7 Best Fantasy Book Series Everyone Should Read [March 2023]

The best fantasy book series from Next Chapter [March 2023]

Fantasy is a genre of literature that typically features supernatural or magical elements, often set in a fictional world or alternate universe. It is a popular genre that has been around for centuries, with some of the earliest examples dating back to ancient myths and legends. Today, fantasy is a diverse and expansive genre that includes a wide range of sub-genres, from high fantasy to urban fantasy, and everything in between.

One of the defining characteristics of fantasy is its ability to transport readers to new and exciting worlds. Whether it's a magical kingdom filled with dragons and wizards or a dark and dangerous dystopia, the settings in fantasy novels are often richly imagined and highly detailed. These worlds are often governed by their own rules and laws of magic, which adds to the sense of wonder and excitement that readers experience.

Another key element of fantasy is the use of mythical creatures and magical powers. From elves and dwarves to witches and wizards, fantasy stories are filled with characters who possess extraordinary abilities or inhabit worlds that are populated by strange and wondrous creatures. These elements allow fantasy writers to explore themes such as power, destiny, and the struggle between good and evil, making the genre both entertaining and thought-provoking.

Below, you’ll find some of the best fantasy series from Next Chapter as of March 2023. All of our books are available in eBook, paperback and (soon) audio. You’ll also be happy to hear that some of the series starters below are completely free to download from Amazon, Apple Books, Rakuten Kobo, Google Books and Barnes & Noble!

Check out the links below for reviews and where to buy - and if you enjoy one of them, please don’t forget to leave a review! Don’t agree with our choices? Please comment and let us know your favorite :)

The Swordswoman (The Swordswoman Book 1) by Malcolm Archibald

Series excerpt

They rose sheer from the sea, a group of small islets surrounded by waves that leapt up the cliffs and splintered into a curtain of spray and spindrift before the constant westerly wind blasted them clear, until the waves gathered strength for the next onslaught, and the next and the one after that.

Wave Skimmer dipped her prow to a rogue wave so that scores of gallons of sea water surged on board, ran the full length of the vessel, soaked every one of the crew, and gushed out through the scuppers.

'Mother,' Melcorka stretched her neck backwards as far as she could to view the cliffs, 'why are we here?'

Bearnas gripped the sea-eagle of the figurehead until her knuckles were white. 'We are here so you can find your destiny, Melcorka.'

Melcorka heard Oengus' rough laugh stop abruptly. 'What do I have to do, Mother?'

'Find your destiny,' Bearnas repeated.

'But how do I do that?' Melcorka asked.

'It's your destiny to find,' Bearnas told her, 'not mine to give you. You must decide what to do.'

A sea sea-swell lifted the ship, so she surged up, closer to the cliffs. The voice came from on high, faint, feminine and familiar; only the words escaped Melcorka although she strained to listen.

Talismans (The Wise Ones Book 1) by Lisa Lowell

Series excerpt

The clear sky overhead teamed with stars wherever it was that Mohan had brought him. The light reflected in the stunning water of a lake so vast Owailion assumed he had returned to the ocean. Instead, Mohan reassured that he had come to an island in the middle of a lake named by the dragons Ameloni or Dragon’s Tears. Atop this island was another volcano, obscured in fog and the dark. Its slopes soon would be full of the dragons Mohan had called, but they had not yet arrived.

“We have our conclave here any time there is important news that must be heard and witnessed by all. It is here we obey the commands of God. It is here we announce the birth of another or the departure of someone we will miss. We have discussed your coming here and the building of Jonjonel, your mountain. We have never had so many of our gatherings so quickly. It is unprecedented. Your arrival has made an avalanche of news. Usually, these conclaves come once a decade at best.”

“Departure? Do you leave the Land? I thought dragons could not die,” Owailion asked curiously.

Shadowland (Shadowland Book 1) by C.M. Gray

Series excerpt

‘Stop! Usher, I’m falling off. Slow down! Usherrr. For pity’s sake!’ Cal’s grip finally slipped and with a drawn-out wail, he fell from the trotting horse, landing in a painful heap on the path.

