A first book can make or break afantasyseries, as it can determine whether readers continue with the story or drop it altogether. Obviously, it’s important to make a good first impression, especially when it comes to world-building, magic systems, and characters. But even series that strive to make an impact in book one can take time to find their footing. It’s not that common for a story to start off with a bang, with the first book establishing itself as a 10/10 read right out of the gate.
Of course,that makes it even more exciting when a fantasy seriesdoeskick off with a solid first installment, setting the stage for even better things to come. In some cases, such novels lead tofantasy series where every book is a 10/10. However, even if they don’t keep that momentum, a perfect beginning ensures that readers remain invested from start to finish. This is why so many series with great first books go on to become huge hits.
8The Lord Of The Rings By J.R.R. Tolkien
First Book: The Fellowship Of The Ring (1954)
It probably goes without saying, butJ.R.R. Tolkien’sThe Lord of the Ringshas a 10/10 first book(though it was initially written as a single entity). In most bookstores, readers will find Tolkien’s masterpiece split 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 Middle-earth while driving home the darker stakes ofFrodo’s journey to destroy the One Ring.
How To Read J.R.R. Tolkien’s Lord Of The Rings Books In Order: Chronological & Release Date
J.R.R. Tolkien wrote more than just The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, but his Middle-earth books weren’t released in chronological order.
The Two TowersandThe Return of the Kingare also 10/10 reads, and they arguably bring the story to even greater heights than book one. However,The Fellowship of the Ringholds its own against its sequels, with its quest narrative feeling distinctly charming and lighthearted and setting it apart. It’s hard to imagine reading the first part of Tolkien’s story and not being compelled to pick up the rest of it. There’s a reasonLOTRis afantasy series that’s considered a masterpiece, and it’s because all three installments stick the landing.
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 time throwing readers into George R.R. Martin’s world, which is expansive and immersive from the beginning of book one. Martin’s large cast of characters and detailed descriptions of Westeros can be overwhelming at first, but they’re the sign 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 series — that honor goes toA Storm of Swords— but it lands near the top of a ranking of all the books.
The Books In A Song Of Ice And Fire In Order
1996
4.45
1998
4.42
2000
4.55
2005
4.17
2011
4.34
TBD
A Game of Thronessubverts expectations with its tragic ending, and it packs a powerful emotional punch. 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. Needless to say,ASOIAFhas a stronger start than many other popular series in the genre. The first book is just as gripping as the HBO show’s first season, and both hint at even greater things to come.
6Mistborn Era 1 By Brandon Sanderson
First Book: Mistborn: The Final Empire (2006)
Brandon Sanderson managed to writetwo fantasy series where every book is 10/10, andMistbornEra 1 is one of them. The firstMistborntrilogy maintains a high quality all the way through, but it never quite tops the first installment. There’s something special aboutMistborn: The Final Empire, which masterfully blends elements of the dystopian and sci-fi genres into its fantasy setting. It also introduces one of the coolest magic systems in modern fantasy, has a great found family dynamic, and sees its leads taking on an impossible, heist-like mission.
Brandon Sanderson’s Mistborn Books In Order: How To Read Them
With a first Mistborn movie now in development, many may want to experience the Mistborn story via the books before watching it on the big screen.
There’s so much to love aboutMistborn: The Final Empire,and while the latter books successfully expand the world and raise the stakes of Sanderson’s story, they don’t fully recapture its magic. All three books have important things to say about oppression and standing up against it, butthat message is clearest in book one. The characters' connections are also at their most fresh and entertaining in the opening installment, and the fight sequences are hugely 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 upcoming 2025 release,Katabasis, but the author’s career took off withThe Poppy Wartrilogy. A gritty fantasy story that draws heavily from the real history of the Second Sino-Japanese War,The Poppy Wartakes an unflinching approach to such violence. It’s not always an easy read, but it’s masterfully crafted, and the series will remain with readers long after they’ve put it down. And its overall quality stems from its impressive first book, as2018’sThe Poppy Warhas very few flaws to speak of.
2018
2019
4.37
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 world-building, character work, and an intriguing magic system. There’s a reason it has won several awards, including the Compton Crook Award (viaLibraryThing) and the Crawford Award in 2019 (viaLocus Online). The book’s success 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 ongoing, but it has yet to produce a disappointing book — and the first installment paints a clear picture of why the YA fantasy series is so beloved. 2020’sLegendborntakes readers on a journey alongside its heroine, Bree, who discovers a secret Arthurian society at the university she’s attending for her early college program.The Arthurian elements and magic ofLegendbornare unique and epic, and they make it a truly memorable read.
4.32
2022
4.31
2025
In addition toLegendborn’s great take on Arthurian legend,Deonn’s series masterfully weaves in social commentaryand manages to tug at readers' heartstrings with the connections between characters.The LegendbornCyclejust gets better and better — itsnewest book,Oathbound, is a testamentto that — but it all starts with the first 10/10 novel. The 2020 opener is everything you could want in a fantasy story, and it’s a wonder it hasn’t been adapted for the screen yet.
3His Dark Materials By Philip Pullman
First Book: The Golden Compass (1995)
His Dark Materialsis considered a classic children’s fantasy series, and its strengths continue all the way through its run. ButThe Golden Compassmakes for a great jumping-off point, as the 1995 novel does an impressive job of drawing readers into its world, full of Daemons and Dust. It also establishes Lyra Belacqua as a headstrong and admirable heroine, making it even easier to get invested in her prophecy and plight. Lyra is an especially refreshing protagonist for when Pullman’s books were written, and her story holds up decades after its release.
1995
4.03
1997
4.15
4.10
The ending ofThe Golden Compassis also surprisingly devastating for a children’s fantasy book, and it sets the stage for the conversations and conflicts of the sequels in a truly stunning way. WithThe Subtle KnifeandThe Amber Spyglassupping the stakes,The Golden Compassdoesn’t always get the recognition it rightfully deserves. ButPullman’s firstHis Dark Materialsis a 10/10 read, and its sequels managing to match it makes the series 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 blend of fantasy and sci-fi, and every book in the series is as effective as the last. With all three books boasting above-average Goodreads scores, that probably goes without saying. And the positive reception is well-deserved.It’s hard to find anything quite likeThe Broken Earthin terms of its unique magic system, complex cast of characters, and distinct backdrop. Book one,The Fifth Season,introduces all these elements of Jemisin’s world in a way that will keep readers engaged from start to finish.
2015
2016
4.29
2017
The Fifth Seasonalso does an impressive job of tackling serious subjects through its narrative, from discrimination and oppression to the effects of trauma. This makes it an emotional read, but that ensures the series leaves an impact from the very start. It’s no wonderThe Fifth Seasonwon a Hugo Award in 2016; it makes for a powerful beginning to a journey that remains incredible all the way 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 place in a cruel and unforgiving world, butit still manages to deliver a story full of charm and spirit. This is mostly because of its main characters and the connections between them, which gives an emotional center to the heist story at the book’s core. Of course, the great character writing makes the emotional gut punches of Lynch’s book that much worse.
2006
2007
4.25
2013
4.22
In addition to great characters, the plotting and pacing ofThe Lies of Locke Lamoramakes for an engaging ride. The dark and atmospheric 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 book is a 10/10, it’sThe Lies of Locke Lamora.Although its sequels are great, they never quite reach its heights.
