What are the best fantasy world building novels?

Well, 'Harry Potter' series by J.K. Rowling has a great world building. Hogwarts School and the wizarding world with its different spells, creatures, and classes are really fascinating. Then there is 'The Dark Tower' series by Stephen King. It creates a strange and multi - faceted world that blends different genres. Also, 'Earthsea' by Ursula K. Le Guin has a beautifully crafted world of magic and islands.

One of the best world - building novels is 'Lord of the Rings' by J.R.R. Tolkien. Tolkien created an incredibly detailed Middle - earth, with its own languages, cultures, and histories. The races like Hobbits, Elves, Dwarves, and Men all have their unique characteristics and ways of life. Another great one is 'A Song of Ice and Fire' by George R.R. Martin. The world of Westeros is full of political intrigue, diverse regions, and complex family dynamics. There are also the unique cultures beyond the Wall and in Essos.

Well, 'The Priory of the Orange Tree' by Samantha Shannon is an excellent new world - building novel. It has a vast and detailed world filled with different kingdoms, magic systems, and mythical creatures. It's really immersive. Also, 'Gideon the Ninth' by Tamsyn Muir constructs a strange and fascinating necromantic world with its own rules and hierarchies.

The 'Gormenghast' trilogy by Mervyn Peake. The world of Gormenghast Castle is a dark and gothic place with its own hierarchy, strange customs, and a sense of decay. It's a very unique world - building. Another one is 'The Riftwar Saga' by Raymond E. Feist. It has a world where different planes of existence interact, and there are wars between different kingdoms and races.

One great example is 'Sword Art Online'. It creates a vast and immersive virtual world called Aincrad, with detailed rules for the game world, different levels, and unique monsters. The world - building also extends to the relationships between the players within this virtual realm.

Well, a key characteristic is detail. For example, in 'No Game No Life', the world is full of various races with their own unique abilities and cultures. Every rule of the games that govern this world is clearly defined. Another aspect is consistency. The world has to follow its own set of rules. In 'Re:Zero − Starting Life in Another World', the magic system and how the world resets are always consistent, which makes the world - building believable.

One of the great ones is 'The Lord of the Rings' by J.R.R. Tolkien. It creates a vast and detailed Middle - earth, with different races, languages, and cultures. Another is 'A Song of Ice and Fire' by George R.R. Martin. His world of Westeros is full of political intrigue, diverse regions, and complex characters. 'The Wheel of Time' by Robert Jordan also stands out. It has a huge and elaborate world with unique magic systems and a long - spanning prophecy.

The key elements include unique geography. For example, J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle - earth has vast mountains, deep forests and mysterious swamps. Magic systems are also crucial. In Brandon Sanderson's works, his magic systems are well - defined with specific rules. And cultures play a big role. Different races may have their own languages, traditions and social structures, like the dwarves and elves in fantasy novels.

I would recommend 'Mistborn' by Brandon Sanderson. The world has a unique magic system based on the ingestion of metals, and a complex social structure. The landscape is also interesting, with ashen wastelands and great cities. 'Harry Potter' series by J.K. Rowling is also a good one. Hogwarts and the wizarding world it exists in is full of charm, with hidden alleys, magical creatures, and a history that dates back centuries.

World building in fantasy novels is important for several reasons. First, it gives the story depth and complexity. Second, it helps establish unique rules and magic systems. Finally, it allows readers to fully invest in the characters and their adventures within this extraordinary setting.