Merphy: "My number one series is no surprise to anyone at all." Me: *Grabs my copy of TLOLL* Merphy: "The chronicles of Narnia" ... I have never felt more confused and betrayed and relieved in 2 seconds.

"About half of my favorite magic systems aren't on my favorite series list. That's interesting." And that, my fellow writers, is the perfect example of how your best magic system does not necessarily make the best book ever.

"Listen, just let people like things." -Merphy Napier

Merphy: "And I'm non-confrontational so i didn't fight back." Same, Merphy, same

People who skipped to the end immediately will be getting very confused.

I mean by that logic any classic ever can be written off as "not being suitable to modern readers." There is a reason LOTR was and still is one of the most popular books of all time, and it's because it is great.

"But I'm nonconfrontational, so I didn't send them back!" I felt that in my soul.

The best part of the video was when Merphy said: "I am not a mega fan of WOT like some people" * and inserts daniel's photo*😂🤩

I read an article about mental health rep in The Stormlight Archive and I saw the best pitch for the series that anyone has ever come up with, in my opinion: "Broken people save the world."

Murphy: My number one pick should be a surprise to no one... Me: Oh I know this, The Gentleman Bas-- Murphy: The Chronicles of Narnia Me: Wait, what the hell? Murphy: Just kidding it's The Gentleman Bastards >< You really me going for 0.5 seconds there!

Merphy: "My number one series is no surprise to anyone" Me: Gentleman's bastards Merphy: "Chronicles of Narnia" Me: *heart attack* Merphy: sike Me: phew

That tiny, blurry Iroh Pop in the shelf behind Merphy makes me so happy. He's just sitting there, drinking his tea, watching over Merphy, as Iroh would do.

I actually agree regarding Sanderson's prose. The expressions he chooses to use can get very repetitive. But then again, he is an amazing story-teller and I appreciate the straightforward writing style, at the same time.

When Merphy almost dropped her Lord of the Rings books lol

Who else keeps watching booktube vids and buying the recommended books instead of actually reading them?! Please tell me I'm not alone 😅

I had no idea liking LoTR was something people weren’t allowed to do anymore, my mom read that to us as children and it’s one of my favorite memories. The lord of the rings is amazing

When you picked up Chronicles of Narnia instead of the Gentleman bastards I was literally shocked for a second. I was like, " Wait, do I not know Merphy at all?" Hahaha

Anyone else a long time subby that remembers the days when merph didn’t read Fantasy? (So glad she discovered her love for it!!)

I had a hard time reading The Fellowship of the Ring the first time, but the moment I clicked with the writing style, I really fell in love not only with the book and the whole trilogy but the writing style itself. It gives a unique charm. I think the whole LotR is such a brilliant masterpiece. Everything about it is just beautiful for me.

THE SCOURING OF THE SHIRE IS THEMATICALLY NECESSARY YES THANK YOU!!

"I take real-life situations and think about Death Note." Police? Yes, that woman right there.

My favorite books will always be The Lord of the Rings. But can you imagine how epic the Stormlight Archive will be once the whole 10 books are finished??

I'm with you on Return of the King ! It's a rare things in both book and movies to see the results of the climax, to see the world's "new status quo" establishing itself and get an idea of the character's fate after the main events :) It can be extremely satisfying especially when the events brought a lot of change to the world

"And I'm nonconfrontational, so I didn't send them back" Oh, I truly feel that, Merphy.

I love how dramatic you gesture with the LOTR books in your hands as you preach it gurl! 🧡 will put storm light series on my list. Thanks!

Round of applause for "Listen, just let people like things okay" (and round of applause for the editing close up too - I assume Korey?)

That little picture of Daniel during the wheel of time had me wheezin lol

It would be funny if Rothfuss started the third book with Kvothe realizing he’s going to need a fourth day to finish the story 😅

Throwback to when Mistborn was like number one on this list! Before Merphy read all those other series

I've just started watching but this list is absolutely legendary! The Stormlight Archive hit me so hard it made me create this KZfaq channel just to gush about it! I loved hearing your thoughts on The First Law Trilogy as well, I'm planning to get onto that after my long journey through the Cosmere. Thanks for the great content as always Merphy :)

So glad you included Lord of the Rings. Elitist can hate all they want. It started it all and it definitely holds up. I agree with every single thing you said about it.

