The Best Written Fantasy | Top 10

WHERE TO FIND ME:

[merphynapier]

These books aren’t in any particular order other than “I think I’ll talk about this one next” and “the ones I already talk about too much will be at the end”

What should I add to my list to read based off what I said I loved in this list?

[Kollman]

‘It doesn’t feel like there’s a plot that’s happening; it feels like there’s a world that’s happening.’ This is such a nice way to describe my favourite kind of fantasy story.

[ania]

I'm so happy that Pratchett made this list, he would be my number one when it comes to skills with words.
The way he plays with language is amazing

[EikichiOnizuka]

I've been feeling really shitty for the past two days but seeing Merphy light up when talking about One Piece literally made my body feel better. It was like a doctor prescribed injection of wholesomeness. I appreciate the unexpected pick me up.

[SvenHolgersson]

I've started to read Pratchett recently after hearing about him for so long and I'm both sad I didn't read his works earlier and excited to read more

[cloudbloom]

Rothfuss is amazing at how he writes, I was so hooked when I read the kingkiller chronicles

[AsiniusNaso]

1. Guy
2. Gavriel
3. Kay
Poignant without being purple, strong without being strident. Memorable in the mind without lingering on the page count. I measure all fantasy prose against Tigana.
Bonus: Terry Pratchett. The only fantasy author I recommend to people who don't like fantasy.
Bonus bonus: Tolkien. The dude knew his Saxon poetry enough to make his own.

[mrwizardalien]

Two of my favorite authors for all around writing ability are Guy Gavriel Kay and China Mieville. The thought that goes into everything they both write, down to the words chosen, how they go together, and all the way up to the world and plot building, all perfect.

[HeartWifDog]

Shoutout to Senor Pink, greatest henchman backstory ever!

[romanhowellfilms]

Name of the Wind is my favorite fantasy novel of all time. The prose, the pacing, the lore and world building. Nothing overstayed it’s welcome. I was fully immersed.

Patrick can describe Kvothe staring at a wall for an entire chapter and I’ll be on the edge of my seat.

I don’t believe he will finish book 3 though. Hence why I’m reading Mistborn for the first time and wow! So good.

[chickenspy]

I will always die on this hill.
Ursula K Leguin, specifically her Earthsea Cycle. Similar to Rothfuss, she builds a world where the legend hardly ever matches the brutal reality. She does so well at chronicling a young wizard's life on his way to becoming a Gandalf-like character. In doing so, she creates a context in which you can imagine the small, sometimes mundane accomplishments can be retold in stories of legend as much more grand and epic.
She also does really well in making magic a rare and valuable commodity. Something that is expected in the world, incredibly necessary for the world to function, yet limited in resources. It keeps you on edge as you never know how long the magic will last, so no character has plot armor. It was also one of the most OG magic systems that would influence so many future stories, including those of Rothfuss and George RR Martin (and though she'll never admit it, Rowling). The protagonist goes through the wringer in such a way that is very relatable. She forgoes the typical "chosen one" and creates a character that can resonate with young readers in such a powerful way: your mistakes can make you a better person if you are willing to learn from them. The books are meant for kids/young adults but I couldn't recommend it enough. Specifically "A Wizard of Earthsea" and "The Tombs of Atuan" are embedded into my brain.

She also was first up to bat on the idea of a SCHOOL OF WIZARDRY and should be recognized for the concept that came decades before Harry Potter.

[toastbread]

I would add Mervyn Peake's Gormenghast as a contender for best language in any fantasy novels. The way he revels in, and plays with, words is a joy to read!

[gbisch]

Agreed with Hobb. This paragraph below from Fool’s Fate absolutely gets me every time. So emotional, so beautiful…I think about it a lot. (Not really a spoiler but if you don’t want to read anything from fools fate then don’t read on)


“I kissed the top of his head gently. ‘Go to sleep, Fool, ’ I told him gruffly. ‘I’m here. I’ll take care of you.’ His hands came up between us and I feared he would push me away. Instead, he clutched the front of my shirt and clung tightly to me. All that night, I cradled him in my arms, as closely as if he were my child or my lover. As closely as if he were my self, wounded and alone. I held him while he wept, and I held him after his weeping was done. I let him take whatever comfort he could in the warmth and strength of my body. I have never felt less of a man that I did so.”

[KentonSchoen-lnfu]

Two authors that you did not mention but fit all of your criteria for great writing are Ursula K Le Guin and Lois McMaster Bujold. From word choice to overall themes and everything in between they are masters of their craft.

[johanjoseph]

I'm immersion reading The Sandman Graphic Novel right now and it's genuinely incredible. Can't wait for Act 4 of The Sandman 🤌✌️

[thepaladin]

Thanks - great video and excited to read some of the authors I didn't know

[reynardthefox]

As a language enthusiast, I usually tend to fall for good writing much more than the plot. A skillful manipulation of language always gets me giggling like children.
One of my earliest linguistic crushes was the hitchhiker's guide to galaxy. I never cared how the story went as long as there was more to read.
Other interesting authors to me are Oscar Wilde, Charles Dickens, Albert camas, and most recently, Joe abercrombie. the first law series really drew me in

[peterteare]

Pratchett was an absolutely master of language. My favorite Pratchett book is a lesser known, non-discworld book called Dodger. He can describe a London sewer and make it a place of wonder and magic. Beautiful!

[stormy]

I would definitely have Ursula K Le Guin on this list. She has an amazing grasp of language (every word has its purpose), her world feels alive, and the characters are so very real.

I would also include Diana Wynne Jones for similar reasons, though she is more descriptive than Le Guin

[kyleeaton]

Loved the list, which mostly overlaps with my own. There's two missing: Ursula K. Le Guin and Gene Wolfe.

Le Guin is incredible at communicating complex ideas and characters in just a few words. Left Hand of Darkness is a masterpiece, entertaining, thought provoking, and brilliantly written.

Wolfe's ability to put you in an unusual narrator's mind in a world nothing like our own and make that feel natural is maybe better than any author I've ever read in any genre (with maybe the exception of Kazuo Ishiguro). He's written many masterpieces but the best balance between accessibility and amazing writing and ideas is the Latro of the Mist series. Warning on Wolfe: many of his narrators and worlds are misogynist to varying degrees. It makes sense narratively (for instance, a teenage boy who's only met women he's about to torture is not likely to be a feminist), but your mileage may vary on how much of that you can tolerate.