Best current (or recently completed) fantasy series?

[Dream Brother]

Man, this was a tough list to create.

You?ll notice that I?ve included series? that have concluded as well as ones that are ongoing, but these are ones that have ended recently, so I thought I?d throw them on the list just for the hell of it. I personally heavily dislike a few options on this list, but I felt that I had to include them for the sake of fairness if nothing else. It?s a pity that I couldn?t list Hobb?s earlier works, as they were far superior to her current trilogy, but that?s just the way it goes.

Also, keep in mind that I?m obviously not acquainted with every current/just finished series, so I mostly chose in terms of the popularity of the works in question. I included an ?other? option for the works that missed out, so feel free to state them in the thread.

 

[Mystique inactive]

What is your favorite?

My favorite would have to be the Harry Potter series, I know some may say that the series wasn't that good, but I have to differ. The characters seem so real to me, the action is excellent, and in an overall sense I think it is the BEST series ever.

The Canterburry Tales would have also been a nice addition, to bad he died before completing the series

 

[Tyrael]

Christopher Dowie's Daemonborne

Would you consider Pratchett's Discworld series in the same bracket? Books are still being released as part of it, but there is not one concurrent narrative running through. Also it is hardly recent. Does it still meet the criterion?

 

[Crimson Dragoon]

I'm going to have to vote for the Malazan series since I'm a biased prick. Plus I used it a couple of times in OBD versus debates.

 

[?Fallacy?]

Harry Potter series. It was extremely epic and amazing beyond words. I've been reading those books since 3rd grade. lol

 

[laly]

Harry Potter of course! Love those books. And even people who hate them have to give Rowling credit for moving so many people =)

 

[Dream Brother]

Christopher Dowie's Daemonborne

Would you consider Pratchett's Discworld series in the same bracket? Books are still being released as part of it, but there is not one concurrent narrative running through. Also it is hardly recent. Does it still meet the criterion?

Damn, how could I forget Pratchett? Great writer.

Sure, he would count.

 

[Naruto Uzumaki]

Happy potter..

 

[martryn]

Right now, I'd have to say the Wheel of Time is at the top of my list. As far as fantasy goes, it takes the cake right now. My favorite fantasy would have to be by Steven R. Donaldson, but that's hardly recent, unless, of course, you consider the third chronicles of Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever.

 

[HedKandi]

I actually liked Eragon, despite thinking it was an awful rip-off of Lord of the rings (which is just epic, imo). Out of that list- I’d say Harry potter. I hated the last book, but the series as a whole was just brilliant.

 

[Crimson Dragoon]

To be honest, I expected far more votes for ASoIaf and the Malazan series, especially here in the Literature Department. Come on, I know those two series aren't complete unknowns here on NF.

 

[Dream Brother]

To be honest, I expected far more votes for ASoIaf and the Malazan series, especially here in the Literature Department. Come on, I know those two series aren't complete unknowns here on NF.

Yeah, surprised me too. Kind of odd considering the big fanbase they both have.

 

[Pintsize]

The Sword of Truth?

I haven't kept up with current fantasy as much as I'd like to, unfortunately.

 

[ɒiƨʜɒɿ ƚɘivoƨ]

I've finished/read none of the series in the list

I'd like to make a special mention of The Chronicles of Narnia by C. S. Lewis because after finishing it, I feel pleased and content with the genre; the series included a lot of material within the scope of fantasy. Is this series along the lines of what you had in mind?

Edit: you asked for the current timeline

 

[isanon]

katherine kerr's devery series

 

[Felt]

His dark Materials - Phillip Pullman. If that's recent enough ^_^

 

[Saint_Spike]

Harry Potter

 

[Khamzul]

Malazan Book of the Fallen imo. Then again, I haven't read half of these so what's my opinion worth?

Malazan Book of the Fallen > Harry Potter > Wheel of Time > What I have read of Raymond E. Feist and Robin Hobb.

 

[FoolyCooly]

Malazan Book of the Fallen and A Song of Ice and Fire own all the rest. Anyone who doesn't agree either has not read them, is <14 years old, or is severely lacking in the brain department.

I voted for Malazan btw.

 

[Mitarashi Anko]

Oh gods, Wheel of Time all the way.

"Ended" but not completed, indeed.

*epic weeping*

 

['REDHAIRED' SHANKS]

Dammit ... I missed the Malazan option >_<

Malazan Book of the Fallen >>>> A Song of Ice and Fire >>>> Wheel of time >>> the rest

why did you include Harry potter in there

 

[Dark Aether]

Warriors/New Prophecy/Power of three - Erin Hunter (Still Ongoing)

His Dark Materials - Philip Pullman (Finished)

Pendragon - D.J. Machale (Finished I think, I haven't read the whole series yet though, about to start book 4.)

 

[isanon]

Malazan Book of the Fallen and A Song of Ice and Fire own all the rest. Anyone who doesn't agree either has not read them, is <14 years old, or is severely lacking in the brain department.

I voted for Malazan btw.

i have read both series and im over 14 years old (way over) but neither of the series realy compare to the devery serie

also im not realy lacking in the brain department

 

[Dream Brother]

I couldn?t add His Dark Materials to the list, much as I would have liked to, simply because it didn?t finish recently. It finished a couple of years ago, if I?m not mistaken. Great series, though.

As for why I added Harry Potter, Shanks:

I personally heavily dislike a few options on this list, but I felt that I had to include them for the sake of fairness if nothing else.

 

[Tyrael]

Malazan Book of the Fallen and A Song of Ice and Fire own all the rest. Anyone who doesn't agree either has not read them, is <14 years old, or is severely lacking in the brain department.

I voted for Malazan btw.

'Cause, obviously, sweeping generalisations are the mark of a mind heavily endowed with intellect...

The first ASOIAF book had a few great moments and interesting characters as well as a tendency towards unpredictability in the story. The little of Erikson I have read was dynamic and vivid. Yet I can say I prefer Jordan to either with a clear conscious (Pratchett trumps all).

 

[Denji]

I am currently loving the Hell out of A Game of Thrones (I'm just now getting into this series), so I have to go with ASoIaF.

 

[Beldarius]

A Song of Ice and Fire is pure win. Of older fantasy series the best are "Dark Is Rising" by Susan Cooper and anything by David Eddings.

 

[neko-sennin]

I voted for the Wheel of Time because it's gradual stylistic decline was more a result of Robert Jordan's declining health in his final days than any dimming of his vast vision.

As for one that wasn't mentioned on the list, one of my ultimate favorites, right up there with The Lord of the Rings, Stephen King's Dark Tower saga.

 

[Cromer]

Can't see beyond Terry Pratchett's Discworld, sorry. He has that ability to make the most mundane things seem remarkably funny, and the zany rib-cracking without seeming unreasonably OTT.

 

[Crowe]

Malazan - Book of the fallen.

ASOFI is a good series but it often tend to make you feel so empty inside and it got characters like Sansa and Catelyn that makes you want to enter their worldjust to kill htem.