"Game of Thrones" series by George R.R. Martin, available on Amazon and Bookshop, from $28.62

"A Song of Ice and Fire," the first book in the series, available on Amazon, $15.29

Now wildly famous after the hit HBO series of the same name, George R.R. Martin's high fantasy series of dragons, seven kingdoms, and deadly winters began with the first novel — "A Song of Ice and Fire" — published in 1996. In this series, families are in a centuries-long power struggle for control of the Iron Throne while protecting the kingdoms from the supernatural creatures that lay beyond the Wall.

"The Broken Earth" series by N.K. Jemisin, available on Amazon and Bookshop, from $25.49

"The Fifth Season," the first book in the series, available on Amazon, $14.39

"The Broken Earth" series debuted with the Hugo Award-winning novel "The Fifth Season," titled after the apocalyptic-level climate change endured every few centuries. In the first novel — known for its intense plot twists — Essun is on a mission to track down her husband who killed her son and kidnapped her daughter as the world deteriorates into devastation.

"The Chronicles of Narnia" series by C.S. Lewis, available on Amazon and Bookshop, from $27.50

"The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe," the first book in the series, available on Amazon, $8.94

"The Chronicles of Narnia" is a seven-book fantasy series first published in 1956 that begins with a young girl named Lucy discovering a magical, wintry world in the back of a wardrobe in "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe." Trapped under a spell from the evil White Witch, Lucy and her siblings team up with a magical lion to free Narnia from the curse in this series that's been loved by children and adults for nearly 70 years. 

"The Poppy War" series by R.F. Kuang, available on Amazon, $43.29

"The Poppy War," the first book in the series, available on Amazon and Bookshop, from $14.94

"The Poppy War" is the first novel in this historical military fantasy series inspired by the second Sino-Japanese War in 20th-century China. When Rin aces the test to attend the Empire's prestigious military school, she thinks defying everyone's expectations is the last of her problems. While trying to survive at the academy, Rin finds she holds the magical and spiritual gift of shamanism — the ability to interact with spirits — and discovers a Third Poppy War may be closer than they imagined.

"Blood and Ash" series by Jennifer L. Armentrout, available on Kindle, $30.96

"From Blood and Ash," the first book in the series, available on Amazon and Bookshop, from $19.30

The "Blood and Ash" series has captured readers' hearts since the first book, which has over 150,000 five-star ratings on Goodreads. In "From Blood and Ash," readers meet Poppy whose upcoming Ascension means the future of her kingdom rests on her shoulders — until a stunning guard named Hawke makes her question what she thought was her destiny. Readers love this series for its action-packed plot, strong heroine, and cliffhanger endings that force them to immediately grab the next book.  

"The Dark Tower" series by Stephen King, available on Amazon and Bookshop, from $90.83

"The Gunslinger," the first book in the series, available on Amazon, $11.62

In this primarily dark fantasy series, Stephen King blends magical storytelling with elements of westerns, science fiction, and horror in this eight-book story which follows Roland of Gilead, the final gunslinger, on his mission to reach the Dark Tower and save the universe. Though King is mostly known for suspenseful horror, this fantasy series has proven a gripping must-read from "The Gunslinger" through the final installment, "The Dark Tower."

"Binti" series by Nnedi Okorafor, available on Amazon and Bookshop, from $14.69

"Binti," the first book in the series, available on Amazon, $8.79

Winner of the Hugo and Nebula Awards, "Binti" is the first in a series of fantasy novellas featuring earthling Binti, who's been offered a place at the finest university in the galaxy. She must travel through space to reach the school, surviving a furious alien race during her emotional journey.

"A Court of Thorns and Roses" series by Sarah J. Maas, available on Amazon and Bookshop, from $42.49

"A Court of Thorns and Roses," the first book in the series, available on Amazon, $8.57

Sarah J. Maas is adored for her many sexy and action-packed fantasy series, including "A Court of Thorns and Roses," a bestselling young adult fantasy series that began as a "Beauty and the Beast" retelling. Feyre is a hunter dragged into a magical kingdom, accused of murdering a faerie. Closely guarded, she begins to discover the secrets of this dangerous land, her mysterious captor, and an ancient curse. 

"The Lord of the Rings" series by J.R.R. Tolkien, available on Amazon and Bookshop, from $14.74

"The Fellowship of the Ring," the first book in the series, available on Amazon, $10.09

Although "The Lord of the Rings" series begins chronologically with "The Hobbit," "The Fellowship of the Ring" kicks off this epic, high-fantasy adventure with young hobbit Frodo Baggins and his journey across Middle-Earth. Entrusted with the task to destroy a powerful ring, Frodo, along with his hobbit, elf, and wizard companions, sets out to reach the Cracks of Doom and thwart the rise of the Dark Lord.

