The Best Fantasy Books of the 1990s

What an extraordinary decade for fantasy! In the first instalment of a decade by decade look at fantasy publishing, in this episode Julia Golding and Jacob Rennaker begin with a period that gave us countless instant classics. Each shares their top three picks—will you agree with their choices? Tune in to find out!

(00:04) Revisiting the Fantasy Reads of the 1990s
(02:31) Major Fantasy Titles of the Decade
(05:28) Adding Game of Thrones and Good Omens to the List
(07:51) Defining “Best” as Books Worth Returning To
(09:19) Jacob’s Number Three: Star Wars and Heir to the Empire
(12:03) Julia’s Number Three: J.D. Robb’s In Death Series
(15:07) Jacob’s Number Two: Northern Lights / The Golden Compass
(19:34) Julia’s Number Two: Garth Nix’s Sabriel
(23:36) Why Harry Potter Tops Both Lists
(28:54) Final Rankings and an Invitation to Listeners

For more information on the Oxford Centre for Fantasy, our writing courses, and to check out our awesome social media content visit:

Website: https://centre4fantasy.com/website 
Instagram: https://centre4fantasy.com/Instagram 
Facebook: https://centre4fantasy.com/Facebook 
TikTok: https://centre4fantasy.com/tiktok

Mythmakers is the podcast for fantasy fans and creatives, brought to you by the Oxford Centre for Fantasy. In each episode, we embark on an exploration of the world of fantasy—both classic and contemporary. From the stories behind your favourite series to expert tips for aspiring writers, we dive into books, films, TV shows, and the creative process behind them.

Brought to you from the heart of Oxford—home to literary greats like J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, and Lewis Carroll—we continue the storytelling tradition in the very city where Narnia, Middle-earth, and even Wonderland took shape drawing on the city’s magical blend of ancient buildings, labyrinthine libraries, and gentle river meadows.

Ready to step into the Wardrobe with us into your next big adventure? Visit https://oxfordcentreforfantasy.org/ to learn more!