If you've devoured the Cosmere and find yourself counting down the days until The Fires of December, you're not alone. Brandon Sanderson has set an impossibly high bar for epic fantasy — intricate magic systems, satisfying foreshadowing that pays off hundreds of pages later, and worldbuilding so detailed you could write a thesis on it.
The good news? Other authors are crafting similarly ambitious fantasy series, and many of them fly under the radar. These nine series share the DNA that makes Sanderson's work so compelling: rules-based magic, sprawling plots that reward attentive readers, and endings that actually stick the landing.
1. The Licanius Trilogy by James Islington
James Islington wrote this series after being directly inspired by Brandon Sanderson and Robert Jordan, and it shows — in the best possible way. The Licanius Trilogy is a masterclass in time manipulation fantasy, weaving together past, present, and future in ways that will have you frantically flipping back pages to catch connections you missed.
The magic system involves wielding Essence, but the real hook is how Islington handles prophecy and predestination. Characters grapple with visions of the future while the narrative itself plays with chronology in increasingly clever ways. By the final book, threads planted in chapter one come together in genuinely surprising fashion.
Why You Should Read It
Complex time-travel mechanics that actually make sense
Sanderson-approved — he's recommended it publicly
Complete trilogy with a satisfying conclusion
Intricate foreshadowing that rewards re-reads
Characters wrestling with fate versus free will
Books in the Series
The Shadow of What Was Lost (2014)
An Echo of Things to Come (2017)
The Light of All That Falls (2019)
2. Cradle by Will Wight
Progression fantasy at its finest. Cradle follows Lindon, who starts as the weakest member of his clan and climbs his way up through increasingly powerful tiers of sacred artists. If you love watching characters earn their power through training, cleverness, and sheer determination, this series delivers that satisfaction repeatedly.
Will Wight writes with propulsive pacing that makes these books dangerously addictive. The magic system — based on different paths of madra cultivation — has clear rules and limitations that characters must work within and around. Each advancement feels earned, and the power scaling manages to stay exciting across twelve books without losing tension.
Why You Should Read It
Incredibly satisfying character progression
Fast-paced, almost impossible to put down
Hard magic system with clear rules and creative applications
Complete series — all twelve books are published
Perfect for readers who love training arcs and tournament settings
Books in the Series
Unsouled (2016)
Soulsmith (2016)
Blackflame (2017)
Skysworn (2017)
Ghostwater (2018)
Underlord (2019)
Uncrowned (2019)
Wintersteel (2020)
Bloodline (2021)
Reaper (2021)
Dreadgod (2022)
Waybound (2024)
3. The Faithful and the Fallen by John Gwynne
John Gwynne writes epic fantasy with the scope of Tolkien and the brutality of Joe Abercrombie. The Faithful and the Fallen draws on Norse and Celtic mythology, building toward an apocalyptic war between ancient powers while following a cast of warriors, giants, and would-be heroes across a richly detailed world.
The series excels at battle sequences — Gwynne was trained in Viking reenactment, and his combat scenes have weight and consequence. But the real strength is how he develops characters across the four books, earning emotional payoffs that hit harder because you've watched these people struggle and grow.
Why You Should Read It
Epic scope with deeply personal character arcs
Some of the best battle sequences in modern fantasy
Norse and Celtic mythological influences
Morally complex without being grimdark for its own sake
Complete series with a conclusive ending
Books in the Series
Malice (2012)
Valour (2013)
Ruin (2015)
Wrath (2016)
4. The Riyria Revelations by Michael J. Sullivan
Sometimes you want intricate plotting and complex magic. Sometimes you want two charismatic rogues getting into trouble together. Riyria Revelations gives you both, wrapped in a classic adventure fantasy package that's smarter than it first appears.
Royce and Hadrian are a thief and a mercenary whose partnership drives the series. What begins as a simple framed-for-murder plot expands into something far more epic, with revelations about the world's history and the characters' pasts that recontextualise everything. Michael J. Sullivan is a structural craftsman — the series was written in full before publication, allowing for careful foreshadowing throughout.