She does the #1 first to let us know instead of starting at #10 to keep us watching. Truly a woman of the people

Merphy- "If you aren't going to watch the video, I wan't you to take awa the best books." You don't need to tell what is your fav. LITERALLY EVERYBODY KNOWS! Btw, just read Lies Of Locke Lamora and it's absolutely great

Whilst doing my makeup and hair for the day, I always watch your videos. The part where you said my favourite "chronicles of Narnia" no lie, lip stick went down my face and past my chin and had to do a double take 😂😂😂

When you went on the LotR "rant" - I felt that. Not necessarily with those books (really need to reread them) but MAN, the passion! That's why you are my favourite booktuber! I love you ☺️

Merphy - Puts Harry Potter at 9th number Potterheads- *There is something Siriusly Ron with you*

I feel like the only one here that's sad that she did the Chronicles of Narnia dirty like that. Edit: Okay Merphy, I forgive you after that LOTR gush/throwing shade at haters who think it's not "modern enough".

I am currently reading Lord of the Rings at the moment, and I thought I'd have a harder time with Tolkien's writing, but I'm enjoying it so far.

Subscribed at “Just kidding...it’s the Gentleman Bastards.” 😂

So glad that Death Note made this list! It’s one of my absolute favorites! I literally had the mystery genre ruined for me because Death Note was the first mystery I read and it is so well executed. I just know that no other mystery series can ever satisfy me the way Death Note can. It is a work of genius.

Some of my favorite fantasy series (besides all things Tolkien): Earthsea by Ursula K. Le Guin Thomas Covenant Chronicles by Stephen R. Donaldson Memory, Sorrow, Thorn by Tad Williams Avaryan Rising by Judith Tarr A Song of Ice and Fire by George R. R. Martin Dragon Prince and Dragon Star Trilogies by Melanie Rawn

I loved the Silmarillion too. I really think these books hold up. It’s really a matter of language. If you can appreciate the language, which just takes time to absorb, it truly is amazing. There is something you get from reading a book you don’t get other forms of consumable media that is just amazing here. It really sparks the imagination. It’s a feeling unique to reading. And I love it. And Tolkien did it best.

You got me to read the gentleman bastards and even if they are not my favorite fantasy books I want to thank you for such a good recommendation!

You inspired me to read Lord of The Rings :) I’m a 24 year old book worm and have begun to dive into so many more genres and literature. I stayed away from LOTR because of the hype but...there’s gotta be a reason for the hype right? I’m a fantasy fiend and live for it so ...I’m excited! Love your vids!

Hmm, compiling a top 10 would take a long, long time, but some absolute favourites that have not been mentioned are: - Farseer Trilogy by Robin Hobb - First 3 books in the Drenai Saga (Legend, The King Beyond the Gate, Waylander) by David Gemmell - Earthsea Trilogy by Ursula le Guin - The Song of the Shattered Sands by Bradley Beaulieu - Memory Sorrow and Thorn by Tad Williams - The Warlord Chronicles by Bernard Cornwall (Arthurian myth trilogy ) I'm sure I'm forgetting lots of others.

I just started The Lies of Locke Lamora yesterday (and by “started” I mean I read the 30pg prologue) and I can already tell it’s going to be a favorite!

great list. I laughed really hard at that Daniel Greene insert when talking about TWOT

Merphy’s persistent praise for the Gentlemen Bastards series finally convinced me to order Lies of Locke Lamora. I’ll be starting it tomorrow! Also, 7:30. 😂

oh Merphy rubbing in that you got The Fires of Vengeance early and making us jealous 😭😭

I still love Lord of the Rings, even though as an adult I quibble over the constant need for monarchies as an ultimate good in fantasy literature. I really love the effort Christopher Tolkien has put into releasing his father's notes and early drafts of each of his works, as it allows you to follow through how Tolkien rewrote and thought his way through the world he created.

Merphy, the fact that you read The Silmarillion, and liked it... That is awesome!!! It can be hard, and it should not be read as other normal stories, it is very dense... but OH MAN, it adds so much to Tolkien's world... I loved it.

Totally agree with you on Lord of the Rings. At the end of the day it’s a story about an epic journey and somehow Tolkien makes you feel like you’re on an epic journey too and then you get to recover and say goodbye at the end.

