The NEW BFB Members Rankings List

[Derk of Derkholm]

Hello all,

as I have taken over from @Antoxx his great database with the individual rankings by BFB Board Members so far and updated it, I am posting a new thread with the updated figures, so that I can regularly update the ranking once new votes have been registered.

You can find the old thread here: http://bestfantasybooks.com/forums/threads/bfb-members-rankings-list.1622/

 

[Derk of Derkholm]

So here they are, the series that have currently been ranked by 44 board members so far (Status: 9 May, 2015).

"Ranked" means that each of these series received at least 3 ratings from board members - those are numerical rating ranging from 1 (very bad) to 10 (very good).

I seem to have some issue to upload the images, so the new rankings are only available in text form (To see more details, download the ranking sheet for all the information!):

1
1: Stormlight Archive, Brandon Sanderson : 9.05
2: A Song of Ice and Fire, George R. R. Martin : 8.63
3: Kingkiller Chronicles, Patrick Rothfuss : 8.42
4: Lord of the Rings, J. R. R. Tolkien : 8.25
5: Liveship Traders, Robin Hobb : 8.22
6: Dresden Files, Jim Butcher : 8.18
7: The Hobbit, J. R. R. Tolkien : 8.07
8: Gentleman Bastard Sequence, Scott Lynch : 8.05
9: Malazan Book of the Fallen, Steven Erikson : 8.00
10: Dracula, Bram Stoker : 7.99
11: Mistborn, Brandon Sanderson : 7.96
12: Good Omens, Terry Pratchett & Neil Gaiman : 7.91
13: Immortal Treacheries, Allan Batchelder : 7.90
14: The Stand, Stephen King : 7.89
15: Raven's Shadow, Anthony Ryan : 7.89
16: Lightbringer Series, Brent Weeks : 7.85
17: Long Price Quartet, Daniel Abraham : 7.83
18: First Law World / The Heroes, Joe Abercrombie : 7.81
19: First Law Trilogy, Joe Abercrombie : 7.81
20: Dagger and the Coin, Daniel Abraham : 7.81
21: Malazan Empire, Ian Esslemont : 7.77
22: Chronicles of the Black Company, Glen Cook : 7.75
23: Tales of Dunk and Egg , George R. R. Martin : 7.75
24: Conan, Robert E. Howard : 7.72
25: Tawny Man Trilogy, Robin Hobb : 7.63
26: Farseer Trilogy, Robin Hobb : 7.63
27: The Dark Tower, Stephen King : 7.55
28: Riyria Revelations, Michael J. Sullivan : 7.45
29: Rithmatist, Brandon Sanderson : 7.45
30: Wheel of Time, Robert Jordan : 7.44
31: Chronicles of the Unhewn Throne, Brian Staveley : 7.43
32: Harry Potter, J. K. Rowling : 7.41
33: Bas-Lag, New Crobuzon, China Mieville : 7.41
34: Bartimaeus series, Jonathan Stroud : 7.38
35: Memory, Sorrow and Thorn, Tad Williams : 7.37
36: Shadow Campaigns, Django Wexler : 7.35
37: Master and Magarita, Michael Bulgakov : 7.32
38: Dune Chronicles, Frank Herbert : 7.25
39: Drenai Series, David Gemmell : 7.22
40: Fevre Dream, George R. R. Martin : 7.17
41: Tales of the Kin, Douglas Hulick : 7.16
42: Mistborn: Alloy of Law, Brandon Sanderson : 7.14
43: Acts of Caine, Matthew Stover : 7.14
44: Codex Alera, Jim Butcher : 7.13
45: Magicians trilogy, Lev Grossmann : 7.12
46: Tigana, Guy Kavriel Kay : 7.11
47: Discworld, Terry Pratchett : 7.04
48: Elantris, Brandon Sanderson : 7.03
49: Chalion Series, Lois McMaster Bujold : 7.00
50: Broken Empire, Mark Lawrence : 6.98
51: Princess Bride, William Goldman : 6.98
52: I am Legend, Richard Matheson : 6.98
53: American Gods, Neil Gaiman : 6.98
54: Reckoners Series, Brandon Sanderson : 6.85
55: Salem's Lot, Stephen King : 6.84
56: Silmarillion, J. R. R. Tolkien : 6.84
57: The Chronicles of Narnia, C. S. Lewis : 6.82
58: Swans' War Trilogy, Sean Russell : 6.81
59: War of the Flowers, Tad Williams : 6.76
60: Elric Saga, Michael Moorcock : 6.75
61: Neverwhere, Neil Gaiman : 6.74
62: Lyonnese, Jack Vance : 6.73
63: Night Angel, Brent Weeks : 6.72
64: Night Watch Series, Sergeij Lukyanenko : 6.72
65: Tales of the Ketty Jay, Chris Wooding : 6.70
66: Earthsea Quartet, Ursula Le Guin : 6.68
67: The Iron Druid Chronicles, Kevin Hearne : 6.67
68: Shattered Seas Trilogy, Joe Abercrombie : 6.65
69: Night Circus, Erin Morgenstern : 6.63
70: Ocean at the End of the Lane, Neil Gaiman : 6.61
71: First Chronicles of Thomas Covenant, Stephan Donaldson : 6.59
72: Cthulhu mythos, H.P. Lovecraft : 6.50
