TOP 10 FANTASY SERIES (2023) 

I love the way you describe everything with such passion, it hypes me up to wanna read the series that I haven't read.

Making top 10 lists are so hard. There's just so much good stuff out there. We're really lucky about that! I'm also still completely in love with Kingkiller Chronicle and I read them almost 8 years ago now. The lore and mythology is so incredibly rich, it pulled me in like nothing else. I'm also a sucker for ''the main character tells his/her life's story'' trope.

I just found your channel, and I loved checking out your thoughts! Well done, John!! Best to you from NH!

Fun list. I like that you included Sandman. He’s an incredible story teller

Happy New Year! I'm so happy to have stumbled onto your channel via this video tonight! Love how you talk about books and look forward to watching more of your videos! ❤

killer list John! Super well thought-out and those are great reasons to have your list look like that. Your passion for the books on this list is fantastic!!

First time viewer - love the passion and thoughtfulness in your commentary! subscribed!

Fantastic list, John! I'm a big fan of most of your choices. That said, I'm pretty sure I'll never be able to make another top ten fantasy series video because there are just too many I would want to include at this point. I might try anyway. Maybe I'll cheat and make a top twenty video. Or a top thirty . . . Unranked . . . Anyway, thank you for the excellent video!

Awesome video, love your description of the books you talk about. New sub!

Crazy this channel only has 2500 subscribers. Love this guys passion and well worded reviews, not to mention the whole camera setup

Enthusiasm with great production quality? Subbed instantly. Words of Radiance is also my final read (or listen, in this case) of 2023. I'm definitely not the first to say this, but the Stormlight audiobooks are top notch! One nitpick, though: leave the covers of books on the screen (at least longer) while you talk about them. Great video!

Great list so far, and I'm definitely interested in seeing how it changes over the next year+! I just found your channel today, but I'm glad do be a new subscriber along for the journey. As far as recommendations that may make the list for you: Malazan (obviously); Dandelion Dynasty; Dungeon Crawler Carl (best if you're in to video games at all, but very good even if you aren't); The Five Warrior Angels; Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn; The Faithful and the Fallen. And yes, your opinion will change after Words of Radiance (my personal favorite of the series), but it will also probably change after the next two as well. They're still very good, just not quite as good in my opinion.

Just discovered your channel, such an easy subscribe for me. Loved it!

It looks like this video has blown up, congrats my man! Also a great list as well. Some series' I enjoy, and some that I haven't read yet. To be honest with you, I'm nervous to make a video about this subject. Not only am I not sure where I would start, I don't know if I've read enough series' to justify a list. Also my favorite fantasy of all time is a stand alone!! AGH! I'm also glad to see The Sandman on the list. It may be a comic, but it is just as worthy as being called a fantasy epic as Lord of The Rings or A Song of Ice and Fire is. Keep it up my man!

I love your review so much. So enthusiastic❤

Awesome list John! ASOIAF is my favorite series of all time. Great choice! Sandman is absolutely fantasy, and it’s one of my favorites.

Awesome list. I am so glad I found your channel ❤

Words of Radiance will def make Stormlight shoot up your list, such a good book! Also, awesome list! You’ve earned a sub!

Really interesting list ! A Song of Ice and Fire is also my favourite series , and Stormlight Archives is my second favourite. I still need to form my list after that but it gets difficult to rank 😂number 3 is probably Faithful and the Fallen

Todd here. I just discovered your channel very nice list! I read The Blade Itself, the ending made me giggle, I would like to read the other two in the trilogy. Merry Christmas to you and your loved ones

I've finished book 7 of Wheel of Time. It's a comfort read for me but I can see how it didn't make your Top Ten. Loved most of your list (Yay, Sandman!), but I could quibble with the order (First Law at 8???). That said, I've tried to read Name of the Wind multiple times. It just doesn't work for me, though I can understand why others love it. I look forward to seeing how your list changes as your reading journey continues.

