What are the must-read fantasy and science fiction novels of the 21st century?

[Blue]

I think it is about twenty to thirty years too early to be making such evaluations. That notwithstanding, I would recommend the works of Nora K. Jemisin, particularly The Inheritance Trilogy.

I want to second N.K. Jemisin. Though I think The Fifth Season and the rest of The Broken Earth series would be my suggestions for must-reads. Hard choice, I really enjoyed The Inheritance Trilogy.

 

[Tonguez]

Kingdoms of Thorne and Bone by Greg Keyes are another early 2000s series I recall

 

[Dausuul]

Another vote for the Expanse series (Leviathan Wakes, etc.).

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

Perhaps my favorite book. The series will not be finished, but it doesn't matter for at least the first two...

So it won't be an unfinished story in the way that A Song of Fire & Ice stands a good chance of being? So these are largely standalone stories?

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

The Southern Reach trilogy by Jeff VanderMeer: Annihilation, Authority, Acceptance.

Annihilation is the best dungeon-crawling novel I've ever read and I will brook no argument on that score.

 

[Zaukrie]

So it won't be an unfinished story in the way that A Song of Fire & Ice stands a good chance of being? So these are largely standalone stories?

The first one for sure.... After that, less so every book.... Really, just read the first one. It's great.

 

[payn]

Annihilation is the best dungeon-crawling novel I've ever read and I will brook no argument on that score.

Was that the basis for the film with Natalie Portman?

 

[Parmandur]

The works of Brandon Sanderaon & Patrick Rothfuss, for sure.

"Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell" by Susana Clarke is probably one of the best books of the 21st century, let alone Fantasy.

 

[Lidgar]

The first one for sure.... After that, less so every book.... Really, just read the first one. It's great.

Reading it right now. Really good so far.

 

[Ralif Redhammer]

I liked the Inheritance Trilogy more, but I think that the themes of The Broken Earth are probably more relevant to our experiences in the 21st century so far.

I think it is about twenty to thirty years too early to be making such evaluations. That notwithstanding, I would recommend the works of Nora K. Jemisin, particularly The Inheritance Trilogy.

It's an astonishing work of literature, plain and simple. Size of a phonebook, mind you, but it truly is a wonderful fantasy story.

"Jonatham Strange & Mr. Nor" by Susana Clarke is probably one of the best books of the 21st century, let alone Fantasy.

The Gentlemen Bastards, Wayward Children, Kingkiller Chronicles, and Locked Tomb series all deserve mention, thought I think that they aren't finished is also a strike against them. I go back and forth on A Song of Ice and Fire. It's spent more of the 21st century being written than it has existing!

I think that Sanderson absolutely deserves a place on the list, and since the first Mistborn trilogy is complete, feel safe in including it.