The Top Fantasy Books

[ShannonA]

Our sister site, RPGnet, is currently holding a "Fantasy Week" event. In order to commemorate that, here's a look at the top-ten fantasy books, per the ratings of Xenagia readers.

Agree? Disagree? Click through and input your own ratings for these (and other favorites).

10. American Gods [7.36], by Neil Gaiman - http://index.xenagia.net/display-entry.phtml?mainid=112
9. The Scar [7.38], by China Mieville - http://index.xenagia.net/display-entry.phtml?mainid=521
8. The Tombs of Atuan [7.38], by Ursula K. Le Guin - http://index.xenagia.net/display-entry.phtml?mainid=219
7. The Hobbit [7.42], by J.R.R. Tolkien - http://index.xenagia.net/display-entry.phtml?mainid=155
6. A Storm of Swords [7.50], by George R.R. Martin - http://index.xenagia.net/display-entry.phtml?mainid=512
5. A Clash of Kings [7.59], by George R.R. Martin - http://index.xenagia.net/display-entry.phtml?mainid=380
4. A Wizard of Earthsea [7.59], by Ursula K. Le Guin - http://index.xenagia.net/display-entry.phtml?mainid=42
3. The Chronicles of Amber [7.69], by Roger Zelazny - http://index.xenagia.net/display-entry.phtml?mainid=274
2. The Lord of the Rings [7.72], by J.R.R. Tolkien - http://index.xenagia.net/display-entry.phtml?mainid=7

AND ...

1. A Game of Thrones [7.94], by George R.R. Martin - http://index.xenagia.net/display-entry.phtml?mainid=103

[randar23rhenn]

I think its certainly pretty heavy on tolkein/martin.. I have read Tolkein and he's awesome, but very darwn out

George RR Martin I've met and I actually have A Game of Thrones signed by him.... but I havent read any books by him

neil gaiman I haven't read that particular book but I havent been a big fan of his other works. they seem like they could be so much more.

chronicles of amber has been in my "TO READ" pile for quite some time now... maybe I'll move it up a few places

my favorite fantasy author has been Clive Barker if his horror/fantasy books count.. and Robert Jordan

[ShannonA]

I've actually read all ten of those, though my first thought was that it was a very conservative list.

Regarding Gaiman: I'd say that's his best novel.

[Joebot]

I've actually read all ten of those, though my first thought was that it was a very conservative list.



I've read nine of the ten (missing only "The Tombs of Atuan") and I would have to agree with that, Shannon. It's a very "safe" list. The only one that surprised me was "Scar."

There's a typo in the list in #4:

4. A Wizard of Earthsea [7.59], by George R.R. Martin

Should be by LeGuin, of course.

[ShannonA]

In the fantasy listing the one type of fantasy that doesn't get included is "science fantasy". Thus here's a listing of the top in that subgenre. I've limited it to just the top 5 because the subgenre is so much sparser.

1. The Book of the New Sun, by Gene Wolfe [7.51] -- http://index.xenagia.net/display-entry.phtml?mainid=2847
2. The Book of the Short Sun [7.17-7.46], by Gene Wolfe -- http://index.xenagia.net/display-entry.phtml?mainid=596
3. Sword of Mars & Synthetic Men of Mars [6.98], by Edgar Rice Burroughs -- http://index.xenagia.net/display-entry.phtml?mainid=556
4. Glory Road [6.97], by Robert A. Heinlein -- http://index.xenagia.net/display-entry.phtml?mainid=1217
5. The Worthing Saga [6.90], by Orson Scott Card -- http://index.xenagia.net/display-entry.phtml?mainid=1739

If I'd included this in the earlier list, only The Book of the New Sun and the first book from The Book of the Short Sun would have made the top ten listing, knocking off The Scar and American Gods.