Picking the best book series of all time can depend on many factors such as sales totals, critical acclaim, and fan base numbers. This list takes all of these things into account, but mostly it focuses on the series of books that continuously succeed in transporting readers into worlds of vivid imagination with intriguing casts of characters and unforgettable plots.
Not surprisingly, many of the best book series fit into fantasy and related genres. Not only have they become more popular in recent years, but they have stood the test of time for audience excitement, engagement, and sheer loyalty.
A Song of Ice and Fire
Best selling book series and amazingly popular TV series, ASOIAF currently includes five books. Fans eagerly await the remaining two planned by the author. They include:
- A Game of Thrones (1996)
- A Clash of Kings (1998)
- A Storm of Swords (2000)
- A Feast for Crows (2005)
- A Dance with Dragons (2011)
This epic fantasy tale includes political intrigue, warring factions, double crosses, romance, sex, magic, dragons, and more. If you want to learn more about the existing ASOIAF books, check out the article “How Many Game of Thrones Books Are There?“.
Harry Potter
For decades, this young adult series has delighted fans with the epic struggle between good and evil combined with a coming-of-age story of the powerful protagonist, Harry Potter, and his friends. The movies made billions of dollars, and many spin off tales and series came from this universe centered on Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The books include:
- Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (1997) (also known as Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone outside the U.S.)
- Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (1998)
- Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (1999)
- Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2000)
- Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2003)
- Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2005)
- Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (2007)
To know more about the Harry Potter book series and supplementary material, feel free to read our article on “How Many Books Are In The Harry Potter Series?“.
The Lord of the Rings
No list of the best book series of all time could be complete without Lord of the Rings, the stories that helped define the modern fantasy genre in a big way. They’re the stories of everyman (or every-hobbit) Frodo Baggins taking on the biggest evil in Middle Earth and, with the help of a diverse cast of characters, triumphing and saving the world. The movies won numerous awards and remain fan favorites to this day. The books include:
- The Fellowship of the Ring (1954)
- The Two Towers (1954)
- The Return of the King (1955)
Percy Jackson & the Olympians
Another young adult series on the list follows Poseidon’s son, Percy Jackson, on a series of epic adventures rooted in Greek myths and legends. Each tale has a mixture of magic, adventure, danger, and the stresses and triumphs facing an everyday teenage boy. The human emotional side of the stories truly resonate with readers, which makes them modern classics in every sense of the word. The books include:
- The Lightning Thief (2005)
- The Sea of Monsters (2006)
- The Titan’s Curse (2007)
- The Battle of the Labyrinth (2008)
- The Last Olympian (2009)
- The Chalice of the Gods (2023)
If you’re interested in character exploration, spinoff stories and learning about Greek mythology, you may want to read our blog post on “How Many Percy Jackson Books Are There?“.
His Dark Materials
For the past two decades, the stories of Lyra and Will have captivated readers of all ages. A mixture of relatable characters and unbelievable settings and adventures blend together to create the most epic adventures with heart. The three books send readers on a wild journey with all sorts of good and evil magical beings from angels to polar bears. The titles include:
- The Golden Compass (1995) – The Northern Lights outside the USA
- The Subtle Knife (1997)
- The Amber Spyglass (2000)
The Dark Tower
While this top-selling author is better known for horror, his fantasy quest featuring Roland the Gunslinger continues to entrance readers who prefer different types of tales. This series has the allure of old-time westerns with a splash of surrealism and even science fiction. The world-building combines familiar places twisted by time and a totally different look at reality. The series books include:
- The Gunslinger (1982)
- The Drawing of the Three (1987)
- The Waste Lands (1991)
- Wizard and Glass (1997)
- Wolves of the Calla (2003)
- Song of Susannah (2004)
- The Dark Tower (2004)
- The Wind Through the Keyhole (2012)
For those interested in learning more about other Stephen King’s books, feel free to check out the article Stephen King’s Best Books for New and Old Fans.
The Hunger Games
This dystopian series starts with a battle to the death between children and teens in an arena set up for the entertainment of the upper classes. It descends into an epic uprising that explores cruelty, the horrors of war, loyalty, corruption, and hope mixed together in a series of attention-grabbing tales with plenty of twists and turns. Heroine Katniss Everdeen is joined by a colorful cast of characters that readers can’t forget. The books include:
- The Hunger Games (2008)
- Catching Fire (2009)
- Mockingjay (2010)
- The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes (2020) – A prequel
The Chronicles of Narnia
Another classic series that has stood the test of time takes everyday characters and readers to the magical world of Narnia. Although steeped in Christian allegory, this fantasy series is accessible to all who enjoy magic, unforgettable characters, twists and turns of war and triumph, and adventure. The publication order of the series books is listed below. The stories take place in a different chronological order, however.
