5 Books (and Series) Like Lord of the Rings
One of the real heartbreaking things about finishing the Lord of the Rings is just how special this series is. When you put down Return of the King, there’s this sinking feeling that nothing will ever quite live up to the power, depth, and beauty of Tolkein.
And, well, you’re probably right.
But luckily for all of us, there are some books like Lord of the Rings. They manage to rise to literary heights while still delivering that hit of fantasy, often creating immersive worlds you can lose yourself in.
So if you are asking yourself “What should I read if I liked Lord of the Rings?” — don’t worry! This list has you covered.
1. The Earthsea Cycle by Ursula K. Le Guin
We have to begin with this incredible series that’s rich with both artistic value and an extremely metal fantasy world. Plus, it’s written by Ursula K. Le Guin — a total spellcasting, literary witch the likes of which we’ll never see again.
The books take place in Earthsea, a world dominated by a vast ocean. Among the many islands that humanity clings to, magic is practiced and mythical beasts are fought. And since it’s Le Guin, you know the writing will be tremendous.
2. The Well at World’s End by William Morris
Published in 1896, this isn’t just a book like Lord of the RIngs, it’s a book that influenced Tolkein. It is a romantic story of a young Prince who hears the call to adventure. Though his parents tell him he cannot leave the safety of the kingdom, he must taste the waters in the well at the end of the world.
This book, greatly influenced by the folklore of Europe, taps into the same wellspring of magic and myth that Tolkein so famously did with his own stories of Middle Earth.
3. Dark Tower Series by Stephen King
This expansive book series doesn’t take place in a reimagined Medieval Era, as so many books like Lord of the Rings do. Instead, it is situated in a universe as inspired by the spaghetti westerns of Sergio Leone as the fantasy realm of Middle Earth. But with those two major contributors to its DNA, you’ve got one hell of a read on your hands.
It really stands apart from the rest of King’s oeuvre, so whether you are a fan or not, it is worth checking out if you liked Lord of the Rings.
4. Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman
Lord of the Rings drew a lot from the Viking mythos. And none other than Neil Gaiman has finally created a masterful retelling of the original stories themselves, drawing directly from the Eddas to make this novelization.
It’s hands down the most accessible way to read about the astounding adventures of the Norse pantheon, and many of the motifs will be shockingly familiar to fans of Lord of the Rings.
5. Beowulf
Stay with me here. I know reading Beowulf sounds like homework at first. But the more you poke around this ancient text, the more you feel like Gandalf puffing his pipe and reading lore in the basement libraries of Minas Tirith.
This work has evil monsters born of swamp-hags. It has dragons and warriors drinking mead in a great hall. It has heroes bearing legendary swords, not to mention the ever-present hand of fate. Sounds like Tolkein, right?
And if you’re looking for more Tolkien-esque reading, check out our fantasy book releases. For everything else metal, keep browsing Metalblog.