If you want to immerse yourself in a fantasy world that just keeps going and going, check out some of these series.
Y Shuster
Neal Shusterman is back with a complicated look at life and what happens when one group of people has the power to end someone's life forever. Two teens must learn the “art of killing” in this Printz Honor–winning book, the first in a chilling new series from Neal Shusterman, author of the New York Times bestselling Unwind dystology. A world with no hunger, no disease, no war, no misery: humanity has conquered all those things, and has even conquered death. Now Scythes are the only ones who can end life—and they are commanded to do so, in order to keep the size of the population under control. Citra and Rowan are chosen to apprentice to a scythe—a role that neither wants.
A bit lighter in tone than Martin and Tolkien's works—thanks in large part to Eddings' skill with dialogue—The Belgariad is a five-book series that begins with Pawn of Prophecy. Like a lot of classic fantasy, the scope at first is rather narrow, but it gradually expands. Pawn of Prophecy begins on a small farm and focuses on a young boy named Garion. When trouble comes to Garion's small idyll, the mysterious Mister Wolf and Lady Polgara take Garion under their wing. Soon, the three find themselves on the run. The question soon arises: is Garion a simple farmboy or is there more to him than meets the eye?
SF Jemisin
Series: The Broken Earth Novels
N.K. Jemisin is one of the best science fiction and fantasy writers alive today. This trilogy, arguably her best work, has garnered enormous praise and the distinction of being the only trilogy to win Hugo awards for all three books (back-to-back over the course of three years). Throughout these three books, readers follow Essun as they encounter trials, world-shattering events, magic, and mystery, as those in the book prepare for what may be the fifth season. Taking place on a supercontinent called Stillness, each character must face their own mortality, community, and biases as the end of the world approaches.
Though this series is science fiction, there are enough similarities between the Dune books and Martin's Song of Ice and Fire (and the other series on this list) to merit its inclusion. Winner of both the Hugo and the Nebula awards, the Dune series consists of six books penned by Frank Herbert, as well as a handful of novels set in the Dune universe and written by Herbert's son. The first title in the series, the aptly named Dune, tells the story of Paul Atreides as he assumes control of the planet Arrakis, the only source of "spice," the most valuable substance in the universe. Like Martin's series, the scale of the tale is writ large, and there is plenty of court intrigue.
First introduced in a short story in 1964, Le Guin wrote six novels set in the fictional world of Earthsea (the main cycle consists of the first four books), beginning with A Wizard of Earthsea. In this book, we learn that not all wizards are gray-bearded and wise, for the book's protagonist, Ged, is but a sorcerer's apprentice, who, in his naiveté, has unwittingly unleashed an ancient evil on the world and must now attempt to undo his mistake. Often classified as a young adult title, readers of all ages will appreciate Le Guin's skill as a writer, and many critics have remarked on the intelligence of the narrative.
Series: The Lord of the Rings
When people think of epic sword and sorcery fantasy, this is likely the source material that initially comes to mind. The first installment, The Fellowship of the Ring, was published in 1954 and has been reprinted countless times. Tolkien himself was a professor of middle English at Oxford, and the scholar's edge he lent these books elevated fantasy to include expansive historical backgrounds, functional fictional languages, and detailed cartography. Set in the land of Middle Earth, the story focuses on an unlikely fellowship of friends who are swept up in a battle between the forces of good and evil, where even the smallest of heroes plays a part.
This Mythopoeic Fantasy Award nominee from acclaimed fantasy author Guy Gavriel Kay tells the tale of five college students from our own world who are transported to a fantasy world by a mysterious wizard, where they must work together to tame a renegade god who threatens to destroy the world of Fionavar. While the premise may remind readers of C.S. Lewis' Chronicles of Narnia, this is not a children's tale and benefits from Kay's prodigious skill as a writer. Character-driven and intricately plotted, this trilogy will appeal to readers who enjoy lyrical, detailed writing.
SF Cogman
Series: The Invisible Library
Irene is a professional spy for the mysterious Library, a shadowy organization that collects important works of fiction from all of the different realities. Most recently, she and her enigmatic assistant Kai have been sent to an alternative London. Their mission: retrieve a particularly dangerous book. The problem: by the time they arrive, it's already been stolen. London's underground factions are prepared to fight to the death to find the tome before Irene and Kai do, a problem compounded by the fact that this world is chaos-infested—the laws of nature bent to allow supernatural creatures and unpredictable magic to run rampant. To make matters worse, Kai is hiding something—secrets that could be just as volatile as the chaos-filled world itself.
Comprised of 10 books, the Malazan Book of the Fallen is a fantasy epic that follows several disparate storylines that unfold in non-linear fashion. Furthermore, the relationship between the storylines is not revealed right away. The first book, Gardens of the Moon, introduces the Malazan Empire, the battle mage Anomander Rake, and the ambitious empress Laseen. Later volumes introduce the other two major story arcs. Erikson's writing is elegant and engaging, and his tales are complex and gritty.
SF Sanders
Series: The Mistborn Novels
Mistborn was born when the author had one question: what happens if the Dark Lord actually rules and the hero fails? Throughout the original trilogy and the subsequent novels set in the world, readers follow a thief, a street urchin, and a nobleman as they try and build a better world. This epic fantasy series combines a unique magic system, complicated characters, and a detailed, multi-dimensional world together to create a place unlike anything else in fantasy. Throughout the series, your understanding of the narrative will be challenged and rewritten several times.
SF Kristof
Series: The Nevernight Chronicle
The three books that make up The Nevernight Chronicle are a dark, twisty, high stakes and highly emotional journey though an intricately detailed world full of darkness and chaos. Our hero, Mia Corvere, is trying to find a way through life as the daughter of a traitor and a unique gift for speaking to shadows. She's hiding from her father's shame while also being apprenticed to the deadliest group of assassins in the entire Republic—the Red Church. If she bests her fellow students in contests of steel, poison and the subtle arts, she’ll be inducted among the Blades of the Lady of Blessed Murder, and one step closer to the vengeance she desires. This series is perfect for readers who like their fantasy a little more dark and twisty, where moral lines are gray at best.
With each book clocking in at about 1,000 pages and on track to be a 13-part series, this is, if nothing else, a series that you can immerse yourself in for weeks—if not months. Beginning with Eye of the World, Jordan's series follows the adventures of five friends from the small village of Two Rivers. The focus is on Rand, a simple farmhand destined for far greater things, but his male companions Mat and Perrin are also prominent. As the series progresses and new characters are introduced, one may wonder how Jordan kept the various storylines straight, but it's the depth of the tale that draws the reader in. Sadly, Jordan died in 2007, shortly after the 11th book was published. Using Jordan's notes, and with the blessing of the author's estate, Brandon Sanderson is completing the series.