73: Zothique, Clark Ashton Smith : 6.50
74: City & the City, China Mieville : 6.50
75: Kingdom of Thorn and Bone, Greg Keyes : 6.50
76: Powder Mage Trilogy, Brian McClennan : 6.42
77: Troy Trilogy, David Gemmell : 6.41
78: The Witcher, Andrzej Sapkowski : 6.37
79: Warbreaker, Brandon Sanderson : 6.37
80: Macht Trilogy, Paul Kearney : 6.35
81: Chathrand Voyages, Robert V. S. Reddick : 6.29
82: Anubis Gates, Tim Powers : 6.29
83: The Dying Earth, Jack Vance : 6.28
84: The Divine Cities, Robert Jackson Bennett : 6.25
85: Sword of Shadows, J. V. Jones : 6.23
86: Emperor's Soul, Brandon Sanderson : 6.23
87: Prince of Nothing, R. Scott Bakker : 6.19
88: His Dark Materials, Philip Pullman : 6.18
89: Chronicles of Amber, Roger Zelazny : 6.18
90: Gormenghast, Mervyn Peake : 6.17
91: Bloodsounders Arc, Jeff Salyards : 6.13
92: Monarchy of Gods, Paul Kearney : 6.13
93: Shadowmarch Trilogy, Tad Williams : 6.13
94: Aspect Emperor, R. Scott Bakker : 6.05
95: Empire Trilogy, Raymond E Feist and Janny Wurts : 6.00
96: Lions of Al-Rassan, Guy Kavriel Kay : 6.00
97: The Folding Knife, K. J. Parker : 6.00
98: Knights of Dark Renown, David Gemmell : 5.98
99: Anansi Boys, Neil Gaiman : 5.97
100: Coldfire Trilogy, C. S. Friedman : 5.96
101: Demon Cycle, Peter V. Brett : 5.95
102: Alex Verus series, Benedict Jacka : 5.94
103: A Man of His Word, Dave Duncan : 5.93
104: Stardust, Neil Gaiman : 5.91
105: Grim Company, Luke Scull : 5.88
106: Mythago Wood Cycle, Robert Holdstack : 5.88
107: Rain Wild Chronicles, Robin Hobb : 5.88
108: Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell, Susanna Clarke : 5.87
109: Eyes of the Dragon, Stephen King : 5.86
110: Dragonlance Chronicles Trilogy, Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman : 5.79
111: The Talisman, Stephen King : 5.78
112: Riftwar Saga, Raymond E Feist : 5.77
113: Coraline, Neil Gaiman : 5.70
114: Acacia Trilogy, David Anthony Durham : 5.70
115: The Fitz and The Fool, Robin Hobb : 5.57
116: Death Gate Cycle, Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman : 5.49
117: The Belgariad, David Eddings : 5.48
118: Under Heaven, Guy Kavriel Kay : 5.47
119: Legion Series, Brandon Sanderson : 5.47
120: Crown of Stars, Kate Elliot : 5.43
121: Neverending Story, Michael Ende : 5.39
122: Fafhrd and The Grey Mouser, Fritz Leiber : 5.35
123: Hunger Games Trilogy, Suzanne Collins : 5.33
124: The Runelords, David Farland : 5.26
125: Tales of Bauchelain and Korbal Broach, Stephen Erikson : 5.25
126: Inheritance Trilogy, NK Jemisin : 5.24
127: The Cinder Spires, Jim Butcher : 5.16
128: The Fionavar Tapestry, Guy Kavriel Kay : 5.15
129: Dark Elf Trilogy, R.A. Salvatore : 5.07
130: A Song for Arbonne, Guy Kavriel Kay : 5.05
131: Sarantine Mosaic, Guy Kavriel Kay : 5.05
132: Artemis Fowl Series, Eoin Colfer : 5.00
133: Braided Path, Chris Wooding : 4.95
134: Talion: Revenant, Michael A. Stackpole : 4.95
135: Book of the New Sun, Gene Wolfe : 4.88
136: Deverry Cycle, Katherine Kerr : 4.88
137: Imajica, Clive Barker : 4.88
138: River of Stars , Guy Kavriel Kay : 4.88
139: Soldier Son Trilogy, Robin Hobb : 4.88
140: Twilight Reign Series, Tom Lloyd : 4.88
141: Echoes of the Empire Trilogy, Mark T Barnes : 4.75
142: Graveyard Book, Neil Gaiman : 4.75
143: Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, Lewis Carroll : 4.75
144: Godless World Trilogy, Brian Ruckley : 4.38
145: Abhorsen Trilogy, Garth Nix : 4.33
146: Dandelion Dynasty, Ken Liu : 4.25
147: Psalms of Isaak, Ken Scholes : 4.25
148: Riyria Chronicles, Michael J. Sullivan : 4.25
149: The Mallorean, David Eddings : 4.25
150: The Elenium, David Eddings : 4.23
151: Avalon Series, Marion Zimmer Bradley : 3.92
152: Xanth, Piers Anthony : 3.86
153: Original Shannara Trilogy, Terry Brooks : 3.84
154: Dragonlance - War of Souls Trilogy, Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman : 3.69
155: Sword of Truth, Terry Goodkind : 3.34
156: Demonwars Saga, R.A. Salvatore : 3.13
157: Twilight Series, Stephanie Myers : 3.07
158: Wizard Knight, Gene Wolfe : 2.63
159: Inheritance Cycle, Christopher Paolini : 2.62

