Is there really anything better in the wintertime than curling up with a good book, and a hot tea? (whiskey optional) I think not!
I read a ton year round but winter is my top time to get lost in a good series.
If you’re the same (or you hate winter and need a good escape) check out the list I made of my all-time favorite series past and present.
For 2024’s update, I added a few of my new favorites! (marked with a **)
*Women of Color Authors
Breakdown is as follows:
– Best Old School Fantasy Series
– Best Recent Fantasy Series**
– Best Science Fiction Series**
– Best Historical Fiction**
– Best Feel Good Fiction Series
Best Classic Fantasy Series
Lord of the Rings by J. R. R. Tolkein
Kicking it off with this classic! I’ve read it twice and I swear it gets better every time. I also like to watch all three of the movies in December, the extended versions. My inner nerd goes freaking nuts.
Why read it? Aside from the fact that it’s a classic and the OG world builder, fantasy-creator, and language-inventor right here, it’s a story and a setting you can completely escape in.
This is the one series to rule them all. If you loved the movies and never read the books, you’re missing out.
The Chronicles of Amber by Roger Zelazny
I couldn’t put just one book in this category so here’s an oldie-but-goodie series.
The first five books follow Corwin as he fights his power-hungry siblings for the throne in a typical fantasy-style swords and magic kind of way.
Then the next five books follow his son Merlin who fights more like a hacker magician to be restored as the rightful heir of Amber.
Disclaimer – I haven’t read the Merlin sequels… Kinda like after the first four books of Game of Thrones when things start to get so complex they weave their own dead ends and then get out of them in ways that feel cheap. BUT I loved the first five books and they’re well worth a spot on the list.
Best Recent Fantasy Series
The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms by N.K. Jemisin*
I personally think the first book is the best in the series but N.K. Jemisin wins the prize for mixing fantasy with social justice and some kick-ass fempower.
The completely immersive world Jemisin creates, (and I don’t use that phrasing lightly, it sucks you in big time!) remains the same in all three books and you’ll see familiar characters in each one but they can each stand alone as their own stories.
I say the trilogy is a must-read but I’m actually pretty sure every single book she’s written is effing amazing.
Legendborn series by Tracy Deonn*
This series has been a huge hit over the last couple years and I don’t even usually like YA but I had to include this it was so good.
The rich characters, the new take on Arthurian legend, the Deep South setting, it all comes together to make for an amazing series I think I flew through books 1-2 in less than a week.
Book 3 is set to come out early 2025!
The Bear and the Nightingale series by Katherine Arden
I loved this series! Loved it! Russian folklore come to life, a wild and wonderful mfc, and perfect for winter since it’s set in Russia and all about the Winter King.
Books that bring fantasy to life from myth are at the top of my favorites right now, especially if it’s a whole place & mythology system I don’t know much about yet.
Beautiful prose, exciting plot, rich characters, LOVED it.
Also awesome in this category is the Hellbent duology by Leigh Bardugo, The Black Witch series by Laurie Forest, and The Serpent and The Wings of Night duology by Carissa Broadbent. I did love ACOTAR and the ongoing Crescent City series by Sarah J. Mass but who doesn’t already know about those? 😉
Best Science Fiction Series
The Passage Trilogy by Justin Cronin
If you love a good and original zombie story, this one’s a real winner with a suck-you-in storyline and characters that grip your heart and sometimes really piss you off.
I never watched the TV series so I can’t compare that here, but the books will take you on the entire journey from an academic research trip in South America gone horribly wrong to the apocalyptic zombie pandemic, the fractured, terrifying world humans live in thirty years later, and what one group of survivors, plus one little infected girl do to save what’s left of human existence.
I’m not usually a big flesh-eating zombie fan but the characters were so rich, the storline so intriguing and believable, and the female characters were complex not token-badass, tender, and funny.
Hitchhikers’ Guide to the Galaxy
Another oldie but goodie here. I’ll be honest that after the sixth or seventh book, I got bored but all the first ones in the series are seriously funny enough to make the list. I flew through these audio-book style on Audible and found myself laughing out loud on multiple occasions.
Imagine British humor, the destruction of Earth, aliens- both of the ridiculous and dangerous variety, mice, and of course, one big big guide to the galaxy.
The movie is based on the first few books and while some call it “decidedly mediocre,” it’s still a cult classic in my opinion.
Also awesome in this category is The 5th Season series by N. K. Jemisin*.
Best Historical Fiction Series
The Egyptian Royals Collection by Michelle Moran
I love EVERYTHING that I’ve ready by Michelle Moran.
