The fantasy genre contains a nearly limitless selection of exquisite book series, but some are far better equipped for newbies than others. Fantasy book series are known for being complex and long-winded, with massive worlds and magical systems that take thousands of pages to fully flesh out. It's no wonder that readers looking to explore the genre would feel intimidated. However, not every fantasy series requires such a commitment to become fully immersed.
A book series doesn't have to be painfully complex to fit within the fantasy genre. World building is typically a must, and any series in this genre must have a definable magic system. However, some authors specialize in making their stories accessible to just about anyone willing to dive in. A great introduction to fantasy will check all the boxes of the genre and familiarize new readers with the staples of this form of storytelling. Over time, readers can slowly dive deeper into fantasy as they get more comfortable. First, however, they need a place to start these limitless journeys.
10 The Mistborn Saga
By Brandon Sanderson
Brandon Sanderon's Mistborn series is the perfect introduction to High Fantasy. The central saga comprises seven total novelas broken into two "Eras." Era One is a trilogy, which features The Final Empire (2006), The Well of Ascension (2007), and The Hero of Ages (2008). From there, the story continues into Era Two—The Alloy of Law (2011), Shadows of Self (2015), The Bands of Mourning (2016), and The Lost Metal (2022).
Brandon Sanderson has Mistborn Era Three in the works.
The Mistborn Saga checks all the boxes for a great fantasy, and there is a healthy amount of lore and worldbuilding to dive into. However, it's not so complicated that those new to the fantasy genre would become overwhelmed. Readers can dip their toes in with Era One and feel perfectly satisfied, or continue on and dive deeper. It's low obligation, but high reward.
9 The Lord Of The Rings
By J.R.R. Tolkien
The Lord of the Rings books are often considered when thinking of the fantasy genre. Tolkien started this series with The Hobbit (1937), which was initially intended as a standalone novel. The author eventually continued into the central Lord of the Rings books, which were published in three volumes—The Fellowship of the Ring (1954), The Two Towers (1954), and The Return of the King (1955). After Tolkien's death, many of his notes and unfinished works were published as additional installments in the series.
The Lord of the Rings is often considered the grandfather of High Fantasy, making the series a must for anyone getting started. However, these books aren't particularly easy reads. Beginning with The Hobbit is highly recommended, both because it comes first in the chronology and because it is a bit lighter. For those who struggle to continue through the Lord of the Rings books, the audiobooks narrated by Andy Serkis (who played Gollum in Peter Jackson's movies) is an excellent alternative.
8 Harry Potter
By J.K. Rowling
Harry Potter is another fantasy series that is an eternal staple of the genre. The series consists of seven novels: the first and easiest to read is Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (1997), followed by Chamber of Secrets (1998), Prisoner of Azkaban (1999), Goblet of Fire (2000), Order of the Phoenix (2003), Half-Blood Prince (2005), and Deathly Hallows (2007).
While Harry Potter isn't a high fantasy book series, it still lines up with many traditional tropes and formulas. The story is a classic Dark Lord versus Chosen one adventure, but each novel is, at its core, a mystery. This makes Harry Potter an easy read for those who don't typically dabble in the genre. Still, once you have read Harry Potter, other fantasy book series begin to feel familiar, since many follow a similar structure.
7 The Inkheart Trilogy
By Cornelia Funke
The central Inkheart series comprises three novels, Inkheart (2003), Inkspell (2005), and Inkdeath (2007), each of which explores the traditional fantasy components of the "Inkworld." In 2024, Funke also released The Color of Revenge, which revisits the story a handful of in-world years after Inkdeath's conclusion. The Inkheart series is primarily aimed at children, which makes it an easy read. Still, the fact that the fantasy series is actually about the fantasy literary genre itself makes it the perfect place for readers to get started.
The best thing about Inkheart is how the story itself makes readers fall in love with books, which are portrayed as characters and friends all their own.
The Inkheart series is a novel-within-a-novel story, in which characters from "our" world are magically swept into a book (and vice versa). The world the characters ultimately find themselves in is high fantasy, with castles and an endless supply of dark and whimsical magical creatures. The best thing about Inkheart is how the story itself makes readers fall in love with books, which are portrayed as characters and friends all their own.
6 The Dreamblood Duology
By N.K. Jemisin
The Dreamblood Duology is a two-part fantasy book series by author N.K. Jemisin, so it's not an overly taxing commitment to read. The two novels, The Killing Moon (2012) and The Shadowed Sun (2016), feature an Egyptian-inspired world full of political intrigue, a unique but easily understood magic system, and an adult-focused story that is easy to read without feeling too adolescent. What's more, the Dreamblood Duology doubles as an excellent introduction to the science-fiction genre.
