This list I got from Fantasy Book Review. Since lists are not copyrightable, I’m duplicating it here.

Same as in the Science Fiction post, green and bold means I’ve read it and green with no bold means I’ve only watched the movie…

1. The Lord of the Rings – J R R Tolkien
2. Assassins Quest – Robin Hobb
3. The Earthsea Quartet – Ursula Le Guin
4. Ship of Destiny – Robin Hobb
5. The Hobbit - J R R Tolkien
6. Magician – Raymond E Feist
7. Gardens of the Moon – Steven Erikson
8. The Mad Ship – Robin Hobb
9. Wolf Brother – Michelle Paver
10. House of Chains – Steven Erikson
11. Duncton Quest – William Horwood
12. Memories of Ice – Steven Erikson
13. The Other Wind – Ursula Le Guin
14. Duncton Wood – William Horwood
15. Before They Are Hanged – Joe Abercrombie
16. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince – J K Rowling
17. The Black Company – Glen Cook
18. Tales From Earthsea – Ursula Le Guin
19. Mort – Terry Pratchett
20. Last Argument of Kings – Joe Abercrombie
21. Deadhouse Gates – Steven Erikson
22. The Forgotten Beasts of Eld – Patricia McKillip
23. Tigana – Guy Gavriel Kay
24. Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell – Susanna Clarke
25. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – J K Rowling
26. Waylander II – David Gemmell
27. Lord of the Silver Bow – David Gemmell
28. Soul Eater – Michelle Paver
29. A Game of Thrones – George R R Martin
30. Waylander – David Gemmell
31. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix – J K Rowling
32. The Wounded Land – Stephen Donaldson
33. Spirit Walker – Michelle Paver
34. The Ladies of Grace Adieu – Susanna Clarke
35. Ship of Magic – Robin Hobb
36. Legend – David Gemmell
37. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban – J K Rowling
38. The Subtle Knife – Philip Pullman
39. The Light Fantastic – Terry Pratchett
40. The Silmarillion – J R R Tolkien
41. Royal Assassin – Robin Hobb
42. The Blade Itself – Joe Abercrombie
43. The Illearth War – Stephen Donaldson
44. The Sum of All Men – David Farland
45. Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone – J K Rowling
46. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets – J K Rowling
47. The Amber Spyglass – Philip Pullman
48. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire – J K Rowling
49. The Last Guardian – David Gemmell
50. Lirael – Garth Nix
51. The Lions of Al-Rassan – Guy Gavriel Kay
52. Fools Errand - Robin Hobb
53. The Colour of Magic – Terry Pratchett
54. The Power That Preserves – Stephen Donaldson
55. Wolf In Shadow – David Gemmell
56. Lord Fouls Bane – Stephen Donaldson
57. The Dragonbone Chair – Tad Williams
58. Assassins Apprentice – Robin Hobb
59. Wizards First Rule – Terry Goodkind
60. Abhorsen – Garth Nix
61. The Diamond Throne – David Eddings
62. The Legend of Deathwalker – David Gemmell
63. Knights Dark Renown – David Gemmell
64. Northern Lights – Philip Pullman
65. Sabriel – Garth Nix
66. A Clash of Kings – George R R Martin
67. The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe – C S Lewis
68. The Gunslinger – Stephen King
69. The Magicians Guild – Trudi Canavan
70. Brotherhood of the Wolf – David Farland
71. The Darkest Road – Guy Gavriel Kay
72. Prince Caspian – C S Lewis
73. Dragonlance Chronicles – Margaret Weis
74. Silverthorn – Raymond E Feist
75. Wizardborn – David Farland
76. The Wandering Fire – Guy Gavriel Kay
77. The Last Battle – C S Lewis
78. The Crystal Shard – R A Salvatore
79. The Silver Chair – C S Lewis
80. Magicians Gambit – David Eddings
81. Into the Wild – Erin Hunter
82. Gifts – Ursula Le Guin
83. Queen of Sorcery – David Eddings
84. The Lair of Bones – David Farland
85. The Summer Tree – Guy Gavriel Kay
86. The Voyage of the Dawn Treader – C S Lewis
87. Enchanters End Game – David Eddings
88. The Magicians Nephew - C S Lewis
89. The Children of Hurin – J R R Tolkien
90. Guardians of the West – David Eddings
91. The Horse and His Boy – C S Lewis
92. Pawn of Prophecy – David Eddings
93. Eldest – Christopher Paolini
94. Eragon – Christopher Paolini
95. Castle of Wizardry – David Eddings
96. Nine Princes in Amber – Roger Zelazny

Seriously, their top 100 list ends at 96. How does that happen?

The other thing is that this list could be more properly definited as “Top 100 Most Popular Modern Fantasy Novels”. I would not, in my wildest dreams, classify Eragon by Christopher Paolini as a “must read” unless you’re talking about how not to publish a novel riddled with so many errors and logic holes and cliches. Plus this list is mostly of novels published more recently, certainly not going back as far in time as the science fiction list does with as many classics in fantasy.

Nevertheless, I’ve read 39. If I can count. And one more in a movie only. Whew!Similar Posts:

• Harry Potter’s Books
• Banned Book Week
• Standalone or series?
• Top 100 Must-Read Science Fiction Novels
• Progress 18 Nov 2003