Death Note? Horror? Nah. Psychological thriller or Mystery with heavy supernatural element. that's it. So modern day real-life setting with fantasy elements. Borderline fit for the list. ^^

My number 1 fantasy series is definitely One Piece, for essentially the same reasons you gave for liking the wheel of time series. The massive, complex world, & massive cast, & cool magic system, & masterful foreshadowing. I really cannot recommend it enough, my favorite book series of all time. It's rarely discussed on booktube, & I look forward to every fresh perspective I can get on it, so please please consider it for your list. I know it's long, but it's definitely worth it, for the freedom & pirates & adventure! The first 60 or so chapters are fine, but the story doesn't seem too special, & then it hits a tipping point, & I promise you'll be hooked forever. Each character is impactful, & the world is constantly moving, even or especially when the MCs aren't around. Each island has a full culture right at its core, so that it all makes sense even under scrutiny. The devil fruit magic system is so simple, yet so insanely creative. Don't watch the anime... it's... it's not... Please don't watch the anime, they ruined the pacing, & it still hurts me. Read the manga, it's so so so good.

Top5 for me is something like this: 1 - The Cosmere (Brandon Sanderson) 2 - Realm of the Elderlings (Robin Hobb) 3 - Powder Mage series (Brian McClellan) 4 - First Law (Joe Abercrombie) 5 - Gentlemen Bastards (Scott Lynch)

I know that sounds ridiculous but the German cover of HP1 you just hold up gave me pure nostalgia and made me feel so much better. Love your videos!

9/10. Thats crazy! Mine are almost exactly the same. It makes sense since i am not super well read and pretty much all of what i have read so far has been based on glowing reviews online. Gentleman Bastards is my all time favorite and is what got me back into reading as an adult. I am like most people who grew up with Harry Potter and then dropped reading for a while. The only difference to your list is Deathnote which i haven't read, so i would have to swap that out for The Band series by Nicholas Eames :D

Merphy: "Book two isn't out yet, it will be out in november" while holding up BOOK 2!! Give it to me 👀

I love that my favorite author technically made the list three times! Hahaha Sanderson is just that incredibly amazingly good! I agree about the pros by the way but he really really is just that good.

"Just let people like things." Yes.

I'm in the middle of the Poppy War series, and with the last one coming out in November it's a great time to dive in. I think you'd like it.

I totally agree with you about Frodo, he is amazing in the books!!

When Death Note came I literally screamed. I LOVE Death Note (and Mangas and Animes generally)

Now let me recommend something slightly different: Ascendance of a Bookworm. Yes, I know it’s a Japanese light novel series (and an reincarnation isekai at that), but while its world building might not reach tLotR in the macroscopic range it is extremely detailed in the micro area. I am not generally very fond of stories told in first-person perspective, but in this case, it helps the immersion of the world building since we learn about the world together with the protagonist. The English translation is very good as far as translations go, so if you like a story driven by character interaction with a slow methodic buildup and excellently thought out world than have a look at it.

This video (yet again) shows just how different our fantasy tastes are. Not that it matters, as I love your videos and thoughtful reviews 😁 But it's still really fun to compare, as NONE of your series are on my top 10 list (and it's always great when our tastes actually do align - shout out to Letters to the Lost! 😁) I personally never understood the LOTR craze 🤷‍♀️ I won't explain my reasoning here for why I don't like it, as it would turn into a MASSIVE rant, but I will say that I'm in my second YEAR of forcing myself to read through it and whenever I pick it up, I end up in a bad reading slump, that's how much I dislike it. That being said, I do have an appreciation for it, as it inspired things like D&D and Orzammar in Dragon Age games (and many, many other stories), both of which I love to bits. Anyway, here's my, at the top of my head, top 10 list of fantasy series: 1.One Piece (manga/anime) 2. Naruto (without fillers, ofc; manga/anime) 3. Dragon Age games (Origins for the heart wrenching choices and DA II for the romance) 4. Virovi series (whimsical middle grade fantasy series in my native language) 5. Log Horizon (my favorite isekai anime) 6. Problem Children Are Coming from Another World, Aren`t They? (my 2nd favorite isekai anime; mythology inspired) 7. Amos Daragon series (Canadian middle grade fantasy series with my favorite execution of the elemental magic system; also mythology inspired) 8. Deltora Quest(and other Deltora series) (whimsical Australian middle grade fantasy series; also riddles abound) 9. Samurai of Hyuga (Choice of Games fantasy game series where you play as a samurai) 10. The Legend of Heroes: Trails series (my favorite JRPG series) I would put Greek mythology 100% on the list, but, can it be counted as a series? 😅 As it was my introduction into fantasy and I love it to this day, especially the mythology surrounding the Trojan war. All that tragedy because of the beauty contest?!!

