Editorial selection · not a reader-score ranking

Ten first volumes of fantasy series

Start a new world at its beginning. Ten opening volumes, from court intrigue to large-scale magical conflict.

How this selection was made

Every choice opens its respective series, with no omnibuses or later main volumes. These are not all short or easy starting points; intensity and sequel counts vary.

#1
First published 2001
Mistborn
Brandon Sanderson
Insufficient ratings
Vin and a rebellion against an immortal ruler open the first Mistborn trilogy and its metal-based magic.
Source and selection
The source note supports this story premise; this is an editorial choice.
Bibliographic source
#2
First published 2007
The Name of the Wind
Patrick Rothfuss
Insufficient ratings
Kvothe’s account of his youth and magical education forms day one of the Kingkiller Chronicle.
Source and selection
Editorial choice for worldbuilding, perspective or speculative ideas.
Bibliographic source
#3
First published 2010
The Way of Kings
Brandon Sanderson
Insufficient ratings
Kaladin’s and Shallan’s stories open the Stormlight Archive in a world shaped by storms.
Source and selection
Editorial choice for worldbuilding, perspective or speculative ideas.
Bibliographic source
#4
First published 2017
The City of Brass
Shannon A. Chakraborty
Insufficient ratings
Nahri’s encounter with a djinn leads to Daevabad, opening a trilogy of magic and political division.
Source and selection
The source note supports this story premise; this is an editorial choice.
Bibliographic source
#5
First published 2019
Ninth House
Leigh Bardugo
Insufficient ratings
Alex Stern’s assignment involving Yale’s secret societies opens a dark fantasy series in a recognisable setting.
Source and selection
The source note supports this story premise; this is an editorial choice.
Bibliographic source
#6
First published 2018
The Cruel Prince
Holly Black
Insufficient ratings
Jude’s struggle for a place at the faerie court opens the Folk of the Air series with intrigue and human vulnerability.
Source and selection
The source note supports this story premise; this is an editorial choice.
Bibliographic source
#7
First published 2000
Caraval
Stephanie Garber
3–4 raters
Scarlett’s participation in Caraval introduces the game, the sisters and uncertainty about what is real.
Source and selection
The source note supports this story premise; this is an editorial choice.
Bibliographic source
#8
First published 2017
Bear and the Nightingale
Katherine Arden
Insufficient ratings
Vasya’s childhood on the edge of the Russian wilderness begins the Winternight trilogy.
Source and selection
The source note supports this story premise; this is an editorial choice.
Bibliographic source
#9
First published 2013
A Court of Thorns and Roses
Sarah J. Maas
Insufficient ratings
Feyre’s first stay in the faerie realm begins the series rather than entering it through a sequel.
Source and selection
The source note supports this story premise; this is an editorial choice.
Bibliographic source
#10
First published 2023
Fourth Wing
Rebecca Yarros
3–4 raters
Violet’s first year among dragon riders opens the Empyrean series through a concrete training programme and its conflicts.
Source and selection
The source note supports this story premise; this is an editorial choice.
Bibliographic source