Best Traditional Fantasy Novels: Which Ones Should I Read First?

Some of the best include 'The Lord of the Rings' by J.R.R. Tolkien. It's a classic that has a richly detailed world, complex characters, and an epic adventure. Another great one is 'Dune' by Frank Herbert. It has a unique blend of politics, ecology, and religion in a science - fiction setting. And 'Harry Potter' series by J.K. Rowling is also a must - read. It combines the magical world with themes of friendship, love, and the battle between good and evil.

Some great fantasy novels from 2018 include 'Spinning Silver' by Naomi Novik. It's a richly detailed retelling of fairytales with strong female characters. Another one is 'Children of Blood and Bone' by Tomi Adeyemi. It has a unique magic system and a story of revolution in a fantasy world.

I'd recommend 'A Song of Ice and Fire' by George R.R. Martin. It has complex characters and a very intricate plot. There are political intrigues, battles, and a lot of grey areas in terms of morality. Also, 'The Chronicles of Narnia' by C.S. Lewis is a classic. It takes you to a magical world full of talking animals and mythical creatures, and has a strong Christian undertone that adds depth to the story.

The Lord of the Rings trilogy by J.R.R. Tolkien is a must - read. It has a richly detailed world with elves, dwarves, hobbits and more. The story of Frodo's quest to destroy the One Ring is epic and full of adventure.

One great fantasy harem novel is 'The Rising of the Shield Hero'. It has an interesting concept where the main character is wrongly accused but builds his own party which includes multiple female characters with different personalities and abilities. Another good one is 'In Another World with My Smartphone'. The protagonist gets transported to a fantasy world and attracts a harem of various characters along his adventures.

One popular fantasy smut novel is 'A Court of Thorns and Roses' by Sarah J. Maas. It has a great blend of fantasy elements like faeries and magic, along with some steamy romantic scenes. Another is 'Fifty Shades of Grey' which, while not strictly pure fantasy, has elements of a fantasy - like relationship dynamic and some rather sensual scenes. Also, 'The Black Dagger Brotherhood' series by J.R. Ward is known for its combination of vampire - based fantasy and some hot romantic encounters.

One of the best is 'The Legend of Condor Heroes' by Jin Yong. It's filled with amazing martial arts, complex characters, and an engaging plot. The story follows the adventures of Guo Jing, a simple but determined young man who rises to become a great martial artist.

The 'Lord of the Rings' by J.R.R. Tolkien also features wizard - like characters such as Gandalf. It's an epic tale of good versus evil in a richly imagined Middle - earth. The magic in it is more subtle in some ways but still very impactful in the grand scheme of the story, especially Gandalf's powers.

One of the best is 'The Name of the Wind' by Patrick Rothfuss. It has a great blend of magic and mystery. The main character's journey is full of thrills as he rises from poverty to become a powerful magician. Another good one is 'American Gods' by Neil Gaiman. It combines fantasy elements with a modern - day thriller plot, exploring different mythologies in America. And 'The Lies of Locke Lamora' by Scott Lynch is also great. It features a group of thieves in a vividly imagined fantasy world filled with intrigue and danger.

One of the best rated fantasy novels is 'The Lord of the Rings' by J.R.R. Tolkien. It's a classic that takes you on an epic journey through Middle - earth. The world - building is extraordinary, with detailed descriptions of different races, languages, and cultures. Another great one is 'A Song of Ice and Fire' series by George R.R. Martin. It has complex characters and a richly woven plot full of political intrigue, battles, and magic. 'Harry Potter' series by J.K. Rowling is also highly rated. It follows the adventures of a young wizard and his friends at Hogwarts, introducing a world of magic that is both enchanting and relatable.