The genre of fantasy may seem extremely intimidating. There are so many sub-divisions, and the universes are more difficult to get into and understand. Today, I wanted to give a few recommendations for those of you who are unsure and possibly intimidated by fantasy.
- Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo
This is, undoubtedly, one of the most hyped and popular fantasy books of all time, and for a good reason. It follows six characters as they are commissioned to go on a heist. This is great for beginners since it is only a duology, and series may definitely be scary to read. The world is also not terribly complex and easy to get into, making this a great read for beginner fantasy readers and also just a great book in general.
- This Savage Song by Victoria Schwab
This is another great duology to read, and the strength also lies within the world. It follows two characters with completely different backgrounds; Kate Harker, whose father owns one part of Verity and despises monsters, and there’s also August Flynn, who’s a monster himself and his adoptive father owns the other part of Verity. When these two characters coincidentally meet, they end up forming a strong relationship. I really enjoyed this book, and I’d definitely recommend it for it’s simplistic yet also plot-enhancing writing style. The world isn’t overly complex either, which again makes for a great beginner-to-fantasy novel.
- The Young Elites by Marie Lu
Marie Lu is most well known for her debut novel and trilogy, Legend. Some may not know that she has actually written another trilogy focusing on a fantasy world. It follows a girl named Adelina, who discovers that she has supernatural powers. She ends up joining a group of others who have these supernatural powers, named The Young elites, and forms a bond with them. This is the perfect quick, and easy fantasy read if you are looking for something to binge over a weekend.
- Caraval by Stephanie Garber
This is Stephanie Garber’s debut novel, and it definitely doesn’t disappoint. This novel follows a girl named Scarlett Dragna, where she is whisked away to an island to play the Caraval game. This time, however, the game revolves around finding her sister and she is determined to do so.
Again, the world isn’t overly complex and difficult to get into, but I particularly loved the whimsical atmosphere this book brought. It definitely isn’t the best book of all time, but I’d still recommend it to others if you are looking for a good fantasy read.
- Children of Blood and Bone
This is one of my new favorite books of all time. It is a gripping and engrossing fantasy novel that keeps you on the edge of your seat the entire time. The world that this book takes place in is intricately woven, but extremely well explained by the author. The world building is phenomenal and makes the book easier to understand. This is the perfect book for almost any fantasy reader, and it is the 2018 release you should definitely pick up.
What are some of your favorite and most recommended books? Enjoy your week and happy reading!