Cover of The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien

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Books Like “The Fellowship of the Ring” by J.R.R. Tolkien

If you fell in love with The Fellowship of the Ring for its sweeping world-building, perilous quests, and enduring bonds of friendship, you are in good company. High fantasy offers countless legendary journeys where unlikely heroes rise against gathering darkness. Dive in to discover your next great epic adventure.

  1. Cover of The Eye of the World by Robert Jordan

    Cover not available

    The Eye of the World

    by Robert Jordan

    The Wheel of Time is now an original series on Prime Video, starring Rosamund Pike as Moiraine!

    The Eye of the World, the first novel in Robert Jordan's #1 New York Times bestselling epic fantasy series, The Wheel of Time®, follows Moiraine Damodred as she arrives in Emond's Field on a quest to find the one prophesized to stand against The Dark One.

    The Wheel of Time turns and Ages come and pass, leaving memories that become legend. Legend fades to myth, and even myth is long forgotten when the Age that gave it birth returns again. What was, what will be, and what is, may yet fall under the Shadow.

    When a vicious band of half-men, half beasts invade the Two Rivers seeking their master’s enemy, Moiraine persuades Rand al’Thor and his friends to leave their home and enter a larger unimaginable world filled with dangers waiting in the shadows and in the light.

    Since its debut in 1990, The Wheel of Time® has captivated millions of readers around the globe with its scope, originality, and compelling characters. The last six books in series were all instant #1 New York Times bestsellers, and The Eye of the World was named one of America's best-loved novels by PBS's The Great American Read.

    The Wheel of Time®
    New Spring: The Novel
    #1 The Eye of the World
    #2 The Great Hunt
    #3 The Dragon Reborn
    #4 The Shadow Rising
    #5 The Fires of Heaven
    #6 Lord of Chaos
    #7 A Crown of Swords
    #8 The Path of Daggers
    #9 Winter's Heart
    #10 Crossroads of Twilight
    #11 Knife of Dreams

    By Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson
    #12 The Gathering Storm
    #13 Towers of Midnight
    #14 A Memory of Light

    By Robert Jordan and Teresa Patterson
    The World of Robert Jordan's The Wheel of Time

    By Robert Jordan, Harriet McDougal, Alan Romanczuk, and Maria Simons
    The Wheel of Time Companion

    By Robert Jordan and Amy Romanczuk
    Patterns of the Wheel: Coloring Art Based on Robert Jordan's The Wheel of Time

    At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.

    Why it's similar

    Both novels follow sheltered villagers who are forced to flee their quiet, pastoral homes pursued by monstrous servants of an ancient Dark Lord, guided by a wise magic-user and an enigmatic warrior. They share themes of ordinary individuals bearing the weight of a world-spanning quest through a deeply detailed secondary world.

    What's different

    Jordan's narrative places a much heavier emphasis on a rigid, gender-divided magic system and intricate political intrigue, moving at a faster, modern-action pace compared to Tolkien's mythic, elegiac register.

  2. Cover of The Sword of Shannara by Terry Brooks

    Cover not available

    The Sword of Shannara

    by Terry Brooks

    As the last heir of Shannara, Shea must save the humans, gnomes, trolls, dwarfs, and elves of the world from the Warlock Lord by reclaiming the wondrous sword.

    Why it's similar

    Both stories center on a diverse fellowship featuring elves, men, and dwarves embarking on a perilous wilderness journey to defeat an ancient, brooding evil. Each utilizes the archetype of a reluctant, unassuming protagonist tasked with wielding a legendary artifact of power.

    What's different

    The setting is revealed to be a far-future post-apocalyptic Earth rather than a purely mythological realm, and the prose is more straightforward and adventure-focused than Tolkien's richly descriptive, linguistic-heavy style.

  3. Cover of The Dragonbone Chair by Tad Williams

    Cover not available

    The Dragonbone Chair

    by Tad Williams

    “One of my favorite fantasy series.” —George R. R. Martin
    “Groundbreaking.” —Patrick Rothfuss
    “One of the great fantasy epics of all time.” —Christopher Paolini

    New York Times-bestselling Tad Williams’ landmark epic fantasy saga of Osten Ard begins an exciting new cycle with THE WITCHWOOD CROWN, on sale now!

    With The Dragonbone Chair, Tad Williams introduced readers to the incredible fantasy world of Osten Ard. His beloved, internationally bestselling series Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn inspired a generation of modern fantasy writers, including George R.R. Martin, Patrick Rothfuss, and Christopher Paolini, and defined Tad Williams as one of the most important fantasy writers of our time.

