8 Fantasy Book Series to Check Out if You Enjoyed The Lord of the Rings!
The literary world owes much to J.R.R Tolkien. If it weren’t for his masterpiece, The Lord of the Rings, the fantasy genre would probably not have soared to the heights we see today. His epic story about the struggles of 4 hobbits, and their allies, against an unimaginable evil has captivated the imaginations of generation after generation.
My grandfather introduces the series to my older brother, and my older brother, in turn, introduced the series to me. In a couple of years, I hope to also introduce my son to the mesmerizing world of Middle Earth. There are many families, like mine, where Tolkien’s works have literally been enjoyed by members of all ages.
And from some of these families have sprung generations of authors, which have used The Lord of the Rings as the standard for high fantasy, against which they set their own works. In this article, we will look at the top 8 fantasy book series to check out if you enjoyed The Lord of the Rings. These 8 titles now stand as titans within the fantasy genre by their own merit, but they nonetheless pay homage to the One that started it all.
Check out our list for the 8 Fantasy Book Series to Check out if You Enjoyed The Lord of the Rings below!
A Song of Ice and Fire, by George R.R. Martin
The Kingkiller Chronicle, by Patrick Rothfuss
The Wheel of Time, by Robert Jordan
The Malazan Book of the Fallen, by Steven Erikson
The First Law Trilogy, by Joe Abercrombie
The Black Company, by Glen Cook
The Lies of Locke Lamora, by Scott Lynch
The Dark Tower series, by Stephen King
What’s your favorite book series to check out if you enjoyed The Lord of the Rings? Let us know in the comments below!
A Song of Ice and Fire, by George R.R. Martin
Honestly, after the unprecedented success of the TV series based on the work of G.R.R. Martin, it’s a wonder if you can find anyone who hasn’t at least heard of A Song of Ice and Fire (or it’s more popular name: Game of Thrones). The show might have ended a couple of years ago (even though I still pretend season 8 does not exist), but Martin is still upholding his reputation of a notorious procrastinator, as the book series is still not finished. The first five books are out but there are two whole volumes left to publish.
The series takes place in the fictional world of Westeros, where various noble houses fight for control of the Iron Throne, the literal seat of power in the land’s Seven Kingdoms. The story is told from the point of view of several characters, including Eddard Stark (a powerful northern lord), Daenerys Targaryen (the last scion of a deposed dynasty), and John Snow (the bastard of Eddard Stark). The series’ many characters navigate through a complex world filled with political intrigue, war, and magic.
Much like The Lord of the Rings, A Song of Ice and Fire offers readers the chance to dive into a world with incredibly rich and colorful lore, while exploring themes of good vs. evil, loyalty, and betrayal. The series is widely praised for its complex character development and it’s ability to keep readers guessing “what comes next?”.
To summarize, G.R.R. Martin’s work is an absolute must-read for anyone who has enjoyed the grittier and darker side of the history of Middle Earth (looking at you Faenor, you know what you did!). A mature, complex, and character driven-story, with a believable and immersive world, which immerses readers into it’s rich (and bloody) struggles for power. In the end, only one person will be able to sit on the Iron Throne… but will it be the one you think?
The Kingkiller Chronicle, by Patrick Rothfuss
If you're a Tolkien fan, you'll feel right at home in The Kingkiller Chronicle. You've got a young protagonist, Kvothe, who's basically a human jukebox, the equivalent of Aragorn strumming a lute while belting out songs about that pesky ring. But instead of epic battles, we have epic tunes. And who wouldn't want to hear a song about the tragedy of the One Ring set to a catchy tune?
Excited yet? You should be! For me, what really set the world apart was it’s unique magic system. Stepping away from the usual wands, spells and swords, Rothfuss has cooked up something unique called Sympathy. It's like if Frodo had a lighter and could manipulate fire with it. Kvothe uses his "alar" to make things burn, and boy, does he use it well!
If you're into brooding heroes (and who isn't?), Kvothe gives Aragorn a run for his money. Sure, Aragorn has the weight of the world on his shoulders, but Kvothe's got some serious daddy issues and a grudge against the Chandrian, who make Sauron look like a misunderstood choirboy. Plus, Kvothe has a knack for getting into trouble - it's like he's got a magnet for danger in his pocket.