Why You Should Read It
One of fantasy's great character duos
Satisfying plot structure with genuine surprises
Accessible entry point to epic fantasy
The entire series was completed before publication
Leads into additional connected series if you want more
Books in the Series
Theft of Swords (2011) — contains The Crown Conspiracy and Avempartha
Rise of Empire (2011) — contains Nyphron Rising and The Emerald Storm
Heir of Novron (2012) — contains Wintertide and Percepliquis
5. Powder Mage by Brian McClellan
Brian McClellan studied under Brandon Sanderson at Brigham Young University, and Powder Mage reads like a student who fully absorbed the lessons. The magic system combines traditional elemental powers with a new twist: powder mages who gain abilities by ingesting gunpowder. It's set during a period inspired by the French Revolution, with all the political upheaval and moral complexity that implies.
The worldbuilding integrates magic and technology in ways that feel organic rather than gimmicky. McClellan balances multiple POV characters across political factions, military campaigns, and supernatural threats. The series has clear rules, clever tactical applications, and payoffs that reward close reading.
Why You Should Read It
Sanderson-student with similar attention to magic system craft
Flintlock fantasy setting that feels fresh
Political intrigue combined with military fantasy
Multiple well-developed POV characters
Leads into a second complete trilogy
Books in the Series
Powder Mage Trilogy
Promise of Blood (2013)
The Crimson Campaign (2014)
The Autumn Republic (2015)
Gods of Blood and Powder (sequel trilogy)
Sins of Empire (2017)
Wrath of Empire (2018)
Blood of Empire (2019)
6. Shadows of the Apt by Adrian Tchaikovsky
Adrian Tchaikovsky built an entire civilisation around insect-kinden — humans who have evolved alongside different insect species, gaining their characteristics. Beetle-kinden are industrious inventors. Mantis-kinden are deadly warriors. Spider-kinden are manipulative schemers. It sounds bizarre on paper and works brilliantly in execution.
The series spans a continent-wide war between the industrialising Wasp Empire and the squabbling city-states in its path. Tchaikovsky explores how societies adapt to technological change, how empires rise and fall, and what happens when ancient magical traditions clash with modern innovation. It's ambitious in scope while remaining character-focused.
Why You Should Read It
One of the most inventive worldbuilding concepts in fantasy
Explores technology versus tradition themes thoughtfully
Epic scope across ten books
Different cultures feel genuinely distinct
Complete series with a satisfying conclusion
Books in the Series
Empire in Black and Gold (2008)
Dragonfly Falling (2009)
Blood of the Mantis (2009)
Salute the Dark (2010)
The Scarab Path (2010)
The Sea Watch (2011)
Heirs of the Blade (2011)
The Air War (2012)
War Master's Gate (2013)
Seal of the Worm (2014)
7. Chronicle of the Unhewn Throne by Brian Staveley
Monks who train to eliminate emotion. Elite soldiers who fly on giant battle hawks. An emperor's children scattered across an empire, trying to survive assassination attempts while uncovering a conspiracy that threatens humanity itself. Brian Staveley's trilogy combines martial arts fantasy, military fiction, and political intrigue into something that feels both familiar and fresh.
The magic system is restrained but meaningful — the Kettral's giant birds, the Shin monks' emotional discipline, and the ancient powers lurking in the background all follow consistent internal logic. Staveley excels at tense sequences and hard choices, putting his characters through genuine trials rather than letting them off easy.
Why You Should Read It
Unique blend of monastic and military fantasy
Three distinct POV characters with compelling arcs
Tense, well-crafted action sequences
Conspiracy plot that builds to satisfying revelations
Complete trilogy with optional follow-up novels
Books in the Series
The Emperor's Blades (2014)
The Providence of Fire (2015)
The Last Mortal Bond (2016)
8. The Rage of Dragons by Evan Winter
Tau Solarin wants revenge, and he's willing to become the greatest swordsman in the world to get it. The Rage of Dragons is a revenge fantasy that earns its emotional stakes through sheer intensity. Set in a world inspired by pre-colonial Africa, the series features a caste system, dragon-like creatures, and a magic system tied to demons from another realm.
