The best novels of heroic fantasy

Legendary swords, perilous quests and solitary heroes … However, The heroic fantasy is a pillar of the imaginary. Therefore, From Tolkien to Sapkowski. In addition, we guide you through our selection of essential novels to explore this epic genre and help you make your choice.

The heroic fantasy: at the origins of modern fantasy – Best novels heroic fantasy

Before diving into our selection. However, it is essential to define this genus so special. However, Often confused with High Fantasy. Nevertheless, which depicts conflicts on a global scale between good and evil, heroic fantasy focuses on more personal destinies. However, It stages a hero. However, a limited group of characters, often warriors, wizards or thieves, confronted with evil forces in a more localized setting.

Born under the pen of Robert E. Therefore, Howard in the 1930s with the character of Conan the Barbarianthe heroic fantasy favors the best novels heroic fantasy action. In addition, the adventure and the exploration of ancient and mysterious worlds where magic is often a dangerous and corrupting force. Therefore, Heroes are rarely models of virtue; They are complex individuals, sometimes amoral, guided by their own code of honor. Furthermore, It is the account of the struggle of the individual in the face of a hostile world.

Ready to draw your sword? For example, Here are 10 masterful entry doors to this literary genre.

Our selection of the 10 essential heroic fantasy novels – Best novels heroic fantasy

The Lord of the Rings from Jrr Tolkien – Best novels heroic fantasy

Even if he founded the High Fantasy. Moreover, the work of Jrr Tolkien is an obligatory passage at the crossroads of the two literary genres. Nevertheless, The quest for Frodo to destroy the unique ring is an adventure on a human scale at the heart. Meanwhile, of a conflict that exceeds it. Moreover, The best novels heroic fantasy exploits of Aragorn, a lonely fighter who became king, are the very essence of heroism. Furthermore, The Lord of the Rings is a total epic, a fundamental base for anyone interested in the imagination.

Conan the Cimmerian Robert E. Howard – Best novels heroic fantasy

Impossible to speak of the genre without quoting its creator, Robert E. Howard. Conan is neither a king nor an elected official. but a barbarian guided by his instinct of survival and his thirst for freedom. Through a series of breaths, Conan the Cimmerian immerses us in the Hyborian age, a brutal and merciless world. It is the archetype of the genre: raw, fast and incredibly effective.

Elric’s cycle de Michael Moorcock

Take a hero and make it his opposite. Elric, Emperor albinos and cursed sorcerer, is the antihero par excellence. Linked to Stormbringer, his demonic sword drinking souls, he seeks his salvation in a condemned world. Michael Moorcock deconstructs heroic myths with Elric’s cyclea baroque and tragic saga, founder of the Dark Fantasy.

L’Assassin Royal But Robin is a hobby

With the cycle of L’Assassin RoyalRobin Hobb has redefined. modern fantasy. We follow the torments of Fitz, royal bastard trained to become the assassin of the shadow of his king. More than a simple adventure, it is a deep best novels heroic fantasy psychological exploration of loneliness, duty and sacrifice. A work of rare emotional richness that has received a large readership.

Legend David Memmell

David Gemmell is the undisputed master of military fantasy. Legend Tells the desperate defense of Dros Delnoch’s fortress in the face of an immense horde. At the heart of the battle. aging and tired heroes, including the legendary Druss, must find the strength for a last fight. It is a novel on heroism in the face of the inevitable, powerful and poignant.

The witchur D’LAJ SAPKOWSKI

Made worldwide best novels heroic fantasy by the video game. the series, The Witch (The Witcher) is above all a monument of literature. Geralt de Riv is a “witchman”. a lonely and cynical monster hunter, who tries to survive in a world that rejects him. Andrzej Sapkowski draws from Slavic folklore to deliver a dark. mature saga, which has become a must for pop culture.

Wind name by Patrick Rothfuss

Kvothe is a living legend. Hero or impostor, he agreed to tell his story. Wind name is the beginning of this confession. a learning story of a gifted but helpless young man, in a world where words and music have immense power. The pen of Patrick Rothfuss is rare poetry and intelligence, thus offering a bewitching best novels heroic fantasy adventure.

The Terremer cycle d’Ursula K. Le Guin

More philosophical, the work of Ursula K. Guin is essential. The Terremer sorcererthe first volume of the cycle. follows the formation of the young GED, whose arrogance releases an evil shadow which he will have to chase. It is an initiatory quest for balance, responsibility and self -knowledge, a vision of magic that has deeply influenced gender.

The black company they glen cook

What if the heroes were mercenaries in the service of the big bad guy? This is the postulate of Glen Cook with The Annals of The black company. Teed on from the point of view of Toubib. the archivist of this band of unscrupulous soldiers, the novel immerses us best novels heroic fantasy in the filth and the reality of the war. It is the founding novel of the “Grimdark”, a realistic, dark and uncompromising fantasy.

The gesture of the sixth kingdom d’Adrien Tomas

French literature is not to be outdone! With The gesture of the sixth kingdomthe French author Adrien Tomas delivers an epic adventure and full of humor. We follow Sian. a young mage in charge of a vital mission: to prevent the return of chaos that threatens the world. For this. he will have to team up with a heterogeneous troop made up of an experienced warrior-priest, a thief as agile as they are formidable and a goblin. It is a dynamic story, carried by endearing characters and tasty dialogues, best novels heroic fantasy ideal for discovering French -speaking fantasy.

This selection is only an overview of the wealth that the heroic fantasy has to offer. Each book is an open door to a unique universe, an invitation to travel and adventure.