Ranking Every Fantasy Series
Video Statistics and Information
Channel: Daniel Greene
Views: 821,556
Rating: undefined out of 5
Keywords: top ten fantasy series, fantasy series ranked, ranking fantasy series, best fantasy series, top fantasy series, wheel of time, a song of ice and fire, earthsea, malazan, cosmere, stormlight, mistborn, broken earth
Id: AKQ25nAaRp4
Channel Id: undefined
Length: 27min 32sec (1652 seconds)
Published: Tue Jul 23 2019
Please note that this website is currently a work in progress! Lots of interesting data and statistics to come.
From someone who recently discovered their love of fantasy, I am infinitely thankful for all your suggestions.
Confession time: I legit cannot understand Dan's love of Lightbringer. I WANT to like Lightbringer, but after getting through 1.5 books I just... it's not that great.
Brent Week's weird 80's style treatment of girls/women - having them fall into suggestive poses and constantly commenting on their appearances while the male characters ogle them constantly seems so outdated and the use of light for magic as well as the Chromeria seem so... cartoonish?
Somebody tell me it gets better/less creepy with the women.
I feel weird replying to one of your videos on Reddit. Anyway, loved the video!
Definitely planning to read the Witcher. The show is giving me a push.
I also wanted to mention: the Earthsea series gets even better. It's truly one of the classics in fantasy IMO. It's something else. The next book, the Tombs of Atuan, is less than 200 pages and I hope you continue pickin them up.
I know DG doesn't like the Chronicles of Narnia, but I thought he had at least read several books in the series? He's mentioned it several times. At any rate I was a bit surprised to see no rating for it.
FWIW, here's his rankings with my natterings in italics. Commenting (mostly) on the ones I've read. If there's any interest in me posting a "clean" list, (i.e. without my commentary) lemme know and I'll do so happily.
Rank S
The Witcher Saga - Andrzej Sapkowski
Have only read the first book. Based on that I'm not sure an "S" rating is appropriate. Too early to tell. Based upon what I read I'd honestly go B, possibly A.
Lord of the Rings – JRR Tolkien
Agreed. What more is to be said?
First Law – Joe Abercrombie
Lightbringer- Brent Weeks
Vehemently disagree. Readable but a solid B. IMO this one is all over the place. I am currently struggling with The Blood Mirror, but I thought the second book, The Blinding Knife, was fantastic.
Stormlight Archive – Brandon Sanderson
I have not read Oathbreaker or Edgedancer yet, but I'll go along with this based upon the two books I've finished.
Gentleman Bastard – Scott Lynch
Haven't started it, since the author takes a very long time between books. I realize he's had issues with severe depression, but six years from Book 2 to Book 3 and six years (and counting) from Book 3 to Book 4? Lynch did tweet that Book 4 was going in for edits, but with a projected seven books in the series I'll look at this when it is finished, circa 2035 or so. I'm already in the Martin/Rothfuss trap, thank you very much. I'm interested this one, have seriously thought about reading it, but when I think about that history, I just gotta take a pass for now.
Mistborn Era 1 - Brandon Sanderson
I have to think about this one. I'm not sure an S is appropriate.
Wheel of Time – Robert Jordan & Brandon Sanderson
I'm afraid I bailed on the series many years ago, circa book 6 or 7. In fact the reason I discovered DG's channel was searching YouTube for videos about whether or not I should re-visit and (hopefully) finish WoT. I won't directly dispute the rating, but I'm skeptical that this series is as original as DG and other WoT fans claim. The 4.4 million words also gives me pause, truth be told.
Rank A
Malazan Book of the Fallen – Steve Erickson
I only read the first book, and that at a very difficult period of my life. I remember not liking it, but at that point there wasn't much I liked. OP magic systems annoy me in fiction, and IIRC this one had that. Probably should give it another try, though. Based upon what I read I'd probably drop this to a B, though.
The Dark Tower – Stephen King
I would rate this one S, honestly. Yes, the middle books meander, but overall this series is a stunning achievement.
The Broken Earth – N.K. Jemisin
A Song of Ice and Fire – George RR Martin
In complete agreement with DG's analysis here. The later books are weak, the first book probably a masterpiece. See my comments on Rothfuss about starting it, however.
Earthsea Cycle – Ursula K. LeGuin
I'll agree with the A rating in terms of how ground-breaking this series was when it was published(first book in 1968), but in terms of reading for enjoyment I'd probably bump it down to a B. LeGuin's style of writing has never really worked for me for some reason.
Rank B
Riftwar Saga – Raymond E. Feist
I know I read this, I know I enjoyed it as I was reading it, but I couldn't tell you the first thing about it at this point. I think I read this series simultaneous with one of Eddings' series. LPT: Don't do that. Sounds like a decent work of popular fiction worthy of B. Or maybe a C.🤷♂️
Powder Mage Trilogy – Brian McLellan
The Dresden Files – Jim Butcher
These books just don't work for me. I like The Codex Alera and kind of like The Cinder Spires. One of those things everybody but me seems to like.
Harry Potter – JK Rowling
Sounds about right, though I guess I might bump it to an A, largely due to the series' cultural significance.
The Poppy War – RF Kuang
Forgotten Realms – Various Authors
His Dark Materials – Philip Pullman
I thought this series was great. Until the second half of Book 3. We get it, you're an atheist. Make your point with a feather, not a sledge-hammer. Ironically mirrors my thoughts on the Narnia books, which was also a solid series until the crazed Jesus stuff in The Last Battle. Somewhere or other Pullman claimed he was trying to write the anti-Narnia. Guess he succeeded as to the form.
Mistborn Era 2 – Brandon Sanderson
Rank C
Doc Savage – Kenneth Robeson (pen name for numerous authors)
The Broken Empire – Mark Lawrence
I haven't read this, but I'm enjoying Lawrence's Book of the Ancestor series. Seems almost YA.
The Licanius Trilogy - James Islington
I read the first book, didn't hate it, didn't love it. Never bothered getting the sequel from the library. Seemed very generic, though I don't remember the narrative issues DG cited. C works for me.
Kingkiller Chronicles – Patrick Rothfuss
I'd probably bump this up to a B, with the thought that an A rating is on the table if the third book is well-written. If it ever is written at this point. Meaning, despite bumping it up, I'd advise anyone looking to start the series to proceed with caution. Currently eight and a half years from Book 2, with no Book 3 anywhere in sight. Might as well just keep waiting.
The Dark Star Trilogy - Marlon James
Rank D
Sword of Truth Series - Terry Goodkind
I almost want to read this. Evil chickens with rape on their mind is certainly unique, if nothing else. Nah, I actually had a Randroid phase in my misspent youth and have no real desire to revisit it.
Great ranking!
A lot of things I haven't read, this video will act as a "read this first" list for me :)