Fantasyis a vast genre that encompasses many mythologies, supernatural concepts, and paranormal activities. Several subgenres explore various fantastical beings, including witches, werewolves, vampires, fairies, and other mythical creatures. There is no limit to fantasy as long as a writer has imagination and a consistent fantastical system. There aremany superb fantasy moviesand television shows, butbooks usually have the best fantasy stories. There are many books—both series or standalone novels—to choose from to begin reading the genre, includingfantasy starter series for kids.
Young adult and adult fantasy also havea wide selection of books ideal for those just starting to read the genre. These books are perfect for beginners for several reasons, including simple magic systems, iconic fantasy staples, classic retellings of popular stories, and good examples of a fantasy subgenre. Some of these starter fantasy books include other genres, such as sci-fi or romance. Theblending of fantasy and romance booksis widely popular and ideal for getting into the fantasy genre. There are many starter fantasy books to choose from.
10 Children’s Fantasy Books You’ll Still Love As An Adult
Children’s fantasy books such as James and the Giant Peach, Harry Potter, and Artemis Fowl demonstrate complex themes that appeal to adults.
10The Shadowhunter Chronicles (2007 – Present)
Written By Cassandra Clare
The Shadowhunter Chroniclesis a great series to start with fantasy, despite the massive number of books. It begins withThe Mortal Instruments, revolving around Clary Fray, who discovers she can see Shadowhunters (warriors with angel blood) and downworlders (vampires, werewolves, warlocks, and faeries).The Shadowhunter Chronicleshas several book seriesbeyondThe Mortal Instruments, stories that occur during different eras in history within the same world. It isan ideal saga to begin the fantasy genre because it is urban fantasy—books that take place in the real world with fantastical elements.
The Shadowhunter Chroniclesalso has classic mythical creatures, which provide straightforward world-building. Since the books pull from every corner of the fantasy genre,it is also an ideal series to determine whether fantasy is a genre to enjoy or not.The Shadowhunter Chronicleshas a film adaptation, but afterThe Mortal Instruments: City of Bonesflopped at the box office, the sequels were canceled. Several years later,The Mortal Instrumentswas adapted for TV asShadowhunters. However,The Shadowhunter Chronicleshas other trilogies to delve into besidesThe Mortal Instruments.
9The Broken Earth Trilogy (2015 – 2017)
Written By N.K. Jemisin
The Broken Earthby N.K. Jemisin is a trilogy thatperfectly blends fantasy and sci-fi. It revolves around Essun, an orogene—a person who can manipulate earth. She must leave her town of Tirimo and search for her daughter, Nassun, who is assumedly kidnapped by her father and Essun’s husband, Jija. At the same time, the Stillness—the only continent left on Earth—is about to endurea Fifth Season, an event spurred on by the most devastating natural disasters. Despite the additional genres,The Broken Earthtrilogy is still a great series for new fantasy readers.
July 09, 2025
Essun, Hoa, Nassun
The world-building inThe Broken Earthtrilogy is highly detailed, leaving no questions unanswered. It is impossible to become confused or lost because the three points of view are all compelling. Jemisin authentically weaves the intricate fantasy sci-fi world-building into the narrative; she creates a futuristic world that is easy to follow despite all the details. Furthermore,The Broken Earthdoes not suffer from information dumps, which fantasy and sci-fi books sometimes fall victim to.
8The Hollow Star Saga (2021 – Present)
Written By Ashley Shuttleworth
TheHollow StarSaga is an urban fantasy series that takes place in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It isanother ideal series for beginner fantasy readers, especially those interested in exploring fairies. TheHollow StarSaga combines Greek mythology and fairy lore in a way that is easy to follow because of the urban fantasy setting. The books follow 18-year-old Arlo Jarsdel, an ironborn teenager—someone with fae and human parents—whom the Fae High Council attempts to outcast Arlo from fae society because she is not gifted with fae abilities.
Despite the series' many twists and turns, the world-building is thorough and covers many aspects of fairy lore.
However, after several ironborn murders, Arlo finds herself at the center of the mystery despite her lack of fae abilities. It is up to Arlo, an outcasted Fury Nausicaä, Vehan, the Crown Prince of Seelie Summer, and his best friend, Aurelian, to solve the murders, especially when alchemy, a specific kind of ironborn magic, becomes involved.TheHollow StarSaga is set to conclude on July 04, 2025, when the final book,A Wild And Ruined Song, is published. Despite the series' many twists and turns, the world-building is thorough and covers many aspects of fairy lore.
7The Gilded Ones (2021 – 2024)
Written By Namina Forna
The Gilded Onesby Namina Forna is a young adult high fantasy feminist trilogy about 16-year-old Deka, who learns her blood is golden, making her impure. Her village leaves her for dead until someone named White Hands rescues her and takes her to the capital, where she can join the Alaki army on the Emperor’s behalf to defeat deathshrieks, a fearsome monster. However, as Deka trains and learns more about deathshrieks, she realizeseverything she learned from the patriarchal society she grew up in is not what it seems.
