Over the last 100 years, the fantasy genre has produced some true literary landmarks that have had a profound impact on our social and cultural development as a species. From the complex mythical worlds of high fantasy to the urban narratives that find deeper layers in the world we know, these books may take different approaches, but they have all played a pivotal role in shaping the minds of generations of readers. Many of them have also been successfully adapted into other media, giving us some of the most celebrated films, TV shows, and games of all time.
More than at any time before, the past century has seen fantasy literature grow to new heights, with authors reaching audiences in the millions. And the greatest of these books has become an indelible part of popular culture, fundamentally transforming the way we see the world. Without further ado, here’s our ranked selection of some of the greatest fantasy books of the last 100 years.
8
‘The Night Circus’ (2011)
Written by Erin Morgenstern, The Night Circus is a speculative fiction novel that revolves around a magical, traveling Victorian circus known as Le Cirque des Rêves, which opens only for a single night. Behind its circus tents, the arena serves as the stage for a deadly game of cunning between two powerful magicians, a world-renowned illusionist, Prospero the Enchanter, and the enigmatic Alexander. When they pit two of their pupils, their own children, against each other, the young magicians fall in love and devise a plan to break free of their mentors’ control.
Originally written for the annual writing competition National Novel Writing Month, The Night Circus became a New York Times Bestseller when it was published and won an Alex Award. Presented through a non-linear narrative from different points of view, the novel is surreal, colorful, and well-paced, with short chapters that genre fans would enjoy. A magic realism fantasy novel, The Night Circus has often been compared to the works of Neil Gaiman and contemporary fantasies like Harry Potter and Twilight.
7
‘A Game of Thrones’ (1996)
A title that is now a global mainstream phenomenon, A Game of Thrones is the first book in the A Song of Ice and Fire novel series and the fourth novel by George R.R. Martin, which marks his return to prose fiction. Narrated in third person by eight unreliable narrators, the epic fantasy saga follows three intertwined plotlines revolving around the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros — a violent war of succession for the throne of Westeros, a princess in exile raising an army to reclaim her royalty, and a supernatural threat looming large beyond a giant wall of ice that protects the kingdoms.
A Game of Thrones, and eventually the rest of the book series, has become one of the most influential fantasy novels of the 21st century. Often compared to J. R. R. Tolkien’s work as a 21st-century counterpart, the novel is noted for subverting the genre with its gritty, layered characters, grim settings, and heavy political intrigue analogous to the feudal era. The novel was an instant bestseller and won the 1997 Locus Award for Best Fantasy Novel. It has since been a major subject of academic and popular discourse, going on to inspire the HBO franchise of the same name.
6
‘Mistborn: The Final Empire’ (2006)
Image via Brandon Sanderson / Tor Books
A dark fantasy novel written by Brandon Sanderson, The Final Empire is the first book in the Mistborn novel trilogy, followed by The Well of Ascension and The Hero of Ages. The novel is set in a dystopian world plagued by ash and mist in the titular empire, a regime controlled by the immortal Lord Ruler. The story centers on a charismatic rebel leader, Kelsier, and his crew who recruit a street urchin named Vin and devise a plot to overthrow the Final Empire.
Mistborn: The Final Empire is a thrilling epic fantasy story that centers on a complex magic system while also exploring themes of systemic oppression and class inequality. The novel was well acclaimed when it was first published and has since been hailed as one of the most influential modern fantasy novels, earning a place on Time Magazine’s 100 Best Fantasy Books of All Time. The Final Empire launched the Mistborn series which has since expanded to include audiobooks, video games, and board games with multiple screen adaptations currently in development at Apple TV.
5
‘Percy Jackson &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&’The Lightning Thief’ (2005)
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