Best Fantasy Series Like Red Rising (2026): 5 Picks Compared

A reader who has just finished Red Rising wants the same rush again: high stakes, sharp loyalties, a world that does not let go. The best fantasy series like Red Rising deliver that feeling through epic fantasy, military sci-fi and dragon-led adventure. This list compares four series by author, series position, stated page count, publication date and edition, using only what each listing publishes.

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The picks

#	Product	Shelf Score	Buy
1	Red Rising by Brown	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
2	Dragonback 1-3 by Zahn	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon
3	Of Blood and Fire by Cahill	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon
4	A Sword Into Darkness by Mays	9.5/10	Buy on Amazon

1

Red Rising by Brown

Pierce Brown·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 ›

The deluxe slipcase edition of Red Rising, the book the list is built around, suited to readers starting the saga in a gift-worthy edition.

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Pros

• 400 pages stated, deluxe edition with illustrated slipcase and sprayed edges
• Includes a fold-out poster and full-color illustrated endpapers with a new map
• Published by Del Rey, dated October 14, 2025

Cons

• The saga continues in Golden Son, Morning Star and more, per the description
• The description includes violence and betrayal themes, so check before buying for a teen
• No reading age is stated

2

Dragonback 1-3 by Zahn

Timothy Zahn·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 ›

Books 1 to 3 of Timothy Zahn's Dragonback series in one volume, suited to readers who want dragons and adventure in a completed arc.

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Pros

• Three books in one volume: Dragon and Thief, Dragon and Soldier, Dragon and Slave
• By Hugo Award-winning author Timothy Zahn, per the description
• Published December 11, 2018

Cons

• No page count is stated; the listing reads as a digital edition
• The description includes slavery and violence, so check before buying for a teen
• No reading age is stated

3

Of Blood and Fire by Cahill

Ryan Cahill·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 ›

Book 1 of Ryan Cahill's Bound and the Broken series, suited to readers who want classic epic fantasy with dragons, elves and magic.

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Pros

• Book 1 of 4 in The Bound and the Broken, per the listing
• Epic fantasy with dragons, elves, dwarves, gods and magic
• Published March 18, 2021

Cons

• No page count is stated; the listing reads as a digital edition
• The description includes war and violence, so check before buying for a teen
• No reading age is stated

4

A Sword Into Darkness by Mays

Thomas A. Mays·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 1 of Thomas A. Mays's Patron Cycle, suited to readers who want military sci-fi with space combat.

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Pros

• Book 1 of The Patron Cycle, per the listing
• Military sci-fi with first contact and space combat
• 1st edition dated January 10, 2014

Cons

• No page count is stated; the listing reads as a digital edition
• The description includes war and death, so check before buying for a teen
• No reading age is stated

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More picks to compare

• Red Rising 6-Book Set by BrownThe full saga, 2685 pages, reading age 14 and up, per the listing.Check on Amazon

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. None of the four listings states a reading age or grade level, so the weight falls on fit, contents and value. 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 like Red Rising

Start with the saga itself

The Red Rising deluxe edition is book one of the saga this list is built around, with 400 pages and a new map in the endpapers. Readers who have not read it should start there; readers who finished it should skip to the other three. See our fantasy book lists for more.

Epic fantasy or military sci-fi

The Cahill is classic epic fantasy with dragons and elves; the Mays and Zahn lean into military sci-fi and space adventure. Match the flavor to the reader: dragons for one, space navies for the other. For a different flavor, see our fantasy series like Lord of the Rings.

Check the series position and format

The Cahill is book 1 of 4, the Zahn collects books 1 to 3, and the Mays is book 1 of a completed cycle. Three listings state no page count and read as digital editions, so check the format on the page. The 6-book Red Rising set sits in the more picks with a stated reading age of 14 and up.

Before you buy

• Check the series position on the listing: book 1 of 4 (Cahill), books 1 to 3 (Zahn), book 1 of 1 (Mays).
• Check the format: three listings state no page count and read as digital editions.
• Read the description for mature themes: all four name violence, war or darker themes, so check before buying for a teen.

Frequently Asked Questions

I have read Red Rising. Where do I start?

With the saga itself if you have not read book one; otherwise the Dragonback set gives three complete adventures in one volume.

Which of these is a complete series?

The Zahn collects books 1 to 3, and the Mays is book 1 of 1 in the Patron Cycle. The Cahill is book 1 of 4, so the story continues.

Do any of these state a reading age?

None of the four listings states a reading age or grade level. The 6-book Red Rising set in the more picks states 14 years and up.

Still deciding? Our top pickRed Rising by Brown

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