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The 10 Greatest Fantasy Books of the 21st Century, Ranked
The article presents a ranked list of the ten greatest fantasy books of the 21st century, arguing that the genre remains creatively vibrant across high fantasy, low fantasy and fantasy influenced by other traditions. It highlights books that either conclude major series or launch distinctive new ones, praising their ambition, originality and lasting influence.
– *A Dance with Dragons* by George R. R. Martin is praised for political realism, moral complexity and intricate characterisation.– *Jade Legacy* by Fonda Lee is recognised as an award-winning conclusion blending martial arts, crime-family drama and epic fantasy.– *A Memory of Light* by Brandon Sanderson is described as a satisfying conclusion to Robert Jordan’s 14-volume *Wheel of Time* series.– *The Lies of Locke Lamora* by Scott Lynch is presented as an entertaining fantasy equivalent of *Ocean’s Eleven*.
In short
- 21st-century fantasy is portrayed as thriving and diverse.
- The ranking spans epic, political and genre-blending novels.
- Several entries are acclaimed series finales.
Explained simply
Fantasy is a broad kind of fiction in which imagined worlds or supernatural elements shape the story. High fantasy often takes place in a fully invented world, while low fantasy brings magic or the uncanny into settings closer to our own; many books also draw on particular cultural traditions.
Some of the books discussed belong to long series, including George R. R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire and Robert Jordan’s Wheel of Time, while others begin new series or stand alone. Authors such as Fonda Lee and Scott Lynch mix fantasy with elements of crime, family drama and martial arts.
Rankings like this one reflect the writer’s judgement, but they can introduce readers to different styles and series. They also show how fantasy can combine imagined settings with familiar themes such as power, loyalty and ambition.