There are many fantasy books that are meant to be savored; sipped like a fine wine to get the full experience. But sometimes, those same books are written so well that readers guzzle them down as if they've found an oasis in a desert. The worlds and characters are so addictive that people become completely immersed, and only return to reality when they reach the last page.
For fans of intricate worlds and complex magic systems, the books in this list have been known to elicit the "one more chapter" response in our brains. Some start slow, but once the plot gets moving, you'll definitely lose sleep to reach the end. Others hook you right from the first chapter. All of them are addictive enough that you will free up your weekend because you will not be able to put them down.
- The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien
- The Eye of the World by Robert Jordan (The Wheel of Time #1)
- A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin (A Song of Ice and Fire #1)
- The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson (The Stormlight Archive #1)
- Storm Front by Jim Butcher (The Dresden Files #1)
- Unsouled by Will Wight (Cradle #1)
- Assassin's Apprentice by Robin Hobb (Farseer Trilogy #1)
The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien
The Lord of the Rings, though split into three parts now, was originally meant to be one epic tale. Tolkien considered The Lord of the Rings and The Silmarillion as two volumes in a duology. So, if you find yourself devouring The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, and The Return of the King all at once, know that you're reading them the way Tolkien intended.
As one of the most defining works of the fantasy genre, The Lord of the Rings has been drawing fans in for generations. The world of Middle-Earth has influenced every fantasy story to come after it, and the tale of simple hobbits going up against one of the greatest evils is powerful enough that, even with some complicated lore and long descriptions, you'll feel compelled to keep reading.
The Eye of the World by Robert Jordan (The Wheel of Time #1)
While you certainly won't be able to finish Robert Jordan's The Wheel of Time series in one weekend, the first book will have you so hooked that you'll want to try. The Eye of the World is the first of the 14 novel series, plus a prequel, bringing the total to 15. You won't finish reading all 4.4 million words of the series, but you can definitely make it past the first book.
The Wheel of Time follows many different points of view throughout the series, but The Eye of the World focuses on the channeler Moiraine Damodred, and her search for the prophesied savior who will defeat the Dark One. When she is unsure which of three young men will fulfill the prophecy, she takes them all on a journey to train and prepare them for war against the Shadow.
A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin (A Song of Ice and Fire #1)
If you've watched and loved the Game of Thrones series, you'll likely fly through the novels. The first book in the A Song of Ice and Fire series, A Game of Thrones, is the most faithfully adapted by the TV series, making both the book and the first season highly bingeable. Be warned, though: if you haven't read the books yet, the series isn't finished, so you'll end up waiting with the rest of us for the next book.
A Song of Ice and Fire is an epic fantasy that draws inspiration from medieval history, and A Game of Thrones introduces us to Westeros through characters from House Stark, House Lannister, House Targaryen, and the Night's Watch on the Wall. The story is intense and captivating, but it's not for the faint of heart. The violence is high, both physical and psychological, and it goes deeper than the TV show ever could.
The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson (The Stormlight Archive #1)
So many of Brandon Sanderson's works could be considered for this list, but we just don't have the time. Some might say that his Mistborn series is quicker to get through, but The Stormlight Archive is a more immersive and addictive experience. Once you enter the world of Roshar, you'll be locked in and begging Sanderson to write the last half of the series as fast as possible.
The Way of Kings begins the epic fantasy of The Stormlight Archive, focusing on Kaladin, the medical apprentice turned soldier, and his story of how making the wrong choice is sometimes the necessary choice. Sanderson spent around 15 years of worldbuilding and character development before The Way of Kings was published, and that painstaking care shines through in each page.
Storm Front by Jim Butcher (The Dresden Files #1)
The only urban fantasy series in this list, Jim Butcher's The Dresden Files is filled with addictive storylines in all 19 novels and several short stories. Again, you will not be able to finish the entire series in a weekend, but you'll find it difficult not to pick up the next book once you read the first.
Storm Front is the first novel of The Dresden Files, introducing us to Harry Dresden, Chicago's only magic-wielding private investigator. The cops come to him whenever their cases enter unexplainable territory, and this case involves murder and black magic. Every one of Dresden's adventures as a crime-solving wizard will have you devouring chapter after chapter, but this first book is the one to hook you in forever.
Unsouled by Will Wight (Cradle #1)
Will Wight's Cradle series is packed with action, magic, and martial arts. It is the definition of a page-turner, with many readers plowing through all 12 books in a fairly short amount of time. A weekend might be pushing it for the series, but you can easily read the first book, Unsouled, in a day.
The series follows Lindon, the only member of his family without the ability to use the magical sacred arts. He leaves home as an "unsouled," but learns to gain powers by training in his own way. Lindon's journey is inspired by Chinese myth, martial arts, and anime. So if you enjoy action fantasy with Asian influences, Unsouled should be your next binge-read.
Assassin's Apprentice by Robin Hobb (Farseer Trilogy #1)
The Farseer Trilogy is too character-focused and introspective to be thought of as a quick read, but it pulls you into its world so completely that you will be shocked at how fast time has flown while reading. The first book, Assassin's Apprentice, might take the entire weekend, but it will be time well spent.
The series tells the story of Fitz, an illegitimate son of a prince who is trained in secret to be an assassin. Assassin's Apprentice covers his early years and training, while also learning that he has the power to speak with animals. It has similar vibes to an Arthurian legend, but with more character development than action. It's a book that you'll devour initially, but it will linger in your thoughts long afterword.
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