Fantasy has recently become a favourite genre for me. The cyclical nature of reading means our tastes inevitably change; however, I appreciate how difficult it can be to get into fantasy.
Where do you start?
Some of these books are epic tales spanning many volumes and can represent a vast commitment.
Fantasy also contains many sub-genres, which can make it challenging for a new reader to find something they truly enjoy.
Below are my suggestions for where to start, depending on your personal tastes.
Character Lover
Robin Hobb is a master of character development. If you are drawn to books that are character-led, then this is where you must start. Hobb’s Realm of the Elderlings is a massive sixteen-book series.
However, do not let that put you off; the entire saga is split into a number of trilogies, allowing you to stop whenever you wish.
The first trilogy is the Farseer Trilogy. The opening book, Assassin’s Apprentice, is only 400 pages long and can be read as a standalone to see if the style suits you.
While Hobb does not write the fastest-paced books, she provides characters who are so well-developed and fleshed out that you genuinely want to spend time with them. She crafts individuals who aren’t just heroes, but deeply flawed, “lived-in” people who carry the physical and psychological scars of their choices across decades. Reading her work feels less like following a plot and more like enduring a lifelong, intimate transformation alongside a close friend.
Epic Battle Lover
The writer who established me as a fantasy reader was John Gwynne. I have read everything he has written.
If you are a lover of epic battles, I would advise you to read The Bloodsworn Trilogy. The first book, The Shadow of the Gods, remains the only story that has given me physical goosebumps at the conclusion.
The story features multiple points of view, and the character work is as strong as Robin Hobb’s. However, it is in the battle scenes where Gwynne takes the genre to another level. Gwynne himself participates in Viking re-enactments, and this expertise shows in how he crafts a combat scene.
Even a novice can follow the action and feel invested in the outcome. These multiple perspectives help immensely, as you experience the chaos from many different angles.
My love for John Gwynne’s writing cannot be overstated, and you will see that this is not the last of his series I will recommend.
Academic Lover
The most famous academic fantasy is Harry Potter, but the readers who loved those books as children now have a sophisticated alternative to read in adulthood.
James Islington’s The Will of the Many is that book. It has been hyped on social media for a year with good reason; it is a masterpiece with an epilogue that will make you want to start the sequel immediately. The good news is that the second book is now available as well.
The Will of the Many is not solely set in an academy. The first part of the book follows Vis as he becomes a member of the ‘Hierarchy,’ while the second part is where the academic setting really shows its strength.
This book is written in the first person, yet despite this, you find yourself deeply invested in the lives of the side characters and students. Based on a Roman-inspired system, we follow Vis as he acts as a double agent trying to bring down the hierarchy.
However, as the epilogue proves, that is just the start of the story. The world is engaging, the academy is mysterious, and the characters are strong. I believe this may be my favourite read of 2026, and it is only February.
Prose Lover
If you are a reader drawn to beautiful prose and epic world-building, few are better than J.R.R. Tolkien and The Lord of the Rings.
My personal favourite will always be The Hobbit, but it is in The Lord of the Rings where Tolkien takes his writing to the next level. He crafts beautiful sentences that describe the world in such vivid colour that you feel as though you are standing right alongside the characters.
Most people know the general story, which I believe gives the books another layer of enjoyment; you can appreciate the fluid writing while travelling on this epic quest with some of the best-known characters in fantasy history.
Crazy Plot Lover
Many fantasy books have wild plots where you must suspend your idea of reality, but none more so than George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire series. The only downside is that the series is currently unfinished. However, if that puts you off, you could easily walk away after the third book and feel satisfied.
A Song of Ice and Fire is a wild ride with a massive cast. Just when you begin to like a character, you can rely on Martin to kill them off. The books may be hard to follow for those who have not seen the television adaptation due to the sheer number of names to remember, but the perseverance pays off.
The plot twists and turns, throwing everything on its head in multiple chapters. If you have seen the series and wonder whether the books are still worth picking up, I would say yes for two reasons: the writing is beautiful, almost as good as Tolkien’s, and the books preserve a major character that the series killed off. No spoilers, but if you know, you know.
Standalone Lover
All the books I have recommended so far are part of a series. If you want to dip your toe into fantasy without committing to multiple volumes, then M.L. Wang’s Blood Over Bright Haven is for you.
Although it is only one book, the world-building and magic system are as well-developed as any long-running series.
The story follows two characters: Sciona Freynan, the first woman allowed into the High Ministry, and Thomil, a refugee with a hidden history.
When Sciona enters the Ministry, her male counterparts think it is funny to assign her a janitor, Thomil, as her research assistant. What follows is a story about relationships and a system built on corruption and murder.
You learn the magic system alongside Thomil, and this unique way of involving the reader makes the book a true page-turner. It is also one of the few books I have had to physically put down and walk away from during a major reveal.
Animal Lover
As promised, here is another John Gwynne recommendation.
The Faithful and the Fallen has all the characteristics of The Bloodsworn Trilogy with one brilliant addition: amazing animal companions who are as integral to the plot as their human counterparts.
In this series, we follow Corban and his loyal wolven, Storm. Storm is a warrior in her own right and is essential to both Corban’s survival and the journeys of several other characters.
The relationship between the two will engage anyone who loves a faithful companion. I cannot overstate how beautiful their bond is; as a dog lover, I related deeply to the character’s emotions throughout the story.
Cozy Lover
If epic world-building and complex magic systems are not your thing, The House in the Cerulean Sea might be for you. This tells the story of Linus Baker, who has been tasked with visiting a home for magical children with the intention of closing it down.
The story evolves into one of love and features wonderful children who are all unique and lovable. This was such a beautiful, “cosy” read that you can enjoy with virtually no mental strain.
The world is easy to understand and the politics are engaging yet simple. If you love this book, there is a sequel, Somewhere Beyond the Sea, which allows us to spend more time with these charming characters.
This book is so unlike any other fantasy I have read that I even bought my mum a copy for Christmas, and she has never read a fantasy novel in her life.
So there you have it: fantasy recommendations tailored to the type of reader you are. What have I missed?
Until next Friday: Read to learn. Read to escape. Read to smile.