# FunFantasyBooks Favorite Fantasy & Sci-Fi Books of All Time

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=izbzdPrehMQ

## Summary

A comprehensive ranking of beloved fantasy and science fiction books, ranging from honorable mentions to a definitive top 10. This list celebrates stories with exceptional character work, world-building, and emotional depth, including both popular series and hidden gems. The selections span from dungeon crawlers to epic fantasy, with particular emphasis on character-driven narratives and stories that inspire hope and personal growth.

## Top 10 Rankings

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

- Started with *The Hobbit* and book 1 of LOTR

- **Transformative reading experience** - felt like a child wanting adventure again

- Themes of **love, self-sacrifice, good versus evil**

- Appreciation for Tolkien's mental framework and story elements

- Celebrates simple joys: friendship, nature, community

- Perfect escapism with the triumph of good over evil

### 9. The Gael Song Saga by Judith Tarr

- Follows **two adult women warriors** on opposite sides of Irish conflicts

- Compelling transformation of Irish history into gripping drama

- Complex, love-hate relationships with characters

- Vivid depictions of wars and strategic conflicts

- **Emotionally kidnapping** - couldn't stop reading despite distress

- Features powerful women in leadership roles

### 8. The Empire of the Vampire trilogy by Ryan Cahill

- Masterful **blend of fantasy and horror**

- Moody atmosphere with terrifying moments in book 3

- Main character is detective, prosecutor, and judge with truth-telling powers

- Can commune with the dead - story told from perspective of both living and dead

- Author's newest book *Grave Empire* also became instant favorite

- **Dark death magic** and genuinely scary moments

### 7. The Scholomance trilogy (First book only released at time of recording)

- **Addictive writing style** with beloved characters

- Blends fantasy and sci-fi in a magical academy setting

- Unique power system: powers diminish with fewer people present

- Action scenes that keep you on edge

- One of the **best cliffhangers ever read**

- High confidence it will remain a favorite

### 6. The Dandelion Dynasty by Ken Liu

- Read 2 out of 4 books, already amazed

- **Emotionally strategic** with massive scope

- Book 1: Structured as history book with different character chapters per section

- Book 2: More classic structure with deeper character introspection

- Deeply **strategic and political**

- Not meant for binging - requires thoughtful reading

### 5. The Wheel of Time by Robert Jordan

- Currently 7 out of 14 books completed

- Started journey 1.5 years ago with Patreon community

- Favorite is *Lord of Chaos* (book 6)

- **Easy writing style** with complex, flawed characters

- Exceptional world-building, politics, and evolving magic system

- Scope grows with each book - like a chess game

- Rich prophecy and lore to discover

### 4. The Aurelian Cycle by Rosaria Munda

- **Underrated young adult trilogy** that deserves more attention

- Very political with mature themes

- Features dragons, military academy, and rebellion

- Main characters are childhood friends on opposite sides

- Complex relationship: one's parents killed the other's, leading to rebellion

- **Exceptional depiction of dragon relationships** - sentient, smart creatures

- Character Annie is deeply relatable and inspiring

- Made the reader cry multiple times

### 3. The Green Bone Saga by Fonda Lee

- Never expected to love this series

- **Deeply strategic family drama** with masterful character work

- Slow-paced but gripping for character-driven readers

- Set in land of Kekon with magical jade

- Jade grants powers but requires training - can cause withdrawal or death

- War between two clans for jade control

- Focuses on one family's dynamics and sibling relationships

- Described as **"The Godfather with magic"**

- Multiple emotional, tear-inducing moments

### 2. Sword of Kaigen by M.L. Wang (Stand-alone)

- **Only stand-alone on the list**

- Favorite stand-alone and one of best fantasy books ever

- Features family drama with incredible action scenes

- **Elemental magic manipulation** - most vivid reading experience

- Scenes were so vivid they felt like being present in the story

- Small scope: follows one family leading their land (Kaigen) against invasion

- Main characters are **mother and son** - refreshing dynamic

- Mother (Misaki) fights against feudal Japanese conventions

- Set in Japanese-inspired world

- **Most emotionally impactful book** - still brings tears when remembered

### 1. The Stormlight Archive by Brandon Sanderson

- **Favorite series of all time**

- Most time invested: reading, analyzing, studying lore and Easter eggs

- Accessible writing with layers of complexity

- Rich descriptions of flora, fauna, society, weather, politics

- Favorite order: Book 1, 3, 2

- Books 4 (*Rhythm of War*) and 5 (*Wind and Truth*) less amazing but journey still worth it

