These 5 Fantasy Book Series Just Keep Getting Better

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The best fantasy series just keep getting better with each new book, building excitement and increasing the challenges for the characters. It’s surprisingly difficult to achieve this, particularly in long series. Those stories often need to find new angles or slow down to explain things. Even shorter series sometimes lose steam, which is why the second book in a trilogy often isn’t as good as the first.

It’s common for series to start strong or finish well, but sometimes lose steam in the middle. That doesn’t necessarily make them bad, just inconsistent. But for readers looking for a consistently excellent series, there are a few gems that begin with incredible first books and only get better from there. From the author of The Will of the Many‘s debut to a highly-regarded grimdark trilogy, these series consistently deliver.

5) The Licanius Trilogy by James Islington

James Islington is currently popular for his book The Will of the Many, but his Licanius Trilogy is also highly recommended. While fans discuss whether The Strength of the Few is better than the first book, the series definitely improves as it goes on. The Shadow of What Was Lost is particularly good at creating a detailed world after a rebellion and telling a complex, surprising story. It’s a fantastic beginning, and the sequels are even better. Islington’s writing style gets stronger, the characters and world become more interesting, and the story isn’t afraid to explore difficult topics. The Light of All That Falls provides a satisfying conclusion, making the whole trilogy perfect for reading in quick succession, even though each book is quite lengthy.

4) The Green Bone Saga by Fonda Lee

Fonda Lee’s Green Bone Saga is a fantastic series, often compared to The Godfather but with a magical twist. It starts strong with Jade City, which immediately draws you into a richly detailed, East Asian-inspired world filled with martial arts and warring families. The second book, Jade War, doesn’t disappoint, and the series continues to build momentum. Finally, Jade Legacy brings everything to a satisfying, though emotionally resonant, conclusion. With a thrilling middle book and a truly exceptional finale, the entire saga is consistently captivating.

3) Mistborn Era 2 by Brandon Sanderson

The books in the first Mistborn era are all consistently good, but The Final Empire stands out as the strongest. The second Mistborn era starts a little slower than the first, but it quickly improves. The characters of Wax and Wayne really hit their stride after The Alloy of Law, and the story becomes much more compelling. Shadows of Self and The Bands of Mourning are where the series truly shines, and The Lost Metal is easily the best book of the bunch. It also cleverly ties into Brandon Sanderson’s larger Cosmere universe, which is exciting for fans.

2) The Broken Earth by N.K. Jemisin

N.K. Jemisin’s Broken Earth trilogy is considered a standout in modern fantasy, maintaining a high level of quality throughout. The first book, The Fifth Season, immediately captivates readers, though its distinctive writing style might take a little getting used to. It’s a worthwhile adjustment, as these novels are truly unique. Jemisin expertly builds both the world and characters in The Fifth Season, and continues to develop them throughout the series, creating a richness often missing in other fantasy works. Even the slower moments feel meaningful and contribute to the overall themes. The entire trilogy is a brilliant achievement, and The Stone Sky provides a satisfying and powerful conclusion.

1) The First Law by Joe Abercrombie

Joe Abercrombie’s First Law trilogy is a modern fantasy masterpiece, with each book building on the previous one to create a powerful and emotionally impactful story. The Blade Itself, the first book, introduces compelling, though imperfect, characters and features several tense scenes. It’s a bit of a slow start, primarily focused on setting up the events to come. However, the subsequent books definitely deliver on that setup, showcasing Abercrombie’s talent for bringing complex storylines to a satisfying conclusion. Last Argument of Kings is the standout of the trilogy, offering a high-stakes and characteristically brutal ending.

What fantasy series do you think improves with each installment? Share your thoughts in the comments and discuss it with other fans on the ComicBook Forum!

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2026-03-03 05:40