Best Fantasy Series for Adults
The Name of the Wind is the best adult fantasy series to start with for readers new to epic fantasy — it combines literary prose quality with extraordinary world-building and a protagonist whose voice is immediately compelling. It's best for readers who want character depth and beautiful writing alongside their fantasy mechanics. The tradeoff: A Game of Thrones is the most famous entry in the genre but its unfinished status is a genuine problem. Mistborn is the best choice for readers who want a finished, contained epic.
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Quick Comparison
| # | Book | Best For | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin | Most Famous / Most Expansive | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 | The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss | Best Literary Fantasy / Best Prose | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 | The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson | Best Finished Epic Fantasy | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 | Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson | Best Finished Fantasy Trilogy / Best Entry Point | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 | The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch | Best for Thriller Fans Coming to Fantasy | Buy on Amazon |
Full Reviews
1. A Game of Thrones
by George R.R. Martin
Multiple noble houses compete for control of the Iron Throne of the Seven Kingdoms while a supernatural threat emerges in the north. Martin's world is brutally realistic, morally complex, and populated with dozens of three-dimensional characters. The prose is accessible and the plotting is extraordinary. The TV adaptation divergence has not diminished the novels.
Skip this if: Skip this if unfinished series bother you — Martin has not finished the main series and there is no announced publication date for the next volume.
2. The Name of the Wind
by Patrick Rothfuss
A legendary wizard tells the story of his life across three days in a rural inn. Rothfuss writes fantasy with the literary care of a serious novelist — the prose is the best in the genre. Kvothe is one of fantasy's most compelling protagonists. The second book (The Wise Man's Fear) matches the first. Book three remains unpublished.
Skip this if: Skip this if unfinished series bother you — book three of the Kingkiller Chronicle has been in progress for over a decade.
3. The Way of Kings
by Brandon Sanderson
The first book in the Stormlight Archive, set on a world where hurricanes called highstorms have shaped all life. Sanderson's magic systems are the most rigorously designed in fantasy, and his world-building is unmatched in scale. Slow to start — the payoff arrives around page 400. Best fantasy series currently being published.
Skip this if: Skip this if you want a shorter commitment — the Stormlight Archive is planned as a 10-book series with each book 1,000+ pages.
4. Mistborn
by Brandon Sanderson
In a world covered in ash where the Dark Lord won a thousand years ago, a group of thieves attempts the impossible heist of overthrowing an immortal god-king. The Mistborn trilogy is a complete, satisfying story told across three volumes. The first book is Sanderson's most accessible and the magic system is his most elegant.
Skip this if: Skip this if you want Martin-level moral ambiguity — Sanderson's heroes are more traditionally heroic.
5. The Lies of Locke Lamora
by Scott Lynch
Two thieves in a Venice-inspired fantasy city run elaborate cons against the nobility while navigating a genuine moral crisis. Lynch writes fantasy from the ground level — not kings and armies but grifters and street wisdom. Witty, dark, and morally complex. The best fantasy novel for readers who like crime fiction.
Skip this if: Skip this if you prefer traditional epic fantasy — this is a heist novel wearing fantasy clothes.
What to Consider Before You Buy
Finished vs. ongoing series
Mistborn (3 books, complete) and The Lies of Locke Lamora are safer bets if you're frustrated by unfinished series. ASOIAF and Kingkiller Chronicle are both unfinished.
Magic system preference
Sanderson's magic is systematic and rule-based. Martin's is rare and mysterious. Rothfuss's is academic and consistent. Know what appeals to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best adult fantasy series?
If you want finished: Mistborn by Sanderson. If you want the best prose: The Name of the Wind by Rothfuss. If you want maximum scope: A Game of Thrones by Martin.
Is Game of Thrones worth starting given it's unfinished?
Yes — the existing books (1-5) are complete narratives that can be appreciated on their own terms. The unfinished status affects the series resolution, not the quality of what's published.
Our Verdict
New to fantasy: start with Mistborn for a complete, satisfying trilogy. Experienced fantasy readers: The Name of the Wind has the best prose. Those who want the biggest world: A Game of Thrones.