10 Great Fantasy Book Series With Happy Endings

Several fantasy Book series achieve happy endings, despite what the narrative may bring before the end. Fantasy is one of the few genres where happy endings are not guaranteed. Genres like romance tend to provide happy endingsfrom light-hearted romance TV shows to steamy romance books. Other genres, like horror, rarely have happy endings – sure, there are always iconic final girls in horror films, but everyone dies.

Fantasy is a broad genre, which is often why happy endings are variable. However, certain fantasy subgenres can promise a specific type of conclusion. Fantasy books for children often have happy endings, while dark fantasy books are famous for sad or disturbing final chapters. Finding good fantasy book series that provide happy endings can be difficultespecially as authors explore more complex genres.

10

The Lord of the Rings, by JRR Tolkien (1954-1955)

A beautiful story where good overcomes evil

One of the most famous fantasy series, The Lord of the Ringshas a happy ending. Despite Sauron's dark reign over Middle Earth for thousands of years, his reign of terror ends when he is defeated in the last part, The Return of the Kingonce Gollum falls into the Fire, rendering Sauron powerless. Aragorn eventually marries Arwen and becomes king of Arnor and Gondor. Éowyn becomes engaged to Faramir. Merry, Pippin, Sam and Frodo return home to discover that Saruman has conquered the Shire, but quickly regain their home. Sam finds true love with Rosie Cotton.

Unfortunately, the only character who doesn't seem to get a happy ending is Frodo, because he spent too much time harboring the Ring. However, JRR Tolkien gives Frodo his own happy ending – Frodo travels to the Undying Lands to live in peace with Bilbo, Galadriel, Gandalf and Elrond. While it's sad to see Frodo and Sam separated after everything they've endured together, it's the only way for both characters to achieve their own happy endings. The memories of their resilient friendship will live forever, despite them going their separate ways.

9

World of the Five Gods, by Lois McMaster Bujold (2001-2021)

Four books and a series of novels

World of the Five Gods by Lois McMaster Bujold is an epic high fantasy series consisting of four novels and a series of novellas. World of the Five Gods is inspired by ancient religions and the historical conflict of the Middle Ages between Christianity and Islam. Lois McMaster Bujold wrote a unique series because the books and novels can be read as stand-alone pieces, except for the first two novels.

According to Edward James's biography of Lois McMaster Bujold, published by the University of Illinois Pressthe books in World of the Five Gods they simply happen in the same universe because of their “shared world and theology.” Despite the intricate themes of belief and religion, World of the Five Gods includes a happy ending. It's a surprising and unusual choice for an epic fantasy series, especially one that explores these themes, but the books in World of the Five Gods have happy endings.

8

Percy Jackson and the Olympians, by Rick Riordan (2005-2024)

Percy Jackson and the Olympians is the first series in the Riordanverse

Percy Jackson and the Olympians by Rick Riordan is one of the best-known children's fantasy series. It is a worldwide phenomenon, which has since spawned several spinoff series within the same universe (now dubbed Riordanverse), an incomplete and unsuccessful film adaptation and a successful TV show on Disney+. Children's books, in general, are not exempt from sad endings.–Charlotte's web and Bridge to Terabithia are two notable examples. However, Percy Jackson and the Olympians provides a happy ending.

The original book series has five episodes, the last being The Last Olympianpublished in 2009. However, Rick Riordan has since revived Percy Jackson and the Olympians with The Cup of the Gods and Wrath of the Triple Goddess. Although the new books take place after Rick Riordan's other book series, there may be new material because the new Percy Jackson books could create a future series for Percy and his friends. Without considering, Rick Riordan is trusted for providing happy endings for Percy Jackson, Annabeth Chase, and Grover Underwoodso it will probably continue even if they have new adventures.

7

Shades of Magic by VE Schwab (2015-2017)

A standalone trilogy with a series of spin-off books and a prequel series of graphic novels

Shades of Magic is a fascinating trilogy from VE Schwab that involves multiple universes with different levels of magic. The protagonists are Kell and Lila, originally from different Londons. Kell is from Red London, a universe with a good dose of magic, while Lila is from Gray London, a universe without magic.

Athos Dane became the ruler of White London (a universe that had fallen ill due to too much magic) by poisoning its previous ruler. Kell and Lila aim to stop Athos and his dark magic, but the final battle between Athos and Kell leads to Athos' death. White London is liberated, Holland Vosijk becomes king, and the city slowly restores its health. Kell and Lila also end up together, a factor that was an unknown variable for a considerable part of the trilogy because they had to be separated often.

6

An Ember in the Ashes, by Sabaa Tahir (2015-2020)

A four-book series with a spinoff duology

An ember in the ashes by Sabaa Tahir is a young adult fantasy series that eventually has a happy ending, but not without suffering serious consequences. Laia, Elias and Helene walk through hell and back before finally getting their happy endings in the last part. A sky beyond the storm. After circumstances continue to separate Laia and Elias, they finally get together, as Elias is free from his Soul Catcher responsibilities. Helene realizes the crimes of the Martial Empire and seeks to change the system from within while forging political alliances.

