Want to Read Fantasy? Here’s Where to Start
Interested in reading fantasy novels but not sure where to begin? Ever since my dad introduced me to J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings and Terry Brooks’s Shannara books as a kid, I’ve been hooked on fantasy. Here are my recommendations of some accessible titles that would be good introductions to the genre. I selected a variety of different subgenres and styles, so if you don’t enjoy one, try another!
ADULT NOVELS
Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones
Date Published: 1986
Series: Howl's Moving Castle #1
Number of Books in Series: 3 (though they can all be read as standalones)
Summary: This is one of my favourite books of all time. It's cute, quirky, and cozy, about a young woman who is cursed with old age, decides she will work as a cleaning lady for a vain wizard who spends most of his time wooing beautiful women, makes a deal with a fire demon, and gets into all sorts of trouble.
Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson
Date Published: 2006
Series: The Mistborn Saga #1
Number of Books in Series: 3
Summary: If you like unique magic systems and complex plots with surprise reveals, Brandon Sanderson might be the author for you. Mistborn is about Vin, an orphaned thief who, due to her special abilities, joins a group of thieves. They plan to pull off a heist with world-shattering stakes and face-off against an oppressive overlord.
For a lighter but still deeply magical story, try Sanderson’s Tress of the Emerald Sea.
The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune
Date Published: 2020
Series: Cerulean Chronicles #1
Number of Books in Series: 2
Summary: Cozy fantasy has really grown on me, and TJ Klune is a master of it. This book is about a Case Worker at the Department in Charge Of Magical Youth, who is assigned to visit an orphanage where six dangerous children reside—a gnome, a sprite, a wyvern, a blob, a were-Pomeranian, and the Antichrist—and determine whether they are likely to bring about the apocalypse. It's charming, whimsical, and has a M/M romance that will melt your heart.
Nettle & Bone by T. Kingfisher
Date Published: 2022
Summary: This novella is an original fairy tale about a woman on a quest to kill the prince abusing her sister. She's joined by a witch, a fairy godmother who's better at curses than blessings, a former knight, and a demon-possessed chicken. It is somehow dark and cozy at the same time, another absolute favourite of mine. This is the fantasy book I recommend to almost everyone.
If you like this one, Kingfisher has a lot of other great stuff in a variety of subgenres, including Swordheart (romantasy) and Snake-Eater (horror).
Ink Blood Sister Scribe by Emma Törzs
Date Published: 2023
Summary: After their father mysteriously dies, estranged sisters Joanna and Esther uncover secrets about their family's library of magical books in this dark tale of magical realism. There's puzzle solving and facing family trauma, plus deeply wounded, lonely characters who explore the power of books.
More Exceptional Adult Fantasy:
Sabriel by Garth Nix (1995, adventure)
The Monsters We Defy by Leslye Penelope (2022, historical)
Godkiller by Hannah Kaner (2023, high fantasy)
Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett (2023, cozy academia)
The Will of the Many by James Islington by James Islington (2025, epic)
YOUNG ADULT NOVELS
Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo
Date Published: 2015
Series: Six of Crows #1
Number of Books in Series: 2
Summary: This is one of my favourite YA books, though note that it does border more on the adult side (it was originally written as an adult novel and then the main characters were aged down). It's about a cast of emotionally damaged, compelling characters who set out to accomplish an impossible heist. The magic system and worldbuilding are fascinating.
Sorcery of Thorns by Margaret Rogerson
Date Published: 2019
Summary: It's hard not to like a book set in a library, where magical grimoires are alive and can turn into monsters if you're not careful. As a foundling of one of Austermeer's Great Libraries, Elisabeth hopes to become a warden of the books, but she's implicated when one of the most dangerous books escapes. She goes after it with the help of her sworn enemy, Nathaniel Thorn (he's a sorcerer and, you know, all sorcerers are evil). Cue romance! Secrets! Adventure!
If you want something lighter on the romance, Rogerson’s Vespertine is also fabulous.
Spin the Dawn by Elizabeth Lim
Date Published: 2019
Series: The Blood Stars #1
Number of Books in Series: 2
Summary: I love a YA story about a competition. (A fight to the death? A magical exam? The hunt for an ancient object? I'm in!) I was not prepared to be so engrossed by a competition about... sewing. But here I am. Maia poses as her brother in this "Mulan meets Project Runway" story about a competition to become the imperial tailor. It's cutthroat. There's a sorcerer who can see through her disguise. There's a challenge to sew three dangerously beautiful gowns. I loved it.
