Books are a special kind of magic, even more so if they’re fantasy novels. They create worlds where anything is possible, and people are transported to far-off lands or other planets with just the turn of a page. They’re a way for readers to escape reality, if only for a little while. However, this doesn’t mean that there aren’t some parallels between the worlds described in these books and our own world today. Plenty of fantasy book series out there explore themes like corruption, faith, identity, death, mourning, and coming-of-age storylines, told in ways everyone can easily relate to. Fantasy books are also a great way to get younger generations into reading: They’re always full of adventure, excitement, and that little pinch of risk moved by genuine curiosity to discover — all things kids love!
There’s nothing like curling up with a good fantasy book after a long tiring day. If you’re a newbie to the genre, here are some of the best fantasy books that are sure to keep you entertained and excited!
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The Colour Of Magic By Terry Pratchett
The Colour of Magic is a collection of four stories set on Discworld, a flat planet carried by four giant elephants. Here, magic is hard work: It’s not just for show and has to be studied for years and practiced diligently. The story focuses on the unlucky failed wizard Rincewind, often described as “the magical equivalent to the number zero.” Clever and utterly hilarious, The Colour of Magic is the first of Terry Pratchett’s Discworld novels.
Heck, read all of them! They are great. But my advice is to start with guards guards and then read this.
The Lord Of The Rings By J. R. R. Tolkien
The Lord of the Rings took Tolkien 12 years to write and 5 years to get published. The result is an epic masterpiece that has been inspiring writers for years. It follows Frodo Baggins, a hobbit who inherits the One Ring, a legendary object that sparks his mythical journey. It’s unquestionably Tolkien’s most remarkable work, and if you haven’t read it yet, what are you waiting for? It’s a must-read for every fantasy fan!
American Gods By Neil Gaiman
The plot follows Shadow, an ex-convict who lost his wife in a car accident, together with his best friend, with whom she had been having an affair. He becomes the bodyguard and traveling partner of Mr. Wednesday, an enigmatic con man and trickster. As their journey progresses, Shadow learns more about his employer’s true nature and struggles with his own feelings over his wife’s death.
Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell By Susanna Clarke
If you’re into historical fantasy, you just found your book! It’s difficult to put a finger on exactly what makes this book so good. The writing is beautiful, but it’s not just that. The thing that really stands out about this book is the magic system: it’s original and yet still feels real and familiar at the same time. The novel is set in England, where a group of people still study magical texts and history after the decline of magic several hundred years earlier. The group is stunned to learn about the existence of a “practical magician,” Gilbert Norrell.
The Name Of The Wind By Patrick Rothfuss
In The Name of the Wind, Patrick Rothfuss tells us a tale that is so engrossing, it’s like listening to an old friend sharing a story that sounds too incredible to be true. Narrated by the main character himself, The Name of the Wind tells the journey of Kvothe, from his childhood among traveling players to how he became one of the most famous magicians the world has ever seen.
We still wait for the final part of this story, definitely recommend reading it, though it isn't finished just yet. :)
A Game Of Thrones By George R. R. Martin
George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire series is one of the most popular fantasy books ever written, and the Game of Thrones television show has brought it to a new level of recognition. A Game Of Thrones is the first in a series of immersive novels set in a fictional world and chronicles the political power struggle between its noble houses. The story is told through the eyes of its eight key characters.
The Lies Of Locke Lamora By Scott Lynch
The first novel in the Gentleman Bastard trilogy book series, The Lies of Locke Lamora is a wonderfully written story of camaraderie, set in a medieval Venice-like city. Here, author Scott Lynch intertwines two different storylines: the first one, with the Gentleman Bastards fighting a mysterious man ascending toward the top of the criminal underworld, and the second one that narrates the history of the group itself.
The Earthsea Quartet By Ursula Le Guin
Ursula K. Le Guin takes us on a journey through the world of Earthsea, a vast archipelago of hundreds of islands surrounded by uncharted waters. With its beautiful writing, the Earthsea saga is perfect for both children and adults. Its thought-provoking ideas and themes will encourage readers to drop every judgmental behavior in favor of going deeper and forming their own opinions.
