The Fantasy 101 › Books Like

Books Like The Drenai Saga

Gemmell, 1984 · #54 on the Epic Fantasy 101 Booklist · 79/120

An aging axeman, Druss the Legend, and other heroes of the Drenai stand against impossible odds at fortresses like Dros Delnoch.

Its strongest scores: climax and fights and theme. The five books below have the closest scores across all eleven criteria.

If you liked The Drenai Saga, read:

1. The Wheel of Time

   Jordan, 1990 · #32 on the list · 86/120

   Rand al'Thor, a farm boy from the Two Rivers, learns he is the Dragon Reborn. He is destined to fight the Dark One and to break the world again.

   Close on mood, theme, structure, further reading.

2. Redwall

   Jacques, 1986 · #69 on the list · 74/120

   When a warlord rat besieges Redwall Abbey, a young mouse searches for the lost sword of the legendary Martin the Warrior.

   Close on mood, theme, structure, further reading.

3. The Black Company

   Cook, 1984 · #28 on the list · 87/120

   A mercenary company's annalist records their service to a sorceress called the Lady, and what it costs them.

   Close on theme, structure, further reading, creative details.

4. The First Law

   Abercrombie, 2006 · #33 on the list · 85/120

   A crippled torturer, a barbarian with a body count and a vain young nobleman are drawn into an old wizard's war. Their paths cross at the Union's heart.

   Close on theme, structure, further reading, real-world blend.

5. Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn

   Williams, 1988 · #61 on the list · 77/120

   Simon, a kitchen boy at the Hayholt, is swept into a war as an undead elf-king returns to claim Osten Ard.

   Close on mood, theme, structure, further reading.

How the scores work: each book is rated 1 to 10 on eleven criteria; real-world blend and climax and fights count double, for a maximum of 120. See the full Fantasy 101.