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Today’s post is one that’s near and dear to my heart, because I get to talk about some all-time favorites! I have a lot of favorites so to narrow it down a bit, I chose to focus on my favorite genre: fantasy.
Of course this is still a huge genre in itself with tons of subgenres: urban fantasy, high fantasy, historical fantasy, magical realism and so on. However, this list is a mix of several fantasy types. Because I can’t choose. But I guess most are high fantasy anyway. Either way, these are all awesome.
Also, I just want to say I am still reading and discovering so many great new books every day and my TBR is HUGE, so of course this list is still likely to change. I already could not stick to ten, so hey, in a few years I may have my top 100 for you! #somethingtolookforwardto
THE BIG 3
Though I could not put this list into an actual top ten if I tried, I do have a top 3. These three series have all solidified my love for fantasy in one way or another. I have read them at different times in my life but they all mean the world to me.
The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien
This series was my first foray into fantasy. And though it was intimidating as hell, I quickly fell in love with the whole concept of fantasy worlds, magical creatures and epic quests. Also, Samwise Gamgee is the first fictional character I ever loved. Though I must admit I have seen the movies many many times and only read the books once.
The Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling
Of course. I don’t think any explanation is needed. This series means everything to me.
The Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas
Ok, so this series isn’t technically finished yet, however I have loved every single book so far and have no doubt I will love the final one as well. The feelings I have for this series match the ones I have for LotR and Harry Potter. The amount of time I spend thinking about this story and these characters is kind of crazy but I don’t mind.
OTHER ALL-TIME FAVORITES
The A Court of Thorns and Roses series by Sarah J. Maas
Though I love it just slightly less than the Throne of Glass series, it is not that far behind. Especially book two, A Court of Mist and Fury, is pure awesomeness. Plus only Sarah J. Maas books are capable of giving me such massive book hangovers.
The Grisha trilogy by Leigh Bardugo
Ah, the world of the Grisha! This series had everything I love, plus one of the best villains ever, plus the amazing Nikolai Lantsov, who owns part of my heart. Also, it’s set in a fantasy world inspired by Russia. If that doesn’t intrigue you, then I don’t know what will!
The Six of Crows duology by Leigh Bardugo
Ah, the world of the Grisha, part two! Ok, technically I haven’t read Crooked Kingdom yet, so I can’t speak for that one yet, but Six of Crows was sooo good that it was one of my favorites of 2015 and may have even slightly surpassed the Grisha trilogy for me. (Shh, don’t tell them.) I have no doubt that Crooked Kingdom will blow me away as well.
The Graceling series by Kristin Cashore
Another amazing fantasy classic in my view. Though Bitterblue was my least favorite of the three (was not a fan of the high focus on politics, but it was still good though!), Katsa and Fire are two of my favorite heroines out there!
The Seven Realms series by Cinda Williams Chima
This world will draw you in. These characters. The story. The romance. Agh. Please just read this. I feel like people have either read it and love it or have not yet heard about it.
A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab
Oh yes, I just barely read this book and it’s already in my all-time favorites list. There’s just no way it can’t be. It is the perfect unique fantasy adventure. (And I’m dying to read A Gathering of Shadows, though I again have no doubt it will be equally perfect)
The Elemental Trilogy by Sherry Thomas
I feel like this series is a bit underrated, but I am willing to step up and shout out my love for this story to the world. I love this world, I love these characters, but honestly, I love the romance here most of all.
The Raven Cycle by Maggie Stiefvater
I was procrastinating reading this series for the longest time. And though I honestly had some issues getting into the story, I still got sucked in so much that I’m doubting my own sanity for not reading and loving this one earlier. The writing is phenomenal, the characters so real and the friendship is out-of-this-world amazing.
The Final empire (Mistborn) by Brandon Sanderson
Again, technically I can only speak for book one because to my shame, I have not yet finished this series. One, because it’s big and intimidating and two, because the font is really, really small and hurts my eyes. Time to man up and look up if there’s an audiobook maybe, because The Final Empire was phenomenal story-telling and even better worldbuilding.
The Daughter of Smoke and Bone trilogy by Laini Taylor
I have never read anything so unique and refreshing as this trilogy. I went into it not really knowing what to expect and it blew me away. I can only advise anyone who hasn’t read this yet to do the same: just start reading without knowing much about it and let the story take you away completely.
The Infernal Devices / Lady Midnight by Cassandra Clare
I know the Shadowhunter world technically started with The Mortal Instruments, but I have to admit that that series is my least favorite of them all. Books 1-3 were still ok, but books 4-6 were just… not for me. However, The Infernal Devices and Lady Midnight are so stupidly, amazingly good. I will continue reading anything Cassandra Clare writes because of them.
