You may have a great collection of fantasy novels in your reserve, but why not add more? There are many other books out there for checking out, after all! But it can be really hard to find a book or a series that you like. It may be overwhelming to choose. Because of that, we’ve listed out five great fantasy books that are not only worth the read, but worth the keep!
5. The Magician’s Daughter by H. G. Parry
This is one for the reader who likes to consume meticulously detailed, phenomenally written books over a larger time frame. That being said, it may be too good to put down! The story follows a young girl named Biddy experiencing the real world for the first time. She grew up on a legendary island named Hy-Brasil, a magical place off the coast of Ireland. Rowan, her adopter, mentor, and guardian, is a magician who often leaves the island but always returns before sunrise.
When he does not return one fateful morning, Biddy and Rowan’s familiar, a rabbit named Hutchincroft, must venture to the strange and new place of 1900s London. It’s there they unlock more than just mysteries—they find out why, despite Biddy’s upbringing on a magical island, all the magic seems to be disappearing from the world. It has strong female characters, magical rabbits, dashing wizards, mythology, transformations, and so much more. Full of darker themes, whimsy, and adventure, The Magician’s Daughter gives any and all readers a historically rich story for the ages.
4. D: A Tale of Two Worlds by Michel Faber
Alice In Wonderland has a sister, and her name is D: A Tale of Two Worlds. This book follows the journey of a young schoolgirl named Dhikilo discovering that, for some reason, the letter “D” is missing from the world. Not only that, no one else seems to notice. Slowly, not only the letters, but other things that begin with the letter “D” are also starting to disappear. Or… isappear.
Enter her old history teacher Professor Dodderfield, who is indescribably old and well-adventured. He informs her that someone is taking the letter, and she’ll need to travel with his faithful Labrador, Mrs. Nelly Robinson, to a strange land called Liminus. There, there are new, unheard-of places, strange creatures, and a horrible Gamp in charge. The tale, which has been heralded as Dickensian in nature, brings themes of courage, hope, and equity within its adventures. Travel with Dhikilo on her journey through Liminus to help return the letter “D” to its rightful place in the English language!
3. Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree
If you want something that comes after the adventure, then Legends & Lattes is a great place to hang up your hat. Viv, a bounty-hunting orc, has decided that she wants to give up the adventurer’s life and would rather run a coffee shop. She puts down her sword, picks up a hammer, and builds the shop from scratch, joined by new friends and interesting characters in doing so. She brings coffee to a place called Thune, a quaint little river town that has no idea what coffee is.
It’s there she meets Tandri, a succubus trying to escape the stereotypes of her kind. The two face opposition, old and new, hardship, and threats that could bring down the coffee shop. But to Viv, it’s all worth it if it means no more bloodshed. The epitome of cozy fantasy, Legends & Lattes is unconventional, with puppy love and day-to-day effort getting the spotlight for once. It’s definitely the read you need when you want to unwind and enjoy the finer things in life.
2. Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo
A world that was already under duress is literally split in half by a dark rift called the Shadow Fold. Full of darkness and insatiable monsters, the Shadow Fold must be crossed from time to time for resources and transportation. Cue Alina Starkov, a cartographer-in-training, undergoing her first voyage across the Shadow Fold.
Sadly, this voyage ends in disaster, and all seems lost, except for something incredulous happening that saves the entire ship. Alina is at the center of it all, and soon she is pushed to be trained as a Grisha, who are the magical soldiers of this world. At the head is the Darkling, a man shrouded in both mystery and peril. This story was so enrapturing that it earned its own Netflix show, but we recommend reading it as well. A book full of twists, turns, chaos, and exploration, Shadow and Bone brings suspense and thrill to the fantasy genre.
1. The Giant-Slayer by Iain Lawrence
This immaculate story is a blend of two realities. First comes little Laurie Valentine, a young girl playing in the spring of 1955. She makes friends with a boy named Dickie, only for him to contract polio. While he and a few other children are confined to an iron lung, Laurie visits them and tells them tales of a tiny boy named Jimmy.
This book lofts between the two stories: of Laurie and her time with her friends in the polio ward, and then of Jimmy and his adventures of becoming a giant-slayer. Dickie and the other children, Carolyn and Chip, also pitch in to tell the story, bringing them closer to the end of the giant Colossus… and hopefully an end to their polio as well. A book full of mystical delight, cruel reality, and friendship, The Giant-Slayer is a must-have for anyone who enjoys feel-good fantasy with happy endings.
Fantasy At Your Fingertips
There are many other books we could recommend, but this will be a great place to start. Fantasy doesn’t just have to be limited to strange worlds and fully immersive scenarios. Sometimes fantasy is a bit of the mystical in the present-day, or a little girl telling stories to her friends. Fantasy is where you find it, and sometimes, if you’re lucky, fantasy can also find you. We hope it finds you with these books.
Like this article? Read more book recommendations from Lyric Gardehart here!
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