What to Read After Lord of the Rings

Finished The Lord of the Rings? Here's where to go for more classic, epic and beautifully written fantasy.

Back to the correct Lord of the Rings reading order.

1. Wheel of Time

Robert Jordan • 14 books

The great epic quest of modern fantasy, deliberately Tolkien-like at the start.

Start with The Eye of the World Buy Now See the full Wheel of Time reading order ›

2. Earthsea

Ursula K. Le Guin • 6 books

Ursula K. Le Guin's classic: wizards, dragons and some of fantasy's best prose.

Start with A Wizard of Earthsea Buy Now See the full Earthsea reading order ›

3. Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn

Tad Williams • 3 books

A Tolkien-inspired epic trilogy that influenced a generation of fantasy writers.

Start with The Dragonbone Chair Buy Now See the full Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn reading order ›

4. The Chronicles of Narnia

C.S. Lewis • 7 books

C.S. Lewis was Tolkien's friend and fellow Inkling. A gentler, classic portal fantasy.

Start with The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe Buy Now See the full The Chronicles of Narnia reading order ›

5. The Stormlight Archive

Brandon Sanderson • 5 books

Modern epic fantasy on a Tolkien-sized scale.

Start with The Way of Kings Buy Now See the full The Stormlight Archive reading order ›

6. The Kingkiller Chronicle

Patrick Rothfuss • 5 books

Lyrical fantasy in which a legendary figure tells his own story.

Start with The Name of the Wind Buy Now See the full The Kingkiller Chronicle reading order ›

7. Gormenghast

Mervyn Peake • 4 books

The other great mid-century British fantasy: a vast gothic castle instead of Middle-earth.

Start with Titus Groan Buy Now See the full Gormenghast reading order ›

8. Discworld

Terry Pratchett • 41 books

Loving parody of fantasy that grows into something much more.

Start with Guards! Guards! Buy Now See the full Discworld reading order ›

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I read after Lord of the Rings?

Our top pick is Wheel of Time: The great epic quest of modern fantasy, deliberately Tolkien-like at the start. Other good next reads include Earthsea, Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn, The Chronicles of Narnia.

As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Last updated: October 2026.