As much as the Game of Thrones series was enjoyable, there are many fantasy book series out there for fans. They are grand stories that allow the reader to forget reality for a while, as the reader usually enjoys tales about heroes overcoming the odds.

Here is a top five list of fantasy book collections that any fan should read, so if there is any time available then grab a book and envelop yourself in faraway worlds.

The Sword of Shannara Trilogy by Terry Brooks – Published 1977 – 1985

A trilogy of books set in the Four Lands, which is a futuristic post-apocalyptic version of our own. It follows the Druid Aldernon as he quests to defeat the Warlock Lord Brannon. To achieve this, he searches for the Sword of Shannara, the Elfstone of Shannara, and the Wishsong of Shannara, by using all three he can summon powerful ancient magic.

An interesting take on the Fantasy genre with the post-apocalyptic theme, however, some parts were a slog to read through. Nevertheless, a good read.

★★★☆☆

Conan by Robert E. Howard – Published 1950-1957

A massive collection of short stories, as opposed to novels. The stories are based on the adventures of the titular character made famous by Arnold Schwarzenegger. The films don’t do the character or the stories justice; each story is a great read. Author, Robert E. Howard had many of his short stories published posthumously in the 50s and 60s.

There are only two minor flaws with the stories, which are that each story is over as soon as the reader starts it, and trying to find some of these stories are quite hard. Nevertheless, these stories set in the fictional Hyborian Age, make for some interesting reading.

★★★☆☆

The Wheel of Time by Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson – Published 1990 –2013

A series of 10 books with the final three co-written with Brandon Sanderson. The story is set in the Randworld, in which there is a creator who created the wheel with seven spokes representing an age, and the threads that come from it represent every man and woman. However, its antithesis, is "Shai'tan", the Dark One, also known as the Father of Lies. He wanted to control the wheel for himself and ended up imprisoned by the creator. However, a magical mishap loosened his bonds and he started corrupting mankind.

Enter the dragon, and the wheels answer to this, however during the battle the dragon was corrupted and became evil, killing himself in the process and managing to seal up "Shai'tan". However, as the wheel turns and another age begins, The Father of Lies has begun to loosen his bonds again. This time another Dragon has been created to finish this sealing, known as the Dragon Reborn.

A great set of books, however, fans of the series do see a lot of similarities between this and The Lord of the Rings.

★★★★☆

Sword of Truth novels by Terry Goodkind – Published 1994 – 2020

Set in a fictional world that has two regions, the old world and the new world. The 18 novels follow the protagonist Richard Rahl, a war wizard and seeker of truth, and his paramour Kahlan Amnell the mother confessor, who with a touch can strip free will and make people obedient. They rule this world and believe in everyone's freedom to do as they wish. and must deal with the threat of Jagang the dream walker, who dominates by walking through people's dreams.

Each book is loosely based on a set of rules known as the wizard's rules, which govern wizards and their magic.

A good read for any fantasy enthusiast, and Terry Goodkind does not skimp on the action. All the characters from Cara the Mord Sith to Zedd the First wizard are interesting.

★★★★☆

Discworld written by Sir Terry Pratchett – Published 1985 -2015

With a whopping 41 books, written before Sir Terry Pratchett's death. The Discworld series is one of if not the best fantasy novel collections out there. Set on the Discworld a flat world on the backs of four elephants that stand on the back of the great turtle A'tuin.

Each book follows different protagonists around the Disc, as they go on their adventures such as Rincewind, a wizard who cannot cast spells and is followed by a sentient chest. The Klatchian Foreign Legion forgets everything, even that they are in the Legion. Wizards of the Unseen University, are mad scientists and witches whose magic works on the process of headology. Their magic works because they have convinced everyone it does. The character of death makes any reader laugh and the puns and satirical style of the writing will make anyone chuckle. The only downside is that there will not be any more novels.

★★★★★

Book Review: Top five fantasy book collections