In a world where Tolkien's legacy casts a long shadow on everything that comes after, Patrick Rothfuss' The Kingkiller Chronicle manages to stand tall, singing its own unique tune. If you're a Tolkien fan who enjoys immersive worlds, unforgettable characters, and magic that'll make you rethink your candle addiction, give it a whirl. Just be prepared for a bit of a wait for the grand finale, and in the meantime, feel free to hum "Concerning Hobbits" to pass the time.
The Wheel of Time, by Robert Jordan
If you’ve never heard of Robert Jordan’s Wheel of Time series, stop what you’re doing immediately, throw away the rock you’ve been living under and start it at once, because you’re about to be thrust into a wild and magical rollercoaster ride!
If you adore the Fellowship’s epic quest, you're in for a treat. Spanning a whopping 15 books (if you count the prequel), the series takes you through the journey of a lifetime. But first thing’s first - let’s set the scene. Society was living into a utopian world where magic-users were something of a mix between politicians, celebs and astrophysicists. But much like the dwarves of Moria, they dug too deep and too greedily, and accidentally bore a hole into the prison of the Dark One. The female caste of magic-users wanted to use caution in combating the effects of the evil that was spreading through the land rapidly, but their male counterparts, led by a man who modestly styled himself “The Dragon”, decided to throw caution to the wind and go full on Gimli vs the Ring on the breach to the Dark One’s realm. Well, to be fair, they succeeded in closing the breach, but in process went crazier than Gollum and kind of, sort of broke the world. Filled with fury that only an angry woman can muster, the female magic users, decided to forever forbid men from using the One Power (their source of magic), in order to make sure that the cataclysm never happens again.
The story kicks in about several thousand years later, when the world has gradually reverted to a Middle-ages type of setting, with the female magic users, knows as Aes Sedai, acting as the power behind kings, queens and lords of all kind. Ill omens are seen across the land, a prophecy that the Dragon will be reborn soon keeps the Aes Sedai in a state of perpetual panic, and in a village harder to find than Tom Bombadil’s house, three youths are touched by the hand of destiny. What could go wrong, right?
What I love most about The Wheel of Time is it’s unashamed overuse of magic. In Tolkien's world, magic is a bit like a polite guest at a tea party - it's there but not making a scene. In Jordan's world, it's as if Gandalf went full-on Oprah, going like: "You get magic! You get magic! Everyone gets magic!" There are many different types of magic-users within (and outside) the Aes Sedai, and they make Harry Potter look like a kid with a sparkler.
But what about battles? Battles are important too, right? You bet your second breakfast they are! Tolkien gave us some truly epic battles, but Jordan takes that and turns it up to eleven. His conflicts are so huge they make Minas Tirith's defense look like a friendly game of capture the flag. If Tolkien's battles are the appetizer, Jordan's are the never-ending buffet. And trust me, there's no shortage of swords, sorcery, and, um, skirt-straightening and hair-tugging in the midst of it all.
Now, a word of caution, fellow Tolkienites. The Wheel of Time series has a whopping 15 books, which makes The Lord of the Rings look like a short story. So, if you thought Frodo's journey was long, just wait until you're on book 10, and you're still wondering, "Are we there yet?" But hey, it's a marathon, not a sprint, and if you're a true Tolkien fan, you've got the stamina for it.
The Malazan Book of the Fallen, by Steven Erikson
Have you've ever wondered what would happen if the whole of Middle-earth decided to throw a massive, raucous party? Then Steven Erikson's "The Malazan Book of the Fallen" is the answer you've been waiting for. Buckle up, because we're about to dive into a fantasy series that gives elves a run for their lembas bread!
"The Malazan Book of the Fallen" feels like taking the Lord of the Rings and turning it up to 100. To be honest, sometimes complete chaos unfolds. There are gods, soldiers, assassins, talking dragons, and undead soldiers all having a party in the same book. If Middle-earth is a quaint village, the Malazan world is a non-stop, high-octane rock concert.
A series of this magnitude also deserves to have its own unique brand of magic system. And, frankly, Erikson does not disappoint in this regard. Magic users in the world of Malazan wield the power of the Warrens, which are pretty much alternate realities on steroids. A bit outnumbered in a fight, and want to summon reinforcements? Why not pull out a dragon out of your own pocket dimension? But before you go on saying that his sounds absolutely ridiculous, let me tell you that Erikson has developed such minute intricacies to his magic system, that it would make deciphering Quenya feel like a pleasant past-time activity.