"The Bone Season" series by Samantha Shannon, available on Kindle, $38.54

"The Bone Season," the first book in the series, available on Amazon and Bookshop, from $10.99

Chosen as the first-ever TODAY Book Club pick, "The Bone Season" transports readers to 2059 where dreamwalker Paige Mahoney is scouting the criminal underworld for information by effectively intruding on people's minds. When she's kidnapped and taken to Oxford, a secret city ruled by a race of beings from another world, she must fight to regain her freedom in this original dystopian fantasy brought to life with elements of science fiction.

"An Ember in the Ashes" series by Sabaa Tahir, available on Kindle, $39.96

"An Ember in the Ashes," the first book in the series, available on Amazon and Bookshop, from $8.38

"An Ember in the Ashes" is a four-book dystopian fantasy series where Laia is a slave in a brutal and tyrannically ruled world under the Martial Empire, living in constant fear. When Laia's brother is arrested, she hatches a plan to rescue him by attending the Empire's military academy and teaming up with Elias, a soldier desperate to be free.

"Shades of Magic" series by V.E. Schwab, available on Amazon and Bookshop, from $28.95

"A Darker Shade of Magic," the first book in the series, available on Amazon, $10.76

V.E. Schwab is a renowned fantasy writer, most well-known for her "Shades of Magic" series, where readers cross parallel universes with varying degrees of magic alongside a talented smuggler and a cunning thief. The series begins with "A Darker Shade of Magic," where readers inevitably fall in love with the story of Kell and Lila, two brilliant heroes who must save the worlds from a dangerous rise of magical power.

"Earthsea Cycle" series by Ursula K. Le Guin available on Amazon, $66.86

"A Wizard of Earthsea," the first book in the series, available on Amazon and Bookshop, from $7.29

"Earthsea Cycle" is a high-fantasy series of six books and nine short stories beginning with "A Wizard of Earthsea," where readers meet Ged, now the greatest sorcerer in Earthsea but once known as Sparrowhawk in his youth. In the first novel, readers follow Sparrowhawk's story of accidentally releasing a shadow over the world and his journey to right his mistake. 

"The Daevabad Trilogy" by S.A. Chakraborty, available on Kindle, $30.97

"The City of Brass," the first book in the series, available on Amazon and Bookshop, from $14.79

Set in 18th century Cairo, Nahri is a con woman who gets by on what seems like magic, though she's never believed any of it to be real. When she accidentally summons a mysterious warrior during a con, Nahri becomes bound to a legendary city laced with enchantments — and her schemes could leave her facing deadly consequences.

"Green Bone Saga" series by Fonda Lee, available on Kindle, $34.97

"Jade City," the first book in the series, available on Amazon and Bookshop, from $12.99

Winner of the 2018 World Fantasy Award for Best Novel, Fonda Lee's "Jade City" is the first in an urban fantasy trilogy about the Green Bone warriors who use jade to enhance their magic and defend the island of Kekon. Four siblings of the Kaul family battle rival clans as a powerful new drug emerges, allowing anyone to wield the coveted jade and resulting in a violent (and lethal) clan war.

"Earthsinger Chronicles" series by L. Penelope, available on Kindle, $50.96

"Song of Blood & Stone," the first book in the series, available on Amazon and Bookshop from $14.94

Selected as one of "TIME Magazine's Best Fantasy Books of All Time," "Song of Blood & Stone" is a romantic fantasy novel where a crack in a magical vial threatens to tear two kingdoms apart. Jasminda and her Earthsong gift seem to be the only hope to heal the nation and prevent a rising war.

"Percy Jackson and the Olympians" series by Rick Riordan, available on Amazon and Bookshop from $18.80

"The Lightning Thief," the first book in the series, available on Amazon, $16.99

In "The Lightning Thief," fantasy lovers meet Percy Jackson, a young boy who learns he's a demigod and the son of Poseidon. He sets out with the daughter of Athena across the United States to catch the thief who stole Zeus' lightning bolt and prevent a war between the gods. The Percy Jackson mythological fantasy series has thoroughly engrossed readers of all ages across its five books.

"Legend" series by Marie Lu, available on Amazon, $25.99

"Legend," the first book in the series, available on Amazon and Bookshop, from $7.68

Set in futuristic and post-apocalyptic Los Angeles, June is a prodigy being trained by the Republic's military. Seemingly a world away, Day is the nation's most wanted criminal. Both only 15 years old, their paths are unlikely to cross until June's brother is murdered and Day is the prime suspect. Their stories intertwine in this first dystopian book in a thrilling and epic young adult series.

"The Kingston Cycle" series by C. L. Polk, available on Kindle, $34.97

"Witchmark," the first book in the series, available on Amazon and Bookshop, from $13.69

"The Kingston Cycle" is an award-winning queer fantasy romance series starring Miles Singer, who tried to escape his troubled past and darkly destined future by joining the war efforts, faking his death, and reinventing himself as a doctor. When a tragedy forces Miles to expose his magical healing powers, he risks his freedom to investigate the murder in this series of magical battles, betrayals, and heartwarming romance.

