20 of My Favorite Fantasy Reads

Hey, friends! In today's post, I'll be sharing twenty of my favorite fantasy reads. Perhaps you're searching for a new book to read, or have read all the books in your favorite genre and are interested in exploring other genres. Either way, I hope this post helps!

~♡~

1. Once A Queen by Sarah Arthur

This book... wow. Just wow. I read this a few months ago, and let me tell you, it is amazing. The characters and story plot are so well written, and were so intriguing that it was hard to put down. It was pretty clean, too, and the mythical side of things was lovely. I would highly recommend this book to any who haven't read it :)

2. The Green Ember by S. D. Smith

Basically, this is a story about rabbits with swords. But, as S. D. Smith would say, it is so much more than that. And I agree with him. The Green Ember is the first installment in an epic middle grade fantasy series with themes such as hope, truth, and family. I love the characters especially, and the way the author writes is so intriguing! (#HelmerForever!)

3. The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien

Ah, gotta love this book. It's forever been a family favorite, and there's no question why. The writing style is so beautiful (yes, I'm over here admiring all the different writing styles XD), and Tolkien's Middle Earth has been a huge inspiration to me. Definitely a must-read!

4. The Lord of the Rings by J. R. R. Tolkien

Okay. OKAY. Let me just say, I'm a completely different person when it comes to LotR. The movies follow the books closer than The Hobbit (movie) follows the book, and I appreciate that. All the characters are so awesome, and I would recommend this series for ages 13+ (maybe 12). It's pretty much a big epic fantasy battle going on, and I love it. ♡

5. World Of Silence by Kaytlin Phillips

I read this book a few months back, and let me tell you, it was better than I expected! It now holds a place of honor on my bookshelf. It was pretty clean, plus it includes dragons, which is a huge bonus and the main reason I read it, lol. Definitely middle grade ;)

6. Identity by Annabelle Batie

This book was written by a friend of mine, and I'm so glad I discovered it. Normally I wouldn't read books with mermaids, but Annabelle handles it in a way that it isn't cheesy at all. Identity has the perfect amount of hope, suspense, and real-life drama. Something I would recommend to anyone searching for their next fantasy read - *nods*.

7. Princess of the Midnight Ball by Jessica Day George

This is definitely written in a simpler writing style, but it's great all the same. It's a retelling off a fairy tale, The Twelve Dancing Princesses.

8. The MistMantle Chronicles by M. I. McAllister

This series reminds me of The Green Ember, except with squirrels instead of rabbits. I found it was kind of hard to follow, since the first book switches from different POVs a lot, but is good all the same if you know how to keep up with it. And the covers? Soooo pretty! *star eyes*

9. Rise of the LivingWood by Kylie Beevers

This book is perfect for anyone who loves The Green Ember or The MistMantle Chronicles. Complete with foxes with swords, a beautiful cover that's sure to grab your attention, and lovely illustrations! Plus, the main character, Bramble, is so fun to read :) (love his name too!). When I first started reading it, I was instantly hooked. Congrats to the author for writing a thrilling tale! I think the formatting could have been a bit nicer, but other than that, the story itself was great :)

10. The Wingfeather Saga by Andrew Peterson

This has always been my favorite series next to LotR. I first read it when I was twelve, and have been captivated by the world of Aerwiar ever since. Dragons? Count me in. Twelve-year-old MC who feels pressured by the responsibility of taking care of his younger siblings? Relatable, count me in. Epic fantasy world? Count me in!

The author is Christian, and weaves those themes into his stories. The world is extremely well developed, and has so many plot holes and twists that it's sure to keep you on your toes! (In fact, I currently have a copy of the first book next to me, lol.) Definitely a must-read! (I would recommend this series for 10+, though.)

11. Ignite by Kara Swanson

This book is written in 1st person and different from any other fantasy worlds I've experienced, but in a great way. Perfect for a cold, wintery day, or even the hot summer season, if you're wishing for snow. Ignite is a raw, powerful story that will keep you on your toes. And the cover is breathtaking! Kara Swanson is such an amazing person and writer, and I would highly recommend this book.

12. Beyond Mulberry Glen by Millie Florence

Ah, this one. Gotta love Millie's stories! You can definitely tell she writes for a younger audience, but the simplicity of her stories are so cozy and heartwarming. And the descriptions? Beautiful! I was pretty much in bliss the entire time I was reading this book. Not to mention the gorgeous cover, illustrations, and chapter titles! Seriously, I cannot applaud the author enough. It'd make for a good read-aloud!

13. The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale

You can probably tell from the title, but The Goose Girl is based on the original fairy tale with the same title. Ahh, I love this book so much! Speaking of which, I need to reread it sometime soon...

14. Princess Academy by Shannon Hale

Unlike The Goose Girl (which is YA), Princess Academy is MG. It's a pretty good book, and I can't think of any major content warnings. I know, I know... the title... it threw me off guard lol, because I typically don't read books with titles like that. But it makes for a good read.

15. Illuminate the Dark (anthology)

Illuminate the Dark is a collection of short stories and poems that focus on pushing back the dark and letting in the light. It includes authors such as Kaytlin Phillips and Kylie Beevers. Highly recommend!

16. Jack Zulu and the Waylander's Key by S. D. Smith and J. C. Smith

If you want a book with 90s vibes, then this is the book. It's written by S. D. Smith (author of The Green Ember series) and his son, J. C. Smith.

17. The False Prince by Jennifer A. Nielsen

Oh my goodness, this book is one of my favorites! The plot twists in this are amazing, and the characters? I love the characters. Sage has legit the best personality ever, I love him so much 😂 This is probably one of my top favorites.

18. The Scourge by Jennifer A. Nielsen

So, funny story, when I first read this book I had no idea it was fantasy. I was getting fantasy vibes, but also I thought it could be historical fiction... that's how real the "scourge" in the book seems. Congrats to the author for making me think it was historical fiction... XD. Definitely one I would recommend!

19. The Hidden Haven by Ella Quill

I haven't read The Hidden Haven yet, but it's written by a friend and I'm sooo excited too! It's about a chipmunk named Delle who discovers a hidden kingdom that's supposed to only be a legend. Can't wait to get a copy of the book! (Pssst, I did an interview with the author a while back! <3 https://riversofwords.wixsite.com/blog/post/interview-with-ella-quill)

20. The Lost Kingdom of Bamarre by Gail Carson Levine

This book wasn't exactly my favorite, so I probably wouldn't read it again, but it was still a fun read! I feel like the fantasy world could've been a bit more realistic, but that could just be me. Either way, it's a fun read that I'd recommend!

~♡~

That's all for today! What's your favorite book on this list? Do you have any favorite fantasy recommendations?

Until next time,

~Maya