I absolutely agree with this list. If I may suggest Malazan? It's right up your avenue and I'm confident you'll love it.

Yassssssssss love me a top-10 series vid, and I have plenty of overlaps in my own favs! Right there with you on First Law, Warlord Chronicles (def reads like fantasy!), Stormlight, and ASoIaF! Gentlemen Bastards has been a bit up and down for me but I’m pretty into it at this point too. I love getting hyped for things I haven’t tried yet like Last War, Dark Tower, and the Empire Trilogy!

Wish he would keep the image of the book up the entire duration he is speaking on that book. I listen while driving and don't see image when I look down and idk, just think it would be better to always have a image up on the side .

Wow, great list, we align quite a bit and I've been loving Sandman on audiobook so I completely see why it's made the list.

Great list, happy to see some of my faves

Great list! Looking forward to more videos!

Thanks. Your top 5 matches my top 5 exactly (so far).

Good list, if a bit on the safe side. What I liked was how you illustrated specifically why some of these series worked so well for you (eg, Sandman). If you haven’t yet, I’d recommend taking a good look at Memory, Sorrow and Thorn by Tad Williams, some of Guy Gavriel Kay’s stand-alones: Song for Arbonne, Tigana, Lions of Al-Rassan, and MZ Bradley’s Mists of Avalon. Some of these neo-classics (of similar vintage to Feist) are truly remarkable.

Great list. And I think every Wheel of Time reader agrees; the slog is real. I just pulled my braid and smoothed my skirts and pushed through.

i don't know if you have read the faithful and the fallen series by John Gwynne, i liked that a lot, got me into reading again, and i hear nothing but praises for his new series the bloodsworn saga. Great video!

It’s a very nice top 10! I saw that my fellow Brigeburners already recommended Malazan and all I can say is: it is a masterpiece of Fantasy (and literature in general). Greetings from Brazil (Brasil).

I can't agree more ASOIAF is truly amazing.

Great list John! I’m about 60% through Words of Radiance. Stormlight is very much knocking on the door of my number 1 fantasy series slot.

Blown away by this wonderfully, passionate review. Great to know there are others like me out there. I am just beginning my fantasy book journey and this has been a great help. So many recommendations noted and anticipated for 2024. Clicked the like button and subscribed. Will be back for more ... Best wishes from Lottie in England.

Really good video, thank you!

I read all of the Dresden Files in 2023, and First Law first trilogy. Totally different, but loved them. What a great list. Well done and with enthusiasm ✨ Happy 2024 to you and yours. Lynn

What a list! Only recognized a few authors, but now I want to add these books to my 2024 TBR! I really want to get into fantasy this coming year. My first go at it has been the Harry Potter series and I’m currently on the 5th book.

Great video. You really seem to love these books. Definitely subbing.

Very interesting list, many of these I have to get to big time! 2024 will be a busy year

I gotta go with Malazan Book of the Fallen. Even though I'm only on book 8, it has dropped nuclear bombs on what I imagined was possible through fiction

Although our lists are 100% different, I do appreciate these videos. My list would include Wheel of Time at the top followed by Memory, Sorrow and Thorn, Realm of the Elderlings, Dresden, Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings.

Helluva list! Loved the inclusion of Sandman. Great comic.

A song of ice and fire is also my favorite fantasy series! ❤ Those books saved my life.

hey man! amazing videos! new fan for sure, Can we please please please have a spoiler review or deep discussion video on Warlord Chronicles? thanks so much!

Great list! My top three are the same as yours, though the rest differs somewhat.

I have been reading The Faithful and the Fallen series by John Gwynne this year and I am loving it!

I didn't know some of the authors in the top 10. Thank you for the clarification and review.

Great list. I feel like my list would just be constantly changing based on my mood on the day. Haha

I must get around to reading the Dark Tower series again and Stormlight Archive is definitely on my radar for 2024...especially since book five comes out in December. I want to be caught so I can experience the anticipation along with everyone else!

