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A first book can make or break afantasyseries , as it can ascertain whether readers continue with the story or drop it on the whole . manifestly , it ’s important to make a good first depression , especially when it come to world - edifice , magic systems , and quality . But even series that strain to make an encroachment in book one can take fourth dimension to find their footing . It ’s not that coarse for a tarradiddle to start off with a eruption , with the first Good Book set up itself as a 10/10 read powerful out of the gate .
Of naturally , that makes it even more exciting when a fantasy seriesdoeskick off with a strong first installment , setting the stage for even near thing to get along . In some cases , such novels extend tofantasy series where every book is a 10/10 . However , even if they do n’t keep that impulse , a perfect beginning ensure that readers remain invested from start to finish . This is why so many serial with great first books go on to become immense hits .
8The Lord Of The Rings By J.R.R. Tolkien
First Book: The Fellowship Of The Ring (1954)
It in all probability pop off without saying , butJ.R.R. Tolkien’sThe Lord of the Ringshas a 10/10 first book(though it was initially write as a individual entity ) . In most bookshop , readers will regain Tolkien ’s masterpiece burst into three novels , withThe Fellowship of the Ringmarking the beginning of the story . The Fellowship of the Ringmakes for a stunning beginning , capturing the magic of halfway - earth while driving home the darker stakes ofFrodo ’s journeying to demolish the One Ring .
J.R.R. Tolkien write more than just The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings , but his Middle - earth books were n’t exhaust in chronological parliamentary procedure .
The Two TowersandThe Return of the Kingare also 10/10 read , and they arguably bring the story to even gravid meridian than ledger one . However , The Fellowship of the Ringholds its own against its sequels , with its quest tale feeling clearly charming and lighthearted and setting it aside . It ’s heavy to imagine reading the first part of Tolkien ’s narration and not being obligate to find fault up the sleep of it . There ’s a reasonLOTRis afantasy serial that ’s considered a masterpiece , and it ’s because all three installments stick the landing place .
7A Song Of Ice And Fire By George R.R. Martin
First Book: A Game Of Thrones (1996)
A Song of Ice and Firewastes no clip throwing readers into George R.R. Martin ’s Earth , which is expansive and immersive from the beginning of Word one . Martin ’s large cast of characters and detailed description of Westeros can be overwhelming at first , but they ’re the sign of the zodiac of a well - crafted story . Andthat ’s not all the first book ofA Song of Ice and Firehas going for it . A Game of Thronesmay not be the best novel in Martin ’s serial publication — that honor goes toA violent storm of steel — but it lands near the top of a ranking of all the books .
The Books In A Song Of Ice And Fire In Order
Release Year
mediocre Goodreads Rating
A Game of Thrones
1996
4.45
A Clash of power
1998
Custom Image by Ana Nieves
4.42
A Storm of sword
2000
4.55
A Feast for Crows
2005
4.17
A Dance With flying dragon
2011
Custom Image by Yailin Chacon
4.34
The winding of wintertime
TBD
A Dream of Spring
A Game of Thronessubverts prospect with its tragical ending , and it packs a powerful worked up lick . Even the lead - up to Ned ’s death is full of heavy political tension and compelling character moments , all of which will hook viewers throughoutthe lengthy fantasy novel . uncalled-for to say , ASOIAFhas a stronger head start than many other pop series in the literary genre . The first book is just as gripping as the HBO show ’s first season , and both suggest at even greater things to come .
6Mistborn Era 1 By Brandon Sanderson
First Book: Mistborn: The Final Empire (2006)
Brandon Sanderson wangle to writetwo fantasy serial where every leger is 10/10 , andMistbornEra 1 is one of them . The firstMistborntrilogy maintains a high quality all the means through , but it never quite tops the first instalment . There ’s something special aboutMistborn : The Final Empire , which masterfully intermingle constituent of the dystopian and sci - fi genres into its phantasy setting . It also inclose one of the cool charming systems in forward-looking fantasy , has a great determine family dynamic , and sees its leads taking on an unsufferable , heist - like mission .
With a first Mistborn pic now in development , many may want to know the Mistborn tale via the volume before watch it on the prominent screen .
There ’s so much to love aboutMistborn : The Final Empire , and while the latter account book successfully expand the globe and stir the stakes of Sanderson ’s narrative , they do n’t fully recapture its magic . All three book have authoritative matter to say about subjugation and standing up against it , butthat message is clear in book one . The characters ' association are also at their most fresh and flirt with in the opening installment , and the fight chronological sequence are enormously impressive ( though those never really let up ) .
5The Poppy War Series By R.F. Kuang
First Book: The Poppy War (2018)
R.F. Kuang gets a lot of attention for 2022’sBabeland her approaching 2025 release , Katabasis , but the author ’s calling assume off withThe Poppy Wartrilogy . A mealy fantasy level that draws heavily from the real account of the Second Sino - Japanese War , The Poppy Wartakes an unflinching approach to such violence . It ’s not always an well-heeled read , but it ’s masterfully craft , and the series will stay on with lector long after they ’ve put it down . And its overall quality stem from its telling first al-Qur’an , as2018’sThe Poppy Warhas very few flaws to address of .
