Recs if you like The Curse of Chalion...

I've noticed most fantasy lists are saturated with YA and romantasy books, but some of us crave adult high-stakes adventures. If you enjoy epic stakes, deep characters, and majestic world-building (without the distraction of romance) this list is for you. For series, I've only added the first book. 📖

Urgently seeking suggestions, any and all input is welcome! A list for men in sci-fi/fantasy who are pathetic, reminiscent of kicked dogs, described as poor little meow meows, drowning in their own emptiness, and/or generally have an intense aura of being a sad loser with no life. Having a capacity to be fixed is entirely optional. If you want to demonstrate why a man is a loser, feel free to do so at great length in the comments so that we all may further our studies in male patheticology.

SFF with worldbuilding that informs the plot, prose, characters, and underlying narrative in deeply meaningful, intentional, and complex ways, so much so that changing the world means changing the shape of the story itself. Or: worldbuilding that goes beyond simple set dressing and becomes a vehicle for the story and narrative. Always open to recs and suggestions! ❤️

A list of First books in Fantasy series (or standalones) published in 1980s-2000s written by female authors. Many of these authors are/were prolific writers so most additions are limited to their debut book or most popular series. Go read more by these authors!

Fantasy titles that have become foundational to the genre and/or that are considered fantasy classics, written by women. Always open to suggestions!

fantasy novels where curses play a role, whether it be a cursed person, object, or place! recs always welcome!

Series starting points for getting into some of the most prolific women authors in sci-fi and fantasy from the 70s-00s.

no dude bro fantasy books on this list

less of the usual culprits if you please!

secret plots, political moves, and pursuits of power all within imperial, royal, or noble courts.

Ravens/ crows on covers or in titles 🕷️ 🕸️ 🦇 These books are ones I think I will like, I have high hopes and expect top notch atmosphere! (All tbr books are on the list on probation, so the list might change after I've read and evaluated the raveness; if crow essence is to be found)

The top 100 fantasy novels according to the r/fantasy list as voted on by the community - this includes series (represented by the first book in the series) and standalones.

The list is in order with Middle Earth ( represented by Lord of the rings) being number 1 going down to the 100th.

(Note: Mistborn is position 8 while Cosmere is position 35 - as Mistborn is within the Cosmere I lumped it in with the 35th position so it is lower down than on the original list)

Epic fantasy where battles, survival, and legacy drive the story. Love may exist in the background, but here it’s war, quests, and struggles that take center stage.

Self-contained SFF books that belong to a series, offering a complete story without a multi-book commitment. A perfect way to sample immersive worlds while limiting potential disappointment – yet still leaving more to explore if you liked it.

If you tell me it's political fantasy, I don't need to hear more, thank you

(I might add a few historical fiction as well if it's heavily political -in my opinion, or if it's recommended as such)

Non-exhaustive list of foundational reading for the fantasy genre; either foundational texts or classics that influenced the development of the genre and its conventions. Also some key modern texts + criticism.

SFF where religion is a major part of the character work, world building, and/or a main driver of the plot.

Note: Only the first book in a series are added. The goal is to try it, not dedicate oneself to it. Marion Zimmer Bradley has been added with caution--buy from a small business if not able to check out at the library.

Dimension 20 season 5 on Dropout is A Crown of Candy, a high stakes story similar to A Game of Thrones but with candy people and many, many tears. Venture into the world of the royal family of Candia, making allies and enemies of those of the dairy isles and meat lands, and enjoying a little peppermint pig.

A collection of older, sometimes lesser-known, fantasy (or science fantasy) books written by incredible women and published primarily between the 1980s and early 2000s (with nods to a few older ones). In a time when female fantasy authors were few and far between, these authors carved out their own space in the genre. These stories might not be mainstream hits today, but they are full of brilliant magic, deep characters, and/or worlds that helped shape the genre. (First in Series / standalones only for now - open to suggestions!)