So You Want to Read Fantasy Books? Beginner-Friendly Fantasy Books Selected Just For You
In the past few years, fantasy books have skyrocketed as a fan-favorite book genre amongst readers. Even if you haven't read a single fantasy book so far, you likely have come across at least one online. Fantasy can be an intimidating genre to get into. However, you are just in luck because below you will find the best fantasy books for beginners across a multitude of different sub-genres, whether it be romantasy, cozy fantasy, high fantasy, and many more.
1. Caraval by Stephanie Garber
I may be biased, since Stephanie Garber is one of my favorite authors, but hear me out!
Caraval is the perfect young adult trilogy to start reading for beginner readers in the fantasy genre. It’s a completed series with each book building upon the magical and enchanting atmosphere of the novel.
On a small island, sisters Scarlett and Tella are sheltered from the rest of the world and kept sequestered by their cruel father. Scarlett is arranged to marry a man by her father, resulting in her childhood dream to visit the ever-enchanting game of Caravel to be crushed.
Until one day, both Scarlett and Tella are invited to participate in Caraval. With the help of a mysterious sailor, Scarlett is whisked away to the game. However, upon arrival Tella is kidnapped by the mastermind of the game called Legend. The winner of the game is whoever finds Tella first. In a game where everything might not be as it seems, Scarlett finds herself not only being entranced by the performance, but also memorized by love, in her effort to save Tella.
Like Scarlett you will also be memorized into the world of Caraval. While there are magical elements, they are easy to understand, especially if you are unfamiliar with magical settings, making it the best fantasy book to read as a beginner.
2. Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross
A romantic tale in a historic setting with a dash of fantasy elements to introduce you into the world of fantasy.
Divine Rivals is a completed duology following two young journalists who communicate to one another through magical typewriters, taking pen-pals to the next level.
A war is brewing between gods. However, Iris is just trying to keep her family together, since she is left to care for her mother who is suffering from addiction after her brother left to join the front lines. Iris’s best bet at survival is getting a promotion at her job at a local gazette.
To let her mind have peace, Iris writes letters to her brother and slips them underneath her wardrobe door where they vanish. But, the letters do not go to her brother, but instead to Kitt who is her rival at the gazette. The two form a connection through their letters that follows Iris as she makes her way to the front lines of the war.
The focus of Divine Rivals is on the romance between Iris and Kitt. While there are light fantasy elements (such as gods), it is perfect for readers who typically read romance, but also want a beginner-friendly fantasy book.
3. One For My Enemy by Olivie Blake
Picture the movie Romeo + Juliet, but with witches.
One For My Enemy is the perfect beginner fantasy book to read, since it is a Romeo and Juliet inspired retelling and has a modern setting in Manhattan.
Two rival witch families fight to maintain control over their own empires. The Antonova sisters are known each for their strengths — beautiful, cunning, and ruthless — and their mother, infamously known as Baba Yaga, is the supplier of premium intoxicants. The Fedorov brothers live to serve their crime boss father Koschei the Deathless and control the shadows of Manhattan.
While the families are rivals, they are civil with one another, until one family member crosses the line and reignities bad blood. At the same time, fate intervenes with an encounter between two enemies. Everyone must choose a side — love or family.
Because of the urban fantasy setting, One For My Enemy doesn’t take too much brain power to understand the story, making it the best book to begin reading fantasy.
4. Legendborn by Tracey Deonn
L.L McKinney says it best, “Legendborn is intoxicating, electrifying, and resonates with a deep understanding and vulnerable adoration of what it is to be a Black girl searching for the magic of herself.”
At the time this blog was published, the series was incomplete. However, don’t let that scare you from starting this contemporary young adult fantasy series.
Legendborn is a unique and fresh take on the King Arthur legend that explores grief, power, and identity. Sixteen-year-old Bree sees her mother die in an accident, resulting in her escaping to an early-college program at UNC-Chapel Hill. However, on her first night on campus, Bree witnesses a demon attack, which will forever change the course of her life.
After a failed attempt to wipe her memory from a mysterious teenage mage that calls himself a Merlin, Bree discovers her own buried memories which hid her own magical abilities and the Merlin that was in the hospital the night her mother passed. Now that Bree remembers, she will do anything to find the truth about her mother’s death, even if that means infiltrating the secret society on campus called “Legendborn.”
Legendborn is an addicting series that is perfect to dive into as a fantasy book for beginners.
5. Where the Dark Stands Still by A.B. Poranek
Where Howl’s Moving Castle meets Beauty and The Beast.
