The Best Sci-Fi and Fantasy Book Series

“Song of Blood & Stone,” the first book in the “Earthsinger Chronicles” series, was named one of TIME’s Top 100 Fantasy Books of All Time. Penelope’s epic fantasy is set in a land split between two tribes separated by abilities, appearance, and a magical veil. Amid a war for control, an isolated healer and an Elsiran spy must work together to save their world by uncovering an ancient mystery.

We’re cheating a bit here by counting three of Butler’s stellar series as one long series, but no list of exceptional science fiction and fantasy series is complete without Butler’s books. Start with her transformative “Patternist” novels, then continue on with the “Xenogenesis” trilogy (“Dawn,” “Adulthood Rites”, “Imago”), and finish up with the eerily timely “Parable” (or “Earthseed”) series (“Parable of the Sower,” “Parable of the Talents”). Mind-bending and thought-provoking, these works by the visionary Afrofuturist will keep you enthralled for the long-run.

Much isn’t what it seems in Maas’ sweeping fantasy novel (the first in the “Throne of Glass” series) starring the baddest of badass assassins. Celaena Sardothien is prepared to fight to the death in a kill-or-be-killed competition, but danger lurks around every facade of the glass castle. This 2012 fantasy epic remains popular — due both to #BookTok and its jaw-dropping intrigue and sweet romance.

“The Dark Tower” series has been described as King’s magnum opus, containing eight full-length novels and a short story. This first book, “The Gunslinger,” offers something for everyone, including fantasy, a little sci-fi, and a lot of Western as it follows protagonist Roland of Gilead and his hunt for The Man in Black. There’s a 2017 film adaptation starring Idris Elba and Matthew McConaughey, but die-hard “Dark Tower” fans prefer the book, unsurprisingly.

Following the “Heritage” and “Legacy” trilogies, this kickoff to the “Inheritance Trilogy” continues Earth’s fight for survival. Blending military science-fiction and space-opera adventure, “Star Strike” follows the story of battle-weary Marines who must fight to defend humanity from the Xul — an ancient and hostile alien race that annihilates any species that threatens their dominant status.

The zany characters parodying well-worn fantasy archetypes and the lore of the world make this start of the beloved “Discworld” series immensely charming. It will have you laughing out loud within the first few pages, and keep you laughing through a whopping 41 books.

Based on a Celtic legend and set in a warring ancient Ireland, “Daughter of the Forest” chronicles the adventures of a young woman determined to free her bewitched brothers from their wicked stepmother’s evil spell. The enchanting woodland heroine faces devious fairy folk, impossibly cruel tasks, and forbidden love, all of which combine to make the “Sevenwaters Trilogy” a spellbinding fantasy series.

Political intrigue mixes with magic in this epic historical fantasy series from Bear, a Hugo Award-winning author. Fans of extensive world-building and evocative adventure have a lot to like in this trilogy, including: ruthless usurping relatives and gory power struggles, blood ghosts and a massive part-human-part-tiger, a wizard princess and a secret cult.

Begin at the beginning of this wonderfully weird, impressively imaginative, sprawling series by master wordsmith Lemony Snicket, whose spellbinding prose captivates readers of all ages. There are 13 books in total in “A Series of Unfortunate Events,” because what number could be less lucky (but still manageable to read in a lifetime)?

Four English school children find their way through the back of a wardrobe into the magic land of Narnia and assist Aslan, the golden lion, to triumph over the White Witch, who has cursed the land with eternal winter. Lewis’ “The Chronicles of Narnia” series has 10 books total, guaranteed to keep readers of all ages transfixed for weeks.