8 Book Series for Your Fantasy Epic Cravings

We are all stuck in our homes, and picking up our favorite books or binging the longest-running shows ever to while away our time. I bet you have re-read the books and re-watched the movies in the Lord of the Rings series. If you were wondering what books you can read next, you are in the right place.

Here are 8 fantasy epic book series to help you with your Lord of the Rings cravings:

Earthsea Trilogy — Ursula K. Le Guin

The first on the list of books you can read after finishing Lord of the Rings books and movies is the Earthsea Trilogy by Ursula K. Le Guin. Following Ged, a humble boy with a mage’s power, the series is filled with the typical fantasy epic elements. Unlike likable Frodo, Ged is prickly and quick to rub his peers the wrong way. However, that is what makes his character arc all the better.

Earthsinger Chronicles — L. Penelope

Most fantasy epics like Lord of the Rings have their protagonists from a humble background, who are then thrown into a vortex of destiny. Earthsinger Chronicles is no different with its lead Jasminda (a female lead, hurray!), whose Earthsong can save the world. Apart from the fantasy element, the series has a heads-on approach towards racism and abuse, while balancing it with romance.

Original Shannara Trilogy– Terry Brooks

The first few chapters of Original Shannara Trilogy‘s first book, The Sword of Shannara, will give you the impression of reading the Lord of the Rings series. Both have a similar set up of the main protagonist being picked up by a wise wizard to pick up a mythical object. However, after a point in the first book, it deviates from the plotline of J. K. K. Tolkien’s books. If you were not a fan of the drawn-out battle to defeat Sauron in the Lord of the Rings series, the slightly more fast-paced Original Shannara Trilogy is perfect for you.

Harper Hall of Pern Trilogy– Anne McCaffrey

Harper Hall of Pern Trilogy is merely a part of 24 book series Dragonriders of Pern that started in 1967 with its latest book published in 2018. Unlike Lord of the Rings, the series has female protagonists (go girls!) and is relatable to the struggles that women went (or go) through in society. With evocative worlds and memorable characters, the Harper Hall of Pern Trilogy and other books in the mother series should be on top of your to-be-read pile.

The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant– Stephen R. Donaldson

Thomas Covenant is nowhere near being one of the good guy characters from the Lord of the Rings series. However, there is nothing more epic than Donaldson’s The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant books. The 10-book series is more than enough to keep you occupied as our lives remain stagnant at the moment. The complex worlds and characters, along with a larger-than-life premise, the trilogy will make Lord of the Rings look like a children’s story.

Dreamblood and Broken Earth Series– N. K. Jemisin

When it comes to finding a worthy book to read in the fantasy fiction genre after finishing J. R. R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings, one cannot miss N. K. Jemisin. Two of his series Dreamblood and Broken Earth, are a must-read for LOTR fans. With rich and diverse characters and a story that feels both personal and epic, the two series are worth every bookworm’s time.

Pellinor Quartet– Alison Croggon

As much as we love our dear hobbit Frodo, the boy had no skills save for his ability to fight the lure of the ring (hardly). Maered of the Pellinor Quartet, however, has the power of commanding and controlling nature and one hell of a hunch. What’s more? The book series is yet another one in this list with a female protagonist (my feminist heart is dancing with joy), and a perfect remedy for your Lord of the Rings series cravings.

The Jade Trilogy– Noriko Oogiwara

Originally written in Japanese and later translated into English by Cathy Hirano, The Jade Trilogy is a fantasy epic story written like a traditional western fantasy setting with Japanese elements in it. It is the perfect fix for your Lord of the Rings-like books craving with reluctant lead, Saya, facing a tug-of-war between the light and the dark, very much like Frodo.

The list is endless, for there are many fantasy books out there like Lord of the Rings. With time in your hands, you can always read up all of them or at least half of them. 

Have you read any of these book series? Let me know!