"The Wheel of Time", by Robert Jordan (ended by Brian Sanderson), is an epic series written over 20 years. I am currently reading it and this is why I started this (short) "Inspiring Books Series" with it

Plot: on the eve of Bel Tine (an annual festival celebrating the arrival of spring), an unexpected attack by bestial Trollocs and fearsome Myrddraal seems to target Rand al'Thor and his two friends, Matrim Cauthon and Perrin Aybara, specifically. Hoping to spare their loved ones and village from further attacks, the three young men resolve to flee the village by night, accompanied by Moiraine Damodred, an Aes Sedai (woman sorceress), and her Warder, aLan Mandragoran. An epic journey begins!!

Characters, from left to right:
Matrim Cauthon
Rand al'Thor
Nynaeve al'Meara
(back) A Myrddraal, evil creature with no eye
Moiraine Damodred, Aes Sedai from the Blue Ajah
Lan Mandragoran, her Warder
Perrin Aybara
Egwene al'Vere

These are some of the main characters, but there are so many along the way that I could have put 50 of them

Background, on the left: a "Waygate", special portal providing access to the "Ways", an area outside of reality crafted by male Aes Sedai to allow Ogiers to travel safely between their stedding.

Hope you like it!
More "Inspiring Books" coming soon...