 

[Derk of Derkholm]

Some words of explanation:

The series/books are ranked by the column "adjusted average" that basically makes a little discount if some books have only received a few ratings. A book with 3 votes only will thus only receive 75 % of the score entered by the people rating it, once it has 20 votes, it receives the full score.

Other changes to the list are, that I have
- checked every entry, and, for series, added the title of the first book.
This has led to some entries vanishing from the list (e.g. some books by Joe Abercrombie) that were actually parts of series that were already mentioned, and some entries being re-named
- removed a few non-fantasy books, e.g. some of Brad Melzer's thrillers.
- added a number of new and old books that were mentioned in other threads, but so far not mentioned in the ranking.

So now we also have a total of 250 more books and series that are currently not in the ranking, as they have received less than 3 votes each. The more people who participate, the more books will be in the ranking, hopefully.

HERE is the link, where you can find the ranking file to download (updated 07/10/2015)!
Macintosh CSV version for those who have trouble with the Windows Excel file.

Please download the file, fill it in, do not forget to put in your BFB user name, and mail it to me under the address bfbforumrankings@gmail.com !
Also please drop me a PN so I know to check the mailbox....

EDIT: 22.9.2015 ***** I just had to make the first major change to the rating system, and that is how books with only very few votes would be taken into consideration. In the first version of the list, a book with 2 votes only would not be ranked at all, while one with 3 votes would not receive the full points, but only 95% of the average score provided by the people rating it.

I found out that this was not sufficient, when with the last rating received, the book "The Master and Margarita" got its long awaited third rating ... And immediately shot to the first place of the list, absolutely unreachably in front with an average adjusted score of about 9.5.

So rather than trying to explain why an obscure anti-communist book from the 1930's, beloved by some forum members as it may be, is the best fantasy book ever written, I decided to adapt the adjustment factor, so that books with very few ratings would not be featured as prominently. The ranking of the list largely stayed the same, with some books with few ratings moving down a number of places of course. Well, if they are really good and if more people read them, they will move up again.

I have not posted the updated list, as I am currently on a business trip, and need to put in the feedback that is currently coming in.
I will post the updated version some time early next week *****

EDIT: 19.11.2015 *****
Rankings have been updated after receiving votes from Laughing Mime, Fantam, Allan Batchelder, GreyMouser, YordanZH, eXtended, Cyphon and Kalavan as well as updates of earlier rankings from Alucard, Sneaky Burrito, Tom TB, Moonspawn, Ofer, Nikos4, Jon Snow, Khartun, Fantam, Buffy V Slayer and Antoxx himself.

Edit: 6.1.2016
For the new year, the rankings by Darwin and L3Gacy have been added, and some small corrections by SilvionNights.

Edit: 26.1.2016: Added updated entries from Cyphon and those directly received in this thread.

This brings us from 86 ranked series earlier to now 139 ranked series.

Edit: 9.5.2016 **************

Includes updates and new rankings from Moonspawn, Darth Tater, Silvion Nights, Kenubrion and Sn0mm1s. Now a total of 146 books have enough ratings to be on the ranked list.

Edit: 16.5.2016 ****************

A comprehensive upgrade from Amaryllis brings us to 159 books on the ranked list!!! Awesome!

 

[Alucard]

@Derk of Derkholm
Sooooo...can we have a link to the excel file?
later today. got it.

 

[Derk of Derkholm]

Here is a text version with the old ranking: (Status 6/1/2016 and before 28/09/2015)

Ranking: Name of series (Old Ranking), Author / Adjusted average / Number of votes

