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Top 8 Fantasy Series With Perfect Finales

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Wrapping up a story isn’t an easy task, but there are some exceptional fantasy series that pull off a perfect ending with their final book, scoring a 10/10. Writing a series can be tough because maintaining strong momentum throughout can be challenging. This is true even for fantasy novels that start with a stunning debut, as impressive beginnings often set high standards for the rest of the series. Meeting these expectations can be difficult, and it becomes increasingly challenging to deliver a conclusion that neatly ties up all loose ends as more books are added.

A well-crafted conclusion should address all the queries raised throughout the narrative, either by providing answers or offering compelling reasons not to, and it should offer fitting conclusions for the main storylines and characters. If a final installment neglects this, it can significantly impact the series’ reputation, causing readers to reevaluate everything that preceded it. However, it’s more common for final books to find a balance, neither devastating the series nor achieving flawlessness. Remarkably, there are some exceptional fantasy series that boast perfect final books, making them worth reading for that reason alone.

8. The Lord Of The Rings By J.R.R. Tolkien

Final Book: The Return Of The King

The three novels known as “Lord of the Rings” are nearly flawless, and the concluding book, “The Return of the King,” provides an uplifting finish to J.R.R. Tolkien’s fantasy tale. This final part marks the long-awaited destruction of the One Ring, and it shows Tolkien’s characters overcoming the darkness that had been plaguing Middle-earth. While not all fantasy stories have happy endings, this one fits “Lord of the Rings” perfectly. Moreover, Frodo’s decision to keep the One Ring at the story’s end lends a sense of realism to Tolkien’s conclusion, which is a thoughtful touch.

In this aspect, “The Return of the King” offers a perfect blend of wrapping up with an optimistic and inspiring ending while simultaneously underscoring the persistent darkness that Middle-earth’s champions must continually confront. Simply put, “The Return of the King” provides everything one could desire from a concluding book: grandiose battles, life-altering consequences, and profound emotional moments that will linger in readers’ minds long after they’ve completed the series. It’s no wonder that Tolkien’s fantasy saga is regarded as a masterpiece and a timeless classic.

7. Mistborn Era 1 By Brandon Sanderson

Final Book: The Hero Of Ages

In a different phrase, the “Mistborn” Era 1 is another exceptional fantasy series where every book scores a perfect 10, with the last one being “The Hero of Ages.” Published in 2008, this final installment by Brandon Sanderson escalates the story’s tension even further. The narrative focuses on Vin, Elend, and their team as they work tirelessly to save Scadrial from a powerful entity known as Ruin. By increasing the stakes, “The Hero of Ages” delivers an intense and climactic conclusion that readers will find truly satisfying, filled with action and heart-wrenching sacrifices that may leave them breathless.

In true Sanderson style, “The Hero of Ages” follows the tradition set by “Mistborn” of presenting stunning plot twists. Among these surprises, the revelation of the main character’s identity is one of the most impactful in the series, which is quite a feat given the shocking reveal of the Lord Ruler in “The Final Empire” and the intricate plots of “The Well of Ascension.” This final installment embodies everything that made the initial “Mistborn” series stand out, providing a fitting conclusion for Vin and the other characters. Moreover, it solidifies the series as one of the finest contributions to the fantasy genre.

6. The Mortal Instruments By Cassandra Clare

Final Book: City Of Heavenly Fire

The Mortal Instruments collection, penned by Cassandra Clare, offers a diverse reading experience, with certain books outshining others. However, the initial Shadowhunters series concludes triumphantly, and City of Heavenly Fire stands out as particularly impactful, resonating deeply with every reader. Despite the previous two volumes causing a slight dip in momentum for the series, City of Heavenly Fire maintains its pace, delivering action, emotional moments, and unexpected turns. Given its length of over 700 pages, this sustained intensity is truly remarkable.

City of Heavenly Fire not only wraps up the key events from the preceding five novels in the The Mortal Instruments series, but also ties Cassandra Clare’s initial story to The Infernal Devices, while paving the way for The Dark Artifices. Throughout its course, it achieves much and concludes Jace and Clary’s tale one more time. It delivers on the romantic elements, offers a wealth of action and tension, and the conclusion is particularly emotional. The final chapters are a poignant ending to the story, making it worth persevering through the earlier books.

5. The Six Of Crows Duology By Leigh Bardugo

Final Book: Crooked Kingdom

The duology penned by Leigh Bardugo, featuring “Six of Crows,” comprises just two books, both of which are exceptional reads that earn a perfect score of 10/10. While “Six of Crows” has a stronger overall structure, “Crooked Kingdom” serves as an impressive sequel with few flaws to criticize. Published in 2016, “Crooked Kingdom” neatly wraps up all the unresolved plot points from the initial story, shedding light on the future of Bardugo’s band of renegades following their daring heist at the Ice Court. In “Crooked Kingdom,” the author skillfully explores and deepens the relationships within the group, and character development is a standout aspect of this second and concluding novel.

