Best Book Series in Fantasy (2026): 5 Compared

Choosing the best book series in fantasy starts with who is reading, because a middle-grade dragon adventure and a 2,000-page epic quartet serve very different readers. Some picks are complete series in box sets, others are single books that start or end a series. We compared five by series completeness, page count, listed reading age and format, so you can pick the right series to start.

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The picks

#	Product	Shelf Score	Buy
1	Ember in the Ashes by Tahir	9.8/10	Buy
2	Dragons in a Bag by Elliott	9.7/10	Buy
3	Outlander Boxed Set by Gabaldon	9.6/10	Buy
4	Curse Carved in Bone by Jensen	9.5/10	Buy
5	Isle of Wrath by Contreras	9.4/10	Buy

1

Ember in the Ashes by Tahir

Sabaa Tahir·9.8/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

The complete 4-book An Ember in the Ashes series in a paperback box set, 2000 pages.

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Pros

• All four books in one paperback box set, 2000 pages.
• The listing gives a reading age of 14 years and up and grade level 9 to 12.
• Character portraits bound into each book, per the description.

Cons

• The full series in one purchase, a bigger commitment.
• A 2024 box set edition.
• The listed age of 14 and up may not suit younger readers.

2

Dragons in a Bag by Elliott

Zetta Elliott·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

Book 1 of 5 in the Dragons in a Bag urban fantasy series, 176 pages.

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Pros

• Book 1 of 5, the start of a series, 176 pages.
• The listing gives a reading age of 8 to 10 years and grade level 3 to 7.
• An ALA-ALSC Notable Children's Book, per the description.

Cons

• The reading age is marked as from customers, not a publisher recommendation.
• Only book 1 here, not the full series.
• A 2019 reprint edition.

3

Outlander Boxed Set by Gabaldon

Diana Gabaldon·9.6/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

The first four Outlander novels in a boxed set.

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Pros

• Four books in one boxed set.
• A 2015 reissue edition from Dell.
• Blends historical fiction with fantasy, per the description.

Cons

• No reading age or grade level is stated.
• No page count is stated.
• Only the first four books, not the full saga.

4

Curse Carved in Bone by Jensen

Danielle L. Jensen·9.5/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

Book 2 of 2 in the Saga of the Unfated, a Norse-inspired fantasy, 416 pages.

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Pros

• 416 pages, a full-length conclusion to the duology.
• A 2025 first edition hardcover with foil page edges, per the description.
• From Del Rey.

Cons

• Book 2 of 2 only; book 1 is not included.
• No reading age or grade level is stated.
• Starting here spoils the first book.

5

Isle of Wrath by Contreras

Claire Contreras·9.4/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

Book 1 of the Cursed Realms romantasy series, a 2026 release.

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Pros

• Book 1 of the Cursed Realms series, a 2026 release.
• Word Wise enabled, per the spec table.
• Slow-burn romantasy with Caribbean folklore monsters, per the description.

Cons

• No page count is stated.
• No reading age or grade level is stated.
• Only book 1; the series is new.

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Compare the picks

Book details as published on each listing, collected 18 October 2026.

How we scored them

The Shelf Score weighs fit for the reader, contents and edition, value, and the listed reading age or level where one is given. Two of the five listings state a reading age and grade level; three state neither. How we pick explains the weights.

Scores run from 9.2 to 9.8: each book’s point total is placed on that range, so more points always means a higher score. Reading age or level counts on a list where at least one listing gives one, and a book whose listing gives none then scores zero on it. Where no listing gives one, the score is taken over the other 85 points. Books carry no warranty, so warranty is not scored.

How to choose the best book series in fantasy

Check whether the series is complete

Two picks are complete series: An Ember in the Ashes gives all four books in a paperback box set, and A Curse Carved in Bone is book 2 of 2, the end of its duology. Outlander gives the first four books of a longer saga. Dragons in a Bag and Isle of Wrath are book 1 entries, starting their series. If you want the whole story now, the complete sets fit; if you like discovering a series, the book 1 picks fit. For more series choices, browse the fantasy books lists.

Match the age to the reader

Two picks state a reading age. An Ember in the Ashes lists 14 years and up with grade level 9 to 12, so it suits teens and adults. Dragons in a Bag lists 8 to 10 years with grade level 3 to 7, marked as from customers, so it suits younger readers. The other three state no reading age. For young fantasy readers, see fantasy series for kids.

Compare the page counts

Page counts run from 176 pages for Dragons in a Bag to 2,000 pages for the Ember box set, with 416 pages for A Curse Carved in Bone. Outlander and Isle of Wrath state no page count. A 2,000-page quartet is a long commitment; a 176-page book 1 is a quick trial. For boxed sets specifically, see fantasy books box set.

Before you buy

• Check series completeness: two complete, one partial, two book 1 starters.
• Compare the listed reading ages: 14 and up for Ember, 8 to 10 for Dragons; three state none.
• Check the page count: 176 to 2,000 pages where stated; two list none.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which of these is a complete series?

An Ember in the Ashes includes all four books in a paperback box set. A Curse Carved in Bone is book 2 of 2, ending its duology, but book 1 is not included here.

Which series suits a 9 year old?

Dragons in a Bag lists a reading age of 8 to 10 years with grade level 3 to 7, marked as from customers. The other picks state no reading age or target older readers.

Which has the most pages?

An Ember in the Ashes lists 2,000 pages across four books. A Curse Carved in Bone lists 416 pages. Outlander and Isle of Wrath do not state a page count.

Still deciding? Our top pickEmber in the Ashes by Tahir

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Related lists

See every fantasy books list and all fiction lists.

More lists: fantasy series for kids, fantasy books box set and fantasy series for teens.