There are few sorrows quite so acute as finishing the final page of a beloved tale. If you have journeyed alongside Rand al’Thor through fourteen volumes of The Wheel of Time, you know this particular ache intimately—that wistful longing for just one more chapter in a world that has become as familiar as your own sitting room.
But take heart, dear reader! For the realm of epic fantasy is vast and wondrous, filled with other worlds equally deserving of your devotion. Allow me to guide you through the most magnificent adventures that await those who loved Jordan’s masterwork.
The Stormlight Archive by Brandon Sanderson
Who better to recommend than the very author who carried Jordan’s torch to its glorious conclusion? Brandon Sanderson’s own magnum opus unfolds upon Roshar, a world of stone and storms where tempests of terrible power have shaped civilization itself.
Here you shall meet Kaladin, once a soldier of promise, now a bridgeman in chains—yet destiny has other plans for him entirely. You shall encounter Dalinar, a highprince haunted by visions that may be madness or prophecy. And you shall discover Shallan, a scholar with secrets as deep as the chasms she studies.
The magic here—drawn from the very storms themselves—is as meticulously crafted as anything Jordan ever conceived. Four volumes stand ready, with six more promised.
Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson
Before Sanderson proved himself worthy to complete Jordan’s legacy, he first demonstrated his gifts with this remarkable trilogy. In a world where ash falls from the sky and the immortal Lord Ruler has reigned for a thousand years, a street urchin named Vin discovers she possesses extraordinary powers.
The magic of Allomancy—swallowing metals to gain abilities—is wonderfully clever, and the tale itself blends the excitement of a heist with the grandeur of epic fantasy. Vin’s transformation from frightened thief to powerful Mistborn shall capture your heart entirely.
Malazan Book of the Fallen by Steven Erikson
For those who found Jordan’s scope ambitious, Steven Erikson offers something even grander. Ten volumes spanning continents and centuries, featuring gods who meddle, empires that crumble, and soldiers who endure. The Malazan world was born from tabletop gaming, and it shows in its glorious complexity.
Sergeant Whiskeyjack and his Bridgeburners, the enigmatic Anomander Rake, assassins and mages and undead warriors—all play their parts in a tapestry so intricate it rewards multiple readings. This is not fantasy for the faint of heart, but for the devoted, it offers riches beyond measure.
Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn by Tad Williams
If Jordan’s work was influenced by any predecessor, this trilogy stands foremost among them. Young Simon begins as a kitchen scullion in the great castle Hayholt, dreaming of adventure while scrubbing pots. When darkness claims the kingdom, he finds himself thrust into a quest for three legendary swords.
George R.R. Martin himself credits Williams as a primary influence, and reading these books, one understands why. The world of Osten Ard feels lived-in and real, its magic mysterious yet consistent, its coming-of-age story as timeless as any fairy tale.
The Farseer Trilogy by Robin Hobb
Robin Hobb offers something rather different—an intimate, character-driven journey told through the eyes of one remarkable young man. FitzChivalry Farseer is a royal bastard trained as an assassin, gifted with two forms of forbidden magic, and burdened with a loyalty that may destroy him.
Where Jordan painted with a vast brush, Hobb works in exquisite detail. Her prose is achingly beautiful, her characters breathe and bleed upon the page. Fitz’s story continues through fifteen books in total, offering years of devoted reading.
The Shadow of What Was Lost by James Islington
James Islington wrote this trilogy as a deliberate love letter to Jordan’s work, and the admiration shows handsomely. In a world where magic-wielders have been defeated and bound by strict tenets, young Davian discovers he possesses the forbidden powers of the fallen Augurs.
The sprawling narrative, the richly textured world, the complex magic system—all echo Jordan’s approach while charting Islington’s own distinctive path. This is comfort food for Wheel of Time devotees.
The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon
Here is a standalone epic that proves one needn’t commit to dozens of volumes to find satisfaction. Samantha Shannon weaves together four perspectives across a world divided over the nature of dragons—some worship them as gods, others condemn them as demons.
Queen Sabran rules a matriarchal realm while a secret sisterhood protects her from an ancient evil stirring in the depths. At over eight hundred pages, this single volume offers the scope of lesser trilogies.
The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang
Rin is a war orphan who escapes an arranged marriage by acing an impossible examination, earning entry to the empire’s most prestigious military academy. There she discovers shamanic powers connected to the gods themselves—powers that may save her people or doom them utterly.
Drawing inspiration from Chinese history rather than European medievalism, R.F. Kuang offers a fresh perspective on epic fantasy while delivering all the magic, warfare, and world-shaking consequences that Jordan’s readers crave.
The Rage of Dragons by Evan Winter
Evan Winter has spoken of reading Jordan as a young man, and that influence burns brightly in his African-inspired epic. Young Tau lives in a society where women can summon dragons and men can transform into supernatural warriors—yet he possesses neither gift.
When tragedy strikes, Tau dedicates himself utterly to a single purpose: becoming the greatest swordsman who ever lived. The training sequences are exhilarating, the world-building fresh and vivid, the revenge tale absolutely compelling.
The Belgariad by David Eddings
For those who love the “chosen one” aspects of Jordan’s work, David Eddings offers a foundational saga. Young Garion grows up on a simple farm, unaware that he is destined to face an evil god in a confrontation that will determine the fate of all existence.
The prose is more accessible than some entries on this list, making it perfect for younger readers or those seeking lighter fare. Yet the adventure satisfies, the companions charm, and the journey remains memorable decades after publication.
The Broken Earth Trilogy by N.K. Jemisin
N.K. Jemisin made history by winning the Hugo Award for each volume of this trilogy—an unprecedented achievement. Her world, the Stillness, is wracked by catastrophic seismic events, and those born with the power to control earthquakes are feared, enslaved, and murdered.
The prose is extraordinary, written partially in second person, and the themes of oppression and resilience resonate profoundly. This is fantasy that challenges as much as it entertains.
The Dark Tower by Stephen King
Stephen King’s sprawling series defies easy categorization, blending fantasy, horror, Western, and science fiction into something entirely unique. Roland Deschain, the last gunslinger, pursues the Man in Black across a desert that may exist between worlds.
Seven main volumes and one companion await those brave enough to begin this peculiar journey toward the Tower that stands at the center of all things. Like Jordan’s work, it rewards patient readers with an experience unlike any other.
Your Next Great Adventure Awaits
The wheel of time turns, as Robert Jordan reminded us, and ages come and pass. But the joy of losing oneself in a richly imagined world—that remains constant. Whether you choose the intricate magic of Sanderson, the grand scope of Erikson, or the intimate character work of Hobb, adventure awaits.
Each of these authors has built something magnificent, and each offers that same precious gift Jordan gave us: a world worth visiting again and again, characters worth caring for, and stories that remind us why we fell in love with fantasy in the first place.
Happy reading, dear traveler. May you find what you seek.