They had been travelling at a trot for some time, aware that a party of Pict warriors, and a Saxon with murderous intentions was in pursuit, and it hadn’t been easy. Right from the start the horse had let them know it didn’t like two people bouncing about on its back. It continually tried to break into a gallop, twisting its head from side to side, as Usher heaved back, sawing on the reins trying to bring it under control. It had been a constant battle between horse and rider since they had set off, during which Cal had been bouncing about, holding on as best he could.

After rolling on the ground, moaning in pain for a while, Cal gradually realised he wasn’t actually hurt and was happier where he was than on the back of the horse. He became aware of movements and crunching sounds and opened his eyes to see the horse pulling up tufts of grass close to his head; it glanced across at him and snorted happily. Its warm breath was blowing over him, tangy and fresh with the smell of chewed grass. Squinting up against the glare of the bright sky, he saw Usher sitting high in the saddle, scanning back the way they had come.

Unofficial Detective (Half-Wizard Thordric Book 1) by Kathryn Wells

Series excerpt

Lizzie handed him a heavy velvet cloak. He wrapped it around his shoulders, and realised that it was the type that had sleeves. He put his hands through and did up the clasp that was level with his middle, and peered into the mirror. He looked just like one of the Wizard Council, except that the symbol on his chest was of a half moon, not the book and potion bottle.

'This was your husband's, wasn't it?' he asked her. He couldn't help running his hands down the smooth, soft fabric.

'Yes,' she said. 'I made it for him one winter so he could go and gather his herbs without freezing. I'm sure he would have liked you to wear it to do the same. It's yours now.'

'Thank you, Lizzie.' He pulled up the hood and opened the door, the wind catching in his face again. Picking up his lamp, and clutching the book tightly, he made his way into the woods.

At first he just followed the length of the house, finding that it actually only extended a little way in. He found a door on the end wall, but then he saw that the hinges were caked with rust. It might open if he tried ramming it. He shrugged, and then noticed there was a strange looking plant right by it. He flicked through his book, trying to find it. It was on the first page, with a note next to the picture saying, 'V. Common'. Well, it might be common here, but Thordric had never seen it before. It had a long thin stem of darkish green, and instead of flowers it grew giant purple ball-like things. He supposed they were a fruit of some kind, but he checked the notes to see.

Bronze Magic (The Sorcerer's Oath Book 1) by Jennifer Ealey

Series excerpt

Tarkyn woke to a cold grey dawn. The fire had long since died and the cold was seeping up through his cloak. He could feel a sharp stone digging into his thigh. He reached out and felt under his cloak to remove it. Feeling stiff and poorly rested, he hunched his shoulders against the cold and tried in vain to go back to sleep.

After a few minutes, it dawned on Tarkyn that he was alone. He sat up abruptly and looked around. There was no sign that anyone else had even been here. He scanned the woods carefully trying to spot the elusive woodfolk but, as far as he could see, there were none.

“Hmph,” he grunted, in disappointment. He wandered down to the stream to splash his face and freshen himself up. Then he sat down on a rock and watched the water running by. The sun had risen and golden shafts of light spread between the branches and leaves of the trees. For a time, Tarkyn amused himself by sending flat stones skimming across the water. Then he just sat in the sun and dozed, all the while mulling over the events of the previous night. Maybe he’d dreamed it but he didn’t think so. That conversation had been too convoluted for him to dream up.

A short time later he noticed a grey heron working its way methodically along the edge of the stream. He sat very still and watched it prodding its beak in amongst the reeds. Slowly it made its way along the bank to where he was sitting then, to his amazement, came to stand on the rock next to him, now and again jabbing its beak into the water and occasionally coming up with small fish.

Tarkyn moved position very gingerly and started to talk softly to the heron. “Well, I’m still alive and still have nowhere to go. So not too much has changed since yesterday. I’m back to being by myself which might be safer, all things considered, but also, to be honest, a bit lonely. I quite liked that wizard even if he was as slippery as an eel…and grumpy. Still, I think he must be some sort of bigwig around here. Those clothes he was wearing at the end of the night wouldn’t have been out of place at court…What? Yes, I agree with you, perhaps a little overdressed for sitting around a campfire but no accounting for taste…and I suspect he was making a point…What do you think?”

