The Greatest Israeli, Canadian, German "Fiction, High Fantasy" Books Since 1950
Click to learn how this list is calculated.
This list represents a comprehensive and trusted collection of the greatest books. Developed through a specialized algorithm, it brings together 305 'best of' book lists to form a definitive guide to the world's most acclaimed books. For those interested in how these books are chosen, additional details can be found on the rankings page.
Genres
High Fantasy, as a literary genre, transports readers to entirely imagined worlds, distinct from our own, where magic, mythical creatures, and epic quests form the backbone of the narrative. These worlds often feature complex political systems, intricate lore, and a clear distinction between good and evil. Central to high fantasy are themes of heroism, adventure, and the struggle against formidable adversaries or forces. The genre is epitomized by works such as J.R.R. Tolkien's "The Lord of the Rings," where the detailed setting of Middle-earth, complete with its own languages, races, and history, sets the stage for a classic battle between the forces of light and darkness. High Fantasy offers an escape into worlds where the fantastical is the norm, inviting readers to explore realms where the limits are defined only by the breadth of the author's imagination.
Countries
Date Range
Reading Statistics
Click the button below to see how many of these books you've read!
Download
If you're interested in downloading this list as a CSV file for use in a spreadsheet application, you can easily do so by clicking the button below. Please note that to ensure a manageable file size and faster download, the CSV will include details for only the first 500 books.
Download-
1. The Neverending Story by Michael Ende
"The Neverending Story" is a captivating fantasy novel that follows the adventures of a young boy named Bastian. When he stumbles upon a mysterious book, he becomes engrossed in the magical world of Fantastica, where he must embark on a perilous quest to save the realm from destruction. As Bastian's imagination intertwines with reality, he discovers the power of storytelling and the importance of believing in oneself. This enchanting tale explores themes of courage, friendship, and the boundless nature of imagination.
The 997th Greatest Book of All Time -
2. The Great Victorian Collection by Brian Moore
"The Great Victorian Collection" is a captivating novel that follows the journey of a wealthy collector who becomes obsessed with acquiring a vast collection of Victorian artifacts. As he delves deeper into his obsession, he becomes entangled in a world of deception, greed, and scandal. Set in the backdrop of 1950s London, this thought-provoking and atmospheric tale explores the dark side of obsession and the consequences it can have on one's life.
The 2640th Greatest Book of All Time -
3. Tigana by Guy Gavriel Kay
In a land where a ruthless sorcerer has erased the name and history of a once-proud province, a group of rebels fights to reclaim their identity and homeland. The story unfolds in a richly detailed fantasy world where magic and political intrigue intertwine, and the power of memory and the resilience of the human spirit are central themes. The rebels, each with their own personal vendettas and dreams, must navigate complex alliances and confront their own pasts as they strive to restore the name of their province and free it from the grip of tyranny. Their quest is fraught with challenges, as they face not only the sorcerer's formidable powers but also the difficulties of uniting a fractured people under a forgotten banner.
The 4044th Greatest Book of All Time -
4. The Darkest Road by Guy Gavriel Kay
In the epic conclusion to a high fantasy trilogy, a group of diverse characters face the ultimate battle against an ancient evil that threatens both their magical world and the very fabric of reality. As the forces of light and darkness prepare for a final confrontation, the heroes must grapple with personal sacrifices, complex moral dilemmas, and the weight of destiny. Their journey is fraught with loss, love, and the struggle to maintain hope in the face of overwhelming darkness. The narrative weaves together themes of power, redemption, and the enduring human spirit, culminating in a climactic resolution that will determine the fate of their world and the lives of all who inhabit it.
The 5045th Greatest Book of All Time -
5. The Wandering Fire by Guy Gavriel Kay
In this fantasy novel, a group of young men and women from our own world find themselves transported to a realm where myth and magic reign. They become embroiled in a desperate struggle to fulfill an ancient prophecy and combat a dark sorcery that threatens to engulf both worlds. As they journey through this enchanted land, they encounter legendary figures and creatures, and must come to terms with their own destinies. With the fate of two worlds hanging in the balance, they must harness their newfound abilities and face the malevolent force that seeks to extinguish the light of both the realms they have come to cherish.
The 5045th Greatest Book of All Time -
6. Gardens Of The Moon by Steven Erikson
In a dark and complex fantasy world, an elite group of soldiers known as the Bridgeburners navigate political intrigue and ancient magic as part of a vast empire's expansionist wars. The city of Darujhistan becomes the focal point of conflict, where gods, mages, and various factions vie for power. Amidst the chaos, an ancient force is awakening, threatening to change the balance of power. The soldiers and citizens alike must contend with betrayal, ancient prophecies, and their own personal demons in a struggle that blurs the lines between heroism and ambition, with the fate of the empire and the world itself hanging in the balance.
The 6675th Greatest Book of All Time -
7. The Darkness That Comes Before by R. Scott Bakker
The novel is a complex epic fantasy that delves into a world on the brink of apocalypse, where political intrigue, ancient prophecies, and religious conflict intertwine. It follows an array of characters, including a manipulative sorcerer, a warrior monk with a troubled past, and a mysterious and intellectually gifted barbarian, as they navigate a landscape fraught with ancient empires and emerging factions. The narrative explores themes of free will, morality, and the human capacity for both great enlightenment and profound darkness, set against the backdrop of an impending holy war that threatens to consume the known world.
The 6965th Greatest Book of All Time -
8. The Rage Of Dragons by Evan Winter
The book is a gripping fantasy tale set in a world inspired by African mythology, where a caste-driven society is locked in a perpetual war with hordes of dragons. The protagonist, born into the lowest caste, discovers an extraordinary ability to summon the power of dragons and seeks to use this power to avenge the injustices done to his people and to ascend beyond his preordained station. His quest for revenge and personal transformation is fraught with battles, political intrigue, and the challenge of overcoming a rigid social hierarchy, all while the fate of the kingdom hangs in the balance.
The 8368th Greatest Book of All Time -
9. Sailing To Sarantium by Guy Gavriel Kay
In this historical fantasy novel, a skilled mosaicist from a distant city is summoned to the grand capital of Sarantium to work on a magnificent sanctuary for the divine. The journey transforms into an odyssey filled with political intrigue, personal ambition, and spiritual questioning. As he navigates the complex web of power and plots, the artist encounters emperors and chariot racers, alchemists and holy men, while his own creative passion and the fate of empires become inextricably intertwined. The narrative weaves a rich tapestry of human experience, exploring themes of art, power, and the nature of civilization itself.
The 9953rd Greatest Book of All Time -
10. A Brightness Long Ago by Guy Gavriel Kay
Set in a world evoking Renaissance Italy, the novel weaves a tale of fate and consequence where the lives of a healer's daughter and a mercenary's son become intertwined with those of powerful rulers and skilled assassins. As past choices and chance encounters reverberate through the tapestry of their world, the characters navigate a landscape of beauty and violence, where the paths of the mighty and the humble cross in unexpected ways. The narrative explores the impact of memory, the weight of history, and the nature of human ambition, all while painting a vivid portrait of a society on the cusp of transformative change.
The 10676th Greatest Book of All Time
Reading Statistics
Click the button below to see how many of these books you've read!
Download
If you're interested in downloading this list as a CSV file for use in a spreadsheet application, you can easily do so by clicking the button below. Please note that to ensure a manageable file size and faster download, the CSV will include details for only the first 500 books.
Download