Evan Winter writes combat with visceral precision. The training sequences are gruelling in ways that make every skill Tau develops feel like it cost something. The world is harsh, the stakes are personal, and the pacing never lets up. It's not a gentle read, but it's a compelling one.
Why You Should Read It
Relentless pacing and visceral combat
African-inspired worldbuilding that feels distinct
Training arc that earns every advancement
Demon-based magic system with clear costs
Deeply personal revenge narrative
Books in the Series
The Burning Series
The Rage of Dragons (2019)
The Fires of Vengeance (2020)
The Lord of Demons (2024)
Book 4 (forthcoming)
9. Lightbringer by Brent Weeks
Brent Weeks built one of the most ambitious magic systems in modern fantasy. Chromaturgy allows drafters to turn light into a physical substance called luxin, with different colours granting different properties. Red luxin burns. Blue luxin is stable and strong. Each colour also affects the drafter's personality, creating inherent costs to using magic.
The series follows Gavin Guile, the most powerful drafter alive, through political conspiracies, religious upheaval, and personal secrets that threaten to unravel everything. Weeks delivers plot twists that genuinely surprise while playing fair with the reader. The ending is divisive among fans, but the journey there is consistently engaging.
Why You Should Read It
One of fantasy's most inventive magic systems
Complex plotting with genuine surprises
Colour-based magic with personality effects
Large cast of well-developed characters
Complete five-book series
Books in the Series
The Black Prism (2010)
The Blinding Knife (2012)
The Broken Eye (2014)
The Blood Mirror (2016)
The Burning White (2019)
Where to Start
If you're wondering which of these to pick up first, here's a quick guide based on what you love most about Sanderson:
For Mistborn fans: Start with Powder Mage or Lightbringer. Both feature hard magic systems with clear rules and heist-like plotting.
For Stormlight Archive fans: Try The Faithful and the Fallen or Shadows of the Apt. Both offer sprawling epic scope with detailed worldbuilding.
For readers who love intricate foreshadowing: The Licanius Trilogy or Riyria Revelations will scratch that itch.
For progression fantasy fans: Cradle is the obvious choice — it's basically engineered for readers who love watching characters level up.
For something completely different but equally well-crafted: The Rage of Dragons offers intensity that stands apart from the pack.
Any of these nine series will give you hundreds of hours of reading while you wait for Sanderson's next release. Happy reading.
Books Featured in This Article
The Shadow of What Was Lost
by James Islington
"Love The Wheel of Time? This is about to become your new favorite series." --B&N SF & Fantasy BlogA young man with forbidden magic finds himself drawn into an ancient war against a dangerous enemy in book one of the Licanius Trilogy, the series that fans are heralding as the next Wheel of Time. As destiny calls, a journey begins.It has been twenty years since the godlike Augurs were overthrown and killed. Now, those who once served them -- the Gifted -- are spared only because they have accepted the rebellion's Four Tenets, vastly limiting their powers. As a Gifted, Davian suffers the consequences of a war lost before he was even born. He and others like him are despised. But when Davian discovers he wields the forbidden power of the Augurs, he and his friends Wirr and Asha set into motion a chain of events that will change everything. To the west, a young man whose fate is intertwined with Davian's wakes up in the forest, covered in blood and with no memory of who he is... And in the far north, an ancient enemy long thought defeated begins to stir.The Licanius Trilogy is a series readers will have a hard time putting down--a relentless coming-of-age epic from the very first page. "Storytelling assurance rare for a debut . . . Fans of Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson will find much to admire."-- GuardianThe Licanius TrilogyThe Shadow of What Was LostAn Echo of Things to ComeThe Light of All That Falls
Unsouled
by Will Wight
The beginning of the New York Times best-selling Cradle series! Lindon is born Unsouled, the one person in his family unable to use the magical Paths of the sacred arts. He uses every trick and technique he can borrow or steal to improve his life, but it seems he will never be able to join the ranks of the truly powerful. Until the heavens descend and show him the future. When Lindon becomes the only one who sees the approaching doom, he must leave his homeland to save it...and to see how far he can go by walking his own Path. SERIES DESCRIPTION The Cradle series is the best-selling example of the Progression Fantasy subgenre, which includes works of fantasy where the primary plot revolves around a character growing more powerful in their use of magic. Cradle is high-stakes, fast-paced, and action-focused, with minimal time dedicated to world-building, and as such the books are lean and focused. The series is often compared to anime, with fans using phrases like "anime in book form" or "fantasy novels meet Dragon Ball Z," emphasizing the story's specialty of loud and colorful super-powered battles.
