Best Epic Fantasy Series

[austeane]

(With a new entry in the last 10 years)
Use your own arbitrarily chosen notion of best.
I've read the Wheel of Time, Sword of Truth, (some of) Song of Ice and Fire and the Malazan Book of the Fallen.
The Book of the Fallen was by far my favourite.
What are the other contenders?

I did not include an other option... Instead post it here and I'll add to the poll.

[Dobber]

Ice and Fire, hands down. I can't tell you how happy I was when I saw they were making it into a show, and happier still when the show did the book justice.

I've read all four of these series. Enjoyed them all. Malazan was epic - my only issue was the tediousness at times. Unnecessary - sometimes the character background or extensiveness of the description made it very difficult to lumber through. On the other hand, he had some pretty kick ass characters and to this day my favorite character of all time in any book is Karsa Orlong.

The Wheel of Time series was similar in its over-describing, and I actually found to be the best read when Sanderson took over (and by the way - Sanderson's Mistborn series could make your poll). The Wheel of Time's final book is quite possibly the most enjoyable book I've ever read - a beautiful finish to a great series

Sword of Truth was fun, but I don't think compares to the other three.

[SixtyPercentOfTheTime]

I've only read A Song of Ice and Fire out of these series so my vote goes to this one. However, I'm planning on reading the other ones shortly (Except WoT, seems too cookie cutter to me).

Another one I really liked is the Death Gate Cycle by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman. (Edit: I just realised it fell outside of the 10 year window)

[Rylant]

You should probably include The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant, the Unbeliever. He could be the best fantasy anti-hero ever written; Well, either him or Elric. The Covenant series isn't my favorite, but I think it deserves to be mentioned. My personal favorite fantasy series is probably David Eddings The Belgariad, although it falls outside of your 10 year rule.

Rylant

[Dobber]

You should probably include The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant, the Unbeliever. He could be the best fantasy anti-hero ever written; Well, either him or Elric. The Covenant series isn't my favorite, but I think it deserves to be mentioned. My personal favorite fantasy series is probably David Eddings The Belgariad, although it falls outside of your 10 year rule.

Rylant

I read Eddings, I think it's close enough. Don't think I'd have it in Top 10. Thomas Covenant I'm considering for my next epic, but that won't be for at least a year

[Dobber]

I've only read A Song of Ice and Fire out of these series so my vote goes to this one. However, I'm planning on reading the other ones shortly (Except WoT, seems too cookie cutter to me).

Another one I really liked is the Death Gate Cycle by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman. (Edit: I just realised it fell outside of the 10 year window)

Death Gate Cycle was very very good. I'd probably have that one in my Top 10, or close

WoT opposite of cookie cutter - he makes his own races, unique rules of magic...really does his own thing

[SixtyPercentOfTheTime]

WoT opposite of cookie cutter - he makes his own races, unique rules of magic...really does his own thing

Maybe I'll give it a try then. Another 25 book series to add to my queue :/

[Fast Tony DeNiro]

I've only read GoT and Sword of Truth, but between those it's GoT easily. SoT was ok but it was just so dumbed down I couldn't get totally into it. I'm also a big fan of learning a fantasy world's lore (I've spent as much time reading books in Skyrim as actually playing haha) and there wasn't really much of that in SoT. Song of Ice and Fire is just amazing in every way.... Not formulaic, great characters, a good description of war along with the political situation leading up to it, and now some more magic entering the story.

Gonna check out these other two series for sure though.

[yougo]

I'm very interested in this tread because I am anxiously waiting for the 6th book of the Song of Ice and Fire series. it's also the only fantasy series I have ever read and I wouldn't mind starting a new one while waiting for George R. Martin to publish the rest of Song of Ice and Fire.

[wendelclark17]

Not really fantasy but anyone who likes fantasy would likely enjoy Bernard Cornwell's series called the Saxon Stories (called The Warlord Chronicles in the US I think). Fantastic books, based in what is now England during the 9th century, about the Viking Norsemen who were invading the island at the time. The follow the life of one man who was born a Saxon but was raised by Danish warriors who invaded his homeland. They are technically historical fiction but with very little in the way of historical documentation surviving from the period he essentially invents a story that includes the odd historical figure and event. One of the best series I've ever read and there is one more book to come.

Of the poll choices I have only read A Song of Fire and Ice and I absolutely loved it. Fantastic books and as Dobber mentioned the show really does a great job despite the obvious limitations of film.

[Bass56]

I don't read a lot of fantasy; I'm more of a graphic novel fan.

However, after reading your posts here, these series seem interesting. What are the story lines for these (like basic 1 phrase summaries)?

[PrairieDog]

Unfortunately I haven't read any of those so I can't compare them to The Dark Tower Series by King - but I doubt it would make a difference, its my pick. Add that one if you can

Second for me would be the Hyperion/Endymion series by Dan Simmons - pretty epic stuff.

[austeane]

Well Malazan is impossible to sum up.
Empire at war. Clash of new and old gods.
Magic divided up into warrens, sort of like a network of tunnels.
Tonnes of unique and interesting characters.
No single main character throughout the whole series.

Wheel Of Time: The Dark One against the world. Men's magic extinct, women magicians are powerful. Lots of politicking. Main set of characters throughout whole series.

Sword of Truth.
3 parts of the world. Random woodland guy comes across sword that doesn't let you hit anyone that you think doesn't deserve it. Same set of characters.

Song: You like a character? He's dead.

[austeane]

Does anyone know how to edit polls?

[SixtyPercentOfTheTime]

Second for me would be the Hyperion/Endymion series by Dan Simmons - pretty epic stuff.

This series is absolutely fantastic! I'm finishing The Rise of Endymion and I freakin love it.