Isn’t it more accurate to discuss someone’s “writing style” rather than their “prose”? Prose is literally defined as “writing that isn’t verse”. So almost everything we read nowadays is prose. When discussing an author’s word choice, sentence structure, descriptiveness, etc it seems like it makes more sense to refer to it as that author’s writing style. I could be wrong but since you’re not comparing an author’s prose to their verse (if you were comparing the two, then it would make sense to say something like “his prose is somewhat bland, but his poetry is beautiful “), but rather commenting on their style, this makes the most sense to me.

On my latest reread of LOTR, the Scouring of the Shire was the single moment of character development clarity four Frodo, Sam, Merry, and Pippin. To see them stand up to Sharkey's thugs showed exactly how much they'd grown. "You don't scare me, I convinced a tree to go to war/hamstrung a lich king/wrestled an acromantula/threw a horcrux into a volcano/stared down a Maiar/saved the world. In comparison, you're small potatoes. We're gonna boil you, mash you, stick you in a stew, and take back our home."

I love how passionately you talk about your favourite books I am 33 years old and I have never been a big reader, I have read very few books in my life partly due to being forced to read boring books in school, and also how computers have taken over everything. This Christmas I got a kindle e reader as a gift and I have already read 3 books and now I feel like this completely new world has just opened up to me. There are so many books and stories I cant wait to explore I just cannot believe how much I have been missing out all this time. Later I might even attempt difficult books like the idiot by Dostojevski which I find really interesting but for the time being I'm sticking with adventurous books with themes of exotic places and great story telling.

Your top 10 and 9 are my top 1 and 2, and your top 1 is one of the few fantasy series I've ever DNF'd....😂 Crazy to see how different people see things differently! Love your videos🧡🧡

The First Law is my favorite series ever. I love everything about Abercrombie's writing, but especially the characters, the writing style, and the humor. And I love his bleak and cynical vision of the world.

Merphy, I never vibed with you more than when you talked about Lord of the Rings.

As a mangreader I was really glad when you talked about "Death Note" ☺ if you love reading manga then I highly recommend you to read the manga I mentioned below :- 1) Berserk 2) Attack on Titan 3) Hell's Paradise 4) Demon Slayer 5) Mashle : Magic and Muscles

I'm from Brazil and I love watch your videos, I don't understand all the things that you say because I'm still learning but congratulations to your beautiful job!!! Edit: when I'm watchig your videos I want read so many books but same of them I can't read because don't have in Brazil, it's sad but I need move on!

I'm so happy that you read Death Note! It really is such an amazing manga/anime :) edit: I'm actually in the small percentage of fans who really loved the second half too

My favorite chapter of Silmarillion is Ainulindale, the creation story (symphony). All through the rest of the book and LotR, I can see the influence of the progression of that music. I read Lord of the Rings in college in the 80's and didn't find it too daunting, albeit I was a determined reader. I even read Phantastes by 19th century writer George McDonald because I was engrossed with the Inklings (ie Tolkien, Lewis, Chesterton, and Charles Williams) for a while, and several of them were inspired by him. But I'm just getting into more modern fantasy, (except Harry Potter which I've read several times, as well as Gaiman) and lists like yours and Dan's are very helpful for that. So thanks if you read this so long after your post. ☺

The Book of Babel! Give this series some love!!!!! Senlin Ascends is so good. Actually all three books are so good, but waiting on the 4th to come out next year!!!!

I deeply appreciate the fact that you start the LotR section by stating that it is in fact one book, published in three volumes. That just made my Tolkien-trash soul sing with joy.

The Rage of Dragons series is called The Burning! :)

My high school journalism teacher loved The Name of the Wind so much that he had the European cover painted as a massive mural on his classroom wall. So I read it and loved it and I thought that Kvothe was SO much like my teacher that I actually started to wonder whether my teacher was the author. He’s not, but honestly the similarities are so crazy and I just adore that series. It’s been a long 10 years waiting for The Doors of Stone.

Great list. I would add Steven Erikson's "The Malazan Book of the Fallen", Nicholas Eames' "The Band", George Martin's "A Song of Ice and Fire", Andrzej Sapkowski's "The Witcher" (although the short stories are in my opinion better than the novels), Neil Gaiman's "American Gods" Universe (it's not a real series, but four interconnected books and novellas) and (maybe for nostalgia) Paul S. Kemp's "The Chronicles of Erevis Cale" (Forgotten Realms).