Another thing that makes Malazan a truly wild rollercoaster of adventure is its sheer magnitude of characters. If you thought Game of Thrones was filled with names and intricate backstories you can’t possibly remember, The Malazan book of the Fallen will blow your mind. From archers that put Legolas to shame, to classic sword-wielding warriors, to magic users, to all sorts of gods and creatures whose family trees are more complicated than Elrond’s, you might need to make notes to keep track of it all. But once you figure out how everything is connected, it’s so worth it!
As with The Wheel of Time series, The Malazan Book of the Fallen is not a sprint, it’s a marathon. Consisting of a whopping 10 books, each diving deeper and deeper into a magnificent world of adventure, the series is a chaotically magical contender for one of the best fantasy stories out there. If complexity, unpredictability and touch of madness are your cup of tea, you know what you need to do.
The First Law Trilogy, by Joe Abercrombie
If you've ever wondered what would happen if Middle-earth went through a rebellious phase and decided to ditch the elves and sunshine for a grittier, snarkier alternative, then Joe Abercrombie's "The First Law Trilogy" is the delightful train wreck you've been waiting for. Buckle up, because we're about to embark on a journey that'll make you question everything you thought you knew about epic fantasy!
Where Tolkien primarily explores themes like friendship and good vs evil, The First Law Trilogy switches things up a bit: imagine if the Fellowship woke up with the nastiest hangover imaginable and decided to make cataclysmically bad life choices? Yep, it’s exactly as awesome as it sounds! The lines between good and evil are so blurred in this world, that you might continuously question some of the characters decisions.
As we did with the other titles on our list, let’s take a look at the magic system that Abercrombie’s mind has cooked up for us. Where magic in The Lord of the Rings is a reliable constant with rather expected outcomes, magic in The First Law Trilogy is much akin to an unwanted roommate that never pays rent. It’s unpredictable, to say the least, and the mages get grumpier than Gandalf when he goes a few days without Old Toby’s whenever anyone actually makes them cast any spells.
If Tolkien gives us a set of characters who you’d be delighted to have over for second breakfast, Abercrombie gives us a bunch of miscreants who will likely steal the last of your lembas bread, while insulting your choice of condiments. Yet despite their obvious inclination for disaster, there are absolutely brilliantly written characters, such as Glokta, a snarky, tortured mess, who makes Gollum sound like a motivational speaker. Or Logen Ninefingers, who has so many names that I doubt anyone would actually read this section if I decided to list them all.
Stepping away from the massive series in this list, you’ll be happy to hear that The First Law Trilogy is actually a trilogy. It’s hillarious, dark, and occassionally brutally honest - if you enjoy condescending sarcasm, moral ambiguity and first-rate cynicism, then this is definitely the series to try!
The Black Company, by Glen Cook
Ah, The Black Company series (or as I like to call it: where Tolkien meets the company picnic from hell). A truly underrated gem in the fantasy genre.
Glen Cook’s masterpiece introduces us to an absolutely twisted work of fiction, where everything really feels like the most horrifying corporate retreat you can imagine. The characters feel like the Fellowship decided that money is more important than saving the world and instead of going on their epic quest they’ve formed a freelance mercenary group, throwing such useless things like ethics and morals out of the window.
It’s honestly like a twisted version of The Office, where the characters feel like a group of unwitting coworkers, who turn every office event into an absolute disaster. From Croaker, the company’s historian and doctor, who’s as snarky as he is insightful, to One-Eye and Goblin, the team’s wizards who are about as reliable as GPS systems in the 90s, there is no shortage of people who could definitely crash Bilbo’s birthday party and give the Sackville-Baggins’s a run for their money for the title of “most unwanted guests”.
Let’s again take a look at something that makes each of the additions to this list unique - the magic system. Or in this case, the unpredictable chaos that reigns supreme. Genuinly, sometimes magic in Cook’s world feels a bit like a toddler with a flamethrower - completely unpredictable and potentially… no scratch that… DEFINITELY disastrous. There’s a higher chance that the magic users in The Black Company world blow up the rabbits to bits and pieces, instead of making it disappear. If ever there was a magic system that defined the adage “Hold my beer while I try this”, this is it.
For those of you that can’t be bothered to go through 15 books just to finish a series, The Black Company will come as a godsend. It’s compact, concise and you’ll definitely finish it before it finishes you. If you enjoy characters that are more likely to outsource the slaying of dragons and magical mishaps that will have you saying “oh no, he didn’t” every couple of pages, then The Black Company is the series for you. Just remember - pack a strong sense of humor and an even strong stomach, as it’s going to be a hillariously bumpy ride.
