Best Fantasy Series - the starting books

A Listmania! list by Katie
 
A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire, Book 1)
1.  A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire, Book 1) by George R. R. Martin
The list author says:
  "Can't wait for A Dance with Dragons!  The characters are real and not impossibly good or evil, as they often are in fantasy."
Used & New from: £3.24
4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (769 customer reviews) | 2 customer discussions

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Assassin's Apprentice (The Farseer Trilogy - Book 1)
2.  Assassin's Apprentice (The Farseer Trilogy - Book 1) by Robin Hobb
The list author says:
  "Slow moving at first, but well-developed characters and fantastic story.  The three trilogies are all linked - read Farseers, then Liveship Traders then Tawny Man"
£6.29   Used & New from: £0.01
4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (166 customer reviews) | 1 customer discussion

Gardens of the Moon (Malazan Book of the Fallen)
3.  Gardens of the Moon (Malazan Book of the Fallen) by Steven Erikson
The list author says:
  "An amazing series. I didn't find them anywhere near as hard to read as I was expecting from reviews. Yes, its pretty complicated and I did double check a few details, but it doesn't spoil them at all"
Used & New from: £0.01
4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (145 customer reviews)

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Daughter of the Empire
4.  Daughter of the Empire by Raymond E. Feist
The list author says:
  "A fabulous trilogy - the best of Feist's books that I've read, and also made me buy some of Janny Wurts - they definitely write very well together."
£6.29   Used & New from: £0.01
4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (32 customer reviews)

The Lies of Locke Lamora
5.  The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch
The list author says:
  "Loved this.  Very easy to read.  No complex worlds that some find it hard to keep up with, such as Malazan, but the pace is kept up throughout, there are laugh-out-loud moments and the plot is great!"
£5.59   Used & New from: £0.01
4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (111 customer reviews)

The Dark Tower: Gunslinger Bk. 1
6.  The Dark Tower: Gunslinger Bk. 1 by Stephen King
The list author says:
  "A darker, very complicated and very long series of books - very good (and not horror) I love Jake and Oy!"
Used & New from: £1.00
3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (129 customer reviews)

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Magician (Riftwar Saga)
7.  Magician (Riftwar Saga) by Raymond E. Feist
The list author says:
  "The first book, and definitely the best set in this world.  Shame about the other two books in the trilogy, although they're quite good."
£5.95   Used & New from: £0.01
4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (188 customer reviews) | 1 customer discussion

New Spring: A Wheel of Time Prequel
8.  New Spring: A Wheel of Time Prequel by Robert Jordan
The list author says:
  "This is the first chronologically, but is a prequel to the Wheel of Time series.  Occasional bad patches, but overall, a nice, long series that I just keep reading!"
£6.29   Used & New from: £0.01
3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (44 customer reviews)

The Colour of Magic: The First  Discworld Novel
9.  The Colour of Magic: The First Discworld Novel by Terry Pratchett
The list author says:
  "Fantastic series - absolutely hilarious!"
£5.49   Used & New from: £0.01
4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (124 customer reviews)

Covenants: A Borderlands Novel (Borderland (Roc))
10.  Covenants: A Borderlands Novel (Borderland (Roc)) by Lorna Freeman
The list author says:
  "A very funny book with a great plot as well.  A must!"
Used & New from: £1.80
4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)

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A Sorcerer's Treason: Book One of the Isavalta Trilogy
11.  A Sorcerer's Treason: Book One of the Isavalta Trilogy by Sarah Zettel
The list author says:
  "Amazing - original and surprising.  I'm so annoyed I can't get hold of the third book!"
£6.04   Used & New from: £0.01
4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)

Temeraire (Temeraire 1) [a.k.a. His Majesty's Dragon]
12.  Temeraire (Temeraire 1) [a.k.a. His Majesty's Dragon] by Naomi Novik
The list author says:
  "Fabulous mix of history and magic - very easy to read."
£5.59   Used & New from: £0.01
4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (62 customer reviews)

Wizard's First Rule: Book 1: The Sword Of Truth Series: Wizard's First Rule Bk.1
13.  Wizard's First Rule: Book 1: The Sword Of Truth Series: Wizard's First Rule Bk.1 by Terry Goodkind
The list author says:
  "Some people don't like the S.o.T., or think that it gets worse, but this has got to be one of my favourite fantasy series because of the first few books - ignore the others"
Used & New from: £0.01
4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (141 customer reviews)

