Let’s say you’ve been online recently and seen how books, in general, have been trending like crazy. From the intense number of book adaptations on television to older novels becoming big-time movies, there are so many amazing stories out there to read, especially in the world of fantasy.
The only issue is that you don’t know where to start, and you've been in kind of a reading slump. With an endless number of options, it can be hard to figure out which series will get you back into reading. Thankfully, I have five strong picks here that vary in genre, length, and series length, and are perfect fantasy books for anyone who wants to get back into their reading era.
1. Fourth Wing
Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros is arguably one of the most well-known fantasy novels of modern times. The book mainly focuses on Violet Sorrengail, a young woman who enters a military college on the orders of her general mother to become a dragon rider. She must survive several trials and challenges while trying to keep herself alive, all while also attempting to avoid possible murder attempts by Xaden Riorson.
If you’ve heard either of those names in the last year or so in the book world, it’s because Fourth Wing really is one of those novels that I think is required reading when you get back into reading fantasy. I feel like everyone has, at the very least, given Fourth Wing a try these days, and I think for fans of the genre, it’s an excellent place to start.
The worldbuilding isn’t too bad in the first book. Really, we’re just focused on being in a military college with dragons, so it doesn’t go too deep into the lore of the world. The later books cover that. Either way, the story is interesting, and the romance is steamy and well-written. There’s even a Fourth Wing TV show that’s in the works, so you might as well check out the book.
2. The Cruel Prince
The Cruel Prince by Holly Black is a YA fantasy novel that follows Jude Duarte, a human who finds herself in a realm ruled by fae folk who see humans as less than, as she grows stronger and takes down her enemies.
I would mention the romance, but quite honestly, I think The Cruel Prince is one of those books where yes, the romance is there, but it’s not what you come for. Jude is the main character who you end up loving and following and rooting for from the very beginning. Her amazing ways of handling situations and how she pushes herself no matter what make her a key fantasy figure and one that anyone would love.
Her story is a trilogy, continuing in The Wicked King and The Queen of Nothing. But Holly Black's Elfhame franchise also includes a few other books and spinoffs that add more lore. They’re so well-written.
3. A Court of Thorns and Roses
A Court of Thorns and Roses is the first novel in the ACOTAR series, written by Sarah J. Maas. It tells the story of Feyre, a young woman trying to feed her family, who accidentally kills a fae man disguised as a wolf in the human world. To pay for her crimes, she is whisked away to the fae realm, away from her sisters, to be kept as a prisoner in a High Fae’s home.
Okay, look, is the first book a little slow? Yes. If you love Beauty and the Beast, you’ll probably end up liking this book one way or another. But ACOTAR is a series that builds on itself with each novel. I think if you’re getting back into fantasy or starting to read romantasy, this is a great book to read because the lore isn’t as intense. It’s just the characters that are fun.
The next book in the series, A Court of Mist and Fury, is many fans' favorite, but mine is the third, A Court of Wings and Ruin. But you have to read the first to experience the rest. And with the next book in the series coming out soon, you should start now.
4. Dungeon Crawler Carl
I didn’t expect to put this on the list, but it makes sense. Dungeon Crawler Carl, written by Matt Dinniman, is a fantasy novel but also leans heavily into sci-fi and LitRPG — where several video game mechanics are incorporated into the story as a whole — like stats, health, and much more.
The basic premise of the series is that it follows an ex-Coast Guard and his ex-girlfriend’s cat as they enter an alien-created World Dungeon, a game with 18 levels like a dungeon crawler video game where humans must survive until the very end. Oh, and the whole thing is televised as well, like a reality show.
The concept is unique and not something you’d normally see in a fantasy series. But that’s what makes it so much fun. There’s an adaptation in the works too, so if you start the books now, you’ll probably be caught up by the time it releases. There's no release date yet for the TV show, but with eight books out in the series and more on the way, there are plenty of stories about Carl to keep you busy in the meantime.
5. Mistborn
Brandon Sanderson has released numerous books, but many — including the author — say that one of the best places to start with his works is Mistborn. The original Mistborn trilogy takes place in a world where a dark lord has won and treats humanity like garbage. The main character, Vin, is a thief with a special power — the ability to swallow and “burn” metals to gain superpowers — and she wants to use it with her crew of thieves to overthrow the empire.
Honestly, that’s really all I can tell you without spoiling it entirely. This book is wild with its magic system, but it’s so unique. If you want something that doesn’t focus on romance as much and instead puts a lot of emphasis on the fantasy world, Mistborn is the one for you. If you enjoy it, there are other Mistborn series to check out as well, set later in the timeline of Sanderson's sprawling fantasy universe, known as the Cosmere.
And what do you know, there’s also a Mistborn adaptation in the works. Might as well read it.
It’s time for a reading marathon. As the weather gets colder, it’s the perfect time to do so!
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