Percy Jackson and the Olympians by Rick Riordan
Epic quests, Greek mythology and a lot of humor. Can it get any better than that? Also, I know I have to catch up with the rest of Rick Riordan’s books. Must get on that, stat! But first, a Percy Jackson re-read is needed.
An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir
Another one of my favorite books read in 2015. It was gripping and full of action and suspense from page 1 and I have never been more enthralled by a book. To know that it was originally a standalone, but know I can get more books is an amazing gift. Onto A Torch Against The Night!
So many good books here. Totally agree about Lord of the Rings, probably my all time favorite. The Throne of Glass series is impressive to me just for their size and how she gets those books out- I wish George RR Martin could do that lol. I will probably read those once of these days. And I’ve heard good things about the Graceling series, and those covers are phenomenal- especially the one for Fire.
I’ve always been curious about the Elemental trilogy too- I like the idea of elemental powers and those covers don’t hurt either. Fantastic list!
Thanks! Lord of the Rings indeed feels like a must for any fantasy list – I feel like it started so much, at least for me. I know, it’s crazy how Sarah J. Maas manages to get out two 700-page books a year! Not that I’m complaining 🙂 And I love both the Graceling and the Elemental series, though I feel like the Elemental series is one of those series that you either love or hate. I love them though 🙂 Hope you’ll enjoy when you get to them!
I love your list! We have some in common actually. I love The Lord of the Rings as well. I watched the movies first, and it’s a big part of the reason I love fantasy so much now. I really want to read The Seven Realms series though. I’ve had the first book on my shelf for like 2 years now.
Thanks! I actually also watched The Fellowship of the Ring first and that started my interest. I then read all three books before watching the other two movies. Before LotR I was not into fantasy at all, so it really started everything for me too 🙂 I’d definitely recommend The Seven Realms! The first book started a bit slow for me, but near the end I was hooked and I binge-read the entire series in a period of 2 weeks 😉 Hope you’ll enjoy them!
I loooooove your list! So many of these are my favorite books ever! Grisha series, Graceling trilogy, and Harry Potter are my absolute favorites from your list, but I’ve read and loved a lot of them. I still need to read the last book in the Gods and Monsters series. I’m afraid I’ve forgotten everything from the first two books. 🙁 I read book one of Seven Realms. I really need to get the rest. And I really want to read An Ember in the Ashes soon. Sigh…so many good books!
Thank you! Glad we have some favorites in common 🙂
I totally understand, if I don’t manage to finish a series, chances are it’s because I forgot everything that happened in the previous books! Then I need to re-read before continuing but then that takes so much time… Hope you’ll get to finish Gods and Monsters one day though! And Seven Realms and An Ember in the Ashes 🙂 There are just too many books out there and never enough time 😉
I did fantasies as well this week but am not nearly as well read as you are. We have a few similar titles but all the rest of these are either already on my TBR or will be headed that way after reading your post 🙂
Thanks! I know, it’s like for every book I read, 10 more pop up on my TBR 😉 Especially when I check out other blogs my TBR list keeps on growing!
What an awesome list! I don’t read a lot of YA, but almost all the series you mentioned are on my radar to try. I’ve been thinking I might finally take the plunge on “Six of Crows.”
Oh, I think Six of Crows is a PERFECT book to try out YA! Hope you’ll enjoy it!
Ahhh I LOVE and ADORE so much about this post!! Like what do I even flail over first with you!?? Definitely the Raven Cycle *shrieks* one of my all-time favourite series in the history of EVER. And I also adore anything and everything VE Schwab writes.? Plus Rick Riordan is constantly hilariously wonderful and I need to read more Brandon Sanderson too. hehe. I loved Misborn #1 but never read on?!? What’s even wrong with me. What are my life choices. Sheesh.
AND YUS TO SIX OF CROWS!!!!! I re-read it recently because I’m just that obsessed and it just gets better every time I tell you!!
Failing is always good and should be done several times a day. It’s healthy 🙂 And yes, The Raven Cycle is soo good! I’m so glad I finally read this because now I’m obsessed! And I’m just getting into VE Schwab with A Darker Shade of Magic but I have no doubt more will follow son and my obsession will become equal to The Raven Boys. Rick Riordan is amazing, I need a Percy Jackson re-read. And then continue with the rest of his books. Also, yay because I also only read Mistborn #1 and loved it but never read on, so at least I’m not the only one with questionable life choices 😉
Percy Jackson and Harry Potter are the only ones I’ve read so far, but several of them are on my TBR list! I’m especially looking forward to Sarah J Maas’ books because everyone has such high praise for them! I did my Historical Fiction favorites this week on my TTT
Happy Reading! 🙂
Percy Jackson and Harry Potter are some of the best of this list so that’s definitely an excellent start 😉 I’m in love with Sarah J. Maas’s books so I highly recommend them as well!
