What’s The Best Fantasy Book of All Time?
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What’s the best fantasy book of all time? I get that question a lot as a fantasy author, and my answer is always – I hope I haven’t read it yet!
There are thousands of incredible fantasy books out there, and you’re probably familiar with the most popular bestsellers. But how can you determine which book is the best fantasy novel ever?
In this post, we’ll look at the best fantasy books by copies sold and money made, and I’ll give you some extra recommendations for incredible fantasy books you might not yet know about.
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Best Fantasy Books of All Time by Sales Numbers
When we rank the best fantasy books by sales numbers, you probably won’t be surprised which books take the top spots…
The Lord Of The Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien
First book: The Fellowship of the Ring
Published in: 1954
Copies sold: 150+ million
The bestselling fantasy series of all time is The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R Tolkien. The immense world-building, adventurous storyline, and strong characters have made this series a firm favourite for decades.
If you haven’t read this series yet, I highly recommend it. If you think the movies are great, you’ll absolutely love the books.
A Song Of Ice And Fire By George R.R. Martin
First book: A Game of Thrones
Published in: 1996
Copies sold: 90+ million
This fantasy series exploded in popularity when the series aired, but the books are in a class of their own. It’s a gripping series of power, tragedy, and betrayal, and fans are still keen to find out how this epic series concludes.
The Wheel Of Time By Robert Jordan
First book: The Eye of the World
Published in: 1990
Copies sold: 90+ million
The Wheel of Time is another fantasy epic series, beginning with The Eye of the World. The story follows Moiraine Damodred on a quest to find the chosen one. Brandon Sanderson helped write books 12-14 based on Robert Jordan’s notes, but you won’t be able to put any of the books down.
Yes, the lack of consistency in the covers bugs me, too! But this massive 15-book series is well worth the commitment.
Discworld By Terry Pratchett
First book: The Colour of Magic
Published in: 1983
Copies sold: 80+ million
This huge series is made up of 41 books that follow different characters. The first book follows wizard Rincewind, who gets hired as a guide by a shy tourist named Twoflower. It’s best to go into the book blind, but it’s filled with peril, battles, and twists that keep you on your toes.
The Vampire Chronicles By Anne Rice
First book: Interview with the Vampire
Published in: 1976
Copies sold: 80+ million
Rice’s Vampire Chronicles is easily one of my favourite fantasy book series, and it’s clear to see why it’s sold over 80 million copies. Starting with the iconic Interview With a Vampire, the storyline follows Louis, who travels the world with his child Claudia, looking for belonging. But they’ll find something far more dangerous than they could have ever imagined…
Best Fantasy Books: The Verdict
You’ll notice that all the bestselling fantasy series were published in the 1950s-80s, so they’ve got a good head start on newer authors.
But the world-building, deep storylines, and epic adventures are hard to beat. If you haven’t read any of these fantasy series, they are definitely worth it.
But what about fantasy books that haven’t sold millions of copies? Let’s take a look at some of the most innovative fantasy books and why I believe they deserve a shout-out in a list of the best fantasy books of all time.
Best Fantasy Books of All Time by Innovation
If you’re tired of the hyped fantasy series and want something a little different, you’ll love these fantasy novels.
The City of Brass, by S. A. Chakraborty
The City of Brass is the first book in a trilogy set in 18th-century Cairo. We follow the story of a thief and exorcist called Nahri, who accidentally summons a djinn warrior. Together, they travel to the City of Brass, and the adventures continue over the two fast-paced sequels.
The Night Circus, by Erin Morgenstern
This magical fantasy book is about Le Cirque des Rêves, a travelling magical circus that only appears at night in Victorian England. It’s an easy read filled with secrets, magic, and twists that will make it hard to put down.
Tales of Falling and Flying, by Ben Loory
If you love a short story, Ben Loory is the author for you. Tales of the Falling are fairytales, fantasy vignettes, and incredible sketches that make you think and laugh out loud.
There are 40 stories (none of which you’ll see coming), and an easy read when you want a break from epic novels.
Tigana, by Guy Gavriel Kay
Kay helped Christopher Tolkien edit The Silmarillion after J.R.R. Tolkien passed away, so he’s got the credentials of an epic writer.
His most impressive novel, Tigana, takes place in a world similar to Earth, with two moons, magic, and inspiration from medieval Italy. A story of oppressed people struggling to be free, will a dangerous quest bring back the once-proud name of Tigana?
Queen of the Conquered, by Kacen Callender
In this epic fantasy book, Sigourney Rose has the power to read minds and seeks revenge on the colonizers who killed her family. Callender won the World Fantasy Award for Best Novel in 2020, and this story will keep you on the edge of your seat.
What’s Your Favourite Fantasy Book of All Time?
It’s safe to say that there are some incredible fantasy books out there. Sure, we can rank them by sales, but we’d be missing out on the incredible stories of indie authors who have yet to step into the spotlight.
When it comes to answering the question, what is the best fantasy series of all time? I hope we can all agree that the best answer should always be; I hope I haven’t found it yet!