Malice
by John Gwynne
The first book in acclaimed epic fantasy author John Gwynne's Faithful and Fallen series, Malice is a tale of blind greed, ambition, and betrayal set in a world where ancient monsters are reawakening--and a war to end all wars is about to begin. The world is broken...and it can never be made whole again.Corban wants nothing more than to be a warrior under King Brenin's rule - to protect and serve. But that day will come all too soon. And the price he pays will be in blood. Evnis has sacrificed - too much it seems. But what he wants - the power to rule -- will soon be in his grasp. And nothing will stop him once he has started on his path. Veradis is the newest member of the warband for the High Prince, Nathair. He is one of the most skilled swordsman to come out of his homeland, yet he is always under the shadow of his older brother.Nathair has ideas - and a lot of plans. Many of them don't involve his father, the High King Aquilus. Nor does he agree with his father's idea to summon his fellow kings to council. The Banished Lands has a violent past where armies of men and giants clashed in battle, the earth running dark with their heartsblood. Now, the stones weep red and giant wyrms stir, and those who can still read the signs see a danger far worse than all that has come before...The Faithful and the FallenMaliceValorRuinWrathFor more from John Gwynne, check out:Of Blood and BoneA Time of DreadA Time of BloodA Time of Courage
Theft of Swords
by Michael J. Sullivan
Royce Melborn, a skilled thief, and his mercenary partner, Hadrian Blackwater, make a profitable living carrying out dangerous assignments for conspiring nobles-until they are hired to pilfer a famed sword. What appears to be just a simple job finds them framed for the murder of the king and trapped in a conspiracy that uncovers a plot far greater than the mere overthrow of a tiny kingdom. Can a self-serving thief and an idealistic swordsman survive long enough to unravel the first part of an ancient mystery that has toppled kings and destroyed empires? And so begins the first tale of treachery and adventure, sword fighting and magic, myth and legend.When author Michael J. Sullivan self-published the first books of his Riyria Revelations, they rapidly became ebook bestsellers. Now, Orbit is pleased to present the complete series for the first time in bookstores everywhere. Theft of Swords was originally published as: The Crown Conspiracy and Avempartha. BOOKS IN THE RIYRIA REVELATIONSTheft of Swords (The Crown Conspiracy & Avempartha)Rise of Empire (Nyphron Rising & The Emerald Storm)Heir of Novron (Wintertide & Percepliquis)
Promise of Blood
by Brian McClellan
"Just plain awesome"--Brandon SandersonCivil unrest cripples the citizens of Adro in the aftermath of the revolution that obliterated the monarchy. Now, Field Marshal Tamas and his lieutenants must confront the true cost of freedom in book one of the Powder Mage Trilogy.It's a bloody business overthrowing a king...Field Marshal Tamas' coup against his king sent corrupt aristocrats to the guillotine and brought bread to the starving. But it also provoked war with the Nine Nations, internal attacks by royalist fanatics, and the greedy to scramble for money and power by Tamas's supposed allies: the Church, workers unions, and mercenary forces. It's up to a few...Stretched to his limit, Tamas is relying heavily on his few remaining powder mages, including the embittered Taniel, a brilliant marksman who also happens to be his estranged son, and Adamat, a retired police inspector whose loyalty is being tested by blackmail. But when gods are involved...Now, as attacks batter them from within and without, the credulous are whispering about omens of death and destruction. Just old peasant legends about the gods waking to walk the earth. No modern educated man believes that sort of thing. But they should...Winner of the David Gemmell Morningstar Award for Best Debut Fantasy.