Tarkyn fell silent for a few minutes as he watched the heron surveying the stream. After a while he gently continued his one-sided conversation. “You know they’re saying I’m a rogue sorcerer? Do you know how bad that is? My nursery maid used to make me fear the woods by telling me that I might meet a rogue sorcerer. Now I’d be frightened to meet myself.” He shook his head, carefully so as not to startle the big bird, “That doesn’t make any sense, does it?”

The heron eyed him, spread his wings and rose slowly into the air.

“Hmph. So much for that.”

Gods & Ghosts (Gods & Ghosts Book 1) by Cynthia D. Witherspoon & T.H. Morris

Series excerpt

Jonah had had enough. Superstar McRayne was allowed to go to bed, so he excused himself.

Jonathan and Cyrus looked as though they’d speak for hours, so his departure was seamless. Reena was in pragmatist mode. She could be the voice of reason here. There was no point in a conversation with Terrence because he was too enamored to be of much use at the moment. Looked like Jonah was on his own for this one.

How dare McRayne condescend? How dare she say “Leave it to the professionals?”

The estate was their zone. This wasn’t a damn Hollywood studio where fantasy became reality courtesy of lights, makeup, and clockwork. What the hell did she know about fighting?

As a writer, he had to give her credit. Her story was superb. Her producer was now a Skinwalker slave to Hera and wanted to kill her.

It was definitely original. But Terrence had already said that that Lancaster dude was in Beverly Hills, mooching off of a billionaire heiress. What man in his right mind would be thinking about murder when he had it like that?

Eva had storytelling down. Her little sleight of hand with the sword? Cute. The hallmark of a bona fide Hollywood illusionist. But when you got down to the root of it? Eva McRayne was indeed a superstar.

A superstar bitch.

Jonah had taken a spiritual endowment before they’d used the Astralimes to get to Raleigh. He didn’t know how vigilant he’d have to be with the celebrities around, but Joey was cool, and Cyrus seemed too reserved to be an asshole. But Eva?

Whatever.

One week, Jonah, He thought to himself. You tolerated Essa, Langton, and Bane for months. You can deal with the diva medium for a week.

He could do it. He’d been through worse. Seven days. Seven little sunsets, and Superstar would be gone, and life would be uneventful once again. With that satisfied thought, he fell asleep.

Evil Arises (Roland Of The High Crags Book 1) by B.R. Stateham

Series excerpt

We arrived at Odar’s Lair in the early hours just before dawn. We hid ourselves during the day choosing this hour to arrive, knowing the fewest number of curious eyes would see the hooded child at my side. Of course, we were still challenged by Great Wings and their riders. One does not approach a great city without being challenged, especially if a great city such as this lies strategically at the mouth of the High Kanris itself.

Warriors wearing the livery of the royal house demanded to know our purpose in the city. Night or day, in the fiercest of storms or in the coldest of nights, Great Wings and their riders cover the skies above Odar’s Lair in a blanket of protection.

Keeping the princess close to me, making sure she remained hidden underneath the heavy hooded cloak, I dispatched a servant with news I had to deliver to King Olaf immediately. Yet, even as I stood on the windswept tower, I could not help but feel as if eyes were closely watching our every move.

Olaf’s palace was a white marble cube five floors tall with four massive marble rectangular turrets at each of its four corners. The southwest turret housed the royal aviaries used by the private flocks of Olaf’s royal family were kept, while the other three turrets housed the palace guards. It was, as were all the buildings in the city, designed to be both a fortress in times of war and yet beautiful at the same time. Beautiful statuary, carved by master artisans, lined the gardened pathways. Above each door, one would find the flowery script of Vik inscriptions. They were old Vik folk sayings—homilies blessing the building itself and all those who occupied it. The palace complex of manicured gardens, reflective ponds, and small outbuildings sat on a rugged acropolis in the center of the city. The city, and the palace in the bright moonlight, took the child’s breath away when she saw it for the first time.

Well, there you have it - the best fantasy book series from Next Chapter in 03/2023. We hope you enjoy the stories - and if you do, please leave a comment below or a review in Goodreads or your favorite store. It would mean a lot to us!