    This edition features a brand-new introduction from Tad Williams' editor as well as the original introduction from Williams himself!

    BOOK ONE: THE DRAGONBONE CHAIR

    A war fueled by the powers of dark sorcery is about to engulf the peaceful land of Osten Ard—for Prester John, the High King, lies dying. And with his death, the Storm King, the undead ruler of the elf-like Sithi, seizes the chance to regain his lost realm through a pact with the newly ascended king. Knowing the consequences of this bargain, the king’s younger brother joins with a small, scattered group of scholars, the League of the Scroll, to confront the true danger threatening Osten Ard.

    Simon, a kitchen boy from the royal castle unknowingly apprenticed to a member of this League, will be sent on a quest that offers the only hope of salvation, a deadly riddle concerning long-lost swords of power. Compelled by fate and perilous magics, he must leave the only home he’s ever known and face enemies more terrifying than Osten Ard has ever seen, even as the land itself begins to die.

    After the landmark Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn trilogy, the epic saga of Osten Ard continues with the brand-new novel, The Heart of What Was Lost. Then don’t miss the upcoming trilogy, The Last King of Osten Ard, beginning with The Witchwood Crown!

    Praise for Osten Ard:

    “Inspired me to write my own seven-book trilogy.... It’s one of my favorite fantasy series.”
    —George R. R. Martin, New York Times-bestselling author of A Game of Thrones

    “Groundbreaking...changed how people thought of the genre, and paved the way for so much modern fantasy. Including mine.”
    —Patrick Rothfuss, New York Times-bestselling author of The Name of the Wind

    "Tad Williams is a master storyteller, and the Osten Ard books are his masterpiece." —Brandon Sanderson, New York Times-bestselling author of Mistborn

    “Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn is one of the great fantasy epics of all time.”
    —Christopher Paolini, New York Times-bestselling author of Eragon

    Why it's similar

    Both works explore the resurgence of an ancient, seemingly forgotten supernatural evil and feature an unassuming, low-born youth swept into an epic, continent-spanning quest. They share a slow, immersive narrative build and a richly textured history woven through songs and folklore.

    What's different

    Williams focuses more extensively on court politics, complex psychological trauma, and moral ambiguity, presenting a grittier and more melancholic deconstruction of traditional heroic romance.

  4. Cover of A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K. Le Guin

    Cover not available

    A Wizard of Earthsea

    by Ursula K. Le Guin

    Originally published in 1968, Ursula K. Le Guin'sA Wizard of Earthsea marks the first of the six now beloved Earthsea titles. Ged was the greatest sorcerer in Earthsea, but in his youth he was the reckless Sparrowhawk. In his hunger for power and knowledge, he tampered with long-held secrets and loosed a terrible shadow upon the world. This is the tumultuous tale of his testing, how he mastered the mighty words of power, tamed an ancient dragon, and crossed death's threshold to restore the balance.

    Why it's similar

    Both novels are high fantasy quests set in carefully built secondary worlds, using mythic tone and archetypal magic to explore coming of age, responsibility, and the struggle against encroaching shadow.

    What's different

    Earthsea is more introspective and tightly focused on Ged’s personal growth and inner darkness, with a leaner narrative and less ensemble fellowship camaraderie than The Fellowship of the Ring.

  5. Cover of Lord Foul's Bane by Stephen R. Donaldson

    Cover not available

    Lord Foul's Bane

    by Stephen R. Donaldson

    “Covenant is [Stephen R.] Donaldson's genius!”—The Village Voice

    He called himself Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever, because he dared not believe in this strange alternate world on which he suddenly found himself.

    Yet the Land tempted him. He had been sick; now he seemed better than ever before. Through no fault of his own, he had been outcast, unclean, a pariah. Now he was regarded as a reincarnation of the Land's greatest hero—Berek Halfhand—armed with the mystic power of White Gold. That power alone could protect the Lords of the Land from the ancient evil of the Despiser, Lord Foul. Except that Covenant had no idea how to use that power. . . .

    Why it's similar

    Both are epic fantasies centered on a threatened magical land, a reluctant outsider protagonist, and a long journey through diverse regions to confront an ancient, malevolent power.

    What's different

    The tone is much darker and more psychologically challenging, with a morally ambiguous protagonist and frequent questioning of heroism, making the reading experience more disturbing than Tolkien’s more straightforward nobility.

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