Helene falls in love with Avitas Harper, but watches him die on the battlefield. However, his death gives Helene renewed strength and, when the war ends, she is elected to be the new emperor, fulfilling Cain's prophecy. Helene finds her own peace in ruling, driven by her love for Avitas Harper, her nephew, her family, and her people. Not the ideal happy ending Laia and Elias receivedbut it's a fitting and peaceful one that still works as a happy ending of sorts.

5

Six Of Crows Duology, by Leigh Bardugo (2015-2016)

The first duology and second series of the Grishaverse

THE Six of Crows the duology may seem controversial because of Matthias Helvar's death. However, all six ravens in Kaz Brekker's crew get a happy ending, even if it doesn't happen until the next Grishaverse duology. Nina is heartbroken over Matthias, but she reunites with her Grisha family. Kaz meets Inej's parents and they are finally reunited. Jan Van Eck loses his empire to Wylan, his renegade son. Kaz gets revenge on Pekka Rollins. Jesper makes peace with his father and decides to work against his gambling addiction. Wylan and Jesper get together, as do Kaz and Inej.

Although Matthias and Nina don't have a happy ending in Six of Crows duology, Matthias sets up Nina's happy ending in King of scars. Nina meets Hanne Brum – Jarl Brum's only daughter, who grew up with Matthias. They meet during a blizzard because Matthias' wolf Trassel leads Nina to Hanne. The Druskelle have an unyielding, beyond-the-grave bond with their wolves, suggesting that Matthias arranged Nina and Hanne's meeting, knowing they could find happiness together. Nina eventually fulfills Matthias' dreams of changing Fjerda and ends up with Hanne, providing a happy ending for Nina. and, by extension, Matias.

4

Katherine Arden's Winternight trilogy

An independent trilogy

The Winter Night trilogy by Katherine Arden is a historical fantasy fiction series inspired by Russian mythology. Vasya, the protagonist, can see mythological creatures, which leads her community to label her as a witch. Eventually, Vasya meets the winter demon Morozko, who trains her to defeat his evil brother, Medved, and the priest Konstantin, whom Medved chose as his human vassal. Although the protagonist, Vasya, endures many horrific events – including attempted sexual assault, witnessing the deaths of her father and best friend, losing her beloved horse, and accidentally killing her sister's unborn child – but She always perseveres no matter what happens.

There is several cases throughout The Winter Night trilogy where it looks like Vasya is going to lose, but she comes out on top in the end. Vasya stays with her love, Morozko; Vasya saves Russia; she revolutionizes her country by changing the way society views and treats women and witches for the better. The Winter Night trilogy provides a happy ending despite the uncertainty at times.

3

The Air People, by Holly Black (2018-2019)

An independent trilogy that has a prequel series and a spinoff series

The People of the Air by Holly Black is one of those rare fantasy series that works without a complex plot because the plot and the ever-changing relationship between the two main characters, Jude Duarte and Cardan Greenbriar. Jude and Cardan finally reach their happy ending, despite Elfhame's vulnerable politics. However, their story ends in a way neither of them expected. At the beginning of The People of the AirJude just wants freedom and power, while Cardan has his own demons to overcome.

Cardan is not interested in ruling Elfhame and Jude is just trying to survive. However, both Jude and Cardan experience incredible character development, so your priorities, desires, and goals eventually change to suit your happy ending– which ends up being marriage and becoming King and Queen of Elfhame, ruling the land together.

2

The Last Hours By Cassandra Clare (2020-2023)

The fifth series of The Shadowhunter Chronicles by Cassandra Clare

Cassandra Clara THE Shadowhunter Chronicles they usually receive happy endings, but not without turmoil. Each Shadowhunter book series usually have a devastating event before the characters defeat the big bad and live happily ever after. In The dark artificesAnnabeth kills Julian's sister, Livia. In The Mortal InstrumentsSebastian brutally kills Max Lightwood. The Infernal Devices There isn't a particularly devastating scene. However, Mechanical Princess' notorious epilogue left many readers scarred because of Will's eventual death, including lines like “[Tessa] realized that he had forgotten the precise blue of the [Will’s] eyes or the depth of your laugh.”

In The last hoursChristopher Lightwood dies unexpectedly from a demonic wound. Even though their family and friends are devastated, they still get happy endings. Cordelia and James prepare to leave on their honeymoon. Matthew frees himself from his inner demons and plans to travel the world. Lucie is dating Jesse while writing her first novel. Anna and Ari plan to adopt a child and travel to India to meet Ari's biological family. Thomas and Alastair are proudly together. They suffered an incredible loss when Christopher died and a tough battle against Belial. However, they survived and earned their happy endings.

1

A Song Below Water Duology by Bethany C. Morrow (2020-2021)

An independent duology

A song beneath the water is a duology by Bethany C. Morrow containing two independent books. The first installment revolves around Tavia, a mermaid, who must keep her fantastical identity a secret because society frowns on mermaids. A choir rises follows the events of A song beneath the waterbut can be read alone. Although Tavia is part of the story, the narrative is about Naema, an Eloko who reveals Tavia's mermaid identity to the world, sealing Naema's fate as an outcast.

A choir rises revolves around Naema regaining her social status by discovering a new mystery while revitalizing her powers. Both books explore how society subjects black women to racism, violence and misogyny while using fantastical elements. Despite what the protagonists endure, ONE Song below the water and A choir rises revolutionize black women in fantasy, centralizing their stories and also providing happy endings for them.

Source: University of Illinois Press