- **Exceptional character work** with deep emotional investment

- **Outstanding depiction of mental health**: depression, anxiety, dissociative identity disorder

- Characters succeed despite struggles

- Similar to Tolkien in providing **escapism with hope**

- Good triumphs in epic scenes

- **Inspirational** - makes reader want to be better and help others

- Also obsessed with Sanderson's shorter stories

## Honorable Mentions

### Dungeon Crawler Carl

- **Action-packed with charismatic characters**

- Features a Tolkien-reading cat named Princess Donut

- Climbed 123 positions in r/Fantasy poll - fastest rising

- Helped reader escape a reading slump

- Story that keeps coming back to mind

- Go-to recommendation for people in reading slumps

### Red Rising trilogy by Pierce Brown

- Sci-fi that blew reader's mind

- **Immediate emotional connection** - heart torn apart from first pages

- Dystopian society stratified by color

- Physique also related to color/caste

- Main character infiltrates the top to break down the system

### The Lies of Locke Lamora (Gentleman Bastards series) by Scott Lynch

- Currently on book 2

- Features incredible witty characters and best tropes

- **Heist story with romance** and great dialogue

- Unique structure with flashbacks (confusing first read, brilliant second read)

- Fast-paced, funny dialogue

- **Smart story that outsmarts the reader**

- Many plot twists and emotional moments

- Fairly dark story wrapped in irony and humor

- Rich character relationships, especially around main character Locke

- World is great, but characters are the true strength

### A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers

- **Short, powerful, heartfelt**

- Explores themes of fate and purpose

- **Solarpunk story** - beautiful future after catastrophe

- Humanity connected with nature, gentle society

- Past conflict with robots resolved peacefully

- Follows a tea monk traveling village to village

- Monk seeks fulfillment beyond their work

- **Outstanding conversations** between monk and robot companion

- Book 2 also great, though book 1 had stronger emotional impact

- Read twice, excellent both times

- **Everyone should read regardless of life stage**

- Helped reader during stressful period - message that change and self-awareness are valuable

### A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire) by George R.R. Martin

- Read long before TV series (15 years ago)

- **Darker, political fantasy**

- First experience with truly **grey characters**

- Characters have complex motivations - not simply good or evil

- **Beautiful writing style** - not overly descriptive but rich

- Medieval-esque vibe - modern classic fantasy feel

- Multiple characters and houses - complex but manageable

- Every chapter ends on high note

- **Books far superior to TV series**

- Not in top 10 due to time since reading - overdue for reread

## Key Themes Across Favorites

- **Character-driven narratives** with complex, flawed protagonists

- **Mental health representation** (depression, anxiety, trauma)

- **Family dynamics** and complicated relationships

- **Strategic, political storytelling**

- **Hope and inspiration** despite dark moments

- **Diverse magic systems** with consequences

- **Strong world-building** with attention to detail

- **Emotional depth** that stays with the reader

- **Escapism balanced with meaningful themes**

## Reading Approach

- Some books require patience and shouldn't be binged

- Value in rereading to catch details and appreciate structure

- Community discussion enhances experience (Patreon book clubs)

- Important to step outside comfort zone and try unexpected genres

- Books can provide comfort and perspective during difficult life periods

## Action Items

- [ ] Continue *The Wheel of Time* series (currently at book 7 of 14)

- [ ] Continue *Gentleman Bastards* series (currently on book 2)

- [ ] Continue *Lord of the Rings* series (finished *The Hobbit* and book 1)

- [ ] Reread *A Song of Ice and Fire* (been 15 years)

- [ ] Wait for book 2 of *The Scholomance* trilogy

- [ ] Read remaining books in *The Dandelion Dynasty* (2 of 4 completed)

## Notes

This list represents deeply personal connections to stories that inspired, challenged, and transformed the reader's perspective. The emphasis on character work, emotional authenticity, and hopeful themes despite dark content creates a cohesive through-line. Special appreciation expressed for the Patreon community who reads along and discusses these books in real-time, particularly for *The Wheel of Time* journey. The reader encourages others to share their own favorite books and welcomes new members to their reading community.