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Quick answer: If you love Robin Hobb, read Assassin's Apprentice and the Liveship Traders, then Ursula Le Guin's A Wizard of Earthsea, George R.R. Martin, Patrick Rothfuss and Joe Abercrombie. All are character-driven epic fantasies with deep worlds and emotional stakes.
Robin Hobb is an American author whose Realm of the Elderlings begins with Assassin's Apprentice, following the royal bastard FitzChivalry Farseer as he trains to become an assassin. Her books are slow, deep and heartbreaking. The books below offer similar epic fantasy with rich characters.
Table of Contents
Quick Picks at a Glance
| Book | Author | Ages | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assassin's Apprentice | Robin Hobb | Adult | readers who like character focus |
| 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 |
| A Wizard of Earthsea | Ursula K. Le Guin | Ages 11+ | Earthsea start |
| A Game of Thrones | George R.R. Martin | Adult | readers who like big casts |
| The Name of the Wind | Patrick Rothfuss | Adult | readers who like prose |
| The Blade Itself | Joe Abercrombie | Adult | gritty humour |
| The Eye of the World | Robert Jordan | Adult | long journeys |
| The Fellowship of the Ring | J.R.R. Tolkien | Teen and adult | fantasy roots |
| The Way of Kings | Brandon Sanderson | Adult | series starters |
| Mistborn: The Final Empire | Brandon Sanderson | Adult | readers who like heists |
| The Lies of Locke Lamora | Scott Lynch | Adult | clever heists |
| The Bear and the Nightingale | Katherine Arden | Adult | folklore fans |
| The Priory of the Orange Tree | Samantha Shannon | Adult | standalone epic |
1. Assassin's Apprentice by Robin Hobb
Fitz, a royal bastard, is trained as an assassin. Emotional and rich.
Best for: readers who like character focus.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K. Le Guin
A young wizard unleashes a shadow he must face. Short, calm and wise.
Best for: Earthsea start.
6. A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin
Noble families fight over the Iron Throne. Violent and political.
Best for: readers who like big casts.
7. The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss
Kvothe tells his story, from orphan to University student. Lyrical and long.
Best for: readers who like prose.
8. The Blade Itself by Joe Abercrombie
A barbarian, a torturer and a vain officer are drawn into a conflict. Dark and funny.
Best for: gritty humour.
9. The Eye of the World by Robert Jordan
Rand al'Thor leaves his village in a vast, long-running quest. The model for modern epic fantasy.
Best for: long journeys.
10. The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien
A hobbit leaves the Shire with the One Ring. The foundation of modern fantasy.
Best for: fantasy roots.
11. The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson
The first Stormlight Archive book introduces Kaladin, Shallan and Dalinar. Start here if you haven't read the earlier books.
Best for: series starters.
12. Mistborn: The Final Empire by Brandon Sanderson
Vin and her crew plan to overthrow a god-emperor. A tight plot and clever system.
Best for: readers who like heists.
13. The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch
A group of thieves in a fantasy city run elaborate cons. Witty and fast.
Best for: clever heists.
14. The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden
A girl in medieval Russia sees household spirits and defends her village. Atmospheric.
Best for: folklore fans.
15. The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon
A huge standalone epic about queens, dragons and a hidden war. Rich in worlds and characters.
Best for: standalone epic.
How to Choose
For more Hobb begin with Assassin's Apprentice, Ship of Magic or Dragon Keeper. For classic epic fantasy choose The Fellowship of the Ring or A Wizard of Earthsea. For grit pick A Game of Thrones or The Blade Itself. For modern epics read The Way of Kings or The Name of the Wind. Hobb's novels are slow burns, so these picks suit patient readers. Hobb also writes as Megan Lindholm. The Realm of the Elderlings series has multiple trilogies and is best read in publication order.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Robin Hobb?
An American fantasy author, also published as Megan Lindholm.
Where should I start?
With Assassin's Apprentice.
How many books are in Realm of the Elderlings?
Sixteen novels. Check current listings.
Is it dark?
It is emotional and sometimes brutal.
Should I read in order?
Yes.
Is Farseer a good first epic fantasy?
Yes, many readers start here.
Are the audiobooks good?
Yes, narrated by Paul Boehmer. Check current listings.
What should I read next?
Try Ship of Magic or A Wizard of Earthsea.
Which book here is best for readers who want a different Hobb world?
Try Shaman's Crossing by Robin Hobb, which suits readers looking for readers who want a different Hobb world.