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The 28 Best Book Series of All Time: Adult List

By January 16, 2016October 9th, 2017Discussion and Recommendations

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.

Lord of the Rings US
Lord of the Rings UK

The Hobbit Review

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!

Outlander US
Outlander UK

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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!

Dark Tower US
Dark Tower UK

Submit a Review

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.

Black Dagger (1) US
Black Dagger (1) UK

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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.

Interview with a Vampire US
Interview with a Vampire UK

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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

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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.

Sword of Truth (1-3) US
Sword of Truth (1-3) UK

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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.

A Game of Thrones US
A Game of Thrones UK

A Game of Thrones Review

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.

The Dresden Files US
The Dresden Files UK

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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!

Naked in Death (1) US
Naked in Death (1) UK

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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.

15 Comments

  • Tanya says:

    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!

  • Carrie says:

    There are a lot of new authors, some of whom manly publish on ebook who I think could top some of these listed here

  • Linda says:

    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.

  • Linda says:

    A good list, but how can you not include Dorothy Dunnett’s brilliant Lymond Chronicles??

  • Antonio says:

    What about Alexandre sequels the three musketeers and sequels?

  • William Root says:

    The Ringworld series by Larry Niven

  • William Root says:

    John Milton series by Mark Dawson; the Joe Pickett series by CJ Box; Hugh Howey’s Wool series.

  • PK the Bookeemonster says:

    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.”

  • Mary Connell says:

    So many fantasy series! I’ve never been a fan. My favorites are the crime and mystery genres.

  • B.F. Follis says:

    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…

  • Evelyn says:

    I’m surprised that you included the Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich………after the first couple of books they became formulaic and flat

  • Lauren says:

    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.

  • Kitty says:

    Faith Hunter’s “Jane Yellowrock” series…. must read!!

  • Heather Bradley says:

    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!

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