"The Wizard of Earthsea" was the first book I ever bought. The quartet is wonderful and ends in a very satisfying way.
Assassin's Apprentice By Robin Hobb
Take some magic, then a good amount of epic mastery. What you’ll get is one of the best fantasy series ever written! The novel covers the early life of a royal bastard, FitzChivalry (who also serves as the narrator), as he begins his training as an assassin and almost loses his life while protecting the throne from his overambitious uncle, Regal.
So, so beautifully written and the characters are the absolute best. Robin Hobb broke my heart and then fixed it but it will never be the same. I went through my worst book hangover after this series, and then read everything she wrote, and still couldn't get Fitz out of my head. He lives rent free in my head now, and sometimes the little voice in my head is his. The Fool too. The ending is surprisingly good and fair, and not a magical fix it, thank the gods. Just really fair to a bunch of old, beaten up characters who deserve peace.
The Fifth Season By N. K. Jemisin
The Fifth Season is the first book in the Broken Earth trilogy by N.K. Jemisin, a highly-acclaimed series that made Jemisin the first author to win the Hugo Award for Best Novel for three years in a row. The story follows three characters who are each trying to survive in a constantly changing world around them. The author’s fiction includes a wide range of themes, from cultural conflict to oppression.
Gardens Of The Moon By Steven Erikson
Harry Potter And The Philosopher's Stone By J. K. Rowling
The Way Of Kings By Brandon Sanderson
The Lion The Witch And The Wardrobe By C. S. Lewis
The whole Narnia series is great. Start in the order of publish date.
The Eye Of The World By Robert Jordan
Perdido Street Station By China Mieville
I just didn't get on with the wandering story and the dystopian nature of the world. Without a back story, it felt thin. I'm not one for noir anyway but if that's your taste, go for it.
Good Omens By Terry Pratchett
Lord Foul's Bane By Stephen Donaldson
An incredible series. You constantly wonder if a man can ever truly undo an evil act.
The Hobbit By J. R. R. Tolkien
The tone in this book is far more avuncular and jocular than the noble seriousness of "The Lord of the Rings". It grates a bit with modern readers but was normal for book written for children back then. You can see Tolkien evolving his scope, his tone and his material as the book goes on.
Dune By Frank Herbert
Herbert's world has a real logic to its weirdness, which underpins all the plotlines and characters - after AI machines tried to overthrow the hegemony of humans, they were largely exterminated in the Butlerian Jihad. Thus, human beings who wanted the abilities and services previously afforded by machines, were forced to modify themselves and animals. Thus the importance of spice. Apart from that Herbert tries to be a bit more portentous than the story deserves but he isn't the only author to do that!
The Wee Free Men By Terry Pratchett
Watership Down By Richard Adams
The Princess Bride By William Goldman
Alice's Adventures In Wonderland By Lewis Carroll
Every child and adult too, should read these. So many experts have read so many things into these books that it's a bit like an old fashioned Rorschach test. Dodgson was a queer bird indeed.
The Graveyard Book By Neil Gaiman
I forgot this was by him. I had to read it for uni (teaching degree) and loved it. So much that even though I only borrowed it for the class I went out and bought a copy afterwards.
The Voyage Of The Dawn Treader By C. S. Lewis
This is one of my favorite books of the Chronicles of Narnia Especially when they get to the end of the world.
The Fellowship Of The Ring By J. R. R. Tolkien
The Phantom Tollbooth By Norton Juster
This is going back. Loved it and wouldn't mind reading it again. I remember all sorts of chicanery with words and punctuation. Very stimulating to the hyperlexic child I was.
A Wrinkle In Time By Madeleine L’engle
Dragonflight By Anne McCaffrey
Adored these books in my teens. Another writer who just couldn't let her world go. The earlier ones are the best.
The Stand By Stephen King
Wizard's First Rule By Terry Goodkind
James And The Giant Peach By Roald Dahl
Neverwhere By Neil Gaiman
Interview With The Vampire By Anne Rice
A Darker Shade Of Magic By V. E. Schwab
Found them a bit too noir for me. But an interesting take on magic and world hopping.
