So You Want to Read Fantasy? Start Here.
and if you think you don't, you might surprise yourself!
I know, I know — not another post about fantasy reading! If you’re like me, it’s all over your social media due to the recent Sarah J. Maas release, but I can’t help myself. I love a trend.
In all likelihood, every person reading this post has read a book that could be defined as fantasy — Harry Potter? The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe? Percy Jackson? — but in many cases, that’s not how those books were marketed. Last fall, when I posted about my time with the Throne of Glass saga, my friend Lauren suggested an “Intro to Fantasy” post because it’s both everywhere and a little daunting if you are just starting out.
Note: I recognize this genre of book may not be everyone’s cup of tea, and I don’t intend to write about it much on here for the main feed (there is a little tab up top for Fantasy-Adjacent reads that I’m working on populating!), but consider this something to maybe whet your appetite about one of my favorite types of books to read.
For me, so much of the world is hard right now that it makes reading extra escapist when the biggest issues are dragon attacks — a lovely vacation from reality when sometimes historical fiction and murder mysteries hit too close to home.
To be honest, I’m both surprised and not surprised by how much I’m enjoying this current resurgence of fantasy books — maybe it is too many re-reads of Harry Potter and Twilight at a formative age, but I have always felt comfortable with something a little *out there* in fiction. That, combined with some escapist tendencies and an overactive imagination, means that world-building and talking about faeries or dragons doesn’t phase me.
I’m also lucky enough to have many friends who love these types of books, so I asked them all what they would recommend to people starting this type of book, and here’s some of the input I received:
“I recommend if you’re going to choose a series, pick one a close friend has read, or will read with you. Big worlds are more fun and easier to understand when you can talk it out with someone else. If you’re new to fantasy, choosing a book someone you like already loves will psych you up and they’ll be excited for you.” - Perry
“I definitely second reading it if a friend already has. That’s what has helped me — on both sides — it’s a fun way to have a commentary on the books.” - Caitlin O
Consider me your fantasy buddy, if you want to start! You know I love to talk about a book — any book — and I’ll try anything once.
Oh, and for my fellow fantasy readers — please chime in on the comments and let me know what you think I missed, or what you would recommend!
In terms of actual book recommendations, I am going to divide this into two categories — standalone books and series. I know you see a lot about big epic series on the internet, and while I (mostly) don’t regret the time I have put into them, I know they are huge time — and monetary — commitments. I’ll also be sharing what’s on my list, because of course I have a TBR.
This post is also limited to books that I have read and (mostly) liked, and there are some definitely holes in my repetoire. I rarely find myself reading fantasy books by male authors as they…aren’t really my vibe…and so, this is a list that leans much more feminine.
And a final caveat — these are books that I think would be a good entry point into the genre, and not an expansive list. Okay, now I’ll stop introducing the post and get to it, so it doesn’t end up as long as one of the books I’m recommending.
Standalone Books
If you like historical fiction, this is the perfect gateway fantasy book for you. This recommendation was seconded by someone who said, “it doesn’t feel like a huge fantasy but there are some elements — gods and mild magic — that tip it that way.”
This is one of my favorite books of recent years — it’s just a lovely read. There are definitely fantasy elements, but no real insane world building. If you’re skeptical of the genre as a whole, start here! I promise you won’t regret it.
This book is kind of out there, but it’s so good - I promise. The hook? Multiverse travel is possible. The catch? You can’t go to a world where your other self is still alive. There’s an evil enterprise, some light flirting, and of course, a big twist that I’m definitely not going to spoil.
As you may remember, this was one of my favorite reads of last year, and I would definitely recommend it to anyone who grew up reading books about magic and/or world slippage (The Chronicles of Narnia immediately comes to mind). My friend Christina, a relatively new fantasy reader, said this was a great recommendation because it was quick and easy to understand the world, but also engrossing.
There are many books by Alix E. Harrow that fall into this category, so I’m cheating a little bit and recommending her entire oeuvre because it’s inventive and a nice entry point to the genre. My favorite might be The Ten Thousand Doors of January, but I have Starling House ready to go when I’m ready for another fantasy read.
Series
I’m not including anything that I read in my formative days in an attempt to keep this short and somewhat current, but if you haven’t read Harry Potter or Twilight yet, start there. Better yet, if you haven’t read the Thursday Next series by Jasper Fforde or All Souls by Deborah Harkness, start there, then come back here.
