P.L.'s Top Ten Fantasy First Book of Fantasy Series

Hello everyone! Welcome to my blog post for the month of October.

A lot of people love "best of" lists, and I'm no different. Of course such lists are very subjective. Nevertheless, nothing incites discussion and interest when it comes to things such as books, as calling out one's favourites. For this month's blog post I have a special list, where I note my all-time favourite opening installments in a fantasy series. These books are not ranked in any particular order - just know that they are those that made the cut as my top-ten. 

Many of the series these books are part of are, no surprise, some of my most beloved fantasy series ever. In several instances, I liked the second or third or other books in the series better than the first. Still, in some cases, the overall body of work for the series did not quite crack my top ranking. 

Regardless, these books are dynamite, iconic, my favourite first installments, and I still think about them, long after reading them. These books often truly launched the careers of the writers who wrote them, turning them into household names among fantasy readers. The ten novels I have listed below have certainly made a huge impact on me, as both a reader and a writer.   

With my ranking, I've tried to include a short review, to elaborate on why each book is so great. 

Hopefully this top ten list will inspire you to add these wonderful books to your TBR! Or perhaps my list will motivate you to consider your own top ten list, and perhaps re-read some old favourites or recommend them to a friend, and ultimately, hopefully read more fantasy books!

Please feel free to comment on this and future blogs and I will be sure to get back to you. Chat soon!

The Curse of the Mistwraith - Janny Wurts is a scintillating writer, one of the best in fantasy, who needs to be heralded in the same class as the Sandersons, Jordans, et all. Once you read The Curse of the Mistwraith, you may have a hard time reading any other writer's writing. For me, no one writes as beautifully and as completely as Janny Wurts.

A Game of Thrones - George R.R. Martin's first novel in the iconic grimdark fantasy series introduced us to a gritty, completely immersive world full of divided houses, unforgettable morally grey characters, and War of the Roses-inspired political scheming and treachery.

The Fellowship of the Ring - J.R.R. Tolkien remains one of the world's most famous, most beloved and most iconic writers, and the first book of The Lord of the Rings is one of the biggest reasons why. The combination of the perilous quest to destroy the One Ring by the brave hobbits, the journey to glory and kingship of Aragon, and the fate of Middle-Earth's elves, make for an enduring classic of staggering scope that has set an almost insurmountable bar for all future fantasy writers to leap over for the first book of any series.

The Winter King - My absolute favourite Arthurian retelling, Bernard Cornwell makes ancient Britain come alive and adds some new twists to the old legends, including a villainous Lancelot, a humble Arthur who does not seek to rule, and thrusts minor character Derfel to the forefront as a memorable hero and protagonist.

The Red Knight - When you speak of realistic, brilliant, brutal medieval warfare depicted in fantasy, you need to include Miles Cameron in every such conversation - he is a master of it, and one of my favourite authors.

The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms - The most decorated fantasy novelist of our modern era, N.K. Jemisin creates an absolute masterpiece full of poignancy, love, violence, incredible world-building, enormous scope, and captivating storytelling. Read her work, especially this book, and be amazed.

Malice - John Gwynne has plenty of accolades and is already acknowledged in the fantasy world as one of its brightest stars, thanks to his The Faithful and the Fallen, Of Blood and Bone and Bloodsworn Trilogy series. It all started with Malice, putting Gwynne on the map as one of the best heroic fantasy writers since Gemmell.

The Blade Itself - I don't know if anyone has better characterization in fantasy than Joe Abercrombie, and he also ranks highly in terms of his battlefield action sequences. But let's face it, The Blade Itself is on this list because it introduces us to San Dan Glokta who is potentially my favourite character ever written in a fantasy or any other book.

Gardens of the Moon - Gardens of the Moon begins the incredibly ambitious, jaw-dropping feat of imagination, depth, and definitely genre-changing fantasy that is the Malazan Book of the Fallen. A history and backstory encompassing thousands of years, an absolutely immense cast of characters, and a twisting, complex, multi-layered plot, it will make your head spin at times, but when the dizzying stops, you will come to comprehend the wonder that is the writing of Steven Erikson. ​

Prince of Thorns - I love great fiction, love great fantasy, and for me there is no denying this novel is both. Nor is there any denying for me that Mark Lawrence is simply a phenomenal writer. Be warned though, the main character Jorg is one of fantasy's most bloody and unlikeable protagonists, and while you won't forget him, you may despise him. ​