Fantasy, as a genre, has many divisions. However some books, through their sheer World Building and massive proportion take a top spot and are termed Epic Fantasy. I personally find fantasy and underrated genre, spoilt to the public by books pretending to be fantasy. The following are some of the best Epic Fantasy Novels of our time.

5. Wheel of Time – Robert Jordan:

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The Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan is a series which has its critics as well as its followers. The immense size of the series may be daunting, but the content is most definitely worth it. There are parts where Jordan has rambled, specifically post the seventh book, till the tenth book. However, after this, things change massively. After the unfortunate death of Jordan, the series was picked up by Brandon Sanderson who finished the last three novels of the fourteen book series from the extensive notes of the author.

While the series has its definite minus points, it remains one of the best epic fantasy novels, ever written.

4. A Song of Ice and Fire – GRR Martin:

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GRR Martin had no idea when he first started writing the Song of Ice and Fire, what he was about to release to the world. A massive series, which he is still to this day working on, and the immense world of Westeros gained fans like few Fantasy novels in the past had. While a large part of this can definitely be down to the television show, “Game of Thrones”, this series is worthy of a spot among the best Fantasy Novels of all time.

GRR Martin is yet to release Winds of Winter and Memories of Spring, however, it can rightly be said that the readers should brace themselves. Winter is most definitely coming.

3. The Kingkiller Chronicles – Patrick Rothfuss:

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When the Name of the Wind released as his first book in 2007, it was greeted as one of the greatest works of fantasy of all time. The second book was even better somehow even though it came after a long time. The last book has not yet been released, nor is there any indication that there will be a release anytime soon, but Patrick Rothfuss will eventually have to cave in and release the final book, in what might be one of the most expected books of all time. [Yes, including Winds of Winter]

2. Malazan: Book of the Fallen – Steven Erikson:

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Unlike all the other books in this list, Malazan is not a series just for anyone. With the world extremely vast, and characters with underlying depth, Erikson states in his foreword that he is not one to spoon feed the readers. He lives up to his promise as readers are left floundering in Gardens of the Moon. Most don’t make it to his second book, and even fewer to his third. But as his core fans will tell you, Erikson is a genius beyond any comparison. His ability to connect and weave a tales so vast makes him one of the best authors on the list.

Once people understand the rhythm of the Malazan series, it becomes a series which cannot be put down till it is completed.

1. The Lord of the Rings – JRR Tolkien

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The Lord of the Rings is the best epic Fantasy series and with reason. It is the one which began them all, as thousands of fantasy books took shape in its shadow. The elves, dwarves, and orcs all were reflected in hundreds of books in the image set by Lord of the Rings. Characters like Sam and Legolas laid down the foundation for plenty of characters in other books to come.

With world building beyond par and characters with real concerns, it remains in its place as arguably the Ruler of all Fantasy Novels.

The world of fantasy is still ever expanding, as newer and talented authors try their hand at it. There is much room yet, and with shows like Game of Thrones, more and more people are coming to the as yet unexposed literature of Fantasy.