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Quick answer: If you loved The Sword of Truth, try The Eye of the World, A Game of Thrones, The Sword of Shannara, Magician, Pawn of Prophecy and The Dragonbone Chair. They share long quests, wizards and big battles.
Terry Goodkind's Sword of Truth series begins with Wizard's First Rule (1994), in which Richard Rahl and the Confessor Kahlan face the tyrant Darken Rahl. It is a long, epic series of quests and moral lessons. Readers who finish it want more big-scale fantasy. These 15 books deliver epic worlds, long series and heroes with destiny. Many include violence and some contain mature themes.
Table of Contents
Quick Picks at a Glance
| Book | Author | Ages | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wizard's First Rule | Terry Goodkind | Adult | the series opener |
| The Eye of the World | Robert Jordan | Adult | readers who want a long series |
| A Game of Thrones | George R.R. Martin | Adult | readers who want a big saga |
| The Sword of Shannara | Terry Brooks | Adult | readers who like classic quests |
| Magician | Raymond E. Feist | Adult | readers who want a classic |
| Pawn of Prophecy | David Eddings | Adult | readers who want a lighter epic |
| The Dragonbone Chair | Tad Williams | Adult | readers who like detail |
| Dragons of Autumn Twilight | Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman | Adult | Dungeons & Dragons fans |
| The Name of the Wind | Patrick Rothfuss | Adult | readers who like prose |
| The Way of Kings | Brandon Sanderson | Adult | readers who like worldbuilding |
| Mistborn: The Final Empire | Brandon Sanderson | Adult | readers who like clear rules |
| Assassin's Apprentice | Robin Hobb | Adult | readers who like character focus |
| The Blade Itself | Joe Abercrombie | Adult | readers who want grim fantasy |
| The Lord of the Rings | J.R.R. Tolkien | All ages | readers who want the source |
| Eragon | Christopher Paolini | Teen/Adult | readers who like dragons |
1. Wizard's First Rule by Terry Goodkind
The first Sword of Truth book. Richard meets Kahlan and the wizard Zedd. Start here if you are new.
Best for: the series opener.
2. The Eye of the World by Robert Jordan
Rand al'Thor leaves his village as the Dark One's forces rise. The first of The Wheel of Time.
Best for: readers who want a long series.
3. A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin
Noble houses fight for the Iron Throne. Violent and political.
Best for: readers who want a big saga.
4. The Sword of Shannara by Terry Brooks
Shea Ommadon sets out to find a sword to defeat the Warlock Lord. A classic quest in the Tolkien tradition.
Best for: readers who like classic quests.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. The Dragonbone Chair by Tad Williams
Simon, a kitchen boy, is swept into a war over a crown. A slow, rich epic.
Best for: readers who like detail.
8. Dragons of Autumn Twilight by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman
Heroes reunite to fight evil dragons in the Dragonlance setting. A classic of game-based fantasy.
Best for: Dungeons & Dragons fans.
9. 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.
10. The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson
Soldiers, scholars and a prince struggle in a world of storms. Huge in scope.
Best for: readers who like worldbuilding.
11. 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 clear rules.
12. 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.
13. The Blade Itself by Joe Abercrombie
Logen Ninefingers, a torturer and a fop are pulled into a war. Gritty and darkly funny.
Best for: readers who want grim fantasy.
14. The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien
The founding epic of modern fantasy. A quest to destroy the One Ring.
Best for: readers who want the source.
15. Eragon by Christopher Paolini
Eragon finds a dragon egg and becomes a Rider. Classic quest fantasy.
Best for: readers who like dragons.
How to Choose
If you want more epics, start with The Eye of the World or A Game of Thrones. For classic quests, read The Sword of Shannara or Magician. For lighter reading, choose Pawn of Prophecy. For modern epics, pick The Way of Kings or Mistborn. A simple plan is to read the first book of three series and choose your favorite to continue. Note that Goodkind's series includes violence and some graphic scenes. If you enjoy audiobooks, long fantasy series are ideal for road trips, and the narrators add character voices. Take a break between heavy fantasies with a lighter book, and check the age rating for younger readers, as some scenes are graphic.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many books are in Sword of Truth?
There are 17 novels in the main series, and the author wrote more companion books.
Is Wizard's First Rule a good start?
Yes. It stands somewhat alone, though it sets up the series.
Was there a TV show?
Yes. Legend of the Seeker (2008–2010) adapted the first books.
Which epic fantasy series is closest?
The Wheel of Time and The Belgariad are close in structure.
Is the Sword of Truth series finished?
The main series is complete, with later books continuing the story.
Which series should I start with?
If you want something similar, The Wheel of Time is the best-known.