Best Fantasy Series Unfinished (2026): 4 Picks

Some fantasy series end with a door left open, and readers keep knocking. The best fantasy series unfinished searches are for exactly that feeling: stories that never quite closed. This list compares four books tied to unfinished fantasy series by listed reading age, print length and series position.

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The picks

#	Product	Shelf Score	Buy
1	Twice Upon A Time by May	9.5/10	Buy on Amazon
2	Unfinished Tales by Tolkien	9.5/10	Buy on Amazon
3	Unfinished by Holmberg	9.4/10	Buy on Amazon
4	Blood by Maya	9.4/10	Buy on Amazon

1

Twice Upon A Time by May

Arisa May·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 the Unfinished Fairy Tales series, where Kat is pulled back to Athelia and must choose between her modern life and the fairy tale world.

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Pros

• Reading age 12 - 18 years is stated
• Book 2 of 5, a clear series position
• Portal fantasy premise with a fairy tale world

Cons

• Not a series opener, so a new reader starts mid-story
• No page count is stated on the listing
• Published December 13, 2016, an older edition

2

Unfinished Tales by Tolkien

J.R.R. Tolkien·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 ›

An illustrated collection of Tolkien's unfinished Middle-earth narratives, edited by Christopher Tolkien with 18 full-color paintings across 528 pages.

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Pros

• The exact match for the keyword: unfinished tales by name
• 528 pages with 18 full-color paintings by Alan Lee, John Howe and Ted Nasmith
• Christopher Tolkien's commentary puts each story in context

Cons

• A collection of narratives, not a single finished novel
• No reading age or grade level is stated
• Suits readers who already know The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings

3

Unfinished by Holmberg

D.K. Holmberg·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 5 of the First of the Blade series, where Imogen must lead her people to safety as the sacred temples fall.

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Pros

• Book 5 of 6, a clear series position
• Published June 7, 2022, a recent edition
• Swordmaster fantasy with an ongoing arc

Cons

• Deep into the series, so a new reader needs the earlier books
• No page count, reading age or grade level is stated
• Violence in the premise, so check the description

4

Blood by Maya

Tara Maya·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 6 of The Unfinished Song series, where Dindi and Umbral face the Bone Whistler during an eclipse; the listing states 125,000 words.

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Pros

• Book 6 of 12, a clear series position
• The listing states 125,000 words
• 2nd edition published February 13, 2013

Cons

• Deep into the series, so a new reader needs the earlier books
• No reading age or grade level is stated
• A scheme to annihilate humanity in the premise, so check the description

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Compare the picks

Book details as published on each listing, collected 21 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. Only one of the four listings states a reading age: Twice Upon A Time gives 12 – 18 years. The other three state no age, so check the description before buying for a younger reader. 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 fantasy series unfinished

Know where you are in the series

None of these is a series opener. Twice Upon A Time is Book 2 of 5, Unfinished is Book 5 of 6, and Blood is Book 6 of 12, so a new reader should look for the earlier volumes first. Unfinished Tales is not a series volume at all: it is a collection of narratives edited by Christopher Tolkien, with a short commentary on each story. Starting mid-series works only if the reader already knows the world.

Use the reading age as a guide

Only Twice Upon A Time states a reading age, 12 – 18 years, which fits a teen or adult reader. The other three listings state no age, so the description is the only guide: the Blade and Unfinished Song books describe violence and war, which suits an adult reader. When no age is stated, a sample chapter tells more than the blurb. More series ideas are in our fantasy series with dragons list.

Weigh illustrated editions against plain text

Unfinished Tales is the illustrated edition: 528 pages with 18 full-color paintings by Alan Lee, John Howe and Ted Nasmith. The other three state no illustrations; Blood states 125,000 words instead of a page count. An illustrated collection suits a gift or a slow read through background lore, while the novels suit a reader who wants plot. For more completed-feeling options, see fantasy series with magic.

Before you buy

• Check the series number: Twice Upon A Time is Book 2 of 5, Unfinished is Book 5 of 6, and Blood is Book 6 of 12.
• Unfinished Tales is a collection of narratives with commentary, not a single finished novel.
• Only one listing states a reading age (Twice Upon A Time, 12 – 18 years); check the description for the rest.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Unfinished Tales a complete story?

No. The listing describes it as a collection of unfinished narratives edited by Christopher Tolkien, who provides a short commentary on each story. It is background and new stories for readers of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, not one finished novel.

Which book should a new reader start with?

None of these is a series opener: Twice Upon A Time is Book 2 of 5, Unfinished is Book 5 of 6, and Blood is Book 6 of 12. Look for the earlier volumes of each series first.

Which listing states a reading age?

Only Twice Upon A Time, at 12 – 18 years. The other three listings state no reading age or grade level.

Still deciding? Our top pickTwice Upon A Time by May

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Related lists

See every fantasy and romantasy list and all fiction lists.

More lists: browse fantasy series with dragons, fantasy series with magic and fantasy series world building.