Lately I find myself getting back into fantasy novels after having taken an extended break from them. For a while, dystopian books seemed to take over my love of fantasy. That was until I read A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas and the series made me remember how magical it could be to become enthralled in a fantasy world. I’ve since been gathering a list of all fantasy novels that I want to read. See the below to get some ideas of your own.
Recommended Fantasy Novels
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Elantris by Brandon Sanderson
Brandon Sanderson is known for his Mistborn series, among other successful fantasy novels. Elantris is a great recommendation because it’s a stand-alone story about a cursed place that has been sealed off from society. Anyone affected by the “Shaod”, the random turning of a person into an Elantrian, is thrown into the city, to stay there for all eternity.
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The Colour of Magic by Terry Pratchett
The Colour of Magic is the first in the popular Discworld series. Terry Pratchett himself has described it as “an attempt to do for the classical fantasy universe what Blazing Saddles did for Westerns.” I’ve decided that I want to start with The Colour of Magic as it’s often recommended for first time Pratchett readers.
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The Emperor’s Blades (Chronicles of the Unhewn Throne Series Book I) by Brian Staveley
Brian Staveley’s level of creation is said to be brilliant. The Emperor’s Blades is the beginning of the Chronicles of the Unhewn Throne series and it follows the murder of the Emperor of Annurian. His son Valyn quickly learns that his own life is in danger, and the emperor’s daughter, Minister Adare, aims to hunt her father’s murderer in the capital. What follows is some compelling world building and conspiracies.
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Prince of Thorns by Mark Lawrence
Prince of Thorns is a fantasy trilogy that has been receiving a significant marketing push from the same publisher as the Game of Thrones books. The books are set in a world of ruin and main character Jorg has the ability to master both the living and the dead. The only thing that haunts Jorg, is the thought of revisiting his father’s castle to confront the horrors from his childhood.
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A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab
A Darker Shade of Magic is about a London based traveler that is able to travel between parallel Londons. He uses his talents to smuggle, but soon finds himself being accused of treason.
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Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo
For those who enjoy a good heist, the Six of Crows might whet your appetite. It follows Kaz Brekker, an infamous thief who is promised wealth beyond his wildest dreams if he can capture Bo Yul-Bayur, a scientist, from the Ice Court. This is by no means a task for one man, meaning Kaz must assemble a team to pull off the job successfully. Six of Crows is full of fascinating world building and magic. An easy fantasy novel to get lost in.
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Half-Resurrection Blues by Daniel José Older
Carlos Delacruz is a half-dead agent living in New York. He works with the Council of the Dead and believes that he’s one of of a kind; that is until he discovers there are others walking the fine line between life and death. One inbetweener is a sorcerer that summons an army of creatures. A mess that Carlos will have to clean up. Along the way, Carlos uncovers the truth of his own life and death.
Be sure to leave some recommendations of your own in the comment section!