1: Stormlight Archive (Old: 1) , Brandon Sanderson/ 9.05/27
2: A Song of Ice and Fire (Old: 2) , George R. R. Martin/ 8.63/34
3: Kingkiller Chronicles (Old: 6) , Patrick Rothfuss/ 8.42/28
4: Lord of the Rings (Old: 3) , J. R. R. Tolkien/ 8.25/34
5: Liveship Traders (Old: 5) , Robin Hobb/ 8.22/11
6: Dresden Files (Old: 13) , Jim Butcher/ 8.18/21
7: The Hobbit (Old: 11) , J. R. R. Tolkien/ 8.07/25
8: Gentleman Bastard Sequence (Old: 16) , Scott Lynch/ 8.05/21
9: Malazan Book of the Fallen (Old: 4) , Steven Erikson/ 8.00/28
10: Dracula (Old: not ranked) , Bram Stoker/ 7.99/5
11: Mistborn (Old: 12) , Brandon Sanderson/ 7.96/32
12: Good Omens (Old: 8) , Terry Pratchett & Neil Gaiman/ 7.91/7
13: Immortal Treacheries (Old: not ranked) , Allan Batchelder/ 7.90/7
14: The Stand (Old: 18) , Stephen King/ 7.89/9
15: Raven's Shadow (Old: 7) , Anthony Ryan/ 7.89/16
16: Lightbringer Series (Old: 38) , Brent Weeks/ 7.85/19
17: Long Price Quartet (Old: 15) , Daniel Abraham/ 7.83/14
18: First Law World / The Heroes (Old: 30) , Joe Abercrombie/ 7.81/17
19: First Law Trilogy (Old: 14) , Joe Abercrombie/ 7.81/28
20: Dagger and the Coin (Old: 29) , Daniel Abraham/ 7.81/14
21: Malazan Empire (Old: 9) , Ian Esslemont/ 7.77/6
22: Chronicles of the Black Company (Old: 20) , Glen Cook/ 7.75/20
23: Tales of Dunk and Egg (Old: not ranked) , George R. R. Martin/ 7.75/7
24: Conan (Old: not ranked) , Robert E. Howard/ 7.72/7
25: Tawny Man Trilogy (Old: 17) , Robin Hobb/ 7.63/15
26: Farseer Trilogy (Old: 10) , Robin Hobb/ 7.63/30
27: The Dark Tower (Old: 21) , Stephen King/ 7.55/12
28: Riyria Revelations (Old: 51) , Michael J. Sullivan/ 7.45/7
29: Rithmatist (Old: 19) , Brandon Sanderson/ 7.45/8
30: Wheel of Time (Old: 35) , Robert Jordan/ 7.44/29
31: Chronicles of the Unhewn Throne (Old: not ranked) , Brian Staveley/ 7.43/9
32: Harry Potter (Old: 34) , J. K. Rowling/ 7.41/15
33: Bas-Lag, New Crobuzon (Old: 46) , China Mieville/ 7.41/9
34: Bartimaeus series (Old: 36) , Jonathan Stroud/ 7.38/11
35: Memory, Sorrow and Thorn (Old: 37) , Tad Williams/ 7.37/12
36: Shadow Campaigns (Old: not ranked) , Django Wexler/ 7.35/6
37: Master and Magarita (Old: not ranked) , Michael Bulgakov/ 7.32/7
38: Dune Chronicles (Old: 28) , Frank Herbert/ 7.25/10
39: Drenai Series (Old: 48) , David Gemmell/ 7.22/11
40: Fevre Dream (Old: 50) , George R. R. Martin/ 7.17/9
41: Tales of the Kin (Old: not ranked) , Douglas Hulick/ 7.16/4
42: Mistborn: Alloy of Law (Old: 41) , Brandon Sanderson/ 7.14/7
43: Acts of Caine (Old: not ranked) , Matthew Stover/ 7.14/10
44: Codex Alera (Old: 32) , Jim Butcher/ 7.13/13
45: Magicians trilogy (Old: not ranked) , Lev Grossmann/ 7.12/6
46: Tigana (Old: 27) , Guy Kavriel Kay/ 7.11/14
47: Discworld (Old: 53) , Terry Pratchett/ 7.04/12
48: Elantris (Old: 43) , Brandon Sanderson/ 7.03/19
49: Chalion Series (Old: 22) , Lois McMaster Bujold/ 7.00/7
50: Broken Empire (Old: 58) , Mark Lawrence/ 6.98/24
51: Princess Bride (Old: 31) , William Goldman/ 6.98/7
52: I am Legend (Old: not ranked) , Richard Matheson/ 6.98/7
53: American Gods (Old: 49) , Neil Gaiman/ 6.98/20
54: Reckoners Series (Old: 40) , Brandon Sanderson/ 6.85/9
55: Salem's Lot (Old: 52) , Stephen King/ 6.84/8
56: Silmarillion (Old: 26) , J. R. R. Tolkien/ 6.84/10
57: The Chronicles of Narnia (Old: 54) , C. S. Lewis/ 6.82/14
58: Swans' War Trilogy (Old: not ranked) , Sean Russell/ 6.81/4
59: War of the Flowers (Old: 44) , Tad Williams/ 6.76/5
60: Elric Saga (Old: 67) , Michael Moorcock/ 6.75/7
61: Neverwhere (Old: 33) , Neil Gaiman/ 6.74/9
62: Lyonnese (Old: not ranked) , Jack Vance/ 6.73/3
63: Night Angel (Old: 60) , Brent Weeks/ 6.72/13
64: Night Watch Series (Old: not ranked) , Sergeij Lukyanenko/ 6.72/6
65: Tales of the Ketty Jay (Old: not ranked) , Chris Wooding/ 6.70/5
66: Earthsea Quartet (Old: 74) , Ursula Le Guin/ 6.68/11
67: The Iron Druid Chronicles (Old: not ranked) , Kevin Hearne/ 6.67/5
68: Shattered Seas Trilogy (Old: not ranked) , Joe Abercrombie/ 6.65/7
69: Night Circus (Old: 45) , Erin Morgenstern/ 6.63/6
70: Ocean at the End of the Lane (Old: 62) , Neil Gaiman/ 6.61/11
71: First Chronicles of Thomas Covenant (Old: 47) , Stephan Donaldson/ 6.59/14
72: Cthulhu mythos (Old: not ranked) , H.P. Lovecraft/ 6.50/3
73: Zothique (Old: not ranked) , Clark Ashton Smith/ 6.50/3
74: City & the City (Old: not ranked) , China Mieville/ 6.50/4
75: Kingdom of Thorn and Bone (Old: not ranked) , Greg Keyes/ 6.50/4
76: Powder Mage Trilogy (Old: 57) , Brian McClennan/ 6.42/9
77: Troy Trilogy (Old: 25) , David Gemmell/ 6.41/5
78: The Witcher (Old: 24) , Andrzej Sapkowski/ 6.37/5
79: Warbreaker (Old: 42) , Brandon Sanderson/ 6.37/10
80: Macht Trilogy (Old: 64) , Paul Kearney/ 6.35/5
81: Chathrand Voyages (Old: 23) , Robert V. S. Reddick/ 6.29/4
82: Anubis Gates (Old: not ranked) , Tim Powers/ 6.29/4
83: The Dying Earth (Old: not ranked) , Jack Vance/ 6.28/5
