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When it comes to high fantasy books, The Lord of the Rings series by J.R.R. Tolkien is the benchmark for the genre, influencing all other works that have come after it. Expanding into a full-blown franchise, including some of the most popular fantasy movies of all time, LOTR has been capturing the attention and imaginations of audiences for generations.
It makes sense that authors would look to Tolkien and his expert world-building as a jumping-off point for creating their own fantasy universes. Though there will never be another LOTR, the books and fantasy TV shows that are almost as good as The Lord of the Rings scratch the same itch, allowing readers to dive back into these intricate worlds and get lost in their pages, with epic heroes and quests to keep us occupied.
The Stormlight Archive (2010–Present)
Brandon Sanderson has written multiple perfect fantasy books over the duration of his career, and Sanderson's work on The Stormlight Archive has been making waves in the fantasy community. Beginning with the first book in the series, The Way of Kings, published in 2010, Sanderson has been slowly creating one of the most complex fictional worlds of the 21st century.
It's always agony to wait for the next installment of the series to come out, but Sanderson has many additional projects up in the air, as he's never content to focus on just one part of his expansive oeuvre. In The Stormlight Archive, as in LOTR, there are strong ties between the spiritual, divine, and magical aspects of the universe, sparking the readers' imaginations.
The Once And Future King (1958)
Largely considered the definitive interpretation of the legends of King Arthur, The Once and Future King rivals LOTR when it comes to influence and long-lasting impact on the fantasy genre. Almost every modern work of literature and media that tackles the stories of Camelot, Arthur, and his Round Table owes something to The Once and Future King.
Tolkien built his own world from scratch, languages included. Conversely, T.H. White took on the difficult task of taking a well-known collection of myths and legends and giving them a cohesive throughline. It was a risk and a significant undertaking, but the result was a collection of some of the best Arthurian stories in history, with timeless lessons and magic to enjoy.
An Ember In The Ashes (2015–2020)
Romantic facets of fantasy stories are sometimes criticized for lacking depth or taking away from the overarching themes and plotlines, but this isn't the case in An Ember in the Ashes. Spanning four books and following the parallel journeys of Laia and Elias, Sabaa Tahir's series is a recent addition to the fantasy genre that more readers should be aware of.
An Ember in the Ashes is slightly more accessible and approachable than some of the longer, more lore-heavy works of fantasy that have come out in recent years, but that doesn't make it any less complex. The enduring themes of overcoming tyranny and tracking a nuanced character arc for both of the protagonists, An Ember in the Ashes demonstrates the exciting direction modern fantasy is taking.
Earthsea Cycle (1968–2001)
Ursula K. Le Guin pushed boundaries within the sci-fi and fantasy genres from the first moment she appeared on the speculative fiction scene. Paving the way for female authors writing within the genre and unabashedly questioning everything about our society, from gender roles to environmental concerns, Le Guin and Tolkien belong to a similar class of writers.
Also known for her epic sci-fi universe, the Hainish Cycle, Le Guin was just as skilled at writing fantasy worlds, as seen in the Earthsea Cycle. The first book of the series, A Wizard of Earthsea, is considered the definitive fantasy coming-of-age tale, and the works only grow more complex from there. Magical but interrogative, the Earthsea Cycle is a must-read fantasy saga.
His Dark Materials (1995–2000)
It would be a mistake to consider Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials series a project only meant for younger readers or an easy introduction to the fantasy genre. The series might follow a young protagonist, Lyra, but that doesn't mean the themes are any less relevant and sharp than the best works of fantasy to hit shelves, both today and when LOTR was being published.
After being adapted for the screen, His Dark Materials became the perfect blend of sci-fi and fantasy television, thanks to the world-building and lore crafted by Pullman. Though it isn't necessary for book series to lend themselves to film and television for them to be memorable, it demonstrates how clearly the worlds are crafted, and that they're easy to imagine while reading the novels. Lyra’s quest is just as compelling as Frodo’s, even if it unfolds differently.
The Broken Earth (2015–2017)
It's become clear in the past few years that the future of fantasy literature is being pioneered by brilliant female authors like N.K. Jemisin. The Broken Earth trilogy isn't just worth reading because of the accolades it's received, as it would be enthralling regardless. However, the fact that each novel in the series won the Hugo Award for Best Novel speaks to their universal appeal.
The magic system of The Broken Earth trilogy directly connects to the deeper themes and discussions that Jemisin presents as she weaves the story's perspectives together. Jemisin is in conversation with issues of gender, race, class, and their connection to environmental and societal catastrophes, and all of this ties together seamlessly with the characters' journeys throughout all three books.
The Kingkiller Chronicle (2007–Present)
It remains to be seen if Patrick Rothfuss's The Kingkiller Chronicle will live up to the expectations that the first two books have set when the final installment is released. It's been over ten years since the most recent addition to the series, The Wise Man's Fear, was released, and readers are anxiously awaiting the next book, wondering how Kvothe's story will continue.
Rothfuss puts an interesting spin on the high fantasy genre, as the protagonist, Kvothe, spins the tale of his adventures, quests, and romances through the lens of a frame narrative. The world of The Kingkiller Chronicle is compelling from the start, but it's clear that Rothfuss doesn't have the same unflinching image of the universe and its rules as Tolkien. However, this doesn't detract from the reader's enjoyment.
Malazan Book Of The Fallen (1999–2011)
Each book in the LOTR series is lengthy, but the more recent additions to the genre span many more installments than early works like Tolkien's. The Malazan Book of the Fallen series is one of the most expansive and far-reaching in recent memory. The author, Steven Erikson, mined his background in anthropology and archaeology to help him balance so many fictional characters, cultures, and histories in his work.
One of the critiques that could be lodged against LOTR is that the books are a little dated, even though Tolkien was ahead of his time in many ways. However, when compared to contemporary works like the Malazan Book of the Fallen series, it's clear that modern authors like Erikson have benefited from learning from Tolkien's ability to realize fictional worlds while imbuing these universes with updated themes.
The Wheel Of Time (1990–2013)
Robert Jordan's epic fantasy saga, The Wheel of Time, comes very close to LOTR in terms of writing and legacy, only falling short of LOTR because it hasn't achieved as much crossover success as it could have. The scope and ambitious nature of WOT are on par with what Tolkien set out to do with LOTR, but WOT is not a household name in quite the same way.
The fact that the TV adaptation of The Wheel of Time was so short-lived is a shame, as it was gaining traction with audiences and only becoming a better interpretation of the story as the seasons progressed. Fortunately, the books themselves will always be available for readers to return to, immersing themselves in Jordan's painstakingly intricate world.
A Song Of Ice And Fire (1996–Present)
As one of the most influential fantasy book series of all time, A Song of Ice and Fire is frequently compared to LOTR in terms of the political intrigue and world-building. Though George R.R. Martin's novels are a little more graphic and modern, they share a love of lore and mythmaking with LOTR. Additionally, both screen adaptations of the series have been hugely influential on fantasy media.
ASOIAF is frequently compared to The Lord of the Rings series for many reasons. It's clear that while writing the series, Martin was deeply influenced by Tolkien, as almost all high fantasy writers have been. The dedication to crafting the intricate details of not only Westeros but every single culture, location, religion, and more speaks to why A Song of Ice and Fire is considered the definitive successor.
