, A Song of Ice and Fire diverges from your typical fantasy trope of undying heroes, two-dimensional villains and deus ex machina. The books instead delve into each of the thoughts and emotions of their (many) humanly imperfect characters, and, woven together, make an unforgiving, unpredictable fantasy series. If you liked the TV show (and who doesn’t, it seems?), I urge you to take a crack at reading its literary counterpart.
The Stormlight Archive by Brandon Sanderson
I did tell you that Brandon Sanderson is one of my favourite writers, didn’t I? When I first found out that he was coming out with a brand new series, I’m pretty sure I squealed and did a little dance. The Stormlight Archive is another testament to Mr. Sanderson’s world-building of truly epic proportions, centering around a world constantly battling over Shardblades and Shardplates — the remnants of the legendary Knights Radiant, and which transform their wearers into nearly-invincible warriors. On top of that, there’s a cast of three-dimensional, lifelike characters of different races and classes, plus some real exciting action, all carefully constructed over 1,000+ pages (in the first novel alone)… what’s not to like about this series?
The Kingkiller Chronicle by Patrick Rothfuss
The third book of this popular trilogy is still seven years in the making (and counting), but the enchanting narrative voice and compelling plot throughout the first two novels still have many readers eagerly awaiting the final installment. Kvothe the Kingkiller, Kvothe the Bloodless, has always had a talent for Sympathy — drawing on the energy of the surroundings and transforming it into magic. Now an innkeeper in an out-of-ways village, he calls himself Kote and lives a secluded, quiet life. But when the Chronicler stumbles into town, the mysterious innkeeper finds himself conjuring memories of the path that led him to become the most notorious wizard his world has seen. Kvothe’s narrative voice takes you back in time, and the flowing prose helps transform this series from a coming-of-age tale into a fantastical adventure.
The Night Angel Trilogy by Brent Weeks
I read this trilogy way back in high school, but still remember enjoying the books so much I read them all in one go. As a guild rat, Azoth has learned that in order to survive in the slums, you have to be willing to take risks — risks like apprenticing yourself to Durzo Blint, the city’s most accomplished and feared assassin. If you want to be entertained by your fantasy, this trilogy will definitely do that. It’s not a complex, gritty fantasy series à la Brandon Sanderson or George R. R. Martin. But what it is is some non-stop action and adventure, a fun page-turner with cool heroes and powerful villains, plus some political maneuvering and magic sprinkled in along the way.
