5 Fantasy Series to Read Before You Die

5 Fantasy Series to read before you die

Fantasy is a very big genre.

Just like any genre there are one or two titles that hoard most of the attention of the casual reader. Though I love The Lord of the Rings and A Song of Ice and Fire, here is a list of four other fantasy series (and one standalone) that I think exemplifies the best the genre has yet produced.

This is not a “top five” list, so the order is random. I did not choose these because I believe them to be the best, but as a reference for anyone looking to expand their reading into the genre.

Please enjoy.

1) The Farseer Trilogy by Robin Hobb (1995)

When the first book in the trilogy, Assassin’s Apprentice, debuted, fantasy fiction was going through a shift. The time of Tolkien imitators was coming to a close, and the reader base was beginning to hunger for more darker and adult offerings. George R.R. Martin and Glen Cook had both wetted the appetites of the fanbase with their novels, and the world was finally prepared for Robin Hobbs’ intricate tale of a bastard assassin named FitzChivarly Farseer in the land of the Six Duchies.

Hobb observes the heroes journey in that her story is about a young boy who is the illegitimate son of a prince. Fitz is sent to live at Buckkeep Castle after his father has abdicated his succession to the throne. He is then secretly instructed in the ways of assassination by a mysterious figure with his own connections to the royal family. Fitz never meets his father as he is killed before Fitz is a grown man. The poor boy endures a grueling childhood being trained to kill for a family that will never treat him as an equal. As the story progresses the themes of father figures abound. Fitz’ uncle Prince Verity, his caretaker Burrich, and the master assassin who trains him named Chade all take a hand in developing him into a man.

These books are written in the first person past tense in Fitz’ own hand. Each chapter is adorned with an italicized preamble from the older Fitz as he sets up the themes of the chapter or details stories about the Six Duchies and his thoughts in general. Hobbs is a fine writer by any measure and knows how to keep the reader entertained. Some have said that she mistreats her characters to the point of incredulity but I believe that to be a misinterpretation of the authors aims. Life is hard, and if our reality were an actual fantasy world then happy endings would still only be fairy tales.

Why read this trilogy: the realities of heroism, the first person style, the themes of what it means to look up to a man as a father figure, the top notch writing, the low fantasy elements of the world, and a touching story of adolescent romance.

2) American Gods by Neil Gaiman (2001)

It is my personal opinion that American Gods is the finest novel Gaiman has ever written. It is creative, allusive, and clever. It is chockfull of the characteristic wit and style that fans of his work adore. I read it at the age of 15 when fantasy books to me were always about farm boys and dark prophecies. I must have bought it on a whim, but I have never regretted that decision. American Gods is an electrifying stand alone novel of fantasy fiction that I cannot recommend enough.

The story follows a man named Shadow who, recently out of jail, discovers that his wife has passed away and he has no home to go to. In most books this would send the main character reeling, but Shadow is not typical. Gaiman decided to keep his protagonists thoughts closely guarded even from the reader, and so the news of his wife’s death does not seem to shake him, or does it? I had the impression throughout the novel that as a reader I was merely watching Shadow and his actions and learned about the world without the usual benefit of the main characters reactions to everything.

Anyways, the story is about Gods in the USA. Odin is there, but so are the new gods named Internet and Super Highway (and many others). In this world, Gods only have the power that their partitioners pay to them with their attention. Since few worship Odin (or give him any kind of thought) he is not the Asgardian he once was though he still has some powers to call upon. Shadow works with Odin (named Mr. Wednesday, that’s not a big spoiler) as they try to prevent an epic war between the old gods and the new. This is an awesome story from a very talented and creative author and I highly suggest anyone with any interest in the modern fantasy novel pick up a copy. Just to be clear, I have not enjoyed Gaiman’s other novels nearly as much as this one and so this is not merely the recommendation of a fervent fanboy.

Why read this book: the modern setting and subsequent subversion of fantasy tropes, the entertaining “back seat” main character, the humor, wit, and charm of the author, the action packed and entertaining story, and the incredible lore that was required to realize this tale. 