Love your list almost the same as mine. Sandman yes,dark tower yes(drawing of three wizard and glass) and game of thrones is always #1 god you explained the appeal of game of thrones so well !!!!

I love top 10 lists like this. You did a fab job. My top 10 would be different but who cares! because reading is so personal and subjective. There are pleny of books that get really high ranks but i DNF them and books I adore that other people think are not so good. Plus, I still have a long way to go in terms of reading enough fantasy- Im sorely lacking in the number of books I have managed to read .I'd say my only personal litmus test is whether LOTR gets love. If a booktuber does not appreciate Tolkien ( and it doesnt have to be their favorite- just respected) , I feel like we are probably too out of sync. anyway- loved your list

So happy to see that you’ve included Stephen King’s Dark Tower series. He is my favorite author and his writing is unsurpassable. Another author I love is Brian Lee Durfee with his 5 Warrior Angels trilogy.

Solid list! I agree 110%, Sandman absolutely belongs on there. I may have to redo my list. 🤔😆 Speaking of redoing your list, get ready to, once you read Malazan. 😜

Sir, you made a 29 min uncut youtube video, And it's one of the best booktube videos I have seen recently.

Seen a lot of rumblings about The Lost War recently! Definitely has caught my attention 👀 Yesss!!! Lies is wonderful. The non linear storytelling in the first installment is one of my favorite aspects :) Can’t wait to hear your thoughts on Words of Radiance! It’s the best book in Stormlight so far in my opinion.

My personal favorite is all 10 books of first law. Both trilogies and the 4 standalones blew me away, it such a well built world. And absolutely devastating at times. Ps. The second trilogie is even better than the first 😊

That's a great list, John. Got a few favourites of mine on there. Always fun to see what will and won't change in the years to come. Mine would be: Honourable Mentions: Broken Empire / Mark Lawrence Greatcoats / Sebastien De Castell Lord of the Rings / Tolkien The Burning / Evan Winter Predictions: (Series I've started but am not caught up yet, that could make the 10) Books of Babel / Josiah Bancroft Dandelion Dynasty / Ken Liu Discworld City Watch / Terry Pratchett Earthsea / Ursula K LeGuin Kingkiller Chronicle / Patrick Rothfuss Shadows of the Apt / Adrian Tchaikovsky The rest of Realm of the Elderlings / Robin Hobb Wars of Light & Shadow / Janny Wurts Series 10 - 4: The Witcher Saga / Andrzej Sapkowski Sarantine Mosaic / Guy Gavriel Kay Red Queen's War / Mark Lawrence Gentleman Bastard / Scott Lynch Farseer / Robin Hobb Dresden Files / Jim Butcher Long Price Quartet / Daniel Abraham First Law / Joe Abercrombie The Top 3 (Order Really Doesn't Matter) A Song of Ice & Fire / GRRM Malazan Book of the Fallen / Steven Erikson Second Apocalypse / R Scott Bakker

It’s hard to whittle it down to just ten. Good list

i love this video so much and LOTR is also my top book of 2023

My list: Series: LOTR w/ The Hobbit, Bloodsworn, Song of Ice & Fire, First Law, Warlord, WOT & the Witcher! Books: Blacktongue Thief, The Magician, Daughter of the Empire, The Black Cauldron, Boudica Dreaming the Eagle, Wizard & Glass, Voyager, Time & Again and last but not least The Lion, the Witch & the Wardrobe!

I would love to hear your thoughts on John Gwynne, author of The Faithful and the Fallen series and The Bloodsworn trilogy. He's my favorite fantasy author.

