10 Best Fantasy Books of the 2000s

The 2000s were a pivotal decade for the fantasy genre, with several books standing out as laying the groundwork for much of what is popular today. It’s impossible to discuss fantasy without mentioning J. R. R. Tolkien. Lord of the Rings books and how they created a significant number of common ideas in the genre. For most of the 20th century, fantasy books were written as imitations of Tolkien’s novels.as this was the perceived concept of the genre.

It was only in the final decades of the 20th century that authors such as Robert Jordan, George R. R. Martin, and others began to publish works that questioned this notion. A gradual transition from their work to the best fantasy books of the last decade, including works by Leigh Bardugo, Sarah J. Maas and R.F. Kuang is fun to study, and the exceptional fantasy books of the 2000s are crucial in this regard. Qualities That the best fantasy books include the genre’s influence, overall storytelling quality, and broader cultural influence..

10

Gathering Storm

Wheel of Time Book 12

Gathering Storm This is technically Brandon Sanderson’s first entry here, but this one counts under the Robert Jordan umbrella because Wheel of Time it’s still his world. After an incredible start with the first few volumes in the 1990s, Wheel of Time saw some lull in the 2000s with less valuable parts such as Heart of Winter and Twilight Crossroads. After Jordan’s sudden death Gathering Storm was the key volume for the series.

Wheel of Time An important challenge was posed to the genre norm established by Tolkien, which went beyond the trilogy format. The release of fourteen books in Robert Jordan’s series makes it one of the greatest achievements of the fantasy genre as a medium. Not only that Gathering Storm one of the best books in Wheel of Time series, but it’s also confirms the virtues of Jordan’s long-term planning, proving that his epic is unparalleled in scale.

9

The Last Olympian

Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Book 5

Rick Riordan’s fifth recording on Percy Jackson and the Olympians The series is a young adult fantasy book, but the cultural impact of the series cannot be ignored. Second after Harry Potter in this regard, Riordan’s saga introduced the genre to millions of young readers during this era, spawning lifelong book lovers, mythology aficionados, and fantasy lovers.. The Last Olympian carries the heavy task of ending its series, and it works in every way.

Rick Riordan accomplished two major feats with The Last Olympian. First, it brought closure to a beloved fantasy book series that will appeal to young readers. Second, he told a story so iconic that its appeal will not fade with age, confirming that narratives written for younger audiences can be sophisticated.emotional and provide lasting value. The Last Olympian was the culmination of one of the most popular young adult fantasy series ever written and deserves continued acclaim.

8

Memories of Ice

Malazan Book of the Fallen, Book 3

Malazan Book of the Fallen is an epic fantasy series known for its incredible complexity. Most reviews warn readers of the enormous confusion that comes with reading the first book, Gardens of the Moon, and encourage them to stick with it because it will all prove worthwhile. With that said, Memories of Ice it’s not a book where everything comes together and makes sense, but it is a book where the reader can realize that it doesn’t matter because they’re having an amazing time anyway.

First two volumes Malazan have decent ratings on Goodreads, but the dramatic improvement to a ridiculously impressive 4.46/5 stars signifies how incredible Memories of Ice is. Steven Erikson’s books may not be as widely read as other fantasy authors, but they are some of the most well written and well thought out fantasy of the 21st century with beautifully written characters..

7

Stupid errand

The Dark Man, Book 1

Robin Hobb’s most widely read work is The Foreteller Trilogyreleased in the 1990s. However, her most popular series is the sequel dark man trilogy that began with Stupid errand in 2001. This saga continues the story of Fitz from The Foreteller Trilogybut it is praised for improving the material and expanding character development over the originals.

Robin Hobb is one of the rare fantasy authors to use a first-person perspective, so readers are completely immersed in Fitz’s life. Although he is a great character in both trilogies, he will become an adult a few years later. Stupid errand is generally preferred for mature readers because it allows for a more mature narrative point of view and storytelling ideas. Robin Hobb is one of the masters of character-driven work.as she has an understanding and empathy for her protagonists that few authors possess.

6

Mistborn: The Last Empire

Mistborn, Book 1

Brandon Sanderson is widely known as a champion of modern fantasy. The way of kings was released a year earlier, he would have found his entry closer to the beginning. With that said, Mistborn It may not be Sanderson’s magnum opus, but it is still an outstanding modern fantasy series that has had a huge impact. and still remains the author’s most widely read work after more than a dozen subsequent novels.