"The Folk of the Air" series by Holly Black, available on Amazon $25.49

"The Cruel Prince," the first book in the series, available on Amazon, $9.46

"The Folk of the Air" series begins with "The Cruel Prince," where human Jude and her sisters live amongst the fey in the High Court of Faerie, taken against their will to live there after their parents' murders. Desperate to be one of the fey regardless of her mortality and their hatred of humans, Jude attempts to live among them, navigating their violence — and her complicated feelings for their prince.

"The Mortal Instruments" series by Cassandra Clare, available on Amazon and Bookshop from $31.41

"City of Bones," the first book in the series, available on Amazon, $11.24

Cassandra Clare's "The Mortal Instruments" series kicked off with the bestselling "City of Bones" in 2007, a paranormal fantasy novel where 15-year-old Clary Fray meets the Shadowhunters, a group of warriors who purge demons from the Earth. There are six books and three companions to the series through which readers experience dramatic betrayals, unsuspected evil, and exhilarating love.

"The Legend of Drizzt" series by R.A. Salvatore, available on Kindle, $239.70

"Homeland," the first book in the series, available on Amazon and Bookshop, from $6.79

Drizzt Do'Urden is a dark elf who is destined to defend the world after emerging from an Underdark where his family wants him dead in this epic fantasy series with over 50 novels, companions, and short story compilations. This series takes place in the Forgotten Realm, a dimension in the Dungeons & Dragons universe, making this series a perfect collection for any high fantasy fan.

"Sword of Truth" series by Terry Goodkind, available on Amazon, $25.97

"Wizard's First Rule," the first book in the series, available on Amazon and Bookshop from $9.29

In this 21-book epic adventure fantasy series, each novel can act as a stand-alone book, but reading them in order takes readers on an epic high fantasy adventure that begins after Richard Cypher sets out to investigate his father's murder. As he navigates the woods, he meets Kahlan Amnell, who is being hunted by assassins. Together, they embark on a dangerous and magical journey of destiny, nightmarish creatures, and bending morality.

"The Iron Fey" series by Julie Kagawa, available on Kindle, $19.99

"The Iron King," the first book in the series,  available on Amazon and Bookshop, from $10.69

In "The Iron Fey" series, Meghan is living a seemingly normal life until a dark stranger unveils a twisted secret: That she is the daughter of a faery king and a pawn in their deadly war. Action-packed and gripping from the start, this faerie series is full of romance, mystery, humor, and features characters from Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream."

"Guild Hunter" series by Nalini Singh, available on Kindle, $112.86

"Angel's Blood," the first book in the series, available on Amazon and Bookshop, from $7.99

With 12 books, four novellas, and 13 short stories published since the series launched in 2009, the "Guild Hunter" books are set in a world where angels rule over humans and vampires. When vampire hunter Elena Deveraux is hired by the powerful archangel Raphael, she's tasked to find an archangel gone rogue. Though the mission is dangerous and potentially impossible, Elena knows failure is not an option in this inaugural book of a gripping urban/paranormal fantasy series. With 12 books, four novellas, and 13 short stories published since the series launched in 2009, the "Guild Hunter" books are set in a world where angels rule over humans and vampires. When vampire hunter Elena Deveraux is hired by the powerful archangel Raphael, she's tasked to find an archangel gone rogue. Though the mission is dangerous and potentially impossible, Elena knows failure is not an option in this inaugural book of a gripping urban/paranormal fantasy series.

"Penryn & the End of Days" series by Susan Ee, available on Kindle, $5.47

"Angelfall," the first book in the series, available on Amazon and Bookshop, from $7.43

In 2020, "Angelfall" — the first book in the "Penryn & the End of Days" series- ranked as one of "TIME Magazine's" Top 100 Fantasy Books of All Time. In this paranormal and post-apocalyptic fantasy series, Penryn is 17 when the angels of the apocalypse descend upon the earth and capture her little sister. She teams up with a wounded enemy angel — her only hope for survival and finding her sister.

"The Outlander" series by Diana Gabaldon, available on Amazon, $63.93

"Outlander," the first book in the series, available on Amazon and Bookshop, from $5.29

The "Outlander" series was originally a practice novel for Diana Gabaldon in the 1980s, yet quickly became a bestselling historical fantasy series, with the ninth book due to be published later this year. It's about a woman named Clare who, while on a romantic trip with her husband after World War II, accidentally time travels to Scotland in 1743 where she embarks on an unprecedented journey and falls in love with a Highland warrior. 

"Mistborn" series by Brandon Sanderson, available on Amazon and Bookshop, from $28.11

"Mistborn: The Final Empire," the first book in the series, available on Amazon, $12.19

The "Mistborn" saga is a high fantasy series made up of the original trilogy, a four-book additional series set 300 years later, and a third trilogy comprising books 8-10 which is currently in the works. The series' first book is "Mistborn: The Final Empire," where readers are introduced to the land of Scadrial, ruled by an immortal and unyielding Lord Ruler. Kelsier is a famous thief who leads an elaborate heist with a team of rebels to overthrow the emperor.