I did also read quite a few dystopian novels in my misspent youth that had fantasy elements, and again, in the interest of not making this a novel on its own, I am not including them here. However, if you want some weird, blast from the past recommendations, I’m happy to dig back in my Goodreads archives. Let me know!
Complete series:
Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas (Bookshop | Amazon)
Whew. I’m not even sure where to start with this one. To be honest, I had no plans to ever read it — I had read and enjoyed ACOTAR, and I thought that was enough for me (looking back now, a huge lol moment). Thankfully, my fried Perry bullied me into reading it, and I am so glad she did. I feel like ACOTAR gets so much love, and I think that’s misplaced — Throne of Glass is my absolute favorite of the Sarah J. Maas series, and I would recommend it to just about anyone. Yes, it’s a huge time commitment, but it’s so worth it.
It isn’t super complex world building, but it is very plot-driven and there is a huge cast of characters to keep up with across the seven books. So, while I want EVERYONE to read it right now, I would actually recommend reading another book or series on this list first to make sure you’re mentally prepared for it.
I wish I could go back and read it again for the first time, and I’m jealous of anyone that gets to — so please take me along on your journey with you, if you chose to go to Terrasen.
“I honestly have never read a series like that before. I was emotionally consumed. I dreamt of it.” - Caitlin A.
Letters of Enchantment by Rebecca Ross
This is a quick and easy fantasy duology that I think would be ideal for people easing themselves into the genre. Much of the fantastic aspect is initially presented as faraway mythology, so it’s not overwhelming world building for a reader. It’s easy to grasp, and by the time you’re immersed in the mythology, you have a grasp of the world.
I’ve only read the first book in this series — the second came out just as I was starting my Crescent City adventure, and I feel like I need to reset before I pick up another distinct fantasy series. However, I do have friends that have read Book 2 and are satisfied with the ending, even if Book 2 didn’t live up to Book 1 (this happens too many times).
Shades of Magic by V.E. Schwab
Worldwalking is something that I had never really considered until I read this series by V.E. Schwab, which tells the story of parallel Londons (Red, Gray, White, and Black), all . These Londons all use magic differently, and a few special people — Antari — can move between the worlds.
Kell, our main character, is one of those Antari, and he accidentally ends up on an adventure with Delilah, a common thief (or is she?!). The trilogy ends so satisfyingly, and all three books are amazing. Unlike a lot of the series on this list, there isn’t a book that is a weak link — a true testament to V.E. Schwab’s talent.
I think this one would be an easy first foray into the fantasy series realm, as the world building is not that complicated, and the series itself is fairly compact. For those of you that use Kindle Unlimited, it’s also there — so really no excuse!
The Atlas by Olivie Blake
A dark academic fantasy series hits on so many of my favorite things, and I adore this one by Olivie Blake (who started in Harry Potter fanfic, so you know she has good taste!). Secret societies, magic powers, threats of death? Sign me up. I will caution that this series suffers from definite second-book syndrome, but the pay off in the third book makes it worth it. Just stick with it!
Incomplete series:
ACOTAR, or A Court of Thorns and Roses, by Sarah J. Maas
Okay, if you’re reading a book newsletter, there’s no chance you haven’t heard of ACOTAR — but you’ve likely heard of it for good reason. It’s a fantasy series that focuses on three human sisters (Feyre, Nesta, and Elain) and their adventures (misadventures?) that lead to them becoming fae.
Of course, it’s way more complicated than that — there are love stories, super bad guys, world building, mysterious creatures, and men with wings — but at the heart of it are these three girls. The first three books in this series are mostly Feyre’s story, and then I consider Book 4 a necessary reset before we head into Book 5, which focuses on Nesta. The internet is speculating that Book 6 will feature Alain, but I consider trying to predict anything SJM-related is as productive as clowning about Taylor Swift Easter eggs.
In my opinion, this is the weakest of the SJM series; I am not sure if that is recency bias, but my main recollections are of the love stories, the Bat Boys, and the battle in the third book that had me almost rolling my eyes. However, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t read it. You should — and I’m actually considering a series reread (definitely will once there’s a date for the fifth book).
While this is my “least” favorite of the SJM Universe, I would actually recommend anyone who wants to break into that universe read it first. It’s relatively simple world building, and it’s mainly character driven, at least initially. There’s also a fairly distinct fairy tale element to the first few books that helped the plot feel familiar, at parts. This was my first “massive” fantasy series, and I would recommend it to anyone who likes strong female characters, spicy love stories, and epic battles.