84: The Divine Cities (Old: not ranked) , Robert Jackson Bennett/ 6.25/3
85: Sword of Shadows (Old: 56) , J. V. Jones/ 6.23/5
86: Emperor's Soul (Old: not ranked) , Brandon Sanderson/ 6.23/5
87: Prince of Nothing (Old: 66) , R. Scott Bakker/ 6.19/10
88: His Dark Materials (Old: 71) , Philip Pullman/ 6.18/11
89: Chronicles of Amber (Old: 63) , Roger Zelazny/ 6.18/7
90: Gormenghast (Old: 39) , Mervyn Peake/ 6.17/6
91: Bloodsounders Arc (Old: not ranked) , Jeff Salyards/ 6.13/3
92: Monarchy of Gods (Old: not ranked) , Paul Kearney/ 6.13/3
93: Shadowmarch Trilogy (Old: not ranked) , Tad Williams/ 6.13/3
94: Aspect Emperor (Old: not ranked) , R. Scott Bakker/ 6.05/3
95: Empire Trilogy (Old: not ranked) , Raymond E Feist and Janny Wurts/ 6.00/3
96: Lions of Al-Rassan (Old: not ranked) , Guy Kavriel Kay/ 6.00/3
97: The Folding Knife (Old: not ranked) , K. J. Parker/ 6.00/3
98: Knights of Dark Renown (Old: not ranked) , David Gemmell/ 5.98/4
99: Anansi Boys (Old: not ranked) , Neil Gaiman/ 5.97/5
100: Coldfire Trilogy (Old: 61) , C. S. Friedman/ 5.96/9
101: Demon Cycle (Old: 70) , Peter V. Brett/ 5.95/18
102: Alex Verus series (Old: not ranked) , Benedict Jacka/ 5.94/4
103: A Man of His Word (Old: ) , Dave Duncan/ 5.93/3
104: Stardust (Old: 81) , Neil Gaiman/ 5.91/9
105: Grim Company (Old: not ranked) , Luke Scull/ 5.88/3
106: Mythago Wood Cycle (Old: not ranked) , Robert Holdstack/ 5.88/3
107: Rain Wild Chronicles (Old: not ranked) , Robin Hobb/ 5.88/3
108: Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell (Old: not ranked) , Susanna Clarke/ 5.87/8
109: Eyes of the Dragon (Old: not ranked) , Stephen King/ 5.86/4
110: Dragonlance Chronicles Trilogy (Old: not ranked) , Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman/ 5.79/5
111: The Talisman (Old: not ranked) , Stephen King/ 5.78/4
112: Riftwar Saga (Old: 82) , Raymond E Feist/ 5.77/9
113: Coraline (Old: 69) , Neil Gaiman/ 5.70/5
114: Acacia Trilogy (Old: 72) , David Anthony Durham/ 5.70/5
115: The Fitz and The Fool (Old: not ranked) , Robin Hobb/ 5.57/4
116: Death Gate Cycle (Old: not ranked) , Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman/ 5.49/6
117: The Belgariad (Old: 76) , David Eddings/ 5.48/10
118: Under Heaven (Old: 68) , Guy Kavriel Kay/ 5.47/4
119: Legion Series (Old: not ranked) , Brandon Sanderson/ 5.47/4
120: Crown of Stars (Old: not ranked) , Kate Elliot/ 5.43/3
121: Neverending Story (Old: 75) , Michael Ende/ 5.39/5
122: Fafhrd and The Grey Mouser (Old: not ranked) , Fritz Leiber/ 5.35/3
123: Hunger Games Trilogy (Old: 59) , Suzanne Collins/ 5.33/8
124: The Runelords (Old: not ranked) , David Farland/ 5.26/4
125: Tales of Bauchelain and Korbal Broach (Old: not ranked) , Stephen Erikson/ 5.25/3
126: Inheritance Trilogy (Old: 77) , NK Jemisin/ 5.24/7
127: The Cinder Spires (Old: not ranked) , Jim Butcher/ 5.16/4
128: The Fionavar Tapestry (Old: 78) , Guy Kavriel Kay/ 5.15/8
129: Dark Elf Trilogy (Old: 65) , R.A. Salvatore/ 5.07/9
130: A Song for Arbonne (Old: 55) , Guy Kavriel Kay/ 5.05/4
131: Sarantine Mosaic (Old: 73) , Guy Kavriel Kay/ 5.05/4
132: Artemis Fowl Series (Old: not ranked) , Eoin Colfer/ 5.00/3
133: Braided Path (Old: not ranked) , Chris Wooding/ 4.95/3
134: Talion: Revenant (Old: not ranked) , Michael A. Stackpole/ 4.95/4
135: Book of the New Sun (Old: 79) , Gene Wolfe/ 4.88/6
136: Deverry Cycle (Old: not ranked) , Katherine Kerr/ 4.88/3
137: Imajica (Old: not ranked) , Clive Barker/ 4.88/3
138: River of Stars (Old: not ranked) , Guy Kavriel Kay/ 4.88/3
139: Soldier Son Trilogy (Old: not ranked) , Robin Hobb/ 4.88/3
140: Twilight Reign Series (Old: not ranked) , Tom Lloyd/ 4.88/3
141: Echoes of the Empire Trilogy (Old: not ranked) , Mark T Barnes/ 4.75/3
142: Graveyard Book (Old: not ranked) , Neil Gaiman/ 4.75/3
143: Alice's Adventures in Wonderland (Old: ) , Lewis Carroll/ 4.75/3
144: Godless World Trilogy (Old: not ranked) , Brian Ruckley/ 4.38/3
145: Abhorsen Trilogy (Old: not ranked) , Garth Nix/ 4.33/3
146: Dandelion Dynasty (Old: not ranked) , Ken Liu/ 4.25/3
147: Psalms of Isaak (Old: not ranked) , Ken Scholes/ 4.25/3
148: Riyria Chronicles (Old: not ranked) , Michael J. Sullivan/ 4.25/3
149: The Mallorean (Old: not ranked) , David Eddings/ 4.25/3
150: The Elenium (Old: not ranked) , David Eddings/ 4.23/4
151: Avalon Series (Old: 83) , Marion Zimmer Bradley/ 3.92/4
152: Xanth (Old: not ranked) , Piers Anthony/ 3.86/5
153: Original Shannara Trilogy (Old: 86) , Terry Brooks/ 3.84/12
154: Dragonlance - War of Souls Trilogy (Old: 84) , Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman/ 3.69/5
155: Sword of Truth (Old: 85) , Terry Goodkind/ 3.34/14
156: Demonwars Saga (Old: not ranked) , R.A. Salvatore/ 3.13/3
157: Twilight Series (Old: not ranked) , Stephanie Myers/ 3.07/5
158: Wizard Knight (Old: not ranked) , Gene Wolfe/ 2.63/3
159: Inheritance Cycle (Old: 80) , Christopher Paolini/ 2.62/7

