What is the single best fantasy novel of all time?

[Parmandur]

Sanderson can write the length but he can't give it grit. He is a perpetual PG writer.

Ah, I missed that the context was Sandeespn finishing Somg of Ice & Fire. He could do it, it's not exactly like that edgelord stuff is hard, not the way Martin does it.

 

[Reynard]

Sanderson pushes R pretty hard, though PG-13 is the natural point he loves in (because he knows what people want). If you thought Stormlight is too light, then Mistborn may be more your speed.

I disagree, completely. He softballs everything, especially sex. It's PG-13 only in rare instances when he let's himself off the leash.

Subject matter isn't the determiner of "rating" -- it is how it is presented. Sanderson suggests a horrifying existence of war, but presents it to his audience sanitized and inoffensively.

 

[Parmandur]

I disagree, completely. He softballs everything, especially sex. It's PG-13 only in rare instances when he let's himself off the leash.

Subject matter isn't the determiner of "rating" -- it is how it is presented. Sanderson suggests a horrifying existence of war, but presents it to his audience sanitized and inoffensively.

Content is the determining factor of rating, yes, and Sanderson is a strong PG-13, except when he tones it down as he does with the Alcatraz books. He could tune it up further, if he needed to.

 

[Gradine]

Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

Oh man, when I was a young boy child I absolutely could not stand Taran Wanderer. Could not relate at all, give me more Eilonwy please. Lol

 

[TerraDave]

The Hobbit

Because it is the best, and because sometimes the obvious answer is the right one.

 

[Mannahnin]

Knights of Dark Renown by David Gemmell

If I was going Gemmell, Legend is a legit contender IMO. His Troy trilogy is excellent too.

 

[Lord Shark]

Ooo thats a good one.

Eddings and Feist were really popular here looks like no one cares now lol. Been a while since I've read Gemmell the siptressi ones iirc.

I don't think Eddings's style has aged particularly well, and his personal history has cast a pall over his books. (See also: Marion Zimmer Bradley and Anne McCaffrey.)

Anyway, another vote for Lord of the Rings.

 

[Riley]

For me, The Lord of the Rings (which is a unitary work).

This.

If one insists upon chopping up Tolkien the way the publisher insisted on chopping up Tolkien, then Fellowship of the Ring is still the best.

 

[amethal]

Tigana's pretty damn good. I'm going to be a hipster and say The King of Elfland's Daughter, though.

Also, I thought Magician was trash. The Empire trilogy was a guilty pleasure, though. What ever happened to Janny Wurts?

I love Tigana, and I enjoyed Magician the first time but found it hard going on a re-read.

The Empire trilogy is great, I still re-read it from time to time.

Janny Wurts seems to be still writing the interminable Wars of Light and Shadow series (book 11 publication date May 2024, apparently); not sure at what point I gave up on it - around book 5, maybe.

Lots of great suggestions on this thread for greatest fantasy novel of all time. If I have to pick one, then it has to be Lord of the Rings.

 

[Reynard]

This.

If one insists upon chopping up Tolkien the way the publisher insisted on chopping up Tolkien, then Fellowship of the Ring is still the best.

Except that Old Forest chapter. oof. SO MANY DESCRIPTIONS OF TREES.

I try and reread LotR once every couple years, and I really do love it, but that chapter is a slog every time.