Science fiction is a subgenre to fantasy, but it tends to have its own set of rules that some readers prefer to the more traditional high fantasy tropes. The Dreamblood Duology still leans more into the general fantasy formulas, but that added sci-fi touch allows for some exciting worldbuilding in only a couple of novels. This series is a glowing reminder of just how diverse the fantasy genre can be, making it perfect for those just beginning to explore the possibilities.
5 The Riftwar Saga
By Raymond E. Feist
Raymond E. Feist's Riftwar Saga is made up of four novels, Magician: Apprentice (1982), Magician: Master (1982), Silverthorn (1985), and A Darkness at Sethanon (1986). This series then evolved into the Riftwar Cycle, which is divided into individual series comprised of 31 total novels. Of course, this is a lot to dive into, but the Riftwar Saga is an excellent place to start with no obligation to continue past the initial four installments.
1980s fantasy could almost be a genre all its own. Books from this decade have a particular flavor, especially a high fantasy series like the Riftwar Saga. These stories are highly fairytale inspired, and contain just about every staple, such as elves, dragons, dwarves, and, of course, magic. The story is very linear and predictable, but this is all part of what makes it such an easy and enjoyable read. While the overarching Riftwar Cycle may seem intimidating, even new fantasy readers may get through faster than expected.
4 The Chronicles Of Narnia
By C.S. Lewis
The Chronicles of Narnia is a book series by author C.S. Lewis, which is made up of seven total novels. Even those new to fantasy are sure to be familiar with the title of the first book, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, which was first published in 1950. From there, the story continues into Prince Caspian (1951), The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (1952), The Silver Chair (1953), The Horse and His Boy (1954), The Magician's Nephew (1955), and The Last Battle (1956).
It isn't quite a high fantasy, but there are endless magical creatures and a powerful battle between good and evil to enjoy.
Lewis' Chronicles of Narnia is a young adult or children's series, so the story is mostly light and whimsical. However, the author's style may feel a bit outdated to modern readers, which could make it a little more challenging to read. Once new fantasy readers really begin to dive in, they should find the world of Narnia entirely immersive. It isn't quite a high fantasy, but there are endless magical creatures and a powerful battle between good and evil to enjoy.
3 The Earthsea Cycle
By Ursula K. Le Guin
The Earthsea Cycle is another children's fantasy book series perfect for readers of all ages who are just beginning to explore the fantasy genre. While the series includes 20 works, the primary Earthsea Cycle consists of six novels: The Wizard of Earthsea (1968), The Tombs of Atuan (1971), The Farthest Shore (1972), Tehanu (1990), Tales from Earthsea (2001), and The Other Wind (2001).
Usula K. Le Guin is known for her beautiful but straightforward writing style. So, while the earlier books in the Earthsea series are nearly 60 years old, they are a smooth and easy read. In the way of fantasy, it has everything required by the genre. There are dragons, wizards, and some subtle touches of science fiction in a sea-based world.
2 Percy Jackson & The Olympians
By Rick Riordan
Percy Jackson and the Olympians by Rick Riordan is made up of seven total novels, so this is another relative commitment. The story kicks off with The Lightning Thief (2005), and continues into The Sea of Monsters (2006), The Titan's Curse (2007), The Battle of the Labyrinth (2008), The Last Olympian (2009), The Chalice of the Gods (2023), and Wrath of the Triple Goddess (2024). The final two Percy Jackson books are part of a revived trilogy, which will include one final novel that has yet to be released.
Riordan's Percy Jackson series brings Greek mythology to the modern age, making it unique compared to other fantasy novel series. The contemporary setting and relatively recent publication dates make these books easy to read, as they lack the archaic and often flowery language of the older fantasy classics.
1 The Howl's Moving Castle Trilogy
By Diana Wynne Jones
Author Diana Wynne Jones is a master of charming and witty fantasy, and the Howl's Moving Castle series is a prime example. The trilogy begins with Howl's Moving Castle (1986), and continues into Castle in the Air (1990), and House of Many Ways (2008). Each novel has new protagonists and unique stories, but Jones found endearing ways to loop these tales together in ways you might not notice until the very end.
The Howl's Moving Castle books are simply packed full of magic, with witches and wizards serving as the series' backbone. Still, this is far from the typical dark fantasy. Jones' novels are light and funny, with touches of romance spread throughout and heavy dependence on fairytale tropes. Howl's Moving Castle isn't a fantasy epic, but for someone new to the genre, these books may be just the thing.