A Wizard Of Earthsea By Ursula K. Le Guin
Redwall By Brian Jacques
The Once And Future King By T. H. White
Another beloved book from my childhood. Didn't like the Disney version - too twee.
Magician By Raymond E. Feist
These first ones were good reading but I do wonder if he has stretched the stories too long. How many times can one world be invaded by yet another magical evil? Starts to get all same same.
The Last Unicorn By Peter S. Beagle
The Silmarillion By J R. R. Tolkien
I'll warn you in advance - it's not a novel but more like a history book. Parts are dull, parts are fabulous - but Tolkien doesn't develop them. I always felt these were his working notes for books he never wrote.
The Sword Of Shannara By Terry Brooks
Circe By Madeline Miller
Rivers Of London By Ben Aaronovitch
The Tombs Of Atuan By Ursula K. Le Guin
The Subtle Knife By Philip Pullman
I love this series. I find it ironic that it was banned for making the Church a villain and talking about them silencing controversial opinions.
Storm Front By Jim Butcher
The Dark Is Rising Sequence By Susan Cooper
Five Children And It By E. Nesbit
Gosh, thought her long forgotten. These were fun books to read as a child.
Ozma Of Oz By L. Frank Baum
The B F G By Roald Dahl
Possibly my favourite Roald Dahl. I think it was the first 'chapter book' I was allowed to read for class as in grade two you weren't supposed to be at that level yet. One of the many things I disliked about moving schools.
The Night Circus By Erin Morgenstern
I didn't expect to like this book for some reason, but devoured it in three days!
The Poppy War By R. F. Kuang
I loved this book, think I read it in less than a week. I wasn't completely happy with the ending though and the second book wasn't quite as good, but still worth the read. I'm waiting for my cousin to finish the third one before I can borrow it from him.
The Return Of The King By J. R. R. Tolkien
Howl’s Moving Castle By Diana Wynne Jones
The Dragonbone Chair By Tad Williams
The Forgotten Beasts Of Eld By Patricia A. McKillip
11.22.63 By Stephen King
This is in the big stack of books my cousin just lent me, which I will get through eventually :)
Children Of Blood And Bone By Tomi Adeyemi
The Magicians By Lev Grossman
Prince Of Thorns By Mark Lawrence
Doesn't anyone get tired of the artwork trope - badass character with hood over face, cape flaring in unseen wind, sword, or arrow or whatever over noir background.
Swan Song By Robert McCammon
Fantastic story about the end of the world, the inevitable battle between good and evil, and the way people's inner beauty can shine. McCammon's best, IMO.
The 10,000 Doors Of January By Alix E. Harrow
The Book Thief By Markus Zusak
The Arabian Nights By Andrew Lang
The Shadow Of The Torturer By Gene Wolf
Read these back in the day. Style is picaresque so if you are expecting something plot driven, you'll be disappointed.
Tigana By Guy Gavriel Kay
A Brightness Long Ago By Guy Gavriel Kay
Why so many Gavriel Kay novels when there are literally hundreds of other authors with great books?
The Priory Of The Orange Tree By Samantha Shannon
The City And The City By China Mieville
I didn't realise this was a book first. I saw the first episode of the tv series but didn't get further.
Anything by Charles de Lint, from his "Newford" stories to his standalone novels (like "Blue Girl"). The "Bordertown" shared universe series edited by Terri Windling. The "Odd Thomas" series by Dean Koontz. "The Eyes of the Dragon" by Stephen King. Heinlein's "Glory Road" and "Job: A Comedy of Justice." Diane Duane's "So You Want to Be a Wizard" series. For humorous fantasy, John DeChancie's "Castle" series and Piers Anthony's "Xanth" series.
Anything by Charles de Lint, from his "Newford" stories to his standalone novels (like "Blue Girl"). The "Bordertown" shared universe series edited by Terri Windling. The "Odd Thomas" series by Dean Koontz. "The Eyes of the Dragon" by Stephen King. Heinlein's "Glory Road" and "Job: A Comedy of Justice." Diane Duane's "So You Want to Be a Wizard" series. For humorous fantasy, John DeChancie's "Castle" series and Piers Anthony's "Xanth" series.