With three Mistborn books published in the 2000s The Last Empire takes the crown as the number one entry in the series. The novel is quintessential Sanderson, with a complex mechanical magic system, one of the best villains in the Cosmere book universe in The Lord Ruler, and some of the best-written fantasy protagonists of the decade. Sanderson is virtually unrivaled in characters that balance the inside and the outside.exploring tangible emotional journeys that perfectly align with the challenges of large-scale fantasy narratives.

5

Locke Lamora’s Lies

Gentlemen Bastards, Book 1

Scott Lynch Lord bastards The series is considered one of the most entertaining fantasy books of all time. Locke Lamora’s Lies perhaps the best in the trilogy. Like with Mistbornthe novel is about a team of crooks, that is Readers can expect dynamic and witty dialogue between some morally ambiguous characters.. For readers who enjoy following characters who are primarily self-serving but also have some morality, this is the perfect saga.

Locke Lamora’s Lies perfectly demonstrates how fantasy has expanded as a medium in the 21st century.. One could argue that it is more of a crime thriller set in a historical fantasy world, showing that not all fantasy books need to be epic fantasy war stories. In the 2020s, the genre is full of novels that use fantasy settings to tell all sorts of different types of narratives, be it romance, heist, or something else, and Scott Lynch’s series is one of the best examples of this growing variety.

4

The Kings’ Last Argument

First Law, Book 3

Although the quality of Joe Abercrombie’s books has steadily improved since the 2000s, third installment in his First Law the trilogy remains one of the most outstanding achievements in the fantasy genre of the decade.. The transition from J. R. R. Tolkien to George R. R. Martin’s approach to the fantasy genre has been called a tonal shift that largely defined the 2000s and all subsequent years in fantasy, and no series of books reflects a direct response to this shift as good as First Law.

First Law invites readers to not only explore a gritty fantasy environment like Martin’s, but also encourages them to accept an ensemble of characters with a shockingly low moral bar. First Law showcases some of the most outstanding displays of character development of the 21st century, and The Kings’ Last Argument is the culmination of this development. This book encourages the reader to rethink everything he knows about fantasy heroes. and wizards in a way that is extremely satisfying.

3

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Harry Potter, Book 7.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows this is another record for young people, but again, the cultural impact and influence of this series cannot be overstated. Harry Potter The saga became an introduction to the fantasy genre for millions of readers, and the 2000s saw a rise in hysteria about the series as film adaptations began to appear alongside the release of the books. When the first film was released in 2001, J. K. Rowling still had several volumes to complete, resulting in a massive response split that no other fantasy series has ever matched.

This put enormous pressure on the seventh and final volume, prompting years of passionate reflection. Deathly Hallows gave specific answers to questions about Snape’s loyalty, how Voldemort could be defeated, and provided an emotionally impactful, powerful ending to perhaps the most beloved fantasy series ever written. Like no other, this book and series remain in the hearts of millions of fans.

2

Name of the Wind

The Kingkiller Chronicles, Book 1

Despite the fact that Patrick Rothfuss shamefully did not finish his Kingkiller Chronicles trilogy (so far), Name of the Wind is still one of the strongest fantasy books of the 2000s. Rothfuss is often praised for his fantasy prose, which is rare among modern science fiction writers, who are usually criticized for their technical approach to storytelling. And there is a reason for this, because. Rothfuss weaves his stories through the narrator Kvothe, who constantly keeps things interesting and enticing..

Name of the Wind has influence, but his high position is due solely to the quality of his fantasy experience. There’s a reason this book has a 4.52 rating on Goodreads, which is extremely rare for a debut novel, and it’s because he invites the reader to intuit what it would be like to be a fantasy wizard. The magic system is top-notch, the prose is beautiful and poetic, the world-building is captivating, and the rare first-person perspective makes for a unique experience.

1

Storm of Swords

A Song of Ice and Fire, Book 3

Years before HBO Game of Thrones redefined the fantasy genre for a wider audience, George R.R. Martin’s A Storm of Swords perfected it for dedicated book readers. Martin’s first two novels A Song of Ice and Fire the series were amazing and game changing in their own right, but Storm of Swords Shattered expectations of what could be achieved in this environment. ASOIAF is a complete subversion of the genre norms established in Lord of the Ringsand the first stage of Martin’s journey ends with many huge climaxes in the third volume.

Storm of Swords Not only is it the best fantasy book of the 2000s; his perhaps the greatest fantasy novel ever written. Although Martin’s legacy has been the subject of speculation due to the long wait Winds of winter and the reception of television adaptations of his works, the enormous influence of this novel cannot be underestimated. For almost a quarter of a century in the 21st century, not a single fantasy novel has been able to repeat its daring success. Storm of Swordsand it’s not without effort.