I keep an eye out for top 10 lists so I can get reading ideas for my TBR, lol. I need to add the Shackle & Cromwell series looks like, lol. Here is my top 10: 10. The Deed of Paksenarrion by Elizabeth Moon 9. The Band by Nicolaus Eames 8. Powder Mage universe by Brian McClellen 7. Belgariad universe by David Eddings 6. Kingkiller Chronicles by Patrick Rothfuss 5. Malazan Book of the Fallen by Steven Erikson 4. Drenai Saga by David Gemmell 3. First Law universe by Joe Abercrombie 2. Stormlight Archive by Brandon Sanderson 1. Wheel of Time by Robert Jordan/Brandon Sanderson WoT has been my #1 series since I started reading it back in 1997. Doubt anything will knock it out of the top spot. SA might if book 5 & the second set are as good as the first 4 but that's a long way off. KC might also have a shot if Rothfuss ever finishes it and it's as good as NotW (not going to hold my breath or anything).

Have you read the Mists of Avalon? If you like Arthurian stories it’s definitely fantastic. I know there are more books in the series and admittedly I haven’t read them but the first one is 100/10.

I looooove seeing Lies of Locke Lamora on this list!!!

We gotta get you into Malazan!

Great list! Most of them are also my favorites. What I think is missing is the Realm of the Elderlings, Robin Hobb. To me she is the best fantasy writer so far.

The Warlord Chronicles is one of my favorite trilogies. In my opinion, Cornwell is the best at immersion.

Mad respect for committing to making the list (even if you cheated with all the honourable mentions, haha). I am curious to see how the finale to The Last War is going to affect its ranking, hopefully you won't regret this choice within a month's time 🤣 Heeeeck yes for the Gentleman Bastard and Kingkiller love, just goes to show that a good series doesn't need to have an ending to make an immense impact on a reader. And I can't believe I still haven't read Sandman, because I consider Gaiman one of my favourite authors! Loved seeing your picks, and I can't wait to see how this list is going to change over the years. Here's to finding many more faves! 🤩

Ah to be on this list, a dream come true

I got nothing to tell you what SHOULD or SHOULDN'T be on this list. These are great series. If I hadn't read them, they're certainly on my own TBR. I have been meaning to get to First Law for about 3 years now, and fingers crossed 🤞 that I can touch it in 2024. My only series I've read in 2023 is Realm/Elderlings- I'm on the 8th book, and she's becoming one of my favorite all time writers. But my priorities for next year will be First Law, John Gwynne's Faithful/Fallen (his Bloodsworn books are fantastic) and Kagen the Damned.

If you like Cornwall, you will love any John gwynne. His books are fantastic.

I’m two books deep into WOT but I still might put it on the list, although I haven’t read 10 fantasy series lol

Fun list

Great video. Do you have Goodreads?

I really enjoy sanctuary by robert j crane. Its fun to watch the main character enter the guild sanctuary. He grows gains new comrades loses old ones. Every triumph is shadowed by the dark opening, and each book brings us closer to it and then beyond. Its humurous its magic races and gods are well balanced.

If I did this, I’d probably have just as many honorable mentions…

The bright side to my reluctance read beyond stand-alones means I can keep Narnia and Dragonlance Chronicles on my top10 list for the time being, but I tremble that the time will come when they'll have to face all the skill sets of modern fantasy! Maybe they'll be safe on most "beloved" series as opposed to "best", but maybe not. Surely Middle Earth can't be budged from #1. But I met and loved the Lies of Locke Lamora this year, and I'm many issues into Sandman, (Three Septembers and a January) I know how surreal and resonant and exciting and daring they can get. It's going to be hard to judge the clash of the titans - how does one tabulate such immensity?

So many books, so little time... From the list I've only read Mistborn era 1, the Name of the Wind and the Fellowship of the Ring. I'd like to read Malazan this next year and already read Gardens of the Moon.

If you're open to try something new, I would recommend 2 most famous S.Korean webnovel series "Omniscient reader's viewpoint" and "Trash of the Count's family". I have to note that the writing quality might not be the most sophisticated or anything and they're a bit more beginner, YA fantasy. But I found them strangely entertaining. I watched many booktubers and these have never been mentioned (even in the category of bad fantasy books 😂) so I thought I should let you know that they are out there

If you ever run into a reading slump, just come listen to this!