The Gilded Onesis immersed in West African mythology, withstraightforward world-building because of the trilogy’s themes, which include feminism, sisterhood, and social justice. Otera, the kingdom that Deka lives in, is highly detailed; Namina Forna paints a vivid image of this high fantasy setting that leaves no query ignored. The narrative twists are well-timed, further contributing to the brilliant world that Namina Forna established. Readers picking up fantasy for the first time will surely learn so much about the genre from this trilogy.
10 Great Fantasy Books With Settings That Aren’t Based On Western Europe
So many fantasy books base their settings on Western Europe, but there are great additions to the genre that draw inspiration from elsewhere.
6The Princess Bride (1973)
Written By William Goldman
The Princess Brideby William Goldman is much better known for the wildly popular novel adaptation, but it is still a great fantasy book for beginners. It is an epic fairy tale about a princess who falls in love with her farmer boy, but an evil prince gets in the way of their romance. AlthoughThe Princess Brideand its movie adaptation have significant differences, both media forms have stood the test of time, largely because ofhow William Goldman sprinkled fantastical elements throughout the story.
5These Violent Delights (2020 – 2021)
Written By Chloe Gong
These Violent Delightsis a duology by Chloe Gong. It is a historical fiction retelling ofRomeo and Julietthat takes place in the 1920s, revolving around two former childhood best friends, now in separate rival gangs in Shanghai. There have beenmany adaptations ofRomeo and Julietin the last several decades, but Chloe Gong completely reinvented the narrative with the Shanghai setting and fantastical characteristics.These Violent Delightsis an ideal starter fantasy series because ofthe well-known iconic tale spun into a historical fiction fantasy story.
4A Song Of Ice & Fire (1996 – Present)
Written By George R.R. Martin
A Song of Ice and Fireby George R.R. Martin might seem like a strange choice as a starter fantasy book series because of the lengthy books. However, the saga is ideal for new fantasy readers for several reasons.A Song of Ice and Firemodels Medieval Europe with fantasy elements, and each book has a glossary. Furthermore, the multiple points of view across Westeros and Essos are ideal for this grand story. AlthoughA Song Of Ice And Fireis notorious for delaying its next installment,the first five books are thoroughly detailed and excellent examples of epic fantasy.
3The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue (2020)
Written By V.E. Schwab
V.E. Schwab is a masterful fantasy author with several book series encompassing the genre. She is a staple of fantasy, and it is necessary to read her books to venture into the genre fully. One of her books,The Invisible Life Of Addie LaRue, a standalone novel, revolves around a woman who uses magic to become immortal. However, after a few hundred years, someone from her earlier life recognizes her. The novel isa great story for exploring immortality and magic. The book also has a secondary romance genre, which completes this compelling story.
2The Lord Of The Rings (1954 – 1955)
Written By J. R. R. Tolkien
The Lord of the Rings, a trilogy part of the biggerMiddle Earthseries by J. R. R. Tolkien, is a high fantasy narrative with many mythological creatures such as elves, hobbits, and sorcerers. Although the plot is intricate,The Lord of the Ringsis the introductory staple of modern fantasy.Middle Earthalso has a prequel book toThe Lord of the Rings,calledThe Hobbit, andadditional works published after J. R. R. Tolkien’s death.
The Lord of the Ringsbooks and companion storiesare must-reads for fantasy beginners. The franchise has only expanded since J. R. R. Tolkien died. There are three full-length movie adaptations, and more recently, a TV show calledThe Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power. There are additionalupcomingLord of the RingsTV shows and moviesset to premiere in the near future.The Lord of the Ringsrevolutionized fantasy;the genre would not be what it is without these books.
Would J.R.R. Tolkien have liked Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings movies?
Given Christopher Tolkien’s thoughts about the movies and J.R.R. Tolkien’s response to a previous film treatment that attempted to adapt his work in 1958, I can’t imagine Tolkien would’ve loved any film adaptations of his work. However, I don’t think it should matter for one’s enjoyment of these projects. Tolkien was a great artist with a dedication to his own body of work, and that creates an emotional attachment that none of us need to share. When determining the merits of an adaptation, the viewer’s feelings regarding the work are what matter. In that sense, the Peter Jackson movies are still great adaptations, even if they might not have suited Tolkien’s wishes.
1Spinning Silver (2018)
Written By Naomi Novik
Spinning Silveris aRumpelstiltskinretelling fantasy novel with a Jewish setting. A core part of fantasy includes fairy tales and other retellings, andSpinning Silveris a unique twist on the classicRumpelstiltskinstory. It is an excellent example of what makes fantasy so enchanting and bold. There is so much to discover within the fantasy genre, andSpinning Silveris a prime example of what well-written fantasy books can do.Rumpelstiltskinis also not as popular as other classic fairy tales, soSpinning Silveris also an exceptional book to read.