The Lies of Locke Lamora, by Scott Lynch
Coming to the penultimate pick in this list, The Lies of Locke Lamora always makes me ask myself the question: What would happen if Frodo and Sam decided to ditch the whole “Destroying the Ring of Power” gig to become master thieves in a city riddled with scams and shenanigans? Scott Lynch’s whimsical masterpiece answers that question brilliantly!
It’s a Heist-tastic ride! You won’t find the heroes in The Lies of Locke Lamora battling legions of orcs or facing dreadful Nazgul. Instead, they have focused their attention to the much more lucrative quest of nicking a legendary city’s treasure. If you are a fan of Ocean’s Eleven or Brandon Sanderson’s Mistborn Trilogy (another epic recommendation, by the way!), then this snarky series will be right up your alley.
Now let’s talk magic. Or in this case, the lack of it. While in the Lord of the Rings it feels like everyone possesses at least some modicum of magical ability, in Lynch’s world magic is about as rare as an honest politician. There’s no White Wizard here to save the day, and no Eagles to magically appear at the right moment. The only way to survive is through wit, cunning, and no small dose of luck. It’s a unique “magical system”, where the real magic is the art of the con.
As with the last few entries to this list, we’re looking at book series that won’t take up an entire book shelf or years of your life to finish. The entire story is told within only 3 books, but don’t let the size fool you. You’ll be experiencing such a wide range of emotions before the end that you’ll forget about such flimsy concepts as time and space. The Lies of Locke Lamora is a breath of fresh air in a fantasy world over-saturated with larger-than life heroes and villains. Plot-armor won’t save the heroes here - for as we all know, plot armor is heavy and clink-y, and if you’re looking to pull the ultimate heist, you better be light on your feet.
Witty banter, clever schemes, and a protagonist who has a penchant for picking the wrong people’s pockets, this series is your golden ticket to a world where a well-executed theft is just as thrilling as taking down a fire-breathing dragon. And if you find yourself in a tight spot, always remember - never leave home without a lockpick!
The Dark Tower series, by Stephen King
The man, the myth, the legend… the KING! The… horror story writer? You’re probably a bit confused right now and wondering “What the heck is Steven King doing on a list of fantasy book series to check out if you enjoyed The Lord of the Rings?” Well, my friends, your confusion is justified, as King is famously known for his grittier, darker, and often quite upsetting writing. That being said, Steven King is responsible for creating one of the most authentically original and mesmerizing worlds in fantasy fiction: The world of The Dark Tower.
For our last pick on this list, we’re stepping away from more traditional fantasy choices and going into a new and bold direction, by asking you the question: “What would happen if Middle Earth meets the Wild West?”. Grab onto your hats, cowboys, as this ride is about to get bumpy!
First things first, if you thought Tolkien's epic was grand, wait until you enter King's multiverse. "The Dark Tower Series" is like Frodo traded his cozy hobbit hole for a desolate wasteland with talking animals, insane robots, and cowboys. It's as if the Fellowship went on a road trip through time and space and brought along some very peculiar hitchhikers and a villain that might even give Sauron a run for his money.
Magic in this universe is called “ka” (pronounced like “car” with a silent “r”). It’s less about spells and flashy light, and more about destiny having a rather weird sense of humor. Imagine if your entire life is affected by a mystical force that regularly decided to throw curveballs your way on a whim. That’s “ka” for you.
Where in The Lord of the Rings you mostly know what to expect, when it comes to interactions between characters, the Dark Tower series occassionally goes to strange places, which makes even movie-version Radagast look sane. You might find yourself in a heated argument with your pet raccoon. Or casually sharing your mind with an interdimensional gunslinger. Regular Tuesdays stuff, right? Oh, and the main character (a socially inept version of Aragorn) has his own Fellowship to support him along his journey - a junkie, a wheelchair-bound woman, and a billy-bumbler (that raccoon I was talking about earlier). With a group like that, what could go wrong?
In terms of length, I’ve got some unpleasant news for those that are looking to get a quick literary fix. King’s adventure spans a whopping 7 novels, each one as thick as a brick. But before you fall into despair, let me put your mind to rest - the storytelling and writing is more addictive than second breakfasts, and you’ll be gobbling those pages faster than a hungry hobbit in the Green Dragon.
What did you think of our picks for the 8 Fantasy Book Series to Check out if You Enjoyed the Lord of the Rings? Let us know if we've missed any of your favorites!
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