What Reading Order Should I Follow For The Top Fantasy Series In History?

With something like 'The Witcher', there's a short story collection first—'The Last Wish'. It introduces Geralt, establishes the tone, and gives you the rules of the world. Skipping it to go straight into the saga novels is a huge mistake; you'll miss crucial context and character foundations.

Ooh, what about myth retellings? If you know Greek myths, Madeline Miller's 'Circe' is a stunning, accessible entry into fantasy with a literary bent. Norse myths? 'The Gospel of Loki' by Joanne Harris. These books use a familiar mythological framework to tell a fresh, character-driven story. You get the comfort of known stories with the depth of a novel.

shrug I usually just read whatever my friend lends me first. If I get confused, I ask them what I should read next. Having a guide who's already read it is the best 'order' of all. They can tailor it to what you like.

Look for omnibus editions or box sets. Publishers often bundle books in the order they deem most accessible for new readers, which might be a hybrid approach. This can be a great, low-effort way to go. Also, audiobook versions sometimes have narrator changes or production quirks that make a particular order more listenable. Audible reviews often mention if listening in a different sequence improved the experience.

If you want a proper tour through the bones and heartbeat of fantasy, start with the books that shaped whole generations. Begin in the mid-20th century with 'The Hobbit' (1937) and then read 'The Fellowship of the Ring' (1954), 'The Two Towers' (1954), and 'The Return of the King' (1955). Parallel to that era is 'The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe' (1950) and the rest of the 'The Chronicles of Narnia' (1950–1956) if you like a fairytale-meets-myth vibe. Slide into the modern mythmakers with 'A Wizard of Earthsea' (1968) by Ursula K. Le Guin and then pick up 'The Once and Future King' (1958) for Arthurian retelling warmth; these establish the quieter, philosophical branch of fantasy that still hums under many contemporary series. From there the genre explodes into epic cycles and swords-and-sorcery in the 1970s–1990s. Read 'The Silmarillion' (1977) after the main Tolkien books if you want the deeper cosmogony; follow with 'The Sword of Shannara' (1977) for that early commercial epic feel, then take a detour to 'Watership Down' (1972) for something lyrical and strange. The 1980s and 1990s bring series like 'Pawn of Prophecy' (1982) by David Eddings, 'Magician' (1982) by Raymond E. Feist, and then the megaseries era: 'The Eye of the World' (1990) by Robert Jordan and 'A Game of Thrones' (1996) by George R.R. Martin. These teach pacing, sprawling casts, and worldbuilding on a grander scale. Finally, move into the 21st century's reinventions and experiments: 'American Gods' (2001) by Neil Gaiman for myth in modern clothes, 'Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell' (2004) by Susanna Clarke for historical magic realism, and 'Elantris' (2005) followed by 'Mistborn: The Final Empire' (2006) and 'The Way of Kings' (2010) by Brandon Sanderson for clever systems and propulsive plotting. Add 'The Lies of Locke Lamora' (2006) and 'The Blade Itself' (2006) for grimy, character-first fantasy, 'The Name of the Wind' (2007) for lyrical first-person storytelling, and 'The Fifth Season' (2015) by N.K. Jemisin for structural innovation. If you want a modern standalone, try 'The Priory of the Orange Tree' (2019). Reading in publication order like this helps you see how tropes evolve: from myth and fairy tale to sprawling epics, then to subversion and reinvention. Pick an entry that matches the mood you want and let it carry you—there are shelves waiting to be explored, each with its own strange music.