There’s nothing quite like getting started on, and falling in love with, a brand new book series, especially when that series is already quite substantial or complete. The idea that you have several books you’re sure to love in front of you is really reassuring to a bibliophile and offers peace of mind!
So who better to ask for recommendations on good series novels, than you lot? We asked you for your best series of all time in two separate questions, this one is for the Adult List but there’s a YA list coming soon too. From your replies (over 400 with over 100 different series suggested) we have the top 28 book series of all time, according to you!
The Lord of the Rings Trilogy – J. R. R. Tolkien
Let’s be honest, it’s no surprise. According to your votes, the series that everyone should read is the Lord of the Rings Trilogy.
Outlander – Diana Gabaldon
This series is huge with readers on our Facebook page and with eight books now available, the series is pretty huge and offers plenty to read!
Dark Tower Series – Stephen King
Possibly the most prolific writer of our day, and at 4,250 pages this is one series that should keep you busy for a while!
Black Dagger Brotherhood – J. R Ward
If paranormal romance is your thing then the Black Dagger Brotherhood with its thirteen novels will keep you busy for a while.
Vampire Chronicles – Anne Rice
Anne Rice’s classic vampire series still has a place in the reader’s heart today and if you’re new to the series, the eleven books already released, starting with Interview with a Vampire, should keep you busy for a while.
The Millennium Trilogy – Stieg Larsson
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and subsequent novels but the late Stieg Larsson was top choice for many of you for the best book series of all time.
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo US
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo UK
The Sword of Truth – Terry Goodkind
If you like epic fantasy then the seventeen novels in this completed series should keep you busy for a while.
A Song of Ice and Fire – G. R. R Martin
Hopefully the next in the series will finally be completed, because many of you think A Song of Ice and Fire, starting with Game of Thrones, is the best novel series of all time.
The Dresden Files – Jim Butcher
This keeps getting mentioned over and over again on the page! There’s fifteen novels to get started with and I may just have to check them out myself.
In Death – J. D Robb
The In Death series features NYPD cop Eve Dallas and her husband, Rourke and with 54 books currently released, these should keep you busy for a while!
11. Discworld – Terry Pratchett (Equal Rites review)
12. Wheel of Time – Robert Jordan (series review)
13. The Dragonriders of Pern – Anne McCaffrey (Dolphins of Pern review)
14. Sherlock Holmes Collection – Arthur Conan Doyle
15. Earth’s Children – Jean M. Auel (Clan of the Cave Bear Review)
16. Thomas Covenant – Stephen R Donaldson
17. Stephanie Plum – Janet Evanovich
18. Southern Vampire Series – Charlaine Harris
19. Poldark – Winston Graham
20. Dune – Frank Herbert (review)
And after the featured top 20, here we take the list to the full 28 books:
Bridgerton – Julia Quinn
Xanth – Piers Anthony
Bryant and May – Christopher Fowler ( Review)
Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy – Douglas Adams
Mercy Thompson Series – Patricia Biggs
All Souls Trilogy – Deborah Harkness
Foundation – Isaac Asimov
Farseer Trilogy – Robin Hobb
We hope they offered you some nice long series to try out, and we’ll be back with the YA Edition in the next day or two.
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I’m so glad to see Anne McCaffrey and Robin Hobbs both made that list! A few there that I’ll have to go and read now. =) thanks for the list!
There are a lot of new authors, some of whom manly publish on ebook who I think could top some of these listed here
Please don’t call Lord of the Rings a trilogy. Tolkien would roll over in his grave. It’s all one book, divided into three volumes.
A good list, but how can you not include Dorothy Dunnett’s brilliant Lymond Chronicles??
What about Alexandre sequels the three musketeers and sequels?
*Alexandre Dumas’ the three musketeers and sequels
The Ringworld series by Larry Niven
John Milton series by Mark Dawson; the Joe Pickett series by CJ Box; Hugh Howey’s Wool series.
Starting with KUSHIEL’S DART, Jacqueline Carey writes a very adult fantasy world. Three trilogies of very big books available in that. Would make a great Starz miniseries.
Description from first book: “Born with a scarlet mote in her left eye, Phédre nó Delaunay is sold into indentured servitude as a child. When her bond is purchased by an enigmatic nobleman, she is trained in history, theology, politics, foreign languages, the arts of pleasure. And above all, the ability to observe, remember, and analyze. Exquisite courtesan, talented spy… and unlikely heroine. But when Phédre stumbles upon a plot that threatens her homeland, Terre d’Ange, she has no choice.”
So many fantasy series! I’ve never been a fan. My favorites are the crime and mystery genres.
The Spenser series by Robert B. Parker… The Alphabet series with Kinsey Milhone by Sue Grafton… Sharon McCone series by Marcia Muller… Kate Shugak books by Dana Stabenow…
I’m surprised that you included the Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich………after the first couple of books they became formulaic and flat
I’m legitimately upset that Patricia Briggs is on here, but Kelley Armstrong isn’t. The Otherworld series completely blows the Mercy series out of the water.
Faith Hunter’s “Jane Yellowrock” series…. must read!!
You are missing out because you left out Laurel K Hamilton – Anita Blake series and Karen Chance – Cassia Palmer series and my favourite, the woman who taught me to read, Tamora Pierce – the Tortall collection!