The AI Shelf · UK · Week 41, 2026
Epic fantasy novels
The books ChatGPT, Claude and Gemini recommended this week when asked for epic fantasy novels: 72 answers to 12 questions worded the way readers ask.
Ranked by the share of all answers that recommend each book. An arrow means its share really moved since last week; – means steady.
- 1–29%21 of 72 answers
- 1–29%21 of 72 answers
- 1–29%21 of 72 answers
- 4–21%15 of 72 answers
- 5–19%14 of 72 answers
- 5–19%14 of 72 answers
- 7–18%13 of 72 answers
- 8–17%12 of 72 answers
- 9–13%9 of 72 answers
- 10–10%7 of 72 answers
- 10–10%7 of 72 answers
- 10–10%7 of 72 answers
- 10–10%7 of 72 answers
- 14–8%6 of 72 answers
- 14–8%6 of 72 answers
- 14–8%6 of 72 answers
- 14–8%6 of 72 answers
- 18–7%5 of 72 answers
- 18–7%5 of 72 answers
- 18–7%5 of 72 answers
- 18–7%5 of 72 answers
- 18–7%5 of 72 answers
- 23–6%4 of 72 answers
- 23–6%4 of 72 answers
- 23–6%4 of 72 answers
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The sites the assistants read for this list
Cited by ChatGPT and Claude while they answered. Sites marked Publisher list only their own books; the rest are lists, reviewers and press a book can be pitched to.
- penguinrandomhouse.comPublisherin 4 answers
- brandonsanderson.comAuthor sitein 4 answers
- reactormag.comPressin 3 answers
- publishersweekly.comPressin 3 answers
- en.wikipedia.orgReferencein 3 answers
- us.macmillan.comPublisherin 3 answers
- booksofbrilliance.comBook listsin 3 answers
- time.comPressin 2 answers
- penguin.co.ukPublisherin 2 answers
- goodreads.comCataloguein 2 answers
- content.time.comPressin 2 answers
- theguardian.comPressin 2 answers
How this list is made
Every week we ask the same 12 questions, 2 times each, of ChatGPT and Claude (both searching the web live) and Gemini (answering from what it knows; Google's terms don't let tools like ours analyse its web-search answers). The questions are worded the way readers really ask. We read which books each answer recommends, count each book once however it is spelled, leave out any book or author the question itself named, and rank by the share of answers that name it. A list is published only when every assistant answered.
This week: 72 answers (48 live, 24 from memory). Question set uk-1, run 5 October 2026.
- “What are the best epic fantasy novels of all time? I'm after the ones everyone says you have to read.”
- “I've never really read epic fantasy before but fancy giving it a go. Where should I start?”
- “What are the best epic fantasy books that have come out in the last year or so? I've read loads of the older stuff and want something new.”
- “Are there any underrated or lesser-known epic fantasy novels that deserve more attention? I'm fed up of seeing the same big names recommended all the time.”
- “I need a birthday present for my dad who loves history books and war films. Which epic fantasy novel would he enjoy?”
- “I've got a long-haul flight coming up and want a big, immersive epic fantasy to lose myself in. Any suggestions?”
- “Can you recommend some good grimdark epic fantasy with morally grey characters and plenty of political scheming?”
- “I absolutely loved The Name of the Wind. What other epic fantasy books are similar to it?”
- “I've read everything by Brandon Sanderson and need something new. Which epic fantasy authors should I try next?”
- “Our book club wants to try an epic fantasy novel for the first time. Which one would get people talking and not be too daunting?”
- “What are the best epic fantasy novels written by British authors? I'd love to support some home-grown talent.”
- “Which epic fantasy series is actually worth the commitment of starting? I want something with a proper ending that doesn't drag on forever.”
A list shows what the assistants said that week. It is not a ranking of quality or of sales, and nobody pays to be on it.