Picking a fantasy book series to start is an investment, so it's worth planning around one that can promise a strong ending. Due to the vast influence of Game of Thrones, the lateness of The Winds of Winter has become a common discussion among fantasy readers, leading many fans of the A Song of Ice & Fire books to turn elsewhere, looking for fantasy that has an ending. Fans of The Kingkiller Chronicle by Patrick Rothfuss will likely have a similar dilemma, as both reader bases have been waiting for the next volume since 2011.

Good fantasy endings can come in many different forms, be they happy and fulfilling, bittersweet, or downright depressing. Without spoiling what exactly happens in various books, it's worth mentioning the tone of these stories and how that reflects in the way they stick their landing. From Brandon Sanderson to Fonda Lee to R. F. Kuang, there are some outstanding authors who have written fantasy sagas with terrific endings that are worth exploring.

10 The First Law

By Joe Abercrombie

The First Law trilogy is a fantasy series written by Joe Abercrombie that's often cited as the perfect follow-up for readers looking for books like A Song of Ice & Fire. The best way to describe it to one of said readers would be Game of Thrones without the prophecy and romanticization. Joe Abercrombie fully taps into the dark, gritty side of fantasy, examining characters who are ultimately terrible, selfish people.

The First Law is commonly referred to as grimdark, and the ending is reflective of that tone. This isn't a world for those without a thick stomach, as Abercrombie writes despicable, violent characters who partake in some truly appalling activities. However, for readers looking for character-driven narratives with exceptionally written arcs, don't look past Joe Abercrombie. He's one of the most talented and sophisticated writers in the industry, and The First Law is an experience worth embarking on.

9 Mistborn Era 1

By Brandon Sanderson

Brandon Sanderson is known for his Cosmere universe, an epic fantasy world spanning across multiple series and standalone. While that world is far from finished, some of the stories contained in it are. The original Mistborn trilogy is one of the best places to start reading his books, as not only is it a fantastic introduction to an addictive shared universe, but it's also a fantastic self-contained story that will make its reader laugh, celebrate, and cry.

Mistborn Era 1's third and final volume is celebrated as one of Sanderson's best

Mistborn Era 1 contains some hefty novels, but they contain some of the most beloved characters in 21st-century fantasy. The lead protagonist, Vin, is one of the best-written female heroes in the genre, and she's ed by a phenomenal ing cast of characters to whom audiences can grow attached. Mistborn Era 1's third and final volume is celebrated as one of Sanderson's best, delivering the perfect ending for each of his characters.

8 Harry Potter

By J.K. Rowling

The Harry Potter books are not only terrific fantasy; they're some of the most famous and influential books ever written. The series is written for a YA audience, but it's been found and beloved by so many adults that it's barely even worth mentioning. With that in mind, the ending of The Deathly Hallows has remained in the hearts and minds of audiences since it was published in 2007.

Harry Potter is both a fantastic fantasy story about a fight between good and evil and a coming-of-age story about a group of misfits. The trio of Harry, Hermione, and Ron Weasley is one of the most iconic sets of characters in media, with the books offering personalities and emotional journeys for young readers and adults to connect to. This profound emotional connection is a huge part of what makes the ending so hard-hitting and timeless.

7 The Wheel Of Time

By Robert Jordan

The Wheel of Time is one of the most recent epic fantasy stories to be adapted into a prestige television show, with Amazon forking over a boatload of money to make it happen. While the series has received a mixed reception from TV fans and book readers, the original novels by Robert Jordan are still worth diving into. The biggest hurdle here is that the series' 14 volumes are extensive to get through, so this isn't one to dive into for beginners.

The Wheel of Time's ending is interesting, in a way, as it wasn't completed by the original author. Robert Jordan ed away in 2007, leaving Brandon Sanderson with the final three volumes. This could be a recipe for disaster in many cases, but the final book, A Memory of Light, is widely perceived as one of the best in the series, holding a monstrous 4.57 on GoodReads, the highest in the series.

6 The Green Bone Saga

By Fonda Lee

The Green Bone Saga, written by Fonda Lee, is one of the newest and most unique additions. Rather than classical fantasy set in a world inspired by medieval Europe, Lee's book series is set in an Eastern-inspired world during a period that would align with real-life World War II technology. There aren't many fantasy books like it available, and that's a huge part of what makes it such an impressive series.

