Fantasy 170 authors
Fantasy authors and their complete series in reading order. From epic fantasy to urban fantasy, find your next fantasy series to devour.
Fantasy is one of the most backlog-friendly genres in fiction — the best series run for thousands of pages across multiple books, rewarding readers who commit. We track 170 fantasy authors across every sub-genre, from epic world-building to urban magic, grimdark moral complexity to cosy adventure. The sub-genre links below help you find your specific flavour.
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Tracking 170 authors and 2211 series in Fantasy.
Popular Fantasy Authors — Series in Reading Order
All Fantasy Authors — Complete Series in Order
Frequently Asked Questions
- Where should I start with fantasy fiction?
- Your entry point depends on the kind of fantasy you want. For epic world-building with magic systems, Brandon Sanderson's The Final Empire (Mistborn) is an ideal start. For character-driven literary fantasy, Robin Hobb's Assassin's Apprentice. For grimdark moral complexity, Joe Abercrombie's The Blade Itself. For contemporary fantasy with BookTok appeal, Sarah J. Maas's A Court of Thorns and Roses.
- What is the difference between epic fantasy and high fantasy?
- High fantasy is set entirely in a secondary world (not our own), while epic fantasy describes the scale — large casts, sweeping stakes, multiple volumes. Most epic fantasy is also high fantasy. The Wheel of Time, Stormlight Archive, and First Law series are examples of both.
- What is grimdark fantasy?
- Grimdark fantasy is characterised by moral ambiguity, unflinching violence, and the absence of guaranteed redemption arcs. Heroes are compromised, villains have comprehensible motivations, and the world doesn't reliably reward virtue. Joe Abercrombie's First Law series is the modern benchmark; George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire is the most widely known example.