Some of the most epic conclusions have come after a delicious build-up from a few preceding novels. That could mean a trilogy of books or a series that has more than 25 in total.
The greatest sagas demand an epic conclusion which can build and build and build.
That means following characters for years over the course of several novels and creating great depth of adventure with some added peril.
While the drama lies on the page and in your imagination, several of these series have been adapted for film and television as they seem impossible to resist.
In this guide, we will be looking at 20 of the best book series of all time. That includes some of the most best selling books of all time including some classic adventures and spell-binding fantasy.
From Harry Potter to Lord of the Rings, the Wheel of Time and The Little Women collection to name just a few.
To call the Harry Potter series a phenomenal success fails to say enough about quite how far this set of books has gone. There are seven books in total yet the world of Hogwarts goes far beyond those pages.
The series was adapted into eight films by Warner Bros and back in 2016, the Harry Potter franchise was valued at a staggering $25bn.
That figure is likely to be even higher due to more films and theater productions coming into the frame.
All that came from the imagination of J.K. Rowling as she chronicled the lives of a trio of kids as they attended Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
There are plenty of themes explored in the quest of the titular hero as he comes into conflict with Lord Voldemort.
Several genres too from horror, adventure, romance, thriller, and mystery as the books have been enjoyed by generations and will likely continue to do so.
So far, the books have sold over 600 million copies worldwide, been made available in 85 languages, and have set the record for the best-selling book series of all time.
Though Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson have become huge film stars in their own right, they have Stephanie Meyer to be thankful for a large part of that success.
The Twilight series encompasses four novels in the fantasy romance genre with two companion novels and a single novella.
With commercial success, the books have become hugely popular with young adults and amassed plenty of awards.
The story follows Bella Swan as she falls in love with a vampire, a complicated story that is worth diving into.
Few fantasy novels have been as influential and vivid as The Lord of the Rings trilogy by J.R.R. Tolkien.
There are deliciously detailed backstories and you may need to consult the map to get a sense of the character’s journey.
While the story may be well-known thanks to a range of Oscar-winning films, the books are beautifully layered as they depict Middle Earth in all its glory.
You can even read about all that came before it with the prequel, The Hobbit, and even further back in the TV series, The Rings of Power.
There are seven books in The Chronicles of Narnia and each one builds on what came before it. All through a portal in the back of a wardrobe where the story takes place in a fantastical world featuring talking animals.
The books began to be published in 1950 but continue to captivate readers to this day with several adaptations for new generations to enjoy.
To fully chronicle the adventures of Jack Reacher you need to read over 20 books and a collection of short stories.
Though some of the books have been adapted for film or TV, part of the joy in Child’s writing is the world that Reacher inhabits. Those odd jobs he takes on and the perils he finds himself in.
The books also take place in real locations, from rural England to New York City and plenty of destinations in between.
If you adore historical fiction then delve into His Dark Materials where magic reigns supreme.
The bestselling series of books has been transformed into a spellbinding film franchise and TV series.
That may seem surprising when you consider that the young adult trilogy puts children front and center of the story yet adults are enamored with the story too that goes across multiverses.
Thankfully, Stieg Larsson completed The Millennium Trilogy before his tragic death in 2004.
Shortly after his death, The Girl In The Dragon Tattoo was published posthumously the following year and became a hit across the globe as it became one of the bestselling books of the decade.
The next two books did not disappoint as readers were quick to find out how the duo of Lisbeth Salander and Mikael Blomkvist would prevail.
The tales do go even further as the series was continued by David Lagercrantz.
Another series to be adapted by Netflix is To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before which will remain a set of delightful teen romances.
They can now be counted as binge-able, cringey rom-coms as the story follows Lara Jean after her sister has delivered letters to each of her crushes. There are quite a few, hence three books.
With such a vast library of work to his name, The Dark Tower Saga contains some of Stephen King’s best work.
This is the story of The Last Gunslinger who goes by the name of Roland of Gilead. He comes from the Wild West but is a legend who is well worth following in this epic of adventure horror.
Netflix has plenty of great book series as TV adaptations and Bridgerton has set pulses racing.
Those that have read the books know many of the spoilers in these fanciful romances with more of a hint of Jane Austin shenanigans. The books are as easy to binge as the TV show too.
Another page-turning young adult series follows a set of demon hunters known as the Shadowhunters.
The setting is a city, one which contains several fantastic creations from fairies to vampires. These page-turning books have become a TV series that is well worth diving into.
Historical fiction was barely a genre before The Outlander Series arrived. That proves how influential the book series was as hundreds of authors have stepped in and created fascinating, realistic worlds from the past.
Gabaldon began her series at the climax of World War II as a nurse, Claire Randall, travels back to Scotland with her husband.
Time travel occurs and soon enough Randall must try to work out how to get back to her own timeline, though fate intervenes.
The premise of a bisexual 17th-century lord who is gunning for fun, romance, and adventure may seem out there and The Montague Siblings is quite the tale.
If you enjoyed the Heartstopper series then you may enjoy reading LGBTQ+ stories with an element of historical fiction.
Each book follows a specific sibling with plenty of drama and wit thrown in.
With eleven books, you will be investing in quite the story when you embark on the Wheel of Time.
This is an iconic series of fantasy books that made their mark all the way back in 1990. Throughout the books, you get a sense of phenomenal world-building and gargantuan plotting.
That’s some feat, especially after you realize that Brandon Sanderson took over the series based on notes and details left by the deceased Robert Jordan.
After Binti won both the Nebula and Hugo awards for best novella, Okorafor created a trilogy for the Himba girl who is accepted to attend an intergalactic school.
The novella has been expanded to a trilogy with a short story that you can read in one go as an omnibus edition.
A coming-of-age story and a vivid depiction of the time in the 19th century.
Pros
A dated storyline.
Cons
Barely counts as a sequel.
Final Thoughts
The best book series take you on a journey that can last years and take the reader to some extraordinary places.
Stories can include rich stories that have been developed over several books where climaxes are made that have been building up over hundreds of pages.
The series of books may even cross various genres all in the same series, from drama to romance to crime and fantasy.
There can be tribulations along the way with some unexpected twists thrown in yet the stories are ultimately rewarding.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Book Series Can Be Said To Have The Largest Fan Base?
As the highest-selling book series of all-time with several films and sold out theater shows, Harry Potter should be able to command the largest fan base.
Even if you have failed to read a single book, watch one film, or headed to a show, you have likely heard of the series of books by J.K. Rowling.
What Is A Book Series Comprised Of Six Books Known As?
There is a distinct term for a certain number of books as a series. A compound set of narrative or literary works of six pieces is known as a hexalogy.
Hi, my name is Anna Davis and I have been working with books for five years now. I got a job at my local library, so I could be closer to all of the books! I created this website in the hopes of inspiring others to start reading again. Who knows, maybe you’ll find your new favorite book from my site!
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