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!
#1 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.
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56points
#2 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!
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45points
#3 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.
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39points
#4 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.
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35points
#5 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.
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34points
#6 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.
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32points
#7 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.
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31points
#8 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.
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30points
#9 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.
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30points
#10 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.
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28points
