Looking for the best fantasy books to whisk you away on a fantastic journey?
By KATE HARRIET
I HAVE A confession to make.
I am a slooooooow reader. I’ve never devoured a fantasy book in a week- unless it’s um, really short. So I get through most books at a glacial pace, because I like to linger in a fantasy world for as long as I possibly can.
It’s also why I’m always hunting for a good recommendation, because who wants to get stuck in a world that’s not a great fit?
So here’s some of the best fantasy books that have graced my “To-Read” list. What makes these books so great? For me it’s not always five star reviews, but what fans say about them.
Now I might’ve left out your favourite, sorry. But there are few greater pleasures than hunting through fellow bookworms’ lists just to see what treasures you can find.
So in no particular order and with (a non-affiliated!) link for your convenience:
Priest: Ratcatchers, Book One by Matthew Colville
For centuries the knights of the Green Order have defended the people of Ollghum Keep from a monstrous army of urqs. But when the army threatens their town, the knights seem to have abandoned them.
The priest Heden is sent into the woods to find their commander dead and the remaining knights frozen with guilt. Will Heden free the knights so they can rescue the people they have sworn to protect?
Guards! Guards! (Discworld) by Terry Pratchett
A long extinct breed of noble dragon appears in Discworld's greatest city of Ankh-Morpork. But it has a rather inconvenient habit of burning everything in its path.
Can Captain Vimes, Constable Carrot and the rest of the Night watch thwart the reptilian monarch or will Ankh-Morpork be burnt to cinders?
Gifts by Ursula le Guin
In the uplands of Cordemant, Orrec and Gry have been friends since childhood. Gry, the girl, has inherited the gift of calling animals, but Orrec the boy has the gift of death and destruction.
Against their families wishes, Gry refuses to call animals to the hunt and Orrec wears a blindfold for fear he will kill. The two young people must find the line between their wants and what their opposing clans expect of them.
Who Fears Death by Okorafor, Nnedi
Set in post-apocalyptic Africa, Onyesonwu, which means ‘Who fears death?’ is Ewu – a product of rape who is shunned by her community. But as a child she begins to develop unique magic talents.
As Onyesonwu grows, her power increases until she visits the spirit world and discovers that someone is trying to kill her. As she embarks on a journey to stop her would-be murderer, can she halt the increasing genocide and change the world?
Best Served Cold by Joe Abercrombie
After nineteen years of war between Grand Duke Orso and the divided League of Eight, the victories of the duke’s formidable mercenary Monza Murcatto makes her a serious threat. When the duke throws her down a mountain and leaves her for dead, Murcatto yearns for vengeance.
With a notorious drunkard, a poisoner, a mass murderer and a Northman by her side, does Murcatto get her revenge? Or will the Duke’s hired assassin kill her first?
The Lie Tree by Frances Hardinge
Faith Sunderly is a young Victorian woman who can never resist a mystery. So when her scientist father dies in mysterious circumstances, she is certain that it is murder.
While searching through her father’s possessions, Faith discovers a strange tree that only bears fruit when you whisper a lie and exposes a truth when you eat its fruit.
Does the tree hold the truth about her father’s murder? Or will it lead the murderer straight to Faith?
The Magicians by Lev Grossman
When Quentin Coldwater turns up for his entrance interview at Princeton University, he finds the interviewer dead and a mysterious envelope addressed to himself. Soon instead of Princeton, Quentin finds himself at Brakebills – a secret college of magic.
But as he explores Fillory, a world he thought only existed in books, he and his classmates encounter the Beast. Will he and his friends escape this tyrant’s clutches, or will the Beast rule over them all?
American Gods by Neil Gaiman
Shadow has languished in prison for three years; however the day before he is released his wife and his best friend are killed together in a car accident.
The numbed Shadow loses a coin toss and ends up accepting a job from the mysterious stranger Mr. Wednesday. Soon he watches as Mr. Wednesday assembles other mystical beings for a war between the old gods and new. But as the bloodshed increases, will Shadow survive the impending battle?
The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin
Set in the far future, the continents have collided and the land is shaken by violent earthquakes and volcanoes. On a continent split its entire length by an elder, the feared Oregenes are able to control earth and heat.
Essun, a mother of two children, must hide her powers from her small southern community. But when she comes home to find her son killed and her daughter kidnapped, can she rescue her child without her powers being discovered?
The Curse of Chalion by Lois McMaster Bujold
Once a nobleman in the land of Chalion, Cazaril is betrayed and sold into slavery. Battle-weary, he returns to a regional court where he is hired to tutor Iselle, second in line to the throne.
But when his betrayer Dondo resurfaces and corrupts her brother and future king Teidez, Cazaril must make a deadly bargain with a god to save the crown. But in order to defeat the scheming Dondo, is Cazaril prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice?
The Lions of Al-Rassan by Guy Gavriel Kay
Set in the peninsula of Al-Rassan, King Almalik of the northerly kingdom of Cartada orders the massacre of his enemies in one afternoon. Soon his advisor, military strategist and poet, Ammar ibn Khairan is driven into exile.
Meanwhile, the conquered Jaddites' military leader, Rodrigo Belmonte, drives his mercenaries onwards to the southerly Asharite kingdoms.
The men’s differing worlds are soon intertwined with the fate of Jehane, a beautiful court physician, as the threat of holy war arises.
Perdido Street Station by China Mieville
In New Crobuzon,Yagharek a garuda whose wings have been removed as punishment, approaches scientist Isaac to help him fly again.
Soon Isaac sends word out that he is collecting flying creatures for research. However one creature he procures metamorphoses into a monstrous flying beast and then manages to escape.
