High Fantasy books for fans of The Wheel of Time

The Wheel of Time by Robert Jordan

“There are neither beginnings nor endings to the turning of the Wheel of Time. But it was a beginning.”

One way to see what The Wheel of Time has in store for viewers is to read ahead in the towering series the show is based on. It's a lengthy and enthralling set of books, which author Robert Jordan never completed, leaving Brandon Sanderson (more on him below) to write the final volumes.

A Song of Ice and Fire by George R.R. Martin

Also known as Game of Thrones, thanks to the HBO series. The books in the yet-to-be-completed series tell an interwoven story from multiple viewpoints, with unforgettable and flawed characters. But if you know anything about this series, you know not to get too attached to any of them.

The Name of the Wind: Book 1 - The Kingkiller Chronicle by Patrick Rothfuss

Innkeeper Kote tells us the tale of his past as the notorious magician Kvothe, from his childhood to his adolescence at magic school. It’s a story within a story, alternating between past and present, and the prose is infused with a poetic style, making for an indulgent reading experience.

The Mistborn Trilogy: The Final Empire, The Well of Ascension, The Hero of Ages by Brandon Sanderson

This hugely popular trilogy blends a heist story, a fantasy epic, and a hard-charging rebellion plot. Where the series really shines is in its characters. They’re believable, relatable, and it’s deeply rewarding as a reader to witness their development over the course of the series.

These books are credited for proving Sanderson worthy in the eyes of Robert Jordan's widow to take up the Wheel of Time series and bring it to its conclusion.

Stormlight Archive by Brandon Sanderson

The Stormlight Archive series, also by Sanderson, is a fantastically built world. It begins with The Way of Kings, and is set in Roshar, a rocky, stormy, wasteland. The perspective shifts between the intricately plotted, intertwining journeys of multiple characters—primarily those of a prince, a slave, and a scholar.

Malazan Book of the Fallen by Steven Erikson

Erikson throws readers into a world being ravaged by a war, and there’s so much to process at first, some overwhelmed readers flee before they can get their bearings. But if you stick with it, you'll find a series worth savouring, taking you on a journey through the richly imagined backdrop of the Empire. This epic fantasy spans thousands of years and is about the history of the Malazan Empire, consisting of several intertwined storylines.

The Burning by Evan Winter

Battles galore, a twist on the dragon mythos, an unrelenting protagonist, and African (Xhosa) influences. What more can we ask of an epic fantasy? We’ve recommended The Rage of Dragons before, and that recommendation stands strong.

Discworld by Terry Pratchett

With 41 books published over 32 years, Discworld is such an expansive universe that fans have pieced together a reading guide for beginners. Sir Terry Pratchett’s storytelling prowess is truly unmatched; readers can begin anywhere in the series and immediately feel invested in the characters, captivated by the plot, and delighted by its wit.

Go ahead and start with the first novel, about Rincewind the spectacularly inept wizard, in The Colour of Magic, or try any of the other storylines.

Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn by Tad Williams

Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn is a series with a slow build up, as it begins with an orphaned kitchen boy named Simon, who eventually stumbles into a hidden dungeon—and that's when the real story starts. The world of Osten Ard is richly written, the character arcs satisfying, and the ending of the first book will leave you wanting more.

Obsidian and Blood by Aliette de Bodard

An epic fantasy trilogy set in a universe inspired by Aztec, Mesoamerican culture. The story follows Acatl, High Priest of the Dead, who is tasked with solving abductions and murder mysteries.

The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien

The one epic fantasy to rule them all, J. R. R. Tolkien's masterpiece is a pop culture institution. But long before the film adaptations of the early 2000s, the books had an immense impact, setting in motion the wheels of an entire genre.