Books In The Poppy War Trilogy In Order
The Poppy War
2018
The Dragon Republic
2019
4.37
The burn God
2020
4.30
Not only doesThe Poppy Warcontain harrowing commentary on war and injustice , but it manages to tackle those themes while also delivering great macrocosm - building , fiber work , and an intriguing magic system . There ’s a rationality it has won several awards , admit the Compton Crook Award ( viaLibraryThing ) and the Crawford Award in 2019 ( viaLocus Online ) . The book ’s succeeder is made even more impressive by it being Kuang ’s debut .
4The Legendborn Cycle By Tracy Deonn
First Book: Legendborn (2020)
Tracy Deonn’sLegendborn Cycleis on-going , but it has yet to bring about a dissatisfactory volume — and the first instalment paint a clean-cut picture of why the YA fantasy serial is so beloved . 2020’sLegendborntakes readers on a journey alongside its heroine , Bree , who discovers a secret Arthurian society at the university she ’s attend for her early college program . The Arthurian elements and trick ofLegendbornare unequalled and epic , and they make it a really memorable read .
Books In The Legendborn Cycle In Order
Legendborn
4.32
Bloodmarked
2022
4.31
Oathbound
2025
In increase toLegendborn ’s great take on Arthurian legend , Deonn ’s series masterfully weaves in societal commentaryand manages to towboat at readers ' heartstrings with the connexion between case . The LegendbornCyclejust gets better and good — itsnewest book , Oathbound , is a testamentto that — but it all starts with the first 10/10 novel . The 2020 untier is everything you could want in a fantasy floor , and it ’s a curiosity it has n’t been adapted for the screen yet .
3His Dark Materials By Philip Pullman
First Book: The Golden Compass (1995)
The Books In The His Dark Materials Series In fiat
The Golden Compass
1995
4.03
The Subtle Knife
1997
4.15
The Amber Spyglass
4.10
The ending ofThe Golden Compassis also surprisingly devastating for a children ’s fantasy leger , and it sets the stage for the conversations and conflict of the continuation in a truly sensational way . WithThe Subtle KnifeandThe Amber Spyglassupping the stakes , The Golden Compassdoesn’t always get the identification it rightfully deserve . ButPullman ’s firstHis Dark Materialsis a 10/10 read , and its sequels manage to fit it makes the serial publication all the more impressive .
2The Broken Earth Trilogy By N.K. Jemisin
First Book: The Fifth Season (2015)
The Broken Earthtrilogy by N.K. Jemisin offers theperfect portmanteau word of fantasy and sci - fi , and every book in the serial is as effectual as the last . With all three book sport above - median Goodreads score , that probably goes without say . And the positive reception is well - deserve . It ’s gruelling to find anything quite likeThe Broken Earthin terms of its alone witching system , complex cast of characters , and distinct backdrop . Book one , The Fifth Season , put in all these elements of Jemisin ’s world in a way that will keep readers engaged from first to finish .
Bible In The Broken Earth Trilogy In purchase order
The Fifth Season
2015
The Obelisk Gate
2016
4.29
The Stone Sky
2017
The Fifth Seasonalso does an telling line of work of tackling serious subjects through its narrative , from favoritism and oppressiveness to the force of trauma . This makes it an excited read , but that ensures the series leave behind an impact from the very starting line . It ’s no wonderThe Fifth Seasonwon a Hugo Award in 2016 ; it makes for a powerful beginning to a journey that continue unbelievable all the way of life through .
1The Gentleman Bastard Sequence By Scott Lynch
First Book: The Lies Of Locke Lamora (2006)
Scott Lynch’sGentleman Bastard Sequenceis among thebest grimdark fantasy series of all time , and the first installment is easily the strongest . 2006’sThe Lies of Locke Lamoramay take post in a barbarous and unforgiving human beings , butit still grapple to deliver a story full of good luck charm and intent . This is mostly because of its master character and the connexion between them , which gives an excited center to the heist story at the book ’s core . Of course , the big character writing make the emotional gut poke of Lynch ’s book that much unfit .
Books In The Gentleman Bastard Sequence In society
The Lies of Locke Lamora
2006
Red Seas Under Red Skies
2007
4.25
The Republic of Thieves
2013
4.22
In increase to great characters , the plotting and tempo ofThe Lies of Locke Lamoramakes for an engaging ride . The dark and atmospherical world Lynch builds will stick with readers , cementing the novel as one of the most impressivefantasybooks of the past few decades — and certainly as one of the strongest first installments of a series . If any first Holy Writ is a 10/10 , it’sThe Lies of Locke Lamora . Although its sequel are great , they never quite make its heights .