As far as fantasy series go, The Green Bone Saga is a fairly easy one to dive into, with only three volumes. Jade Legacy, the third book, has a whopping 4.64/5 stars on GoodReads, and it's praised as one of the strongest endings in contemporary fantasy. The series is known for its complex political narrative between noble families, a magic system that involves kung-fu-like abilities, and a world of compelling crime and gang warfare.

5 Malazan Book Of The Fallen

By Steven Erikson

Like The Wheel of Time, Malazan Book of the Fallen is an epic-length series with ten volumes to get through. Not only that, but fans of the series will commonly cite the complex storytelling as an initial barrier the reader has to push through. Again, it's not a book series for someone who's unprepared for commitment, but it's one of the most ultimately fulfilling fantasy experiences available, with book 10 considered one of the best in the genre.

Book ten, The Crippled God, is celebrated by readers on GoodReads with an impressive 4.51 score, again the highest rated in its series. In of epic, it's hard to rival Malazan, as Erikson has continued to expand his world beyond the ten initial volumes. He's been writing new books along with collaborator Ian Cameron Esslemont, meaning this series has tons of material still coming out to sink one's teeth into, as well as a main saga that's already completed and beloved.

4 Six Of Crows

By Leigh Bardugo

For another recent fantasy series that's not too big of a commitment, Leigh Bardugo's Six of Crows is a duology with a celebrated ending. These books are set in the same world as Bardugo's Shadow and Bone Young Adult series, which was adapted into a television series for Netflix. The King of Scars duology is also in the same world, giving readers plenty of material with satisfying endings to enjoy.

Crooked Kingdom, which is praised by readers on GoodReads with a 4.58/5 star score, is considered a step up above the first book, concluding Bardugo's tale of heists, betrayals, and cunning. The book is beloved for its emotional, bittersweet ending that manages to trigger a powerful emotional response while also remaining satisfying to those who love the characters and story.

3 Earthsea

By Ursula K. Le Guin

In the aftermath of J.R.R. Tolkien, the fantasy genre saw decades of dull copycats before it began to take the form of what readers know today. Ursula K. Le Guin is one of the few writers who managed to pull off an exceptional story during this time that's still beloved by fantasy fans today. 1968's A Wizard of Earthsea and its sequels have been an inspiration for J.K. Rowling, Patrick Rothfuss, and many more.

Unlike most fantasy writers, Ursula K. Le Guin is a renowned author outside the genre as well, best known for her success in science fiction classics. She brings her beautiful prose, complex storytelling, and terrific character development to an immersive fantasy experience with a beloved ending. Earthsea is a set of classics that truly pull the reader into their sense of magic and wonder.

2 The Poppy War

By R. F. Kuang

R. F. Kuang is another terrific fantasy author who's recently begun to find broader success in the world of popular literature. Her books Babel and Yellowface are some of the most prominent of the decade, and she's only 28 years old. In the late 2010s, she wrote her fantasy series, The Poppy War, which has become one of the most acclaimed modern entries to the genre.

The Burning God isn't considered the best volume of her trilogy, but it's still celebrated as a fantastic ending, boasting a 4.3 score on GoodReads. The saga is inspired by the Second Sino-Japanese War, with plot points drawn from this real-world historical period. Like with The Green Bone Saga, the historical influence is bolstered by a fascinating magic system, allowing some mystical intrigue to take shape in the military narrative.

1 The Lord of the Rings

By J.R.R. Tolkien

Any fan of fantasy is probably aware of The Lord of the Rings books, but that doesn't mean they aren't worth mentioning. Whether one has seen the movies or has already formed an opinion about this story due to its presence in pop culture, the books are still worth reading. They're dense and, at times, challenging to read, but there's a reason why they're classics. J.R.R. Tolkien crafted a timeless story that's more akin to mythological literature than modern fantasy, and it's a must-read for anyone who wants to understand the inner workings of the genre.

The Return of the King's movie adaptation is commonly considered one of the best films ever made, but the original novel is even more poignant. It's a beautiful, mature ending that's remained in the hearts of readers for 70 years, and any fantasy lover should take a gander and find out why. Tolkien won't disappoint.