“I think ACOTAR is good cause the world is easy to grasp, so it’s easy I think for people new to fantasy to conceptualize what those are especially if they’re new to world building.” - Caitlin O.
Crescent City by Sarah J. Maas
Yes, it’s another Sarah J. Maas series! Of course it is, I am basic, and I love to be on trend with reading (and pretty much nothing else).
I never really know how to describe these books because I don’t want to inadvertently steal anything, but let me just say that this is a book about a girl named Bryce, who lives in a world that’s remarkably similar to our own — except there’s magic and fae and shapeshifters and evil angels. She ends up in the middle of a huge mystery after her best friend dies, and that’s really all I can give away.
Okay, this may be controversial — but hear me out! — I think I like the Crescent City series more than I like ACOTAR. Once you get past the first 100 or so pages of initial world building, I liked the lore better, and I liked that it felt almost like a true crime book more than anything else. Of the three SJM series, I’ve read, this is firmly my second favorite, and I can see that moving up once it is complete.
The Empyrean Series by Rebecca Yarros
Okay, I’m going to quote myself here because there are only so many things I can say about dragons — and in all likelihood, if you’re reading a Book substack, you know about Fourth Wing. “I know, I have this on my list, just like everyone else you know who posts book reviews on the internet. I wish I could say that it was for some deep reason, but nope, I like drama and dragons. This was a perfect escapist summer read, enough for me to get over the fact that none of these characters know how to communicate with each other. It was fun, it was a bit ridiculous, and it is a clever re-imagining of a good number of fantasy tropes.” I stand by my statement that Iron Flame suffers from second-book syndrome, but I’m hoping with more time to write it (and please, more editing time!), the third book will bounce back!
“I really do feel like Fourth Wing is written simply enough that you don’t get bogged down with complicated writing. It and ACOTAR are having a moment in pop culture so even though they are (or will be) long series, lots of folks really enjoy them right now.” - Perry
The Bone Season by Samantha Shannon
I have been a huge fan of Samantha Shannon’s The Bone Season series since it was first released, and I am excited to see how the heck she’s going to finish it. It’s supernatural and it’s dystopian and it’s incredibly engrossing. However, the world she built is complicated, and I find myself having to reread the whole series in advance of a new book coming out, just to make sure I haven’t forgotten everything about Paige and her merry men. So, with that caveat, I do recommend it. I saw an interview with her that confirmed the series will have seven books — four have been released, a fifth is coming out this year, and the sixth is expected in 2026.
I also read the first book in her other series, The Priory of the Orange Tree, and I just remember how long it was and none of the other details — so do with that what you will.
I do feel like I have to include this series, mostly because it was everywhere for a good part of the last decade, thanks to HBO. However, I am not sure I would fully recommend it — I read the first book (honestly, because I had a crush on a boy who said it was his favorite series, and whew, let’s talk about a red flag), and it was just…not for me. Lots of incest (ew), lots of rape (absolutely not), and a plot that felt like the War of the Roses but with dragons. I haven’t watched the show, either, but I know people love it — so, a reluctant inclusion, and maybe more of a warning than anything else?
On my List!
Babel: Or the Necessity of Violence: An Arcane History of the Oxford Translators’ Revolution by R. F. Kuang (Bookshop | Amazon)
I have had this one at home since it was released, and I don’t know what I’m waiting for — I am excited to pick it up, but I feel like I need a weekend with no plans and bad weather so I can just power through it.
I see this one continually called out on my TikTok FYP, and I am sure I will pick it up at some point. It is appealing that it’s only two books so not a huge time commitment.
Hi, my name is Elizabeth, and I love pretty much everything written by V.E. Schwab, if you couldn’t tell. I have Vicious at home on my bookshelf, and I am existed to start reading it. I definitely have limits on how many new world elements I can handle at once, and for the last few months, that limit has been hit by Sarah J. Maas. I’m happy to have a break before ACOTAR 5 to delve into some other fantastic space.
I have loved the books I have read by Leigh Bardugo, but for some reason, I haven’t read these two series. I think it’s time.
I would highly recommend the series by Megan Whalen Turner that starts with The Thief. It starts as middle grade/YA but becomes more complex and interesting throughout the series.
Flattered I am quoted here. I’m having a fantasy year so I am here for all these recommendations