Empire in Black and Gold
by Adrian Tchaikovsky
The city states of the Lowlands have lived in peace for decades, bastions of civilization, prosperity and sophistication. They have been protected by treaties, trade and a belief in the reasonable nature of their neighbours. But meanwhile, in far-off corners, the Wasp Empire has been devouring city after city with its highly trained armies, its machines, its killing Art . . . And now its hunger for conquest and war has become insatiable. Only the ageing Stenwold Maker, spymaster, artificer and statesman, can see that the long days of peace are over. It falls upon his shoulders to open the eyes of his people – as soon a black-and-gold tide will sweep down over the Lowlands and burn away everything in its path. But first he must stop himself from becoming the Empire’s latest victim. ‘I cannot even begin to explain how much I enjoy the Shadows of the Apt books. Their level of originality and the sheer epic-ness makes for some of the best fantasy entertainment out there’ LECBookReviews.com
The Emperor's Blades
by Brian Staveley
In The Emperor's Blades by Brian Staveley, the emperor of Annur is dead, slain by enemies unknown. His daughter and two sons, scattered across the world, do what they must to stay alive and unmask the assassins. But each of them also has a life-path on which their father set them, destinies entangled with both ancient enemies and inscrutable gods.Kaden, the heir to the Unhewn Throne, has spent eight years sequestered in a remote mountain monastery, learning the enigmatic discipline of monks devoted to the Blank God. Their rituals hold the key to an ancient power he must master before it's too late. An ocean away, Valyn endures the brutal training of the Kettral, elite soldiers who fly into battle on gigantic black hawks. But before he can set out to save Kaden, Valyn must survive one horrific final test. At the heart of the empire, Minister Adare, elevated to her station by one of the emperor's final acts, is determined to prove herself to her people. But Adare also believes she knows who murdered her father, and she will stop at nothing—and risk everything—to see that justice is meted out.Chronicle of the Unhewn ThroneThe Emperor's BladesThe Providence of FireThe Last Mortal BondOther books in the world of the Unhewn ThroneSkullsworn
The Rage of Dragons
by Evan Winter
Game of Thrones meets Gladiator in this debut epic fantasy about a world caught in an eternal war, and the young man who will become his people's only hope for survival.The Omehi people have been fighting an unwinnable war for almost two hundred years. The lucky ones are born gifted. One in every two thousand women has the power to call down dragons. One in every hundred men is able to magically transform himself into a bigger, stronger, faster killing machine.Everyone else is fodder, destined to fight and die in the endless war.Young, gift-less Tau knows all this, but he has a plan of escape. He's going to get himself injured, get out early, and settle down to marriage, children, and land. Only, he doesn't get the chance. Those closest to him are brutally murdered, and his grief swiftly turns to anger. Fixated on revenge, Tau dedicates himself to an unthinkable path. He'll become the greatest swordsman to ever live, a man willing to die a hundred thousand times for the chance to kill the three who betrayed him.The Rage of Dragons launches a stunning and powerful debut epic fantasy series that readers are already calling "the best fantasy book in years."The BurningThe Rage of Dragons
The Black Prism
by Brent Weeks
In a world where magic is tightly controlled, the most powerful man in history must choose between his kingdom and his son in the first book in the epic NYT bestselling Lightbringer series.Guile is the Prism. He is high priest and emperor, a man whose power, wit, and charm are all that preserves a tenuous peace. Yet Prisms never last, and Guile knows exactly how long he has left to live.When Guile discovers he has a son, born in a far kingdom after the war that put him in power, he must decide how much he's willing to pay to protect a secret that could tear his world apart.If you loved the action and adventure of the Night Angel trilogy, you will devour this incredible epic fantasy series by Brent Weeks. LightbringerThe Black PrismThe Blinding KnifeThe Broken EyeThe Blood MirrorThe Burning WhiteFor more from Brent Weeks, check out:Night AngelThe Way of ShadowsShadow's EdgeBeyond the ShadowsPerfect Shadow: A Night Angel Novella Night Angel: The Complete Trilogy (omnibus)The Way of Shadows: The Graphic Novel