Fantasy series are best experienced in the order the author intended. Whether you prefer sprawling epic worlds or tightly plotted magic systems, reading these books in the right sequence unlocks the full emotional payoff that casual reading skips. This guide covers the best fantasy series available right now — and exactly where to start each one.
Top Fantasy Book Series to Read in Order
1. Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson
Sanderson's Mistborn series begins with The Final Empire, a world where ash falls from the sky and a prophesied hero already failed centuries ago. The magic system — Allomancy, where characters swallow and "burn" metals for superhuman abilities — is among the most inventive in modern fantasy. The original trilogy stands alone, but Sanderson has since extended it into a second era set hundreds of years later. Start with Book 1 and don't skip a single entry. Buy the Mistborn series on Amazon (paid link).
2. The Stormlight Archive by Brandon Sanderson
If Mistborn is Sanderson's warm-up, The Stormlight Archive is his magnum opus. Each doorstop-sized volume — starting with The Way of Kings — expands a world of hurricane-force storms, fallen gods, and warriors who absorb the power of a storm to become nearly invincible. Four books are out with six more planned. This is a decade-long commitment and worth every page. Buy The Stormlight Archive on Amazon (paid link).
3. The Wheel of Time by Robert Jordan
The Wheel of Time is a 14-volume epic that helped define modern fantasy. Beginning with The Eye of the World, it follows a group of young villagers who discover one of them may be the reincarnation of a legendary hero destined to save — or break — the world. Robert Jordan passed away before finishing the series; Brandon Sanderson completed it from Jordan's notes. The result is a seamless conclusion to one of fantasy's greatest stories. Buy The Wheel of Time on Amazon (paid link).
4. A Song of Ice and Fire by George R.R. Martin
A Song of Ice and Fire — the basis for HBO's Game of Thrones — brings brutal realism to high fantasy. Characters die unexpectedly, politics matters as much as magic, and every POV chapter reveals information that recontextualizes everything before it. Start with A Game of Thrones and prepare to have your assumptions about how fantasy works completely upended. Buy A Song of Ice and Fire on Amazon (paid link).
5. The Dresden Files by Jim Butcher
For something faster-paced, The Dresden Files follows Harry Dresden — Chicago's only professional wizard and private investigator. Each book reads like a noir thriller with magic, but the overarching storyline builds across 17+ novels into something genuinely epic. Start with Storm Front. Buy The Dresden Files on Amazon (paid link).
Why Reading Order Matters in Fantasy
Unlike standalone novels, fantasy series build their worlds, rules, and character relationships cumulatively. A magic system introduced in Book 1 might become the key to understanding Book 5's climax. Reading out of order doesn't just spoil plot twists — it robs you of the earned emotional weight that authors construct across hundreds of thousands of words. Always start at Book 1 unless the author explicitly designates an alternate entry point.
How to Choose Your First Fantasy Series
If you're new to epic fantasy, Mistborn is the ideal starting point — it's self-contained, the magic is logical and satisfying, and Sanderson writes fast-paced prose that never bogs down. If you already love fantasy and want something you can live in for years, The Wheel of Time or The Stormlight Archive offers unmatched depth. For dark, realistic fantasy, start with A Game of Thrones.
Find Your Next Fantasy Series
These five series represent the pinnacle of modern fantasy, but they're just the beginning. Explore our complete fantasy series catalog to find reading orders for hundreds of authors. Every series page includes the full book list in the correct order, publication dates, and direct buy links so you can dive in immediately.