Fantasy is a genre that is more popular than ever, no matter the medium. This is because it offers a form of escapism from the mundanity and repetitive routines of everyday life, introducing worlds where anything is possible, and where grand adventures come to life. The genre has always been popular to an extent, especially in the realm of literature, but recently, there has been an explosion of new fantasy books to choose from.
If you’re someone who is looking to get into reading or an avid reader who wants to give fantasy a go, it can be hard to know where to start. Fortunately, a lot of fantasy books have come out over the years that have not only influenced the genre, but that are also uncomplicated and comfortable. These are the best fantasy novels for newcomers to the genre.
‘Eragon’ (2002)
Image via Alfred A. Knopf
Christopher Paolini‘s Eragon was written when he was 15, and to be honest, it certainly reads like it. It’s a pretty clichéd story that gets a pretty bad reputation in the fantasy community. However, as an introductory novel into fantasy, it’s a pretty good place to start. The first in a series of four novels, the story follows Eragon, a poor farm boy who discovers a dragon egg whilst out hunting. Once the dragon hatches, he discovers that he is destined to be a dragon rider, an order lost to the ages and crushed by the oppressive Broddring Empire.
Once readers start delving deep into the fantasy fandom, it becomes clear that Eragon is not among the absolute best the genre has to offer, though it is still a beloved book by many dedicated fans. This is usually because these fans also read it as an introductory novel to fantasy, which made them fall in love with the genre. For that reason, it’s a book that anyone wanting to get into fantasy should read. It’s simple, but accustoms the reader to a lot of modern fantasy tropes. Maybe just skip the atrocious 2006 movie adaptation.
‘Children of Blood and Bone’ (2018)
Image via Henry Holt and Company
Children of Blood and Bone is the first in a trilogy written by Tomi Adeyemi, which is inspired by her Nigerian heritage. Set in a fantasy realm resembling West Africa, the story is about an empire that suppresses the use of magic, turning a race of magic users into social pariahs. Unable to use their abilities and ostracized for their status, they are forced to conform to the empire’s standards.
In the midst of the turmoil, a young girl, along with a princess, become determined to bring magic back and thus destroy the empire. The book is definitely in the realm of YA fiction, but it does offer a very interesting setting and story that fantasy rarely touches upon. The magic system is simple to understand, the story is adventurous, and there are some memorable characters contained within. This is a modern triumph that has seen excellent reception amongst YA readers, and which serves as a brilliant introduction into fantasy.
‘Northern Lights’ (1995)
Image via Scholastic
Northern Lights, known as The Golden Compass in North America, is the first in the His Dark Materials trilogy. This story is set on an alternate version of Earth, one where magic and mythical creatures are known to exist. A shadowy corporation is slowly working behind the scenes to overtake the world, and it falls to the will of a young girl to see that they fail.
The story eventually evolves, taking the reader across the multiverse. Although this never feels confounding, it remains straightforward, and is far from difficult to follow. Philip Pullman‘s novel became a widespread hit, seeing a terrible movie adaptation in 2007, and a much better HBO TV series in 2019. In the realm of fantasy, this is a fan-favorite, and an excellent entry point to the genre.
‘The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe’ (1950)
<em>The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe </em>is the first book written for the seven-volume The Chronicles of Narnia series, though it is chronologically the second. The story is set during World War II, when four British children are sent to a lavish countryside estate to escape the Blitz. Arriving at the mansion, they discover a portal in an old wardrobe that leads to the fantastical world of Narnia.
The book famously received a 2000s movie adaptation, which was a solid effort, albeit not an incredible one. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe captures the sense of escapism that people look for in fantasy, bringing dreams to life and establishing a vast and wondrous world separate from our own. It’s another book that is very easy to read, and which serves as a stellar introduction to the genre.
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‘Mistborn: The Final Empire’ (2006)
Mistborn: The Final Empire Mistborn
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‘Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone’ (1997)
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