“The Chronicles of Narnia” Me: ...............................huh “Jk it’s the Gentlemen Bastards series” Me: ahhhh that makes more sense

#1 Magician series by Raymond E Feist #2 LOTR - Tolkien #3 The Belgariad - David Eddings #4 Shanara Series - Terry Brooks #5 Word/Void series - Terry Brooks #6;Night Angel series - Brent Weeks #7;Farseer series - Robin Hobb #8 Icewind Dale series - RA Salvatore #9Cleric Quintet - RA Salvatore #10 Harry Potter- JK Rowling Honorable mention - The Redemption of Athalus - David Eddings. (Stand alone, but a great anti-Hero character). These are mine...so we only have 2 in common. 😄

When you pulled of Rage of Dragons and a SECOND book, I had to immediately look to see what was up with that. I was lucky enough to do an earlish review of Rage of Dragons so I've been pretty excited about reading the sequel. I'm excited that it's on the list.

Favourite series in no particular order, Invisible Library by Genevieve Cogman - Librarians trying to acquire books from different earth's while avoiding the notice of dragons and Fae, the Liaden universe by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller, the five god's series by Lois McMaster Bujold, LOTR, Discworld, Stormlight Archive, the Sixth World by Rebecca Townhouse, Divine Cities and The Founder's series by Robert Jackson Bennett, Robin Hobb Farseer books, Steerswomen by Rosemary Kirstein

That bookshelf makes my eyes water.... with envy. Great taste & insight. I'll have to read a few of the recommendations.

The way Merphy assumes that the third Name of the Wind book will actually come out one day is really cute 😅

So I just finished the first book of the Gentlemen Bastards series because of your recommendation, so thank you! Loved it despite the slow build up, but so worth it to be able to piece everything together. Watching this list of your favorite series and your reasons for them, all I could think was “Have your read the Riyria Revelations series?” and “would it be on your favorites list if you did?” Amazing friendship and an immersive world full of lore. I’m sure I’m not the first to recommend it, but I’m just going to add my voice to theirs.

So glad you commented on Sanderson's prose. Workmanlike is a charitable description, but he's totally worth reading anyway.

I like Harry Potter but I would like it a lot more had JK Rowling not done her absolute best to sour the taste of HP in my mouth

Can't wait for you to start BEST SERVED COLD! I just started A LITTLE HATRED and it's so damn good. Abercrombie just keeps getting better :)

I absolutely agree with all your points about The Kingkiller Chronicles regarding the second book. I absolutely adore The Name of The Wind. It was the book that really helped me fall in love with reading fantasy - or actually reading at all. I just remember getting my kindle and buying it on a friend's recommendation and immersing myself in this incredible universe. I devoured that first book. When it came to the second book it just felt so... unfocused? The analogy I came up with is that it feels like ready someone's playthrough of Skyrim, where the player gets constantly distracted by side missions and random content around. What you said about the author living out his fantasies also rubbed me the wrong way throughout the book. I hope that The Doors of Stone is more akin to The Name of Wind and really brings this story home.

Making a top 10 list is difficult. I respect that you were able to put together one. I think my list would LOOSELY go like this 1. Wheel of Time 2. The Belgariad/Mallorean 3. The Farseer Trilogy 4. Stormlight Archive 5. Mistborn 6. Sword of Truth 7. Tyrants and Kings 8. Song of Ice and Fire 9. The First Law 10. Gentleman Bastard If I were to judge Ender's Game, Dune, or Name of the Wind as standalone novels, they'd be in this list too.

Hey Merphy, We would absolutely love to see you taking us to your book store 😍😍( A Vlog maybe!).. Lots Of Love from India❤🥰

Book Frodo is so underrated

I'm wrapping up with The Hobbit for the first time. You made me super hyped for reading The Lord of the Rings!

I like your jumper, the colours work really well together, the blue stands out. Great video as well, thanks!

You had me there with Narnia! 😂😂😂

I just recently got back into fantasy and this list is awesome. I also recently read Raven's Shadow (Blood Song is #1) and I think more people should check that one out, I absolutely loved it!

I just noticed how dope ur book shelf is. So many cool books back there

I love how expressive you are a kit these books! I haven't heard/seen so much passion in years!