6 fantasy books better than The Witcher

With over 140 books under her pen, Mercedes Lackey is no stranger to the fantasy genre. It’s hard to pick just one of her books to give the honor of being better than all others, but Magic’s Pawn is a good place to start. Considered her best, the 1989 fantasy novel is the first in The Last Herald-Mage trilogy.

Vanyel, a young man with dreams of becoming a Bard, is exiled by his family when it’s discovered he has magical powers. Taken in by his aunt for tutoring, Vanyel goes mad when his full abilities are unleashed. Although some consider the epic fantasy book too good to ever be adapted, Magic’s Pawn parallels the struggles of certain demographics that remain relevant today.

Magic’s Pawn tackles bullying, belonging, and fitting in within your family. Lackey’s character and world-building skills of the kingdom of Valdemar are thrilling. Ahead of its time, Magic’s Pawn is a masterclass on acceptance and managing the expectations of others and ourselves.

Pushing aside the usual point of view of nobles and kings, The Black Company by Glen Cook is told through the eyes of Croaker, the Company's historian and doctor. The 1984 book is the first in The Black Company Trilogyand is consideredthe blueprint for dark fantasy novels.

Cook explores the journey of a mercenary company that battles for a powerful, centuries-old witch known as the Lady. They might fight amongst themselves more than for the greater cause, but that’s half the fun. Cook creatively blends fantasy, magic, and combat to demonstrate how magical gods treat all lesser beings like chess pieces in their game.

The book feels as fresh as ever, even over 40 years later, and continues to influence authors in the genre. While not romanticizing battles and victories, The Black Company highlights the gruesome choices made in war, driven by greed and the desire for power.

In 1998, author Kristen Britain debuted her first novel, Green Rider, a fantasy adventure with a strong female lead thrust into a dangerous mission to save the king from assassination. Britain drew from her time as a ranger at Acadia National Park to create the land of Sacoridia.

When Karigan, the daughter of a merchant, bests the arrogant son of a wealthy aristocrat, she is expelled. On her embarrassed journey, running away through the Green Cloak forest, she meets a dying Green Rider who entrusts her to deliver a message she is sworn not to read.

The first in the Green Rider series, the book merges political intrigue with a defined magical system for a compelling expedition for the heroine. You’ll meet eccentric characters like the Berry Sisters, a horse named Horse who always seems to read Karigan’s mind, and the ghost of a Green Rider who helps Karigan along. Green Rider is gripping from start to finish and an outstanding first novel that has become a beloved fantasy book series.

With intricate worlds, beautiful character development, and unique magic systems, The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson is your next read. Who wouldn’t want to visit Roshar, a land of highstorms and gigantic crabs? Kicking off The Stormlight Archive, The Way of Kings focuses on Kaladin, a soldier pushed into slavery to cover up a theft, and Dalinar, a Highprince having visions.

We all have self-doubt and trauma, and The Way of Kings deals with guilt, grief, PTSD, and depression, with the protagonists working to rise above these obstacles. Sanderson creates an inclusive representation of life, introducing non-binary, openly gay, and bisexual characters along the way.

It is one of the most encompassing fantasy journeys, as the single book is over 1,000 pages. Sanderson had trouble getting it published, deciding to complete Era One of the Mistborn series before starting over completely on the acclaimed novel. It’s not an easy read, but the reward of turning the last page is a stormlight of satisfaction.

The Blade Itself by Joe Abercrombie layers in the best elements of any fantasy book into an epic opening novel that sets up The First Law Trilogy. It’s packed with immersive prose that makes readers feel the character's pain. And you can’t help but be intrigued by a wizard who seeks revenge on his arch-nemesis.

An exhausted barbarian named Logen Ninefingers, the brutal Inquisitor Glokta, and a manipulative wizard called Bayaz round out the primary characters the novel follows. Rather than dwell too much on describing the lore behind a weapon or town, Abercrombie maintains a brisk pace in the surrounding action.

The book boasts dark humor and morally gray characters, departing from the usual fantasy novel tradition of clear bad guys and heroes. Think of The Blade Itself along the lines of The Lord of the Rings — if Gandalf were a cunning, vengeful puppeteer of everyone around him.

The underground city of Menzoberranzan, home of the drow and evil Spider Queen Lolth, is where readers find themselves in Homeland. Author R. A. Salvatore has penned over 40 core books about the dark elf, but audiences universally love this one. As the first book in The Dark Elf Trilogy, Homeland goes back to Drizzt’s formative years.

Starting with Drizzt’s birth, the novel outlines an origin story that continues through the dozens of novels. Through the dark elf’s warrior training, he comes to understand his race's truth and is determined to keep his morals intact. Homeland works as a standalone source of background information, or you can dive into this first before traveling through the books in publication order.

Salvatore had already released one Drizzt trilogy before Homeland. Jumping back to the beginning to learn more about the Underdark is fascinating. It's intriguing to unravel a bit of the enigma that is Drizzt Do'Urden.