Looking for an engrossing book series to get lost in for hours on end? There’s nothing quite like discovering a fictional world and characters you just can’t get enough of. From magical fantasy realms to gritty modern thrillers, here are six book series that will keep you turning pages well into the night.
Venture into the Dark Side with Dan Padavona
Number of books: 7 (so far)
Dan Padavona’s chilling Darkwater Cove series plunges readers into the twisted minds of the most terrifying villains. Gruesome serial killers and their equally disturbed pursuers weave a heart-pounding series that blends psychological depth with nightmare-inducing horror. If you like breakneck suspense and truly disturbing criminal minds, Padavona’s books take you straight to the dark side.
Readers with a high tolerance for gruesome content will find themselves racing through Padavona’s grimly captivating thrillers. The horror is visceral yet thoughtful, delving deep inside the darkest human impulses.
Join the Resistance with Noughts and Crosses and Malorie Blackman
Number of books: 6
Malorie Blackman’s gripping six-book series thrusts readers into an alternate version of Britain where racism and rebellion simmer just below the surface. When privileged Crosses and oppressed Noughts fall dangerously in love, both their worlds erupt in violence. Like a razor-sharp Romeo and Juliet with a sci-fi twist, this electrifying saga confronts issues of prejudice and injustice while keeping the star-crossed romance pulsing.
Blackman crafts a compelling alternate history that feels all too plausible, given the real world’s continual struggles against racism and oppression. Thoughtful and heart-wrenching, this series balances raw emotions with gripping drama for an impact that lasts long after the final page.
Walk on the Wild Side with Jack Reacher and Lee Child
Number of books: 27 (so far)
Looking for a muscular, fast-paced thriller series? Lee Child’s Jack Reacher books deliver hard-hitting action with an intriguing central character. The astute, enigmatic Reacher wanders America righting wrongs with his brains and brawn. Child’s taut prose captures kinetic fight scenes and Reacher’s paradoxical personality, a loner with a strong moral compass. Now with Andrew Child co-writing, Reacher’s wanderings continue. Climb aboard for a thrilling ride.
With his imposing size and silent confidence, Reacher makes for an irresistible hero to follow through one explosive adventure after another. Readers will be hooked by the sharp dialogue, unexpected plot twists, and vivid locales across America rendered in Child’s stark, compelling style.
Enter the Fantasy Legend with Lord of the Rings and Tolkien
Number of books: 3
J.R.R. Tolkien didn’t just write an epic fantasy trilogy — he invented a genre. The Lord of the Rings transports readers to the richly imagined world of Middle Earth as an unlikely band of heroes quests to destroy a ring of terrible power. Tolkien’s masterful storytelling and pioneering world-building set the standard for all fantasy books to follow. Return to Middle Earth to experience the granddaddy of fantasy epics.
Tolkien spent decades crafting every detail of Middle Earth’s history, languages, and inhabitants, resulting in a fully immersive fantasy realm unrivaled in depth and detail. Multiple generations have lost themselves happily in this landmark trilogy.
Expand Your Universe with the Culture Series and Iain M Banks
Number of books: 10
For a mind-bending sci-fi saga, dive into the Culture series of Iain M. Banks. Set in a post-scarcity interstellar society, these cerebral space adventures tackle themes of moral relativity and radical empathy. Banks blends wry satire with optimism about technology’s potential while his flawed characters navigate violent galactic turmoil. Expand your imagination with one of sci-fi’s most inventive futures.
Banks’ talent for world-building is on full display here, with each Culture novel unveiling new facets of his post-humanist utopian vision. His creativity with advanced technology, alien races, and the limits of morality make for thought-provoking space opera.
Face Your Fears with His Dark Materials and Pullman
Number of books: 6 (plus some short stories)
Philip Pullman’s award-winning trilogy spans dazzling magical worlds in an epic coming-of-age tale. As young Lyra seeks her kidnapped friend, she uncovers a villainous plot that intertwines witch clans, armored bears, and a mysterious cosmic dust. Pullman’s storytelling mastery explores adolescence and authority with thrilling imagination. Step through the portal into an unforgettable journey.
Pullman expertly balances intimate character drama with a fantastical adventure across multiple realities. He tackles profound philosophical questions in approachable ways suitable for both young adult and adult readers. This modern fantasy classic stays with you long after the final pages.
Try One Today!
With their absorbing stories that immerse you in richly imagined worlds and binge-worthy suspense that will keep you turning pages late into the night, these book series will absolutely feed your addiction for more. You’ll find yourself craving the next installment, eager to rejoin the characters on their perilous journeys and discover what happens next.
The carefully crafted plots will transport you to thrilling places full of action, intrigue, and wonder. Diving into a new series today is like opening a door to an endless fantasy realm or gritty thriller landscape you can get lost in for hours on end. These stories will take you on an unforgettable ride, but just don’t forget to come up for air once in a while!
Angela Spearman is a journalist at EzineMark who enjoys writing about the latest trending technology and business news.