- The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (1950)
- Prince Caspian: The Return to Narnia (1951)
- The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (1952)
- The Silver Chair (1953)
- The Horse and His Boy (1954)
- The Magician’s Nephew (1955)
- The Last Battle (1956)
Outlander
Although steeped with as much emotion, adventure, and drama as the other best book series of all time, this one focuses on time travel rather than pure fantasy. It takes readers back in time to 1945 to the life of a married British combat nurse, and then zooms back to 1743 Scotland to experience more war and a new fierce romance. It is a series filled with decisions and inner struggle that reflects the one taking place around them in every age. The books include:
- Outlander (1991)
- Dragonfly in Amber (1992)
- Voyager (1993)
- Drums of Autumn (1996)
- The Fiery Cross (2001)
- A Breath of Snow and Ashes (2005)
- An Echo in the Bone (2009)
- Written in My Own Heart’s Blood (2014)
- Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone (2021)
The Maze Runner
The mysterious and treacherous maze awaits young men wiped of all memories in this intriguing series that was also turned into blockbuster movies. The struggle to escape not only the ever-changing maze but also the secret organization who started it all keeps readers turning pages. The books include:
- The Maze Runner (2009)
- The Scorch Trials (2010)
- The Death Cure (2011)
- The Kill Order (2012) – A prequel to the main series.
- The Fever Code (2016) – A second prequel
Check out our article to dive deeper into the Maze Runner Book Series.
Crazy Rich Asians
The only purely non-fantasy series that hit the list of best series of all times steeps readers in an intriguing world of wealth and romance. The three books do not simply follow the usual Cinderella story, however. They include heartfelt meaning, surprises far across the globe, and intriguing drama and mysteries with a touch of pure heart and humor. The books include:
- Crazy Rich Asians (2013)
- China Rich Girlfriend (2015)
- Rich People Problems (2017)
The Witcher Saga
Well-loved series and video games, fans first discovered The Witcher with this popular book series. Geralt of Rivia seeks a prophesied child, battles a collection of amazing creatures and magic users, and does his part in trying to save a troubled world. This is a classic fantasy series, with books that include:
- Blood of Elves (1994)
- Time of Contempt (1995)
- Baptism of Fire (1996)
- The Tower of the Swallow (1997)
- The Lady of the Lake (1999)
- Plus short stories and Seasons of Storms (2013)
The Kingkiller Chronicle
This series astounds readers with beautiful writing and intriguing plots full of mystery and magic. Although the books include plenty of adventure, they offer a closer glimpse into the idea of seeking knowledge, mysteries, and personal growth of the main character Kvothe.
- The Name of the Wind (2007)
- The Wise Man’s Fear (2011)
- The Slow Regard of Silent Things (2014)
Mistborn
This fantasy epic is only one part of the entire world that Sanderson created and comes in three subseries of its own. A frightening and seemingly immortal Lord Ruler controls a world full of raining ash, but a series of relatable characters, starting with street urchin Vin, take up roles that counter his power and a host of other evils and diverse magic across the land. The first Mistborn trilogy includes the books:
- Mistborn: The Final Empire (2006)
- Mistborn: The Well of Ascension (2007)
- Mistborn: The Hero of Ages (2008)
Consider reading our recent blog post for more information about Brandon Sanderson Book Series.
The Earthsea Cycle
The six books in this epic series follow Ged, a young wizard who goes on to do amazing, challenging things on the archipelago of Earthsea. It is a classic story of farmboy turned hero but includes so much more than a few battles and a good vs. evil plotline. This has become one of the best series of all time due to its relatability and heart, the struggle between power and consequences, and the imaginative world of light and dark forged by this amazing author. The books include:
- A Wizard of Earthsea (1968)
- The Tombs of Atuan (1971)
- The Farthest Shore (1972)
- Tehanu (1990)
- Tales from Earthsea (2001) –short stories and a novella
- The Other Wind (2001)
Discworld
Weird humor, lots of heart, effective satire of our own world, amazing adventures, and simply unforgettable characters frolic, fight, and make readers think throughout the length Discworld series. People who take a trip to this unique world on the back of a flying space turtle and four patient elephants should not expect an ordinary fantasy story. In multiple subseries, the collection has over forty books. Here are the first twenty to get you started:
- The Colour of Magic (1983)
- The Light Fantastic (1986)
- Equal Rites (1987)
- Mort (1987)
- Sourcery (1988)
- Wyrd Sisters (1988)
- Pyramids (1989)
- Guards! Guards! (1989)
- Eric (1990)
- Moving Pictures (1990)
- Reaper Man (1991)
- Witches Abroad (1991)
- Small Gods (1992)
- Lords and Ladies (1992)
- Men at Arms (1993)
- Soul Music (1994)
- Interesting Times (1994)
- Maskerade (1995)
- Feet of Clay (1996)
- Hogfather (1996)
The Twilight Saga
Another unforgettable series in the undying vampire genre, this young adult romance story follows a simple high school girl who is enraptured by a powerful vampire with a strict moral code. Throw in werewolves, a love triangle, and battles with unimaginable foes, and you have the much-loved series, which includes the following four books made into five popular movies.
- Twilight (2005)
- New Moon (2006)
- Eclipse (2007)
- Breaking Dawn (2008)
