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Quick answer: If you finished the Realm of the Elderlings, try The Name of the Wind, The Dragonbone Chair, Tigana, The Curse of Chalion, The Deed of Paksenarrion and The Wizard of Earthsea. They offer deep character writing, slow-burning plots and worlds with a real sense of history.
Robin Hobb's sixteen books, from Assassin's Apprentice to Assassin's Fate, are famous for Fitz, a royal bastard and assassin, and for characters who are hurt, change and grow over decades. Readers who finish them often feel a hole. These 15 books share that emotional depth, with more Hobb and other epic fantasy that values character over action.
Table of Contents
Quick Picks at a Glance
| Book | Author | Ages | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ship of Magic | Robin Hobb | Adult | more Hobb |
| Dragon Keeper | Robin Hobb | Adult | series readers |
| Shaman's Crossing | Robin Hobb | Adult | readers who want a different Hobb world |
| The Name of the Wind | Patrick Rothfuss | Adult | readers who want rich prose |
| The Dragonbone Chair | Tad Williams | Adult | patient epic readers |
| Tigana | Guy Gavriel Kay | Adult | readers who like emotional fantasy |
| The Curse of Chalion | Lois McMaster Bujold | Adult | readers who like flawed heroes |
| The Deed of Paksenarrion | Elizabeth Moon | Adult | readers who like military fantasy |
| Magician | Raymond E. Feist | Adult | readers who want a classic |
| The Riddle-Master of Hed | Patricia A. McKillip | Adult | readers who want poetic fantasy |
| A Wizard of Earthsea | Ursula K. Le Guin | All ages | readers who prefer shorter books |
| The Blade Itself | Joe Abercrombie | Adult | readers who like grim stories |
| Magic's Pawn | Mercedes Lackey | Adult | readers who want emotional intensity |
| Pawn of Prophecy | David Eddings | Adult | readers who want a lighter epic |
| Mistborn: The Final Empire | Brandon Sanderson | Adult | readers who want a faster pace |
1. Ship of Magic by Robin Hobb
The first Liveship Traders book follows pirates, traders and sentient ships in the same world. A good alternative start for new Hobb fans.
Best for: more Hobb.
2. Dragon Keeper by Robin Hobb
The first of the Rain Wild Chronicles follows crippled dragons and the young people who escort them. Connects to the earlier series.
Best for: series readers.
3. Shaman's Crossing by Robin Hobb
A new series set in a different world, about a young nobleman training as a soldier. Not as celebrated, but full of Hobb's skill.
Best for: readers who want a different Hobb world.
4. The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss
Kvothe tells his story, from orphan to University student. Lyrical, long and unfinished.
Best for: readers who want rich prose.
5. The Dragonbone Chair by Tad Williams
Simon, a kitchen boy, finds himself in a war for a kingdom. Slow, rich and important to the genre.
Best for: patient epic readers.
6. Tigana by Guy Gavriel Kay
A group of rebels tries to free a land from a sorcerer who erased its name. Beautiful, tragic and moving.
Best for: readers who like emotional fantasy.
7. The Curse of Chalion by Lois McMaster Bujold
Cazaril, a broken soldier, is hired as a tutor to a princess and is entangled in a curse. Warm, funny and deep.
Best for: readers who like flawed heroes.
8. The Deed of Paksenarrion by Elizabeth Moon
Paks leaves her village to become a soldier and faces trials in body and soul. Grounded and realistic.
Best for: readers who like military fantasy.
9. Magician by Raymond E. Feist
Pug, a boy at a castle, becomes a powerful magician as two worlds fight. A classic of epic fantasy.
Best for: readers who want a classic.
10. The Riddle-Master of Hed by Patricia A. McKillip
Morgon, a prince with three stars on his brow, seeks the truth about himself. Lyrical and unique.
Best for: readers who want poetic fantasy.
11. A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K. Le Guin
Ged, a talented young wizard, unleashes a shadow. A short and wise classic.
Best for: readers who prefer shorter books.
12. The Blade Itself by Joe Abercrombie
Logen, Glokta and Jezal are pulled into a conflict that tests them. Dark, funny and bloody.
Best for: readers who like grim stories.
13. Magic's Pawn by Mercedes Lackey
Vanyel, a gifted young man, finds himself trained as a Herald-Mage. The first of a trilogy with a pioneering gay hero.
Best for: readers who want emotional intensity.
14. Pawn of Prophecy by David Eddings
Garion, a farm boy, is drawn into a quest for a stolen orb. A gentle, humorous start to a long saga.
Best for: readers who want a lighter epic.
15. Mistborn: The Final Empire by Brandon Sanderson
Vin, a thief, joins a crew plotting to overthrow an immortal ruler. A strong magic system and a satisfying plot.
Best for: readers who want a faster pace.
How to Choose
If you want more Hobb, begin with Ship of Magic, then Dragon Keeper. For beautiful prose, try The Name of the Wind or Tigana. For tender character studies, pick The Curse of Chalion. For classic epics, read Magician or The Dragonbone Chair. For shorter reads, choose A Wizard of Earthsea. Be aware that Hobb's books are emotionally heavy, and many of these titles are too.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What order do the Elderlings books go in?
Read the Farseer trilogy, Liveship Traders, Tawny Man, Rain Wild Chronicles and Fitz and the Fool in that order, though Liveship and Rain Wild can be read earlier or later.
Which Hobb book should I start with?
Most readers start with Assassin's Apprentice, the first Farseer book.
Is Hobb's work for adults?
Yes. It contains violence, abuse and mature themes.
Is there a series like it?
Tigana and The Curse of Chalion are the closest in emotional depth.