3) The Black Company by Glen Cook (1984)

I am no historian of fantasy fiction, but from what I have gathered it seems that Glen Cook is  the one who began the turn towards a darker and harsher form for the genre. This is not a story about cheeky farm boys ignorant about the world they live in. The Black Company follows a band of mercenaries who do not fight for good but for the highest bidder, whoever that might be, who right off the bat turns out the be the “bad guy” (she’s a woman, actually, named The Dark Lady).

This is the second and final book on this list to be told in the first person. Croaker pulls double duty for the company by being both doctor and chronicler. He is the latest writer of the Company’s deeds in a long line of men who have recorded the many tales and engagements that the company has gone through. Croaker writes in a simple manner free of extraneous exposition. As he is writing this chronicle only for the members of the Company in a world that they are all familiar with, why would he bother describing every single beast and battle? To this day, Cook’s style remains a fresh breeze to me.

The first chapter is one of the best written in fantasy. If it does not intrigue you then the rest of the book will probably not as well. This is a story about, primarily, men, who have decided to live their lives navigating the darker work of employment. If you like the first person perspective, war, and dark fantasy, then look no further than Glen Cooks The Black Company.

Why read this trilogy: dark fantasy, the mercenary class of warriors (for you DnD enthusiasts), the first person perspective, an antagonist who is riveting and also female, the intriguing lack of exposition, and the endearing band of characters that make up the Black Company itself.

4) The First Law by Joe Abercrombie (2006)

This is a trilogy, but Abercrombie has also written three additional standalone novels set in the same world. I adore those extra three novels, but it it the trilogy that really has stuck with me over the years. Abercrombie is a practitioner of what they call Grimdark fantasy (this term was not coined until well after A Song of Ice and Fire had begun) and he seems to have been intentionally writing in that vein as opposed to Cook and Martin who stumbled into the sub genre.

The world of The First Law is close to a typical medieval fantasy resembling British culture. In fact, there is little to distinguish it superficially from a standard fantasy story of swords and sorcery. What Abercrombie does that is outstanding is subvert the normal fantasy tropes. The hero is a coward, the wizard is a bastard, the lumbering barbarian is just as thoughtful as he is full of bloodlust, and the only character with true moral fiber happens to also be a torturer. And no, I do not mean a torturer who gets expelled from the guild for showing mercy to a prisoner (cough Severian cough). I mean a full on break your big toe with a hammer as I have learned to do to others what was done to me type of torturer.

These books are fun! The author wrote them not trying to topple any great expectations by writing the next big Lord of the Rings but by taking the traditional forms and making them new again. There is a great amount of skill required to resuscitate an old form and Abercrombie has it in spades. For any person wondering why it is that people like fantasy fiction so much this is the series for you. Also, the author possesses a fair amount of wit.

Why read this trilogy: The grimdark themes, the subverting of tropes, the humorous dialogue, the classic fantasy tale, Logan Ninefingers (the barbarian), and the sheer writing skill of Joe Abercrombie.

5) The Gentleman Bastards by Scott Lynch (2006)

I have mentioned wit several times during this article, but none have it more than Scott Lynch in The Gentleman Bastards series. The first book is called The Lies of Locke Lamora and the author is about to publish (I hope) the fourth title in the series. Lynch writes with skill and energy. There are few books that have hooked me so. I believe I read it in only three days, which is no mean feat considering the length is standard for fantasy books.

This book is about a family of thieves living in an Italian inspired fantasy setting. There is a heist, a wizard, numerous side stories that Lynch elaborates on, and more belly laughs than any other book on this list. The banter that occurs between the characters is excellent and propels their arcs to the reader better than any melodramatic story about farm boys and dark lords. Locke Lamora is the head thief in a family of thieves who are unsatisfied robbing from anyone other than other thieves and high profile socialites—something that is expressly forbidden in their underground culture. The tension in this book is extreme, and very enjoyable. It is one of those rare books that I would like to reread someday soon.

If you like heist stories then I cannot recommend this one enough. Lynch is a very talented writer who burst onto the scene shortly after Abercrombie. This is some of the best genre fiction of any genre than I have ever read and if there were a top ten list then I would place it very high.

Why read this series: the wit, the characters (Locke and Jean are like a Sherlock and Watson, but think Robert Downey Jr. and Jude law), the Italian inspired setting, and the non traditional fantasy story.

And there you have it! My five series to read before you die. I could have chosen many, many more but settled on these five. I will be writing more lists in the future on fantasy books.