Best regards,
Andy

 

[Silvion Night]

Great job and thanks for picking this up Andreas. I can safely say I'm speaking for all active members when I say your efforts are greatly appreciated.

 

[btkong]

I can give the one who manages this list access the backend of bestfantasybooks (the main site) and the ability create this list directly on the main site.

The nice thing about those lists are that you can update the list, modify the entries, and rearrange the order on the fly. It makes keeping it organized a breeze. Everyone here can then access that list publicly, it will get comments from the public, the public can vote on the list rankings, and the list can be shared with others etc. And of course, it can be updated in whatever way you wish. You guys can keep track of how the list rankings work and the entries from this thread and the changes can be made every month by the person with access to the backend.

Just an idea for you guys.

 

[Alucard]

That sounds awesome @btkong

 

[Derk of Derkholm]

Hi @btkong, that is definitely worth checking out, thank you for the offer

At least for the final list, I think this is a great idea, the collection of the feedback, however, will likely have to remain in the Excel database.

Best regards,
Andy

 

[btkong]

Up to you guys!

Just let me know if that works better. It might be a good idea for the final version of the list, yes.

The only issue is the books will all need a description. I guess we could all take a crack at one or two of them and it shouldn't be a hard job.

With the main lists stuff you can add, modify, reorder:

1. Book Title + Author + Series (these all link to the Listiverse)
2. Description (ie. why it's on the list and any other info, such as your personal ranking score)
3. Books in the Series (optional -- shown under the descriptionl)
4. Similar Recommendations (optional: books that are similar to that -- this is shown as a public widget)

Cheers

Ben

 

[Derk of Derkholm]

So, everybody who wants to provide his ranking, find the link to download the excel ranking sheet above - in the third post of this thread!!!

So far, the following 44 board members have provided their input (Status 6/1/2016)

Antoxx
Aikura
Allan Batchelder
Alucard
Amaryllis
Boreas
Buffy V Slayer
Cyphon
Danica
Darth Tater
Darwin
Derk of Derkholm
Epic Fantasy Freak
eXtended
Fantam
Fatal Rose
fbones
Grey Mouser
Griffin Vanderschaeghe
Hameed
Hand of Fear
Haven
Ian Blackport
Joao
Jon Snow
Kalavan
Kenubrion
Khartun
L3Gacy
Laughing Mime
Maxal
Moonspawn
Nikos4
ofer
Rasheedah
Sandman
SilvionNights
Sneaky B
Sn01mms
sopranosfan
TC Simpson
TomTB
YordanZH
wakarimasen

 

[ABatch]

Wow! Lot to talk about there -- the order, whether or not some of those series should even be on the list, etc. And a lifetime's worth of reading! Good stuff.

 

[Derk of Derkholm]

Hi Allen,

All the series that are there should definitely be on the list!!!

As a matter of fact, IMO every widely known fantasy series should be on the list.
(Bad ones with a bad rating, of course, to warn potential readers.)
But, I have to confess, I have so far not added any books by Robert Stanek or similar. Possibly an oversight?

Please consider providing your version of the ranking as well!
As I said, there are - in addition to those 86 that have so far received 3 ratings by forum members - another 245 series / books that have not so far received enough ratings to make it to the list. (Including "The Immortal Treacheries", of course ;-) )

Best regards,
Andy

 

[Derk of Derkholm]

To give some impression, these are the 215 series not ranked so far (in alphabetic order):

So everybody who has read one of these and can provide a feedback helps us to make the list of "ranked" series longer.... (Status 20/10/2015)

Update 20/10/2015: Have added "Iron Nails" by forum member @MattKnott to the listing so that people who have already read it can provide ratings!
Also "The Slow Regard of Silent Things" and "Rain Wild Chronicles", who were so far not featured as separate series.
Added "Shadowdance"

