r/ifyoulikeblank • u/Top-Ostrich8710 • Jul 15 '25

Books [IIL] fantasy books like Malazan, Wheel of Time, and the Cosmere, [WEWIL]?

I want in high/epic fantasy with good worldbuilding. Romance is fine but it shouldn't be the main focus of the book.

I'll take science-fiction recs as well.

4 Upvotes
  • permalink
  • reddit

76% Upvoted

7 comments sorted by

3

u/hadookenman Jul 15 '25

Malazan mentioned - raaah!

Some series I'd recommend (some I've read, some I've only researched and intend to read but have heard a lot about): Hyperion by Dan Simmons - a Sci Fi classic with great literary references and an epic scope. Borders on fantasy here and there.

I've a friend who swears up and down by the Robin Hobb series, which begins with Assassin's Apprentice. I started it and love it so far.

Memory, Sorrow and Thorn by Tad Williams is often cited by George R. R. Martin as being very much influential on him.

Another influential classic is the Elric of Melnibone cycle by Michael Moorcock. This one has a reading order that is... complex, but it's worth it and nothing you can't handle if you are a fan of Malazan. He is cited by GRRM as well as Brandon Sanderson as an inspo, most noticeably in the characters of Bloodraven and Nightblood, respectively.

Roger Zelazny's Amber series

Glen Cook's Black Company

Stephen King's The Dark Tower and of course the extended universe of his work (more low fantasy than high, but epic as hell if you're willing to put the threads together). If you're looking for something that's high fantasy but also fits into this world, try The Eyes of the Dragon

Unfinished but amazing (proceed at your own risk): ASOIAF - need I say more? Gentlemen Bastards Series by Scott Lynch Kingkiller Chronicles by Patrick Rothfuss

4

u/JeahNotSlice Jul 15 '25

Great list. Add in A Wizard of Earthsea (Ursula Leguin) and of course Tolkien

1

u/hadookenman Jul 15 '25

LeGuin has an amazing extended universe of her own (Hainish Cycle).

I was considering recommending Tolkein but if someone's going this deep into fantasy I figured there's no shot they haven't at least heard of the Legendarium. Usually people either put it on their list and haven't gotten around to it or consciously ignore the series for some reason or another (bounced off hard, too basic, not enough breakfasts, etc)

3

u/pm_me_pics_of_bibs Jul 15 '25

I would echo A Song of Ice and Fire, King Killer Chronicles, and Earthsea. I would also add Abarat by Clive Barker (be sure to read physical copies because the illustrations are a vital part of reading it) and the graphic novel series Sandman by Neil Gaiman.

1

u/Methuen Jul 16 '25

The Vlad Taltos Series by Steven Brust.

1

u/LoBoob_Oscillator r/MusicSuggestions Jul 19 '25

If you enjoy humor and/or Douglas Adams at all, i recommend Terry Pratchett, his world building, while comical, is epic in scope and the Discworld as a whole is nothing short of fantastic. Fwiw Brandon Sanderson says Pratchett is one of his favorite authors.