Lots of great ones!! I don’t read a ton of fantasy but I liked the ToG books I have read. I still have some to go. HP is on my TBR for this year so hopefully I will get to it. Same with Six of Crows. Great list!
Thanks! Glad you enjoyed ToG so far and I do hope you’ll enjoy the other ones as well 🙂 And HP and Six of Crows too ofcourse!
I don’t read a lot of fantasy, but I LOVE The Raven Boys series. I haven’t read The Raven King yet bc I’ve been dreading having it end for me. Cool list… I’ll keep these in mind when I go out of my comfort zone (which I do occasionally…. sometimes).
Aah I understand, I was reading The Raven King suuper slowly, because I didn’t want it to end 😉 Hope you found some inspiration for when you’re in a fantasy mood!
Thanks for the reminder that I need to read Shadow and Bone! 🙂
You are very welcome 😉 (it’s really good)
Yay for the Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, Throne of Glass, Mistborn and Percy Jackson! I hope you read the Mistborn sequels soon! You’ll love them if you like the worldbuilding aspect of the first one. I’m planning to read A Darker Shade of Magic and Six of Crows soon. Hopefully I’ll enjoy them 🙂 I’m loving the Raven Cycle. I’m on the third book right now, which is why I didn’t include it in my list. I agree that the characters are so real. They’re the highlight for me.
I certainly aim to read the Mistborn sequels soon 🙂 I’m kind of waiting for the next readathon, so I have some extra incentive to finish them. I hope you’ll enjoy A Darker Shade of Magic and Six of Crows! And yes for the Raven Cycle – I only read them this year because I was procrastinating starting this series for a long time, but now I have fallen in love 🙂
Great Top 10! I’ve had my eye one The Raven Cycle for a while now. I’ve heard so many good things!!
My Top Ten Tuesday!
Thanks! I only read The Raven Cycle this year, but I’m definitely jumping on the love train for this series – it’s amazing and I highly recommend it 😉
A Darker Shade of Magic is such a brilliant book!
Yes, it really is AMAZING! Can’t wait to start A Gathering of Shadows.
LOTR and Harry Potter are of course longtime faves…I really need to get started on Thrones of Glass, there are so many rave reviews around the blogosphere!
Yes, no fantasy list feels complete without LotR and Harry Potter 🙂 I’m in love with all of Sarah J. Maas’s books so I’m definitely one of those rave reviewers 😉
Yay! Another fantasy lover 😉 I’ve read a LOT of these and I can say that I adore HP, Percy, Maas, Cinda Williams Chima, Graceling series, Laini Taylor AND anything Maggie Stiefvater writes (and I mean anything!) Awesome list and great suggestions, I’ve heard a lot about the Mistborn series.
Thanks! Glad you also like a lot of these books 🙂 I agree, anything Maggie Stiefvater writes is genius 😉
oh great list~ I am obviously SJM trash because I can’t stop with her books, they are so good. You know, I read the first book in the The Elemental trilogy but never picked up the rest of the trilogy and I’m kind of wishing I had. I had nothing bad to say about the first book, the rest of it just got lost in my never ending TBR. I also really loved Graceling, though I didn’t like the other two books in the series as much, which was really disappointing for me.
Ah yes to any Sarah J. Maas book – I haven’t read any book by her I didn’t like, they’re all good 🙂 Hope you’ll get to pick up the rest of the Elemenatal trilogy though – it’s one of my favorites! I understand, Graceling was my favorite out of the 3 books as well! I liked Fire a lot too, but I was a bit disappointed with Bitterblue.
I love Harry Potter, Percy Jackson, The Raven Cycle and A Darker Shade of Magic SOOOO much!!!! I read the first book in the Daughter of Smoke and Bone series and really enjoyed it too. I need to read Six of Crows, The Grisha trilogy and An Ember in the Ashes.
I’m glad you enjoyed A Daughter of Smoke and Bone! Hope you’ll enjoy the rest of the series as well 🙂 And of course Six of Crows, the Grisha trilogy and An Ember in the Ashes! Just talking about them makes me want to re-read them 😉
An Ember in the Ashes is a fave of mine, as well! I cannot wait to start ATATN! I have TRB series in my TBR since forever. I have the first book in my Kindle so I hope I get to it soon. The Infernal Devices was such a great series! I really liked it. SoC was amazing!
I have ATATN sitting on my shelf, waiting to be read, but I kind of want to re-read An Ember in the Ashes first so I can be completely immersed in the story again before continuing 🙂 The Raven Cycle is so amazing, hope you’ll enjoy it!
Yesss, The Seven Realms and The Raven Cycle series. <3 But also Six of Crows. I can't wait for Crooked Kingdom.
Ahh, I know, the wait for Crooked Kingdom is becoming unbearable! Thankfully it’s almost here now 😉