Epic Series: 8 served

Do you like to read series fiction? I do too; especially epic series. I’d like to recommend some but could find no accepted definition of what makes an epic (fiction) series. Some people group fantasy series with epics and I can see their point. However, I believe some historical or contemporary fiction series which could also be described as epic, at least by my definition.   

Think "epic" and The Odyssey comes to mind.  The Odyssey is great story where lots of crazy stuff happens to Odysseus and his heroic qualities are tested. That is pretty much sums up what an epic is to me. Also that the world created by the author is distinctly different than my rather ordinary world.

So, here are eight of my favorite epic series. For each I will tell you about the heroic qualities, the crazy things that happen, the atmosphere and an indication of the level of fantasy because not everyone loves magical beings and such.

Harry Potter series by JK Rowling

Heroic Qualities?- Bright and brave children find a way to save the day despite the lack of trust given to them by adults.

What Crazy Things Happen?  Murder, torture, witchcraft, troll attacks, haunting, betrayal, explosions and even some snogging in year 4.

Atmosphere- Despite the fact that the world of Hogwarts is a dangerous place, the feeling is loveable and full of fun, like Christmas morning. 

Fantasy Quotient- Medium

Song of Fire and Ice series by George RR Martin

Heroic Qualities?-  Conflicting loyalties and the complexities of leadership make none of the characters all good or bad. 

What Crazy Things Happen?  Murder, torture, dragon attacks, betrayal, explosions and some major hooking up between various characters.

Atmosphere- Dark and fascinating. Kind of a primer for intrigue.

Fantasy Quotient- Low

The Lord of the Rings Trilogy by JRR Tolkien

Heroic Qualities? The heroes are a small race of humble hobbits who by their very nature are the best suited for the quest at hand.

What Crazy Things Happen- Sorcery, orc attacks, haunting, betrayal, battles galore, the clash of egos and different races.

Atmosphere- Dark but starkly good verses evil.

Fantasy Quotient- High

The Millennium Series by Steig Larssen

Heroic Qualities?  A techie heroine  plays by her own rules. She possesses a code of honor that serves her well. Despite her diminutive size she is one bad ass who saves the day.

What Crazy Things Happen-Sexual assault, consensual sex and amazing computer hacking

Atmosphere- Dark with a cast of misogynistic villains and some sophisticated Swedish culture.

Fantasy Quotient- No fantasy here.

The Outlander Series by Diana Gabaldon

Heroic Qualities? Loyal, physically attractive and sexually adventurous leads. Most of the heroic characters can also time travel and try to avert large and small disasters that they know about from their perspective.

What Crazy Things Happen-Time travel, war, rape, lots of consensual sex, piracy.

Atmosphere- Enchantingly full of the details that make up marriage and family in an authentic historical context.

Fantasy Quotient- Low

Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry

Heroic Qualities? Our heroes are experienced cattlemen who had worked as Texas Rangers. They know the land, the men and the cattle. Their hearts are a little less knowing.

What Crazy Things Happen- What can wrong on a cattle drive with a prostitute along? Lightening, snake bites, jealousy, drinking, gambling and fighting galore

Atmosphere- Despite the sadness in parts, the simplicity of the life and death decisions is reassuring.

Fantasy Quotient-Zero, word is there is a real life story behind the first novel.

Bridget Jones series by Helen Fielding

Heroic Qualities? The pressure of trying to be perfect mate is a quest that our bumbling disaster somehow gets right.

What Crazy Things Happen-Workplace dalliance, wardrobe malfunctions, online dating, weight gain and some of the other horrors that face a single woman.

Atmosphere- Romantic comedy, UK style

Fantasy Quotient- Zero

The Strain by Guillermo de Toro and Chuck Hogan

Heroic Qualities- Unlikely heroes use their specific knowledge to fight the horror.  Bravery and self-doubt abound.

What Crazy Things Happen- A plague of vampires is crazy enough, oh and rats, lots of rats.

Atmosphere- Darkly horrific in a post-apocalyptic manner

Fantasy Quotient- Medium, although there is the undead, this updated vampire story is told with a quasi-believable explanation.