Books 1 and 2 are set in ancient Egypt and follow Nefertiti and then her niece through their fascinating stories of heresy, treason, betrayal, and rebirth.
Then Book 3 jumps in a few thousand years later and sweeps us off to ancient Rome with Cleopatra’s daughter and her story of betrayal, survival, and love.
You could read each of these books as a standalone book and not be lost but to really soak up the story and history, I definitely recommend starting with Book 1.
The Lost Queen series by Signe Pike
Set in ancient Scotland and with Book 3 coming soon (Sept 2024), I can’t recommend this series enough.
The way 6th century Scotland is described makes you feel like you’re right there, the fog and chilly weather, the ancient magic of paganism…
Disclaimer- A lot of reviews say this book starts slow but I really enjoyed it as it was.
The Wolf Den trilogy by Elodie Harper
Ancient history yes! And Elodie Harper brings ancient Pompeii to life in such a beautiful way with her sex worker characters and all their pain and complexities.
I loved reading the evolution of Amara, from brothel whore to mother to courtesan and finally her escape from Pompeii when Vesuvius erupted.
Also I live in Italy, about a 4 hour drive from the Pompeii ruins but still, it’s so cool to read historical fiction set here!
Also awesome in this category is the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon, The Wedding Shroud series by Elizabeth Storrs (anotehr series about Etruscans!), and Burning Chambers series by Kate Mosse,
Best Historical Fantasy Series
City of Brass series by Shannon Chakraborty
Favorite new genre I’ve started in the last few years is hands down historical fantasy (probably one of the reasons I’m writing my own!) and it was all thanks to this series.
Set between a real and jinn-inhabited speculative Egypt and Arabia, this series is full of fantasy, myth, magic, and political intrigue. The characters are all wonderful and the story rich and imaginative.
Plus a short story bonus book, River of Silver that has an additional short story for just about all the main and secondary characters. LOVED it.
The Poppy War trilogy by R. F. Kuang*
Set in a fictional China, The Poppy war follows a young woman intent on destroying a tyrant but gets more than she bargained for when a fire god moves in to inhabit her body.
Zero romance in this series, although there is a little bit of unrequited longing. This is more battle and war and the psychological downward spiral of the main character.
So well written!
Black Sun series by Rebecca Roanhorse*
Incredible epic fantasy read set in pre-Columbian America. Since it’s in area of the world more or less neglected in the fantasy genre, it was so fun and fresh to read.
Beautiful settings, rich characters, intriguing plot, and a very, very interesting bad guy. Celestial prophecies, political intrigue, forbidden magic, and a hint of romance.
There are only 2 books published in this ongoing series and I can’t wait for Book 3!
Also awesome in this category is the Jade City series by Fonda Lee*, Six Crimson Cranes duology by Elizabeth Lim*, An Ember in the Ashes series by Sabaa Tahir*, The Adventures of Amina al-Serafi series (currently at book 1) by Shannon Chakraborty, and the Divine Rivals duology by Rebecca Ross.
Best Feel Good Fiction Series
Ladies No 1 Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith
I have fallen in love with this easy-to-read neverending series.
The characters crack me up, the setting in Botswana is about as close as I’m going to get to actually going to Africa for a while and it’s full of rich description and cultural references that make the stories even richer. The books do move through a storyline but you could read one as a standalone story and not be totally lost like you would be most of the other series on the list.
I dip into this series whenever I need a light, fun read in a world I wish I could visit. Bonus points if you brew up a big ass cup of Rooibos red tea (the favorite beverage of this series main character, Precious Ramostwe) to sip as you read.
Love and Gelato by Jenna Evans Welch
Full transparency this is the only series on my list I haven’t read yet but I’m SO excited to.
It’s YA, and these are more that are totally readable standalone. Love and Gelato is set in Italy, Love and Luck in Ireland, and Love and Olives in Greece. Sweet romance and sweepying story.
These are going to be the perfect for my evening easy reads after writing and parenting all day…
If you’re a fan of series that fall into the historical, romantic, fantasy, magical realism, and mythology-inspired genres, get on my email list to watch me write a historical romantasy set in the Ancient Mediterranean.
Smart, sexy, and diverse characters
Steeped in myth, magic, political intrigue
Steamy to spicy romance
Inspired by the Etruscan, Phoenician, and ancient indigenous Italian civilizations
Got any favorites that aren’t on the list? Spill ‘em! I’m always looking for addictive series to add to my ever-growing list so comment on your favorites below!
Liked this article? Share away!
Let's connect!