A Land Fit for Heroes, Richard K Morgan
A Rendezvous in Averoigne, Clark Ashton Smith
Abarat Quintet, Clive Barker
Aegypt, John Crowley
Agyar, Steven Brust
American Specter, Rasheedah Prioleau
Anders, Wolfgang Hohlbein
Arafel, C. J. Cherryh
At the Back of the North Wind, George MacDonald
Barbed Coil, J. V. Jones
Black Magician, Trudi Canavan
Blackhand, Matt Hieber
Bone (Comic), Jeff Smith
Book of Lies, Brad Meltzer
Book of Words, J. V. Jones
Books of Swords, Fred Saberhagen
Chronicles of Prydain, Lloyd Alexander
Chronicles of the Raven, James Barclay
Collegia Magica, Carol Berg
Course of the Heart, Michael John Harrison
Craft Sequence, Max Gladstone
Crestomanci, Diana Wynne Jones
Crown & Key, Clay Griffith & Susan Griffith
Dalemark Quartet, Diana Wynne Jones
Damar, Robin McKinley
Damiano Trilogy, R. A. MacAvoy
Darger and Surplus, Michael Swanwick
Darker Shade of Magic , V.E. Schwab
Daughter of Smoke and Bone, Bone Laini Taylor
Deed of Paksenarrion, Elizabeth Moon
Derkholm, Diana Wynne Jones
Dinosaur Lords, Victor Milan
Dragon Prince Trilogy, Melanie Rawn
Dragonriders of Pern, Ann McCaffrey
Dread Empire, Glen Cook
Dreamblood Duology, N. K. Jemisin
Earthseed, Octavia Butler
Ember in the Ashes , Sabaa Tahir
Engine Summer, John Crowley
Engineer Trilogy, K. J. Parker
Eternal Champion, Michael Moorcock
Faerie Tale, Raymond E Feist
Faust Among Equals, Tom Holt
Felix Castor, Mike Carey
Fly By Night, Yasmine Galenorn
Genesis, Wolfgang Hohlbein
Gloriana, Michael Moorcock
Godslayer Chronicles, James Clemens
Godspeaker Trilogy, Karen Miller
Great Book of Tarzan, Edgar Rice Burroughs
Greatcoats, Sebastien de Castell
Greek Series, David Gemmell
Grendel, John Gardner
Heart of the World , Col Buchanan
Heir Chronicles, Cinda Williams Chima
Howl's Moving Castle, Diana Wynne Jones
Hrolf Kraki's Saga, Poul Anderson
Hungry City Chronicles, Phillip Reeves
Hunting the Ghost Dancer, A. A. Attanasio
Inkworld, Cornelia Funke
Instrumentalities of the Night, Glen Cook
Iron Tower Saga, Dennis L. McKiernan
Jig The Goblin, Jim C. Hines
Jon Shannow Series, David Gemmell
Kane Series, Karl Edward Wagner
Karen Memory , Elizabeth Bear
Kindred, Octavia Butler
King of Elfland's Daughter, Lord Dunsany
Last Light of the Sun, Guy Kavriel Kay
Left Hand of God, Paul Hoffman
Little, Big, John Crowley
Lives of the Mayfair Witches, Anne Rice
Looking Glass Wars Trilogy, Frank Beddor
Lord of Light, Roger Zelazny
Low Town, Daniel Polansky
Lucan Drakenfeld, Mark Charan Newton
Lud-in-the-Mist, Hope Mirrlees
Magic Ex Libris, Jim C. Hines
Magic Kingdom of Landover, Terry Brooks
Master of the Day of Judgement, Leo Perutz
Millenium's Rule, Trudi Canavan
Monster Hunter International, Larry Correia
Morgaine & Vanye, C. J. Cherryh
Morlock Ambrosius, James Enge
Morningstar, David Gemmell
Mortal Instruments Series, Cassandra Clarke
Necroscope, Brian Lumley
Night Land, William Hope Hodgson
Nightwise, R.S. Belcher
Ombria in Shadow, Patricia A. McKillip
Once and Future King, T. H. White
Only Human, Tom Holt
Operation Otherworld, Poul Anderson
Our Ancestors Trilogy, Italo Calvino
Oz, L. Frank Baum
Patternmaster, Octavia Butler
PC Grant series, Ben Aaronovitch
Peace, Gene Wolfe
Perfume, Patrick Sueskind
Peter Pan, J. M. Barrie
Phantastes, George MacDonald
Princess and the Goblin, George MacDonald
Princess Series, Jim C. Hines
Quickening Series, Fiona McIntosh
Quintspinner Trilogy, Dianne Greenlay
Rai-Kirah Series, Carol Berg
Red Queen , Victoria Aveyard
Remembrance, Jude Deveraux
Renshai Trilogy, Mickey Zucker Reichert
Requiem, Graham Joyce
Riddle-Master Trilogy, Patricia A. McKillip
Rigante Series, David Gemmell
Saga of the Reindeer People, Robin Hobb (as Megan Lindhom)
Septimus Heap Series, Angie Sage
Seven Realms Series, Cinda Williams Chima
Sevenwaters Trilogy, Juliet Marillier
Shadow Police, Paul Cornell
Shadow Saga, Jon Sprunk
Short Stories, Clark Ashton Smith
Soldier of the Mist, Gene Wolfe
Songs of Earth and Power, Greg Bear
Spirit Ring, Lois McMaster Bujold
Study Series, Maria V. Snyder
Summoner, Taran Matharu
Symphony of Ages, Elizabeth Haydon
Tales of the Timuras, Allan Cole
Temeraire Series, Naomi Novik
The Alchemy Wars, Ian Tregillis
The BFG, Roald Dahl
The Broken Sword, Poul Anderson
The Chronicles of Master Li and Number 10 Ox, Barry Hughart
The Crescent Moon Kingdoms, Saladin Ahmed
The Cycle of Arawn, Edward Robertson
The Deep, John Crowley
The Dwarves, Heitz
The Empty Throne, Daniel Polansky
The Faithful and the Fallen, John Gwynne
The Fold , Peter Clines
The Forbidden Library, Django Wexler
The Hammer, K. J. Parker
The Iron Dragon's Daughter, Michael Swanwick
The Land of Laughs, Jonathan Carroll
The Laundry Series, Charles Stross
The Red Queen's War, Mark Lawrence
The Sandman, Neil Gaiman
The Scar, Maryna Dyachenko
The Screwtape Letters, C. S. Lewis
The Sharing Knife, Lois McMaster Bujold
The Southern Vampire Mysteries / Sookie Stackhouse, Charlaine Harris
The Stone Raft, Jose Saramago
The Vagrant , Peter Newman
The Vault of Heaven, Peter Orullian
The Very Model of a Man, Howard Jacobson
The View from the Mirror Series, Ian Irvine
The Well at the End of the World, William Morris
The Worm Ouroboros, Eric Eddison
Thessaly, Jo Walton
Tiger and Del, Jennifer Roberson
Till we have Faces, C. S. Lewis
Time Salvager , Wesely Chu
To Reign in Hell, Stephen Baust
Tournament of Shadows, James Enge
Vlad Taltos, Steven Brust
Voice of the Fire, Alan Moore
Waiting for the Barbarians, J. M. Coetzee
War for the Oaks, Emma Bull
Way to Babylon, Paul Kearney
Weaveworld, Clive Barker
When They Shine Brightest , Yordan Zhelyazkov
Wild Hunt, Elspeth Cooper
Windhaven, Lisa Tuttle and G. R. R. Martin
Ysabel, Guy Kavriel Kay
Zamonia, Walter Moers
Zimiamvia Trilogy, E. R. Eddison
A Pattern of Shadow & Light, Melissa McPhail
Journey to the West / Monkey King, Wu Cheng'en
Rogues of the Republic, Patrick Weekes
The Company Man, Robert Jackson Bennett
The Erebus Sequence, Den Patrick
The Shadow of What was Lost, James Islington
The Stress of Her Regard, Tim Powers
The Ties that Bind, Rob J. Hayes
The Traitor Son Cycle, Miles Cameron
The Wars of Light and Shadow, Janny Wurts
Uprooted , Naomi Novik
Valdemar: The Last Herald-Mage, Mercedes Lackey
Vicious, V.E. Schwab
White Trash Zombie, Diana Rowland
The Slow Regard of Silent Things, Patrick Rothfuss
Iron Nails, Matt Knott
Shadowdance, David Dalglish
The Queen`s Thief, Megan Whalen Turner
The DragonCrown War Cycle, Michael A. Stackpole
Saga of Anaimon, Timothy Nancarrow
Stormlords Trilogy, Glenda Larke
Chronicles of the Necromancer, Gail Z. Martin
The Divinity Student , Michael Cisco
On Stranger Tides , Tim Powers
The League of Princes, Christopher Healy
Heartstrikers, Rachel Aaron
Imager Portfolio, L.E. Modesitt jr.
JOB: A Comedy of Justice, Robert Heinlein
The Vampire Chronicles, Anne Rice
The Picture of Dorian Gray, Oscar Wilde
The Sangreal Trilogy, Amanda Hemingway
Green Rider Series, Kristen Britain
The Troupe, Robert Jackson Bennett
James and the Giant Peach, Roald Dahl
Matthew Swift Series, Kate Griffin
Ephemera Series, Anne Bishop
Bobby Dollar Series, Tad Williams
Allie Beckstrom Series, Devon Monk
The Wardstone Trilogy, R.J Mathias
The Banned and the Banished, James Clemens
Karavans, Jennifer Roberson
Saga of the Forgotten Warrior, Larry Correia
The Tears of Artamon, Sarah Ash
The Book of Lost Things, John Connolly
The Book of Atrix Wolfe, Patricia A. McKillip
Solstice Wood, Patricia A. McKillip
In the Forests of Serre, Patricia A. McKillip
The Tower at Stony Wood, Patricia A. McKillip
Winter Rose, Patricia A. McKillip
Song for the Basilisk, Patricia A. McKillip
The Birthgrave Trilogy, Tanith Lee
The Secret Books of Paradys, Tanith Lee
The Blood of Roses, Tanith Lee
Awake in the Night Land, John C. Wright
Iron Chamber of Memory, John C. Wright
The Four Arts, M.J. Scott
The Kharkanas Trilogy, Steven Erikson
Chronicles of the Cheysuli, Jennifer Roberson

