The best books on the journeys of unlikely heroes in worlds of magic and myth

There’s a distinctive charm to this entire series, in which all of the characters are animals living in the peaceful Redwall Abbey and surrounding lands.

The various accents, often varied by animal species (mole, hare, squirrel, robin, badger, mouse, etc.), are a ton of fun. Friendships and the kindness of Redwallers are portrayed brilliantly, descriptions are vibrant, and villains are cunning.

Scenes are often opened with vibrant depictions, and food is frequently described with mouthwatering detail. Every single adventure makes you wish you were right there with the characters!

This particular book/series by Sanderson is a quickly-paced fantasy heist with a very cool magic system involving different metals. The main character, Vin, is a lowly commoner who ends up navigating the complex social web of nobility. It’s a fascinating progression with a fascinating and satisfying result.

This book has loosely inspired some aspects of action, nobility, and the gem-based magic system found in my Heroes of Time series. One review of my book Murdoch’s Choice called it “Mistborn on a Boat.”

This is one of the finest works of modern epic fantasy available. Although the pace is not swift, Rothfuss styles the whole thing with beautiful, carefully crafted prose that makes this novel an enjoyable read. The main character, Kvothe, provides plenty of wit and grit. It’s worth reading despite being part of an infamously unfinished series.

I’ve tried to style some of my own prose and wit off of Rothfuss from time to time.

A vibrant, well-crafted opener to the Legends of the First Empire series. This book tackles the social divide between humans and powerful, almost elf-like beings long considered to be gods. That convention is immediately turned upside-down when a man kills one of these beings and is labeled the “god-killer.”  Consequences and unlikely alliances begin to unfold, all of it intelligently realized and told in a writing style that is pleasant to consume, even when the pacing slows a bit.

I’ve only very recently started reading this author. Even so, multiple readers, including a Publishers Weekly reviewer, have likened books in my Heroes of Time series to works by Michael J. Sullivan, indeed a high compliment.

Tolkien is quintessential fantasy, the keystone for so much of what is beloved about this genre. I especially love how Bilbo Baggins, a simple hobbit, goes from an easy, peaceful life to one of adventure and bravery, and he truly proves his worth to the seasoned warriors around him.

Then, of course, is the adventure itself, full of magic and depth as an entire, complex, sprawling world is revealed throughout the narrative. Everyone should read this book at least once.