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The Soldier Son Trilogy (1) - Shaman's Crossing: Book One of The Soldier Son Trilogy
14.  The Soldier Son Trilogy (1) - Shaman's Crossing: Book One of The Soldier Son Trilogy by Robin Hobb
The list author says:
  "You have to remember that this will be different from her other books - like when I started the Assassin books, it took a time to get into her new series, but it was worth it."
£6.29   Used & New from: £0.01
3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (85 customer reviews)

The Briar King (Kingdoms of Thorn & Bone)
15.  The Briar King (Kingdoms of Thorn & Bone) by Greg Keyes
The list author says:
  "Series of four.  Loved the first, very well written, some old ideas in new ways.  Second and third not quite as good."
Used & New from: £0.01
4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)

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Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell
16.  Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke
The list author says:
  "Written in the style of  the Napoleonic era in which it is set, this book is a great account of English magic in the 19th century.I call it a series because there's a linked book of short stories"
£6.99   Used & New from: £0.01
3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (337 customer reviews) | 2 customer discussions

The Blade Itself: Book One Of The First Law (Gollancz S.F.)
17.  The Blade Itself: Book One Of The First Law (Gollancz S.F.) by Joe Abercrombie
The list author says:
  "This book grabs you and won't let you go.  The characters are unnattractive at times, but that just adds to their strange appeal."
£4.76   Used & New from: £0.01
4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (160 customer reviews)

Mirror Dreams (Wizard Laenan Kite Books)
18.  Mirror Dreams (Wizard Laenan Kite Books) by Catherine Webb
The list author says:
  "Really good two books, even more amazing that Catherine Webb was 14 and 16 when she wrote them."
£5.39   Used & New from: £0.01
4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)

The Earthsea Quartet: "A Wizard Of Earthsea"; "The Tombs of Atuan"; "The Farthest Shore"; "Tehanu" (Puffin Books)
19.  The Earthsea Quartet: "A Wizard Of Earthsea"; "The Tombs of Atuan"; "The Farthest Shore"; "Tehanu" (Puffin Books) by Ursula Le Guin
The list author says:
  "Classic.  A different style to most fantasy authors I have read; I can't really say how, but these books are great. Although the story seems unfinished at times, it does not spoil the book for me."
£7.69   Used & New from: £1.18
4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (53 customer reviews)

The Gift (Pellinor Trilogy)
20.  The Gift (Pellinor Trilogy) by Alison Croggon
The list author says:
  "Great so far, but the story's not finished yet.  Easy to read in comparison to some."
£5.99   Used & New from: £0.01
4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (79 customer reviews) | 1 customer discussion

Northern Lights (His Dark Materials)
21.  Northern Lights (His Dark Materials) by Philip Pullman
The list author says:
  "A fabulous trilogy, especially this book.  If you haven't read them, they're a must."
Used & New from: £0.01
4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (780 customer reviews) | 3 customer discussions

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Magic Kingdom for Sale/Sold (Magic Kingdom of Landover)
22.  Magic Kingdom for Sale/Sold (Magic Kingdom of Landover) by Terry Brooks
The list author says:
  "This is a funnier and lighter style than Shannara and Word/Void - and much more enjoyable.  Definitely his best writing."
Used & New from: £0.01
4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)

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Pawn Of Prophecy: Book One Of The Belgariad
23.  Pawn Of Prophecy: Book One Of The Belgariad by David Eddings
The list author says:
  "Quite a good book, gets better in the later books.  My first fantasies; not my favourite, but they got me hooked on the genre!  Prequels much better."
£5.59   Used & New from: £0.01
4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (101 customer reviews)

The Magicians' Guild: Black Magician Trilogy, Book 1
24.  The Magicians' Guild: Black Magician Trilogy, Book 1 by Trudi Canavan
The list author says:
  "OK - easy to read, some twists but they aren't always unexpected."
Used & New from: £0.01
3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (192 customer reviews) | 1 customer discussion

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Legend
25.  Legend by David Gemmell
The list author says:
  "Hard to know what order to read these in - doesn't matter too much though.  Actually prefer the Waylander books, but Druss is good too."
£5.99   Used & New from: £0.01
4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (74 customer reviews)

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Author

Katie
Last updated: 29/12/2007
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