 

[Laughing Mime]

Hey Derek, the below from that list i enjoyed a lot:


Acts of Caine , by Matthew Stover

Anubis Gates , by Tim Powers

Conan , by Robert E. Howard (the originals)

Felix Castor , by Mike Carey

Fafhrd and The Grey Mouser , by Fritz Leiber

Shadow Campaigns , by Django Wexler

The Folding Knife , by K. J. Parker

The Forbidden Library , by Django Wexler

The Iron Druid Chronicles , by Kevin Hearne

The Vagrant , by Peter Newman


Below I enjoyed a bit:


Death Gate Cycle , by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman

Dracula , by Bram Stoker

Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell , by Susanna Clarke

Night Watch Series , by Sergeij Lukyanenko

Tales of the Ketty Jay , by Chris Wooding

Tales of the Kin , by Douglas Hulick

Talion: Revenant , by Michael A. Stackpole


Below I didn’t enjoy:


Dragonwars Saga , by R.A. Salvatore

Twilight Series , by Stephanie Myers



Remainder I have not read, or read long enough ago that I do not trust my own opinion. Will include in my list J.

 

[Darwin]

Downloaded the ranking file. I'll work on it over the next week or so.

Rather than descriptions of the books, what do you think about additional columns for scoring specific criteria? For example, 5 extra columns: World-building, Magic System, Characterization, Novelty, Action. For First Law, scores might look like 5, 2, 10, 6, 10 or something like that. I'd give Bas-Lag higher marks for world-building and novelty but lower scores for action and characterization. In a sortable file, this would enable users to list books not just by overall score, but also by the aspects that most interest them. Voters could skip any column they didn't feel comfortable with for any book, and could even fill out 1 or more of the descriptive columns even if they're not sure how to rank the book overall.

If it's ok, I'd also like a chance to play around with the raw data. When I get some free time, I want to see which likes and dislikes correlate with other likes and dislikes.

 

[Alucard]

@Laughing Mime
You are supposed to rate the books/series from 1-10. The excel file is here. Download that, fill it up and send it to bfbforumrankings@gmail.com
Your list can serve as recommendation for forum members, but @Derk of Derkholm cant do anything with it, until you actually rate it.

 

[ABatch]

My computer won't let me download the file. Says it's dangerous. I mean, c'mon! I'm all about the danger!

 

[moonspawn]

World-building, Magic System, Characterization, Novelty, Action.

But not all fantasy novels have their own magic system at all and I think that's something that would just fit under world building. By novelty I'm guessing you mean invention and originality. As for action the term is way too ambiguous. For example I hear people say the Long Price Quartet doesn't have much action and honestly I don't know what their smoking because to me it seemed to have plenty of action. So I'd just say plot because plot and action are pretty much the same thing. If a novel has good plot then well it has good action and vice versa.

I also think this is too much work that you're asking of Derk.

 

[Derk of Derkholm]

My computer won't let me download the file. Says it's dangerous. I mean, c'mon! I'm all about the danger!

Hi Allan, thank you for this feedback.

As far as I can judge, it should not be dangerous, as my company is using the usual state-of-the-art antivirus software, and I guess Google might also check the files. If your PC displays a more detailed message as to why exactly it is dangerous, and you forward it to me, I could analyze that.

Of course, some PCs and browser setups will insist that downloading an .xls file from Google drive is ALWAYS inherently dangerous and forbid it.

But there is also an alternative! Everybody who encounters a similar problem, just send me a mail to bfbforumrankings@gmail.com, and I can mail the file back to you.

Best regards,
Andreas