Thanks to the success of “Game of Thrones,” HBO is grabbing hold of the fantasy reins and steering the network toward another adaptation of a best-selling fantasy novel. This time, the network is developing a series based on Neil Gaiman’s best-selling novel “American Gods.” While we’re anxious to see this sci-fi-fantasy-horror blend fleshed out on screen, we have a list of other adaptations we’d like to see. Here are our top 10 fantasy novels/series we’d most like to see adapted into a television series.
1. “The Wheel of Time” series by Robert Jordan
It goes without saying that this sprawling epic tale should hold the number on slot of fantasy series we’d like to see adapted into a TV series. Robert Jordan’s “The Wheel of Time” series is one of the greatest epic fantasy series of all time, with over 50 million copies sold internationally. Considering Jordan’s in-depth storytelling that spans across 14 books and includes over 2,000 named characters, any network would have their work cut out for them to make this a digestible series.
2. “Dragonlance Chronicles” by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman
While the “Dragonlance Chronicles” is one the most popular shared-world concepts out there, with close to 200 novels in the franchise, the series is ripe with possibilities. We’d like to see a show that focuses on the Chronicles trilogy so we can see the world of Krynn come to life. Oh, and dragons. We want to see lots of dragons.
3. “The Elenium” series by David Edding
With just three novels in the series, it wouldn’t be too difficult for a network to adapt these books into a worthwhile television series. Filled with splendidly flawed characters, this modern fantasy has enough substance to create an immersive world filled with plenty of swords, thieves, and hypnotically beautiful queens.
4. “Farseer Trilogy” by Robin Hobb
This emotionally rich trilogy would make an excellent television series that’s packed with a carefully constructed plot, realistic dialogue, and a fresh take on the fantasy genre that doesn’t leave you feeling like you already know the story. What we find so compelling about this story is Hobb’s ability to break free from many of the clichés crowding this genre.
5. “The Saga of Recluce” by L.E. Modesitt Jr.
While “The Saga of Recluce” follows familiar ground as a coming-of-age good vs. evil fantasy, the treatment of magic feels fresh and the characters are entertaining. The best part about this book being adapted into a series would be our ability to enjoy the story without drowning in the author’s tick of using an ocean of ellipses.
6. “Dark Elf Trilogy” by R.A. Salvatore
We would love to see the dark and mythical world of Menzobarranzen light up our television screens. Don’t let the title fool you. There’s more to this story than dark elves. Filled with various creatures and races, this high-fantasy series delivers non-stop action and satisfying message that would easily translate to visual media.
7. “The Dark Tower” series by Stephen King
It’s Stephen King… What more do we need to say? Our favorite story-teller brings a macabre world to life while creating a powerful protagonist, The Gunslinger, to ground us. The various themes contained in this series – horror, sci-fi, fantasy and western – are what captivate us the most about seeing this novel realized on the small screen. Who wouldn’t want to see a fantasy series that draws upon Arthurian Legend, “The Lord of the Rings,” and “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly” as inspiration?
8. “Artemis Fowl” by Eoin Colfer
While “Artemis Fowl” may not be as mature as “A Song of Ice and Fire,” it is an insanely witty and entertaining series filled with ridiculously awesome plots and a great deal more sophistication than the Potter franchise. Although we would like to see Artemis on the big screen, with the right studio and a large budget, it would fare well as a series.
9. “Chronicles of Amber” by Roger Zelazny
Focusing on the relationship between two dimensions, the ill-fated souls who meddle with magic and are transported to new and frightening planes of existence, and the gifted few who can travel between dimensions, this series is chocked-full with material that spans across decades of time. While this series could easily become the poster child for a campy Syfy channel specials, in the right hands “Chronicles of Amber” would be a fascinatingly entertaining series.
10. “The Riftwar Saga” by Raymond E. Feist
This series is the quintessential fantasy tale complete with ancient magic, good vs. evil, bickering kingdoms, fatal beauties, deception, and war. The central character, Pug, is an orphan who starts out as a magician’s apprentice and later changes the fate of two worlds. What would make this adaptation so successful is the compelling characters, including elves, dwarves, and dragons, of course.
Tell us what you think. What other series would you like to see adapted into a television series?
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