Raybearer by Jordan Ifueko
Date Published: 2020
Series: Raybearer #1
Number of Books in Series: 2
Summary: Tarisai's mother sends her to compete with other children to become one of the crown prince's chosen council. Her mother magically compels her to kill the prince one she's gained his trust. Tarisai struggles with a mission she doesn't understand, especially once she becomes close friends with the prince. The worldbuilding, inspired by West Africa, is stunning. The magic system is fascinating. It's full of myth, song, and hope.
To Shape a Dragon's Breath by Moniquill Blackgoose
Date Published: 2023
Series: Nampeshiweisit #1
Number of Books in Series: 2
Summary: Though a dragon hasn't been seen on her remote island in years,15-year-old Anequs bonds with one and is forced to attend a colonizer-run dragon academy, where they don't respect her traditions or her non-Anglish upbringing. This has queer, poly, indigenous and disability rep, plus DRAGONS!
More Exceptional YA Fantasy:
A Darker Shade of Magic by Victoria E. Schwab (2015, adventure)
An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir (2015, high fantasy)
The Last Namsara by Kristen Ciccarellia (2017, romance)
Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas (2020, paranormal)
Legendborn by Tracy Deonn (2020, urban fantasy)
MIDDLE GRADE NOVELS
Charmed Life by Diana Wynne Jones
Date Published: 1977
Series: Chrestomanci #1
Number of Books in Series: 6
Summary: This series is about a powerful enchanter and government official, Chrestomanci, in a world similar to ours but with magic. In this book, he takes in two siblings—Gwendolen, a girl with magic, and Cat, a boy without. Gwendolyn makes all sorts of trouble trying to impress Chrestomanci and Cat has to clean up her messes. This entire series is great; book two, The Lives of Christopher Chant, is my favourite.
The Dragonet Prophecy by Tui T. Sutherland
Date Published: 2012
Series: Wings of Fire #1
Number of Books in Series: 15 (it's really three series of five books each)
Summary: My goddaughter was reading this series, so I decided to read the first couple books with her so we could chat about them. I ended up reading all fifteen books. I got sucked in with all the dragon lore, and the adventure is very fun. It's about five young dragons who are prophesied to stop a war between the dragon tribes.
The Dragon with a Chocolate Heart by Stephanie Burgis
Date Published: 2017
Series: Tales from the Chocolate Heart #1
Number of Books in Series: 3
Summary: Aventurine is a young dragon determined to prove to her family that she's capable of adventuring on her own, but a mage tricks her into drinking enchanted hot chocolate and transforms her into a human. She travels to a city to find more of this delicious chocolate stuff, becomes an apprentice at a chocolate house, makes friends, and discovers her passion. Aventurine's horror at becoming a puny, weak human is very funny, and the story is heartwarming.
Amari and the Night Brothers by B.B. Alston
Date Published: 2021
Series: Supernatural Investigations #1
Number of Books in Series: 3
Summary: 13-year-old Amari's missing brother leaves her a nomination to try out for the Bureau of Supernatural Affairs, and she discovers a world of magic and supernatural creatures that she didn't know existed during her search for him. With themes of friendship, perseverance, and Black girl magic, this is basically Men In Black meets magic school.
Sir Callie and the Champions of Helston by Esme Symes-Smith
Date Published: 2022
Series: Sir Callie #1
Number of Books in Series: 3
Summary: Callie is nonbinary and doesn't fit in a world where boys become knights and people see them as a girl. When their father is called to the capital city to train the prince, Callie goes along as his squire, determined to become a knight. Callie battles gender binaries and adults trying to force them to conform while forming strong friendships and going up against an abusive bad guy. A wonderful story about queerness and belonging.
More Exceptional Middle Grade Fantasy:
The Bad Beginning by Lemony Snicket (1999, mystery/comedy)
The Forests of Silence by Emily Rodda (2000, adventure/quest)
The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan (2005, mythological)
The Trials of Morrigan Crow by Jessicas Townsend (2017, magic academy)
Accidental Demons by Clare Edge (2024, dark)
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