Cassandra Clare’s 10 Favorite Epic Fantasy Series

Cassandra Clare’s Shadowhunters world has inspired a movie, a brand-new TV series, spinoff works including a cowritten story collection, and the kind of rabid fandom that has kept the story going across two linked series, from the first Infernal Devices’ book,  Clockwork Angel, to the final installment of the Mortal Instruments, City of Heavenly Fire. And now Clare is returning with Lady Midnight, book one in the Dark Artifices series. Picking up five years after the events of City of Heavenly Fire, it follows Los Angeles Institute refugee Emma Carstairs as she embarks on her own adventure, navigating deadly obstacles and dangerous fae allies in pursuit of the truth behind her parents’ murder. To celebrate the release of her new epic work (seriously epic—fans will find themselves racing through 720 pages!), we asked Clare to share her top 10 picks for the best epic fantasy series out there. Gird your to-be-read list!

The Lord of the Rings trilogy, by J.R.R. Tolkien
The influence of this classic series can’t be denied, and the sheer breadth and detail of Tolkien’s world will never cease to delight and inspire me. I first read these books when I was a kid, but I’ll always return to them.

The Kingkiller Chronicle series, by Patrick Rothfuss
The Kingkiller Chronicle is told in the first person, which is highly unusual for a fantasy series. As an autobiography, it tells the story of a former hero, now living in obscurity as an innkeeper.

The Chronicles of Narnia, by C.S. Lewis
This series is important to the development of fantasy fiction as we know it today. The magic of The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe takes me back to when I was a kid, seeing magic in unlikely places every day.

His Dark Materials Trilogy, by Phillip Pullman
Pullman’s trilogy is wildly original and great fun. Grand adventure, alternate worlds, weird science, strong characters, and terrifying antagonists make this series a treat. Also, the animal companions are a whole to of fun to read about.

The Coldfire Trilogy, by C.S. Friedman
A hybrid of fantasy and science fiction, the Coldfire trilogy is a grand, brutal adventure set on a planet that is very different from Earth.

The Earthsea Cycle, by Ursula K. Le Guin
The magic in the islands of Earthsea is inventive, and throughout the course of the series, Le Guin paints a detailed picture of a world that is struggling with its own relationship to the supernatural.

The Abhorsen Trilogy, by Garth Nix
Garth Nix’s unusual world building and unique magic system make this series great. I’m partial to stories where fantasy settings exist alongside realistic settings, and if you feel the same way, you should definitely check out Sabriel.

The Thief series, by Megan Whelan Turner
This is one of my favorite series of all time. Intriguing mythology, hair-raising plot twists, and elaborate heists all figure into the first book. Each book is an enjoyable story in its own right, but together they form a masterpiece in the making.

The Crescent Moon Kingdoms series, by Saladin Ahmed

Set in a fantasy world inspired by the middle east, Throne of the Crescent Moon is an epic urban fantasy that takes place almost entirely within the borders of one city. There you’ll find swordfights, magic, political intrigue, a murder mystery, and a whole lot of ghouls.The Sorcerer Royal series, by Zen Cho
Sorcerer to the Crown is great fun. Magic, politics, and romance are framed by a Regency-era London setting. As a huge historical fiction fan, I’m looking forward to the rest of the series.