Solid list and ASoI&F is also #1 for me. I don’t care that it’s unfinished and probably won’t be by the original author. I have no nostalgia for it like I do for the Redwall series. It’s comparable to me finally joining the party late by watching/reading Berserk and Hunter X Hunter in 2017; both top tier manga/anime that I highly recommend even if you’re new to manga/anime. Berserk is especially influential as seen by the Dark Souls series and other games by FromSoftware such as Bloodborne and Elden Ring. George R.R. Martin himself has acknowledged Berserk. Hunter X Hunter reminds of Final Fantasy VII due to both being fantastical versions of our modern day world, with engaging stories that put themselves very high on fans’ lists. I look forward to any possible changes after you read Malazan, stuff by Robin Hobb, the Redwall series, AND, folks, let’s not forget one of the other godfathers of today, Tad Williams!

With everything you said about LotR and ASoIaF, I can’t help but feel that Wheel of Time will be in your top 3 by this time next year. To me, WoT is a more fleshed out LotR that isn’t afraid to do things its own way. Robert Jordan is a master craftsman with story and character (though sadly not with romantic relationships), and Sanderson ends it all with a bombastic symphony like he does so often. I’ve read the entire series twice and I suspect I’ll keep coming back every couple years or so. Just push through the slog, and by the end you’ll be wanting to jump right back in and discover all the sprinkled in Easter eggs and foreshadowings.

‘The 2nd apocalypse’ by R. Scott Bakker. I will die on this hill this series is a masterpiece; anyone who hasn’t read this and likes dark fantasy I couldn’t recommend enough, you don’t know what your missing 🤯🤯 This is only behind Malazan for me and that’s with reading 90% of fantasy series by far the most under-appreciated set of books in fantasy.

I know haven’t read The Malazan Book Of The Fallen Series. But you should, it’ll be in your top 3. 😊

I prefer you pick your 10 favorites regardless if more than 1 series is from the same author....my only caveat would be the series from the same author would have to be 2 different worlds...so, not being able to pick multiple series in the Realm of the Elderlings. But I think you could do Misborn and Stormlight....you might say Cosmere but those 2 series are completely different as far as I'm concerned.

If you find time and can read Berserk it will deff be up in your top 5

Stromlight Archive is my all-time favorite. especially the first three books. Words of Radiance may be the most perfact book ever.

The Last War is AWESOME! As is First Law, The Warlord Chronicles, Sandman, LotR and A Song of Ice and Fire!

Yaaaaaas!! Asoiaf is the best imho too

Two series that aren’t and won’t ever be finished in the top 3 is crazy. Love and own both series but I unlike you do begrudge the authors that lured me into these amazing stories and left me hanging all these years. Especially a song of ice and fire where they adapted it to tv and gave us the worst ending possible

I second Warlord Chronicles. This trilogy is so special to me. Also, the narrator on Audible is perfection. I highly recommend fantasy readers. The biggest thing for me is early Christianity in this vs Paganism it's incredible

I'm turning 18 this birthday. Need recommendation of best novels for my age group. Yea I am a huge fan of Harry Potter series so you know my genre right?

GRRM would have said you missed one for your top 10. The Amber Series from Roger Zelazny.

Dude, just do a top 15! :-)

I'm going to wait until you read Malazan. The series is the most rewarding books I have ever read. But that's just me (and a few other people who have read the series)

Im surprised not to see wheel of time on this list, but agree with all the others, and youve given me a few other series to conider great video

Watching this instead of reading the book I'm halfway through 🎉

Yes, I still haven't read a better book than Game of Thrones. It's just amazing. I've read first law, Malazan, mistborn, dandelion dynasty and more this year but my #1 choice is Dungeon Crawler Carl (on audiobook). I listen on my commute and I finished all 6 books then just started over from #1 because it ruined me for every other audiobook and fantasy series. 😂

you know there are books that can give you some extra years