Best Fantasy Books Quora (2026): 5 Picks Compared

A reader finishing one fantasy series asks where to turn next, and best fantasy books quora searches return a flood of opinions. This list compares five fantasy novels by stated series, page count, reading age and publication date. Every detail comes from the Amazon listings.

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The picks

#	Product	Shelf Score	Buy
1	Sorcery of Thorns by Rogerson	9.8/10	Buy on Amazon
2	Sorcerer to the Crown by Cho	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon
3	Vankara by West	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon
4	Once There Were Heroes by Quaintrell	9.5/10	Buy on Amazon
5	Eamon by Roo	9.5/10	Buy on Amazon

1

Sorcery of Thorns by Rogerson

Margaret Rogerson·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 ›

An apprentice in a magical library is implicated in sabotage and must work with a sorcerer she was taught to distrust, which suits high school readers who like magic with a conspiracy plot.

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Pros

• Grade level 9 to 12 and a reading age of 14 years and up both fit a high school reader
• Listed as Book 1 of 1, so the listing presents a single book with no series to follow
• A single 480-page volume with a publication date of June 30, 2020

Cons

• The description mentions monsters and battles with a powerful sorcerer, so check for violence before buying
• At 480 pages it is a long read for a reluctant reader
• The listing states no illustrations or bonus material

2

Sorcerer to the Crown by Cho

Zen Cho·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 ›

Fantasy about a Sorcerer Royal and a gifted young woman among the British elite, for readers who like historical settings with magic.

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Pros

• Book 1 of 2, a short series
• Reading age of 18 years and up is stated
• Historical British setting with magic

Cons

• 2015 publication date
• The story continues past this volume
• The 18+ age does not suit younger fantasy readers

3

Vankara by West

S.J. West·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 ›

Fantasy about a shifter drawn into court intrigue and plague conspiracy, for political fantasy readers.

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Pros

• Book 1 of 3 in the Vankara Saga
• Reading age of 12 to 18 years is stated
• 3rd edition of the book

Cons

• Plague and death themes a parent may want to check
• 2014 publication date
• The series continues past this book

4

Once There Were Heroes by Quaintrell

Philip C. Quaintrell·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 ›

Epic fantasy about the last Dragon Riders facing a new war, for dragon-adventure readers.

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Pros

• Book 1 of 4 in A Time of Dragons
• Published September 4, 2023
• Dragon-centered epic premise

Cons

• War and death themes a parent may want to check
• Four-book series, a longer commitment
• No reading age or page count is stated

5

Eamon by Roo

Martha Roo·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 ›

Urban fantasy about an ordinary woman pulled into dragons, wizards and dark magic, for modern-setting readers.

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Pros

• 426 pages stated
• Book 1 of 3: Queen of the Flightless Dragons
• Published January 17, 2025

Cons

• Violence and dark magic themes a parent may want to check
• No reading age is stated
• The series continues past this book

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Compare the picks

Book details as published on each listing, collected 22 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 state a reading age: 18 years and up on one, 12 to 18 years on the other. 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 books quora

Start with book one

Four of the five picks are Book 1 of their series: a duology, two trilogies and a four-book epic. Starting at Book 1 avoids landing mid-arc. Browse the wider fantasy books shelf for more series starters.

Match the reading age

Sorcerer to the Crown states 18 years and up, while Vankara states 12 to 18 years. The other three state no reading age or grade level. Descriptions that mention war, death or dark magic name it in the cons below, so a parent can check before buying. Our fantasy duologies list sticks to two-book series.

Check length and edition

Only Eamon states a page count, 426 pages. Vankara shows a 3rd edition from 2014, and Eamon is the most recent at January 17, 2025.

Before you buy

• Check the series position: four of the five picks are Book 1 of their series.
• Compare the stated reading age against the reader: two listings state one.
• Note the publication date on older titles: the Vankara listing shows a 3rd edition from 2014.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where should I start the A Time of Dragons series?

With Once There Were Heroes, listed as Book 1 of 4.

Which of these books state a reading age?

Sorcerer to the Crown states 18 years and up, and Vankara states 12 to 18 years. The other three listings state no reading age.

Are these books part of longer series?

Four are series starters: one Book 1 of 2, two at Book 1 of 3, one Book 1 of 4. Sorcery of Thorns states no series information.

Still deciding? Our top pickSorcery of Thorns by Rogerson

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Related lists

See every fantasy and romantasy list and all fiction lists.

More lists: browse fantasy books with dragons, classic fantasy books and clean fantasy reads.