Massive, epic, high fantasy. Probably the closest to Tolkien in terms of deep, complex fantasy world building, ancient evil threats, young village heroes setting out into a wider world, and more. No elves or dwarves, but plenty of other high fantasy shenanigans and possibly the deepest/most well defined magic system in fantasy literature.
**The Prydain Chronicles** by Lloyd Alexander
(5 books)
Based on Welsh mythology, this series is a great read for Tolkien fans. It definitely has more of a young adult audience in mind, but it’s got a young hero on a journey to maturity, a magic sword, an evil dark lord, bards, wizards, a sassy princess, and immortal zombie soldiers, grumpy dwarves, and fairy spirits. Also a fortune telling pig.
**DragonLance Chronicles** by Margaret Weis & Tracy Hickman
(3 books…with many, many sequels/spinoffs)
Licensed D&D novel series, but by far the best of them. Quite well written for dime novel fantasy, with memorable characters, great action, and perhaps the most “Tolkienesque” world of the bunch – elves, dwarves, halflings, dragons, wizards…the whole deal. The original series comprised 3 books, but there have been countless others written since then, of varying quality. Start with the original “Chronicles” trilogy and continue if you choose.
[deleted] on
[removed]
PositiveBeginning231 on
*Hèl’s crucible* by Dennis McKiernan
boxer_dogs_dance on
Deed of Paksenarrion.
liskamariella on
I would suggest the Witcher series. The author said he was heavily influenced by tLotR. It has nearly the same species (human, elves, dwarfs), similar monsters (dragons), but a more complex political system (multiple kingdoms).
UnicrnPron on
The Silmarillion 😅
catwoman74656 on
The Shannara Series by Terry Brooks. He’s got a whole lot in the universe (multiple series with different characters. You can read them either the publication order or in chronological order. This website lists both: https://www.tlbranson.com/shannara-books-in-order/
Have fun!
KatlinelB5 on
The Saga of the Exiles by Julian May. Has a ‘Guardians of the Galaxy in Middle Earth’ vibe.
8 Comments
There’s 3 series I would recommend checking out.
**The Wheel of Time** by Robert Jordan
(14 books)
Massive, epic, high fantasy. Probably the closest to Tolkien in terms of deep, complex fantasy world building, ancient evil threats, young village heroes setting out into a wider world, and more. No elves or dwarves, but plenty of other high fantasy shenanigans and possibly the deepest/most well defined magic system in fantasy literature.
**The Prydain Chronicles** by Lloyd Alexander
(5 books)
Based on Welsh mythology, this series is a great read for Tolkien fans. It definitely has more of a young adult audience in mind, but it’s got a young hero on a journey to maturity, a magic sword, an evil dark lord, bards, wizards, a sassy princess, and immortal zombie soldiers, grumpy dwarves, and fairy spirits. Also a fortune telling pig.
**DragonLance Chronicles** by Margaret Weis & Tracy Hickman
(3 books…with many, many sequels/spinoffs)
Licensed D&D novel series, but by far the best of them. Quite well written for dime novel fantasy, with memorable characters, great action, and perhaps the most “Tolkienesque” world of the bunch – elves, dwarves, halflings, dragons, wizards…the whole deal. The original series comprised 3 books, but there have been countless others written since then, of varying quality. Start with the original “Chronicles” trilogy and continue if you choose.
[removed]
*Hèl’s crucible* by Dennis McKiernan
Deed of Paksenarrion.
I would suggest the Witcher series. The author said he was heavily influenced by tLotR. It has nearly the same species (human, elves, dwarfs), similar monsters (dragons), but a more complex political system (multiple kingdoms).
The Silmarillion 😅
The Shannara Series by Terry Brooks. He’s got a whole lot in the universe (multiple series with different characters. You can read them either the publication order or in chronological order. This website lists both: https://www.tlbranson.com/shannara-books-in-order/
Have fun!
The Saga of the Exiles by Julian May. Has a ‘Guardians of the Galaxy in Middle Earth’ vibe.