Can they re-capture the creature before it embarks on a murderous rampage in New Crobuzon and help Yagharek fly again?
Northern Lights: His Dark Materials by Phillip Pullman
Lyra Belacqua and her animal daemon Pantalaimon live a carefree life with kitchen boy Roger, running along the rooftops of Oxford’s Jordan College.
However when her uncle Lord Asriel returns with a heretical image of the Northern Lights and Roger is kidnapped, Lyra embarks on a journey to Arctic wastelands. Along the way she meets witches, armoured bears and the mysterious Mrs Coulter. Will Lyra rescue her best friend or does a terrible fate await them all?
Gardens of the Moon by Steven Erikson
After years of relentless warfare by the Malazan Empire, only two cities remain unconquered: The powerful city of Pale and the free City of Darujhistan.
After Pale falls, Sergeant Whiskeyjack and his Bridgeburner troop are sent to infiltrate Darujhistan to make way for its invasion. However life grows increasingly hard for the Bridgeburners and Tattersail, the Second Legion’s lone surviving sorceress. Soon they discover that earth-striding gods and other supernatural forces are also dealing a deadly hand.
Assassin’s Apprentice by Robin Hobb
The bastard son of the crown prince of Six Duchies, Fitz is raised in the Buckkeep castle stables. There the outcast struggles to find his place, especially as he poses a threat to the line of succession.
Fitz is trained as an assassin for the crown, yet is also taught the Farseer magic of the royal family. But his tutor, whose loyalties lie elsewhere, seems determined to thwart him. Will Fitz survive to save his kingdom?
Three Parts Dead By Max Gladstone
When the fire god Kos of Alt Coulumb dies, the city teeters on the verge of collapse.
As pandemonium beckons, Tara, a first-year associate at a necromantic firm, has to bring the god back to life with the help of Abelard, a chain-smoking priest.
As they discover that Kos was murdered, their hunt for the truth also threatens their lives. Can they bring the god back to life before the city of Alt Coulumb descends into chaos?
The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson
In the world of Roshar, Kaladin the leader of an embattled army of bridgemen must use new found powers to help his men escape.
Alethi noble Dalinar Kholin follows the Alethi Codes of War. But when he is betrayed and a cataclysm approaches, does he discard politics and resort to military power?
Shallan Davar, the ward of notorious scholar, Jasnah must steal a magical artefact to save her family. But what happens when her theft is discovered?
A Storm of Swords by George R.R. Martin
Joffrey of House Lannister, sits on the Iron Throne as ruler of the Seven Kingdoms. His rival, Lord Stannis, is held captive by a sorceress. Robb Stark still rules the North as the Lannisters hold his sister. Meanwhile, exiled queen Daenerys and mother of dragons crosses a war-ravaged continent.
But as enemies position themselves for battle, barbaric wildlings descend --- led by an unstoppable army of living corpses. Will peace in the Seven Kingdoms reign again?
Riddle-Master by Patricia A. McKillip
Prince Morgon of Hed has three stars on his forehead, although their origin remains a mystery. One day his sister Tristan discovers a crown beneath his bed, won from the ghost of a cursed king.
Another king has pledged his daughter’s hand to whoever wins the ghost’s crown. Morgon and the High One's harpist set sail to claim his bride, but during their journey learns about the power of the three stars and the High One’s true identity.
The Library at Mount Char by Scott Hawkins
Ever since Carolyn was adopted by a god as a child, she’s spent twenty-five years in his vast library studying his knowledge. As a result she has seen terrible things and even died several times. Then one day the god disappears and she cannot access the library
Up till now Steve has been your average guy, until Carolyn gives him an offer he cannot refuse. Soon, he finds himself caught up in an epic war for the library and the entire universe.
The Golem and the Djinni by Helene Wecker
Chava, a golem, is brought to life on a voyage by a disgraced rabbi before he dies and she is cast adrift as the ship reaches New York. Meanwhile Ahmad, a djinni, is freed from a copper flask and trapped in human form.
After a chance meeting Chava and Ahmad become friends and soul mates. But as a ghost from the past comes to New York, will they escape his clutches or will he enslave them both.
The Shadow of the Torturer: Urth: Book of the New Sun Book 1 by Gene Wolfe
A million years into the future on an earth lit by a dying sun, Severian, a torturer's apprentice, falls in love with one of his prisoners and is banished from his guild.
Sent to the distant city of Thrax, he makes a perilous journey with his ancient sword across Urth’s crumbling landscape. But when he stumbles across a magical jewel called the Claw of the Conciliator, is it by accident or does a greater destiny await him?
The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien
Sauron the Dark Lord forges a mysterious ring imbued with his own power to rule over Middle-earth. But taken from him, it falls into the hands of a hobbit called Bilbo Baggins.
When Bilbo passes the ruling ring onto his young cousin Frodo, it sparks a dangerous quest. Frodo journeys with hobbits Merry, Pippin and Sam, accompanied by wizard Gandalf, a dwarf, an elf and a mysterious stranger called Strider to cross Middle-earth and destroy the Ring.
The Traitor Baru Comorant by Seth Dickinson
When the Empire of Masks conquers Baru Comorant’s island home, they outlaw her customs and murder one of her Fathers. So Baru joins the Empire's civil service to rise among the ranks and end its tyranny.
She is sent to distant Aurdwynn where she must navigate the world of rebels and the Empire’s secret cabals. But as she is drawn into a circle of disloyal aristocrats, is the price of freeing her people worth losing her soul?
Now that’s my list of the 24 best fantasy books to read today. Did I overlook some great novels? Of course! So if there’s a book you think is missing from this list, please feel free to share your favourites in the comments below.
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