Apart from Crooked Kingdom showcasing exceptional character interactions, its sequel delivers action and excitement comparable to its predecessor, despite lacking the same heist structure. Although it shares a similar feel, this is advantageous for the novel. Moreover, Crooked Kingdom contains some of the most memorable lines in Bardugo’s Grishaverse, one of the saga’s most heartbreaking deaths, and a wealth of humorous exchanges. It capitalizes on the strengths of book one and leaves an impact that is almost as powerful.

4. The First Law Trilogy By Joe Abercrombie

Final Book: Last Argument Of Kings

The gritty fantasy series by Joe Abercrombie, known as the “First Law” trilogy, is one of the best in its genre and only gets better with each installment. Given how exceptional books like “The Blade Itself” and “Before They Are Hanged” are, it’s clear that “Last Argument of Kings” is a must-read, scoring a perfect 10/10. The emotional depth reached in this final book is unparalleled, likely due to readers being deeply invested in Abercrombie’s complex characters by the time they reach the third book.

As a movie connoisseur, I can confidently say that Last Argument of Kings doesn’t shy away from its raw emotional impact as it concludes Abercrombie’s epic trilogy. After two books immersed in these characters’ lives, readers will still find themselves reeling from the unexpected turns — a clear testament to Abercrombie’s uncanny ability to defy expectations. The final installment of the First Law series is brimming with intricate character development, thrilling action, and heart-wrenching plot twists, making for a deeply satisfying conclusion to this extraordinary series.

3. The Broken Earth Trilogy By N.K. Jemisin

Final Book: The Stone Sky

N.K. Jemisin’s Broken Earth trilogy weaves a captivating and distinctive fantasy tale from start to finish, and The Stone Sky delivers a satisfying conclusion as the final installment. One of the primary strengths of Jemisin’s series lies in its capacity to address pressing and challenging topics within its fantasy framework, shedding light on real-world issues. The Stone Sky honors the story’s themes with a powerful ending that is both sorrowful and optimistic at once.

The Stone Sky,” being the last installment in Jemisin’s series, stands out as it delivers more breathtaking writing and poignant losses that linger with readers. Not every final book in a fantasy series leaves such a powerful impact, especially when it’s almost flawless. But “The Stone Sky” is an exception; it’s a read that will undoubtedly leave a lasting impression. It solidifies “The Broken Earth” as one of the most remarkable modern fantasy stories.

2. Percy Jackson & The Olympians By Rick Riordan

Final Book: The Last Olympian

One reason why Percy Jackson & the Olympians continues to be a beloved children’s fantasy book even after all these years is that Rick Riordan’s series doesn’t stumble at the end. The final installment, The Last Olympian , concludes the original Percy Jackson series and it’s arguably the best book in the collection. In this finale, Percy truly finds his heroic stride amidst a catastrophic conflict against Kronos and the Titans. The story is filled with action, loss, and tension as Riordan brings the narrative to a close.

In the final book of the Percy Jackson series, titled The Last Olympian, Riordan faithfully fulfills the expectations set by the preceding four books. It unveils how Percy’s prophecy unfolds and brings to life the conclusions that the main characters have been working towards throughout their arcs. Nothing within this final tale feels out of place or unjustified, and the climactic confrontation, brimming with tension, serves as a satisfying conclusion to this captivating story. It’s worth noting that while Riordan concludes this chapter in Percy Jackson’s life, he continues exploring this world in other series and spinoffs.

1. The Stormlight Archive Arc 1 By Brandon Sanderson

Final Book: Wind And Truth

Few authors have succeeded in crafting a complete fantasy series with all books scoring perfect tens, but Brandon Sanderson is one such exceptional case, contributing two remarkable additions to the genre. The first, known as the Mistborn Era 1, paved the way. However, The Stormlight Archive Arc 1 matches it in terms of execution brilliance. The series, The Wind and Truth , left an indelible mark on readers when it was released in December 2024, with the conclusion to Arc 1 being almost flawless. The fifth book of The Stormlight Archive series manages to tie up all its storylines and characters cohesively, a remarkable feat considering the intricate nature of Sanderson’s work.

Apart from concluding the initial storyline of The Stormlight Archive with thrilling actions and heart-wrenching moments, Wind and Truth additionally sparks anticipation for future instalments within the Cosmere. Upon finishing it, fans of Sanderson will be chomping at the bit to grasp Mistborn Era 3 and The Stormlight Archive Arc 2. It’s a positive indication when a vast fantasy series ignites an appetite for more, and this certainly holds true here.

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2025-04-21 07:09

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