Best Fantasy Series Ranked (2026): 5 Series Compared

Finishing a great fantasy book leaves one question: what next? The best fantasy series ranked here give you whole worlds to move into, from light novels to epic boxed sets. We ranked five series on stated volumes, pages and reading age, using only what each listing publishes.

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The picks

#	Product	Shelf Score	Buy
1	A Game of Thrones Boxed Set	9.8/10	Buy on Amazon
2	Retired S Ranked Vol 3	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
3	Retired S Ranked Vol 4	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
4	Witcher Boxed Set by Sapkowski	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon
5	Stormlight Archive by Sanderson	9.5/10	Buy on Amazon

1

A Game of Thrones Boxed Set

George R. R. Martin·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 first 5 novels of A Song of Ice and Fire in a boxed set, 5216 pages.

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Pros

• 5 novels in 1 boxed set
• 5216 pages of epic fantasy
• Published 2013, media tie-in edition

Cons

• Series is unfinished
• 5216 pages is a big commitment
• Mature content

2

Retired S Ranked Vol 3

Wolfe Locke·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 3 of 5 in the Retired S Ranked Adventurer light novel series, 347 pages for ages 13-17.

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Pros

• Book 3 of 5, series continues
• 347 pages
• Ages 13-17

Cons

• 2021 publication
• Book 3, start at book 1
• Kindle edition stated

3

Retired S Ranked Vol 4

Wolfe Locke·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 4 of 5 in the Retired S Ranked Adventurer light novel series, 368 pages.

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Pros

• Book 4 of 5
• 368 pages
• Series finale approaches

Cons

• 2022 publication
• Book 4, start at book 1
• No reading age stated

4

Witcher Boxed Set by Sapkowski

Andrzej Sapkowski·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 ›

A complete eight-book boxed set following Geralt of Rivia, for readers who want a finished epic fantasy.

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Pros

• All eight books in one boxed set
• 2020 international edition from Gollancz
• The listing states the author won the World Fantasy Lifetime Achievement award

Cons

• No reading age or grade level stated
• No print length stated
• Boxed set only; no e-book bundle stated

5

Stormlight Archive by Sanderson

Brandon Sanderson·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 ›

Humans and humanoid Parshendi wage war on the storm-swept magical world of Roshar across three epic fantasy novels.

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Pros

• Collects the first three volumes of the epic fantasy series in one box set
• Features deep worldbuilding on the alien and magical world of Roshar
• Mass market paperback format makes thick fantasy novels easier to hold and carry
• Includes The Way of Kings, Words of Radiance, and Oathbringer

Cons

• Print length and page count are not stated on the listing
• Neither a reading age nor a grade level is stated on the listing
• Contains only the first three books of an ongoing, larger series
• The description notes ongoing wartime conflict between humans and Parshendi

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More picks to compare

• SSS Ranked Awakening Book 3Book 3 of 5 WebNovel light novel, September 2025Check on Amazon

Compare the picks

Specifications are manufacturer rated as listed, collected 22 October 2026. Start any series at book one.

How we scored them

The Shelf Score weighs story, world, value, age fit and format. For ranked series, the listing’s own volume number decides reading order: the Retired S Ranked Adventurer volumes are books 3 and 4 of 5. None of the five state a warranty term, which is normal for books.

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 ranked

Pick by commitment: the boxed sets deliver multiple books at once, while the light novel volumes continue an ongoing series. Check the reading age: the Retired S Ranked Adventurer lists ages 13-17. For epic fantasy, the Game of Thrones, Witcher and Stormlight sets are the long reads.

Before you buy

• Start at book one: the Locke volumes here are books 3 and 4 of 5.
• Boxed sets collect multiple books; confirm which books the set includes.
• Check the reading age against the reader: only one listing states ages 13-17.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which fantasy series is ranked first here?

The Retired S Ranked Adventurer Vol 3 ranks first, followed by Vol 4, then the three boxed sets.

Should I start the Retired S Ranked Adventurer at Vol 3?

No. The listings state Book 3 of 5 and Book 4 of 5; start at book one.

Which series come as boxed sets?

A Game of Thrones is a 5-book boxed set; The Witcher is a boxed set; Stormlight Archive MM Boxed Set I covers books 1-3.

What ages is the Retired S Ranked Adventurer for?

The Vol 3 listing states reading age 13-17 years. The Vol 4 listing states no reading age.

Still deciding? Our top pickA Game of Thrones Boxed Set

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Related lists

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