Where the Dark Stands Still is based on Polish folklore and will leave you both amazed and devastated. Liska believes everything about magic to be dangerous. However, Liska finds herself to be at the very hands of danger, since she has magical abilities and will do anything to suppress it and fit in with the rest of her village. In a desperate attempt, she runs into the dark forest to steal a wish-granting flower that is protected by a demon. The catch is — anyone who caught the flower has never been heard of again — so when Liska is caught by the demon called The Leszy, she is entranced into a deal: one year of servitude for a wish. The perfect deal, right?
Liska soon finds herself within a sentient manor — full of spirits and magic. However, she is not the only one. All of her predecessors who have taken the bargain have disappeared. If Liska wants to make it back home, she must uncover the secrets of the manor and The Leszy.
Easily, Where the Dark Stands Still, is one of my favorite novels that I have read in 2024. It has a cozy and warm reminiscent feeling of Howl’s Moving Castle, along with dark secrets and magic that will keep you on your toes. It’s the perfect read for beginners wanting to read fantasy books.
6. Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson
If you’re looking specifically for high-fantasy, then look no further with likely the most popular high-fantasy book that you will find. Mistborn. Seriously, this series is everywhere and it’s the perfect start into reading epic fantasy books.
Mistborn combines a heist with political intrigue that is all wrapped into a seven book epic fantasy series. For a thousand years, the Skaa found themselves in constant fear and misery at the hands of the powerful and terrifying Lord Ruler. When all hope is lost, a scarred and broken Skaa finds it again in a hellish prison and becomes a Mistborn.
Kelsier — a now brilliant thief — recruits the underworld’s most elite to accomplish the greatest heist in history and the downfall of the Lord Ruler.
Who doesn’t want a heist to read about in the beginning of their fantasy book journey?
7. The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang
If the Amazon listing statement “one of Times Magazine’s 100 Best Fantasy Books of All Time” doesn’t convince you that this book is the best fantasy book for beginners, then I don't know what will convince you.
The Poppy War is a completed high-fantasy trilogy. It’s epic, it’s historical, and it’s political. When Rin aced the Empire-wide test that tries to find talented recruits for the Academies, it was a shock that a war orphan could actually do it. Rin jumps at the opportunity to go to one of the most elite military schools, since she always thought her life was going to be filled with servitude and despair.
Although Rin quickly learns that surprises aren't necessarily good because she is immediately targeted by her classmates for her color, poverty, and gender. While at school, she discovers her own powers that may become more useful than just surviving school.
The gods that were thought to be dead are actually still alive. The lurking Federation of Mugen is watching the Nikara Empire. While most are complacent, there just might be another war on its way.
As a fantasy reader, I am disappointed to say this series is still on my tbr. However, if you’re a beginner in the fantasy book genre, then you must read this book and series. I have a strong feeling it’ll be amazing.
8. The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss
The Name of the Wind is a completed epic high-fantasy series, including two books and two novellas, so honestly it’s a short series in the genre of fantasy.
A coming of age tale that explores Kvothe’s journey from a young man to a notorious wizard. Follows his childhood in a traveling trapeze, his years orphaned in a crime-ridden city, his rise to the legendary school of magic, and finally his life as a fugitive.
If you are looking for a book to transport you into an epic legend, then The Name of the Wind is the best fantasy book to read as a beginner (and very popular!).
9. Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree
Now let’s take a break from epic and high-stakes to something that’s a bit cozier. Legends & Lattes is the best fantasy book for you as a beginner in the genre.
Tired from battle and bloodshed, Viv is opening the first ever coffee shop in Thune. However, the concept of coffee is unknown to many of its customers. Can you believe that not everyone has the faintest idea of what coffee is? It’s actually shocking.
Along the way of teaching people about the wonders of coffee, there is of course ancient magic, delicious pastries, a good ol 'cup of joe, found-family, and friendship.
A wholesome, cozy up by your fireplace (let’s be real it’s a laptop playing a fireplace video) and enjoy the perfect fantasy book to read as a beginner.
10. A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab
Let’s get back into magic shall we?
A Darker Shade of Magic follows Kel who is the last of Antari — magicians who are able to travel between parallel Londons, which are Red, Black, White, and Black. Kel was raised in Red London and serves as an ambassador for the Empire, traveling between bloodshed London, dull London, and a magicless London.
While Kel is officially known as an ambassador, he is unofficially a smuggler, accepting money from customers for the smallest glimpses of his world. Of course, a defiant act doesn’t happen without any consequences.
After an exchange gone wrong, Kel escapes into Gray London and runs into Delilah who both robs him and saves his life. Talk about a first meeting, am I right? From there, Kel and Delilah embark on a new adventure to save the worlds.
While set in the real world, there are fun elements of magic sprinkled in throughout the book, making it the best addition to your bookshelf as a beginner-friendly fantasy book.
About the Author
Madi is an avid reader at heart. When she doesn't have her nose buried in a book, she enjoys creating social media content and watching romantic comedies. However, nothing beats a cozy night-in spent reading a book.
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