A Game of Thrones by George R.R. MartinJ.R.R. Tolkien 4-Book Boxed Set by J.R.R. TolkienThe Name of the Wind by Patrick RothfussThe Way of Kings by Brandon SandersonThe Eye of the World by Robert Jordan
The Best Epic Fantasy (fiction)
4,241 books — 25,917 voters
The Sword of Shannara by Terry BrooksEragon by Christopher PaoliniThe Eye of the World by Robert JordanThe Elfstones of Shannara by Terry BrooksThe Iron Tower by Dennis L. McKiernan
Most Obvious Tolkien Imitators
52 books — 218 voters

Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland / Through the Looking-Glass by Lewis CarrollDracula by Bram StokerThe Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank BaumPeter Pan by J.M. BarrieA Midsummer Night’s Dream by William Shakespeare
Pre-Tolkien Fantasy
382 books — 366 voters

The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg LarssonThe Girl Who Played with Fire by Stieg LarssonThe Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest by Stieg LarssonSmilla's Sense of Snow by Peter HøegThe Keeper of Lost Causes by Jussi Adler-Olsen
Nordic Noir
167 books — 72 voters
The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg LarssonThe Girl Who Played with Fire by Stieg LarssonThe Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest by Stieg LarssonThe Snowman by Jo NesbøThe Redbreast by Jo Nesbø
Scandinavian/Nordic Mysteries
320 books — 681 voters

Burial Rites by Hannah KentLast Rituals by Yrsa SigurdardottirSmilla's Sense of Snow by Peter HøegSilence of the Grave by Arnaldur IndriðasonJar City by Arnaldur Indriðason
Books set in Iceland and Greenland
154 books — 137 voters